Concerns on A-level results day

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A-level results day will see one in eight students get A grades in every subject taken, according to the Daily Telegraph.

<a class="inlineText" href="http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1206688/150-000-face-heartbreak-battle-university.html">The Daily Mail says this will mean "heartbreak"</a> for many hoping to pick up a university place through clearing.

<a class="inlineText" href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/education/2009/aug/20/a-levels-students-university-admissions">The Guardian warns that up to 60,000</a> will fail to find university places.

Meanwhile, those students who do better than expected <a class="inlineText" href="http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/life_and_style/education/student/article6802454.ece">"have little chance of getting into leading universities", adds the Times.</a>

Gloomy outlook

The general mood seems to be that we should lower our expectations when it comes to the weather.

Most papers have pictures of the crowds who flocked to the coast to revel in what the Guardian calls "something resembling a heatwave".

But the <a class="inlineText" href="http://www.express.co.uk/posts/view/121539/South-east-sizzles-as-rain-goes-West">Daily Express cautions: "Blink and you could miss it."</a>

While much of the UK enjoyed the sun on Wednesday, it was "grim in the North", adds the Daily Mirror, picturing a woman sheltering from rain in Newcastle.

'Bloody ballot'

As the people of Afghanistan go to the polls, <a class="inlineText" href="http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/middle-east/will-afghans-defy-taliban-and-flock-to-the-ballot-box-1774573.html">the Independent is one of several to wonder how many will exercise their right to vote.</a>

<a class="inlineText" href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2009/aug/19/afghanistan-election-polling-scenarios">The Guardian says there is no way of knowing whether the election will promote peace</a> - or plunge the country into further instability.

<a class="inlineText" href="http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/news/campaigns/our_boys/2597408/Talibans-sick-threat-as-Afghans-go-to-polls.html">Diplomats expect the ballot to be "flawed and bloody", says the Sun.</a>

It will be a disappointment to the British troops who have made so great a sacrifice, it adds.

Ashes showdown

The thoughts of many this morning will stray to the Oval, and the final match of cricket's Ashes series.

Supermarkets are offering promotions on Australian beers, <a class="inlineText" href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/sport/2009/aug/20/ashes-england-australia-oval-test-preview">"as if anticipating a celebration," the Guardian notes.</a>

Against all such talk stands - for one last time - the familiar figure of "Freddie" Flintoff, as the <a class="inlineText" href="http://www.dailystar.co.uk/news/view/94537/Freddie-s-final-fling/">Daily Star looks forward to his "final fling".</a>

The front of the Sun pictures him dressed as Fred Flintstone, with the slogan, "Yabba dabba doo it, Freddie".