that and this is bbc news. the headlines at 2:00pm. 30 athletes and support staff at the world athletic championships — including 400 metre favourite isaac makwala — have been hit by gastroenteritis. the fleet affected in total, and there have been no new athlete affected for the couple of the family of a seven—year—old boy with a rare condition wins a high court challenge over a nhs decision not to fund a life saving drug. norfolk police step up patrols after a pensioner is stabbed to death while out walking his dogs. also: the national games of the special olympics gets underway in sheffield. two and a half thousand competitors —— each

with a learning disability —— are taking part in 20 different disciplines. coming to these games gives them a chance to express themselves, and to show what they can do. and google sacks an employee for saying there were fewer women at the company due to biological differences. good afternoon and welcome to bbc news. the organisers of the athletics world championships in london are working with public health england to try to contain an outbreak of gastroenteritis, which has affected 30 athletes and support staff. botswa na's isaac makwala, who was one of the favourites for today's 400 metres final, was forced to withdraw from the 200 metres heat yesterday.

0ur sports correspondent natalie pirks reports. it was supposed to be the start of his bid for world domination. ranked numberi in the world for the 200 metres this year, he would aim being to double up in the 400 metre final tonight. but yesterday, botswa nan isaac makwala vomited before his 200 metre heat. a victim of the bug sweeping around the tower hotel. despite feeling okay, officials pulled him out as a precaution. today, he feels fine but has not been told if he is allowed to run in tonight's 400 metre final. his dream hangs in the balance. sometimes, ifelt heartbroken yesterday, i was ready for this, worked hard for this. i was on top of my game to come here. i was very ready to make it possible. i came here for a medal, so if some people force you to withdraw,

i don't know, without... i feel okay to run, but somebody says no, you cannot run, it's not nice, it isn't a bad thing. he's not the onlyi struck down at impossible time for other support we understand the eye outbreak is isolated, and the tower hotel released a statement saying the hotel was not the source. they said that strict hygiene protocols have been put in place, and all public areas have been thoroughly sanitised. gastroenteritis causes vomiting and diarrhoea and is normally caused by norovirus, believed to be the cause in these cases.

it is unpleasant, and easily spread. a toxic combination for a hotel full of athletes. the important thing is, if people have it, to stay away from other people. and to be very scrupulous about washing their hands after being to the toilet or if they have vomited. the london organising committee says they are doing everything they can to get the illness in hand. when you have got 20 thousand people minimum, there is a possibility that the bug will spread. we have taken all steps, we have an indication that a member of the team has had some symptoms, as early as friday, were straight in. we have been working with the team and the hotel to make sure we have got all the right processes in place... athletics's governing body has said that guidelines have been protected.

we heard earlier there from the doctor from team canada that they seem to be through the worst of it. is that what you are hearing tonight? it is difficult to say, because gastroenteritis is caused presumably by two different things, nor a virus or food poisoning. presumably by two different things, nor a virus orfood poisoning. it has now been confirmed that in only at least two of the play cases it is norovirus, earlier in my pc will have heard me refer to germany, they have heard me refer to germany, they have been particularly affected. a number of their support staff. we have had one irish athlete, who has had to pull out of the 400 metres hurdles in the semifinals, because he was struck by it on sunday. as you say, canada have also been affected. let's hear now from the

tea m affected. let's hear now from the team physician for athletics canada. we have had nine athletes and staff, that have been affected, more than half of those are staff, and we have had no new athlete affected for a couple of days, so... we are taking direction from uk public health, we would like to say we are working with hotel staff, and cooperating with hotel staff, and cooperating with them to try and protect a rowing team, but we will see. as you can imagine, it is pity devastating. full stop you can see how heartbreaking it is though isaac makwala, to have trained, and to not be able to compete. and potentially to not be up to compete in the big 400 metre final tonight. we're still waiting day, he is drawn in lane seven for that big 400 metre final

later, against the world—record holder, and we course will bring updates as soon as we have them. thank you for that. more as we get more information. more than 40% of maternity wards in england closed their doors to expectant mothers at least once last year — according to data obtained by the labour party. 42 out of 96 trusts in england which responded to a freedom of information request said they'd shut maternity wards temporarily, on a total of 382 occasions. labour has blamed staffing shortages — but the government says closures are ‘well rehearsed' safety measures. our health correspondent dominic hughes reports. midwives provide specialist care to some of the health services. service's most vulnerable patients. but a shortage of staff, combined with a rising birth rate, means some units are struggling. andrew canter campaigns for improved maternity services. he and his wife lost a baby when their local centre was closed. the impact can be quite distressing. you're in a situation when you been looking forward to the birth

of your child for nine or ten months, and that is really taken away from you. so it takes a long time to get back on track and the ramifications are that it goes right across the family, whether it's the parents or grandparents, brothers or sisters, it can be awful. in england, 136 nhs trusts offer maternity services. last year, 42 of them closed their doors to new admissions at least once. there were 382 separate occasions where units were closed, up by 70% on 2014. the truth is, you cannot keep trying to run the nhs on a shoestring, putting them through the biggest financial squeeze in its history, and not expect standards of care to slip. the royal college of midwives said sometimes it is right to close a unit, but that doing so on a regular basis is the sign of a health service under pressure. it's very rare for maternity units to be closed, and

the fact that we have seen a 70% increase in how often that is happening, i think should give us cause for serious concern. more midwives are being trained, and the department of health says hospitals need to use temporary closures to manage peaks in admissions, but it is misleading to use these figures to indicate a shortage of staff, because of the difficulties around planning for births. dominic hughes, bbc news. joining me now is elizabeth duff, senior policy adviser at the pregnancy, birth and early parenthood charity the national childbirth trust. thank you for coming in. as you heard there, in that report, i don't think it is fair to say that the government is playing it down, that they are trying to allay fears, but they are trying to allay fears, but the labour party are saying it is a

big issue. they are government are saying they have recruited many more we re saying they have recruited many more were midwives since 2010, and what were midwives since 2010, and what we are looking at, is well rehearsed safety measures when there are peaks times. it is part of the what the nhs has to do. you except that? times. it is part of the what the nhs has to do. you except that7m is good to note that these events are well rehearsed, but u nfortu nately for are well rehearsed, but unfortunately for the women, who go there expecting safe, high—quality care. in the environment they got no, it is not well rehearsed. in the worst—case scenario, they may be told, that they are closed very suddenly, and you may have to get backin suddenly, and you may have to get back in the car of your probably already quite nervous partner, and go down the motorway for 20 miles or something. that is what we find absolutely unacceptable. how often does that happen, it though? you tend to hear a story, sometime

later, usually when everything has been kind of mopped up, and when the family have got over that horrible experience, and sometimes you see a picture of them with the baby or cuddled up and everyone smiling. but, at the time, that is horrifically frightening, and of course, it really can be dangerous, ifa course, it really can be dangerous, if a woman has a baby and starts losing blood, or the baby is not in a good condition when it is born. you don't know. you do not accept as well rehearsed safety measure? they have to close unit because the capacity is lacking, either with the bed equipment or a lack of midwives. that the government says they have six hours and 500 currently in training, and that there have been many were recruited since may 2000 ten. yes, but they have not stated how many have left, how many train and then decide that they cannot cope with working in that sort of environment, because they are under so environment, because they are under so much environment, because they are under so much pressure. environment, because they are under so much pressure. also, i think

you'll find that a lot of our midwives choose to work part—time, which is perfectly reasonable, especially for those who are parents unhappy young family. that should be what happens, but these servers really has to work around that. if there are part—time roles, they need to be midwives trained, which is the case with most professions. how worried should we be about having your baby in an nhs hospital in england right now? i do not want to be a square mile grow. scaremonger. usually, there will be a little bit more notice, that if a woman brings up more notice, that if a woman brings up in advance, she may be told that there is a problem, you may be going to someone there is a problem, you may be going to someone whereas. there is a problem, you may be going to someone whereas. the worst—case scenario is rare. you are saying, we should help that the nhs, let them know we are coming. you can't do

that when you go into spontaneous labour. iam not that when you go into spontaneous labour. i am not saying that, i am saying that maternity unit should be staffed in a way that means that a woman to go to the way that the have chosen. they should have continuity with a midwife that they have got to know and trust. that is what they have deserved. thank you for coming we are hearing that a man has died in plymouth. the man, in his 40s, was taken to hospital but later a 29 year old man has been arrested on suspicion of murder. police in london are trying to identify a jogger who appeared to push a pedestrian into a bus. the cctv footage showed him running on putney bridge and appearing to push the woman into the road. the oncoming bus has to swerve into the

next lane, to avoid hitting her. she was later helped by fellow onlookers, and she is suffering minor injuries. nhs england has said the effectiveness of the drug that has cost £100 a day has not been approved. today, a judge ruled that that decision must be reconsidered. this little boy, known only as a comma has a condition called pku, which means that you cannot tantalise protein. in fact, if he has more than 12 grams of protein a

day, he could suffer severe brain damage. 0n day, he could suffer severe brain damage. on top of that, he is severely autistic, he does not have speech or language. so, damaging his diet is in very difficult for his paris. his nhs consultant would attempt to have a expensive drug, that costs £100 per day, and nhs england turned that request down, saying that it was not clinically effective. 0r saying that it was not clinically effective. or that the effect of the kids had not been proved. today, a judge has looked at that decision, she dismissed the case onto began that they brought, but you find that that they brought, but you find that that that decision was irrational, and user that the clinical efficacy was beyond question. so, what that means is that nhs england will now have some go and look at that decision again, again it will not guarantee that he will get this job. but there is a good chance of that. nhs england have acknowledged that they will now look at this funding decision in his case again. 30 athletes and support staff at the

world athletics jabbing chips including isaac makwala have been hit by gastroenteritis. new figures reveal that more than 40 maternity wards in england close their doors to new admissions at some point last year. the family of a seven—year—old boy with a recognition with a high court challenge over an nhs decision not to fund a life—saving drug. and in sport, it is day five of the world championships in london, five medals at the gran ‘s tonight. and, could gareth they'll be heading back to the premier league. match the united managerjose mourinho, said that he will fight other coaches to sign the wales forward. and, england's‘s world cups dark world with the start of the super league, she has a strain injury. we will be back just after half she has a strain injury. we will be backjust after half past. the lawyerfor a british model

who was allegedly held captive by a gang in italy has been giving more details about the case. francesco peschi says chloe ayling, who's 20 and from south london, was told by her kidnappers that she would be sold as a sex slave in the middle east. he said she was acting under duress, when she was seen shopping with her ca ptor before she was freed. he's been talking to our correspondent gavin lee. this story appears to be incredible. she was kidnapped and then taken to the consulate by the same kidnapper and she had to be sold online at an auction. this organisation which apparently is called the black death was about to send her to the middle east, and she had no idea what was happening. tell me about chloe and what she is going through?

at first she was quite at upset, and i do understand that, and as long as we managed to speak with the da that promised her that she would be immediately let go. she was not held here in italy, but they needed her presence. so, we can convinced her to stay here for the greater good. apparently she went shopping with the suspect before she was taken to the consulate and handed in? what is your sense of that? she was told she was going to be sold to somebody in the middle east for sex. she was told that people were there watching her, and ready to kill her if she tried anything. she thought that the best idea was to go along with it and to be nice in a way to her capture, because he told her that he wanted to release her somehow and sometime, she thought that the best thing to do was not

to go in conflict with him. so, she abided to his request, let's go for my groceries, let's go buy shoes. she did not try to flee. but, she was terrified, and even if she could have asked for help, she didn't because she was subjugated to this person, or people as he was given to understand. that must have been, even worse than being held hostage physically. more on that later on bbc news. i would like it to tell you about the

extra patrols in east harling. the woodlands in has left many of the community here in shock. remote east harling, now the centre of a major centre. woodland an83—year—old man who had been walking his two dogs here was stabbed to death multiple times on saturday morning. people are shocked and hurting because of the place where people go to enjoy their own leisure time with their families. the pensioner‘s body was discovered near the fiveways junction by a member of the public. the woodlands here in east harling is a popular part of norfolk, used by walkers, runners and bike trails. his body was found just over there where police have set up theirforensic tent. he had been repeatedly stabbed in the neck and head. the pensioner is described as a family man from the east harling area. three days on, police are continuing their

murder investigation and say the motive is still unclear. people will be shocked in relation to this and anybody shocked of this brutal murder, we have got our major investigation team investigating this matter, we have visible police at the scene. police are now urging people who use these for paths to get in touch. particularly if they were in this area and saw some unusual activity on saturday morning. uniformed officers remain at the scene. and local police patrols have also now increased. adina campbell, bbc news. britain's most seniorjudge has told the government it must provide more clarity about how uk law will be developed after britain leaves the eu. currently, uk legislation

is subject to rulings made by the european court ofjustice. lord neuberger, who steps down as president of the supreme court in october, said parliament must be "very clear" in telling judges how to interpret eu law after brexit. the justice secretary has approved the transfer of the murderer, kenneth noy, into 8 open prison. he is 70 now, and was given a life sentence in 2000 4 the murder of stephen cameron, in a road rage attack on the end 75. stephen cameron, in a road rage attack on the m75. a former police officer who used the force helicopter to spy on nudists and a couple having sex has been jailed for a year. adrian pogmore, who's fifty—one and from rotherham, was sacked by south yorkshire police after he admitted misconduct in a public office. the judge at sheffield crown court told him he had quite literally considered himself above the law. a software engineer working for google says he's been sacked for questioning the company's diversity policy. james danmore says he'd suggested there might be "biological causes" for men and women having different interests and abilities. google itself says that it can't comment on individual cases, but in an email to employers it said that:

portions of the memo violated its code of conduct and cross the line by advancing harmful gender stereotypes in its workplace. it went on to say that to suggest that a group of colleagues have traits that make them less biologically suited to that work is offensive and not ok. the chief executive, broke off his holiday, wrote that memo which said it is fine for people to express themselves, but there are limits, and this particular software engineer had gone beyond those limits, by basically saying to women that you are not on the same level as men. you have got these biological differences which make unsuitable for work as an engineer. there is the free speech question.

i think a lot of people are pointing out that in america you got it perfect right to expose herself, but the other big debate, but they company has the right to sack you for the right reason. the other big debate, is what it says about the nature of the work, of software engineering. i have been reading a fascinating thing from the former google manager, saying that he did not understand what it was to be a software engineer, he thought it was about sitting alone in a room, coding, not working with people, having this collaborative skills. there are a lot of technology companies, trying to encourage more women to take up these roles as well, because women often think that it is not the job for them, there is nothing in it for them.

there is a lot of recruitment drive, this is coming at a very sensitive time in the industry? there have been all sorts of concerns, in silicon valley, and all sides of the lack atlantic, about the lack of diversity in the work. lots of people are out that the history of competing, that the early software programmers were largely women. it was seen as a kind of humdrumjob, a secretarial job. oh, the women can do that. and then, the men decided, this is grass, we are big takeover. google has made these quite bold attempts to promote diversity, the software engineer said it was a left—wing company, there was bias the company, it was politically correct, and he is getting some support in that view from certainly right wing media outlet in america. thank you very much. we will return to one of our main

stories. chloe ayling said she was held for a week in a remote house near touraine and was whole told by her kidnappers that you will be sold asa her kidnappers that you will be sold as a sex slave in the middle east. does this, exposed a wider problem. iamjoined does this, exposed a wider problem. i am joined now by a model who has yea rs of i am joined now by a model who has years of experience in the industry? iam sure years of experience in the industry? i am sure actually being kidnapped... but does this expose the potential dangers of modelling, in particular, glamour modelling. 100%, as a glamour model, girls in the industry think they will be the next gate price, the next... the industry changed a long time ago, when i first started seven or eight yea rs when i first started seven or eight years ago, there were things that this happening, even in this country. you do not need to go all

brought this to happen. you have got to think that at a glamour model, you're stripping down into your underwear, in fact —— in front of the complete stranger. you do that necessarily know who they are, you do not know if they are is the geography and they pose as one. it is very difficult to make sure that you are shooting with a reputable photographer. before we get into how to protect yourself, you say, things happen, what are you talking about, expectation? all sorts of things. i once had a photographer come to my house, and he turned up with cheese, kicked and wine. this was when i first started modelling, i thought this is quite bizarre. i thought, maybe it is just a normal thing. this is quite bizarre. i thought, maybe it isjust a normal thing. but as the shoot was progress, this guy is getting more and morejunk. in the end, i had to ask him to leave,

because he was just being inappropriate. that was very awkward, and it was in my own home. it isa awkward, and it was in my own home. it is a case of, you never really know what you are going to get. and it does happen, i have heard of other girls where photographers have tried to drag them. i have been abroad on trips, but i always go with the geography is that irony really well from here. i will never go with somebody that ijust met. really well from here. i will never go with somebody that ijust metm does seem quite naive to let a strange man to come over to a house and take photographs of you?‘ strange man to come over to a house and take photographs of you? , well, the thing is, there are these websites where girls say they are available to shoot. and as a young girl, you are eager to make a name for yourself, you're eager to get money coming in, to get your pictures that tell the internet. so, a lot of photographers will contact you, and say they do not have a location, can you provide? and a lot

of sheets are done in model's homes. so, it is not unheard—of. a lot of shoots are done in the models' homes. so, a young girl can get some photographs ta ken of homes. so, a young girl can get some photographs taken of themselves, and have direct contact with men advertising as the lovers, did without really knowing what they getting into? yes, you do not know, it is like a minefield. it is a question of gaining experience. but, for young girlsjust question of gaining experience. but, for young girls just adding, question of gaining experience. but, for young girlsjust adding, i would say, if you're going to do yourself, you make sure that you get references from other models first. don't just let someone references from other models first. don'tjust let someone into a home. especially you, don't go abroad and should, because everyone can because you do, just because they have but one does not mean they are an actual photographer. i have had photographers turn up with the most basic camera i have ever seen. you

have professional setup and references. if you can go through agency, the agency will do a lot of that work for you, but it is hard to do that. the industry has changed a lot, a lot of stuff is now done online. it isjust lot, a lot of stuff is now done online. it is just hard, lot, a lot of stuff is now done online. it isjust hard, and ijust think, just be really really careful, if you need to take a chaperone with you, a lot of the doctors will prefer you didn't. they would say it is an professional, and he wouldn't take one to your normal job, but if you are going abroad, do not go alone. jackie, thank you, fascinating and worrying all the same, good luck with your career as well. ben has got the weather for us. it is looking decidedly changeable for the next few days. we

have some thunder and lightning, some big downpours at the moment. there are some angry looking clouds, even reports of funnel clouds. you can see it has been soggy across eastern england to the midlands. we have seen these very heavy thunderstorms around east anglia giving a lot of rain in a short space of time. some showers in the west, scotland and northern ireland getting most of the sunny weather. tonight, these areas of wet weather with thunder and lightning will circulate around england and wales. scotla nd circulate around england and wales. scotland and northern ireland largely dry. tomorrow, this band of rain is concerning. sinking very slowly south and eastwards. east anglia in particular can see a lot of rain through the day, the risk of flash floods and travel disruption. sunshine in the north and highs of

20. hello. this is bbc news. the headlines at 3:30pm. public health england has confirmed that 30 athletes and support staff at the world athletics championships in london have been affected by an outbreak of gastroenteritis — including 400 metre favourite isaac makwala. new figures suggest that more than 40% of maternity wards in england closed their doors to expectant mothers at least once in 2016. the data was collected by the labour party. the most common reasons given were too few staff and not enough beds. the parents of a boy with a rare genetic condition have won their legal challenge against a decision by the health service to refuse funding for a potentially life changing drug. norfolk police have stepped up patrols after an 83—year—old man was stabbed to death while out walking his two dogs. the victim's body was found on saturday. let's have a look at the sport.

well its day five of the championships and despite the near misses for great britain last night. tonight there are five possible gold medals up for grabs — but much of the talk so far today has been about a virus affecting athletes and officials from several countries. 0lly foster is at the london stadium for us. it is not looking good is it? certainly not for those 30 athletes and support staff who have been affected will stop all of them staying at the tower hotel. public health england have confirmed it is not the source. it has been passed from athlete to athlete. the

canadian team hit particularly badly. the germans as well. 30 more due to arrive today who've had to go to other hotels. a canadian had to pull out of the marathon halfway through because he felt so unwell. an irish hurdler, heading into his semifinal, had to pull out of that after feeling unwell on sunday night. this virus has spread the 34 days throughout the length of these championships. we saw isaac makwala pull—out, he was due to go tonight. this is where this virus could be most damaging, when we look at a possible gold—medal contender and his chances are damaged. he ready had to pull out of the 200 metres, he says he should be fit to govern the 400 metres, but it is down to doctors. if he is infected, they

will not wanting infect other athletes. i feel heartbroken. yesterday i was ready to this, i worked hard for this. if it myself it would have been good for me. i was at the top of my game. i was ready to come here and make everything possible. i came here for a medal. so if some people force you to withdraw, i don't know, someone tells you you are ok to run, that i can't run, it is not nice. it is a bad thing. we will see if he can take the place on the start line, it is the last event on the track. the favourite from south africa, watch out that steve gardner from the bahamas. we

also have the women's poll vault final, the men's steeplechase final,, the women's javelin and the men's pole vault. we have that one british medal, mo farah, i don't think we will be getting more this evening. manchester united manager jose mourinho says he will fight with other coaches to sign gareth bale if real madrid are willing to sell the wales forward. mourinho is ready to make his move if bale is left out of real‘s line—up. to face each other in the annual clash in the europa league and champions league. that is the difference between the champions league winner and the europa league winner. i keep saying that the europa league is very difficult to win because it is hard. there are lots of matches, you travel, the motivation is not so high, because

the europa league is not the eldorado for the football players. but the top quality is obviously in the champions league will stop when you get into the champions league semifinals you have four of the best out of the five or six teams in europe. there is a difference of quality. but it is possible. we believe it is possible. that's all sport for now. i'll have more in the next hour. a man from bury has been found guilty of trying to smuggle a pipe bomb on to a plane at manchester airport. the device — described as crude and improvised — was found in nadeem muhammad's carry—on luggage as he went through security injanuary — trying to board a flight to italy. joining me now from our leeds studio is our correspondent dan whitworth.

talk is through exactly what was said in the court today. this can... concerned nadeem muhammad. he was found guilty of possession of explosives with the intent to danger life. he tried to board a ryanair flight life. he tried to board a ryanair flight in the north of italy in january. essentially, he tried to carry a pipe january. essentially, he tried to carrya pipe bomb january. essentially, he tried to carry a pipe bomb on board the plane. in court today he sobbed in the dock as the jury read out its verdict and he is due to be sentenced later this month. can you talk is through the details of this case? it highlighted security issues as well? it goes back to january 30

when he tried to the flight in northern italy. essentially, what happened was that security spotted this device in his carry on luggage. they did not believe it to be a viable device, he was not arrested and allowed to leave the airport. a week later he returned to the airport, managed to get a flight to italy, and successfully boarded a flight italy, and successfully boarded a flight and successfully went to italy. it was not until three days after that that an explosives expert identified this device. we're talking about battery, wires, masking tape, that type of thing. that explosive expert said it was eight through but potentially viable explosive device. 0n the type of plane that nadeem muhammad was trying to board, you can carry up to 200 passengers and crew, so you can imagine the impact that a pipe bomb would have in the confines of this

plane. thejury would have in the confines of this plane. the jury found him would have in the confines of this plane. thejury found him guilty today of taking that bomb on the plane and will be sentenced later this month. thank you. students in scotland have been receiving their long—awaited exam results this morning. there has been a slight fall in the number of passes in higher exams this year. 77 % achieved grades a—to—c, down very slightly on last year. more than a third of students signed up to an email or text alert to get their results, rather than waiting for the post. 0ur scotland correspondent lorna gordon reports. after all the hard work, the wait is over for these pupils at the eastbank academy in glasgow, as they find out how they have done in their exams. i got the results i needed so that's really good. how are you feeling? really, really happy. i got one a, two bs and a c, i know i know i lost maths but that's what i'm expecting.

i happy with that and i can come back and take maths next year if i want. i failed maths but i was expecting that so i'm 0k. i got an a in classics, how did that happen? across scotland, the pass rate this year in the higher exams sat by 16 and 17—year—olds, was broadly in line with last year. there was, though, is a significant drop in the number of candidates entered for national four exams, down from 123,000 last year to 116,000. it was all good news for these pupils but the scottish education system is facing wider issues. exam results don't themselves telephone much about the standards of scottish education of a whole. to do that, we need to look at international evidence, standards of literacy of declining in scotland, and numeracy also. and in some respects, more worryingly, inequality of attainment is getting worse in scotland, especially compared with other countries. the scottish government has made closing the attainment gap between pupils from richer and poorer backgrounds a priority. and there is targeted extra funding. this school has spent the money

they have received on trying to increase the proportion of pupils who passed their highers. and then go on to further or higher education. the scottish education secretary, today meeting other students getting their results, said the government had a relentless focus on improving education. to these results give us enormous confidence about the strengths that exists in scottish education. we are determined to build on that. the investment we are making in people equity funding, which is supporting the measures that are designed to close the attainment gap in scottish education, will be a fruit in the years to come. for now, the aim for many, to celebrate their results and plan their future. 0ur scotland education correspondent jamie mciver is in glasgow. the scottish government is making

great play of its educational policies, is there any evidence that they are working in these exam results ? they are working in these exam results? i think looking at the exam results, you can best describe the figures as steady as she goes. the scottish education system has gone through a huge shake—up in recent yea rs through a huge shake—up in recent years and is now settling down again. what we see compared to last year is a largely stable performance. the number of entries to highs is down slightly, but that can be explained by demographics. the pass rate down very slightly, but not to the extent it is causing alarm, almost statistically insignificant. what you aren't seeing this year though, is any positive evidence of progress when it comes to pushing up performance in the highers. the scottish government talks about raising attainment and it wants to be judged

on raising attainment. a particular priority is looking at the performance of youngsters from disadvantaged areas, and tried to get them do better. channelling money into the primary schools and the early years of secondary schools, but it will be a long time until that will be reflected in the exa m until that will be reflected in the exam results. perhaps the more positive news from the scottish government today comes from the university admissions service, it says a number of people from disadvantages as areas of scotland who have a university place is well up who have a university place is well up on last year. one particular way that the scottish government want the closure of the attainment gap to bejudge, is to get the closure of the attainment gap to be judge, is to get people from disadvantaged backgrounds to university. it is a long issue, but these figures suggest progress is being made. thank you. sport now, as the athletics

continues in london, and other events starts in sheffield bringing together 2500 competitors use. every competitor at these games has a learning difficulty. it estimates that there are one and half thousand people living with disability, but sporting faces major funding challenges. in sheffield this week there are sport everywhere. the national games of the special 0lympics, national games of the special olympics, 20 different disciplines, 2500 competitors. what links them all is that they love sport. what links them all is that they have a learning disability. that can make life a daily challenge. getting around and travelling, stuff like that, everybody being nasty to me and bullying me. has happened to you? yes. does that happen doing sport? no, because everyone is the

same. people with intellectual disabilities feel they are being left out from the community and excluded. but coming to these games gives them a chance to express themselves and to really show not what they can't do, but what they can do and more. to stage all the sport takes money. for the first time this national games as a special 0lympics, has received direct treasury funding, £2 million from the government. but when the event starts at the weekend, so does that cash. we hope this event will show what the benefit of sporting special olympics is. the olympic movement is about friendship and, rather dreary and achieving 1's best. that is what you get here in sheffield? yes. participation is

everything. today competitors are classified so they are matched against others of a similar standard. but each local club has had to raise £400 for each competitor to enter. james thorpe and his dad simon are exploring the village. he is trying to find opportunities through some to do gymnastics. how many disciplines do you do? floor, high bar,, pommel horse and parallel bars and the vault. there is one place where i know he is accepted at and that is where he is gone since he was six, even that is now struggling for funding. while sheffield united football ground hosts the ceremony this evening, there are some special guests. there are up 1.5 million

people in this country with a learning disability. let's put the spotlight on them and give them their chance, everybody deserves a chance. this is what this is about. the spirit defeats the weather, but cannot overcome a lack of funds. as this begins, there is a lack of certainty as to where and if there will be another. the headlines on bbc news: 30 athletes and support staff at the world athletic championships — including 400 metre favourite isaac makwala — have been hit by gastroenteritis. new figures reveal more than 40 maternity units in england closed their doors to new admissions at some point last year. the family of a seven—year—old boy with a rare condition wins a high court challenge over a nhs decision not to fund a life saving drug. we're now going to find out more

about this bomb near bristol that has been decimated. we would like to think that our armed services have become a dab hand at decimating these now. this is a story that started yesterday afternoon when a tea m started yesterday afternoon when a team of divers found large ordnance, something big at the bottom of the channel. near that boat now. in the middle of the bristol channel. they informed the coastguard who created a 1000 metre exclusion zone. then we had a big build up today. we were told the water could shoot 30 metres up

told the water could shoot 30 metres up on you, we had a team of coastguards here. on a local facebook page we had more than 10,000 viewers. this is what happened. if you're watching on a small screen pleasing in if you're watching on a don't blink. that was the explosion in the sea. we can agree that it was underwhelming from what we expected. what could it have been? it is likely to have been an unexploded world war ii bomb. this area has been used as a practice range for many years. as you look around the royal navy still haven't aircraft range here and use this stretch to practice. no surprise it was found in these waters. the local interest was to see the construction site of a new site. we have a team of ten divers checking the sea bed ahead of one of the main cooling water tunnels for the new nuclear

power station. but it is job done, not the pictures we quite expected. if you have rewind on your tv you can now do that. we were all a bit disappointed, if i am honest. can now do that. we were all a bit disappointed, ifi am honest. well golly on the telly! said don't worry about it. let's catch up with business — and egon is at the great british beer festival which is marking its 40th anniversary this year. they are calling this the biggest clu b they are calling this the biggest club in the world, the 40th festival. 900 beers are going to be sampled huge ring the week. but we all apparently or becoming fussier about the type of beer we want. someone who knows about this is the boss of the society of independent brewers. you have done some research that suggests you want to know more clearly where our beers come from. the craft beer revolution is the most exciting thing that has

happened in british beer for a whole generation. as has been built on the back of the hard work and toil of small independent brewers. but of course, as it has been one of the few areas of growth in the british beer market, it has attracted the attention of bigger brewers who have tried to get a slice of the craft beercake, so we tried to get a slice of the craft beer cake, so we have introduced what we see as a positive scheme to help british beer drinkers to identify whether beer comes from, and if they have been brewed by an independent brewer. forgive me asking this, it is there a hint of snobbery in this to encourage people i meet have more artisan beers? no, it is very clear that british beer drinkers are becoming increasingly discerning about their flavours. they want new ideas and it is important to know where that has come from. they want to hear the story behind the beer, the prove na nce of story behind the beer, the provenance of it and where it was

brewed. so asking them simply helps them to figure out which one is from a genuine independent brewer.m there anything wrong with the big breweries saying we want some of that glamour? no, we want everyone to drink great beer. but i think it is important that we give clarity to consumer about independence. we know that 60% of people are beer drinkers and they want to know where the brewer comes from. consumers see a demand for this and want that clarity and we're bringing it for them. could they get a victim of their own success and be swallowed up their own success and be swallowed up by their own success and be swallowed up by the big guys? that is happening around the world and not unique to the uk. we are seeing more brewers fall into the hands of the globals who might distribute those products, and that is a positive. but it is very important that consumers can but it is very important that consumers can differentiate between those owned by big businesses and

those owned by big businesses and those by local breweries. thank you indeed. you can see things are getting underway, we will be back an hour. thank you. after a four year stakeout by wildlife experts, footage of one of britain's rarest and most secretive animals, the pine marten, has finally been captured on the north york moors. the sighting is the first in the area for more than 30 years. the yorkshire pine marten project managed to capture the footage after setting up camera traps around the moors. a large sinkhole has destroyed seven homes in florida. two homes were initially swallowed up which opened last month, before growing a feet in a matter of hours. officials now say

an additionalfive a matter of hours. officials now say an additional five homes will need to be demolished. it will be renamed eventually something more appropriate. time for the weather. good afternoon. dramatic weather at home, downpours breaking out in places, giving a lot of rain in a short space of time. gives to matic skies as well. have a look at this. some final clowns as well. shows how u nsta ble some final clowns as well. shows how unstable the atmosphere is at the moment. we have a band of wet weather running down to the midlands. he showers and storms around east anglia have brought them really torrential rain. you can notice the showers around wales and the south—west, some quite happy... heavy. up north scotland and

northern ireland have sunshine to in the afternoon. around 6pm, we will see dry weather for much of scotland, a few showers around here and there. temperatures around 19. a few showers and northern ireland, but a load of dry weather. northern england and the midland have cloud and outbreaks of rain. more of these heavy downpours around the south eastern areas, which could cause problems with rush—hour travel. maybe some flooding. a scattering of showers across wales and the south—west. this evening and tonight we will continue to see these areas of wet weather with thunderstorms here and there second link around. east anglia and the midlands will see the worst of them. but north will be largely dry. that is because across these north and western areas we have the bulge of high pressure building in from the west. that

means tomorrow will be a mainly dry day across scotland and northern ireland and increasingly northern england and wales. we will see increasing brightness here. but this band of rain not moving anywhere fast. heavy downpours along with the risk of travel disruption, perhaps in flash flooding. if you're stuck under the cloud just 16 or 17. further west than, 1920 is about it. into thursday the rain is hanging around the south—east, at least for the first part of the day. many areas dry, not a bad to... day. but an area of low pressure will throw a frontal system in from the west, seen rain moving from west to east, easing as it goes. austria winds and gales for a time. a little bit of hope for the weekend, it will turn dry with sunny spells. this is bbc news. the head lineds at

4pm: —— headlines. 30 athletes and support staff at the world athletic championships have been hit by gastroenteritis. team ca nada's doctor says the worst is over we've had nine athletes and staff that have been affected in total, more than half of those are staff. there's no new athletes affected for a couple of days. we're hoping we're coming through the other side of this. new figures reveal more than 40 maternity units in england closed their doors to new admissions at some point last year. a man's been found guilty of trying to smuggle a pipe bomb onto a plane at manchester airport. the family of a seven—year—old boy with a rare condition wins a high court challenge over a nhs decision not to fund a life saving drug. the national games of the special olympics gets under way in sheffield. 2,500 competitors, each