Berlin hospital treating Russian opposition leader Navalny says symptoms declining but condition remains serious

BERLIN, Germany (AP) – The Berlin hospital treating Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny says he remains in a serious condition though the symptoms of his poisoning are declining. Navalny was admitted to the Charite hospital on Aug. 22. The hospital said Wednesday that Navalny is still in intensive care and on a respirator. It said that it expects a long illness, and it still can’t rule out long-term consequences from the poisoning. The Charite statement came shortly after the German government said testing has shown that Navalny was poisoned with the Soviet-era nerve agent Novichok.