In the headlines
“Generation Covid” received their A-level results today, with a sharp drop in top grades meaning thousands could be rejected from their first-choice university, says The Times. The first pupils to sit traditional exams since the pandemic have been awarded about 60,000 fewer A and A* grades than last year’s cohort, who were assessed by their teachers. British passengers face four days of travel misery as thousands of transport workers strike over pay. Only a fifth of National Rail services are running today, with London’s Tube and bus services out of action tomorrow. Two men filmed illegally zipping down Venice’s Grand Canal on electric surfboards have each been slapped with a €1,500 fine. Mayor of Venice Luigi Brugnaro posted a video describing the pair as “arrogant imbeciles” and offering dinner to whoever identified them. They were caught soon after.