rishi sunak sits down with northern ireland's new nationalist first minister michelle o'neill on a visit celebrating the return of a power—sharing government to stormont. this is an historic day but, behind the photo opportunities is the key issue of money — how northern ireland is funded. the us says strikes on iran—linked targets are just the beginning, as america's top diplomat visits the region again. chile's deadliest forest fire on record claims at least 112 lives. the president warns the figure is likely to rise. taylor swift! cheering. and taylor swift makes history at the grammy awards, becoming the first artist ever to win best album four times.

hello. welcome to bbc news now, three hours of fast—moving news, interviews and reaction. we begin in northern ireland, where british pm rishi sunak and the irish prime minister — leo varadkar — are visiting to mark the return of the power—sharing government at stormont. it is mr sunak�*s seventh visit as pm but the first in which northern ireland has had a fully—functioning government. this is the moment he was greeted by the new first minister, michelle o'neill, from the nationalist party, sinn fein — and the deputy first minister, emma little pengelly, from the democratic unionist party. under the power sharing agreement, they hold a joint office and have equal power. sinn fein took the largest number of seats at the election in 2022, and that's why, for the first time, their party holds the position of first minister.

on mr sunak�*s agenda today — plenty of meetings. here he is at a roundtable gathering of the northern ireland executive — the body which brings together representatives from the various elected parties, to administer the province. the irish taoiseach — or prime minister — leo varadkar, has also travelled to belfast. he's going to meet ministers from the northern ireland executive — and is also expected to meet rishi sunak for bilateral talks. among the issues mr sunak has to resolve in northern ireland — the level of funding for the executive and the government. here's the leader of the democratic unionists, sirjeffrey donaldson. we need to press forward with reform of our health service and education system providing childcare support for working families. there are some new priorities and if an executive

is to succeed, they need to deliver on those issues. live now to our correspondent charlotte gallagher. we are awaiting a press conference from the taoiseach leo varadkar. he's been having meetings with the northern ireland executive so it'll be interesting hear what he has to say. charlotte, this is a hugely symbolic day today at stormont. 7 it symbolic day today at stormont. ? it is for two reasons. firstly, the fact we are at this point in stormont is back up and running after two years of political chaos, instability, many people thought we would never get here again, that's devolution would be back up with running. a more importantly, the first ever nationalist first minister in northern ireland's history. when northern ireland was

created in 1921 after partition, it was designed by unionists for unionist people. the founding fathers would have always intended that unionist politicians would be part of the largest party here and now sinn fein, nationalist party who wants to reunite with the rest of ireland, they are the largest party, michelle o'neill is the first minister. hugely symbolic for northern ireland. michelle o'neill has made a big point of saying she is the first minister for everyone in northern ireland, not aboutjust serving the nationalist community but wants to serve the unionist community, people of different views and faiths, and wants to represent everybody here. it's a huge moment and won many thought would never come. i and won many thought would never come. . , and won many thought would never come, .,, and won many thought would never come. .,, ., come. i was looking at the tweet from the first _ come. i was looking at the tweet from the first minister _ come. i was looking at the tweet from the first minister this - come. i was looking at the tweet. from the first minister this morning and she said as you said, looking forward to a busy day, i will represent everyone as first minister for all, standing up for workers, families and public services. it's

been interesting this issue of a referendum on potential irish unification has been put on the table from now, from the very first day the executive is back. that's interesting and i wonder how it's being viewed by unionist politicians.— being viewed by unionist oliticians. ., ., ~ . politicians. critics of michelle o'neill would _ politicians. critics of michelle o'neill would say _ politicians. critics of michelle o'neill would say is - politicians. critics of michelle o'neill would say is all- politicians. critics of michelle o'neill would say is all well. politicians. critics of michelle i o'neill would say is all well and good saying you want to be a first minister for everyone but one of the first things you are saying is a referendum, a border poll on united ireland. she believes there could be a border poll within the next decade and believes it's a decade of opportunity and wants to join the rest of the republic of ireland, obviously sinn fein�*s aim. but the dup leader said he doesn't believe the momentum was there for a border poll and believes the majority of people in northern ireland want to remain part of the uk. i think that

issue will keep coming up over the years especially because we are expecting an election in the republic of ireland and sinn fein could become the largest party there and the taoiseach of the republic. it's not an issue that will go away however much the dup and other parties might want it to. we however much the dup and other parties might want it to.- however much the dup and other parties might want it to. we will be cominu parties might want it to. we will be coming back _ parties might want it to. we will be coming back to _ parties might want it to. we will be coming back to you _ parties might want it to. we will be coming back to you just _ parties might want it to. we will be coming back to you just keeping . parties might want it to. we will be | coming back to you just keeping eye on images from inside stormont to see when the taoiseach comes. we will come back when it happens. and later in the programme, in the next 30 minutes, we will speak to former taoiseach bertie ahern and secretary of state of ireland. it will be interesting to get their thoughts on what is happening now with their long background to the area. now to the middle east, where us secretary of state antony blinken is due to arrive in riyadh for his fifth visit to the region since the israel—gaza war began. his trip follows days of air strikes by the united states against iranian—linked targets

in iraq, syria and yemen. the us central command say it is planning more strikes on iran—linked targets. as well as saudi arabia, he's expected to visit israel, egypt, qatar and the occupied west bank. he'll be hoping to secure a new truce between israel and hamas. this is in response to attacks on international shipping in the red sea and a drone attack injordan which killed three us soldiers at a military base injordan more than a week ago. mr blinken is also expected to discuss pushing more aid into gaza following repeated calls from local and international aid groups for a ceasefire after warnings of an impending famine affecting more than two million people. live now to our nick beake who's injerusalem. you read through that and realise what a packed agenda antony blinken has on his plate. he

what a packed agenda antony blinken has on his plate-— has on his plate. he certainly does. interestingly. _ has on his plate. he certainly does. interestingly, listen _ has on his plate. he certainly does. interestingly, listen to _ has on his plate. he certainly does. interestingly, listen to the - interestingly, listen to the officials travelling with him and giving us a briefing, the top priority at the moment is ensuring there is some sort of pause in the fighting during which the hostages taken by hamas on october seven are released. when you mention some of the countries he visiting, to unpack that, saudi arabia is clearly a big regional player but there is no coincidence that egypt and qatar are places he is visiting because they have been instrumental in behind—the—scenes conversations going on to get some sort of hostage deal and pause in the fighting. you might remember back in november they played a leading role in getting the first wave of hostages released. he is here to talk about that but also will be trying to say that the recent action over the past 72 hours from the americans and british in some cases have been hitting iran backed militias and targets he will

be arguing that its an escalation for the greater good of the region and for protecting american interests here at the moment. although he's been saying its a fifth visit to the region, it feels like the us is taking a more active role since his previous visits because of the strikes you mentioned. coming from a different position perhaps when talking to the regional leaders this time round. i think that's a fair points. it goes back to gaza because this has been something really inflamed the different problems we have within the region, many of which are interconnected and long—standing. is gaza which has proved to be so unpopular within so many gulf states and parts of the middle east. the hope is if there is a meaningful ceasefire here in which a platform can be built for a wider piece deal,

the hope is a lot of issues related to this can be addressed and soothed in some ways and the temperature dialled down in a febrile atmosphere in the middle east as we know. imore in the middle east as we know. we're waitin: for in the middle east as we know. we're waiting for pictures _ in the middle east as we know. we're waiting for pictures of _ in the middle east as we know. we're waiting for pictures of blinken - in the middle east as we know. we're waiting for pictures of blinken buzz arrival and we expect it to be imminent in riyadh. fully take us through where he is going and going to be talking to for the next few days? to be talking to for the next few da s? .. to be talking to for the next few da s? ~ ., , ., to be talking to for the next few da s? m, , ., , ., ., days? saudi arabia first of all, talkin: days? saudi arabia first of all, talking to _ days? saudi arabia first of all, talking to a — days? saudi arabia first of all, talking to a key _ days? saudi arabia first of all, talking to a key player- days? saudi arabia first of all, talking to a key player in - days? saudi arabia first of all, talking to a key player in the l talking to a key player in the region, and egypt and qatar. they have been important in behind—the—scenes talking. to remind ourselves, it was not this weekend but the weekend before we had officials from egypt and qatar as well as israelis and americans, mainly spy chiefs and not politicians, they gathered in france and were hammering out a basic plan

for a peace deal that could be put to hamas and agreed upon with israel. we're pointing out hamas and israel. we're pointing out hamas and israel aren't at the same table one these talks. it's a convoluted process but are hoping some sort of deal will be reached. in terms of a peace objective being reached in the short—term, what we thought might happen as hamas discussing in france those discussions taking place so we are hoping to see what hamas makes of this. it's worth saying there are divisions within the hamas leadership, both in gaza but also in qatar where the political part of hamas is based. so there are conflicting decisions within the government in israel too. we conflicting decisions within the government in israel too. we will be cominu government in israel too. we will be coming back— government in israel too. we will be coming back to _ government in israel too. we will be coming back to you _ government in israel too. we will be coming back to you but _

government in israel too. we will be coming back to you but thank- government in israel too. we will be coming back to you but thank you i government in israel too. we will be | coming back to you but thank you for the moment. authorities in chile say wildfires raging in the centre of the country have now killed at least 112 people. an official said there were still a0 active fires across chile. earlier, the president warned that the number of people confirmed dead was likely to rise significantly. emergency teams have been struggling to control the fires, which have spread rapidly across the valparaeeso region. the forest fires are thought to be the deadliest ever recorded in chile. the government is investigating whether some blazes were started deliberately. the forest fires are thought to be the deadliest ever recorded in the country. henna hundal is a delegate to the un climate change conferences. she told us that these fires have been devastating. in situations like these, the one known is that there is so much unknown and more information will be made available hour by hour. it was announced initially that there were 99 deaths accounted for, but now that number has

risen to 112. there is an estimate of between 3,000 to 6,000 homes that have been destroyed. in the valparaiso region, which is a very important port city, officials have said that hundreds of millions of dollars' worth of damage has been created. so, it's a devastating situation all around. there are reports of medical students being recruited to help serve in temporary field hospitals. so, there is a lot of devastation ongoing, and president boric has said that a disaster of this scale has not been seen since the 2010 earthquake that hit chile, so it's a really unfortunate situation. i think that the international community will be receptive to supporting chile as they try to battle these wildfires. we sawjust last month columbia was also dealing with their share of fires and their president actually put out a call for international aid and we saw chile at that time, peru and the united states and canada come to support. so, i think if and when president boric needs the help, there will be the international community to do so.

around the world and across the uk, this is bbc news. let's look at some other stories making news here in the uk. a man has been bailed in connection with the death of a grandmother who was killed after being attacked by dogs. esther martin was fatally injured inside a home injaywick, near clacton—on—sea, on saturday afternoon. a 39—year—old—man — arrested on suspicion of dangerous dog offences — has been released on conditional police bail until march. a reward of up to £20,000 is being offered for information leading to the arrest of a man suspected of carrying out a chemical attack on a mother and her daughters in south london. police say they believe people who know where abdul ezedi is have yet to come forward. worsening health among the under fives in the uk needs to be urgently addressed — experts say. the academy of medical sciences highlights what it says are "major health issues" like infant deaths, obesity and tooth decay.

it says society is betraying children and the problems are limiting their future and damaging economic prosperity. you're live with bbc news. to el salvador next. nayib bukele has claimed victory in the presidential election, even though no official results have been released. he has been credited with sharply reducing the murder rate. last year, the murder rate fell to its lowest in three decades. but he's faced criticism over human rights violations and the methods used to tackle violent crime. straight back to someone now where we were waiting to hear from the taoiseach leo varadkar. it looks like he is about to speak.- like he is about to speak. hello. just a like he is about to speak. hello. just a few— like he is about to speak. hello. just a few words _ like he is about to speak. hello. just a few words to _ like he is about to speak. hello. just a few words to say - like he is about to speak. hello. just a few words to say first - like he is about to speak. hello. just a few words to say first of l just a few words to say first of all, it's a real privilege to be here today, a historic day to see

the executive assembly up and running again. we had a meeting with the prime minister and met with the deputy first minister and first minister and executive and the opposition. and three things to say. want to thank people who made today possible, to congratulate the first minister and deputy first minister for taking many roles, we are pledging to do everything we can to help the executive be successful. a lot of everyday issues need attention here and they will work hard and that and keen to get things running again. we have a meeting in the next few weeks to focus on practical co—operation that works well for everyone on the island. keen to work with the new executive and looking forward to that.

crosstalk. on a day like today restoration... we have _ on a day like today restoration... we have no... we on a day like today restoration... we have no...— on a day like today restoration... we have no... ~ ., ., we have no... we had a good meeting this morning- — we have no... we had a good meeting this morning. spoke _ we have no... we had a good meeting this morning. spoke to _ we have no... we had a good meeting this morning. spoke to the _ we have no... we had a good meeting this morning. spoke to the prime - this morning. spoke to the prime minister by phone only a week ago and had a good meeting today with him and his team. we are keen to look to the future and work on corporation. d0 look to the future and work on corporation-— look to the future and work on corporation. look to the future and work on cororation. i. ., ., ., corporation. do you agree that now is the time — corporation. do you agree that now is the time to _ corporation. do you agree that now is the time to address _ corporation. do you agree that now is the time to address day-to-dayl is the time to address day—to—day concerns? — is the time to address day-to-day concerns? , ., , ., ., , concerns? the priority for any new executive at _ concerns? the priority for any new executive at any _ concerns? the priority for any new executive at any country _ concerns? the priority for any new executive at any country has - concerns? the priority for any new executive at any country has to - concerns? the priority for any new executive at any country has to be| executive at any country has to be the day—to—day concerns for people. there are long waiting lists in northern ireland, not exclusive to northern ireland, not exclusive to northern ireland, not exclusive to northern ireland by any means but we have had issues around that and the

economy and the sense i got from the first minister is they are keen to get stuck in and work on those day—to—day issues and we are here to help. day-to-day issues and we are here to hel. ., . ., ., day-to-day issues and we are here to hel. ., ., ., help. how confident are you and where you _ help. how confident are you and where you support _ help. how confident are you and where you support further... - help. how confident are you and where you support further... i l help. how confident are you and l where you support further... i am confident that _ where you support further... i am confident that the _ where you support further... i —n confident that the institutions will last. when i was first elected, we had a long period where bodies were operating well and i know that when the assembly falls it tends to not be re—established for years. ifeel a sense, that this is here to last

especially around north, south issues. in terms of reform, i think we should wait and allow the parties to do their work to get to know their ministries and work together. reforms have been made before and it can be done but i think a period of focusing on day—to—day issues should come first. in focusing on day-to-day issues should come first. , ., ., . ., come first. in terms of financial incentive. _ come first. in terms of financial incentive. is — come first. in terms of financial incentive, is the _ come first. in terms of financial incentive, is the government i incentive, is the government prepared _ incentive, is the government prepared to offer a fresh one? yes, the shared — prepared to offer a fresh one? yes, the shared island _ prepared to offer a fresh one? yes, the shared island fund _ prepared to offer a fresh one? yes, the shared island fund is _ prepared to offer a fresh one? is: the shared island fund is there and we intend to make further allocations over the course of the year but also keen to co—ordinate that with secretary of state and executive now up and running. emma little

incoherent. . i think incoherent. . ithink that incoherent. . i think that is not for toda . incoherent. . | thinkthat is not for today- they — incoherent. . i think that is not for today. they said _ incoherent. . i think that is not for today. they said this - incoherent. . i think that is not for today. they said this is - incoherent. . i think that is not for today. they said this is not i for today. they said this is not about constitutional _ for today. they said this is not about constitutional change i for today. they said this is notl about constitutional change but despite — about constitutional change but despite what he says, hasn't the focus _ despite what he says, hasn't the focus shifted because of brexit and the fall— focus shifted because of brexit and the fall out of it for the island of ireland? — the fall out of it for the island of ireland? and might that come in the decade? _ ireland? and might that come in the decade? i_ ireland? and might that come in the decade? ., ireland? and might that come in the decade? ~ ., , ., decade? i think today is about markin: decade? i think today is about marking the — decade? i think today is about marking the fact _ decade? i think today is about marking the fact that - decade? i think today is about marking the fact that the - decade? i think today is about| marking the fact that the good friday agreement which we voted for in big numbers, north and south, is now functioning again and the assembly is operating, the executive and also the north—south bodies. today should be about that...

crosstalk. . i had a good welcome and meeting with the prime minister and a warm welcome from the first minister and executive. there is a long—standing tradition since the good friday agreement that the taoiseach would event events like this. incoherent. former secretary general

of nato and persistent _ incoherent. former secretary general of nato and persistent security - incoherent. former secretary general of nato and persistent security of - of nato and persistent security of freedom — of nato and persistent security of freedom saying we should maintain strategic— freedom saying we should maintain strategic interest in northern ireland _ strategic interest in northern ireland i_ strategic interest in northern ireland. i wondered what you thought about— ireland. i wondered what you thought about that _ ireland. i wondered what you thought about that. i ireland. i wondered what you thought about that. . �* ireland. i wondered what you thought about that. ., �* ., ., . ., . about that. i haven't had a chance to read it, — about that. i haven't had a chance to read it, i _ about that. i haven't had a chance to read it, iwill— about that. i haven't had a chance to read it, i will but _ about that. i haven't had a chance to read it, i will but i _ about that. i haven't had a chance to read it, i will but i have - about that. i haven't had a chance to read it, i will but i have read i to read it, i will but i have read the summary and i don't agree with it as you won't be surprised to hear. as a country and government, we take security and defence very seriously, dramatically scaling up our defence budget on ireland and involved in security in the un and members of pasco, the relationship with nato for the partnership of peace. we take security measures very seriously. peace. we take security measures very seriously-— very seriously. this was made ossible very seriously. this was made possible today _ very seriously. this was made possible today by _ very seriously. this was made possible today by negotiating | very seriously. this was made - possible today by negotiating with the government. what's uncomfortable

for you _ the government. what's uncomfortable for you this _ the government. what's uncomfortable for you this time? | the government. what's uncomfortable for you this time?— for you this time? i have some reservations _ for you this time? i have some reservations about _ for you this time? i have some reservations about what - for you this time? i have some reservations about what is - for you this time? i have some reservations about what is in i for you this time? i have some i reservations about what is in the command paper and some of the more negative language around the economy. i see the future of the economy. i see the future of the economy here as being very bright and i think northern ireland has the opportunity to leverage its access to the new single market within the uk internal market as well and building up the north—south economy. i think northern ireland has a great opportunity now to benefit from trade and economic growth and investment coming from all parts of the worlds and keen to work with the new ministers on that. for me, crucially, nothing in what is being negotiated breaks any red lines. i remember when brexit happened to be set out a number of objectives, to

make sure the republic of ireland position wasn't undermined in any way and to make sure the good friday agreement would function. and all those things are the case today and that makes it a positive day in my view. are that makes it a positive day in my view-_ are you - that makes it a positive day in my view._ are you here | view. incoherent. are you here because the _ view. incoherent. are you here because the uk _ view. incoherent. are you here because the uk government - view. incoherent. are you here because the uk government has| view. incoherent. are you here - because the uk government has been waving _ because the uk government has been waving that _ because the uk government has been waving that flag? this because the uk government has been waving that flag?— waving that flag? this isn't 'ust about us, waving that flag? this isn't 'ust about is i waving that flag? this isn't 'ust about us, is about i waving that flag? this isn'tjust about us, is about northern - waving that flag? this isn't just - about us, is about northern ireland and the major political parties here coming together, forming an executive and working together on day—to—day issues that people across the province are concerned about. it's not about me all the prime minister, is about northern ireland which are so important. the focus should be on them than us quite

frankly. not for today. should be on them than us quite frankly. not fortoday. i should be on them than us quite frankly. not for today.— should be on them than us quite frankly. not for today. i have two questions- _ frankly. not for today. i have two questions- is _ frankly. not for today. i have two questions. is the _ frankly. not for today. i have two questions. is the irish _ frankly. not for today. i have two l questions. is the irish government considering — questions. is the irish government considering setting up further north—south bodies to counterbalance the government with the dup? and when _ the government with the dup? and when talking about reform, you can you give _ when talking about reform, you can you give a _ when talking about reform, you can you give a realistic timescale for in the _ you give a realistic timescale for in the uk — you give a realistic timescale for in the uk and irish governments may meet _ in the uk and irish governments may meet with— in the uk and irish governments may meet with parties to discuss institutions in the next month, quarter, — institutions in the next month, quarter, some point this year? we don't quarter, some point this year? don't have any quarter, some point this year? - don't have any plans to set up new north—south bodies. they are in agreement in the good friday agreement and we make sure they function well and they do function well but they have been absent ministerial guidance for far too long so it will be one step at a time, it's important we have a council meeting in the next couple of weeks hosted here in northern

ireland and that the north—south meetings start happening as well. that's where ministers hear instalments meet with their counterparts from the republic. again, i don't think today's the day for that. these are things the governments can talk about and the parties can talk about but really the focus for now and certainly for the focus for now and certainly for the next few months is getting the executive up and running, ministers getting busy in their departments, having the council work and getting the british irish council because this is important too. incoherent. not toda . this is important too. incoherent. not today. given _ this is important too. incoherent. not today. given your _ this is important too. incoherent. not today. given your stance - this is important too. incoherent. not today. given your stance on - not today. given your stance on brexit, not today. given your stance on brexit. what _ not today. given your stance on brexit, what will _ not today. given your stance on brexit, what will you _ not today. given your stance on brexit, what will you now... - not today. given your stance on | brexit, what will you now... you not today. given your stance on - brexit, what will you now... you are watchin:

brexit, what will you now... you are watching bbc _ brexit, what will you now... you are watching bbc news. _ brexit, what will you now... you are watching bbc news. stay _ brexit, what will you now... you are watching bbc news. stay with - brexit, what will you now... you are watching bbc news. stay with us. . brexit, what will you now... you are l watching bbc news. stay with us. the main watching bbc news. stay with us. he main thing watching bbc news. stay with us. iie: main thing i would watching bbc news. stay with us. i“ie: main thing i would like to do now the executive assembly is working again is to get down to practical co—operation. 0c ministers achieve a lot when it comes to things like health care, the fact we have cardiac care, people need heart surgery can get it in dublin, ministers helped make that happen so i would like to focus on practical co—operation over the next couple of months. co-operation over the next couple of months. ~ . , co-operation over the next couple of months. ~ ., , , ., ., months. what is the update on the irish government _ months. what is the update on the irish government legal _ months. what is the update on the irish government legal action - months. what is the update on the irish government legal action on i months. what is the update on the | irish government legal action on the disputed _ irish government legal action on the disputed legacy act?— irish government legal action on the i disputed legacy act?_ for disputed legacy act? incoherent. for the first matter. _ disputed legacy act? incoherent. for the first matter, there _ disputed legacy act? incoherent. for the first matter, there is _ disputed legacy act? incoherent. for the first matter, there is no _ disputed legacy act? incoherent. for the first matter, there is no object - the first matter, there is no object and legal processes, can take some time. and we are keen to participate

and assist in the uk inquiry and willing to do that anyway possible. it awful crime and it's important we get to all the facts and oh that to the survivors and victims. we are happy to pass any legislation necessary to do that. iqui’ith happy to pass any legislation necessary to do that. with stormont restored- -- — necessary to do that. with stormont restored... incoherent. _ it's an issue of difference. there is no denying that. i think the uk government understands our position and we understand there is. but it shouldn't stop us working in other areas and we will do that. we have a close economic relationship with great britain for obviously reasons, one of our biggest markets, and we

need to co—operate more in areas around security and migration for example given we have become a travel area. example given we have become a travelarea. i example given we have become a travel area. i think we will focus on the things we can work on and there will be things we disagree on a time to time. but now we have the windsor framework in place, that trading relationships around brexit are settled and we have institutions up are settled and we have institutions up and running, it's a big positive for uk — irish relations. muffled question. we spoke on the phone for about 20 minutes. it was mostly about northern ireland but touched on

other issues like the ukraine. the only issue on which there was disagreement or difficulty was on theissue disagreement or difficulty was on the issue of legacy. it probably took up less than a quarter of the phone call but it was an issue i raised and i thought it important we should discuss it, but it is very clearly a point of significant difference between the two governments, but that doesn't mean that we can work together in so many other things that are important, too. thank you. you were just watching a press conference given by the taoiseach, leo varadkar. this is a very significant day at stormont. he was addressing the media at parliament buildings after meeting ministers at stormont castle. as you heard there, he was saying that he was very confident that these institutions

will last and the priority