but the former russian spy sergei skripal and his daughter yulia are both heavily sedated and unable to communicate in any meaningful way. our home affairs correspondent daniel sandford reports. for more than two weeks, detective sergeant nick bailey has have been having what his boss called significant and daunting medical treatment. he had become contaminated while responding to the salisbury nerve agent attack, but now he's well enough to leave hospital. i'm pleased to say that sergeant nick bailey's condition has now improved and he was discharged from salisbury district hospital this afternoon. i personally want to wish nick and his family well and i know that the staff right across the hospital will want me to share their very best wishes. i'm sure you'll understand that, for reasons of patient confidentiality, i'm not able to go into any further detail regarding nick's condition or his treatment. nick bailey's wife said it had been the most traumatic event of their life together. his chief constable read a statement on his behalf. "people ask how i'm feeling. there are really

the sunday express says that the ex—russian spy sergei skripal and his daughter yulia may have been poisoned by the contents of a parcel that went undetected in the post. the sunday telegraph reveals that senior government figures are leading a plan to ban russian officials involved in corruption and human rights abuses. the sunday times claims that since becoming prime minister, theresa may has received over £800,000 of donations from russian oligarchs. the sunday mirror front page features claims that up to one thousand children could be involved ina new thousand children could be involved in a new child abuse and trafficking scandal. and the sunday people says that the russian president vladimir putin is planning eight more attacks. of course, it's worth a reminder that russia has not yet been found responsible for the salisbury attack. worth reminding us that russia has not yet been found responsible for these attacks. so russia dominating the majority of the front pages, as it has for the past few days. so let's have a closer look starting with the express. interesting take. the one pr

it is now clear that sergei skripal and $ grade nerve % of $ grade nerve iii—1: of the military grade nerve agent of the type developed a rush. our knowledge that russia has previously produced this agent and would still be capable of doing so. russia's record of conducting state—sponsored assassination, and our assessment that russia views some defectors as legitimate targets for assassinations, the government has concluded that it is highly likely that russia was responsible for the act against against yulia and sergei skripal. either this was a deliberate attack against our country, or russia lost control of a potentially e dated and —— nerve agent and allowed to get into the hands of others. should there be no credible response we shall conclude that this action amounts to unlawful use of force by the russian state against the united kingdom. jeremy corbyn condemned the attack. the investigation into the shocking events in salisbury must reach its conclusions. we need to see both the evidence and a full account from the russian authorities in light of emerging evidence that

and if moscow did target sergei skripal... most russian people, not me, of course, most russian people would take pride in it because there is a very black and white world, it's us against them. putin has brought us back in a big way. today, the president delivered a special address. no mention of spies. he congratulated russian women on international women's day. moscow knows it's under suspicion that the kremlin is acting as if its business as usual. steve rosenberg, bbc news, moscow. joining me now from newcastle is dr chris morris from the medical toxicology centre at newcastle university. i suppose my first question is, what isa i suppose my first question is, what is a nerve agent, presumably there are different kinds? and different ways they may be administered? there are different types that they all work in the same way, which is that they stop the activity of a particular enzyme, at the nerve terminal, and they make the nerves themselves, over activated and they stop the nerve actually stopping itself, see you get a

sergei skripal is still fighting for his life in hospital alongside his daughter yulia. he came to the uk in 2008 as part of a spy swap with russia. but what led him to seek refuge here? our correspondent has been given exclusive access to details and photographs from his past. the man behind the story. friends of sergei skripal have provided the bbc with the first detailed account of his life, including these personal pictures. here, skripal is in the centre with his daughter yulia, just after her birth in 1984. both are now fighting for their lives. skripal was born in kaliningrad. he grew up listening to the world service on the radio. he joined the airborne troop. he became a championship army boxer. this was him a few years later with colleagues serving in central asia. when soviet troops went into afghanistan in 1979, he was among the first to go in. soon after, he was talent—spotted by the gru military intelligence. he served undercover in europe twice, in the ‘80s and the ‘90s. and it is during that time it is thought he was approached by british intelligen

yet sergei skripal wasn't an obvious target for the kremlin. translation: there are certain rules that the secret services keep to. when there's an exchange of spies, the matter is considered closed. skripal had been exchanged, russia had no problem with him. moscow denies any connection, but a former double agent, collapsing in britain, it can only add to the chill in relations between the uk and russia. steve rosenberg, bbc news, moscow. stay with us on bbc news, still to come: taking home oscar — we catch up with the small star whose movie won big at the academy awards. first, the plates slipped gently off the restaurant tables, then suddenly the tables, the chairs and people crashed sideways and downwards, and it was just a matter of seconds as the ferry lurched on to her side. the hydrogen bomb. on a remote pacific atoll, the americans have successfully tested a weapon whose explosive force dwarfed that of the bomb dropped on hiroshima. i had heard the news earlier and so my heart went bang, bang, bang! and are sent to hospital. this rel

the latest for you on the response to the poisoning of sergei skripal. georgia has expelled a diplomat, the foreign ministry has expressed solidarity with the united kingdom and shares the position of the united kingdom and the international community. the diplomat is based at the swiss embassy. georgia expelling a russian diplomat as part of the international response to the poisoning on salisbury of sergei skripal and his daughter yulia. with one year to go until the uk leaves the european union, theresa may is visiting england, scotland, northern ireland and wales. the prime minister will tell voters that whether they voted leave or remain, the important thing is making brexit a success for everyone. so with one year to go, how far have we got and what still needs to be done? chris morris from reality check reports. so, just one year to go until the united kingdom is due to part company with the rest of the european union. it's also one year since theresa may triggered article 50 of the lisbon treaty, marking the formal start of the brexit process. an

sergei skripal and his daughter were poisoned in salisbury over a week ago. scotland yard warns the investigation will take many more weeks. the public are going to continue to see a great deal of police activity around the city, including potentially more cordons. do not be alarmed. it is necessary as part of this investigation. in today's other main news: just over a year after his appointment, president trump sacks his secretary of state, rex tillerson. in his spring statement, the chancellor forecasts higher growth, lower inflation and debt, and hints at possible spending rises in the future. and newsnight, russia is not exactly trembling at the british threat of some kind of response to the salisbury attack. so what might be retaliation of britain be? —— the. good evening, and welcome to bbc news. less than an hour remains until the deadline announced by theresa may for moscow to explain its role in an attack using a nerve agent upon a former spy and his daughter. sergei and yulia scripal were taken ill over a week ago in salisbury. the kremlin said

sergei and yulia skripal remain ina found. sergei and yulia skripal remain in a critical condition in hospital, a week after they were taken ill. and ahead of the spring statement, the chancellor philip hammond says there is cause for economic optimism. sport now. here is richard. thank you. sir trevor brooking says he fears west ham will be relegated if the current aggressive atmosphere at the club continues. his comments come after several pitch invasions during their 3-0 several pitch invasions during their 3—0 defeat to burnley yesterday. he has also told the bbc thatjoint chairman david sullivan was hit by a coin. west ham have lost an enquiry into the incident. the game was stopped a number of times due to members of the crowd invading the pitch. at one point captain mark noble decided to intervene. it was one of a number of incidents that happened. burnley were not distracted by the turmoil and went on to win comfortably by 3—0. the west ham protest continued after the game and the club and the fa say they will inve

sergei skripal and a woman found with him are being treated in hospital in salisbury. sergei skripal was given refuge in britain eight years ago after being involved in a spy swap. wiltshire police have declared a major incident after the two were taken ill in salisbury on sunday. leila nathoo has the latest. police are racing to establish just what happened here. last night, officers were examining the contents officers were examining the contents ofa bin officers were examining the contents of a bin near where a sergei skripal and a woman were found unconscious on sunday afternoon. the high street italian restaurant nearby was closed. the staff inside question. detectives are trying to piece together the events that led to the police being the city. there was an older guy and a younger girl, she was leaning on him, it looks at she was passed out. he was doing some strange hand movements, looking to the sky. i felt anxious, i felt like movements, looking to the sky. i felt anxious, ifelt like i movements, looking to the sky. i felt anxious, i felt like i should step i

reaction to the attack upon former double agent sergei skripal continues in russia. the government there denies being involved and the russian foreign minister has accused britain of breaking international law by preventing the kremlin from accessing evidence of the nerve agent attack. from moscow, here's sarah rainsford. accused of a crime many miles from here, under pressure to explain a chemical attack that shocked britain. but today the kremlin has remained silent. the foreign minister, though, was in full defensive flow. sergey lavrov rejected britain's 2a hour ultimatum to respond to the claim that moscow used a nerve agent. russia should get ten days, he said, accusing britain of floating the chemical weapons convention. and when i asked about the actual charge the minister called that nonsense. translation: russia is not guilty. russia is ready to corporate mac — co—operate in their dealings with legislation on chemical weapons if the uk finally decides to fulfil its obligations under international law within that document. russia is also demanding a samp

sergei skripal remains in a critical condition. with exactly a year to go until the uk leaves the european union, theresa may has been visiting england, scotland, northern ireland and wales. the prime minister said she believed the uk would have a bright future after brexit, and insisted that leaving would mean more money for hospitals and schools. now on bbc news, thursday in parliament.

in particular are appealing for anyone who saw sergei skripal and yulia skripal in their car, a red bmw with the registration plate hd 09 watts a 0scar. in the salisbury area between approximately 1pm and 1:45pm on sunday the 4th of march with them if you saw them in that, please contact us. you saw them in that, please contact us. and anyone who has images or footage that may assist the investigation please upload them to oui’ investigation please upload them to our secure website. the public are going to continue to see a great deal of police activity in and around the city including potentially more coffins being erected. —— cordons being erected. but please do not be alarmed. it is necessary as part of this major investigation by the counter terrorism policing network. in truth it may last many weeks. public safety continues to be the priority working together as part of the national response. anyone who has concerns about their health should seek medical assistance to reassure themselves. please check the advice of the public health authorities. it has been made clear there i

looking into the nerve agent used on sergei skripal's front door. investigators are looking at the house for weeks. we have cnn's phil black tracking the latest from moscow. phil, to know this was at his house. any other details about how this could have happened? who could have put it there? what is coming out if anything from scotland yard at this point? >> reporter: this is a key development, michellmichelle. police revealing where and how the nerve agent was deployed. that is what they have been investigating for weeks now. it was on the front door. applied to the front door. they are not saying how specifically. that is where they believe the former russian spy sergei skripal and his daughter yulia, were first exposed to it. this points to a slow acting nerve agent. after they left the home, they drove to town and went to a pub and restaurant. they left contaminations in the locations before collapsing on the nearby park bench hours later in the late afternoon. the british federal government has said it believes the nerve agent was a russian de

sergei skripal and his daughter yulia are heavily sedated and unable to communicate in any meaningful way. the police officer who was also contaminated has now been discharged. his chief constable said 05 nick bailey had appreciated the messages of support. i have been so very overwhelmed by the support, cards and messages i have received. everyone has been so incredible. it's emerged a fourth patient is also being treated for minor contamination. also tonight... theresa may is in brussels to rally support against what she calls reckless russian aggression. flowers and tributes to the victims of the westminster bridge terror attack one year on. taking back control of our passports after brexit — but will a french company be making them? the rising number of children living in relative poverty in the uk. he is onside. gareth bale is a record—brea ker. and gareth bale becomes wales' all time leading goal scorer with a total of 29. coming up on sportsday on bbc news: "like deer in headlights" — england are bowled out forjust 58 by new zealand on the opening day of the first test in

this was sergei skripal last month ata this was sergei skripal last month at a corner shop. now police believe someone tried to kill the former spy and his daughter with a nerve agent. it happened here in the small cathedral city of salisbury. a police officer who attended to the pair is now also in a serious condition in hospital. what nerve agent was used is the question experts at this military research centre are trying to answer. nerve agents essentially crippled the body's nervous system. they are not easy to manufacture. nerve agents require not an insignificant amount of logistical, financial, and scientific set up to be manufactured. that leads to a more ofa manufactured. that leads to a more of a likelihood of a state manufacturing. like in salisbury is anything but normal. this is the restau ra nt anything but normal. this is the restaurant when mr sergei skripal and his daughter had lunch before they fell ill. a blonde woman and a man could be of interest in this cctv footage from there the crime scene. sergei skripal‘s daughter, yulia skripal, had dark hair at

sergei skripal and yulia remain ina exposed. sergei skripal and yulia remain in a critical condition in hospital and police officer who went to help is also seriously ill. this was sergei skripal last month at a corner shop. now police believe someone tried to kill the former spy and his daughter with a nerve agent. it happened here in the small cathedral city of salisbury. a police officer who attended to the pair, now also in a serious condition in hospital. what nerve agent was used is the question experts at this military research centre are trying to answer. nerve agents essentially cripple the nervous system of the body and are not easy to manufacture. nerve agents require a non—insignificant financial, logistical, and technical back—up to actually be manufactured. and so that would lead to a more likelihood of a state manufacturing it. life in salisbury right now is anything but normal. this, the restaurant where mr skripal and his daughter had lunch hours before they fell ill. a blonde woman and a man could be of int

they say there is nothing to link his death to the poisoning of the former russian spy, sergei skripal. with mr skripal and his daughter still critical in hospital, the foreign secretary blames vladimir putin for the attack. our quarrel is with putin's kremlin and with his decision. we think it overwhelmingly likely it was his decision. cunning and devious — how police describe the 18—year—old convicted of attempted murder, following the london tube bombing. it's emerged ahmed hassan was on the government's anti—radicalisation programme at the time. former south african president jacob zuma is to stand trial on 16 charges of corruption, in connection with an arms deal. biting back at britain — warnings over snow and high winds as freezing temperatures return. also this hour, rescuers in miami say there are no more survivors following yesterday's bridge collapse. the authorities now say the focus is on recovering bodies. and footage is released of the first polar bear to be born in british captivity for 25 yea rs. good evening and welcome to bbc news. a murder inquiry has been

sergei skripal and yulia are both critically ill. russia has denied any involvement in their attempted murder. after chairing a second meeting of the cobra emergency committee, the home secretary said the investigation was proceeding at speed, with 200 pieces of evidence, and more than 240 witnesses. speed, with 200 pieces of evidence, and more than 240 witnessesm speed, with 200 pieces of evidence, and more than 240 witnesses. it is a really painstaking, detailed investigation, as the police go through the 200 pieces of evidence, huge amounts of cctv. they are absolutely committed to making sure that we do that in a completely professional way. the third victim of this attack, detective sergeant nick bailey, is seriously ill, though able to talk to his family. he released a statement saying he didn't consider himself a hero and was merely doing hisjob. the water regulator is to investigate why thousands of homes in england and wales suffered shortages or a total loss of supply following the recent cold weather. 0fwat‘s review foll

i am standing just a few feet away from the bench where sergei skripal at his daughter were attacked and we have just seen the chief constable go past. whether there is a connection, we don't know. the only other thing to come out of the westminster briefing this morning from the prime minister's office was that the uk had wanted a robust international response, and allies have been steadfast in their support, including that comment we have just heard from the white house, getting support from president trump. all this comes amid a flurry of activity, notjust president trump. all this comes amid a flurry of activity, not just from the prime minister, but other government ministers, including borisjohnson, going government ministers, including boris johnson, going on government ministers, including borisjohnson, going on radio this morning talking about the public not needing to be nervous about this, we're not cold war as such, although we're not cold war as such, although we do need a robust response to what the have done. also in the last half an hour, we have had each speech from

sergei skripal and yulia are both critically ill. russia has denied any involvement in their attempted murder. after chairing a second meeting of the cobra emergency committee, the home secretary said the investigation was proceeding at speed, with 200 pieces of evidence, and more than 240 witnesses. it's a really painstaking, detailed investigation, as the police go through over 200 pieces of evidence, huge amounts of cctv. but they are absolutely committed to making sure that we do that in a completely professional way. the third victim of this attack, detective sergeant nick bailey, is seriously ill, though able to talk to his family. he released a statement saying he didn't consider himself a hero and was merely doing hisjob. kathryn stanczyszyn is in salisbury. various new lines this morning. let's look at that question of traces in the zizzi restaurant, where does that take us? this afternoon marks exactly seven days since sergei and yulia skripal were found slumped on the bench behind me in the centre of salisbury. this is one

president putin, bbc news, is russia behind the poisoning of sergei skripal? translation: we are dealing with agriculture here, as you can see, to create conditions for people's lives and you talk to me about some tragedies. first, get to the bottom of it there and then we will discuss this. here in london, a more forthright response to a bbc question from forthright response to a bbc question from the forthright response to a bbc question from the russian forthright response to a bbc question from the russian embassy. it said... it was sunday last week when sergei skripal and his daughter headed into the centre of salisbury. a few hours later, they were found collapsed on a bench outside the maltins shopping centre. outside the maltings shopping centre. the bbc understands that traces of the nerve agent have been found at the zizzi restaurant, where the skripals ate on the day. the table was so contaminated it had to be destroyed. traces were also found at a nearby pub they visited. several other locations in the city are still under investigation. while emer

skripal. the russian foreign ministry said it will close the us consulate in saint petersburg and that the diplomats should leave the country by next thursday. that is a pulled the fifth. moscow has also called for an emergency meeting of the organisation for the prohibition of chemical weapons. 58 us dead rats in moscow and to general consulate officials in —— diplomats in moscow, all expelled as a direct requirement as a retaliation of the expulsion of 60 russian diplomats from the united states will stop there are a couple of developments in salisbury tonight — the poisoned daughter of the russian spy sergei skripal is improving in hospital, having been in a critical condition. police in the area have cordoned off a children's playground as a precaution. let's speak to daniel sandford in salisbury. tell us more about the latest developments? this has been an incredibly significant 2a hours in this investigation. first of all came the news that the front door of sergei skripal‘s has

president putin, bbc news, is russia behind the poisoning of sergei skripal? translation: we are dealing with agriculture here, as you see, to create conditions for people's lives, and you talk to me about some tragedies. first get to the bottom of it there, and then we will discuss this. but now that russia has been blamed officially for what happened in salisbury, it has 2a hours to decide how to respond. james landale, bbc news. just a line of copy coming into us in the last few bombers. home secretary amber rudd has convened a meeting of the government's cobra emergency committee meeting in whitehall at 1130 tomorrow morning to discuss the latest developments in the nerve agent investigation. we we re in the nerve agent investigation. we were expecting some kind of meeting tomorrow. confirmation that the home secretary will chair that meeting at 1130 tomorrow morning. meanwhile the white house has made a statement condemning the incident in salisbury. while press secretary sarah sanders did not comment on the possibility of russian involvement, she said th

sergei skripal and his daughter remain critically ill but today president putin said it was nonsense to say that russia was responsible. we'll hear from our moscow correspondent steve rosenberg in a moment — but first our diplomatic correspondent james robbins. whatever the weather, the decontamination work and forensic investigation in salisbury goes on. two weeks after the chemical attack on the skripals it is clear that one focus of the enquiry is his bmw, amid suggestions that the chemical agent may have been played —— placed there to be ensure the occupants we re there to be ensure the occupants were poisoned. a team of international chemical experts arrives in salisbury tomorrow to did they begin a further independent investigation. it today, the foreign secretary went further than ever, blaming russia and lifting the veil a little on secret intelligence. borisjohnson a little on secret intelligence. boris johnson says a little on secret intelligence. borisjohnson says it a little on secret intelligence. boris johnson says it shows a little on secret intelligence. borisjo

sergei skripal and his daughter are still critical in hospital, the foreign secretary blames vladimir putin for the attack. an 18—year—old is convicted of attempted murder following the london tube bombing. it has emerged ahmed hassan was a government de—radicalisation programme. the former south african president jacob zuma is to stand trial on 16 charges of corruption, in connection with an deal. now on bbc news, our inside out south east team brings you some of their strongest stories this week. what will brexit mean for traffic in kent? it will be like an 0peration stack situation on a daily basis. and that cannot be allowed to happen. the kitchen where cooking is a serious business. it gives me a reason to get up in the morning, get dressed and get out there. and the world of strictly dog dancing. couldn't get more tense, could it? i'm natalie graham, with untold stories closer to home, from all around the south east, this is inside out. hello, welcome to the programme, which this week comes to you from dover. brexit is coming, and some of the biggest changes in the south e

sergei skripal was a man with a shadowy past. relatives said he feared it would catch up with him but he was using his own name, living a normal life, popping into a corner shop last month for milk and bacon. tonight, he and his daughter are gravely ill and now, the police have revealed why. in summary, this is being treated as a major incident involved attempting murder by the administration of the a nerve agent. as you know, these two people remain critically ill in hospital. sadly, in addition, a police officer who was one of the first to attend the scene and respond to the incident is now also in a serious condition in hospital. counter—terrorism officers are being advised by public health agency, they say there is no obvious outstanding risk. ment and, they say there is no obvious outstanding risk.ment and, they are trying to work out what the gyps we re trying to work out what the gyps were doing in salisbury after arriving on sunday. police are investigating reports that sergei skripal had lunch with a woman at this ital

sergei and yulia skripal are still critically ill in hospital. meanwhile, hundreds of people who visited the restaurant and pub they went to before the attack, are being told to wash their clothes, after traces of nerve agent were found at both places. richard galpin reports. nine days after the attack, and police, including large numbers from counter terrorism command, are focusing their investigation on who was behind the attack. as well as how and where in salisbury sergei skripal and daughter yulia ingested the nerve agent. they remain in a critical condition in hospital. nothing is being said about them making any recovery. this morning, senior ministers arrived in downing street for a key meeting with security officials about the latest intelligence. the question of who was behind the attack and how to respond high on the agenda. and already some politicians are expecting the prime minister to accuse russia. we are expecting the prime minister to make an announcement soon, and frankly i would be surprised if she did not point the finger at

some objects, for instance, the table where yulia and sergei skripal sat, have been destroyed. a lot of work still going on, one of the focus is tonight is the mill pub just around the corner, a lot of work going on there this evening, we think that is likely to be decontamination work. china's parliament has voted to abolish the two—term limit for the presidency. to abolish the two—term limit the constitutional change, which was passed almost unanimously, could see the current leader, xijinping, rule for life. 0ur china correspondent, john sudworth reports from beijing. china's john sudworth reports from beijing. parliament wa hand china's parliament was preparing to hand unlimited power to its president. and there could be no doubting the outcome. should xijinping rule for life, i ask. of course, they answer. rule for life, i ask. please rule for life, i ask. don't say that it is for life, please don't say that it is for life, it isjust that please don't say that it is for life, it is just that there life, it isjust that there is not a limit for the life, it isjust that t

international experts are assessing nerve agent that poison sergei skripal and his daughter. david davis is negotiating with michel barnier. we expect a news conference shortly. and the gambling commission has called for cuts to fix. betting machines, to reduce the risk to vulnerable gamblers. let's, while we wait for that news conference, let's talk about what we may hear from david conference, let's talk about what we may hearfrom david davis conference, let's talk about what we may hear from david davis and conference, let's talk about what we may hearfrom david davis and michel barnier shortly, progress on the transition period once the uk leaves the eu. what are you expecting? has there been much progress? it sounds like they've had a productive weekend. this is about not just the transition productive weekend. this is about notjust the transition but productive weekend. this is about not just the transition but the withdrawal agreement. what appears to be emerging, and we will need to wait to see the detail, because that is where the devil is, as they have reached a bas

nils, what do you make of the european union's response to the sergei skripal poisoning? well, we're going to see very different approaches because some of the countries won't be criticising russia very severely. and at the same time, i think almost a clear majority will feel, themselves, very much pushed in a direction where they have to stand up for the values and for member states, even if it's a member state who's about to leave. so i think we're going to discuss this in the parliament in the next session and i think the verdict will be pretty harsh. will feel, themselves, very much pushed in a direction where they have to stand up for the values and for member states, even if it's a member state who's about to leave. so i think we're going to discuss this in the parliament in the next session and i think the verdict will be pretty harsh. pretty harsh in terms of the stance against russia? well, we have a lot of indications of, in this case, russian security agencies have killed theirformer agents earlier, that's almost a question of honourfor them, so the only one wh

sergei skripal and his daughter remain critically ill, after collapsing in salisbury. as ministers move to reassure local people. i want to make sure that this investigation response to evidence, not to rumour, but i can reassure the public that all action will be taken to keep everybody safe. we'll have the latest on the continuing investigation. also this lunchtime... the president of the eu says a free trade agreement will have to be put into place after brexit — and says the uk's position will have "negative economic consequences." a pick and mix approach for a nonmember state is out of the question. we are not going to sacrifice these principles. it is simply not in our interest. saudi's crown prince arrives in the uk on a three—day visit for talks with ministers and lunch with the queen — but protests are expected. a clamp—down on the extra fees charged by secondary ticket websites — they must now be upfront about the full price of all purchases. and why pine martens could be the key to the recovery of the endangered red squirrel population in the uk. and coming up in th

there's a lot of information about sergei skripal in the public domain at the moment. but i won't comment any further about that because i do believe the police need to get on with their investigation and finding out more about him will be part of it. and is he a british citizen? as i say, there is lot of evidence in the public about that. how concerned should the public be about their own safety in terms of the substance that was clearly around in salisbury on sunday? there will be more information published by the police this afternoon about the substance. but we've taken all the action necessary to ensure the public are safe. i'd like to reassure the public that we have the ability and wherewithal and knowledge to keep them completely safe. sergei skripal had, at least on the russian account, been working for the uk when he was in russia. he was convicted of that in russia and potentially had been a uk intelligence asset, what have you done to protect other russians in this country who might be possible targets? as i say, i want to make sure this investigation in re

counterterrorism investigators have determined a nerve agent was the substance that left sergei skripal and his daughter critically ill. investigators are treating the incident as an attempted murder. syrian government forces seize at least half of eastern ghouta, despite u.n. efforts to stop the fighting there. there has been heavy bombing and conflicting reports of who is really in charge of the rebel enclave near damascus. sending a signal against far right hate crimes. a german jobs -- judge it gives lengthy prison sentences to a neo-nazi group responsible for attacks against refugees. plus, headbangers in hijabs. we take you to indonesia for the teenage girls smashing stereotypes with their devotion to heavy metal. ♪ brent: i'm brent goff. it is good to have you with us. british counterterrorism police say it was a nerve agent used to attack a former russian double agent and his daughter last weekend. police believe sergei skripal and his daughter yulia were targeted and they are treating the incident as an attempted murder. there is speculation of russia could be behind the atta

he has also dismissed britain's claims that russia was behind the poisoning of former spy sergei skripal. syria's president assad visits soldiers fighting rebels on the frontline in eastern ghouta. and it is a medical breakthrough, say scientists, after stem cell transplants are used to treat multiple sclerosis. vladimir putin has secured another six—year term as russia's president following a landslide election win. he told supporters he saw the result as a vote of confidence in his achievements and in the country. speaking at a news conference, he spoke about the ongoing dispute with britain over the poisoning of a russian spy. he insisted that his government had no chemical weapons, and had nothing to do with it. these are the latest figures from the russian central election commission. with 99% of the vote now counted, mr putin has won 76.7%, hugely ahead of his nearest rival, the communist party candidate pavel grudinin. he has won just under 12%. the far—right nationalist vladimir zhirinovsky is on a bit less than 6%. the election commission put turnout at 67%, a little more th

sergei skripal and his daughter yulia were taken ill over a week ago in salisbury. the kremlin said today it would not cooperate with any investigation until it was given a sample of the substance involved. as tensions deepened between london and moscow, scotland yard gave more details of the attack and appealed for more witnesses. our first report tonight is from our diplomatic correspondent, james landale it began as a brutal attack on the streets of salisbury, the poisoning of a former russian intelligence officer and his daughter. but it's become tonight a global diplomatic row, with britain in confrontation with moscow and looking for allies. the kremlin hasjust two hours left to explain what role it played salisbury. to say how a nerve agent developed in russia ended up here. and if midnight passes without that explanation, the government is promising a robust and expensive response. this is a brazen attempt to murder innocent people on uk soil. policeman still in hospital, overwhelmingly likely or highly likely the russian state was involved, and the use of t

sergei skripal was found slumped on a bench in the city centre on sunday, alongside 33—year—old yulia skripal. wiltshire police say both remain in a critical condition in intensive care, after being treated for suspected exposure to an unknown substance. a restaurant and a pub in salisbury have been cordoned off, and one member of the emergency services is also still in hospital. there was a man slumped being sick. there was a man slumped being sick. there was a woman but i could not see her, they were paramedics arrived. the man has a complex past. he was spying for the west before coming to the uk. today police have focused on the area outside a shopping centre where he and his daughter were found unconscious. they have said emergencies services personnel were taken for assessment afterwards. all but one has been released. wiltshire police are still trying to establish whether a crime

skripal and yulia skripal we re sergei skripal and yulia skripal were taken nearly sergei skripal and yulia skripal were ta ken nearly two sergei skripal and yulia skripal were taken nearly two weeks ago. it isa were taken nearly two weeks ago. it is a private meeting and we‘re not expecting any media coverage of. we have known from the police beforehand he is in a serious condition but is making good progress. he is able to speak to his family and no doubt will have had a few words with theresa may. but this is about theresa may being visible and vocal, not only to the domestic audience, but also the world audience. she came to where i am standing here, and other locations in connection to this attempted murder on sergei skripal with his daughter. she went to the pub alongside and various other locations and she was briefed by the acting chief constable of wiltshire. it is not a wiltshire police enquiry, it is with the anti—terrorist branch. but theresa may was able to meet local business people, local people in salisbury. all, she told me to reassure them, make sure they knew wh

is russia behind the poisoning of sergei skripal? president putin: we are dealing with agriculture here, as you can see, dealing with conditions that affect people'su lives, ad lk to me about tragedies. first get to the bottom of it there, and we will discuss this. reporter: now that russia has y,en blamed officially for what happened in salisbt has 24 hours to decide to respond. laura: earlier, our moscow correspondent steve rosenberg explained what officials in -- why officials in moscow don't seem too concerned about the prime minister's accusation. steve: the biggest problem the british government faces here is the way it is perceived by the kremlin. i think it is perceived as weak. britain is perceed as quite weak because moscow hears british politicians criticizing russia, huffing and puffin but the russians don't believe that britain will blow the house down, take strong meures ainst moscow. i think the key question now is if come wednesday britain concludes this is an activere state-sponforce by russia, what kind of measures

skripal, and his daughter yulia.

the diplomatic fallout is very tense, given what happened to sergei skripal and his daughter, who were poisoned using a nerve agent. theresa may says that nerve agent. theresa may says that nerve agent. theresa may says that nerve agent was produced in soviet era russia and is pointing the finger at russia and the russians had denied all knowledge of what happened, but the diplomatic row has been huge. the prime minister is expelling 23 diplomats from the russian embassy behind me and the russians will respond in kind, expelling british diplomats from our embassy in moscow. the words get hotter day by day. yesterday the foreign secretary borisjohnson said it was overwhelmingly likely that the russian president, vladimir putin, had personally ordered that nerve attack in salisbury. the russians say those comments are disgusting and they are annoyed by that. quite a lot going on diplomatically. it does not look like it will cool down any time soon. police have launched a murder investigation after two women were shot and killed at a house in east sussex. officers were called to an addres

this afternoon the park bench in salisbury where sergei skripal was found were taken away. international inspectors from the opcware international inspectors from the opc w are now taking samples from the scene. they are also working inside porton down itself to independently confirm its analysis, including the conclusions that point to russian involvement. french police have shot dead a gunman who killed three people and injured 16 others in southern france. the attacker, named as 26 year old redouane lakdim, pledged allegiance to the islamic state group. he is thought to have killed and wounded his victims in three separate incidents which began in the city of carcassonne. he is then believed to have driven to a nearby town where he took people hostage in a supermarket. a police officer who swapped himself for one of the hostages is now in a critical condition in hospital, as lucy williamson reports it wasn't a symbol that was attacked in trebes today. a local supermarket provided the only target necessary — people. special forces surrounded this provincial branch after

is russia behind the poisoning of sergei skripal all? translation: we are busy with agriculture here. to create good conditions for people ‘s lives. and you talk to me about some tragedies? first work out what actually happened there and then we will talk about it. tonight russia described theresa may's common statement as a circus show. it is good to dismissed accusations against moscow by an accusations against moscow by an accusation political campaign based on provocation. a fairytale. the rhetoric was blunt and it has continued since, president putin to the surprise of no one was last sunday. tonight, by re-elected last sunday. tonight, by the kremlin, vladimir putin thanked his people. for re—electing him, their president. translation: we are destined to succeed, he said. russia! russia! russia, they chanted. but in vladimir putin's fourth term, are russia and

and have nothing to sergei skripal? and have nothing to do without, and i can say that you do not speculate on that. it you start speculating, even if they did not give his declination what happened. there was no investigation about that. why we should put everything on the hard side? why should we think about the enemy psychology from the first thing, from the first thing? will never agree on anything. we will never agree on anything. we will never agree on anything. we will never agree on anything. we might want to think about vladimir putin's responsibilities, because you might think that in 2010... responsibilities, because you might think that in 2010. .. you have already jetted about that. not at all. had he respond to this? if you don't mind, let me ask the questions. back in 2010, at the time of the spy swap, vladimir putin said traders were kicked the bucket. they have betrayed their friends for 30 pieces of silver and they will choke on them. of course, many people are wondering whether vladimir putin... i hav

its own scientists have tested the nerve agent used on sergei skripal. they will take a sample of the nerve agent and take it away, possibly to the hague on another country, to run their own independent test to see if they agree with british scientists that it was a nerve agent of the group known as novichok, believed to have been developed in russia in the late 1980s. we are told that process could take a minimum of two weeks so it will be a while until that independent organisation comes up with its own test results. but i think there has been an interesting status from the foreign office this morning. the government trying to counter these claims and possible disinformation sown by the russian authorities in the eyes of the british government, the foreign office saying it has information within the last decade that russia has investigated ways of delivering known nerve agent is likely for assassination, it says. part of this programme for developing nerve agents, says the foreign office, has involved producing a stockpiling novichok. this is what the

skripal. i'm babita sharma in london. —— i'm kasia madera in london. also in the programme. aung san suu kyi is speaking to the australian government about troubled rakhine state after appealing to southeast asian leaders for humanitarian support, at a regional summit in australia. a breakthrough in the treatment of multiple sclerosis after a medical trial involving stem cell transplants. live from our studios in singapore and london, this is bbc world news. it's newsday. good morning. it's 8am in singapore, midnight in london and three am in moscow where russia's president vladimir putin has secured a fourth term in office. another six years in power will make him russia's longest serving leader since stalin. counting is still under way, but with 87% of the vote counted, he's already won more than three quarters of the vote. lucy hockings is in moscow. huge crowds showing up to the other side of red square to celebrate. when vladimir putin appeared and he will win his fourth term in offic

the metro says that sergei skripal could face permanent brain damage. the times says the prime minister's bid to persuade eu countries to harden their stance against russia following the poisoning attack means at least five european allies were preparing to expel russian diplomats. the daily mail leads with an impassioned plea to ministers to ensure new passports issued after the uk leaves the eu are made by a british company, after it was disclosed a french company has won the contract. and finally, the sun claims that an easyjet pilot was caught out posing for pictures on snapchat during a flight to madrid last week. so lots to talk about this evening, let's talk about the fallout after what happened in salisbury, and the times have got theresa may's uni macro allies preparing to expel russian diplomats stash eu allies. they have put out a statement saying it was russia behind the attack. michel barnier has said eu have agreed that there is no other alternative explanation as to who was behind this attempted poisoning of this double agent and his daug

that the dramatic row regarding what happened to sergei skripal and his daughter in salsbury is still continuing as well. they were poisoned using a nerve agent on the fourth of march, they are both still critically ill and the prime minister theresa may is pointing the finger very firmly at russia. she says that 23 russian diplomats in the embassy based in the building behind me will have to leave britain as part of britain's retaliation. the war of words since begetting worse, you say the foreign secretary borisjohnson said it was overwhelmingly likely that the russian president vladimir putin personally ordered that attack in salsbury. the russians say that is a disgusting accusation and they are angry with boris johnson disgusting accusation and they are angry with borisjohnson to making it. they will also probably expels some british diplomats at some point from russia. that could happen at any point, and they said they are also going to have their own investigation into what happened to sergei skripal. these investigations at the moment between britain and russia are at a very l