there has been a number of suspensions of the northern ireland assembly over the years, including in and in the uk. now it looks like power—sharing should be back. that is because the dup party leader, sirjeffrey donaldson, has announced that the dup has backed a deal with westminster aimed at addressing its concerns over a post—brexit trade. so, legislation will now need to be passed. the assembly will need to be recalled, and a new speaker will need to be elected. it has been two years since stormont has been stalled, but it could now be back within a matter of days. the leader of the cross committee alliance party welcomed the return to devolved government but expressed frustration that it was ever suspended in the first place. what suspended in the first place. what is fairly clear _ suspended in the first place. what is fairly clear to _ suspended in the first place. what is fairly clear to me _ suspended in the first place. what is fairly clear to me is _ suspended in the first place. what is fairly clear to me is that - suspended in the first place. what is fairly clear to me i

, the northern ireland assembly back up the northern ireland assembly back up andto elect a new speaker, first minister, deputy first minister, the ministerial posts and get all of that happening. but the outlook for that is within the next few days.— the next few days. damian grammaticas _ the next few days. damian grammaticas in _ the next few days. damian i grammaticas in westminster, the next few days. damian - grammaticas in westminster, thank you very much. and you can follow reaction to those developments in northern ireland on the bbc website. the other main story we are covering todayis the other main story we are covering today is the covid inquiry, where the former scottish first minister nicola sturgeon is giving her evidence and we can cross over to edinburgh and listening. i evidence and we can cross over to edinburgh and listening.— edinburgh and listening. i should sa and i edinburgh and listening. i should say and i want — edinburgh and listening. i should say and i want to _ edinburgh and listening. i should say and i want to say _ edinburgh and l

without a government in northern ireland, there's been a significant political breakthrough that could take away -- pave the way to a return to power-sharing in the northern ireland assemblydevolved government was created in 1998 after the signing of the good friday agreement. it helped end more than 30 years of armed conflict known as "the trouble." nationalists favorite unity with the republic of ireland while unionists want northern ireland to remain part of u.k. the latest breakthrough comes after the biggest unionist party, the dup, that a british government deal over concerns of trading rules that came into force after brexit. the government has been suspended for nearly two years after dup walked out in protest over what it said were trade barriers between northern ireland and the rest of u.k. the details of the deal have not yet been published, but it won't change the basic settlement between the u.k. in the eu. leader jeffrey donaldson says it vindicated his strategy of boycotting the assembly. mr. donaldson: those who said there would be no legal change, who were protecting all kinds of outcomes, that things would fall short, well, i simply have asked people to

northern ireland. the agreement signals the end of the dup's boycott of the stormont assembly, which has left northern eader, sirjeffrey donaldson, said the proposals are subject to the westminster government passing laws to address concerns about post—brexit trading arrangements. stormont uses a system of government known as power—sharing. this has allowed nationalist and unionist political parties to share power together for the first time in a government. meghan owen explains. for us to better understand this latest development, i want to row back to 1998. now, after decades of violent conflict in northern ireland , a political deal was made. now that deal was called the good friday agreement. it was to strengthen relationships between communities and also to form a new government in northern ireland. now, this government represents the unionists and the nationalists, and westminster gave it the power to control things such as health and education. and this is known as devolution. i want to take a closer look at the northern ireland assembly. we know it as stormont, because this is where it's based

let's take a moment to explain how the northern ireland assembly works — and why it hasn't been sittingelected members of the legislative assembly — or mlas. it can make laws for northern ireland only, but it hasn't functioned since the main unionist party — the dup — withdrew in early 2022. in may of that year, the main nationalist party, sinn fein, won the most seats — taking 27 to the dup's 25. that would have meant sinn fein appointing the first minister with the dup appointing a deputy first minister. but when the dup walked out, the power—sharing rules meant that the develoved power sharing government could not be formed. one of the key issues for the dup is the way in which post—brexit trade checks are made along the border between northern ireland and the republic of ireland — the only land border between the uk and the european union. the deal brought in checks at northern ireland's ports for goods coming from great britain. unionists saw this as a weakening of northern ireland's place in the uk. a new agreement, known as the windsor framework, was brokered in february 2023, bu

uk government has put forward and as a result, they are ready to result —— return to the northern ireland assembly can confirm that today i�*ve updated the cabinet on this significant development. and as agreed with sir geoffrey and subject to the finalisation of all—party talks today, i will, tomorrow publish the details of the proposals we have made to secure northern ireland�*s place in the uk internal market and to strengthen the union. i believe that all of the conditions are now in place for the assembly to return, and i look forward very much to the restoration of institutions at stormont as soon as possible. there was a financial package worth over £3 million offer to the parties before christmas and this will absolutely be available to an incoming executive. the party is entitled to form an executive and our meeting to discuss the matters and i hope we can finalise this deal with those parties as soon as possible and move forward. and after that, i�*m happy for questions. inaudible question. no, it hasn't affected diverging _ inaudible question. no, it hasn't affected diverging see _ inau

are being briefed, but crucially he said he believed all conditions are in place and the northern ireland assemblye to return. he was looking forward to that happening as soon as possible. let's take you to college green where we were seeing chris heaton—harris, and our political correspondent is there now. i did not manage to listen to all of his comments. did we learn anything new? not very much, no. what he is being tight—lipped about is the detail of what has been agreed and discussed between the uk government and the democratic unionists, and they are the ones that have the real problem with the arrangements that have been put in place since brexit. chris heaton—harris said he thinks there is a deal there, the dup leader this morning said there is a deal there that his party is now backing, but the crucial thing is, what does the actual detail say? and that is what everyone was waiting to ask him. he said he is flying off to northern ireland, having left here. he will go to brief the other parties who have not been sitting in on these negotiations, and then with all of that in place here, he

built, which will create a border within our country, and when the northern ireland _ our country, and when the northern ireland assemblyy members will be expected by law to adhere to and implement laws which _ law to adhere to and implement laws which are _ law to adhere to and implement laws which are made in brussels, which they had _ which are made in brussels, which they had no— which are made in brussels, which they had no say over and no ability to amend, — they had no say over and no ability to amend, and no ability to stop. this is— to amend, and no ability to stop. this is the — to amend, and no ability to stop. this is the result of this spineless, weak kneed, brexit betraying government refusing to take on— betraying government refusing to take on the eu and its interference in northern— take on the eu and its interference in northern ireland. the government admitted. _ in northern ireland. the government admitted, on page 27 of the command paper, _ admitted, on page 27 of the command paper, there is an indication that there _ paper, there is an indication that there will— paper, there is an indication that

i recall session of the northern ireland - session of the northern ireland assembly is mint knows speakedings that lasted slightly more than an hour, sinn fein president said this could be the last of this assembly unless the dwp changed its approach. they said the recall of the assembly was a stunt. erosion is sculpting dramatic features into the world's biggest iceberg in what's likely to be the final months of its existence. the iceberg — known as a23a — is being ground down by the warmer air and water it's encountering as it drifts slowly away from the antarctic. but it's not seen as a consequence of climate change — and as it melts, it will have benefits, as jonathan amos reports. it's the biggest chunk of free floating ice on earth — an iceberg known as a23a — and after three decades confined to the freezer in antarctica, it's coming out, moving north into warmer waters. the berg is now melting, and fast. an expedition this week saw waves gouging huge caves and arches in its walls. only a23a's enormous scale is keeping it in existence. satellite images show the frozen block to hav

northern ireland. the agreement signals the end of the dup's boycott of the stormont assembly — which has left northernreland without a locally elected parliament for almost two years. the party's leader, sirjeffrey donaldson, said the proposals are subject to the westminster government passing laws to address concerns about post—brexit trading arrangements. our ireland correspondent chris page reports. as the democratic unionist party reached a pivot point, protesters tried to increase the pressure. more hard—line unionists have been urging the dup not to agree a new deal to restore the devolved government. 130 party members took part in a meeting, which lasted more than five hours. but, early this morning, the leader, sirjeffrey donaldson, announced he had won support for a plan to bring back power—sharing. i believe that with the faithful delivery of this package of measures, hard work and dedication, we will be able to look back on this moment as the defining time when northern ireland's place within the union was safeguarded and our place within the united kingdom internal market was restored. uni

fact remains that in northern ireland, there are still eu manned border posts being built, which will create a border within our own country. and when the northern ireland assemblycted by law to stick to and implement laws which are made in brussels, which they have no say over and no ability to amend and no ability to stop. this is a result of this spineless, weak kneed, brexit betraying government refusing to take on the eu and its interference in northern ireland. the government has admitted there will be divergences in the future and on page 17 of the command paper, there is an indication there will be a legal requirement that new legislation is assessed as to whether it is impacting on trade between northern ireland and gb and if so, ministers have to make a statement. we had the minister's statement. we had the minister's statement only this week saying that that does not mean that the uk government cannot introduce laws which diverged from the eu laws which diverged from the eu laws which apply in northern ireland. what is it? is northern ireland going to find it has got the ability to stay tied to the united kingdom or will the government proceed happily

they will say the people in northern ireland have really suffered because of the absence of government but as you've heard there, the biggest party in the northern ireland assemblyish nationalist party sinn fein, giving a welcome of sorts to what sirjeffrey donaldson has said here — that sinn fein looks forward to the devolved government in northern ireland being back up and running as soon, it says, as next week. and if it happens, incidentally, it is the leader of sinn fein in belfast, michele o'neil, who will become the first minister of northern ireland. she will be the first irish nationalist to hold that position. that in and of itself will be a major moment. it's a moment that now looks like it will arrive with this dup endorsement of the deal that it has negotiated with the british government, but sirjeffrey donaldson careful to say the dup would not move to lift its veto to allow the regional government to be restored until the uk government in london had passed legislation through the british parliament. now, let's turn to another major story we are following. the us department of defence has released the names of three army reserve soldiers killed by

news that broke earlier today that there has been a deal to restore power—sharing at the northern ireland assembly inquiry. we are hearing from john swinney a short time ago. a former minister in the scottish government. that meetinu the scottish government. that meeting with _ the scottish government. that meeting with the _ the scottish government. that meeting with the first - the scottish government. trust meeting with the first minister concluded that urgent further action would be required. and in paragraph 20 c,... sorry. 0ver over the page, i think, over the page, ithink, maybe. the outcome. there is a discussion in this paper where, effectively, there is a recommendation but to cabinet as a result of the gold meeting to strengthen to protection level four and, as i recall, the outcome of this is that final decisions were delegated to the first minister for announcement of the parliament on that date, is that right? i announcement of the parliament on that date, is that right?— that date, is that right? i can't see that document. _ that date, is that right? i can't see that document. that

that the uk government has put forward and as a result, they are ready to return to the northern ireland assembly and nominate to the nominate representatives to the northern ireland executive . i northern ireland executive. i can confirm that today i have updated the cabinet on this significant development and, as agreed with sir jeffrey, and obviously subject to the finalisation of all party talks today, i will tomorrow publish the details of the proposals we have made to secure northern ireland's place in the uk internal market and to strengthen the union. i believe that all the conditions are now in place for the assembly to return, and i look forward very much to the restoration of the institution at stormont as soon as possible. there was a financial package worth over £3 billion offered to the parties before christmas. this will absolutely be available to an incoming executive of the parties entitled to form an executive are meeting today to discuss these matters and i hope we will be able to finalise this deal with the with those parties as soon as possible move as soon as possible and mo

yesterday, the northern ireland assembly was recalled for the seventh time since its collapse without, after the democratic unionist party withdrew in protest at post—brexit trading arrangements between northern ireland and great britain. in december, the government offered a £35 billion financial package for northern ireland, but only if stormont is restored. that includes almost £600 million to settle the public sector pay disputes. but with no sign of stormont returning, the government has refused to release that money. horns toot, cheering. today's strike will undoubtedly cause massive disruption for people across northern ireland. and unions have warned that if the public sector pay dispute is not settled, there will be more strikes to come. sara girvin, bbc news. sheryl sandberg — the former chief operating officer of meta — has announced she is stepping down from the company's board. ms sandberg served as the c00 of facebook, which then became meta, for ia and a half years and as a board memberfor 12 years. in a post on facebook, she said it had been the opportunity of a lifeti

welcome the news that important steps have been taken "toward the full restoration of the northern ireland assemblyor the white house also welcomed it. you're live with bbc news. farmers in france are taking part in mass protests for a second consecutive day. on tuesday, farmers blocked roads again with slow moving convoys of tractors, causing traffic jams on key routes into paris. they're hoping to put pressure on emmanuel macron's government to do more to fight inflation and help them compete with cheap imports. similar protests have been held in other european countries including germany, holland, and poland. our paris correspondent andrew harding spoke to one french farmer who is taking part. they haven't quite sealed off paris yet, but french farmers are still bringing in more reinforcements by tractor, blocking more roads, even engulfing a tax office with tyres — a protest against the excessive red tape that farmers say is stifling their industry. it's a big challenge for the french government, worried it's losing more ground to the far right. the prime minister, gabriel attal, today promisin

that the uk government has put forward and, as a result, they are ready to return to the northern ireland assemblyinate representatives to the northern ireland executive. i believe that all of the conditions are in place for the assembly to return, and i look forward very much to the restoration of the institutions at stormont as soon as possible. when a power—sharing coalition is formed, an irish nationalist will become first minister for the first time. the sinn fein vice president michelle o'neill is in line to take up the position. this morning her party gave its reaction to the events of the past 12 hours. there is enormous challenges facing an incoming executive, but we have long wanted to get the assembly back functioning again. the executive, the north/south ministerial council arrangements, and we want to work very quickly now with all of the parties and with both governments to make sure that we have a quick and smooth transition back into a functioning institution. after nearly two years of uncertainty, frustration and division, it looks like the stalemate at stormont will soon be at an

org is like the biggest party now in the northern ireland assembly, the irish nationalist party sinnecision by the dp is well past, but to jeffrey time for a decision by the dp is well past, but tojeffrey donaldson the dup leader has said his party a little make up their own mind about this, this process of consulting party members is a vital part of the process, and his argument that he has been using, particularly since about october, november time, has been using, particularly since about october, novembertime, has been that the best about october, november time, has been that the best way to secure northern ireland's place in the uk in the long—term is for unionists to be involved in governing northern ireland, he things having the regional government back, that is what will ultimately secure the union, but he is adamant that he does need the right deal and i think over the next few days, we will see if this deal is going to be enough to the wider dup party to get behind any plan to restore power—sharing here in belfast. any plan to restore power-sharing here in belfast.— here in

getting more details of that breakthrough in northern ireland that could pave the way to a return of power—sharing at stormont, northern ireland's devolved assemblyade between northern ireland, the rest of the uk and the republic of ireland was straightforward because they were all in the eu and shared the same free trade rules. but when the uk — including northern ireland — left the eu, a deal was needed to allow trade to continue with the republic of ireland — which remains in the eu — without imposing border checks, which are unacceptable to unionists. the original deal meant new checks on goods from great britain coming into northern ireland had to take place at ports in northern ireland. that was disputed over claims it would put northern ireland at a disadvantage economically. so, it was amended and two "lanes" for goods arriving in northern ireland from great britain were created. a green lane for goods that would remain in ni. a red lane for goods that could be sent on to the republic of ireland, or the eu. this deal this week will reduce checks and paperwork on goods, and there will be no routine checks on british goods that are staying

our commitments, i urge other parties to do the same thing in notifying the speaker of the northern ireland assemblylace in our union and guarantee the free flow of goods across the entire united kingdom. and it is only by sticking to this plan that we will become a more united and prosperous country together. f5.1"er more united and prosperous country touether. . _, , together. our ireland correspondent, chris pace, together. our ireland correspondent, chris page. the _ together. our ireland correspondent, chris page, the latest _ together. our ireland correspondent, chris page, the latest details - together. our ireland correspondent, chris page, the latest details from i chris page, the latest details from belfast. .. g chris page, the latest details from belfast. ~ chris page, the latest details from belfast. ,, belfast. saturday looks like the day when northern _ belfast. saturday looks like the day when northern ireland _ belfast. saturday looks like the day when northern ireland will- when northern ireland will officially get its devolved government back after an absence of two years. it will

power—sharing in northern ireland's devolved assembly set to return after the biggest unionist partyxit trading rules. the government at stormont has been suspended for almost two years after the dup walked out in protest over

. >> thank you to my panel coming up next, northern ireland assembly, stormont is set to begin sittingyears, plus, the in nearly two years, plus, the bbc likes diversity, but not diversity thought . gb news radio. >> welcome back. i'm still jacob rees—mogg and this is state of the nation. we've been discussing the rail strikes and you've been sending in your views. so jenny says if the train drivers haven't had a pay rise for five years, i guess we can assume they've been overpaid for the last five years. they earn more my whole earn more than my whole household together. household put together. and annie, should be annie, the government should be withholding of the withholding part of the subsidies companies subsidies to the companies when they apply the new they do not apply the new legislation trains legislation to keep the trains running, which i agree with, and also so we've had an email, male mogg asking why i'm wearing a black tie. now. i would like to boast and say that it's to acknowledge that today is the 375th anniversary of the execution of king charles, king and martyr, ma

well, the northern ireland assembly at stormont is coming back.inn fein are happy. the government appear to be happy. but it wasn't until after prime minister's questions that we got any details at all about what was done, and there were some in northern ireland who are going to argue that actually this changes nothing and there are some on the mainland that worry to have made the dup happy . does to have made the dup happy. does it mean that we have to stay in deeper regulatory alignment with the european union and all of that on this day? four years on from leaving the european union >> you're listening to gb news radio . radio. >> well, the what? the farage moment today was a really quite big one. an eagle eyed viewer that likes to keep me up to speed because i can't follow everything was watching the home affairs select committee this morning, and this is really, really interesting because can you remember back in march last year , the prime minister, rishi year, the prime minister, rishi sunak , stood on a podium , um, sunak, stood on a podiu

returning to our top story now and the news that power—sharing in northern ireland's devolved assemblys after the biggest unionist party, the dup, backed a british government deal aimed at soothing concerns over post—brexit trading rules. well, it's been two years since the people of northern ireland had a functioning government and news of the breakthrough has brought relief and hopes of solutions to longstanding issues in the public sector. these locals gave us their reaction to the news. glad back under government because we need a government. are you surprised? slightly, not... quite surprised, slightly surprised. i thought they might have held it for another two weeks. is it a positive thing, do you see it as a positive thing? if they're going to get 3.2 billion, they better have service, education, everything else. they made the decision that yes, they'll go into power—sharing. right, well... you seem surprised. lam. surprised, i am. why? just the way the government has been lately. you know, i don't really deal in politics or like politics, but i think it's terrible that it's be

hello, i'm matthew amroliwala, welcome to verified live, power—sharing in northern ireland's devolved assemblys set to return, after the biggest unionist party, the dup, backed a british government deal aimed at soothing concerns over post—brexit trading rules. government at stormont has been suspended for almost two years, after the dup walked out in protest over arrangements which created trade barriers between northern ireland and the rest of the uk. it's not clear yet what's in the deal, but it won't reverse the basic settlement between the uk and the eu. speaking in the last hour or so, dup leaderjeffrey donaldson said the deal vindicated his strategy of boycotting the assembly. thoses who said there will be no legal change, who were protecting all kinds of outcomes, what things would fall short — well, i simply have asked people to wait and see the outcome. we at and see the evidence and judge for yourself what this deal does, what it delivers, the change that it secures. and i believe we are now beginning to see on day one that delivery coming through. there will be more to come. tomorr

power—sharing in northern ireland's devolved assembly set to return after the biggest unionist partyhe dup backed a british government deal aimed at soothing concerns over post—brexit trading rules. the government at stormont has been suspended for almost two years after the dup walked out in protest over arrangements was created to trade barriers between northern ireland and the rest of the uk. it's not clear what exactly is in the deal but it won't reverse the basic settlement between the uk and the eu. let's go straight to stormont and our island correspondencejohn campbell. we were listening a few moments ago tojeffrey donaldson, is it becoming clear how soon power—sharing could be up and running? power-sharing could be up and runnina ? , . ., . , power-sharing could be up and runninu? ,~ ., . , _ running? every chance it will be by the end of this _ running? every chance it will be by the end of this week. _ running? every chance it will be by the end of this week. jeffrey - the end of this week. jeffrey donaldson was in fighting form, outselling this deal, saying it's going to

a new speaker in the northern ireland assembly and it is up and running.is the hitch? so i don't know what the hitch is. i think the hitch is . the hitch is. i think the hitch is the hitch is. i think the hitch is the fundamental divide that there is on returning to stormont. if you zoom _ on returning to stormont. if you zoom out — on returning to stormont. if you zoom out a _ on returning to stormont. if you zoom out a little bit, the dup was founded _ zoom out a little bit, the dup was founded by the reverend ian paisley, approaches party, but in the last almost _ approaches party, but in the last almost 20 — approaches party, but in the last almost 20 years it has, like the conservative party in the uk, rather like being _ conservative party in the uk, rather like being in— conservative party in the uk, rather like being in government. there was always— like being in government. there was always perhaps rupture coming between — always perhaps rupture coming between the pragmatism that is involved — between the pragmatism that is involved in being in go

getting more details of that breakthrough in northern ireland — that could pave the way to a return of power—sharing at stormont, northern ireland's devolved assemblyposing border checks, which are unacceptable to unionists. the original deal meant new checks on goods from great britain coming into northern ireland, had to take place at ports in northern ireland. that was disputed over claims it would put northern ireland at a disadvantage economically. so it was amended and two "lanes" for goods arriving in northern ireland from great britain were created. a �*green lane' for goods that would remain in ni and a �*red lane' for goods that could be sent on to the republic of ireland, or the eu. this deal this week, will reduce checks and paperwork on goods, and there will be no routine checks on british goods that are staying in northern ireland. it's also been enough to get the party to end its boycott of stormont — a move that left northern ireland without functioning government for nearly two years. here's how the dup's leader sirjeffrey donaldson described the deal. this agreement is something we have worked hard to deliver for the people of nor

the devolved assembly in northern ireland will be recalled later this afternoon in a fresh bid to restorerrow's deadline. there's been no fully functioning devolved government in belfast for almost two years, more needs to be done to better protect homes a report by a cross—party committee of mps says the government hasn't maintained enough existing flood defences or built the new ones it promised. here's our environment correspondent, jonah fisher. in some places, like here in stratford—upon—avon, the water just flowed. elsewhere — this was bewdley — flood defences held it back. one man went as far as building flood walls all around his house and, incredibly, resisted the rising water. but with climate change set to bring wetter winters and more intense rain, the question of what to defend and who should pay for it is ever more pressing. four years ago, flood defences were one of the big spending announcements of rishi sunak�*s first budget as chancellor. to protect people and over 300,000 properties, i'm doubling our investment in flood defences over the next six years to £5.2 billion.

hello, i'm matthew amroliwala, welcome to verified live, power—sharing in northern ireland's devolved assemblyyears, after the dup walked out in protest over arrangements which created trade barriers between northern ireland and the rest of the uk.

be a nationalist leader of the opposition in northern ireland, so there is a whole host of first—time forays are coming with the restoration of the assemblyvery symbolic difference in the way northern ireland, the leadership will be presented going forward, but it is always important to stress the position of first minister and deputy first minister is actually a shared office in northern ireland, only a semantic difference in the title above. it is how the parties due to leaning those two titles that will have a key part in presenting how that relationship works going forward. ., . , , how that relationship works going forward. ., ., , ., how that relationship works going forward. ., ., , forward. politics is important is but what matters _ forward. politics is important is but what matters to _ forward. politics is important is but what matters to the - forward. politics is important is but what matters to the people forward. politics is important is i but what matters to the people of northern ireland is their lives and how their lack of a sitting government for two years has impacted on them, what is the general reaction in northern i

yesterday, the northern ireland assembly was recalled for the seventh time since its collapse withoutmbly is adjourned. thank you. the devolved government hasn't been functioning since 2022, after the democratic unionist party withdrew in protest at post—brexit trading arrangements between northern ireland and great britain. in december, the government offered a £35 billion financial package for northern ireland, but only if stormont is restored. that includes almost £600 million to settle the public sector pay disputes. but with no sign of stormont returning, the government has refused to release that money. today's strike will undoubtedly cause massive disruption for people across northern ireland. and unions have warned that if the public sector pay dispute is not settled, there will be more strikes to come. sara girvin, bbc news. the business secretary, kemi badenoch, has requested urgent talks with technology company fujitsu — to discuss compensation for sub—postmasters affected by the post office horizon scandal. it comes after an executive at the firm, which developed the fault

northern ireland. the agreement signals the end of the dup's boycott of the stormont assembly, which has left northern sirjeffrey donaldson, said the proposals are subject to the westminster government passing laws to address concerns about post—brexit trading arrangements. our ireland correspondent chris page reports. as the democratic unionist party reached a pivot point, protesters tried to increase the pressure. more hardline unionists have been urging the dup not to agree a new deal to restore the devolved government. 130 party members took part in a meeting which lasted more than five hours.

been recalled for the sixth time in almost two years in a bid to restore power sharing the northern ireland assemblyapsed following the democratic unionist party's protest over post—brexit trading arrangements . arrangements. >> the dup has since refused to vote for a speaker and is expected to use its veto to again block any vote today. they're facing a midnight deadune they're facing a midnight deadline to restore devolution under current legislation, but that could be extended to avoid a fresh election . fujitsu is a fresh election. fujitsu is being urged to make an initial £10 million payment to a fund for the victims of the horizon scandal. it's after the company's europe director admitted there was a moral obugafion admitted there was a moral obligation to contribute . but obligation to contribute. but paul paterson apologised for the appalling miscarriage of justice when he appeared before mps yesterday. hundreds of subpostmasters were convicted and wrongly accused of theft because of a fault in the it system . fujitsu is being asked system. fujitsu is being asked to make an initial payment by

for the first time in nearly two years, it looks like northern ireland will have a devolved government and assemblyst night, there was a long meeting. the union's party that collapsed power-sharing, in 2022 in protest of the post brexit trading rules and checks they say. undermine northern ireland's place. he now believes they have the assurances they need from westminster to return to government with the nationalist. our island correspondent has this report. >> across northern ireland, people woke up to news of a political breakthrough that ha been nearly two years in the making. the lack of a functioning executive for so long has caused many issues for the lives of people. public sector workers on strike earlier this month overpay. unions help increases will be a priority. >> a sense of hope, but they are apprehensive. teachers have not gotten a pay increase for three years. i have waited long enough. they watched teacher wages in other parts of the u.k. grow far ahead of teacher wages in northern ireland. >> parents help financial help with childcare available in other parts of the u.k. will be

party in the northern irish stormont assembly will be in support of their union is set to take strike action tomorrow. it is thought to be the biggest strike action ever held in northern irelandoning, but ultimately no breakthrough to restore the power—sharing of devolved government of the power—sharing assembly here as we go into what will be a very significant day over the next 26 hours. significant day over the next 24 hours. ~ ., ., , significant day over the next 24 hours. . ., .,, , significant day over the next 24 hours. . ., , ., hours. what has been the impact of the non-functioning _ hours. what has been the impact of the non-functioning of— hours. what has been the impact of the non-functioning of stormont? i hours. what has been the impact of| the non-functioning of stormont? it the non—functioning of stormont? it dates back to brexit, doesn�*t it? yes, ultimately the trading arrangements which the d u p are unhappy with, really, have been worked out in the aftermath of brexit. those trading arrangements were put in place to prevent checks and you now have checks on goods crack sheet —— crossing the irish sea. it is worth saying all the other main parties in north

for the first time in nearly two years it looks like northern ireland will have a devolved government and an assemblyand running by the end of next week. the announcement came 2a hours after a meeting of the dup executive — the unionist party that collapsed power sharing in february 2022 in protest at the post—brexit trading rules and checks which they said undermined northern ireland's place within the united kingdom.(boxed northern ireland's place within the united kingdom. they now believe they have the assurances they need from westminster to return to government, with the nationalists, sinn fein. our ireland correspondent sara girvin has this report. last night was a night of high stakes and high drama for the democratic unionist party. there were protests and the leak of a private meeting to contend with. it is understood a party member wore a wire to record proceedings which were then live posted on social media. but despite all the noise, there was a breakthrough, and news of a deal negotiated between the dup and the government that could see the return of devolved institutions in northern ir

with the new first minister and deputy first minister, the ministers in the returned northern ireland executive and assemblyto improve the lives of the people working here. i would hang over to sirjeffrey. thank you secretary of state. on behalf _ thank you secretary of state. on behalf of — thank you secretary of state. on behalf of the democratic unionist party. _ behalf of the democratic unionist party. i— behalf of the democratic unionist party, i welcome the publication today— party, i welcome the publication today of— party, i welcome the publication today of safeguarding the union agreement. this agreement is something we have worked hard to deliver_ something we have worked hard to deliver for— something we have worked hard to deliver for the people of northern ireland _ deliver for the people of northern ireland. this is our achievement after— ireland. this is our achievement after two — ireland. this is our achievement after two years of hard work and negotiation. this is what we can show _ negotiation. this is what we can show reel— negotiation. this is what we can show. real change, delivering p

northern ireland. that's after the dup blocked the northern ireland assembly executive from carrying on with their work trade agreement with the uk government. now, it looks like that deal is in place, it could pave the way for things to move forward. and the significance of that will be huge really because for the past couple of weeks and months here, there have been so many protests with regards to public sector pay. people working in the public sector say they haven't had a pay rise for a number of years really, and sirjeffrey donaldson, the leader of the dup, had said that public sector pay had been a huge part of discussions with the uk government when they came to that agreement. over the last two years, of course, as there hasn't been a functioning, devolved government here, it's also meant that waiting lists in the nhs have risen considerably as well. so the hope is that there can be some sort of movement in terms of trying to get rid of that backlog now. now, the timeline will be, of course, well, there will be all eyes on westminster today as the vote goes through to make sure this deal does

that the uk government has put forward and as a result, they are ready to return to the northern ireland assemblyinate to the nominate representatives to the northern executive . i northern ireland executive. i can confirm that today i have updated the cabinet on this significant development . significant development. >> in other news, the attorney general has said that an inspection into the handling of the nottingham stabbing case by the nottingham stabbing case by the crown prosecution service will be announced shortly. this includes a review of the cps decision to accept valdo calocane guilty pleas of manslaughter based on diminished responsibility . victoria prentis responsibility. victoria prentis says the prompt and thorough review is needed to address concerns raised by the families of those who died. barnaby weber , grace o'malley kumar and ian coates . passengers have faced coates. passengers have faced more travel disruption today as train drivers launch their fresh wave of walkouts in a long running dispute over pay. train operators have been urging passengers to only travel if absolu

that the uk government has put forward and as a result, they are ready to return to the northern ireland assemblyupdated the cabinet on this significant development and, as agreed with sir jeffrey, and obviously subject to the finalisation of all party talks today, i will tomorrow publish the details of the proposals we have made to secure northern ireland's place in the uk internal market and to strengthen the union. i believe

of its deal with the democratic unionist party — which will restore the power sharing assembly in northern irelanddy said there will be legislation to strengthen trading links with the rest of the uk, which were affected by brexit. the nationalist party, sinn fein, which will appoint the new first minister, says it is optimistic, and that the whole of ireland is about to experience a moment of very great significance. our correspondent tomos morgan sent this update from belfast. it's been almost two years since there was a functioning devolved government after that due people of northern ireland and executive from carrying on with their work. as they were in dispute over the trade agreement with the uk comment. now it looks like the deal is in place and could pave the way for things to move forward and the significance of that will be huge, because for the past couple of weeks and months there's been so many protests with the gods and public sector pain people working in the public sector say they haven't had a page rise in a number of beers. the leader of the dp had said that such a pair had been

on newsnight at 10.30 — the people of northern ireland should soon have their assembly back, but will electorate ever forgive and forget two years of stagnation and delay and who will pay the political price if they don't? good evening. scotland's former first minister nicola sturgeon has appeared at the uk covid inquiry in edinburgh to answer questions about how her government handled the pandemic. she became visibly emotional as she admitted that at times she'd felt overwhelmed. she rejected claims that the decisions she made were politically motivated to try to advance the cause of independence. ms sturgeon also admitted deleting whatsapp messages from her phone. outside the inquiry — some of those bereaved during the pandemic accused nicola sturgeon of crocodile tears. our scotland editor, james cook, is in edinburgh. yes, this was nicola sturgeon as we have rarely seen her before, recalling her role running scotland's government during the pandemic was a raw experience for her. it pandemic was a raw experience for her. . , , ., ., ., ., ., her. it appeared emotional and traumatic