about people, kids from low income is not being — this is bbc news broadcasting in the uk and around the globe. i'm martine croxall. our top stories... a boat carrying migrants has sunk off southern italy, leaving at least 30 dead, according to italian media reports. the uk and the european union edge closer to a new deal on post—brexit trading rules for northern ireland. counting is under way in nigeria's most competitive elections in decades, with three candidates still hopeful of becoming president. lam i am live in the nigerian capital abuja, where nigerians are eagerly awaiting the results of those elections, even though voting continues in some areas. and, blizzard conditions in unexpected places in america, as a cold weather front hits california and other southern states.

hello and welcome to bbc news. italian media is reporting at least 33 people are thought to have died, after a boat carrying migrants sunk off the southern italian mainland. it's reported that a number of bodies were found on a beach in the calabria region, with others found in the water nearby. rescuers are still searching for survivors, these pictures have come to us from the italian fire and rescue service. but teams have warned of rough conditions hampering their efforts. danny aeberhard, bbc world service europe regional editor, joins me now. still very short on details at the moment. what more have you been able to find out? the moment. what more have you been able to find out? ., , moment. what more have you been able to find out? . , , ., to find out? the latest figures from the italian news _ to find out? the latest figures from the italian news agency _ to find out? the latest figures from the italian news agency is - to find out? the latest figures from the italian news agency is that - to find out? the latest figures from the italian news agency is that at i the italian news agency is that at least 33 people have died. we're

hearing reports, different numbers of survivors. some of these people, it seems, may have got to the beach themselves. the sinking happened just off the coast at about dawn. they are believed to be from places like iran, pakistan and afghanistan. and we know at the moment that a number of children have also been culled up in this tragedy, including reports of one newborn baby. —— colt. we think there might be 40, 50 people who have been saved, who got themselves to the beach. the italian red cross is there. they have been giving people blankets, gold foil heat blankets but at the moment there are still lots we don't know. it is winter. there are still lots we don't know. it is winter-— there are still lots we don't know. it is winter-— it is winter. the conditions look - re it is winter. the conditions look pretty rough — it is winter. the conditions look pretty rough out _ it is winter. the conditions look pretty rough out there? - it is winter. the conditions look - pretty rough out there? absolutely, it can get very cold. if you are wet as well it gets extremely dangerous.

we don't know how many people in fact were on this boat. we have got pictures of the craft broken up on the shoreline. some initial reports suggested more than 100 people may have been on board. but i have seen other reports quoting survivors, suggesting it may have been up to 250. at this stage we just don't how bad this tragedy will get. but 250. at this stage we just don't how bad this tragedy will get.— bad this tragedy will get. but they are continuing _ bad this tragedy will get. but they are continuing to _ bad this tragedy will get. but they are continuing to look _ bad this tragedy will get. but they are continuing to look for - bad this tragedy will get. but they are continuing to look for people i bad this tragedy will get. but they| are continuing to look for people in the water. this part of italy is used to seeing this sort of arrival, preferably though with people on a craft that hasn't broken up? yes. craft that hasn't broken up? yes, there are lots _ craft that hasn't broken up? yes, there are lots of _ craft that hasn't broken up? yes, there are lots of rescues - craft that hasn't broken up? yes, there are lots of rescues off - there are lots of rescues off southern italy. there is an island called lampedusa which is close to the libyan and tunisian coast. that is one area. often bolts are rescued in the mediterranean before they get

close to the mainland. —— tongue. this one, the area the migrants are from, suggested could have perhaps come from not the north african coastline but further east. from turkey. we don't have information on that. it will no doubt become clear in the hours ahead. the unhcr is sending teams to the area. we have also got, as you said, there is a search and rescue operation. that involves the coastguard, the police. we have got a helicopter at the scene. i think in the next couple of hours we should have a much better picture of quite how bad it is. danny, thank you. votes are being counted in nigeria's most competitive presidential election in decades. the process has been largely peaceful, but there have been some reports of violence in lagos. much of the counting is taking place by hand, but in some areas, electronic voting machines were used. the outcome is not expected until monday at the earliest, with pre—election opinion polls suggesting three candidates

were in a close race. i'm joined now by our correspondent peter okwoche, who's in abuja. notjust not just two notjust two parties in the running, but a three this time, peter? indeed. that is what nigerians are really excited about. traditionally there have been to parties that have dominated the political landscape in this country for the past 24 years or so. this country for the past 24 years orso. but this country for the past 24 years or so. but this time around there is a third factor in these elections. a man who has used social media to reach out to the massive number of young voters in this country. he has garnered their support. it is now a three—way race. but it is very, very close. and it will take a brave man or woman to call the result now. tell us about some of the tensions,

the problem that have occurred, as voting takes place?— the problem that have occurred, as voting takes place? yes, across the count , voting takes place? yes, across the country. there _ voting takes place? yes, across the country, there are _ voting takes place? yes, across the country, there are 36 _ country, there are 36 states in nigeria, across the country it was relatively calm. but there were pockets of violence in places like lagos, the commercial capital of the country. and in the oil—producing niger delta. some elections were postponed. they couldn't hold them in those elections. they will be held today. voting is continuing. in many parts of the country it was quite a chaotic start to the voting. i mean, iwent quite a chaotic start to the voting. i mean, i went around abuja from six o'clock in the morning yesterday. even 15 minutes before polling was due to start. —— even 15 minutes before the polling was due to start, come stations had not received the voting cards. eventually things smoothed out. people got the vote, albeit way into the evening. some are continuing _ albeit way into the evening. some

are continuing today. _ albeit way into the evening. some are continuing today. what - albeit way into the evening. some are continuing today. what will. albeit way into the evening. some are continuing today. what will the priorities be for whoever wins? film. priorities be for whoever wins? 0h, martin, that _ priorities be for whoever wins? 0h, martin, that is _ priorities be for whoever wins? 0h, martin, that is a _ priorities be for whoever wins? oi, martin, that is a question priorities be for whoever wins? oi martin, that is a question that could keep us here for hours! i always wonder why anyone would want to be president of nigeria, because there are so many problems. there are insecurities right across the country. there is a huge cash flow crisis in nigeria. a few weeks ago, the government decided to redesign the government decided to redesign the local currency. but when people want to give in their old notes and get the new ones, there are insufficient funds. so, there is a chronic cash crunch here in nigeria. there is a cost of living crisis caused by the war in ukraine and the covid pandemic. so, there are so many problems in the entry of whoever replaces president buhari. peter, thank you very much. britain and the european union appear to be close to finalising a new deal on post—brexit trading

rules for northern ireland. under the current protocol, northern ireland follows some eu laws, and goods arriving from the british mainland are subject to checks. our political correspondent, ian watson, reports. the political stakes for rishi sunak are high. a deal with the eu appears to be moving closer. this would avoid a trade war between the uk and its largest market, but it could lead to a growing gulf within his own party, with some mps wanting the entire brexit agreement in northern ireland upended. and unless the democratic unionist party approve of a deal, they won't agree to rejoin a power sharing government at stormont. so, the prime minister has taken to the pages of usually conservative supporting newspapers to reassure sceptics in his own ranks that any deal won't be a sell out. in an interview with the sunday times, he says... "i'm a conservative, i'm a brexiteer and i'm a unionist. anything we do, we'll tick all those boxes." but, in the sun on sunday, he seems to suggest his oven ready deal still requires a few more ingredients.

"none of these issues are easy," he says. "there's still more work to do, but we've made promising progress." as for that progress, it's understood that any deal would make it much easier and less bureaucratic to move goods from great britain to northern ireland. and it'd be a less rigid application of eu law on vat rates and subsidies to industry. the irish prime ministerfelt that things were moving in the right direction. certainly the deal isn't done yet, but i do think we are inching towards a conclusion. and i really want to thank the uk government, the european commission and the northern ireland parties for the level of engagement that they've done in recent months to get us to this point. we just encourage everyone to go the extra mile. this weekend, the prime minister says he's giving it everything he's got to achieve a deal. but it might be easier to reach an agreement with the eu than northern ireland's dup. so the political risks for the prime minister remain high. iain watson, bbc news. with me now is our political

correspondent lone wells. what is being said about whether there will be a vote in the british parliament on this deal?- parliament on this deal? well, certainly that _ parliament on this deal? well, certainly that is _ parliament on this deal? well, certainly that is the _ parliament on this deal? well, certainly that is the question i parliament on this deal? well, i certainly that is the question lots of mps are wondering, both conservative mps, but also opposition parties as well, wondering if they will get a say on a final deal. one thing we know is that conservative mps have been told they have a three line whip, essentially an order to be in parliament on monday, which suggests that if a deal is sort of pushed over the line this weekend, they could be in a position to have some say on it as soon as tomorrow. earlier we heard from the deputy prime minister, dominic raab, who was pushed on whether they would actually get a vote. he didn't quite commit to it in that language. have a listen to what he said here, he says mps would be able to express themselves. yes, mps will have the opportunity

to express — yes, mps will have the opportunity to express themselves on the deal. so to express themselves on the deal. 50 there _ to express themselves on the deal. so there will be a vote, an actual vote? i so there will be a vote, an actual vote? ., �* ~' . , vote? i don't think anything ever nets vote? i don't think anything ever gets nodded _ vote? i don't think anything ever gets nodded through _ vote? i don't think anything ever| gets nodded through parliament! vote? i don't think anything ever- gets nodded through parliament! the reality— gets nodded through parliament! the reality is— gets nodded through parliament! the reality is the details will be brought forward in the usual way. i don't _ brought forward in the usual way. i don't want — brought forward in the usual way. i don't want to get ahead of ourselves here _ don't want to get ahead of ourselves here i_ don't want to get ahead of ourselves here. i understand what you say, and there _ here. i understand what you say, and there is— here. i understand what you say, and there is a _ here. i understand what you say, and there is a degree of quiet confidence about the progress being made, _ confidence about the progress being made. but _ confidence about the progress being made, but we are not there yet. there _ made, but we are not there yet. there wiii— made, but we are not there yet. there will be a vote? parliament will have — there will be a vote? parliament will have its ability to express itseif~ — itself. the deputy prime itself. — the deputy prime minister speaking to laura kuenssberg. if there is a vote, how likely is it it will get through parliament?— vote, how likely is it it will get through parliament? well, certainly de-tendin through parliament? well, certainly depending on _ through parliament? well, certainly depending on what _ through parliament? well, certainly depending on what is _ through parliament? well, certainly depending on what is in _ through parliament? well, certainly depending on what is in thatideal, l depending on what is in thatideal, there could be some rebellions. there could be some conservative mps, as well as dup mps, who are still unhappy with certain elements of the deal. but one thing potentially in the government is might favour here, although it would perhaps be a political embarrassment for them, perhaps be a political embarrassment forthem, is perhaps be a political embarrassment for them, is that the main opposition party, labour, have said they would back any deal because

they would back any deal because they argue it is better than the alternative and some of the issues arising at the moment when it comes to trade between great britain and northern ireland. earlier, labour's shadow foreign secretary, david lammy, outlined that whether or not any deal had the backing of a major unionist party in northern ireland, the dup, labour would be prepared to back it in the national interest. i am pleased, back it in the national interest. lam pleased, of back it in the national interest. i am pleased, of course, the finally it looks _ i am pleased, of course, the finally it looks as— i am pleased, of course, the finally it looks as if— i am pleased, of course, the finally it looks as if we may get that deal in the _ it looks as if we may get that deal in the coming days. worried about that the _ in the coming days. worried about that the unionists have not been kept in _ that the unionists have not been kept in the mix. but if he is able to putt— kept in the mix. but if he is able to puil off— kept in the mix. but if he is able to puil off a _ kept in the mix. but if he is able to pull off a deal, we will support it, to pull off a deal, we will support it. because — to pull off a deal, we will support it, because we think it would be an improvement on what we have got at the moment. let's look at the detail in the _ the moment. let's look at the detail in the coming days, but all credit to rishi _ in the coming days, but all credit to rishi sunak if he does that. david lammy. the deputy does that. — david lammy. the deputy prime minister, dominic raab, is facing bullying allegations, which he denies. what has been saying about that today? this denies. what has been saying about thattoda ? a denies. what has been saying about thattoda? , denies. what has been saying about thattoda? that today? as you say, there is an onatoin that today? as you say, there is an ongoing inquiry _ that today? as you say, there is an ongoing inquiry into _ that today? as you say, there is an ongoing inquiry into whether- that today? as you say, there is an l ongoing inquiry into whether dominic

raab bullied various civil servants when he was the secretary of state in three different government departments. that inquiry is still ongoing. but the key thing it is trying to determine is, was dominic raab a difficult boss, an abrasive character to work with, or was he a bully? did the impact of his behaviour have damaged young people that he worked with? that is what it is trying to outline. today, he was pretty clear that wally did say earlier to sky news that he would resign if the inquiry did find him guilty of bullying, he was pretty adamant that he himself does not see himself as a bully. in terms of working staff falling short _ in terms of working staff falling short of — in terms of working staff falling short of the impropriety referred to, of— short of the impropriety referred to, of course we learn lessons as we no. to, of course we learn lessons as we go that _ to, of course we learn lessons as we go that is _ to, of course we learn lessons as we go. that is part of the relationship with civii— go. that is part of the relationship with civil servants. but i'm confident i behaved professionally throughout. and as i say, i think actually, — throughout. and as i say, i think actually, the vast lion's share of the time, — actually, the vast lion's share of the time, the vast majority of cases and the _ the time, the vast majority of cases and the time we spent together, civil servants and ministers worked very effectively together.

dominic raab essentially argued that he feels there isn't a tolerance for bullying in the government and usually the relationship with top ministers and civil servants works very well. that is not a view that was shared by the trade union that represents civil servants. speaking after that comment from dominic raab area, they argue that one in six people they have survey to say there is an issue with ministers�* behaviour in the civil service and the uk government. so that inquiry is still potentially weeks away. that will be the thing that determines whether or not dominic raab�*s behaviour is considered by an independent investigator, inappropriate. thank you very much. the european union is bringing in more sanctions against the russian mercenary group wagner, for human rights abuses in three african countries. eight individuals and seven entities are listed. the wagner group has come to prominence for its activities in ukraine, where the russian government has commissioned it to fight alongside its regularforces. it has recruited convicts from prison, and been accused

of summary executions and torture, both of its own forces and ukrainian fighters. john blaxland is professor of international security and intelligence studies at the university of australia. he�*s been telling us about the group�*s activities in africa. it really relates to its roots and its origin. the nature of this organisation derived from russian special forces, spetsnaz and gru, the military intelligence. its roots are in that space. it is involved in grey zone operations. it�*s involved in sabotage. it�*s involved in extrajudicial killings and blackmail and throwing money around to persuade influential figures, politicalfigures, that their cause is best. marginalising the french, undermining the rule of law and democratic processes in countries that are already very fragile and looking to dominate gold mines,

rare earth mineral resources, and basically shore up russia�*s access to these resources at a time when russia is still, of course, suffering sanctions all over the place for its war in ukraine. ukraine has issued postage stamps featuring a mural by the world—renowned uk graffiti artist banksy, to mark the first anniversary of russia�*s invasion. the mural depicts a man resembling russian president vladimir putin being thrown during a judo match with a young boy. mr putin is, of course, known for his love of the japanese martial art. the original art is on a house that was devastated by russian shelling in the town of borodyanka, near the capital kyiv. it was part of a series of works put on walls of damaged buildings by banksy last year. the government of new zealand has confirmed that three people who had been taken hostage in papua new guinea a week ago, have been released.

the group, two citizens of papua new guinea and a new zealander who lives in australia, are now said to be in a safe location, although there has been no update on their condition. this was them arriving at port moresby a few hours ago. they seem to have no injuries. they had been abducted by gunmen near mount bosavi. a ransom was demanded, but the prime minister of papua new guinea says no payment was made. more than 350,000 residents are still without power in the us state of michigan, three days after one of the worst ice storms in decades knocked out utility poles and wires. tens of thousands of people across the western united states are also without power, as a rare cold weather system continues to pummel parts of california. and, as vandhna bhan reports, a blizzard is set to hit the southern states on sunday. exchanging the dry hilltops and blue skies of california, for snow and freezing rain, has been welcomed by many with excitement.

well, i live where there�*s like, no snow ever. like, the only snow i�*ve got was hail in, like, first grade. and it�*s pretty exciting. we�*ve been building snowmen. san francisco hit record low temperatures, and parts of northern california reported several inches of snow by friday. it is nice because i don't have to drive somewhere to enjoy this weather. of course, i can't go snowboarding or anything here, but i still enjoy the fresh air the snow brings. driving proving difficult in these hazardous conditions, with snow—laden roads in some parts, and flooded streets in others, forcing road closures, with a number of cars reportedly trapped in the rising waters. this bank crumbling into the roaring santa clara river, taking with it a motorhome and a tree. consistent rainfall that we�*ve had in the past couple of months, and then this, has been the ongoing storm for about a couple of days now. this rare winter conditions

pummelling los angeles has forced a blizzard warning for the first time in more than 30 years. the cause, a massive low pressure system driven from the arctic. and it�*s not the only storm the united states is battling. further north east, an ice storm in michigan has left more than 300,000 without power for a third day. but while this storm has passed, the one in california continues to move south, with large hail and damaging winds set to impact oklahoma, texas and kansas on sunday. climate scientists say there�*s been an increase in the sheer number of storms across the united states, a sign of warming temperatures. and while this storm is extraordinary compared to the past, it�*sjust the beginning for what we�*re about to see in the future. vandhna bhan, bbc news. let�*s get some of

the day�*s other news. tens of thousands of people have held demonstrations across israel against planned legal reforms. the prime minister benjamin netanyahu insists his government is carrying out the will of the people. the proposed changes would give ministers the power to appoint supreme courtjudges, and would end the court�*s ability to review or annul legislation on constitutional matters. the french president emmanuel macron says that a long delayed trade deal between the eu and a group of four south american countries can�*t go ahead, unless they follow european environmental policies. french farmers fear competition from the mercosur countries if they are not subject to the same environmental standards. protests have been held in the tunisian capital, tunis, against a speech by the president calling sub—saharan migrants "illegal hords". the demonstrators accused president kais saied of racism, and called on him to apologise. the african union has strongly condemned what it described as radicalised hate speech

aimed at fellow africans. nicola sturgeon�*s decision to stand down as scotland�*s first minister poses a significant challenge to the future course of the party she led for so long — the snp. our special correspondent, allan little, looks at what could happen to the fight for scottish independence after her departure. glasgow, once solidly labour, voted for independence in 2014. but was that the high water mark? does the independence ambition end with the formidable sturgeon here? i grew up in the rural south west of scotland. it�*s a good place to consider what has happened to the independence cause, and to the way scots have thought about the union over the generations. my grandparents lived in this street when i was a child, and my great great grandparents lived here in the 19th century.

for them, the british empire was what tied scotland tightly into the union. my parents were born here in the 19305, and they grew into adulthood at a time when britain enjoyed immense moral standing in that post—war world. my great grandfather was in the building trade, and he built this war memorial. but it was after the second world war that my parents�* generation inherited a new kind of britain. a britain of full employment, of cradle to grave welfare, of the new national health service. and something else that was new for families like ours. the chance that one day their children might go to university. that was why the union was notjust resilient in scotland, but positively valued. it was also an industrial britain. coal, steel and shipbuilding still dominated the traffic on this river. the great comedian billy connolly once worked as a welder in the shipyards here in glasgow. and when he was asked in the 19705 about scottish nationalism, he would say that he felt more in common with shipyard workers

on merseyside and in southampton than he did with many of his fellow scots. back then, class solidarity nearly always trumped appeals to a distinct scottish national identity. those big industries, like the empire, were pan—british enterprises. they were bedrocks of british identity in scotland. and in the 19805 and 905, they were swept away. that�*s when england and scotland started to diverge politically, those shared values coming under strain. england embracing the radical new vision for the future offered by margaret thatcher. scotland repeatedly rejecting it. in that context, the independence movement reinvented itself, the snp talking the language of social democracy and greater equality. this appealed to old labour voters, and enthused the young. that realignment of loyalties happened under alex salmond�*s leadership. no one embodied it more fully the nicola sturgeon. but under her, there�*s been no further surge of support for independence.

even the unpopularity of brexit here, and the toppling of four conservative prime ministers have moved the dial a few points at most. but drill down into the opinion polls that consistently show the country roughly divided 50—50 on independence. the young remain overwhelmingly in favour, and there�*s even strong support among the middle—aged. many nationalists believe time is on their side, that the fruit of independence is ripening on the tree of age demographics, and it will eventually fall into their laps. the union has been strongest over the ages when it�*s been built on shared values and a common sense of purpose. nicola sturgeon�*s departure is a defeat for independence, but reversing the slow generational decline of british identity in scotland is the enduring challenge for the union. allan little, bbc news, galloway.

a russian spacecraft has docked with the international space station, as part of a mission to bring home three stranded astronauts. the uncrewed vehicle will bring back two russians and an american, who�*ve been stuck since their return vessel began leaking coolant. the three were originally only supposed to stay until the end of march but will now have to wait until september to come back to earth. let�*s go back to the news that at least 30 people have died after a boat carrying migrants sank off southern italy. we�*ve just had these pictures in from italian police, showing some of the resuce efforts and also what appears to be some of the wreckage from the boat, which it�*s reported may have been carrying more than 100 people when it was damaged off the coast of calabria. rescue operations are still taking place we�*re told and you can see some of the teams involved in that from the police, fire and rescue crews and the italian red cross also there.

we�*ve also heard from the italian prime minister, giorgia meloni, who says she�*s "deeply sad" about the incident hello there. it�*s all about high pressure at the moment, dominating the weather story. the centre of the high across scotland. that�*s where we�*ve had the clearest of the skies, and the lowest temperatures. it was minus five first thing this morning in highland, and yes, there was some frost, even some snow to the tops of higher ground. it was a different story, though, across east anglia in comparison to saturday morning. the cloud was a little more well—broken. a beautiful sunrise here. but the high is going to stay with us on the whole across the country today, keeping things largely fine and quiet. but still that wind direction coming from a northeasterly. slightly lighter winds than yesterday, so therefore fewer showers hopefully around. still some cloud across northern england and north wales in particular, and still the risk of some showers here. we�*ve also had a few showers

across the kent coast this morning. but generally, central and southern england and wales, along with northwest scotland and northern ireland keeping the sunshine, and temperatures peaking between seven and nine degrees, pretty much where we should be for the final few days of february. now, as we go into the evening and overnight, the cloud reallyjust drawing in like a blanket over us. and so for many, that means it�*ll keep those temperatures above freezing. where we�*ve got those clearer skies, particularly out to the west, once again temperatures below freezing and a frost is quite likely. but that quiet theme will stay with us not only for monday but right throughout much of the week. so as we go into monday, we�*ve got this large area of high pressure sitting across the north, and that will continue to give quite a lot of dry weather in the forecast. still the risk of some cloud around, but maybe breaking up across east anglia and the south east of england with more of a breeze here, and still some sunny spells across western areas of scotland, northern ireland and maybe parts of the lake district. ten degrees is quite possible

in the sunnier moments. now, as we move out of monday into tuesday, there�*s a risk of a few showers during the early hours just drifting their way through the channel. not really amounting to too much. the high continues to stay with us on the whole, and the winds will stay light. so we could potentially be chasing cloud amounts around as we look further ahead. so, on the whole there will be a good deal of dry weather, some sunny spells from time to time, and as we head into the beginning of march, some areas will continue to see temperatures into double figures. that�*s it. take care.

this is bbc news. the headlines... a boat carrying migrants has sunk off southern italy. at least 30 people have died according to italian media reports. the uk and the eu appear to be on the brink of finalising a new deal on post—brexit trading rules covering northern ireland. the british prime minister, rishi sunak, says he is "giving everything" to secure an agreement. counting is under way in nigeria�*s presidential election. saturday�*s voting was largely peaceful, but there were some reports of clashes between rival groups of supporters in lagos. parts of california have experienced their lowest temperatures for more than a century as a blizzard brought snowfall for the first time in decades. a cold weather front from the arctic has caused disruption along america�*s west coast.