09/08/2016 Reporting Scotland

That's all from the BBC News at Six, so it's goodbye from me,

and on BBC One we now join the BBC's news teams where you are.

Moments later this man killed a Glasgow shopkeeper -

today he received a life sentence for religiously motivated murder.

This was a brutal, barbaric crime resulting from intolerance.

Also on the programme, Exam results are in -

and record numbers of pupils secure a place at university.

Salvage operations begin on this grounded oil rig off

And hopes are high this Scot could win Team GB another medal.

A Muslim taxi driver from Bradford who stabbed a Glasgow shopkeeper

to death after claiming he had disrespected the prophet Muhammed

32-year-old Tanveer Ahmed travelled from Yorkshire to confront Asad Shah

at his shop in the Shawlands area of the city in March.

Sentencing Ahmed to a minimum of 27 years the judge at the High court

in Glasgow described it as a brutal, barbaric and horrific crime

Tanvir Ahmed the rating Asad Shah after driving to his shop on the

south side of Glasgow. But that night in March Ahmed had arrived

from Bradford intending to meet out much more than criticism. --

berating. He was carrying a large much more than criticism. --

knife. After this verbal attack he released an onslaught of what the

judge called most violence. Asad Shah, this well liked friendly

shopkeeper, died in the street outside. It was videos like this is

posted online that had angered Tanvir Ahmed. He believed Mr Shah

was disrespecting the Prophet Muhammad. Ahmed was so deeply

offended that he decided he had to kill him. A crime the judge noted

today as she addressed Ahmed that he has still shown no remorse for. It

is clear that you are proud of what you did. And you did not consider

what you did was wrong. What is particularly disturbing from some of

your latest comments to the social worker, who prepared the court

report, is the fact that if met with similar circumstances in the future

you would do the same again. You seem oblivious to the fact you have

devastated a family. The family of Mr Shah, leaving them bereft of a

much loved son, husband and brother. Immediately after the judge

sentenced Ahmed to life with a minimum of 27 years he raised his

arm and shouted to the friends and family in court. Members of Ahmed's

family and community in Bradford, mostly left the court without

comment, but this man explained his outburst. It means I love my profit.

That is all he said. Do you think that was respectful? He is

respecting his prophet, what is wrong with that? Do you think the

sentence was there? No. There is no doubt that the barbaric murder of

Asad Shah was religiously motivated. But the judge has accepted that it

wasn't motivated by a grudge against the Muslim community of which Mr

Shah was a member. Instead, this was a specific attack on Mr Shah because

Tanvir Ahmed believed that he had disrespected Islam. The Judge's

comments that there is no place for such intolerance code today by the

community. He shouldn't be showing any kind of love. Where there is no

remorse, where there is no regrets, then Islam says strongly that such a

person should be given a proper sentence and that is what has been

served. In the Shawlands area Mr Shah has been much missed by his

served. In the Shawlands area Mr customers who throughout the years

he served with cheer and agree -- and grace. His family's Greece is

such that they cannot bear to reopen the shop without him. -- grief.

Students across Scotland have been receiving their exam results.

140,000 certificates have been dropping through letterboxes.

Figures suggest the serious problems with last year's Higher Maths exam

have been put right - while concerns that changing

the Higher English exam at short notice could have led

to difficulties, have proved to be unfounded.

Here's our education correspondent Jamie McIvor.

For on the news came by text or e-mail. What? For most it was inside

an envelope. For these brave youngsters their good news was live

on radio Scotland. Seven As and a B. Brilliant.

Five As. Exceptional results by any standard, especially because their

School is not in a leafy suburb. Some students come from areas of

deprivation. I was wondering why is that, and I think the single biggest

influence is momentum that happens here. For many students across

Scotland it was a day to remember, like keirin in Inverness. 197,000

hires were sat. The overall pass rate was slightly down on last year,

but it is still the second highest number of passes on record. --

Highers were sat. We seem to have over 152,000 passes it Higher level.

And we have an increase in vocational qualifications that

pupils are receiving in Scotland. A 23% increase in those. There was no

repeat of last year's Higher maths debacle. Last year the pass rate was

just 34%. This year was normal. One of the things we do every years

review the process of setting a paper. Last year 's paper we

admitted was more challenging than it should be. Behind the statistics

by the remarkable stories of personal achievement. Darren speaks

English as his second language and still got five Highers. I studied

really hard and I am proud of myself. There are still questions

over how the shake-up of the exams is leading in. But today is about

celebrations for some and commiserations for others. Well done

to all of those young people who allowed us to film them. Jamie joins

me. You mentioned in the report a drop in the Highers pass rate, is

that significant? No need to panic. But it is worth keeping an eye on.

Statisticians made one point. You wouldn't want to make a direct

comparison with last year because this year only the new Highers hires

were available, last year old and new. The changes cannot be seen as

indicating a trend. But some people will want to get to the bottom of

exactly what it was that happened. If there is a drop again next year

that is when I think we will see real worry. How are the new exams

setting in? This was the last year of the three-year shake-up. This is

an interesting point, it is about the national four qualification. The

most -- it is roughly equivalent to a general pass in a standard grade

of old. But there was a drop in the number of entries this year. The

reason isn't immediately clear. It might have been from the judgment of

the teachers, of who should be studying for it, but there may be

questions to ask as the new system beds in, just to see what is

happening. Thanks very much. A small team of salvage experts have

been lowered by helicopter onto the oil rig which ran aground

on the Western Isles on Sunday. The UK Government has said the work

to refloat it may take some time. The plan is to put a larger team

on board the rig tomorrow Meetings have been going on

throughout the day in Stornoway to decide how to tackle the

re-flotation of the oil rig marooned on rocks at Delmore on the West

Coast of Lewis. Mid-afternoon the coastguard helicopter arrived to get

the first explorer to -- explorer tree

The people being put aboard right now will carry out the work on the

ground it rig. If their mission a success for more will be put on

tomorrow to see what further work can be done before the weather

breaks. -- grounded rig. What ever they find, work will still continue.

By Thursday this week we will be hampered by bad weather again, so

that will set the operation back. There will still be a requirement

after that to gather more information. After that phase it is

getting the right equipment we need to the island to do the

re-connections and making sure we have got the right vessels here to

try and get it out from where she is sitting at the moment. An enquiry is

ongoing as to how it ended up here in the first place. The Western

Isles emergency planning group also met this afternoon. Their main fear

is pollution. Although it might not be an imminent threat. I've asked

the team to have a look at checking the tanks and giving me reassurance

that the oil is safe where it is. The work to move the rig before

worse weather comes has already begun.

You're watching Reporting Scotland from the BBC.

Still to come on tonight's programme:

Could David Florence be the first Scot to win a Team GB medal tonight?

And Barry Humphries as you've never seen him before -

The First Minister's been in Berlin for talks with a member

of the German government on the EU referendum result.

Nicola Sturgeon met Minister for Europe Michael Roth

and afterwards said the talks had been constructive.

Our political correspondent Nick Eardley is at

What is the first minister trying to achieve?

Formal negotiations will not begin until the UK begins the process of

leaving the EU. That is something that is down to the Westminster

government. Theresa May has said she won't do that until next year.

Nicola Sturgeon has made clear that she wants to protect what she sees

as Scotland's's interest in the EU. And today these talks were part of

that process. She has met with the German Europe Minister in Berlin,

where they have discussed the referendum results and what happens

next. The first Minister said today's talks were constructive.

She's told German television that she wanted to highlight those

Scottish interests and what she believes are Scottish fears about

the impact of Brexit. For his part, Michael Roth, a fairly junior

minister in the German government, has said that Nicola Sturgeon is

clearly a dedicated pro-European. He said today's talk emphasised the

importance of what he calls diversity in Europe. Of course,

there will be more senior figures in the European Union for Nicola

Sturgeon to make her case to. If Scotland is to get a second deal

with the UK leaves. Thanks very much.

A 19-year-old man has been arrested in connection with the alleged rape

of a 14-year-old girl outside a supermarket in Barrhead

The teenager was allegedly attacked as she went to collect her bicycle

after leaving Asda in the town's Main Street Shopping Centre.

The family of a 78-year-old woman who was found unconscious

in a locked public toilet after 21 hours have criticised

A major search was launched for Norma Webster but it emerged

she had suffered a stroke inside a cubicle.

Moray council has apologised and is conducting an urgent review.

Norma Webster went missing after going shopping in her hometown

Forres of. The alarm was raised by her husband when she failed to

return home. A major search was launched for the pensioner,

involving a helicopter, but it took 21 hours to establish that she was

left overnight locked in his public toilets just yards away from the

local supermarket where she was last seen on CCTV. It has emerged that

the pensioner had a stroke in the toilet cubicle and volunteer

attendance were locked up the premises unaware she had taken ill

insight. I think that's terrible. It's terrible because anything could

be in there. It doesn't make sense to lock a premises without checking

inside first. Moray Council, which owns the public conveniences which

are managed in partnership with volunteers, has apologised to the

family and has ordered an urgent investigation into the incident. We

are going to work with our staff and volunteers to ensure that the

procedures are in place and the training is in place to make sure

this does not happen again. Norma Webster was found by toilet staff

when they opened up next morning she is recovering in hospital. Her

family have questioned why the police searched locked premises of

the pensioner's relatives without even thinking of unlocking the

toilets. We were relieved she had been found. We were upset. The

bleach had been searching, but in the wrong places. Police Scotland

said they worked on the assumption that when the toilets were locked

they were checked. -- the police had been searching. They described the

event as a tragic set of circumstances.

A look at other stories from across the country.

Detectives investigating the murder of an Aberdeenshire

have issued a CCTV image of a car seen near his home.

Brian McKandie's body was discovered at his cottage

The image - taken a mile from his home - shows a red

Subaru Impreza Sports Wagon, recorded around the time that

a maroon estate car had been spotted at Mr McKandie's house.

A drive to recruit more junior doctors into general

practice has been launched by the Scottish Government.

100 new GP training places are being advertised with a ?20,000

incentive for those who choose to take up

Edinburgh Airport is the only one in the UK rated poor

The Civil Aviation Authority's assessment of 30

airports found Aberdeen, Inverness and Prestwick were taking

steps to improve the quality of help for passengers with a disability

Glasgow was the only Scottish airport given a "good" rating.

It may still be summer, but climbers have encountered deep

snow on Britain's highest mountain while assisting in a scientific

It is not unusual for Ben Nevis to have coverings of snow in summer,

but snow expert, Iain Cameron, has described the depth of the white

stuff on the mountain's North Face as "astonishing."

It's been 15 metres deep in some places.

People in Glasgow city centre were treated to a mini version

of the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo today.

400 performers delivered the 40 minute lunchtime

It included bands from Nepal, the US and New Zealand,

as well as Highland dancers and Shetland fiddlers.

It's been a successful day on the water for several

of the Scots representing Team GB at the Rio Olympics,

and one could clinch Great Britain's first Scottish Gold

Aberdonian David Florence finished seventh fastest in the semi-final

of the Men's Canoe Slalom - enough to reach the final that takes

Our Olympics reporter, Kheredine Idessane, in Rio has more.

Yes, hello from the whitewater centre, the Olympic Canoe Slalom

venue. Scotland's David Florence, the World Champion in the C1 canoe

event is through to the final later on. He qualified third fastest for

the semi-final. In the semi, a good per he formance from Florence. He is

one of favourites. Getting through the semi-final means he can go for a

medal. Twice an Olympic silver-medallist. He will try to

upgrade the silver to gold. That final will be after 7.00pm your

time. Ever reason to be satisfied with his efforts here today. Plenty

of action elsewhere for Scottish athletes on water. A good

performance from Catherine Grainger and Vicky Thornley on the rowing

lake. Defending champions from London 2012. She will defend that

Gold medal. They are safely through to the final. A good effort as well

from Alan Sinkler in the Men's Pair, the boat through to the final. A

chance of a medal there for Alan. We have Katherine as well. Good stuff

from the rowers at the Rowing Lake am we will switch the focus to

sailing. Luke Patiences with a silver-medallist four years ago. He

hopes to go one better in Rio. It has been a difficult journey for

him. A qualification process. He has had to qualify twice. It has been a

very difficult and emotional journey that's not quite over yet for Luke

Patience. Olympic silver, but it's gold to Australia. A silver medal in

London with partner Stuart. Patience made his intention clear for Rio. We

are young boys and we will come back. Two-time World Champion Elliot

Can Willis joined the Patience campaign. The Olympic gold medal is

shining bright for me and Luke. They qualified for Rio in December. --

September. In November he didn't feel well. He went for tests.

Diagnosed with bowel cancer. Young, fit guy. It was just such a shock.

You never thought that, you never do think that. Everything obviously

stopped there answer thnd. Most importantly, it was all about

Elliot's health at that point. The sailing took a back seat. After a

period of reflection on his future, Patience came back to work. He and

English sailor Chris had months to build a partnership and build for

Rio. Somebody has to win. I'm not new to the sport. We are new

together. Back to the underdog again. Like Stuart and I were for

London. I like being the under dog. That suits me just fine. I think I

will be the freest man on the racecourse come the first race of

the Games. Nothing to lose. Patience thinks of the Rio journey he began

with Elliot so emotions are close to the surface. Whatever I do in Rio

with Chris, Elliot is part of that. He was part of that. We are

finishing things that Elliot and I started together. You know, flying a

few flags. Flying Elliot's flag, you know, as well. It's so sad. More to

come then from Luke Patience know, as well. It's so sad. More to

tomorrow in the sailing. More to come, we hope, from David Florence

tonight here at the Canoe Slalom venue. He is world champion

remember. That is after 7.00pm. We hope to bring you the action, the

news and an interview with the man himself if he has won a medal on the

late edition of Reporting Scotland. Let's hope so.

Within the last hour, Andy Murray has comfortably beaten

the Argentinian, Juan Monaco, to go into the third round

It was a straight sets win, in just over an hour and ten minutes,

Murray will be back on court tomorrow to play the winner

of Fabio Fognini of Italy and the Frenchman, Benoit Paire.

ScotRail and the RMT union have been holding further talks

to try to resolve the industrial dispute that led to strike

Last week, further planned walkouts by train staff were called off -

but a final deal has yet to be reached.

The dispute centres on proposals from the operator to run more

trains where drivers - rather than guards -

He's best known for his comic creation, Dame Edna Everage,

but Australian performer, Barry Humphries, has had

a passion for German cabaret since he was a boy.

Now, at the age of 82, he's bringing the lost songs

of the Weimar Republic to the Edinburgh

Our arts correspondent, Pauline McLean, went to meet him.

He's the man behind so many comic creations but this is the real Barry

Humphries. This the music he's wanted to perform since he was a

young boy growing up in Australia. I was very young and I discovered a

pile of sheet music by German and Austrian composers I'd never heard

of. I bought them cheaply. I thought of. I bought them cheaply. I thought

- I want to hear this music one day. It's taken me about 65 years to hear

it. With the Australian Chamber Orchestra and a cabaret singer, he

began the lost songs of the vie Weimar Republic. I felt this

whole submerged repertoire of exciting, modern music needed to be

heard. Hello, viewers. I say viewers because I'm a viewer of life. It's a

world away from his most famous creation Dame Edna. If I'm

presenting some of my friends, like Dame Edna, who is not here at the

moment. If I am, then I'm by myself. Now I have a full orchestra and a

great star. It takes the head off me for a little. I have to hold it

together. He enjoys ruffling a few for a little. I have to hold it

feathers. Political correctness is aened woerful thing because I love

offending it. The audience love it when political correctness is shot

down in flames. Now the weather forecast from

Christopher. Good evening. A number of showers around today but

sunshine. Here is the latest satellite and radar picture. The

heavy showers mainly across the south-east are pulling away. Some

late sunshine behind for many. This evening, yes, the showers easing off

and reasonably dry and bright before dusk. Here is the chart from 7.00pm.

A dry and clear night at times. In the countryside cool, down to four

or five Celsius. Temperatures in towns and cities closer to 8-12.

Tomorrow, on the face of it it looks reasonable enough. High pressure

near nearby. This weather front coming in bringing cloud and rain.

Wednesday gets off to a bright, dry sunny start. The cloud will build

from the west as we head through the course of Wednesday, followed by

outbreaks of rain. The further east the dryer and brighter it will be

for longest. The cloud increasing for all as we head through the day.

By mid afternoon that wet weather will edge in towards western parts.

Showers ahead of that main band of rain. In the west, 15, 16 Celsius,

Showers ahead of that main band of further east 17, 18 degrees.

Cloudier compared with the morning it will be dry for a good part of

Grampian. The far north and Shetland will have sunshine for the whole

day. The rest of the afternoon into the evening the rain will edge its

way in, reaching all parts. It will be heavy and persistent to the

north-west. Throughout Thursday an early warning from the Met office

for that rain. Persistent and heavy at times. For most of the mainland,

cloudy and damp. Temperatures on the up, 18, 19 Celsius. Friday, showers

to the west, the further east it will be dryer and brighter.

Temperatures will continue to climb, a high of 21. As we head through

towards the weekend, Saturday and Sunday, things are being looking up.

More summery. By Sunday temperatures up to 21 degrees and plenty of

sunshine to go round. That's the forecast for now. Just in time for

the young ones to go back to school. Thank you very much.

Now, a reminder of tonight's main news.

Muslim taxi driver, Tanveer Ahmed, who travelled from Bradford to kill

Glasgow shopkeeper, Asad Shah, after claiming he had disrespected

the Prophet Muhammed, has been jailed for life

A small team of salvage experts have been lowered onto an oil

rig which ran aground on the Western Isles on Sunday.

The UK Government has said the work to refloat it may take some time.

School pupils across Scotland have been receiving their exam results.

Higher passes have dipped slightly, but a record number of pupils have

Higher passes have dipped slightly, been given a university place.

Our next main bulletin is just after the Ten O'Clock News.

Until then, from everyone on the team - right

across the country - have a very good evening.