£700 per year, and that does seem not reasonable, but plausible given what everyone is experiencing with higher energy bills and so on around the country. the amazing thing, really, is that this comes after, that figure, after the extra support, £100 billion of extra support, £100 billion of extra support the government has put in, you still get a figure like that. in policy terms, we have veered from the mini budget which was i think the mini budget which was i think the biggest tax cut in half a century to where we are now, which is tax as being at the highest level in 7a years. so very serious energy shock we face, which was compounded by the mini budget, and the reversal, people will hope for some stability now and some luck, perhaps the end of the war in ukraine and an end to some of the supply chain problems coming out of china. faisal islam, problems coming out of china. faisal islam. thank— problems coming out of china. faisal islam, thank you. _ time for a look at the weather. here's sarah keith—lucas.

some big shower clouds around but made for some spectacular pictures out there, and more rain to come over the next 2a hours. not everywhere, but the met office have issued an amber warning for any rain —— heavy rain across parts of eastern scotland, particularly aberdeenshire, angus, and kinross, during much of friday —— perth and kinross. not too much across parts of southern england into wales, but look at those green and white colours across the east of scotland, thatis colours across the east of scotland, that is where we could see 100, possibly even 150 millimetres of rain over the higher ground, so enough to cause more flooding problems, although the rain will tend to easily through the day, the rivers will continue to run high. so we have this area of low pressure pushing slowly northwards, the winds rotating around that area of low pressure. that will dry in the quite persistent rain for parts of north—east england and eastern scotland through the course of the night. furthersouth, scotland through the course of the night. further south, the rain becoming patria and lighter, clearer

skies developing as well, attempt is around seven to nine celsius. that is how we start friday, and we keep of those brisk winds driving in that rain to parts of eastern scotland in particular. a lot of dry weather generally towards the south, and the rest of the uk, and temperatures is cooler than recent days, only around nine to 12 celsius. into friday evening, the rain tends to ease for most of us, but it will stay quite persistent around the east coast. that means as we head into saturday, more rain in the far east, more in the far west, but for many of us in between, saturday shipping up to be not too bad a day. sophie. thanks, sarah. and that's bbc news at six on thursday 17th of november. you can keep up with all the latest developments on bbc website. from the six team, it's goodbye. hello and welcome to sportsday.

just days to go before the world cup, england and wales are getting used to the desert heat. we'll have the latest from both camps. we'll also hear from their group opponents, iran. how have they been affected by the continuing civil unrest in their country? and the star names keep on arriving in doha — we'll take a closer look at the world cup favourites. also coming up in the programme: from t20 world cup glory, australia bring england back down to earth in the one—day series. good evening.

plenty coming up on sports day this evening, keep watching until the end, squirrel fans. not long now. england and wales will have to make every minute count to be ready for their opening group games at the world cup. it's a winter tournament for the first time, but the teams are having to deal with temperatures in qatar that are well above average for this time of year. let's check in with the wales camp first. hywel griffith is with the squad as they get ready to face the usa on monday. well, conditions here in doha have been sweltering today, unseasonably warm for november. it is a winter world cup, but most of the players will not be feeling that at the moment. we have heard from the squad they are feeling the heat. wales decided today to delay their first training session here in doha by two and a half hours so they can take advantage of the temperatures dipping a little before night time. it is not long since they landed so most of the time so far has been taken up getting used to the hotel,

finding their room, working out how to work the golf simulator, we are told, which is something they enjoy in their down and part told, which is something they enjoy in theirdown and partin this is the serious ready first game monda" have been against usa on monday. we,have been from a new addition to the hearing from a new addition to the wales squad, mark harris, he has not had the big tournament experience as some others, but the cardiff city forward knows this is his opportunity to shine and make a name for himself on the world stage, once he gets used to the heat, of course. hopefully, it is a bit cooler, we went out for a walk this morning about 11 o'clock and it was very warm. so we were sweating just walking round. obviously, the hotel. but hopefully, it is a bit cooler later on. we are not to use tea like this, especially me being back in wales. —— we are not too used to heat. i wouldn't say it is daunting or anything, heat. i wouldn't say it is daunting oranything, i'm not sure heat. i wouldn't say it is daunting or anything, i'm not sure if there will be drinks breaks or not, but that would help. it is just about getting ready for the games now. i am sure training in the next few days will help us acclimatise to

that. yes, we arejust looking forward now to the first game. we hear from the players they are all fit. many eyes have been onjoe allen who has not played for swansea city since september. but often, it is other players in different positions like ben davies, and in aaron ramsey —— and aaron ramsey in the midfield. when wales get together, they can be more thanjust gareth bale's team. for now, it is about acclimatising to life in doha and football's a bigger stage. hywel griffith. so that's wales. to england now. they kick—off at 4 o'clock in the afternoon local time, so it's likely to be pretty hot when they face iran. they had another training session today, as they look to acclimatise as quickly as they can. and just as the usa did a couple of days ago, the players have met with some of qatar's migrant workers. alex howell is our reporter in the england camp. england took to the training pitch for the second day after arriving here in qatar. 25 of the 26 players

took part in the session. and the one player who didn't take part was the person who spoke to the media yesterday, at leicester city's james maddison. he was left out as a precaution for a knee injury he picked up in the last premier league game before this international break. it was very hot when the team trained earlier, around 32 degrees, and it was part of an acclimatisation process the team are going through. but the player who did take part in that session was everton defender conor coady and he has been speaking to us about his role in the squad. you has been speaking to us about his role in the squad.— role in the squad. you come to encland role in the squad. you come to england to _ role in the squad. you come to england to play _ role in the squad. you come to england to play for _ role in the squad. you come to england to play for your - role in the squad. you come to i england to play for your country, role in the squad. you come to - england to play for your country, to help you country, that is the most important thing, we all understand that as players, we understand what we want to do going forward and what we want to do going forward and what we want to do going forward and what we want out of this competition and i am no different. no matter what happens, how much we trying, every day, we give the best of ourselves to push each other as much as we can to push each other as much as we can to hopefully have a good tournament. you said before people give you stick _ you said before people give you stick about your role, what would you say no — stick about your role, what would you say no you are at a world cup? loads _ you say no you are at a world cup? loads about — you say no you are at a world cup? loads about different things. but it is the most exciting time in the

world for everybody, a world cup comes around every four years and it is something we'll look forward to and i am not so different, i'm just lucky enough to get to play with these fantastic players and work with a fantastic manager and his staff and enjoy every minute of it. like i have said plenty of times and i always will, i have given the best of myself every day and if i am called upon, fantastic, we will see how it goes, but we are all here to do well in this world cup and push our country as far as we can go. £3711 our country as far as we can go. off the itch, our country as far as we can go. off the pitch, the england team have worked —— have met with a group of migrant workers and conor coady said it was important for the squad to do it was important for the squad to do it and they go into it with an open mind and to game understanding. four days to go before england's opening game against iran on monday so every single minute on the training pitch is very, very important. the football assocation chief executive mark bullingham says ivan toney�*s omission from the england squad was purely a footballing decision. he plays for brentford.

toney is one of the form strikers in the premier league, but was yesterday charged by the fa with misconduct relating to 232 alleged breaches of betting rules over a four—year period. bullingham told our sports editor, dan roan, that he gave no instruction to gareth southgate to leave him out. no, i didn't say that to gareth. he was absolutely available for selection and he was not chosen on footballing grounds. do we have a problem with gambling? this is the second high—profile england player in recent times, after kieran trippier, to be charged. we don't know what the outcome, of course, yet is of this process, but do we have an issue with this in english football? i think our rules are there and very clear, and we've had a small number of cases. obviously, we'll look to enforce the rules where they're broken, if they have been broken in this case. so it's iran first up for england. it's the third world cup in a row that iran have qualified for, but they have never made it beyond the group stage. there have been weeks of protests in iran, after the death of a young woman while she was being held in custody

by the morality police for breaking the country's strict dress code. the bbc�*s mani djazmi spoke to me from qatar about whether iran's players are likely to show their support for the protesters back home. i don't think the players will do anything overt. the iranian government and football federation have already said that if the players display any kind of support for the protesters or dissent against the government, they will consider that as contravening fifa's policy of not mixing football and politics. there has been talk that the players will not sing the national anthem, the players will not sing the nationalanthem, but the players will not sing the national anthem, but that counts as far as the authorities are concerned as contravening that policy. today, there was a press conference with

one of the leaders of the team who plays for feyenoord. he has also been playing down the situation, saying a lot of this talk is down to the british media over hyping the situation. to the british media over hyping the situation. ., , ., , �* ., situation. to be honest, i'm not sure, if england _ situation. to be honest, i'm not sure, if england was _ situation. to be honest, i'm not sure, if england was in - situation. to be honest, i'm not sure, if england was in our - situation. to be honest, i'm not l sure, if england was in our group, you would — sure, if england was in our group, you would have come with this question— you would have come with this question firstly. secondly, we have been _ question firstly. secondly, we have been facing this already for a couple — been facing this already for a couple of— been facing this already for a couple of weeks with all the english media, _ couple of weeks with all the english media, this was all the headlines. once _ media, this was all the headlines. once we _ media, this was all the headlines. once we get closer to the world cup, whatever— once we get closer to the world cup, whatever the reason is, we are here to play— whatever the reason is, we are here to play football and that is the main thing everybody is focused on. well we _ main thing everybody is focused on. well we are — main thing everybody is focused on. well we are here. at the end of the day, when — well we are here. at the end of the day, when football comes together, i think we _ day, when football comes together, i think we can make joy, we can make happiness _ think we can make joy, we can make happiness for the people. everybody is only— happiness for the people. everybody is only thinking and talking about football — is only thinking and talking about football. and i am just saying that for everybody who is in here, in

this room _ for everybody who is in here, in this room. and that will be the answer— this room. and that will be the answer of— this room. and that will be the answer of me and every single player who is— answer of me and every single player who is representing iran. you answer of me and every single player who is representing iran.— who is representing iran. you say the players _ who is representing iran. you say the players might _ who is representing iran. you say the players might not _ who is representing iran. you say the players might not do - who is representing iran. you say| the players might not do anything overtly. iran isjust a the players might not do anything overtly. iran is just a short hop across the gulf from qatar. are we expecting many iranian supporters to be there and perhaps they could display some kind of protest or something like that? by, display some kind of protest or something like that?— display some kind of protest or something like that? a lot of people in iran something like that? a lot of people in iran think — something like that? a lot of people in iran think it _ something like that? a lot of people in iran think it is _ something like that? a lot of people in iran think it isjust _ something like that? a lot of people in iran think it isjust wrong - something like that? a lot of people in iran think it isjust wrong to - in iran think it is just wrong to think about things like sport and going out to concerts and so on. in fact, i have heard that people are ashamed to tell their friends that they are going out to socialise. because everyone in iran is together in this mourning period that doesn't seem to have an end. so a lot of people have cancelled their package trips which they bought three or four months ago, mainly because of that, but also because of the rising

cost. so the fans who will be there, and there will be a lot of iran fans, but they will nearly all come from the dire spirit rather than iran itself. we from the dire spirit rather than iran itself-— from the dire spirit rather than iran itself. ~ , ., ., , iran itself. we will see how many eo - le iran itself. we will see how many peeple tune _ iran itself. we will see how many peeple tune in — iran itself. we will see how many people tune in for _ iran itself. we will see how many people tune in for that _ iran itself. we will see how many people tune in for that opening i people tune in for that opening match. against england. realistically, how do you think iran will fare or how do they think they will fare or how do they think they will do in this group? i will fare or how do they think they will do in this group?— will do in this group? i think everyone — will do in this group? i think everyone else _ will do in this group? i think everyone else in _ will do in this group? i think everyone else in the - will do in this group? i think everyone else in the group i will do in this group? i think - everyone else in the group sees england as the clear favourite to win it. iran's second game is against wales, that could be pivotal for both teams. england should not feel losing to iran, but they should think about not winning. iran will be extremely compact, extremely disciplined, they will play on the counterattack. they know how their coach wants to play and they may be very difficult to break down and they may go into that last game against the united states which, when the draw was made, it was a hot topic. it is not now, but they may go into that with a real chance of

making it to the next round. mani d'azmi. and mani will be presenting a series of podcasts throughout the world cup, taking you behind the scenes with all 32 teams. the first one is out now! download world football in qatar from bbc sounds, or your favourite podcast provider. one other world cup headline for you, fifa president gianni infantino will be re—elected unopposed for a third four—year term next march. he's received the backing of 200 associations worldwide, including 52 out of 55 uefa members, although russia are suspended. the german football association said yesterday that they would not support infantino and questioned fifa's commitment to human rights. but he will be president again for anotherfour but he will be president again for another four year term. but he will be president again for anotherfouryearterm. —— but he will be president again for anotherfour year term. —— term.

let's have a quick look at some of the day's other headlines. mick schumacher looks set to be without a formula 1 race seat next season, after haas signed veteran nico hulkenberg to replace him. there's an outside chance that schumacher could move to williams, but a reserve seat at mercedes next year is more likely. two englishmen top the leaderboard after the opening round of the season—ending dp world tour championship in dubai. us open champion matt fitzpatrick shot an opening round of 65, and shares the lead with tyrell hatton on 7—under. finn russell is in the scotland side to face argentina at murrayfield on saturday, even though his partner is very close to giving birth. jack dempsey will make his first start — one of two changes to the side that lost to new zealand. owen farrell will win his 100th cap for england when he captains the side against the all blacks at twickenham on saturday. sam simmonds has been recalled to the starting lineup, but he will start at flanker for the first time in five years.

shaun murphy and ding junhui are through to the quarter—finals of the uk snooker championship — murphy staged a stunning fightback to beatjudd trump by 6 frames to 5, while it was relatively straight—forward for ding who knocked out the welshmanjamie clark. isa guha was watching at the york barbican with former world champions ken doherty and steve davis. another fascinating day of snooker in york and i have ken doherty and steve davis in the studio. wejust watched a great match between two of the greatest players, judd trump and shaun murphy and it went all the way. it shaun murphy and it went all the wa . ., ._ way. it went all the way, fascinating _ way. it went all the way, fascinating match, - way. it went all the way, fascinating match, great| way. it went all the way, - fascinating match, great quality from both players. particularly murphy, in the last two frames, the sneaky produce, two centuries in a row, almost made a maximum break as well. we row, almost made a maximum break as well. ~ ., ., ., well. we were on the edge of our seats. it well. we were on the edge of our seats- it was _ well. we were on the edge of our seats. it was incredible, - well. we were on the edge of our seats. it was incredible, there . well. we were on the edge of our l seats. it was incredible, there were treat seats. it was incredible, there were great tactical _ seats. it was incredible, there were great tactical frames, _ seats. it was incredible, there were great tactical frames, a _ seats. it was incredible, there were great tactical frames, a bit - seats. it was incredible, there were great tactical frames, a bit of - great tactical frames, a bit of everything and it was great to see it go down to the last frame. bath

it go down to the last frame. both -la ers it go down to the last frame. both players coming — it go down to the last frame. both players coming through final frame decides in their opening match. it decides in their opening match. it looks like judd had the edge, when he went— looks like judd had the edge, when he went 5—3 in france, it looked like he — he went 5—3 in france, it looked like he was _ he went 5—3 in france, it looked like he was in control of the situation _ like he was in control of the situation. but great action from shaun _ situation. but great action from shaun murphy blew the cobwebs off a couple _ shaun murphy blew the cobwebs off a couple of— shaun murphy blew the cobwebs off a couple of sticky frames and that is probably— couple of sticky frames and that is probably one of his best wins. he has had _ probably one of his best wins. he has had a — probably one of his best wins. he has had a tough patch recently so to -et has had a tough patch recently so to get some _ has had a tough patch recently so to get some form in a big event is brilliant — get some form in a big event is brilliant for him and to win 26—5 deciders, — brilliant for him and to win 26—5 deciders, they can hardly walk for the rest _ deciders, they can hardly walk for the rest of— deciders, they can hardly walk for the rest of the tournament. he could be cuite the rest of the tournament. he could be quite dangerous. _ the rest of the tournament. he could be quite dangerous. -- _ the rest of the tournament. he could be quite dangerous. -- two, - the rest of the tournament. he could be quite dangerous. -- two, 6-5 - be quite dangerous. -- two, 6-5 deciders — be quite dangerous. -- two, 6-5 deciders. other _ be quite dangerous. -- two, 6-5 deciders. other than _ be quite dangerous. -- two, 6-5 deciders. other than a _ be quite dangerous. -- two, 6-5 deciders. other than a bad - be quite dangerous. -- two, 6-5j deciders. other than a bad neck, be quite dangerous. -- two, 6-5 - deciders. other than a bad neck, his deciders. otherthan a bad neck, his form _ deciders. otherthan a bad neck, his form is _ deciders. otherthan a bad neck, his form is good — deciders. otherthan a bad neck, his form is good so he will look forward to the _ form is good so he will look forward to the rest— form is good so he will look forward to the rest of the tournament as lon- to the rest of the tournament as long as — to the rest of the tournament as long as he — to the rest of the tournament as long as he can get physio. talking about good _ long as he can get physio. talking about good form, _ long as he can get physio. talking about good form, ding _ long as he can get physio. talking about good form, ding junhui - long as he can get physio. talking| about good form, ding junhui beat jamie clarke 6—1 was that game was unfolding on table one and he looks like he was in great form. titer? like he was in great form. very impressive- — like he was in great form. very impressive. ding _ like he was in great form. very impressive. ding is _ like he was in great form. very impressive. ding is coming - like he was in great form. - impressive. ding is coming back to somewhere near his former best, which is great to see because he's a class player, won this tournament three times of course, but he was

very impressive againstjamie clarke today and he sets up a wonderful mouth—watering clash against ronnie o'sullivan, who is in imperious form himself. so that is one to savour. definitely. tonight, there are two places up for grabs in the ship as mcchord finals, jack lisowski against husein fofana who knocked out mark selby, do you ever know what to expect from him? his. out mark selby, do you ever know what to expect from him?- out mark selby, do you ever know what to expect from him? no, he is relatively new _ what to expect from him? no, he is relatively new on _ what to expect from him? no, he is relatively new on the _ what to expect from him? no, he is relatively new on the circuit - what to expect from him? no, he is relatively new on the circuit even i relatively new on the circuit even though he is relatively inexperienced because he struggled to get into tournaments in the past, but he is a dangerous opponent and he will cause a few problems. band he will cause a few problems. and ou are he will cause a few problems. and you are in — he will cause a few problems. and you are in commentary, we are keeping you busy, you are matching the match betweenjoe perry and stuart bingham. the match between joe perry and stuart bingham.— the match between joe perry and stuart binaham. , ., ., stuart bingham. yes, looking forward to that match. _ stuart bingham. yes, looking forward to that match, joe _ stuart bingham. yes, looking forward to that match, joe perry _ stuart bingham. yes, looking forward to that match, joe perry has - stuart bingham. yes, looking forward to that match, joe perry has come - to that match, joe perry has come into good — to that match, joe perry has come into good form, world champion from last season _ into good form, world champion from last season and stuart bingham, a proven— last season and stuart bingham, a proven winner, masters and former world _ proven winner, masters and former world champion, so that should be quite _ world champion, so that should be quite a _ world champion, so that should be quite a classic, i think that could io quite a classic, i think that could go right— quite a classic, i think that could go right to — quite a classic, i think that could go right to the wire as well. good luck and do _ go right to the wire as well. good luck and do join _ go right to the wire as well. good luck and do join us _ go right to the wire as well. good luck and do join us from -

go right to the wire as well. (limp. luck and dojoin us from seven luck and do join us from seven o'clock on bbc two, we'll be back with more snooker action. just four days after winning the t20 world cup, englands cricketers were well beaten by australia, in the first of three one—day internationals. they set a target of 288, helped by a century from dawid malan, but it wasn't enough to stop the hosts recording a six—wicket victory. our sports correspondent andy swiss was watching. just a few days ago, they were flying high, but for england, it was back down to earth with a bump. a ripperfrom stark! a stunning start for australia's bowlers, as england's t20 world cup win seemed to have left something of a hangover. a clatter of early wickets, including captainjos buttler, and they were in deep trouble. so, could they recover? dawid malan did his best, giving the crowd a bit of catching

ashton agar stopping one six in outrageous fashion, as england were restricted to 287. oh, that is crazy. it didn't look quite enough, and australia soon proved it wasn't, as david warner turned the run chase into more of a stroll. the hosts ultimately clinching it in style. defeat for england, then, but after that world cup triumph, one that shouldn't hurt too much. andy swiss, bbc news. the hearing into allegations of institutional racism at yorkshire county cricket club has been delayed. cricket discipline commission proceedings were due to begin at the end of this month, but are now expected to take place in the new year. that's after there were appeals against the decision to make the sessions public. we have just three matches to go in the rugby league world cup. tomorrow night, it's the wheelchair final at manchester central between england and france, then the double—header

at old trafford on saturday, with the women's and men's finals, australia against new zealand and then australia taking on samoa. the world cup bossjon dutton has been speaking with our reporter, adam wild, about how he thinks the tournament has gone. we probably did not envisage how hard it was at the start, global pandemic, postponementand hard it was at the start, global pandemic, postponement and lots of things thrown in between. but we have been relentless, determined and really positive and it is about providing a platform for the athletes to flourish. in the latter stages, we have seen some incredible drama and also some new teams and they will grow and flourish and be better for it. jamaica, greece, brazil and more. better for it. jamaica, greece, braziland more. but better for it. jamaica, greece, brazil and more. but now we are down to the final stage, three world cup finals in 2b hours all in the city of manchester. finals in 24 hours all in the city of manchester.— finals in 24 hours all in the city of manchester. ~ ., , , ., , ., of manchester. what lessons have you learned? as — of manchester. what lessons have you learned? as in — of manchester. what lessons have you learned? as in everything _ of manchester. what lessons have you learned? as in everything you - of manchester. what lessons have you learned? as in everything you do, - of manchester. what lessons have you learned? as in everything you do, i. learned? as in everything you do, i am sure there are things you learn and think she would have done differently. i and think she would have done differently-— and think she would have done differently. i think we would try and sort of _ differently. i think we would try and sort of have _ differently. i think we would try and sort of have the _ differently. i think we would try and sort of have the foresight l differently. i think we would try| and sort of have the foresight to with some of the things we encountered, if we knew then what we know now, we hope not —— we would

have done things differently. fundamentally, we wouldn't change anything, it was about having three tournaments, celebrating the north of ireland, civic pride. off the field, our civic programme, money into communities is transformative. maybe we will not be around to see the benefits, but other people well. small things, but overall, we are really proud of creating a platform, laying the foundation and letting the athletes do their thing on the field of play. for the athletes do their thing on the field of play-— the athletes do their thing on the field of -la . ., ., ., field of play. for the women and the wheelchair competitions, _ field of play. for the women and the wheelchair competitions, it - field of play. for the women and the wheelchair competitions, it is - wheelchair competitions, it is creating an extraordinary platform for them, creating an extraordinary platform forthem, how creating an extraordinary platform for them, how do those sports kick on from here?— on from here? wheelchair in particular— on from here? wheelchair in particular is— on from here? wheelchair in particular is exponential - on from here? wheelchair in - particular is exponential growth, we have taken it from sports halls into arenas, lots of people have fallen in love with the game in how accessible and engaging it is. with the women's game, papua new guinea turned up never having won game and qualified for the semifinals, we saw an england team get so close to reaching the final. all those areas of growth, the men's tournament still has growth, we need an international calendar and teams need to play more international

rugby league and i think the future is very bright and i cannot wait to see the world cup in france in 2025 and hopefully some of the things we have done, we will see the success of them in the future. and have done, we will see the success of them in the future.— of them in the future. and on saturday. _ of them in the future. and on saturday, the _ of them in the future. and on saturday, the teams - of them in the future. and on saturday, the teams coming l of them in the future. and on i saturday, the teams coming out of them in the future. and on - saturday, the teams coming out in a world cup final at old trafford, what will be your emotion, you are fighting a motion of this tournament? i fighting a motion of this tournament?— fighting a motion of this tournament? ,, ., , , ., , tournament? i think a sense of pride we have got — tournament? i think a sense of pride we have got to _ tournament? i think a sense of pride we have got to the _ tournament? i think a sense of pride we have got to the stage, _ tournament? i think a sense of pride we have got to the stage, we - tournament? i think a sense of pride we have got to the stage, we are - we have got to the stage, we are proud to get to the start line given the challenges we have had to overcome. a sense of elation and celebration and rugby league, international rugby league celebration on a global platform and thatis celebration on a global platform and that is definitely a time for everyone that loves the sport to celebrate. it has been amazing being here today, the press conference, hearing from the captains and coaches about how special this world cup has been so a huge sense of pride and achievement and some learning to pass on to other people. rugby world cup chiefjohn dutton speaking to adam, it has been a month of world cups, hasn't it? and finally, let's get

back to the world cup. the reigning champions france have had a difficult build—up, brazil and argentina looking pretty good shape. let's start with france, where the build—up has been dominated by the injury to their forwards, ruled out of the world cup the day before they flew out to qatar after a mistimed tackle in training. as has now become worryingly common trend, he has been subjected to racial abuse on social media, the french football federation says it condemns the attacks in the strongest possible terms and was in full support of him who moved to defend his team—mate who moved to defend his team—mate who has said he has been unfairly targeted. he said, the world cup must be a moment of togetherness and not division. the french team have arrived in qatar, the manager and players gave the usual spiel about looking forward to the tournament. the french president is expected to

go if france make the semifinals. in cities across the country refusing to show games on big screens in protest at the top hosting of the tournament, emmanuel macron says sport should not be politicised. translation:— sport should not be politicised. translation: ~ , , , translation: whether the issue is climate or human _ translation: whether the issue is climate or human rights, _ translation: whether the issue is climate or human rights, it - translation: whether the issue is climate or human rights, it is - translation: whether the issue is climate or human rights, it is not i climate or human rights, it is not what we should start questioning when the event is here. it is when we audit that we should ask ourselves questions. i talked to qatar and other powers all the time about a range of issues and we have frank and friendly and constructive relations so i think it is a very bad idea to politicise sports. argentina are many people's tip, 36 games unbeaten after all, they beat the uae 5-0 in games unbeaten after all, they beat the uae 5—0 in a friendly on wednesday before flying into qatar. this is the last and may be the best chance for that man, lionel messi, to finally get his hands on a trophy. we are going to treat you now and show you a team actually training rather than just getting off a coach in the early hours of

the morning. brazil are the favourites, they are not in qatar just yet, they don't play until this time next week, they are in italy, a couple of injury scares for them, alex telles picked up a knock in turin. but he trained, aiming for a first world cup win in 20 years. in the first game, qatar versus ecuador is live on bbc one on sunday at three o'clock. three days to go, are you ready? for most of us, that means sticking a wallchart up, getting involved in the office sweepstake and working out where to watch the games, but one hertfordshire football fan clearly can't wait. he's gone arly and now only needs to look out of his back window for all the excitement he needs. hi,|

hi, iam hi, i am steve, hi, iam steve, i hi, i am steve, i am the creator of squirrel football. the squirrel international football association sifa world cup as an obstacle course i created on a washing line in my back garden. the squirrels have to get past each of the obstacles, they are all themed according to football. so we have some footballs they have to clamber over. there is a rotating red card. there is a referee, a giant whistle. and of course, they come out at the beginning from the tunnel. they are very smart, agile creatures, their friends come along. i have had about four mkhitaryan the course of the same time. they do it for the reward. —— four squirrels come out on the course at the same time. applause it is hilarious look at, i really enjoy watching them.

doesn't he just? and they said staging the world cup in qatar was nuts! steve barley, from hitchin, head of the squirrel world cup he got a feel for the neighbours. that's all from sportsday. goodbye for now. we have had plenty of rainfall recently. flash flooding in places and more rain to come through this evening and into tomorrow. the heaviest of the rain will fall in eastern scotland overnight and it has prompted the met office to issue an amberwarning for has prompted the met office to issue an amber warning for the aberdeenshire area, for grampians, around cairngorm. it could be 100 to perhaps even 150 millimetres of rain by the time we get to the latter part of the afternoon tomorrow. so

the forecast for tomorrow morning a chilly shows plenty of bright and generally dry weather across the bulk of southern england, wales and northern ireland, but the wet weather rain —— wet weather remains in scotland. eventually, the amber warning expires as the rain eases, but still some rain through the opening. temperatures on friday, nine to 12 celsius. how about the weekend? it will be a mixed bag. i think on saturday, many of us should have a decent day, but rain eventually reaches belfast on saturday, goodbye.

hello, i'm kasia madera. this is outside source. millions of britons face higher tax and energy bills after the government unveiled its plans for the economy. the finance ministerjeremy hunt say the most vulnerable will be protected as the uk faces the biggest fall in living standards on record. i have tried to be fair by following two broad principles. firstly, we are to contribute more and secondly, we avoid the tax rises the damage growth. s the conservative seven pick the pockets of purses and wallets of the entire

country and