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. voting in the south of the country, is marked by long delays violent disruptions. in a televised briefing, the head of the nigerian electoral commission has said that "no one will be disenfranchised" from voting. 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. governments in london and dublin say talks over a brexit deal covering northern ireland have been �*positive�* — raising hopes of an imminent

new agreement on trade. i think the talks on reforming the protocol are inching towards a conclusion. certainly the deal isn't done yet, but i do think we are inching towards a conclusion. a winter storm brings rain and snow to southern california, the likes of which hasn't been seen there for more than three decades. coastal areas are also under flood warning due to high winds. election officials in nigeria have insisted that �*nobody will be disenfranchised' despite delays and technical problems as millions of people vote — 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. nigeria is africa's most populous country — and a record number of people — nearly 90 million — have been eligible to vote. voting has officially ended but the millions of people who are in queues at polling stations nationwide can still cast their ballot. and in some places, especially in the south of the country, voting has not even started due to severe delays and violent disruptions. we are determined that no nigerian should and would be disenfranchised. joining me now from the nigerian capital abuja, is the bbc�*s peter okwoche. peter, just tell us, we are hearing

of the violent disruption, where hearing of major delays, what is happening where you are? it looks like there is a big long queue behind you? i like there is a big long queue behind you?— like there is a big long queue behind ou? . , ., behind you? i am in the capital, abu'a, behind you? i am in the capital, abuia. an _ behind you? i am in the capital, abuja, an affluent _ behind you? i am in the capital, abuja, an affluent part - behind you? i am in the capital, abuja, an affluent part of- behind you? i am in the capital, abuja, an affluent part of the i behind you? i am in the capital, i abuja, an affluent part of the city, if anything, normally affluent places like this, things happen as they should, but not here. that polling unit that you can see behind me, they finished voting, they are now counting the votes. but there is one right in front of me, voting is still continuing, despite the fact that ballots should have closed three and a half hours ago. so, yes, it's been a very chaotic start to the voting, chaotic day in all, we have heard about disruptions and other parts of the country, especially in places like lagos where ballots have been stolen from polling units, to prevent supporters of one person all the other from

voting. so i think the international dutch make the electoral commission, rather, they will have a lot of answering to do two nigerians are for the way this has gone to date. and, we'rejust for the way this has gone to date. and, we're just having a few issues with your line, but we can hear you, just give us a bit of context as to these elections, of course people are going to be frustrated over there with these delays, but this also comes at a time when there are also comes at a time when there are a lot of difficulties that people are facing in the country? absolutely, there is a myriad of problems here in nigeria, not only the cost of living crisis, which is affecting practically the whole of the african continent, but there is also the issue of a huge and desperate cash crunch. what the government did is that a few weeks ago they tried to redesign the

currency and then when people went to replace their old notes for the new ones, they couldn't get enough, so there is a huge cash crunch in nigeria, there is insecurity right across the country. a lot of people have seen this election as very important, make or break. traditionally, the two main contenders for presidential elections, because they have two main parties, but this year there has been a third contender, he has galvanised the young people who say they want to change, they want different leadership in this country. but, there have been a lot of destruction, will the young vote in nigeria count? we are not too sure, we will have to wait. when counting, as it is happening, in that polling unit behind me starts across the country. .

thank you. we will be following that as we start to get the results. 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's certainly fair to say that in essence this deal is all but done. maybe not signed on the dotted line yet, but basically pretty much agreed. it's 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 that king charles, for example, was due to meet the president of the european commission in the uk today. now the palace and downing street say the meeting was called off 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. i think what is definitely at the forefront of government ministers' minds is, when it is presented, how do you make sure that different parties are happy with how it is presented, particularly some of those tory backbench mps, but also the dup in northern ireland, who are currently refusing to go back into government in northern ireland until issues with the protocol are resolved. so their reaction to any deal is going to be key to this. i think the government, though, acknowledges they may not be able to give everybody everything that they want. the irish prime minister leo varadkar says we're getting closer to a deal. i think the talks on reforming the protocol are inching towards a conclusion. certainly the deal isn't done yet

but i do think we are inching towards conclusion and i really want to thank the uk government, the european commission and the northern ireland parties for the level of engagements that they've done in recent months to get us to this point. we just encourage everyone to go the extra mile to come to an agreement, because the benefits are huge. it allows us to have the northern ireland assembly and executive back up and running in the north, to have the good friday agreement working properly again and also to put relations between the united kingdom and ireland and the european union on a much more positive footing. and that's really important, given all the other challenges we face, particularly with inflation and the war in ukraine. let's speak now to dr clare rice, research associate at the university of liverpool, specialising in northern irish politics. thank you forjoining us. at the moment that seemed to be quite a low up moment that seemed to be quite a low up in the air. but the signs are positive? up in the air. but the signs are ositive? , ~ �* , ., .,

positive? yes, i think it's fair to sa , positive? yes, i think it's fair to say. almost _ positive? yes, i think it's fair to say, almost potentially - positive? yes, i think it's fair to say, almost potentially too - say, almost potentially too optimistic, i think we need to be looking at the fact that there are not any negatives at this point. everyone seems to have an open mind about the options. of course we don't have the details ourselves. certainly, if that mindset continues, there is no reason, in theory, that a deal should not be brought across, hopefully sooner rather than later. {iii brought across, hopefully sooner rather than later.— brought across, hopefully sooner rather than later. of course, it's a really complex — rather than later. of course, it's a really complex situation, - rather than later. of course, it's a really complex situation, there i rather than later. of course, it's a | really complex situation, there are so many things playing into this and the dup have the sticking point. what do you think a deal will look like when we finally see one? it’s like when we finally see one? it's ve like when we finally see one? it�*s very difficult to say, there are so many moving parts. i think the dup, anything that can be sold as the cheque you mentioned, movement of goods from great britain to northern ireland, what has become known as the irish sea border, the protocol to date has lamented that, if that could be reduced, mitigated, so the dup can sell it as a win, that might

then minimise, that'll be at the heart. but we have to remember, there is a bigger picture, the dup is operating within the wider political dynamics and climate of northern ireland, you have the conservative party operating within their own microcosm of issues. backbench concerns, with regards to borisjohnson who has been quite vocal, somewhat critical of the content of this deal so far. so there is a whole bigger picture at play, all of these moving parts will have to sift together and be worked out, if a deal is to be brought forward. �* , ., out, if a deal is to be brought forward. �*, ., , u, , forward. it's not 'ust politicians, it's the forward. it's not 'ust politicians, in the people _ forward. it's notjust politicians, it's the people of _ forward. it's notjust politicians, it's the people of ireland, - forward. it's notjust politicians, it's the people of ireland, to - it's the people of ireland, to businesses too that are affected by this is lemon certainly and one of the key stakeholders in these talks has been the business community. they have a very much been at the forefront in terms of talking to the government, letting them know and

informing them of what is happening on the ground in terms of how it is operating. certainly, ifa on the ground in terms of how it is operating. certainly, if a deal is presented, it is not only going to be the political entities that have two beasts sold us to the virtues of this deal, it will be the business communities as well that'll have to be operating with it on a day—to—day basis. so there is that element as well, certainly if the backing is in there from them, it's very difficult to see how the dup will support that and as a consequence have any deal will be supported. we understand there has been some sort of deal on there has been some sort of deal on the table for some time, politicians, rishi sunak, heading overto politicians, rishi sunak, heading over to ireland to go and speak with leaders, we have had positive speeches on the steps following meetings. how close do you think this deal is? what you think they are doing now? i this deal is? what you think they are doing now?— are doing now? i think, at this staae, are doing now? i think, at this stage. i'm _ are doing now? i think, at this stage. i'm no _ are doing now? i think, at this stage, i'm no more _ are doing now? i think, at this stage, i'm no more privy - are doing now? i think, at this stage, i'm no more privy to i are doing now? i think, at this| stage, i'm no more privy to the details than most other people at this stage, but i think from what we have heard, we are into that final

stage where it's not so much about the nitty—gritty of getting the big picture onto the paper, it's seems to be those minutia, those details been dealt with at the moment and very much at the it's about making stage sure all of the key stakeholders are on board. before anything can be effectively presented publicly, ithink anything can be effectively presented publicly, i think we are at that stage, if a deal with a tickled as having been brought on board yet, if that support isn't already there, then it will be a very difficult road ahead for the prime minister. it will cut if they haven't been smooth out before that point. it is at a crunch stage to get these kinks are moved out. —— smoothed out. get these kinks are moved out. -- smoothed out.— in scotland, divers have recovered

two bodies from the firth of clyde, after a tug boat capsized on friday. it had been escorting a cruise ship when it overturned. our reporter suzanne allan has the latest. well, as you can probably see a large police cordon is still in place here, at east india harbour. since 10 o'clock this morning, the police dive and marine unit have been in and out of the water to find the missing crew members from the tug boat that capsized here yesterday afternoon. just a short while ago, police scotland confirmed that two bodies were found and brought out of the water this afternoon. the boat went down just at greenock at 3:30 yesterday afternoon. eyewitnesses have told us that it had been escorting the hebridean princess cruise ship into harbour when it capsized. the emergency services rushed to the scene, including police scotland air and support unit, hm coastguard and the rnli. the search was called off last night, and began again this morning, around 10.00. police divers have now left, but the investigation into why this happened will continue

for some time. sport now, and for a full round—up, from the bbc sport centre. good afternoon. arsenal's lead at the top of the english premier league is at five points — for the time being anyway, after their 1—0 win over leicester city at the king power stadium. mikel arteta's side needed a goal from gabriel martinelli to get just their second win in the last five league games. that came after they thought they'd taken the lead through leandro trossa rd. but that was ruled out via the var for a foul. the match between the bottom two was won by leeds, also by a goal to nil at elland road against southampton, who remain three points adrift. junior firpo's second half goal was enough to give new manager javi gracia a win in his first game in charge and take leeds out of the relegation zone. elsewhere, a flurry of late goals gave west ham a 4—0 win over nottingham forest. that means everton drop back into the bottom three because of their 2—0 defeat at home to aston villa.

there are two more games to come, including bournemouth against manchester city, who can reduce arsenal's lead back down to two points. ireland are still on for a six nations grand slam, despite an unconvincing victory against italy in rome — 34—20 it finished, to claim a bonus point win. ireland were 24—10 up at half time, thanks to four first—half tries from james ryan, hugo keenan, bundee aki and mac hansen. but it wasn't straight forward in the second half for the visitors — italy kept the pressure on ireland before a late hansen try sealed the win. ireland are now two wins away from the grand slam, with scotland at murrayfield to come in two weeks' time. wales' captain this week said they'd become the "laughing "stock of world rugby", amid a pay dispute with the country's rugby union. but a strike was averted and their match with england is on in cardiff. it is about half an hour in an england lead by eight points— three

another impressive day for england in their second test aginast new zealand in wellington. another intervention from the weather that curtailed their dominance, after declaring on 435 for eight oncejoe root had gone past 150. three wickets each for james anderson and jack leach left the home side 297 runs behind on 138 for seven. day three will get under way earlier in order to make up some of the overs lost on the opening two days. afterwards, joe root praised england captain ben stokes for his declaration. the way we are playing, the amount of confidence we've got we the way we are playing, the amount of confidence we've go— of confidence we've got we have a number one _ of confidence we've got we have a number one test _ of confidence we've got we have a number one test bowler— of confidence we've got we have a number one test bowler and i of confidence we've got we have a number one test bowler and it i of confidence we've got we have a | number one test bowler and itjust seems like a very brave and attacking option and full credit to ben for taking it on.— attacking option and full credit to ben for taking it on. much more on our website. _

ben for taking it on. much more on our website, head _ ben for taking it on. much more on our website, head there _ ben for taking it on. much more on our website, head there for - ben for taking it on. much more on our website, head there for all i ben for taking it on. much more on our website, head there for all of l our website, head there for all of the latest sports news including the fact that andy murray who was looking for his first atp tour title in years came upjust looking for his first atp tour title in years came up just short. his opponent searching for a win in a disappointing gay himself. more on the website. that's all the sport for now. 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 0magh. the village of beragh, a few miles from 0magh. 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 0magh — 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 0magh 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, 0magh. hundreds of protestors have gathered to demonstrate against the housing of asylum seekers in two english towns. people gathered in skegness at lunchtine, calling for an end to the use of local hotels for asylum seekers. a similar protest took place in newquay — but there was also a separate rally there in support of the migrants. there were no arrests

in either location. california is a place usually associated with warm, sunny weather — but there has been snow settling on the ground in the hills overlooking los angeles. the cause — a cold weather system, the likes of which haven't been seen there for more than three decades. the snow is widespread — this was the scene in the famous berkely hills area near san francisco on friday. and worse is expected to come — with high winds leading to flood warnings in some coastal areas. some major roads have been closed — and there is also weather—related disruption in other parts of the us. 0ur north america correspondent david willis is in los angeles — he sent this report. oh, my god, look, it is beautiful. look, it is all over the roof. almost unimaginable for some, but picturesque nonetheless, this was what some on america's west coast awoke to.

but the heavy snowfall was to bring with it 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 the culprit, according to forecasters. just a strong storm overall for the month of february, one of our wettest months of the year, but the biggest difference is just the feet of snow expected in the mountains. flood and evacuation 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. as temperatures fall well below normal, snow has even been spotted above the iconic hollywood sign. normally by this time of year los angeles is done with winter

and you can see the hollywood sign, which i can assure you is behind me, from 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 which have left three quarters of a million homes without power and are now bearing down on the west coast. a lot of heavy rain, a lot of intense downpours, even some lightning at times with small hail and then a lot of that is going to convert to snow as you get up an elevation above 4,000 feet or so. in the saint gabriel mountains, to the north of los angeles county, they are expecting up to seven feet of snow in places, coupled with

winds of around 60 miles an hour. experts say powerful winter storms such as these, interspersed with dry spells and periods of extreme heat, are classic symptoms of climate change and that they are growing more frequent and intense. david willis, bbc news, los angeles. anthony albanese has become the first sitting australian prime minister to march in sydney's gay and lesbian mardi gras. hejoined the parade for the worldpride festival on saturday evening. he was also joined by penny wong, the first openly gay woman in parliament. phil mercer reports from sydney. anthony albanese has become the first sitting australian prime minister to take part in the mardi gras parade. he said his government was committed to ending inequality based on sexuality or identity.

australia is an inclusive country. and there are benefits from our economy, there are benefits, most importantly though for the people of australia and that everyone should be respected for who they are and tonight is a celebration of that and it's a great example of what an amazing country this is. critics though accuse the prime minister of pandering to a small minority that was hijacking australia's social agenda. but campaigners argue that the mardi gras is a time to acknowledge and celebrate those who have, in the past, suffer shame, rejection and discrimination because of who they are. everybody is welcome, heterosexual, cisgender is, queers, bisexual, everybody. i've got to get in my float. i love you all so much, let's come together, no more separation. for many people, those struggles continue. being gay is illegal in dozens of countries around the world.

sydney's mardi gras began as a civil rights march in 1978. it's become one of the world's biggest lgbt events. it's the first time in three years the parade has made its way through australia's biggest city because of covid restrictions. up to 300,000 people were expected to attend. members of the military, police officers and politicians were among 12,500 marchers. this year's mardi gras coincides with sydney worldpride 2023, a global rights festival. phil mercer, bbc news, sydney. just before we go, a reminder of our top stories, elections taking place in nigeria, you can find out more on

that and our website. i am also on twitter if you want to get in touch. goodbye. it was chilly today with variable amounts of sunshine with fleeting showers, sunday is going to feel a little less cold, we think the winds are not quite as strong, but also a little more sunshine expected in some parts of the country, particularly in the south. there is that high pressure, saturday evening and into the early hours of sunday, right over us and you can see that chilly dry air circling around there and it is the dry air that is chilly. but it doesn't mean all that sunny. farfrom it. you can see clouds of streaming in off the north sea and they will continue to do so,

bringing one or two light showers. we are generally talking about clear skies overnight. also a touch of frost where the sky is clear, this time of year —3 in scotland, many towns and cities around freezing. but on the north coast frost—free. sunny across northern and western, it does look as though it will be sunny across southern england and wales, but blue skies. in the north—east of england, take a glance at times, also one or two showers. similar temperatures, 7—9 c, winds will be a bit lighter, so i think it will be a bit lighter, so i think it will feel closer to those values. that eye pressure is very much a day on monday, centred over scotland, this time again are changes in wind direction mean that there are areas of cloud that will drift and other parts of the country. i think on monday it looks as though it is more england and wales and may be used in

scotland that will be pretty overcast and also one or two drizzly showers here and there. again, temperatures are changing. they are hovering around the average of this time of year which is 80 celsius. so that was monday. tuesday and wednesday, thursday, into friday and even into the weekend, very little change, thejet even into the weekend, very little change, the jet stream splits around the area of high pressure, but in the area of high pressure, but in the first week of march and we are at least anticipating a possibility of things turning a little bit colder. so perhaps wind is not over yet. in the short—term, at least this week into the weekend, it is a case of very little change. goodbye.

this is bbc news, the headlines. millions of nigerians have been voting in their country's most competitive election since military rule ended there more than two decades ago. security fears and logistical problems are being blamed for delays to voting. 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. the uk and the european union appear to be on the brink of finalising a new deal on post—brexit trading rules for northern ireland. downing street says talks have been "positive", while the irish prime minister said they were "inching towards a conclusion". a winter storm brings rain and snow

to southern california, the likes of which hasn't been seen there for more than three decades.