Previous Russian spy is critically ill after exposure to strange substance

A man critically ill after being exposed to an unknown substance in Wiltshire is a Russian national convicted of spying for Britain

Sergei Skripal, who is 66, was granted refuge in the UK following a "spy swap" between the US and Russia in 2010.

He and a woman, 33, were found unconscious on a bench at Maltings shopping centre in Salisbury on Sunday afternoon.

The substance has not been identified.

He was convicted of passing the identities of Russian intelligence agents working undercover in Europe to the UK's Secret Intelligence Service, MI6.

He and the woman, who he knew, are both in intensive care unit

Italian Fiorontina Captain Astori death confirmed

Fiorontina 

captain Davide Astori has died aged 31

Astori was staying a hotel ahead of his game on Sunday away at Udinese when he passed away.

The defender won 14 caps for Italy

 

in a career which started at AC Milan before being sold to Cagliari

"Fiorentina are profoundly shaken and forced to announce that their captain Davide Astori has died," read the statement.

"For this terrible and delicate situation, and above all out of respect for his family, we appeal to the sensitivity of the media."

The match against Udinese has been postponed following the announcement of the player's death. It was later confirmed that all Serie A games were to be postponed out of respect for Astori.

Suicidal shooting outside the White House

A man is reported to have suicidal shot  outside the White House as per the US Secret Service say

agents were "responding to reports of a person who allegedly suffered a self-inflicted gun shot wound" outside the north fence

President Donald Trump is not at the White House

The Secret Service said that medical personnel were responding to a male victim. It said no one else has been reported injured in the latest incident.

Number of deaths resulted from bad weather in Europe

The deaths numbers from severe weather has risen across Europe, with at least 23  in Poland alone amid sub-zero temperatures .

Shelters have been opened as the plight of rough sleepers is a major concern. More than 60 people have died across the continent.

Meanwhile most transport and flights have been suspended in Ireland where thousands were left without power.

The unusually cold spell brought by a Siberian weather system was being felt as far south as the Mediterranean.

How will Europe respond to Trump New Tariffs and Trade War

Europe officials said they will respond "firmly" if US President Donald Trump presses ahead with his plan for steep global duties on metals

EU trade chiefs are considering slapping 25% tariffs on around $3.5bn (£2.5bn) of imports from the US as per many press reports

World Trade Organization Director General said: "A trade war is in no one's interests."

The rhetoric ramped up as Mr Trump tweeted that "trade wars are good". 

International condemnation has greeted the US president's Thursday announcement that he plans to impose a 25% tariff on steel imports and 10% on aluminium next week.

Many Cautions token after U.K Snow and Bad Weather conditions

 Cancellation of Flights and trains trips

 thousands of schools shut down 

As bad weather  conditions continue across the UK

Many Rail networks have told people not to travel on their routes

 Flood warnings remain in place in the south-west and north-east of England 

Further snow is expected on Friday and the Army has helped free standards motorists

Major incidents have been declared in many places, as blizzards brought roads to a standstill

 

The M62 near Manchester is closed "indefinitely" while the military helps police free standards motorists 

In addition to advising passengers not to travel SouthWestern Railway has announced that it will be shutting its services completely by 20:00 GMT on Friday. 

Prime Minister Theresa May has thanked everyone "going the extra mile".

Why did president Trump say Trade Wars are good ?

US President Donald Trump has said "trade wars are good", amid controversy over his decision to impose tariffs on steel and aluminium imports.

He tweeted that the US was "losing billions of dollars on trade" and would find a trade war "easy to win".

On Thursday he said steel imports would face a 25% tariff and aluminium 10%.

Canada and the EU said they would bring forward their own countermeasures. Mexico, China and Brazil have also said they are considering retaliatory steps. 

Critics argue that the tariffs would fail to protect American jobs and would ultimately put up prices for consumers. 

The news sent shares in both Asia and Europe down on Friday.