there has been picture early on, but there has been blue sky and sunshine around. this was the view over the water of leith earlier. it's looking the same, some forecast rain coming on cloud clearing away from southern and eastern england and there will be missed on far behind that and the next diary of rain moves into northern ireland through the early hours but quite a chilly night and some of the searing temperatures down to freezing and fast —— mist and fog clears. in the next band of rain pushes in across scotland and heavy bersin england and wales, but much of it stays dry for a good part of the day and you will notice it feels milder, so temperature in double figures of about 13 for the likes of belfast. but that wench of milder air does not stay put for very long with a brisk winds from the south but they will clear away

from the west to east and a colder air mass works in behind the air as we head into thursday, so rain for central and south—eastern parts, more showers for northern ireland and scotland, butjust a bit wintry over the highest ground, but some sunshine in between, so not a complete write—off but it's turning cooler again, so we are back into single figures moving in from the north—west and still reasonably mild in the south—east, but some rain around as well. then it looks on the settled as we are in the week. low pressure moving in through friday —— unsettled. that will bring us a call, shari and unsettled start to the meteorological spring. thanks sarah. and that's bbc news at six. now it's time to join our colleagues for the news where you are, goodbye. hello and welcome to sportsday.

coming up on the programme. all eyes on newcastle edging closer to ending the long way for a major trophy or will it be blackburn's night in the fa cup. penalty heartbreak and cut for scotland as their hopes that finished off the final by finland. unpredictable end eventful few weeks, formula 1 revs up for a new season and look ahead to what might be in store. also coming up on the programme, secret to a long life and we speak to the man who says golf has helped him to reach 100. welcome along, thank you forjoining us. maidstone united's fairy—tale fa cup

run may be over but tonight six more sides are hoping to join coventry in the quarterfinals. newcastle were at wembley last season, their league cup defeat continuing their near 70 year wait for a major domestic trophy. tonight, they find themselves at blackburn rovers who've been struggling in the championship but like their opponents — are hoping a good cup run can turbo charge their season. john murray is at ewood park for us. the fifth round of the fa cup at the dank park. but the two old clubs and they wanted six times although that was a long time ago but tonight, for blackburn rovers, looking at newcastle, what would result for them but for newcastle it feels like it's all important.— it's all important. from their point of view it's — it's all important. from their point of view it's about _ it's all important. from their point of view it's about safety _ it's all important. from their point of view it's about safety and - of view it's about safety and survival _ of view it's about safety and survival in _

of view it's about safety and survival in championship for newcastle, it's about going and trying _ newcastle, it's about going and trying to— newcastle, it's about going and trying to win a trophy. it has not been _ trying to win a trophy. it has not been the — trying to win a trophy. it has not been the ideal season being knocked out of— been the ideal season being knocked out of the _ been the ideal season being knocked out of the champions league and not going _ out of the champions league and not going the _ out of the champions league and not going the way they would like it too and hot _ going the way they would like it too and not competing for the champions league _ and not competing for the champions league spaces within the premier league _ league spaces within the premier league this year and it doesn't look like they're — league this year and it doesn't look like they're going to get into those positions _ like they're going to get into those positions and now it's about changing _ positions and now it's about changing defence opinions and the medias _ changing defence opinions and the medias opinions and coming under a bit medias opinions and coming under a hit of— medias opinions and coming under a bit of criticism is the way the seasons _ bit of criticism is the way the seasons of gone so far. winning the fa cu - seasons of gone so far. winning the fa cup would _ seasons of gone so far. winning the fa cup would be — seasons of gone so far. winning the fa cup would be enormous - seasons of gone so far. winning the fa cup would be enormous for- fa cup would be enormous for newcastle but it would be very important for eddie as well. yes. newcastle but it would be very important for eddie as well. yes, i think he's gone — important for eddie as well. yes, i think he's gone on _ important for eddie as well. yes, i think he's gone on a _ important for eddie as well. yes, i think he's gone on a great - important for eddie as well. yes, i think he's gone on a great run - important for eddie as well. yes, i | think he's gone on a great run even though— think he's gone on a great run even though its— think he's gone on a great run even though its semi finals depending on who you _ though its semi finals depending on who you get in a draw in liverpool and manchester city if they were to id and manchester city if they were to go through from this round, you would _ go through from this round, you would look— go through from this round, you would look bad and say, it is very difficult _ would look bad and say, it is very difficult to — would look bad and say, it is very difficult to win the fa cup and a good _ difficult to win the fa cup and a good semifinal run would be acceptable but the fans all want more _ acceptable but the fans all want more and — acceptable but the fans all want more and they want to believe that they can _ more and they want to believe that

they can win this competition and why not— they can win this competition and why not because newcastle have shown they can _ why not because newcastle have shown they can compete with anyone and change _ they can compete with anyone and change towards the latter end of the season _ change towards the latter end of the season as _ change towards the latter end of the season as well. can change towards the latter end of the season as well.— season as well. can blackburn play on the fact — season as well. can blackburn play on the fact that _ season as well. can blackburn play on the fact that is _ season as well. can blackburn play on the fact that is so _ season as well. can blackburn play on the fact that is so important - season as well. can blackburn play on the fact that is so important for| on the fact that is so important for them? , ., , , . on the fact that is so important for them? , , . them? everyone is expected newcastle to net the them? everyone is expected newcastle to get the result _ them? everyone is expected newcastle to get the result in _ them? everyone is expected newcastle to get the result in looking _ them? everyone is expected newcastle to get the result in looking at _ to get the result in looking at positions _ to get the result in looking at positions and tables in the difference between the two clubs and this of— difference between the two clubs and this of clash between the two clubs which _ this of clash between the two clubs which is _ this of clash between the two clubs which is why they are where they are in the _ which is why they are where they are in the league and the quality of newcastle should be more than enough to win _ newcastle should be more than enough to win this— newcastle should be more than enough to win this game tonight but when you're _ to win this game tonight but when you're in— to win this game tonight but when you're in the opposition changing room _ you're in the opposition changing room and — you're in the opposition changing room and you know this pressure on them _ room and you know this pressure on them and _ room and you know this pressure on them and not as much pressure on yourselves, — them and not as much pressure on yourselves, you fancy yourselves to cause _ yourselves, you fancy yourselves to cause an _ yourselves, you fancy yourselves to cause an upset and if you think about— cause an upset and if you think about the — cause an upset and if you think about the newcastle players and give them a _ about the newcastle players and give them a tough time to make it difficult — them a tough time to make it difficult and you can just show them an upset _ difficult and you can just show them an upset. the difficult and you can “ust show them an uset. difficult and you can “ust show them an u set. ._ ., ~ an upset. the middle day of the fa cu for an upset. the middle day of the fa cup for round _ an upset. the middle day of the fa cup for round in _ an upset. the middle day of the fa cup for round in this match - an upset. the middle day of the fa cup for round in this match is - cup for round in this match is the middle match of two nights to begin since the 735 kick kick—off and you can catch it live.

the fa cup holders manchester city are entering a defining moment of the season, with games against manchester united, liverpool, brighton, arsenal and villa all on the horizon. before that they're at luton town this evening, who caused manchester united and liverpool some problems in their last two games, but ultimately had nothing to show for it. could it be different tonight with city expected to shuffle their pack. james burridge is at kenilworth road. welcome where luton town will be trying to pull off of the greatest results in the history by knocking out the holders manchester city and they lost 4—1 not the best form and three defeats in a row manchester city beat bournemouth 1—0 on saturday to continue their title pursuit. hopeful of a bit of cup of magic and they haven't actually won the fa cup in 1959 and two teams

played in the fa cup and in the main road, luton has the courage to play and face the challenge without fear. boosting tonight by the return and against copenhagen but got injured in a possibility of this site tonight to play against luton town against the citizens in the kick—off is at eight o'clock. bournemouth, seemingly safe in the premier league, only have two wins this year — and one of them was in the fa cup. tonight leicester city are the visitors to the vitality stadium. the championship leaders have looked formidable for most of this season — but go into the game trying to shake off defeats to leeds and middlesborough.

you cannot compare, if we win, that means you're ready for the premier league and if we lose, we are not ready but it is just now we in a few months can have a different one in its for me, you cannot compare the two things because if you win, doesn't mean that you're ready for the premier league and if you lose it doesn't mean you're ready, it's just a game at this point. chose higgins leads and looking to bounce back against sunday's league cup final and bounce back against sunday's league cupfinaland —— bounce back against sunday's league cup final and —— chelsea, and the club owner, he understands that brings no guarantees and he and his team are under pressure after losing against that we can liverpool side. it is not in my hands. we have a very good relationship and it is up

to them to trust and it is not in the culture of the decision. reading have had two more points docked today, their third deduction of the season by the english football league, and have had a further two—point penalty suspended after failing to pay dues to hmrc within an 80—day limit imposed by the efl. the league one side previously had four points deducted for their failure to pay wages on several occasions the previous year. they've dropped three places to 19th in the table, and are now only three points clear of the drop zone with 11 matches remaining. some football news from a little further afield and the former arsenal defender kristoffer olsson has been placed on a ventilator in hospital after collapsing at home. the swedish international defender, who now plays for the danish side fc midtulland, reportedly lost consciousness last tuesday — with his club saying he is suffering from an �*acute—brain related illness

that is not due to self—harm of any kind, nor is it caused by external fa ctors". midtylland also confirmed that a team of medical experts are still trying to make a diagnosis and initiate the correct treatment. looking for reasons to be offended due to post—match comments on the female reporter. this was his exchange with the bbcjournalist during a post match interview on sunday after his sides 3—1when? there's a story being written and we will write her own story. no. and you know exactly what. i will write her own story. no. and you know exactly what.— will write her own story. no. and you know exactly what. i am not sure that i do. you know exactly what. i am not sure that i do- can — you know exactly what. i am not sure that i do. can you _ you know exactly what. i am not sure that i do. can you tell—

you know exactly what. i am not sure that i do. can you tell us? _ you know exactly what. i am not sure that i do. can you tell us? people - that i do. can you tell us? people might be interested and. can that i do. can you tell us? people might be interested and.- might be interested and. can you not. no. might be interested and. can you not- no- l'm _ might be interested and. can you not. no. i'm done. _ might be interested and. can you not. no. i'm done. we _ might be interested and. can you not. no. i'm done. we have - might be interested and. can you not. no. i'm done. we have also| not. no. i'm done. we have also heard from _ not. no. i'm done. we have also heard from the _ not. no. i'm done. we have also heard from the celtic— not. no. i'm done. we have also heard from the celtic manager i not. no. i'm done. we have also l heard from the celtic manager and correspondent who has been following the story for us. it correspondent who has been following the story for us— the story for us. it has been a very interesting — the story for us. it has been a very interesting 40 _ the story for us. it has been a very interesting 40 hours _ the story for us. it has been a very interesting 40 hours for _ the story for us. it has been a very interesting 40 hours for the celtic| interesting 40 hours for the celtic manager and referring to him as a dinosaur, condescending, patronising and calling him out to apologise for the comments and is an interesting topic of debate on social media and as well, the big question was always would he apologise for those comments now and the pre—match media

conference, he had his chance to respond and this is what he had to say. respond and this is what he had to sa . .. y respond and this is what he had to sa . ,., y ., ~ say. sadly, for me, ithink in society now. _ say. sadly, for me, ithink in society now, we _ say. sadly, for me, ithink in society now, we are - say. sadly, for me, ithink in society now, we are looking | say. sadly, for me, i think in i society now, we are looking to offend, — society now, we are looking to offend, find something that is offensive to try to pin on two people _ offensive to try to pin on two people i_ offensive to try to pin on two people. i think anyjournalist or reporter— people. i think anyjournalist or reporter or— people. i think anyjournalist or reporter or anyone in media and i've always— reporter or anyone in media and i've always base — reporter or anyone in media and i've always base my life on relationships and warmth and respect to people and that will— and warmth and respect to people and that will never ever change. not auoin to that will never ever change. ii»i;f7ii going to apologise and essentially saying that he is the victim and people are looking for reasons to be offended and should also be said the report in question they said that

she was not offended by the comments and brendan roger sankey spoke to jane was today and they had a laugh about the situation and i'm not sure that everyone is going to see it quite like that, though. staying with football — all the home nations womens sides are playing today, more on northern ireland, england and wales to come later in the programme — but disappointment today for scotland who've lost their pinatar cup final to finland. oona sevenius's first half goal had finland on course to win but they were pegged back by martha thomas's strike in the 75th minute. penalties were neeeded. erin cuthbert missed the chance to win it for scotland. before nicola doherty here followed suit, handing the win to finland. it's being called formula one's ultra marathon season — the longest yet — and it's very nearly upon us. after what's been an eventful and unpredictable few weeks, the new cars are revving up

for their competitive debuts ahead of the bahrain grand prix this weekend. practice is under 48 hours away. once again max verstappen is favourite to be world champion but can anything stop red bull's dominance. patrick gearey reports: preseason testing, out on its own is max for stepan. this car will likely be seen by most others in the sport only as a blur but the big favourite to have a consecutive drivers title. those going to be difficult to replicate the year we had but we always try to learn and grow and that doesn't necessarily mean having the same amount of races but very competitive car and it is up to us to get the most out of it.- to get the most out of it. away from the sleek publicity _

to get the most out of it. away from the sleek publicity of— to get the most out of it. away from the sleek publicity of their _ to get the most out of it. away from the sleek publicity of their car - the sleek publicity of their car launch, things have become more complicated for red bull and christian horner is under investigation by his employer for alleged inappropriate behaviour towards a female colleague and completely denies the allegations but admitted to the bbc that the situation is having an impact on his team. �* ., ., ., , ,, team. i'm going through a process and i respected. _ team. i'm going through a process and i respected. it _ team. i'm going through a process and i respected. it is _ team. i'm going through a process and i respected. it is business - team. i'm going through a process and i respected. it is business as l and i respected. it is business as normal— and i respected. it is business as normal and — and i respected. it is business as normal and i'm focused on the season ahead _ normal and i'm focused on the season ahead and _ normal and i'm focused on the season ahead and of— normal and i'm focused on the season ahead and of course, it is a distraction for the team but the team _ distraction for the team but the team are — distraction for the team but the team are very together. at mercedes, eve hint team are very together. at mercedes, everything is — team are very together. at mercedes, everything is changed. _ team are very together. at mercedes, everything is changed. breaking - everything is changed. breaking news, everything is changed. breaking news. making — everything is changed. breaking news, making a _ everything is changed. breaking news, making a surprise - everything is changed. breaking news, making a surprise move l everything is changed. breaking | news, making a surprise move to ferrari. ., ., ., ., , ferrari. hamilton will not actually leave mercedes _ ferrari. hamilton will not actually leave mercedes for _ ferrari. hamilton will not actually leave mercedes for ferrari - ferrari. hamilton will not actually leave mercedes for ferrari until i leave mercedes for ferrari until next season and plenty of seats swapping could follow but right now, the challenge in charge is to manage their way through these in between

times stopping i'm just looking forward to what we are doing about communications and what is the timing and protecting the team best and how do we protect the 2024 year to be successful together with our two drivers without causing too much awkwardness. still a fair way down the road, record 24 grams please lie ahead in the season will be a marathon in the sport could do with a race to the line. with more on the new season, i've been speaking to our formula one correspondentjennie gow: much drama and the season hasn't even started yet, what do you make of the pre—season? node trevor movement from the beginning of this when he felt this should be a fairly easy off—season and these did not stay that way, we had this and then we had christian

horner with these accusations of inappropriate behaviour which are being investigated by red bull and still no outcome but he denies it and then, we had sacked and long term contractors just before it was announced that hamilton was during ferrari and out of the seed, we have three days of testing which is straight up even more things to puzzle over. hat straight up even more things to puzzle over-— not for the first time everyone's expecting max verstappen to win again — does it feel that predictable to you 7 i think the obvious answer is to say yes, max for stepan has a clear advantage over everyone else and this years car, they all look impressive however, let me temper that by saying last year we saw some amazing racing so yes, max

verstappen won but the racing itself was really good and really competitive and race at the back is even better, that midfield section has a lot in it so do not write the season offjust has a lot in it so do not write the season off just yet. the most intriguing battle will happen behind him. who can push him closest? this can be an incredibly exciting season. . , , this can be an incredibly exciting season. ., , , ., ., season. ferrari seems to have steed season. ferrari seems to have stepped on — season. ferrari seems to have stepped on from _ season. ferrari seems to have stepped on from last - season. ferrari seems to have stepped on from last year- season. ferrari seems to have stepped on from last year and | stepped on from last year and they've got this new team principal who joined them last year and we will see the ripple effects following this year and good for them even though she is in this final year with the ferrari squad and mercedes managing close the gap,

and mercedes managing close the gap, a bit? and they all have a lot of time to look at these scars and really find what will make them faster and will make them better in every opportunity to try to close that gap between them in red bull. time now for a look at some of the day's other sport stories and france head coach is absolutely not in danger of losing hisjob in danger of losing his job according in danger of losing hisjob according to the french rugby federation president drawing with italy on sunday after the missing a penalty with the last kick of the game. the festival with the unsung favour to retain his title but is sent for medical checks after the little bar worked out at the park. namibia's jan nicol loftie—eaton has broken the record for the fastest t20 hundred in international men's crickethe reached the milestone in the opening match of a tri—nation series against nepal with a boundary off his 33rd ball, beating

the previous record by one. all the home nations are playing tonight — more on the lionesses and wales to come — but first, there's a nations league play off second leg at windsor park where if northern ireland avoid defeat to montenegro — then they'll retain their place in league b which will form qualifying for euro 2025. 2—0 they lead from the first leg in montenegro. thomas kane is there for us: toward solidifying their place in the second—tier going forward and it does have implications of the qualifications of the process for future european tournaments and despite the advantage, they are guarding against complacency. ibis despite the advantage, they are guarding against complacency. figs 5; guarding against complacency. as a consequence _ guarding against complacency. as a consequence of _ guarding against complacency. is —. consequence of our performance and

development and it's really important and to improve. and it's in the window if you like and making sure that they continue to develop and watching the game back, i was pleased with the way that we have grown across the windows and everyone's face being here and in the last couple months and getting it down the principles and we can put on a good show. it’s it down the principles and we can put on a good show.— put on a good show. it's a seven o'clock kick-off _ put on a good show. it's a seven o'clock kick-off and _ put on a good show. it's a seven o'clock kick-off and live - put on a good show. it's a seven | o'clock kick-off and live coverage o'clock kick—off and live coverage of the game on the bbc iplayer i'm bbc sports northern ireland website. following the big victory following and spain in the final two games before going into the qualifications in switzerland and joe is here and

were trying to keep have an eye on this england match considerably because they are deep in stoppage time and doing well, it is fair to say. they're playing a team like italy and lots were there and in the first minute, first of her goal for england, getting on the scoresheet a of times whenever goals are so scrappy there to point out that the global servers and rachel who is really finished it off for england and they've never had to get into fifth gear to beat italy today and this whole camp was about putting the disappointment of last year and a qualifying for the olympics behind them in friday night and getting it italy, they pretty much there. you mentioned that disappointment and she feels they have put it behind them and now they're focused on defending the euros title next year and qualifications and how well positioned you think england are to

defend their crown? a couple of friendly�*s throne and was about rebuilding and for the future. and under 23 is a been with them and there's been some migration of the other 22 players training with the seniors and there been some senior players missing usual captains and lily bread have been out with injury and trying to fly to spain and picking up a knock on the first game and what it is meant as they've been able to experiment with the likes of manchester united and spurs and starting both games and hammer hampton and turner being brought in in england do not often get these windows where you can experiment and they will find out the qualifying draw next week and it's a perfect time for the other players to

impress. wales is well playing tonight. and i'll be the first new manager who was announced and that was after the shock resignation in january when we were to become the head coach of norway and former canadian player of 180 players and bronze medals and good in terms of the heart of team gb and coaching staff and for barbara, thank you so much and finally tonight, a and finally tonight to a man who is turning a hundred years old but still continues to play golf twice a week. victor clarke, a world war two veteran, says the sport is one of the secrets to his longevity. and for a man from belfast — getting a message from rory mcilroy has made his day. stephen watson reports: the oldest swinger in town, victor clark has been playing golf with the

same part is for the last 43 years and still on the course with them, aged 100, mark is a special celebration.— aged 100, mark is a special celebration. . ., ~ celebration. playing twice a week with my companions _ celebration. playing twice a week with my companions and - celebration. playing twice a week with my companions and it - celebration. playing twice a week| with my companions and it means celebration. playing twice a week- with my companions and it means an awful lot and it used to be that i would've walked in and dropped on the competitions and i don't have any competitions now and it's so abysmal. any competitions now and it's so ab smal. . ., .,, any competitions now and it's so ab smal. . ., ., abysmal. victor has en'oyed a remarkable * abysmal. victor has en'oyed a remarkable life fi abysmal. victor has en'oyed a remarkable life and h abysmal. victor has en'oyed a remarkable life and a h abysmal. victor has enjoyed a remarkable life and a bank . abysmal. victor has enjoyed a - remarkable life and a bank manager, a major territorial army, commander in st. john's ambulance and also trained to be a fighter pilot and has some difficult memories of the second world war.— second world war. beginning of februarv1945. _ second world war. beginning of february 1945, we _ second world war. beginning of february 1945, we went - second world war. beginning of february 1945, we went to - second world war. beginning of february 1945, we went to the l second world war. beginning of- february1945, we went to the bomb february 1945, we went to the bomb store and for 36 hours, we loaded and reloaded bombers and going on a hamburger grade and about 20 years ago where at holiday in we went and

saw a beautiful city that was rebuilt very well.— saw a beautiful city that was rebuilt very well. victor received birthday congratulations - rebuilt very well. victor received birthday congratulations and - rebuilt very well. victor received birthday congratulations and the j rebuilt very well. victor received - birthday congratulations and the and enjoyed the best.— enjoyed the best. happy birthday. well done make _ enjoyed the best. happy birthday. well done make it _ enjoyed the best. happy birthday. well done make it to _ enjoyed the best. happy birthday. well done make it to 100 - enjoyed the best. happy birthday. well done make it to 100 and - enjoyed the best. happy birthday. well done make it to 100 and i . enjoyed the best. happy birthday. i well done make it to 100 and i hope you have _ well done make it to 100 and i hope you have a _ well done make it to 100 and i hope you have a great life. my attitude is do not look _ you have a great life. my attitude is do not look back, _ you have a great life. my attitude is do not look back, all— you have a great life. my attitude is do not look back, all those - is do not look back, all those memories, try to be positive and look forward and instead of looking forward, i would look for days now because it might come or it might not be up to be realistic about these things and i think i'm very lucky and i do respect the fact that i really should be doing what i am doing. i really should be doing what i am doinu. �* i really should be doing what i am doin., �* , i really should be doing what i am doinu. �* , , doing. but he says he is feeling treat. doing. but he says he is feeling great- happy _ doing. but he says he is feeling great. happy birthday - doing. but he says he is feeling great. happy birthday victor. i

that's all from sportsday.

live from london, this is this world today with maryam moshiri. growing fears that hamas may reject the terms of a gaza cease—fire deal which would include a pause in all military operations. the man who led

the campaign forjustice with sub—postmasters caught up in the horizon it scandal, calls for the system or paying compensation to speed up. the prince of wills pulls out of a memorial service for his godfather at the 11th hour, citing a personal matter. also coming up on the world today... the researchers have discovered one of the world's smallest fish, just over a centimetre long, makes a sound as loud as a jackhammer. it's just gone seven o'clock in london — this is the world today on bbc news. we start in the middle east — where there are growing concerns hamas may reject the terms of a gaza ceasefire deal drawn up in paris over the weekend. the group is still studying the draught framework and has yet to respond. the agrereement would include a pause in all military operations

for more than a month, and the exchange of