this is bbc news. the headlines. as students scramble to secure university places after the exam fiasco in england — an apology from the education secretary. as you can absolutely imagine, i am incredibly sorry for the distress that this has caused for those youngsters and incredibly sort of... this is not something that anyone wanted. 7,000 jobs are to go at marks & spencer — as part of a further shake—up of its stores and management after the coronavirus crisis. an international court convicts a member of the militant group hezbollah of assassinating the former lebanese prime minister rafik hariri 15 years ago. his son welcomes the verdict. the tribunal came out with a result that is satisfying. we accept it.

the tribunal came out with a result that is satisfying. we accept it. public health england is replaced — after criticism of its response to the coronavirus crisis. nail bars, outdoor pools and beauty salons can reopen in leicester from tomorrow, after a drop in coronavirus cases there. and the widow of pc andrew harper has said he would be "proud" of her campaign for mandatory life sentences for those who kill police officers. it's just so important that we bring m, it's just so important that we bring in, maybe it will give other families a bit of closure that we have not god.

first the u—turn, now the fall—out. britian‘s universities are under pressure — over their obligations to 55,000 students who could claim places after yesterday's government u—turn boosted their grades. many of the universities are already committed to giving places to students offered before the government changed its mind on how exams are graded. gavin williamson says he is "incredibly sorry for the distress" caused by the row — but refused to say if he will resign. dan johnson reports. the change of direction from the top has not necessarily put plans on track for everyone. i'm thinking of repeating the year, because if i was able to finish all of my courses and finish my sketchbooks and do the exams, i am sure i would have got all as or maybe even a*s. it is quite distressing because obviously, you know, if i eventually want to become a principal, i do not have time

to be in school for ever. it is really disappointing how the government handled the situation. grades are notjust a means of getting into university or an apprenticeship or whatever it is for the future. it is also the hard work students have put in for two years. i would just like to ask, "where is boris johnson? " we need an apology. he has messed up our lives and how he decides to go on holiday. why? the buck stops with him. he should be there reassuring us. some students are now finding the grades predicted by teachers may not be much better. we were not given a free rein to award students to grades that we felt they absolutely deserved, because they were still having to be pegged to previous performance by students. we did the best we could within the straitjacket we were given. it does mean for us, some grades will go up as a result of the announcement yesterday, which is brilliant news for those individual students. but some of those students are still not able to access the university of their choice. some btec grades are still missing and with gcses to come on thursday,

the education secretary in england was saying soi’i’y once more and fending off questions about his own future. as you can absolutely imagine, i am incredibly sorry for the distress this has caused for those youngsters. and incredibly sort of... this is not something that anyone wanted. there is pressure on the ministers and officials who got the maths so badly wrong, but the stress has not been lifted for the students. there are huge questions about how universities will pick up the pieces. some will have more eligible students than places left, so where will they be taught and where will they live in a year defined by social distancing? other universities may be short on numbers and struggling for cash if the clearing system cannot tidy up the mess. please contact your university and talk to the admissions tutor. find out what the possibilities are.

i am sure there will be some disappointments, cases where it might be necessary to defer until next year, but please be sure our heart is with you and we want to help you. 0n results day last week we met abby, who missed out on a place at durham after being marked down. i've got to look at other options. i have got to appeal, go through clearing, resit my exams. the grades her teachers recommended are better but still not good enough. the grades her teachers recommended are better but still not good enough. i have not managed to get in contact with durham. i tried thursday, friday and yesterday. i was ringing all morning. every time i almost got through, the phone was just being put down. it was being on hold for an hour just for it to be put down. i have e—mailed them but they have not got back to me. it is up in the air and i do not know what is going on. whether my place has been given away or not, i am not sure. in the end, the u—turns were perhaps the most predictable results but how many futures will be jeopardised if universities cannot

accommodate everyone? lessons to be learned, no doubt. 0ur political correspondent jonathan blakejoins me now from westminster. devon williamson did not answer directly questions in this morning and about whether she considered resigning but he is writing out this crisis despite the storm of criticism coming his way. he has apologised again to students for the disruption constantly is focused on making sure students get the grades they deserve. he has been able to deflect at least some of the criticism or attempt to, to the exams regulator in england. it was his view that they did not deliver the system that the government was

expecting. so, that pretzel of the education secretary to diffuse some of the criticism coming his way and he may have been able to write out the bumpy last few days, even taking into account that you turn of the government performed over reverting toa government performed over reverting to a teacher predicted grades, but there more challenges coming his way, not least the immediate challenge of clearing up the mess making sure as many students as possible are able to take a place that university with their new grades based on the predictions from teachers and the return to schools coming next month and he does not have a brilliant track record there, of the government aim of getting primary school children back in the classrooms before the summer holidays. the two major tests to come for the secretary, the prime

minister clearly still content to have been his post. he may have survived this far, but he may be considers himself on notice. geoff barton is the general secretary of the association of school and college leaders — the public body representing more than 20 thousand members. he is calling for an immediate, independent review into exam grading this year and leann swain is the headteacher at east barnett school in north london. welcome and thank you forjoining us. welcome and thank you forjoining us. if i might start with you, i would like to know what difference is the government climbed down made in your school? it has made a difference for pupils. grades are not just for getting at the university, they hold with the stu d e nts university, they hold with the students the rest of their lives.

these changes are important and very welcome. however, it is still incredibly frustrating and upsetting that an algorithm ignored our centre assessed grades. it was rigorous and robust neck and say with honesty that our process was fair, the government showed no trust with us and they just thought we would government showed no trust with us and theyjust thought we would give oui’ and theyjust thought we would give our students a and b grades. 0ur young people are still losing out on university places, as you have mentioned, some of them were full and we had some students be moved down from his seat to a you and that is categorically unacceptable. that is categorically unacceptable. that is given to students who do not turn up is given to students who do not turn up to the exam. they were fighting for their places and many of the universities have been incredibly supportive. if their places are full in the university places in full, what can they do. as lead to more frustration and confusion and of

course, we welcome the u—turn and is led to the students getting the grades they deserve which they can carry with them to the futures. grades they deserve which they can carry with them to the futuresm is ludicrous to say that your teachers would've inflated crates, but we all are in a position where the number of a star grades has almost doubled from 7% to 13% in the number ofa starand almost doubled from 7% to 13% in the number of a star and a grits is by 30% on last year. if it is not we gave them the best case scenario for students the type of grades. they turned up late, some of com plete they turned up late, some of complete wipe—out, a terrible exam season, they may be suffering from stress, but this was the best case scenario. i can honestly say that oui’ scenario. i can honestly say that our process was incredibly robust, we challenged our teachers to go back if we felt they were too high

with the historical data and while i am confident that many had teachers of done the same thing, we talked about the best case scenario, not turning up for the exam, best case and every day and without the exam of the pressure of the exams, we are putting our children and the best possible light and that's part of the reason. equally, if you want the best of your students but gives robust and this is our profession that we must support and with honesty, it was robust. this is been incredibly unsettling time for stu d e nts incredibly unsettling time for students in day do you want to know how concerned you are that this was stirring up trouble for students we re stirring up trouble for students were taking their a—levels next year though. are you worried that perhaps the exams might be marked more harshly because of the great inflation that we have just been

discussing and also because the number of people pupils deferred this year because they cannot get into the first choice university. it's a going to be more difficult if you're and the university next year? you for your children forward, he prepared in the best we can but there's always the concern that the grades will be downgraded. we can prepare them fully for the exams to do everything we can, but there is the concern and i know that certainly are ten pupils came back to school were really worried about what next year holds for them. they're worried about whether he will be reduced, how they can prepare fully for their exams and there are concerns now that the government does the right thing for the right students coming forward. turning to you. tell us little bit more about what it is that you are calling for. what you heard from

leeann there was that the five days of fiasco this is head on young people, leaders and teachers. we have heard from 0fqual, the secretary of state, we effort apology — — we secretary of state, we effort apology —— we heard an apology. it is on the right to be a step back and say, so, what a some run through this perspective we know it is unprecedented times that there has to be lessons to be learned from it and what are the things that you just raised his foursome the grades inflated and where were the checks and balances to check if that was not the case that would happen if it we re not the case that would happen if it were the case that school was sending an inflated crates? was the role of governance within 0fqual? was asking questions that we didn't have a student that's given a grade after being told the field and exam

of the can even sit. all of these sound like absolutely reasonable things we should sit back and say, we should talk to the process and look at the governments that appears to be at failure in parts of the. eventually chaos and the review wouldn't help students this year though, would it facing uncertainty? as leeann pointed out, and response to your question about having a co nfe re nce to your question about having a conference but your head, we have been saying, where is the plan be? the lockdown during the exam period, looks in november when there is an expectation to run or next summer when there is an expectation to run a full suite of exams. that can happen because lockdown, what are we going to do for the russian people prospectively since coming learned? —— for young people. it is what good governance is about is asking

questions, learning the lessons, reassuring the parents and young people that do decisions have been made as a result of what we have learned this year. 0fqual, the exam regulator trade 12 different algorithm models and all of them had flaws but the one they went with was deemed at least problematic but young people did not sit exams in their system was going to be perfect and indeed, perhaps teachers assessment is not perfect either.|j think no one is saying that what we could have had was going to be perfect, will be what it was a mix of young people being assessed in different ways with some examinations as well. i think it is quite reasonable to say that the algorithm, which is talked about without the mysticism of the da vinci code, what was that i tested to see what it did in the real world ? to see what it did in the real world? because to see what it did in the real world ? because you to see what it did in the real world? because you statisticians would be reassured that 95% of young

people already the teacher suggested that you get a win grade lower, but in the real world, that can be devastating to the young people not getting the university. what was the challenge, were some modelling and sampling of that in between them from future to make sure that we aren't in the middle of a fiasco like we are at the moment. do you support calls for an independent review into exam grading this year was shallow without question. i've seen was shallow without question. i've seen him avoid questions about resignation as a leader of my school, i hold myself fully responsible for everything that happens my institution and i expect my leaders to do the same. it is untenable to me that a government leader would not hold themselves to the same standard. thank you very much forjoining us great to talk to you both.

the headlines on bbc news. as students scramble to secure university places after the exam fiasco in england — an apology from the education secretary. 7,000 jobs are to go at marks & spencer — as part of a further shake—up of its stores and management after the coronavirus crisis. an international court convicts a member of the militant group hezbollah of assassinating lebanese prime minister rafik hariri 15 years ago. three others are acquitted. marks and spencer is to cut seven—thousand jobs — that's about a tenth of its workforce — after a slump in sales during the coronavirus pandemic. it said staff working in stores, regional management and its support centre will be affected. the posts will go in the next three months. our business correspondent emma simpson reports.

marks & spencer warned the pandemic would change its business. like other retailers, it's now having to take drastic action to cut costs and respond to the rapid change in our shopping habits. today big job cuts, 7,000 roles to go, most of them in its stores, nearly a tenth of the workforce. we are hopeful that any redundancies will be done on a voluntary basis. i think it is about looking at the business case they are proposing and what it's actually based upon. i think it's important to remember that the high street is at the centre of all community, and it's important that the government really takes a wake—up call with this and looks at trying to support the high street more, because i think we are constantly seeing redundancies' impacts on the high street as more people are having to, obviously, go to shop online. you just need to look at m&s's trading update today to see the challenge. in the two months since stores reopened, clothing and home sales

are still down 48% on last year, but online sales have soared, up by 39%. before the pandemic, m&s was already in the midst of a plan to transform its business. but changes have been turbo—charged now. those traditional stores, bricks and mortar in the high street are expensive to run. they had huge running mates and costs. it is not that online is without flaws does not have huge operating costs like warehousing. if that is the way the consumer is moving, all of the brands had to remedy that can it out. that means job losses and restructuring. they are coming thick and fast across high streets as all retailers raced to adapt to their new reality.

the latest government figures show there were 1089 new confirmed coronavirus cases across the uk, in the latest 2a hour period. that means the average number of new cases per day in the last week is 1,071. the deaths of 12 people were also reported in the latest 2a hour period — that's those who've died within 28 days of a positive covid—19 test. that takes the total number reported across the uk to 41,381. the health secretary matt hancock has announced a series of changes to the local lockdown that's currently in place in leicester. nail bars, outdoor pools and beauty salons can reopen in the city from tomorrow in a relaxation of the local lockdown after a drop in coronavirus cases. let's get more now on the health secretary matt hancock's plans to disband public health england — and create a new health protection agency which will take over many of its functions.

phe has come under intense scrutiny for its response to the coronavirus crisis — but labour say the changes in the middle of a pandemic are "irresponsible" and "risky". our health correspondent richard galpin reports. public health england's mission is to protect and improve the nation's health. including responding to emergencies, such as pandemics. but now the government has decided to abolish it, effectively accusing it of mishandling the coronavirus crisis. in its place, a new agency has been set up. to give ourselves the best chance of beating this virus, and of spotting and tackling other external health threats now and in the future, we need to bring together the science and the scale into one coherent whole. so today i am announcing that we are forming a new organisation, the national institute for health

protection. the government criticism of public health england, or phe, includes claims it failed to ramp up testing capacity quickly enough. but, at that time, the decisions were being made by government, not phe. this sparking accusations that government has tried to shift the blame for mistakes made early on in the coronavirus crisis. most people working in public health in the uk believe very strongly that what is happening to public health england is scapegoating by ministers for mistakes which probably were not the responsibility of public health england but of government itself. and i think one of the things we should be really concerned about is if this leads to more central government control over our public health institutions, this will only harm british public health.

there are also real concerns about the timing of the government's decision to shake up the system, this taking place in the midst of the pandemic. some experts say it is vital the inquiry promised by the government goes ahead. without that inquiry we cannot learn the lessons of what went wrong across multiple organisations and just pinning the blame on one across multiple organisationsand just pinning the blame on one organisation and not learning the lessons across the whole system will leave us less prepared as we go into any subsequent wave of the pandemic. but the government insists change is needed, saying the merger of different health agencies will enable a stronger, morejoined up response to protect people and their communities. the number of adults in britain experiencing depression has almost doubled during the coronavirus pandemic, according to new figures. data from the office

for national statistics showed that one in five people are now experiencing some level of depression, compared with around one in ten before the pandemic. to reach its findings —— the 0ns studied three and a half thousand people. i'm joined now by stephen buckley, head of information at the mental health charity mind. 0ne one in five people, how surprised are you? it is a whirring report but we are not super surprised. we have gone through some unprecedented times and it is doubted that the pandemic and the subsequent locked on his head a significant impact on the nations mental health it is a move into the post locked phase, we are entering a recession with concerns about money and employment, it is that with us a present of your singing increases and increases in the symptoms of depression. do you

tell us more about what impact you have seen of the coronavirus. yes, quite a lot of inquiries about coronavirus and it's been quite interesting to watch the story u nfold interesting to watch the story unfold over the months and people we re very unfold over the months and people were very anxious of with their health and people had anxiety over their physical health problems and wa nted their physical health problems and wanted to know how the virus itself impacted them. he also heard from lots of people found it very difficult to access some of the regular support services and treatments that they rely on in their life, that's been harderfor people of the last few months. we've also heard from people who are worried about money, aboutjobs, their ability to pay the bills, pay their ability to pay the bills, pay the rent, that it's a significant issue for people and we know that this problems can severely impact someone's mental health. people had

to isolate, shielding the bend in a pretty ha rd to isolate, shielding the bend in a pretty hard lockdown. evan had access to their friends, to the family, to the formal support networks. so, within that whole mix, is not surprising that the significant impact on the nation's mental health. people who previously reported themselves as being quite well are starting to struggle with depression. did that come as a surprise to you or is that something that you seeing in mind. we are picking it up anecdotally and seeing the data come through and confirm some of the thoughts that we are having that people who were previously well for finding things quite hard and started to experience depression and anxiety. this should not be underestimated the difficulty of being without support, without friendship, with the family, bring him worried about yourjob, being worried about money, the impact that could have is quite significant. how

confident are you that there are robust systems in place to help? what is really important that if we are going to see more people coming forward to us for help, that that support is available in a timely fashion, in a way that works for individuals. it is really important to remember that it is always 0k to ask for help through mental health and a number of places where people can go to get that, perhaps your gp, if you would like a formal assessment or a diagnosis, perhaps seeking out some support from a therapist and president talking to a friend orfamily therapist and president talking to a friend or family neighbour or talking about what you're experiencing could be very helpful for some people, organisations such as mine who can also help. it is important that people do come forward and seek support, that it is the right shape and the right time. good to talk to you, thank you for your thoughts.

lissie harper — the widow of pc andrew harper — has said he would be "proud" of her campaign to jail for life those who kill police officers or other emergency workers. a month after their wedding — he was dragged to his death after he tried to stop thieves fleeing with a stolen quad bike in berkshire. she's been speaking to the bbc in her first broadcast interview. daniela relph reports. this was the last photo lissie harper had taken with her husband. they were guests at a friends‘s wedding. andrew harper was killed four days later. in her first television interview she spoke about their partnership and the anguish of his death. he was just really selfless. and i think that's something we can all kind of learn from. and, you know, loving every moment he had in life and making the most of it. and, yeah, iwill always take that with me. new photos released by lissie plot couple's relationship.

here aged 17 on a trip to the river. they both shared a love of travel and adventure, this was a skydiving trip. in their early 20s they took time out to travel around the world, each picture and intimate and happy image and a reminder of her loss and frustration at the legal process and trail. it was hard speaking in court, i had the defendants on my left, not really caring about what i was saying. but i found it important to speak to the judge and tell them what they had taken from us. henry long, with albert bowes and jessie cole, were convicted of the manslaughter of andrew harper butterworth acquitted of the murder charge. the family feel the justice system has failed them and now want change. harper's law, supported by the police federation, would see those convicted of killing emergency

workers given life sentences. with that level of evidence and the details, the way that he was killed, it is so clear that they are responsible, these people are responsible, and we did not get the right outcome for the trial. so, yeah, you know, we all feel totally like there has been a misjustice. changing the law will be an enormous challenge for lissie harper, but she feels the obstacles ahead was taking on. andrew made the ultimate sacrifice, it was notjust his life, it was his future and my future and, you know, the lives of everyone who loved him. so harper's law is just so important that we bring in.

maybe it will give other families a little bit of closure that we haven't got. now it's time for a look at the weather with phil avery hello, once again. tuesday hasn't been too bad at its best but there have been variations on the theme and if you have been anywhere near that hook of cloud gradually working its way from the north of england into the heart of scotland to northern ireland, hefty bursts of rain with that, and that's the way the first part of the evening is likely to remain. one or two showers further south but those tending to die away, a little ridge of high pressurejust falling away across the british isles ahead of another pulse of pretty wet and at times quite windy weather as well. not a cold night by any means at all. 13 to 16 or 17 in the far south—west. and for wednesday, we are going to push some really quite heavy rain and gusty wind ever further north across the greater part of england and wales and by the latter part of the afternoon we will be getting some of that rain through the isle of man and into the south—eastern

quarter of northern ireland. further north, in scotland, provided you don't have that low level murk yet again, it'll be a decent, sunny day with a high of 22. further south, 23 before the rain arrives. hello this is bbc news. the headlines. as students scramble to secure university places after the exam fiasco in england — an apology from the education secretary. as you can absolutely imagine, i am incredibly sorry for the distress that this has caused for those youngsters and incredibly sort of... this is not something that anyone wanted. 7,000 jobs are to go at marks & spencer — as part of a further shake—up of its stores and management after the coronavirus crisis. an international court convicts a member of the militant group

hezbollah of assassinating the former lebanese prime minister rafik hariri 15 years ago. his son say he accepts the verdict. the tribunal came out with a result that is satisfying. we accept it. public health england is replaced — after criticism of its response to the coronavirus crisis. the health secretary says nail bars, outdoor pools and beauty salons can reopen in leicester from tomorrow, after a drop in coronavirus cases. and the widow of pc andrew harper calls for mandatory life sentences for those who kill police officers. harper's law is just so important that we bring in. maybe it will give other families a little bit of closure that we haven't got. sport and for a full round up,

from the bbc sport centre, we'll start with cricket and england have named a 1a—man squad for their upcoming t20 series against pakistan, with dawid malan, chrisjordan and lewis gregory included after missing the recent one—day internationals against ireland as before the white—ball squad will be entirely separate from the red—ball team in order to keep them in separate bubbles. national selector ed smith says its something they've been working on. we something they've been working on. knew there wi where we knew there were going to be times where we were playing, you know, two separate bubbles running concurrently, and also times when a white ball tournament was going to start very, very soon after a test series as is the case in this instance. we are aware of all of that a while back and we planned for it. i know we are excited about continuing to play well across formats, even given the

circumstances that we don't have access to every player. ahead of their champions league semi—final tonight rb leipzig head coachjulian nagelsmann says he's not given any thought to his side being underdogs against favourites paris saint germain in their semi final in lisbon. nagelsmann's side upset the odds as they defeated atletico madrid to book their place in the last four. it's a big opponent with a lot of stars, especially name are in others, those who can score goals always dangers in every minute. we have to take on our own, i think that could be the most difficult pa rt that could be the most difficult part for psg to defend our attacking moments. so we need to create a lot of attacking moments, because if you only defend against them perhaps their bit too good. the opening game of the new french season has been postponed because of four positive coronavirus tests at marseille they were supposed to face st etienne on friday before several members of their squad returned positive tests for covid—19.

it was the first of eight fixtures due to be played this weekend. no league football has been played since the last campaign ended early back in april because of the pandemic. the former manchester city goalkeeperjoe hart has joined tottenham on a free transfer. this is the announcement video from social media. he's signed a two year deal after leaving burnley at the end ofjune and will provide back up to first choice goalkeeper hugo lloris. world cup winner rose lavelle says she's relishing the challenge of playing for manchester city as another of the biggest names in women's footballjoins the women's super league. the united states midfielderjoined 0l reign from washington spirit this week but immediately signed an agreement to play outside the united states with city was her club of choice. going overseas as something i wanted

to expanse my career, and manchester city is something that has a lot of resources, i don't know much about the city yet but the football culture is amazing. so all of it was just something i wanted to be a part of. i think the environments in the clu b of. i think the environments in the club and the city as a whole were something that really excited me. dutch cyclist fabiojakobsen says he's "glad to be alive" after his crash at the tour of poland which will require "multiple facial surgeries". jakobsen was pitched into the barriers at the finish of the first stage by his compatriot dilan grone—er—veygan. he spent a week in a coma and said today "the trauma doctors and nurses at the finish line in katowice saved my life, for which i am extremely grateful to them." jakobsen's statement comes three days after his team—mate remco evenepoel broke his pelvis crashing off a bridge during a race in italy. the 20 year old belgian is now recovering in a hospital in his home country. i'm doing very well for the moment. i've had a good transfer to a

belgian hospital now, first of all i wa nt to belgian hospital now, first of all i want to thank all the people who supported me and helped me in the last couple of hours starting from the moment of the crash until now, actually, and, yeah, my season is over so actually, and, yeah, my season is over so far but we have no rush and we have all the time to plan a good come back. we'll have more for you in sportsday at half past six. in the past hour, judges from the special tribunal for lebanon — meeting in the netherlands — have convicted a member of the militant group, hezbollah, of being involved in the assassination of lebanon's former prime minister, rafik hariri. jamil ayyash is one of four men who were accused of involvement in the killing, 15 years ago. the three others were acquitted. but none of the accused was at the trial. earlier, thejudge said there's no direct evidence the leadership of hezbollah — nor the syrian goverment — played a role in mr hariri's death.

here's what the judge had to say. the trial chamber is therefore satisfied beyond a reasonable doubt that mr ayyash possessed the requisite knowledge that the explosive device was liable to create a public danger. that is also the only conclusion that is reasonably available from the evidence. the same evidence establishes beyond reasonable doubt his knowledge and his intention to murder mr hariri with explosive materials. the trial chamber therefore find mrs ayyash guilty