and syd... you're enjoying this, aren't you? i blinkin' am! it's miles better than i thought it would be. ..he didn't want to leave. david sillito, bbc news, blackpool. time for a look at the weather. here's darren bett. it has been soggy for a lot of people. it has been soggy for a lot of --eole.�* , , ., it has been soggy for a lot of --eole. �* , , ., ., ., it has been soggy for a lot of --eole. �* , ., ., ., ., ~ people. anybody going for a walk toda , people. anybody going for a walk today. wellies — people. anybody going for a walk today, wellies would _ people. anybody going for a walk today, wellies would have - people. anybody going for a walk today, wellies would have been l today, wellies would have been advisable. wet dog perhaps optional, but we have seen more rain today and following on from the wet february, it is south—eastern parts of england that have seen already and we are only on the 12th of march, over a month's worth of rain. in the south—east, it may be drier in the next few days, but there will be rain elsewhere. but it is going to be milder stop we are picking up a south—westerly breeze. on the radar picture, that was the rain we had earlier. that has moved away with a

bit of rain and drizzle following over western hills into the night. most of the wet weather is going to come back into northern ireland and then put eastwards overnight across scotland into north wales and the north of england. with south—westerly winds picking up, it is going to mild overnight, temperature staying in double figures across large parts of the uk. tomorrow, the rain should clear away for much of scotland and northern ireland, lingering in north wales and across northern england. to the south, a lot of cloud and not much sunshine. some sunshine in scotland, but there will be blustery showers to the north of the country. temperatures in scotland and northern ireland just getting into double figures. but across england and wales, especially if it is brighter in the east, we could see 16 degrees. that weather front is cutting across the uk. it is going to move northwards again, the low pressure bringing windy weather into scotland will be gone by thursday, so it is not going to be as windy here. that band of rain on the weather front is going to move northwards very slowly and that the

showery bursts of rain come in from the west. across eastern parts of england, it may be drier and i could be a better chance of seeing some sunshine. but the cooler weather will return to most places by friday. thanks, darren. and that's bbc news at six. hello and welcome to sportsday this tuesday night i'm chetan pathak, coming up on the programme. a big night for arsenal in the champions league. can they beat porto to reach the quarter finals for the first time in fourteen yea rs 7 41 years old and back in the scotland squad — hearts goalkeeper craig gordon is recalled for this month's friendlies against the netherlands and northern ireland. state man wins the champion hurdle as trainer willie mullins moves closer to reaching 100 cheltenham festival wins.

also coming up on sportsday before 7: the start of a new era — we'll be in york for the launch of the women's rugby league season. and jimmy anderson shares his reflections on england's tour of india — and how it felt to take his 700th wicket. this series in particularfelt like it was one year out, just didn't quite get the wickets for that may be on another day or another series that i would've got. welcome along, thank you forjoining us. they've won every premier league game this year — that's eight in a row — and that's why they are top of the table. but tonight arsenal's attention turns to the champions league and their opponents porto — one of only

two sides to beat them in 2024. 1—0 down from the first leg, arsenal have to win if they're to reach the quarter finals — something mikel arteta's side haven't done for 1h years. it's a champions league night in the emirates on a rainy evening. with porto leading 1—0 from the first leg. if galeno had not scored that at the end in port leg i think this time would have a very different look about it. because porto do have that goal it means that sergio team have certainly a chance of knocking arsenal out here tonight remember, the first leg of something of a tactical triumph for him. there will be pressure on arsenal if there is no early goal in this match for the arsenal tonight to have the chance to reach the quarterfinals at the champions league for the first team for 1h yearsjoin us champions league for the first team for 1h years join us to hear it on five live tonight for the i will

have matchups and theo walcott alongside me. kick off at eight o'clock. john murray mentioned the pressure. particularly on mikael arquette also don't want to see his side and he is ready for the challenge ahead.— side and he is ready for the challenge ahead. side and he is ready for the challenae ahead. , ~ , challenge ahead. every week every o- onent challenge ahead. every week every opponent has _ challenge ahead. every week every opponent has its _ challenge ahead. every week every opponent has its strengths, - challenge ahead. every week every opponent has its strengths, in - challenge ahead. every week every opponent has its strengths, in a i challenge ahead. every week every l opponent has its strengths, in a way of approaching the game. now we know to be betterfor of approaching the game. now we know to be better for that we played this kind of games many times in the premier league. wejust kind of games many times in the premier league. we just focus on being ourselves and more of the teams we can control better than we did a few weeks ago. adrian clark spoke to me a short while ago from the stadium. i incompetent, yeah. who would be confident if you force arsenal see dave and scoring goals and playing with great relief without the quality of the football has been excellent. i'm expecting a

fast start. an electric atmosphere and for arsenal to get their nose in early on. i think once they do get that first goal they will go on and score two or three and progressed to the next round. the longer it stays goalless, even as porto scores the first goal then things could get tense around emirates stadium i'm looking forward to the game but i am confident. you looking forward to the game but i am confident. ., ., ~ ., ., confident. you talk about that tension. confident. you talk about that tension- i _ confident. you talk about that tension. i think _ confident. you talk about that tension. i think of _ confident. you talk about that tension. i think of the - confident. you talk about that tension. i think of the league | confident. you talk about that - tension. i think of the league over at branford and there was a sense for a moment meant that arsenal fans thought is this where it all goes wrong for us? it's been such a long time since you had the success that you crave at arsenal. what is the mood like? is there a feeling that they can push on from last season. or are some supporters feeling they are waiting for the wheels to come off? ., ~' �* , are waiting for the wheels to come off? .,

caught by city and they were quite ready. this time around with the addition of declan rice was been a game changer and so leave a be in full effect and gabriella, i do sense that there's a real confidence now. i share that, i really do. sense that there's a real confidence now. ishare that, i really do. i feel arsenal are absolutely good enough to be champions this season. they are good enough to reach the last four maybe even a final this time around. i see a team that's operating at the highest level. i think anyone that's watched arsenal lately will find it difficult to article two argue against the fact that they been playing better than liverpool and manchester city. you've got a chance is any competition you enter. it's hard to argue for porto tonight, there at way record is not great, only one two of their 22 games. how do you make the case for porto this evening? i was impressed with them in the first leg. at that they

defended brilliantly and made life extremely difficult for arsenal to place through the lines. arsenal didn't have a shot on target in that game. if they could play with that kind of organisation and discipline again they can make it a really tricky evening for arsenal. porto don't travel any where near as well i like to think the referee will clampdown on some of their antics. they deliberately made it a real stop and start affair in the 1st. they go in every single opportunity. i like to think the referent degree will be a little bit stronger tonight and will see and much more open game. if we see in open game thatis open game. if we see in open game that is free flowing i fully expect arsenal to cut loose and let their superiority show. hopefully an arsenal win tonight and maybe even at hand someone.— arsenal win tonight and maybe even at hand someone. adrian clark, thank ou so at hand someone. adrian clark, thank you so much- — at hand someone. adrian clark, thank you so much. porto _ at hand someone. adrian clark, thank you so much. porto in _ at hand someone. adrian clark, thank you so much. porto in a _ at hand someone. adrian clark, thank you so much. porto in a champions i you so much. porto in a champions league tonight. napoli are playing at barcelona tonight on the last 16 tonight for them is 1—0 for that we

can follow both those matches on the bbc support website and radio five live. arsenal's first back in the champions league after a while — agony of missing out on the prem title last season — surprised by at the hearts keeper winning the last of his 7a captain november, 2022 he sent to overtake david where is his oldest international. there's a chance to _ is his oldest international. there's a chance to look _ is his oldest international. there's a chance to look up _ is his oldest international. there's a chance to look up close - is his oldest international. there's a chance to look up close with - is his oldest international. there's i a chance to look up close with three competitive games. without being disrespectful to the opposition i've played in a cup already, probably not greg overlook so that it be nice to see him training with the other goalkeepers. three of those goalkeepers. three of those goalkeepers have gone to the arrows. one will miss out and that's the situation. , , ., ., situation. this is the scotland su uad. situation. this is the scotland squad- he — situation. this is the scotland squad. he will— situation. this is the scotland squad. he will have _ situation. this is the scotland squad. he will have to - situation. this is the scotland j squad. he will have to choose situation. this is the scotland - squad. he will have to choose from three of these four goalkeepers gordon alongside the hearts

team—mate clark the established first keeper done for the clocks also selected several central defenders which means he won't be taking them all to germany. in midfield the celtic captain mid field callan mcgregor misses out with an achilles for the same the core squad campaign deserve the chance to go to the euros. that leaves the likes of the bottom of mclean and mick dominic. outfront not played since luton is jacob brown is out with injuries. clark's named three forwards including this comment from the ship at the bottom, hearts lawrence shanklin. all of the bbc sport website. she is accused premier glee clubs of making an

empty promise after failing to agree on a funding dealfor the funding deal for the football league. the deals looking to ensure a fair distribution filters down the football pyramid as clubs aim to avoid majorfinancials football pyramid as clubs aim to avoid major financials such as what happened at berry fc. they were expeuedin 2019 because of rising debts. premier league clubs are now expected to have a funding deal imposed on them by the government's new independent regulator — but a timeframe for that remains unclear. there will be a new finalist in the women's fa cup after the draw for the semi—finals took place earlier today. tottenham hotspur will face leicester city — neither of whom have ever played in the final of the competition. while in the other tie, it's a repeat of last year's final, as manchester united play chelsea. emma hayes�* side are the current holders of the trophy. the ties will be played on the 13th and 14th of april live on the bbc. time now for some of the day's other

sport stories and... spanish club celta vigo have sacked their head coach rafa benitez. the former liverpool boss was appointed lastjune, but has only won five games in la liga this season. their 4—0 defeat at one of his otherformer clubs, real madrid, on sunday left them only two points outside of the relegation zone. a blow for england in rugby union following their dramatic win over ireland in the six nations at the weekend. winger immanuel feyi—waboso has been ruled out of theirfinal game against france with concussion. the 21—year—old was superb in the victory, but reported concussion symptoms to the team yesterday. lauren price will facejessica mccaskill for the wba and ring magazine welterweight titles. it'll be the welsh boxer�*s first world championship fight in her seventh pro bout. and ellyse perry has become the first player to take a six—wicket haul in a women's premier league match. the australia all—rounder took figures of six for 15 from four overs for royal challengers bangalore in a seven—wicket win over mumbai indians.

and, she also hit the winning runs as they successfully chased down 114. the cheltenham festival — the pinnacle event injumps racing got under way today — and �*state man' took full advantage of last year's winner — constitution hill — being absent in the champion hurdle. the willie mullins—trained seven—year—old, ridden by irish jockey paul townend, turned on the power over the final few fences to finish ahead of irish point and luccia. mullins closing in on 100 festival winners this year. today's seen the official launch of the women's rugby league season in york. they�* re the champions and among the clubs who for the first time will be paying match fees to players. there's still a massive difference between what women are paid in that league — compared to their higher earining

counterparts in the wnrl in australia. hence why a number of star players have moved there in recent years. our reporter sally hurst is in york for us. women's super league is changing. this season there are eight teams with the regional structure below that that reflects the growth of the women's game. including many teams paying professional contracts for the first time for that one of those teams is york valkyrie. they are of course current super league titleholders and their captain. figs course current super league titleholders and their captain. $5 a titleholders and their captain. as a su uad we titleholders and their captain. as a squad we take _ titleholders and their captain. as a squad we take it _ titleholders and their captain. s —. squad we take it every titleholders and their captain. is —. squad we take it every game as it council that is a long season for that we're setting boundaries, taking each game as they and improving each game and better than each other. ~ . ' . improving each game and better than each other. . . ' . ., , each other. what difference has the professional— each other. what difference has the professional contract _ each other. what difference has the professional contract made - each other. what difference has the professional contract made for- each other. what difference has the | professional contract made for you? it's amazing and is something that we needed. it compensates for the money that you're paying to come over here. your nutrition could be a

lot better for that we got mothers in the treatment they need childcare, a lot of things really helpful. childcare, a lot of things really helful. ., . ., ,, helpful. how much further do you need to push _ helpful. how much further do you need to push a? _ helpful. how much further do you need to push a? i _ helpful. how much further do you need to push a? i think _ helpful. how much further do you need to push a? i think it's - helpful. how much further do you need to push a? i think it's going | need to push a? i think it's going strength to _ need to push a? i think it's going strength to strength. _ need to push a? i think it's going strength to strength. last - need to push a? i think it's going strength to strength. last year . need to push a? i think it's going l strength to strength. last year was a massive thing for the women's game. the grand final being the double—header is the men's that would really push it as well. that's to come in maybe a couple of years. you have to see where you are as a young girl and where it is now. i never thought that i be doing an interview. young girls are looking up interview. young girls are looking up to see what they can do and what they can achieve. the world is their oyster and they can achieve anything they want in the league now because if there is a pathway for them to do that. . , if there is a pathway for them to do that. ., , ., ~', that. there are still a few weeks auo until that. there are still a few weeks ago until the _ that. there are still a few weeks ago until the women _ that. there are still a few weeks i ago until the women super league season starts but the challenge coupled begins this weekend. —— challenge cup. before liv, it was called golf�*s fifth major — that tag may be gone, but the players championship still produces one

of the strongest fields in the sport and in a couple of days play will be under way at tpc sawgrass in florida. we're still waiting on clarity between the pga tour and live mac all. confirmation came today that negotiations are ongoing. he said that the negotiations are accelerating. he said there were still several key issues to be ironed out. and there was still a shared vision that could lead to the unification of the game. but later in the conference they didn't say if it can be done. i think that is the big word "if". bearing in mind that has been extra investment come in from the strategic sports group which is headlined by the fenway group who all liverpool football club. that has in many respects clouded the future because that wasn't on the horizon when this

framework agreement was initially thrashed out injune. then it was said that a deal with saudi arabia could be done within weeks. the deadline was extended to the end of last year and here we're in the third month of 202a. we're still no nearer anyone saying that in agreement is in sight. find nearer anyone saying that in agreement is in sight. and looking ahead to the _ agreement is in sight. and looking ahead to the players _ agreement is in sight. and looking l ahead to the players championship, not quite the saying we know that liv golf won't be there. but still in exciting crop of players. surely the clear favourite after what we saw at the arnold palmer invitational on sunday. saw at the arnold palmer invitational on sunda . ., , , invitational on sunday. undoubtedly the favourite _ invitational on sunday. undoubtedly the favourite foods _ invitational on sunday. undoubtedly the favourite foods are _ invitational on sunday. undoubtedly the favourite foods are really - the favourite foods are really commanding performance from scotty sheffield down the road in orlando where he finally found some joy on the green. that's been the missing pieces fire is the world number one is concerned. he putted extremely well last week. capitalising on his supreme ball striking. yes, he is the favorite. your right to highlight the fact that this isn't quite the event that it once was.

this was always boasted as the unofficial fifth major it's very hard to say that now when you consider that you don't have the masters champion, uspa champion in john rom and capa respectively because they play on the liv tour. the fifth anniversary of the players championship but it's not quite the field or the event that it once was because of the fractured nature of the men's game at the moment. talking of so—called fifth majors... the shock of the tournament was see novakjakub it knocked out the 20 where dues world number 23 in the third round. the italian — who's ranked 123rd in the world — had originally been knocked out in qualifying, but reached the main draw after another player withdrew. nardi hit 3a winners in a 6—4, 3—6, 6—3 win over the 24—time grand slam

champion, converting the match point with an ace. djokovic — who was beaten by eventual winner jannik sinner in the semi—finals of the australian open — is yet to win a tournament this year. hayes among a group of very promising italian players without one of the least heralded one because it is only 20 years of age. he was playing on the challenger tourin he was playing on the challenger tour in india before coming to indian wells and has very little experience of playing on the tour. but having lost in qualifying and then to get into the draw as a lucky loser when somebody else withdrew and then at the chance to play one of your idols, a man whose poster still adorns her bedroom door was a dream come true for him. he took his opportunity was doubtful that as for the asbury giacometti admits he was rusty. hasn't played since the australian open, he had played in fairly —— novak shock events. he will play more regularly when you get the half of the season it's not how great you are, at the age of 36 sectional planes played so regularly it can have an impact on your results. . , , it can have an impact on your results. ., , , , results. inevitably when he loses an 'et to results. inevitably when he loses any jet to win — results. inevitably when he loses any jet to win a _ results. inevitably when he loses any jet to win a tournament - results. inevitably when he loses any jet to win a tournament this | anyjet to win a tournament this year the questions go to what's next

in men's tennis who perhaps takes overfor in men's tennis who perhaps takes over for that we talked about alcaraz a lot office wimbledon wind, haven't quite pushed off in the way that he would like to and then on the other side he's been outstanding last year for that we will see both of them later on this evening at indian wales. how excited are you about the prospect of both of these two? ~ . about the prospect of both of these two? . ., ., , , ., about the prospect of both of these two? ., ., ,. two? what he has been doing since the end of last _ two? what he has been doing since the end of last year _ two? what he has been doing since the end of last year when _ two? what he has been doing since the end of last year when he - two? what he has been doing since the end of last year when he won . two? what he has been doing since i the end of last year when he won the davis cup was remarkable for the australian open now 17 wins in a row getting into today's match. alcaraz rolled an ankle in rio, looks very goodin rolled an ankle in rio, looks very good in his last match so i think we will see the best of him again over the next few months his match is quite interesting. we were talking about luca nardi from the top 100 beating djokovic. his opponent is from hungary who is also outside the top 100 when he produced perhaps the tour absent of last year by beating alcaraz in rome. {line tour absent of last year by beating alcaraz in rome.— alcaraz in rome. one of the greatest u sets of

alcaraz in rome. one of the greatest upsets of all — alcaraz in rome. one of the greatest upsets of all time. _ alcaraz in rome. one of the greatest upsets of all time. emma _ alcaraz in rome. one of the greatest upsets of all time. emma raducanu i upsets of all time. emma raducanu they us open a lot has happened since then for the injury last year on that comeback trail. yes she lost yesterday but what did you make of that performance and where she at and heart recovery?— and heart recovery? sssaaa like it was making _ and heart recovery? sssaaa like it was making a _ and heart recovery? sssaaa like it was making a lot _ and heart recovery? sssaaa like it was making a lot of _ and heart recovery? sssaaa like it was making a lot of errors - and heart recovery? sssaaa like it was making a lot of errors but - and heart recovery? sssaaa like it was making a lot of errors but it i was making a lot of errors but it was making a lot of errors but it was completely on her racket as we like to say what was impressive about the second set was that raducanu played a lot better and started feeling more confident and got used to the pace of marinas ball and very nearly took that second set to a tiebreaker. three writeback points to do the show. i think it's not a spectacular rise, it's a steady progress at the start of this yearfor steady progress at the start of this year for the ten matches played steady progress at the start of this yearfor the ten matches played in five tournaments. ms. eight months at the of last year. i think she's starting to put the blocks in place. but realistically it's going to be a fair few months before she can challenge a player of the likes of marina sample like that. he

mentioned djokovic on record keeps saying he plans to retire anytime soon. that's the same for this man here. england veteran fast bowlerjames anderson says he has no plans to retire in the immediate future. the 41—year—old says he feels like he's in the best shape he's ever been, but admits he'll have to work hard to make the england squad for the summer season. anderson became the first pace bowler to reach 700 test wickets during england's ill—fated series in india earlier this month. he's been speaking on the bbc podcast tailenders. i'm definitely don't think i m getting any worse i feel like i'm in the best shape i've ever been in, which is weird. i've got the fitness side of it in a good place at the minute — my recovery is good, i can come back at 5pm and still bowl at the same speed, that helps confidence.

the last nine months i've not delivered as much as i want in terms of wickets, but this series in particular i felt i've been bowling really well, just didn t quite get the wickets. i think ithinki i think i like where my game is at. i've still got that enjoyment of turning up every day and trying to get better in the nets i know my place in the team is not a given, i've got to work hard to prove i'm worth a place scotla nd scotland goalkeeper and age is no limit for this man either. that tool end to tonight. tool end to tonight. frank foster from sheffield will tell youn there is no limit. he's 90 and is thought to be britain's oldest football referee. he says he has no plans to give up the game he loves. he had to stop playing semi—professionally in the 19505 because of a knee injury, but he still referees three matches a week

in local leagues. hannah gray has been to meet him. 0k. frank foster doing what he enjoys most. this 90—year—old great—grandfather from sheffield referees about three times a week. i just love football. being out in the fresh air. i had a 98% mark in my referee exam. i wanted to give that back out, whether it be boys, girls, men or women. i just love it. frank played for bamford football club back in the 19505. after a knee injury, he couldn't play in the team any more, but he's now in his 44th year of refereeing. my legs are tired afterwards, because i don't have linespeople, and i anticipate a move and go with it. and if i get any arguments,

i'm straight in, talking to them. i don't talk down to them. that's rubbish, that. just talk to them naturally. spectators are often stunned to learn his age. it's really hard, isn't it, being a ref? so, the fact that he's still doing it at 90 is absolutely amazing. i can't believe it. and he's keeping up with play, which actually some of the younger lads don't even do. so, yeah, absolutely brilliant to see him here, yeah. it's obviously great for the girls. he's still very mobile, - running up and down the pitch. so, yeah, it's brilliant. people my age, as a grandparent, i'm a bit envious, really. you know, he's 20 years older than me, and i wish i could do what he's doing now. an inspiration to us all. frank, can we come back and chat to you when you turn 100, and will we still find you refereeing? as long as you push me wheelchair, i will. and you're going to continue for a while? oh, i'm going to continue, yes. i've got no reasons

or intentions of stopping. age isjust a number. it's just a number. forget how old you are. do what you can as long as you can. determined to keep on handing out those red and yellow cards for as long as he possibly can. hannah gray, bbc news. you take care. you, too. love those pencils and the socks. just a reminder of our top story arsenal at home to porto they are 1-0 arsenal at home to porto they are 1—0 down after the first leg. they have to win if they are to reach the end for the following on bbc radio 5 live. that is all. good night. hello there, good evening. it's been another really quite wet day for many of us, particularly

across england and wales. in fact, parts of south—east england have already seen their average march rainfall. we're not yet halfway through the month. a lot of saturated ground out there. and although the air is milder as we head through the rest of the week, there will be further spells of rain at times, especially in the north and the west. and if we just take a look at the rainfall accumulation chart for the rest of the week, most spots are in for another 20 to 30 millimetres, but parts of north—west england and north—west wales could see as much as 70 to 80 millimetres of rainfall, so it willjust add to the risk of localised flooding, and there are already plenty of flood warnings in place. that's also partly due to the spring tides yesterday and today. this was the situation earlier on, then, so this low pressure out towards the north—west of scotland just pushing these weather fronts further eastwards. but the rain has now cleared across parts of east anglia and kent. there will be another set of weather fronts just pushing down from north—west scotland, through into north—west england and western wales, so turning really quite wet here. but ahead of the front, some very mild—feeling conditions, a lot of mist and murk,

but temperatures here may not drop out of double figures. it will be a mild start to the day across the board. and then on wednesday, our weather front is stalled across wales and into north—west england. to the north of the front, some sunshine, but some showers move in across north—west scotland later. gales across the north of scotland, with the low pressure centred here. further towards the south and the east, ahead of the front, there will be a lot of cloud. but given any brighter spells, temperatures could rise here in the milder—feeling air to 15, 16 degrees. now, as we head through wednesday night and into thursday, our weather fronts start to retreat further northwards again, bringing some further spells of possibly quite heavy rain across northern ireland, northern england and into southern scotland. again, some brighter skies towards the north of scotland, but a lot of cloud as well. a rash of heavy, thundery showers across wales, south—west england, gradually pushing further eastwards, but plenty of dry weather again for east anglia, parts of kent and sussex. given some brighter skies, we could see 16 or 17 degrees in all of that milder—feeling air. but the colder air still across parts of northern ireland

and scotland, and that's gradually going to sink a little further southwards as we head through friday. so we'll come into some slightly cooler—feeling conditions as we head into the start of the weekend, staying unsettled, more rain at times. it's 7pm in london. this is the world today

with maryam moshiri. a spokesman for rishi sunak says visually made by conservative donor frank hester about the diane abbott were racist and wrong, but he has rightly apologised for the offence caused. —— comments made by. the uk calls for answers from israel after a bbc report shows medical staff at a hospital in gaza being beaten and humiliated. gang violence and political turmoil continue to grip haiti. aid agencies say the situation in the capital, port au prince, is desperate. also coming up on the world today: surf's up. thrill seekers ride a five star title wave, a natural phenomenon. welcome to the world today, an hour of international news from the bbc.

a spokesman for