this is bbc news — welcome if you're watching here in the uk or around the globe. our top stories: president biden warns the russian president that he'll respond with �*severe economic sanctions�* if ukraine is invaded. as russian military drills continue — the kremlin has accused the west of �*hysteria'. meanwhile the ukrainian president warns against creating panic. the best friend for enemies — that is panic in our country. and all this information, that helps only for panic. it doesn't help us. police in canada move in on truckers who cut off a major crossing to the us — but the protesters are reportedly building—up again. copy—cat chaos in paris as police fire tear gas at protesters angry at covid

restrictions in france and thousands flock to venice for the return of carnival celebrations — after a two—year enforced break. hello and welcome to the programme. president biden has warned the russian leader, vladimir putin, of "swift and severe" consequences if he invades ukraine. the two men spoke over the phone amid western fears that an invasion could be imminent. the white house said it was ready to engage with diplomacy, but was equally prepared for "other scenarios". the kremlin attacked the "hysteria" of the west and complained that its demands weren't being addressed. our north america editor, sarah smith, is in wsahington. there is a pessimistic mood in washington tonight, as a senior administration official says there has been no fundamental change

in the dynamic after that call between presidents biden and putin. the us says it is unclear whether russia is interested in pursuing its goals through a diplomatic solution rather than through the use of force. so president biden was blunt about his intention to impose punishing economic sanctions — "swift and severe costs", he called them — if russia does further invade ukraine. and after the call, the kremlin�*s top foreign policy adviser said, "hysteria has reached its peak." now, as america believe that president putin is in a position to order an invasion any day now, they're warning about the possibility of a manufactured attack on russian forces that could be blamed on ukrainians and then used as a trigger for military action. new details about what the us calls a false flag operation were discussed in an emergency meeting in the white house situation room two nights ago. they say it could involve russian operatives with explosives carrying out attacks on russian forces that

would then be used as a pretext for an invasion of ukraine. so tonight, the us says it has not ruled out the possibility of further talks, but they are now also planning for a worst—case scenario. a dozen nations including the uk have told their citizens to leave ukraine. our correspondent paul adams has been speaking to some of those affected. do you want to go to spain? how best to leave? stuart mackenzie is looking for flights with his sons, robert and stuart. after 28 years of life here, he can't quite believe it. this is just crazy, just crazy. it's a peaceful country and, in this day and age, and you're talking about tanks and bombs coming in, it's crazy. i don't understand, and we are in europe. there is a lot to think about — what to do with start�*s elderly mother—in—law,

his brother's family also here, and his 20 local employees. if there are flights available for the family, then that is a good option for us, that gets us out within hours. if that is not the case, then plan b is taking the car and trying to get to the border — and praying that we are not too late. at the british embassy, signs of urgency and departure, no one here willing to talk. the foreign office says it is not in a position to help british citizens with their plans. nearby, a march of defiance in the face of a gathering storm — a rare display of public feeling at a time when russia is menacing their borders, staff are leaving embassies and foreigners are being told to get out. i have to analyse all the information which we have. touring the south, ukraine's president seemed frustrated by apocalyptic warnings coming from washington.

and the truth is that we have different information and now the best friend for enemies, the panic in our country. and all this information helps only for panic, it doesn't help us. russia's war games in belarus are now under way. this, american officials warn, is how an assault on ukraine could begin. moscow still says it has no plans to invade. joe biden and vladimir putin spent an hour on the phone tonight. mr biden told the russian leader that if he launches a further invasion of ukraine, the west and its allies will impose swift and decisive sanctions. pauladams, bbc news, kyiv. crowds of protesters opposed to covid restrictions in canada are reported to be building up again near the ambassador bridge, linking the province of ontario with the us state of michigan. police managed to clear the area of big trucks but a small number of pick up vehicles are still there. the standoff has continued even

after a court on friday ordered an end to the demonstration. jessica murphy reports from ottawa. horn honks. it didn't take that many vehicles to block the busiest land border crossing in canada, but it's taking hours for police to clear the ambassador bridge blockade. for the moment, the officers are trying negotiation tactics as they try to get protesters to leave peacefully after six days of demonstrations. their message that they tried to send from the very beginning has clearly lost its way, and i don't think the people here — notjust the police, but i don't think the people in our community or on the other side of the border are interested in hearing it any more. who are you protecting? with a vital trade route interrupted, the province of ontario declared a state

of emergency on friday that brought in penalties like heavy fines and possible jail time for those participating in the blockades. that came into force hours later, alongside a court—granted injunction to remove the protesters. it took just day for the blockade on the ambassador bridge to put a squeeze on supply chains and cause anger on both sides of the border. it's an economic link between the us and canada. hundreds of millions of dollars in trade cross the border there each day. copycat protests in europe and around the world have sprung up in recent weeks, with supporters calling for an end to covid—i9 restrictions. this is a grassroots people with their children and their grandparents and parents coming together saying, "hey, you know, like, my rights and my freedoms are being infringed and denied here." drop the mandates, we go home. 15 minutes, we're gone. facing growing pressure from the white house at home, prime ministerjustin trudeau made this vow on friday. so, make no mistake, the border cannot and| will not remain closed. but despite efforts to get dug—in protesters to leave, demonstrations continue nationwide. protests in ottawa are entering their third week now, with demonstrators and their trucks continuing to block much of the city centre. government officials are meeting to discuss these ongoing protests,

but for the moment, there is no clear end in sight. jessica murphy, bbc news, ottawa. meanwhile police in paris have fired tear gas to disperse groups of activists attempting to blockade the french capital. hundreds of vehicles were intercepted on the way to the city and more than 300 fines given out. hugh schofield reports from paris. in the early afternoon, 20 or 30 cars managed to get past the police checkpoints and block the champs—elysees at the top end by the arc de triomphe. chanting the occupants flying tricolour flags and chanting anti president macron slogans. there was a tense standoff with police firing tear gas to disperse groups of protesters, scenes similar to if less violent than the yellow vest protests of three years ago. protesters said they were inspired by the canadian blockades and wanted an end to government covid rules. translation: we've come - from reims, an hour and a half away from paris, to be a part of this freedom convoy. we are here today notjust because we are against

the vaccine pass but also because of all the taxes the government is imposing on us. police tow trucks were brought in to remove the protesters�* vehicles and traffic was able to resume. but some hours later, as evening set in, there were still small—scale skirmishes down the avenue and more tear gas being fired. the scenes on the champs—elysees may have been reminiscent of the yellow vest movement but, overall, the impact of the french so—called "freedom convoys" has been limited with no serious disturbance to life in the capital. many of the protesters who�*d driven in convoys from points all over france in recent days have said they now intend to continue on to brussels. hugh schofield, bbc news, paris. let�*s get some of the day�*s other news. the court of arbitration for sport is holding a hearing later on, in the case of the 15—year—old russian skating sensation, kamila valeeva, who failed a drug test before the winter olympics. kamila valeeva was part of the olympic gold—medal winning russian team,

but she is now waiting to hear whether that result will stand. peru�*s new environment minister says the spanish oil company, repsol, is not doing enough to clean up the damage caused by an oil leak from one of its refineries a month ago. after visiting some of the affected coastal areas, near the capital, lima, modesto montoya said wildlife was still suffering the impact of the spill. the us government has expressed concern over the continued violence againstjournalists in mexico. heber lopez was shot on thursday — the fifth reporter to be murdered this year. the us embassy in mexico called the shooting a "loathsome" act. mr lopez ran an independent news website specialising in reporting corruption

in local government. mauritius is preparing to raise its nationalflag on the disputed chagos archipelago in the indian ocean. the islands were claimed by britain more than 50 years ago to allow the us to build an airbase there and residents were forcibly removed from their homes. this is bbc world news, the latest headlines . us presidentjoe biden warns russian leader vladamir putin that he�*ll respond with �*severe economic sanctions�* if ukraine is invaded. as russian military drills continue with belarus — the kremlin has accused the west of �*hysteria�*. let�*s stay with that story now. earlier my colleague lewis vaughanjones spoke to sergei markov — former member of the russian assembly, the dumas, and a former aide to president putin — and asked him if the russian troops on the border will invade. no. so there are no circumstances under which those troops will invade ukraine? if they will recognise the republics and the kyiv regime start aggression against them, probably the russian army will have to crush them. but it will not be so much an invasion, but more liberation of the eastern region so far.

so you�*re saying if those russian troops crossed the border, it wouldn�*t be an invasion, it would be a liberation? is that what you�*re saying? yes, a liberation if the kyiv regime will start attacking against us. but ukraine is its own sovereign nation, do you not recognise that? no — no, ukraine is not a sovereign nation now, because ukraine has no ukrainian government. the government of ukraine is controlled by the united states of america. it�*s a puppet regime, classical pulpit regime. ukraine is its own sovereign nation — and if you fail to recognise... no!

so you don�*t recognise ukraine as its own country, its own nation? ukraine is a country, but it is a country where the united states have a strong democratically—elected president eight years ago impose an illegal regime to the ukrainian people. liberation is for all those who oppose support democracy. probably great britain, if you want, also can play some role and help to minimise participation. ok, so the democratic government in ukraine, in your eyes, is not democratic, and therefore, you want to see it toppled? those elections have been conducted in the situation of total political repression against their opponents. again, i can give you a very simple example — can you imagine that the people in ukraine who mostly speak russian, something like 75%, you can go to another region where 75—80% of the people speak russian — can you believe that these people can voluntarily, democratically support the country whose language they speak? i still don�*t understand what you want to do. do you want russia to overthrow the ukrainian government?

i think the ukrainian citizens will be very glad to overthrow the oppressive kyiv regime and recreate a serene, democratic ukraine. let�*s get more now on our main story. fergal keane is in kyiv and has been speaking to ukrainians at a protest in the city. the event was organised by a right wing nationalist group, but those attending were from across the political spectrum. this is the first real manifestation we�*ve had of public feeling since the anxiety of a possible russian invasion has increased over the last 2a hours. what you can see around me here is people of all ages and seemingly from all sides or all shades of political opinion coming out onto the streets here in a very

important place in terms of ukraine�*s progress to democracy. people saying they will resist any russian intervention. why have you come here? the main reason is to show the unity of the people before the threat of russian occupation. this is the main reason, that we are all united, because different people, different political positions, different political parties, but today we are altogether because we have a threat of a russian invasion, and that's why we show this to each other, the whole world that we are ready to fight and ready to defend our motherland, our country, that's the reason, actually.

i'm here because i want to show that i'm not. terrified by the threat. we are ready to oppose i putin or anyone who wants to invade our country even more because you know some regionsj already don't belong to us, - so we are ready to fight by any means that we have. i'm getting some training, but i will fight with any. means i have in my hands. i will do anything my. country asks me to do. voters in switzerland go to the polls today to decide on a raft of measures, including a ban on tobacco advertising — anywhere young people might see it. in effect a complete ban is needed, campaigners say, to protect health, and to bring switzerland into line

with its european neighbours, who all have much stricter tobacco regulations. our correspondent, imogen foulkes reports from bern. switzerland, a byword for good health and clean air but 2 million people here, almost one quarter of the population, smoke. mo started when they were teenagers. every year 9500 people die from the tobacco —related illness foot of a cost billions on health and economic costs. that is why it is so important people to limit advertising, discounts and sponsoring. switzerland lags far behind the rest of europe over tobacco control. in a survey it ranked second to last. campaigners blame lobbying by the industry. the word�*s biggest tobacco companies have headquarters in switzerland. they contribute $6 billion a year and 11,000 jobs to the swiss economy. there is opposing the ban say it could the door to restrictions on advertising other things. sugar, alcohol, even

switzerland�*s beloved sausages. we are in an era where all advertising is likely to be bad. obviously this is a serious problem. of really fundamental problem. the swiss government sides with business. it is calling for a note to the band but opinion polls suggest voters think differently. over 60% want an end to tobacco advertising. as ever, in switzerland, were all big policy goes, the swiss are deciding on other things, too. a proposed ban on animal testing and new subsidies for the media. but the key outcome today is likely to be switzerland finally calling

time on big tobacco. a riot broke out in sao paulo on saturday night — after the brazilian team, palmeiras, lost the club world cup final to britain�*s chelsea. police moved in to disperse the crowds shortly after the match finished. sao paulo�*s military police said one man was shot and killed in the violence. the match was being played in abu dhabi but thousands of fans had gathered at palmeiras�* stadium in sao paulo to watch on the big screens. thousands of people have flocked to venice to celebrate carnival, for the first time in two years. the event usually draws tourists from around the world, but it was curtailed in 2020 as infections soared in italy, and the following year, it was cancelled amid another wave of infections. organisers and attendees hope this year�*s event will mark a slow return to normality. courtney bembridge has this report. after two years of covid cancellations.

carnival is back in venice. this is the carnival of hope. covid is ending and we hope to return to our normal lives with hope and enthusiasm. i believe that venice is based on art and, therefore, it has to start again with art and so we try to make art among people. many had made a great effort but it is a scaled—back affair this year, a hybrid of virtual and in—person events and no big parades. unfortunately, because of the pandemic, there are few people here, but we are here. we are the carnival. we don't need a organisation, just come here and have fun. it is beautiful.

i hope that, the next. few days, there will be more masks around. i'm glad that there . are so many people i would like to see a greater carnival atmosphere. - it is estimated 50,000 people visited the city on saturday to mark the start of the celebrations. i came here with my whole family and masks to celebrate the carnival with all the venetians. good people who have also had great difficulties. today we must have fun, that�*s all. italy has just eased the coronavirus rules mandating mask wearing outside but these revellers were all too happy to have their masks on. it is the biggest day of the year for american football fans — super bowl 56 will take place later today in los angeles. the los angeles rams take on the cincinatti bengals on their home turf at the brand new sofi stadium in inglewood california. with a crowd of more than 70 thousand and more than 100 million people expected to watch around the world —the adverts and the iconic half time show is as important, if not more so, than the game itself. our la correspondent sophie long reports.

the first super bowl was played in los angeles in 1967. now, football is coming home to a brand—new stadium which is to be the most expensive sporting venue on the planet. a spectacular backdrop for the grand finale of this quintessential american sport. it is unbelievable. as soon as the kick of happens you just feel like you almost in the movie, do you know what i mean? everything, no one can believe they�*re there. the tickets are $7,000. it feels like you�*re in the most exclusive nightclub in the most exclusive nightclub in the history of the world. you�*ll see the most famous people in the world sitting on the upper deck.— the upper deck. with ticket rices the upper deck. with ticket prices like _ the upper deck. with ticket prices like that, _ the upper deck. with ticket prices like that, of- the upper deck. with ticket prices like that, of course, | prices like that, of course, not everyone can go. we super excited to — not everyone can go. we super excited to go — not everyone can go. we super excited to go to _ not everyone can go. we super excited to go to the _ not everyone can go. we super excited to go to the game - not everyone can go. we super excited to go to the game on l excited to go to the game on sundax _ excited to go to the game on sunda . ., ., , ., sunday. how does it feel that ou are sunday. how does it feel that you are getting _ sunday. how does it feel that you are getting to _ sunday. how does it feel that you are getting to go - sunday. how does it feel that you are getting to go but - sunday. how does it feel that you are getting to go but not| you are getting to go but not taking them?— you are getting to go but not taking them? were definitely auoin to taking them? were definitely going to take _ taking them? were definitely going to take them _ taking them? were definitely going to take them to - taking them? were definitely| going to take them to another game — going to take them to another game next season. with

going to take them to another game next season.— game next season. with an audience — game next season. with an audience that _ game next season. with an audience that could - game next season. with an audience that could exceed j game next season. with an - audience that could exceed 100 million, super bowl commercials are huge, star—studded affairs. 32nd slots selling for millions. and then, of course, the half—time show. you have got eminem, kendrick lamar, doesn�*t get any better than that. i have been keeping it real. i�*m not trying to be egotistical or anything like that but who else could do the show here in la? who else could perform the half—time show other than these amazing artists that we have put together for this thing? but the spectaculars taking place in the city with rising crime and homelessness crisis. many

encampments have been cleared, leading to claims that some of the thousands living on the streets have been shoved into the shadows. this is a sense of community for them and may be hard for those of us housed to think through that but there is a hierarchy. when they are asked to move and forced out of that community, even if it is on the street, it creates additional trauma. whatever the costs and the amount of money changing hands is monumental, la and the legendary map royalty are on the way. it is super bowl time. you may have heard of the saying that a dog is a man�*s best friend. well, one french man has been testing that theory to its limit.afterjust a month and a half of training, he managed to teach his pet called oo—ka how to fly with him on a paraglider. the pair have already had 10 trips together over

the french alps with oo—ka strapped on with a specially—made harness. a reminder of our top story. joe biden and vladimir putin have held an hour—long phone call, in which the us president warned his russian counterpart of "swift and severe" consequences if he orders a military invasion of ukraine. the white house says it�*s ready to engage in diplomacy but is equally prepared for other scenarios. the kremlin, for its part, attacked the hysteria of the west and complained that its demands to limit the military reach of foreign powers in the region were not being addressed. you can reach me on twitter — i�*m @ sipusey.

hello. there is more wind and rain in the forecast, not only for the rest of the weekend, but indeed throughout the coming week. sunday looks like this. heavy rain affecting many parts of the uk, windy weather across the south, lighter winds further north. but on the satellite picture, you can see this shield of cloud racing in from the atlantic. this will bring wet weather to start sunday across western england, wales. the rain quickly getting into northern ireland, northern england and up into southern scotland as well. for east anglia and the south east, the day will start off on a dry note, but rain will arrive here through the afternoon. northern scotland likely to stay mostly dry with some

spells of sunshine and just the odd shower, and slightly drier conditions could develop in northern ireland through the afternoon. the winds across northern areas are relatively light. southern areas, brisk winds. those are the average wind speeds. the gusts could touch 50 mph for english channel coasts. but it will be relatively mild, 7—11 degrees. a very, very soggy sunday evening across east wales, central and eastern parts of england. that rain taking a long time to clear away. some drier conditions will develop out west, but with some showers. a fairly brisk northerly breeze, but i think given the strength of the breeze, it�*s not going to be a particularly cold night. but low pressure will still be close by into monday morning. showers circulating around that low, some brisk winds. just a little bump in the isobars, a ridge of high pressure just trying to drive things out as it topples in from the west. so, we will see some early rain across southern parts. that will clear to a mix of sunshine and showers. some of those showers wintry in scotland, especially over high ground, but potentially even to lower levels. feeling relatively chilly, i think, on monday given the strength of the breeze. top temperatures between 6—10 degrees. into tuesday, we see another band of rain pushing in from the west, some snow for a time across high ground in scotland and some wintry showers following on behind with some sunny spells in between.

top temperatures on tuesday between 6—11 degrees. it is going to be another windy day, but those winds could well step up a gear as we move into wednesday thanks to this deepening area of low pressure. lots and lots of white lines on the chart here, lots of isobars squeezing together. while the details of this forecast will change, it does look like we could see gales or severe gales in places on wednesday with some heavy bursts of rain. but it will be really mild for a time, turning chillier towards the end of the week.

this is bbc news. the headlines...

president biden has warned the russian president, vladamir putin, of the costs of any invasion, saying that he�*ll respond with �*severe economic sanctions�* if ukraine is invaded. moscow has amassed an estimated 100,000 troops along ukraine�*s border but denies any intent to invade. many countries including australia, italy, israel, the netherlands and japan have told their citizens to leave ukraine. non—essential staff have been ordered to leave the us embassy in kyiv. meanwhile the ukrainian president said invasion warnings could stoke panic, which he called "the best friend of our enemies". canadian police have begun clearing a blockade of the main us border crossing. protestors had stopped traffic crossing the ambassador bridge. the self—styled "freedom convoy" movement was started by canadian truckers opposed to a vaccine — or quarantine order — for drivers travelling across the border. now on bbc news, it�*s time for click.