but it won't be available on the nhs because it is said to be too expensive and the cost can't be justified. todayis today is a defining moment for alzheimer's disease, but we're disappointed that at this point, nice were unable to recommend it for using the nhs. also on the programme this lunchtime... one of the bodies recovered from the superyacht that sank in sicily is reported to be that of the british tech tycoon mike lynch. a big fall in the the number of work and student visas issued to people from overseas. it's gcse results day for hundreds of thousands of teenagers — the pass rate has fallen for the third year running. commentator: interesting. very interestinu! commentator: interesting. very interesting! 0h! _ and happy birthday to match of the day — 60 years old today.

and coming up on bbc news... what does the future hold for raheem sterling? he is once again out of chelsea's squad for tonight's europa conference league play—offs. good afternoon. lecanemab is a breakthrough drug that can slow down alzheimer's disease and today it has been approved for use by the uk medicines regulator. it helps to clear the build—up of a toxic protein in the brain, and slows cognitive decline. but the drug won't be available on the nhs in england because it is said to be too expensive. here's our medical editor fergus walsh. do you remember we used to watch the ducks in there? yeah. mavis, who's 90, has alzheimer's disease. but she and her husband rodney feel fortunate.

that's because she's one of only a few dozen people in the uk receiving lecanemab as part of a clinical trial. i think the main point about lecanemab is that it's enabled mavis to keep her personality. i mean, she's still our mavis, and she always was bright and cheery, and she still is. we've had some wonderful years since you came on this drug, haven't we? yeah. — and some great times. and i'm gratefulfor it, too, my goodness. you know, it's making a difference to your life, isn't it? that's fine, yeah. mavis receives the drug every two weeks by infusion. trials showed it can slow cognitive decline by about a quarter in patients with early stage alzheimer's. now, i heard that you had a big coffee morning this morning. 0h, did i? do you remember that? no, i don't.

but mavis's short—term memory remains badly affected. she's great with her childhood. she can remember everything that went on then, and she often tells us stories about that. but she'll forget a conversation that you had almost immediately afterwards. lecanemab is the first drug to be licensed in the uk which can slow the progress of alzheimer's — albeit modestly. the drug can have serious side effects, such as brain swelling, so patients need careful monitoring. it costs around £20,000 in the us, and the health assessment body nice says lecanemab is not value for money given its limited benefits. you hold that for me, please, and i'll use this on your left, 0k? — there are dozens of similar drugs going through clinical trials. alzheimer's charities want the nhs to get ready for this new era of treatment.

so today is a defining moment for alzheimer's disease, but we're disappointed that nice are unable to recommend at this point that the drug is used within the nhs. dementia is not the priority it needs to be. a third of people do not get a diagnosis at all, and those that do, it's late or not accurate enough to be able to tell them whether they can have this drug or not. even though lecanemab won't be available on the nhs, many feel the drug getting a licence marks a turning point in the fight against alzheimer's and will encourage more research into this devastating disease. and fergusjoins us now. how significant would you say this moment is for the treatment of alzheimer's? i moment is for the treatment of alzheimer's?— alzheimer's? i think it is significant, _ alzheimer's? i think it is significant, ben. - alzheimer's? ithink it is significant, ben. this. alzheimer's? ithink it is significant, ben. this is| alzheimer's? i think it is i significant, ben. this is not alzheimer's? i think it is - significant, ben. this is not a wonder drug, but getting a licence

for lecanemab i think is a milestone because it is the first drug to convincingly tackle one of the underlying mechanisms of alzheimer's, the build—up of this toxic protein to be. up until now, drugs have simply masked the symptoms. it buys patients may be an extra 4—6 months, which can be crucial for extra 4—6 months, which can be crucialforfamilies to extra 4—6 months, which can be crucial for families to stay in touch, to stay and retain some level of independence. the really important thing is now that the nhs starts gearing up for this new era of treatment, because there are two dozen other potential drugs coming down the pipeline, which could be licensed by the end of the decade, and at the moment, alzheimer's and dementia, the number one cause of death in the uk, it simply doesn't get the attention in terms of research and drug spend that, say, cancer does. research and drug spend that, say, cancer does-_ research and drug spend that, say, cancer dece— research and drug spend that, say, cancer does-_ cancer does. fergus walsh, our medical editor, _ cancer does. fergus walsh, our medical editor, thank— cancer does. fergus walsh, our medical editor, thank you - cancer does. fergus walsh, our medical editor, thank you very l cancer does. fergus walsh, our - medical editor, thank you very much

indeed. it has been reported that one of the bodies recovered from the yacht that sank in sicily is that of the british tech tycoon mike lynch. the vessel was hit by freak weather conditions on monday morning. there were 22 people on board, of whom 15 were rescued. mark lowen is at the scene — mark, what's the latest on the recovery operation? well, ben, we watched this morning as the fifth body retrieved from the bayesian was taken into an ambulance to be transported to a mortuary for the post—mortem and for identification. relatives gathered over there appeared to be consoling each other after this tragedy. let me just extend to view what we know and what we do not know about the identity of these victims. ever since this happened on monday, there has been no public press conference by the authorities, so everybody is depending on snippets of information. media reports based on italian coastguard sources they that that fifth body was indeed the

british tech tycoon mike lynch, and that there are no remaining male victims are still missing. so, the sixth remaining missing person is female. we have not been able to get independent confirmation of that, partly because under italian law it is illegal tojump partly because under italian law it is illegal to jump the partly because under italian law it is illegal tojump the gun partly because under italian law it is illegal to jump the gun and to name a victim before there has been a formal identification process. the rescue teams believe it is a matter of time before they find that sixth remaining body inside the wreckage, 50 metres underwater on the seabed. meanwhile, the investigation goes on. speaking to the captain and crew who survived, with the focus partly on whether was human error to blame for not taking measures on board to mitigate the extreme weather that swept up the bayesian so tragically on monday. swept up the bayesian so tragically on monda . a ~ swept up the bayesian so tragically on monda . a, ,, ., swept up the bayesian so tragically on monda . ,, ., ., ,, i. on monday. mark lemon, thank you very much. — on monday. mark lemon, thank you very much. with _ on monday. mark lemon, thank you very much, with the _ on monday. mark lemon, thank you very much, with the latest - on monday. mark lemon, thank you very much, with the latest there - very much, with the latest there from sicily. there's been a big fall in the number of work and student visas issued by the home office to people from overseas. figures for the year to thisjune, just before the election, show work visas were down 11% and student visas down 13%.

the data also suggests a fall in the number of people applying for asylum in the uk. here's lauren moss. it's a treacherous journey to reach the uk like this. more than 5000 people have made the channel crossing in small boats, though, since july's crossing in small boats, though, sincejuly�*s general election. but latest figures show illegal migration actually makes up just a fraction of the total number of people coming to our shores. tackling all forms of migration was front and centre of a fears general election campaign. if front and centre of a fears general election campaign.— election campaign. if keir starmer is our election campaign. if keir starmer is your prime _ election campaign. if keir starmer is your prime minister, _ election campaign. if keir starmer is your prime minister, all- election campaign. if keir starmer is your prime minister, all those l is your prime minister, all those illegal migrants will be out on our streets. . ., , , ., illegal migrants will be out on our streets. , , ., streets. record numbers have come under this prime _ streets. record numbers have come under this prime minister's - streets. record numbers have come under this prime minister's watch. l under this prime minister's watch. today. _ under this prime minister's watch. today. the — under this prime minister's watch. today, the first set of figures since the election have been released. this data is for the past year up tojune, just before the conservatives lost to labour. it shows that in those 12 months, more than 93,000 people were given permission to come to the uk by safe

and legal or humanitarian roots. just over 97,000 applied for asylum in the uk, and 58% were granted protection. a third of those, 31,500, arrived on small boats cover thatis 31,500, arrived on small boats cover that is a drop of 29% on the year before. it that is a drop of 29% on the year before. ., , ., ., ~ ~ ., ., before. it does look like overall miaration before. it does look like overall migration to — before. it does look like overall migration to the _ before. it does look like overall migration to the uk _ before. it does look like overall migration to the uk is - before. it does look like overall migration to the uk is now- before. it does look like overall migration to the uk is now on l before. it does look like overall migration to the uk is now on a downward trajectory, and that is primarily i think because of some of the policy changes that the previous government introduced, with a much more restrictive approach across a range of categories.— more restrictive approach across a range of categories. these are the first set of numbers _ range of categories. these are the first set of numbers since - range of categories. these are the first set of numbers since the - first set of numbers since the previous tory government brought in visa restrictions. skilled workers need job offers with higher salaries and overseas care workers can no longer bring immediate family with them. that seems to be having an impact. 286,000 work visas were granted, a drop of ii% on the year before. but actually, still double the numbers seen in 2019. 89,000

healthcare worker visas were granted, that is down by a quarter on the year before, something to do immigration minister is keeping a close eye on. we immigration minister is keeping a close eye on— immigration minister is keeping a close eye on. we are continuing to work closely _ close eye on. we are continuing to work closely with _ close eye on. we are continuing to work closely with all _ close eye on. we are continuing to work closely with all of _ close eye on. we are continuing to work closely with all of our - work closely with all of our workforces to make sure that we tackle workforce challenges here at home. one of the fundamental failures that we have had over the last 14 years is an utter failure to tackle skills shortages, which has left many employers dependent on recruiting from overseas. bill left many employers dependent on recruiting from overseas.— recruiting from overseas. all the indicators and _ recruiting from overseas. all the indicators and started _ recruiting from overseas. all the indicators and started heading i recruiting from overseas. all the indicators and started heading in the right— indicators and started heading in the right direction because of the decisions — the right direction because of the decisions that i made. i negotiated with the _ decisions that i made. i negotiated with the chancellor, with the secretary of state for education, the secretary of state for health, and no _ the secretary of state for health, and no 10, to make sure we created a visa regime _ and no 10, to make sure we created a visa regime that brought down those unacceptably high numbers. fiver visa regime that brought down those unacceptably high numbers. over the last few weeks. _ unacceptably high numbers. over the last few weeks, rioters _ unacceptably high numbers. over the last few weeks, rioters have - last few weeks, rioters have targeted hotels, housing asylum seekers like this one, in rotherham, which was set on fire. a troubling and dangerous indication ofjust how contentious migration, illegal or

otherwise, is for some. contentious migration, illegal or otherwise, is forsome. since contentious migration, illegal or otherwise, is for some. since being elected, labour has scrapped the controversial rwanda scheme which would have sent those who come to the uk illegally to east africa, a tory policy that spent more time in the courts than in the air. it is also putting an end to the bibby stockholm barge being used to house asylum seekers. the next indication of how much of an impact that could all have will come later this year, when the total number of people arriving and leaving the uk is due to be released. lauren moss, bbc news. we can speak now to our home editor, mark easton. so, a whole raft of figures and statistics, mark, released by the home office today, how do you interpret them at?— home office today, how do you interpret them at? well, there are two aspects. _ interpret them at? well, there are two aspects, there _ interpret them at? well, there are two aspects, there is _ interpret them at? well, there are two aspects, there is what - interpret them at? well, there are two aspects, there is what we - interpret them at? well, there are i two aspects, there is what we might call irregular, what the former government called illegal migration, the small boats and so on, and undoubtedly it is that kind of issue and asylum which is behind at least some of the motivation of those far right riots that we saw a few weeks ago. but i think for me what is more

interesting is the challenge thrown up interesting is the challenge thrown up ijy interesting is the challenge thrown up by the change in visa policies introduced by the last government, which have seen significant falls in the number of workers being granted visas, and indeed students. that will think perhaps interestingly benefit a labour government, so, tory policies benefiting a labour government, when those total migration figures are issued to this year. but as we were just seeing in that report, i think there are going to be problems in getting there. because it will show up the vacancies we have got in social care, in our hospitals, and also when it comes to students, i think a number of universities are going to find it much more difficult to make their budgets add up. so, there are pros and cons in this. yes, we can bring down overall migration, but equally there are going to be challenges in terms of keeping things like social caregiving. mark easton, thank _ things like social caregiving. mark easton, thank you _ things like social caregiving. mark easton, thank you very _ things like social caregiving. mark easton, thank you very much, our

home editor. a 32—year—old man has been arrested on suspicion of murder after a delivery driver was killed in leeds. claudiu—carol kondor from sheffield died as he tried to stop a thief stealing his van when out delivering parcels on tuesday evening. people who worked with him have so far raised more than £9,000 for his family, and have described him as a "beloved colleague". taylor swift has made her first public statement about the cancellation of her three sell—out shows in vienna earlier this month over an alleged terror plot. the singer wrote on instagram that it had filled her "with a new sense of fear". she said she was grateful to the austrian authorities that their actions meant "we were grieving for concerts — and not lives". sven the gentoo penguin — one half of a same—sex "power couple" — has died in australia, aged 11. he and his partner magic shot to global stardom in 2018

when they fell for each other at the sea life sydney aquarium, lateradopting and raising two chicks. their romance has inspired a mardi gras float, been referenced in australia's education syllabus, and even featured in the netflix series atypical. hundreds of thousands of teenagers in england, wales and northern ireland have been finding out how they've done in their gcses and btec exams. the government says they're all pupils who've had to overcome challenges to their secondary school education because of the covid pandemic. here's our education reporter vanessa clarke. after years of study, a summer of exams and a morning of nerves, it's finally time to find out. there you are, best of luck, all right? and it's good news for keelan in county tyrone, who is going on to study a—levels after a disrupted start to secondary school due to the pandemic.

well, yeah, i missed a good 75% of the first and second year, so it was quite a big setback, getting back into school, and getting to know everybody around me and all, so. but i got through it all right. northern ireland saw the steepest drop in results this year, all part of a phased plan to bring results back down to pre—pandemic levels after two years of higher results when exams were cancelled. in england, the proportion of gcses marked at grade 4, or c, and above was 0.4% lower than last year. in wales, they have dropped by 2.8%, and in northern ireland they are down 4.6% on last year. in middlesbrough, the students at this school have excelled. but the regional divide is growing in england. there is now a 10% difference in the highest performing region, london, and the lower performing regions like the west midlands and the north east, renewing

calls for extra help. there really needs to be a focus on levelling up in lots of the regions of england in order to narrow those gaps, greater investment in schools, particularly those in the most deprived areas, focusing on teacher recruitment, on retention in those areas, and just generally raising standards in order to narrow these gaps. england's schools minister agrees that more work needs to be done. we've seen the results today and the results last week, and they are not spread evenly across the country, but i think we have to praise this cohort of young people who have overcome enormous challenges over the last journey that they've been on in their secondary education and really recognise the achievements of both them and the teachers and schools that have supported them through it. we didn't fail anything! in bridgend in wales, the scene was similar to the one played out at thousands of other schools this morning. for those who didn't get the grades they hoped for, there will be second chances at college. but today is a day to celebrate all the hard work these students have put in.

vanessa clarke, bbc news. if you or someone you know has received their results today, there's lots of useful information and practical help on the live page on the bbc news website. our top story this afternoon: a breakthrough drug that slows down alzheimer's disease becomes the first of its kind to be licensed in the uk, but it won't be made available on the nhs. local councils in england will be allowed to create more 20mph limits and low—traffic neighbourhoods under plans proposed by the transport secretary. coming up on bbc news, winning the 800m gold at the paris 0lympics might have been the best moment of keely hodgkinson's year on the track, but it will also be her last, as injury ends her season.

tributes are being paid to the mother and three children who died after a house fire in bradford. a man was arrested at the scene on suspicion of murder and is in hospital with critical injuries. 0ur north of england reporter rowan bridge has the latest from bradford. rowan, over to you. yes, westbury road here on the outskirts of bradford city has become a time delay crime scene and a temporary memorial to those who died in a house fire in the early hours of wednesday morning, and we have seen people all morning laying flowers, balloons and perhaps most poignantly cuddly toys, a sign of the ages of the children who died in this fire today we saw the police code and come down, workers boarding up code and come down, workers boarding up the property, and police say that

29—year—old bryonie gawith died in the fire here, her three children, denisty, 0scar the fire here, her three children, denisty, oscar and aubree, aged nine, five and 22 months, died later in hospitalfrom their injuries. they say they are treating the incident as domestic related but have not elaborated on what they mean about that. however, they have said that a 29—year—old man has been arrested on suspicion of murder. he remains in hospital at the moment in a critical condition, waiting to be spoken to by police officers. they also say, west yorkshire police have specially trained officers supporting the family. they have appealed for information from the public, they are particularly interested in hearing from anyone who may have cctv footage or door bell footage from tuesday night into wednesday morning which may help establish what happened here, and they say their thoughts are with the local community. 0k, rowan, thank you very much,

rowan bridge reporting there. the government is set to allow local councils in england to create more 20mph speed limits and low—traffic neighbourhoods. the transport secretary, louise haigh, says they're decisions for local government rather than westminster. 0ur political correspondent harry farleyjoins us now. harry, these are decisions that affect millions of drivers up and down the country. yes, and elicit very strong views from drivers and others. low traffic neighbourhoods are schemes that divert vehicles away from some neighbourhoods, through roads and 20 mph zones are fairly self—explanatory, both aimed at reducing traffic and cutting pollution. they are often controversial, and under the last government they had become a bit of a political hot potato, rishi sunak had described such schemes as harebrained, and the conservatives cut central government funding for low traffic neighbourhoods and

tightened up rules around them. now, as you say, a very different tone and direction of travel from the new transport secretary, louise haigh, who accuses the government of creating a culture around motoring and says these decisions should absolutely be made locally and that local authorities will have my full support to roll—out such schemes. harry, thank you, harry farley for us at westminster. prosecutors in romania will ask a court in bucharest to remand andrew tate, the controversial social—media influencer, and his brother in custody as they investigate new allegations against them including sex with a minor and human trafficking. the pair have previously denied all charges and allegations against them. 0ur foreign correspondent sarah rainsford is outside the court now. what more do we know about the new allegations? well, ben, we understand that the hearing was due to start is just take few minutes ago, that the tate

brothers and others accused or mentioned in his new case are in court to hear whether or not their custody will be extended. now, the serious crime agency here in romania issued a statement detailing some of the very serious allegations, they involve trafficking of underage person, they also include one accusation of repeated sexual intercourse with a 15—year—old girl. now, the statement that was issued does not name specific names, but it does not name specific names, but it does refer to two foreign citizens, in reference to those very serious allegations. now, the tate brothers are already awaiting trial on charges of human trafficking and two counts of rate for andrew tate, they have always denied these charges, these are new and separate accusations. last night andrew tate told me this was a desperate attempt by prosecutors that the charges are pathetic and made up, but now

prosecutors are attempting to have them remanded in custody while they investigate further. in the race for the white house, kamala harris's running mate, tim walz, has formally accepted the vice—presidential nomination. in his headline speech at the democratic national convention, mr walz described the policy agenda of donald trump and the republicans as "weird and dangerous". gary 0'donoghue reports from the convention in chicago. democrats have been ramping up the celebrity count. kamala harris...! echoing michelle 0bama, 0prah told the packed hall to do something. and what we're going to do is elect kamala harris as the next president of the united states! but the current president, joe biden, isn't quite forgotten, even by those senior democrats like nancy pelosi, who eased him out of the nomination.

thank you, joe! they've already had two presidents this week. here's the third one, and they love him. two days ago, i turned 78, the oldest man in my family for four generations. and the only personal vanity i want to assert is i'm still younger than donald trump. # people... you sing! # keep on learning! every convention needs its share of glitz and glamour, and this one has got plenty of it. but today is also about introducing governor tim walz. now, you probably won't have heard of him, but two weeks ago he became kamala harris's pick for vice president. high—school teacher, sports coach, 20 years in the national guard — tim walz is being sold as the ultimate everyman. we made sure

that every kid in our state gets breakfast and lunch every day. so while other states were banning books from their schools, we were banishing hungerfrom ours. we also protected reproductive freedom, because in minnesota, we respect our neighbours and the personal choices they make. we got 76 days, that's nothing. there'll be time to sleep when you're dead, we're going to leave it on the field! all the razzmatazz is designed for one thing — the build—up to kamala harris's acceptance speech tonight, the biggest moment of her political career so far. gary 0'donoghue, bbc news, chicago. 0ur correspondent ione wells is in chicago. ione, as we heard there, kamala harris takes to the stage tonight. what can we expect from her speech?

well, i think she'll want to tell a story largely about her background, she was somebody who grew up in a middle class, predominantly black area, was put on buses as a child to area, was put on buses as a child to a school in a white and prosperous neighbourhood as part of a scheme to integrate schools more, and i think she'll tell a story about how that means she understands more about the needs of middle class, normal americans. we know she wants to frame the selection around the economy, framing herself as on the side of working americans, donald trump on the side of the wealthy. the problem for the democrats at the moment is trying to make that argument as incumbents to people who do not necessarily feel better off. i think she'll also want to frame his speech around a choice between the past and the future, specifically talking about a lot of the freedoms that she is fighting for, things like reproductive rights, abortion rights, economic

opportunity and freedom as well. i think, finally, though, in some of these attacks that we might hear on donald trump, she will be cautious not to isolate republican voters. there will be a lot of patriotism in the speech, and it is a theme we have seen throughout the speeches of this convention so far, which essentially boils down to, i love this country, and if you love it too, come and join us, and this country, and if you love it too, come andjoin us, and i this country, and if you love it too, come and join us, and i think we will hear more of that tonight. for more analysis on the us election, listen to americast from the democrat convention, available on bbc sounds now. ever since russia's full—scale invasion, ukraine has been worried about citizens collaborating with the russian military. about 1,800 people have been convincted on charges ranging from leaking secrets to simply "justifying the invasion online". but the united nations says ukraine is breaking international law in the way it prosecutes people accused of collaboration. 0ur ukraine correspondent james waterhouse reports

from the east of the country. collaboration hurts ukraine. in the village of hroza last year, two local men tipped off the russians about the funeral of a ukrainian soldier. the invaders then hit it with a missile, killing 59 people. mps voted quickly to make collaboration a crime in 2022, with russia's full—scale invasion, to prevent tragedies like these. this is lyman, a town bludgeoned by occupation, liberation and fighting. when the russians arrived, dymtro, an electrician, volunteered to restore power to the town. translation: the russians said i had to work for them or not at all. - i was afraid they would punish me and my family. but when lyman was liberated six months later, he was arrested. after admitting to helping

the russians, dmytro was handed a suspended sentence and banned from working as an electrician. across town, volodymyr is adjusting to life without his wife tetyana, who's in prison. she was a neighbourhood volunteer, where she liaised with local officials. under occupation, she continued and was later sentenced to five years by a ukrainian court. "if i were weak, i would burst into tears," he tells me. but what about his wife? we were granted permission to meet her at this prison, 300km away. tetyana is held in this separate block for convicted collaborators. she claims she was just giving out firewood. prosecutors argued she'd illegally taken a job with the russians. translation: what's my crime? fighting for my people. _ i did not work for the russians.

i survived and found myself in a prison. critics, including the united nations, are concerned. the law is problematic because it is vaguely worded, and in terms of compliance with international humanitarian law, it does criminalise acts that could be lawfully compelled by the occupying authority. but the message from one of the mps who drew up the collaboration law is blunt. i strongly disagree with such a statement that this legislation is in breach of international law. what about those who act under duress, might be saying what they need to to just survive? look, the law is pretty much clear, saying that collaboration is a crime if you do it voluntarily — not under direct pressure. for now, this collaboration law is seen as necessary

for toughjustice — if it means ukraine can be free of russia's grasp. james waterhouse, bbc news, lyman. a reminder of our top headline this afternoon: a breakthrough drug that slows down alzheimer's disease becomes the first of its kind to be licensed in the uk, but it won't be made available on the nhs. and a shellfish reef in devon that had almost been wiped out has shown promising signs of returning thanks to the uk's largest mussel farm. we'll have a full forecast in the next half—hour, but it's time now for a quick look at the weather with stav. thank you very much, it has been blustery the last 21! hours, a lot of rain in places, particularly across

western scotland and cumbria, we have a named storm moving in from the atlantic, which could give some impact both from rain and also damaging winds. here it is developing over the atlantic, racing to our shores and deepening as it does so. it is going to move in during the overnight period, bringing heavy rain and strong winds to ireland, across the irish sea, and heavy rainfall to parts of southern scotland and cumbria, where we have already had very heavy rainfall and a swathe of damaging winds across wales, the midlands and northern england. some impact slightly from storm lilian, heavy rain and gales could bring down some trees, even some damage to houses, stay tuned to the forecast, more in about half an hour. as we were hearing earlier, it's been a big day for hundreds of thousands of teenagers across england, wales and northern ireland who've been getting the results of their gcses, btecs and other level two exams. overall, the gcse pass rate has fallen for a third year running, returning to levels last seen in 2019, the last year exams

were sat before the covid pandemic. in a moment, we'll speak to danny savage, who's at a school in manchester, but first to chris page, who's in dungannon in northern ireland. chris, how do this year's results there compare to last year's? well, ben, it has been a day of relief, nerves, choices, huge moment in the lives of 32,000 people in this part of the uk, several hundred of them here at saint patrick's academy in dungannon in county tyrone, and now that the initial rush to pick up result is over, attentions turn to analysing the statistics, and across northern ireland about 31% gcse entries received a top grade, a or a*, a

drop on last year, but that was expected because the plan by exam authorities was that this would be the year when results would return to the levels we saw just the year when results would return to the levels we sawjust before the pandemic. when it comes to the number of grades at or above c, the equivalent of great four elsewhere, the proportion achieving that is 83%, so seen through that lens, northern ireland is getting more grades at the higher levels than england or wales. the education minister in the devolved government, paul givan of the democratic unionist party, says it is testament to the hard work of students and teachers. subjects being highlighted as producing particularly successful results, english language and maths, both up 2% on 2019, which is seen as the best comparative this year. 0ur correspondent danny savage has spent the morning at a school in manchester. such a big day notjust for pupils but teachers as well, and you were there when the all—important

envelopes were being opened. we were, at wright robinson college in east manchester, and when you come to one school, you really only get a snapshot of what has happened at one place, but a lot has been said this year being in year seven during covid, they have now done the exams in year 11, but there was a clear message from the head teacher that we have to put covid behind us, that we have to put covid behind us, that was the attitude, and so this is how the morning panned out here. eight o'clock sharp this morning, and the brown envelopes of destiny were handed out. three, two, one. off you go, well done! at wright robinson college in east manchester, there were a lot of relieved faces and some good success stories. remember, gcses in england are graded one to nine, with nine the highest mark. how did you do then? i did fantastic. i go all nines for ten gcses, and i'm... incredible.

this is an outstanding school in a deprived area that does a lot extra for its pupils. i'm very grateful, because, yeah, they offered a lot of services, for example, like, again, intervention, they gave us like planning, a lot of lessons as well, the teachers were very good. nines and eights, so i can't complain, really. who did you really want to impress through all this? definitely my dad! he always talks about, like, succeeding in my education, getting good grades, doing well with my life, making something out of, like, what we have, right? going on to top universities, like, he really has a dream, and he'sjust living it through my my eyes, you know, and i'm just trying to make that dream for him, so. this isn'tjust about gcses. it's results day for many vocational courses, too. the head teacher says things have gone well across the board. really pleased. there was a lot of trepidation around the vocational courses, it's a different setup this time, there was an examination involved, and i'm pleased that the results

have stood up in that area. so that's a big, big plus. teachers, of course, see this every year, but that doesn't make it any less fraught. it's a very special place, we put a lot of emphasis on the team, and that team involves a lot of people from students, staff, parents, carers, trustees, governors, members. lots and lots of people involved, and a day like today is when it all comes to fruition, and that's what's so special about these occasions. so i did more like, performing arts and hospitality and catering, i did btec subjects and then for things like history and french and the cores, i did gcses. tanya was one of those who did a mix. for her, it was mission accomplished. i'm going to go into a—levels, and i'm going to do accounting, history and politics a—levels, and hopefully i can get a degree apprenticeship and go on to be a prosecuting barrister. today is an important milestone in these young people's lives. they had a different year seven, because obviously we got the covid call

around march time, didn't we? but, yeah, i do remember it, it was a different world then. but they've come out the other side, and look what we see today. this school doesn't offer post—i6 education, so for this whole cohort it's off to pastures new. their time here is done, and for some it was quite an emotionalfinale. still to come on today's programme — barry davies will be reflecting on some of his most memorable moments on match of the day as the programme celebrates 60 years on television. now time tojoin celebrates 60 years on television. now time to join our colleagues for a look at the news wherever you are. hello and welcome to sportsday — i'm molly stephens. chelsea are in european action

tonight, as enzo maresca makes it clear who is in charge at stamford bridge. england were frustrated by rain at old trafford, as they look to make inroads on sri lanka's overnight lead. and season over — an injury means 0lympic 800m champion keely hodgkinson will race no more in 202a. welcome to sportsday this thursday lunchtime. we'll start with football, where there is plenty of home interest in both the europa and europa conference league playoff first legs. in the former, hearts begin their campaign, while in the latter, the new saints of wales, northern ireland's larne and scotland's kilmarnock alljoin chelsea as they look to secure their places in the draw, which takes place next friday. chelsea take on swiss side servette and once again there will be

no place in the squad for raheem sterling, who is training away from the first team squad. i spoke with raheem before city game. i said that, uh, he's going to struggle to get minutes with us and this is the reason why he was out of the squad. i'm not saying that raheem is not a good player, but i prefer different kind of wingers, and this is the reason why. joining us now as we look ahead to chelsea's fixture tonight is bbc sport's football news reporter nizaar kinsella. strong words from enzo maresca yesterday in his press conference. do you see any way back for raheem sterling? not really at the moment. i think he is in trouble. he might have to leave chelsea football club, certainly that is what is being explored now notjust by chelsea who are offering him out to other clubs

but raheem sterling himself is open to the move. he knows his days might be numbered here at stamford bridge but there is a huge barrier to overcome which is his wages for both club and the player. can they find an agreement there? £300,000 a week. you will either have to sacrifice wages or get paid off potentially to leave stamford bridge. so that is quite a major hurdle in terms of any buying club coming in. enzo maresca has been pretty _ buying club coming in. enzo maresca has been pretty firm _ buying club coming in. enzo maresca has been pretty firm in _ buying club coming in. enzo maresca has been pretty firm in setting - buying club coming in. enzo maresca has been pretty firm in setting out . has been pretty firm in setting out his stall. have you been impressed with his demeanour so far in knowing what he knows that he at once from the squad so far?— the squad so far? yeah, you play the cli there the squad so far? yeah, you play the clip there and — the squad so far? yeah, you play the clip there and he _ the squad so far? yeah, you play the clip there and he said _ the squad so far? yeah, you play the clip there and he said he _ the squad so far? yeah, you play the clip there and he said he is _ the squad so far? yeah, you play the clip there and he said he is not - clip there and he said he is not brutally honest but it does sometimes come across as brutal and very direct. his communication style has always been direct. i think at leicester city was the same and i saw dewsbury hall in pre—season and again yesterday and he was saying both times that he is very direct,

he tells you how it is and he's very clear as well. it is very black—and—white at times. i think sometimes players like that and it is not good to be on the receiving end but at least everyone knows where they stand and it is a big squad, so i think you have to act that way to get authority in respect. that way to get authority in resect. , ., ., that way to get authority in resect. ., ., , , respect. defeat to manchester city, the champions. _ respect. defeat to manchester city, the champions, on _ respect. defeat to manchester city, the champions, on the _ respect. defeat to manchester city, the champions, on the opening - respect. defeat to manchester city, the champions, on the opening day| respect. defeat to manchester city, l the champions, on the opening day of the champions, on the opening day of the premier league season. do you think this match really is quite crucial for enzo maresca to start of the european campaign well? yeah, it is. it will the european campaign well? yeah, it is- it will be — the european campaign well? yeah, it is- it will be a — the european campaign well? yeah, it is. it will be a total _ the european campaign well? yeah, it is. it will be a total embarrassment i is. it will be a total embarrassment if chelsea didn't get to the conference league group stage, this is a qualifying round. they have to win these two games to get through because if not it is going to look ridiculous. they are the strongest, wealthiest, most financially backed team maybe in europe but in this competition everyone else is a minnow compared to chelsea. so they are certainly expected to be their

opponents and win this competition. they are the team with the most european pedigree of the richest team in this competition so they really must win this game. it is great opportunity as well to kick the enzo maresca era. after a disappointing result against manchester city. one player who definitely won't be involved for chelsea is conor gallagher. gallagherjoined chelsea at the age of six and went on to make 90 appearances, scoring 10 goals. but after completing his move to atletico madrid, the england international was announced in impressive and dramatic fashion at the club's civitas metropolitano stadium last night. joining him was former manchester city forward julian alvarez, who moved to atletico for £81.5 million earlier this month. to cricket, where england have been frustrated by the weather on day two of the first test against sri lanka at old trafford. the late august manchester rain ensured there was no play

possible this morning. but play is finally under way. and it's been an eventful start — england have lost ben duckett and ollie pope. they are currently 40—2 chasing sri lanka's first innings lead of 214. the fifth and final major of women's golf got underway this morning. the open sees the world's best players attempting to tame the famous 0ld course at st andrews. also at the home of golf is our very own jane dougall. jane, we just saw how the weather is causing problems at old trafford for the cricket. how are conditions at st andrews? well, it is sunny at least, molly. the wind has died down a little bit but it was so strong this morning, up but it was so strong this morning, up to 45 miles an hour, which i don't need to tell you are really difficult conditions for these golfers. you can maybe hear the

flagpoles rattling behind me. a little earlier on one of the flagpoles actually came down and had to be taken away and the flag rolled up to be taken away and the flag rolled up it has been so bad. we are at the driving range at the moment, which is pretty exposed, but that means that the golfers have an understanding of what happens when they're driving that ball into the wind. the worry though, molly, is that the bowls on the greens might start to move and if that happens —— the balls. they say that play maybe suspended, hopefully won't come to that. there is no rain, which we have to count our blessings when it comes to that in scotland i have to say. we know that the wind is also expected to die down tomorrow, too. but this is links golf and many of the golfers are very used to these conditions and some of them actually thrive on it, molly. plat; conditions and some of them actually thrive on it, molly.— thrive on it, molly. play is under wa , for thrive on it, molly. play is under way. for now— thrive on it, molly. play is under way. for now at _ thrive on it, molly. play is under way, for now at least. _ thrive on it, molly. play is under way, for now at least. how - thrive on it, molly. play is under way, for now at least. how are l way, for now at least. how are people getting on? it is

way, for now at least. how are people getting on?— way, for now at least. how are people getting on? it is early days about the clubhouse _ people getting on? it is early days about the clubhouse leader - people getting on? it is early days about the clubhouse leader is - people getting on? it is early days about the clubhouse leader is last| about the clubhouse leader is last year's pga champion from china. she is on 4—under. she had seven birdies in her opening 15 holes moving to the top. she was 6—under dropped a couple of shots on the back nine. another got an eagle on the par—5 14th and an eagle the england's georgia hall. that has taken her to 1—under. a terrific round for her. she's in the clubhouse right now. considering these conditions as well, of course. some of the bigger names ofjust teed off. the world number one, we saw her practising at the driving range earlier. she is playing with the defending champion who is on 1—under and also england's charlie hole. she had to battle through some difficult conditions at the open last weekend —— charley hull. she finished fifth last week

at scottish 0pen, she is hoping to be better this week. winning the 800 metres gold at the paris 0lympics might have been the best moment of keely hodgkinson's year on the track but it'll also be her last. she'll miss the rest of the season because of injury, ending 2024 unbeaten in nine races but without the chance to compete at the diamond league finals in brussels next month. hers was britain's only athletics gold in paris and her first global title. with exactly one year to go until the 2025 women's rugby world cup, bbc sport will have exclusive rights to broadcast every game of the tournament in england. the red roses have finished as runners up in the past two editions of the tournament. john mitchell took on the role of head coach last year with a view to ending that run of final defeats. you can feel that sort of momentum building. and then we're going to get, you know, great feedback,

um, in our warm ups. and then, you know, like a year out from the world cup and, you know, rather than sort of probably taking on fixtures where, where it's like we don't get any feedback. it's going to be really, really awesome to be able to be really, really challenged this summer, or autumn and know where we stand and know where we've got to go to next. for more on all the top sport stories, visit the bbc sport website and app — there'll be transfer news galore on there over the next few days and, of course, the very latest from the cricket. but for now that's it from me, goodbye. with one of the best—known theme tunes. match of the day is celebrating its 60th anniversary today, and for more than half of that time,

it featured the unmistakable voice of barry davies. he's been talking to our correspondentjohn watson. you will almost there from the start, 1969 you joined the show. that's right, five years later! the commentator — that's right, five years later! the commentator for _ that's right, five years later! the commentator for our opening match is barry davies — commentator for our opening match is barry davies-— barry davies. crystal palace was the first came barry davies. crystal palace was the first game you _ barry davies. crystal palace was the first game you commentated - barry davies. crystal palace was the first game you commentated on, i barry davies. crystal palace was the | first game you commentated on, was it? it first game you commentated on, was it? ., , ., , �* ., ., first game you commentated on, was it? ., ., �* ., ., , it? it was, it wasn't meant to be. i started that _ it? it was, it wasn't meant to be. i started that day _ it? it was, it wasn't meant to be. i started that day on _ it? it was, it wasn't meant to be. i started that day on leeds, - it? it was, it wasn't meant to be. i started that day on leeds, i i it? it was, it wasn't meant to be. i started that day on leeds, i was i started that day on leeds, i was supposed to do leeds and spurs. kenneth wolstenholme for some reason wasn't available, david connell woke up wasn't available, david connell woke up with no voice, so they sent a car for me. crystal palace take the field at selhurst park for their first ever match in the first division. i had no notes with me or anything. so i got there about two o'clock, i was

now, as it were, at three o'clock. and for the next 35 you became very closely associated with the programme, with much of the day. yes. it provided fun, provided me with a living. i am bragging if i say that when i went to the palace on one occasion, she said you must have been doing thisjob have been doing this job for quite a long time. fine have been doing this “ob for quite a lona time. ., long time. one of the most recognised _ long time. one of the most recognised voices - long time. one of the most recognised voices on i long time. one of the most recognised voices on tv. i long time. one of the most i recognised voices on tv. people long time. one of the most - recognised voices on tv. people tell me that, recognised voices on tv. people tell me that. yes! _ recognised voices on tv. people tell me that, yes! yes. _ recognised voices on tv. people tell me that, yes! yes. it _ recognised voices on tv. people tell me that, yes! yes. it is _ recognised voices on tv. people tell me that, yes! yes. it is quite i recognised voices on tv. people tell me that, yes! yes. it is quite a i me that, yes! yes. it is quite a compliment, actually. i hope they are not seeing, not him again! bind are not seeing, not him again! and one of your — are not seeing, not him again! and one of your famous moments, recognised moments came in 1974,

derby county macro against manchester city, that famous line. interesting. very interesting, oh! he had just hit an absolute bullet. you could see the moment he got the ball, and i said, "interesting." and then he hit this rocket, and i said, "very interesting." and he was like a little boy who'd just done something very special. look at his face! just look at his face! is gascoigne going to have a crack? he is, you know. 0h, isay! brilliant! gazza at wembley against arsenal. and i had to remember, i was still doing the job, i was, as a kid, a supporter of spurs. nobody knew who i supported while i was on. you've seen it all, really, in your time. colour television coming in, slow—motion replays. now of course we've got var. but you saw a lot of changes happen in football.

yes, when the replays came in, john motson and i had to just repeat or identify the goal that we'd just seen, and then they'd match that up for the programme in the evening. i think we did a pretty good job. we used to compare notes on that sometimes. a lot was made, wasn't it, with this rivalry between you and john motson? it felt like more was made of that from people watching than it probably was between the two of you. motty and i got on pretty well. i think he was a bit lucky. i think he could have given me a little bit more room, but he didn't. but i enjoyed what i did. and are there any other moments that stand out for you in your association and your time with the programme? i mean, there were certain goals that have been scored.

ryan... fashanu. oh, what a goal! oh, that's a magnificent goal! justin fashanu for norwich — a guy who had a rather troubled life, and hejust swivelled round. and curling high up, just away from ray clemence's hand. ray clemence tried, but even if he hadn't cut his nails for several weeks, he wouldn't have saved that. do you still think match of the day will be around in another 60 years? if the game is around, match of the day will be around, i sincerely hope. of course it will be around! some wonderful memories there. a 60th anniversary documentary, match of the day at 60, will be available on bbc iplayer later today and broadcast on bbc one on bank holiday monday at 10:30pm. now, a shellfish reef in devon that

had been almost wiped out by bottom trawling fishing has shown signs of returning, thanks to the uk's largest mussel farm that was set up just over a decade ago. 0ur reporter andrea 0rmsby has been to see it. beauty below the waves. this is what the uk's first large—scale offshore mussel farm looks like. it's in lyme bay off the south devon coast. ten years ago before the farm was created, the sea bed here had been completely wiped out by years of trawling and dredging. we were really surprised to see how quickly we were seeing positive changes associated with the farm. straightaway, we were seeing mussel clumps that had fallen from the ropes and started to create these reefs that we're now seeing. straightaway, you started seeing cuttle fish maybe using them to lay eggs. it was really, really quick, but now we've doing this for ten years, and we've seen a third increase in fish, whether they're

in the water column around the ropes or on the sea bed, we've seen 50% increases in the diversity of animals that live within the sediment for their oxygenating sediment. so just everything we look at is just positive increases. new evidence has emerged to show the mussels here are restoring historic habitats. so we suspect that a lot of our coastline was covered in oysters and mussel reefs, but there's no evidence. and this map, it was an absolute missing piece of information for us for studying the farm, so now we have got this evidence that shows, not only can we say we think we are having a positive effect, but we're actually restoring lost habitats. you know, this map was from 1871, from old french fisheries data, so it's just really exciting. the company behind this farm harvest around 3,000 tonnes of mussels a year, most of them exported to holland. the production of mussels in europe has decreased by about 100,000 tonnes in the last 20 years, mostly because of poor water quality and a lot of other issues, but lack of space is one of them. so the fact that we've figured out

a way of growing them offshore in exposed waters opens up a tremendous opportunity. i think the key thing we're showing is that shellfish farming, or aquaculture of the kind we do, can coexist with fishing and biodiversity, and it's pretty much a win—win—win situation for all of us. the team here is been contacted by people from across the world keen to try to replicate this success story. andrea 0rmsby, bbc news. now the weather with stav. hi there, ben, good afternoon. a blustery afternoon for many of us, quite windy for some, sunshine and showers, sunshine emerging after what has been a grey and dreary morning for england and wales, heavy

rain around yesterday and last night across western wales and into cumbria, much better afternoon, bright with sunshine, some blustery showers, and i hang back for east anglia and the south—east, staying dry there all day. temperature is a bit disappointing, 17—21 celsius. in the atlantic, a developing area of low pressure is a small but potent feature, they met office have named this storm lilian, likely to bring heavy rain which could exacerbate flooding issues across cumbria and a central and southern scotland, but the winds are really a feature across parts of wales, the midlands, northern england, gales or even severe gales developing here towards the end of the night into the early hours of friday, muggy and warm in the south, cooler further north. friday morning will be quite an atrocious one, heavy and thundery rain across central and southern scotland, northern england, strong and damaging winds through parts of wales, northern england and the midlands, clearing out into the north sea as we head into the afternoon. it brightens up for

friday afternoon with a few blustery showers pushing a do and western areas, but the wind is still a feature through the afternoon, gust in excess of 60 or 70 mph in the worst affected areas, like i mentioned. high teens in the north, 22 degrees across the south. storm likely to cause impacts, trees are in full leaf at the moment, so we could see trees down to, branches too, tiles and masonry damage to buildings, stay tuned to your bbc local radio for the weather forecast. as we head into the weekend, and for many a bank holiday weekend, and for many a bank holiday weekend, heavy rain across the south—east, sunday and monday it will be showery or more unsettled, breezy across northern and western areas, but the high pressure will build across the country as we move into the new week, so it does stay unsettled across northern and western areas, but it looks like it will warm up again towards the

middle and latter part of the new week with a return to summer, so a bit autumnal for the next few days. live from london, this is bbc news. a fifth body is recovered from the luxury yacht which sank off sicily. the search continues for the one

person still missing. this is the scene live from sicily. we will bring you the latest. democrats get a pep talk from tim waltz as harris's running mate makes a pitch to middle america. we waltz as harris's running mate makes a pitch to middle america.— a pitch to middle america. we have 76 da s. a pitch to middle america. we have 76 days- that _ a pitch to middle america. we have 76 days. that is _ a pitch to middle america. we have 76 days. that is nothing. _ a pitch to middle america. we have 76 days. that is nothing. there i a pitch to middle america. we have 76 days. that is nothing. there will| 76 days. that is nothing. there will be time to sleep when you are dead! we are going to leave it on the field. gcse results, but the pass rate. the third year running. and in england, confirmation that the first drug to slow the progression of early—stage alzheimer's won't be available to all because it's too expensive. hello, i'm geeta gurumurthy. welcome to bbc news now. three hours of fast—moving news, interviews and reaction. italian search teams are still looking for the remaining missing person from the luxury yacht

that sank in an intense storm off the coast of sicily.