welcome to newsday, reporting live from singapore, i'm karishma vaswani. the headlines.. russian president vladimir putin says he will recognise two breakaway regions of east ukraine, and he's sending troops there. translation: announcing the decisions taken today, i'm sure with the support of the russian citizens, all the patriotic forces of the country. we'll have the latest reaction to president putin's announcement. also in the programme. all covid restrictions in england will end in three days�* time — despite the concerns of some experts. let us learn to live with this virus and continue protecting ourselves and others without restricting our freedoms.

and �*dress you up�* like madonna — the iconic dress worn in the 1984 material girl video is going up for auction in california. hello and welcome to the programme. there's been a significant escalation in the ukraine crisis — after the russian president, vladimir putin, said he would recognise two separatist regions of the country — and send troops into the areas. mr putin says they will perform what russia calls peacekeeping functions in the two territories.there�*s been strong international condemnation of the move — the united nations secretary general described it

as a blatant violation of international law — the un security council is to meet in the next few hours to discuss the situation. the white house said president biden would impose sanctions on people operating in the breakaway areas of ukraine — luhansk and donetsk — captured by pro—russian groups in 2014. our moscow correspondent, steve rosenberg has the latest. it was an astonishing piece of political theatre, played out on russian tv. the protagonist, the president. vladimir putin alone, aloof, like a modern—day tsar. the supporting cast, members of russia's

powerful security council. "i will let you all speak," he said, "then we must decide what to do." and one by one, they spoke, all urging president putin to defy kyiv and the west, and officially recognise the pro—russia rebel republics in eastern ukraine. "we must recognise these republics," the interior minister says, "but within their earlier, larger boundaries." the president listened, but looked like a man who'd already made up his mind. later, he addressed the nation. translation: the essence of the aggressive, - nationalistic character of the regime that seized power in kyiv hasn't changed. i consider it necessary to immediately recognise the independence and sovereignty of the donetsk and luhansk people's republics. act two, the signing ceremony. the leaders of the rebel republics were already in moscow.

they clearly knew what president putin's decision would be. earlier, this. russian tv claimed ukraine was shelling the rebel republics. fake news, kyiv says, and moscow inventing a pretext for military intervention. in recent days, thousands of civilians from the separatist republics have been evacuated to russia. moscow's been accused of using these people as political pawns. many here are confused and frightened by what's been happening. the geopolitical consequences of vladimir putin's decision are not their priority. fireworks tonight, in the rebel republics russia has recognised, celebrations. but elsewhere in ukraine and in the west, deep

concern that moscow may now move its forces openly into eastern ukraine, and that the kremlin is set on a major escalation. ukraine's president zelenskiy summoned his cabinet on hearing mr putin's announcement. they discussed the situation. ukraine has consistently said it does not recognise what it considers to be the seizure of its territory around lu hanks and donetsk. this was watched around the world. yes, there was a domestic audience who saw the national security chief, intelligence chief trembling and stammering in front of president putin when he called them to ask for their opinions. and it was clear he only wanted to hear, what he already recognise the two rebel republics they described, we believe it was prerecorded in the fact that there was those translations. this was for the world to see and for the ukraine to see, as well. the only woman of the national

security council talking about, very emotionally, perhaps she does believe that given what russia has been hearing on russian television, but the genocide in these areas, notjust to russian—speaking ukrainians, but hundreds of thousand of russians live in those rebel held republics that have not been recognised as russian and some of them have only received russian passports in recent years and just judging from the reactions on social media by ukrainian politicians and members of society, they have described this as dangerous and a declaration of war. we can speak to a reporter who has been watching what the international reaction has been. what of the ukrainian president and his allies been

saying? figs president and his allies been sa inc? �* , president and his allies been sa|n.n ,, �*, saying? as we saw in steve's re ort, saying? as we saw in steve's report, president _ saying? as we saw in steve's report, president putin - saying? as we saw in steve's report, president putin was i report, president putin was addressing his security council there. and the ukrainian president was addressing his security council. that is just wrapped up in a break there. he spoke to president biden and prime minister borisjohnson prime minister boris johnson and prime minister borisjohnson and then he addressed the ukrainian nation on television. he said, we are not afraid after russia has recognised these rebel states. he said, we will not give anything to anyone and that we are a supporter of the political and diplomatic solution. the president said that ukraine was expecting clear and effective steps from its allies. just after president putin had actually signed those decrees recognising the separatist regions and done yet and lugansk the ukrainian ambassador to the uk spoke to the bbc. just have a listen. yet a different tone to his response to that.-

yet a different tone to his response to that. this is a clear danger _ response to that. this is a clear danger to _ response to that. this is a clear danger to our - response to that. this is a clear danger to our state. | response to that. this is a - clear danger to our state. the incursion_ clear danger to our state. the incursion has already started. when — incursion has already started. when they are calling your nation _ when they are calling your nation a _ when they are calling your nation a historical mistake which _ nation a historical mistake which has to be fixed, then you have _ which has to be fixed, then you have to — which has to be fixed, then you have to weigh what they have in mind _ have to weigh what they have in mind. ~ , ., ._ ., have to weigh what they have in mind. ~ , ., ., ., mind. the west away at it as a breach of _ mind. the west away at it as a breach of international - mind. the west away at it as a breach of international rules. i breach of international rules. they have also said this is really the end of the minsk agreement, that was the agreement, that was the agreement to hope for peace over the past years, holding the piece in the east of the country although 13,000 people have died over that period in the separate attacks between the separate attacks between the two sides but what we have seenin the two sides but what we have seen in some immediate action on sanctions. we have had sanctions over the past few weeks and america stopped all trade between americans and those two regions that president putin has declared independent and we have seen the same to the french and

dutch saying they will be targeted sanctions at the moment. let's have a look at what the uk have said. this is our readout. borisjohnson our readout. boris johnson said: those are along the same lines as the americans and the eu. but he would also explore sending further defensive support to ukraine at the request of the ukrainian government. what could he mean by that? but could the ukrainians want? let's have another listen to the ukrainian ambassador to the uk. we have covered, more _ ambassador to the uk. we have covered, more or _ ambassador to the uk. we have covered, more or less, - ambassador to the uk. we have covered, more or less, the - covered, more or less, the immediate threat of the tank incursion. you now have enough focus _ incursion. you now have enough focus have _ incursion. you now have enough focus. have some troubles via sea and — focus. have some troubles via sea and air. that is where our efforts — sea and air. that is where our efforts are _ sea and air. that is where our efforts are concentrated right now — efforts are concentrated right now. ., ~ , , ., , now. one of the key questions now. one of the key questions now is whether _ now. one of the key questions now is whether president - now. one of the key questions| now is whether president putin plans for troops to go beyond

the areas that were already controlled by russian backed separatists over the past eight years and while that is important is because you have countries like canada saying it and its allies of further sanctions if there is more military activity. a kind of ambiguity we had not heard before. we also heard from the french that a proposed meeting of foreign ministers between france, and russia, should still go ahead on friday if possible in paris. the secretary of state is also saying that they are up for any diplomatic solution until tanks roll. so you're getting this message of diplomacy still in the background of the americans have moved their embassy from the west of ukraine to poland so suggesting that they are expecting the worst case scenario from that kind of move. but we have this ambiguity at the moment where the us administration has let it be known that they believe

that tanks have already commented those two separatist regions. this is not something new. the question is what would happen next. no doubt there is pressure the scene from countries like germany for more pre—emptive sanctions to say we were not take this if it continues that we have to wait until they speak out on the sanctions. until they speak out on the sanction— sanctions. thank you for keeping _ sanctions. thank you for keeping us _ sanctions. thank you for keeping us up-to-date l sanctions. thank you for l keeping us up-to-date on sanctions. thank you for - keeping us up-to-date on those keeping us up—to—date on those latest developments. laws to digester, obviously. and certainly lots to digester in the financial markets and asian investors are waking up to this news. 0ne investors are waking up to this news. one and a half percent. australia shares also lower. asian investors have been very nervous about the ongoing is between the west and russia. it is something they watch very closely. they are already

starting to see evidence of money flowing into some safe haven assets like the japanese yen and gold. that is something we'll keep a close eye on for you throughout the day here on bbc news. let's take a look now at some of the other stories and headlines today. the launch of donald trump's new social media app has suffered technical problems. users have complained about not being able to register. truth social became available in apple's "app store" on sunday. the former president was banned from most mainstream platforms following the capitol riot last year. one of australia's most wanted men will appear in court on tuesday — a day after being recaptured having spent 12 years on the run. gene potter failed to appear in court in 2010, to face charges of conspiracy to murder. he now faces extradition from queensland to victoria, to stand trial. a 700 kilo stone statue known as maoi tau is being returned to easter island by the chilean government 150 years after it was expropriated

by scientists and adventurers. the stone — was carved by polynesian settlers over 500 years ago. members of the rapa nui indigenous community held a traditional ceremony outside the museum to mark the start of itsjourney home. they have previously demanded the return of all statues taken from easter island todayis today is not the day we can declare victory over covid because, this virus is not going away. but it is the day

when all the efforts of the last two years finally enable us to protect ourselves whilst restoring our liberty is in full. and after two of the darkest, grimmest years in our peacetime history, i do hope this is a moment of pride for our nation and a source of hope that we can achieve in the years to come. if you want to get in touch with me i'm on twitter — @bbckarishma you're watching newsday on the bbc. still to come on the programme. if you recognise this iconic dress — we'll tell you how you can dress up like the material girl herself. prince charles has chosen his bride. the prince proposed the lady

diana spencer three weeks ago. she accepted, she says, without hesitation. as revolutions go, this had its fair share of bullets. a climax in the night outside the gates of mr marcos' sanctuary, malacanang, the name itself symbolising one of the cruellest regimes of modern asia. the world's first clone has been produced of an adult mammal. scientists in scotland have produced a sheep called dolly using a cell from another sheep. warren beatty and faye dunaway announced to the world - that the winner of best film was la la land. _ the only trouble was it wasn't. the mistake was only put right in the middle of gushing - speeches by the team behind the modern musical. - 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 pope. very soon, for the sake of the credibility and authority of the next pope, benedict xvi will, in his own words, be hidden from the world for the rest of his life.

russian president vladimir putin says he will recognise two breakaway regions of east ukraine, and he's sending troops there. the un secretary general describes the russian move as a blatant violation of international law and the un security council is meeting in the next few hours. more now on our top story. steve fish is a politics professor at the university of california, berkeley. he told me monday's development�*s have made putin's well, the mask is off today, isn't it? many of the west hope that all vladimir putin really wanted was security assurances that the ukraine would notjoin nato. that's always been a hollow hope. ukraine is part of russia. all of ukrainian territories part of russia and

vladimir putin has to spend talking this way for some time for the last decade, he's been talking about the russian world, which kind of encompasses the ukraine and other territories of the russian empire and the soviet union. he's been talking about historic russia and seen the russia has a right all of the territory which includes finland and other places. and, the mask is often it's clear what he wants and he wants to take over the ukraine. we have to understand in the west, that for vladimir putin, russia without ukraine is like the united states without new england or the plane states in the united states. it doesn't even exist. this is his career—long goal. this is what he's been waiting to get to. just to jump in on that point. for many people in the audience, double elicit some degree of surprise and shock. but does it stop with luhansk and donetsk? what is next if you can indeed think about the future game planfoeradimir putin?

vladimir putin possible future game plans to take back ukraine, he may do it in small steps but he has made it clear that is going to go beyond lugansk and donetsk, he has basically moved russian troops into these areas and to go beyond lugansk and donetsk, he has basically moved russian troops into these areas and declare them independent. and basically annexed them. and our sanctions have not been adequate. if you would back it over recent years, vladimir putin has never paid a big price for the sanctions, for the relentless attacks on western democracy, he has never paid a big price. the question of the sanction is, with the actually threatens vladimir putin's power of? much more about this developing story with the bbc online.including analysis from all of our correspondents covering this story for you — just log on to bbc.com/news — or download the bbc app — to keep right up to date with every development.

let's turn to hong kong with a health care system has been overwhelmed by huge surge in covid—19 cases. 0fficials overwhelmed by huge surge in covid—19 cases. officials have warned of even tougher social distancing rules ahead and place the city on full on were made against covid. the government will launch a controversial vaccine passport on thursday that allows only inoculated people to enter places such as supermarkets. earlier i spoke to a clinical virologist in hong kong and he told me that he told me that emergency departments are under increasing pressure. we are bracing yourself for a big fifth wave. we expect cases to peak in april or march if current measures continue so it

is already placing a lot of stress on emergency departments in the territory and we expect that, overtime, it is in the territory and we expect that, over time, it is also going to spill over into affecting patient beds in intensive care facilities as well. . , intensive care facilities as well. ., , ., , well. there have been images that we have _ well. there have been images that we have seen _ well. there have been images that we have seen from - well. there have been images that we have seen from hong| that we have seen from hong kong of overflowing hospitals. people unable to get beds, as you havejust people unable to get beds, as you have just described there. at the hospital system been able to cope and how much pressure as it underwrote the moment?— pressure as it underwrote the moment? , ., , , ., moment? the problem is that hon: moment? the problem is that hong kong — moment? the problem is that hong kong has _ moment? the problem is that hong kong has always - moment? the problem is that hong kong has always stuck. moment? the problem is that| hong kong has always stuck to zero covid. so we have always striven to have zero community transmission and all of a sudden we're having thousands of cases every day. and at least for the first few weeks, it is normal for people to panic because, in their eyes, covid is something life—threatening. it is something they have read about in the news of the last two years. it is something that

requires medical attention. so a lot of people with mild covid or asymptomatic covid are flocking to emergency departments and that resulted some of the images that were beamed around the world in terms of emergency departments facing a lot of stress from people. rushing in with milder symptoms. 0vertime people. rushing in with milder symptoms. over time that will change, unfortunately. patients with milder symptoms may stay at home but what they are going to see is a lot of severe covid in our elderly population that has pretty low vaccination rates and that is going to be a real test for the health care system in terms of being able to cope with all these patients with severe covid. that is going to be the real challenge in march or april. fin going to be the real challenge in march or april.— in march or april. on that, as ou in march or april. on that, as you point _ in march or april. on that, as you point out. _ in march or april. on that, as you point out, the _ in march or april. on that, as you point out, the elderly - you point out, the elderly population is not as well vaccinated as they are in similar parts of asia or the world. what has been the reluctance and resistance binders and what does the government get these people

vaccinated? it government get these people vaccinated?— vaccinated? it has been very difficult. we _ vaccinated? it has been very difficult. we have _ vaccinated? it has been very difficult. we have launched i vaccinated? it has been very| difficult. we have launched a vaccination campaign for nearly a year now. the problem is we have been a victim of our own success because we've kept cases so low in the territory that people did not see covid as a threat at all. that was not part of their live as it has been in other parts of the word given that it is seen such a distant threat, people in general were reluctant to go out and get the vaccination. it is prevailing misconception among the elderly that covid vaccines are somehow dangerous for people with chronic medical conditions, which can't be further from the truth. unfortunately, this misconception is kept people away from getting vaccines. despite the best efforts of the government and local experts as well. so that is changing now because of the surgeon cases. people are loath to get

chirped. and finally — madonna fans should definitely be checking their bank balance because the entire outfit she wore in the �*material girl�* video is going under the hammer in may as part of the music icons auction in california. wendy urquhart, bbc news. this famous pink satin dress was originally made for the 1980 tv movie norma jean but was rented for madonna's video which was inspired by marilyn monroe's performance in diamonds are a girls best friend. is diamonds are a girls best friend. , ., ., .,, friend. is one of the most historic— friend. is one of the most historic and _ friend. is one of the most historic and iconic - friend. is one of the most historic and iconic pieces | friend. is one of the most i historic and iconic pieces of my donor and we have it on the cover of our catalogue but very few items that this iconic of hers are in the public domain so we anticipate it will sell for a lot of money. madonna tends to _ for a lot of money. madonna tends to keep _ for a lot of money. madonna tends to keep a _ for a lot of money. madonna tends to keep a close - for a lot of money. madonna tends to keep a close now i for a lot of money. madonna i tends to keep a close now but backin tends to keep a close now but back in the mid—80s she was not probably thinking aboutjust probably thinking about just how probably thinking aboutjust how valuable things she wore in videos would turn out to be. the entire ensemble, which includes the dress, satin opera

gloves and rhinestone bracelets, is expected to sell for between 100 and $200,000. also up for grabs is a rare drum kit from germany and paul mccartney's first band. the main thing _ mccartney's first band. the main thing we _ mccartney's first band. the main thing we have - mccartney's first band. tie: main thing we have is mccartney's first band. tte: main thing we have is the mccartney's first band. "tt2 main thing we have is the drum kit that used in the quarrymen. the quarry men, of course, was founded byjohn and paul which was the very first band that they were in together and colin was the drummer from 1956-901859 and was the drummerfrom 1956—901859 and george was the drummer from 1956—901859 and george harrison joined in 1958 so it is a really significant piece of rock and roll history. i'd buy that little piece of history is expected to go for between 400 and 600,000 us dollars. there is also a whole bunch of other stuff for auction including bruce springsteen's handwritten lyrics, eddie van halen electric guitar and a driver early of lyrics written by axl rose. i hope you have got deep

pockets. an endangered seal pup was released back into the world. residents found her alone on the beach and she was seven days old after she was separated from her mother. the purpose but to a care centre where she went through months of treatment before she was released the sea in a protected area of the deserted island. he just time to share these pictures with you. mount etna is at it again! europe's most active volcano roared back into life yesterday sending a column of volcanic ash ten kilometres into the air. a crater on the southeast side of the volcano spewed lava and sent large clouds of smoke and ash into the sky over the surrounding villages and forcing the nearby catania airport to shut down. the 3,330—metre high volcano on the italian island of sicily erupts several times a year but rarely causes any damage. you have been watching newsday. stay with us.

hello. the weather is looking a little calmer and quieter for the rest of this week. no new named storms, but still some wet and windy weather at times. and of course we've got the legacy of all those storms, still some flooding. this is the picture in shrewsbury in shropshire. and it's really through the rest of the day, we're going to be continuing to see flood warnings in force, particularly across england and wales. there's also been a few for scotland as well. now, all down to the fact that we have got another band of rain approaching from the north—west, so some of that rain's going to be falling on areas that really could do without it. still quite a lot of isobars on the map, so it's going to be another breezy day on tuesday, but certainly not those disruptive winds that we've seen recently. to start the day, it'll be coldest towards the east. that's where we will have had the clearest skies for longest overnight, but rain already across

northern ireland and scotland. could be quite heavy through tuesday morning with some blustery winds. that sweeps across northern england into wales, too, and then it will tend to become quite light and patchy as it reaches the south east later in the day. it'll be followed by sunshine and showers. some of those showers wintry over the higher ground of scotland, and gusts of wind around about 40 mph for some of us. so, another fairly cool—feeling day across scotland and northern ireland where you're exposed to the windier conditions, too. but reasonably mild still further south and east. temperatures about 13 degrees, but turning colder behind that cold front as it sweeps eastwards. now, overnight, then, we're in that colder air mass and lighter winds and clearer spells, too, so that's the recipe for quite a chilly night as we head into the early hours of wednesday. could be a touch of frost, particularly across england and wales. it will cloud over a bit from the north, bringing some rain across northern parts of scotland as we start the day. so, after that fairly cool, but mostly dry start towards the south at least, what we will see is this weather frontjust making inroads into scotland and northern ireland, so trying to push in. bumping into higher pressure further south. so, that will bring outbreaks of rain, perhaps a bit of mountain snow to scotland, later in the day into

northern ireland, perhaps a few showers in the far north west of england later on. but for much of england and wales, thankfully we're looking at a drier day on wednesday. some sunshine around, temperatures around about 10—11 degrees in the south, but to the north of that cold front, only around about seven degrees there for stornoway for instance. and then we're looking at a colder day more widely on thursday with some blustery showers, anotherfairly windy—feeling day, but thankfully things looking a little bit warmer, drier and brighter by the time we get to friday. bye for now.

this is bbc news. hello and welcome, i am yogita limaye in mumbai. in 2019, the bbc launched its indian sportswoman of the year award to recognise iconic female athletes in this country. we are now in our third year and this is a special one because it comes after india has had its most successful run ever at the olympics and the paralympics.