harlow. —— hello. this is the briefing. i'm sally bundock. our top story: softening its stance on metal tariffs — the white house says canada and mexico could be exempt from donald trump's plans to impose a levy on steel and aluminium imports. police in britain are trying to establish the source of a toxic nerve agent used in an attempt to murder a former russian spy and his daughter. the trial of a danish inventor accused of murdering a swedish journalist on board his submarine last summer is about to get underway in copenhagen. booth babes at the geneva motor show — is there a role in 2018? we've been finding out. yes, the biggest car show in the world is open to the public today — theo leggett is there for us and has been gauging the mood. a warm welcome to the programme.

we're going to brief you on all you need to know in global news, business and sport this hour. and you can be a part of the conversation. today is international women's day — so give us your take on the debate about whether car makers should be prevented from using glamorous models to sell cars. just use the hashtag #bbcthebriefing. the white house has confirmed that canada and mexico may be given exemptions from planned us tariffs on imports of steel and aluminium on " national security" grounds. president trump's plans have raised fears of a trade war. the european union has already said it is drawing up a list of possible retaliatory measures. chris buckler reports

from washington. president donald trump has long promised protectionist policies. measures meant to defend industries like steel, which has suffered decades of decline. his plan for steel tariffs is an attempt to stop cheap imports from damaging us businesses by pricing them for market. but inside the white house, the languages offers lightly, with mentions of possible exceptions. there are potential car routs for mexico and canada based on national security, and possibly other countries as well, based on that. economic adviser gary cohn was one of the loudest voices to stand up against tariffs into the white house. but he is leaving. there are

others, however, close to the present, that are worried this could end up in a tit—for—tat trade war that could damage american's economy, amongst others. more than 100 members of congress, from president trump's owned republican party, have sent an open letter expressing their concerns. certainly, there are still mills lain derelict across america. however, the tariffs are being justified on the grounds of the economy “— justified on the grounds of the economy —— not on grounds of the economy, but national security. these would—be suppliers that would be needed should the us and be needed to defend itself. and that has led allies to demand exceptions. national security element is the reason for it makes no sense when canada and the us have the closest national security collaboration of any national security collaboration of a ny two national security collaboration of any two countries in the world. we

have fought and died together in multiple world wars and theatres around the world. not for the first time, countries around the world are waiting to see exactly what president trump does, and whether the tariffs turn out to be as tough as the talk. chris buckler, bbc news, washington. so that is the latest on the trade tariff story that has dominated certainly be business headlines wrote this week. we will have more on that story later including how financial markets are interpreting all of this, today. they have been swinging in both directions because of this story throughout the week. but we turn to another story now. british counter terrorism officers are trying to identify the source of the nerve agent used to try to murder the former russian spy, sergei skripal, and his daughter, yulia. both remain critically ill in hospital after being found unconscious on sunday. a police officer who quickly went to their aid is now in a serious condition, in intensive care. tom burridge reports. this was sergei skripal last month

ata this was sergei skripal last month at a corner shop. now police believe someone tried to kill the former spy and his daughter with a nerve agent. it happened here in the small cathedral city of salisbury. a police officer who attended to the pair is now also in a serious condition in hospital. what nerve agent was used is the question experts at this military research centre are trying to answer. nerve agents essentially crippled the body's nervous system. they are not easy to manufacture. nerve agents require not an insignificant amount of logistical, financial, and scientific set up to be manufactured. that leads to a more

ofa manufactured. that leads to a more of a likelihood of a state manufacturing. like in salisbury is anything but normal. this is the restau ra nt anything but normal. this is the restaurant when mr sergei skripal and his daughter had lunch before they fell ill. a blonde woman and a man could be of interest in this cctv footage from there the crime scene. sergei skripal‘s daughter, yulia skripal, had dark hair at the time, like in this photo. they are both in a critical condition in hospital. let's brief you on some of the other stories making the news today. three members of the same family have been seriously injured in a knife attack in vienna. the attacker fled the scene, leaving a couple and their grown up daughter badly hurt. it's not yet known if the attack is linked to a second stabbing in the city. austrian police have arrested an afghan citizen in connection with the second attack. legislators in the us state of florida have given final approval to a gun—control bill that will raise the legal age for buying rifles from eighteen to twenty—one. the bill will also sanction the arming of some school staff. it comes weeks after seventeen people were killed in a shooting

in a florida school. the president of the european council, donald tusk, has warned that trade with the uk will be "more complicated and costly" after brexit. mr tusk offered the prospect of a free trade agreement, with no tariffs on goods. but he said it was "out of the question" for britain to take a "pick and mix" approach to the single market. french companies caught discrediting against women over pay will be given three years to close the gap or face fines. the government has just revealed the plan to unions and employers, given a month to out details. men are still paid on average 9% more than women in france. the trial of a danish inventor accused of murdering the swedish journalist kim wall on board his submarine get underway in copenhagen, later. peter madsen has admitted

dismembering the 30—year—old's body and throwing it out to sea, but claims the reporter died in an accident. we go to our correspondence who is in copenhagen for us. this case has the world's attention. tell us more about the trial that starts today. yes, peter madsen is a bit of a media to make minor celebrity. due in the court later. —— is a bit of a minus 11. this goes back to when he was at his marine at a doc about 50 minutes from here, and kim wall came along to interview him. —— dock. she was haggling for the interview for along time. peter madsen has changed his story a number of times since. he first said he dropped safely on

dry land, then said she died in a tragic accident when a hatch fell on a hat. his current story ahead of the trial is that she has died from carbon monoxide poisoning. he has admitted cutting upper body, but denies killing her. if he is found guilty of murder, he could face life imprisonment, which is typically around 15 to 17 years here. you can also be sent to a secure mental health institution. kim wall's family and friends have been reserved seats in the court. they have set up a air orfind it so that she is not just have set up a air orfind it so that she is notjust rememberfor the way that she died but herjournalistic legacy, and they are hoping that they will continue to inspire other journalist out there in the field. thank you forjoining us from copenhagen, maddy savage. more now on our top story — donald trump's trade war could start today. that's if reports are to be believed that the president will do what he threatened last week and sign a proclamation imposing tariffs on steel and aluminium imported to the us.

dr stephanie hare, who's an independent risk analyst, joins me now. good to see you. this is something we have been watching the entire week and a lot last week. but this was announced injanuary week and a lot last week. but this was announced in january that these would be imposed. give us your take on this sort of tit—for—tat trade war, but i will trade war, that has been going on. in a way, it has made me go back to before the election and who donald trump is doing this war. and i think he is really playing to his base. remember he was talking about us jobs and talking about steel. this is something that is about old economyjobs. he is not talk about new economyjobs. he is talking about having a tipperary exemptions for canada and mexico, which are, of course, part of the nafta. but santa that exception and

extending it would depend on how the renegotiation is going. it is interesting what he's doing. and how he's doing it is important, because depending on how he plays this or under which umbrella comes underneath depends on whether he needs the backing of the senate or not, doesn't it? exactly. we have seen 170 lawmakers coming out against this. this is something that is go to split the republican party, and we are seeing reactions on the stock market. donald trump has said that it stock market. donald trump has said thatitis stock market. donald trump has said that it is a trade war is easy. anything she will win? he always thinks that he will win. —— and he thinks that he will win. —— and he thinks that he will win. but the concern is that is that china will retaliate, that how a run like the eu will retaliate. izzy sabre—ratting, or is there more to come?. -- is he. we have a lot of

stories on international women's day coming up that we will talk about later. also in the programme: feelings of east versus west from inside russia: the issues dividing voters ahead of next week's presidential election. the numbers of dead and wounded defied belief. this the worst terrorist atrocity on european soil in modern times. in less than 2a hours then the soviet union lost an elderly sick leader and replaced him with a dynamic figure 20 years his junior. we heard these gunshots in the gym. then he came out through a fire exit and started firing at our huts. god, we were all petrified. james earl ray, aged 41, sentenced to 99 years and due for parole when he's 90, travelled from memphis jail to nashville state prison in an eight—car convoy. paul, what's it feel like to be married at last?

it feels fine, thank you. what are you going to do now? is it going to change your life much do you think? you're watching the briefing. our headlines: the white house has indicated a slight softening of donald trump's planned tariffs on steel and aluminium imports, as republicans press the president to abandon his proposals. anti— terror police are trying to discover the origins of the toxic agent which has put the former russian spy and his daughter in hospital with serious conditions.

russia's relations with the west have cooled dramatically over vladimir putin's 18 years in power. but it's his most recent term that's marked the low point — including the annexation of crimea and war in ukraine. with president putin set to win re—election by a landslide next week, our moscow correspondent, sarah rainsford, has travelled to rostov to explore the depth of the east—west divide. they see themselves as born warriors, the cossacks, defenders of the country through their history. they are proud of their history. these days, patriotism is on the rise. translation: cossacks want to save their country and protect their land andi save their country and protect their land and i think it is important and to raise our children as defenders. it was that impulse that sent many other cossacks to fight in ukraine, just across the border. alexander

whent also. one of thousands volunteer fighters from across the country who claimed ukraine russian pictures were in danger. he sees it asa pictures were in danger. he sees it as a coup, backed by the west. translation: volunteer fighters and felt they had to take a in the wall. ukraine isjust felt they had to take a in the wall. ukraine is just the felt they had to take a in the wall. ukraine isjust the beginning. we know who this is done by, it is the worst that wants to divide our country. a memorial to those fighting in ukraine, despite all the evidence that russia still denies sending soldiers there. russia's relations with the west have been cooling for some time but it was the war in ukraine that mark a breaking point. the many here, those who fought are seen as patriots and here is before the west is marked russia as an aggressor. the west imposed sanctions but russia did not buckle,

it retaliated. it banned fresh meat from europe, among other things, so no one here is too flustered by sanctions. they have boosted local production and staff think western firms would struggle to recapture the market. we are ready for the competition, dimitri says. russia todayit competition, dimitri says. russia today it looks more west than ever. this young owner would like to be closer politically to europe but the climate has cooled dramatically. maria also has a fashion label and big plans for the future, including expanding sales to the west. but under expanding sales to the west. but undeeradimir putin, ship expanding sales to the west. but under vladimir putin, ship is russia will only increase its isolation with policies sold to the public spy a powerful state—run media. translation: instead of talking

about problems we have inside the country, they talk about how we are surrounded by enemies who will want the worse for us. it is really scary because it weeps everything up and then people think we need to push back otherwise we will be overrun and destroyed. that siege mentality is growing here, as is the sense that russia has chosen a deliberate path away from the west with no sign that it plans to turn back. now it's time to get all the latest from the bbc sports centre. hello coming up on your thursday sport briefing...arsenal look to save their season in the europa league, tiger woods mania hits innisbrook, and problems persist for mclaren. with the race for the premier league top four looking like it's over for arsenal, the europa league has now taken on huge significance for the club. arsene wenger and his side have come

under heavy criticism for their performances of late and they'll be desperate to get back to winning ways in the first leg of their last 16 tie on thursday. the gunners are traveling to italy to take on the seven—time european champions ac milan. and although they haven't had the best of seasons, milan are now unbeaten in their last 13 under new manager genaro gattusso. we have to face milan and tried to give everything, absolutely key everything to qualify, in my opinion it will be a tight game, a tight tie because we are doing well at the moment and we are first focus on that. with less than a month to go until golf‘s masters, some of the world's best players are looking to hone their game at the valspar championship at innisbrook this weekend. tiger woods is playing at the tournament for the first time and still only finding his feet after his return from injury,

but the 14—time major champion believes there's more to come. i think ithinki i think i have come around very quickly. i have only played ten rounds and so i know people keep saying that i have been... hulne, a little erratic and a little inconsistent but it is ten rounds, it is not that many. and bangladesh will be looking to turn their poor t2o form around in their tri—series with india and hosts sri lanka this month. the tigers have won just one of their last 13 short—form internationals. and although they have the difficult prospect of facing india in their opening match on thursday, the indians are without some of their biggest names, like captain virat kohli and ms dhoni. there have been questionmarks about our capability and out t2o capability, as i mentioned, but i

think keeping that on the site, it isa think keeping that on the site, it is a brand—new tournament and i think we are quite hopeful about doing something really well and i think the boys are looking very good. it was a winner takes all showdown — the prize? a place in the quarterfinal of the champions league. for tottenham, they came tantalisingly close before two—time european champions juventus scored twice in the second half of their last 16 tie at wembley, paulo dybala raced clear for the decisive goal as his side booked their place in the last eight. 4—3 was the aggregate score. basel inflicted manchester city's first home defeat since 2016 but the english side still reached the champions league quarter—finals. city lost 2—1 on wednesday but their a—nil win away in the first leg meant this match was almost a formality, with pep guardiola resting several first—team players. time to take a look at what's been catching our eye on social media. and how about this for a view?

this is a helmet camera of professional sky—diver jeff provenzano. he, along with 163 others set a new world record for the most head—down skydivers at the same time. they set the record in 2015 and jeff posted on wednesday, for the first time, that they are going to attempt to break the record again later this year. i would say to them don't look down but i do not think that really cou nts but i do not think that really counts for them! you can get all the latest sports news at our website — that's bbc.com/sport. but from me that is your thursday sport briefing. thank you to holy further. the new trend is trained to find its mark in washington and other cities across the us. axe throwing is catching on among people looking for a new hobby to find bowling or pool a little bit

lame. so jane went off to let off some steam. you have had a bad day at work or maybe you have fallen out with your partner or perhaps you burnt the cakes — i don't know — but what better way ease the tension and get rid of some of that pent—up aggression than lob an axe at the wall. it's not like the normal thing to do. ok, let's go and do something that i can end of my life with today so when it comes to this, everybody can just kind of calm, experience something new, it'sa bonding experience, and it is a lot of fun. now, step with your right foot. give it a good go. just like, take it up... step... well, i hit the target. you did hit the target. that's a start. it is really not that dangerous, as long as you do not throw like a crazy person and just try to have is some fun. axe throwing is becoming alarmingly popular in the us, having make its way across the borderfrom canada. there is even an axe throwing league. that is quite a medal you've got there.

how did you win it? i won this by throwing large axes at wood on a wall. so how did you do it, because i'm hopeless. what is it your top tip for me? i go with the 2—handed stout, overhand, no wrist action. that is a common misconception. no wrist involved in it. cheering. how does this make you feel? it makes me feel lack a man with big, hairy chest. clearly, my technique needs a little polish. so after half a dozen throws, and i promise i will not do anything bad with this, i am exhausted, the axe is getting blunt and i still have not hit the target but it is great fun and i am so glad i've had a bad day at work! and so the night wore on. oh, come on! once you have mastered the basics,

there is no limit to what you can do with an axe. and then there is that golden moment when it all comes together. yeahhh! whoo! cheering. jane o'brien, bbc news, axe throwing queen of washington! good forjane. that is brilliant. let's talk about how twitter question. it is international women's day and we will talk about other issues like pay but also we are at the geneva motor show. we have been talking to people about what they think about so—called booth aids, models who are often next two cars, brand—new cars, on sale at these shows. should these

booth babies be banned? i have to say, most of you who have responded so far this morning are male. we have not had any women tweeters. some of what you have said... we will be back in business briefing ina we will be back in business briefing in a moment with more on that story. see you soon. hello. our weather looks to be a turning milder on the weekend

but in the short term it is chillier and there's a bit of snow in the forecast. here's the recent satellite picture. cloud has been coming in from the south—west across parts of england and wales producing some rain, sleet and snow. this is what it looks like first thing on thursday. particularly in the high grounds, parts of wales, the midlands, and northern england but notjust high ground, even into lower levels, in heavier bursts, you could have picked up a few centimetres. there could be some snow falling as you start off the day. here's alook at things around the first few hours of the morning then, even behind the rain, sleet and snow, some wintry showers pushing into parts of wales but this is the snowier area here, to begin the day. so just worth checking before you head out in the morning to find the situation near you, just to make sure you're not going to encounter any problems. your bbc local radio station is a good place to start. now, what happens during the rest of the day, the rain, sleet and snow will pull away from northern england and then it is quieter picture. yes, they'll be a few showers moving through england and wales, still wintry on the higher hills,

but a lot of fine and fairly sunny weather to come in the afternoon. in northern ireland, a mainly dry, fine day to come here. for much of scotland as well, but there will be a few showers for parts of the northern and western isles and hte far north—west of the mainland. again, wintry on hills as for most of us, temperatures are in single figures. under largely clear skies, we'll see a frost settling in on thursday night and into friday morning. still some wintry showers affecting parts of scotland. be aware of that, going into friday. still some showers towards the north—west, on friday. a lot of dry weather elsewhere, to that chilly start. we'll see cloud increasing as some outbreaks of rain head into parts of southern england and south wales as we go through friday afternoon and into the evening. still temperatures for most will be at mainly in single figures. just a few spots in the south—east at around 10 or 11 degrees. here's our next weather system coming in and, as we go through friday and then into saturday, it takes that moisture a bit further north. still with the threat of some snow in its northern edge but particularly on hills.

but it is the leading edge of some less cold air. some milder air, as you can see by the colours here, moving northwards across much of the uk, as we go on through the weekend. it's not all plain sailing at the weekend. there will be some outbreaks of rain, at time. again, and the chance of seeing some hill snow but, yes, this weekend, the temperatures are on the up. this is business briefing. i'm sally bundock. let's look at the headlines. the trans—pacific let's look at the headlines. the tra ns—pacific partnership will let's look at the headlines. the trans—pacific partnership will be formally signed today in chile. booth babes at the geneva motor show — is there a role in 2018? we've been finding out. donald trump's trade war could start today. there are some gains in asia as people try to make sense of donald trump's trade tariff plans.