longer spells of rain, some are likely to turn wintry of a high ground. overnight tonight, reign overthe ground. overnight tonight, reign over the southeast will clear up with another developing area of low pressure swinging in from the south—west, heavy rain across wales and the south—west of england. likely to see snow across the high ground of northern ireland, through the welsh mountains and down through the welsh mountains and down through the moors. strong and gusty winds down through the channel and irish sea coasts. likely to see a frost develop in the north and east where we will see lots of clear spells with mist and fog around. tomorrow, more in the way of wintriness over higher ground, above 200 metres there will be snow, particularly the high ground of northern ireland, the cumbrian fells and pennines and welsh mountains with some snow pushing into the southern uplands as we had to the end of the day. this is more or less where we will see showers and longer spells of rain through the day. wintry of a high ground, strong and gusty winds towards the channel. largely dry across scotland during the day but

we could see snow in the south later. the temperature is rather chilly for the time of year, feeling colder in exposure to the wind and underneath the rain. showersjust about anywhere on saturday were strong and gusty wind across the north and west with lighter wind further inland. still chilly but by the time we get to sunday it should be a little drier with perhaps some sunny spells. 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. goodbye. hello, and welcome to sportsday this thursday night. i'm chetan pathak — coming up on the programme... "sad, shocked and heartbroken" — world cup winner paul pogba reacts to his four—year ban for doping. formula i's biggest season gets under way, with lewis hamilton leading a mercedes one—two in practice ahead of saturday's bahrain grand prix.

and we'll be in glasgow, as the world's best track and field stars prepare for the world athletics indoor championships. lorne coe tells us about his hopes for the sport. where wanting to improve the quality, the pace, the entertainment, the rhythm of our sport. also coming up on sportsday... in 15—year—old sky brown keeper sir surfing olympic dream alive? —— keep her surfing olympic dream alive? will have the latest. welcome along, thank you forjoining us. he's a world cup winner and, at one time, was one of the most promising footballers in the world. tonight, paul pogba's playing career

looks to be over after he was banned forfour years for a doping offence whilst atjuventus. the former manchester united player was provisionally suspended back in september, after a drugs test found elevated levels of testosterone in his system. he says he'll now appeal that ban — as michael redford reports. at his absolute best again, he's driving manchester united! from a career to one _ driving manchester united! from a career to one that _ driving manchester united! from a career to one that promised - driving manchester united! from a career to one that promised so - driving manchester united! from a i career to one that promised so much, to when they could be facing an early finish. once the most expensive footballer, his time could be over as he was given a four year ban for doping. in a statement, paul pogba said...

the band was given after the midfielder tested positive for elevated levels of testosterone in his system back in august. a second positive sample released in october confirmed with a doping violation. less than two years ago, pogba returned to the event manchester united in a booth that was meant to spark his revival. in truth, his career has barely flickered. off the pitch, he set a number of personal issues. on it, he's been plagued by injuries, makingjusti2 issues. on it, he's been plagued by injuries, making just 12 appearances since the start of last season. given he now can't return until he's 33 years old, it's unclear when his next appearance might be. pogba insists he'll appeal that decision against him, defiant he's done nothing wrong. so the story is far from finished — but whether there's another chapter in pogba's career though is yet to be seen.

michael redford, bbc news. for more on this, i've been getting the thoughts of french football journalist sara menai, who admits she was surprised by the length of the suspension when the news broke earlier today. so it's a bit of a shock obviously, for years is a very, very heavy sentence i would say. it's a very long suspension, considering his current form and age — pogba will be 31 current form and age — pogba will be 3! years old in two weeks now, so considering taking all those factors in, fouryears considering taking all those factors in, four years seems like a very long time. my first reaction to the news was, i must be honest, i thought today could be the end of pogba's international and professional career. that was my first reaction, when i saw four years this morning, i thought that was the end of it really for him at a professional level. find was the end of it really for him at a professional level.— a professional level. and you mentioned — a professional level. and you mentioned that _ a professional level. and you mentioned that heavy - a professional level. and you mentioned that heavy band l a professional level. and you i mentioned that heavy band he's a professional level. and you - mentioned that heavy band he's got, which they'll say sends out a strong message against doping, and we will now see what happens with the appeal

— but regardless of now, what happens with pogba, will he always be regarded as a player that never really kicked on and fulfilled his great potential?— really kicked on and fulfilled his ureat otential? , �* , ., great potential? yes, there's a part of that, great potential? yes, there's a part of that. there _ great potential? yes, there's a part of that, there is _ great potential? yes, there's a part of that, there is frustration - of that, there is frustration because we know the potential he had of course in his early beginnings. and i think he fulfilled his full potential with the french national team, maybe not at a club level — once again, i think you never showed his full potential even with manchester united, norjuventus. manchester united, nor juventus. there's manchester united, norjuventus. there's frustration on that level because he could've probably been an even bigger player. but that suspension and ruling is not going to ruin, i would say, his whole reputation. especially in france where people really, really like him. i think where people really, really like him. ithink it where people really, really like him. i think it would be a sad ending for him and his career, but it wouldn't be something — he

personal social media, a post saying how this ruling is ruining what he achieved in his career and what he's donein achieved in his career and what he's done in the past. and i quite strongly disagree with that. if they want to make a strong example of him, some players before him have been caught taking the same substances, the same food that have proven to be testosterone, but they've not been punished as he was today. they want to make a proper example, but it won't ruin his career, but he left in football, especially in france, and across europe i think. but he had a great career overall, and i think people at least in france will or member that. and i think in france today, just to react on that, there's a feeling of a bit of an fairness, to be honest with you. for years when other players have been done for the same offence, but haven't taken such a long time — i think there's a bit of a feeling of bitterness, i would

say, might think it's a bit unfair. everton manager sean dyche says they're pleased to have some points back, after their penalty for breaching financial rules was reduced from ten points to six on appeal. it's moved everton up to 15th in the table — though they face another potential deduction for a further alleged breach. dyche has been speaking ahead of this weekend's game against west ham. anything they give us now is good news. i think the performances have stayed solid, we not gotten the winds we want, but i think folks's levels have been solid. having the talent is important, getting full—back —— four back is — i wouldn't say it's a boost, but it's an adjustment to the table that was apparent and it was needed, because

i think everyone felt ten in the first place was harsh, some would argue — we would argue we were expecting more back, but the main thing is it brings clarity for us, the start point most importantly, but for everyone. it's been an interesting period, iwould but for everyone. it's been an interesting period, i would say, so it brings that moment of clarity. erik ten hag received a much—needed boost ahead of sunday's manchester derby, after a late casemiro goal saw manchester united through to the quarterfinals of the fa cup last night. in last season's fixture at the etihad, city emerged victorious by 6—3, courtesy of hat tricks from erling haaland and phil foden. the manchester united manager has lost three of his four encounters with city but believes his side will go into the game full of belief. we are also in a good run, and the

spirit is very good, we are united. we have togetherness and are allowed to make a good game plan like we have done before against city, lately against liverpool. so we will prepare well, the players are looking forward to it, i can smell it — looking forward to it, i can smell it - i'm looking forward to it, i can smell it — i'm around here, i speak to the players. so really enjoyable, looking forward, excited. we want to win every game, that's always our mentality, and it was always our approach to every game. so doesn't matter who is the opponent — but as i say, you always want to play against the best. so most of the times, you feel and can also see it that the opposition get their best outputs against manchester united.

and maybe this game, it's the other way around. the new head coach of the wales women's team, rhian wilkinson, has denied the job is a step down after a controversial exit from her last post at portland thorns. wilkinson was investigated and subsequently cleared of any wrongdoing over an alleged relationship with a portland player, but still resigned in december 2022, saying she had "lost the locker room". today, as she was officially unveiled by wales, she said she was delighted to be taking on thejob. it's nice to be in a country where people can pronounce my name, which it has not been a reality in canada in the us. my mother is welsh, she went to a covered school, i grew up and bungle some. so i am canadian, but wells has always been my second home, and it feels very much like a full circle moment, coming home here for thisjob —— wales. moving

forward, i think there's an opportunity here in wales to do something very special, and i wouldn't be here if i didn't feel that. so yeah, i'm really looking forward to getting started, and i'm very pleased to have already met the team, because the next time i see them will be our first qualifier. the mercedes team boss toto wolff has called for "more transparency" from red bull today, after the company rejected a complaint against christian horner. a female colleague had complained about inappropriate behaviour from red bull's team principal, which he denied. red bull "dismissed" the grievance after what they call a "fair, rigorous and impartial" investigation. all this has formed the backdrop to the new 2024 formula i season, which is officially under way in bahrain today. this year's calendar will feature a record 2a races, with 2! countries across five continents included on the schedule. along with the sport's classic tracks like silverstone and suzuka, recent additions like las vegas and qatar will feature once again. china also returns to the calendar

for the first time since 2019 and will host the first fi sprint of the new season. this weekend's bahrain grand prix takes place on saturday — not sunday — because of ramadan. the same will happen at the saudi arabian grand prix next weekend. today saw an intriguing first and second practice, with lewis hamilton leading a mercedes one—two with his team—mate george russell. however, the three—time world champion max verstappen appeared to be the fastest as expected, when the teams switched to race—simulation runs later in the session. fi journalist inge stracke joins us now. what do you make of that? you said it already, mack's first apron dust max verstappen said they revved up the engine more than we did. we concentrate on our things,

we don't look at what they do, and we don't look at what they do, and we will find pole position tomorrow. louis hamilton said it's almost as shock to see where we are now. mercedes have redesigned their car after last year having the first winless season since 2011. so they seem to have done something right and there own words overwinter, and hamilton of course didn't mean the shockin hamilton of course didn't mean the shock in a negative way. but it remains to be seen where everybody will be in qualifying, and also in the race, as you mentioned the long run, so that'll be very interesting, and i think it'll be very exciting, red bull probably fastest ahead. and behind, a very tight field between ferrari, mercedes and mclaren and whoever else can make it there. exciting as you say, in these early stages of how they'll get on, but many people are feeling that we will head to that inevitable moment when max verstappen is clear around the world champion again. dust crowned

world champion again. dust crowned world champion again. how do you see this season unfolding? is it fair to call it that predictable? ida. this season unfolding? is it fair to call it that predictable?— call it that predictable? no, you can't say anything _ call it that predictable? no, you can't say anything now. - call it that predictable? no, you can't say anything now. we've l call it that predictable? no, you i can't say anything now. we've had seasons where we thought we knew everything, then it turned out differently. we've had surprises — yes, red bull is very fast, they've changed the car that's one almost everything last year. that was very brave, and other teams have also caught up, and it is also common knowledge that nobody ever shows everything in first or second practice day. so i think we've got to wait also because bahrain is a very special track because of a very abrasive tarmac. so it's ideally very hard on the tires, so whoever can save tires well in the long run will be ahead. then we have saudi, another very different race with

very fast rates, the street circuit. then we have melbourne and japan. first four races are very different, and after that, fernando alonso said the same, we could probably assess who is aware, but i'm pretty sure red bull will be at the front with or around everybody else. we shall wait and see- _ or around everybody else. we shall wait and see. always _ or around everybody else. we shall wait and see. always lovely - or around everybody else. we shall wait and see. always lovely to - or around everybody else. we shall| wait and see. always lovely to have your excitement, we will hopefully catch up soon on sportsday, thanks very much. let's have a quick look at some more of the other stories making the headlines today. and katie boulter�*s reached her first wta 500 quarterfinal, after beating beatriz haddad maia at the san diego open. boulter at one stage lost 11 consecutive points, but recovered to win the match in three sets. cameron green hit an unbeaten century on day one of australia's first test in new zealand, to help his side reach a competitive total at the close of play. australia were struggling on 89—4 at one stage — but green's innings saw them close

on 279—9 in wellington. wales great shoned harries has announced that she is retiring from rugby. harries, 3a, won 78 caps and represented her country at four world cups. herfinal game will be for brython thunder against gwalia lightning in the celtic challenge, on the 3rd of march. the world's best track and field stars are preparing for the world athletics indoor championships, which begin tomorrow. over 650 competitors from 130 nations are in glasgow, battling for world titles and proving their form ahead of this summer's olympics. with much to look forward to across the next few days, all this as the topic of modernisation in the sport remains in the spotlight. laura scott is there for us. i'm here in glasgow where over the next three days, there'll be more

600 athletes competing. among them, 20 world champions and seven olympic gold medalists from tokyo. earlier, i caught up with the world athletics president lorne coe — around those is the controversy around the potential change to the look on jump format where they will change the take—off board to a take—off zone. it's been highly criticised by many in the sport, including former olympian carl lewis, who said it's like a april fools olympian carl lewis, who said it's like a aprilfoolsjoke. olympian carl lewis, who said it's like a april fools joke. here's what he had to say. rit!" like a april fools 'oke. here's what he had to say.— like a april fools 'oke. here's what he had to say. our sport is hundred and 50 years _ he had to say. our sport is hundred and 50 years old, _ he had to say. our sport is hundred and 50 years old, there _ he had to say. our sport is hundred and 50 years old, there are - he had to say. our sport is hundred and 50 years old, there are some l and 50 years old, there are some elements of it that are sacrosanct that will never be jettisoned. that's 150 years old. that will never be jettisoned. that's150 years old. but we do need to modernise the sport, we need to make sure young people sitting here over the next couple days are attracted to the sport. there's a challenge in field events and we have to be open about this. there's a lot of downtime. 31—32% of all jumps in a long jump ourfailed

attempts. it's sort of a bit analogue, so all we are really saying is, we are wanting to actually improve the quality, the pace, the rhythm, the entertainment of our sport and we will make changes. of our sport and we will make chances. ~ ., i. of our sport and we will make chances. ~ . ,, ~' of our sport and we will make changes-_ of our sport and we will make chances. ~ ., ,, ~ , changes. what you think is the bi est changes. what you think is the biggest challenge _ changes. what you think is the biggest challenge facing - changes. what you think is the i biggest challenge facing athletics at the moment? it’s biggest challenge facing athletics at the moment?— at the moment? it's the biggest challenae at the moment? it's the biggest challenge facing _ at the moment? it's the biggest challenge facing any _ at the moment? it's the biggest challenge facing any sport, - at the moment? it's the biggest challenge facing any sport, and | at the moment? it's the biggest - challenge facing any sport, and that is, how do you main salient and entertaining, and interesting to the younger generation.— younger generation. during our interview. _ younger generation. during our interview. he — younger generation. during our interview, he said _ younger generation. during our interview, he said he _ younger generation. during our interview, he said he would - younger generation. during ourj interview, he said he would not younger generation. during our- interview, he said he would not rule out becoming the next ioc president but he said he would cross that bridge when he comes to it, and for now his focus was on this weekend and looking ahead to the paris olympics. so what could this weekend mean for the olympics? well, there are some big names missing — but lorne coe thinks it will provide more clues as to who we will see on the podium in the summer. at the moment there is a golden generation of middle distance runners for great britain, and lord coe thinks this summer might be when team gb wins another gold medal in the middle distance events for the first time in more than 30 years. i

distance events for the first time in more than 30 years.— distance events for the first time in more than 30 years. i would love to see it. in more than 30 years. i would love to see it- in — in more than 30 years. i would love to see it. in two _ in more than 30 years. i would love to see it. in two joining _ in more than 30 years. i would love to see it. in two joining world - to see it. in two joining world championships, we had jake wightman in eugene, world championship level, josh holding onto that. i would love to see a british athlete win an olympic title. i'm actually supposed to be fairly neutral in these things, but of course it'll be great. things, but of course it'll be areat. , ., , ., ., great. josh cho is one of the athletes lord _ great. josh cho is one of the athletes lord coe _ great. josh cho is one of the| athletes lord coe mentioned great. josh cho is one of the - athletes lord coe mentioned there, he is the reigning champion, but he's decided to race the 3000 metres and explained earlier that that's because he feels he needs to build strength to help them through the three rounds of the olympics, and this summer he's looking to improve on the bronze he won in tokyo. there's a lot more external noise, with michael sitting in everything. but internally this has always been the goal. _ but internally this has always been the goal, as is always the athlete i thought— the goal, as is always the athlete i thought i_ the goal, as is always the athlete i thought i was, and maybe i didn't prove _ thought i was, and maybe i didn't prove that— thought i was, and maybe i didn't prove that enough in 2021 to the external, but internally within my

team, _ external, but internally within my team, this — external, but internally within my team, this was always the goal and the ievet _ team, this was always the goal and the level. , .,, ., , ., team, this was always the goal and the level. , ., , ., ., the level. josh cho is part of an excitin: the level. josh cho is part of an exciting british _ the level. josh cho is part of an exciting british squad - the level. josh cho is part of an exciting british squad with - the level. josh cho is part of an exciting british squad with 25 i exciting british squad with 25 athletes named this weekend. and many people's topic is molly cordry in the women's pole vault. the action gets here under way in glasgow tomorrow morning. she's britain's youngest olympic medallist — sky brown was just 13 when she won skateboarding bronze in tokyo. now 15, she's also looking to compete in surfing at this summer's olympics in paris. to do that, she needs to get through qualifying in the caribbean. having finished last in her heat yesterday, she had another chance in qualifying today. our correspondent natalie pirks is in peurto rico for us. how has sky brown got on?

i'm s o rry , i'm sorry, not sorry. we had four brits in contention at the start of the day, we've ended the day with two. after about around yesterday, as you mentioned, she dropped out of the main round into what's called the main round into what's called the rep or charge, where you have to serve double the amount of anyone in the main rounds, but she came through a very looked loaded couple of heats. she did that and seems overly got her confidence back. she looked like she was choosing the waves better and really attacking the waves, and she posted some very good scores. it's all fairly complicated, but essentially in a nutshell, we should know tomorrow afternoon, puerto rico time whether this olympic dream of hers will come to fruition. she's hoping to become the first british woman in history to compete into different sports at the same summer olympics. it would be the first time any britain has

done it since 1912. so it's a big ask, she's onlyjust started surfing and competitions, though she's been surfing since she could swim. i caught up with her a little bit earlier and it seems she's really embracing this opportunity, the chance to learn from the best and be in the water with some of her idols. you are the youngest in your competition. does that bring any pressure, or do you just literally take it one wave at a time? yeah, one wave — take it one wave at a time? yeah, one wave at _ take it one wave at a time? yeah, one wave at a _ take it one wave at a time? yeah, one wave at a time, _ take it one wave at a time? yeah, one wave at a time, no _ take it one wave at a time? yeah, one wave at a time, no pressure l one wave at a time, no pressure for me. one wave at a time, no pressure for me i'm _ one wave at a time, no pressure for me i'm just — one wave at a time, no pressure for me. i'mjust really one wave at a time, no pressure for me. i'm just really enjoying being out there — me. i'm just really enjoying being out there. i've got nothing to lose but a _ out there. i've got nothing to lose but a lot _ out there. i've got nothing to lose but a lot to — out there. i've got nothing to lose but a lot to gain. so yeah, just been _ but a lot to gain. so yeah, just been really enjoying it, and enjoy it some _ been really enjoying it, and enjoy it some more, taking it one wave at a time. _ it some more, taking it one wave at a time, don't — it some more, taking it one wave at a time, don't look too far ahead. it's a time, don't look too far ahead. it's really— a time, don't look too far ahead. it's really exciting being in a surfing _ it's really exciting being in a surfing competition. learning a lot - it's _ surfing competition. learning a lot - it's a _ surfing competition. learning a lot - it's a lot, — surfing competition. learning a lot — it's a lot, for me i feel it it's about— — it's a lot, for me i feel it it's about being _ — it's a lot, for me i feel it it's about being confident and just knowing — about being confident and just knowing what to do and having a game plan.

knowing what to do and having a game plan but _ knowing what to do and having a game plan. but yeah, every heat i'm learning — plan. but yeah, every heat i'm learning so— plan. but yeah, every heat i'm learning so much. this is still all new to _ learning so much. this is still all new to me. _ learning so much. this is still all new to me, but i feel like sharing it with _ new to me, but i feel like sharing it with the — new to me, but i feel like sharing it with the best surfers in the world, — it with the best surfers in the world, learning from the best surfers — world, learning from the best surfers in— world, learning from the best surfers in the world is the best. she's clearly enjoying life, so she might have to do two more rounds, she might have to do three. but either way, she's got to serve the best she's ever served to try and get through to that dream. joining her is aaron strong, the last british man left standing. he lost his heat today, he's dropped back into that charge which makes life harder. he's got an amazing back story — he has a rare genetic condition called alpha one which can cause problems with his lungs and liver, he's also got epilepsy. so a lot of people in his lifetime have told him he shouldn't be able to do what he's doing, and be as good an

athlete as he is. he was born in spain, then moved as a teenager to portugal. his mum is out here, she is english, and it really adds to that global feel of the british team, to have two members still in contention going into tomorrow, which is day seven of the competition, something they never expected. this is an incredibly young british team, they've only just received funding. it's not podium funding, so uk sport can dish out the cash, they're not expecting them to get any metals on an olympic stage, but they are expecting them to get better. in order to do that, they've hired the chief executive of gb snow sports, vicki gosling, who is now the chair of british surfing. she's come in and essentially taken a model of snow sport and brought it straight into surfing. we are already seeing the rewards of that model, and that helped bring numerous world champions across a number of disciplines or snow sports. so she's proven that it

works, there's a real team spirit here, they clearly enjoy each other�*s company and are enjoying actually performing above what they really expected they could do. so for now, they might be a small team, but they are making waves, pun intended, on their way to paris and beyond. irate intended, on their way to paris and be ond. ~ ., ., ., , beyond. we look forward to seeing what becomes _ beyond. we look forward to seeing what becomes of _ beyond. we look forward to seeing what becomes of tomorrow. - beyond. we look forward to seeing what becomes of tomorrow. if - beyond. we look forward to seeing i what becomes of tomorrow. if anyone needs to carry your bags out there, i am available. thank you so much, we'll check back in with natalie tomorrow to see how those british hopefuls get on. but that's all for me and the sportsday team, bye for now. hello there. well, the weather has been particularly grey and wet today across eastern areas of england. you might recognise this weather watcher picture, which shows the uk's tallest building, the shard, in london — or at least the bottom half of it, the top half sticking out into the cloud and the rain.

now, the rain has been caused by this slow—moving weather front that really dragged its heels. but further northwest, we did manage something a bit brighter — although we did have some strong winds bringing some large waves to lerwick harbour, in shetland. overnight tonight, those winds will fall light in scotland and northern england. with cooler spells here, we'll probably see some frost developing in the countryside. at the same time, a band of rain will start to encroach in wales and southwest england — the rain itself could be heavy enough to cause some localised surface—water flooding, given how wet the weather has been over recent weeks. for friday the low pressure is here to stay, and this occlusion brings with it the risk of some hill snow. now we are talking about the risk just across the high ground — 200 metres or above — with the main threat across north wales, the peaks, the pennines, and the high ground in northern ireland. the amount of snow we get will vary a lot from place to place — some places not getting very much, others could see five centimetres or more, bringing some localised disruption to high—level routes. but at lower elevations — which of course, is where the vast majority of us live — we're looking atjust

cold outbreaks of rain. temperatures really struggling underneath that band of rain, probably 2—3 celsius for large parts of the day. otherwise we should get up to around 8—9. but there'll be plenty of showers around for wales, the midlands, east anglia, and southern counties of england, as well. now, heading into the weekend's by the prospects, well, we continue to have the same area of low pressure withers, albeit it's weakening and drifting northwards through the course of the weekend. now, on saturday, it's a day of sunshine and showers. sunny spells may well be quite limited, but showers will be widespread — some of them will have hail and thunder mixed in, and it'll still be cold enough for a bit of snow over the tops of the scottish mountains and the hills in northern england — but really quite high up, so i'm not really expecting any weather impacts from that. it will continue to be quite cold — temperatures around 6—9 celsius, so those temperatures below average. by sunday, most of the showers will be across the northern half of the uk. in the south, something a bit drierfor wales, the midlands, east anglia, and southern england — but even here, you could see an odd passing shower. temperatures continue to run a bit below average for the time of year —

highs between 8—10 celsius. that's your latest weather, bye for now. live from london. this is this world today. the un security council will meet in the coming hours to discuss a deadly incident in northern gaza — more than 100 people killed when they surrounded an aid convoy. they are the among the latest victims in a war that —

hamas says — has now left more than 30,000 people killed. it was a murder that shocked the country — sarah everard.. killed by an off—duty police officer. now an inquiry finds he should never have been allowed to join the force. joe biden and donald trump vying for votes in the 2024 election. we will take a look at the pilots competing in the worlds first everjet race which has been blasting off in dubai. welcome to the world today — an hour of international news from the bbc world leaders have been talking

about an incident in gaza city.