stunning weather in parts of the country, but temperatures will soon tumble away, quite chilly night. don't forget to put your clocks forward one hour, giving you one hour less sleep. it will be cold, temperatures well down into single figures. in rural spots, some frost, particularly across the glens of northern ireland and scotland. a lot of sunshine to come yet again. sunshine from dawn to dusk for most of us. if you're out in the breeze and out of the sunshine, it will feel distinctly fresh. exposed coast temperatures will be held back. very warm indeed for the time of year. hello, this is bbc news with me, annita mcveigh. the headlines: ukip‘s leader paul nuttall has described

the decision by the party's only mp — douglas carswell — to leave the party as no surprise. mr carswell says he'll carry on sitting as an independent mp and is leaving ukip "amicably and cheerfully". lord blair — a former head of the met police — has called for changes to security at westminster, following wednesday's terror attack. the investigation into the attack continues and one man is still in custody. donald trump's tweeted that obamacare "will explode" and that a "great healthcare plan" will replace it. the president had to abandon his healthcare bill because of lack of republican support. european leaders have marked the 60th anniversary of the european union, signing a new declaration in rome. theresa may wasn't there, as the anniversary comes days before she'll trigger article 50. time to cross to the bbc sport centre now for sportsday.

hello and welcome to sportsday with me karthi gnanasegaram and jessica creighton. the headlines this evening: faster, better looking and more demanding, it's the cars we're talking about as hamilton helps himself to pole position in the first race of the formula one season in australia. it's a first for dundee united as they claim the scottish challenge cup in stunning style. wiggins insists he's a man of integrity as he hints that people will be shocked at what's to come once the team sky investigation is over. also coming up in the programme: a special report from syria, where against the odds, they're hoping to reach next year's world cup, for the first time in their history. while after a long history of greyhound racing in london, the last venue standing is about to close its doors. welcome to sportsday.

domestic top flight football might be on its international break but we've still plenty of sport to bring you — rugby union, moto gp and ice skating all coming up, but we'll start in australia, where lewis hamilton will begin the first grand prix of the new formula one season on pole. hamilton will be aiming to win his fourth world title this season. there are new regulations and new cars this season — but it'll be two familiar faces on the front row of the grid. tom clarkson reports from melbourne. the waiting is finally over. the first qualifying session of formula 1in first qualifying session of formula 1 in 2017 revealed there is no new world order in this sport. lewis hamilton on pole position once again as nick parrott reports.

new cars, new regulations, but it was deja vu in australia as lewis hamilton came out on top in qualifying for the fourth year running. the briton predicted ferrari would be a threat and vettel joins him on the front row. his new mercedes team—mate got closer to hamilton than rosberg managed a year ago and the finn went second. others seem unlikely to challenge with red bull's hopes appearing thin for now. max verstappen was more than a second off the pace and had to settle for fifth. daniel ricicardo pushed so hard it cost him dear in front of his home fans. if hamilton was on the limit, it didn't show. when it mattered it beat the mark set down by bottas and despite reviving ferrari's fortunes, vettel was more than a quarter of a second adrift. working how he can gain advantage over the mercedes will be crucial. this rule change has been huge and such a massive challenge

for everyone and the guys have just worked, you know, so hard to make this car what it is today and to be out there to up here representing them, valtteri did a greatjob. it is great for us, for mercedes. i'm looking forward to the race and it is close between us all. ferrari are still a real threat. i have spent a lot of time in the pit lane at albert park. the first ten seconds of this grand prix on sunday could be absolutely crucial. it is not a done deal for lewis could be absolutely crucial. it is not a done dealfor lewis hamilton? and there'll be live commentary from melbourne on 5live tomorrow morning. the race gets underway at 6 o'clock. onto football, and dundee united have won the scottish challenge cup,

with victory over st mirren at fir park. it's the first time they've won the competition — which is for the u20 teams from the scottish premiership plus the championship and divisions below. dundee united did it in some style with a stunning opening goal. tim hague reports. this, the scottish challenge cup final, and the prize for dundee united and st mirren there for all to see. but before that, respect. a minute's silence for the victims of this week's london terror attack. once the action began at fir park, it was st mirren who started the stronger. two chance of coming and going including a shot against the post. while dundee united were struggling, tony andreu changed all that. what a volley and what a goal from the on loan norwich city midfielder. the lead lasted ten seconds. straight down the other end, st mirren equalised. despite a pretty ordinary second half, 70

minutes from extra time, we had a winning goal. thomas mickelson the man. while it might be three late on, it wouldn't matter. in this competition for teams outside the scottish premiership, it is a day in the sun for dundee united. sir bradley wiggins says he will "shock a few people", once the uk anti—doping investigation, into alleged wrong—doing at team sky is over. they're looking into the delivery of a package to wiggins before the 2011 tour de france — and speaking on sky television, wiggins said the claims were — in his words — "the worst thing to be accused of for a man of my integrity" and promised he would have a lot to say. chris froome‘s hopes of victory at the volta a catalunya were destroyed this afternoon as the team sky rider lost 26 minutes on his rivals in the penultimate stage. the briton, riding his first european race of 2017, had moved second yesterday, but alejandro valverde left him well beaten today and extended his overall lead. but the stage victory was snatched from him by daryl impey in a sprint to the line.

britain's adam yates is in fourth, froome now 31st. there was a thrilling east midlands derby in rugby union's premiership, between leicester tigers and northampton saints. both sides ran in three tries each but it was the tigers who edged the victory, 36—31 as they took a big step towards the play—off places. it was aaron major's last match in charge. derby day in the east midlands. sold—out stands and solidarity. aaron major taking charge for the final time. he will not have been impressed with his side's start, as northampton took the lead inside 90 seconds. and usually for the sides they have been looking up at the top four. louise become old pulling the strings for saints. six points the lead at half—time. it did not last

long. ben youngs back for winning the six nations for england, back on the six nations for england, back on the scoresheet. the excitement can be too much for some. number 19 mike williams sin binned for this. even with a man down, lester added another try. step up owain williams. 50 metres out to finish the job majestically. tigers are on course for the play—offs but this was a fitting farewell for aaron major. and in the other premiership matches, exeter chiefs had a bonus point victory over sale. 30—25 which boosts exeter‘s chances of a home semi final. while harlequins, who are chasing a top four finish, have helped their cause with a 53 — 17 win over newcastle. leinster remain spot of the proi2 after a narrow 22 points to 21 win at home to cardiff blues. the dubliners were missing several of their irish international players following their brilliant win over england last weekend, but they still managed to come through against the welsh side

and stay on course for a favourable play—off draw, asjoe lynskey reports. in dublin, the rugby landscape looks rosy again. after celebrations in this city last weekend, leinster hoped the feel—good factor continues for the domestic climax. they were runners—up in the pro 12 last year. now dublin's boys in blue are making a grabfor now dublin's boys in blue are making a grab for glory. this early industry from dan leavey set them on their way. but cardiff or in the seat of a top six finish. they have ground to make up but they're running rugby was giving them of that old. with leinster depleted, seen the welsh side sensed a real opportunity. another counterattack set upa opportunity. another counterattack set up a sprint for the line for sea on bennett. every stride is worth

it. leinster still have the instinct of champions. after three years without a title, this feels like a season without a title, this feels like a season where they leave everything to chance. ross maloney is thatjim victory with the tightest margins. a single point can elsewhere in proi2, munster beat zebre 50 points to 111 to continue make all the difference. elsewhere in proi2, munster beat zebre 50 points to 111 to continue point can to head towards the play offs. and treviso and ospreys is a 8.35 kick off. england's ross fisher is through to the quarter—finals of the world golf championship matchplay event in texas. he got there by beating american bubba watson 4&3, including this remarkable chip—in from the 15th. the world number 53 will go on to face japan's hideto tanihara, who knocked out paul casey. meanwhile, world number one dustin johnson cruised through his match against zachjohnson. johnson cruised through his match against zach johnson. he johnson cruised through his match against zachjohnson. he will meet alex noren in the last eight.

britain's johanna konta is through to the third round of the miami open, but she was given a fright by qualifier aliaksandra sassnovitch. in a match interrupted twice by rain, konta sailed through the first set, lost the second on a tie—break, then regained her composure to wrap it up 6—4 in the third. she faces the world number 57 next, pauline parmentier, of france. there was a dramatic finish to the dubai world cup, which is one of the richest horse races in the world. the world number one—rated racehorse, arrogate, came from last place to win the £8 million race. the 4 year old colt, the 3—1 on favourite, is trained in america by bob baffert and ridden byjockey mike smith and he made it seven wins on the trot as he beat gun runner and neolithic at the meydan racecourse. qualifying at the qatar motogp was cancelled because of bad weather, but spain's maverick vi ales will start on pole. surface water on the track and nearby lightning storms meant track inspectors took the decision to cancel the session. quick practice times mean vi ales will start on pole in his first race for yamaha after replacing

jorge lorenzo. while focus switches to international football this week, there's one team whose world cup ambitions come against all odds. despite six of conflict in the country, syria still hope to reach next year's tournament. and a one—nil win over uzbekistan this week has given them a real chance. all this week, bbc sport has been looking at the state of sport — and in football on the frontline, richard conway has been to meet the syrian team. they are the nomads of world football. but syria's players are making friends on their travels. with their country at war, they must play home games on neutral ground. here in malaysia, the players are preparing for the most important fixture in their history, while backing syria, there is renewed

fighting in the capital damascus. football is still being played in syria but six years of conflict has thrown the domestic game into crisis. the performances of the national team have already given president assad's regime a propaganda opportunity. but facilities are crumbling. there are a few countries want to play them in friendly games. their best players have all left the league. syria's coaching staff arguably have the toughest jobs coaching staff arguably have the toughestjobs in world football. coaching staff arguably have the

toughest jobs in world football. six yea rs toughest jobs in world football. six years we work in syria, 60s we play on the field not in good condition. we cannot play any friendly game inside syria or outside syria. everybody wants to make something for syria. it is a hard job, a everybody wants to make something for syria. it is a hardjob, a hard situation. it is clear that sport, that football coming back to syria divides the people with a chance to forget about their worries, at least forget about their worries, at least for 90 minutes. but the war has destroyed football careers. a promising young player in syria fled the violence with his family in 2012. now living in a refugee camp in northern jordan, he 2012. now living in a refugee camp in northernjordan, he works as part ofa in northernjordan, he works as part of a scheme that provides football coaching to 3000 children each week.

he, however, has not given up on his own football dream. backin back in malaysia, those fortunate enough to be pursuing world cup hopes are focusing on the biggest game of their careers. but the syrian team also has a unique perspective on why sport matters so much and so little. more on our state of sport week can be found on the bbc sport website — including a chance to watch our special debate including baroness tanni grey—thompson, olympic hockey star helen richardson—walsh and former gb athlete katharine merry. boxer anthony crolla is looking for revenge tonight. he lost his wba lightweight world title last september to jorge linares — but gets the chance to win it back, along with the wbc title and ring magazine crown in a huge unification fight in manchester.

a warning there is some flash photography in this report from alex gulrajani. anthony crolla wants his world title back. in september champions met champion. crolla againstjorge linares. i believe he was taking over. there was a fantastic shot which is to me. is that the hardest to have been hit in your career? which is to me. is that the hardest to have been hit in your career7m was up there! my legs did not quite feel the same. was up there! my legs did not quite feelthe same. linares was up there! my legs did not quite feel the same. linares showed his true class in that meeting but crolla did enough to earn a rematch. getting these two face—to—face for a second time is one thing. grabbing the public‘s attention is another. tony bailey and david haye managed to do that, making huge sums of

money on paved the view television for a nontitle fight —— tony benn to. does it bother you that you're not getting huge money?m to. does it bother you that you're not getting huge money? it would not sit comfortably with me. i am happy, at boxing realist. they know how good fight it is. and the boxing fans. the crossover word but that is something you learn to accept. crolla is thankful to be boxing at all. two yea rs crolla is thankful to be boxing at all. two years ago he was hit over the head with a concrete paving slab after catching burglars at his neighbour's home, leaving him with a fractured skull and broken foot. miraculously, six months later he was back in the ring. i saw it as a second chance. it has made me appreciate things so much more. i know how lucky i am to still be boxing. getting his hands on that first world title was

not easy. it took a rematch with colombian darleys perez. he held that will title until losing last year. coming back from a career threatening life—threatening injury, you have gone back in the ring, you have won a world title and lost a world title, how to put everything into context? i am a realist. fighting a fight like to three macro, sharp counterpuncher, i have to fight using my head and notjust my heart. no doubt it will be another tough night but as anthony crolla has shown inside or outside the ring, he never gives up. a fight not to be missed. well you can hear live commentary on bbc radio 5live from quarter past 10. boxing correspondent mike costello will be ringside, alongside steve bunce and heavyweight world title challenger hughie fury. scotland will meet sweden in sunday's bronze medal match at the world women's curling championship. eve muirhead's side, who finished fourth at the round—robin stage, lost the third vs fourth play—off 8—5 to the swedes, as they initially

reached saturday's semi—final. however, they were beaten there by russia, meaning they will play the scots again tomorrow. the figure skating world championships begin next week in helsinki — but great britain's best medal hopes will be absent. penny coomes and nick buckland have competed at two winter olympics but a serious training accident for coomes last summer put her ice skating future in serious doubt. now, though, coomes is back on the ice and targeting a third winter games next year. david mcdaid's been following her recovery. after nine months and two operations, light at the end of the tunnel. it's nice that it's starting to feel normal and i don't have any pain anymore. penny is half of gb s top figure skating pair, but their season and almost her career was written off last june after a fall in training. i broke my kneecap. i smashed it into eight pieces. it happened in a split second, one minute we're laughing

and giggling and fine and the next i'm on the floor screaming and they said it was a career ending injury. that i'd completely messed up my knee and i d never have a normal knee and i wouldn't be able to walk properly. now, after months out, penny is ready to step back on the ice. the fact that i feel it's going to be so good, i'm nervous that i'm going to be wrong and what happens if i fall? after a few minutes the results in. after a few minutes the results are in. i just feel like i've got my leg back. nine torturous months of pain over. i was miserable. i'd wake up in the night with almost like a deep ache, i suppose. it took a while for me to kind of find myself again and find that strength and get back to where i need to be mentally. when i can see penny get back on the ice and you're so happy with how you feel, it just puts everything into prospective and we're like we're going to move into the same direction towards the goal that we've had planned for a long time. and that common goal is getting to next year's winter olympics, a dream that had

looked an impossibility. itjust fills me with hope that i'm going to be able to do it and that dream that i have hasn't diminished. it's there. ijust need to like work a little harder and i need a little bit more time, but i'm going to get there. so although absent from the world championships next week, coomes and buckland are hopeful of starring on the biggest stage of all next february. you can watch the world championships on the bbc from thursday afternoon on the red button. now — it was once a hugely popular sport but this weekend marks the end of almost 100 years of greyhound racing in london. more than 20 dog tracks have been dotted around london since the 1920s, but the last one standing, wimbledon stadium, now faces the bulldozers. emma jones reports. these greyhound racing fans are

witnessing the end of the nearer. after almost 90 years as a sporting venue, wimbledon greyhound track is closing. to me personally, and people who follow the greyhound scene and the owners and trainers around the country, they are in denial. they cannot believe it is going to happen. i am not surprised because it has been on the cards for quite awhile. i am not very happy but that something else. it falls into the category of stuff you can't fight. at least it is still going to bea fight. at least it is still going to be a stadium. we will miss the dog track. it will be missed. the plan is to build a new stadium for afc wimbledon at the site as well as hundreds of new houses, but many of those who made a living at the track for decades, feel london's mayor should have fought harder to keep it. he has made a mistake and time will prove he has made a mistake.

there will be human cry once the track has gone and it will be too late. greyhound racing was hugely popular after the second world war with 14 popular after the second world war with 111 tracks in the capital. but they have been closing since the 19605. they have been closing since the 1960s. i've crowd numbers have dropped there has been an increasing demand for new homes. we have lost waltha mstow demand for new homes. we have lost walthamstow and catford in the last 15 years, both of them to housing developments. there is still hope that investment can be found to build new tracks in the future on london will have lost its sporting heritage for ever. glasgow are still 27—18 points up against connacht and we are into the last 15 minutes. that's all from sportsday. there'll be more sport here on bbc news throughout the evening. goodbye! hello. it has been a cracking start

to the weekend. we have more blue skies on the way for tomorrow. today turned out to be the warmest it has been so far at 19 degrees in aberdeenshire. blue skies pretty much across the board today. 11 degrees at maidstone in kent. here we had a much stronger, chillier easterly wind. in the far north of week weather front will bring more clout to orkney and shetland. to the south at the centre of the high we still have a breeze. temperatures will fall quickly and there could be a frost in places, particularly across the glens of scotland and northern ireland. a reminder that we are springing forward into british summer time. the clocks go forward tonight. an hour less in bed. an

hour left to wait for the formula 1 racing season to start. that is in melbourne where we are moving away from summer but still 27 degrees and sunshine. we have the sunshine tomorrow but not 27 degrees. warming up tomorrow but not 27 degrees. warming up in the sunshine. keeping more clout to wards shetland and orkney as well. the rest of scotland, lots of sunshine around. northern ireland does very well again. particularly over tyrone and fermanagh. 17 degrees possible. still keen wind blowing over southern encounters of england. temperatures generally into the mid—teens. a touch cooler across eastern coast of england. a reminder temperatures will fall away tomorrow evening if you are planning to watch the football but it should be dry and we will have some clear skies as well. things start to change little bit on friday. we will break down the high eventually. we will see

some clouds coming into scotland in north—east england. otherwise, a good day again. for southern parts of england it will not be quite as windy. the high pressure is not really on the scene as we head into tuesday. instead, we're looking clout to push up from the south—west. it brings with it the threat of some showers. they could be heavy and thundery. they are more likely to affect england and wales. quite a bit of cloud around but we are still looking at highs if we do get some sunshine around 16 degrees. that is it from me, i will see you later. this is bbc news. the headlines at 7pm: ukip‘s only mp douglas carswell stands down from the party to become an independent, saying he's achieved his main objective with the party. we can be absolutely certain that brexit is in good hands. we are going to leave and all of the things that vote leave campaigned

for are going to come to pass. it's wonderful. ukip‘s leader paul nuttall says carswell‘s resignation isn't a surprise. his deputy says his departure won't affect the party's future. i mean, he's been a very semi—detached person for a very long time with this party and frankly this is rather a nice breath of fresh air, this is now behind us. tributes to the policeman killed in the westminster terror attack. the investigation into khalid massood continues and one man is still in custody. also in the next hour, the human cost of the battle for mosul after coalition air strikes kill dozens of civilians.