hello and welcome to bbc news. afghanistan is seeing the heaviest fighting yet between government forces and the taliban. the militants are trying to seize three major cities in the south and west of the country. they ve made rapid gains in less populated parts since it was announced almost all foreign troops withdraw by september. taliban fighters have now entered parts of herat, kandahar, and lashkar gah, the capital of helmand province, once the home to british troops in the country. the fate of these key cities could be crucial amid fears of a humanitarian crisis, and there are concerns about how long government forces will be able to hold out. this analysis from our correspondent in kabul, secunder kermani. well, this is now the most serious fighting we ve seen since this latest taliban offensive began. the militants had already captured vast swathes of rural territory, now they re trying to take their first city and earlier this evening, they made their way to the very
hello and welcome to bbc news. turning to the olympics now, and we ve now reached day nine of the games. here is the medal table as it stands at the moment. china is on top with 22 gold medals, followed in second place by the united states with 19 golds, and the host nation, japan, currently in third on 17 golds. with me is our reporter tanya dendrinos. let s wrap up the action so far. where shall we start? swimming pool? absolutely, good place to start. it was the last day of swimming in the final event was the men s 100 was the last day of swimming in the final event was the men s100 medley relay. it finished an emphatic fashion. they not only claim the gold medal, team usa, but also a world record. it was team gb in silver. in the mix for that us team was superstar caeleb dressel. he has been incredible to watch, incredible speedin been incredible to watch, incredible speed in the water. you would think you might have been tired after his final win in you might have been t
protests large cruise ships can no longer dock in the centre of venice. hello and welcome. we start with the olympics and we ve now reached day nine of the games. here s the medal table as it stands at the moment china is on top with 22 gold medals followed in second place by the united states with 19 golds and the host nationjapan currently in third on 17 golds. let s find out more about today s action from gavin ramjaun at bbc sports centre. great to see you. let s start with the swimming. great to see you. let s start with the swimming- great to see you. let s start with the swimming. great to see you. let s start with the swimminu. . , ,, ., , the swimming. kaleb tressel has been on fire. he the swimming. kaleb tressel has been on fire- he has the swimming. kaleb tressel has been on fire. he has helped the swimming. kaleb tressel has been on fire. he has helped the the swimming. kaleb tressel has been on fire. he has helped the us - the swimming. kaleb tressel h
hello and welcome to bbc news. afghanistan is seeing the heaviest fighting yet between government forces and the taliban. the militants are trying to seize three major cities in the south and west of the country. they ve made rapid gains in less populated parts since it was announced almost all foreign troops withdraw by september. taliban fighters have now entered parts of herat, kandahar, and lashkar gah the capital of helmand province, once the home to british troops in the country. the fate of these key cities could be crucial amid fears of a humanitarian crisis, and there are concerns about how long government forces will be able to hold out. this update from our correspondent in kabul, secunder kermani. well, this is now the most serious fighting we ve seen since this latest taliban offensive began. the militants had already captured vast swathes of rural territory, now they re trying to take their first city and earlier this evening, they made their way to the very c
hello and welcome to bbc news. afghanistan is seeing the heaviest fighting yet between government forces and the taliban. the militants are trying to seize three major cities in the south and west of the country. they ve made rapid gains in less populated parts since it was announced almost all foreign troops withdraw by september. taliban fighters have now entered parts of herat, kandahar, and lashkar gah, the capital of helmand province, once the home to british troops in the country. the fate of these key cities could be crucial amid fears of a humanitarian crisis, and there are concerns about how long government forces will be able to hold out. this update from our correspondent in kabul, secunder kermani: well, this is now the most serious fighting we ve seen since this latest taliban offensive began. the militants had already captured vast swathes of rural territory, now they re trying to take their first city and earlier this evening, they made their way to the very ce