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. 22 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 metal fragments. 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. 0ur correspondent wyre davies is outside police headquarters in the city. the government and advisers in the

security services would not have done that lightly unless they thought there was evidence to suggest he had helped in procuring, designing, and arming that suicide bomb which went off with such devastating effect in manchester arena, killing 22 people, many of them children. it is the fact they have identified him and arrested arrested one other person, but are still actively looking for other people that may have been involved that they are so concerned about now. the investigation is moving fast. 0ften now. the investigation is moving fast. often with cases like this it ta kes a fast. often with cases like this it takes a while to identify the bomber and their associates. there is concern that they want to nip this in the bud and find associates before there are any other such attacks. as manchester wakes up in the next few hours, the reality of what happened on monday evening were once again confronts those living where you are. this is a tough and

resilient city. it has taken a huge shock after what happened on monday night. they were not able to get back to normal the day after the attack. many parts of the city were cordoned off. there were nervous moments when a shopping centre was evacuated after what was supposed to make thought to be another —— thought to be. young children were killed. this is a city associated with music. it is a rite of passage. their parents dropped them off and picked them up at the end of the concert. that did not happen. that did not go to plan on monday. it has not people for a six. they are still recovering from that and it is no surprise. reporting there from manchester. stay with us. still to

come. sympathy and solidarity for the people of manchester 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. 22 people were killed and 59 injured when a suicide bomber targeted young fans leaving a concert on monday. in brussels, the flags of the 28 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. 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 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 despicable 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 in a mark of respect. elsewhere, other leaders expressed their condolences through messages on social media or by flting the union flag 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 freedom everywhere. around the world, from kiev

to cannes, people marked the attack in their own way, with flowers or silence, in memory of those who died. james landale, bbc news. the attack in manchester was the worst in the uk since the london bombings ofjuly 2005. as news of the bombing quickly spread across the city, many rushed to help those in need. families offered accommodation to those caught up in the turmoil, some taxi drivers gave free rides to anyone in need. our correspondent sophie long reports on how the community came together in adversity. manchester was a city understandably on edge this morning — panic as another building in the city centre was evacuated. smashed all the windows down in the arndale to get out. some lads have just said...

everyone's just ran. this time, it was a false alarm, and while the threat is felt acutely, people here are coming together and the human spirit, the defiance, is strong. no amount of evilness will ever, ever dampen any good thought there is about manchester. cab drivers who worked through the night, foregoing theirfares, were back keeping the city moving again today. mostly the teenagers, like, eight to 16 or 14 years old, all these girls, they're crying for their mothers and their parents as well, they're crying. then we take to their home, take to the hotel, take to the train station. i said, "how many people? jump in the cab and i'll drop you there." when i asked people how they feel about what happened here, so many people have said to me — i have no words, and words have been difficult to find today as people

just begin to get their heads around the atrocity that took place right in the heart of their city. what comes more easily to people here are actions. people queued to give their blood. i just really wanted to come down and see if i could help at all because it's such a massive tragedy. there's just been an overwhelming response on social media, so i thought i'd come down and try and give blood. do my bit, yeah. others took food to hospitals where the injured were being treated. people connected — in person, by phone. even the very young were among those responding. go find a policeman. helping to keep people going. i do security, and it just scares you really that it's so close to home and we're sat at home, so we might as well help, which ever way we can. on the city's streets today,

a real sense of community. after what happened yesterday, there's a responsibility to do something and i just want to show people that they're loved. so we're just going around by hugging people because, ultimately, love's the only thing that we can do when we're facing hate. yeah. tonight, concert—goers were undeterred. simple minds two to the stagejust miles undeterred. simple minds two to the stage just miles away. —— took to. that's how manchester is responding to an inhumane, manchester is responding to an inhumane, cowardly attack, with countless acts of kindness. they are coming together and they are carrying on. on tuesday evening, several thousand people came together in albert square — outside manchester town hall — to attend a vigil where they heard testimony to the pride in the city's strength of character, its diversity, and of course, it's resilience. huw edwards spoke to some of the people who were there. this city is greater than the forces

that align against it. as we say that, we are sending a signal notjust to manchester but across the world. i felt compelled to come. i'm manchester born and bred, this is my city, i live here, my children have been born here. with such an atrocious act that happened last night, with so many young people. why was it important fopr you to be here? it is important to me because, like my mum said, i was born in manchester and i know people who were at the concert. i find it very upsetting that somebody would just walk into a place, kill themselves along with other people and it is very, very upsetting. you cannot defeat us, because love, in the end, is always

stronger than hate. cheering and applause. the spirit of manchester cannot be broken by a bomb. there is much more to this city than that. i am really proud to be from this city, it's a wonderful place, full of culture, we are a multicultural city and we cannot be defeated by something like this, so that's why i'm here today. my sentiments exactly, we are diverse, we welcome everybody in, you know, for somebodyjust to think they can come in and do what they have done... this is our city and we will always come together. chanting: manchester! being in manchester, it hits home. with it being a terrorist attack, i feel like a lot of muslims are bearing the brunt of that as well, and we are here to show that as muslims we do care, no matter what these...and we do not agree with anything that has gone home at all. you've seen everbody around here, how diverse it is — that's manchester everywhere, isn't it? it's not easy really to deflect anger on a day like this, is it?

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. you know what i mean? my heart goes out to all the victims, and sadly, the young kids. it is just so sad. that was huw edwards visiting people who attended the memorial of those who attended the memorial of those who were killed on monday. the prime minister gave information that a further attack could be imminent, that information was released on tuesday. we have a live page on our website. the latest developments are look at their european front pages

of newspapers —— the. many of those newspapers are still carrying photographs of the victims and of the vigils for those killed and injured on theirfront the vigils for those killed and injured on their front pages. the vigils for those killed and injured on theirfront pages. we will leave you tonight with some of those images. 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. this is bbc news. 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 of the world for holding us in their thoughts." now on bbc