there is optimism today that stormont is back but if that is all it is, _ stormont is back but if thatont is back but if that is all it is, that is too low a bar. the challenge _ it is, that is too low a bar. the challenge now given we have not had government for ten or 25 years, why has politics— government for ten or 25 years, why has politics struggled so much and are we _ has politics struggled so much and are we prepared to do the big review that looks _ are we prepared to do the big review that looks notjust are we prepared to do the big review that looks not just that getting stormont up and running but staying up stormont up and running but staying up and _ stormont up and running but staying up and running ratherthan stormont up and running but staying up and running rather than falling down _ up and running rather than falling down do— up and running rather than falling down. do you share the optimism at first and _ down. do you share the optimism at first and then something different? i am slightly more optimistic. it is madness to do the same thing over and over and expect

stormont. am trying to look behind me because those cars, we believe one of them contains the irish prime minister, the taoiseach, lee over radtke. he is here today as well as rishi sunak. yes, he'sjust leaving his car now. he will be meeting politicians, different parties like rishi sunak has but will be meeting the executive and the first minister, michelle o'neill, the first ever nationalist first minister, they will be meeting her. the deputy prime minister and the dup. he will be making his way into the building now. a moment for photos, handshakes and also discussions about the future of northern ireland. perhaps the future of northern ireland if there was a border poll. michelle o'neill says she believes there will be run in the next decade, she believes the island will reunite as one island and perhaps that will be a discussion. he is the meeting with the speaker of stormont, edwin poots, and then they will make their way inside stormont. good timing, we did think he was going to arrive

served as minister of— stormont in the future. served as minister of the _ stormont in the future.inister of the environment - stormont in the future. served as minister of the environment and l stormont in the future. served as l minister of the environment and for agriculture in northern ireland, because the northern ireland proposal wasn't working, can i say that as well as the exercise in syntax and the like in the writing of these instruments, the key point is that the assembly should be effective and ministers should come from northern ireland, doing the jobs that we don't want to have to do from westminster.— jobs that we don't want to have to do from westminster. anyone who ever becomes father — do from westminster. anyone who ever becomes father of _ do from westminster. anyone who ever becomes father of the _ do from westminster. anyone who ever becomes father of the house _ do from westminster. anyone who ever becomes father of the house is - becomes father of the house is obviously wise and well experienced and that was a particular wise comment from a particularly well

welcome to stormont.en outside all morning, but as we get closer to the start of these symbolic, significant proceedings at around one o'clock a local time, we have come inside. we are now inside the great hall, i will very quickly show you around. we have the waiting media there as you can imagine, those steps may be familiar and we are expecting politicians to come down there and potentially speak to us, and they will head through those double doors there over to the left into the chamber as things get under way at one o'clock. with me to talk through exactly what is going to happen, crack team of political analysts. we have got claire rice, brian rowe, thank you both very much for being with us. talk us through at a very basic, simple level, wires today such a significant and symbolic day? b, today such a significant and symbolic day?— today such a significant and symbolic day? today such a significant and s mbolic da ? �* ., , ., symbolic day? a few reasons for that. symbolic day? a few reasons for th

good morning, stormont!ts back up and running today, we've been running the past two years. limbering up and under way — park runners here first thing pounding around the stormont estate. and the politicians are back, too. whoo! and it's notjust you guys rattling around here now. no, there's going to be a few others rattling around. so there's going to be quite a number in the house, i believe, today. but they're welcome tojoin the park run. good to see them back? erm... we'll see. to be confirmed, still. so you thought you'd run at stormont today because the politicians are back? yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah. hopefully a wee bit more conversation going forward. arriving here not long later, today's headline maker michelle o'neill, walking towards a place in northern ireland's history as the first nationalist first minister. the assembly is back and now with the first minister who speaks in english and irish. she speaks irish today opens the door to a future, a shared future. i am honoured to stand here as first m

this is a very significant day at stormont.e 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 now has to be the day—to—day concerns for irish politicians. we would like to welcome back viewers from around the world. welcome to bbc news. let's stay with northern ireland and the visit to the newly revived stormont. here is rishi sunak speaking a short while ago. i here is rishi sunak speaking a short while auo. . , here is rishi sunak speaking a short whileauo. . , , . while ago. i had very constructive meetin: while ago. i had very constructive meeting this _ while ago. i had very constructive meeting this morning _ while ago. i had very constructive meeting this morning with - while ago. i had very constructive meeting this morning with the i meeting this morning with the executive, political leaders across stormont and it is an historic and important day for the country bec

good morning, stormont!ack up and running today, we've been running the past two years. limbering up and under way — park runners here first thing pounding around the stormont estate. and the politicians are back, too. whoo! and it's notjust you guys rattling around here now. no, there's going to be a few others rattling around. so there's going to be quite a number in the house, i believe, today. but they're welcome tojoin the park run. good to see them back? erm... we'll see. to be confirmed, still. so you thought you'd run at stormont today because the politicians are back? yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah. hopefully a wee bit more conversation going forward. arriving here not long later, today's headline maker michelle 0'neill, walking towards a place in northern ireland's history as the first nationalist first minister. the assembly is back and now with the first minister who speaks in english and irish. she speaks irish today opens the door to a future, a shared future. i am honoured to stand here as first minis

good morning, stormont! running today, we've been running the past two years. limbering up and under way — park runners here first thing, pounding around the stormont estate. and the politicians are back, too. whoo! and it's notjust you guys rattling around here now. no, there's going to be a few others rattling around. so there's going to be quite a number in the house, i believe, today. but they're welcome tojoin the park run. good to see them back? erm... we'll see. to be confirmed, still. so you thought you'd run at stormont today because the politicians are back? yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah. hopefully, a wee bit more conversation, going forward. arriving here not long later, today's headline—maker, michelle 0'neill, walking towards a place in northern ireland's history as the first nationalist first minister. the assembly is back, and now with a first minister who speaks in english and irish. she speaks irish today opens the door to a future, a shared future. i am honoured to stand here as first minister. mi

with stormont restored- -- — necessary to do that. with stormont restored...her 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

and goings at stormont here this morning.i sunak, the british prime minister, he arrived around 8.00am, was met by chris heaton—harris, the northern ireland secretary, and the speaker of the newly—formed assembly. edwin poots, made his way into the building behind me to meet with parties to discuss issues. one thing we know they're going to talk about is money. as you've hinted there, parties here don't agree on many things and that's partly why the assembly collapsed for two years, but one thing they do agree on is that northern ireland needs more money. they've been offered about £35 billion for public services here, but all the politicians say that's just not enough to tackle things like hospital waiting lists, which are the worst in the uk, education and also public sector pay. so they'll be asking rishi sunakfor more money. they'll also be talking about various issues within the uk. they could also talk, of course, about the prospect of a border poll here in northern ireland, about the chance of northern ireland and the

nervous about going into a stormont in which they are second fiddle _ stormont in which they are secondle. the titles may be the same but still there's that perception that first— but still there's that perception that first minister is a bit more important _ that first minister is a bit more important. what the dup didn't want is a wilting _ important. what the dup didn't want is a wilting violent, they want someone _ is a wilting violent, they want someone who is going to be assertive, not frightened to push themselves forward —— wilting violette _ themselves forward —— wilting violette. and i thought that person is enrnra _ violette. and i thought that person is emma little—pengelly. unquestionably she would take issue with the language he used about her father, she is sensitive about the use of the phrase gun—runner and she chooses to describe his involvement in a different way but it's a fact he served time in prison and that something they both have in common. it is an interesting pairing at the top, two people who in some respects are very similarand top, two people who in some r

he has been visiting stormont.ers, both rishi sunak and tee—shot leo varadkar will and have been meeting separately with michelle o'neill and emma little—pengelly, and there they are going in to hold further meetings. they have been meeting earlier this morning as well. now of course, this marks the end of a two—year deadlock as we have been saying and that is because two years ago the democratic unionist party walked out in protest, that was after post—brexit agreements, but they have now endorsed a deal to restart the political institutions, that is what has paved the way for what we are seeing today, the executive's very first meetings that are being held today. of course, this isn't the easiest day for prime minster rishi sunak, as he will be met with several demands by stormont. we will bring you more updates and of course there is a large page on our website, so please go and read it as website, so please go and read it as we will have a further report from our correspondents. now before we go you may have he

she became a member of the stormont assembly in 2007. _ member of the stormont assembly in 2007, became a very difficult portfolio in ellie parliament. then she was deputy— in ellie parliament. then she was deputy first minister when we had the assembly between 2020 and 2022 through _ the assembly between 2020 and 2022 through the covid pandemic. let�*s through the covid pandemic. let's talk about that _ through the covid pandemic. let's talk about that post _ through the covid pandemic. let's talk about that post of _ through the covid pandemic. let�*s talk about that post of deputy first minister. what is going to happen? the money is on emma little pengelly. _ the money is on emma little pengelly, she is a member of the westminster parliament for a couple of years. _ westminster parliament for a couple of years, and other names connected with the _ of years, and other names connected with the role — of years, and other names connected with the role may be gordon lyons, another— with the role may be gordon lyons, another senior member of the dp, very close — another senior member of t

good morning, stormont!k up and running today, we've been running the past two years. limbering up and under way — park runners here first thing, pounding around the stormont estate. and the politicians are back, too. whoo! and it's notjust you guys rattling around here now. no, there's going to be a few others rattling around. so there's going to be quite a number in the house, i believe, today. but they're welcome tojoin the park run. good to see them back? erm... we'll see. to be confirmed, still. so you thought you'd run at stormont today because the politicians are back? yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah. hopefully, a wee bit more conversation, going forward. arriving here not long later, today's headline—maker, michelle o'neill, walking towards a place in northern ireland's history as the first nationalist first minister. the assembly is back, and now with a first minister who speaks in english and irish. she speaks irish today opens the door to a future, a shared future. i am honoured to stand here as first mini

. 0ne these stormont brake mechanism. the pressures that the unionist parties are going to be under is to show— parties are going to be under is to show that— parties are going to be under is to show that that break is meaningful. and that _ show that that break is meaningful. and that they can divert northern ireiand _ and that they can divert northern ireland from what is happening in terms _ ireland from what is happening in terms of— ireland from what is happening in terms of european union law and developments in european union law that would _ developments in european union law that would otherwise apply in northern ireland. the thing is they are only— northern ireland. the thing is they are only supposed to use the break if there _ are only supposed to use the break if there are — are only supposed to use the break if there are significant impacts. a new easy— if there are significant impacts. a new easy all —— eu law measure, how that will_ new easy all —— eu law measure, how that will all— new easy all —— eu law

— one of the big arguments about stormont over the last number of years— stormont over the last number_ years is about politics, politicians being paid — years is about politics, politicians being paid when there is no government, so there is a lot of work— government, so there is a lot of work to— government, so there is a lot of work to do _ government, so there is a lot of work to do. it is a good day. you can hear— work to do. it is a good day. you can hear in— work to do. it is a good day. you can hear in the speeches that the words _ can hear in the speeches that the words have — can hear in the speeches that the words have been carefully written and spoken but, you know, i remember the scenes— and spoken but, you know, i remember the scenes in— and spoken but, you know, i remember the scenes in 2020. and remember boris _ the scenes in 2020. and remember borisjohnson coming in the scenes in 2020. and remember boris johnson coming in two days later— boris johnson coming in two days later for— boris johnson coming in two days later for a — boris johnson coming in two days later for

chris heaton-harris at a windy stormont, thank you for l windy stormont, thank you for joining us.senal? �* ._ ~ . ~ ., arsenal? at the way mckell arteta took down the _ arsenal? at the way mckell arteta took down the touchline, - arsenal? at the way mckell arteta took down the touchline, you i arsenal? at the way mckell arteta. took down the touchline, you might have thought they had won. arsenal no and he knows with arsenal in this rich vein they are in, huge emotional response ever since juergen klopp said he would leave at the end of the season, league leaders. forarsenalto the end of the season, league leaders. for arsenal to down them yesterday, huge moment and one you think is a turning point. super exciting, three horse race, possibly more if you think about aston villa. but it is a big moment and no wonder he was wheeling away enjoy. it was a huge moment. was this a twist in the title race? liverpool have been clear leaders, but arsenal hot on their heels, wild celebrations when they won it. they took the lead through bakayo sako — but liverpool were level before half time

good morning, stormont!thing, pounding around the stormont estate. and the politicians are back, too. whoo! and it's notjust you guys rattling around here now. no, there's going to be a few others rattling around. whoo! and it's notjust you guys rattling around here now. no, there's going to be a few others rattling around. so there's going to be quite a number in the house, i believe, today. but they're welcome tojoin the park run. good to see them back? erm... we'll see. to be confirmed, still. so you thought you'd run at stormont today because the politicians are back? yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah. hopefully, a wee bit more conversation, going forward. arriving here not long later, today's headline—maker, michelle o'neill, walking towards a place in northern ireland's history as the first nationalist first minister. the assembly is back, and now with a first minister who speaks in english and irish. she speaks irish. today opens the door to a future, a shared future. i am honoured to stand here as first ministe

good morning, stormont!and under way — park runners here first thing, pounding around the stormont estate. and the politicians are back, too. whoo! and it's notjust you guys rattling around here now. no, there's going to be a few others rattling around. so there's going to be quite a number in the house, i believe, today. but they're welcome tojoin the park run. good to see them back? erm... we'll see. to be confirmed, still. so you thought you'd run at stormont today because the politicians are back? yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah. hopefully, a wee bit more conversation, going forward. arriving here not long later, today's headline—maker, michelle 0'neill, walking towards a place in northern ireland's history as the first nationalist first minister. the assembly is back, and now with a first minister who speaks in english and irish. she speaks irish today opens the door to a future, a shared future. i am honoured to stand here as first minister. michelle 0'neill pledged that she would work for everyone in northern

the irish taoiseach leo varadkar also arrived at stormont in the last hour.reconvened on saturday, exactly two years after the democratic unionist party walked out in protest against post—brexit trade agreements. charlotte gallagherjoins me now live from outside the stormont parliament buildings in belfast. it buildings in belfast. is good to see you again. coul you it is good to see you again. could you recap the rivals here and why they are so historic?— you recap the rivals here and why they are so historic? there has been a lot of coming _ they are so historic? there has been a lot of coming and _ they are so historic? there has been a lot of coming and going _ they are so historic? there has been a lot of coming and going at - a lot of coming and going at stormont this morning, so firstly rishi sunak the british prime minister arrived around eight o'clock this morning, was met by chris heaton harris, the northern ireland secretary and the speaker of the newly formed assembly, edwin poots made his way into the building to meet with parties to discuss issu

what you are looking at is stormont castle and we are expecting to hear from the first minister michellenister michelle o'neill and also the deputy first minister emma little—pengelly. they are expected to come out and give it some sort of comment on what we have seen and heard today. we have been talking about the fact there has been lots of meetings and they have met with the british prime minister rishi sunak and also had talks with his irish equivalent leo varadkar. we are waiting to hear the results of those discussions which we are hoping will happen. these discussions have been happening behind closed doors and we have heard from rishi sunak and leo varadkar but not so much from the first minister and the deputy first minister themselves. the first minister themselves. the first minister michelle 0'neill did say on twitter that she was looking forward to a busy day ahead. she said that she will represent everyone as first minister for all workers and families and public services and as you will be aware, the first time back at work essentially after such a long hiatus. there is th

the british and irish prime ministers meet northern ireland's political leaders in stormont as power—sharingfter a two year stalemate. hello, welcome to verified live, three hours of breaking stories, and checking out the truth behind them. the metropolitan police have given an update on the manhunt for the man suspected of carrying out a chemical attack in south london last week. detectives hunting for alkali attack suspect abdul ezedi have arrested they say the last sighting was in london. investigators have been trawling through hundreds of hours of sisi ddii and have tracked abdul ezedi's to note movement. he's been on a run for five days. a woman remains in hospital that are thought to be life—changing after the attack on wednesday. budget with the police had to say earlier. ~ ., ., ., ~ earlier. where are we on making that hard? is working _ earlier. where are we on making that hard? is working at _ earlier. where are we on making that hard? is working at pace _ earlier. where are we on making that hard? is working at pace with - hard? is working at pace with hundreds of detectives and

good morning, stormont! limbering up and under way — park runners here first thing, pounding around the stormont estate. and the politicians are back, too. whoo! and it's notjust you guys rattling around here now. no, there's going to be a few others rattling around. so there's going to be quite a number in the house, i believe, today. but they're welcome tojoin the park run. good to see them back? erm... we'll see. to be confirmed, still. so you thought you'd run at stormont today because the politicians are back? yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah. hopefully, a wee bit more conversation, going forward. arriving here not long later, today's headline—maker, michelle o'neill, walking towards a place in northern ireland's history as the first nationalist first minister. the assembly is back, and now with a first minister who speaks in english and irish. she speaks irish. today opens the door to a future, a shared future. i am honoured to stand here as first minister. michelle o'neill pledged that she would work for everyo

my my colleague is in stormont, where all the action is happening in the coming hours. in the last couple of minutes we have seen the president of sinn fein here talking about this as a red letter day, because of course sinn fein taking up the post of first ministerfor the course sinn fein taking up the post of first minister for the first time in the history of this place in its current form. so no doubt the symbolism is important, no doubt the significance of the day. let me just show you around quickly to see where it is all going to happen. this is inside stormont, that is the front door where members of the public and media are allowed and are here. this is the great hall, seems you may recognise. we are just at the back of it, and this is where the media will be, those steps are familiar to many because that is where lots of people come down when they want to speak to the media. as for the actual business today, power—sharing returning after two years our politicians being away, that will happen through those brown double doors behind that pillar there, the main c

good morning, stormont!ners here first thing, pounding around the stormont estate. and the politicians are back, too. whoo! and it's notjust you guys rattling around here now. no, there's going to be a few others rattling around. so there's going to be quite a number in the house, i believe, today. but they're welcome tojoin the park run. good to see them back? erm... we'll see. to be confirmed, still. so you thought you'd run at stormont today because the politicians are back? yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah. hopefully, a wee bit more conversation, going forward. arriving here not long later, today's headline—maker, michelle 0'neill, walking towards a place in northern ireland's history as the first nationalist first minister. the assembly is back, and now with a first minister who speaks in english and irish. she speaks irish. today opens the door to a future, a shared future. i am honoured to stand here as first minister. michelle 0'neill pledged that she would work for everyone in northern ireland. with all those

prime minister rishi sunak is in stormont today to mark the return of power—sharing in northern irelandys of air strikes against iranian—linked targets in the middle east, america's top diplomat heads to the region again for more talks. we speak to the outgoing chelsea manager about how a lack of female coaches in women's football is a �*massive issue�* what is your name, lad? you should know by now — what is your name, lad? you should know by now you — what is your name, lad? you should know by now you have _ what is your name, lad? you should know by now you have been - what is your name, lad? you should know by now you have been a - what is your name, lad? you should know by now you have been a friend| know by now you have been a friend of my— know by now you have been a friend of my mum's — know by now you have been a friend of my mum's since before i was born. ian lavender — the actor known to millions as private pike in dad's army — has died at the age of 77. taylor swift, for midnight. a swift victory and record as taylor swift becomes the only artist ever to have won four grammy

we will be live inside stormont here injust underan hour we will be live inside stormont here injuste historic events get under way. the hunt continues for a man suspected of a corrosive substance attack on a mother and her daughters in south london. hello, i'm samantha simmonds. the iraqi prime minister says civilians were among 16 people killed in friday's attacks by the united states on what they say were pro—iranian militants in iraq. the syrian observatory for human rights says at least 18 people were killed there. the us strikes in syria and iraq were in response to a drone attack on a us military base last weekend, in which three soldiers were killed. us central command says its forces hit 85 targets in total. white house national security spokesmanjohn kirby said three facilities were hit in iraq and four were hit in syria. the us said iran's islamic revolutionary guards corp quds force and affiliated militia groups were struck. these are new pictures released by us central command

good morning, stormont!— park runners here first thing, pounding around the stormont estate. and the politicians are back, too. whoo! and it's notjust you guys rattling around here now. no, there's going to be a few others rattling around. so there's going to be quite a number in the house, i believe, today. but they're welcome tojoin the park run. good to see them back? erm... we'll see. to be confirmed, still. so you thought you'd run at stormont today because the politicians are back? yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah. hopefully, a wee bit more conversation, going forward. arriving here not long later, today's headline—maker, michelle 0'neill, walking towards a place in northern ireland's history as the first nationalist first minister. the assembly is back, and now with a first minister who speaks in english and irish. she speaks irish today opens the door to a future, a shared future. i am honoured to stand here as first minister. michelle 0'neill pledged that she would work for everyone in northern ireland. with

and it's— political leaders across stormont and it's a — political leaders across stormont and it's and it's a historic and important day for the country because northern irelands— day for the country because northern ireland's politicians are back in charge — ireland's politicians are back in charge making decisions on behalf of the people which is exactly how it should _ the people which is exactly how it should he — the people which is exactly how it should be. 0ur the people which is exactly how it should be. our new deal gives them more _ should be. our new deal gives them more funding and more powers than they've _ more funding and more powers than they've ever— more funding and more powers than they've ever had so they can deliver for families— they've ever had so they can deliver for families and businesses across northern— for families and businesses across northern ireland and that's what everyone's priority is now. it's not constitutional change, it's delivering on the day—to—day things that matter to people and that is why i_ that matter to people and that is why i am —

also it stormont today, leo varadkar, the irish prime minister.d ireland the next decade. so what does the prime minister think?— minister think? everyone is committed _ minister think? everyone is committed to _ minister think? everyone is committed to the _ minister think? everyone is committed to the belfast . minister think? everyone is . committed to the belfast good friday agreement but also people agree that now is the time for delivering on the day—to—day issues that matter to families and people and businesses in northern ireland. a border poll will undoubtably be an issue in the years ahead. as politicians get back to work today, there are plenty of immediate issues like hospital waiting lists and public sector pay that voters want dealing with. in 20 minutes when we focus on the top business stories i'll be talking to the head of federation of small businesses for northern ireland get his take on the new deal that has been brokered and what it means for trade between northern ireland, uk and the european union. the authorities in chile

welcome to stormont.avejust wrapped up in sight on a hugely significant day, a hugely symbolic day. here in belfast. and for the people of northern ireland. two huge reasons, first, the politicians are back after two years of not being able to work, not being able to get on with things. that has now changed, we know who the executive is, we know who will be doing what, and the second reason, it is a hugely symbolic significant day, as you mentioned there, michelle o'neill taken thatjob of first minister and we heard from her in the chamberfor the first minister and we heard from her in the chamber for the first time. let's take a listen. much suffering and trauma persists in our society, as a result of the injustices and the tragedies of the past. we must never forget all those who have died or been injured or their families. i am sorry for all the lives lost during the conflict without exception. as first minister, i am wholeheartedly committed to continuing the work of reconciliation between all of our

is it your view that stormont will be up and running at full force this weekend?nly, no doubt at all - full force this weekend? almost certainly, no doubt at all that i full force this weekend? almost. certainly, no doubt at all that the assembly and the executive will be formed this weekend, and that by monday, hopefully ministers will be at their desks sorting out the problems that have piled up over the last two years, and which are absolutely intense, particularly in the health service, and it�*ll happen. he really is a considerable achievement, and i congratulate both the government answerjeffrey donaldson, the leader of the dup, who managed to put this difficult deal together. yes, ithink who managed to put this difficult deal together. yes, i think it�*ll be a significant date tomorrow— significant also, of course, as ear correspondent said, it�*s the first time that a first minister from northern ireland has come from the nationalist republican side. of course it�*s exactly the same powers as the deputy first minister, but symbolically it is different, and

yeah, i'm here in stormont. it's a big historic day here for the stormont assembly.tive is back to work today with michelle o'neill as a sinn fein first minister. um, there's been all sorts of questions today about what this means for maybe a united ireland of ireland. the pm rishi sunak was asked that by reporters earlier, he said made clear that the focus now is on getting , um, focus now is on getting, um, stormont and that's a work for the people here in northern ireland. they're committing 5.3. £2 billion over five years to northern ireland. and i also asked leo varadkar, the irish taoiseach at the same question. do you think there might be a poll on the united and uniting the island of ireland in the next ten years? he said now is not the time. so on that at least mr sunak and mr varadkar are as one, but also , as you're are as one, but also, as you're saying there earlier, um, we are looking ahead now to a people's panel with the prime minister on monday, 8 pm. live on gb news next week. that's the start , as next week. that's the start, as we see it, of the l

the prime minister's in belfast to meet with the newly formed stormont executive , with formed stormont united ireland any time soon? the government doesn't think so . government doesn't think so. >> i would be generally surprised to see that in my lifetime. i mean, there's so many other issues an many other issues for an executive getting on with executive to be getting on with anyway, but suggest that in anyway, but i suggest that in the would the in—tray, um, they would massively outrank any sort of debate on constitutional change. further escalations rishi sunak will meet with northern ireland's first nationalist, first minister at stormont later today , but the meeting comes today, but the meeting comes amid mounting concern that the historic appointment could lead to could threaten the to the could could threaten the long integrity of the union. long tum integrity of the union. >> bring you details >> i'll bring you more details in moment . in a moment. >> further escalations the >> further escalations in the middle east jeremy hunt expected to bolster defence spending , and to bo

well, the northern ireland assembly at stormont is coming back., sinn fein are happy. the government appear to be happy. but it wasn't until after prime minister's questions that we got any details at all about what was done, and there were some in northern ireland who are going to argue that actually this changes nothing and there are some on the mainland that worry to have made the dup happy . does to have made the dup happy. does it mean that we have to stay in deeper regulatory alignment with the european union and all of that on this day? four years on from leaving the european union >> you're listening to gb news radio . radio. >> well, the what? the farage moment today was a really quite big one. an eagle eyed viewer that likes to keep me up to speed because i can't follow everything was watching the home affairs select committee this morning, and this is really, really interesting because can you remember back in march last year , the prime minister, rishi year, the prime minister, rishi sunak , stood on a podium , um, sunak, stood on a po

stormont is back in business — but what are the new post—brexit trade arrangements?ll be live to northern ireland for the latest. as national apprenticeship week kicks off here in the uk — we ask why we don't value them on the same scale as traditional academic routes. and we take another look at the grammys. but this time we'll leave the glamour and look at how the business of music is changing. hello, i'm sally bundock with the top business stories. if you justjoined us, you are very welcome. we begin in northern ireland, where rishi sunak will attend stormont later today to mark the return of devolved government. new post—brexit trade arrangements between northern ireland, the rest of the uk and the european union have been set out by the uk government. the democratic unionist party refused to support earlier trade plans but has backed this new deal. so what do we know? well, it will reduce checks and paperwork on goods going from great britain to northern ireland. there will be no routine checks on british items being sold to consumers in northern ireland. howeve

i'm lewis vaughn—jones live from stormont...ime minister says civilians were among sixteen people killed in united states' attacks on what they say were pro—iranian militias. former pakistan prime minister imran khan and his wife are jailed for 7 years, after a court declares their marriage illegal. hello, i'm lukwesa burak. a devolved government has been restored in northern ireland — and it has its first irish nationalist leader. michelle o'neill has been elected first minister of the devolved government. her party, sinn fein, hopes to one day unite with the republic of ireland. sinn fein became the biggest party during elections 2 years ago. but the devolved government collapsed when the main unionist party — which wants the province to remain part of the united kingdom — walked out in protest against post—brexit trading arrangements. let's go straight to lewis vaughanjones. thank you very much. no doubting a hugely important and symbolic moment happened here in hugely important and symbolic moment happened here in the hugely

public sector pay and nhs waiting lists could be top of the agenda for the executive in stormont. in belfast it's almost like you're ashamed to be from here sometimes just because of the way that the government get on like children. people say to themselves, "0h, government won't last long, and probably in a year or two's time there'll be another problem for them to kick up a fuss about." personally, i don't want to have to leave here. i i want to actually work and try to make this . place work for everyone. this is northern ireland's first planned integrated school — set up in the 1980s specifically to educate catholics and protestants together. politics students there have been following the events of the past week closely. the dup and other political parties are still getting paid for not doing theirjob properly. what's it like being a young person in northern ireland? as mad as it looks, people watching on the news, we all do lead normal enough lives here — or at least normal for us. these young people are part of northern ireland's future, but is northern ireland part of thei

the british and irish prime ministers have not long departed here from stormont. northern ireland has a first minister who is an irish nationalist, michele o'neil of sinn fein. today she and the deputy first minister from the democratic —— fein. today she and the deputy first ministerfrom the democratic —— dup held meetings with both rishi sunak and lee veronica. top of the agenda was pressing for more funding. at this moment when there is goodwill towards the new regional administration to push what they say is a much—needed increased financial package. the british government has already given an extra £35 billion to the new ministers to help them along the way and ministers in london say that package is generous. but people in northern ireland say because not least of the fact there was a 30 conflict year that ended in the late 1990s, northern ireland still feeling the effect of that, really northern ireland made —— need more funding from london and other parts of the uk. so while it was a day of handshakes and goodwill, certainly there was a little negotiation

you're there in belfast, you've been covering the stormont power sharing return.d "history" did crop up quite a bit. and yeah, of course, there's that tony blair famous soundbite that wasn't meant to be a soundbite, but it was absolutely a soundbite connected to northern ireland and the and the good friday agreement. yeah. and the h word did feature quite a bit, but it was one of those ones, despite the fact that as long as reporters perhaps lean on vocabulary like that a little too easily, it did have that sense, not just this two—year gap without devolved government. there have been these gaps throughout the history of devolution, devolution over the last 25 years, but also a first nationalist, first minister in michelle o'neill. for all of the first ministers there's been in the last quarter of a century, never one who aspires to see this place, northern ireland, as part of the republic at some point. and to see that moment, to see her take that office, to address the assembly. and then i went to see her in her new office. she had her first minister blue minist

public sector pay and nhs waiting lists could be top of the agenda for the executive in stormont.to students in belfast to hear their thoughts on the new devolved government. it's almost like you're ashamed to be from here sometimes just because of the way that the government get on like children. people say to themselves, "0h, government won't last long, and probably in a year or two's time there'll be another problem for them to kick up a fuss about." personally, i don't want to have to leave here. i i want to actually work and try to make this . place work for everyone. this is northern ireland's first planned integrated school — set up in the 1980s specifically to educate catholics and protestants together. politics students there have been following the events of the past week closely. the dup and other political parties are still getting paid for not doing theirjob properly. what's it like being a young person in northern ireland? as mad as it looks, people watching on the news, we all do lead normal enough lives here — or at least normal for us. these young people are part

now the dup leader says he's written to the dup leader says he's written to the speaker of the stormontssembly, saying the conditions now exist for the return power—sharing in northern ireland, expected to start on saturday. we'll have a full live coverage of that. i really significant moment with the return of power—sharing in northern ireland. more on that breaking development here in the next little while. let's head to the us. the defence secretary lloyd austin has called on iran to stop supplying weapons to the houthi rebels in yemen. speaking at the pentagon, he said the us does not want a wider middle east conflict, but it reserves the right to respond to iranian—backed attacks on american personnel in the region. he said this was a �*dangerous moment�* in the middle east. he was speaking as us officials said plans have been approved for a series of strikes against iranian facilities in iraq and syria. they said the action would be carried out over a number of days. washington has been preparing to hit back at iranian—backed militias, after three us troops were killed in a drone

the stormont assembly returned yesterday — two years since it last sat after the democratic unionistithdrew over brexit. live now to our political editor, chris mason. tell us about this visit by sunak. the prime minister has arrived here this evening and will be heading out to meet various folk, including in the morning meeting political leaders, the new first and deputy first ministers, and stormont is the home of the devolved government here in northern ireland, the restoration of the devolved government coming after two years of stasis. when you look back at the history of modern devolution in northern ireland, it has been punctuated by periods of suspension, it's not existing because any of the main parties to it can decide they want to walk away will scratch my head with that power—sharing, the clue is in the total, ceases a —— to walk away, the power—sharing. power—sharing is back up power—sharing. power—sharing is back up and running in the prime ministers here and something of a victory lap because it is an achievement in both domestic and international statecraft that after

this is the great hall we are standing in at stormont at the moment. microphone and our cameras and then head off to the left, these brown, double doors is where the chamber is and that is where the politicians have been heading into and that is where the business happens. at one o'clock, just five minutes or so now, that is when official proceedings will get under way. it is the first time in two years to the day power—sharing collapsed and it is finally back. for two years, basically civil servants have run the show here. they had basically kept the lights on and kept things going. no big decisions, no big financial commitments, no big policy decisions. the big problems facing people in northern ireland like pay and public services. they had not been dealt with because there had been dealt with because there had been no politician is a ministers to make the decisions and enact it. for this reason alone, let alone who is first minister and deputy first minister, this is a hugely significant moment for northern ireland. let's have another look at a gro

last week, the democryear of stormont its two year boycott of stormont following new deal on followingrules . post—brexit trade rules. >> fein's michelle o'neill >> sinn fein's michelle o'neill has history with her has made history with her appointment as first minister. the first nationalist. in other words, united words, she wants a united ireland, in ireland, doesn't believe in northern she's northern ireland. she's the first to hold the role. >> so joining us now is our political editor, christopher hope. good morning, christopher. here he is. good to see you there in stormont. how significant is this new arrangement as of today? i guess they're back in their offices . they're back in their offices. >> well varied behind me is the stormont parliament building meets the first time tomorrow behind the camera is stormont castle, where we've just seen michelle o'neill shake hands with rishi sunak on the steps . with rishi sunak on the steps. there they were asked to wave by the camera, assembled cameras and reporters. no wave, just businesslike handshakes . two businesslike handshakes.

for more on this, we go live to stormont.ave been inside for the past hour because we are now only a couple of hours away from the formalities kicking off inside. we will show you a quick lay of the land. these are the front doors, the beautifulfacade is that way. we come in here. this is where the world's press and media is. you can see the tripods there. there is a media briefing going on so lots of activity at these tripods. just so you are aware, these steps might be familiar to you, we are expecting a politician to come down and there is a microphone there. we will be waiting to see. they will head in through those double doors there, whether chamber is and that is where all of the formalities begin at 1pm here local time. firstjob is to speak and nothing can happen until that happens, and then we get into the moment that we are all here, a truly symbolic moment. chris page. talk us through this symbolic moment we will see injust talk us through this symbolic moment we will see in just under two hours. you will have memb

and they're talking about money, aren't they, the people at stormont?th us. this place isn't funded properly. as a local executive, the tories for over 12 years now have starved our public services... they're sending you £3 billion, aren't they? i know, but that doesn't even make up for the money that they robbed from the public services. clearly, they're saying they want more. are you saying, "that's it"? "look, you've got a lot of money and that's it." 0bviously, there's always conversations that can happen between the treasury and the executive. that's right and proper, of course. those conversations will happen... so maybe? those are always processes and conversations that happen. the new first minister has also talked about her belief that within ten years there could be a referendum on northern ireland's future and, she would hope, a united ireland. what would you say to that? well, i'm a proud unionist, but i also... do you feel it's secure? well, i deeply respect that whilst i'm a proud unionist, that not everyone shares that view. a nationalist

in stormont castle.th fein first with a with a sinn fein first minister. michelle o'neill shook hands but no waves with rishi sunak first thing this morning . sunak first thing this morning. but a big moment here for northern ireland with with we've got the democracy finally restored after two years of having this parliament. i mean, not . and that has meant not sitting. and that has meant that officials have been spending money and gone spending money and hasn't gone so people so well here. for many people living here, a ten year wait for hip operation , five to hip operation, five years to see a l hip operation, five years to see a , all sorts of a consultant, all sorts of issues. we only know about those issues. we only know about those issues in the, in the, in in gb. but in northern ireland they have seen so much worse . and i have seen so much worse. and i think having mlas, people who have seen so much worse. and i thin respond mlas, people who have seen so much worse. and i thin respond to las, p

sinn fein's michelle 0'neill makes history as stormont�*s first irish nationalist leader.biden saunters to victory in south carolina, where democrats held their first primary election of the year. hello, i'm sumi somaskanda. we start the programme in the middle east, where the us and uk have led fresh coalition strikes against the iran—backed houthis in yemen.

and the traditional unionist that unionist voice, which says that stormont .. unionism. think that's a mess. unionism. the unionist vote is the total unionist vote is declining. we hear about demographic change, the increase in catholic population. in the catholic population. that's true. not as much as we'd say nationalism hasn't grown that unionism not that much, but unionism is not fashionable has declined. so fashionable and has declined. so i envisage . a realignment into i envisage. a realignment into two. having said that , yesterday two. having said that, yesterday we saw , apart from jim allister we saw, apart from jim allister of the tv, this party that's very concerned, um , called hard very concerned, um, called hard line but very opposed to stormont. there was no sign of this dissent and i'm just wondering, is unionism at the moment sort of feeling defeated that it has to accept stormont? and remember this is an argument and there's an argument against devolution in scotland as well as in northern ireland, that devolution intrinsically breaks as i