this is bbc news with the latest headlines for viewers in the uk and around the world. ontario declares a state of emergency — as the premier of the canadian province pledges to crack down on the anti—vaccine protests — claiming they're an illegal occuption. you are right to make a political statement does not outweigh the rights of a million people in ottawa to live peacefully, free of harassment and chaos in their own homes. nato allies meet virtually to discuss ukraine — the us warns a russian invasion could happen at any time — and advises its citizens to leave. we continue to see signs of russian escalation, including new forces arriving at the ukrainian border. we

are in the window when it invasion could begin at any time should vladimir putin decide to order it. and counting the cost of the conflict in ethiopia — as thousands face famine — we report on the human price of the civil war. the premier of the canadian provice, ontario, has declared a state of emergency — as people protesting against covid restrictions continue to block several key border crossing points with the us, while also continuing to shut down key parts of the capital, ottawa. doug ford said the protesters had made their point — but they could no longer be allowed to create chaos, pleading with them to go home. at the centre of his decision is the ambassador bridge, which connects ontario and the us state of detroit. when it's working normally,

more than 550 million us dollar's worth of trade is carried over the bridge on a daily basis. however, that major crossing been shut for days. several other border crossing points are also affected. this is what the scene looks like at the ambassador bridge. it's usually busy with traffic in both directions — but the roads are blocked. the us has urged canada to take action. and protests have spread across canada — while remaining in force here, in the capital ottawa, where they began at the end of january. here's how ontario's premier, doug ford, called on the groups there to end their demonstrations. we are now two weeks into the siege of the city of ottawa. a colourless siege because that's what it is. it is an illegal occupation. today, i'm

using my authority of premier of ontario to declare a state of emergency in our province. and i will convene to use legal authorities to urgently enact orders that will make crystal clear that it is illegal and punishable to block and impede the movement of goods, people and services along critical infrastructure. among the measures mr ford outlined which could be taken against protestors who refuse to leave — fines of up to a hundred thousand canadian dollars, and up to a year in prison. as he put it — there will be consequences, and they will be severe. canada's prime ministerjustin trudeau has also been discussing the situation with president biden — he said the two leaders had agreed the borders needed to be opened. we discussed the american and global influences on the protest. we talked about the us—based flooding of the 911 flowing lines in ottawa, the

presence of us citizens and the blockade and the impact of foreign money to fund this illegal activity. president biden and i both agree that for the security of people in the economy, these blockades cannot continue. earlier i spoke tojeremie bergeron from cbc french news network radio canada. iamat iam atin i am at in manitoba with the usa and we are in the car right now because there is a blizzard outside, but even with the blizzard, they're are 30 to 50 trailers out there right now that are next to the border with the usa in their blocking the traffic and the only truck that can go through is the trucks with livestock or medical equipment and people from usa cannot go to canada since two days here. and trying to stop all the mandate in canada and

asking them to stop the vaccines to cross the border and for covid—i9 around the area. cross the border and for covid-19 around the area.— around the area. there's been so much focus _ around the area. there's been so much focus as _ around the area. there's been so much focus as to _ around the area. there's been so much focus as to what _ around the area. there's been so much focus as to what is - around the area. there's been so much focus as to what is been i around the area. there's been so i much focus as to what is been going on in canada but the wider province of ontario but these protests are taking place across canada, are they? what is the seventh? if this movement will connected? or are the protests in contact with each other or inspiring each other? it protests in contact with each other or inspiring each other?— or inspiring each other? it started two weeks _ or inspiring each other? it started two weeks ago — or inspiring each other? it started two weeks ago with _ or inspiring each other? it started two weeks ago with the _ or inspiring each other? it started two weeks ago with the convoy i two weeks ago with the convoy driving to ottawa and they were parked in front of parliament and there still some in front of the parliament but now we see that there are other protests like that in the legislative building in manitoba and there is still some over there and

at least, three entry in canada are blocked and those were there, every day and they're asking the federal government to stop the mandate. let's look at some of the day's other news president biden has ordered half of the afghan government assets frozen in the us to be used for humanitarian aid in the country. the other half of the funds is being held for settling the claims filed against the taliban over their role in the nine— eleven attacks. the united nations is warning that south sudan is in danger of returning to civil war due to delays in implementing the twenty eighteen peace deal. a visiting un team said key elements of the agreement were behind schedule, including setting up a court to try perpetrators of atrocities. world leaders have concluded talks in the french port city of brest, aimed at agreeing a new treaty for protecting oceans. the goal is for it cover thirty percent of oceans by the end of the decade —

but there are deep disagreement over many issues. government data from brazil shows that the amazon rain forest recorded the worst monthly rate of deforestation injanuary. the countries space agency said four hundred and thirty square kilometres of timber were felled, that's five times the rate in january last year. let's turn to ukraine now — and the us is warning that russian forces could invade at any time — although there is not yet any intelligence suggesting vladimir putin has decided to do so. president biden has been holding a virtual call with the leaders of america's major european allies and nato members. this picture, tweeted out by nato, shows who was part of the meeting — along with president biden were the british, italian, french, german and canadian leaders, as well asjens stoltenberg from nato, and the heads of the european commission

and the european council. other nato members were also in attendance. here's mr biden�*s national security advisor, jake sullivan, outlining where the allies stand. we continue to see signs of russian escalation, including new forces arriving at the ukrainian border. as we have said before, we are in the window when an invasion could begin at any time should vladimir putin decide to order it. i would not comment on the details of our intelligence information, but i do want to be clear, it could begin during the olympics despite a lot of speculation that it would only happen after the olympics. as we have said before, we are ready either way. we are ready to continue results oriented diplomacy that addresses the security concerns of the united states, russia and europe. we are also able to respond decisively alongside those allies and partners should russia choose to take military action. our response would include sanctions with similar

packages and support of the european union, canada and other countries. we will also include changes to nato and american force posture along the eastern flank of nato. barbara plett usher is watching all the latest developments from washington, and gave us this update. the americans have been quite outfront morning about the possibility of the dangers of a russian invasion, russian military action against ukraine more so than the european allies in the past hour or so, the national security adviser has come of the more urgent morning and more specific saying the americans believe that the russians could invade her could take military action against ukraine as early as next week. so, they have been suggesting that if there was going to be an attack, will be after the 20th of february after the end of the beijing olympics and now they're saying it could happen pretty much at any time and they're basing that assessment on the way troops are being deployed on the ground, the numbers are continuing to arrive in

the arrangements of the troops for a possible attack and mr sullivan also said intelligence was being picked up said intelligence was being picked up by said intelligence was being picked up by the us intelligence services and he did deny reports that the americans and said that mr pruden had made the decision and that it would happen next week and he said no, we do not know that mr putin made a decision or that he has given the final go order, we are convinced that he could do so swiftly that mr biden did convene in his closest allies to talk to them about this prospect in washington so, they are also saying that americans should leave the country in the next 2a to 48 hours. elizabeth shackelford was a us department of state official until december 2017. i asked her if she thinks the us and its allies have built up a credible coalition to deter russian aggression. i think we really won't know the answer until push comes to shove and

becomes time to ask but looks as though the united states is done everything it can its capacity to get other allies on board and it certainly seems like the efforts of the aggressions shown by russia have the aggressions shown by russia have the opposite effect of what was intended and need has come together industry to ask, if not militarily industry to ask, if not militarily in the ukraine but in ways to make russia that action.— russia that action. what do you think of the _ russia that action. what do you think of the language _ russia that action. what do you think of the language is - russia that action. what do you think of the language is coming j russia that action. what do you - think of the language is coming out house or of the state in the past 48 hours? i house or of the state in the past 48 hours? ~ , . ., ., hours? i think it is clear that the messaging _ hours? i think it is clear that the messaging has _ hours? i think it is clear that the messaging has changed - hours? i think it is clear that the messaging has changed for - hours? i think it is clear that the i messaging has changed for reason. hours? i think it is clear that the - messaging has changed for reason. we are privy to what the intelligence that they have, but i believe a citizen in the ukraine, i would probably listen to it. if you have not travelled to the ukraine for some time, the urgency is up kick. 24 to 48 hours is pretty specific stop by president biden has counted military interventions as a twill of

last resort. i5 military interventions as a twill of last resort-_ last resort. is he going to be able to stick with _ last resort. is he going to be able to stick with the _ last resort. is he going to be able to stick with the principal? - last resort. is he going to be able to stick with the principal? i - last resort. is he going to be able to stick with the principal? i don't see why he _ to stick with the principal? i don't see why he would _ to stick with the principal? i don't see why he would not. _ to stick with the principal? i don't see why he would not. with - to stick with the principal? i don't see why he would not. with the l see why he would not. with the government has so far and force nato allies which is important and part of the national security structure but ukraine is outside of that and doesn't mean that it's in the national security interest and in ways short of intervening but i think the president biden has shown so far that he's going to stick with it and living there still many other tools and diplomatic box that he can use and is prepared to. i tools and diplomatic box that he can use and is prepared to.— use and is prepared to. i think the us effort aimed _ use and is prepared to. i think the us effort aimed at _ use and is prepared to. i think the us effort aimed at deterring - use and is prepared to. i think the| us effort aimed at deterring russia are being looked at by other us rivals, like china for example. you think this message is spreading more broadly about what links people are willing to go to to avoid possible invasions? i willing to go to to avoid possible invasions? ~' ., willing to go to to avoid possible invasions? ~ ., , invasions? i think other countries are watching _

invasions? i think other countries are watching and _ invasions? i think other countries are watching and ever— invasions? i think other countries are watching and ever the - invasions? i think other countries l are watching and ever the criticism that if you do not use military force to deter russia inside the ukraine, that will have some sort of knock on effect in other countries, but i did not believe that is the case. each of these situations is different and we have different levels of commitment based on national security. levels of commitment based on nationalsecurity. i levels of commitment based on national security. i believe nato has come together and democracies should come together and be prepared to take steps that may even impede her own economies which is a demonstration of commitment of standing up against this type of aggression against the democracy. but you think might happen, obviously the us intelligence what is going on behind the scenes but what is your gut feeling about what we might see in the coming days and weeks? ., u, we might see in the coming days and weeks? ., ., weeks? someone can look at it and sa it's weeks? someone can look at it and say it's very — weeks? someone can look at it and say it's very wrong _ weeks? someone can look at it and say it's very wrong but _ weeks? someone can look at it and say it's very wrong but i _ weeks? someone can look at it and say it's very wrong but i will - weeks? someone can look at it and say it's very wrong but i will for - weeks? someone can look at it and say it's very wrong but i will for a i say it's very wrong but i will for a while now, it sounds as though russia is on a path to invade and

even as recently as today, changing the message, the united states is ready for that to happen. and for expatriates in ukraine, those messages are very furious and the work to be very chaotic and we do not know exactly how this might roll—out. i would be preparing for that if you're not leaving the ukraine, and prepare fora that if you're not leaving the ukraine, and prepare for a lot of chaos to happen. and i do think that will probably be very damaging to the people of the ukraine, whether the people of the ukraine, whether the military invasion or the cyber attacks, i think the rest of the world will deter further actions. still to stay with us on news, still to come: as ethiopia's civil war deepens and rebels threaten to take the capital we report on the human cost of the conflict the home secretary,

priti patel, says "strong and decisive new leadership" of the metropolitan police is now needed, to restore public confidence. her comments came after the resignation of dame cressida dick as commissioner. the hope is there several high quality candidates. identified with the skills, the experience and the resilience to tackle these problems and put right at the top of that, there's a problem of leadership and cultural change. it is quite clear that things of god to change in orderfor the public to that things of god to change in order for the public to get the services they deserve and the police officers and staff in policing to get the leadership they need. there also pressing police problems and we need to respond to the concerns about violence against women and girls, concerns about fairness and inclusion. the homicide rate and delivering the crime plan whilst achieving onboarding of 20,000 new officers. that is a hugejob, isn't

it? that is a hugejob, isn't it? this is news, the latest headlines. ontario declares a state of emergency — as the premier of the canadian province pledges to crack down on the protesters — claiming it's an illegal occuption. nato allies meet virtually to discuss ukraine — the us warns a russian invasion could happen at any time — and advises its citizens to leave. ethiopia's civil war has left a humanitarian crisis in its wake. the fighting between government forces and the tigray people's liberation front, who have aligned with other rebel groups, has left thousands dead and nearly half a million facing famine. the un has accused all

sides of war crimes and atrocities. the bbc�*s africa correspondent, catherine byaru—hanga reports on the human price of the conflict. and a warning: some of the images in this report are disturbing. the lush highlands of northern ethiopia, the site of a deadly war, and for months, cut off from the world. here in hamusit in the amhara region, bodies still lie in the valleys and forests, bearing witness to those killed. this man and his neighbours tried to bury their dead but they couldn't keep up with the brutal pace of death. translation: everyone got sick from the smell i and we couldn't continue. only a couple more bodies could be buried. there were only a few of us and we had to bury the corpses of ethiopian soldiers lie under tarpaulin in the town of hayq, left unburied. on the road to amhara, the charred remains of anti—government fighters haunt communities.

fighting between the federal government and rebels from tigray in the north has left nearly 10 million people in need of aid. many have been cut off because of the conflict. this woman who lives in weldiya is desperate to find her husband. she says the rebels kidnapped him when they occupied her town. translation: some of the fighters ltell me he could be dead already. l others say that he could be digging graves. i looked for him even in graveyards, hoping to find a piece of his clothing. but so far, i haven't found anything. the tigray people's liberation front has denied taking prisoners. drones manufactured in china, iran and turkey have helped the government gain the upper hand in this war. but civilians have been killed and homes destroyed in those attacks. the government denies targeting civilians. prime minister abiy ahmed is under international pressure to end this war.

and in recent months, he has held back on a major offensive to capture tigray. it's not in the interests of ethiopia to continue the war. that's why now, though the tplf forces have been militarily defeated, we can say, the government has not expanded the frontiers to tigray. there's a sense of cautious optimism in the capital. the rebels have been pushed back and the state of emergency is about to be lifted. but there is also a feeling of tension, a heightened security presence, and a suspicion of the foreign media. we've already been prevented from filming twice. conversations about possible peace talks mark a shift in this is—month conflict, but this is a fragile moment and an opportunity that should not be lost. global vaccination rates hit 70% by

mid year. think it was not a matter of chance, but a matter of choice. he was speaking on a trip to africa where 11% of the continents population is vaccinated. . we're a week into the beijing winter olympics — but today's headlines aren't about the sport they're about a doping controversy. because it's been confirmed that the 15 year old kameela val—ee—yeva, who helped russia win the team figure skating competition in beijing, had failed a drugs test back in december. the positive test result wasn't reported until after she'd skated. our senior sports news reporter, laura scott reports. with the eyes of the road on her, she cast a disconsolate figure on theice she cast a disconsolate figure on the ice as she prepared for an event she might not be able to compete in.

and then shielded herself as she walked past the press alone following confirmation that she tested positive for a banned drug. such cases are not helpful to the game and they need to be properly taken care of and due process needs to be gone through. otherwise, having the confidence of the people will be even less.— having the confidence of the people will be even less. someone as young as kamila valieva _ will be even less. someone as young as kamila valieva would _ will be even less. someone as young as kamila valieva would not - will be even less. someone as young as kamila valieva would not even - will be even less. someone as young as kamila valieva would not even be | as kamila valieva would not even be named in a doping case but they explained it was a need for official information, given the heightened interest in this matter and the immense speculation that have been swirling around beijing. this has now engulfed the game but how did we get here? on christmas day, she was drugs tested during the russian figure skating championships in st. petersburg. on monday in beijing, she had helped the russian olympic committee win gold in the event, making olympic history with her routine. the following day should have been awarded, but a swedish laboratory confirmed that a sample from december had tested positive for a banned substance and she was

suspended by the russian anti—doping agency. the following day, she successfully challenged that in her suspension was lifted stop by is being lifted by several different organisations through the court of arbitration they need to resort quickly because she is due to be competing on tuesday as the favourite for gold. it’s competing on tuesday as the favourite for gold.— competing on tuesday as the favourite for gold. it's a chain of events previously _ favourite for gold. it's a chain of events previously set _ favourite for gold. it's a chain of events previously set for - favourite for gold. it's a chain of events previously set for the - events previously set for the athlete — events previously set for the athlete because i cannot and my heart _ athlete because i cannot and my heart want to think that she knew what _ heart want to think that she knew what was — heart want to think that she knew what was going on.— heart want to think that she knew what was going on. another olympics, another doping — what was going on. another olympics, another doping controversy _ what was going on. another olympics, another doping controversy involving l another doping controversy involving russian. all at a time of the country are serving a two—year ban for a state—sponsored doping programme. at the heart of it, where the youngest and most talented athletes of the whole olympics. west ham's manager david moyes says kurt zouma is available for sunday's premier league

game at leicester. there's been a lot of debate surrounding his inclusion in the team since video footage was released showing the defender drop—kicking and slapping his cats. the rspca has since removed the animals while they investigate the incident. moyes has already been heavily criticised for playing zouma against watford on tuesday and faces more at the weekend but he says he stands by his decision. i don't think a club could take more action any quicker than when i learned at the moment. the maximum wages and i'm not condoning him. they were diabolical. but he is cleared to play and will stand by that. the england and wales cricket board has lifted yorkshire's ban on international matches at headingley. the county was was stripped of the right to host england games after the allegations of racism at the club made by former player azeem rafiq. the ecb today said it would now overturn the decision subject to the club meeting

the remaining key requirements — by the end of march. headingley will host a test against new zealand and a one—day game against south africa this summer. that's all the sport for now. here in the uk, the duchess of cambridge, has recorded a bedtime story for the bbc. she's chosen to read the owl who was afraid of the dark — which follows the story of plop, a baby barn owl who is encouraged by others to face his fears. the duchess described it as one of her favourite books as a child which she now reads to her own children. take a listen. with an encouraging tale, we can all feel scared sometimes to slake our little owl friend. but as mrs barr and i will sit, spare to find out about the things that scare us before we make up her mind. and with the help of others, we can often fix things that worry us. now, it is time for bed. night night and sleep tight. the duchess recorded that story for children's mental health week. and if you happen to be in the uk this sunday —

you can watch it at i850gmt — on the c—beebies channel — before you head off to bed. quality numbers continue to fall to climate and disease. the australian government has classified koalas as an endangered species, as their numbers continue to fall because of climate change, land clearance and disease. the marsupial was listed as �*vulnerable' a decade ago, but that's failed to halt its decline. it's thought there could be fewer than one hundred thousand koalas left in the wild. the australian government has promised thirty six million us dollars to protect and restore the animals' habitat. and valentine's day can be a tough time for the broken hearted, but if the idea of romance gives you the creeps, this could be the answer! a zoo here in the uk is offering scorned lovers the chance to name a cockroach after the ex. they've got a colony of approximately twelve adult madagascar hissing cockroaches, and hundreds of babies, all loolking for names. but you'd better be quick, they've already had a few hundred suggestions. that's it for now — we'll have more at the top of the hour.

and you can always keep up to date on our website — hello there. friday brought us a dry, sunny, cold day thanks to high pressure. very short—lived, mind you. it is set to turn more unsettled tonight, and for the weekend, low pressure will bring wet and windy weather to our shores, with it turning a little bit milder as well. so that's today's high pressure and cold air moving out of the way, being replaced by low pressure, slightly milder air, lots of isobars and weather fronts, so it'll be going downhill across northern and western areas through the course of the night. wet and windy weather here. bit of snow over the high ground of scotland initially as it bumps into the cold air, but then milder air moves in. much of central, southern, eastern parts of england will stay dry under clear spells. in the far southeast, it could be quite chilly again.

not as cold as the previous night, but much milder further north and west. so a different—feeling day on saturday, more cloud around, more wind — in fact, strong winds, gusty at times — and outbreaks of rain, some heavy for northern and western england, in towards wales. sunshine and showers following for scotland and northern ireland. it will be windy with gales here. but even blustery across the southeast despite it staying dry, with some sunshine here throughout daylight hours. temperatures creeping up a little bit on saturday, maybe highs of nine or ten degrees in the southwest. it might not feel like that because of the strength of the wind and the rain. the wet and windy weather reaches the southeast during saturday night. into sunday, we look to the southwest, to a new area of low pressure moving in. and that will start to feed in some pretty heavy and persistent rain in southwest england, wales, northern and western england as well. could see some really high rainfall totals by the end of the day across south wales. wetter as well for the southeast. the rain reaches most areas, apart from the far north of scotland. it will be very windy with gales across the southwest, through the channel. and it'll be very wet and windy through sunday evening, as that low slips away into the north sea. eventually, it will clear away.

bit of a hang—back of cloud and wind across northern and eastern parts of the country. skies will be brightening up across the south and the west, but here, there will be some blustery showers, these of a wintry flavour, certainly, across scotland, as the air will be a bit coolerfor all on monday — highs of four to eight or nine degrees in the south. very little change, then, as we head through the rest of the week. in fact, if anything, it turns more unsettled. a spell of gales, even severe gales at times. some spells of wet weather, too, and it will be very mild, especially across the south.

this is bbc world news, the headlines: the premier of ontario has declared a state of emergency, as covid demonstrations continue across the canadian province. he said protestors could face fines or even prison if they refused to disperse. nato allies have been meeting to discuss ukraine. the us has warned that a russian invasion could happen at any time — but says there is nothing yet to indicate vladimir putin has decided to do so. president biden has signed an executive order seizing seven billion dollars of afghan central bank assets held in the us. some of the money could be used to settle lawsuits brought by american victims of terror attacks. russia says the teenage figure skater kamila valieva should be allowed to compete at the winter olympics — despite a positive doping test. the fifteen year old won the team competition, and is due to compete as an individual. at ten o'clock clive myrie will be here with a full round up

of the days news. first, though, here's newscast