| Amid delirious scenes at the national stadium, Southgate urged his players to conquer one more “massive hurdle” in Sunday’s final, which our writer Jonathan Liew says with some understatement is “certain to be one of this country’s biggest ever sporting occasions”. Although there could be heartbreak to come, he writes, “here, now, under dark skies and bright lights, England made us happy”. Some of those happy fans were at Hockley social club in Birmingham, where our reporter charted the ups and downs of an emotional night. “I can’t say anything more than it’s made my year,” said one tearful fan. * * * Bottleneck Britain – The economy is facing the worst staff shortages since the late 1990s thanks to the rush to reopen the country from lockdown and a sharp drop in overseas workers due to Covid and Brexit. The number of people available for work in June fell at the fastest rate since 1997, according to a survey, and recruitment firms are reporting difficulties in hiring across several sectors of the economy, led by transport and logistics, hospitality, manufacturing and construction. Our economics editor, Larry Elliott, says the Bank of England is concerned the shortage might translate into higher wage inflation. Companies from around the country explain how they just can’t find enough staff. * * * Covid cancellations – The growing number of Covid-19 infections sweeping the country is forcing hospitals to once again cancel operations, including cancer surgery, as they treat more virus cases and lose staff who are having to isolate. Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS trust has had to call off some planned non-urgent operations this week while it is also understood that the Royal Orthopaedic hospital in Birmingham is in a similar situation. The NHS in Scotland is also under growing pressure, doctors say. The UK recorded 32,548 new coronavirus infections yesterday and hotspots include Newcastle, Leeds and Durham, areas that are home to large student populations. A number of experts have warned the government that its plan to ease all lockdown restrictions on 19 July will be “dangerous”, while MPs say they have been deluged with emails from constituents concerned about the risk of reopening too soon. Tokyo will be placed on an emergency footing for the duration of the Olympics starting on 23 July, while there is growing alarm at the rise in cases across Asia. You can follow the latest developments in the pandemic at our live blog. * * * Haiti shootout – Security forces in Haiti say they have killed four members of a group of “mercenaries” who assassinated president Jovenel Moïse in his home on Wednesday morning. Police chief Leon Charles said late last night that officers were “still in combat with the assailants” and pledged that they would all be “killed or captured”. * * * Zuma surrenders – South Africa’s former president Jacob Zuma has handed himself in to police after being sentenced to 15 months in jail for contempt of court. The 79-year-old tried to appeal against his jail term, which was handed down last week for defying an instruction earlier this year to give evidence at an inquiry into corruption during his nine years in power. Zuma argued that his life would be in danger in prison. * * * MPs’ Uyghur warning – Britain must take steps to prevent China’s atrocities against Uyghur Muslims by banning the import of Chinese cotton and solar panels from Xinjiang province, MPs say in a report today. They also urge ministers that no government officials should attend the Winter Olympics in Beijing next year, adding that without any action the government will be allowing China “to nest the dragon deeper and deeper into British life”. * * * Castle of consolation – Denmark might not have managed to beat England, but at least they’ve got the world’s largest sandcastle. The recently completed structure in the small seaside town of Blokhus stands 21.16 metres in height (69.4ft), making it more than 3 metres taller than the previous best, according to Guinness World Records. Today in Focus podcast: can rape review change anything? The government has said sorry to thousands of rape victims who have been failed by the criminal justice system. But survivors want cases reopened and justice finally done. | 
England supporters in central London last night celebrate the victory over Denmark. Photograph: Anadolu Agency/Getty Images 
