the first home appearance of the championship for ireland. try given. ireland when the one tried.heir title challenge is still alive. scotland at home against wales. two leigh halfpenny. lee williams, first try of the game. scotland make it under lee groves. the middle weekend of the six nations championship of 2017. we both know what the exact rule is. an extraordinary first half and an extraordinary first half and an extraordinary italian performance. italy take the lead. england are going to finish in style. england have played three and they have won three. what around it was. this round, round four, possibly the most pivotal weekend of the tournament so far. before we get into the nitty—gritty, let's look ahead and have a look at the table as it stands. england, the only team left unbeaten in the tournament. ireland, who play tonight against wales in second on ten points. scotland, who go to twickenham for the calcutta cup tomorrow, in third on nine points. england know if results and bonus points go their way, they could wrap up the six nations title in twickenham at twicken

i also spoke to him about the difficulties that brexit would have for ireland and for northern ireland. the economic indicators that would be most adversely effected and because of currency fluctuations, down over a half a billion in the food industry and business in britain alone. and also pointed out to him the fact that ireland is a microcosm, if you would like in many ways of government having made some really difficult decisions, sacrifices accepted by the people, but that ireland is now in a very different position than it was six years ago. president trump asked quite a number of questions about the irish economy, drop in unemployment, rise in employment, the improvement in our growth rates being fastest in europe. very complimentary of the people of ireland for having had the courage it make those decision answers ps and put up with the sacrifices that applied over the last many years. pointed out to him that european council want to work with the united states and that i see real potential for future trading relationships impacting on jobs outside of the atlantic. i made the p

but seriously for northern ireland. but seriously for northern ireland.iously for northern ireland what we are going to see, if there is no agreement in three weeks, or even the four weeks of negotiation, there will be flash points if there is going to be direct rule from london. sinn fein already said they do not see the current british government as a distant, as having a neutral voice, because it has relied on the support of the dup in the westminster parliament. this is the problem, theresa may wants to be the prime minister of the united kingdom, but as many other prime minister 's, they tend to neglect the celtic borders. occasionally there are events and problems and they become quite serious. where do you see this going? scotland is also part of this mix. there is something like 25 million cross—border movements between north and south in ireland. there is no way in which you could reinstate that border meaningfully. frankly, both the european union and the british government, and indeed ireland, is faced by a very difficult problem of how somehow

northern ireland and southern ireland are like that in terms of exports, in terms of business, culturalverything. you mentioned agriculture, dairy for example, the milk goes over and back across the border. the milk that goes into our bottle of bailey's, a former executive of diageo said to me that milk goes over and across the border five times before it ends up in the bottle after pasteurisation. if you are outside the european customs union you have to check all this stuff and you cannot put up a border post because it will be a target. even if you put a little camera on a big pole, anyone in sinn fein would tell you that will be a target as well. there is no way at the end of two years it will be final. there will be a long period of interim arrangements. i do not know anyone who peers into this opaque murk can come up with an answer, they will be very clever. if somebody voted for brexit and if somebody found that there was a frictionless border between northern ireland and the irish republic and people who came into the irish republic from poland or portugal could then travel to n

first, let's go over to stormont house in northern ireland, where we're expecting the northern irelandaryjames brokenshire to make a statement on the political deadlock in the province. the deadline to form a new devolved government has just passed without an agreement. we expect the northern ireland secretary to emerge in about ten minutes to tell us about his plans. there is no sign of any deal being done by the deadline lipm. the dup and sinn fein appear to be blaming each other and the decision now falls to the northern ireland office to determine the way ahead. we expect the northern ireland secretary to emerge in roughly ten minutes and we will bring that live on bbc news. theresa may will meet nicola sturgeon in scotland for the first time since the snp announced their proposals for a second independence referendum. at the beginning of a week that will see article 50 triggered on wednesday, the prime minister will say she wants to build a more united nation. tomorrow, the scottish parliament is expected to pass a vote in favour of seeking a new scottish independence referendum,

and ireland ?e problems. do we have a hard or soft border? both britain and ireland have indicated they would prefer to have a free—flowing border. the truth is we had something like 16,000 troops here and many police officers and several roads close, and didn't stop things getting across the border. so i can't see that they will be able to enforce a hard border with 200—300 customs officers. the nationalist sdlp are fiercely pro—european. like the scottish government, they want the uk to negociate a special status for northern ireland that would keep it inside the single market. and keep the border open. for years, we have spent time getting rid of the border, making sure people could freely move and do business across the island and integrate. the good friday agreement made sure that both the republic of ireland and northern ireland were members of the european union. we have the ability as irish nationalists to integrate in that context. taking all that away is very damaging to our political and

this is the border between northern ireland and the republic of ireland. right now there are no border controls on goods and services moving between the two countries, because they're both members of the european union. but when britain pulls out of the e.u., it could trigger tariffs on anglo-irish trade. and when trade barriers go up, so does the cost of doing business. john comer is president of the irish creamery milk suppliers association. >> i can't see any upsides to the impending brexit. >> reporter: what concerns him most are potential tariffs. if britain and the european union fail to reach a free trade the relationship would revert to rules laid down by the world trade organization. that could impose tariffs as high as 40% on irish dairy products sold to britain. >> if we don't get markets that are free markets in terms of no tariffs and no quotas and no impediments, i don't think that'll be sustainable, and i don't think we'd be resilient enough to withstand that dramatic impact. >> reporter: britain's exit from the e.u. is not expected to be co

changing landscape of politics in northern ireland?ch on the unionist side? yes, we see martin mcguinness going and we see michelle 0'neill coming in. similarly in the south where sinn fein is an emerging political force, still, where sinn fein is an emerging politicalforce, still, there's going to be the same thing. interestingly a lot more women coming into the party as well. but i wouldn't put too much store by that in itself. i think that's just by the nature of things, maybe the dup and the demographic getting colder, sinn fein appeals to a younger more class group, and maybe some of the old divisions are breaking down, the unionist nationalist things breaking down. for example, south of the border in the republic, sinn fein appeals not necessarily just border in the republic, sinn fein appeals not necessarilyjust to nationalist voters but to people who are nationalist voters but to people who a re interested nationalist voters but to people who are interested in what's going to happen, anti—austerity sort of candidates, that coun

the good friday agreement understood that both the republic of ireland and northern ireland were membersnion and we had an ability as irish nationalists to further integrate in that context. so taking all of that away against our wishes is very, very damaging to our political progress and to our economic progress. what is the special status for northern ireland that you want to secure in europe? what does it look like? well, it looked like very much what we have now, whether or not we remain as members of the european union, it doesn't need to be that way. i think we can have the full freedoms across ireland and the european union, we can do business, we can move. we don't have to try and hard in that order. in fact, don't have to try and hard in that order. infact, it don't have to try and hard in that order. in fact, it is impossible. there are 260 border crossings from the north to the cell. the idea that you could harden that border and control that in some wayjust doesn't make any sense. control that in some wayjust doesn't make any senselj control that in some wayjust doesn't make

a terrific for ireland. the rivalry festivalfor ireland.ween great britain and ireland, ireland ended up winning by 19 victories to nine. a dominant performance by them. above all, what a day for sizing john and four robbie power. thank you, andy. but the week at cheltenham. what he did for sizing john. leicester are off to madrid in the champions league, but they'll face atletico rather than real in the quarter—finals. the english champions are the only british side left in the competition and were one of the first names drawn in nyon. ian rush did the honours. they have faced atletico twice before, losing home and away in the uefa cup in ‘97 and also going out in the cup winners' cup to the spainiards in cup winners' cup in 1961. atletico have been runners up in the champiosn league twice in the last three years. it could have been a lot tougher for leicester. elsewhere in the drawer... the second leg is becoming a week after. the europa league has also been made manchester united have been drawn against belgian side aderlecht — their sec

our ireland correspondent chris buckler reports.e streets once scarred by sectarian conflict, martin mcguinness‘s body was carried home. = was here in derry‘s bogside that it was here in derry‘s bogside that his own of it was here in derry‘s bogside that his own - of irish republicanism his.own brand of irish reuublicanismi formed amid the of was formed amid the turmoil of unrest, and he a was formed amid the turmoil of unrest, and he - a legacy of unrest. and he leaves. a legao.’ of ~ ~ , contradictions. he will be remembered as both the ruthless paramilitary and a committed peacemaker. a pioneering piece and pioneering outreach, martin went beyond what was expected of him. he all the time set the bar very high. you can't ignore the — . all the time set the bar very high. you can't ignore the violence — — you can't ignore the violence whenever you look at his life, can you? - and i don't try to. i you? lines see! i serfs sis tea i try you? lines see! i serfs if? tei i try to. you? lines see! i eleifi if? iei i try to. and martin do

people of northern ireland to determine. as our manifesto made clear, we have a preference that northern ireland should remain a part of the united kingdom and we will never be neutral in expressing our support for that. and that's because i believe fundamentally in the strength of our our union. >> mr. speaker, pupils and parents deserve good schools and real choice in education, including schools that are focused una shamedly on academic rigor. can my right honorable friend tell us when this government will open applications to the new wave of preschool. can she also confirm they'll be free to be run as they wish, serving local community, and creating schools that work for everyone. >> my honorable friend is absolutely right. i believe schools should be free to be run as best suits them. we're putting autonomy and freedom in the hands of strong leaders now standing teachers so they can deliver an excellent education. we want to get out of the way of our education providers so they can set up the types of schools that paren

settling in across northern ireland. the south of england and wales. south of —— south—east of england a bit drier, brighter as well so temperatures are higher. moving northwards, the rain in the midlands is sitting in and it will feel cold, as it does in northern ireland where the rain increases. but scotland, largely dry, best of the sunshine in the north. this was a scene taken in lerwick earlier today. following a cold and frosty start in the north of scotland. not as cold tonight because we have cloud moving northwards. we will say rain edging up to scotland, continuing in northern ireland. not com pletely continuing in northern ireland. not completely drive for england and we either. show the bursary which should keep temperatures high. more rain on the way for most of us on saturday, especially across scotland and northern ireland. a very poor day for the east of scotland. snow in the mountains. rain for some time in the mountains. rain for some time in the north of england. the rest of england and wales cricket b

northern ireland?ionist side?|j think so much on the unionist side?” think that sinn fein are. we see martin mcguinness going and michelle o'neill martin mcguinness going and michelle 0'neill coming in. similarly, in the south, where sinn fein is an emerging politicalforce south, where sinn fein is an emerging political force still, there is going to be the same thing. interestingly, a lot more women coming into the party as well. but i would not put too much store by that in itself. i think that is just by the nature of things, may be the dup and the demographic is getting older, sinn fein appeals to a younger, more working class group, maybe some of the old divisions are breaking down. the unionist— nationalist thing is perhaps breaking down. for example, says of the border in the republic, sinn fein appeals not necessarilyjust to nationalist waters, but people who are nationalist waters, but people who a re interested nationalist waters, but people who are interested in what is going to happen, anti

sinn fein make big gains in northern ireland's assembly elections. the dup is still the biggest party but with just one more seat than the republicans. fears for the future of vauxhall plants in britain, as a french car company reportedly reaches a deal to buy general motors‘ european operations. mercedes recalls 75,000 cars in the uk because of a risk of them catching fire. also in the next hour. just how much will it cost british taxpayers to leave the european union? a house of lords report says the uk has no legal obligation to make any final payment. and the dateline panel analyse donald trump's claim the us economy is booming; and asks about those contacts with russia? that's in half an hour, here on bbc news. good morning and welcome to bbc news. sinn fein are celebrating their best ever showing in elections to the northern ireland assembly. with all the votes counted, they've won 27 seats, just one behind the democratic unionists. sinn fein‘s president, gerry adams, has described the result as "an end to the old status quo". the two parties n

from bombs to the ballot box, northern ireland's martin mcguinness dies at 66.e leaves a complicated legacy print and back where they belong -- the van gogh museum welcomes back 2 stolen paintings worth tens of millions of dollars. tim: hello, and welcome to our viewers on public television in america and also around the globe. for millions of airline passengers, long-haul flights could seem a whole lot longer, following authorities announcing a ban on laptops, ipads, and other devices bigger than a mobile phone brought as hand luggage the order, based on unspecified threats from affect passengers on u.s.-bound flights from the middle east and north africa, and britain has targeted its security measures as well. frank gardner has this. frank: familiar, tedious, time-consuming. getting laptops and other devices through airport security on direct flights from the middle east to the u.k. is effectively -- about to get more complicated. british airways, easyjet, and for other u.k. airlines are affected, and so or eight middle eastern and north african carriers, foll

but not in northern ireland's best interests., and arlene foster's held up. in extraordinary circumstances, that is a remarkable achievement. the think this evening arlene foster might be thinking that perhaps she should have taken that opportunity to step aside temporarily while an enquiry into the renewable heating steam was carried out and then came back into office, avoiding the selection entirely? —— the election. i know many people are blessed with the benefit of hindsight, always after the event. arlene foster has been very clear. she is resolute she will be vindicated through the enquiry. secondly, we believe in northern ireland and we want to see at work. we want to see a return to the institution ‘s. arlene foster, she nor any other person in the party will stand in the way of effective devolution in northern ireland. we are part of that. the people have returned us and they will be a form as is the largest party in northern ireland. we have a significant part to play and want to see it succeed. if people vote for who t

election, as our ireland correspondent chris buckler reports.in northern ireland about restoring power—sharing, but at times it's felt like sinn fein and the dup have been speaking a very different language. much of the funding for this class for migrant workers in dungannon comes through stormont, but with no government, there's no budget. we might want to ask how much... and that means this community group can't be sure how much money they'll have once the new financial year begins, and that's just next week. if there's no funding, it would mean imminent closure within two months and alljobs lost. that's how serious it is. those concerns about budgets stretch across all departments including health and education. but at lipm, the deadline for an agreement, the politicians weren't electing a first and deputy first minister. the assembly chamber was empty. i think there are a short few weeks in order to resolve matters. the reason i say that is because of this issue, the stark issue in relation to public services here in northern ireland, and th

fully committed to ensuring the unique interests of northern ireland establish our negotiating vision, our position has been clear on the belfast agreement including the principle of consent that northern ireland's constitutional position for northern ireland to determine but as our manifesto made clear we have a preference that northern ireland should remain part of the united kingdom and we will never be neutral in expressing our support for fat. that is fundamentally in the strength of our union. >> pupils and parents deserve good schools and real choice in education including schools focused unashamedly, can my right honorable friend tell us about applications for the new wave of it but we are genuinely free to be run as they wish, and schools that work for everyone. >> i believe schools should be free to be run and putting autonomy in the hands of strong leaders so they can deliver an excellent education and wants to get out of the way of outstanding education fighting to set up the types of schools parents want, to remove the ban, and a complex area. and the following the public

an improved day across scotland and northern ireland.

. >> we want to work together to assure we can protect the best interests of northern ireland. ensuring we have government and northern ireland is important for the future and so we can build on significant progress made in recent years for people of northern ireland and i urge all parties to come to the talks, finding a way through this so northern ireland can restore government. >> will the prime minister agree social media companies need to take action now to remove extremists from their platforms and foot the bill, doing their dirty work at a taxpayers expense. >> the question of working with the company to assure extremist materials removed as quickly as possible and going for a number of years, through counterterrorism network we have a process which enables to take materials down. taken down since february 2010, and in the last couple years, i know my right honorable friend will be meeting the companies later this week to talk about this important issue. we don't want to see extremist materials on the internet. what we want to see his companies taking action to remove ma

following the passing of yesterday's legal deadline, in northern ireland, northern ireland has no devolved administration. this also means that other elements of the belfast agreement, including the north—south bodies cannot operate properly. the consequences of all of this are potentially extremely serious. and the most immediate is that we're rapidly approaching the point at which northern ireland will not have an agreed budget. from tomorrow, a civil servant, the department of finance permanent secretary, will exercise powers that allocate cash to northern ireland departments. but let me be very clear, the situation is not sustainable, and beyond a short period of time, will have an impact on public services. what we're talking about here is the health service, schools, voluntary groups, services for the most vulnerable in society. this isn't what people voted for on the 2nd of march. he said he was hopeful of a positive outcome from the talks. if these talks are successful, it would be my intention, quickly, to bring forward legislation after the easter recess, to allow an executive to

. “2’712: was ireland.s: e 777777777 to s ' is. is: e 777777777 to end - violence and decision to end the violence and move towards democratic and peaceful of resolving disputes. of é he isa é he is a controversialfigure. course he is a controversialfigure. many would say he had blood on his hands. whilst you were in the of negotiating with him process of negotiating with him during the years leading up to the good friday agreement did you ever discuss his past actions with him?|j never discuss his past actions with him?” never past actions with never discussed past actions with martin orany never discussed past actions with martin or any other participant in the northern ireland peace process. many of them were in a similar circumstance. the problem was, they we re circumstance. the problem was, they were embedded in the past. i was trying to get them to look to the future. the last thing i wanted to do was to get them focus on .tti tt % about the past when i was talking about the past when i was trying to

i want to ask you about the future of northern ireland. now that such a key protagonist is gone, is there a risk for peace in northern ireland, particularly with the exit the brexits -- negotiations hanging over ireland, do you see complications in the future because of that? >> i do, and it is a pessimistic martinlooking at it, but mcguinness's departure is connected to this. he is someone who was prepared to offer moments of leadership in terms of deciding to embark on a conciliatory gesture, such as shaking the queen's hand, which is a symbolic thing for ulster protestants who take the royal family very seriously and feel passionately disposed for the royal family. northern ireland is already in a slightly unbearable, agonizing hinterland where it is between the united kingdom, which has a serious level of negotiations to conduct on brexit, and the republic of ireland, which also doesn't really want to know or take it on. so they are already in this position, a given the amount of european union structural funds peaceful money that goes

we have peace olnorthern ireland.ou know, we are 20 yea rs years we it, and there are years into it, and there are still some any unresolved issues, with legacy and victims. we have seen that today, with some “rt l~4zs saw; 5»; aleesrseew—e ~ w 77 themselves with “rt l~4zs saw; 5»; aleesrsee’fwwe ,, w ww themselves with the reconciling themselves with the past, but for others - wounds are past. but for nthers the waunds are still very past. but tar nthers the waunds are still very raw, and i think of someone ”5 martin " death of someone like martin mcguinness, i with g of] death of someone like martin mcguinness, i with g of ian mcguinness, as with that of ian paisley a few years $ mcguinness, as with that of ian paisley a few years é it has ne'elee— ; 1;:.: wees; e:; 'e!—;; that to the 5535535 and is ne'elee— ; 1;:.: wees; e:; 'e!—;; that to the 311555 and is a demonstration of how we have come so far. we are still a long way to go with reconciliation and healing.” with reconciliation and healing. you have spoken to

the northern ireland secretary has warned that there is only a short window of opportunity to restore power—sharing executive after today's deadline passed without agreement. and an update on the markets for you, this is how the ftse 100 dax ended the the markets for you, this is how the ftse100 dax ended the day. both slightly down. mixed bag. in trading in the united states. theresa may has been meeting nicola sturgeon for the first time since the scottish government proposed a new independence referendum. the first minister wants another vote within two years saying that brexit has transformed the situation since the original vote. the prime minister has restated her view that ‘now is not the time'. speaking earlier today she said that she wants the uk to be ‘more united'. this great united nations, england, scotland, wealth and northern ireland sets its mind on something and works together with determination, we are an unstoppable force. that's why the plan for britain i have set out, a plan to get the right deal for britain abroad as well as a better deal for ordinary working peo

and actually northern ireland, too. and actually northern ireland, too.in the afternoon. and then there is more in on the way during friday night. so too are out on late friday night, it could be a sober. low pressure tory weather front across the uk with a bit ofan weather front across the uk with a bit of an attitude. it is not looking pretty. but in to friday, it is changeable in the second half of the week. —— soaker. looking at saturday, low pressure with us spinning around close to my neighbourhood. you see where the rain is across northern various convert to be ‘s review, rain chance anywhere across the uk on saturday. there will be some sunshine around, as well. so will not be raining or through the day, but take an umbrella, if you're out. still on the chilly side, single figures, if you are doing anything. we have weather fronts and low pressure city across the uk. rain moving into other parts of europe, too. more weather fronts out there in the wings. there will be a failed bid of wind as well and it will feel on the chilly side at the weekend.

on the football association of ireland website he wrote this.ast of that. after the international break, there's a big weekend of premier league football ahead. starting with the merseyside derby. manchester united play west brom tomorrow too, but they'll be without defenders chris smalling and philjones. managerjose mourinho says the injuries they picked up on england duty last week are "long term". jones injured his toe in a training ground tackle, with reports claiming it involved fellow centre—back smalling. who was pictured in a leg brace himself a few days later, £559? 3515 51? £3; 53? . ,, ,,, but ran in two tries in the second half to pull clear — carl ablett with the final try. that's their fourth win in a row. castleford tigers still top the table though on points difference after they thrashed huddersfield 52—16. they are in great form, aren't they? charley hull is tied in third, two shot off the lead at the first women's golf major of the year in california. she sat to complete her ra nt california. she sat to complete her rant today

northern ireland facing an even more uncertain politicalfuture., pretty critical, what is her position? the dup leader arlene foster has issued a statement saying that there was little to suggest in her opinion that sinn fein wanted to secure an agreement. she says at every opportunity they've resisted involving the other parties, there we re involving the other parties, there were no around table discussions when all the parties were together over the course of these talks, and she says brew the course of yesterday sinn fein behaved like they were the only participants whose mandate mattered. so it's very clear she's placing the blame very firmly on sinn fein. sinn fein, though, very firmly placing the blame on the dup and indeed on the british government and they say the two main sticking points if you like, the indications are that the two main sticking points we have our first leave the running of new organisations, new agencies to investigate killings from the troubles, and secondly a demand for an irish language act that sinn fein have made,

we wa to wo tetr to assure we can protecthe best interests of northern ireland. ensuring w have government and nortrnrend is important r e ture and so wean build on significant progress ma irentears for people of noreriranani ge all parties to come to the tas, finding a way through iso nortrnrendan restore government. >>ilthprime nistergree social media compani nd to take aionoto remove extremists from their atrm and foot the bill,oi tir rty wo at tpayers expense. >> the queion of worng with the company to aure extremist materials removed as quickly as posslendoing for a number of yearsthrough unrtrosmetwork we have a process which enables to take marials down. taken down since february 2010, and inhe last couple years, i know mrit noblfrnd will be meeting the companies later this wk to talkbo this important iue we don't want to see extremist mateals onhe internet. wh wwa to see his companies taking actioto remove material that is enurinhate. late onatdanit a massive pliodestated my constituency we arehiing of all those at areur it is a merkel more people were no

the main band of rain gets stuck across northern ireland. 0nce rain gets stuck across northern irelandem for quite some time. 0vernight lows of four or 5 degrees, for bell first,. rain will move to the north of northern ireland, one or two showers but a lot of dry and bright weather. quite chilly underneath the rain in scotland. into sunday, we will see wetter weather across england and wales. rain followed by sunshine and showers, scattered showers across scotland and northern ireland. hello. this is bbc news. the headlines: there are signs that both sinn fein and the unionist dup are polling strongly in the northern ireland assembly election. ulster unionist leader mike nesbitt has resigned after a disappointing performance by his party.

they are traitors to the island of ireland.ll sides. but after the troubles, royal and republican were able to put their differences aside. thank you very much. i'm still alive. nice to see you. no—one can forget the past, but i think we can equally look at the contribution martin did play. his real focus on reconciliation and reaching out to different communities. but there remained deep divisions at stormont. and when martin mcguinness walked out of government this year, it was a sign of the political challenges still ahead. they would be faced by others. ill—health had already forced him to retire after a decade as northern ireland's deputy first minister. even though it breaks my heart... applause my heart lies in the bogside and with the people of derry. in painting a true picture of martin mcguinness, you have to accept contradictions. his ira past will colour many people'sviews of him, but as a republican who worked towards reconciliation, he will be remembered as a key figure in changing northern ireland. martin mcguinn

northern ireland, a weatherfrontjoining close along former northern ireland, a weather frontjoining cold night for most parts of the country. bradford in the highlands, within 2 degrees above freezing but is basically mild and great and murky to start tomorrow. between that, there are some brighter skies to be found, the midlands, or east anglia, the south—east, perhaps the far east, it will be a cloudier, damp day. the rain will tend to fizzle out. after the dry start for wales, age weather front moving fizzle out. after the dry start for wales, age weatherfront moving in. the second half of the morning onwards would be a nice day four northern ireland and granted that this weather system stays offshore of eastern scotland, here are all so there should be a good deal ofjoy and pride whether through the morning and even once the weather front starts to push its weight gradually ease with, slow progress, the spine of the country could do quite well. very little hope of much brightness boat across the eastern side of the uk. temperature will be high, slightly cooler air but it will no

that is the republican party, sinn fein, who would like to see a united ireland.onist party, they are on 14. the ulster unionist party have seven, in one of the dramatic turns to this day so far their leader mike nesbitt said he would be standing down because of his party's performance in these elections. he had appealed to people to vote across traditional community lines and transfer their votes to other parties who he said would bring about change in northern ireland politics. but it doesn't look like were going to get change, is the bottom line, because it looks like sinn fein and the dup will still be the largest parties and a number of the smaller ones have collected around nine seats between them. we are seeing an increasingly polarised electorate. remind us why these elections are so important. these elections are so important because they are about the future of devolved government in northern ireland. in the past, we have had direct rule from westminster and thatis direct rule from westminster and that is one of the possible options on the table if, when

in scotland and northern ireland and especially a touch of frost to begin the day on sunday.ne at some stage. the winds are again light and sunny spells will make it feel quite pleasant. some spots getting higher. it all looks fairly calm for the races on sunday. do enjoy the action. in the next week, high pressure comes action. in the next week, high pressure comes back and things look mainly dry. april showers for saturday. some heavy with hail and thunder. most places will be die on sunday to fall part two of the weekend. for further sunday to fall part two of the weekend. forfurther details, head online. welcome to bbc news. a rigid armoured. our top stories: welcome to bbc news. a rigid armoured. ourtop stories: street protest have escalated in venezuela. the president says he will resolve within hours the policy that stress parliament is power. donald trump says he is not afraid of what michael flynn might reveal if he speaks about russia. he believes he should speak and to adhere to do to get the story out. as guidelines introduced for european union's brexit strategy,

dry spells for northern ireland.l see quite a bit of rain and fringing into cornwall. but in the east, having a lot of dry weather. quite muggy. it is nothing compared to the warmth which will waft into parts of the southeast and east anglia on thursday on the southerly breeze. somebody will reach 20 or even 2! here. further north and west it will be progressively cooler, mid—teens is probably the best. rain around once more. pushing up through the irish sea to west wales, north—west england. northern ireland and scotla nd england. northern ireland and scotland seeing some dry weather, not as fresh in the breeze and not as warm as it will be further ease. the rain will head eastwards in the day and push the warmth out of the way. it is a cold front. the cold fronts will introduce fresh air to all of us at the weekend. blobs blue, showers around for saturday. but ridge of high pressure building infor but ridge of high pressure building in for sunday. to sum up this weekend, if you have any plans, take something waterp

wet weather for northern ireland. rain and snow for scotland. wet weatherfor northern ireland. vintage jet which crashed at the shoreham airshow was flying "too low and too slow" when he started a loop manoeuvre. eleven people on the ground were killed. the taxi app company uber has lost its high court challenge over new language requirements planned for the drivers of private—hire vehicles. theresa may has accused the snp of neglecting public services in scotland — because it's obsessed with the issue of independence. the prime minister said securing the union was vital to the uk's future prosperity and security. we should never be shy of making that positive case for the union because logic and facts are on our side. because logic and facts are on our side. "unstructured and disorganised" — the police force which investigated the sudden death of 13—month old poppi worthington comes under fire for failing to examine claims she was sexually abused by her father. stab victims are paying vets to stitch their wounds because they fear police will get involved if they go to hospital

the rain gets across to northern ireland. well it is largely dry. there are a few showers liking to the west. i suppose they might come in on the breeze as you get into saturday afternoon. sunny spells and showers in the south—west of the quadrant. the south—east, mostly drive spells of sunshine, pretty grey and wet and windy across scotla nd pretty grey and wet and windy across scotland in particular. snow over high ground five or 6 degrees in glasgow. a bit of brightness in the south—eastern corner 12 or 13 degrees. 0n the subject of wintry weather will be a lot of snow in the alps this weekend and with the meter forecast, there is a high risk of avalanches packed scene. but above that there should be is an amazing spring schemes. 0n that there should be is an amazing spring schemes. on our scenes, fortu nes spring schemes. on our scenes, fortunes reversed, in mid wales will see the wettest windiest rain but not much rain across scotland and northern ireland by show or two. the early pa rt northern ireland by show or two. t

northern ireland. no difference this yea r. 73% of northern ireland.r. 73% of the electorate cast their ballots here this year. it is expected that arlene foster well once again topped the poll here despite all the controversies of the past year. she has a very strong, loyal, personal following and that will be reflected when we hear the first results here shortly. she will be hoping to also get enough votes to bring her running mate, a second democratic unionist candidate across the line. but sinn fein have also pulled very strongly here in the west. they had a bit of a mix—up last year in the selection of their candidates. they fielded four candidates, which meant they lost one of their seats. they are hoping to regain that these this time. sinn fein could pick up three seats here and another three seats in west tyrone. the most nervous party here are the ulster unionists. they could lose a seat in each of those two constituencies. but we are still waiting for the first results here. there are 18 candidates in west tyrone and it was not until saturda

it pushes into scotland and northern ireland.igh ground and overnight lows of 4—7. what ea5ter scotland tomorrow it will be wet, windy and chile all day long. there is a dried up chile all day long. there is a dried up proce55 chile all day long. there is a dried up process in northern ireland. lot5 of dry and fairly bright weather and temperature is getting up to about 10-12d. a temperature is getting up to about 10—12d. a role reversal on sunday with england and wales looking quite wet and windy. in comparison, not so much rain for scotland and northern ireland. temperatures between 7—11. hello. this is bbc news. the headlines. results are being declared in the northern ireland assembly election and the early signs are that the largest parties — sinn fein and the dup are polling well. turnout is up 5harply — more than 10% in some areas. air accident inve5tigator5 say the pilot of the vintage jet which crashed at the shoreham airshow was flying "too low and too slow" when he started a loop manoeuvre. eleven people on the ground

for ireland but did you ever save a for ireland but did you ever save?azing for him to do that. i have in common notes, no. credit to duncan watmore for what he's done. it's amazing for him to do that. i haven't, no. duncan watmore wins the prize. kevin, thank you. enjoy your five live has plenty for you to enjoy over the bbc radio five live has four matches, beginning with a big anfield. kick off at 12:30pm, liverpool against everton also on the bbc this weekend, a shocking claim from saido berahino, who says he served an eight week doping ban at west brom earlier this season after his drink spiked in a berahino's told football focus there was such a small amount in his system... it proves he couldn't have taken the drug intentionally. also on the bbc this weekend, as shocking claim from saido berahino, who says he served an eight week doping ban at west brom earlier this season after his drink with spiked inafor season after his drink with spiked in a for me to get banned for something you haven't done is hard to take. it was spiked definitely. ifi to

more cloud in northern ireland threatening rain later. wintry showers and snow over the hills in scotland, some sunshine as well. it's feeling colder, especially in northern scotla nd colder, especially in northern scotland whether winds die down last of all. this evening it turns wet in northern ireland, some rain and hail snow. it pushes into the soup —— into southern scotland and in southern wales and we have rain arriving, that will keep temperatures but quite chilly night in scotland, especially the north of scotland. maybe a pinch of frost but some sunshine here. elsewhere the sunshine is a reluctant visitor tomorrow. there will be brighterfor a while in south—east scotland and north east england but we have rain moving northwards. it becomes lighter. it turns dryer for the south—east of england, boosting temperatures here. across northern ireland the rain could be setting in for most, if not all, of the day. into the weekend, whilst there will be some dryer and brighter slots, rain is never going to be too far away. in fact, rain i

the ordinary man and woman in northern ireland want and woman in northern ireland want an assembly up my party and all parties playing their role. we have proved we are up for that and we call on other parties to be up for it and stop messing about with devolution and wrecking the hope and aspirations of the entire community. the dup and sinn fein have three weeks to do a deal, otherwise people face the prospect of the westminster government is taking over the running of northern ireland, at least for a period. to avoid that, irish nationalists and british unionists must come together again. what might matter is how much they value power. officials in ireland say human remains of a significant number of babies and infant children have been discovered in underground chambers at the site of a former church—run mother and baby home. excavations were ordered at tuam in county galway by a commission set up by the irish government last 0ctober, following allegations about the deaths of nearly 800 infants at the home between 1925 and 1961. the red cross says chemical weapons appear to have b

election, as our ireland correspondent chris buckler reports.g, but at times it's felt like sinn fein and the dup have been speaking a very different language. much of the funding for this class for migrant workers in dungannon comes through stormont, but with no government, there's no budget. and that means this community group can't be sure how much money they'll have once the new financial year begins, and that's just next week. if there's no funding, it would mean imminent closure within two months and alljobs lost. that's how serious it is. those concerns about budgets stretch across all departments including health and education. but at four o'clock, the deadline for an agreement, the politicians weren't electing a first and deputy first minister. the assembly chamber was empty. i think there are a short few weeks in order to resolve matters. the reason i say that is because of this issue, the stark issue in relation to public services here in northern ireland, and the lack of a budget having been set. the northern ireland secretary has a

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