they have been doing a big sale for the dup this week.— the dup this week.n in. -- the that. let's take a listen in. —— the big sell. we are pleased to be here this morning in our parliament buildings here at stormont for the restoration of our northern ireland assembly and executive. it has been a challenging journey these past two years. i believe that my party has delivered what many said we could not. we have brought about change many said was not possible. i believe that today is a good day for northern ireland, a day when once again our place in the united kingdom and its internal market is respected and protected in our law and restored for all our people to enjoy the benefits of our membership of the union. it is a day when we come together and we take on the responsibility of providing good government for the people of northern ireland, for addressing the many issues that confront us at this time will stop my party is determined to play its part, working with others, to make northern ireland work, to make this play is the best it can be, to realise

in the dup in that agreement with i in the dup in that agreement with the uk _ in the dup in that agreement the uk government. i— in the dup in that agreement with the uk government. i think- in the dup in that agreement with the uk government. i think it - in the dup in that agreement with the uk government. i think it wasj in the dup in that agreement with i the uk government. i think it was a day also _ the uk government. i think it was a day also of— the uk government. i think it was a day also of careful— the uk government. i think it was a day also of careful words, _ the uk government. i think it was a day also of careful words, and - the uk government. i think it was a day also of careful words, and we . day also of careful words, and we know _ day also of careful words, and we know the — day also of careful words, and we know the dup _ day also of careful words, and we know the dup and _ day also of careful words, and we know the dup and sinn _ day also of careful words, and we know the dup and sinn fein- day also of careful words, and we i know the dup and sinn fein cannot agree _

we note it was close within the dup. maybe thatis it was close within the dup.r what the numbers are. you would expect... let us see if we can hear what the numbers are. you w is ld expect... let us see if we can hear what the numbers are. you w is closerect... let us see if we can hear what the numbers are. you w is closer to for everyone else it is closer to infinitesimal. _ infinitesimal. the - infinitesimal. the view- infinitesimal. i the view from infinitesimal. - the view from jim infinitesimal. _ the view from jim mcalister infinitesimal — the view from jim mcalister opposed to the dup accepting this deal and opposed to stormont coming back, using his position on the backbenches. a party of one but an effective voice, in the it numbers are. you would expect... it to be pretty overwhelming. in favour of edwin poots even though it was forced to the vote by the sdlp. the sdlp have eight mlas out of 90. that is the other side of the coin. whilst there have been demographic changes within northern ireland, a lot of what has happened in terms of the strength of

emma little—pengelly for the dup. let's take a listen. there are moments _ the dup. _ the dup. let's take a listen. there are moments in each _ the dup. let's take a listen. there are moments in each of— the dup. let's take a listen. there are moments in each of our- the dup. let's take a listen. there are moments in each of our lives l are moments in each of our lives that shape us. the past, with all its horror, and never be forgotten and no will it be allowed to be rewritten —— can never be forgotten and nor will it be allowed to be rewritten. but while we are seen by the past we will not be defined by it. the experience of my childhood gave me define tarmac drive and desire to make a different future not just for myself desire to make a different future notjust for myself but desire to make a different future not just for myself but to desire to make a different future notjust for myself but to do all i can to make sure i can make a better future for all of us. across the chamber, we have different political viewpoints and experiences but what we also know is tha

we however much the dup and other parties might want it to.- however much the dup and other parties might might want it to. we will be coming back _ parties might want it to. we will be coming back to _ parties might want it to. we will be coming back to you _ parties might want it to. we will be coming back to you just _ parties might want it to. we will be coming back to you just keeping . parties might want it to. we will be | coming back to you just keeping eye on images from inside stormont to see when the taoiseach comes. we will come back when it happens. and later in the programme, in the next 30 minutes, we will speak to former taoiseach bertie ahern and secretary of state of ireland. it will be interesting to get their thoughts on what is happening now with their long background to the area. now to the middle east, where us secretary of state antony blinken is due to arrive in riyadh for his fifth visit to the region since the israel—gaza war began. his trip follows days of air strikes by the united states against iranian—linked targets in iraq, syria and yemen. the us central c

power—sharing will be back, we expect, thanks to this deal between the dup in the uk government aboutthe lights on and keeping things going, but no big decisions made or financial commitments — that all comes in the weeks and months ahead. good to have you there, i know you�*re there throughout the weekend with the very latest, as you say, that significant symbolic moment tomorrow will be on full coverage and the bbc. let�*s let�*s talk to paul murphy. thank you for being with us on the programme tonight, louis running through some of the logistics will take place tomorrow. is it your view that stormont will be up and running at full force this weekend?— full force this weekend? almost certainl , full force this weekend? almost certainly. no — full force this weekend? almost certainly, no doubt _ full force this weekend? almost certainly, no doubt at _ full force this weekend? almost certainly, no doubt at all - full force this weekend? almost certainly, no doubt at all that i full force this weekend? almost. certainly, no doubt at all that the assembly and the executive will be forme

now we have the dup , unionism.n, who are also in the minority, electing first and deputy first ministers. but as you say, michelle o'neill makes history by being the first nationalist leader of northern ireland. uh, it is quite strange, but it is political high wire manoeuvring because in the republic of ireland, sinn fein are trying to, uh, become the taoiseach there they are ahead in the polls of fenagh foyle and fine gael polls of fenagh foyle and fine gael. and this means a lot to them, because they're able to say to the electorate in the south well, if we're south of ireland, well, if we're good for the head of good enough for the head of government in northern ireland, surely we're good for surely we're good enough for head of government the head of government in the repubuc head of government in the republic on the other side of that, we have sir jeffrey donaldson, dup stayed out donaldson, dup that stayed out in protest over the border issues around the post—brexit trade deals, where companies in northern i

after a two year pause by the dup boycott over post—brexit trade rules. 0ur news correspondent thomasr that deal gets voted on and passes through parliament today in westminster, here in northern ireland transport workers are out on the picket line and education support workers are also out on strike over a dispute over pgy- out on strike over a dispute over pay. because the northern irish government have been essentially on a hiatus for the last two years due to the dup boycott, it has meant that many aspects of the government haven't been able to function properly. essentially civil servants haven't been —— might have been offering government. it has meant that this industrial action like this one today is still going ahead. their dispute won't be resolved until the northern irish government is back fully functioning and they do get the money from the uk government, £3 billion package promised when that money does come and can resolve those pay disputes, then some of these industrial action disputes will get resolved. but until then, actions like this will remain. that was thomas mo

crucial in addition to the _ dup and others. crucial in addition to the point— dup and others.ing an honest broker, and this relates — the uk being an honest broker, and this relates to something that bertie — this relates to something that bertie said, is you got to have trust — bertie said, is you got to have trust part— bertie said, is you got to have trust. part of the problem that has caused _ trust. part of the problem that has caused all— trust. part of the problem that has caused all the pumping lists or contributed to it in recent years, is that— contributed to it in recent years, is that trust _ contributed to it in recent years, is that trust broke down between london _ is that trust broke down between london and dublin and i'm afraid it was london's fault. the only way you can make _ was london's fault. the only way you can make the good friday agreements and all— can make the good friday agreements and all that— can make the good friday agreements and all that has flown from it work is if london — and all that has flown from it work is if london and dublin work tog

now the dup leader says he's written to the dup leader says he's written to the speaker of the stormontssembly, saying the conditions now exist for the return power—sharing in northern ireland, expected to start on saturday. we'll have a full live coverage of that. i really significant moment with the return of power—sharing in northern ireland. more on that breaking development here in the next little while. let's head to the us. the defence secretary lloyd austin has called on iran to stop supplying weapons to the houthi rebels in yemen. speaking at the pentagon, he said the us does not want a wider middle east conflict, but it reserves the right to respond to iranian—backed attacks on american personnel in the region. he said this was a �*dangerous moment�* in the middle east. he was speaking as us officials said plans have been approved for a series of strikes against iranian facilities in iraq and syria. they said the action would be carried out over a number of days. washington has been preparing to hit back at iranian—backed militias, after three us troops were killed in a drone

to _ mistake or a strategic move by the dup to throw sinn fein off course. interesting — dup to throwut we don't want everything to be smooth because that would be boring. let us step out, wider perspective and reflect on the significance of it. it’s wider perspective and reflect on the significance of it.— significance of it. it's been a hu:el significance of it. it's been a hugely significant _ significance of it. it's been a hugely significant day - significance of it. it's been a hugely significant day and i significance of it. it's been a - hugely significant day and certainly the first— hugely significant day and certainly the first blip we have had, the slightly— the first blip we have had, the slightly embarrassing moment in otherwise a successful day welcoming the new _ otherwise a successful day welcoming the new development —— devolved government. the sinn fein vice president— government. the sinn fein vice president talked about pledging to be a president talked about pledging to he a first — president talked about pledging to be a first minister for all communities, about

the dup has nominated trade.'neill says today opens the door to the future , for we mark door to the future, for we mark a moment of equality and a moment of progress , a new moment of progress, a new opportunity to work and to grow together , confident in that together, confident in that wherever we come from , whatever wherever we come from, whatever our aspirations are , we can and our aspirations are, we can and we must build our future together. >> i'm really delighted to see every mla back in this chamber today, and i welcome the fact that the dup have decided to re—enter the democratic institutions , and that the institutions, and that the outcome of last year's assembly election is now being respected . election is now being respected. >> the uk says it will continue to support the united states after it launched a series of strikes in iraq and syria, targeting militant groups backed by iran . by iran. >> nearly 40 people, including civilians , were killed as 85 civilians, were killed as 85 sites were hit

will lead _ today where sinn fein and the dup will lead the — today where sinn fein and the dup willt ithink— will lead the government again. but i think the _ will lead the government again. but i think the big — will lead the government again. but i think the big challenge _ will lead the government again. but i think the big challenge to - will lead the government again. but i think the big challenge to be - will lead the government again. but i think the big challenge to be on i i think the big challenge to be on today, _ i think the big challenge to be on today. beyond _ i think the big challenge to be on today, beyond getting _ i think the big challenge to be on today, beyond getting it- i think the big challenge to be on today, beyond getting it back- i think the big challenge to be on today, beyond getting it back up| today, beyond getting it back up again. _ today, beyond getting it back up again. is— today, beyond getting it back up again. is how— today, beyond getting it back up again, is how do _ today, beyond getting it back up again, is how do you _ today, beyond gettin

early wednesday afternoon, the northern ireland secretary met with the leader of the dup, sir jeffreyn an enormous amount more about the deal, but i think the most significant thing really was the much—talked—about £3 billion financial package that would go to the devolved northern ireland government as soon as that was back in place, which might be around the end of the week now. that will go towards funding public services here in northern ireland. so many people working in public services across the country have been striking for the past few months due to pay and conditions. what many people here across northern ireland were hoping for — there will be a sense of relief that the government here will be back, functioning in the very near future — hopefully by the end of the week, now this deal is backin of the week, now this deal is back in place. i think it was a photo opportunity to show that bond between the unionist party here and the conservative party in westminster — but there are some critics, some people here, some critics, some people here, some hardline unionists, who say

the secretary of state in reading the command paper, you would maybe think that there's only the dup people with any other constitutional preferences. of course, are many people in the north of ireland who want to see a new ireland as soon as possible. so despite what might be in the command paper and what he has said and others have said, does he agree that the good friday agreement is sacrosanct? and it's absolutely clear that if people vote for a constitutional change, that's what happens. it's not up to the british government or anybody else. it's up to the people of ireland, north and south. the difficulty was that the northern ireland protocol in the eyes of the unionists undermined the principle of consent which is at the heart of the good friday agreement. does he agree with me that these new measures, and the legislation, resets the balance so that it is the principle of consent and the will of the people of northern ireland alone that will determine the future of our country as part of the united kingdom? both the right honourable gentleman and the owneri of the gentlemen a

dup which puts a trade barrier in the irish sea . dup leader the irish sea.secured vital concessions to that arrangement, but many unionists don't buy that and that means that once again, unionism is split over whether to compromise or to dig in. i'll be discussing that with the editor of the belfast newsletter here in canada, the federal court has found that prime minister justin trudeau acted unlawfully when he invoked the emergencies act to quash truckers protests against a mandate that they should have the covid vaccine . a member of the covid vaccine. a member of the covid vaccine. a member of the canada constitutional foundation, which took the legal action, has spoken to gb news and finally, to celebrate national yorkshire pudding day and just in time for your sunday roast , i'll and just in time for your sunday roast, i'll be sampling some new ways to enjoy that northern delicacy. all of that to come. but first, your news headlines with aaron armstrong . with aaron arm strong. >> with aaron armstrong. >> very good afternoon to you. it's 12:02. i'm aar

particularly over the _ with regards to the dup particularly over the last number of months to havelity going _ have any semblance of stability going forward, that is what there is a lot of— going forward, that is what there is a lot of scepticism about. a going forward, that is what there is a lot of scepticism about.— a lot of scepticism about. a final brief thought — a lot of scepticism about. a final brief thought on _ a lot of scepticism about. a final brief thought on that, _ a lot of scepticism about. a final brief thought on that, the - a lot of scepticism about. a final brief thought on that, the deal l a lot of scepticism about. a final i brief thought on that, the deal that was reached to bring us to this point. how much confidence do you have in it holding, effectively? ht have in it holding, effectively? ut is hard to be confident when in the past seven years, five of those years have been without government so we have jogged years have been without government so we havejogged on years have been without government so we have jogged on the spot for the last two years and

it follows an agreement between the dup and the government over post—brexit trade.he dup's emma little—pengelly has become the new deputy fm, a role that carries equal legal power. michelle o'neill is promising to be inclusive and respectful to all. >> we mark a moment of equality and a moment of progress , a new and a moment of progress, a new opportunity to work and to grow together , confident in that together, confident in that wherever we come from, whatever our aspirations are, we can and we must build our future together . we must build our future together. i'm really delighted together. i'm really delighted to see every mla back in this chamber today, and i welcome the fact that the dup have decided to re—enter the democratic institutions, and that the outcome of last year's assembly election is now being respected . election is now being respected. police hunting a suspected chemical attacker have released new video of a home in newcastle being searched. >> two containers with potential corrosive lives were recovered. mornings can be seen on the labels and

and get _ trying to bring that deal to the dup and get it— trying to bring that deal to the dup andtually functioning.— the northern ireland protocol is actually functioning. we will leave that to tomorrow. _ actually functioning. we will leave that to tomorrow. thank - actually functioning. we will leave that to tomorrow. thank you - actually functioning. we will leave that to tomorrow. thank you very| that to tomorrow. thank you very much for coming on the programme and explaining some of the detail that politicians of all parties will be grappling with. but tomorrow will be a dave significant symbolism. some powerful images that will be broadcast from here right around the world and of course we will have them for you. as lewis says, full coverage from stroma as power—sharing returns to northern ireland all day tomorrow right across bbc news. join us for that. queen camilla has been tapping into her in strictly fan today. meeting up her in strictly fan today. meeting up with the answers including strictly startjohannes on a visit to the voluntary service in cambridge after beginn

does to have made the dup happy. we have to stay in deeper regulatory alignment with the european union and all of that on this day? four years on from leaving the european union >> you're listening to gb news radio . radio. >> well, the what? the farage moment today was a really quite big one. an eagle eyed viewer that likes to keep me up to speed because i can't follow everything was watching the home affairs select committee this morning, and this is really, really interesting because can you remember back in march last year , the prime minister, rishi year, the prime minister, rishi sunak , stood on a podium , um, sunak, stood on a podium, um, behind a stop the boat slogan, introducing the concept of the illegal migration bill. and this is what the prime minister had to say . to say. >> that is why today we are introducing legislation to make clear that if you come here illegally , you can't claim illegally, you can't claim asylum , you can't benefit from asylum, you can't benefit from our modern slavery protecti

the dup , emma post—brexit trade. dup, emma little—pengelly, has become the new deputy fm, a role that carries equal legal power. michelle o'neill is promising to be inclusive and respectful as we mark a moment of equality and a moment of progress, a new opportunity to work and to grow together . together. >> i'm confident in that wherever we come from, whatever our aspirations are, we can and we must build our future together . we must build our future together. i'm really delighted together. i'm really delighted to see every mla back in this chamber today, and i welcome the fact that the dup have decided to re—enter the democratic institutions and that the outcome of last year's assembly election is now being respected . election is now being respected. >> police hunting for a suspect chemical attacker have released new video of a home in newcastle being searched . two containers being searched. two containers with potentially corrosives were recovered . warnings can be seen recovered. warnings can be seen on the la

the dup , emma trade. the dup, emma little—pengelly, has become the first deputy.her, the new deputy fm that's a role that carries equal legal power. michelle o'neill is promising to be inclusive and respectful to all. >> we mark a moment of equality and a moment of progress, a new opportunity to work and to grow together . confident in that together. confident in that wherever we come from, whatever our aspirations are, we can and we must build our future together. i'm really delighted together. i'm really delighted to see every mla back in this chamber today , and i welcome the chamber today, and i welcome the fact that the dup have decided to re—enter the democratic institutions and that the outcome of last year's assembly election is now being respected . election is now being respected. >> police hunting for a suspected chemical attacker have released new video of a home in newcastle being searched . two newcastle being searched. two containers with potential corrosives were recovered and warnings can be seen on the labels and tests are now ongoing to see if t

so the dup take the deputy position.h republican and i am a very proud unionist. we will never agree on those issues, but what we can agree on is that cancer doesn't discriminate and our hospitals need fixed. there is widespread support here for the return of devolution, but it's not universal. some unionists think the dup should not have come back because some eu rules still apply in northern ireland. of all those attempts to spin defeat as victory, this is a climb—down of monumental proportions. the business of governing, deciding, scrutinising resumes again here. chris mason, bbc news in belfast. 0ur ireland correspondent chris page told us more about the process that is taking place. yes, for a group of politicians want northern ireland to stay in the uk to share power with those want northern ireland to leave the uk become part of another country, that is never going to be an easy relationship and it's proven year at stormont over their head of the new sharing coalition, the first nationalist or the position, michel

it follows an agreement between the dup government dup and the government over post—brexit trade.he dup's emma . little—pengelly has become emma. little—pengelly has become the new deputy fm, a role that carries equal legal power. michelle o'neill is promising to be inclusive and respectful to all. >> we mark a moment of equality and a moment of progress, a new opportunity to work and to grow together , confident in that together, confident in that wherever . we come from, whatever wherever. we come from, whatever our aspirations are, we can and we must build our future together . we must build our future together. i'm really delighted together. i'm really delighted to see every mla back in this chamber today, and i welcome the fact that the dup have decided to re—enter the democratic institutions and that the outcome of last year's assembly election is now respected. election is now being respected. police are hunting for a suspected chemical attacker, have released new video of a home in new castle being searched. >> two containers with potential corrosives were recovered. warni

so the dup take the deputy position.e issues, but what we can agree on is that cancer doesn't discriminate and our hospitals need fixed. there is widespread support here for the return of devolution, but it's not universal. some unionists think the dup should not have come back because some eu rules still apply in northern ireland. of all those attempts to spin defeat as victory, this is a climb—down of monumental proportions. the business of governing, deciding, scrutinising resumes again here. chris mason, bbc news, in belfast. let's turn now to the us presidential race. our news partner cbs projects president biden as the winner of the south carolina democratic race. it's where democrats voted in their first primary of 2024 on saturday. biden posted on x saying: the results are hardly a surprise — in a campaign speech this morning, the president was already turning his attention to the general election in november. this is notjust a campaign, this is more of a mission. we cannot, we cannot, we cannot lose this campaig

the first minister michelle o'neill, the deputy first minister from the dup, will say, look, we're gladity in the assembly are, but it will not happen overnight. things will not happen overnight. things will take time to improve, even with a dollop of cash, and as you are hinting at in your question, plenty of politicians here saying the funding formula for westminster needs to look at, which is political speak for send more needs to look at, which is political speakfor send more money. so needs to look at, which is political speak for send more money. so what is the itinerary _ speak for send more money. so what is the itinerary of _ speak for send more money. so what is the itinerary of a _ speak for send more money. so what is the itinerary of a rishi _ speak for send more money. so what is the itinerary of a rishi sunak? - is the itinerary of a rishi sunak? plenty of visits, as you would expect, with the political splash, so heading to stormont tomorrow, but also an emphasis, as it is described ijy also an emphasis, as it is described by downing street, in community engagement, so a

it will reduce checks on goods moving from great britain to northern ireland — the dup�*s major stickingmany people working in public services across the country have seen staging strikes over the past few months due to pay conditions. so that was something that was much—needed and what many people here across northern ireland were hoping for. there will be a sense of relief. but there are some critics. some people here, some hard—line unionists, say that this deal has not gone far enough, that what they read between the lines, this is not exactly what they wanted — but nevertheless the leader of the dup, sirjeffrey donaldson, says, well, we have the deal through, it was worth fighting for two years, two years of a cellmate meant that no government has functioned here for two years, two years of a stalemate meant that no government has functioned here in northern ireland and he believes it was worth fighting for this deal and now potentially government will be back in force by friday or saturday. you're live with bbc news. 25 years — that's how long vladimir putin has been in power in ru

. >> and the dup, all of that . >> and the dup, all of that. >> and the dup, all of that. >> so you knews all good. >> yeah, it's all letters anyway. >> amnesty for troubles. uh, veterans in incompatible with the european human rights law. now, this wasn't the european human rights court who made this. this was the belfast east, uh, court that basically. and they've sort of come about it in an interesting way where they've said, now this is a this was a policy that the government had put through, uh, recently, which was amnesty to british was to give amnesty to british soldiers. as long as soldiers. uh, as long as everybody kind of admitted what they did and, and terrorists as well . and the idea was that well. and the idea was that they'd be able to move forward. but what this court has said is it breaks the rules guaranteeing a protection of life. and the idea being that if you can't follow through on killings, then thatis follow through on killings, then that is that threatens life somehow . somehow. >> but this is specifically related to soldiers, people who were in the army and a lo

so the dup take the deputy position.ree on is that cancer doesn't discriminate and our hospitals need fixed. there is widespread support here for the return of devolution, but it's not universal. some unionists think the dup should not have come back because some eu rules still apply in northern ireland. of all those attempts to spin defeat as victory, this is a climb—down of monumental proportions. the business of governing, deciding, scrutinising resumes again here. chris mason, bbc news, in belfast. let's turn to some important news around the world. forest fires in chile have killed at least 46 people in the coastal tourist city of vina del mar, according to officials there. rescue teams have been deployed to affected areas throughout the valparaiso region. the fire has destroyed homes and cars, reaching urban areas. the extent of the destruction has not yet been measured according to the country's interior minister. police in paris are investigating a knife attack at a busy train station. police say three people wer

and when they read between the lines, it is not what they wanted but nevertheless the leader of the duprnment function in northern ireland and he believes it was worth fighting for this deal and now potentially government will be backin potentially government will be back in force by friday or saturday. you're live with bbc news. to the latest developments from the israel—gaza war now, and israel's prime minister benjamin netanyahu has called for the shutdown of the un agency for palestinian refugees. netanyahu says the agency, known as unrwa, should be replaced by other aid organisations. unrwa sacked members of its staff, following accusations from israel that some of its workers took part in the hamas october 7th attacks. a number of donor countries, the us and uk included, have suspended their funding of the agency. the un has urged funding to resume. meanwhile, the pentagon has taken further action against houthi rebels in yemen. us central command said it destroyed a houthi missile that was a threat to a us aircraft. the us has conducted a number of strikes against houthi fighters

so the dup take the deputy position.what we can agree on is that cancer doesn't discriminate and our hospitals need fixed. there is widespread support here for the return of devolution, but it's not universal. some unionists think the dup should not have come back because some eu rules still apply in northern ireland. of all those attempts to spin defeat as victory, this is a climb—down of monumental proportions. the business of governing, deciding, scrutinising resumes again here. chris mason, bbc news, in belfast. polls close in an hour in the us state of south carolina where democrats are voting in their first primary of 202a. it's all but guaranteed that president biden will win. he is facing two challengers — minnesota representative dean phillips, and the self—help author marianne williamson. but the president is expected to sweep the state that he won in 2020 by a wide margin. in a campaign speech this morning, the president was already turning his attention to the general election in november. this is more of a m

precisely what has the dup secured that wouldn't have happened anyway? great britain to northern ireland without the checks that were unnecessary, without the customs paperwork that was unnecessary. the crux of all of this is brexit means northern ireland has a closer relationship with the eu than england, scotland and wales, and it still does. this has had, and does have, all sorts of consequences. there are 11 additional species of trees that have recently been approved to come into northern ireland. approved by who? approved by both the uk and the eu. why do we need the eu's permission? because, stephen... why would we accept that? the eu market... why can't i, if i buy a gardening magazine in my local shop, at the moment, it says on the front, free packet of seeds and go to page four, seeds ain't there. why? because they're not allowed to come into northern ireland. that's a nonsense and it has to end. and it will end under these arrangements. and the big question — can restored government here make a difference to people's lives? it is the real—life

speaking at a dup dup news conference this evening, though , the northern evening, though, the northerneland minister, chris heaton—harris , welcomed the deal i >> -- >> i'm clear that the long terme interests of the union are served by persuading those who might not vote for unionist parties, or even think themselves as unionists, that northern within the northern ireland, within the united kingdom, offers best united kingdom, offers the best future for them and their children . a thriving northern children. a thriving northern ireland with within the united kingdom underpinned pinned by democratically accountable and locally elected leaders is the surest way to safeguard this precious union. >> nicola sturgeon said her biggest regret during the pandemic was not locking down sooner. pandemic was not locking down sooner . the former first sooner. the former first minister was giving evidence at the covid inquiry today , where the covid inquiry today, where she also admitted to deleting whatsapp messages, insisting she acted in line with scottish government policy. ms sturgeon appeared e

there have been conversations about divisionsj been conversations about divisions within the dup abouthere be further fallout following the restoration of the government in northern ireland? the leader of government in northern ireland? tie leader of the government in northern ireland? tue leader of the democratic government in northern ireland? ttj: leader of the democratic unionist party sirjeffrey donaldson basis quite a difficultjob of party management now in the months and years ahead. he has decided that there is enough on the proposal the british government to assuage his concerns about what unionists as a diminution of the political and economic identity of northern ireland but there are some in his party are taking a more purist line who believe tray for instance will not be as smooth between belfast and london as it will be between london and cardiff or london and glasgow. they are not very happy. so we actually have a scene in the houses of parliament yesterday with democratic unionist party mps talking in opposition to their own leader but it looks like he has decided he ha

the dup and other political parties are still getting paid for not doing theirjob properly.thern ireland? as mad as it looks, people watching on the news, we all do lead normal enough lives here — or at least normal for us. these young people are part of northern ireland's future, but is northern ireland part of theirs? i would love to say that i'd love to live here for the rest of my life. if northern ireland became more open and the political system became better here, i would come back. apart from its quirks, i do love living here. but, realistically, looking at the political situation, i don't really see it getting any better. it's sometimes shameful to say, "oh, i'm from northern ireland," especially as a politics student. when you talk to others — like when you go to england, if you talk to people who study politics, they go, "oh, northern ireland, we hear you're a bit of a...bit of a loose cannon." do you find, as a teenager, those kind of old sectarian divides — catholic/protestant, unionist/nationalist — i mean, does that affect your life? i'm ashamed to say i proba

and then you have sir jeffrey donaldson of the dup . that is donaldson of the dup.nough. that brought him back into government. but of course, sir jeffrey is thinking to himself, well, what is the union? the union is the want of the people to feel the benefits of the union. and i spent yesterday actually with many small manufacturers in northern ireland who were very grateful that these checks in the irish sea would really be reduced significantly. in fact, the ones in the greenland have have gone altogether. and that means that companies here in northern ireland, uh, would not have to pay ireland, uh, would not have to pay the full amount . they pay the full amount. they wouldn't have to have all their goods being checked in order to manufacture here. and of course, that also gives us access , that also gives us access, unfettered access to the uk market, because you'll realise just a couple of nights ago that there is no checks on eu goods coming into britain, we won't face those because we are being , face those because we are being, uh, seen as part of the uk, b

uh dup. just failed your french test. >> i think i might have done. that's right. is it anywhere near right? >> bouchet dup ? >> bouchet dup? >> bouchet dup? >> yeah. come on. hey, if it's not, it should be. that's what i say. um, only publishes every two. rodney. yeah. lovely. bon dodi. steve. bannau de douche. um, every four years on the 29th of february distributes just 200,000 copies across france amongst its things. it said also that, um, the olympics should have a winston wooden have a winston churchill wooden spoon award. mean, i like the spoon award. i mean, i like the sound these guys. like the sound of these guys. i like the cut jib. yeah, i mean, cut of theirjib. yeah, i mean, we're probably in danger of taking and taking this stuff seriously and saying, are you saying, you know, why are you criticising us? look at you. they just they probably do. but it's just nice are still nice to know there are still newspapers out there don't newspapers out there that don't take seriously . ta

but dup leader sirjeffrey donaldson said his party would end its boycott.devenport is the former bbc northern ireland political editor — he told me more about today's events. we are going to have first of all an informal meeting of politicians today to work out who will go into a power—sharing government and who will go into opposition and tomorrow we will have formal election of a new speaker at the legislative assembly and the appointment of ministers and one important symbolic moment will be the appointment of the first irish republican first minister for northern ireland which is something that 100 years ago for northern ireland was created, the assumption was by its creators that it would always have a pro—british unionist majority. that is still the case as we speak but the largest party here is an irish nationalist party here is an irish nationalist party that would actually like northern ireland to join the party that would actually like northern ireland tojoin the irish republic, independent of the uk, to form a new united ireland and it is one of

it follows an agreement between the dup and the government over post—brexit trade.he dup's emma little pengelly has become the new deputy fm, a role that carries equal legal power. michelle o'neill is promising to be inclusive and respectful to all. >> we mark a moment of equality and a moment of progress , a new and a moment of progress, a new opportunity to work and to grow together , confident in that together, confident in that wherever we come from, whatever our aspirations are, we can and we must build our future together . we must build our future together. i'm really delighted together. i'm really delighted to see every mla back in this chamber today, and i welcome the fact that the dup have decided to re—enter the democratic institutions , and that the institutions, and that the outcome of last year's assembly election is now being respected . election is now being respected. >> police hunting for a suspected chemical attacker have released new video of a home in newcastle being searched. two containers with potential corrosives were recovered. warning can