good afternoon. sinn fein are celebrating their best—ever showing in elections to the northern ireland assembly. with all the votes counted, they've won 27 seats, just one behind the democratic unionist party. sinn fein‘s president, gerry adams, has described the result as "an end to the old status quo". the two parties now have three weeks to try to agree a new power—sharing coalition. from belfast, chris buckler reports. the battle between unionism and nationalism has been at the centre of politics in northern ireland for decades. and the harsh words of old returned during this election campaign. the dup leader even compared irish republicans to crocodiles. if you feed a crocodile, they are going to keep coming back and looking for more. this vote saw republicans bite back. the increase in support for sinn fein has left them just a single seat behind the democratic unionist party. until the start of this year, they worked in coalition with their old rivals,

but now the animosity has returned, and that leaves major questions about the future of power—sharing at stormont. it is time for political leadership, it is time to get back to the principles of the good friday agreement. it is time to fix what is wrong. i think that is all doable if people come at it with the right attitude. but after such a bitter break—up, getting unionists back together with republicans will not be easy, and that is particularly true because of one demand sinn fein is making of the dup. they want arlene foster to step aside as first minister while a public enquiry takes place into a financial scandal linked to a botched green—energy scheme. last night, the dup leader left her count centre having refused all bbc interview requests. a lot of what they are asking for are undeliverable, because whilst they dress it up with nice platitudes and nice language, actually it is incredibly one—sided, it does not fit with the notion of partnership. for so long, the big beast of politics here, unionism is facing a fresh

roar from nationalism. just months ago they seemed to be working together, but in unionist east belfast, where the cs lewis square has been built in honour of the author's mythical tales of battle, there is a certain concern about what is emerging. our whole government system is not working for the people who need it, because they are up there squabbling over very little, be honest. republicans are already gaining force, so they are, we should get off our backsides and get out and vote now. many see the current divisions as a return to the politics of the past, and once again a time of uncertainty for stormont. these were already politically turbulent times. this election result has already had consequences.

the ulster unionist party. has stepped down because of the poor result of his party within these elections, and the dup reduction in seats has meant that they have lost the petition of concern, and b—2 at stormont to block any legislation they do not like. for example, they used that to block introduction of same—sex marriage year. the dup need to pick up the pieces to try to see if they can create power—sharing government, but that will not be easy and it might be that westminster will have to take over at lease for a time and run government during northern ireland while they try to come to some sort ofan while they try to come to some sort of an agreement. the french car—maker which owns peugeot and citroen has reportedly reached an agreement to buy vauxhall from general motors. the deal could raise concerns about the future of vauxhall‘s two uk factories which employ more than 4,000 people. an official announcement is expected on monday. our business correspondent joe lynam reports. this vauxhall plant is one of the more efficient car—making factories in europe.

82% of the astras made here are exported, mostly to europe. but the workers here may have new bosses from monday, when it is likely that the company which makes peugeot cars, psa, confirms that it has bought vauxhall and 0pel. but with too many factories in europe and not enough demand, psa is likely to have a long, hard look at which plants to keep open. and that puts vauxhall under the microscope. vauxhall employs just under 2000 staff and its ellesmere port plant, which makes astras. it van—making factory in luton employees moo people, with around 18,000 jobs dependent on vauxhall throughout the uk. in all, vauxhall makes just under 200,000 cars a year, and vauxhall is not the only british—based car—maker which is facing upheaval. nissan said this week it now needs £100 million to support car—manufacturing in sunderland.

bmw said it might now make battery—powered minis in germany instead of britain. and ford looks like it could be shedding more than 1000 jobs at its engine—making plant in bridgend in wales. all of these companies are demanding sweeteners from theresa may to protectjobs. and they all need to knowjust as she is in the middle of intensive and possibly divisive talks about the future trading relationship with the eu. donald trump has accused is barack 0bama administration of tapping his phone during the us presidential campaign. 0n phone during the us presidential campaign. on twitter, mrtrump phone during the us presidential campaign. on twitter, mr trump has accused president 0bama of wiretapping his office in new york last over. the foreign secretary, boris johnson, has announced that he will visit moscow in the coming weeks, in an attempt to improve relations with russia. it will be the first such trip by a british minister for five years. i'm joined by our political correspondent ellie price. how significant is this? it is a

measure that this has not happened in five years. the kid be difficult issues, doris thomson has accused russia of war crimes in syria, —— borisjohnson. the russia of war crimes in syria, —— boris johnson. the russian russia of war crimes in syria, —— borisjohnson. the russian embassy have suggested that borisjohnson wa nts to have suggested that borisjohnson wants to reopen the cold war. lots to dock about, we're told that during this visit borisjohnson will continue to be robust and that this is not about cosying up to moscow. but actually improvement of relations could be within britain's national interest. there is a broader context, donald trump has suggested he would like to have a relationship with russia with regard to counterterrorism, the world is waiting to see how that plays out. it is not surprising that britain would like to reset police in birmingham have launched an investigation its own relationship. after a nine—year—old boy died from a suspected allergic reaction.

the child collapsed at the al hijrah school in bordesley green yesterday afternoon. police say a postmortem examination will be carried out, to try to establish the cause of death. time for the sport. the first premier league fixture of the afternoon is underway at old trafford, where manchester united are hosting bournemouth and united have taken the lead. it is 1—0 with just a few minutes to go until half—time. rangers are 1—0 half—time. rangers are1—0 up half—time. rangers are 1—0 up at home to hamilton academical in the first of the scottish cup quarterfinals. martin work on stepped up to score from the penalty spot —— martin work on. a philip won her 60 metres heat at the championships in belgrade. she

is due to the semifinals tomorrow afternoon. and there is a good start to richard kielty‘s campaign. jodie cundy produced a stunning red to win the time trail at the paris cycling world championships in los angeles. it is his 14th world title. finally, it is faked and eight. tony bellew and david he will go head—to—head at the 02 bellew and david he will go head—to—head at the o2 arena in london. bell you —— tony bellew is fighting for the first time as a heavyweight. 0n the skills, he was nearly a stone lighter than david

haye. if his career had gone to plan, james taylor would be a key member of the side out in the west indies right now, butjust as he neared the peak of his career he almost lost his life. he has been talking to the next generation of english cricketers. a gazetteer of english cricket's new professionals, young and keen, none of them thinking that their career will be over in their mid—20s. that is exactly why the professional cricketers association invited james taylor to the ricky camp.|j cricketers association invited james taylor to the ricky camp. i am a glaring example that anything can happen, no matter how young and healthy you think you are, anything can happen. sometimes i am confident with my body and things seem to be going well, but then i have a setback because my heart is doing things i have neverfelt it did before. it is rolled costa, a tough

and scary to be. james taylor's internal defibrillator helps to keep him alive. but being a former sportsman can challenge anyone. the funeral of an international rugby player last week. he seemed to be dealing well with retirement, but he was not. sport often demands are sheared mentality. i often thought i was invincible, many professional sportsmen believe they are invincible. it dawned on me several months after, and that has hit me harder than anything, knowing that i am not invincible. the pca encourages cricketers to develop other aspects of careers. 0nly encourages cricketers to develop other aspects of careers. only a few professionals ever reach the international scene. standing here, it is hard to imagine a sultry, summer evening. that feels like snow! but edgbaston will be holding

the first ever day heather knight test match on british soil when the play under floodlights. everybody knows that it is a short career, but who at the start really wants to believe it? before i go, tend to tell you that bournemouth have equalised at manchester united. josh king was the scorer from the penalty spot. 1—1 from old trafford. you can see more from old trafford. you can see more on from old trafford. you can see more on the bbc news channel. the next news update is at 5:40. hello. you're watching the bbc news channel with maxine mawhinney.

sinn fein and the democratic unionists are to begin talks on monday about a new power—sharing government in northern ireland. sinn fein made gains in elections to the stormont assembly, finishing just one seat behind the democratic unionist party. for the first time, unionists won't have a majority in the assembly. the dup and sinn fein now have three weeks to form a government. earlier i spoke to the irish writer and broadcaster brian 0'connell. he told me that the challenge now for the parties at stormont will be to form a new executive with a stronger sinn fein sinn fein has a shopping list. top of it is a provision that would give equal status to the irish language in northern ireland in governmental institutions. the dup did not want to do this beforehand, it is a hangover from the st andrews agreement from 2006. they have got three weeks or so, the british government can extend that period a bit to see if they can put humpty dumpty back together again. if they

cannot, we will end up with direct rule, which will not be good for northern ireland, particularly given all of the issues with northern ireland, the northern ireland economy and all of the issues with the border as we go into the article 50 brexit fought. it at the moment northern ireland does not really have a voice and those talks. they will not really have a democratically elected voice in those talks. if you look at scotland, the prime minister goes to scotland, the prime minister goes to scotland, makes a big speech, nicola sturgeon, the first minister, has a voice in that, she has a say about whether they have a referendum, what the future of scotland is, inside or outside the uk, inside or outside the eu and so on. if you go to direct rule in northern ireland, you will not have that democratically elected voice in an assembly in northern ireland talking about those

sort of issues, which i think is bad, and retrograde step, u nfortu nately bad, and retrograde step, unfortunately it is down to the parties at this stage to see if they can reach a deal. let's go back to where the party stand after this election. the sinn fein victory, what would you put that down to? sinn fein is the fastest—growing party on the island of ireland north and south of the border. i am not sure... ithink probably the way in which the power—sharing arrangement in northern ireland... it is fairly unique, the latest setup makes it fairly difficult for the central parties, because the wider the tent, the more that you want to get everybody in, the more that the people in the middle will be squeezed, that is what has happened with the ulster unionist party and the sdlp. certainly the tactic of blaming arlene foster, the leader of the dup, we do not need to point the details, over the renewable heating

scheme, probably did have an. martin mcguinness, the outgoing dipsy first minister, basically was saying that she was unable to govern and shouldn't be covering —— outgoing deputy first minister. almost 65% turnout. that is a very big turnout, evenin turnout. that is a very big turnout, even in northern ireland politics, certainly on the side of the water it would be. that probably benefited sinn fein as well. what about the changing landscape in politics in northern ireland 7 changing landscape in politics in northern ireland? we have seen a lot of new blood coming into, in particular, sinn fein, perhaps not so much on the unionist side?|j think so much on the unionist side?” think that sinn fein are. we see martin mcguinness going and michelle o'neill martin mcguinness going and michelle 0'neill coming in. similarly, in the south, where sinn fein is an emerging politicalforce south, where sinn fein is an emerging political force still, there is going to be the same thing. interestingly, a lot more women coming into the party as well. but i

would not put too much store by that in itself. i think that is just by the nature of things, may be the dup and the demographic is getting older, sinn fein appeals to a younger, more working class group, maybe some of the old divisions are breaking down. the unionist— nationalist thing is perhaps breaking down. for example, says of the border in the republic, sinn fein appeals not necessarilyjust to nationalist waters, but people who are nationalist waters, but people who a re interested nationalist waters, but people who are interested in what is going to happen, anti—austerity candidates, that kind of thing —— nationalist voters. that is probably what is happening in northern ireland as well, more about the economy than what happened 20 years ago. a group of peers has dismissed claims the uk could face a so—called divorce bill of up to £52 billion when it leaves the eu. the lords eu financial affairs committee says the government

might not have to pay anything if there is no post—brexit deal — but says concessions are likely if the government wants to secure access to eu markets. a little earlier baroness falkner, lib dem peer and chair of the eu financial affairs sub—committee, explained the thinking behind the house of lords report. we took legal advice from a variety of experts and through that legal advice conflicted we tested that against our own select committee's legal adviser and came to a judgment that the two pertinent bits of law, one is of course article 50, eve ryo ne one is of course article 50, everyone is very familiar with that, which says that if you have two yea rs which says that if you have two years to negotiate a withdrawal agreement and if you do not do that within two years, at the end of the two—year period the treaties, the eu treaties cease to apply, those are the words they use. then there is

another treaty called the vienna convention on international treaties, which goes back to 1969. that says that when parties are breaking their legal obligations, pulling out of treaties, withdrawing from treaties, then there is still to some extent an obligation to the existing liabilities. but it says that they are only bones to the existing liabilities if the arrangements in that treaty. if there is no withdrawal agreement, there is no withdrawal agreement, the united kingdom can leave without having any legal obligations. that can be adjudicated by any court. what about sticking points in this? what about sticking points in this? what about sticking points in this? what about programmes that the uk is involved in or debts that should be honoured up until that point? interestingly, the government has acknowledged that there are some programmes such as

acknowledged that there are some programmes such as the common agricultural policy, research funding, something called horizon 2020. they have already committed to paying until the end of the budgetary period, supposed to be 2020. they have said that even if we leave we will continue to make up, this is to give confidence to farmers that the payments would continue. we expect the government to define in greater detail over the next period whatever things it would expect to pay if it lost receipts from the eu, if the united kingdom lost receipts. £52 billion, that is a huge figure? we went to brussels, we spoke to a huge number of experts here and in brussels, it seems to us that the range is so wide at the bottom end, the figure we came up with was £15 billion. the top end, as you say, could go to 60 billion euros, £52 billion. we came to a

view that it was impossible to come toa view that it was impossible to come to a settled figure until you decide what it is you will pay and how much you will pay to those. the very different things, for example, pensions, we came up with three figures, for the pensions of united kingdom staff who have worked in the eu, came to different figures of assets and liabilities, eu balance sheet accounts are not regular balance sheet accounts, so at the end of the day it will depend on the negotiation. is there a chance, do you think, that britain could be held to ransom to pay something for political reasons to continue a relationship? i would not use the word ransom, because the uk has itself... the prime minister herself in the white paper says that he wa nts to in the white paper says that he wants to have a free trade relationship with the eu, that she does not want a disorderly exit, that she wants to continue research and innovation funding with the eu

technicalfunding. the and innovation funding with the eu technical funding. the government about laying the areas, even at this point, freddie really want to continue. so on that basis, i would call it payments for access. certain things that united kingdom decide that it still wants to do with the eu, in light of that, notjust paying into those programmes, but taking a longer term view of the future relationship with the eu, the kind of relationship it once, and then adjusting figure appropriately. the headlines on bbc news: sinn fein make big gains in northern ireland's assembly elections. the dup is still the biggest party, but with just one more seat than the republicans. president trump accuses the 0bama administration of tapping his phone during the presidential election campaign. there are fears for the future of vauxhall plants in britain after a french car company which produces peugeot vehicles reportedly reaches a deal to buy

general motors' european operations. mercedes—benz is to recall around 1 million cars because they're at risk of catching fire. it's because of a fault found within newer models which can cause them to overheat on starting. it's thought around 75,000 cars in the uk could be affected, but mercedes says the risk to customers is small. the models at fault include some a, b, c, and e—class cars, as well as mercedes‘ cla, gla and glc vehicles. anyone who's bought a car between 2015 and 2017 could be affected. mercedes say they're aware of 51 fires so far, but that no deaths or injuries had been recorded. it's thought owners will be contacted later this year. the united nations estimates that over the past seven days

15,000 children have been forced out of the iraqi city of mosul, where a mass exodus of civilians is happening. iraqi government forces are pressing into the western side of the city, but are facing fierce resistance from so—called islamic state. the un says it has seen a significant increase in displacement in recent days. as david campanale now reports, the hamam al—alil refugee camp is approaching maximum capacity. the desperate escape from fierce fighting in western mosul. an endless stream of thousands of people. these residents of iraq's second city have nothing on their feet. and un aid coordinators say they've escaped with nothing, no luggage and the bare minimum of clothes. inside the city, islamic state are using car bombs, suicide attackers and snipers to resist the iraqi army's advanced. as battles rage in these residential areas, civilians are being forced out from their homes.

but as they run, they must first evade the merciless tactics of islamic state fighters, who openly admit residents are useful to them as human shields. translation: we fled at night. families which are caught fleeing are beaten, the men executed and women are sent back home. we hardly managed to escape. iraqi government forces, backed by western allies, are making headway against the islamists, and are advancing north of a sprawling military base near the city's airport. but mosul has 750,000 inhabitants. those displaced by the fighting have to endure wet conditions as they wait for the military to organise buses or trucks near a checkpoint to the south of the city. translation: the number of people who have arrived at this point is around 1000, including women, men and children. they're in a desperate condition. they're malnourished and in a dire need of water and food.

they're in a very miserable condition and they need medical and health care. the camp intended for internally displaced people is now close to its maximum capacity, with 150,000 places already occupied. agencies are already calling the battle for mosul the worst humanitarian crisis they've seen globally in a decade, but they're expecting it may be about to get a lot worse, with is fighting to hold on to last foothold in iraq. construction is under way, the united nations says, to accommodate up to 250,000 people in just this one camp. about 10,000 people are marching in central london at the moment to protest cuts to the nhs. protesters

say that theresa may's cuts to the nhs present a danger to patient safety. they say that the nhs is at wreaking point, they want no privatisation and no pay restraints. —— breaking point. 0ne and no pay restraints. —— breaking point. one of the organisers have said that people have witnessed that something that is absolutely fundamental to their lives is being privatised, wages are being restrained, hospitals are being closed, we better do something about it if we want to hang on to something that people have depended on for their lives. they will be some speech is a little later on. we're keeping on that for you. the french centre—right candidate

francois fillon has suffered another blow. he is being investigated over claims that his wife and two of his children were paid for work which was never carried out. he has been putting on a brave face, but more cracks are appearing in francois fillon's presidential campaign. a scandal over allegations he misused public funds to pay his wife and family members just will not go away. heavyweight supporters are abandoning him. the latest defections, his spokesperson and campaign manager. but in an effort to fight back, he made this direct appeal to the french people. translation: i invite everyone to come next sunday and make your voice

heard. but francois fillon has also lost the backing of the allied union of democrats and independents. many are calling for him to step aside. we're on accounting, it is either the stopwatch or the detonator. it is likely to explode political family, andi likely to explode political family, and i do not want it. the election ta kes pla ce and i do not want it. the election takes place in two rounds in april and may. he was out in front on 27% on the 23rd of april, he is followed by far right leader marine le pen on 25.5%. but the pair remain close in popularity. francois fillon, once the front runner, is lagging behind on 19%. in the scenario that the former prime minister replaces francois fillon, the same poll puts

him in the lead at 26.5%. marine le pen also faces legal issues. her national front party is accused of misusing eu funds. francois fillonstrongly denies the fake jobs forfamily claims fillonstrongly denies the fake jobs for family claims and fights on. mps have launched an investigation into the ecological impact of takeaway coffee cups and plastic bottles. the commons environmental audit committee said the situation needs to be looked at because only 23% of the 2.2 million tonnes of plastic used in the uk in 2014 was recycled. the committee is concerned there could be more plastics in the oceans than fish by 2050. sir bruce forsyth has reportedly returned home, after spending five nights in intensive care. the 89—year—old was being treated for a severe chest infection. in a statement released by his agent, sir bruce said he wanted to "say a special thank you to all the nhs doctors, nurses and staff" for their "kindness and ca re". we are going to cross to the balcony

where philip dave debris is there for us. i've got blue screens behind me and over here i have wet weather which is the sort of mishmash on offer, all coming round and area of pressure. that is more continuous