my view_ leader of the fine gael party. my view is _ leader of the fine gael party.he done — position as of today, a lot of work to be done and we will focus on getting — to be done and we will focus on getting that work done. does your coalition have _ getting that work done. does your coalition have credibility? - getting that work done. does your coalition have credibility? does i getting that work done. does your coalition have credibility? does it| coalition have credibility? does it have _ coalition have credibility? does it have legitimacy— coalition have credibility? does it have legitimacy now— coalition have credibility? does it have legitimacy now leo - coalition have credibility? does it| have legitimacy now leo varadkar coalition have credibility? does it i have legitimacy now leo varadkar has stood _ have legitimacy now leo varadkar has stood down? — have legitimacy now leo varadkar has stood down? we _ have legitimacy now leo varadkar has stood down? we did _ have legitimacy now leo varadkar has stood down? we did not— have legitimacy now leo varadkar

faithful— of weeks, but for now the fine gael faithful here were loving it today.at challenges does he have going forward? he and what challenges does he have going forward?— and what challenges does he have going forward? he has got a number of oli going forward? he has got a number of policy issues _ going forward? he has got a number of policy issues that _ going forward? he has got a number of policy issues that this _ of policy issues that this government has really struggled to come _ government has really struggled to come to— government has really struggled to come to terms with, and the most significant — come to terms with, and the most significant one is a housing crisis that has— significant one is a housing crisis that has been going on for more than the lifetime _ that has been going on for more than the lifetime of this government and still sees _ the lifetime of this government and still sees a — the lifetime of this government and still sees a chronic housing shortage and really difficult for people — shortage and really difficult for people to get

is significant, because fine gael is currently part of a three—party coalition government in irelandent, so it basically has the pick for the next prime minister, and it will now go on to nominate simon harris at a meeting of the irish parliament, that won't happen until the 9th of april, a few weeks away yet, and when he is nominated he will be supported by the other members and parties in the coalition government, fianna fail and the green party, so he will be elected as the next prime minister of ireland next month, and as you say, when he is elected he will be the youngest ever prime minister of ireland. can you remind us what brought us to this point? well, rathersuddenly, a few days ago, leo varadkar announced he was stepping down as leader of fine gael and as taoiseach, irish prime minister, for political and personal reasons, so that set in train a sequence of events which are now moving towards his replacement, and when simon harris eventually replaces him next month, he will have much to do. he will have domestic matters, and in ireland at the moment, right at the top of th

mr varadkar became ireland's youngest taoiseach in 2017 when he became leader of fine gael.'s listen to him announcing his resignation from the steps of government buildings a short while ago. i know this will come as a surprise to any people and a disappointment to some, and i hope at least you will understand my decision. i know that others will, how shall i put it, cope with the news just fine. that is the great thing about living in a democracy. there is never a right time to resign high office, however, this is as good a time as any. are 2024 is done, negotiations have not yet commenced on the next one, the institutions of the good friday agreement are working again, and our trading relationship with the uk in the post—brexit era is settled and stable. the new taoiseach will have a full two months to prepare for the local and european elections, and up to a year before the next general election. my reasons for stepping down are both personal and political. i believe this government can be elected and i believe my party, fine gael, can gain seats in the next dail. most o

he actuallyjoined fine gael�*s main rivals, fianna fail, initially, and he then switched over to fine civil war in ireland, that happened after independence from the uk. so he's the first one to have gone on thatjourney. became a td, a member of parliament, 13 years ago — during an election that happened at the time of ireland's economic crash — and has enjoyed a fairly meteoric rise since. ajunior minister, a member of cabinet then for the past decade. and when this vacancy arose last week, it quickly became apparent that he was by far and away the front—runner and, ultimately, was unopposed. nominations closed for that role today. he was the only nominee, but it was quite apparent from last week — as soon as leo varadkar, the current taoiseach and leader of fine gael announced he was standing down — but there was only one person in the race to beat. so he will go on to become prime minister, but some are asking, why no general election? how does the coalition work in ireland? yeah, so a bit like in the uk. a parliament is elected with a five—year mandate, and within that time period

then be nominated by his party, fine gael.ne gael is part of a three party coalition government and it currently holds the position of prime minister, so it can nominate the next prime israel's far right security minister, settle himself. and it will the next prime minister, and it will nominate simon harris, and he will then be supported by the two other parties in the coalition, fianna fail and the green party and some other independent members of the irish parliament. and then on april the night, he will formally become the night, he will formally become the youngest prime minister of ireland, and will replace leo varadkar. ireland, and will replace leo varadkar-— ireland, and will replace leo varadkar. , ., ,, varadkar. he said in his address that challenges _ varadkar. he said in his address that challenges never— varadkar. he said in his address that challenges never go - varadkar. he said in his address that challenges never go away, | varadkar. he said in his address - that challenges never go away, they just change. w

in ireland, nominations to replace leo vardakar as the leader of the fine gael party have closed.n the hat. if chosen, it paves the way for him to become the youngest ever taoiseach at 37. earlier i spoke to our reporter in belfast — kevin sharkey. simon harris is a senior member of the current irish government, and what is happening now is sequencing, if you will, towards him being eventually elected as the prime minister of ireland next month. later this afternoon he will be confirmed as the new leader of his own fine gael party, and that in itself is significant, because fine gael is currently part of the three coalition government in ireland, and fine gael currently holds the position of prime minister and the government, so basically have the pick of the next prime minister, so it will go on to nominate simon harris at a meeting of the parliament, that won't happen until the 9th of april, a few weeks away yet, and when he is nominated he will be supported by the other members and parties of the government, fianna fail and the green party, so he will be elected as an extra min

mr varadkar became ireland's youngest taoiseach in 2017 when he became leader of fine gael. shortly i'll speak to one of our chief presenters in washington caitriona perry who used to work for the irish broadcaster rte and who has followed leo varadkar since his early days, but first, let's listen to mr varadkar announcing his resignation from the steps of government buildings earlier today. i know this will come as a surprise to many people and a disappointment to some, and i hope at least you will understand my decision. i know that others will, how shall i put it, cope with the news just fine. that is the great thing about living in a democracy. there is never a right time to resign high office, however, this is as good a time as any. budget 2024 is done, negotiations have not yet commenced on the next one, the institutions of the good friday agreement are working again, and our trading relationship with the uk in the post—brexit era is settled and stable. the new taoiseach will have a full two months to prepare for the local and european elections and up to a year before

ireland is set to have its youngest—ever prime minister, with simon harris declared as fine gael leaderand jasmin paris — the first woman to complete one of the world's most gruelling races — speaks to the bbc. any woman that wants to take on a challenge and maybe doesn't have the confidence, the idea that i might have inspired them to believe in themselves and have a go, that's huge. hello. i'm nicky schiller. welcome to the programme. we start this hour in the middle east. the head of the united nations agency for palestinian refugees says israel has told him it will no longer approve its food convoys to enter northern gaza. in a post on social media, unrwa's head, philippe lazzarini, described the move as "outrageous". he said israel's decision meant many more people would die of hunger, dehydration and lack of shelter. there's been no word from israel. it comes as the country's defence minister, yoav gallant, is set to travel to washington, with israel leadership under increasing pressure from the us to halt its planned assault on rafah, in southern gaza. israeli forces continue to

here's newly chosen fine gael leader simon harris speaking a short time ago. i want to thank you.ireland. i want to thank you for your trust. and i want to promise and pledge to you today that i will repay that trust with hard work. with blood, sweat and tears, day in and day out. with responsibility, with humility, and with civility. let's go to a belfast newsroom in northern ireland. reporter kevin sharkeyjoins me now from our belfast newsroom. what has been talking in the last couple of hours?— what has been talking in the last couple of hours? ireland now has a new prime — couple of hours? ireland now has a new prime minister— couple of hours? ireland now has a new prime minister in _ couple of hours? ireland now has a new prime minister in waiting, - couple of hours? ireland now has a i new prime minister in waiting, simon harris, as you havejust new prime minister in waiting, simon harris, as you have just been hearing there. he has been speaking to his party, the fine gael party at an event here in ireland, and he has been speaking and addressing domestic issues across the

varadkar became ireland's youngest taoiseach in 2017 when he became leader of fine gael.ill come as a surprise to many people and a disappointment to some. and i hope at least you'll understand my decision. i know that others will, how should i put it? cope with the news just fine. that is the great thing about living in a democracy. there's never a right time to resign high office. however, this is as good a time as any. budget 2024 is done. negotiations have not yet commenced on the next one. the institutions of the good friday agreement are working again and our trading relationship with the uk in the post—brexit era is settled and stable. leo varadkar who has announced he is standing down as irish prime minister. tim davie, the director genral of the bbc, has appeared before the culture, media and sport committee to answer questions about the corporations impartiatlity. during the hearing, he was asked about social media posts by staff that appeared to suggest support for hamas. some of those tweets that we've seen are unacceptable and we have taken action and we will

the announcement comes after a turbulent number of weeks for the fine gael, fianna fail and green partyresoundingly beaten in two referendums on changes ministers had proposed to the irish constitution. i know this will come as a surprise to many people and a disappointment to some, and i hope at least you will understand my decision. i know that others will — how shall i put it — cope with the news just fine. that is the great thing about living in a democracy. there is never a right time to resign high office. however, this is as good a time as any. budget 2024 is done, negotiations have not yet commenced on the next one, the institutions of the good friday agreement are working again, and our trading relationship with the uk in the post—brexit era is settled and stable. live now to belfast and our correspondent there, sara girvin. this was a massive shock today. absolutely. a massive shock. given the scrambled meetings that we know took place in dublin this morning, did feel like many within his own party may not have even this coming. when leo varadkar was first appointed to shock b

ireland is set to have its youngest— ever — prime minister with 37—year—old simon harris declared as fine gaelmin paris — the first woman to complete one of the world's most gruelling races — speaks to the bbc. live from our studio in singapore— this is bbc news. it's newsday. welcome to bbc news — broadcasting to viewers in the uk and around the world. we start with events in russia following the deadly attack on a concert hall in moscow, which killed 137 people. the four suspected gunmen in the moscow concert hall attack have appeared in court accused of committing terrorism. they've been ordered into custody pending a trial set to take place in may. the authorities said one of them — a citizen of tajikistan — has pleaded guilty. a nationwide day of mourning was observed on sunday with president putin lighting a candle in a church at his residence outside moscow, in memory of the victims. the islamic state group said it was responsible and has posted graphic videos online of the attack. russian officials, without evidence, have tried to implicate ukraine — which kyiv has rejected outright. o

and simon harris has been elected the new leader of the irish governing party, fine gael.e's set to become the republic of ireland's youngest prime minister — at the age of 37 —— after leo varadkar�*s surprise resignation. now on bbc news, click. this week, nick's at south by southwest, where assistive tech is helping one artist with muscular dystrophy crack the music scene. what do you think about this from a fashion perspective? oh, yeah, definitely, it can't cramp my style. chris suits up... they've gone to get me a bigger size. . ..eventually, to see how our old four—legged friend spot is helping with the decommissioning of a nuclear power station. and we travel to miami to see what sd printing might mean for marine wildlife. every march, thousands of musicians, movie stars and media moguls from all over the world descend on austin, texas. it's time for south by southwest. and this year, one musician made quite a splash on this global stage thanks to a life—changing innovation. and nick kwek travelled with him as he made his us debut. this is eli's story. # ..tears on

if he is appointed fine gael leader, mr harris would be expected to formally be elected in april andd be the country's youngest premier at the age of 37. thousands of women born in the 19505 thousands of women born in the 1950s may be eligible for compensation , after a report compensation, after a report found that the department for work and pensions failed to adequately inform them that state pension age was changing, the parliamentary and health service ombudsman looked at potential injustices resulting from the decision to raise women's retirement age, to bring it in line with men's back in 2010, the women against state pension inequality campaign, that's the waspi campaign is suggesting there should be £10,000 in compensation per individual, claiming that the women weren't properly warned about the changes and they couldn't plan for their financial futures . number 10 is financial futures. number 10 is said today. it's dealing with a migration emergency after a record number of asylum seekers crossed the english channel yesterday , 514 illegal migrants yesterday, 514 illegal mi

mr varadkar became ireland's youngest taoiseach in 2017 when he became leader of fine gael.rom the steps of government buildings a short while ago. i knew that one part of leadership is knowing when the time has come to pass on the baton to someone else and then having the courage to do it. that time is now. so i'm resigning as leader effective today and will resign as taoiseach as soon as my successor is able to take up that office. i've asked our party general secretary and executive council to provide for the new leader to be elected in advance on saturday the april 16, thus allowing a new taoiseach to be elected when it resumes after the easter break. i know this will come as a surprise to many people and a disappointment to some, and i hope at least you will understand my decision. i know that others will, how shall i put it, cope with the news just fine. that is the great thing about living in a democracy. there is never a right time to resign high office, however, this is as good a time as any. budget 2024 is done, negotiations have not yet commenced on the next one,

ireland is set to have its youngest—ever prime minister, with simon harris declared as fine gael leaderrld's most gruelling races — speaks to the bbc. any woman that wants to take on a challenge and maybe doesn't have the confidence, the idea that i might have inspired them to believe in themselves and have a go, that's huge.

mary seery kearney is an irish government senator in leo varadkar�*s fine gael party.orts of things have been discussed, can you let us in on some of that and what you think was behind the decision? weill. think was behind the decision? well, the decision — think was behind the decision? well, the decision today _ think was behind the decision? well, the decision today came _ think was behind the decision? well, the decision today came as _ think was behind the decision? -ii the decision today came as a real shock and surprise to all of us. it was great speculation as to who exactly was going to retire or step down earlier on today and that it became apparent that actually was going to be a seismic news and that it was going to be the taoiseach and sell. so our parliamentary party meets at 530 every wednesday and we have a set agenda to discuss the business of the day but the business of today was all about the fact that our leader is stepping down and as i said we are still all reeling from the shock and all of the business of the shock and all of the business of the

the irish prime minister leo varadkar has announced he is stepping down as taoiseach and leader of fine gaeleasons which are both "personal and political". speaking in dublin, he said that being taoiseach had been the most fulfilling time of his life, with ireland becoming a more equal and modern place. here's our ireland correspondent sara girvin. just days ago, marking st patrick's day in washington, there was no sign of the shock resignation to come. my reasons for stepping down are both personal and political. i believe this government can be re—elected. but after careful consideration and some soul—searching, i believe that a new taoiseach and a new leader will be better placed than me to achieve that. his appointment as taoiseach for the first time in 2017 was history—making. at 38, he was the youngest ever irish prime minister, the first from an ethnic background and the first gay leader. his appointment personified a changing and more modern ireland. he championed referendums legalising same sex marriage and abortion. he championed referendums legalising same—sex marriage and abortio

irish prime minister is stepping down and also relinquishing his role as the leader of the governing fine gaelarty. leo varadkar said his decision was both personal and political. he had recently been criticised for his role in two referendums which the government lost heavily. french regulators say they will fine google more than 270 million dollars for violating intellectual property rules. they say the company failed to respect commitments made to news publishers on compensating them for use of their content. google says the latest fine is disproportionate. security measures have been imposed to protect a new mural by the street artist banksy after it was defaced within days of appearing on a wall in london. a local council erected fencing around the artwork. it's also sending community officers to the site. so it has been confirmed this afternoon that secretary of state antony blinken will travel to israel later this week, adding a stop to his middle east trip that was not there earlier in the week. that does undeline just how fraught the relationship is between american and israeli leader

as leader of his party, fine gael, is effective from today.down as prime minister or as the irish say, taoiseach when a successor is selected. >> well, joining us now to discuss this is gb news political editor, christopher hope. political editor, christopher hope . christopher, why do you hope. christopher, why do you suspect leo varadkar has decided at this point in time that he will stand down? >> well and often both, he said it, hasn't he, that he's done it for personal reasons. his race is run , seven years at the top is run, seven years at the top of politics in ireland. we saw this, didn't we, in new zealand when we saw the prime minister resign there, we saw it with nicola sturgeon. it's an increasingly the case. i think, that some leaders are trying to exit politics on their own terms when they're ready to go, rather than being forced we are than being forced out. we are more of the latter. more of a habit of the latter. i think in uk politics it's fascinating. i think who might replace him? i've been talking to colleagues ours in in

fine gael itself is only on 20. , a we about to see herman, a political revolution in ireland, akin to what the brexit party did in the mainland? >> what you're looking at in ireland is well arisen. people a people who are starting to, who've been on their knees for decades. and it's the first time where there's a political and ideological opposition to liberalism, globalist liberalism, globalist liberalism, whatever you want to call it. but basically the anti—nationalist now we have a return of a nationalist, not not a nationalist, return of a nationalist, not not a nationalist , just we hate a nationalist, just we hate brits, but a nationalist cause in which once they take control of its own destiny, control of its own laws, its own borders , its own laws, its own borders, its own laws, its own borders, its own laws, its own borders, its own budgets, rather than having these dictated by people in brussels or the who. or the wef , f that basically the irish wef, f that basically the irish people are sovereign over

in other news, simon harris has been confirmed as the new leader of fine gael party in ireland , of fine gael party in ireland, paving the way for him to become the country's youngest premier it follows the surprise resignation of leo varadkar on wednesday of this week for what he described as personal and political reasons. mr harris is expected to become ireland's youngest taoiseach after the easter recess , and he said today easter recess, and he said today that the politics should be a force for good. oh enterprise. >> equality of opportunity, integrity and security. i have beenin integrity and security. i have been in this party since i was 15 years old, and those values mean and meant everything to me because i believe in public service. i believe in the power of politics to make a difference. i believe that politics as a profession can make people's lives better. >> the british museum was forced to close today as hundreds of pro—palestine and environmental protests gathered outside. activists were seen waving banners and palestinian flags and shouting hands off the middle east! th

ireland is set to have its youngest ever prime minister, with simon harris declared as fine gael leader complete one of the world's most gruelling races, speaks to the bbc. any woman that wants to take on a challenge and maybe doesn't have the confidence, the idea that i might have inspired them to believe in themselves and have a go, that's huge.

and simon harris has been elected the new leader of the irish governing party, fine gael.e's set to become the republic of ireland's youngest prime minister — at the age of 37 — after leo varadkar�*s surprise resignation. now on bbc news — sportsday. here's gavin. hello, and welcome to sportsday — i'm gavin ramjaun. coming up on the show... a dominant start for england in the women's six nations, despite a red card in their opener with italy. a monumentous collapse sees england lose the third t20 against new zealand. and max verstappen feels the melbourne heat, as carlos sainz leads a ferrari one—two in the australian grand prix. and chelsea are back on top of the women's super league after they beat west ham. hello there, and welcome to sportsday. it will take something special to stop england in the women's six nations this year, as the defending champions cruised past italy in their opening match today. the red roses turned on the style in the second half, as they begin their campaign for sixth tournament victory in a row, with 48—0 bonus point win in parma — as jane do

simon harris has been confirmed as the new leader of fine gael, one of the governing parties in the republicoungest prime minister. he replaces leo varadkar, who announced on wednesday he was stepping down as party leader and taoiseach. while speaking to reporters, mr harris was asked whether a general election might be on the horizon. it's my view and my intention that this government should run full term. i am very conscious that governments take on a rhythm of their own. and i'm very conscious that all people need to act in good faith. and events can happen in irish politics, of course they can, but we've a lot of work to do and i don't think there needs to be any mystique around my intention, where you guys ask me every second day where my head is at. i am planning for this government, should i be lucky enough to form one and to become taoiseach. i would like to see this government run full term, and that's my intention, as of now. now, jasmin paris from scotland is the first woman to complete one of the world's most gruelling races — the barkley marathons in tennessee. 100 miles, up and

one of the country's main governing parties, fine gael, has declared simon harris, who's 37, its newppointed as prime minister, or taoiseach, when ireland's parliament reconvenes next month. mr harris was asked whether a general election might be on the horizon. it's my view and my intention that this government should run full term. i am very conscious that governments take on a rhythm of their own. and i'm very conscious that all people need to act in good faith. and events can happen in irish politics, of course they can, but we've a lot of work to do and i don't think there needs to be any mystique around my intention, where you guys ask me every second day where my head is at. i am planning for this government, should i be lucky enough to form one and to become taoiseach. i would like to see this government run full term, and that's my intention, as of now. now to the story of a scottish runner. jasmin paris from scotland — the first woman to complete one of the world's most gruelling races — the barkley marathons in tennessee. it's160km up and down hills, through rugged terrain

. _ simon harris has been confirmed as the new leader of fine gael, one of the governing parties in theplaces leo varadkar, who announced on wednesday he was stepping down as party leader. while speaking to reporters, mr harris was asked whether a general election might be on the horizon. iam i am conscious that people need to work in good faith. there does not need to be any mystique where you asked me every day where my head is at. i am forming for this government, if i am lucky enough to form one, i would like to see this government run full term and that is my intention for now. now to the story ofjasmin paris from scotland. she's the first woman to complete one of the world's most gruelling races — the barkley marathons in tennessee. 100 miles. up and down hills. through rugged terrain. she finished with just 99 seconds to spare before the 60 hour cut—off. jasmin has finally recovered her breath and spoke to the bbc. it wasn't until the last kilometre that i really sort of doubted that it was going to be possible. and at that point i was just so desperate to stop, to stop running a

and simon harris has been elected the new leader of the irish governing party, fine gael.s set to become the republic of ireland's youngest prime minister — at the age of 37, after leo varadkar�*s surprise resignation. more on all of the stories of the bbc news website. now on bbc news, it's newscast. newscast. newscast from the bbc. hello. it's paddy in the studio. and laura in the studio. and henry at home. laura's had a scoop, so she got the chancellor to commit to the triple lock in the conservative manifesto. because you hinted this week that the triple lock, which guarantees pensioners�* income, keeps pace with inflation. you hinted that might be reviewed, but will the triple lock be in the tory manifesto this time round? well, i can confirm it will be, yes. and there's two very important things i would say about that. when we came to office in 2010, pensioners were more likely to be in poverty than other income groups. now, because of the triple lock that we introduced, they are less likely to be in poverty. and i think that's a very important social change because,

mr varadkar became ireland's youngest taoiseach in 2017 when he became leader of fine gael.

ireland is set to have its youngest ever prime minister with simon harris declared as fine gael leadereir support — following catherine's announcement that she is being treated for cancer. hello. welcome to the programme. russia is observing a national day of mourning today for the victims of friday's attack on a concert venue, just outside moscow. in the last couple of hours, vladimir putin lit a candle in a church outside his residence outside moscow in memory of the victims. at least 137 people died in the attack on concertgoers in the crocus city hall — the latest death toll from officials. mourners have also been placing flowers at a makeshift memorial at the concert venue — others have queued to donate blood for the many survivors. the islamic state group has released graphic footage, which appears to back up its claim of responsibility for the attack. caroline hawley reports — and a warning, it contains some images you may find distressing. a growing mountain of tributes in memory of those killed in russia's deadliest attack on civilians in two decades. many had been attending a

so i am resigning as president and leader of fine gael, effective today.taoiseach as soon as my successor able to up successor is able to take up that office. i've asked our party general secretary and executive council to provide for the new leader to elected in the new leader to be elected in advance of the ardeche. on saturday, april 16th, thus allowing a new taoiseach to be elected when the doll resumes after easter break. i know after the easter break. i know this will come as a surprise to many people and a disappointment to some, and i hope at least you will understand my decision . i will understand my decision. i know that others will. how should i put it? cope with the news just fine. that is the great thing about living in a democracy. there's never a right time to resign high office. however, this is as good a time as any . budget 2024 is done. as any. budget 2024 is done. negotiations have not yet commenced. on the next one, the institutions of the good friday agreement are working again, and our trading relationship with the uk in the post—br

if he's appointed fine gael leader, mr harris would expected to be formally elected in april and would become the country's youngest premier at the age of 37. the bank of england held the interest rate at 5.25% today, for the fifth time in a row, bank of england governor andrew bailey said the economy wasn't yet at the point where rates could be lowered, but said things were moving in the right direction. when inflation is expected to fall below 2% by the summer. but the bank of england said conflict in the middle said the conflict in the middle east and disruption to commercial in the red commercial shipping in the red sea further price surging sea risked further price surging . as you've been hearing, thousands of women born in the 19505 thousands of women born in the 1950s may be eligible for compensation after a report found that the department for work and pensions failed to adequately inform them that the state pension age was changing. the parliamentary and health service ombudsman looked at potential injustices resulting from the decision to raise women's retirement age, to bri

the irish prime minister leo varadkar has announced he is stepping down as taoiseach and leader of fine gaelilling time of his life, with ireland becoming a more equal and modern place. here's our ireland correspondent sara girvin. just days ago, marking st patrick's day in washington, there was no sign of the shock resignation to come. my reasons for stepping down are both personal and political. i believe this government can be re—elected. but after careful consideration and some soul searching, i believe that a new taoiseach and a new leader will be better placed than me to achieve that. his appointment as taoiseach for the first time in 2017 was history making. at 38, he was the youngest ever irish prime minister, the first from an ethnic background and the first gay leader. his appointment personified a changing and more modern ireland. he championed referendums legalising same sex marriage and abortion. but it was the brexit negotiations that saw him make his mark on the world stage, with other leaders describing him as a sharp shooter and straight talker. today, the prime minister, ri

irish prime minister is stepping down and also relinquishing his role as the leader of the governing fine gaelfor his role in two referendums which the government lost heavily.

mr varadkar became ireland's youngest taoiseach in 2017 when he became leader of fine gael. him announcing his resignation from the steps of government buildings a short while ago. i spoke to drjennifer kavanagh, a lecturer in constitutional law at the south east technological university. she talked me through the reaction to varadkar�*s resignation. even though he is only a5, he did say many years ago he wouldn't still be in politics at 50. so he's been very successful. he's been elected twice. so he's done better than the vast majority of leaders of senegal, even at such a young age. but i suppose he has now he is now in the office for the second time. we don't know when our general election is going to be. it should be sometime before march of next year. there is local and european elections coming up injune and in his resignation speech this afternoon, he said that he didn't feel like he had it in him to be the leader going into so many elections coming up. so it comes in the wake of the two failed referendums. so obviously that would be a blow for any leader of a party.

ministerfor science and higher education — has announced he intends to run for the leadership of the fine gaelrt of so many party members. many seniorfigures in the party have ruled themselves out of the race to replace mr varadkar, who announced his shock resignation on wednesday. 0pposition figures in india have strongly condemned the arrest of delhi's chief minister. police surrounded the home of arvind kejiriwal, a prominent opposition leader, in connection with corruption allegations relating to the city's policies over alcohol sales. a probe into the matter has already seen two of his top allies jailed. he was detained after several hours of questioning by india's main financial crimes agency. mr kejriwal's arrest comes weeks before voting starts in a general election. here's our south asia editor, anbarasan ethirajan. it isa it is a hugely significant moment as you say, that elections are only a few weeks away from now. starting on the 19th in seven phases, it will go on for weeks, so this arrest has triggered widespread condemnation by opposition parties because arvind kejriwal is one

who actually wanted be man who actually wanted to be t shirt ruling fine shirt within the ruling fine gaelwith the wind, so when we passed the abortion law six years ago, he was absolutely, in favour of law six years ago, he was absolbut y, in favour of law six years ago, he was absolbut y, he in favour of law six years ago, he was absolbuty, he sees'our of law six years ago, he was absolbuty, he sees that)f law six years ago, he was absolbut y, he sees that the that, but now he sees that the political beginning to political winds are beginning to shift a bit. you see, i think what would happen in what happened would happen in that six ago what happened would happen in thewhat six ago what happened would happen in thewhat you six ago what happened would happen in thewhat you might ago what happened would happen in thewhat you might call ago what happened would happen in thewhat you might call the 30 is. what you might call the progressive side decided that they a license to do they now had a license to do absolutely anything they liked without any opposition whatsoever , ever. and they jus

but the trouble is fianna , fine gael, the two fianna fail, fine gael, the two old parties irish oldass of people that have got all these houses that are renting them out and making absolute them out and making an absolute fortune. there is no interest fortune. so there is no interest to problem. but at to address this problem. but at the time, you're the same time, you're right, there far right in effect. >> there are, there are there are some right wing people clearly when look at these >> but when i look at these protests centres that protests outside centres that have been designated to dump 50 asylum seekers in next to a children's nursery or whatever, no thought gone into it whatsoever . you know, the people whatsoever. you know, the people leading these protests are just ordinary made mainly ordinary people made mainly women. they're sat around, you know, around a little know, sat around a little campfire in deckchairs, passing a thermos around with an a thermos flask around with an irish flag and playing irish folk songs. >> you know, this is not swastikas and skinheads. >> k

his own party, fine gael, in big trouble in the polls heading up to the european elections in june.also, was he not, one of the key anti brexiteers and architects of what we now have with a border in the irish sea? >> i think, nigel, you will see from my expression that i'm not in the slightest bit upset that the taoiseach has decided to resign as party leader and as taoiseach . you know, it's been taoiseach. you know, it's been a number of people on twitter, including lord dodds , have said, including lord dodds, have said, you know, he is responsible more than anyone else. probably on the island of ireland, for actually bringing about the protocol and for really starting a wedge between northern ireland and the rest of the united kingdom. i'm sure he's got a nice job lined up somewhere at the european commission but his party is going to be, you know, they're already in, in a big mess because, as you know, there's a lot of issues there now about immigration, which of course, varadkar was very keen to see open almost. that to see open borders almost. that is now proving to be a big