this is bbc news. the headlines at 7pm: police have released that only some perspective in connection with attack christmas market in berlin which killed 12 people. the german chancellor angela merkel attends a vigil at the kaiser—wilhelm memorial church. translation: we do not want to live with the fear of evil paralysing us, even when that is sometimes hard. we will find the strength to live as we in germany want to live: free, together and open. the body of the russian ambassador to turkey is flown home to moscow. andrei karlov was gunned down while giving a speech in ankara yesterday. nicola sturgeon sets out plans for protecting scottish interests post—brexit. the first minister says scotland could stay in europe without the rest of the uk. good evening and

welcome to bbc news. prosecutors in jeremy say an asylum seeker from pakistan who was suspected of carrying out the lorry attack on the christmas market in berlin last night has been released. officials say there's not enough evidence against him. police say was responsible could soon as you could still be on the run. twelve people were killed and nearly fifty injured when a truck was driven into a crowd of people. it happened at about 8 o'clock last night. the truck — was driven at about a0 miles an hour. it's not clear from which direction it came, but we do know that it only stopped after travelling 90 yards or $0. with more on this terror attack here's our berlin correspondentjenny hill. robert hall is in berlin. there

could not be on one stark contrast between the bright lights of the come first and dan just over to my left, the equivalent of oxford street or the champs—elysees and the sombre, dark area, the area, a christmas market should be alive with colour and light tonight. it is silent and people have been gathering throughout the evening to pay tribute and to try and show some solidarity with those who lost their lives and those who are still seriously injured. away from here the story has been moving rapidly all day and as you indicated, in the last hour or so another development. let's speak to damian, who is in our berlin office. could you bring us up to speed with the latest development? it all centres on the certainty or uncertainty of the initial arrest, the man who was arrested a mile or so from this attack. that's right. this was a

23—year—old man from pakistan who came to germany as an asylum seeker in december2015. came to germany as an asylum seeker in december 20 15. he then moved to berlin and lived in refugee accommodation here, registered in victory. he never completed the asylu m victory. he never completed the asylum seeker application —— registered in february. he was then detained, not officially arrested, he was detained by police suspected of carrying out this attack. the way he was detained was because he was seen allegedly by an eyewitness who then chased him and thought this was then chased him and thought this was the man who had got out of the front of the truck. there is some speculation here that maybe this eyewitness had confused the man who got out of the truck with the suspect who was then detained because what apparently seems to have happened is the eyewitness who has given chase, very bravely, to

the man he suspected of carrying out this dreadful atrocity, he lost sight of him a couple of times and then police detained him and it might well be that in fact there was some confusion over the identity of the man who had given chase —— who he had given chase two. the suspect denied any involvement with this atrocity and he also according to police there seemed to be not evidence suggesting he could have beenin evidence suggesting he could have been in the lorry, particularly given that there was quite are thick —— what seems like america had been carried out in the cabin —— a murder. there is speculation that it would have been very difficult for someone would have been very difficult for someone to have carried out that murderand to someone to have carried out that murder and to have killed the original driver and two had been in that cabin and then have escaped and have no forensic dna evidence that would link him to the lorry and it

seems that is where police said that actually there is not strong enough case to officially arrest him they could only legally hold him until midnight tonight commit seems they released him earlier than they needed to. they will it did not have the brief, having said that they've also said they will keep an eye on this suspect. there is no guarantee necessarily that he is not involved in some way either. given what the federal prosecutor said earlier today, which was the risk of further attacks, warning people to at least be vigilant and perhaps even to avoid big public places during this holiday period, this is a worrying development for the authorities, the security services and police throughout germany? that is right because if it turns out that this suspect has nothing to do with the crime then it means that the perpetrator is still on the loose

and that is worrying and what police say and officials say is they have no idea whether it was one person involved, one perpetrator, group, they also come to know the motivation. it looks like it could bea motivation. it looks like it could be a terror attack and it could be in some way connected to so—called islamic state, it looks quite similarand has islamic state, it looks quite similar and has some of the hallmarks of the is attacks but the police also say they have so far no indication from is that they perpetrated the attack, there has been no, they have not claimed responsibility for the attack and there is no evidence that it was an islamist attack. police are being cautious about giving some attribution to the group that might be behind this because so far there is little evidence saying who committed the attack and why and until we know that it will be difficult to find out who the perpetrator is. and what is the message being given out to the german public. i think 60 or so

christmas markets across berlin, more than 2000 across the country, all of them potentially at risk, what are people being told? there have been a debate in the day about whether the christmas market should be closed. the interior minister and other ministers and other officials, security officials, said that germans should not feel intimidated by the threat of terror and the mayor of berlin said earlier today that this attack was an attack on out that this attack was an attack on our freedom and we shouldn't infringe our lives because of people who want to change our way of life, so who want to change our way of life, so there is a feeling in germany that it so there is a feeling in germany thatitis so there is a feeling in germany that it is important to carry on doing what you want to do despite what this threat of terror might involve. people are nervous and worried, but also as you know, there has been a fear of attack for a long time in germany so people have lived with that fear and nervousness for a

long time, ever since the attacks in france earlier this year. they have also been a number of less serious attacks in the past year here in germany. some of them connected to so—called islamic states of people are aware that being a large group of people, there is a certain amount of people, there is a certain amount of risk and there is debate about whether there should be more security. at christmas markets but security. at christmas markets but security officials have said you cannot make everything completely secure because you cannot fence everything off because then if someone wanted to perpetrate an attack and a group of people they could do it in a shopping street. in a way there is a feeling that people should carry on living their lives and when you speak to be but going to christmas markets, they say it is in the back of their minds but they are trying not to let it impedes their enjoyment of the christmas season because christmas markets such an important part of german culture and traditions and i think a lot of people feel it would be a shame if this particular attack were to have that sort of impact,

negatively, and the entire country. —— andy. negatively, and the entire country. -- andy. thank you very much. damien touched on the sense of resilience and determination and i think in pa rt and determination and i think in part that is what has brought people here, to show the dirty with the victims of this attack and to show they are not afraid to be hearing public —— to be here in public on an occasion like this. everybody‘s mind turning back to the events that took place almost this time, just a little later than now, a little after eight o'clock last night. jenny hill has been following the story. the lorry appears to have been hijacked. today it's on identified the man who should have been at the wheel. the young polish driver was found shot dead in the passenger seat. today every gritters

market in the city was closed. time to remember the dead and, for some, to remember the dead and, for some, to reflect on a lucky escape. it is amazing how a peaceful, festive, happy atmospherejust amazing how a peaceful, festive, happy atmosphere just changed insta ntly a nd happy atmosphere just changed instantly and you have this scene of utter devastation. it will be a long time these tourists told us before they're able to forget what they saw. he was people lying on the floor, we weren't sure if it was red wine or if it was blood. but we did see, i rememberthere wine or if it was blood. but we did see, i remember there were wine or if it was blood. but we did see, i rememberthere were people trying to put the food down and lift the stall out with them and we realised that people unfortunately underneath were already passed. jimmy isa underneath were already passed. jimmy is a country in the morning, its chancellor under pressure. —— germany. earlier asylum seekers as

mexico's arc to have carried a proper thought to be the fresh eyes attacks on german soil. michael must insure and there was a lecturer electorate that are open door refugee policy hasn't put them at risk. karzai it would be particularly ha rd to risk. karzai it would be particularly hard to bear if it turned out the person who did this with someone who sought protection and asylum in germany. —— translation: it would be particularly hard. it would be particularly hard. it would be particularly offensive for the germans in gauge daily in the task of helping refugees. the attack took place next to on that church, left in ruins as a reminder of the horror of war, but once again, violence and terror has torn through another european capital. just a few minutes ago i chatted to will simpson, he is on holiday here with his girlfriend, they have gone

for three orfour with his girlfriend, they have gone for three or four days specifically to visit the markets across berlin. they were here as that articulated lorry appeared in a side street and ploughed into the market stalls. i ask him to take me through what happened in the minute or so that followed that. so, it was a market as you expect, there were lots of people milling around and looking along the stalls. myself and my girlfriend were down here on the right—hand side and suddenly there was a big crashing noise that sounded like snapping wood and we looked up this alleyway and there was a lorry had come into the end of it. where did it come from? came from the street on the right and came into this passageway. in a straight line? heading slightly off so it came into the stalls on the left—hand side not the ones on the right and from where we were, probably about 30 or 40 metres back

everyone ran to the side come everyone. once at the top it was initially silent gummidge went quiet, this road was phil, there we re quiet, this road was phil, there were parked cars with their lights on and an eerie silence initially. we had a lot of other people had come out the top of the market ran across to the right—hand side over here. within 30 seconds to a minute the first emergency services began to arrive and there was an unmarked police cars. use some of the casualties, a lot of them were in that initial area where the lorry came into the square? anyone even 30 or so metres back in time to move, there are a few seconds to step out there are a few seconds to step out the way but anyone at the very top end where it came in didn't have a chance and anyone working in the left—hand chance and anyone working in the left— hand huts would chance and anyone working in the left—hand huts would have been in the hearts as they were hit, they we re the hearts as they were hit, they were unable to move. did you quickly realise the sort of thing you just witnessed? it took a few moments to sink in. initially that was the first question, is this an accident?

it's deliberate? then throw cricket we came to realise given there were no skid marks or horns, no one in from the truck and it ploughed through both sides and exeter across the opposite side this was deliberate and we realised whoever did it we don't want to be near there and the crowds on the right we re there and the crowds on the right were moving there and the crowds on the right we re moving away there and the crowds on the right were moving away very quickly and trying to get away because people we re trying to get away because people were wondering, i they an? with its goal line? anything else that will happen. it could have been a lot worse. this is obviously very sad for the people who did not get that chance but it was literally chance, we stopped to look down here, had we not we would have been further up and where it came in. it was chance. has it affected you both?|j and where it came in. it was chance. has it affected you both? i don't think it's really sunk in yet, we message friends and foes —— bows on facebook extreme quickly. i feel better by speaking about it and there aren't others who perhaps can.

on the other hand my girlfriend does not wish to speak about it so people handle it differently. you see around you today finally it is a spirit of determination here, you've witnessed it as you been walking around today. there is and it's why we don't want to go home. we are plans yesterday, we suck —— we stuck to them, we found a highly underground and we haven't gone home, we are staying here for the four days because we don't want to be beaten. eyewitness accounts like that are very important to the police and security services who are trying to piece together what happened, what type of plot was this? was a well—planned? who was behind it? for a this? was a well—planned? who was behind it? fora wider this? was a well—planned? who was behind it? for a wider perspective i chatted little earlier to karlheinz kamp. karl—heinz kamp is the president of the federal academy for security policy — who act as the government's tool to educate ministers and mps on security policy. i asked him what was his take on the

way this investigation was progressing? we have no guy shouting allahu akbar, we did not have any self confirmation or any videos, so a numberof confirmation or any videos, so a number of things confirmation or any videos, so a numberof things are confirmation or any videos, so a number of things are stubborn but the uncertain, that is why we said yes, it is an attack but we are not sure if it is is or muslim. so we have to wait for further results. does this feel to you like an attack that has been long in the planning? or something that is more spontaneous? it doesn't look like long in the planning, it looks more like being spontaneous because the pre—emptive measures, we all take in all our societies, your country and my country, are pretty good in the meantime, which means you a trip wire re—phones and if you are things going on and years of thing is cooking up there but since there was nothing, it looks like a spontaneous act in which apparently the driver of the truck had been killed, also

was mysteriously. much more questions and answers so far. in your experience, how difficult is the police now faced with no clear leads? there might be a lead to follow, we don't know but there is no clear and apparently from it? on the other hand we have a number of things, we have a car and certain traces, it is always difficult but if you sue the recent terror attacks we had for instance in the us, usually after a day or two they were able to come up with some evidence to two video screening, youtube, witnesses, there were thousands of people so the likelihood that you find something is there but itjust takes time because not the least thing we need to have just the incumbents lying on the street, that is not the case. karlheinz kamp and before i hand back and want to

bring you one last shot which perhaps symbolises the feelings here in berlin. this is the brandenburg gate lit up in the national colours and it is a symbol, it is difficult to sum up the impact that something has gone a city, and visitors to that city. you heard a little about it in the last few minutes but perhaps most of all coupled with the vigil that took place earlier this evening, that site, these pictures, show that berlin is determined that come what may, life must not be shaken by what has happened. we'll have continuing coverage of the attack at the christmas market in berlin here on bbc news, and you can also keep up to date with the latest developments online on the bbc news website. the headlines on bbc news: police have leased their only

suspect in connection with the truck sat on a christmas market in burning which killed 12 people. the body of the russian ambassador to turkey has been flown home to moscow. andrei karlov was gunned down while giving a speech in ankara yesterday. nicola sturgeon sets out plans for protecting scottish interests post—brexit. the first minister says scotland could stay in europe without the rest of the uk. turkish police have detained six people following the killing of the russian ambassador at an art gallery in ankara yesterday. it's believed those being questioned are related to off—duty police officer mevlut mert altin—tash who opened fire. as the body of ambassador andrei karlov was flown back home, both the kremlin and turkish officials said the assassination would not derail their negotiations about the war in syria. from ankara mark lowen reports. if farewell to russia's ambassador

but ina if farewell to russia's ambassador but in a way nobody could envisage. andre carlaw‘s body was flown back to moscow, the victim of an assassination. his government called eternal symbol of russian turkish friendship. his widow was barely able to watch. he was opening an exhibition in ankara last night, behind him, smartly dressed, his killer, a turkish policeman. the gunman paces calmly, giving up to strike, occasionally fumbling in his pocket. suddenly, he shoots. at the russian embassy today tight security and tributes to an ambassador who served here for three years as russia and turkey fell out over syria. they backed opposite sides in the war would have recently reconciled. those who knew him called mr carlaw a brilliant diplomat. this is a big tragedy for all of us. for all russian people. do you understand why there is anger against russia here? do you understand why there is anger

against russia here ?|j do you understand why there is anger against russia here? i thinki understand but it is difficult to speak right now. the turkey russian militia ship has always been tricky. but this murder might bring them closer —— relationship. in syria they are helping each other achieve their goals, the russian regime in control of aleppo and turkish influence in the north and lacking many other allies, turkey and russia need other. andrey karlov was one of russia's most seasons diplomats, called softly spoken and professional. the russian embassy‘s street will be named in his honour. both countries have painted this as a plot to derail ties. turkey's president said he and vladimir putin agreed was a perfidious attack and a provocation against turkey ‘s russian elections. turkey's client press is founded on conspiracies, some called it a cia operation.

others a job by the west. could the killer have been brainwashed in the police? these online videos seem to show policeman made to chance nationalist islamist slogans, hatred, perhaps, stirred up here. was he a lone wolves, a jihadists sympathiser? either way, 22—year—old policeman became an assassin and russia wants answers. more's front pages will have lots and we'll tell you what they are both internet at 1040 and 1130 but guests will be miranda green of the financial times and kristopher mueck, chief political correspondent the daily telegraph. a planned strike over pay by around 1500 baggage handlers and check—in staff at 18 uk airports has been suspended. employees of swissport had been due to walk out on december 23rd and 24th.

but the union unite said agreement had now been reached on an improved pay offer. a court has ruled that doctors should stop providing life support treatment to a policeman who was left in a coma after a road accident. paul briggs, who is a gulf war veteran, suffered a brain injury in a motorcycle crash last year while serving with merseyside police. his wife wants him to be allowed to die — but doctors had said there was potential for mr briggs to emerge from his minimally conscious state. iam i am outside the royal court of justice but the judgment here today follows a hearing at the court of protection in manchester three weeks ago. which was considering these issues and considering the application by paul briggs's wife, lindsay, that life—sustaining treatment should be withdrawn and thejudge said in hisjudgment

treatment should be withdrawn and the judge said in his judgment today "the case raised issues of life and death of the and vitally important principles and strongly held views. the life of paul briggs does have benefit and has value, meaning the case raises fundamental issues relating to the protection of persons who are extremely vulnerable and have not previously made and cannot make valid and applicable decisions for themselves." the judge rules this treatment should be withdrawn and it could be legally withheld and he said at the end of thisjudgment it withheld and he said at the end of this judgment it means the court is doing on behalf of mr briggs what he would have wanted and done for himself in what he thought was his own best interests. but this may not be the end of the case because there could potentially still be an appeal and a statement was read out on behalf of lindsay breaks by her solicitor at the end of the judgment. when we were first notified of the

court's decision that it was not in p0p court's decision that it was not in pop is my best interests that his treatment continue we were relieved. we accepted this decision and began to come to terms with the idea that paul would finally be free from pain and suffering. and we could find peace at christmas time knowing this. we are therefore dismayed to learn this decision may be appealed. we feel overwhelming despair and sorrow but we know that we have to try to somehow cope and to continue for paul. given this continued uncertainty, christmas will now not bea uncertainty, christmas will now not be a peaceful occasion for us. to its plain that potential appeal, thejudge in the to its plain that potential appeal, the judge in the court today rejected an application for an appeal but it can be taken to a higher court and that application would be made by lawyers acting for

the office of the official solicitor who represents people in litigation who represents people in litigation who are vulnerable and so are not able to represent themselves. in this case representing paul briggs. daniel bircher. the two times wimbledon champion, petra kvitova, is undergoing what has been described as potentially "career saving" surgery after a knife attack at her home. it's understood an intruder gained access to her apartment in the czech republic. during a struggle she suffered severe lacerations to four of herfingers. scotland's first minister nicola sturgeon has unveiled proposals for scotland's future relations with europe after brexit. she believes it would be possible for scotland to remain in the european single market even if the rest of the uk left. the uk government has warned that a special deal theresa may says a special deal for scotla nd theresa may says a special deal for scotland is unrealistic. nicola sturgeon has a plan, she's as it is the only serious plan for

brexit any government has yet come up brexit any government has yet come up with. she argues just because the u:k.'s the eu, it does not have to leave leave the sigel market.|j accept there is a mandate in england and wales to take the uk out of the eu however i do not accept that there is a mandate to take any part of the uk out of the single market. scotla nd of the uk out of the single market. scotland could stay in the sigel market even if the rest of the uk chooses to leave. today's proposals are nothing like the red white and blue brexit theresa may speaks about, they're blue brexit theresa may speaks about, they‘ re more blue brexit theresa may speaks about, they're more of a bespoke scottish tartan version. for scotla nd scottish tartan version. for scotland to be able to stay in the single market substantial new powers would need to be devolved. control over immigration, business regulation and employment law would all need to be transferred north of the border. the mechanics of how it might work are complex. the scottish government says is essential for businesses like this tartan mill in

the scottish borders export into the eu. they claim firms like this could employ eu nationals who would not have the right to work elsewhere in the uk but it won't be easy. it would be legally and politically and technically extremely difficult for scotla nd technically extremely difficult for scotland to stay in the single market if the uk is leaving the eu because they would be one set of business regulations applying to scotla nd business regulations applying to scotland at another applying to england which would only be possible if there was a complete devolution of all powers on business regulation. if nicola sturgeon can get a totally different tartan brexit steel for scotland that would bea brexit steel for scotland that would be a major political victory. if the prime minister ignores her demands, thatis prime minister ignores her demands, that is not necessarily totalled of it. sturgeon can use that to strengthen her arguments for a second referendum on scottish independence. the prime minister today dismissed the idea that separate scottish deal and warned

against a rushed independence. separate scottish deal and warned against a rushed independencem scotland were to become independent and not only would no longer be a memberof the eu, and not only would no longer be a member of the eu, it would no longer bea member of the eu, it would no longer be a memberof member of the eu, it would no longer be a member of the single market of the eu and it would no longer be a memberof the the eu and it would no longer be a member of the sigel market of the uk. and as a market of the uk is worth four times as much to scotland as the sigel market of the european union. trying to weave together the different demands for brexit could yet drain the bonds that hold the uk together. the queen is stepping down as patron of 25 national organisations. buckingham palace said the announcement marked the beginning of a process that would see patronages pass to other members of the royal family. those affected include the nspcc, barnardos and wimbledon. the queen is patron of more than 600 organisations. i spot on the latest in berlin coming up but here is the weather. it will be very changeable, we have

heavy rain already sweeping many more north—western areas at the run—up to christmas will turn stormy, the wind is already strong across many north—western areas and the breeze will pick up further south as we see some rain crossing the country to the early hours of wednesday morning and behind this cold front, cold air is tucking in meaning that wednesday will feel cold across many areas of the country on the northern two thirds will have hail showers and thunderstorms at times and perhaps some sleet in a few places. sunshine as well and a different story across the far south of the country. year is milderair the far south of the country. year is milder air pitching in from the south and some soggy weather which will last into the evening hours. skipping to friday, and amber warning from the wet —— met office because of storm brother will arrive and the wind will be severe particularly in the north. —— stormer barbra. a pakistani asylum seeker, arrested after last night's lorry attack in berlin when 12 people died, has been released

for lack of evidence. the german chancellor, angela merkel, said those behind the attack would be punished as harshly as the law allowed. president putin has promised to "step up the fight against terror", after the assassination of the russian ambassador to ankara by an off—duty turkish policeman. russia has sent a team of investigators to turkey. nicola sturgeon has set out plans to keep scotland in the european single market — if the rest of the uk leaves after brexit.

—— two british people caught up in yesterday's attack have been speaking. we were sitting down to me, we heard something, love. we realise the lorry had gone through, instinct prevails, to get in there, get helping as much as we could. i don't think we really can't attended what was going on until we started shifting stools. the instant we realise something was wrong from wembley luckily decided to sit the bench. we heard this massive noise, to the extent it was so loud, it sounded like a massive explosion. it sounded like a massive explosion. it sounded like a massive explosion. it sounded like gunshots. our instant reaction, the same as everybody else around us, to get up, look, and help. a lot of people were very shocked. some people just staring at the scene in front of us. a few

people were putting people into recovery positions. a mother and children, trying to take them away from the scene, because of what we saw. absolutely horrific, we cannot put into details, not words, just how devastating the scene was. put into details, not words, just how devastating the scene wasm was a situation where we did not realise at that time it was a lorry. it's hit about five christmas tours. the store we saw, obviously people lying on the floor. we were not sure if it was a red wine, or if it was blood. we did see, i remember people, trying to pick up the store, through the side, trying to lift the stall up. we realised and fortunately the people underneath had already passed. he was trying to help them with the store, i decided

i saw help them with the store, i decided isawa help them with the store, i decided i saw a man trying to move on the ground. my first reaction was to see if he was ok. i am hoping he is all right there. and fortunately i would not know, he was speaking a different language. more of murmur. unfortunately he had a severe gash on the side of his head. i remember holding his hand, everything will be 0k. holding his hand, everything will be ok. just lie there. we did not know the extent of the injuries. another woman the extent of the injuries. another woman both went, and held the man's m. from what i saw, he was the only one moving at that stage. they rescue officer came over and said, you need to lie down. we will get everything sorted. it isjust amazing how a peaceful, festive, happy atmospherejust amazing how a peaceful, festive, happy atmosphere just changed insta ntly. happy atmosphere just changed instantly. this scene of utter

devastation. i spoke to rhys last night, in three orfour hours of devastation. i spoke to rhys last night, in three or four hours of the attack, he was very much shaken, as you can imagine. after yesterday's attack in berlin authorities throughout europe — including britain — have been revisiting their security arrangements for the festive season. here, there's been no specific intelligence of any plot and the threat level remains unchanged at severe — which means a terror attack is highly likely. here's our security correspondent frank gardener. christmas markets, festive cheer and heightened security. britain was already on alert for terrorism before last night's attack in berlin. now, security measures have been reviewed around public markets. in birmingham, both uniformed and plain clothes police were already deployed. the public in this market seem undeterred. i don't think we can

allow it to happen, to intimidate us or affect our way of life and what we do. especially at christmas time. i think things happen. if you dwell on it too much and sit back and don't do anything, you'd just become a social hermit. in london, the extremely high number of cctv cameras acts as some deterrent. in britain, the authorities also monitor private communications more actively than in other european countries. but no—one is saying an attack couldn't happen here. in this city alone we monitor thousands of people the whole time. but you can never be complacent. the risk is very real and that is why it's so important for us to collaborate, as we do, with our german friends. with our turkish friends and of course with the russians as well. inside m15 headquarters is the government's joint terrorism analysis centre, jtac, from the moment the berlin attack happened, they began selling what the security implications are for

us here in britain. so far they're not aware of any similar attack planning in the uk. but the national terrorism threat level remains at the second highest, "severe", meaning that a terrorist attack of some sort is still thought to be highly likely. this is one measure of preventative security being tested by researchers. the barrier works, but you can't protect everywhere and one of britain's most experienced counter terrorism officers says the key is good intelligence. well more bollards and troops on the streets is absolutely not the answer to this threat. you have to build your intelligence capabilities, have you to encourage people to come forward and trust the agencies and report information and concerns that they've got. stopping something like this, the truck attack in nice on bastille day, that killed over 80 people, is concentrating minds all across europe. today, police are guarding markets in brussels and paris, cities that have recently experienced terrorist attacks. despite the christmas mood,

europe is a continent on high alert. frank gardner, bbc news. three news agencies reporting islamic state are claiming responsibility for the truck attack last night. afp reporting a soldier of islamic state targeted citizens of islamic state targeted citizens of enemy countries. reuters are carrying the same statement. the apa news agency as well. several sources suggesting islamic state, so—called islamic state, is claiming responsibility for the attack last

night. a soldier of the islamic state carried out the attack, in response to appeals to target citizens of coalition countries. this is according to them islamic state linked agency. in a moment will talk to dr henning riecke — security analyst at the german council on foreign relations in berlin. first off we'll speak to christopher chivvas the associate director of the international security and defence policy center at the rand corporation, he joins us from washington. is claiming responsibility, no surprise? not really, the way the attack was coordinated was out of the playbook of the islamic state. using a van, a heavy van, the wait was hijacked. this is a model that

has been taught on websites of the is. it was disturbing there was no video, or official declaration to claim the attack. it might be now that we have most analysts arguing this is a terrorist attack very much looking like islamic state. you have been to that market, the softest of targets, the perfect place for this kind of atrocity? it truly is, in the middle of one of the major shopping roads in berlin. accessible from both sides. it has to be accessible for a fire department truck. this was the lane in which the van was driving. widely open and

accessible, because that is needed for other sorts of emergency. i'm sure whoever did this checked out the place pretty well before, understood where he could drive into the crowd. well-prepared attack. christopher, if i could turn to you, donald trump, in a statement yesterday after the attack said he was pointing to islamic state. he was pointing to islamic state. he was saying they have attacked christians, in the middle east, now on european soil. what do you make of that kind of language, given that islamic state, in their statement to date, admitting they were apparently linked to the attack, they are talking about targeting citizens of coalition countries from crusader nations? well, i would first of all

saved there were a wide number of countries in the global coalition who are not christian nations. it is easier for the islamic state to claim responsibility for an attack thatis claim responsibility for an attack that is european, then an attack on turkey, for instance. in turkey, the attack a couple of months ago, they have not claimed responsibility for that. perhaps because it is more difficult for them to do so because turkey is a muslim country. what they are going after is any country a memberof the they are going after is any country a member of the global coalition, whether or not you consider that country to be christian, muslim, jewish, it is beside the point.l lea ked jewish, it is beside the point.l leaked memo from the trump transition team, suggested a policy for dealing with islamic state is his number one foreign policy goal.

do we have any idea what that might entail? we still do not know. in washington, a lotta people are very to hear what the plan is that he has in mind. whether this involves large numberof us ground in mind. whether this involves large number of us ground forces in iraq or syria, that would be one significant strategy change that we saw under the obama regime. whether he has greater cooperation with russia and iran in mind. whatever the strategy, we are eager. yes, there may be a big strategy to deal with islamic state underground in the middle east. this kind of attack ona the middle east. this kind of attack on a soft target, in the heart of europe, difficult to defend against. perhaps the kind of attack that highlights deficiencies in the

german security apparatus?m highlights deficiencies in the german security apparatus? it is very difficult to defend an open society against this kind of attack. very cheap, needs little bit of preparation only. to hijack a van like this is possible in any big city. of course always more that could be done. one could harden the squares of the markets with concrete ballades. one should pour more money and hire more people to try and infiltrate and look into the networks, that i've therefore recruitment and radicalisation. a big problem, you need background and cultural knowledge to understand the m essa g es cultural knowledge to understand the messages in these networks. it is a big task. one of the most important things, there needs to be cooperation amongst the secret services, the police agencies. there

is much to be improved in europe on that issue. one of the issues one would have to be careful with this from that you are notjumping to quick conclusions, about the role of the muslims of the refugees in germany. i think this would play into the hands of the terrorists. they want to divide our societies, they want, in their thinking, turn white christian societies as more anti—muslim. turn white christian societies as more anti-muslim. is this going to put more pressure on the coalition of angela merkel. we know elections are coming up next year. will it put pressure on her to somehow backtrack on this open door policy she has had for some time taking in refugees,

particularly from syria? for some time taking in refugees, particularly from syria ?|j for some time taking in refugees, particularly from syria? i think this will be the case. she already said it would be very bad if the perpetrator would have been for the mike rigg. the guy that was caught early and released, because he proceeded to drive the truck, they had a refugee background. this would cause some sort of sentiment against the migrants. which would be unfair, because the vast majority of them have escaped from islamic state, and the atrocities of assad. there is a public mood, which would fly in the face of the conservative party, who tried to win back the voters on the right. it would not actually change the very nuanced and not so open policy in regard to migration. there area

policy in regard to migration. there are a lot of corrections and adaptation done. they should be an open debate, and that should take place in germany. the sad and tragic and brutal events may be part of that undertaking that we have in front of us. it would have happened possibly anyway even without the refugee flows. christopher, in washington. i saw you agreeing with a lot of what he was saying there. is the view in the united states that the european security agencies are not doing enoughjoined up thinking? not working together enough to deal with the problem present i think there are range of different things that be done, and are being done, and could be done to are being done, and could be done to a greater degree. greater cooperation between european police intelligence agencies is one of them. in this case we don't near the

details yet. that kind of cooperation would be most important in cases where you have individuals crossing national boundaries, moving weapons from one country to another. i would be surprised, and i will speculate a little bit, if it turns out to be the case in this incident yesterday. that raises the question, what other kind of things are likely to matter most. if we assume this was an isolated individual, likely radicalised online, if this was a terrorist attack. what this points to is the need for much more work to deal with online recruitment efforts of the islamic state. that is a really difficult challenge, one we have seen some progress on recently. there is a lot more to do both in the united states and europe. it

also gets to the need of trying to work with communities from which these single radicalised individuals are coming from, to build closer relationships with people, so we can get early warning, when somebody looks like they may be turning to a path like this one. talking about the situation in the united states, the situation in the united states, the san berna rdino the situation in the united states, the san bernardino gunmen, killing people out of the blue. right across america you have open markets where people gather together. the homeland security department, their concept of how to protect the public, to deal with these kind of loan —— lone wolf attacks. -- lone wolf attacks. it is difficult, not only are we seeing attacks against soft targets like

markets, nice, the empire state attack. now this terrible attack in berlin. we are seeing attacks against soft targets, also attacks with unconventional kinds of weapons. with unconventional kinds of weapons. weaponised cars and automobiles. we also are seeing encouragement from islamic state propaganda to use knives, to choke people, use stones. the kind of things that are very common in everyday life. that makes it doubly difficult challenge for the police. not only do you have to protect the soft target, also much harder to detect someone going to commit a terrorist attack. they don't need to have specialised training, they don't need to bring guns from a different place. they do not need to be in place contact with broader financing. it makes it doubly hard. a real challenge that everyone will be working on as we move forward.

incredibly tough situation. can you sum up what the mood is perhaps of the german people, given that over the german people, given that over the last year, 18 months, many refugees and people fleeing the war in syria have crossed borders into germany, given now this is the fourth terror attack, the only one which is cost lives in germany. what is the move towards the policy of refugees being allowed into the country, in the tens of thousands. refugees being allowed into the country, in the tens of thousandslj country, in the tens of thousands.” would again say there is a heightened awareness of the threat of terrorism. there is of course uncertainty, how to deal with it, in large eve nts uncertainty, how to deal with it, in large events like those markets. most people show a certain resolve,

we can have those those terrorists, but they cannot take away christmas. not all people connect them to the refugee phenomenon. the fact we have more refugees coming in. we have, a very strong share of the society. we have two help these people, many germans are afraid, and the alienation. not everybody is connecting this with the terrorist threat. this is fair to say, we have to understand, not only then might be jihadists to understand, not only then might bejihadists coming to understand, not only then might be jihadists coming through the refugee channel. there are often many young men traumatised without

family background, sent for refuge, now falling into the hands of the german terrorists. those people who live here, who are radicals are born and living in germany. they are trying to recruit them. it is a problem, but we have to solve it on many levels, not only by keeping the refugees out. there is a lot of common sense and save is about this problem in germany. ok, good to have your expert analysis on the programme tonight. there are a 130 new cases of prostate cancer diagnosed every day in the uk — making it the most common form of the disease in men. a new treatment is being hailed by doctors as a major advance because it can eliminate tumours without serious side effects. it uses lasers and a drug developed from deep sea bacteria —

as our medical correspondent fergus walsh explains. this is the technology which represents a huge leap in prostate cancer treatment. it involves a drug derived from bacteria found in the darkness of the ocean floor. this laser optic fibre is inserted into the prostate, the light activates the drug which kills the cancer. when gerald capam was diagnosed with early prostate cancer, he was worried it might develop and he'd need surgery or radiotherapy, which can cause incontinence or impotence. instead, he became one of the first successfully treated with the new light therapy and had no long—term side effects. well, i feel incredibly lucky that i was accepted for the trial. i'm totally cured. i can look forward to the remaining years of my life, hopefully, cancer—free.

one in eight men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer, so this highly effective new treatment, known as photodynamic therapy, could be hugely significant. the light—sensitive drug is injected into the bloodstream. it's derived from deep sea bacteria, which are efficient at converting light into energy. through a thin tube, a laser light is inserted into the prostate, the light activates the drug which destroys the cancer cells. the journal, lancet oncology, reports that half the patients given photodynamic therapy were completely clear of cancer two years later, compared to about one in seven of those given standard care. crucially, it did not cause major side effects. the harms with traditional treatments have always been the side effects, oar urinary incontinence. in other words, leaking urine and requiring pads. sexual difficulties, which occurs in the majority of men who have treatment. to have a new treatment now that we can administer to men who are eligible, that is virtually free of those side effects, is truly transformative. the treatment is likely to cost around £20,000 a patient

and is expected to be approved in europe following these impressive results. its use is also being trialled in other cancers. so it won't be cheep, but for prostate patients, photodynamic therapy represents a powerful new weapon in the war on cancer. fergus walsh, bbc news. the very latest on the situation in berlin coming up, but an the better. the weather will be very changeable in the next few days, heavy rains sweeping into north—western parts of the country. the run—up to christmas will turn quite stormy, the winds already strong across north—western areas, the breeze will pick up further west. some rain crossing the country in the early hours of wednesday. behind the cold front, cold air is tucking in. that means

wednesday will feel quite a bit colder across many parts of the country. there will be hail showers, thunderstorms, maybe some sleet in a few places. some sunshine, too. different story across the far south, milder air pushing different story across the far south, milderair pushing in different story across the far south, milder air pushing in from the south. soggy weather, which will last into the evening hours. we will skip to friday, amber warning from the met office, storm barbara will arrive, the winds will be particularly severe, in the north. this is bbc news. i'm clive myrie. the headlines at eight: investigators in germany have released their only suspect, in the berlin truck attack which killed 12 people. so called islamic state, have now claimed responsibility. the german chancellor, angela merkel, leads tributes to the dead during a special church service near the attack site. the brandenburg gate is illuminated in honour.

translation: we do not want to live with the fear of evil paralysing us, even when that is sometimes hard. we will find the strength to live as we in germany want to live: free, together and open. the rest of the stories this hour: the body of the russian ambassador to turkey has arrived home in moscow. andrey karlov was shot by an off—duty police officer