hello, this is bbc news. the headlines: more than 70 cases of the south african variant of covid are identified in the uk amid concerns the vaccine may be less effective against it. ministers say numbers are being closely monitored. we have an enhanced contact tracing to do everything we possibly can to stop them from spreading. the number of covid 19 cases in the united states passes 25 million with the death toll soaring to nearly 418,000. israel announces it will ban incoming flights from monday evening until the end ofjanuary in order to try and contain the spread of coronavirus. celebrations in china as 11 gold miners who d been trapped underground for two weeks are rescued. some enjoy the wintry conditions as snow and ice sweep across the uk but severe weather warnings are in place for many areas. now on bbc news it s time for sportsday. hello and welcome to sportsday i m gavin ramjaun. here s what s coming up on this evening s show. it s proving to be a thr
And for the first quarter final appearance for benfica since 2016 and the champions league. they beat ajax to get here. there will be helping the home cloud will help them tonight at the play to their strengths and they were talking yesterday in the press conference but for sure, liverpool strong favourites for this first leg tie and you can hear updates of the game from here on bbc news and the bbc sound app. let s stay with football, leah williamson will captain england s women at this summer s european championship. the arsenal defender has been leading the side in recent games, with steph haughton out injured, and manager sarina wiegman said she wanted to give the team continuity even though haughton could still make the squad the lionesses kick off their euros campaign against austria at old trafford on the 6th ofjuly. been lucky enough to play in the captain here, in the position we re in now, one of the best in the road and i think the legacy that she has
The side in recent games, with steph haughton out injured. manager sarina wiegman said she wants to give the team continuity, although haughton could still make the squad. the lionesses kick off their euros campaign against austria at old trafford on the 6th ofjuly. scotland s erin cuthbert has called for more stands at hampden park to be opened for their women s world cup qualifier against spain. the chelsea forward posted a tweet urging the scottish fa to release more seats for the match on tuesday. she said, how are we expected to grow the game when limited tickets are available for our supporters? come on. finally, rob burrow says he s absolutely honoured after receiving his mbe from the princess royal. the 39 year old had a glittering rugby league career with leeds rhinos, but the award was also in recognition of his work raising awareness of motor neurone disease. he said receiving the mbe was a great occasion for his family. and that s all your sport for now. from me, marc e
Who s set to follow the woods way. for now, though, his dad s not done. he s won 15 majors and survived a horror crash, but golf s greatest story goes on. joe lynskey, bbc news. arsenal defender leah williamson will captain england s women at this summer s european championship. williamson has been leading the side in recent games, with steph haughton out injured. manager sarina wiegman said she wants to give the team continuity, although haughton could still make the squad. the lionesses kick off their euros campaign against austria at old trafford on the 6th ofjuly. scotland s erin cuthbert has called for more stands at hampden park to be opened for their women s world cup qualifier against spain. the chelsea forward posted a tweet urging the scottish fa to release more seats for the match on tuesday. she said. how are we expected to grow