08/05/2017 BBC Newsline

Here on BBC One, it's time for the news where you are.

The DUP and Ulster Unionist Party are both fielding a candidate

in East Belfast in the Westminster election next month.

Two years ago they had an electoral pact which secured the seat

for the DUP's Gavin Robinson at the expense of Naomi Long

While the main unionist parties have agreed deals

for some other areas, there is no such

Our political editor Mark Devenport has more.

With the deadline for putting your name forward just days away

the final line-up for next month's Westminster election

There have been talk of a deal between the DUP

and the Ulster Unionists in East and South Belfast, but no

However, both parties say they won't split

the unionist vote in Fermanagh, South Tyrone or in North Belfast.

Time was very short in relation to conversations that we were having

We do very much welcome the fact that unilaterally

the Ulster Unionists are not running in North Belfast, and of course

despite the fact that we are by far the largest unionist party

in Fermanagh and South Tyrone, we have stepped aside

to assist Tom Elliott, so whilst there was no formal pact,

those two very significant moves I think will help assist

the unionist people to send two unionist MPs back.

Both seats where the unionists have made the moves.

We are now facing into this snap election and as I said

when it was called we are committed to maximising the number

of anti-Brexit candidates that will be returned.

I am calling today on the SDLP to stand aside in the seats

of Fermanagh and South Tyrone and North Belfast for

of two MPs that will be anti-Brexit anti-Tory cuts,

pro-equality, pro-rights and pro-unity.

We are the best vote to fight Brexit in Westminster.

We are present, hard-working, and not interested in standing aside

for a political party that wouldn't even take their seats

to vote against Brexit, to vote against Tory cuts,

or any of that and they just want more seats for no

For its part, the Alliance rejected doing deals.

We don't want to see sectarian headcounts,

however they are termed, coming down to sectarian headcounts.

What we want to do is provide them with a choice in the election.

Despite talk of unionist pacts and anti-Brexit pacts it looks

like this Westminster election is going to be largely

From early this morning firefighters have been battling a gorse fire

on a large protected moorland near Fivemiletown in County Tyrone.

There have been about 500 gorse fires in the past week.

At first glance, it may seem like a mist on a large moor.

Another look, it's a gorse fire and it is spreading quickly.

It is a key habitat for birds of prey.

It is getting into forestry, covering a substantial

area, and going on now for nearly two days.

It is very dangerous terrain for firefighters

Another gorse fire, this one in Newry.

My neighbour calls over and said come on out, come on out quick,

Embers were going up in the air and coming down around us.

It is almost three days since this gorse fire was set deliberately

and you can still smell smoke in the air.

See how close this house came to being set alight?

500 reported gorse fires in one week compared to 59 this time last year.

90% of these fires have been started deliberately,

Fire and Rescue Service saying it is a drain on resources

and it is keeping them back from covering other emergencies.

300 jobs are being created in Belfast by the publishing

It's opened a finance centre to serve its global operations.

Our economics and business editor John Campbell has the details.

Here at Pearson, people believe in learning.

It is the world's biggest education publisher,

selling services to online and university students.

The business is now simpler and cutting costs,

restructuring into Belfast, and part of that.

This project is central to the transmission of finance

What we are trying to do, have standard services and provide

those services back to different Pearson entities around the globe.

Most recent investments here have come from smaller technology firms.

Pearson is on a different scale with around 35,000

It is about diversification, yes, we have attracted a lot

of early-stage high-growth start-up companies, but we are always

The company has been recruiting here for almost a year

It hopes to get 300 over the next three years with the help of around

?2 million in grants and training support.

There have been concerns about how Brexit will impact on the flow

of foreign investments to Northern Ireland.

Thus far the effects look to be minimal, and Invest NI has been

pleased to land a big name like Pearson.

But negotiations have only just begun and it is the shape

of the final deal which will shape investment for the next

Today have arrested two men under offences on the terrorism act. They

were from Algeria and Morocco and detained in the Dublin area.

Practice in the North West 200 road racing festival

The biggest names in bikes have rolled into town. The unique sights

and sounds of the North West 200. The best motorcycle road racers in

the world are gearing up for the first international meeting of the

season. And it is two riders from Carrickfergus who could be the men

setting the pace this week. Everyone can be competitive. My plan will be

to get that old girl off the language is quite hard sometimes and

to go from Labuan -- off the line. My adrenaline is already running. I

can feel it running down my hands. It is a norm is for me. I love

coming here because it is a seaside resort. I came here as a boy,

growing up, Portrush and Portstewart. The queues in the

traffic and cars, ice cream everywhere and everyone is smiling.

Nice to have the weather. Practice gets underway tomorrow for Thursday

and Saturday. Roads are closing from 9:15am and 3pm. You can catch all

the action live on the BBC Sport website and BBC Radio Ulster from

10am. Football, and Friday's Europa League

play-off decider will be between There were goals galore in both

of tonight's semi-finals. Glenavon came from behind twice

to overcome Cliftonville 5-3. While Ballymena were 5-2 winners

over Dungannon Swifts. Joe McKinney had the pick

of the goals in that game. Meanwhile in the Airtricity Premier

Division, Derry City drew Now the weather forecast

with Cecilia Daly. There are another few days of rain

during the worst of the working week is a possibility of showers late on

Friday. Next weekend looks like it'll be unsettled. Finally clearing

tonight. Despite the indie high teens of temperatures today, it

might tomorrow temperatures at age 18 or 19 Celsius mark from parts of

the West. If you are having to file moral if it's off on Wednesday and

it looks like a fine start some forms of sunshine. Clouded by the

end of the week, the literal Friday. That is it, good.