a tree scotsman would not bet cold. a tree scotsman would not bet cold. a tree scotsman would not be complaining but it is a beautiful castle. just a taste of some of the this address, from south africa, liverpool and even further we have been speaking to people from brazil and australia as well. thank you very much. now it's time for a look at the weather with darren bett. hello there, it's quite cold at the moment across parts of scotland and northern england but cloudier skies that we've had further south are moving their way northwards. so, for many as we head into the new year, it will be dry and cloudy. some mist and fog patches. still quite chilly though for north—eastern scotland and north east england with a touch of frost around here. and most of the mist and fog probably affecting parts of yorkshire and lincolnshire. milder weather towards the south but still quite cloudy. and it looks like the first day of 2020 is going to be a cloudy day. there may be some brightness at times but the best of the sunshine likely to be in the north east of scotland

where we've got more shelter from those freshening breezes. could be quite milder in the north west of scotland. likewise, double figures in southwest of england where it should be a drier and brighter day than today. heading into thursday and it's going to be a windy day on thursday. we've got some rain coming in from the north—west. heavy rain over the hills of western scotland — ahead of it some sunshine. strong to gale force winds but for all of us, a very mild day. hello, this is bbc news with martine croxall. the headlines. thousands of people in south—eastern australia have been forced to seek refuge on the coast after becoming trapped by advancing bushfires. the us is to send more troops to protect its embassy in baghdad, where there's been an attack by thousands of iraqi militiamen. lebanon says the former nissan boss carlos ghosn entered the country legally and will not face any legal consequences, after he fled japan where he was awaiting trial.

and many countries have seen in 2020 with spectacular fireworks displays. while here, there's a promise that tonight's london celebrations will surpass all previous years. next, some of the biggest names in sport sit down to relive the key events of the year, including the cricket world cup, the athletics world championships and a game—changing summer for women's sport in review 2019: the year in sport. music. 2019 was the year of british world champions. commentator: and she's going to take the gold medal! dina has done it!

of world cups. in cricket. netball. serena guthrie is my girl, right there. football. blasted in by the captain! and rugby union. a very, very good play by tom curry. a year when new stars emerged. it's a dream debut for the 15—year—old. great britain'sjoe fraser is p bar world champion! and others refused to go away. the top seed triumphs in the longest final in wimbledon history. tiger roll has won his second grand national! a year when barriers were knocked down. who gets gold 7 alice tai does it again! what a terrific ride! bryony frost! grade 1 winner at the festival! 0f landmarks we thought we'd never see. eliud kipchoge — the first man to run a marathon in under two hours. of champions no longer waiting. absolutely incredible performance from judd trump

to win his first world championship! simona halep is the wimbledon champion! here's taekwando champion jade jones! and records stilljust out of reach. serena will remain on 23 grand slam titles. a year of opportunities on home soil. the crowd lifting these players. and new frontiers abroad. i mean, we're halfan hour into the 200m going off and there's literally nobody here. it was a year of redemption. losers last two times, winners today — it's warrington! of comebacks. i'm not sure i'm able to play through the pain. unbelievable! a premier comeback for andy murray! miracles. what a moment! listen! cheering and applause. dominance. absolutely outstanding from adam peaty. he's shattered his own world record! league cup, premier league, fa cup —

it's all coming to manchester city. and loss. we've been in floods of tears out here since the news broke, every single one of us. this is a look back on the moments. told by those who know the greatest stage. this is the 2019 review of the year in sport. when you're the last man out to bat... as we see monty panesar coming out. siddle to panesar. beautifully played! ..it‘s cricket on the cliff edge. will he take the catch or will it go for six? you can never plan how the scores will look. here's the first ball of the super over to decide the world cup final. lose your wicket and it's all over. yourjob is to stay in, watch every ball closely. and every run you score... yes!

cheering and applause. ..well, that's a bonus. go! go, go, go! but being the last man out to bat means you're there at the end. he's run out, is he? i think he's run out! cheering and applause. and that's when cricket can be its most dramatic. i'm monty panesar, former england spin bowler. england needed 2112 to beat new zealand and win the world cup on home soil. cricket is about momentum shift, it's about key passages of play that go your way and suddenly, the whole summer becomes a memorable summer. if stokes was out, i think new zealand would've won the world cup. for it to go down to the wire like that was something amazing to be involved in. and then, when it hit a ricochet off ben stokes, you kind of feel like maybe the cricketing gods just want england to win the world cup.

ijust remember the moment of that. like, lying on the floor still and watching the ball run away thinking, like, "0h. oh god." you know, cricket is 600 balls and you never think at the end of 600 balls two teams are going to have the same amount of runs. you don't plan for super overs, you don't have a tactic for super overs. it is just you've got ten minutes to think about what you want to do, so... everyone‘s reaction was just so natural to them, to who they are as individuals. it was one of the greatest days i've ever had on a cricket field. that is the standard of white ball cricket we have taken in this country. and now it is really up to them to maintain it, take it to greater heights. do they want to be remembered as world cup winners or do they want to be remembered as world cup winners that created a legacy for the next generation of english cricketers to come? after the world cup, it was the ashes. england were 1—0 down in the series going to headingley. the third test will be remembered for one man. i only really get nervous

until we needed, like, eight to win. up until then, it was keep going and hopefully we can get it down close and then to go from thinking that to then actually knowing that we can actually win this from here, sort of it got me a little bit nervous and once he is an x—factor cricketer — 55; 5511721)! tough, difficult times he had 18 months ago, to play a pivotal role during the world cup final at headingley itjust shows the magnitude of this cricketer. i feel like we've recreated the love that england had for cricket, yet again, through what we did on the field this summer. test cricket is the best form of the game. we need to do everything we can to keep test cricket alive because games like this is what makes cricket excitable to watch. at old trafford, steve smith's batting saw australia retain the ashes. a drawn series but cricket's winning moments this

year won't be forgotten. i don't think it has sunk in, the success i don't think it has sunk in, the su ccess we i don't think it has sunk in, the success we have had, how the game has changed in this country, and i think it's going to change cricket forever. in 2019, the world athletics and world pa ra—athletics championships went to the gulf. in doha and in dubai, there would be challenges in the heat. just on midnight, what a time to start a marathon. what a place to be running a marathon. there is no—one in the stands, it is empty and they are cleaning up the stadium. great britain won 13 gold medals at the world pa ra—athletics championships. hannah cockroft and holly arnold were dominant again. sophie han broke two world records. and it was a year to remember for aled davies.

it is not about me any more, this little one. late september, british athletes went to qatar for the athletics world championships. two gold medals came back home. katrina johnson thompson, the best heptathlon of her life. dina has done it! she has dazzled everybody all year long and he did it again here. i am denise lewis, former olympic heptathlon champion. so much anticipation for dina asher—smith's performances this year, because having had such a fantastic 2018, there was just something in the air, and when she stepped on the track, we expected fireworks. dina asher—smith blasts out of the block. just the way she commanded that race from gun to tape, strong, the way she came off the curve, the race was hers. she was about to elevate herself into a new stratosphere in terms of women's sprinting. it's dina asher—smith, world champion!

it was sublime. i wasjust really focused on putting together a good race and i dreamt of this, but that is real. what makes dina so special is just mental toughness. there is not really that much to do between now and next year. it is about staying healthy and being ready. katarina johnson—thompson is coming through nicely. that's an excellent run! what went right for katrina is simply readiness. she did all the hard work, made the changes she needed to make, but really focused on her weaker events, mainly the shot put, the javelin. look at the smile on herface, she knows. you never see her celebrate, but she threw a personal best and you saw how much that meant to her. kat wanted to silence all the doubters but i think the person she needed to convince the most was herself. the performance she put down just showed that she came to those championships full of expectation and self belief.

i can't believe this is the result. i am just so happy. but there has also been difficult questions for athletics this year for the crowds just not being there. it was a real crime. it's the world championships and there was just nobody there. mo farah's former coach alberto salazar has been banned from athletics for four years for doping violations. athletics will always move on. i always believe that the athletics does win out to the end. i would like to see us talking about athletes for the good things that they do and leave all the negative behind us. penalty advantage to wales. they have a free kick. josh adams. fantastic! they are the grand slam champions! so now wales will look to the world cup.

they are genuine contenders. they are on this 14—game winning run. it is not about me. it is about those players. this is all about the world cup. you don't want to pick now. you want to peak november 2nd. after years of build up, this rugby world cup will spring into light. we are a team that is really going in the right direction. it is going to be the most open tournament it has ever been. being around town, you know something special is on the horizon. in 2019, the rugby world cup went to asia for the first time. but the hosts were not there to make up the numbers. japan beat ireland, and then scotland to reach the quarterfinals. the irish went through, too, but they were beaten in the last eight by new zealand. i have loved every minute of it. cheering and applause. things were opening up for wales, but just like japan, they were outmuscled by south africa. england had powered into the last four, but to reach the final, they would have to beat the all blacks. i am tom curry of sale

sharks and england. the v formation we had actually helped a lot, from a young guy's perspective, you didn't have one guy trying to rip your head off and we needed to make sure we were mentally strong and played every single play, and not let them breathe. not since 2003 when the world cup was won has english rugby enjoyed a moment like this. this is the way you play the game as a youngster and a game like this in such a crucial match is really nice. england will take to the field in japan for the final of the rugby world cup. these are the games you dream of as a kid. you do have to appreciate those moments and realise where you have come from, and who has got you there. south africa, you always have the physical aspect, it is ingrained in the culture growing up. south africa have ended england's dream of lifting the rugby world cup with an overwhelming victory. thank you so much! cheering.

i've not been able to look at the game and! i've not been able to look at the game and i don't think i ever will. they suffer get us, it's a game or two tea ms they suffer get us, it's a game or two teams were trying to win, they stopped us so it is pretty simple like that. football teams are about people, notjust the players and the coaches but the supporters, the communities. in 2019, one town lost its team. in august, bury were broke and expelled from the league. this is people, these are their lives, they spent 70 years supporting this football team. it is heartbreaking. and injanuary, one team lost a player. striker emiliano sala was on board a light aircraft that crashed into the english channel. he was on his way to sign for cardiff city from french club nantes.

on the pitch, champions defended their crown. celtic won the treble for the third season in a row but their manager left for the premier league. there, manchester city won the title again. they won the fa cup 6—0 in the final. club legends got their chance in the hot seats and var changed football's whole conversation. for england, new faces emerged. a young side lost to the netherlands in the semifinals of the nations league. then, in october, they stood up to racist abuse in bulgaria. they won the qualifier 6—0 and reached euro 2020. wales made it two — a famous win in cardiff against hungary sealed a place at another major tournament. and it's in europe where two english teams made their mark. the champions league brought two miracle semifinals. and one familiar name on the trophy. i'm chris millar.

host of the extra man hotspur podcast i travelled to barcelona to the new camp for the first leg and i'd seen in liverpool probably one of the better i have seen that season and somehow came away 3—0 down. to anfield, we were so downhearted. then the coaches turn up and then the songs come out. being inside the ground for that game is an experience of a lifetime. it is something i will never forget. if you could bottle that feeling, you would have georginio wijnaldum's third goal for breakfast, lunch and dinner. and then trent alexander—arnold steps up. with a moment of inspiration. two men in the stadium who were switched onto that, a home—grown hero. ajax came to white hart lane and played really well. they beat us 1—0 and it could have been more. but it is only a goal. we can turn it around. in the second leg,

a couple more goals down and you start to lose hope. lucas moura hasn't really done much at spurs overall until this point but the prospect of him scoring a hat—trick felt like a million miles away. the second goal was just ridiculously impressive. five of the most beautiful touches i've ever seen in the penalty box and at that point, i started to believe. five seconds left on the clock.. and all hell broke loose in the stadium and on the pitch. i've never seen anything like it before. it was a once—in—a—lifetime moment on a football pitch. i think tottenham kind of went in more on a wing and a prayer, liverpool were very keen to make sure there was no complacency. singing. liverpool scored after two minutes. it was a bit of a sinking feeling. it felt very anti—climactic. the ball drops to divock origi and it's that rattle when it hits the back of the net, just thinking about it gives me goose bumps. that's the moment you know that you've won the european cup

for the sixth time. liverpool and the european cup were meant for each other. at the end of 2019, liverpool are top of the premier league, while spurs, well, we sacked our manager. mauricio pochettino was replaced byjose mourinho. this is an absolute must—putt for tiger. unbelievable. everyone is going bananas and why not? in 2019, some of the biggest stories came on the golf course. the open went to portrush and inspired an irish champion. and at the masters, one of this sport's icons went back to the top. what a moment. listen. cheering. i think the whole world is applauding.

then, in september, the solheim cup had its greatest climax. it all comes down to this moment. cheering. i'm bronte law, tour professional and part of team europe. representing europe is an incredible experience and something that i wish upon many golfers. coming towards the end and when i was playing my singles match... match score now — 13.5 to the united states, 12.5 to europe. europe need to win the two remaining matches. the feeling that i had inside and the adrenaline was something i've never experienced in my life before. it was kind of like i was walking on clouds and not really touching the floor. i knew how important it was when the putt went in. i don't believe it! i do not believe it. there was no hiding in how i felt, being able to share a winning experience with team—mates

is something that we don't really get to do very often in golf. it's something that we miss, and i really enjoyed and that is one thing that made the whole experience even more special. i hope i can be part of many more to come. tiger is just an incredible athlete, but also, he has a huge impact on the game of golf. magnificent shot. i remember saying with my friend, actually, we were watching — and i don't really get emotional ever, but i started to actually feel a sense of what he has been through and the fact that it was such a major comeback and i think anyone that can go through what he went through and actually achieve the highest level in their sport again is just a testament to how much hard work he's put in and that he's a fighter. it has come full circle. last year, i was lucky to play again and it is unreal for me to experience this.

that is what sport is about. if everyone can do their part to bring excitement to the game, i think the sport is heading in the right direction and i think that if we can get as many people back in the sport as possible, then you will see a natural progression and growth in the game. there was an emotional victory for lewis hamilton at the monaco grand prix. he dedicated his win to the late nikki lauda. the five—time champion stretched his lead in the drivers standing. this is a moment that lewis hamilton will remember. this is six world titles. six world championships is a big deal. there's only one driver that's won more world championships in formula 1 than him,

and that was michael schumacher. that seventh title is the big one, that will make him the best of all time. nobody ever thought that anyone would get close to michael's record. lewis has found himself in that same position and he's racing with mercedes who look unbeatable at the moment. looking at the future, you would say that lewis has the possibility of equalling michael's seven world championships or even going one better. for me, i think it's important that he has the challengers, he has the ferraris fighting him, he has a competitive team—mate because it's great winning those championships, but you need the competition and hopefully he has that in a team—mate next year. in 2019, female athletes from britain and around the world changed the game. briony frost made history at cheltenham. the first female jockey

to win a top—level race. alice tai won seven golds at the world para—swimming championships. england dominated the women's six nations. their players, now professionals, too good for the rest. at wimbledon, a 15—year—old qualifier beat a former champion. 15—year—old coco gauff shines a little brighter. britain's jamie chadwick won the w series, the first champion in women—only motorsport. at the women's ashes, england were well beaten. manchester city were fa cup winners. and arsenal were women's super league champions. this year, major tournaments gave women's sport its biggest platform. the home nations went to a world cup in football... and in netball.

in both of them, england were one match from the final. i'm serena guthrie, england's captain at the netball world cup. i'm the women's captain in the football world cup. lucy bronze, what a goal. norway was probably our best performance overall. i think we saw the best of england, once you get to the semifinal of a world cup, it's all about them little details and when you have a team full of superstars and with the world cup holders, you obviously have to respect them because they love to win. a free header! the opening goal and the usa lead. we showed great fight and determination to get the goal back. she has done it again! lovely run, beautiful goal. the usa lead again! i knew that i was prepared to take it, i didn't change my mind, but, ultimately, i didn't get the connection i wanted.

i can't blame myself, i think i've got some unbelievable team—mates and i know i have given everything for england because again i made my debut until now. when we arrived in liverpool, it felt like it was our home venue and the whole nation was behind you and we are notjust talking about the netball fans, it was the dustbin men that we could see getting the coffee in the morning. the bus drivers. that's when you started to realise you're part of something truly quite special, we're playing some great netball, we're really, really enjoying ourselves. probably one of our best games against south africa in recent years. from that, we had a lot of confidence. here we go — momentum very much with england roses. ina semifinal game, we need a game where we didn't make a lot of errors, and, unfortunately, we made a few too many. that's netball, that's sport, you have two teams playing against each other, to not win a gold medal, always will be something that sits under my skin

but at the same time to have that positive connection with people who care about what you do is incredibly powerful. to come back to england and to know how many people have been watching and people actually go into details of the game, which we've never really ever had, that is what we wanted to do, get people's perception of us changing and i feel as though over the last few years we have definitely done that. the reaction of the nation around netball, i've never seen it like it was in liverpool anywhere in the world that i've been. for women's sport in general in this country, we are in the best place we can possibly be, notjust because we have made an effort because it's women, i think it's people's talent alone and the hard work and the sacrifices that they have made means that young girls and young boys can actually relate and go, well, actually, i can follow those people. for the first time ever, we have got young girls saying, "when i grow up, i want to be a professional netballer," and that wasn't an option when i was their age. for me, that's equally as good a win as a medal and it has been a real privilege to be a part of that moment that has paved the way

for netball, because it's been a long time coming. hello there, it's quite cold at the moment across parts of scotland and northern england but cloudier skies that we've had further south are moving their way northwards. so, for many as we head into the new year, it will be dry and cloudy. some mist and fog patches. still quite chilly though for north—eastern scotland and north east england with a touch of frost around here. and most of the mist and fog probably affecting parts of yorkshire and lincolnshire. milder weather towards the south but still quite cloudy. and it looks like the first day of 2020 is going to be a cloudy day. there may be some brightness at times but the best

of the sunshine likely to be in the north east of scotland where we've got more shelter from those freshening breezes. could be quite milder in the north west of scotland. likewise, double figures in southwest of england where it should be a drier and brighter day than today. heading into thursday and it's going to be a windy day on thursday. we've got some rain coming in from the north—west. heavy rain over the hills of western scotland — ahead of it some sunshine. strong to gale force winds but for all of us, a very mild day.

this is bbc world news today. i'm nuala mcgovern. our top stories... the us puts on a show of force over its embassy in baghdad — and sends in reinforcements — after the compound is besieged by anti—airstrike protestors. lebanon says it had no warning that the fugitive car boss carlos ghosn was intending to skip bail injapan, for beirut. thick smoke darkens the skies as australia's bushfires push thousands of people to seek refuge on the coast. and, moscow welcomes the new year with fireworks over red square.