hello, i'm lewis vaughanjones. you're watching the context on bbc news. junior doctors in england begin the longest strike in the health service's history , in a six—day walk—out over pay. in england. the longest strike in nhs history is under way. junior doctors started their six—day walk—out. it's over a long—running dispute over pay. thousands of routine appointments and operations have been postponed as hospitals focus on emergency care. a pay increase of 8.8% has been awarded by the government and they have offered an extra 3% on top of that. but the doctors union — the british medical association — says that is still not a credible offer that reflects the rise in inflation. the government says the union's

demands are unrealistic. let's demands are unrealistic. bring in our panel, elise la bott let's bring in our panel, elise labott and tom peck. hello to both. that start with you, tom. we are used to strike fear in the uk over the last 12 months or so, this one is a long one, though? it is the last 12 months or so, this one is a long one, though?— the last 12 months or so, this one is a long one, though? it is and the government — is a long one, though? it is and the government is _ is a long one, though? it is and the government is trying _ is a long one, though? it is and the government is trying to _ is a long one, though? it is and the government is trying to do - is a long one, though? it is and the government is trying to do its - is a long one, though? it is and the government is trying to do its best| government is trying to do its best to turn_ government is trying to do its best to turn the — government is trying to do its best to turn the people who against the striking _ to turn the people who against the striking doctors. there is an incendiary— striking doctors. there is an incendiary remark recently where an official_ incendiary remark recently where an official said — incendiary remark recently where an official said she doesn't like to call them _ official said she doesn't like to call them junior talk yours but doctors — call them junior talk yours but doctors and training was not immune meaningless insult. what's interesting about the strike and what _ interesting about the strike and what we — interesting about the strike and what we have seen in the last 12 months. — what we have seen in the last 12 months, normally, iwould say what we have seen in the last 12 months, normally, i would say for all my— months, normally, i would say for all my life. — months, normally, i would say for all my life, as far as i can remember, when public—sector workers io remember, when public—sector workers 90 on _

remember, when public—sector workers 90 on strike, _ remember, when public—sector workers go on strike, soon, or almost immediately, the public turn against them _ immediately, the public turn against them. when training drivers go on strike _ them. when training drivers go on strike we — them. when training drivers go on strike we don't make it, but when with the _ strike we don't make it, but when with the doctor strike, and friendly all the _ with the doctor strike, and friendly all the strikes in the last 12 months _ all the strikes in the last 12 months there's a sense in my opinion that the _ months there's a sense in my opinion that the public is actually on their side rather— that the public is actually on their side rather than the government side because _ side rather than the government side because it's — side rather than the government side because it's a uniquely unpopular government. that's a fact, not opinion — government. that's a fact, not opinion it's_ government. that's a fact, not opinion. it's very unpopular. and that gives — opinion. it's very unpopular. and that gives the strikers that much more _ that gives the strikers that much more power because even all of the destruction— more power because even all of the destruction that they have brought on the _ destruction that they have brought on the nhs, people waiting for operations and so on, there is still a sense _ operations and so on, there is still a sense that — operations and so on, there is still a sense that the public support the striking _ a sense that the public support the striking doctors over the government, and that is not the usual— government, and that is not the usual run— government, and that is not the usual run of things.— usual run of things. interesting elise, usual run of things. interesting elise. what _ usual run of things. interesting elise, what is _ usual run of things. interesting elise, what is the _ usual run of things. interesting elise, what is the view - usual run of things. interesting elise, what is the view of - usual run of things. interesting | elise, what is the view of things there in the us will stop of course, we had the actors union out, before we had the actors union out, before we had the actors union out, before we had automotive workers, so these are potentially universal issues in times of high inflation with you

mark that's right and i think? that's right and i think we had the writers strike here, and other workers union and is just a recognition both of the inflation on also since the pandemic, workers are looking for better quality of life. they are looking for better wages, they are looking for better, you know, not perks but benefits across the board from their employers. here in the united states, but i think around the world you had what is called the great resignation, so issues regarding labour are important. we don't have the ideas of doctors are not government workers here, so the whole health care issue is a whole polarising one because insurance companies and doctors are seen as making a loss of money whereas in the uk and other countries, most countries, actually having a national health plan. so, i think when it comes doctors here in the us, we don't call them junior

doctors, we call them more like residence, but obviously they are still doctors, qualified positions with years of experience, i think when it comes to medical professionals themselves that aren't getting the kind of pain that they want that would be supported —— supported by the public care and i think by a large these strikes have been people in the american public have been sympathetic to them. thank ou for have been sympathetic to them. thank you for that. — have been sympathetic to them. thank you for that, back _ have been sympathetic to them. thank you for that, back with _ have been sympathetic to them. thank you for that, back with you _ have been sympathetic to them. thank you for that, back with you in - you for that, back with you in a second. staying in the us. campaigning for the 2024 us presidential elections is starting in earnest — with republican presidential hopefuls visiting key states. republican presidential hopeful florida governor ron desantis is in iowa — with hopes that the state keeps him afloat for the gop nominations. polls put him at 11.3% in the latest polls while trump is at 61.3%. republican presidential candidate

vivek ramaswamy is also campaigning in iowa. former south carolina governor and republican presidential hopeful nikki haley is campaigning in new hampshire. she's holding a town hall at saddle up saloon in kingston and then a meet and greet at game changer sports bar and grill in londonderry. currently, she has pulled ahead of florida governor ron desantis in the polls. meanwhile for the democrats — vice president kamala harris visits las vegas with second gentleman doug emhoff. she's meeting with members of the culinary union — one of the largest unions in the state of nevada. it's interesting to see where people 90, it's interesting to see where people go, though we pretty much know where they are going and why, elise, if he

is a long way away but we will get to use of this, aren't we? i do think if someone _ to use of this, aren't we? i do think if someone like - to use of this, aren't we? i if think if someone like nikki haley, she'sjust a few think if someone like nikki haley, she's just a few points behind ron desantis in iowa, they are pretty close, so i think she's looking to come ahead of them, obviously it doesn't like trump is notjust a front runner but going to win by a landslide. the same for, not as big of a lead in new hampshire, but certainly a big lead there. i think nikki haley is looking to come in a firm second, and who knows what will happen between now and then with donald trump and all the court cases, and i think she's hoping just to get some momentum. there has always been who ever wins ohio or new hampshire does get some momentum. i think you'll be really critical to see whether nikki haley can put i had in her home state. she doesn't —— she wasn't doing so well in south carolina but i do think if she can put i had in iowa or new

hampshire for a firm second, that does give her the kind of presumptive second and then we will see what happens with donald trump. interesting. and tom, i bet the safe and smart money on biting versus trim but nothing certain? it’s trim but nothing certain? it's interesting — trim but nothing certain? it's interesting because all those republican candidates know it is crucial _ republican candidates know it is crucial for — republican candidates know it is crucial for american democracy and the world _ crucial for american democracy and the world that donald trump become doesn't _ the world that donald trump become doesn't become a candidate and doesn't — doesn't become a candidate and doesn't win. they have been unable to defeat— doesn't win. they have been unable to defeat him through normal procedures and they're hoping he will be _ procedures and they're hoping he will be prevented from running by a le-al will be prevented from running by a legal procedure. they are in this difficult — legal procedure. they are in this difficult position of not being able to do— difficult position of not being able to do what they should do, which is to do what they should do, which is to publicly— to do what they should do, which is to publicly disown him, because they need his— to publicly disown him, because they need his fans in the end he is kicked — need his fans in the end he is kicked out— need his fans in the end he is kicked out through other means. thats— kicked out through other means. that's what make this race so beguiling, if you like. because wives— beguiling, if you like. because wives donald trump is the favourite

by some _ wives donald trump is the favourite by some way and nikki haley bears to be the _ by some way and nikki haley bears to be the second favourite, in the event — be the second favourite, in the event of — be the second favourite, in the event of trump's elimination, i'm not quite — event of trump's elimination, i'm not quite sure who the race for second — not quite sure who the race for second with the image a great deal by virtue _ second with the image a great deal by virtue of who had done the most to consolidate trump, not be mean about _ to consolidate trump, not be mean about trump, and that's precisely the opposite way in this race in any normal— the opposite way in this race in any normal functioning world should be running _ normal functioning world should be running. we will be watching with fascinating —— with fascination. | fascinating —— with fascination. i think fascinating —— with fascination. think chris fascinating —— with fascination. i think chris christie is doing pretty well in new hampshire, about 11%, obviously not enough to win when certainly but probably not enough to come in second either, but i think thatis come in second either, but i think that is what his role is, still, in the race. it's clear he is not going to win but he is the one that is going after trump, someone has to go after him. there is an understanding that someone keeps having to bring up that someone keeps having to bring up all those transgressions and the

dangers of a trump presidency, and thatis dangers of a trump presidency, and that is really what his role is. but tom makes an excellent point that there isn't a candidate that can consolidate that if they were to move ahead. consolidate that if they were to move ahead-— consolidate that if they were to move ahead. . ~' , ., , . consolidate that if they were to move ahead. ., ,, , ., , . ., move ahead. thank you very much for that, elise. — move ahead. thank you very much for that, elise. will— move ahead. thank you very much for that, elise, will be _ move ahead. thank you very much for that, elise, will be changeling -- - that, elise, will be changeling —— chatting plenty of us politics in 2024, no danger of that. whew the pause now because sports. we're on target for some sporting history in london tonight. this is teen darts sensation luke littler. atjust 16 years old, he's become the youngest person to reach the final of the world darts championship. he is tied 4—4 against the world number one luke humphreys, so luke littler is in pretty good shape. in his previous matches he raced out a early on it is much closer and know 4—4, first to seven takes the wind and he has already of course made so

much history by region the final and made quite a lot of money, hundreds of thousands of pounds by doing that. but for four, of thousands of pounds by doing that. but forfour, pretty close, first to seven, we are not far away from working out who will actually win there. that's been back or panel. i don't know how big a darts fans you both are. tom let's start with you, are you into this? i are. tom let's start with you, are you into this?— you into this? i have been to darts many times. _ you into this? i have been to darts many times. not _ you into this? i have been to darts many times, not this _ you into this? i have been to darts many times, not this year. - you into this? i have been to darts many times, not this year. i - you into this? i have been to darts many times, not this year. i just l many times, not this year. ijust checked, — many times, not this year. ijust checked, it— many times, not this year. ijust checked, it looks like he is two sets _ checked, it looks like he is two sets down _ checked, it looks like he is two sets down in the ninth set and not in possibly— sets down in the ninth set and not in possibly a strong position as he was ten _ in possibly a strong position as he was ten minutes ago, but it's a nice story _ was ten minutes ago, but it's a nice story next — was ten minutes ago, but it's a nice story. next month, ithink, yes was ten minutes ago, but it's a nice story. next month, i think, yes the plate _ story. next month, i think, yes the plate in _ story. next month, i think, yes the plate in the — story. next month, i think, yes the plate in the final of the world junior— plate in the final of the world junior championships because he is a qualified _ junior championships because he is a qualified for the final and he is a player— qualified for the final and he is a player gets a 13—year—old boy who is playing. _ player gets a 13—year—old boy who is playing, potentially, if not the world — playing, potentially, if not the world champion then certainly the runner-ub — world champion then certainly the runner—up. it's one of those great stories _

runner—up. it's one of those great stories one— runner—up. it's one of those great stories. one of the people he has eliminated — stories. one of the people he has eliminated on the way to the final is a 56—year—old five—time champion, so even _ is a 56—year—old five—time champion, so even if— is a 56—year—old five—time champion, so even if this— is a 56—year—old five—time champion, so even if this is not his ear, he may— so even if this is not his ear, he may have — so even if this is not his ear, he may have another four tbytes of the cherry— may have another four tbytes of the cherry and _ may have another four tbytes of the cherry and i— may have another four tbytes of the cherry and i suspect he will get there — cherry and i suspect he will get there. ., ._ , cherry and i suspect he will get there. ., , ., ., there. younger days of mine, i admit -- made some _ there. younger days of mine, i admit -- made some trips _ there. younger days of mine, i admit -- made some trips as _ there. younger days of mine, i admit -- made some trips as well. - there. younger days of mine, i admit -- made some trips as well. the - there. younger days of mine, i admit| -- made some trips as well. the idea —— made some trips as well. the idea we are talking about this, elise, this is something that captures your imagination whether you're into darts or sports are not but i wonder, i imagine it's not quite capturing the imagination in the us as it is here in london, i may be wrong. as it is here in london, i may be wronu. ., ., ~ as it is here in london, i may be wronu. ., n ., ., as it is here in london, i may be wronu. ., ., ., as it is here in london, i may be wron.. ., ., ., , wrong. you make a great point. darts isn't really big — wrong. you make a great point. darts isn't really big unless _ wrong. you make a great point. darts isn't really big unless you're - wrong. you make a great point. darts isn't really big unless you're going - isn't really big unless you're going for a bear or someone's head is in a big circle or something that that but what we do live here in the us is these kind of stories where a

young person gaining all this notoriety, oran young person gaining all this notoriety, or an unknown person comes to a tennis championship and is unseated and ends up in the finals. everyone here in the us, we kind of love that story and there are shows about america's got talent and things like that. so, that's what america loves and i think if he does, kind of, continue onto the world championship, it will start the gained some notoriety here, we love a good, you know, not comic story but success story.— story but success story. what a way to introduce — story but success story. what a way to introduce yourself, at _ story but success story. what a way to introduce yourself, at the - story but success story. what a way to introduce yourself, at the age of| to introduce yourself, at the age of 16. read stuff, elise and tom, thanks for that, and speak to you in a moment. around the world and across the uk. this is bbc news. bbc news — bringing you different stories from across the uk. this is new beginnings, a home for racehorses at the end of their careers. the animals come here to learn new skills before they're found new homes.

they've finished their racing career. they've been an athlete at the top of the game, they're racing fit. so when when they're no longer a racehorse, they're just 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 skills. we do specialise in quirky, difficult horses. if a horse is, when it finishes racing, straight forward, there's plenty of places that can take that horse and retrain it. but if it's quirky and it's difficult, then you need the expertise to be able to turn that horse around and give it the time and space that it needs to adapt to a new life. in 14 years, new beginnings have helped hundreds of former racehorses find new homes. first, they go back to basics, then slowly build from there. for more stories from across the uk, head to the bbc news website. you're live with bbc news. last year — 2023 —

was the most successful year ever forfemale musicians in the uk charts. data from the british phonographic industry revealed that women were at number one for 31 out of 52 weeks. the body's chair yolanda brown, says that streaming has allowed female artists to broaden their reach. women have been making music for many years music for many years and really impacful the music and it's lovely to see it in the figures. the streaming figures have doubled, double the figure of 2018, so you're seeing people are finding music more and unearthing music more and getting into enjoy more, which we have seen in the past year. let's begin our panel, elise, a great year for women artists in the uk and presumably worldwide as well because we obviously we are screaming that centre thing. yes. because we obviously we are screaming that centre thing. yes, i mean, screaming that centre thing. yes, i mean. look. _ screaming that centre thing. yes, i mean, look, here— screaming that centre thing. yes, i mean, look, here in—

screaming that centre thing. yes, i mean, look, here in the _ screaming that centre thing. yes, i mean, look, here in the us - screaming that centre thing. yes, i mean, look, here in the us it- screaming that centre thing. yes, i mean, look, here in the us it was. mean, look, here in the us it was a year of woman, it was taylor swift, it was beyonce, it was olivia rodrigo, it was miley cyrus, a lot of these, you know worldwide sales, but certainly here in the us there were streams and concerts were very big and that kind of also contributed to it. what i thought was interesting in the reading about it in the uk, it was kind of going back to throwback albums that were really popular because of the streaming. here in the us, it was really about four or three artists, beyonce, taylor swift, love your rodrigo and maybe a few others. it definitely was a year of the woman. tom, the year —— the world of streaming having such an impact on music. it’s streaming having such an impact on music. �* , . , streaming having such an impact on music. �*, ., , , ., , music. it's an interesting story, next year _ music. it's an interesting story, next year might _ music. it's an interesting story, next year might be _ music. it's an interesting story, next year might be different. i music. it's an interesting story, | next year might be different. i'm not sure — next year might be different. i'm not sure we can read much into it in terms _

not sure we can read much into it in terms of— not sure we can read much into it in terms of the — not sure we can read much into it in terms of the massive cultural change but generally speaking, i mean pop superstardom has always been somewhere in which women have been -iven somewhere in which women have been given a _ somewhere in which women have been given a fairer— somewhere in which women have been given a fairertrack somewhere in which women have been given a fairer track at the whip, if you like — given a fairer track at the whip, if you like i— given a fairer track at the whip, if you like. i suspect they have always been _ you like. i suspect they have always been more — you like. i suspect they have always been more woman in the uk top as opposed _ been more woman in the uk top as opposed to — been more woman in the uk top as opposed to other countries. one awards— opposed to other countries. one awards competition this year decided to scrap— awards competition this year decided to scrap its— awards competition this year decided to scrap its men and women's categories and the man dominates accommodation and the there made a bil accommodation and the there made a big mistake _ accommodation and the there made a big mistake but i hope they will take that — big mistake but i hope they will take that lesson that that was kind of affirmative action without anybody realising it was. indeed, thanks both _ anybody realising it was. indeed, thanks both for _ anybody realising it was. indeed, thanks both for that. _ anybody realising it was. indeed, thanks both for that. and - anybody realising it was. indeed, thanks both for that. and now i anybody realising it was. indeed, thanks both for that. and now it| anybody realising it was. indeed, l thanks both for that. and now it is time for the panel. this is a bit of the show where basically our panelists get to talk about what they want to talk about. elise, why don't you kick yourself? i

they want to talk about. elise, why don't you kick yourself?— don't you kick yourself? i want to talk about the _ don't you kick yourself? i want to talk about the shakira _ don't you kick yourself? i want to talk about the shakira statue - don't you kick yourself? i want to talk about the shakira statue in l talk about the shakira statue in columbia but i heard you artie spoke about that. so, recently, today i saw this thing that went viral on tiktok about this new cream flying off the shelves in sephora but apparently it attracts spiders and lots of the reviewers are saying watch out for this lotion, i love it but one of the ingredients is kryptonite to wolf spiders. basically, don't bite. so, no, this company, which is called soul that genaro, it says it sephora for 48 bucks here in the us and i might say there resilient bomb cream was very popular last year but this new product, after it was released

multiple spider related reviews keep coming up. it was a big story today on tiktok and read it because i thought it was hysterical that will mean we use all these creams for taking care of all these things but spider bites is definitely not one of them. i spider bites is definitely not one of them. ., ., _, , ., of them. i am more confused at the end of that — of them. i am more confused at the end of that story _ of them. i am more confused at the end of that story than _ of them. i am more confused at the end of that story than the _ of them. i am more confused at the end of that story than the start, - of them. i am more confused at the end of that story than the start, i i end of that story than the start, i think, but thank you for that. experts say, super—quick, experts say that it's probably more that spiders come up more in the winter and you'rejust seeing spiders come up more in the winter and you're just seeing them more as opposed to any particular ingredients in the cream. got you, that's a good _ ingredients in the cream. got you, that's a good clarification, - ingredients in the cream. got you, that's a good clarification, i - that's a good clarification, i appreciate that. tom, the floor is yours. appreciate that. tom, the floor is ours. , y ., appreciate that. tom, the floor is ours. , , ., , ., yours. everybody at this time of ear it is yours. everybody at this time of year it is chucking _ yours. everybody at this time of year it is chucking out _ yours. everybody at this time of year it is chucking out there - year it is chucking out there christmas trees, aren't they? there is a book— christmas trees, aren't they? there is a book out— christmas trees, aren't they? there is a book out on how to eat your christmas — is a book out on how to eat your christmas tree. a famous restaurant in copenhagen used to make a pine rub from _ in copenhagen used to make a pine

rub from it— in copenhagen used to make a pine rub from it which you could rub on raised _ rub from it which you could rub on raised chickens and so on, there is recipes— raised chickens and so on, there is recipes for— raised chickens and so on, there is recipes for spruce butter, spruce tea, spruce — recipes for spruce butter, spruce tea, spruce toast, i became aware of this book— tea, spruce toast, i became aware of this book 25— tea, spruce toast, i became aware of this book 2.5 hours ago and three hours _ this book 2.5 hours ago and three hours ago — this book 2.5 hours ago and three hours ago i — this book 2.5 hours ago and three hours ago i threw my christmas tree out into— hours ago i threw my christmas tree out into the — hours ago i threw my christmas tree out into the garden so it's too late for me _ out into the garden so it's too late for me but— out into the garden so it's too late for me but if you have it back this time _ for me but if you have it back this time next — for me but if you have it back this time next year —— have me back, i'm sure _ time next year —— have me back, i'm sure i_ time next year —— have me back, i'm sure i would — time next year —— have me back, i'm sure i would have some tips on using your christmas tree.— your christmas tree. it would've taken me _ your christmas tree. it would've taken me a _ your christmas tree. it would've taken me a long _ your christmas tree. it would've taken me a long time, - your christmas tree. it would've taken me a long time, elise, i your christmas tree. it would'vel taken me a long time, elise, and some, it's a guess those will be your story to talk about but i'm absolutely thrilled and delighted. can't wait to try those recipes i might try eating a christmas tree as well, why not? might try eating a christmas tree as well. why not?— well, why not? elise, tom, you've been a fantastic _ well, why not? elise, tom, you've been a fantastic panel, _ well, why not? elise, tom, you've been a fantastic panel, we - well, why not? elise, tom, you've been a fantastic panel, we will. been a fantastic panel, we will speak to you soon, thank you for that. let's check in with the

all—important darts, whether you all—importa nt darts, whether you want all—important darts, whether you want to know or not, it's happening, potentially history in the making, that show you the man in the middle of all this of course. 16 years old, luke littler, he is playing the biggest match of his life. clearly, his first ever route to the world final. the latest is that he is not winning, he a few sets down at the moment. so, it is first to seven and at the moment, it is opponents, the other luke, who is in the driving seat, luke humphreys is closer to getting to that seven set mark. so he might be about to spoil the party but we will have all the latest of elements on that important, crucial sporting event. i am lewis vaughan

jones, this is bbc news. hello, from the bbc sport centre. we're heading to the decisive moments of the darts world championship final at the alexandra palace — the 16—year—old luke littler against the world number one luke humphries and it's been an absorbing night of action so far. it has been an observing night of action so far as you've been hearing, it is luke humphreys who leads 6—4 at the moment. luke leffler who was captive in the last two weeks. littler, who's captivated the sporting world over the last few weeks, was on fire in the early stages — he managed to win three sets in a row to go 4—2 up. humphries looked to be struggling with his confidence but there was a big moment when littler miscalculated with a chance to go 5—2 up, and missed. humphries, who's won 18 matches in a row,

took advantage and fought back to claw that set back before winning three—in—a—row himself. here's the score as it stands, it is the first to seven who will take the world title and as you can see, luke humphreys is a 6—4 to the good, and if you went the next set the world number one with win the world title. to cricket — and an extraordinary opening day in the second test between south africa and india, with the hosts bowled out forjust 55 in cape town. mohammed siraj took six wickets as india skittled the hosts out in a 23.2 overs. they were then dismissed for 153 themselves, before south africa closed on 62—3 in their second innings, captain dean elgar dismissed twice on the opening day of his farewell test. david warner has started his 112th and final test for australia as they look to complete a 3—nil series whitewash over pakistan, and they've made a good start in brisbane, bowling the tourists

out for 313 on the opening day. in his 111th and final test, david warner was the star attraction in sydney, but the date belongs to pat cummins. forthe sydney, but the date belongs to pat cummins. for the third straight indians, they ushered in captain took five pakistani wickets, a set of written comments is an all—too—familiar site. 18 wickets in the series, claiming big ones. his fifth left them in deep trouble and 27-49. -- 227 for fifth left them in deep trouble and 27—49. —— 227 for nine. there was a sting in the pakistan tail, they were stared past 300 by this better. cummings left the spotlight to warner, and in his final test innings he reminded everyone what they miss. there was in its care, a

close shave but david warner would return undated to. dan ogunshakin, bbc news saracens and england prop mako vunipola has been banned for four games after his red card for a dangerous tackle in their premiership game against newcastle. he'll return in time for the start of the six nations if selected. in tennis, novak djokovic has lost in australia for the first time in six years — beaten by alex de minaur as serbia lost to australia in the united cup quarter—finals. a defeat too for naomi osaka in the second match of her comeback at the brisbane international, losing to karolina pliskova. but as britain's emma raducanu continues her comeback tomorrow, she's received the news that she'll not have to qualify for this month's australian open — as she's been given direct entry into the main draw. our tennis correspondent russell fuller explains. she was only about six spots outside the main draw, not with her actual ranking, which is 301, but with the protected ranking of 103.

that reflects where she was when she left the tour in late april to ultimately have three operations, two on her hands, one on her ankle. as long as you are away from the tour for six month and able to use thisprotected or special ranking. so enough players have withdrawn, including today, lauren davis of the united states with a shoulder injury. her loss is emma's gain. she doesn't need to worry about qualifying. having to win three rounds in qualify next week. she is directly into the main draw for the championships which begin on a which begin a week on sunday. rory mcilroy says he would be open to play in a liv backed competition, if golf's controversial tour became more like cricket's indian premier league, taking up a smaller window in the calendar. merger talks between the pga tour and saudi arabia's public investment fund, which financialy backs liv are continuing.

you can follow the latest on the darts world championship final, they are potentially into the last leg, visit the website, bbc —— forward sport. it more wet weather to come in the forecast until things come to settle down into the we can and will turn dryer, plaintiffs under alerts and flood warning still in place, keep up—to—date with those on the bbc website and your bbc local radio station. this is a pressure chart for thursday, station. this is a pressure chart forthursday, no station. this is a pressure chart for thursday, no pressure to the northwest of scotland at risk and southeasterly when we three and for the northern as. rain to the south of england, more on that in just a moment. temperatures starting thursday morning, above freezing, 4-7 c thursday morning, above freezing,

4—7 c from north to south and more showers across the far north of scotland into the northern as also for western scotland. if you shorts are across northern island and into western england, more showers south but it's this area of rain that is the concern. for an unsaturated ground and that band of rain will push further northwards as we had through the afternoon. this is how we and the afternoon, between 7-10 c, that we and the afternoon, between 7—10 c, that ring set to push further northwards with debates as to how far north it will get. it is likely to bring strong winds to the south coast as it curves to east anglia, hopefully times with the evening rush hour. so expect problems, physically with the recent flooding. friday is happily a much quieter day of weather. the low—pressure moves away and we still have a legacy of cloud and some rain towards eastern coastal areas as we had through friday morning. there would still be some showers with parts of aberdeen sure. and a

scattering showers sort the western coast, plenty of sunshine around, the winds lighter and a temperatures lower, two, 60 nine celsius. as we had through the weekend high pressure starts to build it becomes quite firmly established across the uk and still sticking around until next week, but of course at the jet stream go southwards, we will draw in much colder feeling air, southwards, we will draw in much colderfeeling air, so southwards, we will draw in much colder feeling air, so there would be a drop in temperature. feeling colder, turning dryer, with some frost and fog through the mornings, goodbye for now.

live from london, this is bbc news. luke littler, at 16 years old, is battling to become the youngest ever winner. welcome to bbc news, and lewis vaughanjones. it's been a tense night at alexandra palace, i'm going to bring you the very latest score in the darts championship final therebetween luke littler and luke humphreys, luke littlerjust 16 humphreys, luke littler just 16 years humphreys, luke littlerjust 16 years old, what a fairy tale story it would be. he's been behind at the moment for — six, luke humphreys leads. it's the first of seven, so it luke humphreys on the brink of

spoiling