ofthe of the community. together all parts of the community. together with bertie ahern, he showed us what is possible when the uk and irish governments work together, a partnership i know will continue alongside my friend, leo varadker. applause. and in the spirit of perseverance it is also fitting to recognise the contribution of the security forces. like my predecessors i acknowledge that at times they made mistakes, but we must also recognise their bravery, suffering and sacrifice and that of the police. without their courageous service, there would have been no peace process at all. they created the conditions that allowed their own presence on the streets to be reduced or entirely withdrawn.

courage, imagination and perseverance. those qualities brought an imperfect but enduring peace to a place taught to believe no such peace was possible. to all those who lead us to that piece, including those in this hole and there was no longer with us, let us take this moment to say to all of you thank you. —— including those in this hall. for those of us like me who inherited this extraordinary even intimidating legacy, our challenge today is to fulfil the promise of the work you've began. to honour your legacy we need to create a more stable devolved government in northern ireland and that means

getting the institutions up and running. applause i believe there are two tasks, first to remove the biggest block to the institution returning, and that is why when i came into the office i made it a priority to fix the northern ireland protocol, and we were deeply conscious of the lessons of history as we did so, that is why our aims were of history as we did so, that is why ouraims were to of history as we did so, that is why our aims were to balance and respect the aspirations of all parts of the community, protect the relationships between east and west as much as north and south, and persist through careful detailed negotiation. i pay tribute to ursula von der leyen, who i am so pleased to see here today.

the windsor framework is a breakthrough moment, it solves practical problems and crucially strengthens northern ireland's place in our union and uk internal market. it gives the assembly significant new powers ready for when it sets again and i am confident we can build broad support for it across all communities. i show people's frustrations that the institutions are not back up and running, but that points to our second task. we must keep working to persuade all parts of the community that returning to the institutions is the best path and we will do that. we will talk, we will listen, we will try to persuade and we will not give up. i want to speak directly for a moment to the representatives of unionism, who include many diverse voices and his concerns with the protocol we are focused on addressing. i urge you to work with

us, to get stormont up and running again. that is the right thing to do in its own terms and i am convinced it is also the right thing to do for our union. iam it is also the right thing to do for our union. i am a proud it is also the right thing to do for our union. iam a proud unionist, we passionately believe that northern ireland is stronger within the united kingdom and the united kingdom is stronger with northern ireland within it. but we must also build supports beyond those of us who already identify as unionists. to do that we have to show that devolved government within the united kingdom works for northern ireland. applause the fact that the institutions have been down for nine of the last 25 years should be a source of profound concern. over the long term that will not bolster the cause of

unionism, i believe that deeply so we need to get the institutions up and running and keep them up and running. let me also say to those who would seek to reform the institutions right now. i understand your frustrations. institutions right now. i understand yourfrustrations. but institutions right now. i understand your frustrations. but history reminds us that nothing in northern ireland has ever been achieved by trying to get around one community or another. so any conversation about reform can only be made once the institutions are up and running again, and if it attracts widespread consent. the belfast good friday agreement left us an extraordinary and precious legacy. when we look backin and precious legacy. when we look back in 25 years from now, surely we should aspire for our legacy to be nothing less than this, that the institutions have been up and running for every single year. applause

because our because oui’ focus because our focus must be on the future, getting the institutions back up and running is our most pressing challenge to honour your legacy. but that is only the beginning. together we must fulfil the true promise of the 1998 agreement, that feature enshrined in the very words of the text of sustained economic growth and where we tackle the problems of a divided society. i will give everything to help deliver that vision. because i talked earlier about learning the lessons from history, one thing i took from george mitchell is the idea that the agreement itself is only 20% of the task, the rest is delivery. once the agreement was done, people asked if tony blair would walk away. he didn't. and neither will i. because... applause

because there is work to be done. so let me tell you what i am going to do. first economic growth, progress has been remarkable. in april 1998 northern ireland had the highest unemployment rate in the united kingdom. today it is the second lowest, but we need to do more. in 25 years when we look back, i want to see northern ireland has changed from an economy reliant on the public sector to a thriving dynamic economy built around the power and innovation of private enterprise. i talk a lot about the idea of levelling up, about making sure young people can feel they can fulfil their dreams and aspirations in the place they call home. that idea has particular resonance here in northern ireland. and we will not achieve it without a cascade of new investment to create jobs and opportunities. thatjourney has

opportunities. that journey has already opportunities. thatjourney has already begun. last week president biden came and told the world to invest here. he didn't say that out of sentimentality, he said it because he can see the opportunity for american businesses and because of the enormous potential of this place. the potential of the people, resilient, ingenious, determined, the potential of your businesses with world—class strengths in cyber, life sciences, financial services and the creative industries, and one of europe's�*s most thriving start—up scenes. i know thatjourney to posterity will not be easy and we are not there yet but this is my commitment to you. i will use the full force and power of the uk government to help you make one of this the best places in the world to start and grow a business, create jobs, train and learn new skills and attract investment.

applause and just as they want to look back on a more prosperous dynamic economy, so in 25 years, i also want us to look back on a more integrated and contented society. of course, we cannot simply wash away those social realities that have been present for decades. the tragic loss and the attack on dcajohn caldwell remind us how far we have to go, but people are voting on the feet and the choices they have to make for the children's education and in the social and sporting lives. a growing body of the electorate does not describe themselves solely as unionists or nationalist, british or irish. a growing portion of people sample life in different parts of the silence but still return, and a growing number of local communities

are signalling that their patients with thuggery is over. but there is yet more to do. in 25 years, should not be poisonous grip of the paramilitaries, there gangsters and drug dealers who wrapped themselves in the thick cloak of legitimacy, be broken once and for all? in 25 years, should of a peaceful be nothing more than a stop on the tourist trail? and in 25 years, should integrated education not to be the norm rather than the exception? applause of course we will not build that better future overnight and it will not always be easy, but every time i visit know northern ireland i feel

more optimistic and hopeful. because to paraphrase the late david trimble, there may be hills ahead of us but there are mountains behind. and i want to close by reflecting on an extraordinary story. just weeks before the agreement, two lifelong friends damien trainor and philip allen were murdered at points pass. one was a protestant, the other catholic. the people who murdered them may have helped to sow chaos and division and to derail the peace talks. they failed. because the story of this remarkable friendship inspired one of the most decisive breakthroughs of the whole peace process. the agreement to share power between equal first and deputy first minister is in a cold premiership with one from each community. as the lead negotiator said at the time, the stories of

philip and damien�*s special friendship could be a parable for the sort of society that we might create if we can reach agreement and he was right. that is the promise of the belfast good friday agreement. and together we can and we must fulfil it, thank you. applause studio: rishi sunak reflecting on the 25 years since that agreement, paying tribute to those who had led us to peace. he said people like me who inherited this extraordinary intimidating legacy, he talked about the challenges and a direct appeal to unionists. he said i urge you to work with us to get stormont up and running. he said it is the right thing to do for that union, we need to build support beyond that and

have to show the devolved government works for northern ireland. the british prime minister with those thoughts on what has been achieved in the last 25 years and those huge challenges politically that still lie ahead. that is the latest from belfast. whilst we were watching that important breaking news from the united states from alabama, because just in the last few minutes we have been hearing from police and they have said two suspects in the birthday party shooting, that 16th birthday, that left four people dead, two people are in custody charged with murder. let's cross over, that news conference is still going on. if over, that news conference is still auoin on. , �* , going on. if we hurry,... and every aimmick going on. if we hurry,... and every gimmick and _ going on. if we hurry,... and every gimmick and arrest _ going on. if we hurry,... and every gimmick and arrest but _ going on. if we hurry,... and every gimmick and arrest but it - going on. if we hurry,... and every gimmick and arrest but it does - going on. if we hurry,... and every gimmick and arrest but it does not| gimmick and arrest but it does not result in conviction, it does not result in conviction, it does not result in conviction, it does not result in ultimate justice for our victims, we have failed arab victims. so i ask each of you to

please be patient. please be understanding. to our victims who may not... but were here that night. we love you and you are a part of our city and family. i want to thank every one of you for your interest, for your concern, for our families, our children, for being here. there are too many partners to name them all but am telling you, sheriff jimmy adam has been a tremendous asset. the spi, state bureau of investigation and the alabama law enforcement agency, atf, fbi, united states marshals service, just to

name few. not to mention our neighbouring surrounding agencies. when i arrived on scene you had a sheriff from other counties, you had police chiefs from other cities, countless officers and specialist units who came from other jurisdictions. they did not care that this wasn't their community. they were here because they have a service heart. i asked each of you to please continue to lift us up, please be patient and please understand when you e—mail, call and text and we do not give you a specific answer, it is because there is information you want but i cannot reveal because i am not going to do anything that is going to jeopardise this investigation. i thank each of

you for your time and understanding. thank you, chief. again we are going to get— thank you, chief. again we are going to get ready— thank you, chief. again we are going to get ready to close the press conference and just what they said, this is_ conference and just what they said, this is about the victims and the families, — this is about the victims and the families, this is about this community, it is ultimately about justice _ community, it is ultimately about justice and — community, it is ultimately about justice and that is what we are here as law— justice and that is what we are here as law enforcement officers, we have as law enforcement officers, we have a duty— as law enforcement officers, we have a duty and _ as law enforcement officers, we have a duty and responsibility and that is what _ a duty and responsibility and that is what we — a duty and responsibility and that is what we are going to do to stop thanks— is what we are going to do to stop thanks again for the cooperation. the partnership has truly been amazing _ the partnership has truly been amazing. we thank the media, we thank_ amazing. we thank the media, we thank you — amazing. we thank the media, we thank you all, we know you have a 'ob thank you all, we know you have a job to _ thank you all, we know you have a job to dom — job to do... studio: that news conference job to do... — studio: that news conference join to a close just a short while earlier,

we were hearing the descriptions, what this event has meant two people, in such a small community and one of the earlier speakers talking about the children. they are viewed as our children, that is how they describe it to the four people left dead, and the two suspects named as a 16—year—old and a 17—year—old, and news that charges of murder have been laid. it has taken a long time for details to emerge around this incident, days where we didn't know whether it suspects had been detained or died in the incident. and more details about the families. that is the sergeant just answering about the families. that is the sergeantjust answering some of about the families. that is the sergeant just answering some of the final questions. he gave some of the key detailsjust a final questions. he gave some of the key details just a few months ago and i want to play you some of that. i absolutely want to thank this community and the information that

was provided, and i also want to reiterate how important it is going to be for you to continue to do that. please understand, in the violent act with the violence and went on and the magnitude with what happened, we were still in the early stages of this investigation. this is absolutely the beginning, not the end. there is a tremendous amount of work that has yet to be done, we are going to continue doing exactly what we have been doing and we are going to be very careful with everything we say and do because we absolutely are going to stay focused on the families and the victims. but we are going to need the public�*s help when we do that. that going to need the public's help when we do that. . , ., , ., we do that. that is the latest from that new conference _ we do that. that is the latest from that new conference that - we do that. that is the latest from that new conference that is - that new conference that is coming to close their and alabama. just underline the breaking line from

police, that two people have been charged with murder after the deaths of four people at that 16th birthday party just ate few days ago. that of four people at that 16th birthday partyjust ate few days ago. that is the latest coming to us from alabama. let's move from that immediately to breaking news here in the uk because in the last few seconds we are hearing that senior civil servants in the fta union are to be balloted for strikes in their dispute over pay. we are seeing a wave of industrial action across so many different sectors here in the uk, doctors, nurses, teachers. senior civil servants are the latest, in their union to ballot members for strikes in their dispute over pay. in the last little while the general secretary has been talking he says he has neverfound himself so utterly at a loss as to why the government would treat members like this. until the last minute, ithink

members like this. until the last minute, i think there was an expectation there would be a one off payment. these are people running government departments. there are the views from the general secretary of that union. clear frustration, but their members senior civil servants to be balloted. that is just emerging. you'll find details about potential strike dates and all theissues about potential strike dates and all the issues that flow out of that. around the world and across the uk, you are watching bbc news. picturesque and historic. ludlow has been a popular destination for tourists for many years. however, when you mention the town, most people think of food. but that's all changing.

now the arts are becoming prominent here with a number of major events across the year, including a brand new piano festival taking place at the end of may. the driving force behind it? comedian, impressionist and chart topping classical pianist alistair mcgowan. our festival is more classical, but we're hoping with the street pianos people can come and play anything. but the pianists coming here are top, top drawer classical pianist. he's also the patron of the ludlow fringe festival, now in its 11th year. damejudi dench and jasper carrott are just two of the names appearing at the town's fringe festival, which will see around 70 events. you're live with bbc news. a very busy afternoon. let me bring you up—to—date in terms of what is happening in sudan because in the last 30 minutes we have had an update on the civilian death toll with embassies in khartoum reporting that at least 270 civilians have

been killed in the last five days. the figure before that was around hundred and 80, a big jump and that reflects all the fighting we have seen over the last four or five days. a little earlier today we heard from the kalimera tree rapid support forces are going to another 24—hour ceasefire starting at 60 local time. that is about a0 minutes from now. the paramilitary booth and the sudanese army made a similar commitment to a truce, but if you are watching the programme yesterday you would have seen the agreement claps almost immediately. we have got about a0 minutes to go before any sort of new ceasefire kicks in. we will see if it does kick in with all of those aid agencies so desperate to have a pulse so they can actually help all those people trapped in buildings, the people who have been hurt with reports that the health services are very close to collapse in the capital. let me show

you some of the pictures from a little earlier in the day. you can hear that explosion, that was near the khartoum airport and the plumes of smoke, we have seen that virtually every day across the sky is the conflict continues to rage. the latest fighting is because of this basic power struggle upon these two men, general abdel fattah al—burhan and his deputy mohamed hamdan dagalo who leads the biggest paramilitary group on the right of your screen. the un has now described sudan's humanitarian situation as "catastrophic" — with mass displacement of people. the red cross has echoed that concern. the truth is that at the moment it is almost impossible to provide any hunamitarian services in and around khartoum. there are calls from various

organisations and people trapped, asking for evacuation. for the past four days, people have been out of water, food, electricity has been rationed and in some places totally disconnected. that is just the latest snapshot. we are at about half an hour from a potential new ceasefire so we will continue to monitor that and bring you much more in terms of the situation that is going on in sudan. with the last two minutes of the segment and want to turn to that important story, that massive story in the us where it fox news to that last—minute settlement in a defamation case brought against it by a voting machine company. the case is linked to claims that the 2020 us presidential election was rigged against donald trump. fox news agreed to pay dominion voting systems 787.5 million dollars. with the settlement, fox avoids a high—profile trial which could've seen some of its top leaders forced to testify in court. dominion originally sued fox news

for 1.6 billion dollars — so the settlement is less than half of what they were asking for. this all came about because dominion claimed that their reputation was damaged after fox knowingly spread lies about its voting machines after the 2020 election. they were repeating claims by then president donald trump who falsely said that dominion voting machines rigged the election to favourjoe biden. dominion said fox hosts amplified the "baseless allegations" — but at the time, fox claimed it was newsworthy. we have seen the various legal teams come out since that last—minute settlement. dominion who are talking about the lies and lies having consequences. we have seen the enormous bill that is being attached to that settlement. we will continue to that settlement. we will continue to get more reaction on that story from the us and continue to look at

those various lines that are broken on sudan, on industrial relations in the uk and bring you right up—to—date with all of that here in the next few minutes. hello, today is not quite as warm across wales as it was yesterday. we have seen more cloud coming in here. scotland has been faring nicely, particularly across western scotland and this is where we will see the highest temperatures once again. we have high pressure dominating our weather, centred to the north—east of the uk and this weather front is taking some showers away from the south—west of england but we are left with this easterly wind which is quite strong and gusty and it will make it feel chilly, especially if you haven't got the sunshine. cooler around some eastern coastal areas of the uk with the wind off the north sea, higher temperatures around the western coast but more cloud to end the afternoon across wales, the south—west and northern ireland. that will get pushed away, a bit of upslope cloud coming into the pennines, the welsh hills. otherwise clear skies, the winds will drop a bit as well.

it will be chilly overnight. those are the temperatures in towns and cities, could below freezing in grampian in the morning. heading into tomorrow, any cloud will move away and there will be a lot of sunshine around tomorrow, the winds picking up once again and dragging in some cloud from the near continent into east anglia, the south—east of england in the afternoon. that will bring some patchy rain and here it will be particularly chilly. the winds similar to what we have seen today, strongest winds across england and wales, that will make it feel chilly but at least many places will see some sunshine and in western scotland we could see temperatures as high as 18 degrees. pollen levels are still high or even very high in wales and the south—west, tree pollen at this time of the year, the grass pollen season starts next month. heading towards the end of the week, we have got high pressure sitting more to the north of the uk, keeping in that run of east or north—easterly wind but we have got some weather fronts on the scene, that means thicker cloud and some patchy rain on friday

across england and wales, if it brightens up in the south that could trigger some sharp showers and we will have a strong wind across northern england and southern scotland. scotland and northern ireland should stay dry, the best of the sunshine and highest temperatures, reasonably warm in that sunshine but much more cloud will drop the temperatures in england or wales, perhaps only ten or 11 degrees. as we head into the weekend, the chance of some rain on saturday, looks drier on sunday, but showers in northern scotland on sunday will be turning wintry in the hills. it will get colder with a northerly wind by the end of the weekend.

live from london, this is bbc news. another attempt to get a ceasefire in sudan as authorities say five days of fighting has killed at least 270 civilians. russia is accused of sabotage and planning to cut crucial power and communication cables in the north sea. research raising eyebrows around the world, a british trial suggests a so—called soup and shake diet can permanently reverse type two diabetes. and the sacked boss of the cbi has told the bbc he has been made to the full guide for the crisis. that might befall guy.