this is bbc news. welcome if you're watching here in the uk or around the globe. i'm frankie mccamley. our top stories. millions of nigerians have been voting in their country's most competitive election since military rule ended there more than two decades ago. china's plans for peace in ukraine cause ripples around the world — president zelensky says he wants to hear more. and the leader of russia's key ally belarus announces plans to fly to beijing. downing street says talks with the eu over a brexit deal covering northern ireland have been positive, raising hopes of an imminent new agreement on trade.

millions of nigerians are voting in the country's most competitive election since military rule ended there more than two decades ago. the race is between two major established parties, and a third candidate, peter obi, who has galvanised the support of young people. officially, voting is over in nigeria's most competitive elections since the end of military rule. but there are still long queues, with reports that some polling stations didn't open on time. this is africa's most populous country — and a record number of people — nearly 90 million — have been eligible to vote. joining me now from the nigerian capital abooja, is the bbc�*s peter awkotchay. we have been hearing from nigeria that things haven't got to a very good start, how are things looking

where you are?— good start, how are things looking where you are? indeed, you are very riaht, where you are? indeed, you are very right. voting — where you are? indeed, you are very right. voting got _ where you are? indeed, you are very right, voting got off— where you are? indeed, you are very right, voting got off to _ where you are? indeed, you are very right, voting got off to quite - where you are? indeed, you are very right, voting got off to quite a - right, voting got off to quite a chaotic start here. i did go around this morning to some of the polling stations and they hadn't received any of the materials for the voting. no officials had arrived there. there were voters milling around and they were waiting for them to come. in some polling units, they arrived an hour and a half later. in another one here in the central of abuja, some of these people have been here for at least eight hours waiting to just get their names checked first before they can even vote. if you just walk down here a bit and talk to me, how long have you been here? i have been here for six hours, since _ i have been here for six hours, since nine _ i have been here for six hours, since nine o'clock in the morning. how— since nine o'clock in the morning. how far— since nine o'clock in the morning. how far have you gotten in that time? ., , ., , , ., time? not very far, there is still a ve lona time? not very far, there is still a very long queue — time? not very far, there is still a very long queue with _ time? not very far, there is still a very long queue with hundreds . time? not very far, there is still a very long queue with hundreds of| very long queue with hundreds of

people _ very long queue with hundreds of pecule it — very long queue with hundreds of people. it is over 300, so it is very— people. it is over 300, so it is very chaotic, six hours plus now and we have _ very chaotic, six hours plus now and we have been— very chaotic, six hours plus now and we have been standing for hours. are ou we have been standing for hours. you going to we have been standing for hours. fife: you going to wait and we have been standing for hours. 9.9 you going to wait and see the whole process through?— process through? yes, this is my first time voting _ process through? yes, this is my first time voting so _ process through? yes, this is my first time voting so i _ process through? yes, this is my first time voting so i want - process through? yes, this is my first time voting so i want to - process through? yes, this is my first time voting so i want to see | first time voting so i want to see it through. — first time voting so i want to see it through, the whole process. gk, it through, the whole process. 0k, thank ou it through, the whole process. 0k, thank you very _ it through, the whole process. oil, thank you very much. it through, the whole process. oi, thank you very much. a voter who it through, the whole process. i>i, thank you very much. a voter who has been waiting for six hours. i can see the sweat beads on my forehead, it is terribly hot. i checked on the temperature before i came on air and it is 43 degrees in the sun. these people are very patient, butjust how patient�*s last, it remains to be seen. how patient's last, it remains to be seen. ~ , :, how patient's last, it remains to be seen. . , . ., how patient's last, it remains to be seen. . , :, :, :, , how patient's last, it remains to be seen. l , :, :, :, , , seen. why are the main reasons they want to come — seen. why are the main reasons they want to come to _ seen. why are the main reasons they want to come to the _ seen. why are the main reasons they want to come to the polls _ seen. why are the main reasons they want to come to the polls and - seen. why are the main reasons they want to come to the polls and elect l want to come to the polls and elect a new leader? it

want to come to the polls and elect a new leader?— a new leader? it is people not knowin: a new leader? it is people not knowing exactly _ a new leader? it is people not knowing exactly where - a new leader? it is people not knowing exactly where their i a new leader? it is people not - knowing exactly where their polling units are because some of them were changed very last minute. some, it is this new voting machine which is meant to verify people's identities. they don't seem to be working in all the places that we have been to. the electoral commission has assured us that anybody who is in the line and actually, voting is supposed to have closed 30 minutes ago, but we have been assured that anybody who is in the line right now will be allowed to vote at some point today. {lii to vote at some point today. 0k, peter, it sounds _ to vote at some point today. 0k, peter, it sounds like _ to vote at some point today. 0k, peter, it sounds like it _ to vote at some point today. 0k, peter, it sounds like it will be a long afternoon and possibly evening for you. we'll catch up later on. ukraine's president zelensky has said he plans to meet china's leader, xijinping, to discuss beijing's proposals on ending the war in ukraine. he made the comments in a question and answer session in kyiv, to mark the first anniversary

of the russian invasion. translation: first of all, i am planning to meet - with xijinping and i think it will be beneficial for our countries and for the world's security. together with china we have large trade. this is not only about war. we are our countries interested in keeping our economic relationships. at a meeting of the united nations security council to discuss the situation in ukraine, china's spokesperson stressed that his country was ready to help find what he described as a political settlement. translation: the road - to peace will not be smooth. but no matter how complicated the situation is, we must not give up our efforts for peace. in terms of the ukraine crisis, china always stands firmly on the side of peace and dialogue. anti—war protests are taking place

in cities across europe. our berlin correspondent, jenny hill is following a protest the protest in berlin. i havejust read your twitter, and the demographic of people getting together today is striking? yes. together today is striking? yes, most of the _ together today is striking? yes, most of the people _ together today is striking? 193, most of the people gathered here together today is striking? 192, most of the people gathered here i would say are middle—aged and older. i will come to that in a moment, if i will come to that in a moment, if i may. they have come in their thousands to the heart of the city centre through some nasty weather conditions. they are here because they want to demand the end of the delivery of weapons to ukraine. they want an immediate start to peace negotiations. that is not the current strategy of the german government, of course. all of this has been organised by a couple of women, one of whom is on the stage behind me now addressing the crowd.

they started an online position with those demands and it gathered well over 600,000 signatures so far. what is interesting about all of this, despite the numbers and the sound is behind me, this does not represent the majority of what the majority of germans think. polls suggest that most germans are by and large behind the german government's strategy which is to send weapons to ukraine to support it militarily, albeit after a great deal of hesitation and soul—searching. it is notjust germany where this debate is going on, many countries are experiencing that. it is a concern for the leaders of a lot of countries who are allied to ukraine right now, including the german chancellor, but also the us presidentjoe biden, who, early in the week gave a rousing speech in poland, which was designed to infuse all of ukraine's allies but very much tilted of his own voters back home because he is

also concerned he may lose the support for the ongoing strategy in ukraine. germany is a very particular country when it comes to foreign policy of this kind. for so long, this country has considered itself to have special responsibility following the atrocities committed in its name during world war ii. its foreign policy has been for decades, one focus very much around pacifism, looking for negotiation, trading links rather than any active involvement in military conflict. a year ago it would have been unthinkable for this country to send weapons into an active war zone. that is now what it is doing. i mentioned the demographic of the people here, they are by and large middle aged and older. these are people, who for decades have been used to that pacifist outlook. in the space of a year, all of that has been turned on its head and germany is now a country really profoundly considering its own role on the world stage with a particular view

to its military role on the world stage. a lot of changes going on and a fair bit of unease as a result of that. big debate going on today and a lot people turning out to make their views on the current situation very clear indeed.— very clear indeed. thank you very much, very clear indeed. thank you very much. jenny _ very clear indeed. thank you very much, jenny hill. _ the uk and the european union appear to be on the brink of completing a new brexit deal for northern ireland, with the government describing negotiations as positive. under the current protocol, goods from scotland, england and wales are checked before they enter northern ireland to make sure they follow eu rules. which effectively creates a border down the irish sea. that's to make sure there's still an open border from northern ireland into the republic of ireland, which is part of the eu. the democratic unionist party have been firmly opposed to the current system, and have refused to enter a power sharing agreement at stormont until a solution is reached. our political correspondent

ione wells gave us an idea of what might be going on now behind the scenes. i think it is certainly fair to say that in essence this deal is all but done. maybe not signed on the dotted line, but basically pretty much agreed. it is now a case of these talks over the weekend about how is this presented? we have had various signs of the fact that it is very close. we know king charles, for example, was due to meet the president of the european commission in the uk today. the palace and downing street said the meeting was called up due to operational reasons but the fact she was meant to be here show she was poised to publicly present a deal of some kind. what is definitely at the forefront of government ministers' mines, when it is presented, how do you make sure different parties are happy with how it is presented, particularly the tory backbenches, but also the dup in northern ireland who are refusing to go back into government in northern ireland until issues with

the protocol are resolved. i think the protocol are resolved. i think the government acknowledges they may not be able to give everybody everything that they want. it's been snowing in hollywood. parts of los angeles are under a blizzard warning, for the first time in 30 years. forecasters say the area, which was hit by wildfires in the summer, is experiencing classic signs of climate change. david willis reports. it is beautiful. almost unimaginable for some but picturesque none of the less, this is what some of america woke up to. but it was to bring freezing rain which pushed into the state from the north, prompting the first blizzard warning in some parts of california since 1989. a massive low pressure system driven from the arctic is the culprit, according to

forecasters. arctic is the culprit, according to forecasters-_ forecasters. just a strong storm overall for— forecasters. just a strong storm overall for the _ forecasters. just a strong storm overall for the month _ forecasters. just a strong storm overall for the month of - forecasters. just a strong storm i overall for the month of february. one of our wettest months of the year. the biggest difference is, feet of snow expected in the mountain. feet of snow expected in the mountain-— feet of snow expected in the mountain. ., ., :, mountain. flood and evacuation warninus mountain. flood and evacuation warnings are — mountain. flood and evacuation warnings are in _ mountain. flood and evacuation warnings are in place _ mountain. flood and evacuation warnings are in place in - mountain. flood and evacuation warnings are in place in some . warnings are in place in some coastal areas, where officials are expecting around three inches of rain. local residents are being urged to limit all nonessential travel until the storm has blown over. and as temperatures fall well below normal, snow has even been spotted above the hollywood sign. normally by this time of year, los angeles is done with winter and you can see the hollywood sign, which i can see the hollywood sign, which i can assure you is behind me, for miles around. but today it is blanketed by a wall of fog and dense and very heavy rain that is expected to continue over the weekend. all

this follows a similar spell of cold weather which hit the midwest and the great lakes earlier in the week. from wisconsin to nebraska, to south dakota and colorado, all have been battling blizzard conditions. you're watching bbc news. more than 50,000 people are known to have died in the earthquake which struck turkey and syria earlier this month. but as international aid flows into the area, the focus now is on helping survivors. our correspondent laura bicker reports. aid that was slow to arrive is now in full flow. helicopter after helicopter of tents, food, medicine all crammed on board. no more room, signals this load master. there are more than 100 flights a day from here. international aid from the us and the uk has also ramped up.

our aircraft is stacked with tents around our feet. we head over the mountains towards one of the ten zones in a state of emergency to get an idea of the scale of this disaster. this is by far the biggest logistical operation turkey's forces have ever faced. they've got more than 100 kilometres along a fault line to cover, with tens of thousands in need and most of them need these, which need room in a helicopter. we're flying to the first drop—off, near hatay, the worst—affected region in turkey. in the city of antakya, survivors say help took more than two days to arrive. at least 20,000 people lost their lives here. further down the coast, it took more than two weeks to get basic shelter to the people

of remote kapisuyu. villagers need to stay to feed their livestock. gonul�*s daughter was killed in the earthquake. she's now too frightened to live under this roof, especially after the area was hit by another tremor on monday. translation: we live in fear. we can't sleep well at night. when the quake happened, we suddenly woke up. what can we do? we can't go outside either, it's cold. there is nothing that can be done. there have been major challenges to overcome to help people like gonul. airports are damaged and landing in remote areas has been difficult. aid is now getting to most who need it. but the long—term plan to help the tens of thousands in crisis is still unclear. laura bicker, bbc news,

in the skies over hatay. events are being held in northern ireland in solidarity with an off—duty detective who is fighting for his life in hospital after being shot multiple times. john caldwell was attacked in front of his young son after coaching under—15s at football. police have arrested a fifth man in connection with the shooting, which they are treating as a terrorist incident. julian fowler reports from omagh. the village of beragh, a few miles from omagh. around a thousand people marched to show support forjohn caldwell. the demonstration was organised by the football club where the off—duty detective was a volunteer coach. the dissident republican group the new ira, who police believe carried out the shooting, has little public support. it's great. itjust shows no part of the community wants to see this.

we are united together, and people like that just need to go away. and what were your thoughts when you heard what had happened to john caldwell? well, there was a lot of fright at the same time, you know? because obviously, that sort of stuff doesn't happen as much. so it wasjust bringing back stuff, you know? but fear, first off. and it was the youths, beragh youths, and fear about that growing up, you know? people have also gathered in the centre of omagh — a town all too familiar with the violence of the troubles, 25 years after a dissident republican car bomb killed 29 people and unborn twins a few hundred metres from here, violence which the people gathered here today hoped had been consigned to the past. john caldwell, who was with his son, had just finished a training session with an under—15 football team when he was shot several times. he remains critically ill and heavily sedated, with what had been described as "life—changing injuries".

four men were arrested in omagh and coalisland. and late last night, there was a fifth arrest — a 43—year—old man, in stewartstown. all are being held under the terrorism act. the many hundreds of people who took to the streets today want to send a message that those who use violence to oppose the peace process in northern ireland have little public support, but the events of recent days show they still pose a threat. julian fowler, bbc news, omagh. and we can speak tojulian now. what was the mood among the people on the march you spoke to? people here have been deeply affected by what happened. many of them will knowjohn coldwell personally and his family. for those who grew up during the troubles brought back memories of the time they hoped they would never see again. the shooting happened at a

youth sport complex and was witnessed by many young people, a generation who have grown up during the peace process and will not have experienced anything like this before. people have been left traumatised, they are upset but they are also angry that this town has once again made headlines for an attack by dissident republicans. we've seen today another person being arrested as part of this investigation, what the latest? john coldwell was _ investigation, what the latest? john coldwell was a _ investigation, what the latest? irvm coldwell was a high—profile detective, he has led many investigations into terrorists, into murder inquiries as well as criminal gangs, but the police have said it is the dissident republican group, the new ira, who are the focus of this investigation. a group which murdered the journalist in londonderry four years ago and they

carried out a roadside bomb attack on a police patrol in strabane about 20 miles from home last november, in which two officers escaped injury. five men who have been arrested under the terrorism act remain in police custody. but the police will also need the support of the community in order to bring those responsible tojustice. community in order to bring those responsible to justice. di. community in order to bring those responsible to justice.— responsible to 'ustice. 0k, thank ou. progress is being made in talks between the uk and the eu over a new brexit deal for northern ireland. the british prime minister has been trying to win support for changes to the so—called protocol. the current agreement creates trade barriers between the british mainland and northern ireland. let's speak to katy hayward, who's a professor of political sociology at queen's university belfast. this, these are such complex negotiations, many sticking point for the dup, what is likely to be in

this deal many feel is eminent? thea;r this deal many feel is eminent? they are hoinr this deal many feel is eminent? they are hoping to — this deal many feel is eminent? they are hoping to see _ this deal many feel is eminent? they are hoping to see a _ this deal many feel is eminent? ii9 are hoping to see a softening this deal many feel is eminent? ii91 are hoping to see a softening of this deal many feel is eminent? ii91: are hoping to see a softening of the so—called irish border, so it will be easierfor goods to so—called irish border, so it will be easier for goods to move from britain into northern ireland. this is something the dup have been asking forfor a long is something the dup have been asking for for a long time is something the dup have been asking forfor a long time now, but so have other parties and businesses in northern ireland and they are frustrated at the additional paperwork and requirements for such movement. of course, they have to balance that against the wishes of the vast majority of people to keep northern ireland having access to the eu single market. it is a tentative balance they have to strike between the uk and the eu and here. in addition, people will be looking for change for the long term relationship between the uk and the eu with respect to northern ireland, recognising this is an evolving relationship and the uk will emerge from the eu and we need structures in which people from northern ireland, perhaps our elected representatives, can have some say

about how northern ireland is placed in this new and complex situation. you have been polling a lot of people, part of your research, in regard to the protocol, what have they been saying, what have you found out about that?— found out about that? yes, my colleagues _ found out about that? yes, my colleagues here _ found out about that? yes, my colleagues here in _ found out about that? yes, my colleagues here in queen's - colleagues here in queen's university in belfast, we have been conducting regular polls. what we see is an established trend in northern ireland with slight majority of people being in favour of the protocol. but most people having concerns around the impact it has been having on political stability. recognising there are some economic opportunities potentially, but worried about the long—term effects it has had on the relationship between unionists and nationalists in northern ireland. interestingly, when we polled this time when we asked what would they prioritise as issues of concern, above all else, it is issues that concern other people across the uk

and ireland, health care and the economy. however, one in five people think the protocol is the most important issue for them and they would be supporters of the dup. we can see why the dup in particular will be important when it comes to testing this agreement between the uk and the eu and seeing if it is enough for them to go back into power sharing and enabled the executive and assembly to fix the issue such as the economy and the health service that people are most concerned about. you health service that people are most concerned about.— concerned about. you mentioned a coule of concerned about. you mentioned a couple of times, _ concerned about. you mentioned a couple of times, the _ concerned about. you mentioned a couple of times, the economy. - concerned about. you mentioned a| couple of times, the economy. this is on the backdrop of a cost of living crisis. does it feel like businesses are struggling, there is a sense of urgency here? i businesses are struggling, there is a sense of urgency here?— businesses are struggling, there is a sense of urgency here? i think the uruen a sense of urgency here? i think the urgency for— a sense of urgency here? i think the urgency for businesses _ a sense of urgency here? i think the urgency for businesses across - urgency for businesses across northern ireland really relates to the question of certainty. they have been very much concerned there is a big question over the future of the protocol because it is very much a

source of tension between the uk and the eu. there is a hope that if we have a deal between the uk and the eu and they get a better relationship, it can bring certainty, clarity about what northern ireland has macroeconomic situation will be going forward that will enable businesses to make the most of some of the opportunities they have been promised would be secured through the protocol. that is what they would like to see overall. hence, there is a lot of expectation, hopefully in the coming few days, there will be a reset of the uk eu relationship to give businesses what they have been asking for. businesses what they have been askin: for. l, 1' businesses what they have been askin: for. ., ~ , :, businesses what they have been asking for-— businesses what they have been askin: for. l, ~' , ., , . from nappies to sleepless nights, life with a newborn is full of challenges. but if your baby is one of the 20% who cry for prolonged periods, it can be especially difficult. researchers at nottingham trent university are leading a new project offering specialist support — and it has been so successful it is being rolled out across the uk. chris waring reports.

from about five weeks old, matilda cried nonstop, basically. if she was awake, she was screaming. it was draining. it was completely physically, mentally, emotionally draining for all of us. around 20% of infants cry for prolonged periods during the first four months. no one shares videos of their baby crying. when you're trying to find support, you don't see anyone going through it because no one shares it. after a visit by her health visitor, sophie was put forward to take part in a study. the surviving crying package aims to reduce parental depression and improve their ability to cope independently. you might say, why is anybody bothered about crying? and in a way it's not the crying per se but what it leads to that's the issue. so we get a lot of increase in nhs service use. get a lot of anxiety and depression

and distressed parents. the shift went very quickly away from why is she crying and how do we stop it? to how do i manage my reaction to her crying? it's a big confidence boost because you suddenly realize, well, i'm not a terrible mother. babies around the age of two months, they have a change in the way their brains work. and there is a theory at that sort of transition period that they lose the ability to stop crying. the study is now being rolled out nationally and it's hoped support will eventually be available on the nhs. without the support of this study, i would have been in a very dark place and it makes me want to make a difference. it makes me want to help the change happen. at four months old, matilda started crying less. i don't think i thought we would get here. i think i was very worried that it was going to be a very darkjourney. and it wasn't and it was life—changing. and now she's a little superstar.

now it's time for a look at the weather with tomasz. hello. well, it certainly feels chilly out there today. cloudy in places, too, but for many of us, it's a case of blue skies across western parts of the uk. but the wind is the story today, particularly on the north sea coast. and you know, the sensation of how chilly or mild it feels is notjust to do with the temperature itself or even the wind, it's also to do with how dry the air is. and the air over us is indeed very dry at the moment, all the way from the north. it's what's called low dew point air, you might remember that from your geography. a lot of cloud you can see across many northern, central and eastern areas. these are the early evening temperatures around five degrees. then you add on that breeze, that low dew point air and look at that in some areas, it feels like it's barely above freezing so a nippy saturday night on the way. the forecast then for saturday night, actually plenty of clear spells developing across the country. there will be that breeze again

on the north sea coast, so it'll prevent the frost from forming. four degrees in newcastle and hull, but out towards northern western and some central areas, certainly a touch of frost on the way early on sunday morning. so here's sunday's weather forecast — i think more sunshine across more southern parts of the uk, but around the north east of england, perhaps the borders, one or two showers and cloudier moments are possible. the average this time of the year is still eight degrees celsius. tomorrow, less of a breeze so i think it will feel closer to eight degrees. the high pressure is still very much in charge of the weather on monday. we still have the jet stream way to the north and west of us diverting all that traffic, all these weather systems towards greenland and closer to iceland, so we're in the spell of settled weather. so the forecast then, if you're wondering about monday, actually shows one or two showers maybe drifting into parts of lincolnshire, maybe the midlands. i think it will be a cloudier day across many parts of england and wales on monday. and those temperatures not changing an awful lot, we are talking around eight degrees, pretty much north or south. so that's monday. let's have a look at the outlook

then as we head into next weekend. and you can see that the weather isn't changing an awful lot, still around single figures and the weather is certainly about the same. bye— bye.

this is bbc news. i'm frankie mccamley and these are the headlines: downing street says talks with the eu over a brexit deal covering northern ireland have been "positive" — raising hopes of an imminent new agreement on trade. also in northern ireland — a fifth person has been arrested in connection with the attempted murder of the off—duty police officerjohn caldwell in omagh who remains in a critical condition in hospital. millions of nigerians have been voting in their country's most competitive election since military rule ended there more than two decades ago. china's plans for peace in ukraine cause ripples around the world — president zelensky says he wants to hear more — and the leader of russia's key ally belarus announces plans to fly to beijing.