so it's a big vote of confidence in our leadership of scotland, both nationally and at local level. i don't take it for granted, though. people want to see us deliver now. the reason we keep winning elections is because we work really hard, at elections, between elections, to deliver for scotland. votes are counted in the verdicts are in. it's only a snapshot but for all parties, plenty to chew over. leila nathoo, bbc news. our wales correspondent tomos morgan told us how people voted across wales and the unexpected losses for the conservative party. after the brexit vote in 2017, i think it's fair to say that a number of disgruntled labour voters and brexit voters moved over and started voting tory. we saw that in the general election in 2017, the local election and general election after that, as well. but since the pandemic, things are beginning to change. last year, we had the senedd elections here in wales and mark

drakeford's labour government exceeded expectations, really, did much better. and i think we basically mirrored that, really, here in wales with the local elections. what we didn't expect, potentially, was such a big downfall for the tories here in wales. they've done worse, losing all over the gains they made in 2017, losing the majority and the only councils they controlled, monmouthshire in wales. and, actually, now in monmouthshire, for the first time, labour is now the biggest party. that's the first time for labour there. labour, they took back control of two of the councils they lost last time around. they were unable to take the third. and they did actually lose one as well, due to a local issue in neath port talbot. some of the other stories of the day yesterday were plaid — they've gone from one council to controlling four. however, their overall vote share is down and they've lost six seats. so i think the question for them will be, if they can't take seats and can't hold onto voters in traditional labour heartlands,

how will they be able to push forward in the next senedd and the general election? the other story, the lib dems taking ten seats in mid wales and also the greens, for the first time in wales, gaining eight seats across wales — the first time they've had so many in local elections. that was the picture in wales. and in west dunbartonshire we heard from our scotland correspondent, alexandra mackenzie. well, there were gains in scotland for the snp, as you heard there, but also for labour, for the liberal democrats and for the greens. a very different story for the scottish conservatives. here, they lost more than 60 councillors across the country. the snp remains the largest party — there was no surprise there. they had their best ever local election after 15 years in government. now, labour has overtaken the scottish conservatives for second place.

so, big disappointment there for the scottish conservatives. their leader, douglas ross, he said he believed that public anger over partygate had a part to play in that. he also said today that he was determined to win back trust and votes. it was a good day for scottish labour here in west dunbartonshire. they took overall control, but they are still some way behind the snp. you can find the latest election news on the website and app. to other news, ukraine says it has recaptured five villages north—east of kharkiv, as it continues a counter—offensive against russian forces. the ukrainian military say they could soon make it impossible for russia to use their artillery on the city.

moscow has succeeded in making small advances in the eastern donbas region, although those have been described as costly. joe inwood reports from ukraine. it was a simple house, but built with his own hands. ivan lysun fought for the soviets during the second world war. a few days ago, his home, along with all his possessions, were destroyed by russian shelling. transaltion: if i had the strength, i would be the first to defend. - i would stand and help our troops. you know, it hurts a lot. what did we fight for? what did we set free? but it seems ivan could be one of the last victims of russian shelling in kharkiv. explosion ukrainian forces say they've recaptured a number of villages on the outskirts of the country's second city. analysts believe the russians could soon be pushed out of artillery range. that would be welcome news to the defenders of barvinkove, a strategic town on the edge

of the donbas. they're well dug in here but know the russians are coming. "they want to go to dnipro and zaporizhzhia", maxym says. "they want to capture our territory, to encircle us, surround us. but this will not happen. we will not allow it." in the port city of mariupol, the un and red cross say they will continue their attempts to free civilians from the besieged azovstal steelworks. yesterday, they escorted a further 50 civilians to safety. president zelensky says he hopes they will not be the last people to walk out alive. translation: we are also working on diplomatic options _ to rescue our soldiers who still remain at azovstal. powerful intermediaries are involved, powerful states. this war is also one of information. ukrainian activists in berlin released this video, parodying the images from the start of the war as they pull former soviet tanks from their pedestals. it came as russia made final

preparations for its annual victory day parade. a show of might from a military that, in places, now appears to be on the back foot. joe inwood, bbc news, lviv. let's cross to my colleague ben brown who's in kyiv. ijust wonder i just wonder whether you can ijust wonder whether you can give us an overview, if you would, of what is happening on the battlefield in ukraine where you are. and particularly what is the latest in hearty of two —— kharkiv. it is particularly what is the latest in hearty of two -- kharkiv.- hearty of two -- kharkiv. it is a hue hearty of two -- kharkiv. it is a huge city. _ hearty of two -- kharkiv. it is a huge city. the _ hearty of two -- kharkiv. it is a huge city, the russians - hearty of two -- kharkiv. it is a huge city, the russians have i hearty of two -- kharkiv. it is a i huge city, the russians have been shelling it a lot. what ukrainians have been trying to do is push them back, push back their artillery away from kharkiv so the russians cannot population any more. we are some success in that mother ukrainians. they have captured around five villages north—east of kharkiv. a

counter offensive air which is proving quite successful. but we also understand that about 100 miles and there is a city of izium, and thatis and there is a city of izium, and that is where russia is now amassing a huge number of forces, some 20 battalion tactical groups, which have up to 900 troops in each. that could be anywhere from 15,000 — 20,000 russian troops at that location. the fear is that the russians are really gathering and mustering for a big offensive there with the overall aim of encircling ukrainian troops in the eastern donbas region. these are some of ukraine's best troops. that has long been the fear, that the russians will try to encircle them, cut them off so that they cannot find any more. we will have to wait and see whether the ukrainians can hold back that offensive. they are talking about still needing western weapons to be got to the front line as fast as possible. we desperately need

more artillery to answer russian artillery in the east. we more artillery to answer russian artillery in the east.— more artillery to answer russian artillery in the east. we are going to leave it there, _ artillery in the east. we are going to leave it there, because - artillery in the east. we are going to leave it there, because we - artillery in the east. we are going to leave it there, because we will| to leave it there, because we will head straight to northern ireland where we are going to hear from the michelle 0'neill from sinn fein. this michelle 0'neill from sinn fein. sis always, michelle 0'neill from sinn fein. is always, the staff here go above and beyond. everybody is knackered by this stage, well done to all of the staff. applause i want to begin my remarks today by thanking the electorate for their overwhelming support throughout the entirety of the election campaign. and again at the election campaign. and again at the ballot box where people have spoken very clearly to all of the parties. it is always a real honour and a humble experience for me and for my peers linda and emma, to stand in an election and go before the electorate with what we had, which was a very positive vision about the future and real change. i want to say a huge word of thanks to all of our election teams, because not all of these activists on the

ground, knocking doors, putting up posters and doing the work, we could not be where we are today. thank you from the bottom of my heart for all of your work. i want to congratulate everyone who has been elected to the assembly from across all parties and of all constituencies. i really look forward to working with all of you each and everyone of you in the weeks and days ahead. i also want to acknowledge those who didn't get elected on this occasion, but i'm sure they will return to fight another day. today represents a very significant moment of change. it is a defining moment for politics and our people. today it ushers in a new era, which i believe presents us all with an opportunity to reimagine relationships in this society on the basis of fairness, equality and social justice. basis of fairness, equality and socialjustice. irrespective of religious, political or social background, my commitment is to make

politics work. my commitment is to work through partnership and not division. we will work with those who serve all other political perspectives, we will work together, we will show respect and we expect to be shown respect stop there as a space in this place for everyone and all of us together. i will provide leadership which is inclusive, which celebrates diversity, which guarantees rights and equality for those who have been excluded, disseminated against or ignored in the past. we all heard loud and clear on the doorsteps throughout this campaign, people demand cooperation, people demand delivery, they demand that we address the cost of living prices, that we invest in our health service. and the welfare of people, all people, comes first. that is the reason why, on monday, we must all turn up together. that is the reason why, on monday, there is the reason why, on monday, there is an urgency to restore an

executive, to start to put money backin executive, to start to put money back in people's pockets, to start to fix the health service. the people cannot wait. we will turn up, i believe with my team to stormont on monday. the people have told us to the course of this campaign that they expect us to work together. the people are right. so, we have been listening to sinn fein�*s northern ireland leader michelle 0'neill. we will cross back to belfast now and my colleague annita mcveigh is there. i know you were listening to that speech alongside me. we heard michelle 0'neill say today represents a very significant moment of change, it ushers in a new era. perhaps you, if you would, can give us a sense of just how momentous this is. rebecca,

thank ou. just how momentous this is. rebecca, thank yom i — just how momentous this is. rebecca, thank yom i was _ just how momentous this is. rebecca, thank you. i was indeed _ just how momentous this is. rebecca, thank you. i was indeed listening to i thank you. i was indeed listening to that. she talked about reimagining relationships, and i thought to myself as i heard that phrase, "that could mean lots of things." she could mean lots of things." she could be talking about reimagining relationships within the context of the northern ireland assembly where there has been such difficulty over there has been such difficulty over the last few years, even since 2017 assembly elections, in getting power—sharing really functioning. maybe she is talking about that, but at parties coming together to make it work. she could of course be alluding to sinn fein�*s stated aim of a united ireland. but herfocus in that speech didn't seem to be on getting the assembly working again and on dealing with bread and butter issues, the cost of living crisis, all the areas in which people want local politicians making decisions that affect their everyday lives. she also said we will show respect

and we expect to be shown respect. i think there she was alluding to the process of nominating first deputy first ministers. now, for basically the entire period since the good friday agreement, the has always been a unionist in the position of first minister and sinn fein as deputy first minister. now, although it was his first minister and deputy first minister in the titles, these two roles are equal. 0ne first minister in the titles, these two roles are equal. one cannot exist without the other. it is by virtue of the good friday agreement to protect both unionist and nationalist traditions. of course, there is a lot of symbolism, isn't there, in the idea of being first minister? 0n there, in the idea of being first minister? on this occasion, when sinn fein are going to emerge as the biggest party in northern ireland with the right to nominate a first minister, i think that was the message of the dup saying, "well, if we are going to be in first minister position, then you should also respect that and nominate to the

deputy first minister position." an urgency to restore the executive, that was how she finished. she said the people cannot wait. certainly talking to voters around northern ireland, it was very much the impression i had, the people wanted the politicians back in the assembly getting the power—sharing and working, but that is not as easy as it sounds. back to you in the studio. ., it sounds. back to you in the studio. . . it sounds. back to you in the studio. ., . ~ it sounds. back to you in the studio. . . . , studio. thanks so much. we will be back with you _ studio. thanks so much. we will be back with you very _ studio. thanks so much. we will be back with you very shortly. - the taliban in afghanistan have ordered all women to wear a face veil when in public, returning the country to the dress code enforced the last time they were in power. the move has been met with dismay by women's rights campaigners, who say that nine months after seizing power, the taliban are again rolling back women's rights. 0ur correspondent secunder kermani has more from kabul. the last time they were in power, the taliban made women wear the all—encompassing burqa. it was one of the measures most closely associated with their regime.

after taking power last august, however, they held off on issuing any new laws on what women should wear — until now, that is. today, they decreed that all women must cover their faces with a veil in public, and they laid out an escalating series of punishments for any woman not complying, beginning with their male relatives being talked to at home. then, if a woman still isn't complying, those male relatives being summoned by taliban officials, then potentially being jailed for three days and taken to court. now, this is a conservative country, and many women already wore a face veil of sorts, but in kabul and other big cities, as you can see from this clothes market, many women cover their hair but not their faces, and women's rights activists, as you can imagine, have reacted to this decree with dismay. they see years of fragile progress on women's rights being rolled back. remember, teenage girls are still not allowed back into the classroom in most of the country.

many female employees have been told not to return to their offices. across the world, the majority of muslims don't believe it's a compulsory part of the religion for women to wear a veil over their faces, but here in afghanistan the taliban seem adamant on imposing their interpretation of islam. despite having initially appeared more lenient, their hardline ministry of vice and virtue, which issued this decree today, has grown increasingly active in recent weeks. an explosion at a luxury hotel in the cuban capital, havana, has killed at least 22 people. the blast tore through several floors of the hotel saratoga. the president said the explosion was caused by, what he called, a "gas accident" — though investigations are underway. more than 60 people have been injured. 0ur correspondent, will grant reports. the saratoga hotel, a landmark in havana reduced to rubble.

its facade ripped clean off, the rooms of the five—star hotel were exposed and its ornate lobby left a twisted pile of metal, marble and concrete. a gas tanker outside the building was quickly identified as the cause of the blast. for local residents, it was a horrific, surreal moment. they can scarcely believe the saratoga, once a favourite among visiting celebrities, has been left in ruins. translation: you could see people shouting, dust rising, the disaster. l it was like a horror film, really. translation: i felt the clear explosion, a single boom, - and i saw crystals cracking and falling and a white cloud of dust that would not go away. but i managed to close the door and i managed to get away in the opposite direction from danger, over here. siren wails the authorities

were quickly on the scene, ferrying the injured to local hospitals and searching the rubble for survivors — havana's overstretched emergency services being tested to their limits. the president, miguel diaz—canel, also appeared to offer support and condolences. for some, the explosion brought back memories of the early 1990s, when radical anti—castro groups from florida bombed a number of cuban hotels. however, the president was quick to dismiss rumours that the blast was anything other than an accident. translation: in no case was this a bomb or an attack. _ it's just a very unfortunate accident, and it seems to be around the gas tank. the truth is the explosion could've been worse. the hotel was closed for refurbishments and was due to reopen next week. furthermore, a nearby school was unscathed, the children safely evacuated.

nevertheless, this explosion comes at a difficult time for cuba. its tourism sector has been all but shut down amid the covid—19 pandemic and only this year was beginning to pick up again. for an island whose economy now largely revolves around tourism, the past two years have been brutal, especially when combined with tough us sanctions and the state's economic mismanagement. this explosion could set back that recovery even further. however, for now, most minds in cuba are simply focused on the families of those caught up in this tragic blast and those still fighting for their lives in hospital. will grant, bbc news. chelsea have agreed terms on the £4.25 billion sale of the club. it'll be sold to a consortium led by todd boehly, co—owner of the la dodgers baseball team. the club was put up for sale before previous owner roman abramovich was sanctioned for his alleged links to russian president vladimir putin.

with me now to discuss this is nizaar kinsella who is chelsea correspondent for news website goal. great to have you with us. thanks forjoining us. is this good news forjoining us. is this good news for chelsea fans, do you think? i think so. i think chelsea wanted _ do you think? i think so. i think chelsea wanted this _ do you think? i think so. i think chelsea wanted this sort - do you think? i think so. i think chelsea wanted this sort of- do you think? i think so. i think| chelsea wanted this sort of sale process over. you have to remit this has been going on for over two months. and it almost represented an existential crisis from when roman abramovich with the sanction, the club can bring in certain money and revenue. it is about getting to this point, and we have got here. i think right now a lot of people around chelsea were just fed up and wanted it done. now somebody is coming in, todd boelhy and the us investors, they can look forward to a new future. �* , they can look forward to a new future. �*, _, they can look forward to a new future. �* , _, ., , future. let's come what they might be able to look— future. let's come what they might be able to look forward _ future. let's come what they might be able to look forward to. - future. let's come what they might be able to look forward to. before l be able to look forward to. before do, tell us a bit more about this man todd boelhy, what do we know about him? he man todd boelhy, what do we know about him? , ., , , ,

about him? he is a big sports administrator. _ about him? he is a big sports administrator. he _ about him? he is a big sports administrator. he owns - about him? he is a big sports administrator. he owns the i about him? he is a big sports| administrator. he owns the la dodgers, which is a really successful baseball team in the usa. he owns other sports teams as well, a lot of investments through a company called eldridge capital, that his his own company. and he is ready in the sport. he has been trying to buy a premier league club for a long time you try to buy chelsea in 2019 for the p did due diligence there. that helped him in this process because he knew what he was getting himself in for. he knew what roman abramovich's chelsea was and he knew how to win this process. by and he knew how to win this process. by a twist of fate, he is able to go back to the club, by the club for 2.5 billion and he wanted to invest in english football and he has got it. a lot of us billionaires are involved in the sport is now. he is just the latest one and i think that what he wants to do is something maybe against a liverpool, go chelsea's free—spending, not very profitable era to still being

successful but moving towards a more mature proposition.— mature proposition. chelsea fc corresmnd _ mature proposition. chelsea fc correspond to _ mature proposition. chelsea fc correspond to goal, _ mature proposition. chelsea fc correspond to goal, we - mature proposition. chelsea fc correspond to goal, we have i mature proposition. chelsea fc correspond to goal, we have to mature proposition. chelsea fc- correspond to goal, we have to leave it there but good to have you with us. we are going to go straight back to northern ireland where we are going to hearfrom sinn fein�*s mary mcdonnell. fein's mary mcdonnell. i look forward to — fein's mary mcdonnell. i look forward to michelle _ fein's mary mcdonnell. i look forward to michelle o'neill. fein's mary mcdonnell. i look i forward to michelle o'neill being forward to michelle 0'neill being nominated as first minister to lead from the front and have a politics that delivers a people. the idea at a time of the cost of living crisis that people would stand on the sidelines and allow people to struggle and struggle badly, for us is unthinkable. we would appeal to everybody to take stock, take your breath and really assess and understand the huge responsibility that all of us carry. all of us, collectively. we have an obligation to get government up and running. michelle 0'neill, when will you be

first minister? the michelle o'neill, when will you be first minister?— first minister? the people have soken, first minister? the people have spoken. to _ first minister? the people have spoken. to our _ first minister? the people have spoken, to ourjob _ first minister? the people have spoken, to ourjob now - first minister? the people have spoken, to ourjob now is - first minister? the people have spoken, to ourjob now is to - first minister? the people have| spoken, to ourjob now is to turn up. leadership— spoken, to ourjob now is to turn up. leadership matters, - spoken, to ourjob now is to turnj up. leadership matters, equality matters, — up. leadership matters, equality matters, turning _ up. leadership matters, equality matters, turning up— up. leadership matters, equality matters, turning up matters. - up. leadership matters, equality. matters, turning up matters. there is no _ matters, turning up matters. there is no reason — matters, turning up matters. there is no reason for— matters, turning up matters. there is no reason for any _ matters, turning up matters. there is no reason for any delay. - matters, turning up matters. there is no reason for any delay. we - is no reason for any delay. we should — is no reason for any delay. we should have _ is no reason for any delay. we should have an _ is no reason for any delay. we should have an executive - is no reason for any delay. we should have an executive nextj is no reason for any delay. we - should have an executive next week. we should _ should have an executive next week. we should put— should have an executive next week. we should put manning _ should have an executive next week. we should put manning into - should have an executive next week. we should put manning into peoplesj we should put manning into peoples pockets, _ we should put manning into peoples pockets, that— we should put manning into peoples pockets, that is— we should put manning into peoples pockets, that is what _ we should put manning into peoples pockets, that is what people - we should put manning into peoples pockets, that is what people have i pockets, that is what people have voted _ pockets, that is what people have voted for~ — pockets, that is what people have voted for. —like _ pockets, that is what people have voted for. —like money— pockets, that is what people have voted for. —like money into - pockets, that is what people have l voted for. —like money into peoples pockets _ voted for. —like money into peoples pockets we — voted for. —like money into peoples pockets we will— voted for. —like money into peoples pockets. we will lead _ voted for. —like money into peoples pockets. we will lead the _ voted for. —like money into peoples pockets. we will lead the mlas - voted for. —like money into peoples pockets. we will lead the mlas in l voted for. —like money into peoplesl pockets. we will lead the mlas in on monday, _ pockets. we will lead the mlas in on monday, i— pockets. we will lead the mlas in on monday, i exueci _ pockets. we will lead the mlas in on monday, i expect others _ pockets. we will lead the mlas in on monday, i expect others to - pockets. we will lead the mlas in on monday, i expect others to turn - pockets. we will lead the mlas in on monday, i expect others to turn up l monday, i expect others to turn up as welt _ monday, i expect others to turn up as welt let's — monday, i expect others to turn up as well. let's do _ monday, i expect others to turn up as well. let's do this _ monday, i expect others to turn up as well. let's do this together - monday, i expect others to turn up as well. let's do this together and | as well. let's do this together and do the _ as well. let's do this together and do the business _ as well. let's do this together and do the business for _ as well. let's do this together and do the business for the _ as well. let's do this together and do the business for the public. - as well. let's do this together and i do the business for the public. the? do the business for the public. they have asked — do the business for the public. they have asked that _ do the business for the public. they have asked that of _ do the business for the public. they have asked that of us. _ do the business for the public. have asked that of us. what do the business for the public- have asked that of us. what happens if they— have asked that of us. what happens if they don't?— if they don't? what does this mean for the question _ if they don't? what does this mean for the question of _ if they don't? what does this mean for the question of northern - for the question of northern ireland? �* , , .,, for the question of northern ireland? �* , , ., for the question of northern ireland? i, ., ireland? i'm very pleased to report that there is _ ireland? i'm very pleased to report that there is a _ ireland? i'm very pleased to report that there is a very _ ireland? i'm very pleased to report that there is a very healthy - that there is a very healthy conversation _ that there is a very healthy conversation already- that there is a very healthy conversation already under that there is a very healthy- conversation already under way, and i conversation already under way, and i have _ conversation already under way, and i have always — conversation already under way, and i have always said _ conversation already under way, and i have always said throughout - conversation already under way, and i have always said throughout the i i have always said throughout the election— i have always said throughout the election campaign— i have always said throughout the election campaign that _ i have always said throughout the | election campaign that regardless i have always said throughout the i election campaign that regardless of the outcome — election campaign that regardless of the outcome of— election campaign that regardless of the outcome of the _ election campaign that regardless of the outcome of the election, - election campaign that regardless of the outcome of the election, that. the outcome of the election, that conversation _ the outcome of the election, that conversation was _ the outcome of the election, that conversation was going _ the outcome of the election, that conversation was going to - the outcome of the election, that i conversation was going to continue. those _ conversation was going to continue. those of— conversation was going to continue. those of us — conversation was going to continue. those of us that _ conversation was going to continue. those of us that are _ conversation was going to continue. those of us that are for _ conversation was going to continue. those of us that are for unification i those of us that are for unification will make — those of us that are for unification will make that _ those of us that are for unification will make that case. _ those of us that are for unification will make that case. i— those of us that are for unification will make that case. i encourage l will make that case. i encourage those _ will make that case. i encourage those who— will make that case. i encourage those who don't _ will make that case. i encourage those who don't have _ will make that case. i encourage those who don't have that - those who don't have that perspective _ those who don't have that perspective at _ those who don't have that perspective at this - those who don't have that perspective at this time i those who don't have that| perspective at this time to those who don't have that - perspective at this time to also enter— perspective at this time to also enter into _ perspective at this time to also enter into the _ perspective at this time to also enter into the conversation. . perspective at this time to also i enter into the conversation. let's have _ enter into the conversation. let's have a _ enter into the conversation. let's have a healthy— enter into the conversation. let's have a healthy debate. _ enter into the conversation. let'sl have a healthy debate. something that is— have a healthy debate. something that is better— have a healthy debate. something that is better for— have a healthy debate. something

that is better for each _ have a healthy debate. something that is better for each and - have a healthy debate. something that is better for each and every. that is better for each and every one of— that is better for each and every one of us— that is better for each and every one of us when _ that is better for each and every one of us when we _ that is better for each and every one of us when we all— that is better for each and every one of us when we all have - that is better for each and every one of us when we all have a . that is better for each and every- one of us when we all have a valued place _ one of us when we all have a valued place in _ one of us when we all have a valued place in our— one of us when we all have a valued place in our society. _ one of us when we all have a valued place in our society. i— one of us when we all have a valued place in our society. i really- place in our society. i really encourage _ place in our society. i really encourage that _ place in our society. i really. encourage that conversation. place in our society. i really- encourage that conversation. they must _ encourage that conversation. they must create — encourage that conversation. they must create the _ encourage that conversation. they must create the conditions - encourage that conversation. they must create the conditions for - encourage that conversation. they must create the conditions for a i must create the conditions for a change — must create the conditions for a change in — must create the conditions for a change in the _ must create the conditions for a change in the constitution. - must create the conditions for a | change in the constitution. what must create the conditions for a change in the constitution. what is our change in the constitution. what is your message _ change in the constitution. what is your message to — change in the constitution. what is your message to unionists - change in the constitution. what is your message to unionists who - change in the constitution. what is i your message to unionists who right now? _ your message to unionists who right now. . . ? ~ ., your message to unionists who right now...?~ ., . your message to unionists who right now...? ~ ., ., ., ., your message to unionists who right now...? .,., ., ., ._ now. . . ? who are hearing from marylin mcdonald from — now. . . ? who are hearing from marylin mcdonald from sinn _ now. . . ? who are hearing from marylin mcdonald from sinn fein _ now. . . ? who are hearing from marylin mcdonald from sinn fein and - now. . . ? who are hearing from marylin mcdonald from sinn fein and michelle| mcdonald from sinn fein and michelle o'neill. mcdonald from sinn fein and michelle 0'neill. michelle 0'neill sinn fein's northern ireland leader. both reiterating their call on the dup, the democratic unionist party, the second biggest after sinn fein won the most seats in the northern ireland assembly. both calling on the dup to participate in the stormont executive. the dup of course have said that that participation is dependent on reform

of the northern ireland protocol that governs post—brexit trade. we will be back with my colleague annita mcveigh at the top of the hourfor more analysis annita mcveigh at the top of the hour for more analysis there from northern ireland. in the meantime, the president of sri la nka lanka has declared a new state of emergency. this is the second one in just five weeks. there are calls for his government to resign as much of the country is on strike — and there are food and fuel shortages. 0ur correspondent, rajini vaidyanathan, is in the capital, colombo. well, a state of emergency is now in place here in sri lanka, although things seem relatively normal so far, but a state of emergency does give the government sweeping powers. they can arrest people for long periods of time without a warrant, they can also break up protests, and it could mean that we see more military on the streets in sri lankan cities. i'm here at galle face green in colombo, and as you can see,

protesters are gathering here. many have set up camp here. they say they are not going to leave here until president gotabaya rajapa ksa leaves office. he's showing no signs of quitting, but people here blame him for this economic crisis. today, people are asking why he has brought in this state of emergency. they say, as you can see, that protests are peaceful and they believe that the government has brought this state of emergency in as a way of stifling free speech. as i say, the government says they've done this to restore public order. yesterday evening, at parliament, i was down at protests that were peaceful. after i left, police fired tear gas into the crowds and things got more tense. now, while the protests continue, millions of sri lankans continue also to suffer as this economic crisis bites. people spending hours every day in queues to get food and fuel and they're contending with daily power cuts and blackouts.

the genie value now than in colombo. emmanuel macron has been formally inaugurated as president of france for his second term. the event at the elysee palace comes two weeks after he defeated his rival marine le pen. the ceremony has been scaled back and there won't be a military parade down the champs elysees. now it's time for a look at the weather with ben rich. hello there. in terms of saturday, sunshine — some places have been doing a lot better than others. this was the scene for a weather watcher earlier on in herefordshire. beautiful blue skies overhead. contrast that with the scene for this weather watcher in perth and kinross with a lot of cloud in the sky. in fact, some of this cloud across parts of scotland has been producing some showery rain. we've also had some low cloud lapping onto some of these north sea coasts. the best of the sunshine has been found out towards the west, and as we go towards the end

of the day, we will see some further showers across parts of scotland. maybe the odd one for parts of northern england into east anglia, the southeast. there will be some decent spells of sunshine. it will stay a bit murky for some eastern coasts and also for some coasts of south west england and west wales. temperatures around 7:00, between nine and 17 degrees for most of us. and then through this evening and tonight, we are likely to see more cloud filtering in from the east across parts of england and wales. could be some low cloud in places, some areas of cloud too. for northern ireland and western scotland, the odd splash of rain here. for most, it's a dry night, rather chilly for some eastern parts. so into tomorrow, high pressure tries to hold firm. these frontal systems drifting to the northwest of the uk will bring more cloud and some bits and pieces of rain, but not an awful lot. we will see some of that cloud just grazing into the northwest corner of northern ireland, some rain skipping across the far north west of scotland. but elsewhere, some decent spells of sunshine. could well be a little bit murky again for some coasts. some patchy cloud bubbling up with the odd shower

through parts of wales, northern england and southern scotland into the afternoon. widely, though, it will be quite warm, highs of 18 to 20 degrees, a little cooler for some north sea coasts. now, as we move out of sunday and into monday, our area of high pressure starts to retreat and we see some slightly more active frontal systems pushing in from the northwest. so that means cloud and rain for parts of northern ireland and scotland, could be some quite heavy bursts of rain, actually. the breeze will be strengthening. it'll turn quite blustery in some northwestern parts. the best of the dry and sunny weather across england and wales, particularly towards the south east corner, where we could see highs of 22 degrees, but it will be a little cooler than that further north and west. and as we head deeper into the week, those cooler conditions will spread a little further southwards, with some outbreaks of rain. but i think many southern parts will stay predominantly dry.

this is bbc news. iam i am rebecca jones. the headlines at 4: sinn fein has hailed a new era in northern ireland as the party is on course to become the largest one at stormont. on monday, we must all turn up together. that's the reason why on monday there is an urgency to restore an executive, to start put money back in people's pockets, to start to fix the health service. the people can't wait. the democratic unionist party leaderjeffrey donaldson says his party will wait to hear from the pm on whether to enter a power—sharing government. sovereign government here who can make the decisions that will unlock the door to stormont is the uk government. that is absolutely clear.

i'm annita mcveigh in belfast, at one