There are good omens for those awaiting their A-level results next week. Annual analysis of exam trends in England, Wales and Northern Ireland suggests there could be high levels of "top grades", with one university forecasting a "record year". This will be the second year in which results will be decided without the usual exams, with teachers submitting grades based on evidence including mini-exams, mock exams and coursework. Almost two in five A-levels were awarded an A* or A last year, up from 25.5% for pupils in 2019.
However, the knock-on effect could be a "crush for places" on the most sought-after courses. "Leading universities could be forced to set their own tests to help them distinguish between the many prospective students awarded straight As," the University of Buckingham's Prof Alan Smithers warns in his annual pre-results report. With applications to medicine and dentistry courses said to be up 20%, the government is promising to create more places. However, universities say capacities might be limited by the availability of training placements. Richard Harvey, director of admissions at University of East Anglia, assures applicants there is capacity in the university system.

It will come too late for many festivals but the live events industry is nonetheless welcoming the announcement of a government-backed insurance scheme against cancellation because of Covid. It will begin next month, with a £750m budget to cover cancellation costs if events are legally unable to go ahead because of government restrictions. Promoter Live Nation UK says it's a "vital intervention" that will give the sector "certainty". And it's been welcomed by a range of bodies, including the Association of Independent Festivals. However, the association warns the scheme doesn't cover reduced income from having to reduce capacity or cancellation due to any reintroduced social distancing restrictions.

It might officially be termed "alert level zero" but some, at least, in Wales might call it the first chance for a good night out in 500 days. The Welsh government has confirmed most of the nation's remaining coronavirus restrictions will be scrapped from tomorrow, with groups of any number able to meet indoors, nightclubs allowed to reopen and social-distancing laws for workplaces axed. First Minister Mark Drakeford warns it's not a "free-for-all". People must still wear face coverings in shops, health and social care settings, and on public transport. Our report has more details on how the rules are changing.

It's been another busy night in Tokyo, with the highlight - from a Team GB point of view - being the women's hockey team winning a ding-dong bronze-medal match against India. And Welsh middleweight boxer Lauren Price has just secured a place in the gold-medal bout. Away from the events, two Belarusian coaches have lost their Olympic accreditations after allegedly trying to force sprinter Krystina Timanovskaya to leave the Games. Still to come is cyclist Laura Kenny's bid to become the first British woman to win gold at three Olympics. She's racing with Katie Archibald in the madison. And on the athletics track, Laura Muir chases a medal in the 1,500m. Stay up to date via our live page.

Teenagers are the focus of several front pages. The i leads on a "big push" to ensure 16-and-17-year-olds get the Covid vaccination, including `buses offering jabs at football grounds and gigs. The Times says under-30s will be targeted with social-media adverts urging them to have a jab or "miss out on the good times", with proof of vaccination required for venues such as nightclubs. Meanwhile, the Daily Telegraph reports on that analysis of A-level results, calling it a "tsunami" of top grades.

If you've been following the highs and lows of the Tokyo Olympics, you'll have seen countless hearts broken as athletes miss out on that coveted gold. Now, as the Games near a close, Newsbeat hears from some of Team GB's bronze medallists about the buzz of placing third - even if you're a world champion, or go into the competition as favourite.
In case you missed it, it seems there's something unusual in the deep in Dorset. Read why Boscombe beach was closed yesterday. And talking of odd sea creatures, check out this photo of a fish with "human" teeth. Also, it's Friday, which means it's time for our quiz of the week.

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