this is bbc news. the headlines at 8:00: a russian national convicted of treason is one of two people critically ill after being poisoned in salisbury, the bbc understands. police declare a major incident but say it is not terror—related. because we are still at the very early stages of the investigation, we are unable to say if a crime has taken place. a major incident, however, has been declared today and a multi—agency response has been coordinated. first it's the big freeze, now the big thaw brings disruption as thousands are left without water due to burst pipes in england and wales. sir bradley wiggins tells the bbc he is not a drugs cheat, after mps accused him of crossing an ethical line. theresa may pledges to crack down on developers who sit on land having won planning permission, instead of building homes. also in the next hour: gary oldman is among the big winners at the 90th academy awards.

oldman was named best actor for his portrayal of winston churchill, while the shape of water and three billboards outside of ebbing, missouri dominated the top awards. but there was off—screen drama for best actress winner frances mcdormand when her oscar went missing — a 47—year—old man is arrested for theft. good evening and welcome to bbc news. the bbc understands that a former russian spy is in a critical condition in hospital in wiltshire, along with a woman in her 30s, after they were both taken ill at a shopping centre in salisbury yesterday. police say they'd been exposed to an unknown substance. a major incident was declared and decontamination teams were called in to the local hospital and part of the city.

our home affairs correspondent tom symonds reports from salisbury. last night, what happened here in the centre of salisbury resulted in teams wearing full protective suits, decontaminating the streets, where several areas remain cordoned off. police, fire services and public health authorities have declared a major incident. the first signs that something was wrong came yesterday afternoon when a man and a woman appeared severely unwell in the maltings area of central salisbury. the emergency services were called and the pair were taken to halt... and the pair were taken to hospital. it was a couples, an older guy and a younger girl. she was leaning on him, it looked like she had passed out of maybe. he was doing some strange hand movements, looking up to the sky. the man and woman are being treated at salisbury district hospital where they are in a critical condition. she is thought to be in her 30s. the bbc has been told

that he is sergei skirpal. a russian. 66 years old. in 2006 he was convicted of high treason in russia. the allegation was that he was a british buy. he was a british spy. in 2010, he was pardoned by the russian authorities and came to this country in return for the release of ten spies in the us. the hospital has had to reduce operations while dealing with what appears to be a suspected poisoning. police arrived at sergei skirpal‘s house in salisbury yesterday afternoon. wiltshire police said they were investigating whether a crime had been committed. our home affairs correspondent leila nathoo is outside the shopping precinct in salisbury where this incident started yesterday afernoon. what more can you tell us to bring us what more can you tell us to bring us up today with the investigation? you can see behind me, there are

some quite substantial police activity going on. we have had police officers in suits and masks going through the contents of a bin. they have been laying out the contents and carrying things are. there are a number of police vans in place a clear lead the site where the couple collapsed and a lot of interest still to the police, the bench in which they were found remains under a police tent, just a little bit over there. but there is no comment yet from the police about the identities of the two people involved. beyond confirming their ages, a 66—year—old man and a 33—year—old woman who were found unconscious here yesterday afternoon. i spoke earlier to a member of the public who witnessed it and she described them as being out of it, looked like they had taken drugs or had been drinking very heavily. but the police, beyond

saying they had been exposed to some unknown substance, have been unwilling to go any further and they stressed there is no risk to the wider public and their investigations are focusing on what exactly caused the two to fall unconscious. the bbc understands as we have been reporting, the man involved is sergei skirpal, he was a former russian secret service officer who was arrested in 2006 in russia and jail. he was convicted of high treason and accused of spying for britain. a few years later in 2010, he was pardoned by the russian government and actually handed over to the british authorities in a so—called spy swap. he was exchanged with three other russians the ten spies, russian spies from america. he came to britain and it is believed he is the man involved in this incident here in salisbury, he

is the man in at critical condition at salisbury hospital. salisbury hospital have declared a major incident and we are in the realms of speculation, but it suggests some kind of chemical was administered to these people, potentially poisonous and has now endangered their life? certainly, that would be the suggestion from the scale of the police cordoned, there were a number of police cordons around the city centre and the one he is covering quite a wide area. we cannot get very close to the bench where the couple was found. and there is a suggestion the officers here are going to the contents of that pain and are wearing protective masks. you saw earlier in the report, the initial response, the officers who initially responded were incredibly protected. so it would suggest there isa protected. so it would suggest there is a serious substance involved but

police are unwilling to go into those details and they are working on the premise it is an unknown substance. but there is no risk to the wider public, so they don't believe the hospital itself is contaminated. but we do know the two people who were involved, the 66—year—old man and 33—year—old woman are in a critical condition and police will be working to understand what exactly they were exposed to. thank you very much, live in salisbury. security has been following the details. it is only speculation at the moment and we should be clear about that, but given the history in the uk that in 2006, alexander litvinenko, anotherformer the uk that in 2006, alexander litvinenko, another former russian intelligence officer, fell ill mysteriously from symptoms and eventually died. it turned out to be a radioactive material administered,

it is alleged by two russians and an enquiry, which took place into his death, ended up saying the finger of blame pointed probably up vladimir putin himself in that case. it is too early to go into that case yet, but given the identity of sergei skirpal, given he was convicted spy in russia, certainly there will be speculation this was linked to his past. so is notjust the spy agencies here that are interested, but the americans as well because they were involved that spy swap. yes, it came about because the fbi had arrested a group of russian illegals, they were undercover spies posing as people from another country. the russians wanted them back and the deal was those ten were swapped for four people serving sentences in russian jails, allegedly for passing secrets. 0ne of them was sergei skirpal. two came to the uk and two to the us.

would you please have held a briefing in the last hour and they say they are in the initial phase. because we are in the early stages of the investigation we are unable to ascertain whether or not a crime has taken place. a major incident has taken place. a major incident has been declared today and the multi—agency response has been coordinated. alongside our partner agencies we are conducting some extensive enquiries to determine what led to these two people falling unconscious and to clarify whether oi’ unconscious and to clarify whether or not any criminal activity has taken place. this has not been declared as a counterterrorism incident and we would urge people not to speculate. however, i must emphasise we retain an open mind and we continue to review this position. we have access to a wide range of specialist resources and services that are helping us to understand what we are all not dealing with at

this time. the focus at this moment in trying to establish what has caused these people to become critically ill, we are working with partners to prioritise this diagnosis and ensure they receive the most appropriate and timely treatment. that was wiltshire police speaking earlier. and we'll find out how this story and many others are covered in tomorrow's front pages at 10:40 this evening in the papers. 0ur guestsjoining me tonight are randeep ramesh, chief leader writer at the guardian and martin bentham, home editor at the london evening standard. sir bradley wiggins said he did not cheat the mps say he and team sky ci’oss an cheat the mps say he and team sky cross an ethical line by using drugs that are allowed under anti—doping rules to enhance performance instead for medical purposes.

the report by the dcms select committee says he crossed the ethical line, is that fair, did you? no, we didn't. not at any time during my career did we cross the ethical line. as i have said, i had a medical condition that i went to a doctor. this has been treated since 2003, when i was diagnosed with it to the doctors at british cycling at that time. this was the treatment i had been prescribed for that occasion, which was seven years ago 110w. occasion, which was seven years ago now. under specialist supervision as well. and in place of the rules of that time which you are allowed to apply for use for this medication. it was a medication that was abused in order to it was a medication that was abused in orderto gain it was a medication that was abused in order to gain an advantage. that is not what your former coach shane sutton said, he said your use of that drug was unethical? that hurts

me. shane sutton knows around that time, exactly what and why i was taking that medication. only one other time did you use the drug other time did you use the drug other than the time to know about? yes. the report suggests you may have taken it nine times in four yea rs ? have taken it nine times in four years? i don't know where that has come from. this is an anonymous person who has said this. doesn't mean it is wrong, but you are saying it isa mean it is wrong, but you are saying it is a lie? absolutely, 10096. this is malicious, it is a direct... this is malicious, it is a direct... this is someone trying to smear me. sitting in now, you can categorically say he didn't cheat, he didn't abuse the system? 10096, not throughout my career. i haven't worked and had the passion i have had for this sport for 15, 20 years,

i have been writing a book all morning about the love of the sport, to do that to the sport. it is absurd. these allegations, it is the worst thing to be accused of, i have said that before, but it is the ha rd est said that before, but it is the hardest thing to prove you haven't done because we're not in the legal system. i would have had more rights ifi system. i would have had more rights if i had murdered someone in this process. i have been gagged for the last 18 months because of the legal process going on. then we have been waiting for the dcms report. these allegations have never been put to me until now. i have only found out today what i am being accused of. the whole jiffy bag thing is a shambles. what was in the jiffy bag? god knows, your guess is as good as mine. it contained a drug. i had that drug that night, maybe it came out of that packet. i was on it all

week. i am in retirement and trying to do other things with my life and this is the effect it has had, the widespread effect on my family, it is horrific. i don't know how i will have to pick the pieces up with my kids and stuff. i am left to do that. as well as trying to keep my reputation, salvage my reputation from this. i wouldn't wish it a on —— upon anyone. last week it was the big freeze with most the uk blanketed in snow. this week for most people it's the big thaw. but the rapid rise in temperatures has left thousands of people in england and wales without running water because of burst pipes. some though are still snowed in. in a moment, we'll hear from our correspondent danny savage who's in cumbria, where some villages could only be reached today by helicopter. first, emma simpson reports on the water shortage. grab it well you can. emergency

water supplies have just arrived grab it well you can. emergency water supplies havejust arrived on the streets of south london. they are going fast in this part of north wales as well and they have the bottles lined up near exeter. it is the fallout from the big freeze, as temperatures and tempers rise. thank you very much. 7:30am they send a message to say it was fixed. nothing was fixed. it is appalling. there is zero communication. lots of leaks, frozen pipes bursting in unprecedented numbers. in many parts of the uk over the last few days. darren from carmarthenshire has had water since thursday. darren from carmarthenshire has had water since thursdaylj darren from carmarthenshire has had water since thursday. i have been getting rainwater from water since thursday. i have been getting rainwaterfrom outside and from my neighbours, so it is not impossible, but the worst thing is

not being able to keep the washing up not being able to keep the washing up in the kitchen clean and also keep my self clean by having a shower everyday. just a basic wash ina basin shower everyday. just a basic wash in a basin with cold water. this mum has managed to buy in supplies for 110w. has managed to buy in supplies for now. she is at home because her daughter's school close to lack of water. you don't expect it to happen in london. we assume it will work fine and there will be no issues but clearly there are. what has been the most tricky thing so far. the toilet, not been able to flush the toilet. washing their hands. i have a two—year—old, so doing nappy changes and things like that. some of the leaks may be small but for the water companies, they are adding up. since it started to thaw over the weekend, we were expecting to see a rise in leaks been reported but it has been unprecedented and we have seen a huge increase and 500 million litres of water has been pumped into the system. they are

feeling the pressure in the midlands because jaguar land rover has stopped production and so too has cadbury to help severn trent water keep their taps running for households and vulnerable comp stormers —— customers. households and vulnerable comp stormers -- customers. in cumbria, the worst of the snow stopped last week but the problems go on and on. this is a bug kirby stephen but the snowd rifts this is a bug kirby stephen but the snowdrifts above the track are lots of houses which is still cut off. it is not just of houses which is still cut off. it is notjust the minor roads it is the main roads as well. in this cou nty the main roads as well. in this county they took some extreme measures to get to some of those cut—off communities. measures to get to some of those cut-off communities. getting to the cut—off communities of the pennines can only be done on foot or quad bike. they are still doing their bit. at the end of this lane is a handful of properties which has been cut off for days. the snow was up to the top of the door here with the window. we had snow all over the

front windows, just stock. it is like living in an igloo. gill and her husband have been struggling in deep snow. their home was engulfed and when we got to them, they were running low on supplies. this raf helicopter over their home was a welcome sight. it has been doing the rounds in cumbria today, going from isolated hamlets to cut off farms, offering help. they had run out of heating oil here, so the logs delivered by the marines were very welcome. what are their reaction when you dropping? they are quite supplies, but pleased to see us. working with the police and the mountain rescue and they are doing their bit as well. a few minutes later, they were away to their next cut—off location. inside, mick was already putting the logs to use, but he still cannot get out.|j already putting the logs to use, but he still cannot get out. i am waiting for an operation and i could be called at any day and the road is

still blocked. elsewhere, the sudden temperature drop killed millions of sea creatures. in east yorks they have been rescuing lobsters, reviving them in saltwater fish markets. i think the industry will be fine, but from a natural perspective, it is quite shocking what mother nature can do. the weather also wrecked roads in south devon. back on the hills of northern england it is more of a community effort to keep going. local farmers and local contractors who have got stuck in and got the roads clear for everyone to try and get stuff back in. people beyond the drifts hoped to be reached by road, rather than airover to be reached by road, rather than air over the next couple of days. i mentioned area that cadbury and land rover have been having a few problems and have stopped production because of water issues. we have a statement from the company which owns cadbury ‘s. it says... as per a number of other businesses,

and homes in the birmingham area, we have been told by severn trent water that we will have limited water supplies across our most of our sites for the rest of the day. as the health and safety of our collea g u es the health and safety of our colleagues is our highest priority, we have advised colleagues to leave the site and work from home where possible. we do have a limited water supply two the factory site in bournville, so our chocolate supply is not immediately impacted. i'm sure that is what you want to hear. problems in the midlands but they are still making chocolate! the headlines on bbc news: the bbc believes one of two people poisoned in salisbury is a former

russian spy. sir bradley wiggins tells the bbc he is not a drug cheat after mps accuse him of crossing an ethical line. sport now, and a full round up from the bbc sport centre. sir bradley wiggins has strenuously denied being a drugs cheat and claims he's the victim of an attempt to "smear" him. a report by mps claims wiggins and team sky "crossed an ethical line" by using drugs that are allowed under anti—doping rules to enhance performance instead of for medical purposes. in an exclusive interview with our sports editor dan roan, wiggins insists he's done nothing wrong. not any time during my career did we ci’oss not any time during my career did we cross the ethical line. as i have said before, i had a medical condition that i went to a doctor. this has been treated since 2003 when i was diagnosed with it. this was the treatment i had been prescribed for that occasion which

was seven years ago now. under specialist supervision as well. and in place of the rules at that time, which you are allowed to apply for use of this medication. i am trying to be in retirement and do other things with my life. it is the effect it has had, the widespread effect it has had, the widespread effect on the family is awful. i don't know how i am going to pick the pieces up with the kids and stuff. i am left to do that as well as try and salvage my reputation from this. the final game of the premier league weekend sees crystal palace take on manchester united at selhurst park tonight. the stakes are high for both sides — a win for united would see them move back to second in the table, while victory for palace sees them climb out of the bottom three. 0nly only about a quarter of an hour played. the crystal palace are ahead thanks to andros townsend's strike. 1-0 the thanks to andros townsend's strike. 1—0 the score at selhurst park with 22 minutes played. manchester city manager pep guardiola has accepted

a football association charge over "wearing a political message, specifically a yellow ribbon". the charge is for breaching the fa's kit and advertising regulations. in november, guardiola said he wears the ribbon to support imprisoned politicians in his native catalonia. meanwhile football association chief executive martin glenn has apologised for causing any offence after he used the star of david and the swastika as examples when explaining the fa's charge against guardiola. the city boss was warned twice before christmas for wearing the ribbon and says he'll continue to wear it pre and post matches for which he can't face punishment. john hardie has been called into scotland's six nations squad for the first time since he received a three match ban for alleged cocaine use. i should say a three—month ban. scotland face ireland this weekend and hardie is one of ten players brought in by gregor townsend. hardie recently returned to training with edinburgh in january following his suspension for "gross misconduct".

england are preparing to take on france on saturday after losing to scotland — only their second defeat under head coach eddie jones. ahead of preparing the side for this weekends matchjones has been talking about being physically and verbal abused on his way back from scotland. ijust got on i just got on with ijust got on with it. there was an incident that happened. it was done and dusted. i have had them before, it is not uncommon as a coach to get abused. you either get abused, you get advice or you get slaps on the back. you expect one of the three. for the first time in almost 12 years there is a new british tennis number one in the men's game. kyle edmund has knocked andy murray off the top. edmund has soared up the rankings to a career high 26 in the world after reaching the australian open semi—finals and coupled with murray's inactivity beacuse of a hip problem he is now the highest—ranked british man. he says "as proud as i am, i would have been much happier had andy stayed healthy and occupied his place at the very top where he belongs". murray has fallen to 29th. that's all the sport for now.

i'll have more for you in sportsday at 10.30. the british actor gary oldman is celebrating after winning his first 0scar. he picked up the award for his portrayl of sir winston churchill in darkest hour. the british short film, the silent child, starring six—year—old maisie sly from swindon who's profoundly deaf, also won an oscar. but the night belonged to the shape of water which won four 0scars, including best film. 0ur arts editor will gompertz was there. the night began with host jimmy kimmel using his opening monologue to round up some of the elephants in the room. black panther and wonder woman were massive hits, which is almost miraculous, because i remember a time when the major studios didn't believe a woman or a minority could open a superhero movie, and the reason i remember that time was because it was march of last year. thatjoke set the agenda for the evening. in the year of the 90th

academy awards, it was time's up for a monocultural, male—dominated movie business. it's a new day in hollywood... ..said jennifer lawrence, before announcing that the winner of actress in a leading role was... frances mcdormand — three billboards 0utside ebbing, missouri. so i'm hyperventilating a little bit. if i fall over, pick me up, cos i've got some things to say. if i may be so honoured to have all the female nominees in every category stand with me in this room tonight. the actors... meryl, if you do it, everybody else will. come on. the film—makers. .. look around, everybody. look around, ladies and gentlemen, because we all have stories to tell and projects we need to finance. the call for equality and tolerance was made time and again, and was perhaps best captured by guillermo del toro, whose film the shape of water, a story of misfits and outcasts, won best picture, and he best director. i am an immigrant like many, many of you. the greatest thing our art does and our industry does is to

erase the lines in the sand. we should continue doing that when the world tells us to make them deeper. roger deakins, blade runner... there were long—awaited wins for two british veterans. after 13 failed attempts, the cinematographer roger deakins finally converted a nomination into a golden statue for his work on blade runner 20119. and for his portrayal of winston churchill in the darkest hour, gary oldman won his first 0scar. i say to my mother, thank you for your love and support. put the kettle on. i'm bringing 0scar home. the silent child, a british film about a deaf four—year—old played by maisie sly, won the short film category. i made a promise to our six—year—old lead actress that i'd sign this speech, but my hands are shaking a little bit, so i apologise. deafness is a silent disability. you can't see it and it's not life—threatening,

so i want to say the biggest thank yous to the academy for allowing us to put this in front of a mainstream audience. such a great story. the reaction in hollywood, is the oscars were boring, no surprises, but i think it underplays what we saw last night, which is a seismic change, underlined by whatjennifer lawrence, a new day in hollywood. the days of it being a white male game is over. i think it will be much more across the genders. we had our first much more across the genders. we had ourfirst transgender much more across the genders. we had our first transgender presenter last night. we're looking at a major moment in the 0scars. now, time for a look at the weather. it has turned my other for most of us it has turned my other for most of us but not very warm for this time of year and the chance of snow,

especially in scotland as we have seen especially in scotland as we have seen today. the rain has been developing and moving northwards into the colder air so we will find snow falling over the tops of the pennines, cumbrian fells and the hills of scotland by the end of the night. typical temperature, three degrees but where we see it trying up degrees but where we see it trying up across degrees but where we see it trying up across the midlands, east wales and the west country, it could be misty with low cloud. the wet weather in the morning is across the northern half of the uk and it becomes confined more to scotland with rain and sleet over the hills. writer in northern ireland. brightening up around the fringes of northern ireland. a range of temperatures, three or 4 degrees in northern scotland. ten to 12 across southern and wales. it stays wet across central and southern england. but for one to showers in the south—west, it should be dry. this is bbc news, our latest headlines: a russian national convicted

of spying for britain, is one of two people critically ill after being apparently poisoned in salisbury. police have declared a major incident but said it's not terror—related. thousands of households are without water across england and wales, as the big thaw after last week's big freeze burst pipes. jaguar landrover has suspended production to maintain water levels in parts of the west midlands. sir bradley wiggins has told the bbc he is not a drugs cheat, after mps accused him of crossing an ethical line. a report found he used treatments for non—medical reasons in his 2012 tour de france win. and theresa may has promised to crack down on developers who sit on land having won planning permission, instead of building homes. the prime minister is urging developers to up their game and build more homes in england.

theresa may said for young people owning a property is now largely unaffordable without the bank of mum and dad. she said changes to planning rules, which would penalise developers who delay building on their land, should help to deal with the shortage of properties. but labour described the measures as feeble. here's our home editor mark easton. the prime minister donned the hi—vis today, determined to show she's tackling what she describes as a housing crisis. but theresa may's not the first senior tory to get her shoes muddy on a building site. remember him? and him? today, the pm had the big builders and developers in her sights, blaming some of them for putting profit before their patriotic duty to restore the dream of home ownership. the bonuses paid to the heads of some of our biggest developers are based not on the number of homes they build but on their profits or share price. i expect developers to do their duty. it is unusual for a conservative

prime minister to tell private companies she is changing the rules to make it more difficult for them to make it more difficult for them to turn a profit. among possible planning reforms is the idea that developers with a reputation for not building homes fast enough might be denied planning permission by councils. not only do house—builders make returns to their shareholders, we are also cross—subsidising almost half of the affordable housing in this country every single year. so we are doing the job of government. for conservatives, home ownership is central to their vision for housing. the prime minister today said she met young voters at the last election angry to get on the ladder. but 24—year—old tessa says focusing on ownership is missing the point. i don't even think about affording something like that, because the price is so high anyway, so i don't know how i would get the deposit together in order to buy one, even if it was available.

but mrs may also wants to keep the conservative core vote on side. hello, do you know about fair0aks...? people like these residents in true—blue surrey, who are supported by their mp, environment secretary michael gove, in their opposition to a new garden village. planning reform worries these campaigners. i think this will be a backward step, and we are really worried that these sort of developments, which are really damaging to the environment and the community as a whole, will be pushed forward against the people's wishes. some conservatives want the treasury to relax borrowing rules so councils and housing associations can build many more genuinely affordable homes. others see the priority as protecting england's precious green landscape. it is a surprise perhaps the prime minister didn't think it wise to wear a hard hat today. mark easton, bbc news. three men have appeared in court

in leicester in connection with an explosion that killed five people in the city. arkan ali, hawkar hassan and aram kurd are charged with manslaughter and arson. they were all remanded in custody. the blast, in the hinckley road area, destroyed a shop and the flat above it. more now on the news that sir bradley wiggins has told the bbc that he categorically is not a drugs cheat, after he was accused of crossing an ethical line, by taking an asthma medicine, which is permitted for health reasons, to boost his performance. the claims are in a report on doping compiled by a committee of mps. sir bradley became the first british rider to win the tour de france in 2012 and both he and team sky say they strongly refute the allegations. tony doyle is a former president of british cycling. he told me a little earlier that he believes the findings in the mps report. damian collins, who chaired the select committee in westminster, he said well over six months ago that the reputation of british cycling, team sky, was in tatters.

and this report has now finally come out and so the reputation of dave brailsford and sir bradley wiggins has been torn to shreds. and in the same way, it's seriously damaging for cycling, for the sport which i love and which is my livelihood. but you know at the very elite level it is, as sir dave brailsford often said, all about those marginal gains, those little bits of advantage that you can get against competitors from around the world. if these drugs are not illegal, some might argue, what exactly is the problem? these drugs only are given under special circumstances. so you've got to prove to your doctor, and your doctor has got to say that you need this medicine to continue to take part in your sport.

you then have to go to your national governing body. they then have to apply to the world governing body, so these tues are not handed out very easily. if you're taking it on medical grounds then that is allowed, that is permitted. but if you are taking it and you're using asthma or another illness as the mask to get the steroids, to enhance your performance, then you have crossed the line, you've broken the rules. tue, of course, is therapeutic use exemption. so for a medical use, you can take this drug, and that is certainly what sir bradley wiggins says and team sky say that they haven't done anything wrong, they haven't crossed an ethical boundary. but is the problem for the mps, and it seems for you, and for others looking at this whole case, that there are not any medical records to back that up, or at least records are not enough to suggest that everything has been above board ?

the reason that british cycling has been so successful over the past 20 years or so is the money that has come into sport through the uk lottery, and they've spent that money wisely. so the best coaches, better facilities, etc. so their attention to detail has been very thorough. team sky was launched by dave bra ilsford and they were going to do things properly, they were not going to cross any boundaries, any lines, and that's team was launched on. now, if they were as good as they were when they started off, we wouldn't be having these questions now. thousands of households are without water across england and wales after the rising temperatures, following last week's big freeze cause pipes to burst. jaguar landrover and cadbury have agreed to suspend production, to maintain water levels in parts of the west midlands. 0ur correspondent amy cole reports from rugby, where residents have been facing issues with their supply. bishop in ruins, a water pipe on the

second floor burst on saturday night causing the ceiling to come crashing down. the furniture is upcycled by adults with learning difficulties in finding somewhere else for them to go will be hard. they are used to coming to the same place and routines and this will throw them. we will carry on working with them but we will have to go round to the library and local places and access other day activities until we can't set up running again. about 25 miles away, some classrooms at the university of birmingham school have also suffered water damage. on saturday night we had a burst water pipe at the end of the corridor and because of that, a lots of water seeped out, flooding the ones in the corridor here. we have lost four

classrooms. on friday, a water broke main post here, leading this part of the roads impassable. back in rugby, had bottles of water have been handed out to customers with no supply. our neighbour said, we haven't got any water either. then she told us about this. so i got two neighbours who were on 12 nights, so i picked up some for them. there was no water last night so i couldn't have a shower, just gotten from a 12 or shift. obviously we didn't any warning so we didn't have any water in the kettle. severaltrends warning so we didn't have any water in the kettle. several trends says it has experienced an unprecedented number of leaks. we have seen a rapid change in temperature over the weekend and as a result we have a lot of ground movement and that has impacted our pipes and cost breasts. he has been doing everything we can

offer the past 26 hours to fix those bursts and i can't apologise on amendment for the inconvenience. disbelief that so much damage has been caused so rapidly. parts of the country are very much a snowed in. some villagers in cumbria can only be reached by helicopter. when you can see some of the conditions that they are having to london, it's not easy landing a helicopter that they on a hillside, especially when it's covered in snow. but it gives you an idea of how remote some of these communities are. a beautiful snow—covered landscape, but these are some of the most landscape, but these are some of the m ost re m ote landscape, but these are some of the most remote and it is in the north of england. that's why we've seen the royal marine commandos climbing over the wall, taking supplies to some of these remote farmhouses,

these tiny hamlets where people live on the top of the hill. they are delivering shopping, groceries, food, baby food, and staff to keep people warm. bags of call, logs, and heating equipment, because we have heard that some people up here have had to rig up and burned their own furniture just to keep warm. because conditions here have been so harsh and these communities are so remote they have been completely cut off for five days, but now they are finally getting some relief courtesy of the royal marine commandos and the raf or flying that helicopter. an aid convoy has delivered supplies to people inside syria's eastern ghouta for the first time since a major bombardment by pro—government forces began two weeks ago. the united nations says it hopes the 46 lorries will provide food to around 27,000 people. shelling and artillery fire have continued in the region, despite a un backed ceasefire.

our middle east editorjeremy bowen was there as the convoy set off into eastern ghouta, heading for the town of douma, and sent this report. 46 lorries moved through some of the most dangerous territory around damascus to get into eastern ghouta. the syrians refused to let them take in some surgical and trauma kits, but they carried food and medical supplies for 27,500 people. it was a start. we need to be sending convoys at least three times a week to a besieged area such as eastern ghouta, where there are serious shortages of medical equipment, medical supplies, food and nutrition for nearly 400,000 people trapped on the inside. the lorries moved through the final syrian army checkpoint at the edge of eastern ghouta. the fact this convoy has moved shows assad's confidence. syrian armed forces are pressing into eastern ghouta

that way, of course, with their russian allies. and if they win, and at the moment that's the way it appears to be, president assad will have scored a significant victory, because, for the first time since the war started, he will have secured his capital. the enclave has been controlled by islamist militias since 2012. some militias are negotiating, and there is talk of a deal, but not yet. the un's call for a ceasefire has been ignored. syria's president says the west is lying about the humanitarian crisis. the un secretary—general calls eastern ghouta hell on earth. allahu akbar! casualties go to a network

of underground clinics. a doctor working in one of them didn't think the convoy would change anything. what can a small convoy help us? what can it benefit us? it's including some food and some limited materials. it doesn't have enough for a few people for a few days. it's a densely populated area where there's no escape from the grown—ups' war. jeremy bowen, bbc news, damascus. republicans have raised concern about the us president's plan to impose tariffs on metals, with the party's top lawmaker calling for it to be scrapped. us speaker of the house paul ryan said he was extremely worried about the impact of a trade war, adding that it could undermine economic gains.

in response to president trump, the eu and the uk have said they may slap a 25% import tax on levi jeans and bourbon. our north america correspondent nick bryant is in washington for us the president in the last few hours has tweeted that he is confident the us could win a trade war. what gives him reason to think he could do that? i'm not entirely sure. he seems to think the force of his personality and the economic might of america are enough to win trade wars, but that is not the experience of them in the past. when george w bush raised tariffs on steel in 2002, the estimate is where that it cost 200,000 jobs. that's why so many senior republicans are coming out against this pollen from the president to impose these tariffs on aluminium and steel, because they fear it will spark a trade war and

that's the biggest losers, everybody will lose, and amongst them will be the american economy and workers and consumers because they will be hit byjob consumers because they will be hit by job losses consumers because they will be hit byjob losses and increased prices in the supermarkets. it's interesting that it is the europeans who are saying, many of us are nato allies so you should leave us out of your trade war. a lot of other people are pointing to the fact that when it comes to aluminium dumping, it is the chinese. are they on this list? at the moment, they are saying they will not be any exemptions, evenif they will not be any exemptions, even if you are close american ally. the biggest importer of steel to america is canada, they account for 70% of imports, china to britain. it is close all are thought to being punished. that's why people like james artis, the defence secretary, are saying this will penalise our closest allies. over the weekend,

the result may —— theresa may said there was concern about the imposition of these tariffs. but donald trump doesn't seem to care about that. this is his america first trade policy. it flies in the face of an international consensus about trade and against the orthodoxy within the republican party, which for decades has been a free—trade party. party, which for decades has been a free-trade party. and europeans decide they will slap 25% tariffs on bourbon whiskey and levite james, that it's part of the american hinterland that are states that are up hinterland that are states that are upforgrabs hinterland that are states that are up for grabs when it comes to the mid—term elections only few months. the europeans are showing themselves to be very keen students of american political geography because they say we will impose tariffs on harley davidson ‘s, made in wisconsin, a

key rust belt state that donald trump won in the presidency. full is they have talked about going after whiskey, made in the home state of the republican senate majority leader. they are going after oranges, from florida, a key battle ground state. they are really targeting these american heartland brands very carefully because they knew they had donald trump in the areas he needs to win to regain the presidency and also in areas that will be key battle grounds in the upcoming congressional elections in november. the european union slapped similar tariffs on george w bush, which is partly why he had to background miss down. the headlines on bbc news: the bbc understands a russian national convicted of spying for britain in moscow, is one of two people left critically ill in a suspected poisoning in salisbury. thousands of people in england

and wales are without water as burst pipes after last week's cold weather disrupt supplies. and sir bradley wiggins tells the bbc he's not a drugs cheat, after mps accuse him of crossing an ethical line. an update on the market numbers for you — here's how london's and frankfurt ended the day. the inventor of the wind—up radio, trevor baylis, has died at the age of 80. he designed the radio in response to africa's aids crisis after watching a television documentary in the early ‘90s. in a rather varied career he'd also worked as a film stuntman and an aquatic showman. one of britain's's most prolific

inventors and his most popular invention. he couldn't understand why no one else had thought of it. he had designed it with africa in mind, a simple device that would work on some of the poorest places in the world. he's been watching a television documentary about aids, information about the disease was getting through because people couldn't afford batteries for their radios. and to make it work, you simply wind it. he produced an early prototype but couldn't interest anyone in marketing it. frustrated at the negative responses, today, trevor and i are off to the bbc world service. it struck a chord. a south african company developed his design. and began manufacturing

using a largely disabled workforce, though trevor eventually fell out with the company. he was just what inventors were meant to be, restless, eccentric, engaging. he lived on an island in the thames and was never happier than when the green with some gadget in his workshop there. he's left school with no formal qualifications, a bright lad and an excellent swimmer. he narrowly missed qualifying for the olympic team in 1956. he later became a stu ntman the olympic team in 1956. he later became a stuntman and aquatic showmen. for a time, became a stuntman and aquatic showmen. fora time, his became a stuntman and aquatic showmen. for a time, his dayjob was selling swimming pools. his passion was inventing, especially gadgets to help disabled people, like this device to help wheelchair users liked a pipe while apparently bird—watching through binoculars. the clockwork radio brought him awards, including an mbe, not to mention a meeting with nelson mandela. can i ask you how to make

the little steam engine states? he mandela. can i ask you how to make the little steam en the states? he mandela. can i ask you how to make the little steam en the public ? he favourite inventor, the public appearances doesn't often go to plan. —— always go to plan. appearances doesn't often go to plan. -- always go to plan. it's my electric chair. he never made much money from his inventions and believes most inventors didn't get the recognition they deserved. he was a rare example of one who did. a short film, starring a six—year—old girl from swindon, has won an oscar. maisie sly, who's profoundly deaf, plays the title role in the silent child. it tells the story of a social worker, who helps a deaf child learn to communicate through sign language. it saw off tough competition to be crowned best live action short film. andy howard reports from los angeles. upfrom a

up from a small screening at a primary school in swindon all the way to hollywood in seven months, what a journey. this is the silent child house party, friends, family, film crew are here watching the oscars. is there a more nervous run on all of los angeles? i don't think so. on all of los angeles? i don't think so. here's hoping. the world is watching six—year—old maisie sly, but it seems it's the adults with the nerves. you can ask everyone who was here, maisie was mellow, chill, looking around as if to say, what are you panicking about? eventually, the moment they'd waited for arrived. and the oscar goes to the silent child. he told me he was in tears just

dropping maisie often have her here and make—up done, so what about now? my and make—up done, so what about now? my advice is breaking. i'm so proud of everyone. my daughter is the face of everyone. my daughter is the face of change, let's hope, just a... i don't know what to say. can i have a hug? yeah. i know what you're thinking, there someone missing in all of this. she shears, back from the red carpet, the star of an oscar—winning film in herfirst the red carpet, the star of an oscar—winning film in her first ever acting role. so, the end of an amazing night and a journey. i see the end, there are

no plans to make the silent child into a full motion picture. we should finish with this, the actual envelope from the oscars. the winner is the silent child. some breaking news, some 22,000 properties on the side or without electricity after a suspected explosion. the fire brigade says it was called in to the incidentjust before seven o'clock this evening. no one has been reported hurt but it is understood large areas have been affected. underground cables have been affected in the incident and engineers are at the scene. 22,000 properties on the side without electricity after unexpected explosion at a substation. he is the time for the revenues. milder conditions have spread to

most parts but it is still cold across some northern areas, particularly in scotland where we have had some more snow today. a very wintry scene here. contrast that with something that looks much more like spring. we had some sunshine today in surrey. we have lost the beast from the east and are air is turned into, more from the south, drawing in some milder air throughout most of the uk. but you can see where it is still cold. low pressure is dominating our weather. within that, we have a weather system that is tracking northwards and has been producing the rain. it is still quite heavy and has been moving northwards into the cold air, so some snow over the pennines, the cumbrian fells, and back into scotla nd cumbrian fells, and back into scotland overnight in the hills. as

it turns dry to the south it will turn the misty with no wind, low cloud, typical temperatures of 2—3 degrees. the risk of some frost. in the morning, the wetter weather across the northern half of the uk, confined to scotland. some rain, sleet and liver sleet and snow. richard brighton over northern england and ireland. a couple of showers to the south—east. in the middle, rather cloudy. a range of temperatures, 3—4 in scotland, 10—12 over southern england and wales. low pressure into the middle part of the week. nothing much is moving, this weather fronts bringing showers or subject their wetter weather going more towards the highlands and islands and some snow over hills. further south across england and wales, a breeze picking up that will break up the cloud, some more sunshine, but some showers around.

still lighter winds across central southern scotland, northern england and northern ireland, to bridge is no better than 7 degrees. the assailant thursday but a little bit more sunshine around, the wet weather clinging to the far north—west of scotland, a fuchsia or is in england and wales, could be a little heavy. hello, i'm philippa thomas, this is outside source. a former russian spy is found critically ill in southern england — exposed to an unknown substance. decontamination teams are deployed and major incident is declared at a hospital. italy's election proves to be a victory for anti—establishment candidates, the leader of the five star movement says he's now open to coalition talks. president trump says he's "not backing down" on his plan for swingeing taxes on foreign steel imports — saying america has been ripped off on trade. we lost $800 billion a year on

trade. not going to happen, we are going to get it back. get in touch on all our stories at bbcos.