this is bbc world news. our top stories: on the brink of history — england's footballers prepare to take on italy in tonight's final of euro 2020 — their biggest match in more than half a century. their resilience and experiences as a team have really prepared them well for this moment. good morning from wembley way, where the countdown continues. 60,000 fans are expected in the stadium behind me is ordination holds her breath and asks for one more england win. the italians have not had to wait 55 years for a major final — but there's plenty of excitement there too, with fans gearing up for the big night. away from football — britain's health secretary warns that the number of people on hospital waiting lists in england

could reach 13 million in the coming months. the widow of haiti's assassinated president claims he was killed because of his drive for political reform. sir richard branson prepares to venture to the edge of space, on the first passenger flight of his virgin galactic spaceship. hello and welcome to bbc news. it's a day full of anticipation for england and italy fans, ahead of the final of euro 2020. more than 60,000 are expected at wembley stadium in london where the two countries face each other tonight. it's a historic game — for italy it could be the first time they become european champions in decades. for england — a win would be their first ever euros title

and a first major tournament victory in 55 years. gareth southgate�*s squad arrived in london after their final training session. the team have received good luck messages from the queen and the prime minister, ahead of what is the biggest game for england since the world cup final of 1966. 0lly foster reports. when the final whistle blows at wembley tonight, the wait could be over. an england team that you can mention in the same breath as the heroes of 1966. for too long, that history has weighed them down. those golden generations expected to emulate what sir alf ramsey achieved with his team. this class of 2021 under gareth southgate has perhaps the best chance yet. they've never been closer. this was our moment, to represent our time. the near misses, and the tournaments that have not gone so well, weren't important for this team.

over the last four years, they've knocked down so many barriers, they have come through so many different challenges, different ways to win matches. had to come back from being behind, had to go through extra time, had to go through penalty shoot—outs. so their resilience and experiences as a team have really prepared them well for this moment. 0n the journey to london yesterday, the players were reminded just what this means to the nation. from the local villages in staffordshire, turning out to line the route as they left their training base, to the welcome they received as they arrived at their hotel. the players even received a good luck message from tom cruise yesterday — the captain knows that this mission will be all the more possible with home support. to see the fans on the street like they have been, and see the reception that we've had as we've pulled into the hotel here, and as we were leaving st george's park, yeah, it has just shown us how big an occasion it is. we know how much it means to the english fans

all over the country, so we're proud to be representing them. we haven't forgotten about italy, a team unbeaten in three years. they were pushed very close in their semifinal by spain, though. they went through on penalties. england will have to up their game again, but the italian manager, roberto mancini, says england will have a huge advantage with home support. a new tune for a new era of english football, and how sweet it promises to be. 0lly foster, bbc news, wembley. 0ur sport correspondent austin halewood is at wembley way this morning. just outside the stadium. pretty quiet there now. in a few hours�* time, though, will be absently packed with people. absolutely, yes. good morning _ packed with people. absolutely, yes. good morning from _ packed with people. absolutely, yes. good morning from wembley - packed with people. absolutely, yes. i good morning from wembley stadium. i�*ve been here actually most of the morning. it started off with me in just a few security guards dotted around, but actually this atmosphere

are starting to build now, if you people are starting to arrive. i can see plenty of england flags and green shirts, and 60,000, almost, going to be here in the stadium behind me for the game tonight, they are going to slowly start arriving at the afternoon goes on and the atmosphere, as you say, is going to keep building right here on wembley way. you seen the pictures, haven�*t we, over the last few weeks, all of the england games here at wembley, wembley way has been absolutely packed, so the sounds of three lions, it also sweet caroline will be getting louder and louder as the afternoon wears on, it will be taking place behind me at eight o�*clock british time at wembley stadium. what about the game? it goes very close, isn�*t it? stadium. what about the game? it goes very close, isn't it?— goes very close, isn't it? people had their predictions, _ goes very close, isn't it? people had their predictions, but - goes very close, isn't it? people had their predictions, but very l had their predictions, but very difficult to put the sides apart, really. they both have very strong defences, for a start. i

really. they both have very strong defences, for a start.— defences, for a start. i think that's right. _ defences, for a start. i think that's right, absolutely. - defences, for a start. i think that's right, absolutely. i've| defences, for a start. i think - that's right, absolutely. i've been that�*s right, absolutely. i�*ve been speaking to a few fans around here this morning, not many want to make a call on what the score will be. they�*re all quite nervous, the english fans, of course, with not many fans to italian fans able to travel because of covert instructions, but this will be one of the closest games of the entire tournament, england on as are italy so far, but this one the promenade to the best teams in the tournament so far. england have been firing up front, but it�*s a defences that have been so crucial for both sides. england have only conceded one goal throughout the entire tournament, which is really incredible, but on the other side of things, italy haven�*t lost a match in almost three years now. 33 games undefeated. they are an incredible record, and england have never beaten them in a knockout game in a major tournament, so it�*s going to be really tight one later, perhaps too close to call. can�*t wait to watch it. thank you

very much indeed. let�*s hear from italy�*s manager roberto mancini speaking to the press ahead of the final. translation: | think it | will be a wonderful match in front of a packed house, and i think that�*s wonderful news for football lovers everywhere. so, i think it would be a great day, it will be a great day to play this match, and we know they have a lot of quality. so, we will see how the game pans out. if england have made it to the final, it shows that they are a great side. 0ur correspondent lucy williamson is in rome. england will come to a standstill for the game, and england will come to a standstill forthe game, and i england will come to a standstill for the game, and i guess italy will as well. ~ , ., ., as well. well, i can tell you, more than ten hours _ as well. well, i can tell you, more than ten hours before _ as well. well, i can tell you, more than ten hours before kick-off - as well. well, i can tell you, morej than ten hours before kick-off and than ten hours before kick—off and they have turned the sound system, they have turned the sound system, the screens around. you can�*t hear

it, but the band has been practising football anthems over here, with flag—waving choreography. tonight, in this square and the other fan zonein in this square and the other fan zone in rome, it will be absolutely electric. these are two big footballing nations, to nations with a passionate footballing culture, both nations think they invented the game, so, the scene hair is really being set here for a battle, and nothing is on to bymike off limits. there have been comments about food culture, brexit, catholics against anglicans, you say it. i culture, brexit, catholics against anglicans, you say it.— culture, brexit, catholics against anglicans, you say it. i suppose in encland anglicans, you say it. i suppose in england peeple — anglicans, you say it. i suppose in england people think— anglicans, you say it. i suppose in england people think they - anglicans, you say it. i suppose in england people think they have i anglicans, you say it. i suppose in i england people think they have been starved of footballing success since 1966, but for italy it is different. italy has one major tournaments. italy has one major tournaments. italy has one major tournaments. italy has won three major tournaments since and, but the stakes are a bit high for italy because they failed to qualify for

the world cup last time round. that was a source of great embarrassment for thists footballing nation, they are hoping to recoup that today. it will not be an easy game, you speak to some italians and they say they really hope italy is going to win, not many of them say they are absolutely sure that italy is going to win. maybe they don�*t want to jinx it, but there is a sense england will be a tough side this time, and the italian coach, as well, roberto mancini, he wants his players to just relax and enjoy it. thank you very much indeed, that is lucy williamson live in rome. let�*s speak to one lucky england fan with a ticket to the final tonight, zainjivraj. thanks so much for being with us. first of all, how did you get your ticket? ,, ., . , first of all, how did you get your ticket? ,, ., ., , ., ticket? so, i was at uni when i found out. _ ticket? so, i was at uni when i found out, and _ ticket? so, i was at uni when i found out, and my _ ticket? so, i was at uni when i found out, and my dad - ticket? so, i was at uni when i found out, and my dad was - ticket? so, i was at uni when i - found out, and my dad was searching, he refreshed the uefa website, and

suddenly two tickets appeared for the final, regret them up as soon as possible, because it�*s a once—in—a—lifetime opportunity and we are really looking forward to the game today, honestly. i bet we are really looking forward to the game today, honestly.— we are really looking forward to the game today, honestly. i bet you did crab game today, honestly. i bet you did grab them. — game today, honestly. i bet you did grab them, because _ game today, honestly. i bet you did grab them, because they _ game today, honestly. i bet you did grab them, because they are - game today, honestly. i bet you did i grab them, because they are changing hands never thousands and thousands of fans. , . , ., hands never thousands and thousands offans. , ., , ., _ of fans. they are, yeah. obviously, we have seen _ of fans. they are, yeah. obviously, we have seen how _ of fans. they are, yeah. obviously, we have seen how much _ of fans. they are, yeah. obviously, we have seen how much people - of fans. they are, yeah. obviously, j we have seen how much people are offering for these tickets, but i said to so many people, like, you can�*t put a price on these tickets, it�*s a once—in—a—lifetime opportunity. an occasion like today, it is rare, so you have to take this opportunity is, and really looking forward to the game today. you are absolutely right, _ forward to the game today. you are absolutely right, well— forward to the game today. you are absolutely right, well said, - forward to the game today. you are absolutely right, well said, its - absolutely right, well said, its prices, a moment of sporting history. the seats, that you�*re pretty near the halfway line, aren�*t you? it will be a great view. pretty near the halfway line, aren't you? it will be a great view.- you? it will be a great view. yeah, so i hone. — you? it will be a great view. yeah, so i hone. busy. — you? it will be a great view. yeah, so i hope, busy, good _ you? it will be a great view. yeah, so i hope, busy, good seats, - so i hope, busy, good seats, hopefully enjoy the game even more, the both sides are very good. both sides have good defences, but we are rooting for england and we hope we can bring it home today! for

england. — can bring it home today! for england, home _ can bring it home today! for england, home advantage. the site are very well matched, as we were just discussing, but they do have home advantage. do you feel you have a part to play, just singing them to victory? a part to play, 'ust singing them to victo ? , . , ., , , victory? hundred percent. obviously we have got — victory? hundred percent. obviously we have got to _ victory? hundred percent. obviously we have got to take _ victory? hundred percent. obviously we have got to take these _ victory? hundred percent. obviously we have got to take these chances, l we have got to take these chances, like being at wembley for the first time since 96, got to take it in our stride. we saw against denmark how much impact the crowd has, we are like a 12 man, we want to make a very special occasion today. it�*s very special occasion today. it's stran . e, very special occasion today. it's strange. isn't — very special occasion today. it's strange, isn't it? we are so used to strange, isn�*t it? we are so used to having empty stadium throughout the pandemic, and son we had this amazing atmosphere we have been saying the last few games of the euro. . �* , saying the last few games of the euro. . �*, ,., saying the last few games of the euro. . h , , , euro. yeah, it's insane. this is my first game — euro. yeah, it's insane. this is my first game since _ euro. yeah, it's insane. this is my first game since crowds _ euro. yeah, it's insane. this is my first game since crowds have - euro. yeah, it's insane. this is myj first game since crowds have been allowed back in stadiums, sojust first game since crowds have been allowed back in stadiums, so just to see all these crowds together, is such a good feeling to be able to be part of it today is so special. with everyone there, singing, shouting, all these england songs, yeah, should be really good. you

all these england songs, yeah, should be really good.- all these england songs, yeah, should be really good. you are an arsenal fan. _ should be really good. you are an arsenal fan, aren't _ should be really good. you are an arsenalfan, aren't you? - should be really good. you are an arsenal fan, aren't you? you - should be really good. you are an arsenal fan, aren't you? you are| arsenalfan, aren�*t you? you are particularly keen on saka. you think you will start for england? i particularly keen on saka. you think you will start for england?— you will start for england? i think we have a very — you will start for england? i think we have a very pragmatic- you will start for england? i think i we have a very pragmatic manager, you will start for england? i think - we have a very pragmatic manager, so he should start today. without key players in recent games, because if you asked before the tournament he would be one player who would not get many minutes at all you would say saka, it�*sjust get many minutes at all you would say saka, it�*s just ironic that his being one of england�*s most important players in recent games. it's important players in recent games. it�*s great to see, very proud as an arsenalfan. it's great to see, very proud as an arsenal fan-— arsenal fan. predictions are meaningless, _ arsenal fan. predictions are meaningless, but _ arsenal fan. predictions are i meaningless, but nevertheless arsenal fan. predictions are - meaningless, but nevertheless i will ask if your score prediction! will it be an win? at}! ask if your score prediction! will it be an win?— ask if your score prediction! will it be an win? of course, but i still think, a total _ it be an win? of course, but i still think, a total of _ it be an win? of course, but i still think, a total of the _ it be an win? of course, but i still think, a total of the people, - it be an win? of course, but i still think, a total of the people, i- think, a total of the people, i think, a total of the people, i think it will be 1—1 going to penalties. d0 think it will be 1-1 going to penalties-— think it will be 1-1 going to enalties. ~ penalties. do you like watching penalties? _ penalties. do you like watching penalties? no, _ penalties. do you like watching penalties? no, my— penalties. do you like watching penalties? no, my heart- penalties. do you like watching penalties? no, my heart drops| penalties. do you like watching - penalties? no, my heart drops every time. i penalties? no, my heart drops every time- i think — penalties? no, my heart drops every time. i think they _ penalties? no, my heart drops every time. i think they will _ penalties? no, my heart drops every time. i think they will come -

penalties? no, my heart drops every time. i think they will come through | time. i think they will come through today. time. i think they will come through toda . ., time. i think they will come through toda. ., ., ~ time. i think they will come through toda. ., ., ,, ., today. good to talk to, good luck, really enjoy _ today. good to talk to, good luck, really enjoy the — today. good to talk to, good luck, really enjoy the game. _ england�*s women have had a much more recent experience in getting to the final of a major tournament — they did it at the 2009 euros — led by the then captain faye white, shejoins me now. thank you very much for being with us. have you got any tips for the team tonight in terms of their nerves, for one thing, on a big final like this? how do they keep themselves calm?— themselves calm? yeah, well, actuall , themselves calm? yeah, well, actually. i _ themselves calm? yeah, well, actually, ifeel_ themselves calm? yeah, well, actually, i feel like _ themselves calm? yeah, well, actually, i feel like i've - themselves calm? yeah, well, actually, i feel like i've woken | themselves calm? yeah, well, i actually, i feel like i've woken up actually, ifeel like i�*ve woken up like i was a player with nerves and the excitement ahead of a big game today! but when you are approaching a final, yes, it�*s recognition that you�*re going to be playing in a final so that you get that extra adrenaline, obviously, but then you need to entertain and prepare like you would normally for any other game just to keep those nerves so that you are playing the game rather

than the occasion, and having seen hurricane say in a few interviews that he is trying to prepare mentally like it is another big game —— seen harry kane saying a few interviews, but yeah it�*s a hard one to balance. as a player, you have superstitions, you want to keep maintaining them, not allow the big occasion of this type of final. when they drive up to a wembley, when they drive up to a wembley, when they see the atmosphere, you know it�*s going to be a very special time for them, and i�*m it�*s going to be a very special time forthem, and i�*m sure it�*s going to be a very special time for them, and i�*m sure those nerves will be kicking in, but equally, they are professionals, and some of them have played on some big games recently, champions league etc, so i�*m sure they will be able to handle it. in i'm sure they will be able to handle it. , ., �* , �* , it. in the past, england's men's teams has _ it. in the past, england's men's teams has seemed _ it. in the past, england's men's teams has seemed to _ it. in the past, england's men's teams has seemed to crumble l it. in the past, england's men's - teams has seemed to crumble rather psychologically in big games, the fear factor has crept in, but this team does seem different. they look like gareth southgate has got them enjoying their football playing much

more without fear.— more without fear. yeah, i think it is all run more without fear. yeah, i think it is all gun to _ more without fear. yeah, i think it is all gun to gareth _ more without fear. yeah, i think it is all gun to gareth southgate, - is all gun to gareth southgate, personally, and to harry kane, but certainly gareth southgate has mentioned in lots of interviews, he is told these players, it�*s not your past, all you can do is change the future of your careers and what is later here for you, then that�*s a very important message to the dream act these young players, not to feel the burden of what happened before. it is not on their shoulders, really, and it has shown in some of the games, how composed they have managed to keep the ball, certainly in that last bit of extra time against denmark when they realise that actually there is only ten players on the pitch, not 11, that they started to just keep the ball them to control the game, and they could have done that with the germans, as well, you would have thought with any game you would feel the pressure of getting that result, and they can win the game and close out. ~ ., , , .,

and they can win the game and close out. ~ . , , ., , and they can win the game and close out. . , ., out. what is your expert analysis? it ital out. what is your expert analysis? it ltaly are — out. what is your expert analysis? it ltaly are very — out. what is your expert analysis? it italy are very accomplished - out. what is your expert analysis? | it italy are very accomplished side, they have got some fantastic players and a fantastic defence, it has to be said. although, perhaps a little bit ageing. how do you see the game? that will be a key battle, chiellini, harry kane can deal with them, and they had the experience of play, and yes they are older, so you wonder whether gareth southgate will look to put a bit of pace down the wings like he has been to try and pull defence apart, but they have a very frightening in attack, the intensity of the numbers that they get forward, the italians, some of the goals they have scored have been coming from all over the pitch, so there is no one key player up front, or three of them across the front, we�*ve seen great goals from their midfielders, and be interesting to

see the first 20 minutes of the game who attacks the game, and had they set about each other. it who attacks the game, and had they set about each other.— set about each other. it will be incredibly _ set about each other. it will be incredibly absorbing, - set about each other. it will be incredibly absorbing, and - set about each other. it will be | incredibly absorbing, and nerve jangling, i have to say, as well. thank you so much being with us, the game. to haiti now. the widow of the country�*s assassinated president has accused his political enemies of hiring mercenaries to kill him, in order to stop a plan to introduce constitutional reform and better living conditions. she urged the people of haiti to continue fighting — and promised to be by their side. the killing has thrown the country into deepening political turmoil — with haiti asking both the un and the us to send military support. rich preston reports. four days after the assassination of the president, there is still a deep sense of anxiety and confusion in haiti. ., , ., , .,,

haiti. for three years, there has been insecurity. _ haiti. for three years, there has been insecurity. the _ haiti. for three years, there has been insecurity. the police - haiti. for three years, there has been insecurity. the police has. haiti. for three years, there has - been insecurity. the police has done nothing. they are not working for the people, otherwise they would not be so many deaths. haiti the people, otherwise they would not be so many deaths.— be so many deaths. haiti is the oorest be so many deaths. haiti is the poorest country _ be so many deaths. haiti is the poorest country in _ be so many deaths. haiti is the poorest country in the - be so many deaths. haiti is the i poorest country in the americas. be so many deaths. haiti is the - poorest country in the americas. the presidents wife says she was trying to exchange the constitution to protect the people. translation: iii protect the people. translation: , ~ ., ., , translation: in the blink of an eye, the mercenaries _ translation: in the blink of an eye, the mercenaries entered _ translation: in the blink of an eye, the mercenaries entered my - translation: in the blink of an eye, the mercenaries entered my home i translation: in the blink of an eye, l the mercenaries entered my home and riddled my husband with bullets. we cannot let his blood be spilt in vain. , , ., cannot let his blood be spilt in vain. ,, .. , cannot let his blood be spilt in vain. , .. , ,, vain. his proposed changes, speaking to the news. — vain. his proposed changes, speaking to the news, the _ vain. his proposed changes, speaking to the news, the minister _ vain. his proposed changes, speaking to the news, the minister said - vain. his proposed changes, speaking to the news, the minister said the i to the news, the minister said the president had been focusing on two main areas. president had been focusing on two main areas-— main areas. one was to effectively chance main areas. one was to effectively change the — main areas. one was to effectively change the constitution, _ main areas. one was to effectively change the constitution, because i main areas. one was to effectively i change the constitution, because the constitution is bringing a lot of instability. the second was to fight

against corruption, particularly those in government, and the energy sector, construction, other big areas. the haitian government says 28 foreign mercenaries were involved in the attack and that most of them have been arrested or killed. the plan was to assassinate the president, then the people would get in the street, and other mercenaries may have been in the country to destroy key infrastructure. the future of the _ destroy key infrastructure. the future of the country is in the balance, with several people in claims to be the rightful people to lead the country. for now, they�*re asking for calm the streets. haiti would need _ asking for calm the streets. haiti would need some _ asking for calm the streets. haiti would need some kind _ asking for calm the streets. fis; it would need some kind of assistance for the police to be able to help stabilise the country for the

security of the elections that will be coming in september the 26. whether that will come is unclear. rich preston, bbc news. parts of the united states are braced for more record—breaking temperatures — having already endured the hottest june on record. death valley in california hit a high of 54.1; degrees celsius on friday — reportedly the highest temperature ever recorded on earth. forecasters are warning that most of the state — as well as nearby nevada — will remain dangerously hot, fuelling fears of more wildfires. there�*s a warning that the number of people on nhs hospital waiting lists in england could reach 13 million in the coming months. that�*s according to the british health secretary. there are currently 5.3 million people waiting for treatment but health officials have warned the situation could get worse. sajid javid has promised to make tackling the backlog a priority — and says england remains on course to fully re—open a week tomorrow.

our political correspondent jonathan blake is here. jonathan, this is pretty alarming, isn�*t it? warnings of much longer waiting lists, people stuck in waiting lists, people stuck in waiting lists, people stuck in waiting list for longer. irate waiting lists, people stuck in waiting list for longer. we knew is bad, but it — waiting list for longer. we knew is bad, but it looks _ waiting list for longer. we knew is bad, but it looks like _ waiting list for longer. we knew is bad, but it looks like it _ waiting list for longer. we knew is bad, but it looks like it will- waiting list for longer. we knew is bad, but it looks like it will be i bad, but it looks like it will be worse. sajid javid says he is shocked and conversations with officials recently when they describe the already worryingly high waiting list figures, nearly 5.5 million at the moment in england, focus to become perhaps in the region of 13 million later on this year, and the reasons for that of course are partly due to the pandemic, people stayed away from hospitals, the health secretary says it is either through fear of catching coronavirus, or because they didn�*t want to overwhelm the health service, but that is potentially counter—productive, of course, because it is created this huge backlog of operations and other procedures and treatment which people are due to health, and health

secretary talked about this now being his absolute priority to deal with that. as to what he can do about it, well, he�*s waited for nhs patients to be treated privately, virtual appointments with gps and other health professionals where possible, because that is not always appropriate, how far that will be able to make a dent in that huge backlog we will have to see. meanwhile, england due to have remaining coded restrictions lifted on july 19, remaining coded restrictions lifted onjuly19, and indications that will go ahead. on july 19, and indications that will go ahead.— on july 19, and indications that will go ahead. yes, doesn't that there is any _ will go ahead. yes, doesn't that there is any real _ will go ahead. yes, doesn't that there is any real doubt - will go ahead. yes, doesn't that there is any real doubt that i will go ahead. yes, doesn't that there is any real doubt that the | there is any real doubt that the prime minister will confirm tomorrow that the 19th ofjuly, delayed from the original dates when they were hoping to remove all legal restrictions, will go ahead. sajid javid has said he was confident that will happen, but there�*s still some debate about what the guidance will be, particularly around wearing masks after all legal restrictions are lifted. there will be nothing

that forces people to do so, but i think we are likely to see some guidance in that area, and certainly the health secretary sajid javid is making it clear people should be doing that. still, afterjuly19, in enclosed spaces. face coverings will still be mandatory in wales — in certain circumstances — even after covid restrictions are relaxed in england. welsh ministers will decide this week whether to lower the alert level to zero. but they say masks will still be required by law on public transport and in health and social care settings, for as long as covid remains a threat. it is possible to catch two covid variants at the same time, experts are warning after seeing a double infection in a 90—year—old woman who became sick with the alpha and beta types first identified in the uk and south africa. the woman, who died in march 2021 in belgium, had not been vaccinated. her doctors suspect she contracted the infections from two different people.

they believe it is the first documented case of its kind and, although rare, similar dual infections are happening. sir richard branson is preparing to fly to the edge of space today. the businessman and his virgin galactic crew will take off from new mexico at around 2pm uk time. it comes just nine days before another high profile entrepreneur — the amazon founderjeff bezos — is planning his own space launch. tim allman has more. billionaire entrepreneurs heading into space are a bit like buses, you wait ages and then two come along almost at once. first up, sir richard branson and his unity rocket plane. taking off from a space port in new mexico, the virgin galactic crew should reach a height of 50 miles, or 80 kilometres, above the earth�*s surface. according to nasa that is where the atmosphere ends, so sir richard will officially

become an astronaut. i have always been a dreamer. my mum taught me to never give up and to reach for the stars. thisjuly, our dream will become a reality. and we�*re really excited to share that moment with you all. the virgin galactic programme stretches back nearly 20 years and has not always gone so smoothly. in 2014 a pilot was killed during a test flight over the mojave desert. this is only the beginning. soon enoutheff bezos will take off in his blue origin rocket. some critics say, this is simply the folly of rich man and question the logic of commercial space travel, when the sky are already full ofjunk, but for others, it is all about reaching for the stars. this is an attempt to regularise access to space. this is about getting economically achievable access to the industrialisation of space.

it is a really important flight. virgin galactic plan to start commercial services in 2022. they say they could be running 100 flights a year, 12 months later. for sir richard branson this is one small step fora billionaire, one giant leap for mankind. tim allman, bbc news. good luck to sir richard for his trip to space. it�*s going to take about 90 minutes, apparently, so he will in fact be back, if he wants to, to be back for the england— italy game. hello, there. with such a big sporting day ahead, what does the weather hold in store? it�*s not exactly a simple picture day, it�*s quite complicated. it�*s sunny spells and showers, low pressure sat to the south—west of us. it looks as if we�*ll see fewest showers in southern and eastern areas, some of the heaviest ones,

northern england and scotland, light winds mean they will be slow—moving, some torrential, thundery downpours, and then this is a more persistent band of rain moving in on the weather front to the south and west through the afternoon. now, in the sunshine, 22, 20 three celsius. that�*s possible at wimbledon for the final day of play. i�*d say, on balance, probably mostly dry, the odd light shower, but into the evening, this rain may arrive, if the play continues that late, so, it does look as if it�*s going to arrive in time for the football at wembley around about kick—off, it will be around through the match, and certainly for the players�* and fans�* journey home, because that rain, when it�*s set in, is with us through the evening overnight in southern areas, showery outbreaks of rain, some heavy rain, as well. any big showers in the north will tend to ease down overnight. we keep quite a bit of cloud, we pick up the mist and fog again as we have this morning. it�*s going to be quite a mild night for most of us. now, by tomorrow, that low pressure is set to the east of us inside of the south—west,

so, different distribution of the showers, more around southern and eastern areas circulating around that area of low pressure, but, equally, it�*s still low pressure, so there�*s going to be some sharp downpours further north and west, but, perhaps, here, some of the longer spells of sunshine. i think quite warm in the sunshine. now, the reason that we have got low pressure to the east of us is the jet stream has dived southwards, so that low pressure�*s developed across central parts of europe, it hangs around for much of the week, just drifting a bit further eastwards and allowing this ridge of high pressure, the azores high, to move in its place with some weak weather fronts in the north, but for tuesday, still the risk of a few lively downpours, particularly central and eastern areas close to that area of low pressure. wouldn�*t like to rule out some more persistent rain in southern and eastern areas, but when we get the length list spells of sunshine, that�*s where we will see temperatures slowly responding, creeping up a degree or so, i think, to go through the week with lengthier spells of sunshine and, on the whole, fewer showers.

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this is bbc news. the headlines... on the brink of history — england�*s footballers prepare to take on italy in tonight�*s final of euro 2020 — their biggest match in more than half a century. their resilience and experiences as a team have really prepared them well for this moment. the italians have not had to wait 55 years for a major final — but there�*s plenty of excitement there too, with fans gearing up for the big night. away from football, britain�*s health secretary warns that the number of people on nhs hospital waiting lists in england could reach 13 million in the coming months. the widow of haiti�*s assassinated president claims he was killed because of his drive for political reform.