UK: Ex-Russian spy dies after apparent poisoning

Former Russian spy Alexander Litvinenko died after an apparent poisoning led to a mysterious and rapid decline in his health - which left doctors unable to verify his cause of death and led friends on Friday to accuse the Kremlin of murder. Litvinenko, a vociferous critic of the Russian government, suffered heart failure on Thursday following days of intensive care and extensive medical tests, London's University College Hospital said in a statement. Doctors discounted claims the 43-year-old father of three was poisoned with thallium and radiation. Dr. Geoff Bellingan, the hospital's director of critical care, acknowledged he had no clue as to the cause of the patient's sudden death.