have some turning back to rain. we have some showers, some of them could be quite heavy but temperature is beginning to rise on friday. but we still have that colder air in place in scotland and for northern scotland to start the weekend there may be some snow but elsewhere more likely to have some rain. thanks, darren. and that's bbc news at six. you can keep up with all the latest developments on bbc website. now it's time to join our colleagues for the news where you are. hello and welcome to sportsday — i'm ollie foster. can ivory coast keep the party going? it's semi—finals day at the africa cup of nations. pochettino�*s not in a party mood at chelsea. chelsea are looking to stay in the fa cup tonight. really invite rangers, need

we'll get the latest from las vegas, where the chiefs are hoping their lucky charm makes it in time for super bowl 58. and as british divers enjoy their best world championship return, we'll hearfrom one the squad involved in half of their medals in doha. the team are doing amazing. i mean i'm so proud of everyone, we've really, really work hard and we are supporting each other so much. in the next few hours, the africa cup of nations will be down to the final two. it's been such an unpredictable tournament in ivory coast — the hosts encapsulating that with their route to the final week, the two time champions will be favourites against dr congo later and right now nigeria are playing south africa,

all four semi—finalists are former winners, but as we've seen over the past month reputations count for absolutely nothing. let's head to abidjan, where ivory coast play later. ourfootball reporter john bennett is there. john, we'll get to that game in a moment, but what's the latest in the first of the semi—finals? we have, nigeria one, south africa neil. —— zero. it's been a game of few chances to be honest, the first half was very cagey. nigeria with a couple of half chances before their goal. victor also men, the star striker had a header that didn't hit the target. sensational on midfield

for this tournament, then they won a penalty and it was scored by william true stack on, who used to play in england for watford, that is his second penalty of this tournament. he really is ice cool from the spot, centre back. he'll be really confident now, ollie, for clean sheets in a row, they're for the for the clean sheet in a row, they can see this i'll get back to the final and possibly go on to win their first africa cup of nations since 2013. they've done amazingly well. to reach _ they've done amazingly well. to reach well, obviously every step of the game — reach well, obviously every step of the game they start building confidence and to get where they are, we _ confidence and to get where they are, we are proud of them and we are happy _ are, we are proud of them and we are happy. congolese and ivory coast, we are similan _ happy. congolese and ivory coast, we

are similar. it's like a big family, so may— are similar. it's like a big family, so may the — are similar. it's like a big family, so may the best win and i hope it's us because, — so may the best win and i hope it's us because, you know, they're lucky. they're _ us because, you know, they're lucky. they're supposed to be out but they've — they're supposed to be out but they've been given a chance. but yeah. _ they've been given a chance. but yeah. this — they've been given a chance. but yeah, this is a game where you want to, he _ yeah, this is a game where you want to, he began, this is where you want to, he began, this is where you want to show— to, he began, this is where you want to show your— to, he began, this is where you want to show your talent. this is i mean, the whole _ to show your talent. this is i mean, the whole country is watching it. i'm glad — the whole country is watching it. i'm glad we're playing the hosts. we went on a little bit early with him, we're still talking about nigeria versus south africa. so let's look at that match now, with the hosts. such a bonus though, let's start with them before we talk about dr congo. such a bonus they are still in the tournament, but it's worth reminding everyone, john, that they really put their fans through the wringer, this is a torturous route to the last four. yeah, there have been some twists

and turns to say the least, so really they should have been knocked out in the group stage, they lost two games in a row including a 4—0 defeat to equatorial guinea which stunned the country. they eventually went straight through as one of the best third place finishers. then in the last 16 they'll play senegal, they are 1—0 went down, and equaliser went into on penalties, then the quarterfinal against molly they were trailing until the final seconds, got an equaliser, played with ten men for most of the game and eventually ended up winning that match. in the stadium behind me it's almost destiny now for them to win the trophy, they've scraped through, really. i think it will be very tough against dr congo, we heard there from lualua. than tough against dr congo, we heard there from lualua.— tough against dr congo, we heard there from lualua. an eight o'clock kick-off, they _ there from lualua. an eight o'clock kick-off, they are _ there from lualua. an eight o'clock kick-off, they are having _ there from lualua. an eight o'clock kick-off, they are having a - there from lualua. an eight o'clock

kick-off, they are having a water i kick—off, they are having a water break, nigeria still i—o kick—off, they are having a water break, nigeria stilli—o in kick—off, they are having a water break, nigeria still 1—0 in south africa. many thanks tojohn, life from abidjan. the asian cup final on saturday will be betweenjordan and defending champions qatar who beat iran 3—2 this afternoon. iran struck first, sardar azmoun gave his side an early lead with a spectacular strike after just four minutes. but that seemed to wake the hosts up and they went into a 2—1 lead with goals from jassem gaber and akram afif. iran pulled level with a penalty only for almoez ali to make it 3—2 late on and book qatar's place in the final. there's planty of knockout football closer to home, it's the last of the fa cup fourth round replays this evening. championship side bristol city are at nottingham forest and chelsea go to aston villa. since their goaless draw at stamford bridge last month, the blues have gone backwards in the league, slipping into the bottom half of the table. patrick gearey reports.

argentina is not bringing the results — argentina is not bringing the results we need. the world's performances _ results we need. the world's performances are _ results we need. the world's performances are horrible. l results we need. the world's - performances are horrible. these are uncomfortable _ performances are horrible. these are uncomfortable noises _ performances are horrible. these are uncomfortable noises and _ performances are horrible. these are uncomfortable noises and for- performances are horrible. these are uncomfortable noises and for pitino. | uncomfortable noises and for pitino. the sound made when stretched patients snaps. two defeats in five days, the wolves and liverpool, come another criticism has grown loudly, impossible to drown out. you another criticism has grown loudly, impossible to drown out.— impossible to drown out. you know auain, impossible to drown out. you know again. liverpool — impossible to drown out. you know again, liverpool was _ impossible to drown out. you know again, liverpool was massive, - again, liverpool was massive, massive failure. look and see how bad it is, they lose now liverpool again, and arsenal, there was a similar affecting the player because we are a team that we need the confidence. we are a team that we need the confidence-— we are a team that we need the confidence. ., , ., ., ,.,, confidence. comes to the near post, silva! that confidence _ confidence. comes to the near post, silva! that confidence was _ confidence. comes to the near post, silva! that confidence was there - confidence. comes to the near post, silva! that confidence was there for| silva! that confidence was there for a while, seemed _ silva! that confidence was there for a while, seemed to _ silva! that confidence was there for a while, seemed to be _ silva! that confidence was there for a while, seemed to be guiding -

a while, seemed to be guiding chelsea gently upwards, but it proved a fragile, shallow recovery, cost £1 billion but since the 11th in the table. it features some of the most prized young players in the world but chelsea have already lost ten league matches. input world but chelsea have already lost ten league matches.— world but chelsea have already lost ten league matches. input does not match output- _ ten league matches. input does not match output. they _ ten league matches. input does not match output. they are _ ten league matches. input does not match output. they are not - match output. they are not performing to the standards we expect them to perform, but you also have to understand, if you put a lot of good quality together, that doesn't happen straightaway. it's sad to say, but i kind of knew that this was coming, and it was going to take a lot of work.— take a lot of work. some are looking hither in take a lot of work. some are looking higher in search _ take a lot of work. some are looking higher in search of _ take a lot of work. some are looking higher in search of blame. _ take a lot of work. some are looking higher in search of blame. to - take a lot of work. some are looking higher in search of blame. to the . higher in search of blame. to the way the club has been run since 2022 under american co—owner tom bully. the's wife this week tweeted that it was time for a change. but she has since apologised but some supporters have come to the same conclusion. he's been in thejob long enough to he's been in the job long enough to at least _ he's been in the job long enough to at least be — he's been in the job long enough to at least be able to implement some sort of— at least be able to implement some

sort of identity and i don't think that's— sort of identity and i don't think that's been the case. you can already— that's been the case. you can already see the sort of plans he has for these _ already see the sort of plans he has for these players and ijust don't think— for these players and ijust don't think he'll— for these players and ijust don't think he'll get the best out of them — think he'll get the best out of them i— think he'll get the best out of them. i don't see us climbing up from _ them. i don't see us climbing up from llth — them. i don't see us climbing up from 11th. , ., them. i don't see us climbing up from 11th-_ from 11th. this month may be pivotal. starting _ from 11th. this month may be pivotal. starting with - from 11th. this month may be| pivotal. starting with tonight's from 11th. this month may be - pivotal. starting with tonight's fa cups replay against aston villa. constantino will know i chelsea, time is more valuable than money. patrick gearey, bbc news. leeds are waiting in the last 16 for the winner of tonight's replay at villa park, conor mcnamara is there for 5live. it's the original game between these, it was actually a very entertaining scoreless match. we novella played very high up the pitch, they pushed right up at chelsea, enjoyed getting in around behind them if it wasn't for martinez, they might have already booked their pathway through to the fifth round of the fa cup, they go at it again here tonight at villa park, aston villa will be hoping to bounce back from their home game

here when they were beaten by newcastle in premier league, they did look much better in a threshing sheu did look much better in a threshing shell feel united at the weekend. so this fa cups is an access route into the europa league for next season. of course, aston villa have loftier ambitions than that. they are currently top five in the premier league and fifth place could be good enough for a champions league spot for next season. but as we know, when i am or he is a bit of a cup specialist, he's done very well in competitions from his time in spain and even in france, even his one full season in charge of arsenal, he got them to european cup final, so fans will fancy a run for this competition, from a chelsea point of view cup competitions have become really important for them. chelsea and the bottom half of the table, you would think the best bet they are going to finish top half of the premier league but no better than that, it could be that cops save the day for pitino, they are already in the final of the league cup. even if

it takes extra time at villa park, a penalty shoot—out, we will find out who will go through to play leeds united in the fifth round. and here's one for you. chelsea, are the last remaining london club left in the fa cups the season. if they were to go out tonight, it would mean no team from the capital in the fifth round, and it's well over 120 years since the last time that happened. what a fantastic stat. the latest edition of the football news show takes a close look at chelsea, you'll find that on the iplayer. the title race in scotland is getting really interesting, celtic are only top on goal diference now after rangers won last night and they've both played the same number of games. the champions can move clear again with victory at hibernian tonight. brian mclaughlin is at easter road. good evening from edinburg

temperatures are sure to rise tonight when they take on celtic. the victory last night at our box, 2-1 the victory last night at our box, 2—1 victory the victory last night at our box, 2—1victory against aberdeen. for the celtic manager brendan rodgers he has never achieved a victory here, so this is a very difficult hunting ground for celtic. for the home site, they haven't won a match at home in the league since the start of december, indeed their only win in 2024 was against woolworths athletic. undera win in 2024 was against woolworths athletic. under a lot of pressure, a full house at easter road, kick—off is eight o'clock, and it's going to be a fantastic game of football. brentford say the response of social media companies to online abuse is �*underwhelming' that's after their striker ivan toney was subjected to more racist abuse.

asimilar a similar issue occurred just a few weeks ago, they reported to the authorities, to date we have yet to see any action taken against that individual. the women's league cup quarterfinals are being played this evening. there's no rachel daly for aston villa against brighton. the striker has been banned for three matches for violent conduct during their draw against bristol city over the weekend. daly elbowed city defender megan connolly and though it wasn't spotted by the match officials at the time, it was picked up by tv cameras. last season's golden boot winner will also miss league games against tottenham and liverpool. that tie against brighton kicks off at seven. chelsea women have only come into the competition at the quarterfinals because of their involvement in the champions league. they play sunderland. arsenal's game at london city lionesses is off because of a waterlogged pitch in dartford. tottenham hotspurface manchester city the draw

for the semi—finals will take place here on sportsday on friday. former england lionesses striker ellen white has received her mbe for services to football. white, who also won two league titles with arsenal, retired after england won the euros in 2022 received her honour at windsor castle from prince william, who's president of the fa. white, who won 113 caps, is still england women's top scorer with 52 goals. we did speak about football, yeah. i asked him about aston villa as well. he's been a incredible supporter of women's football for so many years, since i've been a part of england. and playing football, yeah, so it was, it was amazing to receive it from him and we had a little bit of

a chat again about football as well which put me at ease and fell made me feel a little relaxed as well. was really nice. let's have a quick look at some of the other stories today. emma raducanu has been kncoked out of the abu dhabi open by onsjabeur in the last 16. the tunisian second seed won in straight sets. heather watson plays her second round match tomorrow wales have made seven changes for the match against england on saturday. george north returns from injury to make his 50th sixth nations appearance. wales lost to scotland by a single point on the opening weekend despite being 27—0 down at one stage. simona halep has begun her appeal at the court of arbitration for sport against a four year doping ban. the former wimbledon and french open champion denies wrongdoing and blames contaminated nutritional supplements. the bbc are going to show live super league games for the first time. they've signed a three—year deal and will show a total of 15 matches this season starting with wigan�*s trip to castleford on the opening weekend.

the super league champions will be decided in october's grand final. and the harry sunderland trophy for the man of the match, has been renamed the rob burrow award, after the former leeds scrum—half who won eight grand finals and was the first man to win the sunderland trophy twice. he was awarded a cbe in the new year honours list for services to motor neurone disease awareness. he was diagnosed with the disease five years ago. then mcguire former team—mate, being given the honour of presenting the first rubber row trophy, we are all really delighted that it's rob's name that's going to be on there, i think he'd be really honoured, really proud. it really shines to him as a character and we are of the moon. it'll be a new one, i the

previous house of the trophy was quite modest, it was small. but it didn't lack prestige, you know, it's the value of what it means, the symbolism and i think that personifies robbie in himself as well. he was an absolute champion in his fight against mnd in recent years. his physical expression on the field which has since been taken away from him, it's no less heroic and courageous then he's doing right, i think that's why he's a hero, and it's fantastic that this trophy gets named after him. british divers are having an outstanding world championships in qatar. they lie third in the medal table but they have finished on the podium as many times as china who lead the way. that's thanks in no small part to the performances of 19—year—old andrea spendolini—siriex, with team gold, bronze in the individual ten—metre platform and also the synchronised. she spoke to me from doha.

ijust i just wanted to ijust wanted to come i just wanted to come for experience and to do my best, really. and you know, the metals i'm taking back home, three competitions and three metals by the grace of god, and i'm so happy. i'm genuinely... it so much more than i was expecting. that must really take _ much more than i was expecting. that must really take it _ much more than i was expecting. that must really take it out of you, doesn't it was mike's so much competition in such a short space of time, how do you feel now? mr; competition in such a short space of time, how do you feel now? my body is auoin time, how do you feel now? my body is going through _ time, how do you feel now? my body is going through it. _ time, how do you feel now? my body is going through it. i'm _ time, how do you feel now? my body is going through it. i'm very, - time, how do you feel now? my body is going through it. i'm very, very - is going through it. i'm very, very tired, mentally, physically, emotionally. the prelims were the longest preliminary never done in my career. it was a three hour prelim and then we were competing back to back going on ten metre three days in a row and then doing the team event on top of that. it's a lot of load on my body and my arms are really tired, my brain, yesterday i was trying so hard in synchro, but we did just enough which is exactly

what we wanted. but yeah, no, i'm exhausted. what we wanted. but yeah, no, i'm exhausted-— exhausted. spirits must be so high in the squad- _ exhausted. spirits must be so high in the squad. we _ exhausted. spirits must be so high in the squad. we saw— exhausted. spirits must be so high in the squad. we saw others - exhausted. spirits must be so high in the squad. we saw others get i exhausted. spirits must be so high in the squad. we saw others get a | in the squad. we saw others get a medal in the sinker, that metal is the best record, six metals. the uirls the best record, six metals. the girls have _ the best record, six metals. the girls have been _ the best record, six metals. tie: girls have been really incredible, they really pulled through. and the team are doing amazing. i'm so proud of everyone, we really worked hard and we are supporting each other so much. i mean, the cheering, the encouragement, the messages, the team is incredible. we are really like a family here. but it's been beautiful to see everyone flourish, everyone working together. when someone is feeling down we just make sure to pick them back up, and it's just, it yeah, it has been immaculate and i'm so excited to cheer on the rest of the team, they did so much cheering for me so i need to give it back. hagar

did so much cheering for me so i need to give it back. how important has tom daly _ need to give it back. how important has tom daly been _ need to give it back. how important has tom daly been after— need to give it back. how important has tom daly been after a - need to give it back. how important has tom daly been after a couple i need to give it back. how important has tom daly been after a couple of years away? how important has his experience, having an olympic champion back in the squad, for everybody?— champion back in the squad, for eve bod ? ., ,, ., everybody? you know, i did mixed s nchro everybody? you know, i did mixed synchro with _ everybody? you know, i did mixed synchro with him _ everybody? you know, i did mixed synchro with him in _ everybody? you know, i did mixed synchro with him in the _ everybody? you know, i did mixed synchro with him in the team - everybody? you know, i did mixed| synchro with him in the team event and he helped me more than he knew. i've been trying to work on my technique and my take off, more specifically, and doing synchro with him, honestly into sessions it was fixed, straightaway because he helped me so much and he's been giving me tips and everything to ensure i'm not putting so much pressure on myself and expectation because as a diver, i expect perfection. which doesn't exist. and tom is really great at reminding all of us, you know, just to take it one dive at a time and remind ourselves that we are capable of doing everything. but tom, i'm i've looked up everything. but tom, i'm i've looked up to him since i was little and i still looked up to noon now. he's a great guy, we have great fun, great

laughs, and it's so nice to have him back on the team. you laughs, and it's so nice to have him back on the team.— laughs, and it's so nice to have him back on the team. you are 'ust 16 at the last orymprcs * back on the team. you are 'ust 16 at the last olympics in h back on the team. you are 'ust 16 at the last olympics in japan. b back on the team. you are just 16 at the last olympics in japan. i - back on the team. you are just 16 at the last olympics in japan. i don't i the last olympics injapan. i don't need to tell you, we are in an olympic year. that's going to come very quickly, isn't it emma paris? how much better equipped you think you are is a diver going into these games? 50 you are is a diver going into these iames? . ., you are is a diver going into these names? . ., , . i. games? so much more experience, you know. i've games? so much more experience, you know- we got — games? so much more experience, you know. i've got loads _ games? so much more experience, you know. i've got loads of _ games? so much more experience, you know. i've got loads of world _ know. i've got loads of world experience now. i'm also not, i'm in a gap year now so my focus in training isjust100% diving which is what we need going into an olympic year. is what we need going into an olympic year-— is what we need going into an olympic year. is what we need going into an ol mic ear. �* . . , olympic year. andrea, and their is two more days _ olympic year. andrea, and their is two more days of— olympic year. andrea, and their is two more days of competition - olympic year. andrea, and their is two more days of competition so l two more days of competition so there's a chance of more metals and ohio. it's super bowl week in las vegas. kansas city chiefs facing the san francisco 49ers on sunday. it's a huge event that usually sells itself, but five days out from the game, the chiefs have seen a huge surge in followers on their social media platforms, thanks

to taylor swift and her relationship with the chiefs tight—end travis kelce. now she just have to make to the game our sports correspondent nesta macgregor is in las vegas. super bowl opening night. players, fans and the world's media gearing up for a sporting occasion like no other. i mean, where else but the super bowl do you get a press conference where 23,000 people turn up a week before the game? and the biggest day in us sports just got bigger, thanks to a love story between a pop music icon, and one of the stars of the nfl. over there, travis kelce. you just try and get close to him. it's kind of impossible, but we're going to give it a go. trav! since the pair started dating four months ago, taylor swift has been a regular at kansas city chiefs games. my daughter loves you. driving interest amongst the new generation of american football fans. thank you, nice to meet you. it's been awesome to see, you know, the nfl expand in that regard and hearjust how many young girls are getting into the game

of football, are enjoying those moments with their fathers and their loved ones. it's been awesome to hear. mind you, not all fans are buying into the taylor swift effect. i'm all about football. not a love story, you know what i mean? we're not the titanic here. i think they're really cute i together, but i don't know. a bunch of people don't like it. is the love story a distraction from the actual football? maybe for a lot of fans it is because they show her a lot. but i mean, it's good for tv. i think she's cool. she's our good luck charm. go chiefs! the chiefs take on the san francisco 49ers here at the las vegas allegiant stadium on sunday afternoon. but the question on everyone's lips — will taylor swift be there? fresh from her latest success at the grammys, she's due on stage in tokyo as part of her world tour the day before the super bowl. then it's a race against time. a 12—hour flight across the pacific, but the time difference is in her favour. so in theory, it's possible. even the japanese embassy

in the us has got involved, issuing a statement confirming she should arrive in time for kick—off. back in vegas, the will she/won't she narrative isn't the only subject on the hundreds of talk shows in town. taylor swift chat is big business, with no limit on how unbelievable the topics can be. there's even — get this — right wing claims the relationship is fake, and it's being used to sway voters in the upcoming us election. we talk about it enough. i think it's interesting. the white house has got a lot of other things on. i don't think they're sitting there going like, "hey, hey, hey, guys, listen — we've got to figure out how can we get a couple together that will be anti—trump in order to help us maintain a white house?" i, i... ..that�*s a pretty hard sale for me. but is it part of the conversation? hell, yeah! so on sunday, there's likely to be a "blank space" reserved for taylor swift in the vip lounge. # cos the players gonna play, play, play, play, play...# and any sign ofjet lag, a chiefs super bowl win should be enough to "shake it off". nesta mcgregor, bbc news, las vegas.

# shake it off #. let's get back to our top story, semi—finals day at the africa cup of nationsnigeria against south africa 1—0 nigeria nigeria against south africa 1—0 nigeria thanks to william troost—ekong's penaltyhosts ivory coast face dr congo dr congo in abidjan, bbc three 8pm kick—off. my my goal was ruled out, it took to the ar, took an age, and when they watched a replay on the opposite multi—area but south africa won a penalty, kept his composure. they are still playing in injury time. they haven't gone to x—ray time —— extra time yet. that is bbc 38, you

can keep across the bbc sport website for all the very latest on it as well, but for me, only foster and the rest of the team on sports day, that's it for tonight. hello. well, is there snow on the way? the answer is yes — for some of us. but for most of us, it's going to be a case of sleet and probably heavy rain, and this is going to be happening really for the rest of the week. now, on the one hand, we have a weather front with mild weather spreading in from the south—west. on the other, there's cold air streaming in from the arctic, and that cold air is in place across more northern parts of the uk. and with this weather frontapproaching, riding into this colder air, we will see that awkward mix of rain, sleet and snow across more central parts of the uk. but that's still to come. in fact, the early hours across scotland and the north

of england are clear and chilly. temperatures really will be tumbling away, whereas in the south—west of the country, that weather front approaching, mild southwesterlies. so temperatures here of around 11 degrees in plymouth. colder by the time we get to birmingham, its three. and then from northern england northwards, it's a frost and we're expecting snow from morning onwards across parts of northern wales and into the pennines, but really anywhere across this central swathe of the country could see some wet snow on the cars, on the grass. but we're going to focus on the amber warnings across northern wales and the pennines. so here widely could be ten to 15 centimetres, but across the higher routes, higher hills, as much as 20 to 25, so tricky conditions there across the transpennine roads through the course of thursday afternoon and into thursday evening. in the south, it's mild and it's wet. in fact, a spell of heavy rain is expected across southern england, could be as much as 40 millimetres here.

and then this area of wintry weather moves northwards. and i think by the time we get to friday, strong winds developing across northern britain, a strong easterly here, quite cold, but the focal point for snow will be around more eastern parts of scotland. across the mountains, no doubt there'll be some blizzards, but for the vast majority of us, it's way too mild for snow. it's ten degrees in hull, ten degrees in birmingham, 13 expected in london. so is it going to turn cold or mild? at the moment, if we look at the outlook for the rest of the week and into next week, it is going to stay generally on the mild side and often unsettled. bye— bye.

live from london — this is bbc news...

israel's prime minister strikes a defiant tone — saying he'll settle for nothing less than the total defeat of hamas. we are on our way to a complete victory. at the victory is in our reach. it's not about years or decades, it's about months. the us secretary of state is in tel aviv — we expect to hear from him at a news conference shortly. at least 27 people are killed as two explosions hit pakistan's balochistan province on the eve of the general election. police say the man suspected of carrying out a corrosive chemical attack in clapham last week was involved with one of the victims. and he was fired from fox news — so why is tucker carlson interviewing none other than president putin?

hello, i'm maryam moshiri, welcome to the daily global,