the us says it has proof that the suspected chemical attack in syria was carried out by the syrian government. dozens are believed to have died, many more injured on saturday in the attack in douma. we know that this was a chemical weapon that was used, uh, in syria. the exact kind, or the mix, that, we are still looking into. as russian troops enter the town hit by the suspected chemical attack, the us blames russia for failing to stop it. we will bring you the latest on this developing story from washington, moscow and the middle east. britain claims russia had been spying on sergei and yulia skripal at least five years before they were poisoned in salisbury. sir cliff richard breaks down in court, saying he felt ‘forever tainted' after bbc coverage of a police raid on his home. the la rgest—ever scan of livers reveals how one in eight middle—aged people could be causing themselves fatal damage by being overweight. and tom daley dives for gold

at the commonwealth games, and uses his victory to campaign for gay rights. on sports day on bbc news, jurgen klopp urges his club to keep an eye ona klopp urges his club to keep an eye on a domestic running, despite the favourable draw against roma for the semifinal of the champions league. good evening. the white house has ratcheted up the tension with syria and russia still further, claiming tonight it has proof the suspected chemical attack on saturday in which dozens are believed to have died was carried out by the syrian government. all eyes are on the whitehouse tonight, waiting to see if donald trump will follow through on his threat to launch missiles on syria, with military support from the uk and france. the secretary—general of the united nations has warned of the danger of military escalation

in syria and says the cold war is back with a vengeance. russia, syria's closest ally, and with troops on the ground there, has warned any attack will be met with retaliation. our diplomatic correspondent, james robbins, has the latest. douma is firmly back under syrian government control. this is the ruined town where it is alleged president assad's forces used chemical weapons a week ago. rebel forces have now fled or been killed. these are the pictures of children and babies overcome, and the desperate attempts to wash them. western powers suspect there has been ample time to destroy evidence. the west is finalising plans for possible punitive strikes. at the united nations security council, the cockpit where opposing powers fight with words, today the secretary—general warned that present military tensions between the west and russia could spiral out of control.

that we know there are certain countries, like syria, that have these weapons and delivery systems. do you have proof that this was the syrian regime? yes, and we look at the information and continue to gather information and further assess it. but russia makes a very different accusation, that the alleged attack was actually faked by the syrian operation, working with british spies or special forces. we have evidence that this... britain calls that a grotesque, blatant lie. at the un security council, the cockpit where opposing five... factions fight with words, the secretary general warned that tensions between the west and russia could spiral out of control. the cold war is back, with a vengeance but the difference. the and

safeguards to manage the risk of escalation in the past no longer seem to be present. the us says it has not decided on military action but their assessment points to president assad using chemical weapons in this war at least 50 times. all nations and people will be harmed if we allow assad to normalise the use of chemical weapons. syria's ambassador painted a different picture, of western powers fabricating a case in order to justify force and initiate regime change. translation: those three countries, the us, britain and france, if they think they can attack us and our sovereignty, we would have no choice but to exercise oui’ would have no choice but to exercise our rights under the un charter to defend ourselves. the west rejects that, so what could its military response involve? the americans have the uss donald cook in the mediterranean, which could hit syrian targets

with cruise missiles. they could be supported by british tornadoes based in cyprus. then the french have their frigate, the aquitaine, as well as rafale fighter jets based in jordan. us and uk submarines are in the region, too, armed with cruise missiles. no one is suggesting there has to be confrontation with the russians, but they already have anti—missile defence systems at two airbases in syria, with a range capable of reaching cyprus. the russians also have an unknown number of fighter jets in the region. whatever precisely happened in douma, the russian defence ministry is now accusing britain directly of organising it. the war of words is louder than ever. any military steps are still unknown. let's get reaction from the washington and moscow. jon sopel at the whitehouse first of all, given that president trump has threatened military action, is this the proof he was looking for, the excuse he needs to launch an attack? well, fiona, isuspect

well, fiona, i suspect we will find out the answer to that question very soon. beyond that door where the marine is standing guard, you go a few steps and you reach the situation room, where donald trump and his most senior advisers will gather if there is to be the order to launch an attack. donald trump was due to be in the room this weekend but has cancelled that. the defence secretary was due on the west coast but is in washington. nikki haley is on her way from new york now to be in washington. one other significant thing that we heard in james's report, other significant thing that we heard injames's report, we have now had the state department and the white house at the briefing a short time ago say in no uncertain terms, they have proof that syria was behind the attack and russia did nothing to stop it. that is a big change from one day ago. this attack might have happened sooner but the reservations that i have understood

from the pentagon, who fear a wider escalation. the one break that could still happen is if the chemical weapons inspectors are in place. i don't think bombing would stop them. one other thing: donald trump doesn't want to be seen like the grand old duke of york who marched his troops up the hill and marched them back down again, or worst still —— or worse still, he seen as barack obama, who dithered but did not attack. and steve rosenberg in moscow, what is the feeling there, how worried are they about the increasing tensions tonight? it is precisely because they are worried that we have been hearing all these accusations and strong words. you know, the phrase war of words. you know, the phrase war of words is something we hear very often to describe relations between russia and the west, but if you listen to the words russia has been using today, you can see just how wide the gulf is now between russia and the west. the words of the russian un ambassador today,

claiming that america's irresponsible behaviour was unworthy ofa irresponsible behaviour was unworthy of a prominent member of the un security council. the words of the russian defence ministry, claiming that the alleged chemical weapons attack in syria was a provocation by britain. what if words are replaced by weapons? what if america and her allies launch an attack on syria? how will russia respond? moscow has made it clear that if the lives of russian servicemen in syria are put in danger, the russian military will target incoming missiles and launch sites. thank you, both. here, the labour leader jeremy corbyn has been given an intelligence briefing today on the suspected chemical attack in syria. he has warned that any uk military intervention in syria risks escalating an already devastating conflict. here's our political editor, laura kuenssberg. don't bomb syria. no more war! they are not waiting. convinced that any action against syria will make matters worse.

western bombs are no solution to the crisis in syria. it's a terrible idea to bomb syria. we disagree with the way the tory government and theresa may and donald trump are going about it. and the labour leader, a lifelong anti—war campaigner, claims the uk is waiting for instructions from america. potential military action, jeremy corbyn suggests, will happen at the president's demand. she appears to be waiting for whatever donald trump decides to do, which is not a particularly positive message. the danger at the moment is, if we go in with targeted or massive bombardment, further civilians will die, further chaos will be caused and the war will escalate. but for a vocal minority in his party, there is no choice but to respond to this, fast. the strikes are important to show there

will be a consequence every time chemical weapons are used against civilians in the way that assad has been able to do without consequence for too many years now. and the government is resolved to act. what we saw in cabinet yesterday was some detailed intelligence which i simply can't talk about, but you will also have seen that cabinet agreed that the use of chemical weapons is not acceptable, not something we will allow to continue. the cabinet formally signed up yesterday to taking action, although with no specifics. and if strikes on syria happen before monday, mps will not be formally asked. whether or not the opposition is on board, whether or not the public is convinced, the expectation here is that the uk will take a place alongside america and france and take action against president assad, maybe in the next 48 hours. the government has notably been

quiet at putting forward any wider strategy, but strikes seem not a question of if but when, and exactly what? ministers know that acting now will not stop arguments later. laura kuenssberg, bbc news, westminster. let's talk to our chief international correspondent, lyse doucet, who's in beirut. with this increasing tension in the ongoing threat of military action, what preparations are taking place there? there is an acute awareness in this region, fiona, that this time, unlike the last time, that if and when the strikes take place, there will be more than just one single salvo. there will be many targets. syria is an incredibly tangled battlefield with many risk.

apart from russia, president assad's are iran and hezbollah fighters. iran has been moving its senior revolutionary guards officers and other advisers out of syria to neighbouring iraq. hezbollah fighters have been moved to safer locations. two reports that more than 20 syrian aircraft, both passenger and military, have been flown to a run to keep them safe. there is another danger too. in syria, it has long been said that there are many wars within wars, proxy wars where tensions have been simmering and growing for many months, even before this latest crisis, tensions between iran and israel, between iran and saudi arabia. and there is an acute awareness that once a spark is lit, there is always the risk of a much biggerfire. there is always the risk of a much bigger fire. thank you. the government's national security advisor says

there is evidence moscow had been spying on sergei skripal and his daughter yulia for at least five years before they were poisoned in salisbury last month. in a letter to nato, sir mark sedwill also says russian military intelligence trained "special units" to use nerve agents, including applying them to door handles. the police have said a nerve agent was found on sergei skripal‘s front door. our security correspondent, gordon corera, has more. nearly six weeks on, police cordons are still in place in salisbury, as the investigation continues. today, though, the government provided new details to press its case that russia was responsible. we already knew that the highest concentration of the nerve agent was found on the front door handle of sergei skripal‘s home, but today, in a letter to nato allies, britain's national security adviser, mark sedwill, said that in the 2000s russia began a programme to train special units, and this programme subsequently included investigation of ways of delivering nerve agents,

including by application to door handles. mr sedwill also claimed that yulia skripal had her e—mail hacked by russian military intelligence, the gru, at least as far back as 2013. her father was seen by the gru as a traitor because he had spied for britain. some of these new details come from secret intelligence, collected in part by mi6. there had been a debate amongst officials about how much could be released, but the view at the highest levels was that it is important to provide as much as possible to try and convince doubters at home and abroad. this afternoon, russia's ambassador in london was dismissive of the investigation. the investigation is conducted in the most non—transparent way. the british government refuse to cooperate at all with the russian authorities. today's letter provides no smoking

gun, but officials will hope that it supports the case that russia had the means and the motive, even if it does not convince all of the doubters. gordon corera, bbc news. sir cliff richard broke down in court today as he told a high courtjudge he felt "forever tainted" by the bbc‘s coverage of a police raid on his home in berkshire, following a sex assault allegation. the 77—year—old singer is taking legal action against the bbc, following the raid in 2014. in his evidence to the court, sir cliff said that after seeing the coverage on television, he collapsed in his kitchen sobbing, and that helicopter footage of the search of his flat, has caused him "profound and long lasting" damage. the bbc says its coverage was in the public interest. lucy manning's report contains some flash photography. sir cliff richard often performs in front of thousands, but with his friend gloria hunniford alongside him, he came this afternoon to the high court

and stepped into the witness box. in despair, helpless and hopeless, was how he described his feelings when the bbc broadcast pictures of police searching his flat in 2014. south yorkshire police are searching a property in berkshire owned by sir cliff richard. "i could see the cameras zoom to show police wearing gloves rummaging through drawers", he said. "i felt confused, disturbed and very upset. it was like i was watching burglars in my apartment going through my personal belongings". the singer was tearful at the beginning. in a witness statement he said the police investigation and bbc reporting of it: normally an energetic performer,

the singer said the allegation of a historical sex offence against him and the bbc‘s coverage had affected him physically and mentally, collapsing on his knees and sobbing the day after the broadcast. he claims he feared he might have a heart attack or stroke. he was never charged or arrested and claims the bbc invaded his privacy. as sir cliff richard was finishing giving evidence he broke down in tears saying, "i am not sure i can go on". he was listing the countries he claims where his reputation was ruined. he said, "everywhere i have ever been, i felt my name was smeared. the police did not do that. the bbc did". sitting listening, bbc news managers fran unsworth and jonathan munroe. the bbc says it was in the public interest to run a story about a serious police investigation that was accurate and where information had been provided by police.

the south yorkshire force who searched his flat has paid £400,000 to the singer in damages and more in legal costs, and apologised. but it says the bbc was more responsible for his distress and should pay a share. sir cliff richard was clear about the impact he claims this has all had. "i felt forever tainted", the singer said. "i still do". lucy manning, bbc news. our legal affairs correspondent, clive coleman, joins me. clive, why is this case so significant? privacy protection has grown a lot since the human rights act created a statutory right to privacy. we have a right to expect privacy in certain areas of our life, for instance our health. but if the media decide they

wa nt to health. but if the media decide they want to report on that, they have to have an overriding public interest in doing so. this case is significant because it is the first time trial has looked at the privacy rights of suspects, the right for suspects not to be identified in the early stages of a police investigation. it is also the first case to look at the decision—making process of a national newsroom, this national newsroom, in deciding to namea national newsroom, in deciding to name a suspect. this is of particular importance in an internet age where if you name a suspect who turns out to be innocent, the damage to their reputation can be instant and worldwide. the media like to get information to the public, but in terms of privacy rights, the picture has changed over the last 20 years, and this case, i think, is going to decide whether a suspect in a police investigation, whether being a suspect is a private fact. i think it will also determine what we are allowed to report about the early

stages of a police investigation. jaguar land rover is to cut production at its plants in the west midlands and will not renew the temporary contracts of around a thousand agency staff. the firm has blamed the fall in demand for diesel vehicles and the uncertainty surrounding brexit. one in eight of people in the uk who are middle aged could have a potentially serious form of liver disease because they're overweight. that's the finding of the largest ever liver scanning project in the country. symptoms of fatty liver disease often don't emerge until permanent damage has been done. it can lead to cirrhosis, liver failure and death. our medical correspondent fergus walsh has been talking to one woman, who changed her lifestyle to beat the disease. this was me in 2011. frances carroll used to weigh 18 stone. then she was told she had fatty liver disease. and they are size? 22. and left unchecked, it could eventually have killed her. i was shocked. i had no idea. i really didn't have any symptoms

that i knew about that, you know, i had a fatty liver. it was one of the things that really helped to motivate me, to make sure that i changed my health, really. she lost seven stone through a combination of a healthy diet and exercise, and is now a fitness instructor. but what about her liver? using specially developed software, this mri scan at southampton general will tell doctors if her fatty liver disease is gone. so, frances, i'm really pleased to say that this is your liver here on the right... it's good news. the nice, green, non—inflamed, happy liver. now, look at an inflamed, fatty liver in red. over time, this can lead to scarring and liver failure. being overweight increases the risk of heart disease, diabetes and cancer, but people usually don't consider their liver.

there is a growing epidemic of fatty liver disease, that's especially worrying as symptoms often don't emerge until permanent damage has been done. and one in eight adults may have the condition, according to a new study. it is very, very alarming. many of those people will go on to develop cirrhosis. their livers will fail, they'll need liver transplants. many of them will die. it is very much a wake—up call. the new enhanced mri scan makes it easierfor doctors to diagnose the problem. it gives us an overview, a map of the entire liver, as opposed to a needlecore biopsy, which is invasive and a rather unpleasant procedure, and allows us to follow patients over time and see if they improve. 90% of liver disease is reversible if, like frances, people change their lifestyle. fergus walsh, bbc news. the duke of edinburgh has

left hospital, after hip replacement surgery. prince philip, who's 96, retired from royal duties last august, but his hip problem came to light following his absence from an easter service at windsor. he went into hospital ten days ago. there's been more success for the home nations on day nine of the commonwealth games in australia, with the medal tally rising ever higher. katarina johnson—thompson took gold in the heptathlon, her first major outdoor title. and wales have had their most successful overseas games ever, after laura halford in the rhythmic gymnastics took silver. meanwhile, tom daley, together with his partner dan goodfellow, won gold in the diving, and tom used the opportunity to speak out against homophobia in some commonwealth countries. natalie pirks reports. it takes nerves of steel to dive from this height, but it takes real courage to use your fame as a platform for change. tom daley today won gold with his partner, daniel goodfellow, in the ten metres synchro event, but he used the moment to shift the focus onto the commonwealth's attitude towards homosexuality.

there's 37 countries in the commonwealth that are competing that currently criminalise lg bt people, which i feel extremely lucky to be able to compete openly and truly who i am, and not worry about ramifications. but for lots of athletes and lots of people living in those countries, it's not the case. and, you know, we have to talk about these things, and we have to shine light on them in order to get change. that means around 70% of commonwealth countries still criminalise homosexuality, and there are only 13 openly gay athletes competing here, out of more than 6500. well, clearly, this is an issue for organisers trying to promote these games as modern and relevant, but officials say that sport still has a great role to play in effecting change. we are playing a part in terms of, you know, setting... setting up policies that ensure that there is no anti—discriminatory behaviour. and some people say, oh,

you're becoming political. it's not political — we are humanising the games, and we are humanising this movement. in 2008 in beijing, matthew mitcham became the first openly gay athlete to win an olympic gold. tonight, he praised daley‘s decision to speak out. we get told as athletes not to be political, but this is a human rights issue, and this is around identity, around people being persecuted for being exactly who they are, and he's done it in the most effective way possible, after having just won a gold medal. his wasn't the only gold of the night. scotland's grace reid won the one—metre springboard event, and jack laugher made it a hat—trick on the gold coast as he and partner chris mears added the commonwealth three metres synchro title to their olympic one. the home nations divers making an impact in more ways than one. natalie pirks, bbc news, gold coast. a reminder of our main story tonight:

the us has said it has proof that the syrian government carried out the suspected chemical attack. you can follow all the developments on the bbc news channel. now on bbc one, it's time for the news where you are. hello and welcome to sports may. it's all a bit 1984. liverpool in the semifinals. a rematch of their famous final in the european cup 54 yea rs famous final in the european cup 54 years ago. i left for england's catarina johnson. she claims the title and a team may gets bronze. after a saudi lady state at injury, will tomorrow be the day for a lady? there are three female jockeys at the grand national —— a soggy ladies day. hello again and thanks forjoining us on

hello again and thanks forjoining us on sports day this evening. we'll have the time they may well have wa nted have the time they may well have wanted but in facing roma in the champions league semifinals they will be up against a team who did the unthinkable to reach the last watts . the unthinkable to reach the last watts. the italians overturn a 4—1 deficit to beat barcelona. and will travel for the first leg at anfield on the 24th of april before the second match in rome on the 2nd of may. it means liverpool avoided the defending champions real madrid who will play bayern munich and the other semifinal. manager will play bayern munich and the othersemifinal. managerjurgen kl°pp, othersemifinal. managerjurgen klopp, the match against roma will provide him with a first. only place off the three options we had. we have never played before. so that is already exciting. and i think it is out it always should be. it is difficult for the games because it isa difficult for the games because it is a fantastic side, to solid sides. if they only saw these two games then you already know pretty much everything about roma. avoided the favourite, but arsenal did not. they

will play at the country and the semifinals at the europa league while the two teams who had big comebacks in the last eight, marseille and salzburg, face each other in the other match in the last watts . other in the other match in the last watts. aston villa gave their promotion eight list with a hard—fought 1—0 win over leeds united in the champions at this evening. the game turning golden just before the half—hour. lewis heading in from a fine cross. beside our at the very least in the playoffs and does not point out the top two now. —— two points on the top two now. —— two points on the top two. it's been a troubling days for pep guardiola. two loss sausage enough to the champions league. and a derby defeat to manchester united which delayed their premier league title celebrations. the guardiola will be keen to take on three points ina will be keen to take on three points in a difficult match against totte n ha m in a difficult match against tottenham hotspur is in the grammar league tomorrow night and he is fully backing his players. they know iam fully backing his players. they know i am there. support them until the end, and so the last, last moment because everybody knows it is not over and everything that happened.

already champion, it is impossible, city lose the games we lost in europe. but we can let loose again. and we can win again. that in that time it is forget we are done. and just appreciated. so we lost, ok. it is part of the game. and super league there was a dramatic like, leeds rhinos beaten for the first time in six years. the home side we re time in six years. the home side were leaning the contest 8—0. until the last ten minutes went suddenly sprang into life when oliver went over the line answer only after they leveled and sam tomkins think kicked what proved to be the winning point with less than three minutes remaining. victory for the warriors at headingley, and a rare 1—2. rugby union's premiership newcastle get their hopes for the playoff place alive with a thrilling when. this one at kingston park, the falcons had a nervous wait to see if rob vickers had granted his try with

just two minutes left on the try. it was given and it saw the home side went by 35—30. wisdom up to third in the table. secure date semifinal in the table. secure date semifinal in the playoffs, 35—22 when