paper, crowds band as we open the paper, with a picture of tokyo, one woman walking in the rain. rachel, remember what last year when the games were originally delayed? japan were saying don't worry, and 2021, will have the celebration games. we're all going to come together in tokyo to celebrate the end of the pandemic. the question really is how can you have a celebration games if there is no one in the stadiums to celebrate?— there is no one in the stadiums to celebrate? ., �* ., , ,., , celebrate? you're absolutely right. it's a very painful _ celebrate? you're absolutely right. it's a very painful reminder- celebrate? you're absolutely right. it's a very painful reminder of- celebrate? you're absolutely right. it's a very painful reminder of whati it's a very painful reminder of what people's hopes were a year ago, the situation we would be in today. i don't think they could've done anything else, though. in tokyo, the delta variant is beginning to take hold. there are real concerns over the rates of infection in that country, and itjust seems like it's

the only option they really could have taken was to have the games carry—on, but with no spectators. it's horrible, but it's regrettable, but i actually don't think there was any other alternative, and i hope the games will continue. the athletes will still have a chance to show us what they can do and we will still be able to watch that by remote as before.— still be able to watch that by remote as before. ~ �* ., ., ., remote as before. we're now going to learn what the — remote as before. we're now going to learn what the coaches _ remote as before. we're now going to learn what the coaches are _ remote as before. we're now going to learn what the coaches are shouting l learn what the coaches are shouting to the athletes, but rachel was talking about the numbers. injapan, the most recent daily case number — to hunt thousand 180. that means zero fans. —— 2180. in britain, 32,500, 60,000 fans and games. you can see the different approach to the uk and japan. that might come down to vaccine coverage. i the uk and japan. that might come down to vaccine coverage.- down to vaccine coverage. i think

that is a big _ down to vaccine coverage. i think that is a big part. _ down to vaccine coverage. i think that is a big part. we've - down to vaccine coverage. i think that is a big part. we've been - that is a big part. we've been enjoying _ that is a big part. we've been enjoying euros and the fans coming back into _ enjoying euros and the fans coming back into stadiums in terms of the atmosphere and electricity that it creates, — atmosphere and electricity that it creates, and that not existing at an olympic— creates, and that not existing at an olympic games which is all about celebrating as well as the sports, and follow about celebrating the thought — and follow about celebrating the thought about it filled like the people — thought about it filled like the people don't really want it. i think the other— people don't really want it. i think the other difficult part of this is the other difficult part of this is the athletes spend years preparing for these _ the athletes spend years preparing for these games, and cancelling again— for these games, and cancelling again will— for these games, and cancelling again will be obviously very difficult _ again will be obviously very difficult for them, and we have to id difficult for them, and we have to go forward — difficult for them, and we have to go forward. but itjust difficult for them, and we have to go forward. but it just will not difficult for them, and we have to go forward. but itjust will not be the same — go forward. but itjust will not be the same. you're right that, should we be _ the same. you're right that, should we be looking closer in terms of what _ we be looking closer in terms of what we've _ we be looking closer in terms of what we've been doing here! there are big _ what we've been doing here! there are big concerns that positive cases. — are big concerns that positive cases, daily positive cases could -et cases, daily positive cases could get up _ cases, daily positive cases could get up to— cases, daily positive cases could get up to 100,000 today going into august _ get up to 100,000 today going into august. huge concerns there. let's look at our final paper, the

metro, which talks about the other sporting event, in case anyone had forgotten. it's the final countdown before the final on sunday, a brief rapid—fire question. i'll start with you, rachel. was it a penalty and what was up the with the laser and is it coming home? filth! laughter is it coming home? 0h! laughter let me is it coming home? oi! laughter let me go with is it coming home? ©“ii laughter let me go withjames. what was up let me go with james. what was up with the laser first of all and was it a penalty? it with the laser first of all and was it a penalty?— it a penalty? it wasn't a penalty, in my opinion- — it a penalty? it wasn't a penalty, in my opinion- i _ it a penalty? it wasn't a penalty, in my opinion. i was _ it a penalty? it wasn't a penalty, in my opinion. i was delighted i it a penalty? it wasn't a penalty, j in my opinion. i was delighted to guess— in my opinion. i was delighted to guess anyway. the laser was a reattym — guess anyway. the laser was a reattym it— guess anyway. the laser was a really... it was such a shame because _ really... it was such a shame because i_ really... it was such a shame because i feel like the atmosphere was amazing. it was a great spectacle and there's always got to be someone that ruins it for everyone _ be someone that ruins it for everyone else. i will say, be someone that ruins it for everyone else. iwill say, kasper schmeichel did save the penalty, so therefore _ schmeichel did save the penalty, so therefore there is that. i

schmeichel did save the penalty, so therefore there is that.— therefore there is that. i haven't thou . ht therefore there is that. i haven't thought of _ therefore there is that. i haven't thought of it _ therefore there is that. i haven't thought of it that _ therefore there is that. i haven't thought of it that way. _ therefore there is that. i haven't thought of it that way. maybe i therefore there is that. i haven't thought of it that way. maybe it| thought of it that way. maybe it affected him. i did just see it on the metro. for some reason, there are two lines on the front page of the metro. iim are two lines on the front page of the metro. i'm not entirely sure where the third line was, but rachel, i think... where the third line was, but rachel, ithink...— where the third line was, but rachel, ithink... rachel, i think... anything might have to self-isolate. _ rachel, i think... anything might have to self-isolate. the - rachel, i think... anything might have to self-isolate. the third i rachel, i think... anything might. have to self-isolate. the third line mi . ht have to self-isolate. the third line miaht be have to self-isolate. the third line might be 18 _ have to self-isolate. the third line might be 18 and _ have to self-isolate. the third line might be 18 and only _ have to self-isolate. the third line might be 18 and only have - have to self-isolate. the third line might be 18 and only have one - have to self-isolate. the third line might be 18 and only have one jab| might be 18 and only have one jab and needs your advocacy for a single generational approach. will you finally be watching it at 8pm on sunday? i’ll]! finally be watching it at 8pm on sunda ? �* , . . finally be watching it at 8pm on sunda ? �* , ., . ., sunday? i'll be watching, and i think it's really _ sunday? i'll be watching, and i think it's really amazing - sunday? i'll be watching, and i think it's really amazing what l think it's really amazing what gareth southgate and that team has gone. they've managed to create this occlusive diverse, tolerant, outward looking team that is setting an example for this country of what that looks like, and creating a team that looks like, and creating a team

that everybody wants to support. i think that's a really amazing achievement and something to be celebrated. ., f achievement and something to be celebrated-— achievement and something to be celebrated. ., j ., ., celebrated. now they've got to find a wa . celebrated. now they've got to find a way- good _ celebrated. now they've got to find a way. good luck _ celebrated. now they've got to find a way. good luck to _ celebrated. now they've got to find a way. good luck to them. - it's been a pleasure to you both. goodbye for now. hello, i'm marc edwards with your sports news. the lineup for the women's final at wimbledon on saturday is set. world number one ashleigh barty will play czech eighth seed karolina pliskova. the australian beat former champion angelique kerber in straight sets 6—3, 7—6 on centre court. so, the 2019 french open champion is on the hunt for a second major title, and it's the one she really wants.

this is incredible. i think this is as good a tennis match oliver play, and i think angie definitely brought the best out of me and it was a hell of a match right from the first ball —— iill of a match right from the first ball —— i'll ever play. iim incredibly proud of myself and my team, and now we get a chance on saturday to try and live out our childhood dream. and standing in the way of that childhood dream will be the 2016 us open runner—up, karolina pliskova. the czech former world number one is also into her first final at the all england club. she did it the hard way, though, coming from a set down to see off second seed aryna sabalenka 5-7, 6-4, 6-4. and after losing his men's doubles earlier on in the day, joe salisbury is into the mixed—doubles semifinals with fellow brit harriet dart. they beat compatriot naomi broady and her french partner, jeremy chardy. a quick reminder, if you needed it, that it's the men's semifinal day tomorrow. world number one and reigning

champion novak djokovic will play the tenth seed canadian denis shapovalov — while queens champion matteo berrettini goes head—to—head with poland's hubert hurkacz. the countdown is already on to the euro 2020 final, and for england, there isn't a lot of time to prepare. there'll be just two days of full training before the game against italy back at wembley on sunday night. 0lly foster has been at their base, st george's park. day of rest and recuperation for most of the squad today, that's their routine after a match. it started against the danes. they go off and do their on thing. 13 out of the training pitch. the rest of the quad. there was nojordan henderson. they have their own separate fitness programme. but it was a great session to actually witness because they were at it from the very off. you soon realise just watching from the first 15 minutes when you see

jaden sancho and the rest of them there as well, the two most likely to oust in the forward alongside harry kane and raheem sterling. there are places still at stake here. everybody desperate to get into this england team, and that is one of the hallmarks of it. the competition for places, but everybody working together towards the same thing. that is, of course, winning the first major final in 55 years. meanwhile, england have been charged by uefa after a laser was directed at denmark keeper kasper schmeichel during the match. cameras showed a green light on schmeichelis face just before harry kane took his penalty in extra time. schmeichel did save it, but kane went on to score the rebound. england have also been charged with causing a "disturbance" during denmark's national anthem and for setting off fireworks. eddiejones has described gareth southgate as a "great example to every coach", with his england football counterpart continuing to make history with his team. jones has developed a relationship

with southgate during the time he's been in charge of the england rugby side, and says he's been most impressed with the football manager's team selection. jones himself named four new caps in the starting 15 for england's match against canada at twickenham on saturday. most of his first choice players are with the lions, whose tour of south africa continues to be hampered by covid. their next tour match is set to be against the sharks, the team they beat 54—7 last night after their original opposition, the bulls, had to pull out of the game on saturday due to a number of positive tests. england's make—shift one day side have beaten pakistan by nine wickets in their first international in cardiff. an entirely new set of players had to be brought in just two days ago, after a covid outbreak in the original england squad. but they got off to the perfect start. they had pakistan 26 for 4, with saqib mahmood the pick of the bowlers with four wickets. pakistan were all out for 1m and england knocked it off for the loss ofjust one wicket — david malan top scoring with 68. england play the second

of their three—match series at lords on saturday. all tokyo—based events at the olympics will take place without fans after a state of emergency was put in place injapanis capital for the duration of the games. the japanese government are trying to combat the rising cases of coronavirus in the country, and there had been hope that a limited number of local fans could attend. organisers have apologised to those who have bought tickets, with only those events outside of tokyo retaining the possibility of having people watching. the trilogy fight between tyson fury and deontay wilder is still set to take place on the 24th ofjuly, despite a coronavirus case in furyis camp. wbc world heavyweight champion fury has been training in las vegas to prepare for the eagerly awaited bout. but a confirmed covid—19 case within his team had led to some reports the date of the encounter may be pushed back. jack senior has the club house lead on the opening round of the scottish open at the renaissance club in north berwick. the englishman is ranked 353rd

in the world, but he's one shot ahead of lee westwood and americanjustin thomas. there was no record—equalling 34th stage win of the tour de france for mark cavendish today. cavendish, still wearing the green jersey, was never really in contention on the flat 159 kilometre stage. it was won by the german nils pollitt. tadej pogacia maintains his overall race lead. and that's all the sport for now. from me and the rest of the team, bye—bye. hello there. the next few days look pretty unsettled, with low pressure always nearby, so we're likely to see sunshine and showers notjust for friday, but into the weekend and into the start of next week, too. so, for today, these showers will be heavy, much like they were on thursday, and you'll see on the pressure charts we're in between systems, and there's barely any isobars, so the winds are light and the showers will be slow—moving again.

so, quite a bit of cloud to start this morning, particularly across scotland, where we'll see some patchy rain in the northeast. the sunshine will get going, though, the best of it in central and eastern areas — and this is where we'll see most of the heavy showers into the afternoon, again, some with hail and thunder mixed in. an area of more persistent rain will push into the southwest later in the day. temperature—wise, 20—24 celsius. now for wimbledon for friday and into the weekend, now, for wimbledon for friday and into the weekend, there'll be a lot of dry weather around with some sunshine, but there's always the chance of catching a heavy shower. now, as we move through friday night, those heavy showers across central and eastern areas will tend to fade away, many places will turn dry with variable cloud and clear spells. but this weather front will bring in persistent rain to south wales ironmen the southwest of england, slowly to south wales and the southwest of england, slowly moving its way eastwards. temperature—wise, most places sticking in double figures. so, for this weekend, again, it's one of sunny spells and scattered showers, though we'll have that area of rain across southern areas for a while, but that will clear away

during the course of saturday, then all areas will see sunny spells and showers. that area of rain could bring some persistent, fairly heavy rain to central and southern england through the morning, eventually clearing away. elsewhere, after a rather cloudy start, the sunshine will appear, and then, these showers will get going — and again, some of them will be heavy with some hail and thunder, they'll be relatively slow—moving. temperature—wise, 17—22 celsius. as we move out of saturday into sunday, a new area of low pressure pushes into western parts of the uk — thatill bring enhanced showers to the northern and western areas in particular, again, some of them will be heavy and merge together to produce longer spells of rain in places. probably the better area to see the driest conditions will be central and eastern parts of england, where we'll see the best temperatures, 22—23 celsius — otherwise, the high teens for the north and west. very unsettled into the start of next week, as well, particularly england and wales could see some very wet weatherfor a while. then from midweek onwards, it looks like high pressure wants to build in. thatill settle things down with increasing sunshine.

this is bbc news, with the latest headlines for viewers in the uk and around the world. president biden confirms the us military mission in afghanistan will end on 31 august. he says that he is not prepared to send another generation of americans to fight there. nearly 20 years of experience has shown us that the current security situation only confirms thatjust one more year of fighting in afghanistan is not a solution. the olympic games injapan will be held without spectators at venues in and around the capital. a state of emergency in tokyo will run throughout the games, to combat coronavirus. protests in brazil over the president's handling of coronavirus. around 2,000 people are still dying every day. and the double jabbed—in england can jet off this summer, as the government changes travel

restrictions.