live from london, this is bbc news. on the 25th anniversary of the good friday agreement being signed — the british prime minister calls for power sharing to return to northern ireland. chinese military forces conduct drills around taiwan for a third day. the display of force is beijing's angry reponse to a visit by the taiwanese president to the us. taiwan air force scrambles jets amid rising tensions with china. as china warns — taiwanese independence is incompatible with peace. elon musk says the bbc is "among the least biased news organisations." it's in response to the bbc�*s objections to being labelled as "government—funded media" on its main twitter account. the us investigates the leaking of dozens of intelligence documents,

including details of training and weaponry for ukraine. and 100 days in — mixed reviews in brazil for president luiz inacio lula da silva's administration. let's return now to our top story. today marks 25 years since the signing of the good friday agreement — an historic peace deal that largely ended violence in northern ireland. i'm joined now by the former minister for northern ireland between 1997 and 1999 for the labour government led by tony blair, who chaired the talks in the lead up to the peace deal, lord paul murphy. thank you forjoining us. we will of course talking a moment about the legacy and what was achieved but it is probably worth casting our minds back to what things were like before

the agreement and a deal was by no means certain, was it? talked us through what things are like in the run—up to the deal. £31 through what things are like in the run-up to the deal.— through what things are like in the run-up to the deal. of course, there had been 3500 _ run-up to the deal. of course, there had been 3500 people _ run-up to the deal. of course, there had been 3500 people killed - run-up to the deal. of course, there had been 3500 people killed over i run-up to the deal. of course, there | had been 3500 people killed over 30 years in northern ireland and great britain and so when i arrived, a year or so before the good friday agreement was signed, things were still pretty bad. relations between the communities were rock bottom. of course, particularly people were still killing each other. frankly, right up through 1997 to the christmas of that year and the january of 1998, there were still murders. i thought when we came back in the new year we wouldn't do the deal. a lot of work had been done. it had been started byjohn major and continued by tony blair, good work between the two governments but there was still mistrust and difficulties which i thought were too much to overcome. but of course

george mitchell, the overall chair of the talks decided to put a deadline of easter friday 1998 and that concentrated minds tremendously. as we moved towards that date, things began to improve. but even in the very first week of the talks leading up to good friday, i still didn't think it was going to be possible. so it was uncertainty almost right up until the very end. just remind us of what it was like when you originally arrived there. i have seen comments you may before about how nothing prepares you for what you encountered, in terms of the military presence and the fortresses. i the military presence and the fortresses-— the military presence and the fortresses. ., w ., , fortresses. i had never actually been to northern _ fortresses. i had never actually been to northern ireland - fortresses. i had never actually been to northern ireland untill fortresses. i had never actuallyj been to northern ireland untili been to northern ireland until i became in opposition deputy to mo mowlam, who became secretary of state, of course. when i first visited there, i thought i was entering another country, different world altogether. police stations were like fortresses. the city centre in belfast could be deserted

because of the bomb scare. restaurants were not opening. it was simply on another planet. i was totally amazed that this was part of my country, part of the united kingdom. had this been in surrey, wales, the midlands or wherever, i think i would have been more astonished but i was really surprised with what i saw. and as the months wore on when i did the job, i realised that people genuinely and seriously wanted to change but after 30 years of conflict, real deep conflict between people, it was not easy to overcome. you have a unique situation and that you were in the room seeing this all play out. you talk there the whale, the general will for change. i wonder how much actually came to the actual personalities in the room and they were such huge personalities, weren't they? how much was it also down to a general will in the

country for change? was it down to the personalities as individuals or was there something bigger than that forcing this alone? i know you say george mitchell's deadline focus minds are somewhat but how do you think it compares in terms of the actual people in the room's responsibility for this and the bigger picture? it responsibility for this and the bigger picture?— responsibility for this and the bigger picture? it was both, no auestion bigger picture? it was both, no question there _ bigger picture? it was both, no question there was _ bigger picture? it was both, no question there was a _ bigger picture? it was both, no question there was a war- bigger picture? it was both, no - question there was a war weariness in northern ireland. people had had enough, particularly women had had enough, particularly women had had enough of what happened to their fathers and sons and brothers. but there was also undoubtably a totally different position after the talks had started. these were formal talks and it meant that these big personalities you talked about were forced in a way to be in the same room, notjust for the odd day but literally for two years. so we had these very big names, gerry adams, martin mcguinness, mcwilliams and all the others, who are seriously major figures. all the others, who are seriously majorfigures. and most importantly

could bring their counties and their communities with them. and the fact that they were able and had to mix with each other, day in and day out, sometimes for hours on end, meant that gradually and very slowly, trust was built up. confidence was built up and they started talking to each other in a way they could never have done had they not been forced into this as it were a hothouse of talks that had been going on for nearly two years. that meant they were dealing with each other as people, as individuals, not simply as names and that was a huge difference in terms of what previous peace attempts had been attempted. indeed, i've been over the world, the philippines, sri lanka and elsewhere talking about the northern ireland peace process and my main theme was you cannot make peace part time. these were full—time negotiators, spending all their time, literally, week in and week

out, meeting with each other to come up out, meeting with each other to come up with the eventual solution, which of course was the good friday agreement. of course was the good friday agreement-— of course was the good friday agreement. let's talk about its le . a agreement. let's talk about its legacy because _ agreement. let's talk about its legacy because we _ agreement. let's talk about its legacy because we are - agreement. let's talk about its legacy because we are marking j agreement. let's talk about its - legacy because we are marking this anniversary with the backdrop of no functioning government in stormont and also these warnings from the police about potential violence. how do you feel about things now? well. do you feel about things now? well, geora e do you feel about things now? well, george mitchell, _ do you feel about things now? well, george mitchell, when _ do you feel about things now? well, george mitchell, when he _ do you feel about things now? -ii george mitchell, when he concluded the talks at 5.30 on the afternoon of good friday 1998 said this was just the beginning of the process and he was absolutely right. although he came up with this historic deal and it did all sorts of things, not simply set up the institutions of government in northern ireland. it released prisoners, decommissioned weapons, de—militarised northern ireland and change the police forces and introduced the concept of consent so people in northern ireland could decide their own future. he realised there would be a bumpy ride ahead andindeed there would be a bumpy ride ahead and indeed it was. the 25 years since the good friday agreement,

nine years, the assembly was suspended and of course currently still is. but that doesn't mean to say there is not hope because there is hope. i genuinely believe that things will turn around in the next few months. very difficult issues, largely caused because we left the european union. that meant that northern ireland is in the single market. that has produced difficulties for the unionist parties in northern ireland but there were issues 25 years ago which where even bigger than that so i have confidence they will resolve them. but it is not easy and no one is suggesting it is but i hope that these celebrations this week and next surrounding the good friday agreement will concentrate minds, just as ours where a quarter of a century ago, to come up with a solution to ensure that we have political stability in northern ireland. ., , , ireland. 0k, really interesting talkin: to ireland. 0k, really interesting talking to you. _ ireland. 0k, really interesting talking to you. thank - ireland. 0k, really interesting talking to you. thank you - ireland. 0k, really interesting talking to you. thank you so l ireland. 0k, really interesting- talking to you. thank you so much for coming on. lord paul murphy, former minister for northern ireland

between 1997—1999. now — buckingham palace has released new details about king charles' coronation — from the procession route, to the crownjewels that will be used. here's the latest from our royal correspondent nicholas witchell. less than four weeks now to their big day, and preparations for the coronation of king charles iii and the crowning of camilla as his queen are in full swing. first, the route that will take them from buckingham palace to westminster abbey and back again has been confirmed. from the palace down the mall to trafalgar square and then down whitehall, around parliament square to the abbey's west door. the return route will be the same journey in reverse, a much shorterjourney than that taken by the late queen elizabeth after her coronation. the king and queen consort will travel to the coronation in one of the newest royal carriages, the diamond jubilee state coach, escorted by the household cavalry. inside westminster abbey, the service itself will see

the crownjewels, the regalia, the symbols of the monarch�*s authority, being used for the first time since queen elizabeth was crowned. the sovereign�*s orb and sceptres, swords, bracelets, and spurs — all will have their part in this elaborate religious service, which culminates with the crowning of the monarch with st edward's crown. camilla will be crowned with queen mary's crown, which contains some of the cullinan diamonds. she'll also hold the queen consort�*s rod, which is made of ivory. they will process from the abbey, just as queen elizabeth did, for the return journey to the palace. and for that, they will board this — the 18th century gold state coach. it weighs four tonnes, and it's notoriously uncomfortable. the king and queen may be relieved that their journey back to the palace, escorted by military detachments, will be only a quarter of the length of that undertaken by queen elizabeth in 1953. royal staff have done their best to make the gold coach

as comfortable as possible. back at buckingham palace, there'll be a royal salute and, one imagines, an appearance on the palace balcony, though that hasn't been confirmed. one innovation — the palace has launched a new emoji to mark the coronation. so a ceremony rooted in history with at least one modern touch. nicholas witchell, bbc news. victoria howard is with us, she is a royal expert and commentator, the founder of the crown chronicles. what you make of all the details you just heard there? i what you make of all the details you just heard there?— just heard there? i think the really interestin: just heard there? i think the really interesting details _ just heard there? i think the really interesting details was _ just heard there? i think the really interesting details was learning . just heard there? i think the really. interesting details was learning how charles wanted to steer this historic but personal ceremony. i still want to know who is coming! and what they are wearing. exactly. lets talk about _ and what they are wearing. exactly. lets talk about some _ and what they are wearing. exactly. lets talk about some of _ and what they are wearing. exactly. lets talk about some of the - and what they are wearing. exactly. lets talk about some of the things l lets talk about some of the things mentioned. there will be a shorter journey than there was before but also they have been trying to make

this coach a bit more comfortable. tell us about that. the this coach a bit more comfortable. tell us about that.— tell us about that. the gold state coach dates _ tell us about that. the gold state coach dates back _ tell us about that. the gold state coach dates back to _ tell us about that. the gold state coach dates back to 1762 - tell us about that. the gold state coach dates back to 1762 and - tell us about that. the gold state coach dates back to 1762 and was| coach dates back to 1762 and was originally intended to be made for george iii's nation but they missed out on that by about six months because it was such an ornate piece. it is made of wood, there are cherubs and titans, painted panels across the whole thing but it is notoriously uncomfortable. of course, made in a time where there wasn't that technological innovation to make some of these aspects a bit more comfortable. h0 to make some of these aspects a bit more comfortable.— more comfortable. no proper susnension. _ more comfortable. no proper suspension. is _ more comfortable. no proper suspension, is there? - more comfortable. no proper| suspension, is there? exactly. william w, — suspension, is there? exactly. william w, a _ suspension, is there? exactly. william iv, a naval— suspension, is there? exactly. william iv, a naval officer- suspension, is there? exactly. - william iv, a naval officer himself, compared it to being tossed around in the waves that c. george vi called it one of the most uncomfortable journeys of his life. so i can only imagine that charles and camilla are quite relieved they have the option to use another carriage for at least part of that journey. carriage for at least part of that “ourne . �* , ., carriage for at least part of that “ourne . �* , . ., ., journey. and they are quite a lot older than _ journey. and they are quite a lot older than at _ journey. and they are quite a lot older than at the _ journey. and they are quite a lot older than at the time _ journey. and they are quite a lot older than at the time of- journey. and they are quite a lot older than at the time of the - older than at the time of the queen's nation. mention also have an

ivory rod being used. i wonder whether there is some speculation that people are talking about prince william and how he might feel about that, given all of the campaigning he has done around the ivory issue? yes, and this is something that has been raised before in a different way. so the royalfamily been raised before in a different way. so the royal family orders u.c. of queen elizabeth ii, hers is a yellow ribbon with a portrait of the queen on it that women wear. camilla and kate have on that. they are traditionally made of ivory as well but it is believed kate's was not made of ivory because it was a new piece and there was no need for it. elephants are so endangered that it would be completely inappropriate. however i think when it comes to something like the crown jewels, there is a different balance here because they are so old. some of these date back to the late 1600s. charles ii and james ii. so it is a different time and it is not like they are going to be recreated. so i think that is one that could possibly be something that continues

as tradition for the royal family in future. irate as tradition for the royal family in future. ~ ., , as tradition for the royal family in future. ~ , ., future. we saw the royals arriving esterda future. we saw the royals arriving yesterday in _ future. we saw the royals arriving yesterday in windsor _ future. we saw the royals arriving yesterday in windsor for _ future. we saw the royals arriving yesterday in windsor for the - future. we saw the royals arriving | yesterday in windsor for the easter sunday service. i saw prince andrew walking directly behind king charles and camilla. did that give you some sort of idea of the prominent role that he might play in the coronation?— that he might play in the coronation? ., ., �* ~ coronation? no, i don't think so. yesterday's _ coronation? no, i don't think so. yesterday's service _ coronation? no, i don't think so. yesterday's service was - coronation? no, i don't think so. yesterday's service was very - coronation? no, i don't think so. | yesterday's service was very much coronation? no, i don't think so. i yesterday's service was very much a family service. itjust happened they let some photographers integrate them because they know there is public interest in attending that service. so i don't think andrew will have a prominent role at all. he will be there solely because he is the cane because my brother and not because he is duke of york, for example. i wouldn't worry too much about that. {lilia of york, for example. i wouldn't worry too much about that. 0k, thank ou ve worry too much about that. 0k, thank you very much — worry too much about that. 0k, thank you very much for _ worry too much about that. 0k, thank you very much for talking _ worry too much about that. 0k, thank you very much for talking to _ worry too much about that. 0k, thank you very much for talking to us. - you very much for talking to us. victoria howard, royal commentator, thank you. around the world and across the uk. this is bbc news. when dnd and have been married for

36 years and they have three children and two grandchildren but everything changed in 2014 when victoria howard was diagnosed with frontotemporal dementia. in victoria howard was diagnosed with frontotemporal dementia.— victoria howard was diagnosed with frontotemporal dementia. in 2013 he was behaving — frontotemporal dementia. in 2013 he was behaving a _ frontotemporal dementia. in 2013 he was behaving a bit _ frontotemporal dementia. in 2013 he was behaving a bit of— frontotemporal dementia. in 2013 he was behaving a bit of a _ frontotemporal dementia. in 2013 he was behaving a bit of a strange - frontotemporal dementia. in 2013 he was behaving a bit of a strange way. | was behaving a bit of a strange way. we didn't think he was ill, we just thought there was something wrong. i actually thought my marriage was breaking down because he seemed to ruin everything that we are trying to do. it ruin everything that we are trying to do. ., , ruin everything that we are trying todo. . ., ruin everything that we are trying todo. . to do. it mainly affects people between the _ to do. it mainly affects people between the ages _ to do. it mainly affects people between the ages of— to do. it mainly affects people between the ages of 45 - to do. it mainly affects people between the ages of 45 and i to do. it mainly affects people | between the ages of 45 and 65. symptoms can include personality and behaviour changes and problems with language and mental focus. behaviour changes and problems with language and mentalfocus. wendy is pleased there is already more awareness since the actor bruce willis has been diagnosed with it. if there is celebrities out there that can promote this, it's fantastic.— that can promote this, it's fantastic. , , ., . that can promote this, it's fantastic. , , ., fantastic. there is still no cure or even a way _ fantastic. there is still no cure or even a way of — fantastic. there is still no cure or even a way of slowing _ fantastic. there is still no cure or even a way of slowing the - fantastic. there is still no cure or| even a way of slowing the disease down but wendy hopes more awareness will help those living with it and their families. you're live with bbc news. a judge in italy is set to decide

whether a key suspect in the qatargate corruption scandal is to be handed over to belgium. the italian andrea cozzolino is a member of the european parliament — he is accused of taking bribes from qatar and morocco, charges mr cozzolino denies. three other current and former meps are in prison in belgium awaiting trial for their alleged involvement in the corruption scheme, two of them deny the claims, one has confessed. but mr cozzolino is fighting extradition. the bbc�*s brussels correspondent jess parker reports. it was a political earthquake, an alleged corruption scandal at the heart of the european parliament. this story's a tangled web — catching lawmakers, officials and lobbyists in its net. in its immediate aftermath, eu leaders rushed to announce action. there will be no sweeping under the carpet. we will ask for more transparency on meetings with foreign actors and those linked to them.

the police investigation stretches hundreds of miles from brussels to, among other places here — the port city of salerno in southern italy, where we've spoken to the lawyer of a key suspect... andrea cozzolino, an italian member of the european parliament, suspected of acting in the interests of foreign powers, namely qatar and morocco, in exchange for money — which he denies. qatar and morocco have also hit back at the claims. belgian prosecutors want andrea cozzolino detained in brussels, but his lawyers are contesting the european arrest warrant. translation: the warrant is completely vague, - partial and sometimes even lacks transparency. if the belgian prosecutor has the proof of cozzolino's guilt, why don't they show it? the fact they don't leads us to think that cozzolino's arrest is aimed to get him injail and see if he cracks, if he confesses to a crime, even though he didn't do it. concerns about the state

of belgium's prisons have also been raised. in our opinion, in belgium, there isn't a prison that could guarantee his health rights. he suffers from heart problems. he needs intensive treatment and could risk his own life if he doesn't receive the appropriate care in a crisis. belgium's federal prosecutor's office declined to comment, but some legal experts aren't so reticent. seems to be yet another attempt at delaying, gaining time and perhaps leveraging on the health status of mr cozzolino in order to somehow tarnish or complicate further a very difficult and very silent investigation across europe. so i would say this is not very fair. news of this investigation first broke back in december last year. it was a bombshell moment. months later, the case continues to fizzle, but it's become more complicated. all the while, it's a cloud hanging over the european parliament. this place is the eu's only directly

elected institution. nevertheless, it sometimes struggles for relevance and recognition. this story's certainly got it in the headlines, but in a way it's feared is damaging to public trust. this case is playing out in the open, before a possible trial has even begun. eu discomfort is palpable, whichever way you look. jessica parker, bbc news, in brussels. let's take a look at some of the other stories making the news around the world now. nhs staff in the uk will prioritise emergency and urgent care during the junior doctor's strike, which is set to be �*the most disruptive action in nhs history', nhs england has announced. up to quarter of a million operations and appointments could be postponed due to the strike, with the walkout due to start on tuesday. the indian prime minister, narendra modi, says the number of wild tigers has almost doubled

in the country over the past 20 years. the 3,000 tigers in india now account for 75% of the world's wild population. announcing the latest tiger census data at a ceremony in the southern state of karnataka, mr modi hailed it as a success story. us vice president kamala harris flew to nashville on friday in a show of support for tennessee state lawmakers who were expelled for staging a demonstration for gun control on the statehouse floor. republicans, who control the tennessee house of representatives, expelled two young black lawmakers who led protesters into the well of the house floor, whilst a resolution to remove a white representative came up one vote short. just to remind you that you can get a lot more on all of the stories we

are covering on our website. go to the bbc news and you can reach me on twitter as well. all around the world — millions of people have been celebrating the easter weekend. later on monday, the traditional egg—rolling event will take place at the white house in washington. but in one town in western germany, when it comes to easter eggs — they do things a little differently, as the bbc�*s tim allman explains. normally this time of year, you eat easter eggs. but not here, in the town of horhausen. instead, theyjust chuck them, as far as they possibly can. contestants of all ages take part, throwing hard—boiled chicken eggs and the rules are remarkably simple. translation: the egg must remain intact and it should _ fly as far as possible.

the best thing is to hold it between your index finger and your thumb. every participant has only one go and some throws are a little less impressive than others. the record, dating back more than 20 years, with 78 metres. mind you, it's not about winning, more the taking part. "i threw mine 55 metres", said this competitor. "i didn't apply any specific technique, ijust used three "fingers and then i threw it." the winner automatically qualifies for next year's competition because for the people of horhausen, you can't make an easter omelette without throwing some eggs. tim allman, bbc news. a new project has been launched in england to secure the future of the endangered british breed of exmoor ponies — and a stallion named after alan partridge is leading the way.

he's the first to take part in a gene bank scheme, which will map the genetics of the line. janine jansen has been to find out more. # knowing me, knowing you...# aha! alan partridge could be the saviour of the exmoor pony. no, not that alan, this alan. so why is this exmoor stallion named after the comedy character? he is named elsinore alan partridge. his breeder uses the prefix elsinore for her ponies that she breeds, and she likes to choose names from tv personalities to accompany her prefix, so elsoninor alan partridge, i believe she has an elsinorejonathan creek and a few others, so that is where she got his name. it seems to suit him, he is a bit of a chatty character. alljoking aside, this is a serious story. after the second world war, there were only 50 exmoor ponies left. today, there are 4,000 worldwide,

but only 600, or 15%, are actively breeding. so the exmoor pony society is creating a gene bank. they need 25 stallions to take part. we like to think of it as an insurance policy, so what we're doing is collecting seaman from stallions and we are trying to do a cross section of the whole breed, and that semen will be stored in a bank, and if anything goes wrong with the ponies or the breed as a whole, we have got something to go back to and recreate them, if you like. alan partridge is the first to perform. he is at a fertility clinic in suffolk. the project costs £100,000, and so far, they have raised half. scientists will pick different stallions across the gene pool to create a cross section of the breed.

they are a very hardy ancient breed, as you can see appear today on a very windswept and rainy exmoor, they have got double coats, they are really well protected. if you see on the top of the tails, they have a snowshoe which throws all the water off them. they really are extremely hardy ponies, and that is what we breed them for. we have to maintain that hardiness. so what are the similarities between alan the pony and alan the celebrity? i am not sure mr coogan has met him yet, but if he is listening, we would like to get in touch and set him up with a meeting. that was janine jansen there meeting alan partridge, the pony. now here's the weather with carol kirkwood. hello again. a pretty wet start to the day and the rain slowly clear from the ease for most of us during the course of the afternoon, only to be followed by showers. this week looks a lot

more unsettled than last week. there will be some sunshine but it will be wetter than last week and also more windy. you can see where the met office has a yellow weather warning out for the strength of the wind, gusting 40—60 miles an hourfrom tuesday afternoon, tuesday night and into wednesday. today, though, pollen levels and we're talking tree pollen, are moderate or high across much of the uk and they're going to remain so as we go through much of this week. today we can also see the back edge of that rain pushing away from the south—east and lingering for a time in shetland and then we have two distinctive areas of showers. some will be heavy and thundery and prolonged and blustery. as you can see, these are the average wind speeds. on either side of them, the odd shower and a fair bit of sunshine, with highs up to about 15 degrees. not feeling as cold along the north sea coastline as it has donein the north sea coastline as it has done in the last few days. we have lost all of that cloud. through this evening and overnight, still some showers around. there will be clearer skies and it will still be

breezy. temperatures in some parts of the country falling away to about three degrees, so a cold start tomorrow. tomorrow, a fair bit of sunshine around, still a scattering of showers across parts of scotland but it won't be too long before the cloud gathers in the south—west and then we see rain push into northern ireland, wales and also the south—west of england, accompanied by strong winds. the head of it, some sunshine but temperatures up to about 14 degrees. the rain is coming on courtesy of this area of low pressure, which is pushing northwards and eastwards and you can see from the squeeze on the isobars, it will be windy. the strongest winds in the west and south. we could even see some snow above about 400 metres in scotland and some wintry showers in the pennines, also the hills of wales and the moors. these black circles represent the strength of the gusts of wind. so if you are camping in a tent or caravan, bearthat in you are camping in a tent or caravan, bear that in mind. temperatures up to 11 or 12 for

most. as we head into the outlook period for the rest of the week, it remains unsettled but it looks like it is turning a bit milderfor the weekend.

live from london, this is bbc news. on the 25th anniversary of the good friday agreement being signed, the british prime minister calls for power—sharing to return to northern ireland. chinese military forces conduct drills around taiwan for a third day. the display of force is beijing's angry response to a visit by the taiwanese president to the us. elon musk says the bbc is "among the least biased news organisations". it's in response to the bbc�*s objections to being labelled as "government—funded media" on its main twitter account. a shorter procession route and an air—conditioned carriage — buckingham palace releases new details on king charles' coronation.