- reaction in northern ireland? look, i was reaction in northern ireland?ing messages from i reaction in northern ireland? errraz, i was getting messages from people this morning, people who are in the dup, who didn't know what was going on, people who are outside party politics, people who are friends of mine and they were all essentially saying, is this true, can this be true? surely this isn't true? i mean, for any political leader to face allegations of this nature, which have got to the stage of charges from the police is incredibly rare, is incredibly unsettling for people who support that political party or even don't support the political party and so, whatever about the individual circumstances of this case, it will come to court, we can't get into that now. but the mere fact of him being charged is beyond compare. i cannot think of an example of where this has happened to a political leader while they are leading the party, certainly not in this jurisdiction in northern ireland. and there is a sense of shock, certainly, within northern ireland as

, to be from northern ireland, and support the likes of our northern ireland team.about your background then. you grow up in what people used to call border country. county armagh. more deaths in the troubles there, sadly, than there were in any place other than belfast. do you remember when you first realized that you were living in the troubles with a capital t, in a place in which violence was a part of everyday life? i don't remember anything different from the context in which i grew up. the very politicised situation in markethill. the challenges of that brought with us and with it. and markethill was a very politicised place. it was right on the edge of south armagh. many families who had been in the security forces, for example, many of the protestant families around south armagh, had moved up to markethill due to the threat of violence against theirfamily. so we were this small town, you know, an overwhelmingly protestant town on the very edge of south armagh, and a very republican area. so that, of course, brought challenges. there were an awful lot of thr

one _ from others across northern ireland today has been one of _ from others across northern irelandontinuing the efforts— today has been one of continuing the efforts behind — today has been one of continuing the efforts behind power—sharing - today has been one of continuing the efforts behind power—sharing in- efforts behind power—sharing in northern— efforts behind power—sharing in northern ireland, _ efforts behind power—sharing in northern ireland, ensuring - efforts behind power—sharing in northern ireland, ensuring thatj northern ireland, ensuring that devolution _ northern ireland, ensuring that devolution continues— northern ireland, ensuring that devolution continues to - northern ireland, ensuring that| devolution continues to operate northern ireland, ensuring that. devolution continues to operate as effectively — devolution continues to operate as effectively as — devolution continues to operate as effectively as possible _ devolution continues to operate as effectively as possible and - devolution continues to operate as effectively as possible and is - effectively as

, to be from northern ireland, and support the likes of our northern ireland team. talk about your background then. you grow up in what people used to call border country. county armagh. more deaths in the troubles there, sadly, than there were in any place other than belfast. do you remember when you first realized that you were living in the troubles with a capital t, in a place in which violence was a part of everyday life? i don't remember anything different from the context in which i grew up. the very politicised situation in markethill. the challenges of that brought with us and with it. and markethill was a very politicised place. it was right on the edge of south armagh. many families who had been in the security forces, for example, many of the protestant families around south armagh, had moved up to markethill due to the threat of violence against theirfamily. so we were this small town, you know, an overwhelmingly protestant town on the very edge of south armagh, and a very republican area. so that, of course, brought challenges. there were an awful lot

with northern ireland legacy— northern ireland in connection with northern ireland legacy cases. - northern, the longest— northern ireland legacy cases. five, the longest day, _ northern ireland legacy cases. five, the longest day, the _ northern ireland legacy cases. five, the longest day, the 21st— northern ireland legacy cases. five, the longest day, the 21st of- northern ireland legacy cases. five, the longest day, the 21st ofjune, i the longest day, the 21st ofjune, should _ the longest day, the 21st ofjune, should be — the longest day, the 21st ofjune, should be designated _ the longest day, the 21st ofjune, should be designated as - the longest day, the 21st ofjune, should be designated as a - the longest day, the 21st ofjune, should be designated as a day- the longest day, the 21st ofjune, . should be designated as a day when we remember— should be designated as a day when we remember those _ should be designated as a day when we remember those lost, _ should be designated as a day when we remember those lost, injured i should be designated as a day when we remember those lost, inju

— strength in recent elections in northern ireland? certainly, one of the taruet northern ireland?get seats _ northern ireland? certainly, one of the target seats that _ northern ireland? certainly, one of the target seats that alliance - northern ireland? certainly, one of the target seats that alliance has . the target seats that alliance has had an itch mite for quite awhile has been lagan valley, which was sir jeffrey donaldson�*s seat. he was an ulster unionist mp, then the dup mp. the thought that anybody other than a unionist could threaten to take that seat was impossible, but the young energetic alliance candidate there has eaten into sir geoffrey's majority. i suppose within that particular constituency it might embolden the alliance challenge. in terms of the overall balance between unionism and nationalism i don't think it will change anything very much. in essence we have a kind of hung assembly were neither unionism nor nationalism is in the majority and centre—right parties hold the balance of power because of the peculiar rules we have at stormont they don't will be

, the setup there since _ northern ireland, the setup there since the — northern ireland, thei sunak, when he became _ agreement. rishi sunak, when he became prime minister, made it a priority— became prime minister, made it a priority to — became prime minister, made it a priority to restore power—sharing, and usually, the government here acts as _ and usually, the government here acts as a — and usually, the government here acts as a sort of neutral broker between — acts as a sort of neutral broker between the parties in northern ireland. unusually in this case, mr sunak— ireland. unusually in this case, mr sunak dealt pretty much in that time with the _ sunak dealt pretty much in that time with the concerns of one party, the dup, and _ with the concerns of one party, the dup, and particularly one person, sirjeffrey— dup, and particularly one person, sirjeffrey donaldson. so, he made seven— sirjeffrey donaldson. so, he made seven trips— sirjeffrey donaldson. so, he made seven trips to northern ireland to -et seven trips to northern ireland to get that— seven trips to norther

more now on northern ireland.estigation is understood to have started within the last number of months, after two women came forward. sirjeffrey�*s resignation letter to the dup states he will be strenuously contesting the charges. the dup says mr donaldson, who has been in politics for almost a0—years, has had his membership

northern ireland is not _ to get to this point? northern ireland is not the _ to get to this point?only place around the world that is wrestling with political challenges and some are unique to northern ireland. they are real. �* p, p p, to northern ireland. they are real. ~ . . ., , real. and financial challenges. no question- _ real. and financial challenges. no question. the _ real. and financial challenges. no question. the us - real. and financial challenges. no question. the us is - real. and financial challenges. no question. the us is not. no question. the us is not immune to some of those challenges, we have them in our own way. you have two political leaders from different histories and traditions and different visions for the future of northern ireland. united in the idea now that people hold those outcomes together and still support each other on a pathway forward. we are about to go through a difficult campaign season here in the united states and there is a lot we can learn from northern ireland and the leaders of northern ireland about that pathway forward. so, yes, i

that speaking to the dynamics within northern ireland.— speaking to the dynamics within northern ireland _ northern ireland. that has been a concern that power-sharing - northern ireland. that has been a concern that power-sharing reallyi concern that power—sharing really only got back on track couple of months ago, and now one of the key figures that has resigned, and people are concerned we potentially have another period of instability in northern irish politics. yes. in northern irish politics. yes, there are _ in northern irish politics. yes, there are mixed _ in northern irish politics. yes, there are mixed views - in northern irish politics. yes, there are mixed views on - in northern irish politics. yes, i there are mixed views on this. in northern irish politics. yes there are mixed views on this. there are some views which say this is an internal matter to the dup and will be relatively contained so long as there is a maturity of sorts amongst there is a maturity of sorts amongst the political actors within the devolved institutions. it shouldn't impact terms of devolution and

one of the great lessons from northern ireland from my perspective is that our future is shared — thethe idea that one side will win and the other side will lose is not the case. we can prosper together or struggle together. we can send a message that needs to be interred a bit more here in the united states and the opportunity that we have to succeed, that needs to be shared and one side and one party is going to win and you define success of someone else�*s failure. there are struggles ahead. president biden's special envoy to northern ireland, thank you forjoining us on bbc news. a new yorkjudge has granted a 30—day delay for donald trump's trial involving a hush money payment he made to an adult film star. the judge allowed the delay due to the late disclosure of evidence provided to mr trump's legal team. the first ever criminal trial for a former us president was originally set for 25 march, and though the delay has been formally granted, a new trial date has not been set. and in georgia, after months of hearings, a judge ruled that the lead prosecutor in mr trump's election int

., ., northern ireland? if none a boost in certainl it northern ireland?rtainly it does not mean that stormont — certainly it does not mean that stormont will collapse and not because — stormont will collapse and not because sirjeffrey is an mp and is not an— because sirjeffrey is an mp and is not an mla. certainly is not something the dup would in any way happy— something the dup would in any way happy about and obviously a very negative — happy about and obviously a very negative story that's being linked to their— negative story that's being linked to their party to wait and see how this unfolds.— to their party to wait and see how this unfolds. . ., ., ., ,, , ., , this unfolds. amanda, thank you very much and running _ this unfolds. amanda, thank you very much and running as _ this unfolds. amanda, thank you very much and running as live _ this unfolds. amanda, thank you very much and running as live here - this unfolds. amanda, thank you very much and running as live here on - this unfolds. amanda, thank you veryj much and running as live here on bbc

of northern ireland.rough, said jeffrey donaldson commanding the stage, his power and influence obvious, but at six o'clock yesterday morning he was arrested. by yesterday morning he was arrested. by lunchtime today, a statement from his party: the man on the left here, gavin robinson, is the new interim leader. he was told what had happened in the middle of the night. it is a devastating revelation and has caused a tremendous shock. not just for myself personally or my colleagues within the dup but for the community right across northern ireland. it came as a great shock. this is a nightmare for the dup and a big _ this is a nightmare for the dup and a big test_ this is a nightmare for the dup and a big test for the new powers in government, isn't it?— a big test for the new powers in government, isn't it? in not only has been recognised _ government, isn't it? in not only has been recognised positively . government, isn't it? in not onlyj has been recognised positively in the last couple of weeks since

more breaking news now on northern ireland.thatjeffrey donaldson, the leader of the democratic unionist party, has been charged with historical sexual offences and has quit as leader. bbc news now understands that sirjeffrey donaldson has been charged with rape and multiple other sexual offences. the police investigation is understood to have started within the last number of months, after two women came forward. sirjeffrey�*s resignation letter to the dup states he will be strenuously contesting the charges. the dup says mr donaldson, who has been in politics for almost a0 years, has had his membership suspended pending the outcome of a judicial process. let's speak to our ireland correspondent, sara girvin. bring is up—to—date with these developments. figs bring is up-to-date with these developments.— bring is up-to-date with these developments. as you say, more details, developments. as you say, more details. more — developments. as you say, more details, more information - developments. as you say, more | details, more infor

northern ireland has when it comes to political earthquakes. y leaves a fissure in unionism at a time when some see it under increasing threat from those who want a united ireland. ♪ for now, sir jeffrey donaldson's party political days look firmly in the past. >> we heard in jennifer's report a little bit of an interview with gavin robinson, the mp who has been named as interim leader for the dup. in the last hour, he's been speaking to the media about the shock being felt in the party and across the community in northern ireland. >> there has been a devastatin revelation that has caused tremendous shock. not just for myself personally, colleagues in the dup, but the community right across northern ireland, it came as a great shock. we are a party of individuals that believe in justice. we have faith in our criminal justice system. in the coming days and months, we think it is important none of us say anything or act in any way that would seek to prejudice what is an ongoing investigation. >> wended the party become aware of the allegations and

i'm live at stormont with reaction, and assessing the impact of northern ireland's devolved government. ukraine's president zelensky warns a new russian military offensive — may come in the next few months. and — it's one year — since the wall streetjournal reporter, evan gershkovich —was detained in russia on spying charges. his sister has spoken the the bbc�*s russia editor. the uncertainty is very hard to deal with, but we just see evan and how strong he is. hello, i'm matthew amroliwala, welcome to verified live, let's start with that stunning development in northern ireland — news thatjeffrey donaldson — the leader of the democratic unionist party — has been charged with historical sexual offences — and has quit as leader. the dup says mr donaldson, who has been in politics for almost ao—years, has had his membership suspended pending the outcome of a judicial process. the party released a statement earlier, it says: police issued a statement earlier this morning. it read a 61—year—old man had been charged with "non—recent sexual offences" adding that a 57—year—old woman was also

your best bet for fine weather is the north of northern ireland, also northern and western scotland, south, despite the cloud and rain, still getting up to 1a, although i don't think it will feel like it. the outlook for the week ahead will see a series of low pressures lining themselves up in the atlantic, heading our way, one weatherfront after the other and that basically spells rain so whether you are checking the website or looking at the app, an indication here with these rain symbols that the rain —— weather is going to be predominantly unsettled, rain at times certainly possible almost anywhere in the uk. before i go, quick message that british summertime begins tonight. by. —— goodbye. this is bbc news — the headlines... the un peacekeeping mission in lebanon says three of its observers and a translator have been injured in an explosion near the israeli border. in a statement — the un said it was investigating the origin of the blast — and that the targeting of its observers was �*unacceptable.’ a convoy of ships is carrying hundreds of tonnes of humanitarian supplies to the

joining me is enda mcclafferty, the bbc�*s northern ireland political editor.'t it? it it has been quite an extraordinary day, it hasn't it?— day, it hasn't it? it would take something _ day, it hasn't it? it would take something to _ day, it hasn't it? it would take something to shake _ day, it hasn't it? it would take something to shake the - day, it hasn't it? it would take something to shake the battlej something to shake the battle hardened political landscape in ireland, it has set the du p back, but the future of power in northern ireland. it was very much in the honeymoon phase, it was only restored back in early february and it is facing big challenges around the corner but nobody predicted the challenge would come in the form that has come today with the du p leader sirjeffrey donaldson stepping down from politics following these allegations and leaving his deputy with the charge of the dup and leaving him in charge of the dup and leaving him in charge of a very tricky crisis.— of a very tricky crisis. where do ou of a very tricky crisis. where do you

. :, .,, of the politics within northern ireland. . .,, , of the politics within northern irelandly got i ireland. that has been a concern, that power-sharing only got back| ireland. that has been a concern, i that power-sharing only got back on that power—sharing only got back on track a couple of months ago and now one of the key figures has resigned. and people are concerned that we potentially have another period of instability in northern ireland politics? instability in northern ireland olitics? : :, , politics? and there are mixed views on this, i think _ politics? and there are mixed views on this, i think it's _ politics? and there are mixed views on this, i think it's important i politics? and there are mixed views on this, i think it's important to i on this, i think it's important to say. there are some views who say this is an internal matterfor say. there are some views who say this is an internal matter for the dup and will be relatively contained as long as there is a degree of maturity of sorts amongst the political actors that they can navigate this, it shouldn't

the sunshine will be out towards the west tomorrow, around the irish sea, south—west scotland, northern ireland front moves in from the south, this will be more substantial rain, a more prolonged spell of rain to come for many of us on easter monday, really not looking particularly pretty across england and wales. your best bet for fine weather is the north of northern ireland, also northern and western scotland, away from the weather front. temperatures, around 9 degrees in aberdeen but in the south despite the cloud in the rain, still getting up the cloud in the rain, still getting up to 1a but i don't think it will particularly felt like it. the outlook for the week ahead will see a series of low pressure is lining themselves up in the alan tate, heading our way with one weather front after the other and that basically spells rain so whether you are chipping —— checking the weather site —— the website of the app, an indication of the rain symbols that the weather will be predominantly unsettled. rain at times subtly possible almost anywhere in the uk. before i go, a quick message that britis

a settlement ireland and about a settlement for we could for northern ireland. he have put a border across the island ireland, of course, have put a border across the isla that ireland, of course, have put a border across the isla that is'eland, of course, have put a border across the isla that is politically ourse, but that is politically impossible given context of impossible given the context of northern and southern northern ireland and southern ireland and the peace process. >> there would have been a choice for the european union. >> were going >> we never we were never going to border in. that's to put a border in. that's that's been one of the fallacies. we never had put a fallacies. we never had to put a border in case that jacob, border in case that case, jacob, as as all concluded, there as we as we all concluded, there is one. >> are ti- >> there are two further options. one is for the whole of the kingdom to in the united kingdom to stay in the united kingdom to stay in the customs decided we the customs union. we decided we didn't do that. didn't wa

politicians here in northern ireland are saying business as usual. carry on. they are determined that things won't be destabilised here because they've been so determined, they've been working so hard. they've put things in place to get northern ireland's government operating again in the last two months, after two years of political instability, disruption when things weren't working, so so much effort is being put on. people are saying they're determined that this won't wreck that, but there are serious risks. no doubt. no doubt, this is a huge blow. i mean, you mentioned there the power sharing only back on track in the last couple of months, which illustrates the the instability, the fragility of politics in northern ireland. there must be huge concern about what happens now. yes, it may look like a solid, stable building, but the politics within it are very delicate, are fragile, have to be carefully nurtured. sirjeffrey donaldson had been so key to that in putting together the deal that brought power—sharing, brought the parties representing di

shock in northern ireland following the resignation of the leader of northern ireland's democratic unionist party. sirjeffrey donaldson has been charged with rape and other historical sexual offences. he says that he will strenuously contest the charges. counter—terrorism police in london are investigating the stabbing of pouria zeraati — a presenterfor a persian—language news channel. the broadcaster has been critical of the iranian authorities — and says mr zeraati was attacked by a group. and previously unheard recordings of the soul singer marvin gaye — who died a0 years ago — have reportedly been found in belgium. the discovery includes a huge collection of documents, notebooks, stage costumes and audio cassettes. more now on the war between israel and gaza, which is overshadowing both ramadan and easter. on good friday, fewer christian pilgrims walked the path throutherusalem's walled old city that they believe christ took to his crucifixion. from there, our international editor jeremy bowen reports. injerusalem, where tension — and worse — are normal, there is always the consolation

we have heard from the dup as well, northern ireland's largest unionist party, and the second biggest we heard some the deputy first minister emma little—pengelly who said she is determined to ensure political stability. her words mirroring what we know was in an internal message sent to dup members by the interim leader gavin robinson. political leaders in northern ireland, across the spectrum, really at pains today to show, to emphasise they are singing from the same hymn sheet when it comes to devolved government in northern ireland, for now at least. but the dup is in crisis. there is no doubt about that. the management will get its first big test in just over a week, when stormont returns from easter recess. unheard recordings of the american soul singer marvin gaye — who died a0 years ago — have been found in belgium. the musician worked in 0stend in the 1980s. now a lawyer representing the people he lived with says they have a huge collection of his belongings, including costumes and audio cassettes, which could be released if agreement can be reached with his children. kevin c

more now on northern ireland. news thatjeffrey donaldson, the leader of the democratic unionist party, has been charged with historical sexual offences and has quit as leader. the bbc understands that sirjeffrey donaldson has been charged with rape and multiple other sexual offences. the police investigation is understood to have started within the last number of months, after two women came forward. sirjeffrey�*s resignation letter to the dup states he will be strenuously contesting the charges. the dup says mr donaldson, who has been in politics for almost ao—years, has had his membership suspended pending the outcome of a judicial process. let's speak to mick leary, who's the editor at slugger o'toole — a web blog on northern irish and british politics that has been running for more than 20 years. let me ask you first of all when did you first hear whispers or wind of all of this?— you first hear whispers or wind of all of this? ., , , ., ., ., all of this? probably not long after 7am this morning _ all of this

your best bet for fine weather is the north of northern ireland, also northern and western scotland awayouth, despite the cloud and the rain, still getting up to 14, though, i don't think it's particularly going to feel like it. and then the outlook for the week ahead will see a series of low pressures aligning themselves up in the atlantic. heading our way, one weather front after the other, after the other. and that basically spells rain. so whether you're checking the website or looking at the app, an indication here with these rain symbols that the weather is going to be predominantly unsettled. rain at times, certainly possible almost anywhere in the uk. and before i go, there'sjust a quick message that british summer time begins tonight. bye— bye. i love it. i love walking around the lot. she's one of the most powerful women in hollywood, now at the helm of one of the movie industry's biggest players — warner brothers motion picture group, the ioi—year—old studio that first brought us the talkies, ushering out the silent movie era with its jazz singer, and the studio behind beloved

the few showers in northern ireland.coast. best of the sunshine towards the west tomorrow, south—western scotland, northern ireland, their western isles. sunday night into monday by the front moves on from their side, this is going to be more substantial rain, more prolonged spell of rain. the strike mandate not looking pretty across england or wales, best fit for fine weather is north of northern ireland, northern and western scotland. temperatures nine celsius in aberdeen, in the south, 14 celsius in aberdeen, in the south, 1a celsius. but it will not feel like it. the outlook for the week ahead, a series of low pressure is lining themselves up in the atlantic, heading our way. lining themselves up in the atlantic, heading ourway. 0ne weather front after the other. that spells rain. if you are checking their website or looking at the app, an indication here with these rain signals, that the weather will be predominantly unsettled. rain at times possible almost anywhere in the uk. and british summer time begins tonight.

service of northern ireland shortly before _ service of northern ireland shortly before i_ service ofppointed chief - before i was appointed chief constable _ before i was appointed chief constable astor _ before i was appointed chief constable astor pope. - before i was appointed chief constable astor pope. i - before i was appointed chiefl constable astor pope. i want before i was appointed chief. constable astor pope. i want to begin— constable astor pope. i want to begin by— constable astor pope. i want to begin by reminding _ constable astor pope. i want to begin by reminding everyone i constable astor pope. i want to begin by reminding everyone ofj constable astor pope. i want to - begin by reminding everyone of the overriding — begin by reminding everyone of the overriding mission _ begin by reminding everyone of the overriding mission of— begin by reminding everyone of the overriding mission of operation - overriding mission of operation kenova — overriding mission of operation kenova which _ overriding mission of operation kenova which are _ overriding mission of operation ke

your best bet for fine weather is the north of northern ireland, also northern and western scotland awayn still getting up to 1a, though, i don't think it's particularly going to feel like it. and then the outlook for the week ahead will see a series of low pressures aligning themselves up in the atlantic. heading our way, one weatherfront after the other, after the other. and that basically spells rain. so whether you're checking the website or looking at the app, an indication here with these rain symbols that the weather is going to be predominantly unsettled. rain at times, certainly possible almost anywhere in the uk. and before i go, there'sjust a quick message that british summer time begins tonight. bye— bye. this is bbc news. we will have the headlines for you at the top of the hour which is straight after this programme. hello and welcome to talking business with me, tanya beckett. let's take a look at what's on the show. this is only 115 pesos... it's the latest trend sweeping the world of retail, a fusion of e—commerce and live video entertainment that lets you shop while you

earlier i spke to sam mcbride, northern ireland editor of the belfast telegraph.ll have on the party. the very complicated politics of this are thatjeffrey donaldson had just taken his party back in, lots of his very senior colleagues did not support that move, they were very opposed to that, openly opposed to that in some cases, so he was not in a good position politically. obviously what has happened here is outside the realm of politics, but the sense within the dup right now is the people who are opposed to that move are feeling emboldened. this leader has gone, the person i didn't like, in his place of someone who is not there in a proper sense, in the sense that he is in there are no temporary sense. he's very capable, he's been highly regarded for a long time, but he is very firmly tied tojeffrey for a long time, but he is very firmly tied to jeffrey donaldson for a long time, but he is very firmly tied tojeffrey donaldson in terms of his politics. he is from the same side of party, so it does mean that there is no immediate prospect of stormont falling. th

status— referendum on northern ireland status in— referendum on northern ireland status in thei status in the uk, what you think about that?— status in the uk, what you think about that? i don't think i'll my lifetime. _ think about that? i don't think i'll my lifetime. a _ think about that? i don't think i'll my lifetime. a relatively i i'll my lifetime. a relatively new dynamic _ i'll my lifetime. a relatively new dynamic is _ i'll my lifetime. a relatively new dynamic is that - i'll my lifetime. a relatively new dynamic is that almost j i'll my lifetime. a relatively i new dynamic is that almost one in five voters now support parties which are neither unionist or nationalist. polling also suggests a rise in people identifying as something in between only british or irish. ~ . ., in between only british or irish. ~ ., ,, ., irish. were taken from the mark, everyone _ irish. were taken from the mark, everyone on - irish. were taken from the mark, everyone on this i l irish. were taken from the | mark, everyone on this i go that way... fist mark, everyone on this i go that way-

has received a letter from the party leader, northern ireland has received a letterfrom the partyn historical nature and indicating that he is stepping down as leader of the party. that is with immediate effect. in accordance with the party rules. the party officers have suspended mr donaldson from membership of the party pending the allocate of a judicial process. that letter on your screen for you just now. the party officers have this morning unanimously appointed gavin robinson as the interim party leader. ijust want robinson as the interim party leader. i just want to repeat that piece a breaking news. the chairman of the democratic unionist party in northern ireland, that is the largest unionist party in northern ireland, has received a letterfrom sirjeffrey donaldson mp confirming that he has been charged with allegations of an historical nature and indicating that he is stepping down as leader of the dup and that is with immediate effect. in accordance with the party rules, the dup's officers have suspended jeffrey donaldson from members of the party pending the outcome of

this agreement is something we have worked hard to deliver for the people of northern ireland.ugh — sirjeffrey commanding the stage, his power and influence obvious. but at 6:00am yesterday morning, he was arrested. by lunchtime today, a statement from his party... the man on the left here, gavin robinson, is the new interim leader. he was told what had happened in the middle of the night. i think it's been a devastating revelation and has caused tremendous shock, notjust for myself personally or my colleagues within the dup, but for the community right across northern ireland. it came as a great shock. this is a nightmare for the dup. it's a big test for the new power—sharing government, isn't it? well, i think the power—sharing government has not only has been recognised positively in the last couple of weeks since its restoration. i think you can see and hear over the last few days and weeks the importance the people of northern ireland place upon it — the importance that we place upon it. that doesn't change. jeffrey donaldson became dup leader three years ago. # happy and

what now for unionist politics in northern ireland? americanjournalist evan gershkovich has been held in a tussian prison — accused of spying — also, americanjournalist evan gershkovich has been held in a russian prison — accused of spying — for exactly a year. we speak to his friends about how he's coping. politics in northern ireland have been thrown into turmoil with the news that the leader of the democratic unionist party sir jeffrey donaldson has resigned after being charged with rape and other historical sexual offences. he was arrested yesterday, along with a 57—year—old woman who has been charged with aiding and abetting in connection with the alleged offences. they will appear in court next month. sirjeffrey is northern ireland's longest serving mp at westminster and has been leader of the dup since 2021. jennifer o'leary reports. sirjeffrey donaldson, a leader whojust weeks ago returned his party to power—sharing at stormont. today, his political career appears to be over. in a statement, his party announced his resignation,

scotland and northern ireland turning drier and brighter through the day. may stay dry, as well. here it is still quite mild, 16 or 17 degrees, but behind the rain to the north things are cooling off a little bit now. we're all going to see some rain over this week ahead, but there may not be too much rain across the north—east of scotland and we're probably going to miss most of the rain in the south—east of england. it's going to be wetter in the west, particularly across western parts of scotland. as we head into thursday, we will see the winds picking up across northern areas and these weather fronts bringing more rain into scotland and northern ireland in particular. as we move into the end of the week and into the weekend, it's staying windy, but the wind direction is changing, eventually coming to the north—west or the north. that will bring colder weather and lots of showers. live from london, this is bbc news. vladimir putin says he'll prioritise the war in ukraine during his fifth term as president. western leaders say the poll was neither free no

northern ireland has form when it comes to political earthquakes, but today's development leaves a fissurehen some see it under increasing threat from those who want a united ireland. # happy and glorious... # for now, sirjeffrey donaldson�*s party political days look firmly in the past. jennifer o'leary, belfast. no one at all saw this coming in to be at a statement from police service of northern ireland this morning saying that a 61—year—old man had been arrested and charged over those offences and confirmation letter this afternoon and when sir geoffrey donaldson is going to be stepping down as the leader of the dup with immediate effect and although he is an mp and the interim leader at gavin robinson is also an mp and they said it was a spinster, of course there had been a lot of concern about what would happen here at stormont at northern ireland possible to divulge power—sharing government because these institutions can be notoriously fragile, specifically with what is been going on over the last number of years and so ijust a few months since stormont has been back up and running

know whether it's coming or going but it will bring some rain and perhaps in a short while in northern irelandthern and eastern parts of scotland, most of the rain will run across wales, the midlands and northern england. it may well brighten up 81 across scotland and northern ireland and we shouldn't see too much rain in the south—east of england. here it is still mild, 16-17, but of england. here it is still mild, 16—17, but further north to the north about developing rain things are cooling down a touch. we are all going to see some rain over the week ahead. they may not be too much rain in the north—east of scotland and we will miss most of the rain in the south—east of england. it will be in the west which will see most of the rain particular across western parts of scotland. as we head into thursday, more weather fronts coming in from the atlantic together with stronger winds and this will bring wet and windy weather for thursday across scotland and northern ireland. but even by the end of the week and into the weekend we keep the windy theme going. but the wind direction will change, ev

scotland and northern ireland turning drier and brighter through the day.s well. here it is still quite mild — 16 or 17 degrees — but behind the rain to the north things are cooling off a little bit now. we're all going to see some rain over this week ahead, but there may not be too much rain across the north—east of scotland and we're probably going to miss most of the rain in the south—east of england. it's going to be wetter in the west, particularly across western parts of scotland. as we head into thursday, we will see the winds picking up across northern areas and these weather fronts bringing more rain into scotland and northern ireland in particular. as we move into the end of the week and into the weekend, it's staying windy, but the wind direction is changing, eventually coming to the north—west or the north. that will bring colder weather and lots of showers. live from london, this is bbc news. gunfire. israel raids gaza's al—shifa hospital, saying hamas is hiding there. hamas says the raid violates international law. meanwhile, the un says gaza

brighter skies, temperatures could reach 15 celsius, and we'll be double figures in scotland and northern irelandd will pull away overnight, so things do calm down. and those weather front start to move northwards, back into scotland and northern ireland. here, it will be a little bit chilly first thing on thursday morning, but again, a very mild start for the rest of the uk. we've got that rain moving northwards into scotland and northern ireland. some sunshine for the north of the country, but we will see further showers coming into wales, western parts of england, some eastern areas of england, and particularly south east england and east anglia may well be dry. and we should get a bit of sunshine here, so 16—17 celsius not out of the question. things are a little cooler still across scotland and northern ireland. that weather front, then, does move northwards, taking rain across more of scotland. the low pressure then driving that system sits across the uk. that weather front will be out of the way for friday. things will be turning a little bit cooler. windy weather actually through the engl

and i su- ose interest in northern ireland. and i su ose it interest in northern ireland.h - interest in northern ireland. and i suppose it comes through for me, they deceive themselves spark ciders and in a fairly strong position because we are blood is sunday, the british forces are being criticised that 14 people were killed and there was a lot going on around that time which is why they're looking for support from the united states. do you think they would have appeared without mass had they known how much longer the troubles are going to carry on? longer the troubles are going to car on? �* , �* ., ., carry on? and they weren't and that will liner carry on? and they weren't and that will linger that _ carry on? and they weren't and that will linger that positive _ carry on? and they weren't and that will linger that positive part - will linger that positive part appearing publicly without mask, it's the fact that the film was never released at the time but, i would just get the attention on the fact that as usual in conflict when they really need to delve into differe

northern ireland, scotland, northern england also seeing increasingly sunny skies.where we'll probably keep a lot of cloud. it's a mild day, 13 degrees for belfast and aberdeen, 15 or 16 in the mildest spots in england and wales. one or two isolated showers knocking around, yes, but for many of you, it stays dry. that's not the case, though, overnight, because low pressure's set to move in. and with that, we're going to see some fairly persistent outbreaks of rain pushing in, particularly to northern ireland, wales and northern england. a mild night, though, with temperatures 9 or 10c for england and wales. on into tomorrow, the wettest weather, starting off the day in northern ireland will swing eastwards. so wales and northern england, probably having rain for most of the day. might well start off dry across south—east england. but i wouldn't rule out a bit of rain arriving here through the afternoon. mild across the south—east, brightening up for scotland and northern ireland. but here it will be a cooler kind of day with temperatures around 8—iic. and that cool