welcome to newsday. reporting live from singapore, i'm karishma vaswani. the headlines... we're on the front line in eastern ukraine, as soldiers face the possibility of a russian invasion. ukrainian troops here tell us they are ready for whatever may come. but no one knows what that will look like. the queen has tested positive for coronavirus and is said to be experiencing mild symptoms. it comes ahead of her 96th birthday and in her platinum jubilee year. australia opens its borders to fully vaccinated travellers for the first time in almost two years. and after 16 days of competition, the winter olympics come to a spectacular end in beijing.

live from our studio in singapore, this is bbc news. it's newsday. welcome to bbc news — broadcasting live from singapore, to viewers in the uk and around the world. we begin with the tensions over ukraine, where the us secretary of state says the extension of military exercises by russia and belarus has made him more concerned about an imminent russian invasion of ukraine. antony blinken said he based his assessment on the extended exercises as well the russian troop build—up on the ukrainian border. moscow denies that it is seeking a pretext for an attack. it says sunday's phone call between president putin and the french president ended with agreement on the need for a diplomatic solution

to the crisis in eastern ukraine. sarah rainsford reports from 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's all about signalling, this is russia refusing to de—escalate. let's really take a moment to understand the significance of what we're 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're 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. meanwhile the ukrainian government has said there's been more shelling and mortarfire in the east of the country — where separatists backed by russia have held two areas for the last eight years. the ongoing conflict there has claimed 1a,000 lives — and there are fears moscow could use any escalation as a pretext to invade. our international correspondent orla guerin reports now from one of the front lines at novotroitske. the tempo has changed at the front lines in eastern ukraine. it's a lot more active. we stopped dead because we heard the rumble of shelling. it was time to pick up the pace. let's go. and there were other

hazards along the way. we moved carefully past minefields on both sides. we're covering the distance now to the front on foot. ukrainian troops here tell us that they are ready for whatever may come, but no one knows what that will look like, what vladimir putin's endgame is. and if it is a full invasion, then ukrainian troops will be quickly outnumbered and outgunned. taras, who's 2a, shows us defensive positions against kremlin—backed rebels less than half a mile away. —— shows us defensive positions. "they've been opening fire with heavy weapons for three days," he says. "the situation has gotten worse, but we tolerate it and we wait. i think putin is doing it on purpose to provoke us,

so it looks like we are invading". nearby, a crossing point that leads to the separatist enclaves. there's tight security for civilians traveling from ukrainian government territory to the other side. this is one of only two locations where people can cross to reunite with loved ones. the east has been painfully divided for eight years. it takes permission and patience. just ask larissa, who does this every six months. she's a cancer patient, returning home after a checkup in a government hospital, hoping the worst won't come. "we, the people don't want a war to happen," she tells me. "we want to live. we want to love everyone and give them a hug."

svetlana is coming in the opposite direction from separatist territory with great difficulty. a gruelling trip for the 81—year—old. "we couldn't see our children for two months," she told me. "our great grandson was born. we hadn't seen him. now we have." there are very real fears for ukraine and for security in europe. and beyond the geopolitics here on the ground the human toll could be immense. orla guerin, bbc news, eastern ukraine. and you can find more details about the crisis in ukraine by visiting the bbc website. including analysis, articles and on—the—ground reporting. simply go to bbc.com/news. or download the bbc news app onto your smartphone or tablet device.

in other headlines — buckingham palace has announced that the queen had tested positive for coronavirus. she's said to be experiencing mild cold—like symptoms and is expecting to be able to continue with "light duties" at windsor castle this week. the news came days after the queen marked 70 years since her accession to the throne — and ahead of her 96th birthday. here's our royal correspondent nicholas witchell. 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 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. well, the news about the queen came as the government prepares to unveil a new plan on "living with covid" in england — which includes dropping

the legal requirement for people to self—isolate if they test positive. the prime minister's also indicated that he wants to reduce the amount of testing. here's our health editor, hugh pym. everyday life with covid has involved many guidelines on how to keep safe — that won't change. but the big shift tomorrow will be the announcement that remaining laws governing public behaviour are set to be scrapped in england, including the requirement to self—isolate after testing positive. and pcr testing sites will be wound down, though the government says the ability to monitor the virus will be maintained. free lateral flow test kits are likely to be cut back, with availability only for those most at risk and that could prove controversial. we need resilience but we don't need to keep, for instance on testing, we don't need to keep spending at a rate of £2 billion a month, which is what we were doing injanuary. the key thing is that people have access to free testing,

they know their status and they do the right thing by staying at home. scotland's health secretary said the uk government must continue to fund testing in any nation where there is health advice to keep it. more generally, there is a plea for detailed and comprehensive guidance for the public. restrictions can end but we need that to happen with provisions for people that are clinically vulnerable. we need that for 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. 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 february the 12th. that was lower than the peak, but still relatively high. but with daily covid hospital admissions, there has been a continuing downward trend from over 2000 at one stage, to closer to 1000 a day.

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 the 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. let's take a look at some of the other stories in the headlines in the uk. the uk is preparing for storm franklin just days after storm eunice resulted in three deaths and extensive damage. flooding has prompted evacuations in parts of the country. more than 140 flood

warnings are in place. tributes have been paid to the northern ireland politician christopher stalford, who has died suddenly at the age of 39. he was a member of the north ireland assembly, where he represented the dup party. the music entrepreneur and you tube start jamal edwards has died, aged 31. he was the founder of sbtv, on online urban music platform that helped artists like it sheeran and jessiej come to prominence. -- ed —— ed sheeran and jessiej come to prominence. if you want to get in touch with me i'm on twitter — @bbckarishma. i'm looking forward to hearing from you. you're watching newsday on the bbc. still to come on the programme... we're live in sydney as australia fully opens its borders to the outside world

for nearly two years. prince charles has chosen his bride. the prince proposed the lady diana spencer three weeks ago. she said she accepted without hesitation. the name she accepted without hesitation. tue: name itself she accepted without hesitation. tte: name itself symbolising one of the cruellest regimes of modern asia. the world's first clone has been produced — the world's first clone has been produced offered _ the world's first clone has been produced offered mammal. - the world's first clone has been produced offered mammal. warren bea and produced offered mammal. warren beatty and faye — produced offered mammal. warren beatty and faye dunaway - produced offered mammal. warren | beatty and faye dunaway announce produced offered mammal. warren i beatty and faye dunaway announce to the world that the winner of best film was la la land. the only trouble was it wasn't. the mistake was put right in the middle of gushing speeches by the team behind the modern musicalfoci are not for 20 years have locusts been seen in this part of africa. some of the swarms have been ten miles long. this is the last time the public will see — this is the last time the public will see this _ this is the last time the public will see this pope, _ this is the last time the public will see this pope, very- this is the last time the public will see this pope, very soon i will see this pope, very soon benedict _ will see this pope, very soon benedict xvi _

will see this pope, very soon benedict xvi will, _ will see this pope, very soon benedict xvi will, in - will see this pope, very soon benedict xvi will, in his - will see this pope, very soon benedict xvi will, in his own| will see this pope, very soon - benedict xvi will, in his own words, be hidden _ benedict xvi will, in his own words, be hidden from _ benedict xvi will, in his own words, be hidden from the _ benedict xvi will, in his own words, be hidden from the world _ benedict xvi will, in his own words, be hidden from the world for- benedict xvi will, in his own words, be hidden from the world for the . be hidden from the world for the rest of— be hidden from the world for the rest of his— be hidden from the world for the rest of his life. _ this is newsday on the bbc. i'm karishma vaswani in singapore. 0ur headlines. the us secretary of state, antony blinken, says the extension of military exercises by russia and belarus has made him more worried that an invasion of ukraine is imminent. queen elizabeth tests positive for covid—i9. the 95—year—old monarch is said to have only mild symptoms. australia has fully opened its borders to international travels in almost two years. fully vaccinated tourists will finally be allowed into the country as it eases some of the well�*s strictest covid travel rules. we can cross live to sydney

and speak to our australia correspondent shiloh kamil. great to have you on the programme —— shaimaa khalil. talk us through the significance of this moment for australia and what the changes mean. it's -- australia and what the changes mean. it's —— a big day for australia, it's a long—awaited change. after two years of isolation the country has gradually opened its international borders to australian nationals and visa holders. what's happening today is that tourists from different parts of the world are now allowed to come in if you are now allowed to come in if you are fullyjabbed, without are fully jabbed, without quarantine, are fullyjabbed, without quarantine, and this is a big change of course because since the beginning of the pandemic the country was closed to tourists. so provided you've tested negative, provided you've tested negative, provided that they are fully vaccinated, they can come in. there's been a sense of celebration around different airports here in sydney airport for example there was music and flowers and koala toys and

also travellers were greeted with the famous biscuits and jars of veg might which may me a bitjealous, i think! might which may me a bit 'ealous, i think! ., ., , ., think! you and me both, they are some of my _ think! you and me both, they are some of my favourite _ think! you and me both, they are some of my favourite biscuits. i think! you and me both, they are l some of my favourite biscuits. that reaction, are you seeing that mirrored across australia? are most people pleased by this decision? well, look, ithink people pleased by this decision? well, look, i think no one is more pleased than the tourism and the travel sectors. they have been devastated by these lockdowns, by the international closed borders for two years. tourism has become one of australia's fastest growing markets. it actually contributed about 30— $100 billion in 2019, that's the kind of loss the tourism sector has endured, the loss ofjobs of course. when the country started to open up domestically we did see domestic tourism comeback, but it was nowhere near what international tourism has

done for the industry. so there is a bit of cautious optimism. remember, china and new zealand, australia's biggest two international markets, are still very limited outbound travel so that still going to make a difference and also there is a general sense of apprehension, if you will, among international tourists. there has been two years of very, very strong borders, very strict covid rules. the fortress australia image will take time to wear off and the tourism sector does have a lot of convincing to do when it comes to international tourists. yeah and briefly on that, what contingencies has the government made in the possibility of another outbreak? ~ ., ., ~' ~' outbreak? well, look, ithink australia _ outbreak? well, look, ithink australia has _ outbreak? well, look, ithink australia has changed - outbreak? well, look, i think- australia has changed dramatically in policies of how to deal with covid—19. part of why it was sealed off was because it was going for zero covid cases, an elimination policy. after the delta and 0micron

variant, the game changed, they ramped up their vaccination numbers, most of the population is fully vaccinated and now australia is in the face of living with the virus. 0micron has definitely ramped up the case numbers, we've seen that steady, so now the contingency plans are the same for everyone including the tourists who come here. fantastic as always, shaimaa khalil in sydney for us. the beijing winter olympics has drawn to a close with a lavish firework display. the games contained plenty of controversy — including a doping scandal concerning a 15—year—old russian figure skater. one of the stories of the games was double gold medal success for an athlete competing at her fifth games. team gb picked up two medals, both in curling. but the games themselves struggled to cut through with tv audiences. let's speak to michael payne, former director of marketing for the international olympic committee. he also attended

the games in beijing. lets start by getting a sense of whether the games were a success? n0 sound. i'm sorry... i no sound. i'm sorry... i think... i'm with no sound. i'm sorry... i think... m with you _ no sound. i'm sorry... i think... i'm with you now, _ no sound. i'm sorry... i think... i'm with you now, my _ no sound. i'm sorry... i think... i'm with you now, my apologies. l no sound. i'm sorry... | think... | i'm with you now, my apologies. no worries, happens to the best of us. i think it was an absolute miracle that the games took place in the middle of a global pandemic. china was probably one of the very few countries that could pull it off. i think the athletes were very relieved at the games they had their moments in the olympic spotlight, the venues were stunning and the games went off smoothly but we were locked up in the middle of a bubble. you were surrounded by people in hazmat suits. it was like walking into the scene of a disaster movie. none of the athletes' family and

friends were there. you were not able to connect with the chinese people and that is a key part of the magic of the olympics, but the price that had to be paid staging the games in the middle of a pandemic. how much did the kamila valieva affair overshadow the games and when that happens, that controversy, what was the reaction amongst some of the people you were watching the games with? it’s people you were watching the games with? �* , ., people you were watching the games with? �*, ., , people you were watching the games with? , with? it's a complicated story in the story that's _ with? it's a complicated story in the story that's far _ with? it's a complicated story in the story that's far from - with? it's a complicated story in the story that's far from over. i with? it's a complicated story in l the story that's far from over. the athletes i think supported the ioc�*s decision to say that she shouldn't compete, but they were a overruled, the ioc was overruled by the court of arbitration for sport. i watched her compete in the team event in the short programme and she is by far the greatest figure skater the world has ever seen, but when she went on to compete in the long programme that pressure had clearly got to her

and she collapsed and the reaction from her coaches was very strange, to say the least. the decision of the story will go on. those who want sanctions may be imposed but the bigger issue is frankly what to do with russia and the ongoing problems of doping will stop they'd already been sanctioned and i think the ioc is going to have to review again what happens there.— is going to have to review again what happens there. yeah, moving awa from what happens there. yeah, moving away from that _ what happens there. yeah, moving away from that controversy, - what happens there. yeah, moving away from that controversy, what i away from that controversy, what performances really caught your attention at the games, really stuck out for you? attention at the games, really stuck out for you ? t attention at the games, really stuck out for you?— out for you? i think it probably de-ends out for you? i think it probably depends on — out for you? i think it probably depends on where _ out for you? i think it probably depends on where you - out for you? i think it probably depends on where you live. if| out for you? i think it probably i depends on where you live. if you are britain it would be the curling. if you are finnish, the ice hockey. but i think lindsay jacobellis competing in herfifth games, having been expected to win medals in the previous four and she failed, she came home from beijing with two. eileen wu, the american chinese freestyle skier, another controversy

over her nationality, but a remarkable achievement to pull three medals in freestyle. i reinvest getting herfifth medals in freestyle. i reinvest getting her fifth gold medals in freestyle. i reinvest getting herfifth gold medal medals in freestyle. i reinvest getting her fifth gold medal in five olympics, then you've got the human stories, winning the gold medal winning the same medal as his father in 1988, orthe winning the same medal as his father in 1988, or the american ryan cochrane, the 50th anniversary of his mother winning medals. these human stories make the olympics special. human stories make the olympics secial. ~ ., ., , ., special. what does the future hold for the winter _ special. what does the future hold for the winter olympics _ special. what does the future hold for the winter olympics or - special. what does the future hold | for the winter olympics or olympic games, given declining television audiences? t games, given declining television audiences? ., games, given declining television audiences? ~' ., games, given declining television audiences?— audiences? i think the outlook is very bright. _ audiences? i think the outlook is very bright, notwithstanding i audiences? i think the outlook is i very bright, notwithstanding some of the media commentary. we've got the next winter games coming back to the alps, in milan cortina. you've got america, switzerland talking of bids for 2030 and you've got a great set of cities for the summer games. the

tv ratings were down. part of that is due to the asian continent is never easy for europe and america. but you are seeing massive increases in digital consumption and that is a trend as people change their habits as to how they are following the games. i think the outlook is a lot stronger than the media may be representing at the moment. indeed, michael payne. _ representing at the moment. indeed, michael payne, thank _ representing at the moment. indeed, michael payne, thank you _ representing at the moment. indeed, michael payne, thank you so - representing at the moment. indeed, michael payne, thank you so much i representing at the moment. indeed, | michael payne, thank you so much for talking to us about that posing ceremony at the winter olympics in beijing, great to have you on the programme. —— the closing ceremony. a dog has been reunited with its owner in california, twelve years after going missing. 'zoey�* had been dumped from a vehicle earlier this month looking old and unwell. police scanned the dog's microchip and found her original owner — who had reported zoey lost in 2010. the owner says she's delighted to get zoey back and hopes to bring her back to health

to happily live out the rest of her life. what a wonderful story to end the programme with. thanks forjoining us on newsday. stay with bbc news. gusts of wind in the north coast in particular, its the squeeze on the isobars around storm franklin pushing very strong and gusty winds across many western coastal areas overnight and into the morning, so you can expect some disruption in the morning and indeed through a large part of the day although the winds are going to be slowly easing but this is where some of the gusts will be at. into the morning the strongest through northern ireland into western coastal areas but

elsewhere gusting widely 50—60 miles an hour for a elsewhere gusting widely 50—60 miles an hourfora time. elsewhere gusting widely 50—60 miles an hourfor a time. temperatures first thing, overnight wintry showers will have given covering of snow especially but not exclusively into the hills and this area of mostly rain will clear southwards through wales and england by the end of the morning and actually we are left with increasing sunshine, the odd shower in northern scotland along north sea coasts but many places in the afternoon will be dry with sunny spells and these are the afternoon wind gusts by apm, notice how much they have come down. the strongest wind winds are going to be easing and by the end of the afternoon it may not feel too bad out there, double figures. the disruption may continue once the strongest winds have eased. a chilly start on monday night, cloud and patchy rain spreading east, heavier rain pushing into scotland and northern ireland as tuesday begins with the winds picking up and gales macro developing in places. from tuesday onwards the winds are not expected to be as extreme and severe

as they have been. we'll see this cold front moving southwards on tuesday with an area of rain, a few wintry showers following behind and initially the rain is quite heavy, through northern england and wales, it weakens as it reaches to south—east england later in the day and behind that we have the sunshine and behind that we have the sunshine and showers again turning wintry particularly over the hills of northern britain. these are tuesday's temperatures. by wednesday there will be another weather front moving into northern areas, chilly start to the south. it will be cold across all parts on thursday with wintry showers around. it looks like a fine day on friday before low pressure moves back in at the weekend.

hello. this is bbc news. we'll be taking a look at tomorrow mornings papers in a moment — first the headlines. president putin and his french counterpart, emmanuel macron, agree to "intensify" diplomatic efforts over ukraine —

while the president of ukraine calls for an immediate ceasefire between government forces and pro—russian separatists in the east. 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. 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. i'm not saying you can totally throw caution to the wind — covid remains dangerous if you're vulnerable and if you're not vaccinated. but we need people to be much more confident and get back to work. and after 16 days of competition, the winter olympics come to a spectacular end in beijing — with china handing over to the hosts of the 2026 games, italy.