this is bbc 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.— a team have really prepared them well for this moment. good morning from wembley _ well for this moment. good morning from wembley stadium _ well for this moment. good morning from wembley stadium where - well for this moment. good morning from wembley stadium where the i from wembley stadium where the countdown to kick off continues. 60,000 fans are expected in the stadium behind me, with tens of millions more watching around the country is all of england hopes for one more 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. the uk's vaccine minister says the high number of people having had theirjabs,

means the government is confident that plans to lift a range of covid restrictions will go ahead onjuly 19 in england. the fortification of the vaccination programme has allowed us to cautiously move to step forward in the pmo say more about this. 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, tough 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. olly 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. on 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. olly foster, bbc news, wembley. our sport correspondent austin halewood is at wembley way this morning. i until kick off, but i know there's

a few england fans already arriving. absolutely, yes, good morning from wembley way. just under ten hours to go until kick off, but plenty of england fans are starting to lie in the way for that final tonight. i was here in the early hours of the morning, it was me injust a was here in the early hours of the morning, it was me in just a few other people dotted around, few security guards, nothing more than that, but slowly the atmosphere has started to build, can see plenty of england fans, england's carrots, england fans, england's carrots, england flags and shirts lining the flanks 60,000 fans expecting to be here, they will go a golden ticket, we know there will be lining the street go racing the pictures of the other matches, it's packed out here, close to kick—off, and the likes of

sweet caroline and three lions will be sung, and for england it's a calmer and quieter day in preparation for them. they had a training session yesterday, travel to watford for their hotel which is closer to wembley last night, and gareth southgate said everything is done now, all the preparation is done, there is nothing more he can done, there is nothing more he can do for the team, so today is just about getting mentally prepared, getting their minds right and focused on, of course, this huge game against italy tonight. it is a name that game against italy tonight. it is a game that is _ game against italy tonight. it is a game that is too _ game against italy tonight. it is a game that is too close _ game against italy tonight. it is a game that is too close to - game against italy tonight. it is a game that is too close to call, . game against italy tonight. it is a i game that is too close to call, they are very well matched sides, but i suppose he home advantage could be crucial. as you say, i will be an incredible atmosphere. it was in the semifinal against denmark, and this is going to be even more thrilling. absolutely, it's such a special moment for england fans here, 55 years since they last won a major tournament, and 55 years and they were even in a majorfinal. it really is uncharted territory for a lot of england fans arriving at the

ground is today. the majority, because it is on turf here in london, are going to be england fans, there will be a few italians, but it will be the english you really dominate, the italian manager, roberto mancini, said it is not really too far on his side. he said he sorry there will not be more italian fans, but with covert restrictions not many can come over, and it is too close to call. everton fans what they think, and there is lots of nerves here, and lots of england fans, as you know, lots of nerves between them, not sure how to call it, both sides and brilliant form, england have only conceded one goal, but italy have this incredible international record, 33 matches, the italian team are undefeated, a wreck that stretches back about three years, so they really are is in good form right now. mil three years, so they really are is in good form right now. all right, thank ou in good form right now. all right, thank you very — in good form right now. all right, thank you very much _ in good form right now. all right, thank you very much indeed - in good form right now. all right, thank you very much indeed for l thank you very much indeed for giving us a taste of the pre—match

atmosphere. as austin is saying, ten hours to go, lots of fans starting to come to wembley. 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. but mancini, the italian manager. let's stay in rome and speak to italy fan marco arcelli. how do you see the game going this evening? it’s how do you see the game going this evenin: ? h ., how do you see the game going this evenin: ? �*, ., ., , , evening? it's going to be very tiuht, evening? it's going to be very

tight. but _ evening? it's going to be very tight, but certainly _ evening? it's going to be very tight, but certainly england i evening? it's going to be very i tight, but certainly england has home advantage. the hot i think the whole thing was built around that, the semifinal and final at wembley. how much would victory through italy mean? obviously england haven't won anything since 1966, but italy has. i mean, italy has been a major finals, it has won big tournaments, so would this mean as much to italy as it would for england? it so would this mean as much to italy as it would for england?— as it would for england? it would certainly be. _ as it would for england? it would certainly be, because _ as it would for england? it would certainly be, because it - as it would for england? it would certainly be, because it comes i as it would for england? it would j certainly be, because it comes at the end of almost a year and i have a very long restrictions on deprivation, you know, italy was one of the most effective countries, boast in terms of life counts and economic impacts, citing people are watching this and hoping for a new start. it’s watching this and hoping for a new start. �* , , ., . , start. it's been an incredible transformation _ start. it's been an incredible transformation under - start. it's been an incredible l transformation under roberto mancini, because italy didn't even qualify before, but now they are one of the best teams in the world.

yeah, you know, ithink this of the best teams in the world. yeah, you know, i think this is one of the best italy i've seen in decades. usually the italian game of playing defence and long ball and some will strike, now it's completely different. it's a bunch of young kids, young boys, who not from super—teams, and not very superstars, but they play together and you can real two really feel them and see the joy they have been playing together, so i think anything of this tournament, the best image is the hug between vialli and manzini. they are young kids, but they're also slightly older kids. the centre halves have a combined age of 70. as a potential weakness, do you think? no, i think they bring the experience, and keeping everybody motivated and playing the final, which is certainly a lot of pressure on the younger members. haifa certainly a lot of pressure on the younger members.—

certainly a lot of pressure on the younger members. certainly a lot of pressure on the ounuer members. ., ., ,, , younger members. how do you see the name younger members. how do you see the game going? — younger members. how do you see the game going? itoth _ younger members. how do you see the game going? both sides _ younger members. how do you see the game going? both sides are _ younger members. how do you see the game going? both sides are very - younger members. how do you see the game going? both sides are very good| game going? both sides are very good defences, very solid defences. it's going to be incredibly tight, isn't it? do you see are going to extra time? is it going to penalties? if it goes to extra time and penalties, i think we will all lose ten years of life! �* . ., ., ., of life! but it could do, i mean it's on the _ of life! but it could do, i mean it's on the cards. _ of life! but it could do, i mean it's on the cards. they - of life! but it could do, i mean it's on the cards. they are - of life! but it could do, i mean it's on the cards. they are so i it's on the cards. they are so closely matched, aren't they? yeah, i think closely matched, aren't they? yeah, i think they — closely matched, aren't they? yeah, i think they both _ closely matched, aren't they? yeah, i think they both play _ closely matched, aren't they? yeah, i think they both play with _ closely matched, aren't they? yeah, i think they both play with a - closely matched, aren't they? yeah, i think they both play with a lot - closely matched, aren't they? yeah, i think they both play with a lot of. i think they both play with a lot of humility, they play with a lot of passes. i think it's going to be a good game to watch them anyway, no matter how it goes. maybe not a lot of goals, but it would be really fun to watch. �* ., ., ., to watch. and the tournament, have ou to watch. and the tournament, have you enjoyed — to watch. and the tournament, have you enjoyed the _ to watch. and the tournament, have you enjoyed the tournament - to watch. and the tournament, have you enjoyed the tournament as - to watch. and the tournament, have you enjoyed the tournament as a - you enjoyed the tournament as a whole? i you enjoyed the tournament as a whole? ., ~' ~' whole? i love it. ithinki like this formula _ whole? i love it. ithinki like this formula is _ whole? i love it. ithinki like this formula is spreading - whole? i love it. ithinki like - this formula is spreading throughout many countries, i think it gave a strong message of one europe, which we needed, this friendship and

giving a glimpse too many people, more people of the reopening, so i think it's something potentially to replicate. think it's something potentially to relicate. �* ., think it's something potentially to relicate. �* . replicate. and a quick score prediction? _ replicate. and a quick score prediction? no _ replicate. and a quick score prediction? no score - replicate. and a quick score - prediction? no score prediction. encland prediction? no score prediction. england is _ prediction? no score prediction. england is advantage. _ prediction? no score prediction. england is advantage. we - prediction? no score prediction. england is advantage. we are i prediction? no score prediction. l england is advantage. we are very superstitious here, if i say anything and it doesn't go that way, then tomorrow i have 60 million italians at my door! we wouldn't want that- _ italians at my door! we wouldn't want that. thank _ italians at my door! we wouldn't want that. thank you _ italians at my door! we wouldn't want that. thank you so - italians at my door! we wouldn't want that. thank you so much i italians at my door! we wouldn'tl want that. thank you so much for talking to us. enjoy the game, whatever happens. you're watching bbc news. let's take a look at some of the other big stories around the world. 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. translation: for three years, there has been insecurity. - the police have done nothing. they are not working for the people, otherwise there would not be so many deaths. haiti is the poorest country in the americas. the first lady says her husband planned to change the constitution to improve the lives of ordinary people. speaking in creole, she described wednesday's attack. translation: in the blink of an eye, the mercenaries entered my home i and riddled my husband with bullets, without even giving him a chance to say a word. we cannot let the country lose its way, we cannot let his blood have been spilled in vain. his proposed constitutional changes made him enemies. many said he just wanted to extend his time in office. but, speaking to bbc world news, haiti's collection minister said mr moise had been focusing his efforts on two main areas. one was to effectively

change the constitution, because the constitution is bringing a lot of instability. the second was to fight against corruption, particularly those in government, the energy sector, construction, and 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. we think the plan was to assassinate the president, then the people would be out in the street, and other mercenaries may have been in the country to destroy key infrastructure. the political future of the country is less clear by the day with two potential prime ministers and newly nominated president or laying claims to be the rightful leader of the country. for now, they're asking for calm the streets. haiti 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 26th. 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. a look at our latest news headlines. on the brink of history — england's footballers prepare to take on italy in tonight's final

of euro 2020 — their biggest match 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. tomorrow the british prime minister borisjohnson is expected to announce whether the final easing of restrictions in england will go ahead on monday 19th july. politicians have been touring the tv studios ahead of the announcement. our political correspondent jonathan blake is here. are the indications that they are going to go ahead withjuly uniting? yes, they've been signalling pretty clearly that there is no doubt in their minds that england is in a position to lift all legal restrictions, or remaining exo restrictions, or remaining exo restrictions have been in place since the beginning of the year,

step four on the government's road map, onjuly the 19th. it was delayed from june the 21st, but now the vaccine roll—out programme is going, and many adults have had theirfirst of twojobs, going, and many adults have had their first of two jobs, they can proceed, but that's not without a degree of caution, as we heard from the vaccine minister, nadeem zahawi. the fortification of the vaccination programme has allowed us to cautiously move to step four, and the pm _ cautiously move to step four, and the pm will say more about this. weti— the pm will say more about this. we'll be — the pm will say more about this. we'll be very clear on things like mask_ we'll be very clear on things like mask wearing, there's an expectation of people _ mask wearing, there's an expectation of people to _ mask wearing, there's an expectation of people to wear masks indoors, in crowded _ of people to wear masks indoors, in crowded places, there is a personal responsibility and a corporate responsibility. so rather than government by tiktak, we move to

four cautiously, and, so, you are going _ four cautiously, and, so, you are going from — four cautiously, and, so, you are going from must to please? no, going from must _ going from must to please? no, going from must to you are expected to wear— from must to you are expected to wear them — from must to you are expected to wear them and from must to you are expected to wearthem and trains from must to you are expected to wear them and trains and elsewhere, that that _ wear them and trains and elsewhere, that that will help the whole country _ that that will help the whole count . . , that that will help the whole count . ., , ., .,_ ., country. that is notably more cautious language _ country. that is notably more cautious language than - country. that is notably more - cautious language than ministers have actually been using up until quite recently. he said be taking his mascot as soon as it is legally possible to do so, and i would be no going back from the lifting of restrictions, and although the government is not legally risk acquired to do anything to legally require masks in any situation, they are saying that people will be expected to wear them in crowded places, and on crowded which is a bit of a shift, there is a debate on

whether the legal restriction should be going. labour have said the government should not be taking away everything all at once and should keepin everything all at once and should keep in place some guidance and perhaps even some legal requirements as the shadow education secretary kate green outlined this morning. removing mandatory mask wearing in public places, we think, is a mistake. we think more could be done to make sure the public spaces are properly ventilated and, of course, as we have said all the way through this crisis, people who do need to go home to self—isolate need, if they are on low incomes, to be financially supported to do that. so, to make this unlocking work safely, or as safely as it possibly can, the government should be doing more to keep mitigations in place, and i'm afraid it doesn't seem to be doing that. so, labour calling for the government too, as you heard there, keep some mitigations in place, keeps a put in place and provide further support for people who are forced to self—isolate, and the nhs test and trace out and people getting contacted by testing trace remains an issue, without being

tweaked to make it less sensitive, so perhaps few people will be told to isolate, may have purchased this weekend about the nhs perhaps been given an exemption from that, as the situation emerges where so many people are being forced to, or told to stay at home, require to isolate, that employers in many different workplaces are finding it very difficult to open and to operate. so, the remaining step on the road map going ahead onjuly 19, so, the remaining step on the road map going ahead onjuly19, that will be confirmed tomorrow by the prime minister, but still some uncertainty ahead. mil prime minister, but still some uncertainty ahead.— thank very much. 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. 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. let's get more on the euro 2020 final at wembley this evening between england and italy. our correspondent lucy williamson is in rome. we were just talking to an italian fan in rome who is saying how excited he is for the game, but fearing that england have home advantage. what's the sense, there, what is the mood of anticipation? well, it's funny, i've been talking to a few people around the piazza here, and almost nobody tells me that italy is going to win, they say they hope that italy will win, they say how strong england days. it's on in the last ten minutes or so that i got someone to tell what is actually going on, and they said, look, we are italian, we are really superstitious, there's no way we're

going to say italy will win tonight, but secretly we kind of thing well. that looks like a fans own their own rome, and i guess the entire nation, as england will be, is going to be glued to tv tonight.— as england will be, is going to be glued to tv tonight. absolutely. the fans have already _ glued to tv tonight. absolutely. the fans have already begun _ glued to tv tonight. absolutely. the fans have already begun arriving - glued to tv tonight. absolutely. the fans have already begun arriving onl fans have already begun arriving on the fans own. you can hear the band behind me, they've been playing since about ten o'clock this morning. this is going to be electric tonight. there is a lot invested in this game. italy also has something to prove, having failed to qualify for the world cup in 2018, and i think people will be glued to their television screens because the italian government has restricted the number of big screens that growing up around the country. there are just two of them here in rome, and they are strictly restricting the numbers, because they are worried that this tournament could turn into a story if they are not careful. they are a bit worried about public spaces like this one. i bit worried about public spaces like this one. , ,,.,, bit worried about public spaces like

thisone. , , ., this one. i suppose italy's performance _ this one. i suppose italy's performance in _ this one. i suppose italy's performance in this - this one. i suppose italy's - performance in this tournament, this one. i suppose italy's _ performance in this tournament, like england's has been a real boost in a fillip for the country, because they've gone through such a nightmare in the pandemic. yeah, that's right. _ nightmare in the pandemic. yeah, that's right, and _ nightmare in the pandemic. yeah, that's right, and i _ nightmare in the pandemic. yeah, that's right, and i think— nightmare in the pandemic. yeah, that's right, and i think also - nightmare in the pandemic. yeah, that's right, and i think also you i that's right, and i think also you have got to adjust how personal this much is. these are two big footballing countries, you know, both of them see themselves as the home of football, and when you look at the newspapers here, you look at social media, this game is being presented as anything from a match between catholics and anglicans to people who have left the eu trying to take home the trophy.— people who have left the eu trying to take home the trophy. thank you ve much to take home the trophy. thank you very much indeed _ to take home the trophy. thank you very much indeed and _ to take home the trophy. thank you very much indeed and enjoy - to take home the trophy. thank you very much indeed and enjoy the - to take home the trophy. thank you i very much indeed and enjoy the game. 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 richard branson. if it were me, i would have chosen a different day, because it is of course the final of the euro is tonight. but it is only a 90 minute

journey, so he will be back in time to watch the game if he wants to. hello. the forecast for the rest of the day is one of sunny spells and showers. fewer showers in southern and eastern areas, so, for the final day's play at wimbledon, on balance, mostly dry, but there are showers around, and there will be pretty heavy further north, with some thunder, torrential downpours, because the winds are light, they are slow moving, and then this is looming large for a wetter end to the day across parts of wales and south—west england. but, in the sunshine, feeling pleasant enough and warm with light winds, but this is on the move come this evening, so, it does look at the moment as if it's going to arrive around kick—off time for the euro finals, and certainly some rain around later in the evening for the fans making their way home. it looks quite wet, actually, across southern areas through the evening and overnight. any heavy thunderstorms further north tending to fizzle out, but they will develop,

again, through the day tomorrow. a little bit of mist and fog first then, as well. in the sunshine, there will be fewer showers in the north and west, away from low pressure it will still feel warm. as ever, there's plenty more on the website.

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. the uk's vaccine minister says the high number of people having had theirjabs means the government is confident that plans to lift a range of covid restrictions will go ahead onjuly 19th in england.

the fortification of the vaccination programme has allowed us to cautiously move to step four, and the pm will say more about this. 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. now on bbc news, broadcaster ben zand and four men from the world of sport and social media come together to discuss all the things we find hard to talk about but should, in man up. for me, i find it impossible to cry. like, i cover my emotions with laughter, joking around, being a fool. even when you are by yourself? ifind it so hard, i can't appear to be weak. so what's it like being a man?

mental health isn't always the easiest thing to talk about. but we also have a lot of feelings so we probably should. we've got five men in a room to do just that. this is man up. the first thing i want to talk about is masculinity. i've got quite an interesting stat here. it's that 36 of men alter their personality to appear more masculine. do you guys feel like you are currently altering your personality to be more manly? it depends on the situation, i think. sometimes when you are around a big group of boys, suddenly it's like you feel a bit more bouncy, you are a bit more like, yes, geez, what's happening? when really if you're around your pals you can tone it down a little bit. why do you think that is? i think there is a pride thing, whether it be in friendships or relationships, pride is a big issue. don't mug me off, don't make me feel small, it is a respect thing.

i think it could be a defence mechanism depending