Darts sensation Luke Littler reaches final at world championship

LONDON (AP) — Teenage star Luke Littler has reached the final at the world darts championship — again.

Still just 17, Littler routed Stephen Bunting 6-1 in Thursday's semifinal to give himself another shot at the title, one year after his unlikely run brought waves of new fans to the sport.

Littler lost the title match a year ago — in his first appearance — as fans tuned in to watch the carefree youngster eliminate opponents more that twice his age.

“Chill out, reset the batteries and go again tomorrow,” Littler said of his plan for Friday night, when he can become the youngest world champion in the sport.

Littler will face three-time champion Michael van Gerwen in the final at London’s Alexandra Palace, the boisterous venue better known as “Ally Pally." The demonstrative Dutchman advanced by defeating Chris Dobey 6-1.

Since losing 7-4 to Luke Humphries in last year's final, Littler has won 10 tournaments around the world including in Bahrain and Amsterdam.

“I’ve gained loads of experience,” he said Thursday. “I know where I went wrong last year, and I’m sure I’ll fix it.

“Win seven sets and I’ll be over the moon," added Littler, who still lives at home with his parents in northwest England.

The 35-year-old Van Gerwen last won the title in 2019. This will be his seventh final.

"I'm here with a mission," he said. "The title is still far away, that is what I have to tell myself. I don’t want to make mistakes, I want to keep battling.”

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Fans dressed in costumes are seen during the semifinal match between Michael van Gerwen of the Netherlands and Chris Dobey of England, at the World Darts Championship in London, Thursday, Jan. 2, 2025. (AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth)

Michael van Gerwen of the Netherlands celebfartes after winning the semifinal match against Chris Dobey of England, at the World Darts Championship in London, Thursday, Jan. 2, 2025. (AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth)

Michael van Gerwen of the Netherlands celebfartes after winning the semifinal match against Chris Dobey of England, at the World Darts Championship in London, Thursday, Jan. 2, 2025. (AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth)

Stephen Bunting of England throws his dart during the semifinal match against Luke Littler of England, at the World Darts Championship in London, Thursday, Jan. 2, 2025. (AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth)

Stephen Bunting of England reacts during the semifinal match against Luke Littler of England, at the World Darts Championship in London, Thursday, Jan. 2, 2025. (AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth)

Luke Littler of England attends the semifinal match against Stephen Bunting of England, at the World Darts Championship in London, Thursday, Jan. 2, 2025. (AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth)

Luke Littler of England throws his dart during the semifinal match against Stephen Bunting of England, at the World Darts Championship in London, Thursday, Jan. 2, 2025. (AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth)

Luke Littler of England throws his dart during the semifinal match against Stephen Bunting of England, at the World Darts Championship in London, Thursday, Jan. 2, 2025. (AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth)

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump’s motorcade took a different route than usual to the airport as he was departing Florida on Sunday due to a “suspicious object,” according to the White House.

The object, which the White House did not describe, was discovered during security sweeps in advance of Trump’s arrival at Palm Beach International Airport.

“A further investigation was warranted and the presidential motorcade route was adjusted accordingly,” White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said in a statement Sunday.

The president, when asked about the package by reporters, said, “I know nothing about it.”

Trump left his Palm Beach, Florida, club, Mar-a-Lago, around 6:20 p.m. for the roughly 10-minute drive to the airport, but took a circular route around the city to get there.

During the drive, police officers on motorcycles created a moving blockade for the motorcade, at one point almost colliding with the vans that accompanied Trump.

Air Force One was parked on the opposite side of the airport from where it is usually located and the lights outside the plane were turned off.

Anthony Guglielmi, the spokesman for U.S. Secret Service, said the secondary route was taken just as a precaution and that “that is standard protocol.”

President Donald Trump departs Trump International Golf Club in the presidential limousine, known as The Beast, Sunday, Jan. 11, 2026, in West Palm Beach, Fla. (AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson)