held responsible for what they have done with our country, with my husband. president biden says he's "outraged" by the death, as the kremlin slams the reactions of western leaders. hello, i'm luxmy gopal, welcome to the daily global — where we'll bring you the top stories from around the world. and there's one story continuing to dominate most global headlines. prison officials in russia say the leading kremlin critic alexei navalny has died. they say he'd felt unwell after a walk in his arctic penal colony, and had almost immediately collapsed. a local hospital says the 47—year—old died despite attempts to resuscitate him. the outspoken putin critic had been serving a 19—year sentence for extremism and fraud charges — widely considered to be politically—motivated. this is video from moscow a short time ago, where some people have

been placing flowers at a memorial dedicated to victims of "political repression". the russian prosecutor's office has warned people against taking part in mass protest in the capital. that camera captured this moment a short time that camera captured this moment a short tim ., ., on the right of screen, a woman at the memorial unfurls a sign — which is immediately snatched by police. the woman is then taken away by officers as people continue to lay flowers. you can just make that out there, that was the scene just a short time ago where people were laying flowers in moscow. us presidentjoe biden hasjust spoken about the death. here's some of what he said. make no mistake — putin is responsible for navalny�*s death. putin is responsible. what has happened to navalny is yet more proof of putin's brutality. no one should be fooled — not in russia, not at home,

not anywhere in the world — putin does not only target citizens of other countries, as we see with what's going on in ukraine right now, he also inflicts terrible crimes on his own people. and people across russia and around the world are mourning navalny today because he was so many things that putin was not. he was brave, he was principled, he was dedicated to building a russia where the rule of law existed, and where it applied to everybody. navalny believed in that russia — that russia. he knew it was a cause worth fighting for. and obviously even dying for. that was president _ and obviously even dying for. that was president biden responding just a short time ago. we'll have more reaction shortly — but first, our diplomatic correspondent paul adams looks back at the life of alexei navalny. for years, alexei navalny was a thorn in the side of the kremlin. a lawyer by training, he started out as an anti—corruption blogger. but he shot to prominence in 2011,

during protests over parliamentary elections tainted by allegations of fraud. the demonstrations were the largest russia had seen for years. navalny was arrested, suddenly emerging as a significant opposition figure. his charismatic presence on the streets soon made him a regular target of the authorities. alexei navalny was a strong nationalist, but also a fierce critic of russia's powerful elites. he developed a huge following on social media, publishing regular investigations into high—level corruption. his popular youtube channel, with its slick videos, was full of allegations against prominent figures. translation: what we're seeing now is that the internet _ is the number—one concern for the current regime, and its number—one enemy, too. his revelations led to official harassment, his offices searched,

he and his staff detained. in 2017, he was attacked with green dye, causing damage to his right eye. chanting the following year, he was barred from running for president, manhandled and arrested at a demonstration in moscow. and in 2020, he was poisoned, falling ill on a flight from siberia. he was evacuated to germany for treatment. international chemical weapons experts found traces of the nerve agent novichok. navalny survived and accused vladimir putin of trying to have him killed. five months later, navalny returned to russia, only to be thrown injail once more. protests erupted across the country — fuelled, in part, by publication of yet another video, accusing russia's president of corruption. despite a hunger strike and international pressure, navalny remained behind bars, designated a terrorist and sentenced

to long years in prison. alexei navalny leaves behind a wife, daughter and son, and a country where opposition has been utterly stifled. paul adams with that report. let's speak to professor tomila lankina, from london school of economics, whose work has looked at democracy, authoritarianism, and mass protests in russia. thank you so much forjoining us. how do you think this will affect the resistance movement in russia? first of all, my thoughts are with the family of alexei navalny, and this is an extremely tragic and sad day. i'm seeing there's already an outpouring of grief — of course everybody�*s very cautious about what exactly happened we don't know for sure, there's no confirmation that

he has passed away, and if he had died, it's very odd and strange because he had been, by many accounts, in reasonably good spirits and healthjust accounts, in reasonably good spirits and health just this week. so this is still a developing story, and very difficult to know exactly what happened. but we are seeing protests already across different capitals, we are seeing people lay flowers on monuments to victims of stalinist repressions — and i should say very sadly, what's been happening in russia over the last years, and perhaps two decades since president putin has been in power is the intensification of political repression, a new stalinism, but

also reminiscent of the 1970s when it was very much the kgb, of course an agency where met one —— putin comes from, throwing him into jail and observing them, and crushing dissent. sadly we are seeing that now, and also sadly i should say that, despite what we see on television screens with people laying flowers and dissenting, and protesting, it still remains the minority of russian citizens. we still do not see the kinds of mass uprising which one would've expected, given the nature of the extent of the corruption that navalny and his team had been exposing. and we would've expected to see far greater social discontent — but we are not seeing that because, as in the social period and sorriest era, there's a small number

of citizens in urban areas, it does not encourage large sways of the population who, let's be honest, have been benefiting from putin's regime and from the war that he is waging on ukraine. you regime and from the war that he is waging on ukraine. you mentioned the --eole waging on ukraine. you mentioned the peeple laying — waging on ukraine. you mentioned the peeple laying flowers _ waging on ukraine. you mentioned the people laying flowers but _ waging on ukraine. you mentioned the people laying flowers but no _ waging on ukraine. you mentioned the people laying flowers but no real- people laying flowers but no real large—scale demonstrations, but we have heard, haven't we, just a little earlier that the authorities in moscow were warning people against any kind of mass protest, and we showed footage a little bit earlier of a woman who appeared to be about to unfurl a banner at a place where people were laying flowers in moscow before being taken away by police. and that's what i want to ask you — can you see the same strength of a position that was voiced by mr navalny emerging in russia again in the nearfuture?

sadly it is very, very difficult to see. of course there will be charismatic figures, of course there will always be brave people — but if history gives us any lessons, it will be a small minority. i'm reminded of 1968 and protests against the invasion of czechoslovakia — a few very brave people came out onto the red square and unfurled banners and solid h solidarity with the people of czechoslovakia. they were instantly taken away, repressions followed, people were sent into exile and prison, and we are seeing that the same agency that had been leading this harassment of political opponents in the 1960s — 70s, we aren't even talking about stalin here, but the late soviet period, we are seeing those same people still in power, the same institutions, and very sadly these repressive measures and mechanisms are successful in

decimating opposition, which is already quite small and limited in the sense of being an urban phenomenon, limited to the russian professional classes, intelligentsia — but not really the whiter swathes of the population who are employed and incorporated into the structures of their regime. sadly a lot of ordinary russians are cogs in this machinery, benefiting from war contracts — and let's not forget that russia is waging a brutal war against ukraine, but so many people have lost lives, but so many people are also benefiting. and that is really the tragedy of russia now, that very many people in russia continued to be invested in a material sense, and often it's socially vulnerable people. so if you ask me if there will be mass

protest that will really sweep this regime, i really do not see this happening, very sadly.- regime, i really do not see this happening, very sadly. thank you so much for your— happening, very sadly. thank you so much for your and _ happening, very sadly. thank you so much for your and thoughts - happening, very sadly. thank you so much for your and thoughts there, l much for your and thoughts there, professor. and people watching at home, what you're seeing now is live images in munich where people have been lighting candles and holding a vigil there to pay tribute and remember mr navalny. that's the reaction in munich, and we've seen similar in other cities in europe. 0ur russia editor steve rosenberg has been telling us about the reaction inside russia. it's quite interesting, across the country, in towns and cities, some people have been coming out to lay flowers in memory of alexei navalny. mr navalny�*s family have not confirmed his death yet, but people are still coming up and laying flowers to honour him — because for some people in this country, not everybody, but some people in

russia, he meant something, as we've been hearing. he signalled that there could be a different kind of russia. and of all the critics and opponents that vladimir putin has faced over the years, certainly alexei navalny was the most active and vocal, and i think the most dangerous to the authorities. in 2020, he was poisoned by a nerve agent in siberia — he accused the kremlin of trying to assassinate him. when he came back after treatment in germany, back to russia in 2021, he was arrested on arrival and spent three years behind bars until today, these reports that he's died. ,, until today, these reports that he's died, ,, ., , , until today, these reports that he's died. ,, , ,, ., died. steve rosenberg speaking to me earlier. as we're hearing, leaders around the world have been responding to the news. let's start with the top us diplomat, secretary of state, antony blinken. for more than a decade, russian

government, putin have persecuted, poisoned, and imprisoned alexei navalny. and now, reports of his death. first and foremost, if these reports are accurate, our hearts go out to his wife and to his family. beyond that, his death in a russian prison, and the fixation and fear of one man only underscores the weakness and rot at the heart of the system that putin has built. russia's responsible for this. we'll be talking to many other countries concerned about alexei navalny, especially if these reports bear out to be true. antony blinken there. the uk's foreign secretary lord cameron spoke to our chief international correspondent, lyse doucet. we should be clear about what's

happened here — putin's russia imprisoned him, trumped up charges against him, poisoned him, sent him to an arctic penal colony, and now he's tragically died. we should hold putin accountable for this, and no one should be in any doubt about the dreadful nature of putin's regime in russia after what's just happened. will there be consequences for russia now?— russia now? there should be consequences _ russia now? there should be consequences because - russia now? there should be| consequences because there's russia now? there should be - consequences because there's no doubt in my mind that this man was a brave fighter against corruption, forjustice and democracy — and liquid putin's russia did to him. —— look what putin's russia did to him. around the world and across the uk, this is bbc news. let's look at some other stories making news. voting has begun to select mark drakeford's successor as the leader of welsh labour, and the next first minister of wales. members of the welsh labour party and affiliated trade unions will choose between two current ministers, vaughan gething and jeremy miles. the ballot closes on 1a march.

it looks like uk high streets are bouncing back after record poor sales in december. official figures suggest that retail sales rose 3.4% last month. food sales at supermarkets rose strongly, while department stores reported a positive impact from january sales. but inflation remained elevated with people paying more for less. a rare harry potter book that was anonymously donated to a charity shop may fetch up to £10,000 at auction. the unread first edition copy of the philosopher's stone was given to an rspca shop in the isle of wight. and will go under the hammer on 26 february. funds from the sale will go towards the charity's isle of wight branch, with a dog named harry among the beneficiaries. you're live with bbc news. prison officials say the leading

kremlin critic alexei navalny has died. mr navalny�*s death is the latest in prominent kremlin critics to have died after opposing vladimir putin's politics. these include an investigative journalist murdered in the elevator of her apartment block, alexander live in janco, the elevator of her apartment block, alexander live injanco, former kgb agent who died of radiation poisoning. a tax worker whose work exposed corruption in russia and who died after 11 months in police custody. a politician who was killed when he was shot four times on a bridge, and now mr navalny. let's speak to dan storiev — english—language managing editor for the 0vd info, an independent media and human rights defence group focused on monitoring and combating repressions in russia. for all of us, this is been a huge

shock. navalny has been a key figure in criticising russia and bringing hope to russian people. so for us, this is a tremendous shock and trauma. but the important thing is that we never lose hope. navalny said it himself in a message in case of his death, that the most important thing now is to come together and to make sure that the kremlin is no longer capable of killing its political opponents. but dan, how do you ensure that that happens? because if this has happened now, what on earth could you do to take any action? because of course, mr navalny was a hugely influential voice of the opposition — how do you take any action to prevent what you fear has happened from happening again? here prevent what you fear has happened from happening again?— prevent what you fear has happened from happening again? here we have

north of 400 — from happening again? here we have north of 400 lawyers _ from happening again? here we have north of 400 lawyers working - north of 400 lawyers working round—the—clock in russia to help people who are put under political persecution. and we understand that this work is grueling and incredibly tough, it's hard to do this— you have to do this over and over again, it takes decades to achieve political change in a country like russia. at the same time, i think it's important that we never let up, that we keep bringing attention to the political persecution in russia. it is important for people within russia and outside russia's local policymakers for regular citizens in the west to advocate for the release of political prisoners in russia, for democratisation of russia, and for democratisation of russia, and for more political rights for political prisoners in russia. again, it is tough to do this, it takes a lot of time. but a combined effort of advocacy on an international level in organisations within russia, like various

independent media who work within russia, it might be possible, it just might be possible to see a change in russia and a transformation for a free russia of tomorrow that alexei navalny believed in.— tomorrow that alexei navalny believed in. �* ., , ., ~' believed in. and where do you think this leaves the _ believed in. and where do you think this leaves the future _ believed in. and where do you think this leaves the future of any - this leaves the future of any criticism or opposition? because dan, just a little earlier, the authorities in moscow city have warned people against any public demonstrations there, following the news of mr navalny�*s death. demonstrations there, following the news of mr navalny's death.- news of mr navalny's death. that's ri . ht. news of mr navalny's death. that's right- what — news of mr navalny's death. that's right. what this _ news of mr navalny's death. that's right. what this shows _ news of mr navalny's death. that's right. what this shows is _ news of mr navalny's death. that's right. what this shows is this - news of mr navalny's death. that's right. what this shows is this is - right. what this shows is this is just another step in a march of brutal repression that has started with vladimir putin's rain. this isn't something that started with the full—scale invasion of ukraine, or even in 2014 with the annexation of crimea — this is something that has been going on for over a decade, and this is a gradual and planned destruction and neutering of russian civil society. destruction and neutering of russian civilsociety. because destruction and neutering of russian civil society. because of vladimir putin and the kremlin need this in

order to keep carrying out their imperialist, militarist goals. they need a destruction of russian civil society. 0ur need a destruction of russian civil society. our goal is to not let them do this — and you can see across russia, as well as outside russia, they are still willing to stand up to the kremlin no matter how horrific the consequences might be. you see protesters now throughout russia, moscow, you see all these people standing up to the kremlin, morning alexei navalny and his legacy. morning alexei navalny and his lea . �* ., morning alexei navalny and his lea .�* ., ., morning alexei navalny and his lea . �* ., ., “ legacy. and dan, what do you think the international _ legacy. and dan, what do you think the international community - legacy. and dan, what do you thinkj the international community should do? what would you like to see them do? what would you like to see them do? ~ . do? what would you like to see them do? . ., ., 4' ., do? what would you like to see them do? ~ ., ., ~ ., , do? what i would like to see the international community - do? what i would like to see the international community do, - do? what i would like to see the international community do, but j do? what i would like to see the | international community do, but i would like to see the west do is welcome russian political exiles and help russian dissident organisations and groups. we need you to listen to

us, you need to give us a voice to let us talk to you, and listen to us. �* , , , let us talk to you, and listen to us. ~ , , , ., ., , us. and 'ust briefly, what lasting im act us. and just briefly, what lasting im act do us. and just briefly, what lasting impact do you — us. and just briefly, what lasting impact do you think _ us. and just briefly, what lasting impact do you think mr- us. and just briefly, what lasting | impact do you think mr navalny's actions as a voice of opposition have had on the future of any criticism of moscow might be? i think alexei navalny has left a great legacy. this is notjust his organisation, but the politicisation of huge swathes of russian society. he was able to tell russians, "you are able to be a part of the political process." yes, it is tough and grueling, like i already said, but it is possible to be a part of politics, to be a subject in democracy, notjust an object of putin's regime. and i think that's the most important legacy.

another big story we're standing by for the future of donald trump's family business may soon be decided with a new yorkjudge expected to deliver a ruling in his civil fraud trial. prosecutors have asked the judge to fine mr trump $370 million and to put restrictions on his ability to conduct business in the state. sarah kristof explained how important these charges are compared to others donald trump is facing. this is a civil case, so the potential penalties here really relate to money and business operations, not the former president's freedom. so on a scale of things, i'd say it's a less serious, but this case really gets to the heart of who the former president is. he views himself as a real estate mogul, and i think he is very affected by this case, and i think he takes it very seriously and the outcome here will have a very significant effect on him. haifa the outcome here will have a very significant effect on him.- the outcome here will have a very significant effect on him. now he a very wealthy _ significant effect on him. now he a very wealthy man, _ significant effect on him. now he a very wealthy man, but _ significant effect on him. now he a very wealthy man, but it's - very wealthy man, but it's potentially very big fine — how do the prosecutors reach the some? 50

the prosecutors reach the some? gr those the prosecutors reach the some? 6r those are huge numbers, and i think, for instance, we don't have a clear view into his finances, so we started out this case, prosecutors are talking about $250 million, we are talking about $250 million, we are now talking about $370 million. it has yet to be seen what the judge will decide is the appropriate number, and frankly i'm sure the former president will appeal this and try to stay in a payment of that fine while he pursues an appeal, assuming there's a ruling against him today or early next week. find if him today or early next week. and if the verdict says _ him today or early next week. and if the verdict says that _ him today or early next week. and if the verdict says that mr _ him today or early next week. and if the verdict says that mr trump - him today or early next week. and if the verdict says that mr trump can't conduct business in new york, which is lavishly where he made his name, how would that affect him and his finances? , ~ ., �* , finances? listen, ithink that'll be a bi art finances? listen, ithink that'll be a big part of _ finances? listen, ithink that'll be a big part of this. _ finances? listen, ithink that'll be a big part of this, if— finances? listen, ithink that'll be a big part of this, if there - finances? listen, ithink that'll be a big part of this, if there is a - a big part of this, if there is a ruling against him, the ag has made it clear she wants to ban him from

doing business here and banned his children from doing business here — and frankly, part of the answer here depends on how far the ruling goes. will the ruling just band the former president, will it also banned his children? his children have certainly played an active part in the business, they are basically running the business now, so if they are allowed to remain in the business, that may allow the business, that may allow the business to be an ongoing entity going forward, we'll have to what comes out of the court. find going forward, we'll have to what comes out of the court.— going forward, we'll have to what comes out of the court. and how is this case affecting _ comes out of the court. and how is this case affecting his _ comes out of the court. and how is this case affecting his electoral- this case affecting his electoral campaign? because we've seen before that anything he comes up against, itjust seems to and his supporters. that's right, he certainly seems impervious to these cases == impervious to these cases -- embolden — impervious to these cases -- embolden his _ impervious to these cases —— embolden his supporters. impervious to these cases -- i embolden his supporters. he's impervious to these cases -- - embolden his supporters. he's used this trial essentially _ embolden his supporters. he's used this trial essentially is _ embolden his supporters. he's used this trial essentially is a _ embolden his supporters. he's used this trial essentially is a platform i this trial essentially is a platform for his campaign, he showed up in court when he wanted to, he spoke from the courthouse steps, and he

got a lot of press coverage from the courthouse steps. it certainly does not seem to be hurting him, i think it may hurt his pocketbook but does not appear to be hurting the campaign for president. sarah kristof there, _ campaign for president. sarah kristof there, we'll _ campaign for president. sarah kristof there, we'll have - campaign for president. sarah kristof there, we'll have morej kristof there, we'll have more reaction to the death of putin krutykh alexei navalny. stay here on bbc news. hello there. it looks like things will be turning even milder as we head into this weekend. and where we get some sunshine, it really will feel quite spring—like. but there will be some rain in the forecast this weekend, particularly late on saturday during saturday night and for england, wales perhaps for sunday morning as well. so we're all into that mild air mass, as you can see, these darker orange colours introducing something a little bit warmer still as we move into saturday and sunday. but it does look like tonight, maybe a little bit cooler than it's been the last few nights, mostly dry and any thicker cloud in the north and the west. there will be some spots of rain

and temperatures will dip close to 1—2 celsius across the far north—east of scotland. for most, though, 6—8 celsius. so saturday starts off largely fine this week. weather fronts will bring a band of clouds, some spots of rain. but it's these weather fronts moving in behind later on, which will bring the more substantial rain with stronger winds here. so quite a lot of cloud, scotland, northern england, some splashes of rain with that weak weather from there. there will be some holes in the clouds, will have some sunny spells again. but then the rain, stronger winds push into northern ireland that spreads across the irish sea into western britain. as we head into the afternoon, temperatures could be up to 14—15 celsius in the warmest spots, but all areas will be in double figures. then through saturday evening, saturday night, that rain, wind spreads across the country. it will tend to clear from scotland and northern ireland, bar the odd shower, but it will take its time to clear away from england and wales, so it could stay quite wet by the end of saturday night across the south—east. temperatures coming down a little bit in the north,

double figures in the south. sunday then, these weather fronts will take their time to clear england and wales. a bit of a question mark on the speed they do clear. but at the moment it looks like it could be quite cloudy and wet to start sunday across much of england and wales. slowly, skies will brighten from the west, but there could be a hung back of that rain across parts of eastern england, east anglia and the southeast. but elsewhere, not a bad looking day, i think, to come for sunday with some sunshine around. temperatures, maybe degree or so down in the north, but again, at 14—15 celsius across the south, so well above where we should be for the time of year. into the new week, it does stay on the mild side, increasing chance of rain and stronger winds towards the end of the week where we'll also start to see temperatures coming down a little bit.

this is bbc news, the headlines. russia's prison service says the jailed opposition figure, alexei navalny, has died. he was vladimir putin's most vocal critic this was him in court yesterday. his wife yulia made this defiant statement. translation: i want putin and all of his allies, all — translation: i want putin and all of his allies, all of _

translation: i want putin and all of his allies, all of his _ translation: i want putin and all of his allies, all of his friends, his - his allies, all of his friends, his government, i want them all to know that they will be held responsible for what they have done with our country, with my family, with my husband. �* ., ., ., ., , , before we turn to our main story about the death of alexei navalny, i just went to take you to paris because as you can see, the french president emmanuel macron is there at the podium and he is meeting the ukrainian president zelensky to the right of him out of shot at the moment and they are due to sign a bilateral security agreement. that is what they are meeting for. these are live pictures from