this is bbc news. i'm lukwesa burak. the headlines at two: the metropolitan police pays compensation to retired field marshal lord bramall, and the family of the late lord brittan over false accusations of child sex abuse. nearly 60,000 rohingya, the muslim minority in myanmar, have fled the country after violence erupted a week ago. so many people were killed. theyjust set fire to everything. ijust ran. they were shooting at us and i got hit. there were people whose throats were slashed with knives. more than 1,400 people have died and a0 million have been left homeless or displaced after catastrophic flooding across south asia. also in the next hour: utility companies could be charged by the hour for digging—up busy roads in england. new proposals to charge utility companies hope to encourage contractors to speed up their work and reduce delays. and coming up, a personal

perspective of some the major events in history in witness at 2:30. that includes the partition of india in 1947. good afternoon and welcome to bbc news. the metropolitan police has confirmed it has paid compensation to the former chief of the defence staff field marshal lord bramall, and the family of the late home secretary lord brittan, who were both falsely accused of child sexual abuse. both men were named a by an informant known as "nick" who's now being investigated for allegedly perverting the course of justice.

angus crawford reports. they were horrifying allegations, of a paedophile ring at the heart of the establishment, but they all proved to be false. during 0peration midland, police raided the homes of the former chief of the defence staff lord bramall, ex—home secretary leon brittan, and former tory mp harvey proctor. all on the say—so of this one man, nick, whose real identity can't be revealed. but a scathing review of the investigation found nick's credibility wasn't properly assessed, search warrants were inaccurate, and the investigation went on too long. it's now been confirmed that lord bramall and lord brittan‘s widow have received compensation from the met. reports suggest as much as £100,000. the d—day veteran, speaking last year, questioned the way detectives handled the inquiry. i've never complained about being investigated. it was only the heavy—handed and the unintelligent way

that they went about it. i mean, i think they could have said, well, look,... if they'd taken any trouble to put their effort onto questioning the so—called victim, i think they would have found that it was very unlikely. it's thought former mp harvey proctor, also cleared of any wrongdoing, has yet to agree a settlement. the true cost of the failed 0peration midland is still being reckoned. angus crawford, bbc news. nearly 60,000 rohingya, the muslim minority in myanmar, whose population is majority buddhist, have fled the country after violence erupted a week ago. the united nations says scores of people are reported to have died since rohingya militants attacked police positions. subsequent clashes have sent civilians from all communities fleeing. sanjoy majumder has

been to a refugee camp on the bangladesh—myanmar border, from where he's sent us this report. exhausted and traumatised after escaping death. many of these rohingyas have walked for hours across hills, and wading through paddy fields to avoid border patrols before making it here. these are fresh arrivals, rohingyas who have just arrived after crossing the border, and with every passing hour, there are more and more of them coming. there is absolutely no space left any more, so they are just living on any piece of open ground they can find, and many of them have the most disturbing testimony to share. i meet a man who is nursing a bullet wound in his foot. he tells me that his village, just across the border, was attacked, allegedly by the myanmar military and armed mobs. translation: so many people were killed.

theyjust set fire to everything. ijust ran. they were shooting at us and i got hit. there were people whose throats were slashed with knives. there had been reports of villages being torched and hundreds of rohingyas being killed in myanmar‘s rakhine state. the violence kicked off after a rohingya militant group attacked dozens of police posts in the area last week. those who can have fled the fighting, building temporary shelters and trying to make a home for themselves. bangladesh, after initially trying to stop them coming, is now letting them in. so, for now, this represents freedom. but at what cost, and what lies ahead? it's now believed more than 1,400 people have died after catastrophic flooding across several south asian countries following heavy monsoons. about 41 million people have been affected in

bangladesh, nepal and india. millions have been left homeless, and more than 950,000 homes have been destroyed. parts of india's financial centre, mumbai, are under several feet of water, and in the eastern state of bihar, more than 500 people have been killed. 0ur south asia correspondent, justin rowlatt, is in bihar. now this should give you an idea ofjust how vulnerable south asia still is to flooding. we had one hour, one hour of heavy rain, about an hour ago, and these floods rose up in what is a regional capital of india. that is how vulnerable even a city still is to flooding, and let me tell you, this floodwater is absolutely disgusting. the first thing that happens is the drains back up and you get a toxic stew, a toxic stew of waste in the water. sorry, sir.

imagine for a moment what it is like, this is a city, imagine for a moment what it is like for a villager in a hut made of mud and straw, that is how tens of millions of people still live in india. for that villager, sitting in a waterlogged field, beside a river. inevitably rains come, the waters rise up again. this flooding is not isolated to bihar, the state in northern india that i am in at the moment. this flooding stretches across the entire region, so from bangladesh in the east, through north india, where i am now, through nepal, across the whole of the basin underneath the himalayas, to the financial capital of india, mumbai, and pakistan, all of it affected by flooding. 41 million people so far affected, 1,400 killed. this tragedy continues to unfold across south asia. president trump is heading back to texas and also louisiana to meet

people directly affected by the floods. more than a million residents have been forced from their homes and 50 are feared dead from tropical storm harvey. the president has asked congress for an initial payment of £6 billion for aid. a grammar school which forced pupils to leave halfway through their course because of their exam results has reversed its decision. parents at st 0laves in south—east london began legal action after students who did not get at least a b grade at as—level were told they could not continue. the lawyer representing the families says the school has changed its mind. 0ur news correspondent, angus crawford, told me more. it is almost like a policy of post selection, which, on the surface of it, is unlawful. st 0laves is an outstanding school, founded in the 16th century, a long history of academic achievement, this year it got 96% at a star to b at a—level and therein appears to lie the problem.

it was an open secret at the school that if in your first year of a—level study you did not hit b grades in your subjects, you would be asked to leave. this year it appears that that happened to two pupils. very small numbers? very small numbers this year but clearly a policy of some years standing. what happened was the parents of these children began to take legal action, they threatened to sue the school, claiming that the department for education's rules are clear, you cannot post—select at a—level, you can only be asked to leave a school for behaviour or other problems. 0n the face of this legal action, the school has backed down and said those pupils can come back and also that policy will be abandoned. kevin courtney is the joint general secretary of the new national education union, which is a merger between the nut and the nasuwt. he told us that unfortunately this isn't a one—off case. there is evidence that other schools

behaving this way. it is a way of massaging your a—level results, so you keep the children who you know are going to do well, you try and move some of the others away, and your schools looks better. it is very bad for those children. i am very bad for those children. i am very pleased that st 0laves has changed its mind on this. we are talking about young people who got a b grade. that is not the top grade but it is a good grade. those young people had worked hard for those grades and the school was suggesting they would have to move somewhere during the earlier levels, which would be likely to impact on them and geta would be likely to impact on them and get a lower a—level results for them. the lawyer for these children we re them. the lawyer for these children were suggesting that they could prove in a court of law that the school had illegally excluded children. schools can exclude children. schools can exclude children for bad behaviour but there is only a limited range of things

that you can exclude forth. sixth forms can discriminate on entry. if a child wants to do physics at a—level, and they did not get a grade c for the gcse maths, there is some sense and a teacher counselling them and saying, maybe this is not them and saying, maybe this is not the right subject for you. but this is something very different to that, where it is not about the ability of the child to access the curriculum and do well on a subject, it is about manoeuvring to get the school's results, and excluding a child for that basis, this lawyer was saying it would be illegal. 0ther was saying it would be illegal. other schools behaving in this way need to look at it. having seen this, other parents will start to look at it as well. peter read is a former head teacher, who now offers an advice service on education and schools. he says the scandal is far more widespread than a few grammar schools. the pressure are schools today is immense, to deliver, deliver. league

ta bles immense, to deliver, deliver. league tables are forcing all sorts of things to go wrong in schools. this is just things to go wrong in schools. this isjust one things to go wrong in schools. this is just one example, but it is destroying the careers of young people. i have had an e—mail today. this is from last year. it is a pa rent this is from last year. it is a parent i have kept in touch with. what happened to our daughter has had a massive impact on her. she is still limping along. her confidence was so still limping along. her confidence was so damaged, we do not believe she will ever believe in herself in the same again. this is dramatic for young people, who think they are going along to a—level and they are then thrown out on the scrapheap. former head teacher peter reid. utility companies could be charged by—the—hour for digging up busy roads in england. the government believes it could force contractors to speed up repairs reducing delays. the local government association has welcomed the proposals. simonjones reports. misery for motorists in leeds today, costing time and money. now the government is considering

making companies pay to do work in peak time. i think that's a good idea, and it may cut the roadworks down and stagger them a bit more. you often come past and they'll be nobody here but a lot of the time, and you think, why did you dig it up if you are now working over there, you know, how can you do it? so, yeah, that could make a big, big difference. 2.5 million roadworks are carried out each year. it is estimated to cost the economy £4 billion, as people are late to work or deliveries don't arrive on time. companies could be charged up to £2500 per site, to work on roads during the day. the government says trials have already seen severe congestion fall by a half. we've been trialling it in london and kent and it's proved extremely successful, and we estimate that there's been about 600 less incursions into the highway surface than would have happened otherwise. motoring groups want some reassurances. the idea that lane rental will actually be introduced to encourage the utility companies

to conduct their road works more efficiently is great news. we just want to ensure that the quality of the work they take and do to our roads is sufficient and it's not going to end up with the local authorities coming back and repairing the job they've done. the group that represents utility companies points out that they are carrying out big infrastructure projects designed to boost the economy, and if they have to pay to close roads, it offers less value for money for their customers. they also say that around half of all roadworks aren't carried out by utility companies, but by highways authorities, designed to improve the layout and surface of the roads. firms are being told they could avoid the charges by carrying out work at night, or coordinating plans with other companies. the scheme could be introduced in 2019. simon jones, bbc news. martin tett is the transport spokesman for the local government association, which represents more than 370 councils in england and wales. he says that the new charges are not

designed to be a revenue raising device for local councils. this is used to incentivise utility companies to actually do the work collectively, so they dig up the road once between a number of utility companies, and they go for a quiet periods with very low or no charge. it is not a money raising exercise her councils. the other important side of this, because sometimes people say this will drive up sometimes people say this will drive up the charges from the utility companies, this is not supported by the evidence on the trials. this is about them keeping down the cause, not passing them on to the customer. the headlines on bbc news: te metropolitan police has paid compensation to the former head of the army, lord bramall, and the family of the late home secretary, lord brittan, who were falsely accused of child sexual abuse a campaign group says more than 700 homes have been burned down in a rohingya muslim village —

as tens of thousands of the minority group continue to flee the country more flooding feared in south asia, 14 hundred people have been killed, and 40 million left homeless or displaced. a former shadow cabinet minister has warned that a significant gap has appeared between attitudes in london and labour's northern heartlands. rotheram mp sarah champion resigned as shadow women and equalities minister last month, over comments she made about the grooming scandal in her constituency. in an interview in the times today she accuses her colleagues in the south of being afraid of speaking out on issues such as that, for fear of being branded racist. 0ur political correspondent mark lobel is here.

mark, give us the background? sarah,champion apologised for a poor chase of words in an article she wrote for the sun newspaper last month following a child sexual abuse scandal in newcastle where she wrote "britain has a problem with british pakistani men raping and exploiting young girls". in the times, she's said that her e—mail inbox was packed with messages of support from the police, from health professionals and social workers really glad that she raised the issue. tell us exactly what exactly she says in the latest article? she goes into more detail about the race factor in sex crimes which she wants firmly on the agenda. she describes what she calls this crime model of the sex gangs that involves friends

and extended family members, trafficking girls to friends and extended family members. she says that it's mostly british pakistani men again. she reiterates the controversial views that she resigned after initially. she goes into more detail, saying, it's one thing to recognise a crime model but understanding why it's planted such deep roots is a different challenge all together. she thinks that is not being addressed. she has a political dig on people on the left and accuses them of being racist and says they're stopping this being dealt with. she soots labour politicians in london, as she puts it, are not challenged by reality that's different from their tolerant multicultural world, for example

those living in the north of england. is it going to be a problem for labour and what is their response? jeremy corbyn's reiterated his view that the government should ta ke his view that the government should take effective action against all forms of grooming and sexual abuse but he says you shouldn't stigmatise an entire community. there's been a slapdown by sarah champion by dawn buttler who posted on facebook, saying, you must not worry if the perpetrator is famous, rich or of a particular religion, you should focus on the victims. she reiterates the labour view that they should obliterate all forms of abuse. the left—wing in—fighting has provided red meat for the right—wing on twitter. 0ne red meat for the right—wing on twitter. one member of the centre for policy studies think—tank on the right, harriet sergeant said it's not a fear of racism but the loss of male muslim votes. that alloys that type of conversation to take place while this fighting goes on. thank

you. three more us diplomatic staff in cuba have reported health problems, following what american officials suspect was a covert sonic attack. nineteen people have now reported symptoms, including damaged hearing. the us believes a sonic device was placed in or near diplomats' homes. some of the victims suffered mild brain injuries and permanent hearing loss, according to the union representing us diplomatic staff. cuba has denied any involvement. william marquez, a reporter with bbc mundo has the background to the story. this started really late last year when some diplomatic us personnel and at least one canadian started saying that they had some sort of symptoms. then it all came out in may when the us threw out two cuban diplomats from washington in

retaliation for what they said cuba was failing to protect their personnel in havana. in august, we knew there were 16 people who had been affected with some hearing laws, some mild brain injury, headaches, loss of balance. and now, yesterday the state department came out saying that it was 19 and that the latest attack had occurred as recently as this august. but they don't rule out more attacks, is what they said. william marquez of bbc money doe. the us and south korea have agreed to strengthen seoul's missile programme following military tests by north korea last month. the agreement was reached during a phone conversation between american president donald trump and his south korean counterpart moonjae—in on friday. president trump also approved the sale of billions of dollars worth of military equipment to south korea. in an interview with japanese broadcaster nhk, theresa may said she supported further sanctions against north korea. but what is clear is that we need to

work together, i think for a new resolution. we need to ensure that we perhaps increase the pace of the implementation of sanctions and, as i've said before, the uk will, join in with others, in encouraging china to exercise that leverage on north korea. the investigation into the chemical cloud which affected parts of east sussex last sunday is looking into the possibility that it may have been caused by emissions from known shipwrecks in the channel. the beach at birling gap, near eastbourne, was closed until the haze disappeared. the maritime and coastguard agency is now investigating as adina campbell reports. a mysterious mist which engulfed holidaymakers in east sussex. it led to birling gap beach, near beachy head, being evacuated, after people reported having irritated eyes, sore throats, and vomiting. i had a bit of a dry chest. and then, as we came off the beach,

then it really kind of hit, and we were all kind of coughing a little bit. and my children were really, really upset, because their eyes were really painful. coastguard rescue teams raced to help clear the area, but by the end of sunday evening, around 150 people had to be treated, with others reporting discomfort. sussex police said those who required treatment experienced mostly minor effects. monitoring equipment was used at the time to try and identify the cause, but the readings were inconclusive. the maritime and coastguard agency now think the gas may have come from one of the many shipwrecks in the english channel. it is also investigating discharges from passing ships or lost cargo as a possible cause. in what's described as a world first, a restaurant in china is allowing customers to pay

using facial recognition technology. the fast food outlet, in the eastern city of hangzhou, is run by the technology and retail giant, alibaba. robin brant reports. you don't need cash, no pin, you don't need to sign anything, you just need your face. they say it's a world first, the chinese retail and tech giant aliba ba's world first, the chinese retail and tech giant alibaba's been fine tuning this for four years. now it's available at this high end fast food restau ra nt. available at this high end fast food restaurant. you choose what you want. it scans your face. restaurant. you choose what you want. it scans yourface. it restaurant. you choose what you want. it scans your face. it cross checks with your mobile number and the chinese government's vast id ca rd the chinese government's vast id card database the chinese government's vast id card data base and the chinese government's vast id card database and off you go. do you like this? yes, i like. they say it can't be fooled by

photographs or video and it works evenif photographs or video and it works even if you pile on the make—up or the pounds, but what about your privacy? i don't worry about the government using my personal information. alibaba insists all the data is encrypted and it says it doesn't retain the company, neither does the restau ra nt. retain the company, neither does the restaurant. if the government forced the law to change, it would have to cooperate. the chinese authorities are using facial recognition as part ofa are using facial recognition as part of a major security clampdown in the

west of the country. they claim there is a terrorism threat. that's not unique. police in the uk have usedit not unique. police in the uk have used it at football games and carnivals. the big concern here is that the government may one day come calling and try to use this data to target these it often wants to silence, like human rights lawyers 01’ silence, like human rights lawyers or campaigners. all of that in the name of changing the face of the world's number two economy. the yellow pages last copy will be printed in 2019. it featured the fictional authorjr hearthley hunting for an out of print book. it's been in circulation for half a century. the ad will

continue online. the last will be delivered in brighton, the same place the first edition was distributed in 1966. some social housing residents in west london are to be the first in england to have free solar panels fitted on their homes under a new government scheme. one thousand jobs are being created by the project. the aim is to reach eight hundred thousand homes over here's our business correspondent, vishala sripathma. the sun is out and the residents are hoping it's going to bring down their energy bills. these houses are some of the first beneficiaries of a new scheme that will see 100,000 social housing properties have solar panels installed in the next 18 months. solar has become one of the cheapest sources of energy. that's why the government thinks panels like these are the solution to our

rising energy bills. sew particularplicity is installing the panels. they found their tenants save an panels. they found their tenants save an average of panels. they found their tenants save an average of £240 a year on their energy bills. these residents are hoping they're right.|j their energy bills. these residents are hoping they're right. i think it's a good idea and especially if you are going to save on bills in the long—term. we are going to save a bit the long—term. we are going to save abiti the long—term. we are going to save a bit i should think so it's a very good idea. ealing borough council said they planned on covering more homes but cuts to tariffs and subsidies has meant they simply cannot afford to do so. the government insists that the falling price of solar now means the industry does not require help. what we wa nt industry does not require help. what we want to see, and this is a good scheme showing how you don't need to subsidise solar power as much, but still make it highly effective. we are talking about the pennern of 800,000 homes in the next five years

—— potential of 800,000 homes in the next five years. cheaper and greener energy and cheaper bills. that is oui’ energy and cheaper bills. that is our objective. the expansion of solar is now largely reliant on the business case for it. with councils and households increasingly looking to private investors for encouragement rather than the government. she that williams cy has given birth toa she that williams cy has given birth to a baby girl in in flsmt news of the birth came as her sister prepared to go on court at the us 0pen —— serena williams. the weather has been gorgeous for most of us. we are going to cross the newsroom and speak to darren. all change? you know it, you know it don't you!

you know it, you know it don't you! you have been paying attention today. yes, it's a weekend of two halves. the weather is going to change tomorrow but make the most of what is left of today because there is some decent sunshine around. for many, the winds are light, beginning to pick up through the irish sea. the sunshine turning hazy perhaps in northern ireland. 0ne the sunshine turning hazy perhaps in northern ireland. one or two showers across norfolk and suffolk as well. 0therwise across norfolk and suffolk as well. otherwise it's a dry day and temperatures 18, 19 fairly widely, as well as 21 in the south—east and as well as 21 in the south—east and a fine evening to come here. gets chilly quickly. should. as cold as it has been mind you. rain coming in this evening across northern ireland. a shield of higher cloud coming across the south—west. we have this slowly moving area of thicker cloud and rain and drizzle.