this is bbc news — welcome if you're watching here in the uk or around the globe. i'm ben brown. our top stories at least 43 people have died — after a boat carrying migrants sinks near the coast of southern italy. translation: i pray for everyone of them, for translation: i pray for everyone of them. for the — translation: i pray for everyone of them, for the missing _ translation: i pray for everyone of them, for the missing and _ translation: i pray for everyone of them, for the missing and the - translation: i pray for everyone of them, for the missing and the other| them, for the missing and the other surviving migrants. the uk and the european union edge closer to a new deal on post—brexit trading rules for northern ireland — but the british government says details still need to be resolved... i don't want to get ahead of ourselves here, i understand what you are saying in that there are is a degree of quiet confidence about the progress, but we are not there yet. counting is under way in nigeria's most competitive elections in decades — with three candidates still hopeful

of becoming president. and — blizzard conditions in unexpected places in america — as a cold weather front hits california and other southern states. more than 43 people, including a baby, have died after a boat carrying migrants sank in rough seas off the southern italian mainland — according to the coastguard. dozens of bodies were found on a beach near a seaside resort in the calabria region, with others found in the waters nearby. these pictures from the italian coastguard were filmed in darkness, early on sunday morning — and you can see the wreckage of the boat. one local official has suggested as many as 150 people had been onboard. rescuers are still searching

for survivors, after the vessel — reportedly broke apart near the coastal town of crotone. the coastguard says 80 people are known to have survived but a large search and rescue effort continues on land and at sea. this report from richard galpin. continues on land and at sea. this is all that remains of the wooden boat in which are so many people died last night as they tried to reach the southern coast of italy. the italian coastguard says there were at least 120 people on board the boat. according to the latest reports, at least 43 have drowned. emergency services have continued the search for more survives at sea in the daylight, using boats and jet skis. but conditions have been bad, making this search difficult. some bodies have been recovered. the boat was

bringing migrants from iran, pakistan and afghanistan. italy's one of the main landing points for migrants trying to enter europe by sea. the so—called central mediterranean route is known as one of most dangerous. translation: ., , most dangerous. translation: , ,, translation: the pope has expressed sorrow at the — translation: the pope has expressed sorrow at the loss _ translation: the pope has expressed sorrow at the loss of _ translation: the pope has expressed sorrow at the loss of life, _ sorrow at the loss of life, including children, he added he would pray for them. figs including children, he added he would pray for them.— including children, he added he would pray for them. as of last week the were would pray for them. as of last week they were almost _ would pray for them. as of last week they were almost 12,000 _ would pray for them. as of last week they were almost 12,000 migrants i they were almost 12,000 migrants arriving in italy every week. there were more than 100,000 crossings last year. the deputy prime minister dominic raab says a new deal on the northern ireland protocol could be done �*within days' and begun to outline what it might look like. mr raab indicated that politicians in northern ireland would have a say over any new eu rules which affect them. he also suggested checks on goods passing between britain

and northern ireland could be �*intelligence led' rather than the need to check everything. here's our political correspondent ione wells. it is full steam ahead to get a new deal between the uk and the eu. about how trade in northern ireland will work. ministers suggest it will remove checks on goods that will stay here in northern ireland and not go one to the republic of ireland and that northern irish politicians will get more of a say on future eu laws that apply to the nation. the deputy prime minister, to money grab, said these things will resolve issues with the existing deal but to judge whether mps will definitely get a vote on anyone. iii mps will definitely get a vote on an one. , ., ., mps will definitely get a vote on an one. , . ., u, mps will definitely get a vote on an one. , . ., ,, anyone. if there is a deal, can you confirm to — anyone. if there is a deal, can you confirm to your _ anyone. if there is a deal, can you confirm to your colleagues - anyone. if there is a deal, can you confirm to your colleagues and - anyone. if there is a deal, can you | confirm to your colleagues and our view is _ confirm to your colleagues and our view is that— confirm to your colleagues and our view is that mps will have a say? that _ view is that mps will have a say? that they — view is that mps will have a say? that they will be a proper vote on a deai~ _ that they will be a proper vote on a deal ~ , that they will be a proper vote on a

deal. ~ , ., , ,., , deal. mps will get the opportunity to exress deal. mps will get the opportunity to express themselves, _ deal. mps will get the opportunity to express themselves, to - deal. mps will get the opportunity to express themselves, to do - deal. mps will get the opportunity to express themselves, to do this| to express themselves, to do this right thing in the right way, protecting the good friday agreement that has come under pressure from the northern ireland protocol, but frankly, if you ask about the politics, fulfilling our manifesto commitment.— politics, fulfilling our manifesto commitment. under the current rotocol, commitment. under the current protocol. goods _ commitment. under the current protocol, goods from _ commitment. under the current protocol, goods from scotland, | protocol, goods from scotland, england and wales are checked before they enter northern ireland to make sure they follow eu rules, that basically create a border down the irish sea. that is to make sure there is still an open borderfrom northern ireland into the republic of ireland which is part of the eu. the largest unionist party in northern ireland, the dup, hated it. they want to go back into the government in belfast until a change. they and some tory mps are still concerned the eu can ultimately have control over future eu laws that will apply in northern ireland. ~ ., eu laws that will apply in northern ireland. ~ . ., , ., eu laws that will apply in northern ireland. . ., ., ., ireland. what we want is a situation where eu law _ ireland. what we want is a situation where eu law is _ ireland. what we want is a situation where eu law is expanded, - ireland. what we want is a situation where eu law is expanded, treated|

ireland. what we want is a situation l where eu law is expanded, treated on the same basis as england, scotland and wales. ., , ~ , ., and wales. other tory mps are urging pragmatism- — and wales. other tory mps are urging pragmatism- we _ and wales. other tory mps are urging pragmatism. we have _ and wales. other tory mps are urging pragmatism. we have to _ and wales. other tory mps are urging pragmatism. we have to stop - and wales. other tory mps are urging| pragmatism. we have to stop thinking that if there is a deal that is about to be done it means we have been done over in some way. labour has said that if tunic holds a vote on a deal, they will back it, meaning it could pass even if some tories and the dup and not on board. if he is able to pull off a deal, we will soppori — if he is able to pull off a deal, we will sopport it. _ if he is able to pull off a deal, we will support it, because - if he is able to pull off a deal, we will support it, because we - if he is able to pull off a deal, we will support it, because we thinkl if he is able to pull off a deal, we. will support it, because we think it would _ will support it, because we think it would he _ will support it, because we think it would he an— will support it, because we think it would be an improvement - will support it, because we think it would be an improvement on - will support it, because we think it would be an improvement on what will support it, because we think it. would be an improvement on what we have got— would be an improvement on what we have got at_ would be an improvement on what we have got at the — would be an improvement on what we have got at the moment. _ would be an improvement on what we have got at the moment. let's - would be an improvement on what we have got at the moment. let's look. have got at the moment. let's look at the _ have got at the moment. let's look at the detail— have got at the moment. let's look at the detail in _ have got at the moment. let's look at the detail in the _ have got at the moment. let's look at the detail in the coming - have got at the moment. let's look at the detail in the coming days, i at the detail in the coming days, but all— at the detail in the coming days, but all credit— at the detail in the coming days, but all credit to _ at the detail in the coming days, but all credit to rishi _ at the detail in the coming days, but all credit to rishi sunak - at the detail in the coming days, but all credit to rishi sunak if. at the detail in the coming days, but all credit to rishi sunak if he does _ but all credit to rishi sunak if he does that — but all credit to rishi sunak if he does that. ., ., ., ., but all credit to rishi sunak if he does that. ., ., ., , does that. the road to a deal is in siaht, does that. the road to a deal is in siuht, it does that. the road to a deal is in sight. it could _ does that. the road to a deal is in sight, it could come _ does that. the road to a deal is in sight, it could come as _ does that. the road to a deal is in sight, it could come as soon - does that. the road to a deal is in sight, it could come as soon as i sight, it could come as soon as tomorrow, but political battles may lie ahead for rishi sunak, if it is not enough to convince the dup back into government in belfast. we will be talking more about this later in the programme. the former uk environment secretary george eustice says ood shortages that have seen some shoppers facing empty shelves will continue for three orfour weeks. four major supermarkets in the uk

have imposed limits how much people can buy of certain products including tomatoes, cucumbers and peppers. speaking on sunday with laura kuenssberg, mr eustice said "there's nothing the government can do immediately" to avoid the problems affecting supply chains. there isn't much different the government could done in recent months and it's nothing they can do immediately. we will have three or four mac weeks of this and this will have to work to work to get it right. but there are longer—term things we should be doing. we had a new strategy on food lastjuly, we should be committing to onshore production, so glass has production of cucumbers, tomatoes, building that here, we should have more enlightened approach to labour, so we can get access to labour. votes are being counted in nigeria's most competitive presidential election in decades. the process has been largely peaceful, but there've 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 0kwoche who's in abuja this is a moment of history, because these are competitive, really competitive elections? indeed, traditionally _ competitive elections? indeed, traditionally in _ competitive elections? indeed, traditionally in nigeria - competitive elections? indeed, traditionally in nigeria there i competitive elections? indeed, l traditionally in nigeria there have been two parties dominating the political scene. been two parties dominating the politicalscene. but been two parties dominating the political scene. but this year there was a game changer in a third contestant, peter 0bi, who out of nowhere used to social media to galvanise the youth of this country, the youth make up 70% of the electorate. and they want change. yes, it's now a three horse race for

those elections. they did go rather peacefully in most of the country, but there were pockets of violence in lagos, elsewhere in the oil producing niger delta, but we have just heard from the head of the electoral commission here in nigeria, he acknowledged that there were some problems, but said accounting has begun and hopefully by tomorrow or early tuesday we should begin to get an idea of who the next president of nigeria is a. peter, whoever wins, they face some really daunting challenges. and huge problems. you really daunting challenges. and huge roblems. ., ., , problems. you are right. sometimes ou problems. you are right. sometimes you wonder — problems. you are right. sometimes you wonder why— problems. you are right. sometimes you wonder why anyone _ problems. you are right. sometimes you wonder why anyone would - problems. you are right. sometimes you wonder why anyone would want | problems. you are right. sometimes i you wonder why anyone would want to be the prime minister of this country —— like the president. just because of the plethora of problems. insecurity is rife, there is a

succession as movement in the south—east of the country, in the north—west there is banditry and then there is a huge cash crunch, simply because a few weeks ago the government decided to replace the old notes, the local currency, but when people took their notes to the banks to change them to the new ones, there was a shortage, so there is a huge cash shortage here in nigeria, cost of living crisis brought upon by the war in ukraine as well as the covid—19 pandemic. so, yes, a lot of problems on the in tray of whoever wins these election. just a last thought, how significant do you think these elections are, in terms of democracy in africa as a whole, as an example of a very competitive election? it's good for the continent.— the continent. absolutely. i had a chat with the _ the continent. absolutely. i had a chat with the formic _ the continent. absolutely. i had a chat with the formic union - the continent. absolutely. i had a i chat with the formic union president who is here in nigeria as the head

of the african union observer mission and he said this is a huge democracy, the largest in the continent, 87,000... empty... 87 million people are eligible to vote will stop he said if nigeria get it right, then the rest of africa get it right. elections are huge insignificance here.- it right. elections are huge insignificance here. it right. elections are huge insianificance here. ., ,, , ., , insignificance here. thank you very much indeed- _ let's go back to the bus ability of a breakthrough on those talks on a new post—brexit trading alliance. with me now is our political correspondent, ione wells. how blessed you think we are? earlier today the deputy prime minister has said that we are on the cusp of one and from speaking to people in and around government and close to negotiations, it does seem like the substance of the deal is pretty much there, it's now a case

of how is it presented and delivered. and, crucially, how it is sold politically to those who have been sceptical of the idea of it. i think there is a suggestion that it could be days away and certainly one indication that we have had about some aspect of the timing of this is that conservative mps in parliament to have been given a three line whip, essentially a in order to be in parliament tomorrow, which suggests if a deal is signed on the dotted line this weekend that they could be in a position to move pretty fast and let mps have a look at it and have a say as soon as tomorrow. do at it and have a say as soon as tomorrow-— at it and have a say as soon as tomorrow. ~ ., ., ., tomorrow. do we know what other details, you _ tomorrow. do we know what other details, you talk— tomorrow. do we know what other details, you talk about _ tomorrow. do we know what other details, you talk about the - details, you talk about the substance of it, we hear about red lanes, green lanes, in terms of goods moving into northern ireland, how is it actually going to work, do we have a clue about that? certainly the deu we have a clue about that? certainly the deputy prime — we have a clue about that? certainly the deputy prime minister— we have a clue about that? certainly the deputy prime minister did - we have a clue about that? certainly the deputy prime minister did hint l the deputy prime minister did hint at some of what this deal might contain, some of which has been largely speculated about in the last couple of days. one of the things,

as you say, is creating a new lane which would mean any goods travelling from scotland, england and wales into northern ireland that are not going to go on to the republic of ireland, part of the eu, may be exempt from some of those checks, which have caused issues for businesses and retailers do leading trade with northern ireland. that is one aspect. he also suggested they may be more of a safer northern irish politicians over any future eu laws that would apply to northern ireland. this could still be a sticking point because of some of the critics of any potential deal, including some conservative mps, including some conservative mps, including democratic unionist party including democratic unionist party in northern ireland, do have concerns that the eu might still maintain what this feel is too much sovereignty over the nation. and. sovereignty over the nation. and, 'ust on sovereignty over the nation. and, just on that. _ sovereignty over the nation. and, just on that, potential— sovereignty over the nation. and, just on that, potential opposition from tory mps, brexit, boris johnson, who could be leading and rebellion, do you think that is likely? rebellion, do you think that is likel ? . ., , , rebellion, do you think that is likel? . ., , , , likely? he certainly has been pretty outsoken likely? he certainly has been pretty outspoken on _ likely? he certainly has been pretty outspoken on this _ likely? he certainly has been pretty outspoken on this particular- likely? he certainly has been pretty

outspoken on this particular point, | outspoken on this particular point, he negotiated the first northern ireland protocol and the existing deal which even he admits there are problems. he and some conservative mps would like to plan one with a plan he introduced when he was prime minister which would be to introduce a law that essentially lets the government here completely override the existing deal. that is not something that the government wants to do in the first instance, it would much prefer to get a deal that it has agreed with the eu. but, certainly, they could be some political battles ahead when the prime minister needs to sell this. it will be an interesting few days, thank you very much. sport now. and for a full round—up, from the bbc sport centre, here's hugh ferris. australia are batting first in the women's t20 world cup final in cape town... it's a trohpy they're trying to win for a sixth time... against south africa the hosts

but surprise finalists. it's their first of any kind in international women's cricket after. 18 without loss after deciding to bat first, winning the toss. the third day of the second test between new zealand and england started with a follow on and ended with a fight back. the home side finished day three just 24 runs behind after being asked to bat again, beginning their second innings 226 adrift. tom latham and devon conway made 149 for the first wicket, before new zealand lost three wickets to jack leach and joe root. but kane williamson and henry nicholls dug in, to finish on 202—3 in their second innings. they had a counterattack this morning and then when reinforced the follow what i thought we bowled exceptionally well without much reward, without much luck. but you will get days like today where it is

tough work and that is test cricket and we expect, when you, get... when you come up against quality opposition to have days like this, but it is enthralling. sweden's armand duplantis has broken his own pole vault world record, clearing 6 metres 22 to add one centimetre to his previous mark. after knocking the bar in his first two attempts at the world athletics indoor tour silver meeting in france the olympic champion cleared it with room to spare on the third try. he had barely touched the mat before a spray of sparklers went off. duplantis set the previous record on his way to winning gold at the world championships last july. saturday's effort marks the sixth world record of his career and the 60th time the swede has cleared six metres or higher. you have moments like this when everything, when energy is so high in the building and you are going down there for a world record attempt and it feels like i'm just like levitating off the ground, i

feel like my body never even touch the ground because ijust feel like it is almost like an out of body experience because it feels surreal to be in this situation. newcastle have the chance to end one of english football's most notable trophy droughts at wembley today. their last major domestic trophy was 68 years ago, when they won the fa cup. there have been finals since but never silverware, as they prepare to take on manchester united in the league cup. their opponents have also been waiting longer than they'd have liked for a trophy. manchester united's last was in this competition six years ago and their recent form, including a win over barcelona in europe. will make them favourites later. that's all the sport for now. the european union is bringing in more sanctions against the russian mercenary group for human rights abuses in three african countries. eight individuals and seven entities are listed. the group came to

providence for its activities in ukraine where the government has commissioned to fight alongside greg forces. it has recruited convicts and prisons and been accused of summary executions. meanwhile ukraine has issued postage stamps featuring a mural by the world—renowned uk graffiti artist, banksy two marked the first anniversary. 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. 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 0klahoma,

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. varn—darnah bhan, bbc news. plans have been unveiled by the uk government to improve standards in social housing following the grenfell tower disaster and the death of two—year—old awaab ishak, who was exposed to mould at his family home in rochdale. it wants managers in social housing organisations to have a professional qualification, with landlords given time limits to fix problems orface fines, as jon donnison reports. awaab ishak was just two years old when he died in december 2020. the cause, a respiratory condition

brought on by mould and damp in his family's rented flat in rochdale. awaab's father had complained to their housing association for years, but nothing had been done. earlier this year, the housing secretary, michael gove, pledged to introduce what's being called awaab's law, saying people living in social housing were being inexcusably let down. under the new legislation, landlords will have to investigate and fix mould and damp within strict time limits. today, mr gove is announcing additional new rules that will mean social housing managers will have to get a professional qualification in housing. it's thought it will apply to around 25,000 people working in social housing across the country. any landlords who don't comply could be fined by the regulator. i think this is going to increase professionalism in the sector. it's something that i've spoken personally to the secretary of state about when i first met with him, and i think it's going to positively, positively impact the sector in general.

this should have happened 40 years ago. it should have happened when social housing was first introduced. i think the government could go even further with extending the requirement to be qualified when working in housing, right down to housing officers. the measures will be included in the new social housing bill, which is due to resume its passage through parliament later this week. jon donnison, bbc news. we will bring you up—to—date on our top stories, of least 43 people that have died after a boat carrying migrants sank near the coast of southern italy. danny aeberhard, bbc world service europe regional editor, joins me now. what is the latest? 43 confirmed dead after now, _ what is the latest? 43 confirmed dead after now, but _ what is the latest? 43 confirmed dead after now, but beyond - what is the latest? 43 confirmed dead after now, but beyond that| what is the latest? 43 confirmed i dead after now, but beyond that we know that 80 people have survived, that brings about 120 people. what we don't know for sure is how many

people the boat when it sank, just off the coast. some survivors report off the coast. some survivors report of 180 people aboard the ship, some were reporting 250 on board. some of these accounts, often confused in these accounts, often confused in the early hours after a disaster such as this, we will see. but clearly, a very major disaster, the air and sea rescue is carrying on, because god is also deploying subs, we don't know what kind. —— the coastguard. they are also helping on the land, looking for other people who may have survived the disaster. just briefly, what is the wider context to this, in terms of migrant crossings in that area? that context to this, in terms of migrant crossings in that area?— crossings in that area? at the moment. _ crossings in that area? at the moment. we _ crossings in that area? at the moment, we know— crossings in that area? at the moment, we know that - crossings in that area? at the moment, we know that most| crossings in that area? at the - moment, we know that most migration comes from libya and tunisia, across the central mediterranean ridge, officials think this boat may have

come from eastern turkey used by far fewer migrants, and expensive and lucrative route for traffickers, suggests the italian mafia might be involved and turkish mobsters, but we don't know for sure. they may have come from near the coast, several days of crossing. and we don't know specifically why it broke up, although the coast could have said it hit rocks as it was coming close to land. what i think you very much. let'sjust close to land. what i think you very much. let's just tell you also, the italian prime minister giorgia meloni has put out a statement saying she expresses weight deep sorrow for the many human lives cut short by human traffickers and goes on to say it is inhumane to exchange the lives of — on to say it is inhumane to exchange the lives of men _ on to say it is inhumane to exchange the lives of men women _ on to say it is inhumane to exchange the lives of men women and - on to say it is inhumane to exchange j the lives of men women and children for the price of the ticket. then she says her government is committed

to preventing migrants departures and with them the unfolding of these tragedies. that is the italian prime minister will stop more on that throughout the day, you have been watching bbc news. 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: at least 43 people have died after a boat carrying migrants sank near the coast of southern italy. officials say it crashed against rocks in rough weather and several people are still missing. talks between the eu and the uk are continuing to try to strike a new deal over post—brexit trade rules for northern ireland. both sides say an agreement is coming closer. 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