this is bbc world news today. our top stories... china approves the removal of term limits for its leader effect of allowing the president to remain in power indefinitely. what has happened here today is highly significant. a choreographed compliant rubber—stamp parliament has removed the last limitation on his power. colombians vote in landmark congressional elections, with the former farc rebel group fielding candidates for the first time. wash everything you had with you — the message to english drinkers and diners in the area where a former russian spy was poisoned by a nerve agent. success for the superhero film with a largely black cast , black panther takes more than a billion us dollars at cinemas worldwide. hello and welcome to world news today.

in an historic move the national people's congress in china has abolished presidential term limits. the vote allows the current president, xijinping, to stay in office beyond the end of his second term in 2023. as expected the amendment was passed overwhelmingly. out of nearly 3000 delegates only two people voted against. critics argue the move gives one person too much power and moves china away from a democratic path. 0ur correspondentjohn sudworth reports from beijing. xi jinping was the first to cast his vote for a change which could if he wants make him president for life. the applause proof, if anyone needed, that the result was a foregone conclusion. out of almost 3000 delegates, only two voted against.

passed, the announcer says. this man's hold on power is now complete and indefinite. the cost of opposition to his rule can be high. this woman shows the papers left behind by her husband, a lawyer who recently wrote an open letter calling for democratic elections. he is now been detained on subversion charges. translation: he did everything within the boundaries of the law and yet it is not allowed here and now many people are afraid of speaking out. as china enacts its most profound political change in decades, all public discussion is being tightly controlled. the 2—term limit solve a problem facing all undemocratic authoritarian states.

it helps china ensure orderly and regular leadership succession, what's happened here today is highly significant. a choreographed, complex, rubber—stamp parliament has removed the last limitation on xijinping's power. the director of the cia has defended president trump's decision to meet the north korean leader, saying that he appreciated the risks involved. speaking on american television, mike pompeo, said the president had agreed to sit down with kim jong un to try to solve a problem, not as a piece of theatre. what will turn out is not about what is someone said, this eyes has —— have their eyes wide open and the whole conversation the pressure will continue to mount on north korea. there is no relief in sight until the president gets the objectively

has set forth consistently during his entire time in office. rest assured when the president enters that room if kim jong assured when the president enters that room if kimjong un assured when the president enters that room if kim jong un lives assured when the president enters that room if kimjong un lives up assured when the president enters that room if kim jong un lives up to the four commitments, those major concessions the president will be fully prepared for his conversation with kimjong fully prepared for his conversation with kim jong un. the polls have closed in an historic legislative election in colombia. for the first time ever, candidates from the former rebel group, the farc, have run for congress. as part of a peace accord agreed in 2016, farc, now a left—wing political party, is guaranteed ten of the two—hundred—and—eighty seats. live now to bogota. i understand with the people of colombia some very mixed feelings even though this isa very mixed feelings even though this is a real historic day. that's right, these the first elections to be held in peace after the peace process back in 2016. the feeling is

that the government has been lenient, a lot of these people, these former soldiers should not be running for office yet but speak to others and they think they should be a role these soldiers should be playing in the future of colombia. it isa playing in the future of colombia. it is a very divided country as we have seen. these elections are a first colombia, this country has worked hard to change direction, the focus now is on the vote not violence. it is a day of first after more than 30 years fighting in the jungle, the politician is hoping to wina jungle, the politician is hoping to win a seat in congress. it is also the first time in his life he has been able to vote. he is a free man 110w been able to vote. he is a free man now no longer pursued by the law come he wants to play a part in colombia's future. it is the ideal we fought for, he tells me try to ta ke we fought for, he tells me try to take part in politics in a legal and civilised way in a democratic way.

many colombians feel the government has been too lenient and they wanted the fight is to pay for their crimes before standing for office. colombia is divided. i don't support the far at all, people do not change overnight. it is the ride they have been given as colombians to be reintegrated into society. the challenge they face as it is so bound up in the country is conflict, nearly everybody here in colombia has spent most of their lives living in the shadow of violence, it is ha rd to in the shadow of violence, it is hard to take them seriously as politicians, so accepting the farc will take time. they started life as a marxist inspired movements demanding land rights over half a century of fighting some more than 200,000 people killed and millions displaced when the peace deal was signed in 2016,000 of soldiers lay down their weapons but their memory looms large. this man was held

hostage by the farc to seven years, the six the former senator was chained to a tree by his neck. he did not speak to anyone in the tee—macro years, despite that he thinks a peace deal was the right decision. the war can never be won, i agree with finding a way that enables people to lay down arms i do not doubt that but i don't like the attitude of farc, they have not apologised to their victims. that is apologised to their victims. that is a feeling echoed by many colombians by the architect of the deal says there is no going back. we're having there is no going back. we're having the first time in nearly 50 years a peaceful election and this is exactly what a peace project is about, changing the bullets for votes. changing the violence of arguments. these elections may not alter the political landscape immediately but they are in an important first step towards legitimising the fighters and finding a way forward after decades of war. the right wing parties are

expected to do very well in these elections, a feeling they are punishing the current government for this peace deal that many people feel is too lenient. it is not plain sailing for farc, this is the beginning and speaking to people they feel it will take generations to change, new politicians coming forward to a less associated with the conflict and less blood on the hands. hundreds of people in the english city of salisbury, who visited the same restaurant and pub as a poisoned former russian spy and his daughter, are being advised to wash their clothes and possessions, as a precaution. traces of the nerve agent have been found in both locations. but england's chief medical officer says she's confident there's been no harm to the health of any members of the public. daniel sandford reports from salisbury. wearing gas masks and protective clothing, military personnel were spending mother's day in salisbury loading potentially contaminated cars onto trucks. two vauxhall vehicles had been

parked behind a church not far from the city centre. bizarre and extraordinary scenes once again. this time in a pay and display car park in this historic cathedral city. it was the attack on sergei skripal that led to the operation. police confirmed traces of the nerve agent were found in the mill pub as well as this easy restaurant where the bbc understands a table used by the bbc understands a table used by the power was so contaminated it had to be destroyed. the chief medical 0fficer gave his advice to those in the pub and restaurant on sunday afternoon and monday. wash clothes, ideally in the washing machine, any items that cannot be washed and normally would be dry cleaned should be double bagged in plastic until further information is available. wipe personal items with baby wipes and dispose of them in the bins.

wash hard items that cannot go in the washing machine in warm water and detergent. steve cooper was in the pub on sunday at exactly the same time. he said he is getting worried. they haven't revealed what the nerve agent was and what the effect long—term on anyone's health could be. i'd like to know more about that. i'd like to know what precautions i personally can take. rather than just washing my clothes, having potentially already been exposed, what precautions can me and my wife tape. i don't think washing my phone and my watch with baby wipes is going to get rid of a nerve agent. did the emergency services respond quickly enough? are you satisfied that you escalated this incident quickly enough at the beginning of last week?

the machinery, the support, the national advice, the capability and expertise was mobilised. for this ancient medieval city it has been a surreal and frightening seven days. if the suspicions proved right, what happened here, the use of a chemical weapon, nerve agent, to attack to people is likely to have huge implications with britain's relations with russia. daniel sandford reporting there. more details on the bbc news website regarding that story. still to come. . . regarding that story. still to come... black panther is breaking records, the superhero snaps up over $1 billion in ticket sales. the numbers of dead and wounded

defied belief, this is the worst terrorist atrocity on european soil in modern times. in less than 2a hours the soviet union lost an elderly sikh leader and replaced him with a dynamic figure 20 years his junior. we heard gunshots, he fired and it was petrifying. james earl ray aged 41 sentenced to 99 years and you for parole when 90 travelled to nashville state prison in an eight car convoy. what is it fear like to be narrowed at last? fine, thank you. will it change your life much? i don't know, really, thank you. will it change your life much? idon't know, really, i thank you. will it change your life much? i don't know, really, i have never been married before. this is bbc world news. the main

story on the programme, china has removed presidential term limits from its constitution allowing the current leader to remain in power indefinitely. more on this, joining me is an associate professor at yale law school. thank you forjoining us on the bbc. i think we know why president xiejin ping would like to remain in power indefinitely, he wa nts to remain in power indefinitely, he wants to keep clinging on to power but why now, why has this been voted through now? well, there are a few different layers to that question. the timing is one thing. probably the best reason for the timing is that i would imagine it caused most

people off guard. if you're going to consolidate power against the status quo and entrenched status quo you don't want to give the opposition warning about this. the fact this came as a surprise warning about this. the fact this came as a surprise to all outside observers suggest it likely was in january when it came as a surprise to most insiders as well. plus, honestly, he has enough power and if you can do it right now, why wait five more years? i will ask you about international relations and what it means that but before that, i want to show you our viewers how president donald trump reacted to the news before it was rubber—stamped and voted through. president for life. that was another one, he is president of life, it

happened two days ago. and i was joking, i was at a railway station but i wasjoking joking, i was at a railway station but i was joking and joking, i was at a railway station but i wasjoking and said, president of life, that sounds good, maybe we will have to try that. some americans might be pleased about that idea, others won't be. he was joking, he was criticised as saying that but donald trump said i was just joking. that but donald trump said i was justjoking. is that not an issue, that the rest of the world may now look at china that was becoming increasingly democratic and increasingly democratic and increasingly co—operative with the outside world as going backwards rather than forwards?” outside world as going backwards rather than forwards? i have no doubt this is soft power. it arouses suspicion especially amongst western european and american societies, that said over the short to medium term i think foreign countries may find that china will become a more sta ble find that china will become a more stable and more predictable global player. the reason for this is that

now he has consolidated power he has less incentive to play international tensions for domestic political game. will not put president trump and theresa may and emmanuel macron ina and theresa may and emmanuel macron in a difficult position when it comes to doing business with china that effectively has in the eyes of some, if you look at social media, a dictator in charge now? to be honest it is not like western countries do not have lots of experiences dealing with dictatorships. and china was not much of a democracy in the first place, it was an autocracy. even if you do away with the regular tournaments, it is still the quality of the same autocracy was before. i'm not sure this would add any massive domestic political issues for western countries. you guys are used to dealing with bad countries.

so business as usual but with the same person for a lot longer. many thanks for speaking to us. now, the sport. harry kane ankle injury is a concern that on a manager mauricio pochettino after he was taken off during their 4—1 win away to during tbeitlgrl unawaytm 3:52 striker ”f. £._£ .. the bournemouth keeper but did with the bournemouth keeper but did not stop this time coming from a goal down to move up to place. arsenal with a 31 win over watford. the new signings go on the score sheet as they begin their mini revival. it was important for us to

win today after milan. and it was a difficult game like you get in the premier league and we had to battle and we did. we had maybe jaded legs at some stage but overall the desire and spirit in the team was good. at some stage but overall the desire and spirit in the team was goodm italy, cerri aa, fiorentina return to play after the sudden death of their captain. the game was stopped on the 13th minute to pay tribute to the former italian international who wore the number 13. the man who took the place scored the game is only goal in the 25th minute as the home side won 1—0. that win took fiorentina up to ninth in the table. athletico madrid cut the lead on

barcelona to eight points after a win over celta vigo. todayit today it was all about the super g in the alpine skiing and it was a second gold for henrietta from slovakia beating the britain. these games will know the name very well, she is a french star and she has a

number of titles to her name and today she won her second gold of these paralympics today she won her second gold of these pa ralympics and today she won her second gold of these paralympics and seems unbeatable as it stands. there was an interesting race unfolding as cu rt an interesting race unfolding as curt oak—wood from canada denied america andrew kirk from winning his second gold. he finished eighth yesterday in the downhill but thrived on the super g course. there was also nordic skiing taking place and it was the 12.5 kilometre cross—country race and this was the race that saw north korea competing in its first paralympic games. an historic moment for them but also the race that south korea won their first medal of these games. the bronze so they'll be over the moon to be finally on the medals table. a busy day and more still to come in pyeongchang. the hosts started

strongly and despite seat sin—binning is an being reduced to 13 players at one point warren gatland er... site had too much and reserve the italians who have lost 16ina reserve the italians who have lost 16 in a row. novak djokovic is uncorked in indian wells. he has lost a first set. some of the stories coming in, we are hearing the syrian government assault on the rebel held on clove of east and ginter is continuing as our strikes and fierce fighting on the ground and fierce fighting on the ground and the red cross say conditions the civilians are dire with the bodies of the dead left to rot under the rubble as the army tightens its grip on the region. a private turkish plane flying from united arab emirates to istanbul bus crashed near the arabian city. all eight

passengers and three crew on board have been killed. turkish media are reporting the passengers were a group of friends returning from a hen party in dubai. the french far right leader marine le pen has proposed a new name for our national front party as she seeks to distance it from its racist past. she wants to change it to national you in. party members have agreed by a slim margin to ditch the name. the superhero film black panther has now taken more than a billion us dollars at cinemas worldwide. the marvel film by disney has been widely praised as game—changing — including by michelle 0bama — for having a largely black cast and a black director. the film stars chadwick boseman, who plays the crime—fighting ruler of a fictional african nation with the most advanced technology on earth.

the film became a sensation on social media, with fans using the hashtag ‘what black panther means to me' to highlight its significance for black audiences. to talk about the huge impact it's had i've been speaking to sylvia 0bell, buzzfeed's entertainment reporter from new york. she first told me why it's considered to be so ground breaking. it definitely broken into the top ten domestic gross, global grossing films period. it is one of 16 disney films period. it is one of 16 disney films to break a billion. it is one of the four from marvel, so films to break a billion. it is one of the fourfrom marvel, so it films to break a billion. it is one of the four from marvel, so it has really done well beyond the fact of just the category of movies with predominantly large black casts. why do you think though this has caused such a huge following, is it because it isa such a huge following, is it because

it is a good film or is it because it is a good film or is it because it is a good film or is it because it is breakthrough particularly because it has a predominantly black cast involves weighing less traditionally find black actors and actresses ? traditionally find black actors and actresses? at its core it is a good movie, it is a great movie. whether it isa movie, it is a great movie. whether it is a black cast or any other race of caste, the movie is well made, he did an amazingjob of caste, the movie is well made, he did an amazing job directing the movie. everybody brought their a—game and it has universal truths that go beyond the black race. it is really just about a great superhero movie with a lot of universal truth that connects with people across the world and everybody did a greatjob and that is what the point is that these movies can hold their own just like most other superhero movies regardless of what race the main characters are. the issue is that the kind of roles the black actors

tend to get our victims and gangsters and small roles as well and that is why so many people are excited about this film but do you think this isjust excited about this film but do you think this is just a one—off or do think this is just a one—off or do think we will see films that don't actually require a black cast having actually require a black cast having a mainly black cast? only time can tell for sure. i think this movie absolutely should show that these are the kind of black characters and actors can play bigger wider selection of roles like any other actor and definitely it should lead to more superhero films, especially more black panther films. let's hope so. thank you for watching and don't forget you can keep up—to—date with the latest developments on all our stories online on the bbc news website. from me and the team, thank you forjoining us. pa rt

part two of the weekend was quite mixed though much of the northern pa rt mixed though much of the northern part of the country was fine and settled after a chilly start with mist and fog. further south outbreaks of rain developing across the south—west but sunshine in between the showers. this area of low pressure will be a key player in the next 2a hours slowly sliding its way eastwards mainly affecting england and wales with the northern half of the country staying largely dry. much of scotland will stay dry and clear skies quite chilly with mist and fog. some rain in the far south of scotland but south of here will be cloudy with outbreaks of rain so less cold here and chilly further north. we start the new working week on a rather unsettled note the many, rain slowly clearing from northern ireland through the morning and seven scotland becoming more confined to england and wales and in the afternoon some rain may turn out to be quite heavy and

persistent in places. further north of the best of the brightness ireland and the best of the sunshine. feeling cooler, temperatures in figures from most majorjust 11 or 12. a ridge of high pressure will move in for tuesday but for wednesday this tangle of weather fronts will arrive in from the west to bring more rain for wednesday and thursday. this is the picture of the tuesday, low pressure eventually moves away from the south—east, a legacy of cloud across east anglia and the south—east but high pressure pushes in towards the rest of the country so settling things down, lighter winds, rest of the country so settling things down, lighterwinds, cloud breaking and sunshine around. still on the coolest died but pleasant enoughin on the coolest died but pleasant enough in stronger march sunshine. the eastern side of the country start school and bright on wednesday with censure but through the day cloud will increase from the west as weather fronts make inroads. cloud will increase from the west as weatherfronts make inroads. rain

will arrive across western areas by the end of the day. temperature rise similarto the end of the day. temperature rise similar to tuesday, nine to ten or 11 celsis. things turn unsettled after wednesday, more rain at times, strengthening wind and signs that something cooler will start to push in from the east by the time we reach the new weekend. this is bbc world news, the headlines... the chinese parliament has voted to abolish term limits on the presidency, a move which will allow the present incumbent and indefinite run in office. us officials have backed president trump's decision to meet the north korean leader. the cia director and the treasury secretary said the united states was making no concessions ahead of the summit. colombians have been voting in congratulating in which for the first time, a former rebel group is

fielding candidates. as part of the peace accord the party is guaranteed ten out of 280 seats. and the superhero film that panther has now taken more than $1 billion at