so do keep an eye on it. but it could be drier further north, perhaps. temperature—wise, it's a bit cloudier and cooler again towards north sea—facing coasts, so a bit milder further west. bye—bye for now.

this is bbc news, the headlines.

jeffrey donaldson resigns as the leader of northern ireland's democratic unionist party after being charged what bbc news understands to be rape and multiple other sexual offences. prime minister benjamin netanyahu approves a new round of ceasefire talks a day after the un top court ordered israel to allow aid into gaza. and actorjohn boyega speaks for the first time about how the killing of his childhood friend, damilola taylor, shaped his life. more breaking news now on northern ireland. news thatjeffrey donaldson, the leader of the democratic unionist party, has been charged with historical sexual offences and has quit as leader. bbc news now understands that sirjeffrey donaldson has been charged with rape and multiple other sexual offences.

the police investigation is understood to have started within the last number of months, after two women came forward. sirjeffrey�*s resignation letter to the dup states he will be strenuously contesting the charges. the dup says mr donaldson, who has been in politics for almost a0 years, has had his membership suspended pending the outcome of a judicial process. let's speak to our ireland correspondent, sara girvin. bring is up—to—date with these developments. figs bring is up-to-date with these developments.— bring is up-to-date with these developments. as you say, more details, developments. as you say, more details. more — developments. as you say, more details, more information - developments. as you say, more | details, more information starting to trickle through after what has been shock breaking news that sir jeffrey donaldson has stepped down with immediate effect as the leader of the democratic unionist party following charges with what the police describe as non—recent sexual offences and what i can tell you now

as the bbc understands sirjeffrey donaldson has been charged with right and the multiple and other offences. we understand a police investigation had been taking place over the past few months before to date was like announcement after two women came forward. we know his letter to the dup saying he was stepping down and that he would be strenuously contesting those charges, we heard the news following a statement from the police service of northern ireland this morning and just to remind you what else they have said, they did not name surgery in that statement, theyjust have said, they did not name surgery in that statement, they just said have said, they did not name surgery in that statement, theyjust said a 61—year—old man had been charged with non—recent sexual offences and that a 57 woman was arrested at the same time aiding and abetting additional offences. the statement

today said the pair will be appearing in magistrates' court in newry county down next month on the 24th of april. the police said both parties were arrested yesterday morning and questioned before they were charged last night which led to a meeting this morning and a couple of hours ago we had that statement from the dup confirming that sir jeffrey donaldson, one of the most well—known faces in northern irish politics for decades was stepping down as leader with immediate effect. and the deputy leader gavin robinson also an mp will now be interim leader of the dup. clearly the shock waves _ interim leader of the dup. clearly the shock waves reverberating - interim leader of the dup. clearly the shock waves reverberating is l the shock waves reverberating is more of the detail emerges. in the last little while northern ireland was not first minister michelle o'neill seeing a priority to continue to provide leadership and

ensure power—sharing delivers. it really is just ensure power—sharing delivers. it really isjust a ensure power—sharing delivers. it really is just a matter of months that power—sharing got back up and running here at stormont. after a two—year hiatus, it was under sir jeffrey donaldson�*s leadership of the dup, he pulled his party out of power sharing in protest at what was the northern ireland protocol, then the northern ireland protocol, then the windsor framework. those trading arrangements in post—brexit from northern ireland, it was only a couple of months ago he let his party back in. in a practical sense, he is an mp, the now leader of the party, gavin robinson, he is also an mp, so in practical terms, it should not affect how stormont is run. no one is here at the moment for easter recess but it would be ridiculous to think this has not sent political

shock waves throughout northern ireland, of course it has and when political parties return here in a few days after that easter break that will be all that they will be discussing. the political parties here in northern ireland since coming back, there has been a lot of goodwill, they look to be getting on very well indeed but everyone will be talking about this and the impact it might have on what is a fragile situation, politics always is in northern ireland, it has been at a much was few years for the dup and now they will be dealing with this, as will all political in northern ireland and seeing how that reverberates here at stormont. thanks very much. in a moment on the programme we will talk to a former dup special adviser, his thoughts very shortly but let's pause for just a moment. sport and for a full round—up, from the bbc sport centre, here's olly foster. hello from the bbc sport centre.

xabi alonso is staying at bundesliga club bayer leverkusen next season, ending speculation linking him the managerial vacancies at liverpool and bayern munich this summer. alonso has led leverkusen to the top of the league in his first full season with the club, 10 points clear of second—placed bayern. at this moment, i feel that this is the right place for me to be, to develop as a coach. i am a young coach, ifeel that myjob is not over here. i want to help them, i want to help the team and the young players develop. if i am part of the process i am happy with that. so putting all the things together, i have taken this decision,

i am convinced it is the right one, i am still young, time will tell but i am feeling that. so liverpool will have to ammend their search for a new manager. jurgen klopp, who announced injanuary that this would be his last season, says he understands why alonso has decided to stay put. i had ihada i had a similar situation and pretty much _ i had a similar situation and pretty much the — i had a similar situation and pretty much the same, if you want. and i never_ much the same, if you want. and i never regretted it. so that is pretty— never regretted it. so that is pretty much everything i can see, he is doing _ pretty much everything i can see, he is doing an _ pretty much everything i can see, he is doing an incredible job there. by and leverkusen has a good team, probably— and leverkusen has a good team, probably keep the team together i think. _ probably keep the team together i think, that is possible this year as well so _ think, that is possible this year as well so it— think, that is possible this year as well so it is— think, that is possible this year as well so it is not every year is like that _ well so it is not every year is like that so — well so it is not every year is like that so i — well so it is not every year is like that. so i understand that he wants to do— that. so i understand that he wants to do that — the big game in the premier league this weekend sees manchester city host arsenal on sunday. the gunners are top of the table, ahead of liverpool on goal difference and one point clear of city the champions.

in the corresponding fixture last season, city beat arsenal 4—1 to take control of the title race withjohn stones among the scorers that night. city will be without both stones and fellow defender kyle walker after they picked up injuries while on international duty. ther city boss expects arsenal to bring the best out of his side. now start where it is important because — now start where it is important because we _ now start where it is important because we are _ now start where it is important because we are making - now start where it is important. because we are making incredible work_ because we are making incredible work before — because we are making incredible work before that. _ because we are making incredible work before that. the _ because we are making incredible work before that. the last - because we are making incredible work before that. the last thing l because we are making incredible| work before that. the last thing in the premier— work before that. the last thing in the premier league, _ work before that. the last thing in the premier league, now- work before that. the last thing in the premier league, now the - the premier league, now the important _ the premier league, now the important thing, _ the premier league, now the important thing, the - the premier league, now the important thing, the leadersl the premier league, now the l important thing, the leaders of the premier league, now the - important thing, the leaders of the premier— important thing, the leaders of the premier league _ important thing, the leaders of the premier league and _ important thing, the leaders of the premier league and i'm _ important thing, the leaders of the premier league and i'm pretty- important thing, the leaders of the | premier league and i'm pretty sure they wiii— premier league and i'm pretty sure they will give — us us what we need to perform our best. they have _ us what we need to perform our best. they have raised _ us what we need to perform our best. they have raised the _ us what we need to perform our best. they have raised the bar— us what we need to perform our best. they have raised the bar in— us what we need to perform our best. they have raised the bar in this - they have raised the bar in this league and football in general to a level that hasn't been seen before. and that is the beauty of the sport, that makes you better, that challenges you more and you have to keep up with that pace and that is

what trying to do. the newcastle manager, eddie howe, says sandro tonali is getting help to deal with his gambling. the italian midfielder has been charged with misconduct by the football association for alleged breaches of betting rules. he is already halfway through a io—month ban issued by the italian football federation. i certainly hope for- sandro that there are no further consequences. he has suffered during this period, he has sought help, been very- honest, he has admitted he has an issue and i think the best - thing would be for him - to resume his career having taken his punishment. and having learned a lot of lessons from his illness. virat kohli's royal challengers bengaluru are hosting the kolkata knight riders in the indian premier league. kkr won the toss and are bowling first

and kohli fini unbeaten on 83, royal challengers have reached 128—6. and are looking for for back—to—back wins after losing their opening match. and that's all the sport for now. recapping our breaking news out of northern ireland. news thatjeffrey donaldson, the leader of the democratic unionist party, has been charged with historical sexual offences and has quit as leader. bbc news now understands that sirjeffrey donaldson has been charged with rape and multiple other sexual offences. the police investigation is understood to have started within the last number of months, after two women came forward. sirjeffrey�*s resignation letter to the dup states he will be strenuously contesting the charges. the dup says mr donaldson, who has been in politics for almost ao—years, has had his membership suspended pending the outcome of a judicial process.

let's speak to david graham, former dup special adviser and councillor. we had the reaction from the first minister in northern ireland talking about the need to minister in northern ireland talking about the nee— about the need to ensure that power-sharing _ about the need to ensure that power-sharing actually - about the need to ensure that l power-sharing actually delivers about the need to ensure that - power-sharing actually delivers now power—sharing actually delivers now it is backed up and running. reaction coming all the time but considerable shock at the news emerging over the last few hours. welcome to the programme, i know you are in orlando but you have been following these events the last few hours. your reaction to what we have learned? ~' , ., , ., learned? like everyone this morning i think, a level— learned? like everyone this morning i think, a level of _ learned? like everyone this morning i think, a level of shock, _ learned? like everyone this morning i think, a level of shock, a _ learned? like everyone this morning i think, a level of shock, a level- i think, a level of shock, a level of disbelief, trying to come to terms with the political

significance of the fact that sir jeffrey donaldson has resigned as party leader and has been suspended. there is a lot to uncover and unearth and i think it is going to take more thanjust unearth and i think it is going to take more than just you and i to try and balance the significance of this moment. i’m and balance the significance of this moment. �* , , ., ., and balance the significance of this moment. �* , ., . , moment. i'm sure you are correct but would ou moment. i'm sure you are correct but would you assume _ moment. i'm sure you are correct but would you assume within _ moment. i'm sure you are correct but would you assume within the - moment. i'm sure you are correct but would you assume within the party, l would you assume within the party, the leadership of the party, exactly the leadership of the party, exactly the same thought process will be going on, simply trying to come to terms with what politically this means for them?— terms with what politically this means for them? they are huge, potentially _ means for them? they are huge, potentially huge _ means for them? they are huge, potentially huge political - potentially huge political ramifications. stormont returned on what i would say is quite flimsy foundations. a lot of unionists like myself did not like a lot of what was in, what became colloquial about surgery�*s deal, his opponents put

him behind this. unlike myself as having a working government. but representatives have nothing to lose by stormont — representatives have nothing to lose by stormont coming _ representatives have nothing to lose by stormont coming down. - representatives have nothing to lose by stormont coming down. they - representatives have nothing to lose by stormont coming down. they are | by stormont coming down. they are securing their seats in houses in london. if you add the significance the interim leader gavin robinson is on the smallest of all majorities dup mps, there is a chance, a significant chance he could lose his parliamentary seat when the general election comes. i don't see any road

the dup can take in the short—term that does not bring further political challenge or pain. that is really interesting _ political challenge or pain. that is really interesting what _ political challenge or pain. that is really interesting what you - political challenge or pain. that is really interesting what you have l really interesting what you have said. you think there are real risks in the longer term future of power—sharing depending on what happens and what results and for sharing within the dup itself. it was interesting listening to the former secretary of state, his analysis was that it would not change the momentum but you are not so sure? it change the momentum but you are not so sure? , ., , change the momentum but you are not so sure? , ., _ ., change the momentum but you are not so sure? , ., _ ._ ., ,, so sure? it is easy forjulian smith to say that — so sure? it is easy forjulian smith to say that given _ so sure? it is easy forjulian smith to say that given that _ so sure? it is easy forjulian smith to say that given that he _ so sure? it is easy forjulian smith to say that given that he is - so sure? it is easy forjulian smith to say that given that he is not - so sure? it is easy forjulian smith to say that given that he is not in l to say that given that he is not in the party were now coming to terms with this. edwin poots who sir jeffrey donaldson lost a leadership challenge to and then won a few weeks later is now the speaker of the house. that was seen as a

trade—off to get his support for the deal. he is a lagan valley representative, as isjeffrey donaldson. paul givan, the current education minister and former first minister is in lagan valley. all politics is local at the end of the day and a lot of this will come down to the view and feeling of the lagan valley association. in many ways in my view that will have an impact on the direction stormont goes on. jeffrey donaldson has been an elective member longer than you have been alive. you cannot express the significance. thank you forjoining

in the last few hours, israel's prime minister has approved a new round of gaza ceasefire talks, to take place in doha and cairo. it comes after the un's top court has ordered israel to enable the unhindered flow of aid into gaza in order to avert a famine. the british singer olly alexander has responded to calls for him to boycott this year's eurovision song contest in protest against israel's inclusion. the artist released a statement expressing his wish for peace, but saying he believes in the unifying power of music and hopes it can inspire greater compassion. it comes after over a50 queer artists signed an open letter asking the singer to withdraw from the contest in solidarity with the people of gaza. let's speak now to our culture reporter, noor nanji. so tell us first about this letter. this open letter was posted on

instagram by a group calling themselves queers for palestine. it urged colleagues alexander to pull out of the eurovision song contest in solidarity with the palestinian people. it said israel is committing apartheid and genocide and that israel's inclusion in univision would enable and cover up its war crimes. the letter had more than a50 signatures sent yesterday. and how has olly alexander responded? he has responded directly to the group and also posted his response on social media. in that message he said he wholeheartedly supports action to demand an immediate and permanent ceasefire in gaza as well as the release of all the hostages. he said he has deliberated on what to do and his current belief is pulling out would not help, he has talked to his fellow contestants and they agree that by taking part they

can use their platform to try and call for peace. in terms of the reaction on social media, some fans have expressed sympathy for all the alexander saying that he is in attack position. others have been disappointed and called on him go further. the european broadcasting union said they firmly believe the eurovision song because test is a platform that should transcend politics and wring people together. the bbc says his post was, his own views, he is not speaking for the bbc. they do not breach bbc guidelines. actorjohn boyega has spoken publicly for the first time about the impact of childhood friend damilola taylor's killing calling it "life—changing." he's told the bbc the recent death of damilola's father, campaigner richard taylor, had motivated him to speak about his experience.

the star wars actor says the tragedy has, "shaped me through the years." he was one of the last people to see 10—year—old damilola alive before the fatal stabbing in south london in 2000. he's spoken tojohn wilson from radio a's last word podcast. ijust remember damilola with a silverjacket... he laughs ..running through the playground of oliver goldsmith primary school, already sweating as if he just had to run a marathon. and it's near enough 9am in the morning, drinking from the water fountains, flirting with my bloody sister. they laugh and just being around us and cracking jokes and being flamboyant and charismatic. and ijust remember him being a big personality. i mean, it was such a short time, but everybody knew he was this new kid in school and he came straight from nigeria. so there was something about that energy that, you know, in the nigerian community, especially in the yoruba community, is like, protect this guy and make sure he's good,

that's your brother. that was kind of a language that was used at the time. i don't think you've really ever spoken publicly about your relationship with damilola. no, i haven'tand, you know, on purpose too. i'm quite private in general, but on richard taylor's passing, ijust was so kind of motivated to speak up because now he's gone, if i don't speak out now, when am i ever going to speak up? myself and my sister was one of the last people that was with damilola taylor on the very day. and ijust think from the hours we left him in peckham to the hours when i went home and then the police was at our door was definitely life—changing for me. he had been at the library, i think, before heading home. were you with him there? we were literallyjust with him right before he went to the library. it was me, grace and damilola, and damilola basically went one route and so we kind of split paths. and once i got home a few hours from then, the police was at our door. and what was your reaction when you heard? i was so young, but ijust remember thinking i didn't know that mortality worked that swiftly.

that the days kind ofjust went on and then somebody was gone instantly. somebody that i just saw, somebody that i just spoke to. but it was definitely hard. we talk on the memories, we talk on the trauma, you know, and try and get over it, because to be involved in that way, even in passing, it makes you feel like you're inches away from something so tragic, but also to keep the memory of damilola taylor alive, because that was a funny, very energetic guy that everybody really, really loved in the community. and if you'd like to listen to that full interview betweenjohn boyega and john wilson, visit radio a's last word on the bbc sounds app. stay with us here on bbc news. more on that news from northern ireland thatjeffrey donaldson, leader of the dup has been charged

with historical sexual offences, quit as leader of the party today, the bbc now understanding sir jeffrey donaldson has been charged with rape and multiple other sexual offences. the police investigation apparently understood to have happened within the last number of months after two women came forward. we have been hearing reaction throughout the last few hours on that use, the first minister michelle o'neill talking in the last little while saying that power—sharing was focused on delivering the policy initiatives to the people of northern ireland. despite that sudden resignation of the leader of the dup. more reaction from belfast here in the programme. thatin from belfast here in the programme. that in the main story on bbc news. don't go away. hello there. good afternoon. well, a gradual improvement for most of us weather—wise over

the next couple of days. here's the forecast for the bank holiday weekend. so, today, sunshine and some heavy showers. lighter winds than yesterday. fewer showers on saturday and sunday, but there could be some more rain in the south on bank holiday monday. drierfurther north. lots of rainbows spotted today with the general sunshine and showers theme. already some lightning strikes across parts of pembrokeshire. there could be some heavy downpours, some hail and some thunder in some of these showers, but generally fewer of them than we saw yesterday, with more in the way of sunshine. it's still breezy for england and wales, but not as gusty as yesterday. could be a bit drier across northern scotland and for most it will feel a little warmer too. overnight tonight it's still going to be quite chilly by night. we'll see the skies largely clear. the showers fading away. a scattering of them still out towards the west. a touch of isolated frost, i think, into tomorrow morning, with lows in low to mid—single figures. also bit of patchy mist and fog, as well, but it will still be breezy for part of the night, but then lighter winds tomorrow morning.

that's because our area of low pressure is pulling away towards the west. so the winds are lighter and it'll feel a bit warmer in the sunshine tomorrow, but another area of low pressure possibly giving some patchy rain across the far east of east anglia for a while, more cloud in the south—east of england, but a lot of dry weather on saturday, plenty of sunshine. the focus for any showers out towards the north and the west. it will feel warmer again — ii to 15 degrees celsius. now, don't forget that the clocks spring forward by an hour on saturday night into sunday, so darker morningsjust for a while and, of course, lighter evenings on the way. easter sunday isn't looking too bad either. again, we could see some showers out towards western spots as we head through the morning, largely fading away into the afternoon. a lot of dry weather around with some sunshine, but perhaps a bit cloudier and cooler towards north sea—facing coasts with more of an easterly wind developing. again, highs of ii to ia degrees. then we look to the south as we head through sunday night and into bank holiday monday because we are going to see some areas of rain perhaps across england and wales. still a lot of uncertainty with the forecast, so do keep an eye on it. but it could be drier further north, perhaps. temperature—wise, it's a bit cloudier and cooler again

towards north sea—facing coasts, so a bit milder further west. bye—bye for now.

live from london. this is bbc news jeffrey donaldson resigns as the leader of northern ireland's — democratic unionist party —

after being charged what bbc news understands to be rape and multiple other sexual offences. northern ireland's first minister, michelle o'neill, says the power—sharing government will deliver for the whole community now and in the future. ukraine's president zelensky warns a new russian military offensive — may come in the next few months. and it's one year since the wall streetjournal reporter, evan gershkovich was detained in russia on spying charges. hello, i'm matthew amroliwala, welcome to verified live, let's start with that stunning development in northern ireland — news thatjeffrey donaldson — the leader of the democratic unionist party — has been charged with historical sexual offences — and has quit as leader.

the dup says mr donaldson,