BBC News

1. Flu cases at record high for time of year as NHS warns of 'unprecedented' outbreak

   An average of 1,700 patients were in hospital in England with flu last week - more than 50% higher than the same period last year, figures show.

2. Have British spies learned lessons from the Skripal poisonings?

   Rusia's ability to target a defector with nerve agent is almost certainly diminished but it may pose other threats, the BBC's security correspondent writes.

3. Putin says Russia will take Donbas by force or Ukraine's troops will withdraw

   The Russian leader's comments come as US and Ukrainian negotiators are due to hold a new round of talks.

4. Major incident as 200 homes evacuated and two held

   A controlled explosion took place after two men were arrested on suspicion of explosives offences.

5. Volcanic eruption may have triggered Europe's deadly Black Death plague

   A volcanic eruption may have set off a chain reaction that led to Europe's deadliest pandemic.