this is bbc news with the latest headlines. governments urge political parties in northern ireland to re—establish a devolved administration, after sinn fein became the largest party in the assembly. that's a first for a nationalist party. the issue of the post—brexit protocol, though, could complicate the way forward. if the eu do not show flexibility, we have always said we will take the action as the uk government to ensure that northern ireland's place in part of the internal market and protecting the good friday agreement is absolutely there. if the eu do not show flexibility, we have always said we will take the action as the uk government to ensure that northern ireland's place in part of the internal market and protecting the good friday agreement is absolutely there. iamat i am at stormont, home of the northern ireland assembly where the focus is on the question of what it's going to take to get politicians back here in a power—sharing government. deputy prime minister, dominic raab accuses sir keir starmer of hypocrisy,

as the opposition leader faces further questions about potential lockdown breaches. more than 60 people are thought to have been killed after a russian bomb hit a school in eastern ukraine. residents had been sheltering in the building's basement a former security chief known for his loyalty to beijing is confirmed as hong kong's new chief executive. stars are gathering on the red carpet for the bafta television awards in london. the channel 4 drama it's a sin leads the nominations. and actor ncuti gatwa is the new doctor who. best known for netflix series sex education, he'll take over from jodie whittaker as the time lord next year. it feels really amazing. it's a true honour, this role is an institution. it's so iconic and it means a lot to so many people, including myself.

the northern ireland secretary brandon lewis has said the uk government will work to fix issues with the northern ireland protocol in the wake of the outcome of the elections for the stormont executive this week. sinn fein became the largest party in the executive for the first time with the democratic unionist party's vote splintering over concerns about the protocol which has seen a trade border effectively erected in the irish sea between britain and northern ireland. my colleague annita mcveigh is at stormont, annita. thank you very much. stormont, home of the northern ireland assembly, when it is working properly. politicians i spoke to over the last couple of days to me we will be back at work on monday. that doesn't mean they will be back in the parish sharing executive but certainly for mlas, whether they have been elected to this assembly before or whether

they are new, it will be a sort of induction day, but behind—the—scenes, the northern ireland secretary brandon lewis will be talking to all the political leaders to try to create the conditions in which there can be a proper return to a full working government here. we are told that next thursday is the date that is being set for the election of a speaker to the assembly, if that happens and that's a big if, then it would move to the nomination of the first and deputy first minister roles. sinn fein is the largest party to emerge out of these elections, it has elected to nominate michelle o'neill as first minister. the dup is entitled as the second—largest party to nominate deputy first minister but as you have been hearing, the dup has said it will not take part in that nomination process until it issues

with the northern ireland protocol and post—brexit trading arrangements are dealt with, so it's highly unlikely that scenario that process is going to happen here. of course thatis is going to happen here. of course that is very much the focus for brandon lewis as he begins these talks tomorrow with the parties. here is what he had to say a little earlier. it's notjust aboutjeffrey donaldson and the dup, if the eu do not show flexibility, we have always said we will take the action as the uk government to ensure that northern ireland's place in part of the internal market and protecting the good friday agreement is absolutely there. if the eu do not show flexibility, we have always said we will take the action as the uk government to ensure that northern ireland's place in part of the internal market and protecting the good friday agreement is absolutely there. dominic raab has also been asked about the election result and the possibility of ironing out the issues with the northern ireland protocol, something the government

in westminster will be focusing on no doubt in the days ahead. we've had some constructive engagement from the eu, but not enough to solve the problem, and we have been very clear that we can't let matters lie there, we can't let matters rest there, so we will be taking further forward action. ultimately, nothing is off the table, but we need to fix the northern ireland protocol. and i'm joined now by columnist and author andree murphy. good to have you with us. we spoke yesterday didn't we? in the wake of the news that sinn fein indeed had emerged as the largest party in northern ireland which was a historic day in politics here, a big moment in politics here and now that you have had a chance to reflect on that and on the task that lies ahead to try to restore power—sharing, what are your thoughts today? to try to restore power-sharing, what are your thoughts today? you're absolutely right. _ what are your thoughts today? you're absolutely right, you _ what are your thoughts today? you're absolutely right, you saw _ what are your thoughts today? you're absolutely right, you saw the - absolutely right, you saw the union's tectonic plates shifting with sinn fein coming in with such a sizeable majority in terms of first

preference votes. you saw the dup coming behind them but also really third in terms of the population voting for parties that want to see the implementation of the good friday agreement, want to see power—sharing up and running, really have put aside the issue of the protocol, are happy enoughjust have put aside the issue of the protocol, are happy enough just to try and work that out while the power—sharing government are up. big challenges for the dup now and people seem rather than focusing on the positives of what we have actually elected, focusing on the dup's actually elected, focusing on the dup�*s continuing inability to meet the challenges of power—sharing of changing demographic and constitutional status and all of that. westminster has a decision to make, are they going to allow the dup to do what they are doing with creating fracture within government or they going to stand up for the good friday agreement as a co—guarantor? are they going to stand up for their own brexit agreement and say they are going to

iron out these difficulties. no one is saying it's perfect but everyone is saying it's perfect but everyone is committed to sorting out. let's get power—sharing up and running. as long as westminster keep putting outcomes to the dup, the dup keep hiding behind that rather than stating very clearly, will be dominate dfm that will work alongside michelle o'neill because they have not said they were well up until now. the they have not said they were well up until now. , ,., , they have not said they were well up until now. , _ ., until now. the dup say that the protocol undermines _ until now. the dup say that the protocol undermines the - until now. the dup say that the i protocol undermines the position until now. the dup say that the - protocol undermines the position of northern ireland within the uk. they argue the good friday agreement is meant to protect the views of the main traditions here. what do you say to that point? they are saying the good friday agreement is supposed to protect them. find the good friday agreement is supposed to protect them. and it certainly does, _ supposed to protect them. and it certainly does, the _ supposed to protect them. and itj certainly does, the arrangements supposed to protect them. fifir. it certainly does, the arrangements for power—sharing haven't changed. the position of the north within the union hasn't changed and the dup's position is very secure. i think

that for them, however, what they have done is painted themselves into a hard brexit corner, and anti—political corner, rather than try to professionally work through theissues try to professionally work through the issues that face the entire population. the reality is two thirds of them have said go back into power—sharing, make it work and it's been so interesting to watch how sinn fein has shifted from a position where they said stormont isn't working and they resisted going back into power—sharing to then saying let's get power—sharing working, we want all the parties to working, we want all the parties to work together, and the dup have not contacted zeitgeist at all and have stayed in this very negative place. if they decided they did want to share power, it would be very easy for them to be able to persuade those with british identity that their place is secure and that they have nothing to fear.—

have nothing to fear. certainly unionist politicians _ have nothing to fear. certainly unionist politicians i _ have nothing to fear. certainly unionist politicians i have - have nothing to fear. certainly i unionist politicians i have spoken to have said that those bread and butter issues are important to their voters as well. i just wonder, butter issues are important to their voters as well. ijust wonder, i want to get some reaction from you to what simon coveney the irish foreign minister has been saying today. he has said that this vote doesn't mean that a referendum on irish unity, the question of irish unity, is any closer. do you think that will be reassuring to unionists? i that will be reassuring to unionists?— that will be reassuring to unionists? . , ~ ., unionists? i actually think that the loner the unionists? i actually think that the longer they stay — unionists? i actually think that the longer they stay out _ unionists? i actually think that the longer they stay out of _ unionists? i actually think that the longer they stay out of the - longer they stay out of the power—sharing arrangement, the less secure the constitutional position becomes. if people are seeing that the local government doesn't work and that the power—sharing government, there is an inability to make it work, then they look elsewhere. they don't look to westminster, only yesterday nigel dodds and gordon lyons from the dup were saying westminster doesn't care about us and there's plenty of evidence to say that that's the case, so what will people do? they

will look to a constitutional change and the only constitutional change will be in an all ireland form. so i think that if ever sharing works, it works for the union, far more than it works against it. figs works for the union, far more than it works against it.— it works against it. as a final thought. _ it works against it. as a final thought. are _ it works against it. as a final thought, are there _ it works against it. as a final thought, are there any - it works against it. as a final thought, are there any in - it works against it. as a final. thought, are there any in native solutions —— innovative solutions in solving concerns does not create an issue for sinn fein and the nationalist community? mil issue for sinn fein and the nationalist community? all of the different negotiations _ nationalist community? all of the different negotiations that - nationalist community? all of the different negotiations that seem l nationalist community? all of the l different negotiations that seem to have been had, the issues that have been raised seem to be very administrative, whether there can be kind of very clear way that goods can be moved around from between the two irelands, and it alljust seems to be answer after answer to that and the blockages keep being put up ljy and the blockages keep being put up by the dup almost like a fig leaf to

stop them getting back into government, to have this hard—line position because they think that will serve them well. in fact, it's working in the opposite way. if you want it to work, they certainly can get it to work. i think europe is going to be... get it to work. i think europe is going to bem— get it to work. i think europe is going to be... they say they have been let down _ going to be... they say they have been let down by _ going to be... they say they have been let down by westminster, i going to be... they say they have i been let down by westminster, they say they have been let down by westminster? and the eu. find say they have been let down by westminster? and the eu. and it is westminster— westminster? and the eu. and it is westminster that's _ westminster? and the eu. and it is westminster that's negotiating - westminster? and the eu. and it is westminster that's negotiating with the eu and they have been here on numerous occasions and engaged in issues, business and trade and yet somehow we still come back to the same place that this is not about the protocol as much as it's about making power—sharing work. and i think the dup and even being able to answer the question as to whether they would nominate a dfm in

unionism and work with sinn fein, the first minister position, is very telling about what this issue actually is. telling about what this issue actually is-— telling about what this issue actuall is. . , . telling about what this issue actuall is. ., , . ., actually is. thank you very much for “oininu us actually is. thank you very much for joining us today- — actually is. thank you very much for joining us today. it _ actually is. thank you very much for joining us today. it is _ actually is. thank you very much for joining us today. it is safe _ actually is. thank you very much for joining us today. it is safe to - actually is. thank you very much for joining us today. it is safe to say - joining us today. it is safe to say that this is a pivotal moment for the future of power—sharing here, the future of power—sharing here, the future of this executive, which was set up under the good friday agreement to respect and protect all traditions here in northern ireland and we now have notjust a very binary position as we have had for many decades in northern ireland politics, we now have this significant rise of centre ground politicians who do not identify as unionist or nationalist in the form of the alliance party, which more than doubled its number of seats in this election compared to last time round. sinn fein has emerged for the first time as the biggest party in northern ireland, we were talking about simon coveney, the irish foreign minister and what he has had

to say as a result of this election. he says the outcome with sinn fein as the biggest party does not bring the prospect of irish unity any closer and that may be reassuring to some unionists going into crucial discussions over the coming weeks. and although most people that i have spoken to and that's what i have been hearing across—the—board, been hearing across—the—boa rd, irrespective been hearing across—the—board, irrespective of their political tradition, have been concerned primarily about bread and butter issues in this election, the cost of living crisis, making decisions on health care education, infrastructure and so on. that thoroughly issue of the protocol is definitely going to come to the four in the days and weeks ahead. the deputy prime minister dominic raab has accused sir keir starmer of "rank double standards" in calling for borisjohnson to resign over partygate now that the labour leader is facing a fresh police investigation into the beer and curry he had with colleagues while campaigning last year. labour's shadow levelling up

secretary, lisa nandy, described the allegations as "absurd and desperate" and said she remains confident that sir keir won't be fined. here's our political correspondent damian grammaticus. he has always styled himself as a man of probity, mr rules, he was styled today. mr starmer would like the focus to be in the election results, yesterday celebrating advances in scotland. this was sir keir in april last year, on the campaign trail. covid rules said you could gather indoors, if it was reasonably necessary for work, but not to socialise outside your household or bubble. so was he breaking the law? durham police investigated and said no. they are reconsidering. a labour party schedule for the visit, leaked to the mail on sunday, shows the dinner was planned,

that does not mean it broke regulations but mr starmer is now in the spotlight. this makes it more awkward, a tweet he sent when it emerged borisjohnson was under investigation, saying... when we called for borisjohnson to resign, he was under investigation for 12 gatherings that he said simply never happened. that he denied that he was at, that we now know included karaoke, bring your own bottle garden parties, that was clearly not allowed under the rules, they made the rules, they broke the rules, they lied about it and they laughed about it. keir starmer has done not a single one of those things. borisjohnson after months under pressure may now be enjoying the labour discomfort. the fact mrjohnson has already been found to have broken the law and remains under investigation means tory attacks are muted. the prime minister refused to resign when he was fined for breaking lockdown rules, so keir starmer does not have to resign, even if he is fined, does he?

look, i don't... keir starmer clearly has . a bunch of questions to ask in terms of how straight he has been with the public. in his answers and frankly rank double standards, that is for him. the liberal democrats who would love to be talking about their electoral gains, feel on firmer moral ground here. if he is found to have broken the law, does he have to resign? as i made really clear, no politician is above the law. that is a yes? if any politician, be it is keir starmer or borisjohnson, if they get a fixed penalty notice, after a police investigation it is extremely difficult for them to continue. this could get even more difficult for sir keir and that will not change until durham police complete their investigation into his behaviour. damian grammaticus, bbc news. the headlines on bbc news... parties in northern ireland are urged to re—establish a devolved administration, as sinn fein becomes the largest party in the assembly for the first time.

but the post—brexit protocol could hinder the way forward. more questions for the uk opposition leader sir keir starmer over whether he broke lockdown rules. a leaked memo suggests a meal he attended was planned, despite covid restrictions. more than 60 people are thought to have been killed after a russian bomb hit a school in eastern ukraine. residents had been sheltering in the building's basement sport and a full round up, from the bbc sport centre. good afternoon. chelsea are the women's super league champions. they won a third title in a row, in a topsy—turvy final day. at half time, they were being beaten 2—1 by manchester united and the title was heading to north london. but, as has been so often the case this season, sam kerr rescued the blues scoring twice including this beauty. it's the first time in the wsl history that a club has won the title three times in a row and they can make it a double

if they beat man city at next sunday's fa cup final. it sunday's fa cup final. feels amazing. this season i been it feels amazing. this season has been really difficult. it has been up been really difficult. it has been up and down, we have lost lots of players through injury and pregnancy, we have kept fighting, kept grinding, so to finish it off like we did today it makes it more special. arsenal kept up their end of the bargain by beating west ham 2—0, but in the end, it proved futile, with an understandably subdued reaction at the final whistle. another important day in the premier league. we're into the second half at the emirates, where arsenal are 2—0 up against leeds united, who are down to 10 men, defender luke ayling sent off. that means they drop to the relegation zone, as everton are 2—1 up at leicester city, that takes frank lampard's side up to 16th. west ham seem to have bounced back from their mid—week dissapointment in the europa league, they're 3—0 up at norwich, who are already relegated.

in the next hour or so, manchester city face newcastle united. city too hoping to bounce back form their champions league semifinal defeat to real madrid. as they look to overtake liverpool at the top of the table. and in scotland, rangers are hoping a win at dundee later will keep their title hopes alive. the defending scottish champions must win to stay in the race. celtic are nine points clear at the top after beating hearts 4—1 yesterday. and there's 15 minutes gone in that one, 0—0 at the moment. in rugby union, more european action today. sale sharks are in france to face racing 92 in the heineken champions cup quarterfinal. racing lead 6—0 there. the winners will face la rochelle in the last four. earlier, london irish were knocked out of the european challenge cup by toulon in the quarterfinals, they lost 19—18. that's despite henry arundell�*s incredible length—of—the—pitch try.

there was a shock in boxing as one of the best pound—for—pound boxers, saul canelo alvarez, suffered a surprise loss to russia's dmitry bivol in las vegas. despite bivol being the bigger man and light heavyweight world champion, canelo was the favourite heading into the bout, having only lost once in his career before. but it was the russian who came out on top, winning the fight by unanimous decision. canelo — who had stepped up in weight for this fight — said he'll look to have a rematch. a big day ahead in miami, where charles leclerc will have the honour of starting in pole position for the city's inuagural formula one grand prix. the championship leader bounced back from a disappointing result last time out to claim his third pole this year, ahead of ferrari teammate carlos sainz. world champion max verstappen had to settle for third after this mistake. lewis hamilton will

start from sixth. i am very happy from turn 4 onwards. from turn 1—3 it was not a great lap. it is ok. overall i am very happy, i am starting on pole position. that's all the sport for now. you're watching bbc news. it's 3.21pm. more than 60 people are feared dead after a russian air strike hit a school in the donbas region of eastern ukraine. the authorities said about 30 people who were sheltering in the basement were rescued, but many others are thought to have died. james waterhouse reports. this was a school in a village called bilohorivka. the regional governor reckons 90 people were sheltering inside when it was hit in an airstrike. 60 are thought to be lying dead under this rubble.

this eastern luhansk region is now in the centre of the war in ukraine. having failed in taking the capital, neighbouring towns like borodyanka have been turned into lifeless remnants of what once was. it's also the stage for the president's latest address. translation: no evil can avoid responsibility. - it won't be able to hide in the bunker as there'll be no stone left of it. we will overcome everything. we know this for sure, because our people are descendants of those who overcame the nazis. and we will win again. there will be peace. the strength of ukraine's resistance is one of the main reasons this conflict has shifted. in the mikolaiv region in the south, ukrainian soldiers launched grad missiles towards their invaders. "there is pleasure, of course,

in your work", says jamila. "we're usually not told what target, simply whether we hit "the target or not." nowhere has been harder hit than mariupol. worries are growing for the surrounded 2,000 ukrainian fighters in the azovstal steel plant. right now, authorities in kyiv are nervous. tomorrow, russia stages its victory day. in the past, a celebration of their triumph in the second world war. for vladimir putin, it's an opportunity to try and justify what he is doing to ukraine. the concern is that could mean an escalation. the west thinks putin will double down to achieve his goals, goals which still aren't clear. having failed in taking the capital, neighbouring towns like borodyanka have been turned into lifeless remnants of what once was.

we have seen some of the biggest stars on british television coming down this red carpet over the last couple of hours, ranging, celebrating all kinds of different television from the 2021. but there has been another bit of big news today for people who are fans of television. we got the unexpected review of the future doctor and that person is sex education ncuti gatwa who is also up for a bafta, education ncuti gatwa who is also up fora bafta, upfor education ncuti gatwa who is also up for a bafta, up for best male comedy performance. being a big dr who fan myself i grabbed him and spoke to him about playing this role that is beloved by so many people. joyous, it feels really exciting being part of a programme that pushes a narrative. it makes people feel seen, but also really funny. it feels nice to be back and nice that people receive it, so it feels good.

russell, it's a sin up for many awards, three of the performance awards are up against each other. did you expect the programme to have this impact? hundreds of thousands of pounds raised for hiv aids charities, something that has changed peoples social thinking? thrilled and surprised, it's nice to see the cast recognised. made on the channel the government is going to sell off. if you like programmes like this, go and vote differently. we saw the news earlier on. how long have you been sitting on this nugget and are you excited, nervous? tell us what is going through your head. feeling all of the above, i have known since about february, so it has been tricky trying to keep this under wraps, because i have got a very big mouth, but yes, we did it. it feels amazing, it feels really amazing and it is a true honour. this role is an institution

and it is so iconic and means a lot to so many people,icluding myself. it makes people feel seen. everyone can enjoy it so i feel very grateful to have had the baton handed over and i will do my best. have you always been a big drwho fan? anyone you want to model yourself on or do your own thing as well? i am definitely going to do my own thing, definitely, they are all amazing, you cannot pick. i don't know who isn't a fan of dr who. i really don't know. so very excited to join the family. russell, what was it about ncuti that made you think he is the person for the part? talent, it was the most blazing audition, it was our very last one, we thought we had someone and he came and stole it. genuinely, i watched sex education, loved his work, didn't quite know what we'd get. meeting you since,

it's going to be a joy, i am properly thrilled. it's going to be a blazing future. jodie still has one big special to go, i know you do not want to say much about the future, but where you are you on planning your new empire and what made you come back after all the things you said? it in the past, like going back to an old job or old partner? it is a show that constantly renews itself. look at ncuti. it is always a chance to work with new talent, like the it's a sin cast, that's what drives me everyday. dr who always has something new to say and we are not giving away anything yet. jodie is still the doctor, we love her, i spoke to her yesterday, she is so happy about this, but it's all going to happen in 2023. what are you most excited about with all of this? to battle aliens for a really long time! i can't wait to do that. thejob is going to be and is already really creatively fulfilling, i'm just excited to take on the role. much pressure? yes, but i feel like i can handle it. pressure is good.

russell t davies who we just heard from, his past series it's a sign is the one leading the way at the nominations, six nominations tonight, it's a sin. five nominations for its stars. lots of other programmes are nominated. double nominations for sex education, ncuti gatwa whojust heard from there and his co—stars. there is landscapers, a sky comedy drama about a murder investigation starring olivia colman and david hewlett has been nominated for that and two nominations for a channel 4 sitcom but also nominations for one person in particular and that is the actor stephen graham. he is up for best actorfor help, actor stephen graham. he is up for best actor for help, about the care home crisis during the covid crisis

and also time, where he plays opposite sean bean and a few month ago, i spoke to him about being nominated for both those powerful pieces of drama. iamjoined by i am joined by stephen graham, double nominee today for time and help, two very important and different dramas. is that something you seek to do? things that really challenge you that you may not have attempted before? yes. challenge you that you may not have attempted before?— attempted before? yes, i think so. personally i — attempted before? yes, i think so. personally i try _ attempted before? yes, i think so. personally i try to _ attempted before? yes, i think so. personally i try to do _ attempted before? yes, i think so. personally i try to do work- attempted before? yes, i think so. personally i try to do work which i personally i try to do work which has a social commentary, so to be involved in two fantastic productions like that which have both been honoured this year, it's an absolute joy, both been honoured this year, it's an absolutejoy, it's both been honoured this year, it's an absolute joy, it's an honour to be part of. an absolute 'oy, it's an honour to be part of.— be part of. starting with help, it highlighted _ be part of. starting with help, it highlighted what _ be part of. starting with help, it highlighted what was _ be part of. starting with help, it highlighted what was the - be part of. starting with help, it highlighted what was the truth l be part of. starting with help, it i highlighted what was the truth for so many people, their experiences of what happened in care homes. was that very powerful, emotional for you to be involved in? it that very powerful, emotional for you to be involved in?— you to be involved in? it really was, for you to be involved in? it really was. for me — you to be involved in? it really was, for me and _ you to be involved in? it really was, for me and jodie. - you to be involved in? it really was, for me and jodie. we - you to be involved in? it reallyl was, for me and jodie. we both

you to be involved in? it really - was, for me and jodie. we both did a lot of research and work, she spends a lot i was with a lovely woman with the special dementia unit, which... it was hard work, but it was harrowing, but it was so beautifully written by jack and harrowing, but it was so beautifully written byjack and ever director harrowing, but it was so beautifully written by jack and ever director is phenomenal, so it was a real honour and a joy to be part of. the atmosphere on set, you felt like you were part of something quite special, do you know what i mean? time a very powerful and emotional in a different way.— in a different way. yeah, it is jimmy mcgovern, _ in a different way. yeah, it is jimmy mcgovern, and - in a different way. yeah, it is jimmy mcgovern, and he - in a different way. yeah, it is i jimmy mcgovern, and he asked in a different way. yeah, it is - jimmy mcgovern, and he asked me if i'd be interested in doing time straightaway and i said of course. when i found out lewis arnold was directing it was a no—brainer, and it was a beautiful role to be able to play. i thought it was such a powerful piece. and again, ifeel

very blessed and very honoured to be in that position to