hello. this is bbc news. 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. the us says it's investigating coalition air strikes that were carried out in western mosul, killing dozens of civilians. 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. now on bbc news 7 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. and the comeback kings on ice — britain's skating medal hopes target their third winter olympics. 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 boxing 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 1 in 2017 revealed there is no new world order in this sport. lewis hamilton on pole position once again as nick parrott reports. others seem unlikely to challenge,

with red bull's hopes of simpler now. max verstappen was more than a second off the pace and had to settle for fifth, while second off the pace and had to settle forfifth, while daniel riccardo pushed so far, it cost him dearin riccardo pushed so far, it cost him dear in front of his home fans. hamilton was on the limits, didn't show. he comfortably beat the mark set down and sebastian vettel was still more than quarter of a second adrift. working out the how he can gain any advantage over the mercedes 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 hamilton? 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. 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 chances 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 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 pro12 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. hope 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 grab for glory. this early industry from dan leavey set them on their way. but cardiff are 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 soon the welsh side sensed a real opportunity. another counterattack set up a sprint for the line for sea a sprint for the line for bennett. every stride is worth it. leinster still have the instinct of champions. after three years without a title, this feels like a season where they leave everything to chance. ross maloney snatching victory

with the tightest margins. a single make all the difference. elsewhere in pro12, munster beat zebre 50 points to 1a 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. 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. still to come on sportsday: joe hart will captain england in their world cup qualifier against lithuania tomorrow. the goalkeeper is currently on loan from manchester city to italian side torino. gary cahill — who captained the side against germany on wednesday — is suspended. while manager gareth southgate has appealed to players and fans to prove they're great ambassadors for their country. the game against germany was marred by repeated chants about the second world war. we are hungry young team with a lot of potential and we want to go out and play an exciting brand of football. we work hard for each

other. and the scoreline takes care of itself, if you take care of all those things. we are always focusing on performance, and the results will follow. scotland manager, gordon strachan, says his side's qualifier against slovenia tomorrow is a must—win game. scotland have just four points from four games as they try to qualify for the world cup in russia next year. our scottish football correspondent chris mclaughlin reports. when the sun shines, we smile. even when the pressure is on. this man knows about pressure. one win from four, the reason for a half full hampden tomorrow. or is it? whatever the size of the crowd might be, i can understand why a lot of people will have to go and see their mother. unfortunately, iwould be at my mother's coaster model. sorry, mum, gota my mother's coaster model. sorry, mum, got a job. my mother's coaster model. sorry, mum, got ajob. but the my mother's coaster model. sorry, mum, got a job. but the flowers are on the way. forget flowers, the fans

simply want goals. but where were they come from? this man? these players want one in behind. they come from? this man? these players want one in behindlj they come from? this man? these players want one in behind. i do. it feels that the first day of spring here, and a verb was a need for new beginnings, just ask the scotland players. once again, they face a make or break match. it is break, forget about spring, because it will once again face another world cup summer once again face another world cup summer at home. 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. very few countries

want to play them in friendly games. their best players have all left the league. syria's coaching staff arguably have the toughestjobs in world football. six years we work in syria, six years 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 hard situation. it is clear that sport, that football coming back to syria provides the people with a chance to 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 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. 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 champion met champion. crolla against jorge lina res. i believe he was taking over. there was a fantastic shot which is to me. is that the hardest you have been hit in your career? it 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 bellew and david haye managed to do that, making huge sums of money on paved the view television for a nontitle fight. does it bother you that you're not getting huge money? it would not sit comfortably with me. iam happy, a boxing realist. they know how good a fight it is. and the boxing fans. the crossover won't, but that is something you learn to accept. 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 fighter like him, 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. have any pain any more. 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 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 perspective 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.

an update from the world of squash, we have an all british women's final. nick matthews is also representing and flying the british flag in the men's finals. that is the first time we've had three british finalists in 64 years. not such great news for archbishop, he is several whole stone. phil mickelson is also down, he is too down. they are at the quarterfinal stage. that's from us now. goodbye. hello. it has been 19 degrees in

aberdeenshire this afternoon. we have put them on the map there for you, you can see, in the centre of the high—pressure, aberdeenshire. maidstone has had the easterly winds, which is why it was so warm. which it gets get call there overnight, whereas further north, it will be frosty once again, particularly in the scottish glens and of course, parts of northern ireland. less sleep for us all overnight. we are springing forward into british summertime. it feels a bit like summer today. some are supposedly coming towards an end in

australia, where we start the formula one season. australia, where we start the formula one season. blue skies again for most of the uk, apart from shetland and orkney. still some keen wind is blowing across the southern half of the uk, but lighter winds further north. debut 19 degrees towards the highlands for mothering sunday. 17 possibly in the north and west of wales, as it was today. but generally speaking, temperatures pretty good but this time of year. it does call down very quickly choosing the evening, as we're seeing right now. if you go to the football tomorrow, expected to feel a little bit chilly. it will warm up again on monday. a few changes on monday, we're contaminating our high with cloud, especially in eastern

england and scotland. but in the sunshine, we're looking at the mid—teens and it should be a decent day. the high—pressure will not last forever and we as we head into tuesday, we we're looking like we will replace the sunshine with some showers. possibly heavy and even thundery, perhaps getting as far north as northern england. but north of that, it should be dry. and not quite as warm as it was today in the sunshine. this is bbc news. i'm shaun ley. the headlines at 8 pm. ukip's only mp douglas carswell quits the party to sit in parliament as an independent, saying he's achieved his main objective with the party. we can be absolutely certain " b rex it" we can be absolutely certain "brexit" is in good hands, we are going to leave, and all of the

things they have campaigned for are going to come to pass. ukip leader paul nuttall says carswell‘s resignation isn't a surprise. his deputy says his departure won't affect the party's future. he has been a very semidetached person for a long time in this party. frankly this is rather a nice breath of fresh air, this is now behind us. tributes to the police officer killed in the westminster terror attack. the investigation into khalid massood continues.