a former nato analyst is with us. patrick, what do you make of the fact that challenger two tanks have been seen as part of this incursion into russia?— into russia? good afternoon, it is to be exnected. _ into russia? good afternoon, it is to be expected, really. _ into russia? good afternoon, it is to be expected, really. we - into russia? good afternoon, it is to be expected, really. we have l to be expected, really. we have already seen from day one, some of the ukrainian brigades were using german infantry fighting vehicles, the us striker vehicles, and given another one of the units which has been trained in the uk, the 82nd air assault brigade, uses the challenger, it was a matter of time. that has been confirmed now. we will see how it goes. the challenger two is slightly different from the us and german tanks, there is a more

accurate barrel. therefore, it is usefulfor accurate barrel. therefore, it is useful for engaging russian tanks accurate barrel. therefore, it is usefulfor engaging russian tanks in particular as distance. so we will see, it depends on what the russians bring up if they have spare tanks, because they have also been under pressure and facing their losses. the challenger two is supposed to be formidable on the battlefield but this war, this conflict is entering a new phase, isn't it? notjust from the perspective of ukraine and russia but also the west. imilli the perspective of ukraine and russia but also the west. will have to see how — russia but also the west. will have to see how this _ russia but also the west. will have to see how this operation _ russia but also the west. will have to see how this operation goes, - to see how this operation goes, because it has met a lot of the goals in terms of increasing the morale of the ukrainian army and the nation and has destabilised the putin regime in the short run. in terms of it actually being, what it

will achieve, we will have to see how that ends. one of the things we can see even at this early stage is that it has shown that western arms are being used inside russia and that may start to raise questions about the next steps, because ukrainians are essentially trying to attack a town north—west in this pocket, and there is a bridge they are trying to drop to stop the russians bring in more forces and they are struggling because they are hitting with low calibre missiles. they need to hit it with heavy calibre missile supplied by the us or uk, and they do not have the clearance to do that. that is having a real—world operational impacts as we speak. a real-world operational impacts as we seak. ~ , ., ., we speak. where will this now had? the trajectory _ we speak. where will this now had? the trajectory of _ we speak. where will this now had? the trajectory of this _ we speak. where will this now had? the trajectory of this incursion, - the trajectory of this incursion, what might it achieve in the longer—term? it what might it achieve in the longer-term?— what might it achieve in the longer-term? what might it achieve in the lonaer-term? , , . .,

longer-term? it is difficult to say but we can _ longer-term? it is difficult to say but we can say — longer-term? it is difficult to say but we can say over _ longer-term? it is difficult to say but we can say over the - longer-term? it is difficult to say but we can say over the last - but we can say over the last few days as we look at the rate of advanced tempo of the ukrainian forces in russia, could be that russia is starting to stabilise line and they will be in some places, and secondly, because of sustained logistical difficulties. they will have loaded up as much stuff as they could carry but at one point, they have got exhausted and will need to resupply themselves. it has slowed down. the question is, can they then punch again and gain more momentum or are the russians going to get enough forces there to start to stabilise the lines? there goal will be to reduce them. and then ukrainians have a decision to make, how much land will they try to hold versus pulling back, pun back to more defensive lines further west. i would be more surprised if they actually do, come along they have

beenin actually do, come along they have been in russia, the greater the chance of ceding some territory. thank you. let's go back to those exam results. thousands of students have been nervously awaiting a variety of results this morning and mickey has been partaking in the emotional roller—coaster that goes with that. he is live at burnley college. it is an emotional roller—coaster. the students come, open the envelopes, find out what grade they have. some students in england, northern ireland and wales will get an e—mail with their results and can open it away from people. lots of parents who might have had a sleepless night. an important day both for schools and colleges who got them through their exams and also the universities where many will go next and that is what we will talk about now. let talk about the schools that got them through the exams. but to the

assistant principal at newcastle college. thank you forjoining us on bbc news. how where your nerves before you got to know how your students had done? we before you got to know how your students had done?— before you got to know how your students had done? we are settling down. we students had done? we are settling down- we have _ students had done? we are settling down. we have been _ students had done? we are settling down. we have been speaking - students had done? we are settling down. we have been speaking to i students had done? we are settling down. we have been speaking to al students had done? we are settling i down. we have been speaking to a lot of students here this morning, a lot of students here this morning, a lot of mixed emotions here. find of students here this morning, a lot of mixed emotions here.— of students here this morning, a lot of mixed emotions here. and how have our of mixed emotions here. and how have your students — of mixed emotions here. and how have your students done _ of mixed emotions here. and how have your students done this _ of mixed emotions here. and how have your students done this year? - of mixed emotions here. and how have your students done this year? our - your students done this year? our students have _ your students done this year? oi" students have done well, a lot of students have done well, a lot of students hadn't better—than—expected, which is great. —— have done better—than—expected. yesterday we had students who were working from home for all of their exams, so now we are seeing things calm down and hopefully we are on our way out of that covid impact. fingers crossed. yes, we also still have the regional differences, where london and the

south—east, the grades at a—levels tend to be better than other parts of the country. does that still concern you coming from an education institute in the north—east? here concern you coming from an education institute in the north-east?— institute in the north-east? here at newcastle college, _ institute in the north-east? here at newcastle college, that _ institute in the north-east? here at newcastle college, that does - institute in the north-east? here at newcastle college, that does not i newcastle college, that does not concern us. our main focus is on vocational and technical qualifications. so those level three qualifications. so those level three qualifications are much more important for the employer skills, towards the next step. getting into vocational and technical degrees, but also straight into the workplace and into a career, if not into higher or degree level apprenticeships. we are seeing a lot more students taking that route. that is interesting. we were talking to other people earlier that said that the perception of some of those vocational courses changed during covid and some people's perception of whether they needed to go to

university had changed and a lot more people are going down that vocational route. what sort of courses do you do? is at things like plumbing, electricians? irate courses do you do? is at things like plumbing, electricians?— courses do you do? is at things like plumbing, electricians? we do a lot of those trades _ plumbing, electricians? we do a lot of those trades and _ plumbing, electricians? we do a lot| of those trades and apprenticeships, a lot of apprenticeship programmes within those traits, and i think they are those route ways that sit uncomfortably with people, that people are much more aware of, people are much more aware of, people being students come through school and also their parents. but we are doing a lot of work to broaden that and raise awareness for students and parents that, actually, there are different levels are apprenticeship routes. we have apprenticeships at levels four and five and degree level apprenticeships. we have a way to go to raise awareness and also to

broaden the capacity of those qualifications and standards so they are available across a lot more sectors and industries, but certainly during the information and guidance advice sessions throughout the year, many parents are coming in and wanting to discuss the alternatives to a—levels, such as our tea level, technical level qualifications, and beyond. so as i just mentioned, our degree level apprenticeships.— just mentioned, our degree level a- --renticeshis. ., ~ , . apprenticeships. thank you very much for “oininr apprenticeships. thank you very much forjoining us- — apprenticeships. thank you very much forjoining us. we _ apprenticeships. thank you very much forjoining us. we were _ apprenticeships. thank you very much forjoining us. we were talking - forjoining us. we were talking about the colleges that have got the students through the exams. many will be heading to university, one of those universities they might be heading to is leeds back at university and i'm pleased to say that the vice chancellorjoins us. thank you for your time. it is a busy time for you. how many courses

do you have available to students? let me first echo congratulations of others who have been talking this morning and congratulate all of the students on their achievements first. and then say, secondly, for those who are considering their options, if they look broadly, there are some real opportunities right away across the sector in most subjects, in many universities. i think that is what potential applicants must think about today. we have heard this year that it is a buyers' market, 30,000 different courses that ucas has on offer — why has that changed? in previous years, it was almost a fight to get a place at university. irate it was almost a fight to get a place at university-— at university. we have had a clearin: at university. we have had a clearing system _ at university. we have had a clearing system in _ at university. we have had a clearing system in the - at university. we have had a clearing system in the uk i at university. we have had a | clearing system in the uk for at university. we have had a - clearing system in the uk for more than 60 years and you get fluctuations. in my observation, the

number supplying through clearing and the number of places available are quite similarto and the number of places available are quite similar to what we had backin are quite similar to what we had back in 2022, immediately after covid. this isjust fluctuation back in 2022, immediately after covid. this is just fluctuation that universities, colleges and schools are used to managing. universities of course need _ are used to managing. universities of course need the _ are used to managing. universities of course need the students - are used to managing. universities. of course need the students because thatis of course need the students because that is how they make money. there are some universities who are really concerned about their financial situation. is that a concern for you in leeds? , ., _ , in leeds? the first thing to say is that we want _ in leeds? the first thing to say is that we want students _ in leeds? the first thing to say is that we want students because . in leeds? the first thing to say is i that we want students because our job is to educate and help them develop their talents. universities play an incredibly important role in helping develop the talent pool in the uk, which goes on then to drive productivity in the country. of course students also mean money but universities have lots and lots of

income streams from undergraduate students, international students, postgraduate, postgraduate research, private income, and that goes up every year and every university. haste every year and every university. we have also heard some of those international students, particularly from india and nigeria, those numbers are down for various reasons. do you offer, and i have heard some do, any incentives for students to come and study? we have a scholarship — students to come and study? we have a scholarship programme _ students to come and study? we have a scholarship programme in _ students to come and study? we have a scholarship programme in an - a scholarship programme in an attempt to attract the brightest and the best from all over the world, but beyond that, we are looking for students who are committed to studying at our university, and every year we are very successful in welcoming between 1500 and 2000 international students. we don't see this year being too much different from that. ., , ., this year being too much different from that. . , ., ., from that. 0k, finally, what would our from that. 0k, finally, what would your advice _ from that. 0k, finally, what would your advice be _ from that. 0k, finally, what would your advice be to _ from that. 0k, finally, what would your advice be to those _ from that. 0k, finally, what would your advice be to those students l from that. 0k, finally, what would i your advice be to those students who have got their exam results today

but they were not quite what they expected? i but they were not quite what they exected? .. but they were not quite what they exected? ~' . ., expected? i think i will echo the words of joe _ expected? i think i will echo the words of joe saxton, _ expected? i think i will echo the words of joe saxton, the - expected? i think i will echo the words of joe saxton, the first i expected? i think i will echo the i words of joe saxton, the first thing words ofjoe saxton, the first thing is to take your time and see this as an opportunity to consider what is best for you. and i would say that there are two really critical things that will lead to success at university. one is aptitude, but the other is motivation and asjoe saxton said earlier in the programme, studying something you love is critical, because it makes learning fun. i'm just take up the point catherine made from newcastle college, i too hear a lot from parents about vocational programmes and clearly if you want to be a doctor or nurse or lawyer you will have to take the necessary vocational qualifications, but 50% of graduate jobs don't require any

specific discipline. i would say, look at what really motivates you, what you enjoy, and see that as a fantastic investment. hzierr; what you enjoy, and see that as a fantastic investment.— fantastic investment. very good advice from _ fantastic investment. very good advice from a _ fantastic investment. very good advice from a wise _ fantastic investment. very good advice from a wise man. i fantastic investment. very good advice from a wise man. vice i advice from a wise man. vice chancellor, thank you very much for joining us on bbc news. and a reminder that the bbc news website and app has a live page up and running with the very latest on the results and offering advice and we hear on bbc news will be answering some of your questions at 2:30pm this afternoon. e—mail your questions if you want to ask questions if you want to ask question a little later. for the moment, back to you in the studio. studio: thank you. the uk's economy grew by 0.6% between april and june as it continued its recovery from the recession at the end of last year. the latest figure was in line with forecasts and follows a 0.7%

increase in the first three months of this year. growth was led by the services sector, in particular the it industry, legal services and scientific research. the chief secretary to the treasury, darrenjones, gave his reaction to today's gdp figures. the last conservative government left this new labour government with the highest tax burden since the 1940s, the highest debt burden for over 60 years and a huge cost which is paying the interest on that debt every single month. and as the chancellor and i set out to parliament a few weeks ago, they left us with over £20 billion of bills through the door here at the treasury with no money to pay for it. that doesn't sound like a good inheritance to me. but it's undeniable that the economy is clearly growing at a rate that is faster than other quarters we have seen recently. inflation is looking now like it's more stable. unemployment figures were down as well this week. are you at a risk where you are just talking down the economy even though there are signs that we are seeing in some of the data that are positive? economic facts are clear. because we have the highest debt burden that we've

had for over 60 years, and we are having to spend billions and billions of pounds on debt interest to pay back every month, and because working people have got the highest tax burden since the 1940s, people at home now, and anyone can look at the statistics, that what we inherited from the conservatives was the worst fiscal inheritance since the second world war. and that means we have got very challenging economic circumstances. we welcome growth in the economy and growth is ourfirst and most important mission here at the treasury, but we've got much, much more work to do to recover from the mess that we were left with. that is the view from the treasury. the shadow chief secretary to the treasury, laura trott, gave her reaction to today's gdp figures. these are really positive gdp figures this morning but the only person who is not celebrating them is the chancellor. you know, rachel reeves is sitting in the treasury fuming because this is yet more data to undermine her narrative that the economic inheritance was bad. she can no longer use that as a pretext for tax rises that she was planning all along. are you claiming credit

for economic growth, then? well, i mean, look, this is part of the work that we put into the economy to make sure it was turning a corner, to bring inflation down, to make sure that economic growth was rising, and this is something that is turning a corner and is very, very delicate. so it cannot be put at risk now. so if you are, i'm not sure if you are, but if you saying that economic growth was down to work that was done under the previous government, why did the public not have faith in you at the election? there were many reasons. i think we're going to go into that. we've got a leadership contest going on at the moment. but i think the most important thing is that we all are doing now is willing the economy on, and it's really important that the chancellor and the treasury do not put this economic growth at risk. what we have seen so far is an attempt to spread a message about the economic inheritance which is just simply fabrication. and it's really important now that we focus on growth, trying to get the economy continuing to grow, and to do the things that we need them to do like keep taxes low for the british public.

earlier, our business correspondent marc ashdown, gave us his assesment i think muted celebration as we heard there from the treasury. they're not popping any champagne corks, but this is certainly a story of recovery. gdp of course, gross domestic product the technical term. it's the measure of all economic activity in a country. so everything added up from companies, governments and individual people split into different areas like manufacturing, construction and of course services, a huge part of the economy. now, we get a reading month to month, but crucially, we also get quarterly readings. so four times a year we get a quarterly reading. and if ijust show you this behind me here, if you have a look at this screen, this will show you. can you see that? the back end of last year. look, those two quarters there. that is a technical recession. if you have two consecutive

quarters of negative growth — we were in recession back end of last year. but look at how we've bounced back out of it. look, 0.7% between january and march. and in the other quarterjust recorded up tojune. look, 0.6% growth. so definitely a story of recovery, the economy heading back in the right direction. as i say, we do get the monthly breakdown as well. so june itself was flat. so zero growth injune. this can be affected by one—off events though as well. i mean, things like the euros came along and taylor swift of course doing a tour of the uk, but of course we had some pretty wet weather as well. so the construction industry particularly struggled, whereas services, you mentioned earlier on there, things like it, scientific research, that provided a real boost. so i think it is, you know, feeling like it's a better picture. it's improving slowly. right. the question then becomes what happens next? because there is some suggestion these gdp figures, these growth figures might ease off a bit. there's a question about when interest rates, we're going to see more interest rates cuts and where that fits with inflation. so what are the projections, mark? yeah.

look, i think economists, the consensus opinion really is we are heading in the right direction. i think there is a feeling it may soften off towards the end of the year, although obviously labour hoping that that isn't the case. this political row has broken out, hasn't it? you heard therejeremy hunt as well. the previous chancellor said this morning as well that this shows that labour inherited a good economic picture. but of course, labour is saying we're coming out of a recession at the back end of last year. i do think the second half of the year will be interesting because, of course, labour will firmly have their feet under the table. we've got the election in the rear view mirror, a budget. we're expecting that to be scheduled now for the end of october. so i think we'll start to get the policies then driving the economic picture, and we'll get a better idea of the outlook and how positive it might be. incidentally, the uk performing quite well against the other leading economies, the g7, as we call them. only the us at the moment are growing faster than the uk. so a pretty decent picture. but, yeah, it can be knocked off course by all sorts of events. bad weather, as we say, but we've also got some big events coming up in the back half

of the year. so yeah, interesting to see how things start to play out as we get into the second half of the year. mark ashdown there. major social media networks, including instagram and facebook, are failing to remove self—harm and suicide content from their platforms, according to new research by the molly rose foundation. the charity was set up following the death of the british schoolgirl molly russell, who took her own life after viewing harmful content online. the study looked at more than 12 million posts which were taken down by the six biggest social media platforms. our correspondent angus crawford has more — a warning that you may find some of his report upsetting. molly russell ended her life when she was just 1a. herfather, ian, horrified by the self—harm and suicide content she'd been fed by social media. this world is so cruel and i don't want to see it any more. and some of it's still there. just this week, we found similar images on instagram, glorifying suicide and self—harm. too graphic to show.

and the content on x, formerly twitter, was even worse. my youngest daughter died on the... ian russell now campaigns for online safety. the corporate culture at these platforms needs to change. we travelled with him to silicon valley. one tech boss told us things would get better. i don't think we'll ever be in a place where every single image that violates our policies is off of our platform, but it's our responsibility to get that number to as close to zero as possible. content moderators, like these in berlin, alongside automated systems, try to remove the most harmful posts. the platforms have made progress, but today's research by the charity set up in molly's name says there's much, much more to be done. it analysed 12 million take—down decisions made by the big social media companies about self—harm and suicide material. facebook and instagram, owned by meta, each accounted forjust1% of those decisions. x was worse, reporting just one in 700. and while tiktok did remove

three million items, it only suspended two accounts. what's really clear from this analysis is that the failures of technology companies, it isn'tjust a glitch. this is a fundamental, systemic choice not to invest in identifying and removing content, essentially turning a blind eye to harmful material. the online safety act was meant to force reform on silicon valley, but ofcom, which has the power to levy huge fines, is still consulting on its codes of practice. it's about putting the onus of responsibility onto the tech. ian russell at ofcom in april questioned the delay. he's also met the labour secretary of state and is demanding a new, tougher act. molly's family want a safer internet for all. this research shows their work in her name is not yet done. angus crawford, bbc news.

taylor swift returns to london's wembley stadium on thursday night for the final leg of her uk eras tour. swift will be playing five final shows from tonight, with the excitement already ramping up at wembley, as fans flock to buy official merchandise. security will be tight, after her shows in vienna last week were cancelled following the arrest of three teenagers for allegedly planning an attack. these are live pictures from wembley. the excitement is building, fans already queueing up trying to snap up merchandise ahead of the shows. taylor swift shows at the stadium means she will surpass michaeljackson to become the solo artist with the most shows at wembley in a single tour. let's speak to taylor swift superfan angelica stevenson, who joins us from london.

welcome, what is it that excites you so much about taylor swift? it is cliche but i _ so much about taylor swift? it is cliche but i have _ so much about taylor swift? it 3 cliche but i have loved her since i was a child, i heard the love story song and it has snowballed from that. as you grow up with an artist, where a lot of their songs and art imitates your own life in the ten different way and the community it harnesses and harnesses, it is such an experience that creates permeating new experiences. i love a lot of things about being a fan of taylor swift but she brings me so much joy as she does so many others. understood. and did you get tickets for the concert or did you try to? i'm going tomorrow and i'm very excited. ~ ., ., , ., ., excited. what do you imagine the atmosphere _ excited. what do you imagine the atmosphere will _ excited. what do you imagine the atmosphere will be _ excited. what do you imagine the atmosphere will be like? - excited. what do you imagine the atmosphere will be like? will i excited. what do you imagine the i atmosphere will be like? will people be dancing, singing along, both, dressed up? it be dancing, singing along, both, dressed up?— dressed up? it will be a bit of everything- — dressed up? it will be a bit of everything- i'm _ dressed up? it will be a bit of everything. i'm so _ dressed up? it will be a bit of everything. i'm so excited i dressed up? it will be a bit of everything. i'm so excited to| dressed up? it will be a bit of i everything. i'm so excited to see

everyone's outfit, i made my own outfit and many people have, this is mine. , outfit and many people have, this is mine. ., . ., , mine. oh, i say! how much of it is there? is— mine. oh, i say! how much of it is there? is it— mine. oh, i say! how much of it is there? is it a _ mine. oh, i say! how much of it is there? is it a short _ mine. oh, i say! how much of it is there? is it a short or— mine. oh, i say! how much of it is there? is it a short or long - mine. oh, i say! how much of it is there? is it a short or long dress? | there? is it a short or long dress? i made this to suit myself how i would be comfortable, iso— some shorts in myself, because i have enjoyed sewing since i was a teenager, so it's good to have a hobby, working away on it. it was a lovely passion project. in that sense, i do love the community and the encouragement of people just making something beautiful. it’s making something beautiful. it's been a pleasure talking to you and have a great time.— have a great time. thank you, i can't wait- _ have a great time. thank you, i can't wait. lets _ have a great time. thank you, i can't wait. lets now— have a great time. thank you, i can't wait. lets now take i have a great time. thank you, i can't wait. lets now take a i have a great time. thank you, i i can't wait. lets now take a look have a great time. thank you, i i can't wait. lets now take a look at the weather- _ however, not much in the way of sunshine today, we have a band of cloud and rain and strong winds across the country all tied down to

low pressure. it will brighten up behind it as we head through the latter part of the afternoon, saying blustery. the rain will peter out as it crosses england and wales through this evening and overnight. still the odd heavier burst as it reaches the odd heavier burst as it reaches the south—east. behind it sky is clear and will have blustery showers for scotland and northern ireland and it will turn much cooler and fresher. still warm air to come across the south—east. for friday, but when front eventually clears to the south. we have this area of low pressure and that will bring more of a breeze and a few showers in north—west scotland, the odd part of northern ireland and a bunch brighter day for england and wales. it should say mostly dry. the fresher air will arrive here as well but could still reach the mid—20s across the south—east, through friday, we hold onto blustery weather for scotland and northern ireland and may the fat north—west

of england. a few showers before a call and fresher night for all areas including south—east. —— can work. into the weekend, not that bad. there should be a lot of dry weather, still a few showers here and there but a lot of dry weather and there but a lot of dry weather and plenty of sunshine. temperatures around average. the pressure chart shows we are in between weather systems so lots of dry weather through the morning. a fresh start but temperatures will rise, maybe one or two blustery showers the north—west of scotland but most places dry and temperatures in the high teens or low to mid 20s in the south. a similar story on sunday but we see this area of low pressure, reference getting very close to northern scotland. a few more showers in the mix here, a breezy and windy day. the chow in northern ireland in north—west england and maybe western wales. —— the odd shower in northern ireland, temperatures in the high teens in the north and low to mid—20s in the

south. it looks like as we head into the following week, a little more unsettled especially in the north, chances of being drier and warmer in the south and south—east.

today at one: there's a rise in the number of top a—level grades for the first time in three years. thousands of students across england, wales and northen ireland got their results today, with four in five securing their first—choice university place. also on the programme... the hamas—run health ministry in gaza says the number of palestinians killed in the israeli offensive is now more than 40,000. mpox in africa is declared a public health emergency of international concern by the world health organisation. and there's extra security at wembley, as taylor swift returns to the stage after her cancelled concerts in vienna. and coming up on bbc news...

champions league winners real madrid already have their first trophy of the season as mbappe scores on his debut — will anybody be able to stop them? good afternoon, and welcome to the bbc news at one. the top a—level grades have risen for the first time in three years, with more than a quarter of entries awarded either an a or a star. hundreds of thousands of students in england, wales and northern ireland received their exam results today, in a year when grading was expected to be restored to the level it was before the pandemic. 80% of students have also successfully got into their first choice university. vanessa clarke reports. it is the day hundreds of thousands of students have been waiting for. but after a morning full of nerves and a quick scan of their results,