— becoming the first sinn fein first ministerso it is significant. can i_ minister here. so it is significant. can i also— minister here. so it is significant. can i also say— minister here. so it is significant. can i also say this, _ minister here. so it is significant. can i also say this, for— minister here. so it is significant. can i also say this, for us - minister here. so it is significant. can i also say this, for us as- can i also say this, for us as republicans, _ can i also say this, for us as republicans, and _ can i also say this, for us as republicans, and for- can i also say this, for us as republicans, and for those i can i also say this, for us as. republicans, and for those of can i also say this, for us as- republicans, and for those of us who are nationalists _ republicans, and for those of us who are nationalists and _ republicans, and for those of us who are nationalists and who _ republicans, and for those of us who are nationalists and who are - republicans, and for those of us who are nationalists and w

this is a sinn fein first minister. this is a very good _ a sinn fein first minister. nister. this is a very good day for— a sinn fein first minister. this is a very good day for the - a sinn fein first minister. this is a very good day for the people i a sinn fein first minister. this is| a very good day for the people of northern ireland, i am very glad to see it. i think we are about to see something significant. we will have the first nationalist first minister, the first ever nationalist leader of the opposition and i wish them all well. find leader of the opposition and i wish them all well.— leader of the opposition and i wish them all well. and yes, within days, devolution could _ them all well. and yes, within days, devolution could return _ them all well. and yes, within days, devolution could return to _ them all well. and yes, within days, devolution could return to northern | devolution could return to northern ireland. power decision making scrutiny happening at stormont again. there will be more debate and those changes in the law happening here at westmin

while they may have slipped down a little, they suggest that sinn fein remain the most popular party there. quite a moment, a sinn fein first ministerand as part of a different state, the republic, eventually, seemingly doing very well in both northern ireland and the republic. as poor here at westminster, tomorrow we get the detail of this new deal in a so—called command paper and a debate as well in the commons —— as for tomorrow at westminster. the law will be changed on 38 as me as soon as friday to potential return restoration religion and first minister. thames valley police has referred itself to the policing regulator after a bbc investigation discovered that officers ridiculed an assault victim while watching body—worn video showing her groin and chest. the woman's body was exposed when she was filmed suffering from a seizure. three male pcs later watched the footage without reason. none of the officers faced a misconduct hearing but a student officer who reported them was later dismissed. the force says the remarks were "unacceptable" and the officers were sanctioned. 0ur investigations correspondent, noel titheradge, has

first minister. so sinn _ party appoints the first minister. so sinn fein hope they can work together— first minister. i hope they can work together as — first minister. i hope they can work together as a government in dublin we witt— together as a government in dublin we will do — together as a government in dublin we will do everything we can to we will do everything we canto support— we will do everything we can to support this new political starter northern— support this new political starter northern ireland that we will need to build _ northern ireland that we will need to build on now because we've had so much _ to build on now because we've had so much difficult politics in northern ireiand _ much difficult politics in northern ireland over the last number of years. — ireland over the last number of years. this _ ireland over the last number of years, this is a positive development we will need to build on and certainly we will be playing a part in _ and certainly we will be playing a part in that as i hope the british government will too.— part in

have — it will be the first time we will have a — it will be the first time we will have a sinn fein first ministerationalist first minister, so mark, i suppose of change that has occurred _ i suppose of change that has occurred in northern ireland and across— occurred in northern ireland and across ireland, so we are here to do the business — across ireland, so we are here to do the business and we will be meeting other— the business and we will be meeting other parties in the course of this afternoon — other parties in the course of this afternoon and it's now a case of agreeing — afternoon and it's now a case of agreeing sequences of this and i have _ agreeing sequences of this and i have no— agreeing sequences of this and i have no doubt because i came up from duhlin— have no doubt because i came up from dublin earlier that there's been a great _ dublin earlier that there's been a great sigh — dublin earlier that there's been a great sigh of relief, but also a sense — great sigh of relief, but also a sense of— great sigh of relief, but also a sense of expectation. people gathering together for

the deal opens the door to sinn fein�*s michelle o'neill taking the role of first minister., is at westminster and has more on what comes next. tomorrow we get the detail of this new deal in a so—called command paper and a debate as well in the commons, the law will be changed on thursday, meaning as soon as friday, the potential restoration of a sinn fein first minister. the white house has welcomed the development. a national security council spokesperson told the bbc that although legislation needed to be published, they looked forward to the full restoration of the institutions in line with the belfast/good friday agreement. you're live with bbc news. pakistan's former prime minister imran khan has been sentenced to 10 years in prison, after being accused of leaking state secrets. his party says the decision is a mockery. imran khan is already serving a three year term, after being convicted of corruption. our correspondent caroline davies reports from islamabad. his face is on the election posters but imran khan is already behind bars. the former prime minister has not

the deal opens the door to sinn fein�*s michelle 0'neill taking the role of first minister. 0ur politicalat comes next. tomorrow, we get the detail of this new deal in a so—called command paper and a debate as well in the commons, the law will be changed on thursday, meaning as soon as friday, the potential restoration of a sinn fein first minister. the white house has welcomed the development. a national security council spokesperson told the bbc that although legislation needed to be published, they looked forward to the full restoration of the institutions in line with the belfast/good friday agreement. you're live with bbc news. the bbc has released around 3,000 emails linked to its handling of the journalist martin bashir, who became famous after his interview with princess diana in 1995. an independent inquiry in 2021 found that mr bashir had been deceitful and faked documents to secure the interview. the corporation has now been compelled to release thousands of pages of correspondence revealing how it dealt with it all. 0ur media correspondent, david sillito, has been reading the

the nationalist party sinn fein, which will appoint the new first minister, says it is optimistic, andis about to experience a moment of very great significance. trade between northern ireland, the rest of the uk and the republic of ireland was straightforward before the uk left the european union. all parties were in the eu and shared the same trade rules. however, when northern ireland left the eu, a deal was required to allow trade to continue with the republic of ireland — that was the northern ireland protocol. to avoid disruptive border checks on the irish border, the protocol introduced new checks on goods coming into northern ireland from the rest of the uk. that meant no hard border in ireland — but pro—british unionists felt the arrangement caused delays and weakened northern ireland's role in the uk and refused to support the arrangement — until the latest compromise. live now to belfast and political analyst dr clare rice. good to have you on the programme. we don't know the details yet and we are hoping we will hear them today when they are published. do you think they are

sinn fein, who want to see a united ireland, don't take their seats here, but fellow nationalists do and look forward to a sinn fein first ministerry glad to see it. i also think we're about to see something very significant. we'll have the first ever nationalist first minister, the first ever nationalist leader of the opposition, and i wish them all well. and, yes, within days, devolution could return to northern ireland. power, decision—making, scrutiny happening at stormont again. first, more debate here tomorrow and those changes in the law and one final thing, those changes in the law and one finalthing, northern those changes in the law and one final thing, northern ireland is in a closer relationship with the eu than the rest of the uk and that will prompt debate and discussion and argument for years to come, with or without devolution. chris mason, thank you. while we've been on air the london fire brigade has said it's dealing with a serious incident in south london in which nine people — our correspondent, ellie price, is here. we have heard from the metropolitan police that a suspected corrosive substance was to honour

sinn fein who want to see a united ireland don't take their seats here but fellow nationalists do and look forward to a sinn fein first ministers a very good day for the people of northern ireland, i am very glad to see it. i think we are about to see something significant. we will have the first nationalist first minister, the first ever nationalist leader of the opposition and i wish them all well. and yes, within days, devolution could return to northern ireland. power decision making scrutiny happening at stormont again. joining me now is david graham who is a former dup special adviser. i don't know if you could hear some of the report there but we heard strong words from dup mp sandy so weak moved by the brexit government? i think he is from a certain wing of the dup, they like any of his co—party in the world have various wings and some people will be stronger and in some issue than others, some he has been clear in his position regarding the european union for well over a decade and he is very much a exit purest. i think he was in his rights to highlight —— brexit purest, i think was interesting in that sound bite to s

who know, as soon as friday the restoration of devolution, that is hugely important, and a sinn fein first ministerre facing more disruption this week, as drivers walk out again in their long running dispute over pay. today is the first in a series of strike days, with members of the aslef union walking out at six train companies, mostly across the south of england. other areas will be impacted on different days, until next monday. here's our transport correspondent, katy austin. here we go again. more strike, more picket lines, this was london waterloo this morning. strikes tomorrow, friday, saturday, and next monday will affect different train companies each day, they will run few or no services. i companies each day, they will run few or no services.— companies each day, they will run few or no services. i am a student so i few or no services. i am a student so i have — few or no services. i am a student so i have to _ few or no services. i am a student so i have to get — few or no services. i am a student so i have to get into _ few or no services. i am a student so i have to get into campus -

sinn fein will provide a first minister, sinn fein seemed very pleased with this.sed with this or at least pleased that the british government has promised £3.3 billion for northern ireland and from northern ireland, secretary from the prime minister we've had precious little detail , but prime minister we've had precious little detail, but an 80 page report was produced this afternoon from what i can see, pretty much nothing has changed whatsoever here. yes, of course there are a variety of assurances of permanent, unfettered access for northern ireland businesses to the uk market, but that i think , only market, but that i think, only works if the european if the uk doesn't diverge at all from european union rules. so i think what is going on here isn't just the continued sell—out of northern ireland. i think in regulatory terms it's a bit of a sell out for the uk. that is my view. as somebody who is not happy at all with this is jim alister , leader of the alister, leader of the traditional unionist voice . jim, traditional unionist voice. jim, from what i can s

only conclusion is that the dup, certain sections of the dup, cannot abide the idea of a sinn fein first minister good friday agreement.— against the very spirit of the good friday agreement. let me put that to gre . o friday agreement. let me put that to gregory campbell- — friday agreement. let me put that to gregory campbell. is _ friday agreement. let me put that to gregory campbell. is it _ friday agreement. let me put that to gregory campbell. is it the _ friday agreement. let me put that to gregory campbell. is it the case - gregory campbell. is it the case that the dup are refusing to accept a nationalist first minister? is that actually true?— a nationalist first minister? is that actually true? no, we have alwa s that actually true? no, we have always said _ that actually true? no, we have always said we _ that actually true? no, we have always said we accept _ that actually true? no, we have always said we accept the - that actually true? no, we have i always said we accept the outcome that actually true? no, we have - always said we accept the outcome of elections _ always said we acc

you are willing to serve as a party to a first minister from sinn fein. a party to a first minister from well, the office is a “oint sinn fein. well, the office is a joint office- — sinn fein. well, the office is a joint office. the _ sinn fein. well, the office is a joint office. the dup - sinn fein. well, the office is a joint office. the dup has, - sinn fein. well, the office is a joint office. the dup has, in i sinn fein. well, the office is a i joint office. the dup has, in the past, shared theirjoint office. we are democrats. the election results are democrats. the election results are there. i wish it had been different. of course. like any political party, you want to win elections and i hope that, from a unionist point of view, we are learning the lessons that divisions and unionism, especially at election time, do not win unionist seats. and i hope, in the future, unionism will get its act together in terms of delivering more unionist and las at stormont so that our voice is stronger and that is what we will work towards but we will work with all the parties in the executive to

the deal opens the door to sinn fein's michelle o'neill taking the role of first minister.minster and has more on what comes next. tomorrow we get the detail of this new deal in a so—called command paper and a debate as well in the commons, the law will be changed on thursday, meaning as soon as friday, the potential restoration and a sinn fein a first minister. us officials weighed in on the breakthrough. a us state department spokesperson told the bbc: "we welcome the news that important steps have been taken "toward the full restoration of the northern ireland assembly "and executive at stormont." a spokesperson for 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 i

when a power—sharing coalition is formed, an irish nationalist will become first minister for the first time. the sinn feinent, michelle o'neill, is in line to take up the position. after two years of uncertainty, frustration and division, it looks like the stalemate at stormont is coming to an end. chris page, bbc news, belfast. and chris page sent us this update a while ago on the timeline of the devolved government returning to northern ireland. weeks, maybe even days, certainly not months. the reason why now the pathway has opened up for northern ireland to have its government back is that the largest unionist party, the democratic unionists, have announced that they have endorsed a deal that they've reached with the uk government to address their concerns over brexit trading arrangements for northern ireland. it was the dup who in effect brought about the collapse of the regional government here almost two years ago because they believed that an arrangement whereby northern ireland in effect stayed in the uk single market... stayed in the eu, rather, single market for goods meant that northern ireland

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 firstp 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, but the dup said it did not go far enough in addressing their concerns. let's put all of that into context now. our ireland correspondent chris page followed the story as it developed through the night in belfast and sent this update. well, the details will be published over the next few days, according to the dup leader sirjeffrey donaldson who you heard from there, but essentially, we know that a deal will include a numb

today the woman who is in line to be first minister, michele 0'neil of sinn fein, has said there's a bly will be recalled on saturday for ministers to be appointed. if and when that does happen, she will be the first irish nationalist to take up that position. in and of itself, that will be a major moment. will be a ma'or moment. chris, thank ou. chris will be a major moment. chris, thank you- chris page _ will be a major moment. chris, thank you. chris page and _ will be a major moment. chris, thank you. chris page and damian - you. chris page and damian grammaticas. people in england with a number of common health issues can now get treatment from a chemist, instead of having to go to a gp. pharmacists will be able to prescribe medicines for conditions like shingles, sinusitis and infected insect bites. the scheme matches what already happens in other parts of the uk, and it's estimated will save 10 million gp appointments a year. 0ur health editor hugh pym has more. good morning. we do vaccination on thursday, friday, and saturday. they are at the heart of our communities. how do y

title first minister, the other has the title deputy first minister, that does matter, especially in a place like northern ireland, where titles on hold such import. the fact it is going to be sinn feinthe last 20 years, that will be a major moment.— has been for the last 20 years, that will be a major moment. will be a ma'or moment. thank you, we will be will be a major moment. thank you, we will be the _ will be a major moment. thank you, we will be the following _ will be a major moment. thank you, we will be the following list - will be a major moment. thank you, we will be the following list of - we will be the following list of elements. the covid inquiry has resumed, nicola sturgeon is continuing to give her evidence.— nicola sturgeon is continuing to give her evidence. limitations or restrictions _ give her evidence. limitations or restrictions on _ give her evidence. limitations or restrictions on people _ give her evidence. limitations or restrictions on people coming i give her evidence. limitations or. restrictions on people coming into the country for public health grounds, that is a statutory position. i think, grounds, that is a statutory position. ithink, practically,

first minister of northern ireland. that is his trick in its own right. as sinn fein ireland 25 years ago, when the good friday agreement was signed, no one would ever have thought that. but it also puts to bed the thought that unionists did not want to share power or serve under a sinn fein first minister. so you can imagine the feeling here today in parliament buildings that everyone is back in the game and they have that £3 billion to set some bills right here because of course, northern ireland was underfunded for the last 4 or 5 years. there's been massive strikes here amongst the public sector and they couldn't get any parity in their wages. so unfortunately , when michelle unfortunately, when michelle o'neill takes her table on monday, i'm afraid that her door will be knocked by an awful amount of people who actually want their pay sorted out . want their pay sorted out. >> okay, dougie beattie, thank you for that. update from stormont. some of the harder unionists are calling this a surrender deal. let's see. as usual, the devil is always in the detail. now le

first minister. >> yeah, but tell us, i mean, symbolically, huge, isn't symbolically, it's huge, isn't it, got the it, because we've got for the first sinn feinn fein first minister first now minister for the first time. now we've leading the we've got someone leading the nonh we've got someone leading the north is a opposed to north who is a opposed to northern. the south wants a unhed northern. the south wants a united ireland . united ireland. >> well, you say she's leading, but of course the office of first minister and deputy first minister is a joint office. so the deputy first minister, whoever is to be on whoever that is going to be on behalf of the dup, have behalf of the dup, will have exactly powers as the exactly the same powers as the first minister not taking away from the symbolism. um, and i think people will of course, from the symbolism. um, and i thinktoeople will of course, from the symbolism. um, and i thinkto comment of course, from the symbolism. um, and i thinkto comment on:ourse, from the symbolism. um, and i thinkto comment on thate, from the symbolism. um, and i thinkto comment on that . yeah, want to comment on tha

and of course, that will herald in a sinn fein first minister, and thatis sinn fein first minister, andf northern ireland. in fact , last night it ireland. in fact, last night it appears that, uh, political opponents had access to what was going on in that private meeting. and were tweeting it out. and that held everything back by some hours . and of back by some hours. and of course, the press conference, i mean , i wasn't getting clear of mean, i wasn't getting clear of the press conference after 2:00 this morning. so it shows you what there is to play for here, because of course, there are very , very thin margins , uh, very, very thin margins, uh, here and in electorally. and of course, the unionist vote here has always been split . you have has always been split. you have the true unionist voice, you have the ulster unionist party, and then you have the largest unionist party, and that's of the dup . and when last, when the the dup. and when last, when the last elections came here, the tuv stood split the vote and the dup lost two votes, which left them as the second party in storm

of deputy first minister, but of course does matter, especially in a place like northern ireland where titles and symbolism hold such importance, so the fact that it is going to be sinn feinto go to a gp. pharmacists will be able to prescribe medicines for conditions like shingles, sinusitis and infected insects billie insect bites. the scheme matches what already happens in other parts of the uk and it has estimated it will save 10 million gp appointments a year. hugh pym has more. good mornin: , year. hugh pym has more. good morning. you — year. hugh pym has more. good morning, you need _ year. hugh pym has more. good morning, you need a _ year. hugh pym has more. good morning, you need a vexation i year. hugh pym has more. (13cm morning, you need a vexation on thursday, friday and saturday. thea;r thursday, friday and saturday. they are at the heart _ thursday, friday and saturday. they are at the heart of— thursday, friday and saturday. they are at the heart of our— thursday, friday and saturday. they are at the heart of our communities. from today, high—street pharmacies in england will be able to ease even more of the burden on overstretched gp surgeries. 50. more o

head of the devolved government, along with a deputy first minister who will be appointed from the dup. that is the first time there will be a sinn feinlies — the deadline has just passed for owners to register their dog, if they want to keep it, in england and wales. and the energy bill for nearly £250,000. a businessman tells us the mistake caused pandemonium. and stay with us on bbc news. for continuing coverage and analysis from our team of correspondence in the uk and around the world.

whenever the power—sharing institutions do return, they'll do so with a nationalist first minister in the shape of sinn feineill. it will be the first time in northern ireland's existence — more than a century — that the top job will be held by a leader who wants a united ireland. power—sharing is the only show in town, so i'm finally glad that we're getting to a juncture where, actually, that may be possible again. i believe in power—sharing, and i believe in life, you get much, much more done when you work together as opposed to working apart. after two years of uncertainty, frustration and division, it looks like the stormont stalemate will soon be at an end. but it's not done yet, and so people in northern ireland must do what they've done for nearly two years now — wait. sara girvin, bbc news. what we don't yet know, as sara explained, is how the dup's concerns have been reconciled. we'll find out tomorrow — when the deal is published. the condundrum since 2017 is that outside the eu, britain wants to do things its own way. the trouble is, the border between northern ireland and the republic of ireland

whenever the power—sharing institutions do return, they will do so with a nationalist first minister in the shape of sinn fein o'neill. it will be the first time in northern ireland's existence — more than a century — that the top job will be held by a leader who wants a united ireland. power—sharing is the only show in town so i am finally glad - we are getting to a juncture where actually that may be | possible once again. i believe in power—sharing - and i believe in life you get much, much more done when you work together as opposed _ to working apart. after two years of uncertainty, frustration and division, it looks like the stormont stalemate will soon be at an end, but it is not done yet. and so people in northern ireland must do what they have done for nearly two years now — wait. sara girvan, bbc news, belfast. an australian state mp has accused a local news channel of misoygny after it edited an image of her to give her larger breasts and more revealing clothing. in a message on social media — showing the altered image and the real one side by side — georgie purcell said she had �*endured a lot�* b

with, for the first time, a nationalist first minister, sinn fein�*s michelle o'neill. with equal legal powers, a unionist depute first minister from the dup. each will have a veto over decisionmaking by the other. it will certainly not be to everyone's liking, but many will feel the difference. the uk government has promised £35 billion, for much needed improvement to services, like the nhs, education and infrastucture. and the new deal headline? no routine checks on goods crossing from great britain to northern ireland. nickjoins us from belfast. well, you could see the political pace quickened today. there was a statement in the house of commons by the northern ireland secretary, chris heaton—harris, and then a joint appearance involving him and sirjeffrey donaldson, the leader of the dup, where they both sold that deal. at hillsborough castle and county down, where the northern ireland secretary works, and it is right in the heart ofjeffrey donaldson�*s constituency. we do have a divide and that was on display today. veteran dup mp picked up on how northern ireland i

power—sharing in northern ireland which will mean that the dup would take the deputy first minister post and sinn feince secondary legislation and have it all done by wednesday. a new speaker in the northern ireland assembly and it is up and running. they are all ready to go but sir jeffrey donaldson has not appeared yet. we're joined now by ben lowry, editor of the unionist news letter newspaper. hello. what are we waiting for? what is the hitch? 50 i hello. what are we waiting for? what is the hitch?— is the hitch? so i don't know what the hitch is- _ is the hitch? so i don't know what the hitch is. i— is the hitch? so i don't know what the hitch is. i think— is the hitch? so i don't know what the hitch is. i think the _ is the hitch? so i don't know what the hitch is. i think the hitch - 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 retu

when a power—sharing coalition is formed, an irish nationalist will become first minister for the first time. the sinn feinesident, michelle o'neill, is in line to take up the position. after two years of uncertainty, frustration and division, it looks like the stalemate at stormont is coming to an end. chris page, bbc news, belfast. for more on this, i'm joined by the irish times�* northern editor, freya mcclements. we don't know all of the details of this deal yet, but what has the reaction been to it? i this deal yet, but what has the reaction been to it?— this deal yet, but what has the reaction been to it? i think broadly s-ueakin a reaction been to it? i think broadly speaking a very — reaction been to it? i think broadly speaking a very positive _ reaction been to it? i think broadly speaking a very positive reaction. l reaction been to it? i think broadly speaking a very positive reaction. i mean, all the other parties in northern ireland that are entitled to make up the executive, the uk government, the irish government, international observers have long urged the dup to get back into stormont and

it will be of course, the first time that a nationalist sinn fein first minister will be put in placeght. the sky was lit up last night as europe�*s biggest fire festival — the up helly aa — got underway in lerwick. the 143—year—old annual event sees people celebrate shetland�*s norse heritage by snaking their way through the streets before a viking galley long boat is set alight. this year saw women and girls able tojoin the head of the procession for the first time in its history. looks like they made their presence felt. yes! looks like a lot of fun. sally spent all night last night watching the live stream. i watched the bit at the end for ten minutes watching the boat burn. i think we need to sign you up for the front of the procession. only if i go with their very special person and that is carol. i their very special person and that is carol. ., their very special person and that is carol. . , y ., is carol. i am in. i bet they are lad is carol. i am in. i bet they are glad they _ is carol. i am in. i bet they are glad they did _ is carol. i am in. i bet they are glad they did

whenever the power—sharing institutions do return, they will do so with a nationalist first minister in the shape of sinn fein first time in northern ireland's existence — more than a century — that the top job will be held by a leader who wants a united ireland. power—sharing is the only show in town so i am finally glad - we are getting to a juncture where actually that may be | possible once again. i believe in power—sharingl and i believe in life you get much, much more donej when you work together as opposed to working apart. after two years of uncertainty, frustration and division, it looks like the stormont stalemate will soon be at an end, but it is not done yet. and so people in northern ireland must do what they have done for nearly two years now — wait. sara girvin, bbc news, belfast. around the world and across the uk. this is bbc news. let's look at some other stories making news. the bbc has released around 3,000 emails linked to the martin bashir scandal. an independent inquiry in 2021 found that mr bashir had been deceitful and had faked documents to get his famous interview with princess dian

whenever the power—sharing institutions return they will do so with a nationalist first minister in the shape of sinn fein o'neill. it will be the first time in northern ireland's existence that the top job will be held by a leader who wants a united ireland. i am glad we are getting to a juncture where power—sharing maybe possible again. i believe in power—sharing and i believe in life you get much more done when you work together as opposed to working apart. after two years of uncertainty, frustration and division, it looks like the stormont stalemate will soon be at an end but it is not done yet, so people in northern ireland must do what they have done for nearly two years — wait. live now to our correspondent tomos morgan who's outside stormont. we heard in that report it is not yet a done deal, but there must be relief after these two years of frustration and division. that finally there seems to be some significant progress.— finally there seems to be some significant progress. yes, that will be what many _ significant progress. yes, that will be what many people _ significant progress. yes, that w

the nationalist party, sinn fein, which will appoint the new first minister, says it is optimistic, andabout 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 a huge part of discussions with the uk government when they came to that agreement. over the last two years as they hasn't been a function devolved government here, it means wedding was in the nhs has risen considerably as well. the hope is they coul

with passing this is going to the first this is going to be the first time that fein has provided time that sinn fein has provided the minister uncomfortable does that make unionists, still obviously unionists, who still obviously have majority in terms of the have a majority in terms of the overall population , of wanting overall population, of wanting to remain the union, but having an avowedly republican party, having the first ministership. >> so if you look at the numbers in stormont, there is still a unionist majority, but they have the largest party, so that gives them the right to have the first minister. >> but what i think viewers may be interested in is that it's a joint office. so the first minister and the deputy first minister and the deputy first minister the same minister have exactly the same powers. to give balance , powers. it was to give balance, to have somebody from the nationalist community, and they've been in the deputy first minister position for some time now. the unionist now. and from the unionist community well. she cannot community as well. so she cannot take decisions. and i this take decisions

and if it happens, incidentally, it is the leader of sinn fein in belfast, michele o'neil, who will become the first ministerrn 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 a drone strike over the weekend in jordan. from left to right, sgt williamjerome rivers, specialist kennedy ladon sanders and specialist breonna alexsondria moffett. all from the state of georgia. the us army says they were killed when an unmanned aerial drone struck their container housing units. this marks the first time american troops have been killed by enemy fire s

and if it happens, incidentally, it is the leader of sinn fein in belfast, michele o'neil, who will become the first ministerhern 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 to the deadly drone strike over the weekend targeting us soldiers in jordan. the us army says three service members were killed when an unmanned aerial drone struck their container housing units. this marks the first time american troops have been killed by enemy fire since the start of the israel—gaza war. the pentagon says at least a0 other people were injured. us officials said monday the enemy drone may have been mistaken for an american drone. a preliminary report found there was no effort to shoot down the

when a power—sharing coalition is formed, an irish nationalist will become first minister for the first time. the sinn feinll, is in line to take up the position. after two years of uncertainty, frustration and division, it looks like the stalemate at stormont is coming to an end. chris page, bbc news, belfast. it isa it is a complex issue. power—sharing means there must be representatives from the nationalist community and unionists, who want northern ireland to remain part of the uk. the idea is that whatever the historic differences, both communities have a vested interest in the system. it has a first minister and deputy first minister, one unionists and the other nationalists. the devolved government last collapse of every 2022 after the democratic unionist party withdrew in protest against post—brexit trade checks between the region and great britain, and the walk—out means that power—sharing was impossible. it's believed the arrangements under the northern ireland protocol diminished the region does not replace within the uk internal market, and a new deal called the windsor framework was agreed in

now, waiting in the wings, watching closely, is sinn fein, who if the executive is restored will hold the post of first ministerolitical and financial stakes are pretty high in northern ireland right now but there is so many strands to this stand—off, it's difficult to see how it's going to be easily resolved.— difficult to see how it's going to be easily resolved. ende, thank you, and chris mason _ be easily resolved. ende, thank you, and chris mason in _ be easily resolved. ende, thank you, and chris mason in westminster, - and chris mason in westminster, could the scale of today's walk—outs bring about a change? could the scale of today's walk-outs bring about a change?— bring about a change? they've been very visible. — bring about a change? they've been very visible. angry _ bring about a change? they've been very visible, angry and _ bring about a change? they've been very visible, angry and noisy, - bring about a change? they've been very visible, angry and noisy, an - very visible, angry and noisy, an indicator of the present stalemate. northern ireland is used to devolution, the handing away of power a

the irish nationalist party, sinn fein, temporarily recalled the devolved assembly today. the woman who's in line to be first ministerespect the outcome of the election and restore democracy, then there is an obligation of both governments, both the british government and the irish government to look at plan b. there must be a british—irish partnership that provides joint stewardship and an intensified role for the irish government in the affairs of this state. the dup said it wouldn't allow devolution to be restored until its concerns were dealt with. 0ur negotiations with the government have made real and significant - progress, but will continue l until there are arrangements agreed that unionists _ as well as nationalists can support. the uk government says public sector pay is a matter for a devolved government. it has promised an extra half a billion pounds for wage increases if devolution is revived. trade unions say they are being used as political pawns. so in a few hours, buses will stop, health workers will walk out and schools will shut in a day of demonstrations and disruption. and my colleague sophie ra

and a welcome from sinn fein, which is on course for the post of first minister. which was set up to reflect, the idea of the state was created and specifically carved out to ensure that there was a perpetual unionist majority. and that majority has gone some time ago, a number of election cycles back. but this two years ago almost, michelle o'neill was elected to a position as the leader of the largest party in the assembly, of entitlement to the first minister's post. so of course, yes, in the history of ireland, in the history of the relationships between ireland and britain and the partition of ireland and the purpose behind that and how it was carved up, this is obviously a very historic occasion. a unionist leader takes a leap to preserve his political dream. history suggests he will do well if he keeps his party together. and we can talk to nick now. nick, you've knownjeffrey donaldson for 30 years. tell us about him and the significance of events over the last 2a hours. yes, victoria, when i was here for the times about 30 year ago, i knew jeffrey donaldso

when a power—sharing coalition is formed, an irish nationalist will become first minister for the first time. the sinn feinident, michelle o'neill, is in line to take up the position. after two years of uncertainty, frustration and division, it looks like the stalemate at stormont is coming to an end. chris page, bbc news, belfast. let's speak now to our political correspondent helen catt. helen, this deal is subject to the uk government delivering on its promises to the dup? how close is that? this was one of the first things _ how close is that? this was one of the first things that _ how close is that? this was one of the first things that rishi - how close is that? this was one of the first things that rishi sunak i the first things that rishi sunak looked at when he became prime minister, dealing with some of those issues in the post—brexit trading arrangements for northern ireland. when he announced this winter framework as it was known in february last year, it was seen as something of a successful hymn at the time, certainly in terms of success for uk, eu relations. what it didn't t was convinced t

sinn fein says a united ireland within touching distance. the stormont a deal agreed and so party prepares to claim northern ireland's first minister post for . so they've never been in power before, have they? fein at the top of they? sinn fein at the top of that. so. well, they have been for but that's one of for a while, but that's one of the reasons dup backed the reasons why the dup backed out, they didn't like it. >> they wanted rearrange it, >> they wanted to rearrange it, but right. but they couldn't. right. >> officially, but >> but not not officially, but they've growing in popularity. >> won election. >> they won the last election. >> they won the last election. >> right. right well, >> yeah right. right um, well, so originally northern ireland was have was set up so it would have a protestant majority would, protestant majority which would, you of the you know, ensure the sort of the dup my babies, they do the catholics have more babies. >> well, this is the thing. demographics is destiny. which people pro—immigration demographics is destiny. which peoplseem pro—immigration demographics is destiny. which peoplseem to pro—immigrat

earlier the leader of sinn fein — mary lou mcdonald said it will be a moment of "very great significance" when her party colleague michelle o'neill becomes first ministermont. speaking in the great hall at stormont, mrs o'neill said the next days will be �*crucial�* in restoring power sharing. obviously i am very glad we are at thisjuncture in the think it is a day of— thisjuncture in the think it is a day of optimism and there is some hope _ day of optimism and there is some hope for— day of optimism and there is some hope for the wider public. our public— hope for the wider public. our public sector is stretched in public sector_ public sector is stretched in public sector workers have been forced to the picket— sector workers have been forced to the picket lines. i want to be in position— the picket lines. i want to be in position because i want to make a difference — position because i want to make a difference to people's lights and i want to— difference to people's lights and i want to stand up and fight back against — want to stand up and fight back against the tory authority agenda that has— against the tory authority agenda that has hurt so mu

sinn fein, the dup, the sdlp, the ulster unionist, the alliance party are all in the government. if you like . so it's a mandatory like. so it's a mandatory coalition and if, if whoever's in the first ministersf the those people resign as paul givan as the then first minister did back in february of 2022, then the whole thing collapses and it stops. it was the same when i was first minister and the deputy first minister, then martin mcguinness resigned and stormed, was down for three years on that occasion over irish language . um, and over irish language. um, and that should have been resolved a lot sooner than it was . but the lot sooner than it was. but the issue this time is around brexit. of course it is. and it's around the windsor framework. and the fact that there are checks coming from great britain into northern ireland and what unionism is saying is that that needs to be sorted out in terms of the constitutional position of, of northern the uk northern ireland within the uk and of course, in relation to trading, which should be an internal market, because internal uk market, because you're effectively under you're effectively still under the union. the yoke of the european union.