hello, my name is tom donkin — welcome to bbc news broadcasting to viewers in north america and around the globe. our main story — britain's prime minister raises the terror threat level — to critical — after the deadly attack in manchester. this means that their assessment is not only that an attack remains likely, but that a further attack may be imminent. twenty—two people were killed and 59 injured when a suicide bomber targeted young fans leaving a concert on monday. the suspect is named as 22—year—old salman abedi — he's understood to have been born in manchester — to a family of libyan origin. we're learning more about the victims — among them children and teenagers. but the desperate search continues for those still missing. the city has united in grief — and defiance — as it remembers those who lost their lives. thanks forjoining us.

the official terror threat level, here in the uk has been raised to "critical" — that means, an attack is "expected imminently". members of the armed forces are also being deployed, to boost security across britain, at key sites. the prime minister, theresa may, made the announcement as counter—terrorism officers continue their inquiries into the suicide bombing in manchester. which has so far, claimed the lives of 22 people. sarah corker has more. raising the threat level to critical is a major and rare move by uk security chiefs though not unprecedented. it is the first time the assessment has been placed at the top of five levels for more than a decade. it means that hundreds of troops will be deployed at key sites across the united kingdom under police command.

it is now concluded, on the basis of today's investigations, that the threat level should be increased for the time being from severe to critical. this means that their assessment is not only that an attack remains highly likely, but that a further attack may be imminent. investigators cannot say for sure whether the bombing suspect, salman abedi, acted alone or with the help of others. the highest threat level is decided by the joint terrorism analysis centre, made up of police and government agencies. the police have asked for authorisation from the secretary of state for defence to deploy a number of armed military personnel in support of their armed officers. this request is part of a well—established plan known as operation temperer. that operation is a long—standing emergency plan to put soldiers into public places

to support police. all those extra police officers that we're putting on the street already will be augmented by military support. the first phase, those military officers will take over some of our guarding duties at key fixed locations, freeing police officers to join their colleagues on streets, protecting the public. potentially, subsequent to that, we could even use military to support police at key locations or perhaps at key events. this highest alert level has only been reached twice before. first in 2006, during a major operation to stop a plot to blow up transatlantic airliners with liquid bombs. and then in 2007, police hunted for the man who first tried to bomb a london nightclub, before going on to attack glasgow airport. the prime minister theresa may said the government would take every measure available to help the police protect the public. sarah corker, bbc news.

it's now more than 2a hours since the attack happened. just as thousands of fans were leaving the manchester arena. 0ur chief correspondent gavin hewitt has this report on the attack — and a warning, there are distressing images. ariana grande‘s concert was coming to an end, when, from the foyer, the sound of an explosion. there were screams, then running. a crowd of children, teenagers, parents, heading for whatever exit they could find. 22 people were killed near the entrance. nearly 60 were injured. suddenly a massive flash and bang. smoke. my wife, i laid her down on the floor. she's got bruising. she had one that slided under her chin, and bruised. she's probably broken a femur in her left leg. something really hot flew over

and landed behind me and my sister. we dropped to the floor. my mum told me to run, but i thought they were behind me, so i ran out. then i realised they weren't, so i tried to run back in because i was worried. i shouted for my mum but i couldn't hear anything. my ear is all blocked. it was really scary. all i could hear was screaming, people crying. everyone was running everywhere. it was complete madness. it was like out of a film, everybody cramming through. everybody was screaming. people had cuts all over their legs. the injured were taken to eight hospitals across greater manchester. some families and friends were split up in the rush to get emergency treatment. armed police units patrolled the streets by the arena.

before the night was over, the police knew they were dealing with an attack by a suicide bomber with a home—made explosive device packed with metalfragments. during the night, specialist teams were brought in in case there were other explosive devices. it was a deliberate attack on children and young people, timed just at the moment when parents were waiting to pick up their sons and daughters. 400 police officers were deployed, along with forensic teams. early on, police appeared to know the identity of the bomber, but they didn't reveal his name until late afternoon. i can confirm that the man suspected of carrying out last night's atrocity is 22—year—old salman abedi. however, he has not been formally named by the coroner, and i wouldn't wish to, therefore, comment any further about him at this stage. salman abedi was the son of refugees, a student at salford

university. 0n the streets, today, survivors, reliving the terror of a concert that ended with murder. this is helen and isabella mccourt. we hit the corridor, when we saw masses of people running in absolute terror and panic to get out of the place. young teenage children, 14, 15. there were mothers with children, carrying them over their shoulder. there were people with even wheelchairs panicking to get out. laura and isabella eames‘ concert ended in a chaotic search for an exit. wejust ran. i don't really know which entrance we came out of. we just ran, because it — but we also found two girls that had lost their parents, or had to get home on their own. so they were in tow. they were very scared, obviously, because they were on their own. manchester has been a city on edge,

today, shaken by alerts and rumours. and a shopping centre evacuated. it is now beyond doubt that the people of manchester and of this country have fallen victim to a callous terrorist attack. an attack that targeted some of the youngest people in our society with cold calculation. this was amongst the worst terrorist incidents we have ever experienced in the united kingdom. although it is not the first time that manchester has suffered in this way, it is the worst attack that the city has experience, and the worst ever to hit the north of england. dozens of people are still tried to trace loved ones after last night's bombing. and some of the first victims have been named. georgina callander was aged 18, seen here with ariana grande

at a previous event. john atkinson, aged 28, from bury. and eight—year—old saffie roussos was amongst those killed. it was an attack directed at young people and innocence. during the day, police raided a number of houses. a 23—year—old man was arrested in connection with yesterday's bomb attack. an attack on a family event like what happened last night has long been feared. preventing a determined suicide bomber is incredibly difficult. the priority now for the police will be to discover everything they can about this man — whether he is part of a wider network, and whether there is a risk of further attacks. today, thousands of people came together outside the town hall, in a sign of defiance. one by one, members of different faiths said they would not be cowed. these were sikhs with placards that read "i love manchester".

then a reading by local poet tony walsh. there's hard times again in these streets of our city. but we won't take defeat. and we don't want your pity. because this is the place where we stand strong together, with a smile on our face. mancunians forever! because this is the place in our hearts, in our homes, because this is the place that is a part of our bones, because manchester gives us such strength from the fact that this is the place! defiant, yes, but questions, too, as to what drove a young man to murder so many. gavin hewitt, bbc news, manchester. let's get the latest now from manchester. a man has been arrested in south

manchester as part of the investigations. a property has also been raided. another priority now throw investigators is to find out whether or not the suicide bomber was working alone or whether he was pa rt was working alone or whether he was part of a network that may be planning other attacks. we have the latest on the investigation. a warning, there are flashing images in this report. who was behind this attack on innocence? as the concert ended and the lights came up, as children left for home, music in their ears, smiles on their young faces, who chose that moment to indulge their hateful ideology? there's no need to bunch up and run! take yourtime and exit the building. police are convinced the suicide bomber was salman abedi, but working with the security services, counterterrorism officers are desperate to try to work out if he had accomplices who are still at large.

0ur priority is to continue to establish whether he was acting alone or working as part of a wider network. the man named as the suicide bomber is salman abedi, aged 22, and born in manchester. he is the son of libyan refugees who fled from libya and colonel gaddafi. an apparently normal boy, he attended local schools, supported manchester united and later worked in a bakery. today, officers launched raids on people thought to be his associates. a 23—year—old man was arrested in the manchester district of whalley range. a short distance away, at another house, in fallowfield, a controlled explosion took place. it was like when you watch films, you hear like a boom go off, but like more of a muffled sound. it was like what you see in a movie. everybody was scared at that moment. it hits home that it was real, on your doorstep. this part of the city is known

to have been home to several extremists in the last years, some with links to syria and libya. abedi is thought to have returned from the libyan capital, tripoli, just a few days go. to construct a viable bomb that can be safely transported, secreted through security and then detonated on command is not something an amateur that can easily achieve. police said the device was home—made, with reports it contained nuts, bolts, ballbearings, and nails. the view among security experts is that the attack bears all the hallmarks of a co—ordinated operation. this attack was planned, premeditated, and they almost certainly will be other people involved in this attack. the most important thing is to catch them, to identify them, and to bring them into custody. and until we have done that, this attack really is not

over. almost exactly one year ago, police and emergency services in manchester held a training exercise forjust this kind of terrorist incident. for a number of years, the threat level has been set at severe, meaning an attack is highly likely. now, it has moved up to critical, an attack is expected imminently. understandably, the city is nervous. people on edge. but there is a determination not to be cowed by terror. "manchester united" is the fitting response to the attack on their manchester city. mark easton, bbc news, manchester. stay with us here on bbc news. still to come, sympathy and solidarity from around the world following monday's deadly attack. this morning, an indian air force plane carrying mr gandhi's body

landed in delhi. the president of india walked to the plane to solemnly witness mr gandhi's final return from the political battlefield. the polling stations are all prepared for what will be the first truly free elections in romania's history. it was a remarkable climax to what was surely the most extraordinary funeral ever given to a pop singer. it's been a peacefulfuneral demonstration so far, but suddenly these police are teargassing the crowd, we don't yet know why. the pre—launch ritual is well established here, helen was said to be in good spirits butjust a little apprehensive. in the last hour, east timor has become the world's newest nation. it was a bloody birth for a poor country, and the challenges ahead are daunting. but for now, at least, it is time to celebrate. this is bbc news.

the latest headlines: britain's prime minister has raised the terror threat level to critical after the deadly attack in manchester. twenty—two people were killed and 59 injured when a suicide bomber targeted young fans leaving a concert on monday. let's get the latest now from manchester. 0ur correspondent wyre davies is outside police headquarters in the city. the investigation is still ongoing but consensus among security experts is that it was planned and premeditated and that salman abedi had help? that is why they have raised this level too critical. the government and it advises in the security service would not have done that likely unless there was

evidence he had help procuring designing and army that bomb. 22 people killed, many of them young children. the fact that they have identified him and arrested another person but they are still looking for other people that may have been involved. this investigation is moving very fast. 0ften involved. this investigation is moving very fast. often in cases like this it takes a while to identify the bomber and his all make her known associates. at the risk concern that they want to nip this in the bud before there is any other such attack. —— there is concerned. as manchester wakes in a few hours, the reality of what happened on monday evening will once again confront people where you are? look,

this is a tough, resilient city. it isa this is a tough, resilient city. it is a northern gritty city, we all know that, but it has taken a huge shock on monday night. a lot of the city was cordoned off. a shopping centre was evacuated after what was thought to be another scare, that proved to be a false alarm but venturi and is have had children killed. it is a city associated with music, this is what people do, they go to concerts, parents and drop them off at that did not go to plan on monday and it has knocked a lot of people for six and it is not surprise. it may take months, perhaps a lifetime to get over what has happened. thank you very much

for now. in brussels, the flags of the twenty eight european union countries are flying at half mast. world leaders have been expressing their sympathy and solidarity with the people of manchester. president trump, the newly elected french president macron, and angela merkel of germany are among those who've sent messages of condolence and reaffirmed their commitment to fighting terrorism. 0ur diplomatic correspondent james landale takes a look at the reaction from around the world. paris and saint petersburg, brussels and berlin, istanbul and now manchester — the threat of terrorism is one that few cities can avoid and many leaders must face. todayit and many leaders must face. today it was their turn to show solidarity. president trump, visiting israel's holocaust memorial on the latest stage of his middle eastern tour, said the wicked ideology behind all terrorism had to be completely obliterated. so many young, beautiful, innocent people living and enjoying their lives, murdered by evil losers in life.

i will not call them monsters because they would like that term. they would think thatis they would think that is a great name. i will call them, from now on, losers, because that is what they are, they are losers. the president called theresa may to express his condolences and offer us help in the investigation. president macron also spoke to the prime minister, before visiting the british embassy in paris, offering the uk more cooperation in the fight against terrorism. translation: we will be determined and resolute alongside all our european partners in the struggle against terrorism everywhere in our continent. in berlin, this morning, the union flag was at half mast at the british embassy. germany's chancellor said she was determined to work with britain to combat

people who carried out such dispicable acts. translation: people in the uk can rest assured that germany stands shoulder to shoulder with them. amid tight security in rome, ahead president trump's visit, the pope issued a telegram offering his prayers for the dead and wounded. in brussels, the european union institutions lowered their flags ina mark institutions lowered their flags in a mark of respect. elsewhere, other leaders expressed their condolences through messages on social media oi’ through messages on social media or by flting the union flag themselves, such as here outside themselves, such as here outside the italian prime minister's office. president putin sent a telegram to mrs may offering to increase russia's counterterrorism cooperation with britain. president xijinping, who visited london last year, sent a personal message of condolence to the queen. and president erdogan, whose country's suffered many similar attacks, said turkey too stood with britain in the fight against terror.

in australia's parliament, the prime minister there spoke for many. this is an attack on innocence. surely there is no crime more reprehensible than the murder of children. this is a direct and brutal attack on young people everywhere, on young people everywhere, on freedom everywhere. around the world, from kiev to cannes, people marked the attack in their own way, with flowers oi’ in their own way, with flowers or silence, in memory of those who died. james landale, bbc news. on tuesday evening, on tuesday evening several thousand people came together in albert square — outside manchester town hall — to attend a vigil where they heard expressions of pride in the city's

strength of character, its diversity and resilience. huw edwards spoke to some of the people who were there. this city is greater than that of the forces aligned against it. we are sending a signal notjust in manchester but across the world. manchester but across the world. manchester born and bred, this is my city, my children have been born here. with such atrocities happening la st here. with such atrocities happening last night with so many young people. it is important like mum said because i was born in manchester and i know people who we re manchester and i know people who were at the concert. i find it upsetting that somebody could walk into a place killed along with other people and it is very, very upsetting. you cannot defeat is because love in the end is always

stronger than hate. the spirit of manchester cannot be broken by a bomb. there is much more to the city than that. i am proud to be from the city, we are a multicultural city at the canopy defeated. my sentiments exactly, we are diverse, we welcome everybody in an somebody to just think they can come in and do what they have done... this is our city and we will always come together. being in manchester, it hits home. with it being a terrorist attack, i think a lot of muslims are bearing the runt to that as well and we are here to show that as muslims we do ca re here to show that as muslims we do care and we do not agree with everything that has not at all stop you see diversity, it is manchester everywhere. we are not blaming each other. we want to help each other.

anger should be diverted in the right way. to be honest, i have never been to one of these before. my heart goes out to all the victims. it isjust so sad. a reminder of the story we have been covering, the terror threat has been risen too critical after the terror attack in manchester on monday. you can get in touch with me on twitter. there is also a live page updating you with events in real time. any development from police and security operations and the emergency services will not for now, a very

good night. hello there. tuesday was a predominantly dry day with the heart of the country seeing the best of the sunshine. if we look at the weather watcher's picture from herefordshire, this illustrates the point nicely. there was cloud topping and tailing the country in the cloud, but enough for outbreaks of showery rain in the far north west of scotland. this is how we closed out the day yesterday with cloud and rain in the north and a little cloud lingering down to the south—west and that will still be with us first thing this wednesday morning. some coastal and some sea fog here. it will be quite a warm start, however, to the day. mid teens already and so temperatures are set to lift as we go through the morning. but we keep the cloud to the south—west with the best of the brightness really across south—eastern and eastern areas. we will chase cloud through the day but we get the best of the sunshine and temperatures will respond. into northern ireland we start off with showery outbreaks of rain to the north and west of scotland but these will primarily sit towards the north—west

of the great glen and as we go through the day, a couple showers will filter further east. they will be isolated by then. elsewhere, broken cloud, some sunshine and where we get the best of the sunshine, the temperature will respond. but despite cloud around it will be a warm day for all of us, generally at around 19 or 25 degrees. maybe a little bit fresher in the far north of scotland. one thing is for certain, later on in the week we keep that dry theme and there will be more in the way of sunshine. as a consequence, temperatures respond. warm to hot in places, particularly in the south—west corner. we can see first signs of that on thursday with decent spells of sunshine coming through much of the country and you can see that we will see high 20s likely into the south—east corner, maybe as high as 23 or 2a in sheltered western areas of scotland. this area of high pressure may drift further east and that will allow it to continue to drag up even warmer

air from the near continent but at the same time, however, there is a potential for a weather front to push on from the west. as we move out of friday into the start of the weekend, yes, it is a bank holiday weekend, there is a potential for some of us to see 30 degrees however, with that front knocking on the door there is also the potential for a thundery breakdown. do not make this the last forecast you see for the bank holiday weekend. there is the potential for sharp thundery downpours to moving from the south—west, of it, however, it will stay quite warm with lots of sunshine. the headlines. the uk terror threat level has been raised to critical following the manchester concert attack that left 22 people dead and many injured. britain's prime minister theresa may has warned that a further terror attack could be imminent. she also announced that soldiers will be deployed to protect key sites. the suicide bomber has been named as salman abedi, a 22—year—old born in manchester.

he was of libyan origin and was a student at the nearby university of salford. the islamic state group has published a statement on social media saying one of its supporters carried out the attack. thousands of people have gathered for a vigil in manchester city centre in memory of those who died. a minute's silence was held as crowds spilt out on to nearby roads. greater manchester chief constable ian hopkins thanked "the rest