this is bbc news, the headlines... the taliban captured smart cities, that the us and the united states are sending troops to evacuate embassy staff. record grades for gcse students in england, wales and northern ireland, after exams were cancelled for a second year. some teachers say the assessments are more accurate than exams..... they have been accessed and awarded results on the merits of what they have produced and that cannot be taken away from them. the nhs waiting list in england hits a record high, of almost five and a half million. a change in self isolation rules in northern ireland — the bbc understands fully—vaccinated people who are a close contact of a covid case will no longer