this is bbc news with the latest headlines. thousands of pupils in england, wales, and northern ireland the uk's university admissions service says the number of students is higher than the last time exams were taken but is lower than the peak. thousands of pupils in england, wales, and northern ireland are receiving their a—level, t—level, and b—tec results this morning after sitting the first formal exams since the pandemic. i was very shocked, i thought i was going to not do so well. i was very glad that i did so well this year. this year we will see probably a tighter set of results than last year. not quite where we were in 2019. but we are heading back to those pre—pandemic

assessment grade boundaries. a bombing at a mosque in kabul during evening prayers has killed at least 21 people, including a prominent cleric, and wounded at least 33. warnings of a near—critical situation at ukraine's zaporhizia nuclear plant — under russian control — as ukrainian officials plan for a worst case scenario. a 44—year—old man has been arrested on suspicion of murder following the fatal stabbing of thomas o'halloran on a mobility scooter in west london. japanese tax authorities have launched a new campaign to encourage young people to drink more alcohol to boost the economy. hello and welcome if you're watching in the uk or around the world.

students across england, wales and northern ireland are getting exam results this morning. a level students, t—level students and btec students have all been marked based on exams — for the first time since two years of covid disruption. compared to 2019, when exams were last sat in—person, there's been a i9% increase in students gaining a place at their firm or insurance choice university. the proportion of students in england, wales and northern ireland getting top a—level grades has fallen since the record high of last year, but is higher than 2019. around 36.4% of pupils have achieved a* and a grades. and for the new t—level exams — where students split time between classroom learning and industry placements — the overall pass rate is 92%. the education secretary, james cleverly, explains why there won't be as many top grades this year...

what we know is the best place for children to learn is in a classroom and the best way of assessing that learning is through exams. so, we've decided to go back to an exam—based system, that was our plan, that's what's happened. but we also know that we need to get those grades back to be a fair and accurate reflection of the work that the students have put in. but we are doing that progressively, so, this year, we'll see probably a tighter set of results than last year. not quite where we were in 2019 but we are heading back to those pre—pandemic assessment grade boundaries. our education correspondent, elaine dunkley, has been catching up with some students at a sixth form college in west bromwich this morning. how did you get on with your exams and how helpful was the advanced information? this year, in february, you were given advanced information to help you focus on some of the topics, was it useful? at first glance, it seemed - useful but when we thought about

what it was telling us, - it wasn't really useful at all. it would have been fine without it. how did you get on? i i did well, i am proud of myself. i you rang everyone has told them? yes. — congratulations. we have followed you over the summer, haven't we, praise? you want to go into the raf to be a nurse. what promtped that decision? my interest in nursing and the military in general. so, i decided that the raf was an amazing way to combine those two, so i decided to pursue that option. and then go for university if it doesn't work out for me. cameron, you come forward, you have just done your diploma. lots of other options, not just university, lots of vocational courses. t—levels for the first year. you have done your diploma, what are you hoping to go on to do? i'm hoping to go onto an apprenticeship. i i believe it will give me a betterl opportunity not perhaps than uni but i believe i can do more as an apprentice than i can

at uni, personally. let's speak to some more students. you got straight a's, you did really well, how much relief was there when you opened the envelope? very relieved, i was shocked, i thought i would do not so well with all the struggles i was going through. but to get aaa, i was really excited that all the hard work paid off over the last two years. what's the next step for you? at first i was hoping i would do a degree to train as a solicitor but unfortunately i couldn't get one. now i will go to the university of birmingham. so you will go there and study law? yes. congratulations. you are going to nottingham, you did an as—level, how did that go? a new experience. as we didn't have exams for over the last two or three years. - it was a different experience, different environment. - really stressful at the beginning but it is now done. _ if you hadn't have passed this year you couldn't have progressed, you would have to resit? that's right, we need a minimum of d to progress to the next year. - to get to our universities.

let's go to ucas headquarters and our reporter navtej johal. the busiest day of the year. lots more advice for students.- more advice for students. that's ri . ht. more advice for students. that's right- very. _ more advice for students. that's right- very. very _ more advice for students. that's right. very, very busy _ more advice for students. that's right. very, very busy day - more advice for students. that's| right. very, very busy day today. people have been at their desks, ready to go, answering queries from students since about 8am this morning when lines opened. you can see people behind me here, 270 in the building today, answering questions and inquiries from around 20,000 people. 27,000 round about courses available via clearing today. that is the area with which most people will be dealing today it is a really busy day and a big day for students as well. people have told me people have called upjust confirming they have in fact got the results they needed to get to university. those are joyous results they needed to get to university. those arejoyous because if they have also been speaking to people who have not got the grades

they were hoping for and are now having to navigate for future options, figuring out what is next for them. options, figuring out what is next forthem. let's options, figuring out what is next for them. let's speak to somebody who knows all about this, the chief executive of ucas. thank you for speaking to us. let's begin by speaking to us. let's begin by speaking about the results that we have had to come in so far today, the reaction to the fact that i9% more students have got into university than 2019, what do you make of that?— university than 2019, what do you make of that? , ., , ., , make of that? great news. two thirds of students waking _ make of that? great news. two thirds of students waking up _ make of that? great news. two thirds of students waking up this _ make of that? great news. two thirds of students waking up this morning i of students waking up this morning -ot of students waking up this morning got into_ of students waking up this morning got into their first choice university. this was a planned return— university. this was a planned return to _ university. this was a planned return to normal. we know the regulator — return to normal. we know the regulator back in the autumn of last year was _ regulator back in the autumn of last year was talking about a mid in terms — year was talking about a mid in terms of— year was talking about a mid in terms of those exam results. lots to celebrate _ terms of those exam results. lots to celebrate today. particularly for those _ celebrate today. particularly for those students, a challenging two years _ those students, a challenging two years -- _ those students, a challenging two years —— about a midpoint. my heart goes _ years —— about a midpoint. my heart goes out _ years —— about a midpoint. my heart goes out to— years —— about a midpoint. my heart goes out to them. they have done incredibly— goes out to them. they have done incredibly well and lots to celebrate.— incredibly well and lots to celebrate. ~ ., ., ., . ., celebrate. we will go to advice in a moment for— celebrate. we will go to advice in a moment for some _ celebrate. we will go to advice in a moment for some people - celebrate. we will go to advice in a moment for some people will - celebrate. we will go to advice in a moment for some people will also | celebrate. we will go to advice in a . moment for some people will also see a headline that there has been a record for in the number of students achieving the very top grade, the a style great at a level compared to

last year. for those who maybe don't remember what last year was like —— the star grade. remember what last year was like -- the star grade-— the star grade. 2020 and 2021 were really exceptional _ the star grade. 2020 and 2021 were really exceptional years, _ really exceptional years, essentially assessed grades and teach assessed grades last year. we saw those _ teach assessed grades last year. we saw those grades move up. this is very much— saw those grades move up. this is very much a — saw those grades move up. this is very much a return to normal and a 2-stage _ very much a return to normal and a 2—stage process this year and next year~ _ 2—stage process this year and next year~ the — 2—stage process this year and next year. the high attainment students, they are _ year. the high attainment students, they are lucky enough to be having a*s they are lucky enough to be having a�*s and _ they are lucky enough to be having a�*s and r3— they are lucky enough to be having a*s and r3 and bs, what about lots same _ a*s and r3 and bs, what about lots same beforehand this is an incredibly competitive more to 18—year—olds in the population before — 18—year—olds in the population before a — 18—year—olds in the population before a record number of applicants. before a record number of applicants-_ before a record number of aulicants. ., , applicants. thousands of people a- -l in: applicants. thousands of people applying for _ applicants. thousands of people applying for university. -- - applying for university. —— incredibly competitive year. why is that and how it is today shaping up in terms of that competition? it is competitive _ in terms of that competition? it is competitive particular certain institutions and courses. as you say, _ institutions and courses. as you say, more — institutions and courses. as you say, more 18—year—olds and more

demand _ say, more 18—year—olds and more demand from them. crucially, world—class higher education sector that we _ world—class higher education sector that we have in the uk is still really— that we have in the uk is still really attractive to students globally. even compared to australia and canada and the us. it is a really— and canada and the us. it is a really attractive place to come and study _ really attractive place to come and stud . �* , really attractive place to come and stud. �*, ,, really attractive place to come and stud. ., . study. let's speak about the advice to students- _ study. let's speak about the advice to students. people _ study. let's speak about the advice to students. people who _ study. let's speak about the advice to students. people who maybe - study. let's speak about the advice i to students. people who maybe didn't get the result they were hoping for in their a—levels or btec or t—levels, how do they get the advice they need? t-levels, how do they get the advice the need? , , ., , , .,, they need? every year we help people navirate they need? every year we help people navigate this- — they need? every year we help people navigate this. the _ they need? every year we help people navigate this. the first _ they need? every year we help people navigate this. the first thing - they need? every year we help people navigate this. the first thing i - navigate this. the first thing i would — navigate this. the first thing i would say— navigate this. the first thing i would say is if you have a plan b look _ would say is if you have a plan b look at _ would say is if you have a plan b look at it — would say is if you have a plan b look at it again. if you hadn't thought— look at it again. if you hadn't thought about plan b, talk to friends — thought about plan b, talk to friends and family. if you narrowly missed _ friends and family. if you narrowly missed out, — friends and family. if you narrowly missed out, big up the phone to a university— missed out, big up the phone to a university before lunchtime to see if that _ university before lunchtime to see if that narrow miss will still get you in — if that narrow miss will still get you in. when clearing opens at 3pm, lots of— you in. when clearing opens at 3pm, lots of opportunities, 27,000 courses— lots of opportunities, 27,000 courses as you have said. lots of opportunity— courses as you have said. lots of opportunity and we can help you navigate — opportunity and we can help you navigate that and explore what your options _ navigate that and explore what your options might be.— navigate that and explore what your options might be. deferrals, we have had some peeple _ options might be. deferrals, we have had some people get _ options might be. deferrals, we have had some people get in _ options might be. deferrals, we have had some people get in touch -

options might be. deferrals, we have had some people get in touch with i had some people get in touch with the bbc and parents get in touch to say my child has missed out on their place at university because students from last year who got their a—levels in 2021 deferred their place that has made my child has missed out. is that the case? what is happening? taste missed out. is that the case? what is happening?— is happening? we didn't see across all subjects — is happening? we didn't see across all subjects any _ is happening? we didn't see across all subjects any increase _ is happening? we didn't see across all subjects any increase in - all subjects any increase in deferrals from last year to this year~ _ deferrals from last year to this year. there may be individual institutions where they have a number — institutions where they have a number of deferrals on an individual course _ number of deferrals on an individual course and — number of deferrals on an individual course and that might be the circumstances that are being talked about _ circumstances that are being talked about we — circumstances that are being talked about. we are seeing nothing broader than that— about. we are seeing nothing broader than that across the board. if you are in— than that across the board. if you are in one — than that across the board. if you are in one of— than that across the board. if you are in one of those situations where you are _ are in one of those situations where you are looking at a course that perhaps — you are looking at a course that perhaps got a large number of deferrals, if you haven't got your place. _ deferrals, if you haven't got your place, there will still be something out there _ place, there will still be something out there for you. it isjust place, there will still be something out there for you. it is just about tweaking — out there for you. it is just about tweaking perhaps the course or institution is looking at those options _ institution is looking at those otions. . ~ institution is looking at those otions. ., ,, , . ., options. thank you very much for our options. thank you very much for your time. _ options. thank you very much for your time. we — options. thank you very much for your time, we will— options. thank you very much for your time, we will pause - options. thank you very much for your time, we will pause for- options. thank you very much for your time, we will pause for a i your time, we will pause for a moment. joining me now is drjake anders, deputy director of the ucl centre for education policy and equalising opportunities. thank you for speaking to us.

firstly, your reaction to today's's results, what they you make of them? they are in line with the expectation of what was set out by the government with what was i think early on _ the government with what was i think early on called the glide path, albeit— early on called the glide path, albeit that in some ways i think that is— albeit that in some ways i think that is a — albeit that in some ways i think that is a misleading name, given it is moving — that is a misleading name, given it is moving the results back on the other— is moving the results back on the other direction as rapidly as they came _ other direction as rapidly as they came in— other direction as rapidly as they came in the direction during the covid _ came in the direction during the covid crisis. when looking at the results _ covid crisis. when looking at the results today, the important thing is that— results today, the important thing is that the — results today, the important thing is that the relevant comparative is 2019 in— is that the relevant comparative is 2019 in terms of understanding them, which _ 2019 in terms of understanding them, which was _ 2019 in terms of understanding them, which was the last year we had exams as opposed _ which was the last year we had exams as opposed to teacher assessed grades — as opposed to teacher assessed grades. the results are up, compared to that _ grades. the results are up, compared to that in _ grades. the results are up, compared to that. in some part of the country. _ to that. in some part of the country, they are up more than others, — country, they are up more than others, some regional inequalities. it others, some regional inequalities. it looks— others, some regional inequalities. it looks like. which potentially represents differential disruption

during _ represents differential disruption during the pandemic to young people's— during the pandemic to young people's schooling, in particular we had seen _ people's schooling, in particular we had seen the results go up as much between _ had seen the results go up as much between 2019 and 2022 in the north—east. and in yorkshire and humber— north—east. and in yorkshire and humber particularly, compared to london _ humber particularly, compared to london the south—east. how humber particularly, compared to london the south-east. how much of an im act london the south-east. how much of an impact as — london the south-east. how much of an impact as covid _ london the south-east. how much of an impact as covid had _ london the south-east. how much of an impact as covid had on _ london the south-east. how much of an impact as covid had on these - an impact as covid had on these results? these are children, young people, who had been affected in terms of their gcse results, one today, two years ago? talk us through the impact covid has had on the risk! , , , ~ , , the risk! these results. absolutely. these young _ the risk! these results. absolutely. these young people _ the risk! these results. absolutely. these young people are _ the risk! these results. absolutely. these young people are probably i these young people are probably amongst — these young people are probably amongst some of the most kind of immediately and dramatically affected. ., ., , ., immediately and dramatically affected. ., ., ., , affected. -- covid has had on these results. affected. -- covid has had on these results- in — affected. -- covid has had on these results. in their— affected. -- covid has had on these results. in their education. - affected. -- covid has had on these results. in their education. with - results. in their education. with little opportunity _ results. in their education. with little opportunity to _ results. in their education. with little opportunity to kind - results. in their education. with little opportunity to kind of - results. in their education. with | little opportunity to kind of catch up little opportunity to kind of catch up or— little opportunity to kind of catch up or get — little opportunity to kind of catch up or get back necessarily as on top of things— up or get back necessarily as on top of things in— up or get back necessarily as on top of things in the way that people further—

of things in the way that people further down the education system will have — further down the education system will have. as you said, they didn't have _ will have. as you said, they didn't have the — will have. as you said, they didn't have the experience of having gcse is two _ have the experience of having gcse is two years ago. they have less experience — is two years ago. they have less experience of sitting external examinations in the way that they have done — examinations in the way that they have done this year. they have clearly — have done this year. they have clearly done extremely well considering that. but there absolutely will have been unequal impacts _ absolutely will have been unequal impacts of the variation and disruption the increase in grades is a function — disruption the increase in grades is a function of where policy decision that has— a function of where policy decision that has been made, this does not mean _ that has been made, this does not mean that— that has been made, this does not mean that these young people because my education was all 0k in the end in some _ my education was all 0k in the end in some sense. a function of a policy— in some sense. a function of a policy decision. we should mistake this, thinking that, you know, these young _ this, thinking that, you know, these young people haven't had a really challenging time during their

education but have done fantastically nonetheless. you mentioned — fantastically nonetheless. you mentioned regional _ fantastically nonetheless. gm. mentioned regional variations, particularly northeast, talk about the socio economic backgrounds of the socio economic backgrounds of the students and how that affects their results, as well as from i know the work you have been doing as well, the impact of gender, too. yeah, the results are onlyjust coming — yeah, the results are onlyjust coming out right now, so i have to confess _ coming out right now, so i have to confess to — coming out right now, so i have to confess to being not on top of all of the _ confess to being not on top of all of the numbers yet. some literally 'ust of the numbers yet. some literally just came — of the numbers yet. some literally just came out at 10am. i'm not able to have _ just came out at 10am. i'm not able to have looked at all of them yet. it to have looked at all of them yet. it does _ to have looked at all of them yet. it does look like there are socio— economicm _ it does look like there are socio— economic... we are pretty confident in some _ economic... we are pretty confident in some -- — economic... we are pretty confident in some —— some form or under there would _ in some —— some form or under there would have _ in some —— some form or under there would have been socioeconomic differences in the impact we have seen _ differences in the impact we have seen here — differences in the impact we have seen here. —— some form or other. in particular— seen here. —— some form or other. in particular those — seen here. —— some form or other. in particular those who are from schools — particular those who are from schools in _ particular those who are from schools in more disadvantaged areas.

we know— schools in more disadvantaged areas. we know from work we've been doing in trying _ we know from work we've been doing in trying to— we know from work we've been doing in trying to track and understand the impact — in trying to track and understand the impact of the pandemic, they were _ the impact of the pandemic, they were more — the impact of the pandemic, they were more likely to have faced challenging circumstances in trying their very— challenging circumstances in trying their very best to deliver a great education — their very best to deliver a great education for young people throughout the pandemic. we also know— throughout the pandemic. we also know through some of the work that we do _ know through some of the work that we do there are also impacts on young _ we do there are also impacts on young people's a wider well—being and mental health as a result of the pandemic — and mental health as a result of the pandemic. perhaps particularly hitting — pandemic. perhaps particularly hitting girls higher a track harder than boys — hitting girls higher a track harder than bo s. . ~ hitting girls higher a track harder than bo s. ., ,, , hitting girls higher a track harder than bo s. ., ,, i. , . hitting girls higher a track harder than bo s. . ~ ,, , . ., than boys. thank you very much for our than boys. thank you very much for your time- — than boys. thank you very much for your time. incredibly _ than boys. thank you very much for your time. incredibly busy - than boys. thank you very much for your time. incredibly busy day - than boys. thank you very much for your time. incredibly busy day here| your time. incredibly busy day here at ucas headquarters in cheltenham. they told me earlier, one of the staff members, it is like a christmas day, the day they look forward to and train for. if you are having an issue with your results, if you are not sure what to do next, call them, they are ready for you and to speak to you and help you navigate your options.—

navigate your options. thanks. reau navigate your options. thanks. really good — navigate your options. thanks. really good advice. _ navigate your options. thanks. really good advice. from - navigate your options. thanks. | really good advice. from ucas headquarters. if you are in the uk... and at 11:30 this morning, we'll be answering your questions on a level, t—level and btec exam results for students in england, wales and northern ireland. get in touch with the hashtag bbcyourquestions — or you email yourquestions@bbc. co. uk. if you are in the uk and would like to get in touch with me and tell me how you have done in your exams or your child and what it means for them, what is next, you can do that on twitter. police officials in the afghan capital kabul have said that 21 people have been killed and another 33 wounded in a blast at a mosque on wednesday night. the blast happened during evening prayers — police officials said security forces are now searching for those responsible for the attack. the head of the ngo running kabul�*s main hospital said many children were among those brought

in to receive emergency treatment. this eyewitness was close to the mosque when the explosion happened. translation: when people were at the mosque, - during evening prayers, a huge blast occurred. so many muslims were injured and martyred. i've brought two of my family members who were injured to the hospital. and we will bring you more on that breaking story from our correspondents in the region as it develops, in the region as it develops. ukrainian officials are warning that the situation at the russian—occupied zaporizhia nuclear power station "is approaching critical". emergency workers have been staging drills and practising cleaning operations in the event of radioactive contamination. russia took control of the nuclear plant — which is the biggest in europe — in early march and there's recently been heavy shelling at — and around the site — with both sides blaming each other for the attacks. our correspondentjames waterhouse reports. ukraine's vast, rich landscape,

full of produce, industry, but still under threat. we are being taken to see preparations for a worst—case scenario. if you want to get anywhere quickly these days, this is how you do it. we are travelling very low to stay out of range of russian missiles and aircraft. you get a real sense of just how vast this country is. in zaporizhzhia, they are training for a crisis which some fear could be more serious than the chernobyl nuclear disaster, the worst ever. the region's power plant further south has been under russian control since early march and officials say the situation is approaching critical. it's changed dramatically, and, of course, we are concerned. that's why we are here, that's why we created this group, that's why we are involved in everyday communication with this. translation: it's impossible -

to ensure the safety of the nuclear power plant while the russian occupying forces are there. this is the key concern that we all need to clearly understand. there are growing concerns that russia has been using it as a military base. the city of enerhodar where the plant is has seen recent heavy shelling, both ukraine and russia blame each other. elena has just escaped from there with her children and just wanted to get out. translation: there has been many more explosions and it became - much more dangerous to stay there. i didn't want to leave home, but when it became unbearable i had no other choice. the nato alliance is the latest voice to call for international inspectors to be let into the plant. with ukraine unable to force the russians out, it's instead preparing for the worst, if it happens. james waterhouse, bbc

news, in zaporizhzhia. our correspondent in kyiv hugo bachega gave me the latest on what's going on at the nuclear plant. for days we've been talking about tensions around this nuclear facility, tensions that have raised fears of a catastrophe. russia and ukraine trading accusations of who is to blame for shelling the complex. the ukrainians have accused russia of turning this military facility into a military base, using it to launch attacks against ukrainian targets, perhaps knowing that the ukrainians are unlikely to retaliate. now, the russians reject those accusations. they say russian forces are there protecting the plant. there had been close for international inspectors to be allowed into this nuclearfacility. president zelensky yesterday during his evening address said attempts would be made to send un inspectors to this complex. now, it's not clear how that could happen without the russians agreeing to it.

here, today, in ukraine, antonio guterres, the un chief will be meeting president zelensky and i think what is happening at the zaporizhzhia complex will be at the top of the agenda when they meet later today. a man has been arrested this morning on suspicion of murder, following the fatal stabbing of thomas o'halloran, on a mobility scooter in greenford, west london. our reporter greg mackenzie is in greenford for us now. bring us up to date with this case and the investigation. 87-year-old thomas o'halloran _ and the investigation. 87-year-old thomas o'halloran was _ and the investigation. 87-year-old thomas o'halloran was murdered | and the investigation. 87-year-old - thomas o'halloran was murdered here on tuesday. the blue tent, the forensic tent, marks the exact spot just behind me. he was a much loved

character in the community. he was on his way to play on his accordion at a local train station where he was collecting money for charity. sadly, he didn't make it, having been stabbed to death on his mobility scooter just been stabbed to death on his mobility scooterjust behind me. the police have arrested a 44—year—old man. he was detained in the early hours of this morning in neighbouring southall. that is half a mile from this location. he is currently in police custody and is being questioned by murder detectives. as for the community, many have told us they are scared following this senseless and random attack. we still don't know the circumstances behind the incident. ultimately, there has been a heavy police presence overnight here in west london to really reassure the community that the police are here and they are hoping to help those here locally. we do know the police are holding a local gathering this

evening where they will be speaking to local members of the community to really reassure them in terms of their safety. really reassure them in terms of theirsafety. in really reassure them in terms of their safety. in terms of this arrest, it is a significant arrest and the police have told us this investigation is fast moving. thank ou for investigation is fast moving. thank you for that _ investigation is fast moving. thank you for that update. _ some breaking news about the long running programmes university challenge. after the news a couple of days ago thatjeremy paxman, the current presenter will be stepping down. thejournalist current presenter will be stepping down. the journalist and current presenter will be stepping down. thejournalist and broadcaster anil rajan has been announced as the university challenge host taking over from autumn next year. university challenge host taking overfrom autumn next year. he has been the bbc�*s editor since 2017. he will step down from the media editor role that will continue at a presenter on the bbc radio 4 today programme and take over from jeremy paxman as the presenter of university challenge, the host of

university challenge, the host of university challenge, the host of university challenge from autumn next year. that is amol rajan. the latest round of rail strikes has begun which will affect rail services today and saturday, and public transport in london tomorrow. passengers are being told not to travel by train today unless absolutely necessary. today's walk—out means only 20% of train services will be running as over 40,000 british railway workers strike over ongoing pay and conditions. friday's strike takes place on both the london underground and london overground in separate disputes over pensions and pay. the wider uk network should expect disruption due to the knock—on effect of thursday's industrial action. and on saturday, more widespread disruption as the rmt and tssa unions strike again. the effect on services is expected to be the same as 18th of august, although some services will run on one of the days but not the other. again, disruption is likely to continue into sunday morning.

our correspondent, hannah miller, has been at london euston station this morning. this dispute could go on and on and on, it has been eerily quiet at euston station this morning the departure board showing trains up to 11:30. normally there would be trains leaving every five minutes also leaving every five minutes or so passengers looking hopefully in case their train would come and they could be waiting for some time. it is a three—way dispute. you have the unions and on the other hand network rail and the train operating companies. but then there is also the role of the government, who don't particularly want to get involved. at the same time, they are insisting on reforms to the way that the railway is run. this is the sixth time rail unions have walked out sincejune. earlier, i spoke to mick lynch, the general secretary of the rmt and i have asked him why

it is all still going on. we haven't got an offer that we can consider as a reasonable offer. we haven't got an acceptable package. and that's because the train companies and network rail have been blocked from making those offers by grant shapps. it's obvious now that grant shapps is locked into a cycle where he's got to appease two really right—wing candidates for prime minister in the tory party election. and if he wants to protect that position, he's got to show then that he's some kind of steely, right—wing militant, which is what the whole party is becoming. so we need to unlock that. i think there's a political dimension to it now, which is unfortunate because this is an industrial relations matter about jobs, conditions, pay and pensions. there is a deal to be done. i spoke to a senior negotiator from network rail this morning on this picket line. he came along and said hello. we've got a decent relationship with them. we could build a solution if we were allowed to. but, at the minute, the politics of the conservative party leadership election, i fear, is stopping this dispute being resolved.

it's worth saying that network rail did previously make a pay offer of 1r% this year plus another 1r% next year contingent on some reforms going ahead. when i spoke to the ceo of network rail, andrew haines, he was not at all calling for the government to get more involved, he suggested politicising the situation has the potential to make it even worse. | i think the problem is that we've| put a very good deal on the table that gives guarantee ofjobs to everyone that wants it, l that deals with a lot - of the long—standing issues and is 8% pay rise over two years but that hasn't - been put to my staff. the rmt have refused to put that to a referendum and that's - the problem because if they had the chance to vote on that, - we believe they'd except it. when we put a similar deal to a different union, - that got a very strong endorsement. that's the way to unlock this, that's the way to get rid - of this huge frustration for passengers today. i the department for transport issued a statement today saying it is time to get off the picket lines and back

around the negotiating table. unions say they have been round that negotiating table for really quite some time, now. with this strike today and another one planned on the national rail network for saturday, the knock—on impact of that is that we are now at the start of four days, really, of disruption to the rail services and no sign of this dispute coming to an end. back to today's top story. students across england, wales and northern ireland are getting exam results this morning. with me is ben wolverson and diya mistry they've both done a—levels. you are very brave i think in to come on and talk to us. let's tell our viewers first of all what you are hoping to do, what your requirement was and what you have actually got. diya mistry, first of all, you are hoping to study

interior architecture and design at nottingham trent university. what nottingham trent university. what was he requirement _ nottingham trent university. what was he requirement for— nottingham trent university. wist was he requirement for that course? bs. ., ., , ., bs. -- what was the requirement. two aa stars bs. -- what was the requirement. two m stars and — bs. -- what was the requirement. two m stars and an _ bs. -- what was the requirement. two m stars and an a _ bs. -- what was the requirement. two aa stars and an a grade. _ bs. -- what was the requirement. two aa stars and an a grade. how- bs. -- what was the requirement. two aa stars and an a grade. how do - bs. -- what was the requirement. two aa stars and an a grade. how do you l aa stars and an a grade. how do you feel? it aa stars and an a grade. how do you feel? , . , , aa stars and an a grade. how do you feel? , ., , , ., , feel? it is a sense of relief. it is a massive _ feel? it is a sense of relief. it is a massive weight _ feel? it is a sense of relief. it is a massive weight off— feel? it is a sense of relief. it is a massive weight off your - feel? it is a sense of relief. it is - a massive weight off your shoulders especially after deep stressful so long. especially after deep stressful so lonr. �* , , ., , especially after deep stressful so lonr. , , ., long. absolutely. it has been an incredibly stressful _ long. absolutely. it has been an incredibly stressful couple - long. absolutely. it has been an incredibly stressful couple of. incredibly stressful couple of years. ben, you are hoping to go to the university of lancaster, is that right? the university of lancaster, is that rirht? , �* , the university of lancaster, is that rirht? , �*, ., the university of lancaster, is that riht? , f ., to right? yes, it's lancaster. to stud ? right? yes, it's lancaster. to study? 0h. _ right? yes, it's lancaster. to study? 0h, ben, _ right? yes, it's lancaster. to study? 0h, ben, we - right? yes, it's lancaster. to study? 0h, ben, we are - right? yes, it's lancaster. to l study? 0h, ben, we are having right? yes, it's lancaster. to - study? 0h, ben, we are having a bit study? oh, ben, we are having a bit of a glitch on the line, what are you hoping to study? we are having some technical issues with ben's

line. diya, let me come back to you while you sort out the issues with ben. you refer to the stress and it has been an incredibly disruptive time. we have been told by the government and by all of those involved in the exams that this year the results reflect the fact that there has been the disruption to students over the last couple of years. how have you found that period? towards year 13, that was much better compared to year 12. yeah 12, we were barely in, there was a lot of home learning and a lot of independent, and it was a struggle through the winter period. hagar independent, and it was a struggle through the winter period. how did that affect your _ through the winter period. how did that affect your confidence, - through the winter period. how did that affect your confidence, going l that affect your confidence, going into the exams and the period while waiting for the results? i into the exams and the period while waiting for the results?— waiting for the results? i think my collere did waiting for the results? i think my college did a _ waiting for the results? i think my college did a good _ waiting for the results? i think my college did a good job _ waiting for the results? i think my college did a good job at - waiting for the results? i think my college did a good job at making l college did a good job at making sure we did a lot of mocks. going

into the exam period for real, it was ok. there was a lot of preparation beforehand. was ok. there was a lot of re aration beforehand. ~ . ., preparation beforehand. when it came to the actual — preparation beforehand. when it came to the actual exams, _ preparation beforehand. when it came to the actual exams, you _ preparation beforehand. when it came to the actual exams, you tested - to the actual exams, you tested positive for covid, i believe, on the morning of yourfinal positive for covid, i believe, on the morning of your final maths paper. oh, my word. talk about timing! you did a test early in the morning, because you felt unwell, it was positive. what happened with that paper? how was that mark? thea;r that paper? how was that mark? they took that paper _ that paper? how was that mark? they took that paper into _ that paper? how was that mark? tie: took that paper into special consideration. they sent it to the exam board, who based my grade off the two past papers i did. tqm. exam board, who based my grade off the two past papers i did.— the two past papers i did. 0k, well, it obviously — the two past papers i did. 0k, well, it obviously was _ the two past papers i did. 0k, well, it obviously was good _ the two past papers i did. 0k, well, it obviously was good because - the two past papers i did. 0k, well, it obviously was good because you | it obviously was good because you got two a*s and an a matter? then, hopefully we can talk to more easily now, so are hoping to go to the university of lancaster, to study... human geography. bud university of lancaster, to study... human geography-— university of lancaster, to study... human geography. and what were your requirements — human geography. and what were your requirements for _ human geography. and what were your requirements for the _ human geography. and what were your requirements for the course? - human geography. and what were your requirements for the course? i - human geography. and what were your requirements for the course? i got -

human geography. and what were your requirements for the course? i got a i requirements for the course? i got a contextual offer, _ requirements for the course? i got a contextual offer, so _ requirements for the course? i got a contextual offer, so part _ requirements for the course? i got a contextual offer, so part of- requirements for the course? i got a contextual offer, so part of the - contextual offer, so part of the university, what they did, they reduce — university, what they did, they reduce the requirements to get in, mainly— reduce the requirements to get in, mainly because of your family background or your family income. because _ background or your family income. because you are a carer for your mum? , ., ., ., ~' because you are a carer for your mum? , ., ., ., ~ ., , mum? yes, i have looked after my mum. mum? yes, i have looked after my mum- lt's — mum? yes, i have looked after my mum. it's been _ mum? yes, i have looked after my mum. it's been quite _ mum? yes, i have looked after my mum. it's been quite tough, - mum? yes, i have looked after my i mum. it's been quite tough, between me and _ mum. it's been quite tough, between me and her~ — mum. it's been quite tough, between me and her. so, it went from a, a, b, me and her. so, it went from a, a, b. down— me and her. so, it went from a, a, b. downto— me and her. so, it went from a, a, b. down to b. — me and her. so, it went from a, a, b, down to b, b, b. igot me and her. so, it went from a, a, b, down to b, b, b. i got b, me and her. so, it went from a, a, b, down to b, b, b. igot b, b, c. have— b, down to b, b, b. igot b, b, c. have you— b, down to b, b, b. igot b, b, c. have you got— b, down to b, b, b. igot b, b, c. have you got your place? b, down to b, b, b. i got b, b, c. have you got your place?- have you got your place? yes, i have. have you got your place? yes, i have- we — we were waiting with bated breath, we are so pleased. it has obviously been very tough for you, with the pandemic, having to look after your mum as well. how difficult was that, to prepare for your a—levels? brute

mum as well. how difficult was that, to prepare for your a-levels? we are havin: to prepare for your a-levels? we are having difficulties _ to prepare for your a-levels? we are having difficulties with _ to prepare for your a-levels? we are having difficulties with your - to prepare for your a-levels? we are having difficulties with your line, - having difficulties with your line, hopefully we can hear you. it's been a lot to deal with, especially with my mum. it's such... it's especially with my mum. it's such... it'sjust_ especially with my mum. it's such... it's just such — especially with my mum. it's such... it's just such a — especially with my mum. it's such... it's just such a great thing. especially with my mum. it's such... it'sjust such a great thing. we especially with my mum. it's such... it'sjust such a great thing.— it'sjust such a great thing. we are havin: it'sjust such a great thing. we are having real — it'sjust such a great thing. we are having real problems _ it'sjust such a great thing. we are having real problems with - it'sjust such a great thing. we are having real problems with your - it'sjust such a great thing. we are i having real problems with your line, i do apologise. congratulations to you, i hope you can hear me. we are really pleased, you have been through a really challenging time, including caring for your mum. one more to diya, you are off to university in september, you are not deferring for a year or anything like that. tell us a bit more about your course and what you hope to do. yes, as mentioned, i'm going to nottingham trent. it'sjust

nottingham trent. it's just something nottingham trent. it'sjust something that i hope is new, and i get to enjoy. because that kind of thing, you don't really study in couege thing, you don't really study in college or secondary. it's definitely something brand—new to step into. hope it goes well. i'm anticipating it.— step into. hope it goes well. i'm anticipating it. congratulations to both of you- _ anticipating it. congratulations to both of you. the _ anticipating it. congratulations to both of you. the very _ anticipating it. congratulations to both of you. the very best - anticipating it. congratulations to both of you. the very best of- anticipating it. congratulations to j both of you. the very best of luck for starting university later in the year. thank you for talking to us. really brave. i do apologise for the issues with the connection to ben, but we heard the very good news that he has the great he needs to go to university, as well as. —— as well as diya. malaysia's highest court will today hear a final appeal from the former prime minister, najib razak, against his conviction in a high—profile corruption case. he was sentenced to 12 years in 2020 for his role in what's called the imbd scandal, in which billions of dollars were embezzled from the state—owned development fund he set up.

it will be his last chance to avoid being jailed. young adults injapan are being encouraged to drink more alcohol. younger generations in the country drinks less alcohol than their parents, a move that has hit taxes from beverages like sake. so the national tax agency has stepped in with a national competition called sake viva, and others like it to try to boost the economy. at least 26 people have been killed in forest fires in northern algeria. the emergency services are battling about a0 separate fires. many of the worst fires are in and around the town of el tarf, near the border with tunisia. hundreds of people have been forced to leave their homes and several roads have been closed. in spain, firefighters continue to battle wildfires that have led to the evacuation of thousands of residents. in one instance, a train service running between valencia and zaragoza narrowly avoided being engulfed by fire. sylvia lennan—spence reports. flames rip through the land

as firefighters shout "run, run", scrambling for their lives. the might of mother nature here in spain combined with the impact of climate change presenting a terrifying threat to communities facing the flames. as the fire spread, north—west of valencia, ten passengers were hurt, three seriously when they tried to escape a train caught up in a sweeping fire. this thermal image showing flames encroaching on the tracks. translation: when they came out of the tunnel, they found the fire i was coming in front of them so the driver stopped the train. the injured were in bad condition, the passengers were scared, we gave them water and did everything we could for them. hundreds of homes have been evacuated, with more than 2,000 people moved from the region. firefighters fear as much as 6,000 hectares of land has been ravaged by the fire.

another blaze, also near valencia, started by lightning late on saturday has devastated an area twice as large. more than 25,000 hectares left smouldering, a reminder of the power of the flames. but while this fire may be out, the summer fire season still has several months left to go. sylvia lennan—spence, bbc news. flooding and landslides in northwestern china have killed 16 people and dozens more are missing. state media reports that the heavy rainfall in qinghai province has caused rivers to change course, leaving towns and villages underwater. china has faced extreme weather this year from record heatwaves to severe floods. three children's homes have closed and two more have been rated inadequate following a bbc investigation. ofsted re—inspected homes run by calcot services for children

in southern england after the bbc found that children in its care had reported safeguarding failings. calcot doesn't accept the allegations but says an independent review will address issues raised by ofsted. earlier i spoke to senior investigativejournalist noel titheradge, who has been investigating this story for months. i asked him what he found out. children had reported being groomed for sex, given alcohol and assaulted by staff. we also learned that the company had failed to fully report an allegation of child—on—child sexual abuse, and had not provided some dedicated care, paid for by local authorities. we also discovered that the company had a profit margin of 36% last year. that is more than double level is already considered excessive by a government watchdog. the investigation led to calls for radical reform of the system by the children's commissioner for england, and also the reinspection of all calcot children homes.

these had previously all been rated good or outstanding. no ofsted has re—inspected them and rated five inadequate, three of which are closed. had staff previously raised concerns? yes, we have now learned that five whistle—blowers had contacted ofsted about concerns as early as april 2021. ofsted says it doesn't directly investigate whistle—blowing concerns, but that action against calcot was already under way. calcot says a number of factors, including built—up investment, made its profits appear bigger than they really were. it said it makes the relevant reports to authorities, staffs its homes correctly and prioritised the safeguarding of children in its care. the government says it is investing in raising standards in children's homes. the latest trial of the singer r kelly has opened at a federal court in chicago. the 55—year—old is accused of sexually abusing five underage girls in the late 1990s.

r kelly, who's already serving 30 years in prison for a string of other offences, denies wrongdoing. gareth barlow reports. last year, in a new york court, r kelly was found guilty of sex trafficking and racketeering, crimes for which the former singer and songwriter was sentenced to 30 years behind bars. on wednesday, at his latest trial, this time in chicago, the r&b artist faces 13 charges of child pornography and obstruction. a man, prosecutors allege, who harbours a hidden dark side rarely seen by the public. his lawyers, meanwhile, urging the jury not to accept the portrayal of r kelly as a monster. but, for more than two decades, robert sylvester kelly has faced allegations of sexual abuse. in a now infamous 2019 interview, he fervently denied the accusations. i didn't do that stuff! this is not me.

i am fighting for my life. the chicago trial is seen by many as a repeat of a 2008 trial when he faced charges of child pornography but was acquitted on all accounts. two former employers are also currently facing charges linked to the singer, it is expected the hearing will take at least four weeks, after that r kelly still faces cases in illinois and minnesota. gareth barlow, bbc news. in the united states, a federal magistrate who approved the search warrant for donald trump's mar—a—lago home in florida, is due to hold a court hearing to discuss requests to make public the document that authorised the search — which thejustice department has opposed releasing. our correspondent chichi uzundu has more. the document that the media want made public is the body of evidence that the prosecution had to take to a judge in order to secure a warrant to search mar—a—lago, donald trump's primary residence. the media say that this is of historical importance

and that's why it should be in the public domain. so just to skip back a few steps — last monday, donald trump, in a lengthy statement, announced that the fbi was searching his mar—a—lago home in florida. then on friday, the department ofjustice asked a court to unseal the details of what the fbi removed from donald trump's home. we found out that there were 11 sets of records that were removed from the property and some of those were stamped top secret. now, the department ofjustice don't want this affidavit in the public domain. they say that it contains classified information and in fact, it could identify steps in their ongoing investigation. why this is so interesting is because this is an ongoing investigation. to have details of the warrant released was unusual and then to have any details of the affidavit released at this point, because it is an ongoing investigation is even more unusual. but as donald trump says, this has never happened to any united states president

in history before. a new scheme is being launched by the government to provide extra support forjobseekers with autism and learning disabilities. the fund will support more than 2,000 adults across england and wales, helping them to move into and progress in work. the plans will cost £7.6 million and follow a series of pilots held in areas across england. earlier i spoke with fazilat haddi who is the head of policy at the charity disability rights uk. i think the fact there has been pilots makes it quite surprising that this programme that they are announcing today is so unambitious. why does it only cover 2a local authorities? why is it only 7.6 million? we know the unemployment rate for people with autism and people with learning disabilities is shockingly low.

we think it is 22% of autistic people, 6% for people with learning disabilities. at this time of a cost of living crisis, surely the government should be more ambitious in supporting disabled people into work? talk us through, fazilat, the key barriers to people with autism and learning disabilities getting into work and staying in work. what more can employers do to facilitate that? you are right, every group of disabled people will face different barriers, depending on their particular impairment. obviously, people with learning disabilities and autistic people have such a wide range of impairments. i think that is why it is really important that the government involves disabled people in setting up these programmes, so that people really understand the barriers. barriers could be things like needing a bit more time to train, do on—the—job training, so that people can

actually learn on the job. and actually then be brilliant at it. an adjustment might mean a different way of recruiting people, so you are not doing the usual big interview process, you are thinking about other ways of actually gleaning what people can do and what they can deliver. so, it's really hard to generalise. but if you start with the person and think about the job you want doing, then think about creative ways of supporting them through that recruitment process and into work. autistic people and learning disabled people have so much to add to the workforce. but we just need to be a bit more flexible, a bit more creative and maybe leave some of our routine, formulaic interviewing

and job inductions behind. as a general population, of course, we are ever more aware of autism and learning disabilities, of neurodiversity issues and so forth. in your experience, with these pilots, have people going into businesses, customers, users of whatever the businesses might have been, found it a really good experience? absolutely. i think both for the person themselves, you know, work brings us income, but it brings social connection, it brings us a self worth. you can't underestimate how much work can bring. not all disabled people can work, but for those of us that can, it's amazing. and i am sure we add a diversity and richness to the workforce, and our colleagues will begin to recognise that we bring in something different and unique. and that richness will make

the business succeed. fazilat haddi, talking to me earlier. ambulance services across england and wales are booking taxis to take tens of thousands of patients who call 999 to hospital. figures obtained by the bbc, show the practice is increasing as trusts struggle with rising call volumes and handover delays. nhs trusts says the most life threatening cases are prioritised and the proportion of patients affected is small. nikki fox reports. ambulances queueing outside busy hospitals to off—load patients. an increase in demand and lack of social care means scenes like this are becoming more common, and the consequence, fewer are on the road to respond to other urgent calls. when andrew weeds developed excruciating stomach pain, his wife dialled 999. i wanted help. i was in so much pain, wracked in pain, vomiting too. i vomited several times during the evening. i didn't know if it was appendicitis, i didn't know what it was.

i felt terrible, thought i was dying. the 73—year—old from norwich was told it could be 15 hours until an ambulance arrived. the trust says it was classed as a less urgent call, but andrew says the clinician on the phone told him he needed to be seen and booked him a taxi. he said to me, you need to get to hospital. he said the ambulance service is in so much disarray, it's unbelievable. but he said, what i'm going to do for you, he said, i'm going to get a taxi for you. and this situation is not unique. in the year up to the end ofjanuary, more than 23,000 patients in england and wales whose cases were classed as urgent were booked taxis in place of ambulances. a small proportion of nearly seven million calls received, but includes a three—day—old baby and a 103—year—old. we were contacted by one manager at a taxi firm used in the east of england. his name is being withheld to protect him.

it's very unfair on the customer who needs to get to the hospital. it's also extremely unfair on the driver, because he has no training to deal with that sort of situation. he's a self—employed taxi driver whose only training is to drive a car. he's got no first aid training, no emergency medical treatment training. he's probably not even aware of what he was getting involved in at that particular time. he also told us he had been asked to pick up covid—positive patients but refused. however, a separate taxi company in great yarmouth has a different view. if they phone up for a taxi to take somebody from home to an a&e department, nine times out of ten, that's a quicker option than an ambulance, so we are more than happy to help out. nhs england told us these figures account forjust 0.3% of ambulance call—outs. emergency ambulances are sent to life—threatening calls, and taxis are only used to transport other patients when it is clinically appropriate.

while the welsh ambulance service added, a taxi is only used for red calls after an ambulance resource has arrived at the scene and clinically assessed the patient. i was gobsmacked, really, to think, in this day and age, they are using taxis to transport emergency cases to hospital like that. if that's the only resource that they have got now, yeah, it's not great at all, is it? as services are stretched, prioritising ambulances for the most life—threatening patients is important, but those like andrew are worried that even if it is assessed as being safe, there should be enough resources to send to any case that is classed as urgent. nikki fox, bbc news. the recent dry weather has caused havoc for parts of the countryside. and small wild animals are finding it tough too. one farmer in suffolk is so worried, she's been trying to help. debbie tubby has more.

this hare is wary, but thirsty. it normally wouldn't drink out of a container but there is no moisture in the grass. this jay is trying to cool off. a badger, brazen about enjoying a possibly life—saving drink. even a fox has come to this man—made watering home. i kind of thought it might be a goshawk and i've never seen one to photograph. i didn't know they were on the farm. which is really nice. all of them have been caught on camera by sue cross, who is so concerned about their welfare after weeks of no rain she has been putting water out for them to drink. i think the wildlife needs water. the ponds have dried up, the river is very low. and they are using the water trays that are out, so it obviously is making a difference. she lives on a 600—acre farm near bury st edmunds. just go over there. there's probably about three on the other side of this hedge here. she now spends all day everyday

refreshing and refilling 70 trays of for the wildlife which calls this farm home. she is a farmer, but her hobby is wildlife photography. her priority now is keeping them alive and capturing them instead on hidden cameras. oh, wow, this is a first. a tawny owl. that's amazing. you see things you haven't seen before. a camera card full every day to get through and see it, but it's a nice thing to do in the evening. some are so desperate for water they don't mind who they drink with. this rat is possibly dinnerfor this polecat, once on the brink of extinction, but it needs a drink first. we've got to do things differently. things have got to change. without water and moisture — it is moisture which is the main thing we need — things are going to struggle. it's a big wake—up call. all creatures great and small. amazing pictures, but many will question whether we should be seeing this at all.

breaking news in the last few moments, a member of parliament has pleaded guilty to breaching covid rules in september 2020. margaret ferrier, who was elected to represent the snp admitted she had culpably and recklessly exposed the public to coronavirus by travelling around glasgow and the surrounding areas, and by taking the train to london when she had in fact been told to self—isolate. she lost the snp whip, but has continued as an independent mp. so, margaret ferrier admitting, keep pleading guilty, to breaching covid rules in september 2020, by travelling on public transport when she had coronavirus and had been told to self—isolate. farmers and scientists say we can expect wonkier vegetables on the supermarket shelves this winter.

the hot weather and lack of rainfall in parts of england has stressed crops which may affect the look of some produce. but the national farmers union says they'll still taste the same and is urging supermarkets to sell more wonky veg. in the uk, one of the directors of the energy regulator, ofgem, has quit because of changes to the way the energy price cap is set. christine farnish said she felt the regulator had not struck the right balance between the interests of consumers and interests of suppliers. the watchdog thanked ms farnish for her many years of devoted service. heavy rain in london yesterday caused widespread flooding across the city. the downpours meant transport was affected with some underground stations having to shut amid the flash floods. the environment agency has issued 17 flood alerts across england, with up to 100mm of rain possibly

falling in some areas. scientists say a 500—million—year—old microscopic, spiny creature with a mouth but no excretory opening, is not the earliest ancestor of humans — as was previously thought. the saccorhytus is a spikey, wrinkly sack, with a large mouth surrounded by spines and holes. but analysis of 500—million—year—old fossils from china, using powerful x—rays, suggest the holes around the mouth are actually bases of spines that broke away when the fossils were being preserved. the teams in china and the uk now think the creature belongs to a group called ecdysozoans — ancestors of spiders and insects and probably isn't related to humans after all. and at 11:30 this morning we'll be

answering your questions on a—level, t—level and btec exam results for students in england, wales and northern ireland. get in touch with the hashtag bbcyourquestions — or you email yourquestions@bbc. co. uk. hello, again. after the deluge of rain some of us had yesterday, today is going to be a lot quieter. we do have some weather fronts coming in from the atlantic, though. they're bringing in thicker cloud and some rain. most of this rain will be light and quite brisk winds today as well. now, we still have a fair bit of cloud across parts of scotland, northwest england, wales, southwest england and northern ireland. that's where we've got the rain. and as the rain moves through, we'll see some showers return to the north and west. but in the south and the east, the cloud should break. there's an isolated chance of a shower. and we're looking at temperatures roughly 16 to 26 degrees north to south. now through this evening and overnight, our weatherfront continues to push steadily southwards. there'll be clear skies following on behind with some showers coming in across the northwest

of scotland and northern ireland. the wind easing as we go through the course of the night and it will feel fresher in the northern half of the country. come south, the temperatures don't fall away too much and it will still be quite muggy across the far south east of england. so into tomorrow, quite smartly, we lose our weather front. it takes its cloud and remnants of rain with it. then we have a lot of dry weather, but you can see some showers coming in across the northwest on a brisk wind across the northwest. for the rest of us, it's just going to be a breezy day. we say goodbye to the cloud and spots of rain, hello to all this sunshine. and again, some fair weather cloud developing as we go through the day. but the showers in scotland and northern ireland becoming more widespread. we mightjust catch one across northern england. temperatures if anything, just a degree or so lower than what we're looking at today. into saturday, then, another weather front comes in across northern ireland, northern england and scotland, bringing in some heavier and more persistent rain. and behind that, we will see a return to sunshine and showers come south of that weather front, which is decaying. and again, a lot of dry

weather in saturday, a fair bit of sunshine, but we could see some showers develop as temperatures rise into the mid 20s. now, a bit of a change to the forecast on sunday because this clutch of fronts is coming in a bit slower than we expected. but it will sunday, later in the day, overnight and into monday, bring some rain from the west across the east and it will be noticeably breezy as well. so on sunday, we start off with a lot of dry and bright weather. the rain comes in later and then it crosses us all during the course of monday with highs up to 25.

this is bbc news i'm lewis vaughanjones. the headlines at 11:00am: results day — a level grades across england, wales and northern ireland are down on the past two years but remain higher than pre—pandemic levels. two—thirds of students got their first university choice. i was very shocked. i was thinking it would be difficult with the struggles i was going through. we always had a plan that we wanted to -et always had a plan that we wanted to get the _ always had a plan that we wanted to get the grades back towards the levels _ get the grades back towards the levels we saw pre—pandemic, we took a bi- levels we saw pre—pandemic, we took a big step _ levels we saw pre—pandemic, we took a big step in _ levels we saw pre—pandemic, we took a big step in the right direction. a little _ a big step in the right direction. a little bit _ a big step in the right direction. a little bit higher than they were in 2019 and — little bit higher than they were in 2019 and bent down under last year. a 44—year—old man has been arrested

on suspicion of murder after the fatal stabbing of thomas o'halloran on a mobility scooter in west london. a bombing at a mosque in kabul during evening prayers has killed at least 21 people, including a prominent cleric, and wounded at least 33. rail workers are on strike once again in their dispute over pay — lots of disruption on the network across england and wales. bbc media editor, amol rajan, is to be the new presenter of university challenge — taking over from jeremy paxman. students across england, wales and northern ireland have been receiving exam results this morning. a level, t—level, and btec students have all been marked based on exams — for the first time since two years

of covid disruption. compared with 2019, when exams were last sat in—person, there's been a19% increase in students gaining a place at their firm or insurance choice university. the proportion of students in england, wales and northern ireland getting top a—level grades has fallen since the record high of last year, but is higher than 2019. around 36.4% of pupils have achieved a* and a grades. and for the new t—level exams — where students split time between classroom learning and industry placements — the overall pass rate is 92%. the education secretary, james cleverly, explains why there aren't as many top grades this year. the pandemic years were a really tough set of years and firstly, i would like to congratulate students who have got their results today, i know they worked incredibly hard and so did the teachers. we always had a plan that we wanted to get the

grades back towards the levels we saw pre—pandemic, we have taken a big step in that direction, they are still a little bit higher than they were in 2019 but they are down on last year and that is... what you have also seen is a two thirds of students getting their first or reserve a place at university. that is great. and for those students who haven't quite got the grades that they were hoping for, that happens every year. there's a whole range of support, both at school, university and at clearing to help them. our education correspondent elaine dunkley has been catching up with some students at a sixth form college in west bromwich this morning. how did you get on with your exams and how helpful was the advanced information? this year, in february, you were given advanced information to help you focus on some of the topics, was it useful? at first glance, it seemed - useful but when we thought about what it was telling us, - it wasn't really useful at all. it would have been fine without it. how did you get on? i i did well, i am proud of myself. i

you rang everyone and told them? yes. — congratulations. we have followed you over the summer, haven't we, praise? you're not going to university, you want to go into the raf to be a nurse. what promtped that decision? my interest in nursing and the military in general. so, i decided that the raf was an amazing way to combine those two, so i decided to pursue that option. and then go for university if it doesn't work out for me. cameron, you come forward, you have just done your diploma. lots of other options, not just university, lots of vocational courses. t—levels for the first year. you have done your diploma, what are you hoping to go on to do? i'm hoping to go onto an apprenticeship. i i believe it will give me a betterl opportunity not perhaps than uni but i believe i can do more as an apprentice than i can at uni, personally. let's speak to some more students. you got straight a's, you did really well, how much relief was there when you opened the envelope? very relieved, i was shocked,

i thought i would do not so well with all the struggles i was going through. but to get aaa, i was really excited that all the hard work has paid off over the last two years. what's the next step for you? at first i was hoping i would do a degree to train as a solicitor but unfortunately i couldn't get one. now i will go to the university of birmingham. so you will go there and study law? yes. congratulations. you are going to nottingham, you did an as—level, how did that go for you? a new experience. as we didn't have exams for over the last two or three years. - it was a different experience, - a different environment to get in. really stressful at the beginning but it is now done. _ if you hadn't have passed this year you couldn't have progressed, you would have to resit? that's right, we need a minimum of d to progress to the next year. - to get to our universities. with me now is our education

correspondent sean dilley. let's try to make sense of the results overall. higher than, let's try to make sense of the results overall. higherthan, or lower than last year but higher than pre—pandemic. just expend that for us. pre-pandemic. just expend that for us. , ., ., , pre-pandemic. just expend that for us. first thing, amazingly good luck to ou us. first thing, amazingly good luck to you today. _ us. first thing, amazingly good luck to you today, whatever _ us. first thing, amazingly good luck to you today, whatever result - us. first thing, amazingly good luck to you today, whatever result you i to you today, whatever result you have got, this is the day you have to milk all of that goodwill from yourfamily, enjoyed to milk all of that goodwill from your family, enjoyed whatever the results. the important thing to remember is that, yes, the actual percentage number is lower than it was last year, but that is by design. that is because, pre—pandemic 2019 and all of those years before, there was the traditional way of assessing exams, when you would actually sit an exam, the last two years we have had a teacher assessed rates. so that is the difference. the hope is that it's an important first step to

retaining the education system to some kind of normalcy. just overall, how do we assess _ some kind of normalcy. just overall, how do we assess the _ some kind of normalcy. just overall, how do we assess the impact - some kind of normalcy. just overall, how do we assess the impact of - some kind of normalcy. just overall, | how do we assess the impact of covid on all of these results? it is how do we assess the impact of covid on all of these results?— on all of these results? it is a two art on all of these results? it is a two part question. _ on all of these results? it is a two part question, firstly, _ on all of these results? it is a two part question, firstly, how- on all of these results? it is a two part question, firstly, how would l part question, firstly, how would bss it? we will have to look in the next five years, how this impacts to students, i think the biggest thing that will impact them is that there is a very high number of 18—year—olds, that combined with the fact that there were a lot of referrals last year when so many achieve those top grades, universities and higher education institutions are offering incentives to defer, combined with another really important factor and that is that next to the student loan system is changing so that you have to pay back over a much longer period of time. traditionally, when some people might have decided to go and a gap year, people might have financial reasons for not. another

factor to enter _ financial reasons for not. another factor to enter into _ financial reasons for not. another factor to enter into the _ financial reasons for not. another factor to enter into the mix - financial reasons for not. another factor to enter into the mix when | factor to enter into the mix when making so many big life decisions at this stage. the other thing we are used to today, t levels, something new, just talk us through what they are. g, new, 'ust talk us through what they are. �* , , ., . , new, 'ust talk us through what they are. , ,~ are. a very historic sin, if you are takin: are. a very historic sin, if you are taking these. _ are. a very historic sin, if you are taking these, you _ are. a very historic sin, if you are taking these, you are _ are. a very historic sin, if you are taking these, you are the - are. a very historic sin, if you are taking these, you are the first. are. a very historic sin, if you are l taking these, you are the first crop of people to do these, some thing to be proud of. it goes without saying, it's very different to btec, this applies only in england and it's a blend of traditional classroom learning and x exams, combined with placement and apprenticeships within the district. everything from building to health. the other thing, people ask what is the t level, it's the equivalent to three a—levels. that is because it automatically means you can qualify for higher education and, no less than 71% of people who have applied for higher education have been offered places. we believe there, thank very much.

with me now is shaun freil, childline director at the nspcc. thank you for coming on the programme. just talk us through... it's a great day for so many, getting results, getting into university, let's focus on today's specifically for those people who aren't getting the grades they wanted. , , ., ., wanted. yes, first of all, congratulations - wanted. yes, first of all, congratulations and - wanted. yes, first of all, congratulations and a i wanted. yes, first of all, | congratulations and a very wanted. yes, first of all, - congratulations and a very big welcome to every young person who has sat exams and who are getting results today. it's been challenging over the past two years. they have extreme to extraordinary challenges, many have never set exams before, many have never set exams before, many have never set exams before, many have faced long periods of time

outside of study. it a day of celebration and everyone should feel proud. but we do realise that some young people not feel satisfied with the results they have got today. there is a degree of uncertainty those people around what their options are. so it's really important they get support with that. without uncertainty and any stress. so they are able to speak to people around them. and then to look at what practical steps we can take. we heard from many of the young people earlier who have been looking at different choices and there are always choices available. so it's about arming yourself with the right information and material. perhaps speaking to people at school, your family and visiting our website where we have a lot of information on where you can get that support and advice. i on where you can get that support and advice-— and advice. i am interested about the build-up _ and advice. i am interested about the build-up to _ and advice. i am interested about the build-up to exams, _ and advice. i am interested about the build-up to exams, it's - and advice. i am interested about the build-up to exams, it's an i the build—up to exams, it's an incredibly difficult period for many. what are the stories and

pressures you have been hearing? there are many. the uncertainty is definitely one. for young people, who haven't set exams, the stress of going into exams for the first time. many young people have missed lots of school, may be having studying at home and have had challenges to overcome there. perhaps trying to study in environments where they might not have have access to the same resources they would have had at school. obviously the pandemic in general, has created stress and anxiety for young people and families. that is not lost on people who have had to deal with that alongside the pressure over sitting exams and revising. what alongside the pressure over sitting exams and revising.— alongside the pressure over sitting exams and revising. what struck me, so many people _ exams and revising. what struck me, so many people are _ exams and revising. what struck me, so many people are sitting _ exams and revising. what struck me, so many people are sitting exams - exams and revising. what struck me, so many people are sitting exams forj so many people are sitting exams for the first time, that extra kind of stress, what is your message just

finally to young people? congratulations, well done, you have been incredibly resilient to get this far. whatever your results have been today, you will have options. get the support you need, if that support is close to hand, reach out to it, if you don't have that support are readily available, please come onto our website, there are lots of resources. we also have are lots of resources. we also have a message board where you can speak with other young people and there will be other young people out there who are in the exact same situation as you. whatever your exam results were. . ~' as you. whatever your exam results were. ., ~ i. ., as you. whatever your exam results were. ., ~ ., ., as you. whatever your exam results were. ., ., ., ., were. thank you for coming on and talkin: to were. thank you for coming on and talking to us- _ thank you for coming on and talking to us. with me now, jake flood — a student at walsall college — and martin lake, his construction t level lecturer. good money to you both. jake, a big day today, how did you get on? i did ve well,

day today, how did you get on? i did very well. i — day today, how did you get on? i did very well. i got _ day today, how did you get on? i did very well. i got a _ day today, how did you get on? t c c very well, i got a distinction, so very well, i got a distinction, so very pleased with that. fantastic congratulations. _ very pleased with that. fantastic congratulations. you _ very pleased with that. fantastic congratulations. you feeling - very pleased with that. fantastic i congratulations. you feeling proud, relieved, terrified? what is going through your head? i’m relieved, terrified? what is going through your head?— through your head? i'm feeling relieved because _ through your head? i'm feeling relieved because now - through your head? i'm feeling relieved because now it - through your head? i'm feeling relieved because now it means| through your head? i'm feeling | relieved because now it means i through your head? i'm feeling - relieved because now it means i can progress onto my apprenticeship. so i can't wait to get into that. and i can't wait to get into that. and how have _ i can't wait to get into that. and how have you — i can't wait to get into that. and how have you found your t levels? been good, the industry placement i've had has been insane, i've learned so much and had so many experiences that wouldn't have been offered to me otherwise. i couldn't hazeit offered to me otherwise. i couldn't haze it at all.— haze it at all. people tuning in don't necessarily _ haze it at all. people tuning in don't necessarily know - haze it at all. people tuning in don't necessarily know what i haze it at all. people tuning in don't necessarily know what t| haze it at all. people tuning in - don't necessarily know what t levels are, just talk us through, give us an idea in practical terms what kind of things it involves? 8c} an idea in practical terms what kind of things it involves?— of things it involves? 80 level is a medium ground _ of things it involves? 80 level is a medium ground between - of things it involves? 80 level is a medium ground between an - medium ground between an apprenticeship and a level. you sit —— t levels. you have a 45 days worth of work experience and sit

exams. i undertook many civil engineering activities and assessing roads, measuring foundations and assessing buildings. i will roads, measuring foundations and assessing buildings.— assessing buildings. i will come back to you _ assessing buildings. i will come back to you in _ assessing buildings. i will come back to you in just _ assessing buildings. i will come back to you in just a _ assessing buildings. i will come back to you in just a moment, l back to you in just a moment, martin, what kind of impact do these t levels have, what do your students get out of them? it t levels have, what do your students get out of them?— get out of them? it prepares them for the real — get out of them? it prepares them for the real world _ get out of them? it prepares them for the real world because - get out of them? it prepares them for the real world because there i get out of them? it prepares them l for the real world because there are 'obs for the real world because there are jobs at _ for the real world because there are jobs at the — for the real world because there are jobs at the end of it. completing the placements, there is advanced for a british ship opportunities at the end — for a british ship opportunities at the end. the work i do helps support the end. the work i do helps support the work— the end. the work i do helps support the work i _ the end. the work i do helps support the work i need an extra skills and knowledge — the work i need an extra skills and knowledge i need to complete exams the course _ knowledge i need to complete exams the course. has knowledge i need to complete exams the course. . , knowledge i need to complete exams the course. ., , , ., . ., the course. has it been a challenge in the wider — the course. has it been a challenge in the wider public? _ the course. has it been a challenge in the wider public? they _

the course. has it been a challenge in the wider public? they are - the course. has it been a challenge in the wider public? they are not i the course. has it been a challenge | in the wider public? they are not as well—known as a levels, launching any new project will be challenging at the start?— at the start? yes, a lot of companies _ at the start? yes, a lot of companies haven't - at the start? yes, a lot of companies haven't heard | at the start? yes, a lot of i companies haven't heard of at the start? yes, a lot of - companies haven't heard of vt at the start? yes, a lot of _ companies haven't heard of vt level, and what _ companies haven't heard of vt level, and what they had to do to deliver one _ and what they had to do to deliver one there — and what they had to do to deliver one. there has been a lot of educating _ one. there has been a lot of educating as we go along. some companies were prepared to work with us. companies were prepared to work with us it— companies were prepared to work with us it has— companies were prepared to work with us. it has been a struggle with at the pandemic as well, because the first 12 _ the pandemic as well, because the first 12 months we couldn't really io first 12 months we couldn't really go out _ first 12 months we couldn't really go out on — first 12 months we couldn't really go out on site. and we had to do most _ go out on site. and we had to do most of— go out on site. and we had to do most of the _ go out on site. and we had to do most of the placement in the second year of— most of the placement in the second year of the _ most of the placement in the second year of the course which obviously we have _ year of the course which obviously we have managed to complete. it has been really— we have managed to complete. it has been really helpful.— been really helpful. hadn't thought about that. launching _ been really helpful. hadn't thought about that. launching something i about that. launching something tricky and then you had the pandemic. very well done for that. jake, to come back to you, what is the big idea of what is the dream, what does your future look like? going forward, i'm going to take a five year apprenticeship within

civil engineering and i will be an internal surveyor working across the country, so looking forward to it, can't wait. country, so looking forward to it, can't wait-— can't wait. good luck with it all, ureat can't wait. good luck with it all, great stuff. _ can't wait. good luck with it all, great stuff, thank _ can't wait. good luck with it all, great stuff, thank you _ can't wait. good luck with it all, great stuff, thank you for - can't wait. good luck with it all, great stuff, thank you for your i great stuff, thank you for your time. the headlines on bbc news. results day — a level grades across england, wales and northern ireland are down on the past two years but remain higher than pre—pandemic levels. two—thirds of students got their first university choice. a 44—year—old man has been arrested on suspicion of murder following the fatal stabbing of thomas o'halloran on a mobility scooter in west london. a bombing at a mosque in kabul during evening prayers has killed at least 21 people, including a prominent cleric, and wounded at least 33. a man has been arrested this morning on suspicion of murder, following the fatal stabbing of thomas o'halloran, on a mobility scooter

in greenford, west london. greg mckenzie is in greenford. in terms of the case, it was 87—year—old thomas o'hallora who was murdered here on tuesday. the blue tent marks the exact spotjust behind me. he was a much loved character in the community, he was on his way to play on his accordion at a local train station where he was collecting money for charity. sadly, he didn't make it, having been stabbed to death on his mobility scooter. in terms of a suspect, the police have arrested a 44—year—old man. he was detained in the early hours of this morning in neighbouring south pole. that half a mile from this location. he's currently in police custody and being questioned. as for the community, many have told us they are scared following this senseless

random attack. we don't know the circumstances as of yet behind the incident. but ultimately, there has been a heavy police presence overnight here in west london. to really reassure the community that the police are here and hoping to help those here locally. we do know the police are holding a local gathering of this evening where they will be speaking to local members of the community to really reassure them in terms of their safety. but in terms of this arrest, it is a significant arrest and that the police have told us this investigation is fast moving. police officials in the afghan capital kabul have said that 21 people have been killed and another 33 wounded in a blast at a mosque on wednesday night. the blast happened during evening prayers — police officials said security forces are now searching for those responsible for the attack. the head of the ngo running kabul�*s main hospital said many children were among those brought

in to receive emergency treatment. this eyewitness was close to the mosque when the explosion happened. translation: when people were at the mosque, - during evening prayers, a huge blast occurred. so many muslims were injured and martyred. i've brought two of my family members who were injured to the hospital. we will take a look at the rail disruptions that have been taking place right across england and other parts of the uk as well. lots of different disruptions depending on where you live. passengers are being told not to travel by train it today unless absolutely necessary. todaymy walk—out means only 20% of train services will be running, over 40,000 british rail workers strike over ongoing pay and conditions. freddie's strike takes place on london underground and london over ground, in separate a dispute over

pensions and pay. the wider uk network should expect disruptions due to the knock—on effect of thursday's industrial action. and on saturday, most red what disruption as the rmt and tssa union strike again. the expected effect is to be the same. again, disruption is likely to continue into sunday. we've been down to plymouth to gauge some of the reactions from passengers there. i some of the reactions from passengers there.- some of the reactions from passengers there. some of the reactions from ”asseners there. ~ 3 ., passengers there. i think it's more complicated _ passengers there. i think it's more complicated than _ passengers there. i think it's more complicated than we _ passengers there. i think it's more complicated than we realise - passengers there. i think it's more i complicated than we realise because it's all to do with selling the company isn't it, privatising the company, trying to get it back into the public because my hands. i am for the strikes. i the public because my hands. i am for the strikes.— for the strikes. i know people who have had appointments _ for the strikes. i know people who have had appointments cancelledl for the strikes. i know people who i have had appointments cancelled and it'sjust _ have had appointments cancelled and it'sjust effects and have had appointments cancelled and it's just effects and disrupts the running — it's just effects and disrupts the running of the business. it's a totally— running of the business. it's a

totally unacceptable. | running of the business. it's a totally unacceptable.- running of the business. it's a totally unacceptable. i blame the rail companies, _ totally unacceptable. i blame the rail companies, i— totally unacceptable. i blame the rail companies, i don't _ totally unacceptable. i blame the rail companies, i don't blame - totally unacceptable. i blame thej rail companies, i don't blame the workers at all, i think we all have to fight for better standard of living. to fight for better standard of livina. ., , . ., , ., living. the general secretary of the rmt, mick lynch — living. the general secretary of the rmt, mick lynch spoke _ living. the general secretary of the rmt, mick lynch spoke about - living. the general secretary of the rmt, mick lynch spoke about the i rmt, mick lynch spoke about the strike this morning. we haven't got an offer that we can consider as a reasonable offer. we haven't got an acceptable package. and that's because the train companies and network rail have been blocked from making those offers by grant shapps. it's obvious now that grant shapps is locked into a cycle where he's got to appease two really right—wing candidates for prime minister in the tory party election. and if he wants to protect that position, he's got to show then that he's some kind of steely, right—wing militant, which is what the whole party is becoming. so we need to unlock that. i think there's a political dimension to it now, which is unfortunate because this is an industrial relations matter about jobs, conditions, pay and pensions. there is a deal to be done. i spoke to a senior negotiator from network rail this morning on this picket line. he came along and said hello.

we've got a decent relationship with them. we could build a solution if we were allowed to. but, at the minute, the politics of the conservative party leadership election, i fear, is stopping this dispute being resolved. chief executive of network rail says politicising the situation is making it worse insisting it was wrong to suggest this is a battle between westminster and the rmt union. i think the problem is we have put a very good deal on the table, that gives guaranteed jobs for people who want it, it deals with long—standing issues and is 8% pay rise over two years. that hasn't been put to my staff. the rmt have refused to put that to a referendum that is the problem will stop if they had the chance to vote, we believe they would accept. when we put a similar deal to a different union, that got a very strong endorsement. that is the way to unlock this, that is the way to get rid of this huge frustration passengers.

a new scheme is being launched by the government to provide extra support forjobseekers with autism and learning disabilities. the fund will support more than 2,000 adults across england and wales, helping them to move into and progress in work. the plans will cost £7.6 million and follow a series of pilots held in areas across england. joining me now is the minister for disabled people, health and work, chloe smith. good morning. campaigners this morning have been welcoming this extra money, this seven odd million pounds. saying it is not enough however, it isn't enough as it? it however, it isn't enough as it? it is in a bigger picture, which is within us wanting to see more disabled people in work. we have seen momentum in that, for example smashing the goal in only five years we set out to achieve in ten years of seeing a million more disabled people in work. you of seeing a million more disabled people in work-— of seeing a million more disabled people in work. you mentioned that fi . ure, people in work. you mentioned that figure. that — people in work. you mentioned that figure, that figure _ people in work. you mentioned that figure, that figure is _ people in work. you mentioned that figure, that figure is made - people in work. you mentioned that figure, that figure is made up - people in work. you mentioned that figure, that figure is made up of- figure, that figure is made up of people who were already in work anyway and newly identified, not

quite a million new people in work? , the broader point is this. there are a lot of factors in helping disabled people to start and stay and succeed in work. actually, i want to work with every single one of those campaigners and many more employers and disabled people themselves as well. in order to sustain that momentum of progress. that is what today cosmic scheme is part of. it's about helping people in areas from norfolk to pembrokeshire to southampton to county durham to be in to sustain employment. we do that replacements and training and the support of a job coach. we do that through look working with local authorities. it working with local authorities. if those measures you mentioned worked... ,, . those measures you mentioned worked- - -_ worked... such as the national autistic society. _ worked... such as the national autistic society. they - worked... such as the national autistic society. they point - worked... such as the nationalj autistic society. they point out worked... such as the national- autistic society. they point out you have already _ autistic society. they point out you have already done _ autistic society. they point out you have already done the _ autistic society. they point out you have already done the pilot, - autistic society. they point out you have already done the pilot, if- autistic society. they point out you have already done the pilot, if this| have already done the pilot, if this does work, scale it up, make it bigger? does work, scale it up, make it bi aer? , , does work, scale it up, make it bi rer? , , ., does work, scale it up, make it biner? , , ., , does work, scale it up, make it bigger? this is that scaling up, as i sa , we bigger? this is that scaling up, as i say. we are _ bigger? this is that scaling up, as i say, we are covering _ bigger? this is that scaling up, as i say, we are covering areas - bigger? this is that scaling up, as| i say, we are covering areas across england and wales with the scheme. it will help 2000 people, that is

really important. i don't think there is any criticism that ought to be made of 2000 more people through this scheme will have extra opportunities. that is what we should be about. and that is how you make progress in terms of helping disabled people to be in work, you use schemes you no work, which we do, because we have piloted it, and indeed because we see it working in other countries. then you apply it and scale it up. that is gladly what today cosmic scheme is about. it will in due course help those people to be able to be in sustainable jobs and that is exactly right. to be able to be in sustainable 'obs and that is exactly right.�* and that is exactly right. slightly more broadly. — and that is exactly right. slightly more broadly, disabled - and that is exactly right. slightly more broadly, disabled people i and that is exactly right. slightly l more broadly, disabled people are part of the hardest hit in the cost of living crisis, i believe you are supporting liz truss and liz truss's plans centres around tax plans reverse of the national insurance, that will help people on your sort of wages, give you an extra thousand pounds or so in your pocket. how much will it help some of those poorest disabled people? well, liz truss is setting _ poorest disabled people? well, liz truss is setting out _ poorest disabled people? well, liz truss is setting out that _ poorest disabled people? well, liz truss is setting out that she - poorest disabled people? well, liz truss is setting out that she once i truss is setting out that she once to use tax cuts as a means of

growing the economy. i think... haifa growing the economy. i think... how much money — growing the economy. i think... how much money in _ growing the economy. i think... how much money in your— growing the economy. i think... how much money in your pocket will that give you if you are very poor and disabled? will it give £1000 like for you? disabled? will it give £1000 like for ou? . , disabled? will it give £1000 like for ou? ., , for you? please let me answer the ruestion. for you? please let me answer the question. growing _ for you? please let me answer the question. growing the _ for you? please let me answer the question. growing the economy i for you? please let me answer the question. growing the economy is| question. growing the economy is what will create more opportunity. i think you need to look at both sides of that equation and see that that is part of what we are talking about here today, to help more people into employment means you need to have a growing economy, and to grow the economy fully it means you need to include everybody�*s talents. it economy fully it means you need to include everybody's talents.- include everybody's talents. if you are are claiming _ include everybody's talents. if you are are claiming benefits - include everybody's talents. if you are are claiming benefits and - include everybody's talents. if you are are claiming benefits and you | are are claiming benefits and you are are claiming benefits and you are energy bill some three in october, you tell them, we are growing the economy with these tax cuts, that is not going to pay that bill is at? how much of these tax cuts is actually going to end up in more money in disabled people because my pockets, we know if you are on a salary of hundred thousand pounds like you are, you will get around thousand pounds extra in your pocket, how much extra is going to those disc able people on lower

income? ' :: :: . , ., , income? the £1200, which is what is already being — income? the £1200, which is what is already being done _ income? the £1200, which is what is already being done by _ income? the £1200, which is what is already being done by the _ already being done by the government, of which i am part of. this government recognises these pressures on a people, and that is why, 8 million households, 8 million on the most vulnerable households, will be receiving that help with the cost of living, including on energy bills and including special payments for disabled people. is bills and including special payments for disabled people.— bills and including special payments for disabled people. is that enough? we are recognising _ for disabled people. is that enough? we are recognising those _ for disabled people. is that enough? we are recognising those precious i we are recognising those precious and are already acting. is we are recognising those precious and are already acting.— and are already acting. is that enou~h? and are already acting. is that enough? i _ and are already acting. is that enough? i think— and are already acting. is that enough? i think it _ and are already acting. is that enough? i think it is - and are already acting. is that enough? i think it is and - and are already acting. is that enough? i think it is and i - and are already acting. is that. enough? i think it is and i think and are already acting. is that i enough? i think it is and i think it is essential _ enough? i think it is and i think it is essential that _ enough? i think it is and i think it is essential that is _ enough? i think it is and i think it is essential that is already - enough? i think it is and i think it is essential that is already under| is essential that is already under way. the first round of payments of the £650 are are already going out and there will be more in september for disabled people specifically. so just to those measures are already announced, that's £1200 is enough and people at the bottom end of the income ladder should expect no more help when distress becomes by minister or they should expect up? i

don't think you can expect me to answer that question day. i'm here to talk about local supported employment. to to talk about local supported employment-— to talk about local supported employment. to talk about local supported emlo ment. ., , , employment. to help people live independently — employment. to help people live independently and _ employment. to help people live independently and enable - employment. to help people live independently and enable them i employment. to help people live. independently and enable them to employment. to help people live - independently and enable them to be more resilient to changes in the cost of living. that is what we are focusing on helping more disabled people into employment as well as taking the action that the government has already done it to support people with the cost of living. support people with the cost of livina. ~ , ., support people with the cost of livinr.~ ,, , support people with the cost of livinr.~ i. , ., living. will you be asking liz truss, issue _ living. will you be asking liz truss, issue comes - living. will you be asking liz truss, issue comes by - living. will you be asking liz - truss, issue comes by minister, for more support for poor and disabled people? i more support for poor and disabled --eole? . ., more support for poor and disabled eo le? . ., ., more support for poor and disabled --eole? . ., ., , people? i will continue to be the voice of disabled _ people? i will continue to be the voice of disabled people - people? i will continue to be the voice of disabled people in - voice of disabled people in government as long as i hold this role. it a passion of mine. and to be able to help people into employment. that is why i am really pleased we have already been able to deliver the manifesto commitment to see 1 deliver the manifesto commitment to see! million more disabled people seei million more disabled people in work. working with so many people to achieve that. that's the point, this is a whole a broader effort that has to go across employers, has to grow across disabled people, and support them to be able to enjoy the

same opportunities as everybody else deserves. that is what i'm most focused on, i would be delighted to have a conversation with you, with liz truss, with rishi sunak, with anybody. because, we should all be committed to that in hand with what we do through the welfare system and what doing through the cost of living crisis to be able to support people fully. thank you for being on the programme. an mp has admitted breaching covid rules after travelling by train despite knowing she had coronavirus. margaret ferrier spoke in parliament in september 2020 while awaiting the results of a covid test, then took a train home to glasgow after being told she had tested positive. the mp for rutherglen and hamilton west now sits as an independent, after losing the snp whip following the alleged breach. she's now pleaded guilty ahead of a trial at glasgow sheriff court, and admitted she culpably and recklessly exposed the public to coronavirus.

joining me now is our scotland correspondent, james shaw. just took us through what happened. it was on the 26th of september 2020 that she had a test for coronavirus. she then went about a business for the rest of the weekend, it is thought she may have gone to church on the following sunday and then on the monday she was due to travel down to london by training, she did that, she then spoke later on in the house of commons, knowing that she had tested, that she had had a test and had been told to self—isolate. after that, later on that monday, she discovered she had tested positive and then at that point she was in a dilemma as to what to do, should she isolate in a hotel in london or should she had home by train. what she did, she decided to travel back by train and thereby she knew that she had covid, she knew

she was potentially an exposing other passengers to the disease. so, as you say, she has now pled guilty to the charges against her, she has already been suspended by the snp, she was elected in 2015, but in terms of the sentence, we expect that to be passed not today but at a later date. let's get you whether now with carol. hello, again. after the deluge of rain we had it much drier here. the cloud continued to break up here. the cloud continued to break up with some sunshine coming through and the odd shower. rain across northern ireland, scotland and england and wales, pushing southwards and eastwards. you could catch the odd heavy burst and then behind it, more showers.

temperatures 25, quite a brisk wind. clear skies follow behind with a few showers across scotland and northern ireland. temperatures 11—12 celsius. muqqy ireland. temperatures 11—12 celsius. muggy as we push towards the south—east. earlier, we lose our weather front. south—east. earlier, we lose our weatherfront. the south—east. earlier, we lose our weather front. the showers already in western parts of northern ireland and scotland will develop more widely here and temperatures 15—25. hello this is bbc news. the headlines. results day — a level grades across england, wales and northern ireland are down on the past two years but remain

higher than pre—pandemic levels. two—thirds of students got their first university choice. they are very sharp. i thought i was going to do not so well with the struggles i was going through but to get a triple a, i was very pleased with every thing that i'm in the last few years. a 44—year—old man has been arrested on suspicion of murder after the fatal stabbing of thomas o'halloran on a mobility scooter in west london. a bombing at a mosque in kabul during evening prayers has killed at least 21 people, including a prominent cleric, and wounded at least 33. rail workers are on strike once again in their dispute over pay — lots of disruption on the network across england and wales. bbc media editor amol rajan is to be the new presenter of university challenge, taking over from jeremy paxman. sport and for a full round up, from the bbc sport centre, here's the latest. here's nora. here's laura. good morning. england will be

hoping theirfortunes and the weather will improve as they resume on 116 for 6 on day two of the second test against south africa. play was cut short at lords yesterday because of rain, and this morning england resumed on 116 for 6 after the proteas�* and it's not got much better for the hosts. in the past few minutes ollie pope who resumed on on 61 after a gutsy innings has gone for 73. england are currently 146—8. away from the match action, the second day of the test is highlighting the work being done by the ruth strauss foundation, set up by former england captain sir andrew strauss. it's a charity to help support families following the death of a parent from cancer, and earlier, strauss was speaking to bbc sport about the importance of the charity. we copied it of the peak test in australia and with always been blown away by the support we got from lord's. we look forward to the whole of lords being bathed in red. we hope it will be bathed in sunshine although it's a bit gloomy today. it's a great day for the foundation

to be able to give support to families and raise some good funds for a good cause. the european championships continue in munich this morning with the athletics underway. and there's been good news for great britain's jake wightman, who came first in the men's 800 metre heat to secure his place in sunday's final. wightman is coming off the back of a brilliant summer after winning gold at the world championships in oregon, and bronze at the commonwealth games. i haven't run one since, you know, so i was nervous i hadn't done enough work for it but it was a very early start but i'm just glad i got through. if i needed to push on a little bit to guarantee to keep it safe then that's what i did. it's more good news for great britain in the women's 800 metre heats as commonwealth silver medalist keely hodgkinson takes the top spot and books her place in the semi—final

i feel like i was a little ifeel like i was a little bit uncomfortable because of the pace but we got the job done. all my buddies must be feeling it but with the semis tomorrow, we hope for the final. ., ., , ., , ., ., final. how have you been managing our final. how have you been managing your body? — final. how have you been managing your body? we _ final. how have you been managing your body? i've just _ final. how have you been managing your body? i've just been _ final. how have you been managing your body? i've just been trying - final. how have you been managing your body? i've just been trying to l your body? i've 'ust been trying to slee -. your body? i've 'ust been trying to sleep. that-s _ your body? i've just been trying to sleep. that's the _ your body? i've just been trying to sleep. that's the best _ your body? i've just been trying to sleep. that's the best way. - your body? i've just been trying to | sleep. that's the best way. there's only one chance in one season so we doing the best we can and, yeah, let's see what happens. joining keely hodgkinson in that semi final will be her teammatejemma reekie who qualifed fastest in her heat. reekie who didnt make either final at the world championships or commonwealth's looked pretty comfortable throughout. great britain's alex bell is also through. over to rome where the european aquatics championships are taking place. and the defending champion jack laugher is safely through to the final on the men's one metre springboard. he qualified in second place below italy's lorenzo marsaglia.

great britian'sjordan houlden will also be in the final which takes place at three forty this afternoon. which takes place at 3.40pm this afternoon. golfer patrick reed has filed a 750 million dollar defamation lawsuit against the american television network the golf channel and its commentator brandel chamblee. in his filing, the american golfer — who joined the controversial saudi backed liv golf series injune — says "calculated, malicious, false and reckless attacks" have caused him major damages, and cost him several multi—million—dollar sponsorship deals. chamblee and the golf channel have yet to respond to reed's accusations. that's all the sport for now. n be back soon with another update. the new host of university challenge has been announced this morning. it'll be this man, the bbc�*s

media editor, amol rajan. he'll take over from jeremy paxman from autumn 2023 onwards, and will begin filming next year. he'll also step down as media editor for bbc news later this year year, but will continue to be present on the radio 4 today programme. we can speak to tv critic scott bryan. did morning, scott. what you make of this appointment? i'm in, he seems incredibly honoured to be taking this because it's such a hard role to fill. just because university challenge has only had two people having this role in the entire show�*s 60 year history. jeremy paxman, the 28 years. i thought whoever would be taking over this role would be honoured but also at the same time realising what big shoes they are to fill and this is something amol rajan was putting on instagram this morning. he said

jeremy paxman is a giant of broadcasting. i will have to earn, thanks to him the show in four which was imported from america 60 years ago is stronger than ever. i think for whoever was going to take over the show was to try not to copy the person in the role before. very much take it in your own way and with a bit of your own personality. and, yeah, he could be part of something that could run and run and run. just rive us a that could run and run and run. just give us a bit — that could run and run and run. just give us a bit of— that could run and run and run. just give us a bit of background on him. he used to be the editor of the independent newspaper before it went online only. since then he's been a presence on the bbc. he hosted the media show for a few years and then moved over to the today programme on bbc radio 4. he has a series on bbc two at the moment which runs throughout the year and he also does

other interview stuff across the entire bbc so he is stepping down from his media role but he will still be doing interviewing on his bbc two series. because this is the thing, when you take over a role such as university challenge, it can take pretty much all of your time up. it's on every single week of the year. you have to record it in big blocks. you can't spread yourself too thinly! blocks. you can't spread yourself too thinl ! �* ., , ., blocks. you can't spread yourself too thinl! �* ., , ., , too thinly! and on the show itself because it's _ too thinly! and on the show itself because it's been _ too thinly! and on the show itself because it's been around - too thinly! and on the show itself because it's been around for - too thinly! and on the show itself because it's been around for such too thinly! and on the show itself i because it's been around for such a long time, it's such an institution, but given how many people watch tv, streaming services, young people not watching much tv at all. is it still that central place in an nation's consciousness? i that central place in an nation's consciousness?— that central place in an nation's consciousness? i think so because what ou consciousness? i think so because what you have _ consciousness? i think so because what you have a — consciousness? i think so because what you have a monday - consciousness? i think so because what you have a monday night - consciousness? i think so because what you have a monday night is i what you have a monday night is university challenge alongside only connect normal match and that create a special monday. it can behind

what's on bbc one readily beating its tenders. so even they have these streaming services with the dramas they are creating, many people just love the familiarity of watching a show that they've always seen on university challenge has been part of the british tv staple and i think it will be something people watch for years to come because people like to feel good about themselves when they've got one question right. at least that's what i find when i watch it! ., ., ~ at least that's what i find when i watch it! ., ., ,, , ., , at least that's what i find when i watch it! ., ., ~' , ., , . watch it! scott, thank you very much for cominr watch it! scott, thank you very much for coming on- _ watch it! scott, thank you very much for coming on. we _ watch it! scott, thank you very much for coming on. we appreciate - watch it! scott, thank you very much for coming on. we appreciate it. - now on bbc news, your questions answered. welcome to your questions answered. you've been sending in your questions on exam results. with me is catherine sezen,

policy manager at the association of colleges and adrian dutch, pro—vice chancellor at the university of bedfordshire. good morning. we've got a couple of questions to get through but i want to start and this may sound silly but with some basic definitions so we know exactly what we are talking about. because we've got a—levels and i want to get in the process of what happens next, clearing and so forth but on t levels, i want to talk about that and those getting to grips with them. what's a basic definition? who wants to take that away? definition? who wants to take that awa ? ~ . definition? who wants to take that awa ? . ., ., . , definition? who wants to take that awa? ., definition? who wants to take that awa 7. ., away? what exactly are t levels? i can start with _ away? what exactly are t levels? i can start with that _ away? what exactly are t levels? i can start with that if _ away? what exactly are t levels? i can start with that if that _ away? what exactly are t levels? i can start with that if that would - away? what exactly are t levels? i can start with that if that would be | can start with that if that would be helpful. t levels are a new qualification. they are an equivalent of three a—levels but they are focused much more on vocational—technical with the opportunity for students to study in

depth subject and also do a work placement, so students go out and do 45 days in the industry and i think that those who achieve their results todayis that those who achieve their results today is that they really enjoyed that part of their course so we've got lots of students achieving their t levels today. that's a high—level overview of those. t levels today. that's a high-level overview of those.— overview of those. adrian, let's come to a-levels _ overview of those. adrian, let's come to a-levels and _ overview of those. adrian, let's come to a-levels and let's - overview of those. adrian, let's| come to a-levels and let's start come to a—levels and let's start with those poor people who did not get the grades they expected. what get the grades they expected. what are their options _ get the grades they expected. what are their options now? i mean, there's— are their options now? i mean, there's a — are their options now? i mean, there's a whole range of options. whether— there's a whole range of options. whether it's switching focus to to a different _ whether it's switching focus to to a different university which is what the clearing system is all about but there _ the clearing system is all about but there are _ the clearing system is all about but there are also other options. degree apprenticeships are available. some students _ apprenticeships are available. some students haven't decided on some of decided _ students haven't decided on some of decided they may not want to go to

universities. there are thousands and thousands of options out there for students who still want to go to university— for students who still want to go to university who aren't getting into their— university who aren't getting into their first — university who aren't getting into their first choice. on university who aren't getting into their first choice.— university who aren't getting into their first choice. on the clearing, 'ust their first choice. on the clearing, just briefly. _ their first choice. on the clearing, just briefly, what _ their first choice. on the clearing, just briefly, what is _ their first choice. on the clearing, just briefly, what is it? _ their first choice. on the clearing, just briefly, what is it? how- their first choice. on the clearing, just briefly, what is it? how does| just briefly, what is it? how does it work and what should people expect? it work and what should people exect? ~ ., ., it work and what should people exect? ., ., , expect? without over complicating it, clearin: expect? without over complicating it. clearing is— expect? without over complicating it. clearing is a _ expect? without over complicating it, clearing is a period _ expect? without over complicating it, clearing is a period of _ expect? without over complicating it, clearing is a period of time - it, clearing is a period of time which — it, clearing is a period of time which starts at the beginning of the month— which starts at the beginning of the month where we sort of associate clearing _ month where we sort of associate clearing with results day but students have been going into clearing — students have been going into clearing for a while now. obviously it peaks _ clearing for a while now. obviously it peaks on — clearing for a while now. obviously it peaks on results day when students _ it peaks on results day when students get their results and it's a chance — students get their results and it's a chance for those who didn't getting — a chance for those who didn't getting telephone choice or didn't -et getting telephone choice or didn't get into— getting telephone choice or didn't get into insurance or don't want their— get into insurance or don't want their insurance to look at alternatives. there are also growing numbers _ alternatives. there are also growing numbers of— alternatives. there are also growing numbers of students who actually don't _ numbers of students who actually don't use — numbers of students who actually don't use the main cycle to apply and apply— don't use the main cycle to apply and applyjust the clearing and also some _ and applyjust the clearing and also some who — and applyjust the clearing and also some who feel that in some years there _ some who feel that in some years there is— some who feel that in some years there is an — some who feel that in some years there is an opportunity to trade up from _ there is an opportunity to trade up from their— there is an opportunity to trade up from their firm choice because the results _

from their firm choice because the results are — from their firm choice because the results are better, they have the option— results are better, they have the option to — results are better, they have the option to look at alternatives as well _ option to look at alternatives as well. probably less so this year, given— well. probably less so this year, given the — well. probably less so this year, given the results but it's a clearing _ given the results but it's a clearing house for students and universities to be matched up with places _ universities to be matched up with places it�*s — universities to be matched up with laces. �* , . universities to be matched up with laces. �*, .,, ,, universities to be matched up with laces. ,, ,�* places. it's a stressfultime, isn't it? there's _ places. it's a stressfultime, isn't it? there's no — places. it's a stressfultime, isn't it? there's no getting _ places. it's a stressfultime, isn't it? there's no getting around - places. it's a stressfultime, isn't it? there's no getting around it? | it? there's no getting around it? yes, it is- _ it? there's no getting around it? yes, it is- i _ it? there's no getting around it? yes, it is. i refer— it? there's no getting around it? yes, it is. i refer to _ it? there's no getting around it? yes, it is. i refer to it _ it? there's no getting around it? yes, it is. i refer to it 40 - it? there's no getting around it? yes, it is. i refer to it 40 years i yes, it is. i refer to it 40 years ago. _ yes, it is. i refer to it 40 years ago. i— yes, it is. i refer to it 40 years ago. i was _ yes, it is. i refer to it 40 years ago. i was a _ yes, it is. i refer to it 40 years ago, i was a clearing student in that— ago, i was a clearing student in that first — ago, i was a clearing student in that first period when you get your results _ that first period when you get your results and even if you're expecting not to _ results and even if you're expecting not to do— results and even if you're expecting not to do as — results and even if you're expecting not to do as well as you need to do this still— not to do as well as you need to do this still hope and it comes as a real gut— this still hope and it comes as a real gut punch and i think students need _ real gut punch and i think students need to— real gut punch and i think students need to understand that this is the only day— need to understand that this is the only day of— need to understand that this is the only day of their life that they will talk — only day of their life that they will talk about clearing. no one will talk about clearing. no one will ever— will talk about clearing. no one will ever ask you, no one has ever asked _ will ever ask you, no one has ever asked me! — will ever ask you, no one has ever asked me! there are role models out there _ asked me! there are role models out there for— asked me! there are role models out there for people who are successful who did _ there for people who are successful who did not go to university or who dropped _ who did not go to university or who dropped out. there are no role models — dropped out. there are no role models the clearing because it's never— models the clearing because it's never talked about again but so many

people _ never talked about again but so many people do _ never talked about again but so many people do. that never talked about again but so many --eole do. . , never talked about again but so many --eole do. ., , ., , people do. that is really interesting. _ people do. that is really interesting. i— people do. that is really interesting. i had - people do. that is really interesting. i had not. people do. that is really - interesting. i had not thought of that! ijust want interesting. i had not thought of that! i just want to bring interesting. i had not thought of that! ijust want to bring catherine into talk about those alternatives. what other kind of pressures that most, when you are hearing from students? ~' most, when you are hearing from students? ~ ., , ., , , students? so, ithink obviously there's the _ students? so, ithink obviously there's the anxiety _ students? so, ithink obviously there's the anxiety of - students? so, ithink obviously there's the anxiety of doing - students? so, i think obviouslyl there's the anxiety of doing well and also i think added anxiety this year because there was a move back to exams. now students had said they really wanted to engage with exams and they felt that was the fairest way to achieve their qualifications but there is always going to be a degree of anxiety and i think the key point is that today we are celebrating success after two really difficult years for young people, and colleges and schools. and the most important thing is that as we've already heard there are options but everybody. whether that's going through clearing, already you look at doing an apprenticeship or going straight into employment. i think the key

thing is to take advice at the national careers service. go to your local school or college and ask what the options are and you don't have to make the options right this minute today. i think lots of people getting on the phone to the clearing services great but do give yourself time to think about what you want to do next because you are making decisions that will impact. as we've just heard, no one will ask if you are a clearing student but the decision you make now will impact at least the first three or four years of your life, if not the rest of your life. speak to someone you trust and make your decision but there are lots of options available. adrian, iwant there are lots of options available. adrian, i want to bring in a question from nicole who has been in touch. those students who missed offers and need to retake it due to the difficult nature of the exams this year, will there be any extra support for the november cycle of

exams? it support for the november cycle of exams? ., ., , ., , ., exams? it not really a question i can answer— exams? it not really a question i can answer because _ exams? it not really a question i can answer because that - exams? it not really a question i j can answer because that support should _ can answer because that support should come from the institution they are — should come from the institution they are doing the retakes with. obviously, for those students doing retakes. _ obviously, for those students doing retakes, it's going to be too late for them — retakes, it's going to be too late for them tojoin a university in retakes, it's going to be too late for them to join a university in the current— for them to join a university in the current intake. many institutions have _ current intake. many institutions have january in takes of undergraduates now, although in a far more _ undergraduates now, although in a far more limited range of subjects and its— far more limited range of subjects and it's not— far more limited range of subjects and it's not every university but it might— and it's not every university but it might be — and it's not every university but it might be worth student who is considering retakes, it might be worth— considering retakes, it might be worth considering looking around at the universities who are offering january— the universities who are offering january intakes as opposed to having to wait— january intakes as opposed to having to wait till— january intakes as opposed to having to wait till the following september.— to wait till the following se tember. ., _, , ., to wait till the following setember. ., , september. catherine, could you pick this u - ? september. catherine, could you pick this up? people _ september. catherine, could you pick this up? people have _ september. catherine, could you pick this up? people have questions - this up? people have questions around finance. it can be expensive. what are the options? the students

who are looking at progressing, they probably will have betting applications for finance and it is very much based on those students who need it most. i think no one should be put off going into higher orfurther should be put off going into higher or further education should be put off going into higher orfurther education for should be put off going into higher or further education for fear of finance. i think the key thing is to go and speak to people. find out what your options are. there are bursaries and funding options. i think the key thing there is to make sure you are having those conversations but please do not be put off because you are concerned about finances. i appreciate particularly with the cost of living concerns, therefore people will be more anxious but make sure you are going and asking all of those questions and i'm sure you will be able to put together a package that works for you. able to put together a package that works for yon-— works for you. adrian, i want to come to you — works for you. adrian, i want to come to you with _ works for you. adrian, i want to come to you with this _ works for you. adrian, i want to come to you with this fiddly, i come to you with this fiddly, technical one which is coming from matthew. we will give it a go. 36%

of students got a grades, what do you actually mean? is that a—level grades awarded or 36% of students got at least in a star or a 36% of students got straight a stars? i’m students got straight a stars? i'm not sure where this statistic has come _ not sure where this statistic has come from _ not sure where this statistic has come from but i can only base it on the grammar— come from but i can only base it on the grammar of the sentence but the inference _ the grammar of the sentence but the inference i_ the grammar of the sentence but the inference i would take from that sentence — inference i would take from that sentence is that 36% of students got an a or— sentence is that 36% of students got an a or and _ sentence is that 36% of students got an a or and a star so sentence is that 36% of students got an a orand a star so i sentence is that 36% of students got an a or and a star so i don't know whether— an a or and a star so i don't know whether this _ an a or and a star so i don't know whether this was because it was a slightly— whether this was because it was a slightly sloppily written sentence, i slightly sloppily written sentence, i don't _ slightly sloppily written sentence, i don't know. i can only base it on idon't know. i can only base it on how— i don't know. i can only base it on how it's _ i don't know. i can only base it on how it's written. i don't know where the percentage has come from? the

idea that the percentage has come from? idea that the the percentage has come from? tue: idea that the number of grades this year at that top level is lower than last year but higher than pre—pandemic levels? i last year but higher than pre-pandemic levels? last year but higher than re- andemic levels? ~ ~ , pre-pandemic levels? i think the key thin to pre-pandemic levels? i think the key thing to remember— pre-pandemic levels? i think the key thing to remember here _ pre-pandemic levels? i think the key thing to remember here is _ pre-pandemic levels? i think the key thing to remember here is that - pre-pandemic levels? i think the key thing to remember here is that we i thing to remember here is that we have been through two years of pandemic where we've had teacher or centre assessed grades and to move from the great last year, the teacher assessed grades, which were perhaps the highest we'd ever seen, to move back to the exam grades we saw in 2019, it was felt that would be a big shot, particularly when students have been through the impact of the pandemic so this year we have a midpoint between 2019 and 2021 so we should see that on average the results are in between those two groups. so between 2019 and 2021. i think the important thing to remember is that there has

been a lot of work going on behind—the—scenes to make sure students are not disadvantaged and they have every opportunity to be successful and go on to whatever destination they are intending to go on to. g, destination they are intending to go on to. �* , ., destination they are intending to go onto. m ., ._ destination they are intending to go onto. m ., ., on to. a big day for so many young --eole. on to. a big day for so many young people. catherine _ on to. a big day for so many young people. catherine and _ on to. a big day for so many young people. catherine and adrian - on to. a big day for so many young | people. catherine and adrian thank you so much for your tips and advice. in the uk, three children's homes have closed and two more have been rated "inadequate" following a bbc investigation. ofsted re—inspected homes run by calcot services for children in southern england after the bbc found that children in its care had reported safeguarding failings. calcot doesn't accept the allegations but says an independent review will address issues raised by ofsted. earlier, i spoke to senior investigativejournalist, noel titheradge who has been investigating this story for months, investigating this story for months. i asked him what he found out.

children had been reported being groomed the sex, given alcohol and assaulted by staff. we learned the company had failed to fully report child on child sexual abuse and had not provided some dedicated care paid for by local authority. we also discovered company had a profit margin at 36%, double levels considered excessive by a government watchdog. yet the investigation called for the reinspection of all calcot children's homes. they had been previously rated good or outstanding but now three bean rated inadequate and closed. had outstanding but now three bean rated inadequate and closed.— inadequate and closed. had staff reviousl inadequate and closed. had staff previously raised _ inadequate and closed. had staff previously raised concerns? - inadequate and closed. had staff previously raised concerns? yes. five whistle-blowers _ previously raised concerns? jazz five whistle—blowers contacted ofsted about concerns as early as april 2021. ofsted says it doesn't

directly investigate whistle—blowing concerns but that action against calcot was already under way. calcot says the number of factors including built—up investment made its profits appear bigger than they really were. it said it makes the relevant reports to authorities and does prioritise the safeguarding of children in its care. the government says it is investing in raising standards in children's home. the recent dry weather has caused havoc for parts of the countryside. and small wild animals are finding it tough too. one farmer in suffolk is so worried, she's been trying to help. debbie tubby has more. this hare is wary, but thirsty. it normally wouldn't drink out of a container but there is no moisture in the grass. this jay is trying to cool off. a badger, brazen about enjoying a possibly life—saving drink. even a fox has come to this man—made watering home. i kind of thought it might be a goshawk and i've never seen one to photograph. i didn't know they were on the farm.

which is really nice. all of them have been caught on camera by sue cross, who is so concerned about their welfare after weeks of no rain she has been putting water out for them to drink. i think the wildlife needs water. our ponds have dried up, the river is very low. and they are using the water trays that are out, so it obviously is making a difference. she lives on a 600—acre farm near bury st edmunds. there's one over there. there's probably about three on the other side of this hedge here. she now spends all day everyday refreshing and refilling 70 trays of for the wildlife which calls this farm home. she is a farmer, but her hobby is wildlife photography. her priority now is keeping them alive and capturing them instead on hidden cameras. oh, wow, this is a first. a tawny owl. that's amazing.

you see things you haven't seen before. a camera card full every day to get through and see it, but it's a nice thing to do in the evening. some are so desperate for water they don't mind who they drink with. this rat is possibly dinnerfor this polecat, once on the brink of extinction, but it needs a drink first. we've got to do things differently. things have got to change. without water and moisture — it is moisture which is the main thing we need — things are going to struggle. it's a big wake—up call. all creatures great and small. amazing pictures, but many will question whether we should be seeing this at all. now it's time for a look at the weather with carol. hello again. after the deluge of rain some of us had yesterday today is going to be a lot quieter. we do have some weather fronts coming in from the atlantic, though. they're bringing in thicker cloud and some rain.

most of this rain will be light and quite brisk winds today as well. now, we still have a fair bit of cloud across parts of scotland, northwest england, wales, southwest england and northern ireland. that's where we've got the rain. and as the rain moves through, we'll see some showers return to the north and west. but in the south, in the east, the cloud should break. there's an isolated chance of a shower. and we're looking at temperatures roughly 16 to 26 degrees north to south. now through this evening and overnight, our weatherfront continues to push steadily southwards. there'll be clear skies following on behind with some showers coming in across the northwest of scotland and northern ireland. the wind easing as we go through the course of the night and it will feel fresher in the northern half of the country come south. the temperatures don't fall away too much and it will still be quite muggy across the far south east of england. so into tomorrow, quite smartly, we lose our weather front. it takes its cloud and

remnants of rain with it. then we have a lot of dry weather, but you can see some showers coming in across the northwest on a brisk wind across the northwest. for the rest of us, it's just going to be a breezy day. we say goodbye to the cloud and spots of rain. hello to all the sunshine. and again, some fair weather cloud developing as we go through the day. but the showers in scotland and northern ireland becoming more widespread. we mightjust catch one across northern england. temperatures of anything, just a degree or so lower than what we're looking at today. into saturday, another weather front comes in across northern ireland, northern england and scotland, bringing in some heavier and more persistent rain. and behind that, we will see a return to sunshine and showers come south of that weather front, which is decaying. and again, a lot of dry weather in saturday for a bit of sunshine, but we could see some showers develop as temperatures rise into the mid—20s. now a bit of a change to the forecast on sunday because this clash of fronts is coming in a bit slower than we expected. but it will sun later in the day, overnight and into monday, bring some rain from the west

across the east and it will be noticeably breezy as well. so on sunday, we start off with a lot of dry and bright weather. the rain comes in later and then it crosses us all during the course of monday with highs up to 25.

this is bbc news. the headlines: results day — a level grades across england, wales and northern ireland are down on the past two years but remain higher than pre—pandemic levels. two—thirds of students got their first university place. i was very shocked, i thought i was going to do not so well with all of the struggles i was going through. to get triple a's, i was very excited that the hard work paid off. we always had a plan to get the grades — we always had a plan to get the grades back towards the levels we had seen — grades back towards the levels we had seen a pre—pandemic, and we have taken _ had seen a pre—pandemic, and we have taken a _ had seen a pre—pandemic, and we have taken a big _ had seen a pre—pandemic, and we have taken a big step in that direction. they— taken a big step in that direction. they are — taken a big step in that direction. they are still a little bit higher than _ they are still a little bit higher than in — they are still a little bit higher than in 2019 but they are down on last year— than in 2019 but they are down on last year and that is right and proper~ — a 44—year—old man has been arrested on suspicion of murder

after the fatal stabbing of thomas o'halloran on a mobility scooter in west london. mp margaret ferrier pleads guilty to travelling on a train from scotland to london despite knowing she was covid positive in september 2020. rail workers are on strike once again in their dispute over pay — lots of disruption on the network across england and wales. bbc media editor amol rajan is to be the new presenter of university challenge — taking over from jeremy paxman. students across england, wales and northern ireland have been receiving exam results this morning. a level, t—level, and btec students have all been marked based on exams — for the first time since two years of covid disruption.

compared with 2019, when exams were last sat in—person, there's been a19% increase in students gaining a place at their firm or insurance choice university. the proportion of students in england, wales and northern ireland getting top a—level grades has fallen since the record high of last year, but is higher than 2019. around 36.4% of pupils have achieved a* and a grades. and for the new t—level exams — where students split time between classroom learning and industry placements — the overall pass rate is 92%. the education secretary, james cleverly, explains why there aren't as many top grades this year. the pandemic years were a really tough set of years and firstly, i would like to congratulate students who have got their results today, i know they worked incredibly hard and so did the teachers. we always had a plan that we wanted to get the

grades back towards the levels we saw pre—pandemic, we have taken a big step in that direction, they are still a little bit higher than they were in 2019 but they are down on last year and that is right and proper. what you have also seen is a two thirds of students getting their first or reserve a place at university. that is great. and for those students who haven't quite got the grades that there's a whole range of support, both at school, university and at clearing to help them. our education correspondent elaine dunkley has been catching up with some students at a sixth form college in west bromwich this morning. how did you get on with your exams and how helpful was the advanced information? this year, in february, you were given advanced information to help you focus on some of the topics, was it useful? at first glance, it seemed - useful but when we thought about what it was telling us, - it wasn't really useful at all. it would have been fine without it. how did you get on?

i i did well, i am proud of myself. i you rang everyone and told them? yes. congratulations. we have followed you over the summer, haven't we, praise? you're not going to university, you want to go into the raf to be a nurse. what promtped that decision? my interest in nursing and the military in general. so, i decided that the raf was an amazing way to combine those two, so i decided to pursue that option. and then go for university if it doesn't work out for me. cameron, you come forward, you have just done your diploma. lots of other options, not just university, lots of vocational courses. t—levels for the first year. you have done your diploma, what are you hoping to go on to do? i'm hoping to go onto an apprenticeship. i i believe it will give me a betterl opportunity not perhaps than uni but i believe i can do more as an apprentice than i can at uni, personally. let's speak to some more students. you got straight a's, you did really well, how much relief was there when you opened the envelope? very relieved, i was shocked,

i thought i would do not so well with all the struggles i was going through. but to get aaa, i was really excited that all the hard work has paid off over the last two years. what's the next step for you? at first i was hoping i would do a degree to train as a solicitor but unfortunately i couldn't get one. now i will go to the university of birmingham. so you will go there and study law? yes. congratulations. you are going to nottingham, you did an as—level, how did that go for you? a new experience. as we didn't have exams for over the last two or three years. - if it was a different experience, - a different environment to get in. really stressful at the beginning but it is now done. _ if you hadn't have passed this year you couldn't have progressed, you would have to resit? that's right, we need a minimum of d to progress to the next year. - to get to our universities. let's go to ucas headquarters

and our reporter navtej johal. hello. hi, lewis it's the busiest da of hello. hi, lewis it's the busiest day of the _ hello. hi, lewis it's the busiest day of the year _ hello. hi, lewis it's the busiest day of the year here _ hello. hi, lewis it's the busiest day of the year here in - hello. hi, lewis it's the busiest- day of the year here in cheltenham, the people behind me have been on other phones since eight o'clock this morning, they have been dealing with inquiries from those of students and people concerned about what to do next. there are 270 staff here at dealing with inquiries from roughly 20,000 people. it's the day they have trained for, the day they look forward to, one member of staff described it as early as their christmas day, the one they gear up towards every single year. you can understand why. the advice coming from them, time and time again is, look, remain optimistic whatever happens, remainflexible, lots look, remain optimistic whatever happens, remain flexible, lots of options, there are 27,000 courses available via clearing, lots of options for you full stop if you did get the results you wanted, you did better than you expected, didn't quite get the results you wanted, lots of options there for you. speak

to somebody who is at the sharp end of all of this. the vice chancellor at de montfort university in leicester. thank you forjoining me? thank you very much. haifa leicester. thank you for 'oining me? thank you very much._ thank you very much. how is it lookin: thank you very much. how is it looking at _ thank you very much. how is it looking at your _ thank you very much. how is it looking at your university - thank you very much. how is it looking at your university this i looking at your university this year? a busier timer than for a long time? , , ., , time? yes, indeed, it is a very bus . time? yes, indeed, it is a very busy- twice — time? yes, indeed, it is a very busy. twice as _ time? yes, indeed, it is a very busy. twice as busy _ time? yes, indeed, it is a very busy. twice as busy we - time? yes, indeed, it is a very busy. twice as busy we would | busy. twice as busy we would probably— busy. twice as busy we would probably say as last year. things are moving very quickly and on top of that— are moving very quickly and on top of that we — are moving very quickly and on top of that we went into the clearing cycle _ of that we went into the clearing cycle with — of that we went into the clearing cycle with already a lot more students _ cycle with already a lot more students having put us as their first choice institution and that is probably— first choice institution and that is probably down to a couple of things, festival. _ probably down to a couple of things, festival. we — probably down to a couple of things, festival, we had open day is back on campus— festival, we had open day is back on campus and — festival, we had open day is back on campus and you can see my lucky campus— campus and you can see my lucky campus behind me, is very green and also within— campus behind me, is very green and also within the city centre. we have also within the city centre. we have also made — also within the city centre. we have also made changes to the curriculum which _ also made changes to the curriculum which mean — also made changes to the curriculum which mean that we are introducing a block— which mean that we are introducing a block learning which students instead — block learning which students instead of taking four modules at the same — instead of taking four modules at the same time they have one module for seven— the same time they have one module for seven weeks and then get their assessment and result and then move

on. assessment and result and then move on that _ assessment and result and then move on that is _ assessment and result and then move on. that is proving really popular with students who want to focus on one thing _ with students who want to focus on one thing at a time. this with students who want to focus on one thing at a time.— with students who want to focus on one thing at a time. this year there has been 1996 _ one thing at a time. this year there has been 1996 more _ one thing at a time. this year there has been 1996 more students - one thing at a time. this year there has been 1996 more students who i one thing at a time. this year there i has been 1996 more students who have has been i9% more students who have got a place at university can be layered to nine done by 2019. —— mike compared to 2019. there has also been a drop in students receiving top grades compared to last year but slightly higher than a 2019, what you make of that? what last year but slightly higher than a 2019, what you make of that? what we are seeinr 2019, what you make of that? what we are seeing is — 2019, what you make of that? what we are seeing is a — 2019, what you make of that? what we are seeing is a drop _ 2019, what you make of that? what we are seeing is a drop in _ 2019, what you make of that? what we are seeing is a drop in results, - 2019, what you make of that? what we are seeing is a drop in results, so i are seeing is a drop in results, so hugely— are seeing is a drop in results, so hugely by— are seeing is a drop in results, so hugely by one grade over there profile — hugely by one grade over there profile if— hugely by one grade over there profile. if they thought they were getting _ profile. if they thought they were getting three keys instead got to bees and ac. it doesn't feel great if you _ bees and ac. it doesn't feel great if you are — bees and ac. it doesn't feel great if you are a — bees and ac. it doesn't feel great if you are a student not getting the results _ if you are a student not getting the results you — if you are a student not getting the results you wanted, but i think we should _ results you wanted, but i think we should be — results you wanted, but i think we should be celebrating what they have been able _ should be celebrating what they have been able to do this year, as you said. _ been able to do this year, as you said. they— been able to do this year, as you said, they have not sat gcses, the first public— said, they have not sat gcses, the first public exams they have done. they have — first public exams they have done. they have had to study through covid and i they have had to study through covid and i think— they have had to study through covid and i think it'sjust fantastic tribute _ and i think it'sjust fantastic tribute how well they have done. the

mac no _ tribute how well they have done. the mac no getting around the subject that university for many is very expensive. _ that university for many is very expensive, tens of thousands of pounds — expensive, tens of thousands of pounds in — expensive, tens of thousands of pounds in tuition fees, in terms of that. _ pounds in tuition fees, in terms of that. the — pounds in tuition fees, in terms of that, the cost of living crisis is going — that, the cost of living crisis is going to — that, the cost of living crisis is going to make all of that much more difficult _ going to make all of that much more difficult isn't it? how you supporting your students this year? we are _ supporting your students this year? we are making sure our hardship funds— we are making sure our hardship funds are — we are making sure our hardship funds are accessible _ we are making sure our hardship funds are accessible and - we are making sure our hardship funds are accessible and peoplel we are making sure our hardship- funds are accessible and people know about _ funds are accessible and people know about it. _ funds are accessible and people know about it. where — funds are accessible and people know about it, where they— funds are accessible and people know about it, where they can _ funds are accessible and people know about it, where they can get - funds are accessible and people know about it, where they can get money. about it, where they can get money to support — about it, where they can get money to support them _ about it, where they can get money to support them instantly— about it, where they can get money to support them instantly if- about it, where they can get money to support them instantly if they i to support them instantly if they are in— to support them instantly if they are in more _ to support them instantly if they are in more financial— to support them instantly if they are in more financial hardship, l to support them instantly if they i are in more financial hardship, but also. _ are in more financial hardship, but also. we _ are in more financial hardship, but also. we offer— are in more financial hardship, but also, we offer a _ are in more financial hardship, but also, we offer a lot— are in more financial hardship, but also, we offer a lot of— are in more financial hardship, but| also, we offer a lot of employment on campus— also, we offer a lot of employment on campus so— also, we offer a lot of employment on campus so we _ also, we offer a lot of employment on campus so we employ- also, we offer a lot of employment on campus so we employ a - also, we offer a lot of employment on campus so we employ a lot i also, we offer a lot of employment on campus so we employ a lot of. also, we offer a lot of employment. on campus so we employ a lot of our own students — on campus so we employ a lot of our own students to _ on campus so we employ a lot of our own students to do _ on campus so we employ a lot of our own students to do various _ on campus so we employ a lot of our| own students to do various part—time 'obs own students to do various part—time jobs on _ own students to do various part—time jobs on campus on top of that. - own students to do various part—time jobs on campus on top of that. the i jobs on campus on top of that. the other— jobs on campus on top of that. the other thing — jobs on campus on top of that. the other thing we are seeing is morel other thing we are seeing is more students — other thing we are seeing is more students are _ other thing we are seeing is more students are choosing _ other thing we are seeing is more students are choosing to - other thing we are seeing is more students are choosing to study. students are choosing to study locally — students are choosing to study locally and _ students are choosing to study locally and live _ students are choosing to study locally and live at _ students are choosing to study locally and live at home - students are choosing to study locally and live at home to i students are choosing to studyl locally and live at home to save some _ locally and live at home to save some of— locally and live at home to save some of the _ locally and live at home to save some of the cost _ locally and live at home to save some of the cost of— locally and live at home to save some of the cost of having i locally and live at home to save j some of the cost of having their locally and live at home to save i some of the cost of having their own student— some of the cost of having their own student accommodation. _ some of the cost of having their own student accommodation. so - some of the cost of having their own student accommodation. so we i some of the cost of having their ownj student accommodation. so we have seen that— student accommodation. so we have seen that increase _ student accommodation. so we have seen that increase by _ student accommodation. so we have seen that increase by about - student accommodation. so we have seen that increase by about 3% i student accommodation. so we have seen that increase by about 3% this. seen that increase by about 3% this year already. — seen that increase by about 3% this yearalready. 0ur— seen that increase by about 3% this year already. our students, - seen that increase by about 3% this year already. our students, 40%i seen that increase by about 3% this year already. our students, 40% of

them _ year already. our students, 40% of them come — year already. our students, 40% of them come from _ year already. our students, 40% of them come from leicestershire. i year already. our students, 40% of them come from leicestershire. [fl year already. our students, 40% of. them come from leicestershire. if we return to today _ them come from leicestershire. if we return to today and _ them come from leicestershire. return to today and clearing and what this means, what is your advice to students who were hoping to go to demand food and maybe haven't got the grades they were expecting? may be people who would be looking at de montford because i'm not getting the grades they wanted? shat montford because i'm not getting the grades they wanted?— grades they wanted? at my first iece of grades they wanted? at my first piece of advice _ grades they wanted? at my first piece of advice to _ grades they wanted? at my first piece of advice to them - grades they wanted? at my first piece of advice to them is, i grades they wanted? at my first piece of advice to them is, don't grades they wanted? at my first i piece of advice to them is, don't be hard on _ piece of advice to them is, don't be hard on yourselves. you have achieved _ hard on yourselves. you have achieved things in a very difficult time _ achieved things in a very difficult time. secondly, your plans might have _ time. secondly, your plans might have changed and need a bit of time to get— have changed and need a bit of time to get over— have changed and need a bit of time to get over that, but often great things— to get over that, but often great things can — to get over that, but often great things can come out of such opportunities. i meet all the time our alumni — opportunities. i meet all the time our alumni i opportunities. i meet all the time ouralumni i and many opportunities. i meet all the time our alumni i and many of them came through— our alumni i and many of them came through clearing. they have gone on to set— through clearing. they have gone on to set the _ through clearing. they have gone on to set the most fantastic businesses up to set the most fantastic businesses up and _ to set the most fantastic businesses up and working internationally. they say, up and working internationally. they say. the _ up and working internationally. they say, the best thing that happens to is not _ say, the best thing that happens to is not doing well was having a change — is not doing well was having a change in _ is not doing well was having a change in plan and coming to our university— change in plan and coming to our university and being able to go on and achieve the things they've done. ithink—

and achieve the things they've done. i think once — and achieve the things they've done. i think once you get it university, it might — i think once you get it university, it might feel like the worst day of your life — it might feel like the worst day of your life at the moment, but you will get _ your life at the moment, but you will get to— your life at the moment, but you will get to go somewhere. you will enjoy_ will get to go somewhere. you will enjoy it. _ will get to go somewhere. you will enjoy it, you will come out with great _ enjoy it, you will come out with great qualifications and be able to take that — great qualifications and be able to take that forward. that willjust seem _ take that forward. that willjust seem like — take that forward. that willjust seem like a small blip in the past. thank— seem like a small blip in the past. thank you — seem like a small blip in the past. thank you forjoining us. as i said, the advice coming time and time again from here, the advice coming time and time againfrom here, is, remain optimistic and flexible. whatever happens, lots of choices available, give these people hear a call if you need to and clearing opens at three o'clock and that is when you can make your own choice about what to do next. there are options, what you can do. if you were planning on going to university, but didn't get the results you expected, there are five

things you can do. the uni or couege things you can do. the uni or college you have chosen might let you in anyway, even if you results have slipped. it is always worth checking forced up number two. if they do, there is also clearing, on they do, there is also clearing, on the ucas website they put up a list of all of the universities and colleges where there are spaces, you will be able to search that until mid october and you will need to reach out to any universities or colleges you are interested in directly. numberthree. if you colleges you are interested in directly. number three. if you think your grade wasn't right in the first place you can ask to appeal it. talk to your school or college and they will be able to liaise with the exam board to sort this out. number four. you can think about resetting your exams. again, chatty your school or couege exams. again, chatty your school or college about that. five. remember university isn't the only option, think about the other things out there for you such as apprentice ships, traineeships or going straight into work. ships, traineeships or going straight into work. students are also getting btec results this morning. let's speak with demar bellamy—foster, a btec student from ilford.

i'm gonna ask you, how did you get on? i i'm gonna ask you, how did you get on? . , i'm gonna ask you, how did you get on? ., , ., ., i'm gonna ask you, how did you get on? ., , ., , on? i did really good actually. i did very good _ on? i did really good actually. i did very good considering. i on? i did really good actually. i did very good considering. tell| on? i did really good actually. i i did very good considering. tell us about the cause, _ did very good considering. tell us about the cause, what _ did very good considering. tell us about the cause, what were i did very good considering. tell us about the cause, what were you i about the cause, what were you looking at and how did you do? we looking at and how did you do? - ventured in the realm of marketing ourselves as students moving on to the working world. i personally did really well. the working world. i personally did reall well. ~ ., ., really well. what was at the emotions? _ really well. what was at the emotions? you _ really well. what was at the emotions? you woke - really well. what was at the emotions? you woke up i really well. what was at the | emotions? you woke up this really well. what was at the _ emotions? you woke up this morning, where you nervous, were you scared? and what was it like getting your actual results? i and what was it like getting your actual results?— and what was it like getting your actual results?_ we | actual results? i was a bit... we can see you- _ actual results? i was a bit... we can see you- l — actual results? i was a bit... we can see you. i would _ actual results? i was a bit... we can see you. i would say - actual results? i was a bit... we can see you. i would say there i actual results? i was a bit... we i can see you. i would say there was a lot of suspense, _ can see you. i would say there was a lot of suspense, i _ can see you. i would say there was a lot of suspense, i felt _ can see you. i would say there was a lot of suspense, i felt like _ can see you. i would say there was a lot of suspense, i felt like there i lot of suspense, i felt like there was an atmosphere between me and myself, you know, in the mirror. and i opened them just recently and i'm

very proud of what i got, actually. i really left a good account of myself with regards to work. that is brilliant to hear. _ myself with regards to work. that is brilliant to hear. tell— myself with regards to work. that is brilliant to hear. tell us, _ myself with regards to work. that is brilliant to hear. tell us, what - myself with regards to work. that is brilliant to hear. tell us, what is - brilliant to hear. tell us, what is the big plan for the future? the lan the big plan for the future? the plan now. _ the big plan for the future? the plan now. the _ the big plan for the future? tue plan now, the next the big plan for the future? tte plan now, the next step is for me to maybe jump plan now, the next step is for me to maybejump on an plan now, the next step is for me to maybe jump on an apprenticeship or just applied for some entry level roles, may be studio jobs, just applied for some entry level roles, may be studiojobs, things like that as a runner, and just try my luck, gets my foot on the door, get the experience that is needed to progress further. that get the experience that is needed to progress further.— progress further. that is exactly the attitude _ progress further. that is exactly the attitude you _ progress further. that is exactly the attitude you need. - progress further. that is exactly the attitude you need. that's i progress further. that is exactly i the attitude you need. that's great to hear. just tell us a bit about the past few years, studying, everything that has been going on with the covid pandemic. we all remember when we were younger, studying whatever you are studying, it is hard enough, but you have had to go through so much, what has it been like? tt to go through so much, what has it been like? ., , , been like? it has been quite difficult, online _ been like? it has been quite difficult, online lessons, - difficult, online lessons,

motivation, all of that kind of stuff, it dwindles and you have that plateau when you have a lot going on and... well, the world had a lot going on. it was extra difficult because everyone was struggling. that is where discipline comes into it. a lot of it stayed disciplined, especially me, i stayed disciplined and, lo, here| especially me, i stayed disciplined and, lo, here i am, what can i say. lovely to talk to you, good luck, great to talk to you.— a 44—year—old man has been arrested on suspicion of murder after the fatal stabbing of thomas o'halloran on a mobility scooter in west london. our reporter is there. what is the latest? a hive of activity this afternoon in west london, forensic officers have been back at the scene methodically going through the crime

scene, even looking under cars here, it was on tuesday afternoon at that 87—year—olds, thomas o'hallora, was stabbed to death just behind me. the blue tent marks the exact spot. in the early hours of this morning the police have made an arrest, he is a 44—year—old man who was arrested nearby in the neighbouring part of the city. he has had a local police station being questioned by detectives. that arrest comes following an appeal yesterday and the police issued cctv images of a man they were very keen to track and trace and subsequently an arrest was made in the early hours of the morning. no more details has been given as to the arrest but we know that later on this evening the police are holding a gathering for the local community where they will reassure them of their safety concerns, because many residents here say they are scared,

this was an unprovoked attack in broad daylight, so the police will be holding a community meeting this evening here in greenford with local residents. ., ~ , ., evening here in greenford with local residents. ., ~' , ., , . evening here in greenford with local residents. ., ~ , ., , . ., residents. thank you very much. you are watching — residents. thank you very much. you are watching bbc _ residents. thank you very much. you are watching bbc news. _ residents. thank you very much. you are watching bbc news. the - are watching bbc news. the headlines. results day, a—level grades across england, wales and northern ireland are down on the past two years but remain higher than pre—pandemic levels. two thirds of students got their first university choice. aaa—year—old man has been arrested on suspicion of murder the fatal stabbing of thomas o'hallora on the mobility scooter in west london. mp, margaret ferrier, a peeled guilty and travelling on a train between scotland and london despite knowing she was a covid positive in september 2020.

time for the sport now. good afternoon. south africa are firmly in control on day two of the first test against england at lord's. england resumed on 116 for 6 after the proteas�* fearsome attack ripped through the their top order on wednesday. five england batters were out for single—figure scores. and it's not got much better for the hosts. ollie pope — who resumed on 61 after a gutsy innings — went earlierfor 73. suart broad followed — gone for 15, before england's final wicket ito—year old jimmy anderson fell for 0. south africa trail by 158. the european championships continue in munich this morning with the athletics underway. (00v)and there's been good news for great britain's jake wightman, who came first in the men's 800 metre heat to secure his place in sunday's final. wightman is coming off the back of a brilliant summer after winning gold at the world championships in oregon, and bronze at the commonwealth games.

i haven't run one since may, sol was nervous, have i done enough work for it, but i thought, 0k, was nervous, have i done enough work for it, but i thought, ok, i woke up early, it was an early start stop i'm just glad got through. ijust wanted to make sure and then if i needed to push on a little bit to go into the next age then that's what i need to do. it's more good news for great britain in the women's 800 metre heats as commonwealth silver medalist keely hodgkinson takes the top spot and books her place in the semi—final. i feel like things were a little bit uncomfortable because... we got the job done so i am happy. it has been a very long season, i can tell my bodyis a very long season, i can tell my body is feeling it. the semis tomorrow and then hopefully the final and then i will give it all i've got. final and then i will give it all i've not. ., . final and then i will give it all i'veuot. ., . , final and then i will give it all i'veuot. ., ., , ., ., i've got. how have you been managing our bod ?

i've got. how have you been managing your body? i— i've got. how have you been managing your body? i just _ i've got. how have you been managing your body? ijust been _ i've got. how have you been managing your body? ijust been trying - i've got. how have you been managing your body? ijust been trying to - your body? i 'ust been trying to slee -. your body? ijust been trying to sleep- sleep. — your body? ijust been trying to sleep. sleep, sleep, _ your body? ijust been trying to sleep. sleep, sleep, sleep. - your body? ijust been trying to i sleep. sleep, sleep, sleep. there has never been three chances in one season, so we are doing the best we can. joining keely hodgkinson in the semi finals will be her teammatejemma reekie who qualifed fastest in her heat. reekie who didnt make either final at the world championships or commonwealth's looked pretty comfortable throughout her heat. great britain's alex bell is also through. over to rome where the european aquatics championships are taking place. and the defending champion jack laugher is safely through to the final on the men's one metre springboard. he qualified in second place below italy's lorenzo marsaglia. great britiansjordan houlden will also be in the final which takes place at four forty this afternoon. that's all the sport for now. you can find more on all those stories on the bbc sport website.

the latest round of rail strikes has begun which will affect rail services today and saturday, and public transport in london tomorrow. passengers are being told not to travel by train today unless absolutely necessary. today's walk—out means only 20% of train services will be running as over 40,000 british railway workers strike over ongoing pay and conditions. friday's strike takes place on both the london underground and london overground in separate disputes over pensions and pay. the wider uk network should expect disruption due to the knock—on effect of thursday's industrial action. and on saturday, more widespread disruption as the rmt and tssa unions strike again. the effect on services is expected to be the same as 18th august, although some services will run on one of the days but not the other. again, disruption is likely to continue into sunday morning. well, we've been down to plymouth

to gauge some of the reaction from passengers on the rail strikes. i think it's more complicated than we realise because it is all about privatising the company, trying to get it back into the public�*s hands. i am for the strike. t get it back into the public's hands. i am for the strike.— i am for the strike. i personally know peeple — i am for the strike. i personally know people who _ i am for the strike. i personally know people who missed - i am for the strike. i personally - know people who missed appointments, and it's_ know people who missed appointments, and it'siust _ know people who missed appointments, and it'sjust effects know people who missed appointments, and it's just effects and know people who missed appointments, and it'sjust effects and disrupts. it's totally — and it'sjust effects and disrupts. it's totally unacceptable. i blame the rail companies, i don't blame the rail companies, i don't blame the workers at all. i think we all have to fight. for better standards of living. the general secretary of the rmt union, mick lynch, spoke about the strike this morning. we haven't got an offer that we can consider as a reasonable offer. we haven't got an acceptable package. and that's because the train companies and network rail have been blocked from making those offers by grant shapps. it's obvious now that grant shapps is locked into a cycle where he's got to appease two really right—wing candidates for prime minister in

the tory party election. and if he wants to protect that position, he's got to show then that he's some kind of steely, right—wing militant, which is what the whole party is becoming. so we need to unlock that. i think there's a political dimension to it now, which is unfortunate because this is an industrial relations matter aboutjobs, conditions, pay and pensions. there is a deal to be done. i spoke to a senior negotiator from network rail this morning on this picket line. he came along and said hello. we've got a decent relationship with them. we could build a solution if we were allowed to. but, at the minute, the politics of the conservative party leadership election, ifear, is stopping this dispute being resolved. chief executive of network rail andrew haines says politicising the situation is making it worse — insisting it was wrong to suggest this is a battle between westminister and the rmt union. i think the problem is that we've put a very good deal on the table that gives guarantee ofjobs to everyone that wants it, that deals with a lot

of the long—standing issues and is 8% pay rise over two years but that hasn't been put to my staff. the rmt have refused to put that to a referendum and that's the problem because if they had the chance to vote on that, we believe they'd except it. when we put a similar deal to a different union, that got a very strong endorsement. that's the way to unlock this, that's the way to get rid of this huge frustration for passengers today. farmers and scientists say we can expect wonkier vegetables on the supermarket shelves this winter. the hot weather and lack of rainfall in parts of england has stressed crops which may affect the look of some produce. but the national farmers' union says they'll still taste the same and is urging supermarkets to sell more wonky veg. craig williamson grows potatoes and carrots on his farm in gainsborough in lincolnshire. thank you for coming on the programme. thank you for coming on the programme-— thank you for coming on the programme. thank you for coming on the rouramme. ., ., , ., ., [m programme. not a problem at all. how is our programme. not a problem at all. how is your venture — programme. not a problem at all. how is your venture looking? _ programme. not a problem at all. how is your venture looking? a _ programme. not a problem at all. how is your venture looking? a bit - is your venture looking? a bit

arched is your venture looking? a bit parched with _ is your venture looking? a bit parched with the _ is your venture looking? a bit parched with the weather - is your venture looking? 3 t parched with the weather we have been having this past month. one of the big problems is the variation in that the weather, it's the heat and then it's becomes cool and hot again and obviously lasts several days of rain. the port plants, it stops and starts so much that the potatoes or the carrots don't know where to be so most of the crops are irrigated,... t so most of the crops are irrigated, . . ._ so most of the crops are irrigated, . .. so most of the crops are irriuated,... ., , ., ., irrigated,... i was 'ust going to sa that irrigated,... i was 'ust going to say that we h irrigated,... i was 'ust going to say that we can _ irrigated,... i wasjust going to say that we can hear _ irrigated,... i wasjust going to say that we can hear you - irrigated,... i wasjust going to | say that we can hear you clearly irrigated,... i wasjust going to - say that we can hear you clearly but you were frozen, ironically, in a slightly wonky position, but we could hear you perfectly well. i think now the sound has gone to. you wish... let'sjust think now the sound has gone to. you wish... let's just try because i want to see those carrots, let's just try again, took us through what we are looking at. t just try again, took us through what we are looking at.— we are looking at. i pulled some of these at the _ we are looking at. i pulled some of these at the field, _ we are looking at. i pulled some of these at the field, we _ we are looking at. i pulled some of these at the field, we always - we are looking at. i pulled some of these at the field, we always get . these at the field, we always get some weirdly shaped carrots, as you

could say, this one has about five different bits to it and normally they would be thrown out and it will grow to a reasonable size, plus there is a potato here that obviously is shaped like a heart, but, it is... it'sjust a different growth stages. normally things would be chucked out but we've got a lot of these in the farm shop now. the?r of these in the farm shop now. they are handsome _ of these in the farm shop now. they are handsome -looking _ of these in the farm shop now. they are handsome —looking carrots to me, i don't mind a wonky vegetable, but what do your customers think? that the don't what do your customers think? that they don't mind _ what do your customers think? that they don't mind at _ what do your customers think? ’tngt they don't mind at all, they are quite happy. they don't put them all in the bag, then that's not a problem. in the bag, then that's not a problem-— in the bag, then that's not a roblem. ~ ., ., , , , problem. we can have a slightly wry look at wonky _ problem. we can have a slightly wry look at wonky vegetables, _ problem. we can have a slightly wry look at wonky vegetables, but - problem. we can have a slightly wry look at wonky vegetables, but this | look at wonky vegetables, but this weather is causing longer term problems, it is making your life a lot harder. problems, it is making your life a lot harder-— problems, it is making your life a lot harder. , ~ ., ., , lot harder. yes, you know, farmers are gamblers _ lot harder. yes, you know, farmers are gamblers because _ lot harder. yes, you know, farmers are gamblers because when - lot harder. yes, you know, farmers are gamblers because when you - lot harder. yes, you know, farmers i are gamblers because when you plant

your crops, i don't have any deals in supermarkets when i do that. we go through ourfarm in supermarkets when i do that. we go through our farm shops and a lot of merchants and local fish and chips, pubs, which we supply directly to. but it is so hard and we will be drilling crops shortly to sell in a year's time and the war in ukraine finishes and then we were buying fertiliser for £700 a tonne, but in a year's time, if the war is finished, it could drop and then it's so hard, it's so hard to calculate and to run... we appreciate _ calculate and to run... we appreciate all— calculate and to run... we appreciate all your - calculate and to run... we appreciate all your hard work. we appreciated. thank you. time now for the weather. hello again, after the deluge of rain tomorrow yesterday, it's much drier. some sunshine coming through

and just the odd shower. rain across northern ireland, scotland, north—west england and wales, that will continue to push slowly southward and eastward, you could catch the odd burst and then behind it we will see some return to a shower. temperatures 15 to 20. clear skies follow on behind with a few showers in scotland and northern ireland, fresher with a temperatures 11 or 12 degrees and still quite muqqy 11 or 12 degrees and still quite muggy as we push down towards the south—east. into tomorrow, quite early we lose that weather fronts, for many it will be dry, with some sunshine, showers in western and northern parts of ireland and scotland will develop more widely here and temperatures 15 to about 25.

hello. this is bbc news. i'm lewis vaughn jones. the headlines... results day — a level grades across england, wales and northern ireland are down on the past two years but remain higher than pre—pandemic levels. two—thirds of students got their first university place. i was very shocked, i thought i was going to do not so well with all of the struggles i was going through. to get triple a's, i was very excited that the hard work paid off. we always had a plan to get the grades back towards the levels we had seen a pre—pandemic, and we have taken a big step in that direction. they are still a little bit higher than in 2019 but they are down on last year and that is right and proper. a 44—year—old man has been arrested on suspicion of murder after the fatal stabbing of thomas o'halloran on a mobility scooter in west london. (oov)mp margaret ferrier pleads guilty to travelling on a train mp margaret ferrier pleads guilty to travelling on a train from scotland to london despite knowing she was covid positive in september 2020. rail workers are on strike once

again in their dispute over pay — lots of disruption on the network across england and wales. bbc media editor amol rajan is to be the new presenter of university challenge — taking over from jeremy paxman. police officials in kabul say 21 people have been killed and another 33 wounded in a blast at a mosque in the afghan capital on wednesday night. the explosion happened during evening prayers and police officials said security forces were searching for the perpetrators. the head of the ngo running the afghan capital's main hospital said many children were among those brought in to receive treatment. here's an eyewitness who was close to the mosque when it happened.

translation: when people were at the mosque, - during evening prayers, a huge blast occurred. so many muslims were injured and martyred. i've brought two of my family members who were injured to the hospital. our chief international correspondent lyse doucet has more from kabul. well, after many hours of silence, taliban officials have now finally given figures for the casualties, both the dead and the injured, from last night's devastating explosion at a mosque in the northwest of kabul. but given the number of casualties, including young children who were admitted to the main emergency hospital here in the center of kabul, run by an italian ngo, there is fear that those those figures could rise even higher, heightening the concern of people here, that their hopes that with the end of the taliban war against the us led military campaign here, that there could be a greater peace and security and there is greater peace and security across large swathes of the country. but even though no one, no group has taken responsibility for this attack, there has been a pattern of attacks

by the islamic state group, often targeting members of the shia hazara minority, but also increasingly prominent religious clerics who either adhere to a different brand of islam, a different creed, or who are strong supporters of the taliban. there's been there's a longstanding rift between these two islamist groups. they're divided along ideological, religious, personal and political lines. there's long been a battle for territory and influence in afghanistan. islamic state has more global ambitions. the taliban focusing more on what's happening in afghanistan and ever more so since they came into power last august. and afghans look to them now for for addressing the needs of people here. so that's why the taliban often want to. they don't. .. well, of course, they don't welcome the attacks, but they're sometimes slow with the numbers. they don't want to create this

impression that they are now failing to keep the peace here in the country, which is now under their control. back to our top story now, students across england, wales and northern ireland have been receiving exam results this morning. an mp has admitted breaching covid rules after travelling by train despite knowing she had coronavirus. margaret ferrier spoke in parliament in september 2020 while awaiting the results of a covid test, then took a train home to glasgow after being told she had tested positive. the mp for rutherglen and hamilton west now sits as an independent, after losing the snp whip following the alleged breach. she's now pleaded guilty ahead of a trial at glasgow sheriff court, and admitted she culpably and recklessly exposed the public to coronavirus. our scotland correspondent, james shaw, explains more it was in september that margaret

ferrier tested positive for coronavirus. she went to london via train and then spoke in the house of commons, knowing that she had tested positive and that she had been told to self—isolate. later on that monday, she discovered that she had tested positive and then at that point she was in a dilemma as to what to do. should she isolate in a hotel in london for the next two weeks or should she head home by train and what she did was she decided to travel back by train and thereby she knew she had coronavirus and she was potentially exposing other passengers to the disease. as you say, margaret ferrier has played guilty to the charges against her. she's already been suspended by the snp. she was elected in 2015 but in

terms of the sentence, we expect that to be passed not to date but at a later date. thanks to james there. back to our top story now, students across england, wales and northern ireland have been receiving exam results this morning. earlier, i spoke with jake flood — a student at walsall college — and martin lake, his construction t level lecturer. it's been good comedy industry placement, i learned so much from that. ., , ., that. people tuning in what quite sure what t _ that. people tuning in what quite sure what t levels _ that. people tuning in what quite sure what t levels are. - that. people tuning in what quite sure what t levels are. just - that. people tuning in what quite sure what t levels are. just talk| that. people tuning in what quite l sure what t levels are. just talk us through, give us an idea on practical terms of what it involves? t levels is a ground between a-levels _ t levels is a ground between a—levels and work. there's 45 days work _ a—levels and work. there's 45 days

work experience with a company, so i was working _ work experience with a company, so i was working for balfour beatty. i'll be measuring power foundations and setting _ be measuring power foundations and setting out— be measuring power foundations and setting out buildings. jake, be measuring power foundations and setting out buildings.— setting out buildings. jake, i'll come back— setting out buildings. jake, i'll come back to _ setting out buildings. jake, i'll come back to you. _ setting out buildings. jake, i'll come back to you. martin, - setting out buildings. jake, i'll. come back to you. martin, what setting out buildings. jake, i'll - come back to you. martin, what kind of impact do these t levels have. tt prepares to the real world of work. there is jobs at the end of it so after they've completed their placement and impress the employers there are opportunities at the end. the work helps support the work they need, the extra skills and knowledge, the components and practical elements as well. has it been a challenge _ practical elements as well. has it been a challenge in _ practical elements as well. has it been a challenge in the _ practical elements as well. has it been a challenge in the wider- been a challenge in the wider public? they are not as well—known

as a—levels. launching any new project is difficult at the start? its, project is difficult at the start? a lot of companies hadn't heard of t levels _ lot of companies hadn't heard of t levels. they had didn't know what they had _ levels. they had didn't know what they had to — levels. they had didn't know what they had to do to deliver t levels so batfour— they had to do to deliver t levels so balfour beatty who we've been working _ so balfour beatty who we've been working with on hs to comet office been _ working with on hs to comet office been a _ working with on hs to comet office been a struggle with the pandemic as well, because within the first 12 months — well, because within the first 12 months we could not go out on site. with the _ months we could not go out on site. with the pandemic, we had to do most of the _ with the pandemic, we had to do most of the placement in the second year of the placement in the second year of the _ of the placement in the second year of the course which obviously we've managed _ of the course which obviously we've managed to complete which has been ready helpful. | managed to complete which has been ready helpful-— ready helpful. i had not thought of that. you ready helpful. i had not thought of that- you are _ ready helpful. i had not thought of that. you are launching _ ready helpful. i had not thought of that. you are launching something new which is tricky enough and then there's a pandemic to work around. well done for that. jake, let's come back to you. what's the dream? itruthat back to you. what's the dream? what does our back to you. what's the dream? what does your future _ back to you. what's the dream? what does your future look _ back to you. what's the dream? wngt does your future look like? going forward now i'm going to take a five year apprenticeship with bell for bt

in civil engineering and i will be a tunnel surveyor, working all over the country in turn also looking forward to it and can't wait to get involved. congratulations to jake and thanks to martin there. more on the results on the website including advice about what to do if you didn't get the grades you wanted. you can go to our usual web address or the bbc app. the new host of university challenge has been announced this morning. it'll be this man, the bbc�*s media editor, amol rajan. he'll take over from jeremy paxman from autumn 2023 onwards, and will begin filming next year. he'll also step down as media editor for bbc news later this year year, but will continue to be present on the radio 4 today programme. tv critic scott bryan told us more about the new and third ever host of the programme

it's such a hard role to filljust because university challenge has only had two people in its entire history. es total authority behind the desk thanks largely to him the show and four which was imported from america 60 years ago is stronger than ever. i think for whoever was going to take over this programme the best way to sort of do it, is to try not to copy the person in the role before you. take it in your own way and put in a bit of your own

personality. yes. it can be something that could run and run and run. the people who aren't too familiar with this can you give us an idea about amol rajan. he was the editor of the independent before it went online. he hosted the immediate show for a few years. he has an interview series on bbc two at the moment which runs throughout the year and he also does other interview stuff across the entire bbc. he is stepping down from his media role but will still be interviewing on the bbc to series. this is the thing, when you take over a role like this, it can take up over a role like this, it can take up all your time. it's one of those shows that on every single week of the year which you have to recording

big blocks because you can't spread yourself too thinly. on the show itself, it's been around such a long time, it's such an institution that given how so many people watch tv now, streaming services young people not watching tv as much. is it still in the nation's consciousness? you have a university — in the nation's consciousness? tm, have a university challenge on monday night alongside only connect, which creates something called quizzy mondays. the ratings for the shows can be higher than what's on bbc one, readily beating east ended. bbc one, readily beating eastenders. many people at the familiarity of watching the show they've always watch. university challenges was then part of the british tv staple

and it's something people want today, feel good about themselves when they've got one question right. the headlines on bbc news... results day. a level grades across england, wales and northern ireland are down on the past two years but remain higher than pre—pandemic levels. two—thirds of students got their first university place. a 44—year—old man has been arrested on suspicion of murder after the fatal stabbing of thomas o'halloran on a mobility scooter in west london. mp margaret ferrier pleads guilty to travelling on a train from scotland to london despite knowing she was covid positive in september 2020. malaysia's highest court will today hear a final appeal from the former prime minister, najib razak, against his conviction in a high—profile corruption case. he was sentenced to 12 years in 2020 for his role in what's called the 1mbd scandal,

in which billions of dollars were embezzled from the state—owned development fund he set up. it will be his last chance to avoid being jailed. and in spain, firefighters continue to battle wildfires that have led to the evacuation of thousands of residents. in one instance, a train service running between valencia and zaragoza narrowly avoided being engulfed by fire. sylvia lennan—spence reports. shouting flames rip through the land as firefighters shout "run, run", scrambling for their lives. the might of mother nature here in spain combined with the impact of climate change presenting a terrifying threat to communities facing the flames. as the fire spread, north—west of valencia, ten passengers were hurt, three seriously when they tried to escape a train caught up in a sweeping fire.

this thermal image showing flames encroaching on the tracks. translation: when they came out of the tunnel, they found the fire i was coming in front of them so the driver stopped the train. the injured were in bad condition, the passengers were scared, we gave them water and did everything we could for them. hundreds of homes have been evacuated, with more than 2,000 people moved from the region. firefighters fear as much as 6,000 hectares of land has been ravaged by the fire. another blaze, also near valencia, started by lightning late on saturday has devastated an area twice as large. more than 25,000 hectares left smouldering, a reminder of the power of the flames. but while this fire may be out, the summer fire season still has several months left to go. sylvia lennan—spence, bbc news.

flooding and landslides in northwestern china have killed 16 people. dozens more are missing. state media reports that the heavy rainfall in qinghai province has caused rivers to change course, leaving towns and villages underwater. china has faced extreme weather this year from record heatwaves to severe floods. in the united states — a federal magistrate who approved the search warrant for donald trump's mar—a—lago home in florida, is due to hold a court hearing to discuss requests to make public the document that authorised the search — which thejustice department has opposed releasing. our correspondent chichi uzundu has more. the document that the media want made public is the body of evidence that the prosecution had to take to a judge in order to secure a warrant to search mar—a—lago, donald trump's primary residence. the media say that this is of historical importance and that's why it should be in the public domain.

so just to skip back a few steps — last monday, donald trump, in a lengthy statement, announced that the fbi was searching his mar—a—lago home in florida. then on friday, the department ofjustice asked a court to unseat the details of what the fbi removed from donald trump's home. we found out that there were 11 sets of records that were removed from the property and some of those were stamped top secret. now, the department ofjustice don't want this affidavit in the public domain. they say that it contains classified information and in fact, it could identify steps in their ongoing investigation. why this is so interesting is because this is an ongoing investigation. to have details of the warrant released was unusual and then to have any details of the affidavit released at this point, because it is an ongoing investigation is even more unusual. but as donald trump says, this has never happened to any united states president

in history before. ambulance services across england and wales are booking taxis to take tens of thousands of patients who call 999 to hospital. figures obtained by the bbc, show the practice is increasing as trusts struggle with rising call volumes and handover delays. nhs trusts says the most life threatening cases are prioritised and the proportion of patients affected is small. nikki fox reports. ambulances queueing outside busy hospitals to off—load patients. an increase in demand and lack of social care means scenes like this are becoming more common, and the consequence, fewer are on the road to respond to other urgent calls. when andrew weeds developed excruciating stomach pain, his wife dialled 999. i wanted help. i was in so much pain, wracked in pain, vomiting too. i vomited several times during the evening. i didn't know if it was appendicitis, i didn't know what it was. i felt terrible,

thought i was dying. the 73—year—old from norwich was told it could be 15 hours until an ambulance arrived. the trust says it was classed as a less urgent call, but andrew says the clinician on the phone told him he needed to be seen and booked him a taxi. he said to me, you need to get to hospital. he said the ambulance service is in so much disarray, it's unbelievable. but he said, what i'm going to do for you, he said, i'm going to get a taxi for you. and this situation is not unique. in the year up to the end ofjanuary, more than 23,000 patients in england and wales whose cases were classed as urgent were booked taxis in place of ambulances. a small proportion of nearly seven million calls received, but includes a three—day—old baby and a 103—year—old. we were contacted by one manager at a taxi firm used in the east of england. his name is being withheld to protect him. it's very unfair on the customer who needs to get to the hospital.

it's also extremely unfair on the driver, because he has no training to deal with that sort of situation. he's a self—employed taxi driver whose only training is to drive a car. he's got no first aid training, no emergency medical treatment training. he's probably not even aware of what he was getting involved in at that particular time. he also told us he had been asked to pick up covid—positive patients but refused. however, a separate taxi company in great yarmouth has a different view. if they phone up for a taxi to take somebody from home to an a&e department, nine times out of ten, that's a quicker option than an ambulance, so we are more than happy to help out. nhs england told us these figures account forjust 0.3% of ambulance call—outs. emergency ambulances are sent to life—threatening calls, and taxis are only used to transport other patients when it is clinically appropriate. while the welsh ambulance service

added, a taxi is only used for red calls after an ambulance resource has arrived at the scene and clinically assessed the patient. i was gobsmacked, really, to think, in this day and age, they are using taxis to transport emergency cases to hospital like that. if that's the only resource that they have got now, yeah, it's not great at all, is it? as services are stretched, prioritising ambulances for the most life—threatening patients is important, but those like andrew are worried that even if it is assessed as being safe, there should be enough resources to send to any case that is classed as urgent. nikki fox, bbc news. the recent dry weather has caused havoc for parts of the countryside.

and small wild animals are finding it tough too. one farmer in suffolk is so worried, she's been trying to help. debbie tubby has more. this hare is wary, but thirsty. it normally wouldn't drink out of a container but there is no moisture in the grass. this jay is trying to cool off. a badger, brazen about enjoying a possibly life—saving drink. even a fox has come to this man—made watering home. seen one to photograph. i didn't know they were on the farm. which is really nice. all of them have been caught on camera by sue cross, who is so concerned about their welfare after weeks of no rain she has been putting water out for them to drink. i think the wildlife needs water. the ponds have dried up, the river is very low. and they are using the water trays that are out, so it obviously is making a difference. she lives on a 600—acre farm near bury st edmunds. just go over there. there's probably about three on the other side of this hedge here. she now spends all day every day refreshing and refilling 70 trays of for the wildlife which calls

this farm home. she is a farmer, but her hobby is wildlife photography. her priority now is keeping them alive and capturing them instead on hidden cameras. oh, wow, this is a first. a tawny owl. that's amazing. you see things you haven't seen before. a camera card full every day to get through and see it, but it's a nice thing to do in the evening. some are so desperate for water they don't mind who they drink with. this rat is possibly dinnerfor this polecat, once on the brink of extinction, but it needs a drink first. we've got to do things differently. things have got to change. without water and moisture — it is moisture which is the main thing we need — things are going to struggle. it's a big wake—up call. all creatures great and small. amazing pictures, but many will question whether we should be seeing this at all.

an astronaut on the international space station — who's an amateur radio buff — has become firm radio friends with an eight—year— old school pupil from kent. they've been chatting while nasa's kjell lindgren is in orbit round earth. josie hannett went to meet her. mike zero lima mike kilo. this is an na1ss, welcome to the international space station. november alpha one sierra sierra. mike zero lima mike kilo. my name is isabella, i'm eight years old. you're five—oh—nine. thank you. mike zero lima mike kilo, this is november alpha one sierra sierra. isabella, it's so great to chat with you, thank you for getting on the radio and saying hello. thank you, bye. fly safe. speaking to an astronaut live on the international space station might be one for the bucket list, but for eight—year—old isabella from broadstairs, it was a regular tuesday. it was very amazing to talk

to an astronaut, and i was amazed. it was like deja vu had come to me, and granted me my wish. and when you were talking to him, what were you thinking? i was thinking, oh, my goodness, oh, my goodness, i'm talking to someone out of the earth's atmosphere. her dad matthew is a licensed radio amateur, and since isabella was a toddler, this is the room they have been experimenting in together. so she's got dad to thank for the experience. i'm not going to lie, i was a little bitjealous that it wasn't me talking to him but it was amazing seeing isabella have that contact. it's quite unusual that the astronauts on the international space station actually use the amateur radio equipment, but they have been known to do it in the past. so through the network and through the communities that i'm involved in, i had a word that the astronaut

that was up there was using the equipment, so we just started listening out for him. and it'sjust a game of luck, really. you have to get the right time when the space station is passing overhead, and it has to be the right time of day when the astronauts are actually using the equipment. i've had that dream of becoming an astronaut for as long as i can remember. kjell lindgren was the man in space who picked up the signal. he even tweeted isabella to thank her, saying it may have been his favourite contact so far and he also sent her this picture. i really want to inspire other little girls, and i want them to know thatjust because boys have all the space clothing doesn't mean they don't have to love space. who knows what this pair will do next, but something tells me it's going to be out of this world. josie hannett, bbc news. now it's time for a look at the weather. here is low ways. our weather story

todayis here is low ways. our weather story today is dominated by pressure from iceland and these frontal systems are dominating. its, iceland and these frontal systems are dominating.— are dominating. a few scattered showers ahead _ are dominating. a few scattered showers ahead in _ are dominating. a few scattered showers ahead in eastern - are dominating. a few scattered l showers ahead in eastern england are dominating. a few scattered - showers ahead in eastern england but not as many or as widespread. cloud across the country. the rain at the moment light and patchy but we are expecting it to pick up across north—west england and wales as we head into the afternoon. breezy with it. the unexposed north—west coast will see gusts of 35 mph. a fresh appeal here. 16—21. will see gusts of 35 mph. a fresh appeal here. 16—21 . highs of 25. as this sweeps steadily south, the rain will be light and patchy by the time it reaches south—east england. cloud and rain unfortunately keeping

temperatures high, 17—18 c. some early morning cloud and drizzle to ease away and behind it bright conditions follow on. as the wind fall lighter, some of these showers could be here for some time across western scotland and into northern ireland. sunny spells elsewhere and worn with it. in the sunshine, highs of 25. not quite as warm further north, 15—20, yet again. moving into saturday, a lower area —— area of low pressure moves northwards. the rain moving erratically south—east and that's where we will see the weather on the half of saturday. slowly brightening up in the north—west. temperatures barely similar to the last bidets, into the high teens, low 20s. as we move into sunday, anotherfrontal

high teens, low 20s. as we move into sunday, another frontal system moving through but it's slower than initially thought. on the whole, many of us will start off quite dry. a lot of cloud around on sunday and the rain will be seen in the second half of the weekend.

the first students to sit formal exams since the pandemic have been getting their a—level and and btec results. the number awarded top grades in england, wales and northern ireland is down on last year — but higher than before covid. it feels amazing. because not only did i prove to, like, my future uni that i can do this. i've also proven to myself that i can do this. so i'm happy about that. competition for places at first choice universities is expected to be tougher. also this lunchtime... strike action has once again brought much of the country's railways to a halt today, with only about 20% of the usual train services running. the 87—year—old grandfather attacked

on his mobility scooter — police arrest a man on suspicion of murder.