elements of two elements of the weather, wind and rain. the rain has been covering england and wales and we have seen in a row flood warnings on rivers rapidly rising today. a short time ago there were over 200 flood warnings in england alone, particularly over the fast flowing rivers in the midlands, fed by all of the heavy rain we have had in wales earlier on. the other element, the strength of the wind, this has been focused in this area of the amber wind warning from the met office. we have already seen gusts of 69 mph recently at heathrow airport. the strongest wind for the next hour or so it will be in eastern areas, because the storm itself is going to be moving away. the warning expires 8pm. the wind will ease, the heavy rain we have in the midlands, that gets pulled away towards the north—east of scotland and things will calm down a bit over night. clearer spells, some showers, temperatures dropping to five or 6 degrees. tomorrow, not as windy, not as wet. still have some rain in the north—east of scotland, may be some

sleet and snow as well. showers will become more widespread in scotland. a mixture of sunshine and showers elsewhere. still windy in the far south—west and also in the far north—east of scotland, not as windy as today. temperatures may be a little bit lower than today, nine in glasgow and a high of 11 in london. moving quickly into thursday. again, we have a mixture of sunshine and showers. still some windy weather and some wet weather in the north—east of england, where it is rather cold. we could see heavier rain affecting sussex and kent as the day goes on. those temperatures falling awayjust the day goes on. those temperatures falling away just a the day goes on. those temperatures falling awayjust a little bit. the process will continue as we head into the weekend and beyond. instead of low pressure that has been bringing this wet and windy weather, we are going to see high—pressure moving in. that means things are going to turn dry air. things will turn colder and there will be some frost at night. to you. and that's bbc news at six. thanks, sophie.

hello and welcome to sportsday. teenage darts sensation luke littler plays for a place in the final of the pdc world darts championship later this evening. saying it is take a lot to stop him. afterjust 83 days in charge, wayne rooney is sacked as birmingham city manager after nine defeats in just 15 games. raducanu returns! after eight months out emma raducanu wins her first match back at the auckland open. also coming up on sportsday... ona on a different track — the retired racehorse learning fresh skills before finding new homes.

hello again. 2024 is only a couple of days old but this 16—year—old could be on the way to providing one of the sports stories of the year. luke littler plays in the semi finals of the world darts championship tonight — down to the last four of a competition he's entered for the first time and already £100,000 richerfor it. littler is now the favourite to win the trophy after another impressive victory in the quarter finals at alexandra palace, beating brendan dolan five sets to one. he's only lost one set all tournament and takes on 2018 champion rob cross in the semis tonight. i know i've got a good chance and i know and myself have got a good feeling. i'd love to get author mark. if i do go a step down i've got to come back because there's quite a few breaks now. don't want to jinx it but every game i've

played has gone or to set up for a good player to get off the mark quickly. i got hope of going all the way. going all the way would bring luke littler for the hospitality box as you saw but it all started at the st. helens arts academy under the watchful eye of coach carl holden. we set up ten and half — eye of coach carl holden. we set up ten and half years _ eye of coach carl holden. we set up ten and half years ago _ eye of coach carl holden. we set up ten and half years ago and - eye of coach carl holden. we set up ten and half years ago and luke - eye of coach carl holden. we set up ten and half years ago and luke justj ten and half years ago and luke just turned up and in a few months obviously got on from there. and the persons of come along and said carl, you gotta take a look at this lad, he's too good. he went to the next level and then he got too good for that. and within a year he was playing in the under 20 ones, which he is the only player who's ever done that good. he's a special kid. there are a few more similar to luke

that has gotten potential but what he's done is been pretty remarkable to get on a stage like that in front of millions watching. he surprised me each year, each year as a gay get any better. he's got better every year. his enjoying life. he's playing real cross eyed he's been to be a different game for that one without a doubt one of the best. i think anyone who knows him and watch them the last two years, we knew we had a chance. if he brings his a—game he can beat anybody without a doubt. he 16, they've all put big effort in, helping him and helping all the kids as well. over the years, his dads took them everywhere, gibraltar to play darts. and with our help luke couldn't do it is doing now. it's luke and the ability that's doing this. everybody�*s loving it. he a

warrington lad everybody�*s loving it. he a warrington [ad and we all love him around here. everybody�*s behind him. he is a unique talent. he's wanted 100 million. luke's been playing since the age of 15, playing with finals and men's tournaments. he is a lot of men's tournaments of the last four years believe it or not. it's the pressure you've got to learn to get over it is learned that over the years. with that ability he can do whatever he wants. rob cross knows he's up for it tonight. rob cross will have to bring his a—game tonight. the interest is massive for that in my shop we had loads of people, kids want to be like luke littler for the everybody�*s talking about the little kid who is coming—of—age in darts. coming-of-age in darts. so injust coming-of-age in darts. so in “ust under an hour's i coming-of-age in darts. so in “ust under an hour's time i coming-of-age in darts. so in “ust under an hour's time once i coming-of-age in darts. so injust under an hour's time once again i coming-of-age in darts. so in just i under an hour's time once again into the cauldron of the alexander palace atmosphere luke littler will stop for the the first round was singing you got school in the morning for

that but are now witnessing something unprecedented in the sport. joe wilson will be among them this evening. a wild and wintry evening, one of those nights where you glad that darts is an indoor sport for the spectators coming here today to watch four semifinalists with any of the attention and publicity happen without luke littler? you know the answer that question the most remarkable thing about his run is that he's won his matches so comfortably. it is possible to win the world title on your debut, rob cross did it in 2018. he's reached the last four after a staggering comeback win and his quarterfinal i think what should happen, what might happen this evening is that littler for the first time is put under pressure. if so, it will be fascinating to see how he responds with that my guess is that he will just brush it off. after a spell of 15 games during which they plummeted 14 places in the championship —

birmingham have sacked wayne rooney. it was a brief and potentially damaging step on what the former england and manchester united striker says is his journey as a manager. asjoe lynskey reports. he arrived in october lasted less than three months. wayne rooney led birmingham for 83 days. they fell from sixth to 20th. the last of his 15 games in charge brought here a ninth defeat. more problems are birmingham city. leads beat them 3—0 and the blues fans reacted for the with rooney in charge they were promised football with no fear. instead they tumbled down the table. and the fans here are absolutely hammering wayne rooney now. mas and the fans here are absolutely hammering wayne rooney now. was it difficult at times? _ hammering wayne rooney now. was it difficult at times? know. _ hammering wayne rooney now. was it difficult at times? know. that - hammering wayne rooney now. was it difficult at times? know. that just - difficult at times? know. that “ust art of the difficult at times? know. that “ust part of the job. i difficult at times? know. that “ust part of the job. part i difficult at times? know. that “ust part of the job. part of the i difficult at times? know. thatjust part of the job. part of the game. | difficult at times? know. thatjust | part of the job. part of the game. | part of the job. part of the game. this was how it stood when rooney came in. his brief was to build on the work ofjohn uses who left the

club in the playoffs. but rudy's time ends six points off the drop zone. it is the worst way to start for this club to new owners. investments coming in, where receiving — investments coming in, where receiving enormous inbound interest. taking _ receiving enormous inbound interest. taking charge in the summer nfl star tom brady is part of their team. they came here with investment and coaching ideas so they let go of eustis and made rooney they are mad. i don't think will be a lot of damage. i think the fans are very much behind the owners. the fans are grateful that the owners stepped forward and saved them from potentially starting another season under the previous owners. it is frustrating because blues have had so many poor seasons over the last 6-7 so many poor seasons over the last 6—7 years. this felt like the ones where they could go do something for that now they had that good days and start the season and theyjust hit the self—destruct button. start the season and they “ust hit the self-destruct button._ the self-destruct button. rooney toda has the self-destruct button. rooney today has hit _ the self-destruct button. rooney today has hit back _ the self-destruct button. rooney today has hit back in _ the self-destruct button. rooney today has hit back in a _ the self-destruct button. rooneyj today has hit back in a statement the self-destruct button. rooney i today has hit back in a statement he

said... he said to he would now take a break and prepare for the next job. rudy's time as a coach started at derby where through administration he brought them believe. but since then he's going to dc united and twice he failed dared to reach the mls playoffs. this spell at saint andrews could be his last in game. i this spell at saint andrews could be his last in game.— his last in game. i could go on aaain to his last in game. i could go on again to rain _ his last in game. i could go on again to rain rooney - his last in game. i could go on again to rain rooney for - his last in game. i could go on i again to rain rooney for the shot angle! again to rain rooney for the shot anule! �* ., ., _, , angle! but the name of wayne rooney still holds unique _ angle! but the name of wayne rooney still holds unique appeal. _ angle! but the name of wayne rooney still holds unique appeal. clubs - still holds unique appeal. clubs through the league know he brings in the spotlight. the player who won so much is now a coach at a crossroads. joe lynskey, bbc news the premier league's frantic festive programme finally comes to an end tonight with two teams that have enjoyed it so far. sixth place is on offer for both west ham — who currently sit in that position and who beat arsenal in their last

match and brighton who did the same to spurs on thursday to move eighth. brian have always been a big hill to crawl for us. we look at the start of the season, over the years it's been an incredible different game for us besides brighton was up for so two whatever reason, i don't really know. it will not be any easier because i think that got a good team and a good manager. like us they are in the last 16 of europe. there is a really strong lead position. celtic air into the winter break with the lead and top of the table intact so that they playing saint mirren and they were 2—0 up inside six minutes. japanese international putting them one up afterjust 5a seconds of the match. soon after matt o'reilly doubled celtics lead following that goal the prospect did not get much better for that they are down to ten men after being shown a straight red card for that

they are 3—0 down that is still a score line with ten minutes out left to play. rangers responded to losing that derby on saturday with the 3—1 win for the third—place heart in aberdeen, hibbs needed injury time equaliser to draw with motherwell. dundee against stjohnstone was called off, but the home side at least didn't waste the food they had ready for the game, offering pies, hot dogs and burgers to fans for free. spain'sjenni hermoso has been testifying before a judge in madrid about the behaviour of luis rubiales. the former president of spain's football federation who had to resign after kissing her on the lips following the world cup final last summer. mr rubiales faces a possible trial for sexual assault. our spain correspondent guy hedgecoe is in madrid for us. tuesday's hearing focused on an alleged sexual assault that was witnessed by millions of people around the world. jenni hermoso at

the centre of this told the judge in the centre of this told the judge in the national court here in central madrid today that the kiss that luis rubiales gave her after the world cup final back in august in sydney was not consensual, she did not agree to it. of course mr luis rubiales contends that he says the kiss was consensual that they both agreed to us, it was a spontaneous moment according to him. thejudge investigating this now has the task of deciding if enough evidence against luis rubiales for him to go on trialfor sexual against luis rubiales for him to go on trial for sexual assault. this case has already had a huge impact here in spain. certainly in the football world where it led to the resignation of luis rubiales and the replacement of many people at the top of the football federation. there was a huge shake—up they are. also it is seen as having a broader

impact across spanish society. it triggered a social movement against perceived sexism in many other areas of spanish life. afternoon investigation he agreed to stand down in october but has now been cleared to return for that last month in investigation and events leading to a depth of player mattie cusick found no evidence of wrongdoing at the club. despite that sheffield united say they will continue how processes and policies may be improved. continue how processes and policies may be improved. let's have a look at some of the day's other football stories. manchester united goalkeeper andre onana could feature in monday's fa cup third—round tie at wigan despite being selected for cameroon's africa cup of nations squad. onana is still with his club while cameroon are in saudi arabia ahead of their tournament opener against guinea on 15th january. jadon sancho could be on his way

back to his borussia dortmund loan for the rest of the season schedule has been training with the cabbie players as a social media post letter and being exiled from the first team. tottenham midfielder has signed a new six and a happier contract with the club. he said two saudi international agreed to stay 22030. there were two significant tennis comebacks on the other side of the world today involving two players at either end of their career. emma raducanu, still only 21, returned to the court after more than eight months out in auckland. while rafa nadal, now 37, could have embarked on his final year in the sport after missing most of 2023. both won as well with nadal beating dominic thiem in brisbane. as stuart pollitt reports. welcome welco m e rafa welcome rafa nadal! 349 days after his last competitive match —

the great champion returns. first point is no sign of rust, that fearsome forehand hasn't lost any of its power or its potency. the spaniard edged past dominic thiem — himself a former grand slam winner — in the first setthen swept him aside in the second to win 7—5, 6—1. todayis today is honestly in emotional and important day for me. probably the toughest years of my tennis career without a doubt for them having the chance to come back after year and play in front of an amazing crowd, and play... applause i played a very positive level. in recent years, australia injanuary has meant

mixed emotions for nadal. in 2022, he won his 21st major title in melbourne. a year later, the pain of defeat. a hip injury halted his title defence — and put his career in doubt. does nadal believe he can win titles again? for me my goal is still may be be donein for me my goal is still may be be done in a couple of months try to play again for that for now, if i am competitive fantastic but it is something for me is going to be a big surprise if i am competitive and another level. he's currently ranked 672 in the world. at the australian open nadal will be unseeded but on this evidence not unfancied. stuart pollitt, bbc news earlier in auckland emma raducanu said she was grateful not to be "bed—ridden" and "in a wheelchair" after her three set win over elena gabriela ruse in her first match since ankle and wrist surgeries. our tennis correspondent russell fuller told me

it was an impressive display. two impressive comebacks from players who have been out nearly a year in brisbane in the pat rafter arena. it took two and a half hour to be elena gabriela ruse. but raducanu came through very strongly in the end. she played really well to move 5-2 end. she played really well to move 5—2 in front. then she dropped her surface then shot a couple of match points saved and dropped her serve again, which is no enormous surprise because when you've not been in that position because you've been off the charts actually very hard to close out matches. to her credit having him back to five all she broke again it took the deciding set by seven games— five we will see where her story goes next. it was certainly a very good start after so long away. that's the first hurdle, _ start after so long away. that's the first hurdle. a _ start after so long away. that's the first hurdle, a significant _ start after so long away. that's the first hurdle, a significant one, -

start after so long away. that's the first hurdle, a significant one, the l first hurdle, a significant one, the next challenge would be attempting to make sure she's at the australian open put up what is the qualification situation for raducanu in melbourne? she qualification situation for raducanu in melbourne?— qualification situation for raducanu in melbourne? ,, , ., in melbourne? she said good news on that front. it's _ in melbourne? she said good news on that front. it's been _ in melbourne? she said good news on that front. it's been a _ in melbourne? she said good news on that front. it's been a good _ in melbourne? she said good news on that front. it's been a good day - in melbourne? she said good news on that front. it's been a good day for. that front. it's been a good day for her. second round match in auckland and a couple of days against elina svitolina. last year will be very much nothing to loose type of scenario. forthe much nothing to loose type of scenario. for the moment she's expecting to be in melbourne for monday to play a qualifying in the australian open. after a number of withdrawals in concluding, it's very good reason, she announced her pregnancy. she needsjust want good reason, she announced her pregnancy. she needs just want more player to pull out of the drawer between now and monday and she will between now and monday and she will be in the main draw for them if that doesn't happen she'll have to go to the qualifying competition unless tennis australia to offer her a last wild card. they've allocated many of those spots but there are still a few are available. either way as big stan she's looking pretty good to be in the main draw at the australian

open. it in the main draw at the australian 0 en. . , in the main draw at the australian 0 en. ., ., in the main draw at the australian 0 en. ._ ., , , in the main draw at the australian oen. ., , , ., open. it may not be events that you witnessed this _ open. it may not be events that you witnessed this week _ open. it may not be events that you witnessed this week in _ open. it may not be events that you witnessed this week in brisbane - open. it may not be events that you| witnessed this week in brisbane that determine whether ralph and adele plays on after this year. but still, this is perhaps —— rafa nadal. who says he's not sure things will end for him. he says he's not sure things will end for him. . , says he's not sure things will end for him. .,, . ., ., ,., for him. he was quite clear about that when i _ for him. he was quite clear about that when i spoke _ for him. he was quite clear about that when i spoke to _ for him. he was quite clear about that when i spoke to him - for him. he was quite clear about that when i spoke to him the - for him. he was quite clear about | that when i spoke to him the other day. he was explaining his argument, when he said this is probably going to be as last year on tour he was talking about probability. i don't know if he is a mathematician but if you're a year out this is the year he turns 30 a, how is the body going to respond? if the hip is fine that he's got this chronic foot problem and issues with his knees, hejust thinks the odds are after one more season that he would be delighted to get that far he probably won't be in position to launch another season in 2025. he's absolutely not ruling it out. he's absolutely not ruling it out. you're watching sportsday.

time for some of our other headlines today. england's lots made his 100th appearance for the club to win over sale to put the top of the publisher table at the weekend. he's won international caps. he's won international caps. australia's women completed a one day series clean sweep over india — winning the third match comprehensively in mumbai after opener phoebe litchfield scored a century in an opening stand of 189 alongside alyssa healy. litchfield then took one of the game's brilliant catches in dismissing india cheaply as they fell 190 runs short. and england's dan lawrence helped the melbourne stars to an easy win in the big bash league. he took two wickets as they beat the melbourne renegades in a rain shortened match with the stars captain glenn maxwell helping his side reach their target of 98 in his 100th bbl game. now, david warner's about to play his final test match for australia, but he might have to do it

without the cap he was given before his first. each australia international player is awarded the famous baggy green on their debut for the test side, and they treasure it throughout their careers as it's the only one they get. but warner's cap was taken from his luggage while he was travelling to sydney ahead of the third and final test against pakistan tomorrow, and he's released a video on social media in attempt to get it back. unfortunately, someone has taken my backpack out of my actual presents in there. inside this backpack was my baggy green. it is sentimental to me and it is something i would love to have back in my hands this week. if it is the backpack you really wanted, i have spare one here. you won't get into trouble. please reach out to cricket australia or to me. i'm happy to give this to you in return for my baggy green. a couple from york who have been rehoming retired and injured race

horses say the animals can have meaningful lives after they have finished competing. pam and kevin atkinson run a charity called new beginnings near york. they take horses that others find too challenging and retrain them for a variety of purposes. now one of their animals — remy is not only an ambassador to york racecourse, he's also in the running for a national award. olivia richwald reports. good boy. i love thoroughbreds in particular they're so intelligent, the so aware, so sensitive. they're just so willing to learn. once you build trust you can build a strong relationship with them. this build trust you can build a strong relationship with them.— build trust you can build a strong relationship with them. this is new beginnings. _ relationship with them. this is new beginnings. a _ relationship with them. this is new beginnings, a home _ relationship with them. this is new beginnings, a home for— relationship with them. this is new beginnings, a home for racehorses| relationship with them. this is new i beginnings, a home for racehorses at the end of their careers. the animals come here to learn new skills before they are found a new home. , , , . home. they finished their basic career, they've _ home. they finished their basic career, they've been _ home. they finished their basic career, they've been an - home. they finished their basicj career, they've been an athlete home. they finished their basic i career, they've been an athlete at the top of their game, they're raising for it. so when they're no longer a racehorse, a horse that used to race then they need to learn to slow down a little bit and to use the body differently and to learn new we do specialise in working with

difficult horses. itigiith new we do specialise in working with difficult horses.— difficult horses. with horses when the finish difficult horses. with horses when they finish racing _ difficult horses. with horses when they finish racing straight - difficult horses. with horses when they finish racing straight forward | they finish racing straight forward there's_ they finish racing straight forward there's plenty of places that can take that — there's plenty of places that can take that horse and retrain it. it's difficult _ take that horse and retrain it. it's difficult that you need expertise to turn the _ difficult that you need expertise to turn the house around and give it the time — turn the house around and give it the time and space it needs to adapt to a new— the time and space it needs to adapt to a new life. in the time and space it needs to adapt to a new life-— to a new life. in 14 years new beginnings — to a new life. in 14 years new beginnings have _ to a new life. in 14 years new beginnings have helped - to a new life. in 14 years new i beginnings have helped former racehorses find new homes. first they go back to basics then slowly build from there, different horses are suited to different roles. it are suited to different roles. it proves the versatility of resources and what — proves the versatility of resources and what they can do when they had the opportunity to do the next for the opportunity to do the next for the it's— the opportunity to do the next for the it's a — the opportunity to do the next for the it's a perfect example of, and exceptional but perfect example. remi _ exceptional but perfect example. remi has— exceptional but perfect example. remi has made it to the final of prestigious national competition to find a horse that had the most significant community impact. the charity also has high hopes for this very special grey. it's named after rob barro, and now retired from racing after an injury. you

rob barro, and now retired from racing after an injury.— racing after an in'ury. you like writin: racing after an in'ury. you like writing this_ racing after an injury. you like writing this one? _ racing after an injury. you like writing this one? yeah, - racing after an injury. you like - writing this one? yeah, absolutely. he is calm and is a gentleman. celtic have gone eight points clear on the scottish premonition attention turns to alexandra palace. it's an extraordinary night in store for a couple. joe is saying there are four semifinalists with the humphreys takes on williams later. it is luke littler, 16 years old attempted to do something that he and nobody else is ever done and reach the final of the world our championship. atjust the age of 16. if you watch it, enjoy it we will have much more over the next 24 hours on luke whether he succeeds or not. that is it for now. hello. storm henk certainly made its presence felt today

with numerous flood warnings issued, particularly across england and wales. we also had this amber warning from the met office, this warning expiring through the early parts of the evening. some very strong winds, though, easing eastwards as the area of low pressure responsible storm henk continues to slide away. some outbreaks of rain pushing eastwards as well. most of the rain clearing out into the north sea, but some will remain across eastern parts of scotland, bending into the far north east where we'll see some snow falling across shetland. it does stay very windy across the north east of scotland, still quite windy through the night across english channel coasts as well. temperatures generally holding up between 3—10 degrees so the vast majority will avoid a frost. so as we head into tomorrow, low pressure still with us. although the main body of storm henk will be moving towards southern scandinavia by this stage, where it will be bringing some quite significant snowfall. for us, many places seeing a day of sunny spells and heavy showers, still blustery down

towards the south coast. those winds only slowly easing. also staying windy in the north east of scotland. still a bit of rain, sleet and snow across orkney and shetland and some showery rain more generally across the northern half of scotland. temperature wise, 8—11 degrees in many places. and then as we head into thursday, here comes another weather system. this one set to bring some heavy rain, particularly across the channel islands and into southern coastal counties of england. some of this rain could be on the heavy side. it mayjust be that this pulse of wet weather shifts a little bit further northwards as we go through the day. elsewhere, sunny spells and showers, some more persistent rain continuing to affect the north east of scotland, still cold in shetland. and elsewhere, those temperatures just starting to come down a little bit. that's a sign of things to come. as we move into the weekend, low pressure will loosen its grip and high pressure will start to build, both from the west and from the east. so that is going to settle things down. as that happens, we'll see some colder air developing. nothing exceptional

for this time of year, it is early january, after all, but those temperatures certainly lower than they have been by day and by night. any showers that do crop up could be wintry in nature. there'll be some frost and fog at night, but a lot of dry weather.

live from london. this is bbc news. hamas says its deputy head saleh al—arouri has been killed in an explosion in beirut. japan's prime minister confirms that five coastguard crew have been killed in a collision between two planes at tokyo's haneda airport. all 379 passengers and crew managed to escape the japan airlines aircraft — before it was engulfed by flames. searching for survivors — japanese officials say at least 48 people have died and many others are trapped beneath rubble after monday's powerful earthquake. weather warnings are in place for large parts of england and most of wales, as storm henk brings strong winds and heavy rain.