and — the return of zlatan!o ibrahimovic is back in the national side, at the age of 39. hello and welcome to sportsday. we start the programme at the cheltenham festival. one of the blue riband events of the jump racing season, but with a difference this year. no famous cheltenham roar with the festival taking place behind closed doors. and what a day of racing the crowds would have enjoyed, as our senior sports news correspondent laura scott can tell us. laura. the sun was shining all afternoon _ laura. the sun was shining all afternoon at _ laura. the sun was shining all afternoon at cheltenham - laura. the sun was shining all afternoon at cheltenham andl laura. the sun was shining all. afternoon at cheltenham and you laura. the sun was shining all- afternoon at cheltenham and you get the sense that with the performances we have seen on the track and the weather, it would been one of those days the fans really would have savoured but they are not here, the festival being held behind closed doors for the first

and zlatan ibrahimovic has trained with sweden's national team for the first time since coming out of and former manchester united striker last featured for his country in 2016. sweden face georgia in a world cup qualifier on thursday. the focus may be on tokyo and the delayed summer olympics this year, but we are only 11 months away from the start of the winter games in beijing. great britain has had a fantastic return from the last two, bringing back ten medals from sochi and pyongchang, and kirsty muir is looking to do her bit next february. the 16—year—old hasjust won herfirst world cup medal, slopestyle silver in aspen over the weekend, and i spoke to her earlier. i was really happy to come away with a world cup metal. going into the competition, i didn't have any expectations. i was having so much fun in america, skiing. ijust went in, had a great time, and came out witha in, had a great time, and came out with a metal. so i was really happy with a metal. so i was really happy with how i skied to. with a metal. so i was really happy with howl skied to.— with howl skied to. going

the italian's minus the injured zlatan ibrahimovic saw united go in front at old trafford through a wellthe club. but in the second minute of stoppage time the visitors picked up a vital away goal, the second leg will be at the san siro next thursday. a goal in each half from harry kane was enough for tottenham to secure a 2—0 win at home to dinamo zagreb, his first a gift. the england skipper grabbing a second with 20 minutes remaining to hand jose mourinho's side a cushion for the second leg in croatia. arsenal let slip an advantage but two goals in the final quarter of an hour including this mohammad elneny thunderbolt secured a 3—1 win over 0lympiacos in greece. rangers had to come from behind to earn a draw at slavia prague. nicolai stanciu smashed home the opening goal for the czech side with just six minutes gone. it took half an hour for the new scottish champions to draw level through filip helander picking up an away goal ahead of the return leg at ibrox. manchester city have joined chelsea in the quarter finals of the women's champions league after thrashing fiorentina 5—0, fo

back in a sweden shirt nearly 5 years after his international retirement and zlatan abraham of h. was immediately on song at least during the national anthems as he sang along to sweden's for the very 1st time in his long career almost felt exactly like the 1st match i played for the national team i had butterflies in the stomach i was excited i was motivated i carried all. this seemed a more mellow slaton in the swedish blue and yellow fully embracing the national colors after having once been less than at home despite and maybe because of his giant talent which came to the forefront again to give the home side the breakthrough against a difficult georgia team the chest down and flick to victor clawson showing what sweden has missed the man who will be 40 in october but didn't see as much of the ball is he would have liked against opponents 69 places below sweden as georgia pushed for and almost got an equaliser but they couldn't spoil his return one nil and 3 points in the bag and another moment stored away for a highlights real i mean i just filter to those movement the interes

lot of balls in the box a finger when the games for us with the world cup less than 2 years away zlatan abraham of it is not yet ready to leave football behind. a year since the tokyo olympics were delayed by the pandemic the torch relay is finally set to restart the olympic flame began its journey of the beginning of last march at mount olympus in greece the torch arrived in japan a week later flamma since being kept right and will now travel through those nations starting near the nuclear disaster site of fukushima around $10000.00 will be involved in the games begin in july. coming up next news asia india raises the alarm over a new double newtons variant also coronavirus while case counts rise. other top u.n. human rights gets the green light green light to investigate alleged war crimes in sri lanka. and all those stories a lot more coming up next on news asia with us fallacy this is live from berlin we'll have an update for you at the top of the. hour. people in trucks injured when trying to flee the city center and more refugees are being turned away on the more families plane bo

zlatan ibrahimovic is calling his return to international football for the first time in five years,the return of the god two that 39-year-old stryker place for milan and has been included in sweden's squad for two upcoming world cup qualifiers. he scored 62 goals for 116 games in sweden. if he plays, he will become the national team's oldest player -- as well as a god. . after a short break, i will be back to take you through the day. . stick around. we will be right back. >> it is 9:00 p.m. in paris. these are the headlines. europe's medicines watchdog says it will release the findings into reports of severe side effects from the astrazeneca vaccine. that report will, later this week. for decades is the start of the syrian conflict we take you to meet some of the millions of people who have been displaced and who have started over in a new country. an archaeologist and israel discovered dozens of fragments of biblical text in a cave. they are thought to be 2000 years old. ♪

can you count on the fingers of one hand for most people that's probably one not one is probably zlatan you have to really go back to maybe the seventy's and eighty's tennis player you're on board to find any swede who really has his stature and even then zlatan is is probably. i mean everyone here recognizes he's by far and away the best player to ever pull off a swede and he has their record score and individually brilliant player he lit up this stadium back in 22 over the famous spectacular goal against england in 2012 and you can't ignore him off the pitch either love him or hate him he's an incredibly engaging character so him being back to sweden is really huge internationally he's probably recognised as the greatest player of his generation behind the enormously and christiane aldo neither of whom and i don't generally buy that 1st name you did say there that some love him some hate him he's not really popular with everyone is the. well it's always been a bit of a 'd 'd love hate relationship between slots and abraham which. swedes on the swedish team in general over the years. b

says he's ready to have one last shot at the world cup 5 years after quitting international football zlatan ybor him at the edge is back in this way to. begin this hour with the on going debate over astra zeneca has covered 19 vaccine the european medicines agency says there's still no indication the job causes blood clots and it's firmly convinced its benefits outweigh any risks 19 countries of now temporarily suspended their use of the vaccine because of reports of clots in a small number of people who received it the regulator is investigating this report to see if there's any link between the vaccine and the crossing it says the results will be released on thursday. well the astra zeneca vaccine is the most widely used of all the available jobs $74.00 countries a using it with somalia the latest to start is also one of the cheapest that just a few dollars a shot astra zeneca says it's had reports of just 37 patients suffering clots out of more than 17000000 people who've received it in the u.k. and the e.u. that's a much lower instance of clots than the roughly one to 2 people per 1000

at 39—years—old zlatan ibrahimovic has been called up to the swedish national team, five years after2 goals in 116 for his country before quitting after the team's exit from euro 2016 at the group stage. but his form for ac milan in italy moved opened the door for his return, the striker responding to the news from the swedish fa on social media by saying the return of the god. england's women will play two friendies next month, to be shown live on bbc four. they'll face the world's third—ranked side france in caen on the 9th, before taking on canada four days later at stoke city's bet365 stadium. the lionesses have played only once in the past 12 months a 6—0 win over northern ireland, in hege riise's first match in charge. badminton player gabby adcock has been forced to miss the up—coming all—england championships because she's suffering from long covid. she fell ill at christmas but described the effects as "horrendous". she and her husband chris have won two commonweath gold and european championship titles and they're missing what is a big event in the build—up to the tokyo oly

de gea are also expected to be missing for the early kick—off against ac milan who will be without zlatanturn visit to his old club. man united meeting ac milan, that sounds champions league like. i have the ultimate admiration for ac milan for many many years. they have got tradition, history, quality, absolute class act. they have rebuilt again and now really challenging at the top and it is nice to see them back out there. silverstone has been earmarked as on of three tracks ready to stage one of the first sprint races this season, as changes to the traditional run—up to grand prix are trialled. the second practice session on fridays is likely to be replaced by qualifying for the shortened race the following day, which will last about half an hour and will decide grid positions for the grand prix on sunday. the idea is to make race weekends less predictable and increase the sport's fan base. fi teams are broadly in support of the new format. that's all the sport for now. you can find more on all those stories on the bbc sport website. that's it from me. thank you very much. good aftern

the italians, minus the injured zlatan ibrahimovic, saw united go in front at old trafford through anute of stoppage time, the visitors picked up a vital away goal. the second leg will be at the san siro next thursday. of course we know we have to travel down there and score a goal and win the game so, or score two and draw so of course it makes it more difficult, always when you conceded home you never happy when you do. of course one minute before full—time it is also a disappointing time but we have to take that on the chin. and just travel down there next week and go for it. two late goals including a mohamed elneny thunderbolt from outside the box gave arsenal a 3—1win over 0lympiacos, while tottenham saw harry kane score both in their 2—0 home win over dinamo zagreb. manchester city are through to the quarter—finals of the women's champions league after thrashing fiorentina 5—0 for an 8—0 aggregate victory. england striker ellen white, who was captain for the game, struck twice in the first half in italy. caroline weir added one from the penalty spot and sam mewis scored twice

zlatan ibrahimovic was the player finding that goodbye is the hardest thing to do at times, as he recountedtry since 2016 and returns for the upcoming world cup qualifiers. the second stage of the volta a catalunya heads out later in an individual time trial. andreas kron, the young dane, surprised the field by claiming his first senior win on monday ahead of the likes of chris froome and richard carapaz. kron was part of a small group of riders who broke away from the peloton with around ten kilometres to go in the stage in the mountains above calella, and managed to pip his rivals in the final sprint across the line. the lotto—soudal rider is four seconds ahead of lewis sanchez in the general classification. you can get all the latest on our website of course, but from me, and the rest of the team, that is your sports news for now. let's ta ke let's take you back to the 60s, and the beach boys singing about surfing usa, but they would never imagine how one surfer has taken the sport to another level. we report on california surfing with a twist. looking for a new hobby over lockdown? well

balls in the box i think there he can win the games for us with the world cup less than 2 years away zlatan abraham of age is not yet ready to leave football behind. it watching the news live from berlin there's more world news coming up at the top of the ah but next is my colleague christine window and d.-w. africa number you can download the d.w.p. is all visit d.w. dot com for more we're also on twitter and almost around at e.w.t.n. so follow us to keep up to date i've told me all logical that's what. people in trucks injured when trying to flee the city center more and more refugees are being turned away. only. to see. these. demonstrators. people leave extreme groups. killing 200 people. more than 300000000 people are seeking. you know it's hard because no one should have to sleep. make up your own morning. w. . need for minds. this is deemed to be news every count on the program today more and more women around the world are speaking out about the violence they have experienced at the hands of man we put the spotlight on that one woman shared her story with us activists in the country

zlatan ibrahomovic returns to international football with sweden at the grand age of 39.ng up the latest information about the virus and developing their views about what ministers should do. they were dealing with a new viral threat in real time. now with covid—19 deaths passing 125,000, there are questions about whether their advice was right and whether more lives could have been saved. 0ur science editor david shukman has been looking back. in the early days of the outbreak in wuhan, researchers all over the world were scrambling to understand the virus, and the government scientific advisory committee wasn't sure how serious it was. its first discussion even concluded that "sage is unable to say at this stage with whether it might be required to reconvene." the answer became clear soon after. it's important we all protect older people and those with existing health conditions from coronavirus. the first official message was to stay at home if you have symptoms. even if those symptoms are mild, you should all stay at home. back then, the strategy was to build up some

the italians, minus the injured zlatan ibrahimovic, saw united go in front at old trafford through a from harry kane was enough for tottenham to secure a 2—0 win at home to dinamo zagreb, his first a gift. the england skipper grabbing a second with 20 minutes remaining to hand jose mourinho's side a cushion for the second leg in croatia. arsenal let slip an advantage, but two goals in the final quarter of an hour, including this mohammad elneny thunderbolt, secured a 3—1 win over olympiacos in greece. rangers had to come from behind to earn a draw at slavia prague. nicolai stanciu smashed home the opening goal for the czech side with just six minutes gone. it took half an hour for the new scottish champions to draw level, though. filip helander picking up an away goal ahead of the return leg at ibrox. manchester city have joined chelsea in the quarterfinals of the women's champions league after thrashing fiorentina 5—0, for an 8—0 aggregate victory. england striker ellen white, who was captain for the game, struck twice in the first half in italy. caroline weir added one from the pen

the brit hume a bitch got ready for his return to international football in the best way possible zlatan opening the scoring for ac milan in their sorry game against fiorentina he is now on his way to play for sweden for the 1st time in 5 years this turned into quite a match with fear and tina recovering to go to one up frank robbery with their 2nd goal but milan then responded with 2 goals of their own to win it $32.00 and move within 6 points of leaders and in milan. even if his hopes of retaining the italian title are all but over they suffered a shock defeat against been a vento it was a bit of into his 1st win since early january even christiane over naldo couldn't inspire a comeback 10 points adrift of leaders and. will tokyo 2020 president psycho has she moto says everything is being done to ensure a safe torch relay in light of the ongoing pandemic the relay begins on thursday the torch itself arrived in japan about a year ago as part of the covert 19 precautions the organizers have also announced in the last week that overseas fans will not be allowed at the games which will sta

says he's ready to have one last shot at the world cup 5 years after quitting international football zlatan abraham of the edges back in the sweden team. the european medicines agency says it's firmly convinced the benefits of the astra zeneca shot outweigh the risks the agency commissioned an investigation into a few reports of blood clots and people have gotten the vaccine a number of countries have temporarily suspended their use of the product the e.u. review should conclude on thursday that the agency says there's no indication the vaccine is linked to blood caustic. dominic cain joins us now live from berlin dominic if the a.m.a. is convinced that the benefits outweigh the risks of the astra zeneca vaccine why are we seeing this pause that is the central question that has been posed in capital cities across europe both choose and in the build up to what has happened on tuesday the sense very much that is this a political decision that has motivated what has been posed to the e m a or are there serious health concerns we know that several different countries over the course of this wee

oh his gym of the sport thank you lauren is all time leading goalscorer zlatan abraham of it has made a winning return to the side on his comeback the striker haven't played for his country for 5 years but came out of retirement to try to help them reach the world cup and they began their qualifying campaign against georgia he started the match and provided the assist for a sweet ins goal in the one narrow win before that match with iceland germany's that year in his hofmann tested positive for corona virus and teammate loss of a host of the also have to go into isolation as he was deemed a close contact but it didn't seem to cause too much destruction of the 2014 champions who were turned up against ice and within 7 minutes they want it 3 nil in the end well here's what happened in some of the other matches at 2010 world cup when a space that could only draw one all at home and to greece it's a they are now unbeaten in 23 games after a 2 no when i have a northern ireland scotland came from behind twice a 2 year old school with austria and a comfortable 5 no in finland the san marino

on that to come of course on al jazeera but we're also going to have the sport for you in a moment zlatan is back to take you to stockholm for the sweetest return to international football. time for a look at your sport with jenna. thank you one of germany's at prior's has tested positive for corona virus just hours ahead of their opening world cup qualifying game the player you know hoffman is symptom free but has been put into isolation and officials have deemed for back house about as a close contact as things stand they came in to sort of against iceland does go ahead germany also face romania on sunday in north macedonia next week will also see as last night abraham of it back in a sweden shut for the 1st time in 5 years the striker you quit international football after year 816 has come out of retirement to try to help his country qualify for the world cup so the towns are sweden's top scorer with 62 goals and has been in good form with his club side ac milan and italy so he didn't host george on thursday and travel to kosovo on sunday to play in the national team is the biggest thi

the italian's minus the injured zlatan ibrahimovic saw united go in front at old trafford through a wellstoppage time the visitors picked up a vital away goal, the second leg will be at the san siro next thursday. rangers had to come from behind to earn a draw at slavia prague. nicolai stan—choo smashed home the opening goal for the czech side with just six minutes gone. it took half an hour for the new scottish champions to draw level through filip helander picking up a vital away goal ahead of the return leg at ibrox. four matches currently taking place. tottenham v dinamo zagreb. all the latest via the bbc sport website and on the app. manchester city have joined chelsea in the quarter finals of the women's champions league after thrashing fiorentina 5—0, for an 8—0 aggregate victory. england striker ellen white, who was captain for the game, struck twice in the first half in italy. caroline weir added one from the penalty spot and sam mewis scored twice in the second half to complete the win. the draws for the quarter and semifinals will be held in switzerland tomorrow. former master

at 39 years old, zlatan ibrahimovic is returning to the swedish manchester united women are set to playb. casey stoney�*s side will take advantage of a gap in the schedule at old trafford with the match moved from the leigh sports village. stoney called it a fantastic opportunity to showcase the women's game and a special moment in the history of her team. england pot segment and will play to friendly�*s next month to be shown live on bbc four, they will be against france before taking on canada four days later. the lionesses have played only once in the past 12 months, a 6—0 win over northern ireland with their new manager's first match in charge. we'll have more for you in sportsday at half past six. plenty more to come at half past six. thank you very much indeed. the vaccine at... several countries have suspended the roll—out of the job because of a small number of cases of blood clots which were reported after it was administered. the ema says it has seen no evidence that the vaccine does cause blood clots but it's experts are still reviewing the vaccine and their findings will be

gea are also expected to be missing for the early kick—off against ac milan, who will be without zlatanor england in their six nations match against france at twickenham on saturday. after six appearances on the bench, he replaces elliot daly in one of three changes to the side beaten by wales, with luke cowan—dickie starting at hooker and charlie ewels named in the second row. malins will line up alongside anthony watson and jonny may in the back three. really impressed since he has been in the _ really impressed since he has been in the squad. started in autumn. hes— in the squad. started in autumn. he's got— in the squad. started in autumn. he's got a — in the squad. started in autumn. he's got a good kick return game, he's he's got a good kick return game, has got _ he's got a good kick return game, has got a — he's got a good kick return game, he's got a good feeling for the game. — he's got a good feeling for the game, brings pace onto the ball and particularly — game, brings pace onto the ball and particularly playing against a team like france, which are the highest kicking _ li

at 39 years old, zlatan ibrahimovic has been called up to the swedish national team five years afteres and they�*re missing what is a big event in the build—up to the tokyo olympics. the bottom line is, i wasn�*t and am not ready to compete yet, and i don�*tjust want to not ready to compete yet, and i don�*t just want to step not ready to compete yet, and i don�*tjust want to step on court when i and not conditioned to win, and that is what i want, going into and that is what i want, going into a tournament, knowing that i can win. you just have to be patient with this virus. but i am just really grateful that i feel my health is definitely on the way up. british number one dan evans has been knocked out in the second round of the dubai championships. he lost in three sets to rising star aslan karatsev. evans is ranked 28th in the world, that�*s 14 places higher than the russian, who was a surprise semi—finalist at last month�*s australian open. that�*s all the sport for now. i�*ll have more for you in the next hour. exactly a year ago today, the pandemic forced theatres to bring dow