In a major gain for the militants, the Taliban have taken over Afghanistan's second-largest city, Kandahar. The city used to be one of the group's strongholds and is strategically important. It comes after a string of towns and cities across the country fell to the militants - who have moved in following the withdrawal of foreign troops after 20 years.
As the Taliban advance, the US and UK have said they will deploy soldiers to the capital Kabul to help evacuate their citizens and embassy staff. The Foreign Office is advising all British nationals to leave Afghanistan, and 600 UK troops will provide protection and support for civilians, Afghan staff and interpreters. Around 4,000 Britons are thought to be in the country at the moment. Thousands of Afghan civilians are also attempting to leave Kabul as the fighters advance.
The BBC's defence correspondent has been assessing the speed with which the Taliban has gained territory - saying their advance appears to have taken many by surprise. We've also been examining the background to the latest stage in the decades-long conflict, and explaining who the Taliban are.

Police in the city of Plymouth say three females, two males and a suspected gunman have died in a shooting. Devon and Cornwall Police officers were called to the Keyham area of the city at about 18:10 BST on Thursday evening . A local MP said one of those killed was under 10 years old. An eye-witness told the BBC she heard shouting followed by "three, possibly four" shots. Another man told us he "bumped into a bloke with a shotgun" who was dressed all in black. Home Secretary Priti Patel has pledged her full support for the police and urged everyone to remain calm. Devon and Cornwall Police says it is not looking for anyone else in connection with the incident.

A study of more than 6,000 people has found that a person's metabolism peaks at the age of one and declines at 60 - but stays "rock solid" through mid-life. Metabolism is the chemistry that keeps you going. According to the researchers - who say their study gives surprising new insights about the body - there are four phases of metabolic life with a gentle slowdown after puberty, no change between 20 and 60, and then a permanent decline after that. What it means, according to Prof John Speakman, from the University of Aberdeen, is that "mid-life spread" can no longer be blamed on a declining metabolic rate.

While several papers lead on the shooting in Plymouth, the Taliban's gains in Afghanistan are reflected on many of the front pages. The Daily Telegraph says Britain is sending in the Paras to help rescue its nationals from the country, while the Guardian says the militants are 95 miles from the capital, Kabul, which is now isolated and "facing a perilous threat". Elsewhere, the i says the UK faces "its biggest test for living with Covid" this weekend as 1.7 million people are due to take part in events such as festivals, football matches and music concerts - with one scientist warning infections will start to increase. See all the front pages and read what's inside the covers in our paper review.

TV news presenter Victoria Derbyshire had something of a "wardrobe malfunction" when she struggled to don her high heels just as the BBC News Channel's 9am bulletin began. Derbyshire can be heard muttering "oh my God!" as she attempted to slip on the 4.5in (11.40cm) black tasselled heels.

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