this is bbc news with the latest headlines for viewers in the uk and around the world. russia and belarus are extending joint military exercises, close to the border with ukraine, that were due to end today. but president putin and his french counterpart, emmanuel macron, have agreed to �*intensify�* diplomatic efforts over ukraine. queen elizabeth has tested positive for covid—19. buckingham palace says she is experiencing mild cold—like symptoms, but does expect to continue light duties. the legal requirement to self—isolate after catching covid in england is expected to be dropped from next week — despite concern from some scientists and medical groups.

hello and welcome if you're watching in the uk or around the world. russia and belarus are extending theirjoint military exercises close to the border with ukraine, as western leaders continue to warn of a possible russian invasion. the french president emmanuel macron discussed the continuing tensions in a phone conversation with the russian leader, vladimir putin. mr putin accused the ukrainian military of provoking an escalation in the east of ukraine, where there is a conflict with russian—backed rebels. our eastern europe correspondent sarah rainsford reports from the ukrainian capital kyiv. distant explosions. these drills in belarus were meant to end with russian tanks rolling back to their bases. but all this firepower is now staying put indefinitely, not farfrom ukraine's border. in a crisis that is all

about signalling, this is russia refusing to de—escalate. let's really take a moment to understand the significance of what we are talking about. it has been over 70 years and, through those 70 years, as i mentioned yesterday, there has been peace and security. we are talking about the real possibility of war in europe. russia is talking up the danger, too, helping evacuate women and children from the breakaway regions of ukraine it controls, claiming kyiv is planning an attack there. so president macron phoned vladimir putin today. the kremlin did agree to continue seeking a diplomatic solution, but its troops are still in place, despite the threat of sanctions. we have to accept at the moment that vladimir putin is possibly thinking... ..illogically about this and doesn't see the disaster ahead.

and i think it's vital for us all now to get over what a catastrophe it would be for russia. but for russia, this is all about pulling ukraine back into its orbit. eight years ago, ukrainians came out in huge numbers on this very square to demand their independence, the right to decide their own future and direction without moscow dictating. they paid a really heavy price for that, but the feeling is stronger than ever now. so they are preparing to resist here any way they can. this was self—defence for women for a wartime scenario. pretty extreme, but so are the predictions of western governments in this crisis. sarah rainsford, bbc news, kyiv. buckingham palace has confirmed that the queen has tested positive for covid. the monarch is experiencing mild cold like symptoms but expects to continue light duties at windsor over the coming week. the queen who is 95 had been

in contact with her eldest son, the prince of wales, who tested positive last week. here's our royal correspondent nick witchell with the latest. i'm here! windsor castle on wednesday, the queen meeting defence officials. the only health issue then was to do with her mobility. good morning, your majesty, how are you? well, as you can see, i can't move. congratulations... that exclamation, "i can't move," is thought to indicate she may be having knee or hip trouble. but now, after two years of careful shielding from the risk of covid, it's clear that the virus has penetrated windsor castle. several staff have tested positive, and so has the queen. in a statement, buckingham palace said...

those light duties are expected to include continuing with the paperwork as head of state. shortly after the palace confirmed the queen had covid, she sent a message congratulating the team gb women's and men's curling teams on their medals at the winter games. the main concerns of the queen's doctors will focus around the fact that she is nowjust nine weeks from her 96th birthday. any person of that age will need to be monitored fairly carefully, and also i think giving her anti—virals, we do know that if you give anti—virals early on in an illness, you can substantially reduce the risk of severe disease. the queen is thought to have been fully vaccinated against covid and, if she is given anti—viral drugs, they should protect against serious illness. political leaders were quick to tweet their good wishes. the prime minister said...

the leader of the opposition, sir keir starmer, tweeted... in recent days, both the prince of wales and the duchess of cornwall have tested positive for covid. the prince, who met his mother at windsor on the 8th of february, has already made a full recovery. it is to be hoped that his mother will do the same. nicholas witchell, bbc news. joining me now is victoria howard, from the crown chronicles. calling all things royal. what's your reaction to this news of the queen contracting covid? maw; your reaction to this news of the queen contracting covid? many people have been surprised, _ queen contracting covid? many people have been surprised, and _ queen contracting covid? many people have been surprised, and the - queen contracting covid? many people have been surprised, and the depths . have been surprised, and the depths of the pandemic we heard about what

was termed hms bubble. the queen's staff are shrunk down and they were testing regularly to make sure that she and philip at the time were shielded from the virus, being in the elderly group. so i am a little bit surprised this has come about but we do know she had contact with prince charles shortly before he also tested positive for covid and it seems to have broken out in the wider windsor team.— it seems to have broken out in the wider windsor team. looking at the meetin: wider windsor team. looking at the meeting with _ wider windsor team. looking at the meeting with a _ wider windsor team. looking at the meeting with a couple _ wider windsor team. looking at the meeting with a couple of _ wider windsor team. looking at the meeting with a couple of military i meeting with a couple of military personnel, they were shaking hands and not wearing masks, kind of surprised that that but we don't know what the protocols are and we are two years into the pandemic and things may be easing. she is so resilient as we have seen over the years. how do we expect to respond to this latest incident? she years. how do we expect to respond to this latest incident?— to this latest incident? she will resond to this latest incident? she will resmnd with — to this latest incident? she will respond with her— to this latest incident? she will respond with her usual - to this latest incident? she willi respond with her usual realistic to this latest incident? she will- respond with her usual realistic and optimistic tone. she is expected to carry on light duties as mentioned in the statements and that will

include video calls with diplomats accepting their credentials as they become ambassadors to the uk. she has done thisjob become ambassadors to the uk. she has done this job for 70 years now and is very used to the situations and is very used to the situations and duties it encompasses and she is comfortable to do that. she will take breaks if needed and has definitely scaled back her work in the last few years and is turning 96 now so it is not as if she has the full on schedule she was doing even five or six years ago when she was still 90, having that full schedule. but she has access to the best medical teams. but she has access to the best medicalteams. so but she has access to the best medical teams. so while cautious with her age, she is triple vaccinated and has doctors around her. d0 vaccinated and has doctors around her. , ., , . vaccinated and has doctors around her. i. , . ., her. do you expect her, however, 'ust to her. do you expect her, however, just to take _ her. do you expect her, however, just to take a _ her. do you expect her, however, just to take a few _ her. do you expect her, however, just to take a few days _ her. do you expect her, however, just to take a few days of? - her. do you expect her, however, just to take a few days of? most i her. do you expect her, however, | just to take a few days of? most of the people i know who have had covid have taken a few days off. would you expect that just briefly?

have taken a few days off. would you expect thatjust briefly? i have taken a few days off. would you expect that just briefly?— expect that 'ust briefly? i don't, she is very — expect thatjust briefly? i don't, she is very committed _ expect thatjust briefly? i don't, she is very committed and - expect thatjust briefly? i don't, - she is very committed and something like cold like symptoms will not stop her. like cold like symptoms will not sto her. ., ~ like cold like symptoms will not sto her. . ~ like cold like symptoms will not sto her. ., ~' . ., like cold like symptoms will not sto her. . ~' . ., . stop her. thank you so much for that and do stay — stop her. thank you so much for that and do stay with _ stop her. thank you so much for that and do stay with us _ stop her. thank you so much for that and do stay with us on _ stop her. thank you so much for that and do stay with us on bbc— stop her. thank you so much for that and do stay with us on bbc news. i stop her. thank you so much for that| and do stay with us on bbc news. we will say goodbye to our bbc world viewers now. let me turn to a story we have been talking about over the last few days which is storm eunice. environment agencies have issued alerts for flooding across the uk. more than 400 homes in south manchester are being evacuated after two severe flood warnings because of the rising levels of the river mersey. there's been flooding in northern ireland. counties londonderry and tyrone are the worst hit and nearly 80,000 homes in england and wales are still cut off from power supplies in the wake of storm eunice. james reynolds reports. in south manchester, the environment agency has issued a "risk to life" flood warning. it will evacuate hundreds of homes in the east didsbury area. pravin and his son have come

out to check the water level for themselves. our house is just pretty much on the edge of the river, so we're probably at quite high risk of flooding if there is any — hopefully not. in the west of england, more than 20,000 properties remain without power. thank you so much. caroline bullock and her 91—year—old mother, kathleen, have had to rely on the help of neighbours. friends have been fantastic in bringing us thermoses of hot water for hot water bottles to keep my mother warm. the village of wadhurst in east sussex lost power on friday morning. repairs are slow. 80—year—old carole robbins has not had any official help. normally, somebody my age, they term me as vulnerable . so they would ring or send texts, but i have heard nothing - from anyone, so i have no means of finding out, - other than other people, - when it might come back on. these pictures of rising water levels were taken today in bakewell

near the river wye in the derbyshire dales. storm eunice will now be followed by storm franklin. the met office has issued another amber weather warning for storm franklin, actually for the north coast of northern ireland, valid from midnight tonight until 7am on monday morning, when we are going to see potential gusts of wind in excess of 80 mph. but i also want to stress that we could see damaging gusts of wind once again across southern scotland, northern england and parts of wales. in 0magh in northern ireland, water levels have risen and the wider area now braces for the strong winds of storm franklin. james reynolds, bbc news. we arejust seeing we are just seeing another consequence of sturm franklin over the past few minutes, hearing that the past few minutes, hearing that the runway lights at gatwick airport were knocked out for a short time.

accordingly system at 6:29pm. very unusual. the airport says the outage doesn't have an impact on flights and flights are arriving and departing as normal. some delays and cancellations because of high winds and we have seen that in the last few days at many airports across the uk and europe. let's stick with the storm is getting ready to come in to various areas. 0ur ireland correspondent emma vardy has more about what to expect there. it is feeling pretty gusty already, let me tell you, and it is expected to get quite a bit worse. winds of up to 80 mph predicted in northern ireland's coastal areas and it is really forecast to feel the strongest of the winds of all parts of the uk when storm franklin peaks here, which is expected to be overnight and into the early hours of tomorrow morning. now, northern ireland has already experienced quite a lot of disruption today. flooding, roads closed in various areas and there is predicted to be more travel disruption ahead and potentially some disruption as well to the ferries that

are crossing the irish sea. now, meteorologists have tried to explain as to why we are getting such a battering at the moment. i am told it is because we are getting a very active jet stream that is driving storms towards the uk. we had storm dennis on wednesday, storm eunice on friday and now storm franklin today, so i think once again it is time to batten down those hatches because here in northern ireland that amber weather warning is in place overnight until seven o'clock tomorrow morning. the environment agency says 460 homes in the didsbury area of south manchester will be evacuated due to the severe flood warning issued earlier. these pictures taken this afternoon show the river mersey bursting its banks. the severe flood warnings mean there is a "risk to life" to people living nearby. let's speak to alex deakin

from the met office. he is able to join us he is able tojoin us now. what he is able to join us now. what can we expect in the coming hours and days? i think people i suppose hoped that the worst of it was behind them? i that the worst of it was behind them? ~ ., ., ., , them? i think we are going to see them? i think we are going to see the eak them? i think we are going to see the peak of _ them? i think we are going to see the peak of the _ them? i think we are going to see the peak of the winds _ them? i think we are going to see the peak of the winds overnight . the peak of the winds overnight tonight across northern ireland. we have an amber warning in place, the met office issued it earlier today. an amber warning from midnight until 7am across the northern half of northern ireland, 70—80 mph along the coast. and along the south of scotland, northern ireland, wales and northern england we will see the wind strength and again. kind of a double whammy with storm franklin with really active cold front sweeping across the country probably responsible for the lights going out earlier at gatwick. that is clearing away from kent at the moment before the second wave of strong winds comes in this initially in northern

ireland but spreading southwards. we have a broad yellow warning in place covering the south of scotland and most of england and the worst of the conditions will be overnight and then we should see the wind is steadily easing through the course of tomorrow. bud steadily easing through the course of tomorrow-— of tomorrow. and i suppose some viewers may _ of tomorrow. and i suppose some viewers may be — of tomorrow. and i suppose some viewers may be wondering, - of tomorrow. and i suppose some | viewers may be wondering, should they be bracing themselves for the power cuts are the issues they saw on so many homes with eunice? in the amber warning — on so many homes with eunice? in the amber warning area _ on so many homes with eunice? in the amber warning area that _ on so many homes with eunice? in the amber warning area that is _ on so many homes with eunice? in the amber warning area that is very - amber warning area that is very likely that we could see further power issues and widespread transport disruption. these kind of wins across northern ireland, 60, 70, likely to bring down more trees and branches and cause structural damage and create flying debris so there will be issues but across the broader yellow area we expect problems, particularly in south—west scotland and north—west england and wales and it doesn't take a stronger gust now, because eunice has been through and is likely to have weakened structures so even if not

how strong it could still bring down branches that have been weakened and cause further issues. it only takes one branch to following a power line to create the big power or transport issues. i to create the big power or transport issues. ., to create the big power or transport issues. . ., , ., , ., , issues. i imagine lots of people will want to _ issues. i imagine lots of people will want to know, _ issues. i imagine lots of people will want to know, where - issues. i imagine lots of people will want to know, where is - issues. i imagine lots of people will want to know, where is the j issues. i imagine lots of people - will want to know, where is the end in site? it will want to know, where is the end in site? ., ., will want to know, where is the end in site? ~' will want to know, where is the end in site? ~ ., in site? it looks like after tomorrow _ in site? it looks like after tomorrow although - in site? it looks like after tomorrow although it - in site? it looks like after tomorrow although it willj in site? it looks like after - tomorrow although it will still be at windy week the weather should be calming down a little bit and we will see further bouts of wet weather coming and which could exacerbate the flooding problems we have been hearing about so we are far from out of the woods but after tomorrow, once franklin is out of the way it looks as if generally the weather will be a notch down but any wins don't have to be the same strength but because of the weakening after three storms in a week they could cause further issues. looks like a lively week of weather and further wet and windy conditions but not as stormy after tomorrow. ., ., , ., tomorrow. some good news at the end, let's ho -e tomorrow. some good news at the end, let's hope everybody — tomorrow. some good news at the end, let's hope everybody gets _ tomorrow. some good news at the end, let's hope everybody gets through - tomorrow. some good news at the end, let's hope everybody gets through it - let's hope everybody gets through it safely in the coming hours.

and we'll find out how this story — and many others — are covered in tomorrow's front pages at 10:30 and 11:30 this evening in the papers — our guestsjoining me tonight are geri scott, political correspondent for the press association, and the broadcaster and journalist, james lewer. the headlines on bbc news. britain warns russia is planning the biggest conflict in europe since world war two. it's as russia and belarus take part in huge military exercises near the ukrainian border the queen has tested positive for covid—19. buckingham palace says she is experiencing mild cold—like symptoms, but does expect to continue light duties at windsor this week. the legal requirement to self—isolate after catching covid in england is expected to be dropped from next week as part of the government's "living with covid" plans let's get more on our top story and the ongoing tensions between russia and ukraine.

the us secretary of state, antony blinken, says the extension of military exercises russia and belarus are conducting near ukraine has made him more worried that an invasion is imminent. catherine belton is special correspondent for reuters and author of �*putin's people.�* she's been explaining what may be going through the russian president's thinking. i think people have been worried that he has been isolated over the last two years of the pandemic and that he is increasingly surrounded ijy that he is increasingly surrounded by more hawkish members of the kremlin including the head of his security council, who see the world very much through a zero sum cold war lens. i also think that we shouldn't perhaps overplay these fears, because it is in vladimir putin's interests as well to think that perhaps he has become illogical land is willing to risk everything

to redraw the cold war security map. i think we should be careful because he is always going to have quite a cold calculation about what the economic impact is going to be of such moves, and he really does have to realise and we should recognise this to, that a full—scale war in ukraine would not sit well with the russian population. most of the russians have relatives in ukraine. they are being prepared to some degree for perhaps a minor incursion into donetsk in the east but for a full—scale war which would mean body bags coming back in their thousands into russia, i don't think the russian people are going to wear it and i think vladimir putin must be aware of that as well. so and i think vladimir putin must be aware of that as well.— and i think vladimir putin must be aware of that as well. so how would ou aware of that as well. so how would you describe — aware of that as well. so how would you describe his _ aware of that as well. so how would you describe his short-term - aware of that as well. so how would you describe his short-term and - you describe his short—term and long—term aims of of this, because the diplomacy has been continuing now for many weeks, talking about

emmanuel macron speaking to president putin.— emmanuel macron speaking to president putin. . , , , ., president putin. perhaps we should have exoeeted _ president putin. perhaps we should have expected that _ president putin. perhaps we should have expected that the _ president putin. perhaps we should have expected that the military - have expected that the military exercises in belarus weren't going to end just like that, when russia hadn't achieved any of what it was seeking in the previous round of diplomacy. i think it is in putin's interest to turn up the pressure, he wants to keep the west's attention and focus on this and the question is, what can the west give him? 0bviously is, what can the west give him? obviously we don't want to be risking our own security in europe but he has pointed to a number of things in the past that have particularly irked him, such as the placing of antiballistic missile defence bases very near russia's border in poland and romania, and perhaps they have already been all live branches extended over that. the us and nato have offered greater

transparency over some of their operations and perhaps there could be a greater renewed focus on that but obviously we have to be careful not to completely bow to putin when he is turning up the pressure and when the uk government is now raising the risk that there is going to be full—blown war. i don't think putin wants that but he does want to maximise pressure. i putin wants that but he does want to maximise pressure.— maximise pressure. i want to bring ou a maximise pressure. i want to bring you a little — maximise pressure. i want to bring you a little bit _ maximise pressure. i want to bring you a little bit of— maximise pressure. i want to bring you a little bit of breaking - maximise pressure. i want to bring you a little bit of breaking news - you a little bit of breaking news coming into us. the us embassy in russia cautioning americans on sunday to have evacuation plans. they say there's been threats of attacks against shopping centres, railway stations and other public gathering areas including moscow and saint petersburg as well as areas of heightened tension along the russian border with ukraine, according to the embassy. they also say, renew your personal security plans and have evacuation plans that do not rely on us government assistance.

that is coming on in the last couple of minutes. ministers are preparing to unveil a new plan for �*living with covid' in england — including ending the legal requirement for people to self—isolate after testing positive. labour has accused the government of "declaring victory before the war is over". our health editor hugh pym reports. a new direction, moving ahead without legal restrictions, but today's developments underline again that the virus can still spread. the requirement to self—isolate after a positive test is set to be scrapped in england following tomorrow's announcement, but there have been warnings that detailed guidance for the public will be needed. restrictions can end, but we need that to happen with provisions for people that are clinically vulnerable. we need that to happen for those that need to take time off work to be able to do that safely, both for their health and their finances, so there needs to be an awful lot of planning around this. it cannot be as simple as restrictions end for everyone, this is freedom day for everyone.

the latest survey by the office for national statistics suggests thatjust under 3 million people in the uk had the virus in the week ending the 12th of february — lower than the peak but still relatively high. but, with daily covid hospital admissions, there has been a continuing downward trend, from over 2,000 at one stage to closer to 1,000 a day. the prime minister said today that testing would be at a much lower level, and pcr testing sites are likely to be wound down. borisjohnson said the ability to monitor the virus would be maintained. free lateral flow test kits are likely to be cut back, with availability only in certain settings and for those most at risk. and the nhs is trying to move forward after intense covid pressure. it is time to recover. it is time to try and get things back to normality. i'm afraid this virus is with us.

you know, we are inevitably going to see more variants emerge in the fullness of time, but we have better tools of dealing with this, both in the community and in hospital. hospital staff will hope that responsible public behaviour will continue as the government's plan for living with covid is implemented. hugh pym, bbc news. manchester city says it is "shocked and appalled" at the abuse its player phil foden received whilst he was attending a boxing match, last night. the midfielder was backstage at the amir khan—kell brook fight when the disturbance took place. greater manchester police say they are conducting inquires. the democractic unionist party politician, christopher stalford, has died suddenly at the age of 39. mr stalford had represented south belfast in the northern ireland assembly since 2016. dup leader sirjeffrey donaldson says he is "deeply saddened" at mr stalford's death, saying he was "notjust an elected representative or a colleague, he was a friend". the sdlp say their spring

conference, due to take place today, will be postponed as a mark of respect. police in the canadian capital, 0ttawa, have cleared a main in the final hours of the winter olympics team gb have won a medal. the women's curling team beat japan — a day after the men won a silver. the games have now closed with thousands of athletes parading through the bird's nest winter olympics in beijing with the british flag carried by the curling silver medallist, bruce mouat. andy swiss reports. it is curling gold! saving the best till last — a glittering finale to britain's games, as eve muirhead's team delivered the perfect ending. this could be the most important stone of the match. curling is so often a sport of cliffhangers. not this time. britain led japan from the off and a moment of muirhead magic took them out of sight. it is four for great britain. triumph was now only a matter of time, and when britain

extended their lead to a massive 10—3, enough was enough. that's it! and so, a team which onlyjust squeaked into the semifinals were now 0lympic champions. for muirhead, at herfourth games, it was particularly sweet. it is a dream come true for myself and for the rest of the girls as well. it has been a journey to get here. we are olympic champions and, yeah, what a five we are. it is such a special, special moment. gets himself forward... oh, no, and they've - crashed, they've crashed! aside from their two medals in the curling, though, the truth is britain have struggled here. their target was between three and seven medals and they failed to reach it. and he's crashed! there are definitely athletes and teams going home disappointed, you know, we are not going to hide away from that. it would have been nice to have achieved some medals on the snow and also on the skeleton and bobsleigh. so we will go home and we will make

sure we review that properly and understand what happened. suitably, it was the curlers that led the british team into the closing ceremony. and so, the end of a games which were contentious before they even began, taking place against the backdrop of covid, and concerns over both sustainability and china's human rights record. and they were dominated by a sporting scandal of the russian 15—year—old kamila valieva, who was cleared to compete after failing a drugs test. but despite everything, the head of the olympics said the games were exceptional, and the athletes an example to the world. may the political leaders around the world be inspired by your example of solidarity and peace. and finally, the flame was extinguished and the fireworks ignited. a colourful end to one of the 0lympics' most controversial games. andy swiss, bbc news, beijing.

before we turn to the weather i want to bring you more from county mayo in ireland. that is the north—west coast of ireland. it is a waterfall being pushed back up the cliff face, as you can see, showing the power of storm franklin, talking about that a little bit earlier. we are not encouraging viewers to go near clifftops in order to see this. you can just watch it on your television. really quite something. now it's time for a look at the weather with louise lear. 0nce once again damaging winds to come across the uk and the met office has issued a number weather warning a storm franklin arrives over the next few hours. an amber weather warning has been issued for northern ireland for storm franklin. this is storm franklin, this area of low pressure will continue to drift

its way between iceland and the far north of scotland, on the southern flank where we see the tightest isobars, the strongest of the wins. not only do we see strong winds but we have some heavy rain and sharp showers moving through scotland, heavy, persistent rain pushing out of southern scotland into northern england and wales as well. so the amber weather warning will remain in force until 7am on monday morning with gusts of wind particularly 60-70 with gusts of wind particularly 60—70 mph, some stronger in places as well. that has the potential to cause some significant disruption first thing and does notjust for northern ireland, we will see strong to gale force winds through the irish sea coast and excess quite widely of 60 mph, in some places 70-75. with the widely of 60 mph, in some places 70—75. with the temperature falls away so a chilly start to monday as well just to away so a chilly start to monday as welljust to add insult to injury. the rain will move quite swiftly south and south and east and as we

go through the afternoon it will be quite an improving picture. the wins start to ease, gusting about 35—40 in many places in the showers fade away allowing for some sunny spells to come through and after the chilly start the temperature recovers to top out between eight and 13 celsius. as we and head towards tuesday there is another area of low pressure in a similar position up to the far north and that will bring some very strong winds and heavy rain yet again. the rain will weaken as it moves south and east and then allow for some sunshine to come through with a trail of scattered and possibly wintry showers with elevation in the far north—west of scotland, top temperature once again between five and 13. as we move into wednesday it looks likely we will start to see fewer showers around and slightly lighter winds and hopefully some glimpses of sunshine from time to time.