this is the briefing. i'm david eades. our top story: britain waits for russia's response. with support from key allies over the nerve agent attack on a former spy, the uk prepares for what moscow says will be a ‘fitting' and ‘symmetrical‘ reaction to the expulsion of 23 diplomats. i'm lucy hockings in moscow, and as the diplomatic row continues, the people of russia are preparing to vote in sunday's presidential election, with vladimir putin hoping to win his fourth term in office two other main stories. a brand—new pedestrian bridge across a motorway in miami collapses, killing four people. we'll have the latest from the scene. and in a special report we speak to civilians in syria who escaped the conflict in eastern ghouta. and coming up in the business briefing, trading threats — raising tensions. fears of a global trade war set to dominate as 620 finance chiefs gather this weekend. we'll be getting the views of

a trade expert from henley business school. plus, what could be in store for the commuter of the future! and why there soon won't be any excuse for being late into the office. a warm welcome to the programme — briefing you on all you need to know in global news, business and sport. you can be part of the conversation. tell us what you think of any of our main stories or anything that may be getting your boat today. just use oui’ getting your boat today. just use our hash tag. —— getting your goat. two days before russia goes to the polls in a presidential election, the diplomatic

brinksmanship continues over the nerve agent attack on a former double agent living in the uk. britain has expelled 23 russians in retaliation, but russia has again denied any involvement. what will its next move be? this is in the midst of the buildup to the election. let's go now to moscow and lucy. a warm welcome it isa moscow and lucy. a warm welcome it is a chilly but beautiful day here in moscow this morning. you are right, we are still waiting for that response from the kremlin. yesterday they told us it would be coming soon. vladimir putin meeting with the security council to discuss retaliatory measures. the tone here in moscow is very much one of indignation. they think that britain's allegations are not only insane but irresponsible and they keep saying over and over again here

on state media that they want to see the evidence. 0k, we are also in election mode. last night on television we saw the second part of a documentary on vladimir putin which promised to send a mission to mars next year. this story, the diplomatic row is not the only thing dominating the headlines here in russia. we will have more on the election in a moment that however first, let's get back up today. russia may be diplomatically isolated as world powers fall in behind britain. but vladimir putin was showing no signs of that at a rally before the election the sunday. with 23 russian diplomats considered to be spies in exile from the uk, the next move is this. moscow has continued its salvo of defiant attacks, saying that britain has a boorish attitude and cannot be trusted. according to the russian foreign minister sergey lavrov, they are even trying to distract attention from brexit. britain's defence secretary was equally blunt.

if you are a nation and another nation has launched a nerve agent attack on your people, then we have every right to tell russia to shut up and go away. nato agrees with britain's assessment that russia was responsible for the nerve agent attack in salisbury. the prime minister's public visit there has assured that this attack and all of its ramifications remain very much in the limelight. here behind covers and screens, the investigation continues. in london and moscow and in other world capitals, a diplomatic war is on the way. one of the points that sergey lavrov made yesterday is that he would behave like a gentleman and inform the british government first for any measures were made public. we are still waiting to hear from the kremlin. bringing in an expert here

and asking, when you think we will get a response? we should remember that in december 2016 when the us expelled many diplomats from washington and san francisco, that took moscow a while to consider a response. it will probably take them a few days in this case as well. maybe today, after the elections. they are trying to craft a response that makes them look strong but adequate. that is the formula they like. the only hint we have had so far is that it's possible british diplomats will be expelled. that possible but not definite. somebody asked and they said of course. but thatis asked and they said of course. but that is not an official response. how has this been playing into the election campaign? it is being

portrayed carefully. they broadcast the message, they have been broadcasting for quite a while, the rush is a besieged fortress against the west and all of this is a western conspiracy. to add to that a few weeks ago, russian state television started to air race by spy television started to air race by spy drama cold sleeping agents. —— started to aira spy drama cold sleeping agents. —— started to air a spy drama. as soon as we get anywhere from the kremlin we will bring it to you here on bbc news. at least four people have died after a newly built pedestrian bridge collapsed onto a highway in miami. it crosses one of the busiest roads in south florida. it was only put up last week using a system called accelerated modular building, which enables it to be constructed in a day. it hadn't yet been opened to pedestrians. lebo diseko reports. this is all that's left of the

bridge that was built for safety‘s sake. reduced to rubble. emergency services say they are still in search and rescue mode for now. it is thought that several people have died but it is not clear yet how many. we will continue to surge this pile until we are sure that there are no other survivors. we were able to remove nine victims early on. they have been transported to local hospitals and once we have completed our search and rescue operations we will remain on scene and help with the recovery efforts as well. it was just before two in the afternoon local time when the 950 ton bridge collapsed, crashing down on the road below and trapping people and cars beneath it. was completed last saturday and was meant to get stu d e nts saturday and was meant to get students from florida international university safely across a busy motorway. we were just hanging out

and then we didn't hear much but we heard sirens. we looked outside and saw multiple cars crushed under the bridge. i was in the dawn and my uncle col me and told me a bridge collapsed. i didn't believe him because i saw them put it up on saturday. the section that collapsed was cold an instant rigid because of the fast construction method used. authorities will want to know how this structure, which was meant to be iconic, could have failed so catastrophically. investigators have been sent to the scene to try and establish what happened. meanwhile, the company that put the bridge up says that it is devastated at the loss of life and is doing everything it can to help. let's brief you on some of the other stories making the news. thousands of brazilians have attended the funeral of a politician in rio dejaneiro who had campaigned against police brutality. vigils and rallies have been

held in several cities. marielle franco was killed by a gunman who pulled up next to her car and shot her several times before escaping. the former zimbabwean president, robert mugabe has broken his silence to say that that his successor, emmerson mnangagwa, could never have assumed power without the army's backing. the 94—year—old mr mugabe said he had been the victim of a coup. more than 12,000 people have been fleeing syria's rebel—held area of eastern ghouta, as government forces advance. men, women and children were seen leaving the town of hamouria, near damascus. it's the first medical evacuation since a massive assault began nearly a month ago. and for many of those who've managed to flee the violence in syria, the shadow of war remains.

rouaa and mustafa, two 7—year—olds, were born in the year the conflict began. our correspondent caroline hawley has been following their stories. rouaa and herfriend hoda are part of a whole generation of syrians growing up as refugees. her family fled eastern ghouta in 2013, after a chemical attack. a nappy soaked in vinegar was all her parents had to try to protect her. "this is home now", she says. one room for the whole family to eat, sleep and study in. and even after nearly five years here, she still hasn't got used to the camps shared toilets. but here, she is at least safe. her cousin, mohammed, was killed in an air strike in eastern ghouta this week. herfather‘s thighbone

was shattered by a sniper‘s bullet and he can't work. her sister was hit by shrapnel. they're just one of so many families scarred inside and out by syria's war. a barrel bomb killed mustafa's parents, broke both of his hips, and lodged a piece of shrapnel in his brain. he has severe nerve damage down his left side. it's hard for him trying to keep up with his peers, but he's determined. back at home, his grandmother brings out a photograph of his father, ibrahim. but mustafa is now losing the memory of what his parents

were actually like. once a week, mustafa comes for physiotherapy. beside him is benin. she lost her father, two brothers and a sister when a shell landed on her home. syrian children have paid a catastrophic price for the war. and yet, in art therapy, mustafa draws himself smiling. despite everything he's been through, everything he's up against, i've never once seen him complain. caroline hawley, bbc news, amman. stay with us on the briefing.

also on the programme — how a boyhood dream became a well paid reality — we hear from a kayaker who learnt his craft on the ganges. today we have closed the book on apartheid and that chapter. more than 3,000 subway passengers were affected. nausea, fainting, headaches and the dimming of vision, all of this caused by an apparently organised attack. the trophy itself was on the pedestal in the middle of the cabinet here. it was an international trophy and we understand now that the search for it has become an international search. above all, this was

a triumph for the christian democrats of the west, offering reunification as quickly as possible, and that's what the voters wanted. you're watching the briefing. our headlines: as the tension over the nerve agent attack intensifies, the uk prepares for what moscow says will be a fitting and symmetrical reaction to the expulsion of 23 diplomats. a pedestrian bridge has collapsed onto a busy motorway in the american city of miami, killing four people. emergency crews are working to reach those still trapped under the rubble. the danish prime minister has told the bbc that britain can rely

upon its european neighbours in moments of crisis, despite its decision to leave the union. lars lokke rasmussen said they still had the closest ties possible and he warned that the eu would be sending a very clear message to russia in relation to the salisbury attack when it meets next week. our europe editor katya adler reports. denmark is one of the uk's closest european allies, a fellow nonconformist rather eurosceptic nation. today, as we walked through the danish parliament, prime minister rasmussen wanted to talk first about the salisbury attack and whether the eu would take concrete action. i think it's time to step up and speak out very loud and very clear to russia that we will not accept this because this is a threat to everybody‘s security. this is in a way the first real test after brexit. 12 months of very bad—tempered negotiations. can the uk still rely on its european allies in a moment of crisis?

yes. i'm absolutely convinced that britain can rely on europe. even though the british have decided to leave the eu as an institution, britain is still a part of europe. because so far britain has been disappointed by its traditional allies, in that in the brexit negotiations, denmark, the netherlands, ireland, in the negotiations have chosen, if you like, the eu over ally uk. well, i wouldn't put it that way. even though i love britain, i mean, i have to be aware of what the danish interest is in this case. i have to protect my business environment in the same way that theresa may has to protect the british business community. and you believe that changing rules for the uk would damage the single market? that could be the case. it could be, you know, followed by other countries wanting to go down the same way, if we allow this kind of cherry picking. but denmark is keen on some

cherry picking of its own. it's one of the world's biggest exporters of fish but danish fishermen rely heavily on access to uk waters. they want that to continue after brexit. this is definitely something we have to negotiate. i mean, that's what it's all about, negotiating. so will there be that give and take? my point of departure is that we have to reach out for a balanced agreement. let's look at this idea the transition deal. the uk is hoping for that to be confirmed at the eu's leaders summit on thursday and friday. you will be there. will it be a yes? i will echo those who say that we need to send a clear signal about a transitional agreement so that we can postpone uncertainty until 2020. that brexit uncertainty is disruptive for denmark and the rest of europe as well as the uk. whatever is decided at next week's

eu summit, months of tough negotiations still lie ahead. katya adler, bbc news, copenhagen. now it's time to get all the latest from the bbc sports centre. hello. i'm azi farni with your friday sport briefing, including a look ahead to the champions league draw and a look back at the europa league last 16 matches. after months of matches across europe, the champions league is now down to the last eight. the line—up was completed on wednesday night in barcelona, when lionel messi powered the catalans past chelsea. and the draw for the quarter—finals will be made, along with the europa league, at uefa's headquarters in switzerland in just a few hours time. barcelona are joined by holders real madrid,

bayern munich, manchester city, juventus, liverpool, roma and sevilla. away from football, it's semi—final time at indian wells in california. the women's world number one simona halep is in action, looking to win her second title of the year. she'll face japan's naomi osaka later on friday for a place in the final. and even though she's ranked at 44 in the world, osaka's become a bit of a giant killer, having already beaten maria sharapova, agnieska radwanska and mostly recently former world number one karolina pliskova in the quarterfinals. i think ithinki i think i have played here that most of anybody i have played on the tour. everytime it has been really hard. i know she's going to fight andi hard. i know she's going to fight and i know every point is going to

bea and i know every point is going to be a challenge and i am just really looking forward to it because this is my first time in the semifinals and also playing a world number one. finally, the teams have just one more day to make their last—minute preparations ahead of the final round of rugby union's six nations championship. ireland need to beat holders england at twickenham on saturday to win their third ever grand slam title of their history. as for england, head coach eddiejones has made drastic changes to his side after defeats to scotland and france. we feel we need to play a certain way to beat ireland, you know, they have had a great run the. they have each de marchi one ten, 11 games on the run, no one has been able to beat them. we feel we need to bring the field on the team on saturday that can play the way they can be beat and that is what we have selected. eddiejones was feeling the heat even before the events —— arsenal are through to the quarter—finals of the europa league after a comfortable victory over

italian giants ac milan. arsenal led 2—0 from the first leg — but milan scored first at the emirates stadium, with hakan shal—khanolu reducing the deficit after 35 minutes. but then a controversial penalty from danny welbeck and a goal from granit xhaka — either side of the break — put arsenal in front. before wellbeck scored again to see his side win 3—1 on the night and 5—1 on aggregate. you can find all of the nights results on the bbc sport wesbite. afghanistan have kept their slim hopes of qualifying for the 2019 cricket world cup alive. they beat the west indies by three wickets in the first match of the super sixes. only the top two teams will qualify. afghanistan removed chris gayle in just the fourth over, as the west inides limped to a first innings score ofjust 198. and despite losing more of their batsman than they would've liked, the afghans reached the total with three wickets remaining. they still need to win their last two matches to stand a chance of qualifying though. now for the best of sporting social media.

and while indian wells is in full swing in california, the tournmament is definitely missing one of its biggest names. now he's out injured at the moment but he's stepping up his rehab in the pool — can you guess who it is yet? yes, the world number two rafael nadal says he's getting stronger everyday and he's eyeing a return to the court soon. don't forget you can get all the latest sports news at our website — that's bbc.com/sport. but that's it for your friday sport briefing. there are many routes to success and for one boy growing up in india, it was along the ganges river. after watching tourists white—water rafting, he decided to try it himself. fast forward a few years and he's a safety guide on rapids farfrom home.

i work so at home in switzerland. —— work summertime. doing it a kayaking school was not possible for me, it was really expensive. what they would charge for four at expensive. what they would charge forfourata, £40. expensive. what they would charge forfourat a, £40. dash expensive. what they would charge for four at a, £40. dash for a day. to get my own boat it took me a solid six to seven years, working as a raft guide. my house is pretty basic. i live under the bridge. a raft guide. my house is pretty basic. i live underthe bridge. my house is made out of ten shed. -- tin. when they got to know i am going to iceland, they are very happy. their son is going abroad and working there, they felt really proud as well. we are trying to build our new

house, which is most of the money from iceland. i feel so proud when i hear on the from iceland. i feel so proud when i hearon the ok from iceland. i feel so proud when i hear on the ok how many of us are actually working as a raft guide as actually working as a raft guide as a safety kaya ker outside actually working as a raft guide as a safety kayaker outside of our country. i used to live near the ganges river and i enjoy these rapids, it is fun there, but in this home. it means a lot to me because otherwise i would not be able to be here without them. great pictures there, aren't there? stay with me on bbc news, i'll be back with the business briefing in just a few moments. fears of a global trade war and what

to do about it. we will bring you a review of the main news stories. a lot of focus on russia, notjust about spying but also the elections pending for president vladimir putin. thank you for watching. some parts of the uk will escape with a fine friday and others will see outbreaks of rain by the end of the day, there will be some snow in places too. along this weather front will hold onto cloud, some snow into the scottish hills but that snow level or in by the end of the day as we will see in a moment. this is how friday is shaping up. we talked about this would zone, another area of rain is clearing from wales into parts of north—west england, fringing into the east of northern ireland and to the south of that we have sunny spells breaking out in a feud heavy showers breaking out they could have a rumble of thunder. two

bridges in double figures for one more day, in the wet zone to the north—east it will be turning colder and feeling much colder by the end of the day. that snow level lowering away from the hills to even lower levels through friday night with a light covering in places going into saturday morning, the snow showers starting to drift further west and a frost to start saturday and for some of us it gets colder. a bitter winter. we have seen this before. a familiar picture. the beast from the east, the miniversion of that coming back with high pressure in scandinavia and that easterly wind coming in on saturday and some of the snow showers into eastern parts of the uk, some to the north and west will stay largely bright and getting sunny spells but it will be bitterly cold wherever you are and if you catch some of these, it will be cold enough for that snow to stick in places, particularly in the high ground. approaches may end up slightly above freezing but when you factor in the wind chill it is going

to feel like it is below freezing across much of the uk. saturday night into sunday morning for a speu night into sunday morning for a spell of snow pushing into parts of the uk, particularly england and wales. it may end up being a bit further north as well, something in the detail there that the chance that a few of us could wake up with a light covering of snow with that risk of disruption, still the bitterly cold easterly wind and still on sunday a significant wind chills. winter is roaring back for the weekend and briefly at the start of next week before it turns mild again. much colder this week, with that bitter wind chill and yes, there will be some snow around. this is business briefing. i'm david eades. trading threats — raising tensions. fears of a global trade war set to dominate as g20 finance chiefs gather this weekend. plus — what could be in store for the commuter of the future. and why there soon won't be any excuse for being late into the office.

as the markets, let's bring them up for you. the japanese market is down quite a bit as is the hong kong market. it has been like this for most of the week over fears of the possibility of more trade tension to come although the dowjones had a slightly better day.