Im sarah mukerrins, Live In Tokyo where there are 13 medals up for grabs on the final day of the delayed 2020 olympics starting with the Mens Marathon which is under way. Thousands of residents and tourists have been evacuated from North'>Towns North of athens, as wildfires spread across the country. More than 150 wildfires are burning Out Of Control some Now close to the Northern suburbs of the greek capital itself. Two people are kNown to have died, and at least 20 others have been injured. Greece, like many other parts of europe, has been grappling with extreme weather conditions this summer. Widespread flooding, and colder than average temperatures in Central Europe and Now baking hot weather in the south. 0ur europe correspondent, bethany bell, reports from athens. Greece is in the grip of an emergency. Wildfires have been blazing Out Of Control for days. The extreme heat means these forests near athens are like a tinderbox. Helicopters keep returning here to try to put out this fire but it isnt working yet. This is the main North-south-motorway'>North South Motorway near athens but it has been closed for two days because of all the fires around here, and the strong, scorching winds are Not helping. As the fire spreads down the hillside, people are frightened for their houses. People shout. In athens, there are screams for help as the flames grow closer. People are desperately trying to put out the fires in any way they can. Thousands of people have been evacuated. This woman in athens told me she is worried for her family. A big national tragedy. Do you live here . I dont live here. My sister lives here. Its horrible, for the whole of greece. This was the scene on the island of avia last night. Ferries carried hundreds of people to safety after they fled to the beaches. Safe on board, One Man filmed the inferNo on his phone. The fire burned through a vast area of pine forest, only the sea could stop it. Tonight, evia is still burning and the flames are spreading towards one of the islands largest towns. The afghan government says American B52 bombers have killed more than 200 taliban fighters in a series of Air Strikes in the Northern city of sheberghan where the insurgents claim to have taken control. Shebhergan is the stronghold of former afghan Vice President abdul rashid dostum, whose supporters fight against the taliban. It comes after the militants said theyd captured zaranj in nimroz, close to the border with iran, in a major escalation of their offensive. Theyve made sweeping gains since foreign forces started withdrawing from the country. The us and the uk have asked their citizens in afghanistan to leave the country immediately because of the worsening security situation. Richard galpin reports. In this fast moving offensive, the taliban are claiming a second province is in their hands. Here video film for the fighters appears to show them releasing inmates from the local prison. The afghan authorities admit some parts of the city have been taken. In response, the afghan Defence Ministry says it has called in American B52 long range bombers to try to halt the taliban offensive. Air strikes, it claims, have already hit the insurgents, killing of them. There is a risk, though, of civilian casualties. Already many civilians have been killed or injured including children. The hospitals filling up. The taliban have been specifically targeting Government Officials such as the head of the governments information centre. He was shot dead on friday. His funeral has Now taken place in the capital. A killing designed to intimidate those working for the government in kabul. As the situation deteriorates, many afghans outside the country in pakistan are Now trying to get back in. But one of the key Border Crossings has been closed by the taliban leaving many stranded. Translation we came here to attend a funeral three days ago, Now the border is closed, we are sitting here with No food and No money, we canNot go to a hotel to sleep for the night. I appeal to the taliban leaders to find some solution for us. And Now while afghans are trying to get back home, the british and american governments are calling on their citizens to leave the country. Laurel miller is the director of the international crisis groups asia programme. I asked her whether in light of unfolding events, the timeframe for the us� s scheduled Troop Withdrawal from afghanistan was still on track. Troops on the ground will be completely withdrawn by The End of august and to this Point President Biden and his administration have said that after The End of august there will Not even be any further Air Support for the afghan government forces which is what has been stepped up in recent weeks as the withdrawal has been proceeding. I think there is a real possibility that that decision to withdraw Air Support will be reconsidered because of the deteriorating security situation, or at least there will be a debate about whether to continue to provide that kind of backing. The former general David Petraeus told the bbc that he considers afghanistan to be on the brink of a fully fledged Civil War. You agree with that statement . Afghanistan has been in a Civil War. It is already the deadliest conflict in the world. It is quite possible that the conflict will intensify and widen if the afghan government fractures into a variety of different factions like we saw in the i990 factions like we saw in the 1990 Civil War. So, yes, it could get worse but there is a Civil War already. Could get worse but there is a Civil War already. What can the Afu Han Civil War already. What can the afghan government Civil War already. What can the afghan government and afghan government and potentially its international partners do to continue to repel eight advances . The best Case Scenario repel eight advances . The best Case Scenario ahead repel eight advances . The best Case Scenario ahead is repel eight advances . The best Case Scenario ahead is that repel eight advances . The best Case Scenario ahead is that the | Case Scenario ahead is that the afghan government is able to force a stalemate by defending the cities, in particular, and preventing taliban takeovers of relatively urban areas. There canNot be a complete Taliban Victory unless they contain the cities and towns. They have made some progress on that in recent days but there are some challenges ahead for the taliban in that respect and the afghan government is going to really need to have a focused strategy going ahead. Lets get some of the days other news. A ship carrying more than 250 migrants has docked in sicily, a week after those on board, were rescued off the tunisian coast. Passengers on the Vessel Run by the german aid agency, � Sea Watch international� clapped and cheered as they arrived at the Italian Port of trapani. Italy has urged other European Union countries to accept some of the new arrivals. The french authorities say nearly a quarter of A Million people have taken part in the fourth consecutive weekend of demonstrations against a new Health Pass intended to limit the spread of coronavirus. Protesters marched in paris, toulon, nice and other cities. There were isolated clashes, with demonstrators throwing projectiles and Police Spraying tear gas. Senators in the united states are meeting for the second weekend in a row in an attempt to pass a trillion dollar infrastructure bill. The bipartisan legislation has cleared aNother procedural hurdle, as it edges towards a final vote. The Majority Leader in the chamber, chuck schumer, said the senate would remain in session until the process was completed. Throughout the Pandemic Australia has had some of the strictest Border Measures in the world and a new law which takes effect next week is set to tighten things up further. Australians who ordinarily live overseas will Now have to apply for an exemption to leave their Home Country meaning that some citizens could get trapped in australia if they come back to visit. Lets speak to professor Kim Rubenstien an expert in australian citizenship law. Shejoins us Now from canberra. Thank you very much for being with us. Can you talk us through this new law . What is it . It starts through this new law . What is it . It starts from through this new law . What is it . It starts from a through this new law . What is it . It starts from a base through this new law . What is| it . It starts from a base where the government introduced early on in the Bio Security Act, a restriction on all australian citizens, except for those who permanently lived outside the country, from leaving the country. It is a dramatic step in a western liberal democracy to say you are Not allowed to leave unless you have an exemption. But what had been in place is if you ordinarily lived outside the country you would Not need to apply for that exemption. This change will effectively mean that No matter where you live in the world, once you are in australia you are formally trapped and you need an exemption to leave. What are the le. Al exemption to leave. What are the legal Mechanics Exemption to leave. What are the legal mechanics for exemption to leave. What are the legal mechanics for this i the legal mechanics for this law being enforced . Is this Emergency Legislation or has passed through parliament . The actual passed through parliament . Tue actual framework, passed through parliament . Tte actual framework, the passed through parliament . Ttj actual framework, the overall framework is the Bio Security Act and it gives the Health Minister Power to make determinations in order to facilitate the health and Well Being of the country. What is interesting is that within that act it does link back to some basic Human Rights principles and that is that those determinations must be appropriate and adapted in the least restrictive measure available for the circumstances. So i think there are serious questions, even before this change occurred, just for the Starting Point of restrict people who are here from leaving without an exemption as to whether that is in fact the least restrictive measure. Remember, people are leaving the country so it is Not as if the virus is here with us, they are actually departing. So i think there are clear questions as to whether this actually will fit properly within the law itself, let alone some broader constitutional questions that im happy to discuss. fine constitutional questions that im happy to discuss. Im happy to discuss. One of the grounds im happy to discuss. One of the grounds for im happy to discuss. One of the grounds for Exemption L im happy to discuss. One of i the grounds for exemption that may mean someone could leave . These are just policy guidelines to Decision Makers and compassionate grounds are part of them and, also, work needs and so forth. Again, these are discretionary, they are Not clear and they are Not set out in the legislation itself. It does make people vulnerable to a scenario where Decision Makers will say No and then a person who is in that situation needs to consider a legal challenge which becomes costly. It does make everyone vulnerable to the Decision Making of government without clear clarity. Interesting stuff. Professor kim Rubin Steen letting us from canberra. Thank you forjoining us. Riot police in thailand have fired tear Gas And Rubber bullets at anti government protesters who tried to gather in bangkok. The demonstrators are calling for political reforms and changes to the monarchy. Theyre also angry at the thai governments handling of coronavirus. Our correspondent, jonathan head, sent this report. These protests are Not yet on the scale of last years mass rallies. But they are No less determined. Pushing once again for the government to resign and for the lavish funds spent on the Military And Monarchy to be diverted instead to fighting the covid pandemic. The police walled off the prime ministers home and much of bangkoks royal quarter. They push the protesters back with volleys of tear gas. A Now familiar confrontation we are seeing each weekend despite the Governments Declaration that such gatherings are strictly forbidden. The grievances that fired up Thailands Youth last year have Not gone away. If anything, the governments botched Vaccine Rollout combined with the rapid spread of the Delta Variant overwhelming hospitals and morgues in a country that largely contained the virus last year, has sparked even wider public anger. The prime minister, who seized power seven years ago in a coup, is seen by many as out of touch and authoritarian. His is one of several governments in this region whose already shaky legitimacy is being tested by covid. Yet, with infection still rising and much of thailand in lockdown, only a few people are prepared to take the risk ofjoining these demonstrations. For Now, they remain small and unless they pick up momentum, little threat to the thai government. Jonathan head, bangkok. Dennis Dee Tee thomas, a co founder of the soul funk band, kool the gang, has died aged 70. Thomas enjoyed a Music Career that spanned almost 60 years as the alto sax player, Flutist And Percussionist in kool the gang. The band were kNown for mega hits including, � celebration� , � ladies night, and � get down on it. � this is bbc news. The headlines hundreds of people have been evacuated by ferry in greece as firefighters continue to battle an unprecedented outbreak of wildfires. The us and britain have warned their remaining citizens in afghanistan to leave as the taliban continue their advance, seizing a second provincial capital. Now lets get an update from the olympics. The final day of the games is well underway In Tokyo, with just 13 Gold Medals left for grabs, china is leading with 38 Gold Medals, but the us isnt that far behind with 36. Host nationjapan is in third place. For more on this, we can Now cross live to our sports presenter, sarah mulkerrins. We have had news of a Gold Medal when in the marathon on. This was taking place in the North, Not quite the rain we are battling here In Tokyo, they have moved North to counteract the extreme heat that tokyo experiences at this time of the year but the conditions were still tough and we saw a lot of athletes drop out from that, however, it was the man who was just pheNomenal over the marathon in recent years, he was able to stretch clear in the final stages, and race all the way to that Gold Medal, he has defended his olympic title he won in rio five years ago, the last time that happened was the tokyo games back in 1964 with the legendary runner from games back in 1964 with the Legendary Runnerfrom ethiopia. Legendary runner from ethiopia. A Legendary Runnerfrom ethiopia. A brilliant performance for jepchirchir, people may remember him for a previous win, but he is the dominant force in Marathon Running and he has proven it again today. What else is Not to be missed in these final few hours of the games . In these final few hours of the names . ,. ,. ,. ,. ,. , games . Sporting fans All Around The World are games . Sporting fans All Around The World are going games . Sporting fans All Around The World are going to games . Sporting fans All Around The World are going to want games . Sporting fans All Around The World are going to want to i the world are going to want to make the most of all the action for the final day of the Olympic Games, we will have the Womens Basketball final a little bit later between the usa and japan, that is going to be a real good showing, japan, the first time in their final, so they are up against it in the usa, but its interesting thinking about how these olympics are seen around the world Now that we are at The End about the. Lets bring our political scientist and who joins us on the programme, an expert in all things olympics. Here we are at the final day of these controversial Olympic Games in so many ways. Have there been a success or a failure for you . Failure for you . The Olympic Games bring failure for you . The Olympic Games bring out failure for you . The Olympic Games bring out the failure for you . The Olympic Games bring out the very i failure for you . The olympic. Games bring out the very best in athletes while at the same time in athletes while at the same time bringing out the worst in host time bringing out the worst in Host Cities and what we have seen Host Cities and what we have seen in Host Cities and what we have seen In Tokyo is both of those dynamics seen In Tokyo is both of those dynamics in turbocharged ways. We have dynamics in turbocharged ways. We have seen athletes rise up and thrive we have seen athletes rise up and thrive under extraordinarily difficult conditions, reminding us that in fact conditions, reminding us that infect it conditions, reminding us that infect it is conditions, reminding us that in fact it is the olympians who make in fact it is the olympians who make the in fact it is the olympians who make the olympics are so speciat make the olympics are so special. On the other hand we have special. On the other hand we have seeri special. On the other hand we have seen the tokyo Olympics Strip have seen the tokyo Olympics Strip the have seen the tokyo Olympics Strip the shimmer of the olympic project. Demonstrating in a lot olympic project. Demonstrating in a lot of olympic project. Demonstrating in a lot of ways that the games are Not in a lot of ways that the games are Not so in a lot of ways that the games are Not so much broken as they are Not so much broken as they are fixed, are Not so much broken as they are fixed, fixed in favour of the are fixed, fixed in favour of the International Olympic Committee which forced the Games Committee which forced the games upon a population that in the lead games upon a population that in the lead up to the olympics was Not keen the lead up to the olympics was Not keen to have them happen, so a Not keen to have them happen, so a lot Not keen to have them happen, so a lot going on with these olympics both on and off the pitch. Olympics both on and off the pitch. No olympics both on and off the pitch, No question. The World Health Organization pitch, No question. The World Health Organization when pitch, No question. The world | Health Organization when they were here at one stage at the olympics could be a model for future big sporting events, they could be a celebration of hope, way of Staging Something like this in the middle of a global pandemic. Do you think the ioc be pleased that things like a super Spreader Event, with cases Not spreading in the olympic village, they have Not happened here at the games. Will they deem it themselves a success . 50 will they deem it themselves a success . ,. ,. Success . So far the international success . So far the l international olympic Committees Pr members have certainly Committees Pr members have certainly made that argument that the certainly made that argument that the games have been a success that the games have been a success in terms of coronavirus, however you would have coronavirus, however you would have to coronavirus, however you would have to tell that to the more than have to tell that to the more than 400 people who contracted coronavirus inside of the olympic bubble. Youre absolutely right, it could have been absolutely right, it could have been a absolutely right, it could have been a super Spreader Event but thats been a super Spreader Event but thats a been a super Spreader Event but thats a pretty low bar. Outside of the olympic bubble, there outside of the olympic bubble, there was a huge spike in coronavirus cases, Notjust In Tokyo. Coronavirus cases, Notjust In Tokyo. But coronavirus cases, Notjust In Tokyo, but also around japan, and staging the olympics during the pandemic certainly structured permission for people structured permission for people inside japan to flout the State Of Emergency restrictions. Itsjust common restrictions. Its just Common Sense restrictions. Its just Common Sense that restrictions. Itsjust Common Sense that the games contributed in some fashion, if an indirect contributed in some fashion, if an indirect one, to the surge in cases an indirect one, to the surge in cases across japan. | an indirect one, to the surge in cases across japan. I would be very interested in cases across japan. I would be very interested on in cases across japan. I would be very interested on your. In cases across japan. I would i be very interested on your take on the role of athletes in these games because we have seen so many of these people being vocal on a range of issues, and whether you feel this is a moment for athletes, that they feel more confident on the stage of vocalising their feelings . On the stage of vocalising their feelinas . ,. , their feelings . Absolutely, we are definitely their feelings . Absolutely, we are definitely in their feelings . Absolutely, we are definitely in the their feelings . Absolutely, we are definitely in the middle. Their feelings . Absolutely, we are definitely in the middle of| are definitely in the middle of what are definitely in the middle of what we are definitely in the middle of what we might call the Athletes Empowerment Era right Now. Athletes Empowerment Era right Now. Athletes are getting organised outside athletes are getting organised outside of the track and off the pitch, and they are coming together the pitch, and they are coming together to have a strong voice in the together to have a strong voice in the matter. When you saw raymond in the matter. When you saw Raymond Saunders put her hands in an Raymond Saunders put her hands in an axe Raymond Saunders put her hands in an axe while on the Metal Stand in an axe while on the Metal Stand being respectful of her peers stand being respectful of her peers who also won medals, that was an peers who also won medals, that was an Epic Peers who also won medals, that was an epic moment of political dissent. Was an epic moment of political dissent, and i was interested to see dissent, and i was interested to see how she first of all talked to see how she first of all talked about how she was representing oppressed people from representing oppressed people from around the world, and really from around the world, and really embracing her Role Model is a member of the Lgb Q is a member of the Lgb 0 community, the us olympic and oiyrNoic community, the us olympic and olympic committee said they would olympic committee said they would Not come down on her because would Not come down on her because she was celebrating, Not protesting. For Now, that was Not protesting. For Now, that was an Not protesting. For Now, that was an epic act of dissent. We have was an epic act of dissent. We have seen was an epic act of dissent. We have seen others as well, Not quite have seen others as well, Not quite as have seen others as well, Not quite as high profile by the largest quite as high profile by the largest story is we will only see largest story is we will only see more and more athletes getting see more and more athletes getting their voices because they getting their voices because they are getting their voices because they are organising off the pitch they are organising off the pitch and trying to make things happen pitch and trying to make things happen for them and their peers happen for them and their peers ~ happen for them and their peers happen for them and their neers. Peers. We appreciate your time and peers. We appreciate your time and thoughts peers. We appreciate your time and thoughts on peers. We appreciate your time and thoughts on the i time and thoughts on the programme. Thank you very much. Are really interesting talk, there are so many different Talking Points in these games and it would be a couple of weeks down the line when we all go to digestive and really kind of analyse the legacy of what these games will be. Just briefl , these games will be. Just briefly, other these games will be. Just briefly, other than these games will be. Just briefly, other than the i briefly, other than the weather, what has been your High Point of the games . Other than standing High Point of the games . Other than standing in High Point of the games . Other than standing in the High Point of the games . Other than standing in the rain . I i than standing in the rain . I dont kNow if anything is higher than this, but i think the mixed events have been a wonderful addition to the Olympic Games, mixed events in the triathlon, also in the swimming and on the track in the athletics, and i think it is wonderful when you get to see the best man and best women compete for their country, cheer each other on, and i kNow its definitely created a sense of Crime Rotary in the teams, they enjoyed being able to do that together , it felt like a bit more of a modern twist on that comraderie. I think that comraderie. I think that was the biggest success for me. , that was the biggest success for me. , that was the biggest success for me. ,. , for me. Stay dry, and we will talk to you for me. Stay dry, and we will talk to you again for me. Stay dry, and we will talk to you again later. I staying with the olympics and earlier i spoke to hannah roberts, who won Silverfor Team Usa in the womens bmx freestyle event In Tokyo. It was a bit crazy. The whole fact that the olympics happened, and being there was a surreal experience, and obviously you have to get used were pretty fast because you were pretty fast because you were in, and wasjust amazing to be able to go and be with my friends and just feel Normal again after the year and a half of the World Kind of shutting down. ,. , of the World Kind of shutting down. , y. ,. ,. , down. How did you celebrate when you down. How did you celebrate when you are down. How did you celebrate when you are out down. How did you celebrate when you are out in down. How did you celebrate when you are out In Tokyo i when you are out In Tokyo winning your silver . Were you able to celebrate . Able to celebrate . Yeah, im 19, so either able to celebrate . Yeah, im 19, so either way, able to celebrate . Yeah, im 19, so either way, i 19, so either way, i celebrated, theres Nothing i can do, but ijust hung out with my friends, and i ate a lot of suites afterwards, and i was just excited, lot of suites afterwards, and i wasjust excited, i lot of suites afterwards, and i was just excited, i talked to all my family and i was super excited to come home so i could show them the middle, and show them videos that i wasnt able to post while i was there. Obviously your friends and Family Wont have been able to join you out there, but what was the reception like when you got back to North-carolina'>North Carolina . Most of my family lives in michigan, im hoping to drive there soon, but Coming Home to my life was the best thing. Coming home and being super happy with how i rode, super stoked to take the silver, so just Coming Home was an amazing moment, and it was released, because Now i dont have anything to stress about, and i get to kind of sit at home and enjoyjust My Downtime Now. You started riding enjoyjust My Downtime Now. You started riding when you are nine years old. These olympics have huge audiences around the world, what would your advice to be two young Boys And Girls who watch you, who were inspired by you and want to get into Bmx Riding . Into Bmx Riding . Definitely try it. You into Bmx Riding . Definitely try it you can into Bmx Riding . Definitely try it. You can build into Bmx Riding . Definitely try it. You can build such into Bmx Riding . Definitely try it. You can build such a it. You can build such a Support System in the sport itself, and even if it is Not for you, there are people, you meet lifelong friends throughout the sport. A boat shaped like a giant violin is a whole master people who died of coronavirus has taken float in venice. It symbolises the rebirth of venice and it will be launched next month when it sails around the venetian canal. Thats it from me and the team, thanks for watching. Hello there. Low pressure brought a very unsettled day on saturday. We saw lots of showers around, some torrential downpours in places, but there was some good spells of sunshine, too. And sunday is a Repeat Performance some of the showers will be heavy and thundery once again and slow moving across the North of the uk. Thats because in the centre of the low, the winds will be lighter but Notice'>Youll Notice across its southern flank for Southern England through wales, quite a squeeze in the isobars there. So, its going to be breezy. So, well start off with maybe some sunshine across eastern areas but the showers will get going. Theyll rattle through fairly quickly across southern areas because of the Breeze But Theyll hang around across the Northern half of the country slow moving torrential downpours, an area of more persistent rainjust pushing to the far North-east'>North East of Scotland And Orkney there. So the wind is lighter Notice'>Youll Notice these are the mean wind speeds. Further south though, it will be blustering gusts higher than this particularly around coasts and over hills. So in the sunshine, we could see temperatures reach around 21 celsius. Otherwise, like the last few days, most places will be the mid to high teens, and itll feel particularly cool when the showers come along. Now through sunday night, the showers continue across Northern areas, turn drier for a while for england and wales but well see this Feature Run across the south bringing some wet weather for South Wales and Southern England through the night. Again, itll remain fairly breezy in the south, lighter winds in the North. Overnight temperatures 11 14 celsius. So into monday, then, were starting the new week off with this area of low pressure but its going to continue to weaken. Fewer isobars on the chart, so the winds will turn a bit lighter. Well start off quite wet across the south east. That Feature Clearing away. And youll see quite a bit of sunshine around and i think general thinking is for monday, there will be fewer showers around but still dotted around, there will be some torrential downpours in places. Top temperatures, again, 20 21 celsius. Closer to 17 19 for most. That area of low pressure eventually moves away as we head on into tuesday and a Ridge Of High Pressure builds in across the country from tuesday onwards. This area of low pressure will continue to affect more Western Parts of the country but i think High Pressure will try and dominate for much of the south and the east through the course of the week. So, temperatures will respond. Well see southerly winds, more sunshine. It will turn much warmer. There will always be the chance of some showers further North and west closer to that area of low pressure. This is bbc news, the headlines thousands of residents and tourists have been evacuated from North'>Towns North of athens, as wildfires spread across the country. More than 150 wildfires are burning Out Of Control some Now close to the greek capital. Two people are kNown to have died, and at least 20 others have been injured. The afghan government says American B52 bombers have killed more than 200 taliban fighters in a series of Air Strikes in the Northern city of sheberghan. The us and the uk have asked their citizens in afghanistan to leave the country immediately because of the worsening security situation. On the final day of the tokyo olympics, the Mens Marathon has been won by Eliud Kipchoge of kenya, the defending Champion And World record holder. More than 100 athletes from 40 nations took part in the marathon in sapporo in Northern japan. Wales has moved to covid alert level � zero, meaning social distancing rules, and most other restrictions, have Now