the headlines: the funeral of the hamas deputy leader — killed in a drone strike — has been taking place in beirut. britain's prime minister says a general election is likely to take place in the second half of this year. rescuers injapan race against time in their search for survivors 72 hours after the new year's day earthquake. sport and time for a full round up, from the bbc sport centre. here's tanya. thank you, samantha. we start with tennis and there were mixed fortunes for rafael nadal and emma raducanu as both step up their comebacks ahead of the australian open. nadal cruised to a straight sets victory overjason kubler, whilst elina svitolina came from a set down to beat raducanu — our tennis correspondent russell fuller spoke to us earlier about both matches. he is playing, very,

very well and this is rafael nadal we're talking about, a 22 time grand slam champion. i think the other advantage of winning two matches here already and having a third against jordan thomson of australia is that will be three matches in four days. if he wins the quarterfinal, then four matches in five days and this exactly what you need when you're returning to the tour having had a year away. there were two hours and 15 minutes on the clock when that third set began. we just need to be reliastic, if you've been out since april and you have had three minor operations, two on her hand and one on her left ankle, then you're going to tire in the third set of a match of that quality and physicality. she was really going for her shots, we know that is the way she plays and wants to play. but her defence was very, very good. again, it's been a really encouraging couple of rounds for her. i think certainly above expectations given that she's had so little tennis in 2023. india have won the second test against south africa in cape town afterjust a day and a half's play. after a remarkable day one

where 23 wickets fell, south africa were bowled out for 176 in their second innings, aiden markram providing the only resistance with a century for the hosts. that left india needing just 79 to win the match and they chased down the target in just 12 overs to win by seven wickets, sharing the series at 1—1. luke humphries is the new world champion of darts after beating teenagesensation, luke littler, in a dramatic final at alexandra palace. humphries has now won four majors in the past three months and says his acchievements are beyond his wildest dreams. i've achieved an incredible amount in the last 48 hours. obviously in the semifinals, i knew if i was to win that game that i would then become world number one. but for me, being world champion meant more because obviously that sticks with you forever. so i had to overcome a lot in 48 hours. obviously being world number one is fantastic but being world champion will stay with me forever. just two amazing achievements

in such a small amount of time, it really is incredible. the past few weeks have been a whirlwind for luke littler whose found himself thrust into the spotlight. he's looking forward to getting away for a break, ahead of what promises to be a busy year. i willjust go home, chill, go abroad, _ i willjust go home, chill, go abroad, probably spain or wherever and just— abroad, probably spain or wherever and just chill and then i will come back_ and just chill and then i will come back and — and just chill and then i will come back and see what i want. i am in a good _ back and see what i want. i am in a good place — back and see what i want. i am in a good place at the minute, i have a good _ good place at the minute, i have a good surroundings. my manager always books _ good surroundings. my manager always books and _ good surroundings. my manager always books and hotels —— flight and hotels — books and hotels —— flight and hotels for _ books and hotels —— flight and hotels for me and my family, as i have _ hotels for me and my family, as i have a _ hotels for me and my family, as i have a good — hotels for me and my family, as i have a good surrounding, i couldn't ask for— have a good surrounding, i couldn't ask for anything else. kevin sinfield will leave the england rugby union coaching set—up later this year. he has been the defence coach, but as head coach, steve borthwick reshuffles his team after the world cup, felixjones takes up that role. he joins after winning two world cups with south africa. former all blacks coach

andrew strawbridge is also joining the team. borthwick says sinfield has made a decision to go in a different direction, but will stay with them until after the summer tour. in the nba, tyrese haliburton had 31 points and 12 assists as the indiana pacers beat the milwaukee bucks 142—130. the bucks were on a is—game home winning streak heading in to this one and things were looking good at the halfway mark, as chris middleton put them in front. but the pacers battled back as they scored 47 points in a frantic third quarter to establish a comfortable lead. haliburton�*s 30—foot three pointer was the pick of his scores as the game drew to a close. that's now four wins against the bucks for the pacers this season. and that's all the sport for now. thank you very much. thousands of people carrying palestinian flags have been attending the funeral of the hamas deputy leader, saleh al—arouri, in the lebanese capital, beirut. his assassination in a drone strike on tuesday has raised fears that

israel's war with hamas could spiral into a wider regional conflict. the leader of the lebanese militant group hezbollah, hassan nasrallah, has threatened a decisive response to the killing. israel has neither confirmed nor denied involvement. the us envoy amos hochstein is visiting israel to try to soothe tensions on israel's northern border. the israeli defence minister yoav gallant told him there was a short window to reach a deal with hezbollah. meghan owen looks at the rising tensions in the region. let's discuss this with nour odeh. she is a palestinian political analyst and former spokesperson for the palestinian authority. welcome to you and thank you for being with us. first of all, as we have been reporting, saleh al—arouri was from the west bank and people have been out there on the streets also commemorating his death with a separate funeral. what is your reaction to his death and what impact it could have on the war in gaza? thank you for having me. the impact

of assassinating saleh al—arouri is a very big. first of all, because he was a centralfigure in hamas but he was a centralfigure in hamas but he was also a very respected figure in the palestinian national movement. this is a man who took central stage in an effort to achieve reconciliation between fatah and hamas. he is very well liked in his village, near ramallah. known for being cooperative, known for being helpful and very humble. so blank at condemnation across the political board in palestine condemning this attack, knowing full well, because this is something israel has been doing for decades, that it won't have a paralysing impact on hamas or events on the ground in gaza. it is a hard blow that it comes in the context of years of such

assassinations, of political, military and other leaders in palestine. he military and other leaders in palestine-— military and other leaders in palestine. ., , , , military and other leaders in palestine. , , ., palestine. he was the deputy leader of hamas, palestine. he was the deputy leader of hamas. a — palestine. he was the deputy leader of hamas, a proscribed _ palestine. he was the deputy leader of hamas, a proscribed terrorist - of hamas, a proscribed terrorist organisation in many countries. hamas obviously the group that launched the attack on israel on the 7th of october. you said it could have a big impact, how and in what way do you think it well? the immediate — way do you think it well? the immediate impact _ way do you think it well? tue: immediate impact is way do you think it well? he immediate impact is escalation. way do you think it well? ttl: immediate impact is escalation. we have seen a marked deterioration on the ground in the israeli ground offensive in gaza. we have seen statements from various factions in the west bank as well, promising to avenge his killing. we have seen reports indicating that hamas has suspended talks in egypt about a deal for leasing captives. suspended talks in egypt about a dealfor leasing captives. so the impact was immediate and very predictable. impact was immediate and very predictable-—

predictable. israel neither confirmed _ predictable. israel neither confirmed nor _ predictable. israel neither confirmed nor denied - predictable. israel neither i confirmed nor denied having predictable. israel neither _ confirmed nor denied having anything to do with this. you are a spokesperson for the palestinian authority. the palliss —— palestinian authority... fix, authority. the palliss -- palestinian authority... a lifetime a . o. the palestinian authority... a lifetime age they were — palestinian authority... a lifetime ago. they were enemies - palestinian authority... a lifetime ago. they were enemies of - palestinian authority... a lifetime | ago. they were enemies of hamas palestinian authority... a lifetime - ago. they were enemies of hamas many ears auo. ago. they were enemies of hamas many years age what — ago. they were enemies of hamas many years a90- what do _ ago. they were enemies of hamas many years ago. what do you _ ago. they were enemies of hamas many years ago. what do you think _ ago. they were enemies of hamas many years ago. what do you think hamas - years ago. what do you think hamas wants to achieve right now, given that they are holding more than 130 hostages in gaza?— that they are holding more than 130 hostages in gaza? well, i think nme is a very big — hostages in gaza? well, i think nme is a very his word — hostages in gaza? well, i think nme is a very big word and _ hostages in gaza? well, i think nme is a very big word and i _ hostages in gaza? well, i think nme is a very big word and i don't - hostages in gaza? well, i think nme is a very big word and i don't think i is a very big word and i don't think the palestinians view their relationship with one another... wasn't there a bitter war between the two over the leadership of gaza in 2005? :, , :, :, :, , :, :, 4' in 2005? there was and hamas took over control — in 2005? there was and hamas took over control of _ in 2005? there was and hamas took over control of gaza _ in 2005? there was and hamas took over control of gaza by _ in 2005? there was and hamas took over control of gaza by force. - in 2005? there was and hamas took over control of gaza by force. i - over control of gaza by force. i personally was there as a journalist and i covered that very bloody episode but that remains, these are inter—palestinian relations. they are not viewed in terms of animosity, so to speak. there is rivalry, there is political division

but the efforts of a reconciliation have not stopped. we heard from the palestinian prime minister condemning the assassination of saleh al—arouri, who nobody doubts was assassinated by israel. in any case, the palestinian authority finds itself in a very precarious situation. it has basically placed all its bets on western capitals. these capitals are complicit in the israeli attack, in the israeli war on gaza, that's in the perspective of the palestinian people. as such, they have absolutely no standing, no credibility and no integrity. that is a very wrong side of things to find yourself in when you are trying to claim leadership of an entire nation that is struggling for its freedom. so right now i think the palestinian leadership would have to find a way back to national dialogue, in order to regain

credibility or else risk being completely sidelined, really, by events and by the palestinian public, who want to see a palestinian leadership that answers to them and not to washington or any otherforeign capital, to them and not to washington or any other foreign capital, for that matter. :, ., other foreign capital, for that matter. :, ~ , :, other foreign capital, for that matter. :, ~' , :, , other foreign capital, for that matter. :, ~ , :, , : :, matter. 0k, thank you very much for “oininu us, matter. 0k, thank you very much for joining us. really _ matter. 0k, thank you very much for joining us, really interesting - matter. 0k, thank you very much for joining us, really interesting to - joining us, really interesting to get your thoughts. just want to bring you some breaking news we brought you a short time ago. a little bit more on the information we are getting from cbs news in the united states and the live shot from the scene. this is the sheriffs office on the side confirming there has been a shooting at a school, perry hill school, according to the sheriffs office in iowa. this is at a local high school in the area. we don't have any more information on the at the moment. we don't know if there have been any emergencies. —— injuries to stop several police cars and fire crews.

the sheriff because my office confirming there has been a shooting at this high school, the perry hill school. no details on any injuries. we understand they will hold a news conference there in about 20 minutes' time, according to dallas county sheriff's iowa office. we will bring you more on that as soon as we get it. more now are no other main story this hour. rishi sunak has said his working assumption is that a general election will be held in the second half of this year. his comments followed speculation he may be preparing to call an early vote in the coming months. opinion polls put his conservatives well behind the opposition labour party. joining me now is henry hill, deputy editor, of conservative home. good to see you. what did you make of this announcement and the timing that we now expect a general election this year?— that we now expect a general election this year? well, i think the default _ election this year? well, i think the default assumption - election this year? well, i think the default assumption has - election this year? well, i think. the default assumption has always been that the prime minister will go

to the country in the autumn. it gives him two years from when he first became prime minister in october 2022 and with the conservatives being so far be behind in the polls at the moment, it was always extremely unlikely that a man of his temperament would choose to go to the country earlier than he had to. the longest he could wait would be january 2025 but i don't think anyone thought that he would actually campaign over christmas. that would be just inviting punishment from the voters. mit? that would be just inviting punishment from the voters. why do ou think punishment from the voters. why do you think he — punishment from the voters. why do you think he has _ punishment from the voters. why do you think he has made _ punishment from the voters. why do you think he has made this _ you think he has made this announcement? there has been speculation he wanted to steal the labour party's dando, sir keir starmer was making an announcement today but i'm sure there is more behind it than that. what do you make of him coming out so early in the new year to manage everyone's expectations?— expectations? well, there were si . ns, expectations? well, there were signs. straws — expectations? well, there were signs, straws in _ expectations? well, there were signs, straws in the _ expectations? well, there were signs, straws in the wind - expectations? well, there were signs, straws in the wind that i expectations? well, there were | signs, straws in the wind that he might be leaving himself the space to go for an earlier election. the budget this year will be very early, at the beginning of march. that would leave time to have the budget,

announce all of those pre—election goodies and then have a six—week election campaign. the tory campaign headquarters has been told to be on a war footing from january the 1st. so there was mounting speculation that he might go early. i think the worry was that if that built up too much and then he didn't, for whatever reason, then like gordon brown in 2007, it would look as if he had bottled it, essentially. that did huge damage to gordon brown. labour would have had a field day and i think he wanted to avoid that happening so he is trying to set the expectation that the election will be in october so if maid comes and goes and there is no election, he can say, i told you injanuary that this is how it is going to be. —— if may comes and goes. 5m? this is how it is going to be. -- if may comes and goes.— this is how it is going to be. -- if may comes and goes. joing me now is claire ainsley, former executive director of policy for labour. under kier starmer current director of the project on center—left renewal, at the progressive policy institutea

centre—left think tank. does it put the conservatives in a stronger or weaker position? t does it put the conservatives in a stronger or weaker position? i think he let it no stronger or weaker position? i think he let it go longer _ stronger or weaker position? i think he let it go longer than _ stronger or weaker position? i think he let it go longer than was - he let it go longer than was necessary so he is seeking to shut it down— necessary so he is seeking to shut it down by— necessary so he is seeking to shut it down by making the announcement today _ it down by making the announcement today i_ it down by making the announcement today. i think it puts labour in a stronger— today. i think it puts labour in a stronger position because i think it gives— stronger position because i think it gives labour a clearer picture of the argument they need to make, when they need _ the argument they need to make, when they need to _ the argument they need to make, when they need to bring out some of those firm policies that are going to take them _ firm policies that are going to take them into— firm policies that are going to take them into the election. sol firm policies that are going to take them into the election. so i think sunak_ them into the election. so i think sunak has— them into the election. so i think sunak has been tactical by shutting down _ sunak has been tactical by shutting down the _ sunak has been tactical by shutting down the criticism but i think it puts— down the criticism but i think it puts labour in a strong position to know_ puts labour in a strong position to know when— puts labour in a strong position to know when to bring forward the policy _ know when to bring forward the policy platform. know when to bring forward the policy platform-— know when to bring forward the oli latform. , :, y:, :, policy platform. henry, do you agree that timin: policy platform. henry, do you agree that timing could _ policy platform. henry, do you agree that timing could play _ policy platform. henry, do you agree that timing could play into _ policy platform. henry, do you agree that timing could play into the - that timing could play into the hands are labour, but the minute stronger position? t hands are labour, but the minute stronger position?— stronger position? i think any clarity would _ stronger position? i think any clarity would put _ stronger position? i think any clarity would put labour - stronger position? i think any clarity would put labour in i stronger position? i think any clarity would put labour in a l clarity would put labour in a stronger position to stop if you are the opposition, you are responding to the government and it is difficult to trying to prepare to be ready for an election in may whilst the prime minister might choose to go along. the prime minister clarifying his position helps labour. of course, with the government behind in the polls, the

only reason the prime minister would delay as if he thought there was a chance that it gave him more time to turn things around, if the conservatives are still far behind in the polls that might be a very good time for labour to have an election in may but the prime minister ruled out. any clarity is useful the smaller parties. the decision of when to have an election is in the hands of the prime minister so that is always an advantage enjoyed by the incumbent government. by forcing him to not guarantee but strongly indicate it will be in october, that means labour, liberal democrats and reform uk and anyone else campaigning can focus plans accordingly.— focus plans accordingly. claire, we 'ust heard focus plans accordingly. claire, we just heard henry — focus plans accordingly. claire, we just heard henry reference - focus plans accordingly. claire, we just heard henry reference the - just heard henry reference the opinion polls, putting labourfar ahead of the conservative party. how does sir keir starmer make sure he doesn't snatch defeat out of the jaws of victory? t doesn't snatch defeat out of the jaws of victory?— doesn't snatch defeat out of the jaws of victory? i think he has got to keep doing _ jaws of victory? i think he has got to keep doing what _ jaws of victory? i think he has got to keep doing what he _ jaws of victory? i think he has got to keep doing what he is - jaws of victory? i think he has got to keep doing what he is doing. i jaws of victory? i think he has got i to keep doing what he is doing. this morning. _ to keep doing what he is doing. this morning. he — to keep doing what he is doing. this morning, he has been out, setting out the _ morning, he has been out, setting out the case — morning, he has been out, setting out the case for what he would bring to the _ out the case for what he would bring to the country as prime minister and giving _ to the country as prime minister and giving people that hope. i think that is—

giving people that hope. i think that is what people are looking for. the last _ that is what people are looking for. the last few years have been pretty difficult _ the last few years have been pretty difficult. we have had the pandemic. we have _ difficult. we have had the pandemic. we have had all of the financial complications that have arisen from that and _ complications that have arisen from that and we have also just had a really— that and we have also just had a really difficult time in terms of our health and public services. we have _ our health and public services. we have seen— our health and public services. we have seen political turmoil and people — have seen political turmoil and people are looking for something different— people are looking for something different now. i think labourjust have _ different now. i think labourjust have to — different now. i think labourjust have to stick to their plan, which is of— have to stick to their plan, which is of that— have to stick to their plan, which is of that hope, of that alternative and say _ is of that hope, of that alternative and say but the end of 20 to a vibe we can— and say but the end of 20 to a vibe we cantake— and say but the end of 20 to a vibe we can take the country in a different— we can take the country in a different direction and that is what they are _ different direction and that is what they are doing. different direction and that is what they are doing-— they are doing. what could the conservative _ they are doing. what could the conservative party _ they are doing. what could the conservative party do, - they are doing. what could the conservative party do, henry, | they are doing. what could the i conservative party do, henry, to they are doing. what could the - conservative party do, henry, to try and secure a win? that conservative party do, henry, to try and secure a win?— and secure a win? at this point, it is a defensive _ and secure a win? at this point, it is a defensive election _ and secure a win? at this point, it is a defensive election but - and secure a win? at this point, it is a defensive election but they i is a defensive election but they have a lot of padding because they won big in 2019 with an 80 seat majority. they need to start picking their battles, digging their trenches around the seats they need to hold to hold on to a bare majority and ruthlessly target the budget and all of their policies over the next 12 months, if it is 12 months, to making sure that those voters in those seats feel a

tangible return on their decision to vote conservative so they have a real incentive to stick with the party next time. it will be an uphill struggle, for sure. both of ou, uphill struggle, for sure. both of you. thank— uphill struggle, for sure. both of you. thank you _ uphill struggle, for sure. both of you, thank you for _ uphill struggle, for sure. both of you, thank you for being - uphill struggle, for sure. both of you, thank you for being with - uphill struggle, for sure. both of| you, thank you for being with us, interesting to get your thoughts. stay with us on bbc news. around the world and across the uk. this is bbc news. tacking up to take down criminals. it might not be theirjob butjess and clare have volunteered to even up and clare have volunteered to even up the fight when it comes to crime in the countryside. t up the fight when it comes to crime in the countryside.— in the countryside. i love tilton where i in the countryside. i love tilton where i keep — in the countryside. i love tilton where i keep my _ in the countryside. i love tilton where i keep my horse - in the countryside. i love tilton where i keep my horse and - in the countryside. i love tilton where i keep my horse and i i in the countryside. i love tilton l where i keep my horse and i love in the countryside. i love tilton - where i keep my horse and i love to give a little bit back to the community. i'm with my horse almost everyday in this opportunity came up and i thought let's go for it. the aim is to crack _ and i thought let's go for it. the aim is to crack down on incidents this, which last year because the midlands economy more than £11 million. tote midlands economy more than £11 million. ~ ::, :,: _ :, million. we were contacted by a volunteer. _ million. we were contacted by a volunteer, she _ million. we were contacted by a volunteer, she had _ million. we were contacted by a

volunteer, she had been - million. we were contacted by a volunteer, she had been out- million. we were contacted by a i volunteer, she had been out riding and come — volunteer, she had been out riding and come across some silver tents in and come across some silver tents in a hedgerow— and come across some silver tents in a hedgerow ditch line for stop she hopped _ a hedgerow ditch line for stop she hopped off to have a look and it was the remains — hopped off to have a look and it was the remains of a cannabis grower and a large _ the remains of a cannabis grower and a large box _ the remains of a cannabis grower and a large box with can invest in it. the 20 — a large box with can invest in it. the 20 riders will work alongside rural policing teams to be their eyes and ears along quiet country lanes. you are live with bbc news. i want to take you back to the united states and bring you the latest lines after reports of an active shooting situation at perry hill school is a step 35 miles from their state capital. this is according to someone from the dallas county sheriff�* office telling the ap news agency. a news conference is scheduled for the next ten minutes or so. videos and photos from the scene have been published by local media, which have been showing a large police presence. this is the

scene live now. the cameras and microphones set up for that news conference. you cannot see an awful lot from that standpoint at the moment but we did see a little earlier some scenes of fire crews and police crews on the scene, with reports of this active school shooting situation at perry hill school. so we are waiting for that and we will bring you any more details as soon as we get it. there is the scene live now. the camera some distance from the school and the flashing lights of several police cars you can see there. we don't know any more details about any possible victims. the only information that we have is from the afp news agency, reporting that police have responded to a shooting at a high school in the midwestern us state of iowa on thursday morning. no immediate confirmation of any potential victims.

here in the uk, millions of people we re were glued to their screens last night to see if a british teenager could succeed in his bid to win the darts world championship final. this is luke littler who was beaten by luke humphreys at the tournament in london. he described his progress in the championship over the last couple of weeks is unbelievable. unbelievable, it's crazy to think the runner—up is bigger than the winner. obviously luke is world number one and the champion, so all respect to him. going into the game, win or lose situation, i was always going to come out happy. it was a bit gutting standing there watching him lift the trophy but he deserved it, he was the better man on the night. i am it, he was the better man on the night. iam happy it, he was the better man on the night. i am happy with the runner—up. i was night. i am happy with the runner—up. iwas happy night. i am happy with the runner—up. i was happy with winning one game as everyone knows that getting to the final was a bigger bonus. i'm joined now by

lorraine winstanley, a semi—professional dart player and head of youth development for target darts. good to see you, i am sure you, like millions of us were glued to your seats last night. what do you make of his performance, getting so far atjust 16 years old? tie of his performance, getting so far atjust 16 years old?— atjust 16 years old? he was amazing. — atjust 16 years old? he was amazing, wasn't _ atjust 16 years old? he was amazing, wasn't he? - atjust 16 years old? he was amazing, wasn't he? for. atjust 16 years old? he was l amazing, wasn't he? for me, atjust 16 years old? he was - amazing, wasn't he? for me, it's not amazing, wasn't he? for me, it's not a surprise. his talent and the way he has performed. the biggest surprise for me is how he has taken the media in his stride and he has just kept his cool. edge of the seat stuff over the last three weeks, so very, very exciting times for him but i am so, so proud of him. t but i am so, so proud of him. i think it was a surprise to him every venne if it wasn't to you. i think he was hoping to just win one match and be home by christmas. but as you say, he did take it in his stride. do you think that was because there were no expectations of him? t do you think that was because there were no expectations of him? i think so. he were no expectations of him? i think so- he really — were no expectations of him? i think so. he really has _ were no expectations of him? i think so. he really has got _ were no expectations of him? i think so. he really has got his _ were no expectations of him? i think so. he really has got his feet - were no expectations of him? i think so. he really has got his feet on - so. he really has got his feet on the ground. he is very level—headed

and he loves playing darts. so his expectation was to win one game and he did that and he was enjoying himself. i think it comes so easily when you are enjoying yourself. we when you are en'oying yourself. we are when you are enjoying yourself. we are looking at pictures of him now when he was a toddler throwing darts. he looks is happy there as he has done the last few weeks, playing at the darts championship. is it down to talent or is it down to sheer hard work and the fact he has been doing this since he was old enough to walk, literally? obviously ou have enough to walk, literally? obviously you have to — enough to walk, literally? obviously you have to have _ enough to walk, literally? obviously you have to have a _ enough to walk, literally? obviously you have to have a level— enough to walk, literally? obviously you have to have a level of- enough to walk, literally? obviously you have to have a level of natural. you have to have a level of natural talent but luke has just proved what hard work and dedication can achieve. can ijust say, massive, massive kudos to his parents because the sacrifices that they had made to be able to get luke to every competition he is wanting to play in, they got him there. he has got to be there, you have to be in it to win it. so they have put in as much

hard work and dedication as luke has and to have that major support network around him has been really into for him. tt is network around him has been really into for him-— into for him. it is often down to the parents. — into for him. it is often down to the parents, rarely _ into for him. it is often down to the parents, rarely seen - into for him. it is often down to the parents, rarely seen but. into for him. it is often down to i the parents, rarely seen but they provide all that support in the background, don't they? he certainly has got people talking about the game, watching it, lots of people who have never watched a darts match before. what kind of a boost can you give to the game, do you think? tie give to the game, do you think? he has give to the game, do you think? he: has catapulted youth darts to the forefront of every corner of the earth. for me, he has done for youth darts what fallon did for the women starts. so for me, he has captivated a whole new audience. people, like you say, who have never picked up a set of darts, never even entertained watching a game of darts, he has got the whole planet talking about it. so what a way to make your entrance into the professional game. what into the professional game. what next for him. _ into the professional game. what next for him, do _ into the professional game. what next for him, do you _ into the professional game. what next for him, do you think? - into the professional game. what next for him, do you think? he i into the professional game. what i next for him, do you think? he has into the professional game. what. next for him, do you think? he has a bus 12

next for him, do you think? he has a busy 12 months _ next for him, do you think? he has a busy 12 months coming _ next for him, do you think? he has a busy 12 months coming up! - next for him, do you think? he has a busy 12 months coming up! i - next for him, do you think? he has a busy 12 months coming up! i don't i busy 12 months coming up! i don't think his feet are going to touch the ground. t think his feet are going to touch the ground-— think his feet are going to touch the ground. i can imagine he will aet so the ground. i can imagine he will get so many _ the ground. i can imagine he will get so many endorsements - the ground. i can imagine he will get so many endorsements as i the ground. i can imagine he will. get so many endorsements as well. the ground. i can imagine he will- get so many endorsements as well. he is going to have quite a few more pounds on his bank account, you think? ~ , y pounds on his bank account, you think? ~ , , , :,, :, think? absolutely, but he has a ureat think? absolutely, but he has a great management _ think? absolutely, but he has a great management team - think? absolutely, but he has a | great management team around think? absolutely, but he has a - great management team around him, so they will guide him with the best things to do with that. again, it is all about keeping his feet on the ground. all about keeping his feet on the round. :, :, :, ,, all about keeping his feet on the round. :, :, :, ~ i. , ground. ok, lorraine, thank you very much for being _ ground. ok, lorraine, thank you very much for being with _ ground. ok, lorraine, thank you very much for being with us. _ ground. ok, lorraine, thank you very much for being with us. i'm - ground. ok, lorraine, thank you very much for being with us. i'm glad - ground. ok, lorraine, thank you very much for being with us. i'm glad you| much for being with us. i'm glad you got to enjoy his performance so much as well. let's return to that breaking news. we havejust had confirmation in the past few minutes by reuters news agency that following that active shooter incident in the united states, at least one person has been killed and there are others who have been injured in a shooting on thursday morning. this is at perry hill school in iowa. according to law enforcement officials, they say they're a appears to be at least two people are injured on the scene, which they say is now secure. we can see from that live shot there that

there are still dozens of police because they're outside. we saw a fire engine there as well. so lots of incident responders. we are expecting a news conference there in the next few minutes' time and we will bring back to you. just a reminder that police are saying that at least one person has been killed and others have been injured in a shooting at this high school in iowa. also just before we go, i want to remind you of another breaking news story this hour. this is and nottinghamshire, the county council have declared a major incident for the entire county. it says this is because of rising river levels on the river trent and possible future flooding in the area caused by storm henk. it says villages along the river are most at risk. stay with us on bbc news, we will bring you more on bbc news, we will bring you more on all of those developing stories. thank you for watching.

hello. weather across the uk has certainly been testing our patience in recent weeks, but there are indications of something a little quieter as we head towards the weekend. but until then, most of the countryside looking like this, fairly waterlogged, a lot of flooding out there. at the moment, there are hundreds of flood warnings in effect across the country. and in fact, we may well add to those across southern england overnight tonight as there's yet more rain to come. it's this base swirl of cloud that's moving in from the southwest. it will bring a brief spell of heavy rain once again and strengthening winds. ahead of it, spilling in quite a lot of cloud across much of wales and the midlands. the best of any brighter skies through northern england, northern ireland and western scotland. still pretty windy across the northern isles with a trail of showers through northeast scotland. temperatures generally around single figures between seven and nine degrees. but let's zoom in and look at this rain in a little more detail. once it arrives, gusts of winds are likely to reach

50 to 60 miles an hour in exposed coasts through the channel. there'll be a spell of wet weather. we're going to see another inch or two of rain falling on already saturated ground in areas where we've got flooding. so this is just going to exacerbate the issue. it will move through at quite a pace, lingering across lincolnshire perhaps, and there will be a scattering of showers through the night across the east coast of england and scotland. but elsewhere, temperatures perhaps into low single figures for many — two or three degrees first thing. so we've got that weather front continuing to bring some windier and slightly showery conditions across north east scotland. our weather front through the night has eased away. and so that means first thing on friday morning, it will be a cloudy story with a little bit of mist and fog around. but on the whole, quite quiet. the best of the sunshine on friday out to the west, a few scattered showers through wales and again, those temperatures generally at around 6 to 9 degrees. now, as we move out of friday, it looks likely that we could see areas of high pressure building.

so friday into the start of the weekend, here's that high quietening things down, but the blue tones taking over means temperatures will be just that below par for the time of year. and that could be a bit of a shock to the system. we will be chasing cloud amounts around, but certainly it's going to be a drier story and a slightly cooler story with a brisk northeasterly wind at times. take care.

live from london. this is bbc news.

thousands of people attend the funeral of hamas's deputy leader killed in a drone strike in beirut. britain's prime minister says a general election is likely to take place in the second half of this year. a shooting in a high school in iowa. a shooting in a high school in iowa. a news conference is due to take place shortly. a major incident is declared in nottinghamshire as the county is hit by flooding and rising river levels caused by storm henk. hello, i'm samantha simmonds, welcome to verified live, three hours of breaking stories, and checking out the truth behind them. we begin in the middle east — and the aftermath of several acts of deadly violence in different countries. we will return to that story shortly. i want to go straight to iowa, where there has been a school

shooting. we understand