this is bbc news. the main stories. international condemnation is president putin grants recondition to two breakaway regions of eastern ukraine and says he is sending troops. the un security council meets to discuss the situation. today president putin has tournaments could agreement to shreds. we have been clear do not believe he. at that. it is imperative _ not believe he. at that. it is imperative to _ not believe he. at that. it is imperative to focus - not believe he. at that. it is imperative to focus on - not believe he. at that. it is imperative to focus on how to avoid — imperative to focus on how to avoid war— imperative to focus on how to avoid war and help ukraine stop the shelling. avoid war and help ukraine stop the shelling-— the shelling. reports say convoys _ the shelling. reports say convoys of _ the shelling. reports say convoys of armament - the shelling. reports sayl convoys of armament tree vehicles have been seen

entering the main city. the impact on the markets has been immediate. tokyo and hong kong stocks slumping. oil prices on the rise. cause for celebration in columbia as the country's highest court criminalises abortion up to 2a weeks of pregnancy. it's time to live with covid—i9, or restrictions in england will end in three days despite the concerns of some experts. warm welcome to viewers on pbs in america and around the globe. there has been a significant escalation in the ukraine crisis after the russian president signed decrees recognising the

independence of two separatist regions of the country, donetsk and lou henschke. he declared he would send peacekeeping troops into those two territories. in the last hour we receive these images of military vehicles including tanks early on tuesday on the outskirts of donetsk, the capital of one of those breakaway regions of eastern ukraine stop no markings on the vehicles or insignia, there has been strong international condemnation of these moves, un council currently meeting to discuss the matter. the chinese ambassador has called on all sides, to exert restraint. the us ambassador to the un said the world could not look away in the face of such hostility. today president putin has torn the agreement to shreds. we have been clear that we do not

believe he. at that. in light of his present actions we must all stand up for the principles upon which this organisation is founded. �* , ., , founded. let's get the latest on a very _ founded. let's get the latest on a very hectic _ founded. let's get the latest on a very hectic day, - founded. let's get the latest on a very hectic day, our - on a very hectic day, our moscow correspondent has the details. 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. steve rosenberg, bbc news, moscow. we can speak now to retired

general philip breedlove who was nato supreme commander in 2014 when russia invaded crimea. thank you forjoining us. i wonder what you make of these moves by president putin in the last few hours. we have seen some pictures of armed vehicles in and around don bass, they are not marked, but it would make sense that it is following up on his promise to send peacekeeping troops. do you think he's made his move now or is this just the first step? now or is this 'ust the first ste - ? now or is this 'ust the first ste . ? ., ~' now or is this 'ust the first ste? ., ., step? david, thank you for havin: step? david, thank you for having me. _ step? david, thank you for having me, the _ step? david, thank you for having me, the first - step? david, thank you for having me, the first thing l step? david, thank you for i having me, the first thing we should be clear on as these are not peacekeepers. let's don't buy into the russian narrative they are a lie. these are an invading force. a major world power has crossed an international border with his armed forces. these are invaders and this is an invasion.—

invaders and this is an invasion. . , , , invaders and this is an invasion. . , , ., invasion. on that basis, is not bein: invasion. on that basis, is not being done — invasion. on that basis, is not being done by _ invasion. on that basis, is not being done by whether - invasion. on that basis, is not being done by whether we - invasion. on that basis, is not| being done by whether we call it the west or nato, at this point to respond to that? we have heard the white house say we will issue sanctions in the morning, we heard the uk government say there will be sanctions in relation to these two particular breakaway region but that seems to be the sum of it at the moment? 50. but that seems to be the sum of it at the moment?— it at the moment? so, we'll 'ust it at the moment? so, we'll just have — it at the moment? so, we'll just have to _ it at the moment? so, we'll just have to see _ it at the moment? so, we'll just have to see tomorrow, | it at the moment? so, we'll. just have to see tomorrow, the west has been making a lot of indications that it's going to bring down the pain, we will see if they really do that. i believe, that we have been in a period of relatively, benign resistance to this point. a lot of effort, then, i call it passive actions, and now i believe we need to move to a period of more active

deterrence.— period of more active deterrence. . �* , , deterrence. that's interesting because they're _ deterrence. that's interesting because they're a _ deterrence. that's interesting because they're a sense - deterrence. that's interesting j because they're a sense many people feel that president putin doesn't care too much about these sanctions, whatever they might be. about these sanctions, whatever they might be— they might be. well, it's clear he has made _ they might be. well, it's clear he has made his _ they might be. well, it's clear he has made his calculus, - they might be. well, it's clear he has made his calculus, he | he has made his calculus, he has listened to what the west is said and he has now decided that he can weather whatever the west is going to send as well. i truly believe that taking swift of the table was a mistake and it sent a signal to vladimir putin these sanctions would be business and usual, therefore he has made the calculus that i can go in stop that's the. calculus that i can go in stop that's the-— that's the. that's the ability to carry out _ that's the. that's the ability to carry out international. to carry out international financial transactions. you could reference 2014 as well. if there is an assault on here, let's be honest, goodness knows how many nato, american, other western diplomats and ministers

have visited kyiv over the knee —— last decade, it feels like a western european city, do you still feel there is no way nato would not resort to more military response to that? i think it remains to be seen. we paint a very grim picture and i think we will have two see before it makes its next calculation. i have said more than once that i don't there is enough force in the north for them to quote, on quote, take or is one leader says sack because urban warfare just soaks up soldiers and armies. so i do believe that the force in the north can put great pressure on that but as far as door to door urban warfare i don't think that will be the case. . don't think that will be the case, . , don't think that will be the case. . .. , , ., don't think that will be the case. . ~ case. in which case you think the balance _ case. in which case you think the balance is _ case. in which case you think the balance is right -

case. in which case you think the balance is right with - case. in which case you think the balance is right with the l the balance is right with the amount of force now the ukrainian military has at its disposal, it's had some help from nato countries, but let's be honest, it's not exactly a sort of, a prudent situation for ukraine here, is it? well, this is what _ for ukraine here, is it? well, this is what is _ for ukraine here, is it? well, this is what is worrisome - for ukraine here, is it? well, l this is what is worrisome about what is happening in the dunbar �*s because the biggest part of the ukraine army is aligned against the line of contact at the don bass, and because it appears that these invading forces are going into the donb, that will fix ukraine's best troops and best set of troops down there. they won't be available to swing to care for the self, whatever mr putin might go next. the forces will be around the kyiv area because forces will be fixed in the

donbass. forces will be fixed in the donbass-_ donbass. still so many imponderables, - donbass. still so many imponderables, thank| donbass. still so many. imponderables, thank you donbass. still so many- imponderables, thank you so much for talking to us. well as i say the ramifications are coming thick and fast. not least in the financial world. mariko joins us from singapore. the markets taking a degree a hurt? , hurt? indeed, the first reaction _ hurt? indeed, the first reaction we _ hurt? indeed, the first reaction we saw - hurt? indeed, the first reaction we saw was i hurt? indeed, the firstj reaction we saw was in hurt? indeed, the first. reaction we saw was in oil prices, currently trading at the highest level for seven years, traders very much concerned about possible disruptions to the supplies of oil energy and many other commodities. then we have asian stock markets reopening for trade, we havejust beenjoined by india's stock market opening 2% lower, their fifth straight session of losses and elsewhere let's show you how the japan nick kay is trading, down by more than % and also over in hong kong the hang seng index

down by almost 3%. we are seeing a similar trend elsewhere across the region from australia to south korea. the 2%, 3% fall is significant, but some were expecting an even biggerfall. the reason it might be somewhat limited as asian markets and esters have been on edge for many weeks now, even last week warnings of an imminent attack, as a role in stock markets have been on a rollercoaster ride, that's why the impact is somewhat limited but still write a significant wall, and we continue to monitor what the european markets re—open and wall street and the us markets were closed yesterday for a public holiday but futures indicate they will see significant losses at the tuesday open.— see significant losses at the tuesday open. the point about the strongest _ tuesday open. the point about the strongest sanction, - tuesday open. the point about i the strongest sanction, weapons if you like your it might have, thatis if you like your it might have, that is the nord stream gas pipeline, which germany clearly

doesn't want to shut down, nonetheless would be a short —— a sanction taken which would be a sanction taken which would be a significant economic blow to russia but all so what impact the distribution of gas. any sign of what that's doing to gas prices? we sign of what that's doing to gas prices?— sign of what that's doing to gas prices? we are definitely watchin: gas prices? we are definitely watching that _ gas prices? we are definitely watching that closely. - gas prices? we are definitely watching that closely. as - gas prices? we are definitelyj watching that closely. as you said one of the biggest sanctions russia have been threatened with as the cancellation of the nord stream to pipeline, which you said was designed to double the russian natural gas exports to germany. the german president said it would be shut down if russian troop surveyed. the chancellor has been more vague about, uk has been more vague about, uk has been more vague about, uk has been considered it would make europe a more dependent on russia for energy supplies and there have been a number of warning of this particular escalation could boost energy prices, gas prices even further, across europe. we are

watching here in asia as well because this is all connected this is a global world, if the russia energy prices go up that would have an impact on this part of the world as well. at the sign time at a crisis like this, investors and traders love to go what is known as safe haven assets and currencies, talking about gold prices going up quite sharply today currencies like the japanese yen and the us dollar doing quite well as well. mariko, very comprehensive coverage, good to talk to you. this story is developing and fast, a lot of lines coming out of the european security council, if you go to the bbc website we have all the latest lines but also analysis from our correspondence covering this story from the various parts of the region. 0r download the bbc news app.

some of the day's avenue is now. officials in hong kong say they will launch a vaccine pass scheme as hospitals are struggling under the weight of an omicron driven covid outbreak. daily case numbers rose to 7500 infections with 13 deaths, including that of an 11—month—old baby. ten would—be robbers have been killed in south africa during a foiled cash heist. police acting on a tip—off stopped the attempted robbery in a suburb of johannesburg. officers said a gang of 25 gunmen was targeting a vehicle carrying cash. eight have been arrested, the others are said to be on the run. weather forecasters in portugal say the country is facing its worst drought in more than 15 years. they say more than 90% of the country is now affected by the conditions. farmers say they are being particularly badly hit. they have called for government assistance. in past years, these dry spells have

often led to massive wildfires in the summer. the chilean government is returning to easter island one of the huge stone statues removed from their more than 150 years ago. the monolith, which depicts a human figure, will be taken on chip on a five year —— on a five—dayjourney to the pacific island, which does to chile. stay with us, still to come, if you recognise this particular iconic address, we will tell you how you could actually own it, or at least dressed up like the material girl herself.

watching bbc world news. our main headline this hour, international condemnation coming in, as russian president vladimir putin says he has

recognised the independence of two breakaway regions of east ukraine and he has sent in troops there. colombia's constitutional court has decriminalised abortion in the first 24 weeks of pregnancy. the decision was celebrated by activists who have been campaigning long and hard for change. they argued that illegal abortions risked the lives of thousands of colombian women every year, especially among the poor. i have been speaking to marianna from the nonprofit organisation women's link about the significance of this ruling. link about the significance of this ruling-— link about the significance of this ruling. this is a landmark rulin: this ruling. this is a landmark ruling that — this ruling. this is a landmark ruling that the _ this ruling. this is a landmark ruling that the court - this ruling. this is a landmark ruling that the court of- ruling that the court of columba handed down today. it shows colombia is the most advanced country in latin america and the caribbean region, in terms of their right to abortion. it is historic and we hope that this ruling will inspire other countries of this region and other regions to

further decriminalise abortion, to protect women from unsafe abortions. to protect women from unsafe abortions-— to protect women from unsafe abortions. ., , abortions. right, we have seen the celebrations _ abortions. right, we have seen the celebrations outside - abortions. right, we have seen the celebrations outside the . the celebrations outside the court. there is no hiding the jubilation going on there but i do need to ask you, we are talking about colombia, a strong catholic country. we haven't heard from the church yet. how secure do you feel with this court decision, because one might expect some sort of, if not a backlash, an attempt to row back again? well, this is something that we live also in 2006, when women's league actually did the first big case of an abortion ruling in this court. of course there will be attempts to backlash, but as in 2006, we are optimistic, and we will defend this victory with all the tools

that we have. this is a ruling from the highest court of the country. it must be respected by citizens and by other powers. by citizens and by other powers-— by citizens and by other powers. by citizens and by other owers. ., ., ., ., powers. you have gone, or colombia _ powers. you have gone, or colombia has _ powers. you have gone, or colombia has gone, - powers. you have gone, or colombia has gone, from l powers. you have gone, or colombia has gone, from a powers. you have gone, or- colombia has gone, from a very rigid position on abortion too as you put it there, the most progressive country in south america. are you surprised at the sort of scale ofjump, if you like, and legislative perspectives here? well, this is another — perspectives here? well, this is another victory _ perspectives here? well, this is another victory of - perspectives here? well, this is another victory of the - perspectives here? well, this| is another victory of the green wave movement that is in latin america. today there is a let's say trend in this region of doing steps forward in the matter of reproductive rights. so it was not surprising that colombia is the next with a very prominent women's rights movement here. mi

very prominent women's rights movement here.— movement here. all covid restrictions _ movement here. all covid restrictions in _ movement here. all covid restrictions in england - movement here. all covid restrictions in england are| restrictions in england are coming to an end on thursday. the prime minister boris johnson says it is a move away from government measures towards a policy of personal responsibility. some nhs leaders, though, said it would be very premature to see this as some kind of permanent victory over the virus. here's our political editor laura kuenssberg. now, and then. the empty streets and silence of early lockdown. today, millions of workers heading back to their desks, replacing the ghosts of empty offices before. the first vaccine, a modern miracle. applause jabs in almost every arm now. good evening. aha, jabs in almost every arm now. good evening.— jabs in almost every arm now. good evening. a prime minister back then with _ good evening. a prime minister back then with an _ good evening. a prime minister back then with an emergency i back then with an emergency instruction.— instruction. you must stay at home. instruction. you must stay at home- today. _ instruction. you must stay at home. today, the _ instruction. you must stay at home. today, the laws - instruction. you must stay at j home. today, the laws which rovern home. today, the laws which govern our— home. today, the laws which govern our behaviour, - home. today, the laws which govern our behaviour, swept| govern our behaviour, swept away. govern our behaviour, swept awa . ~ ., ., away. we will remove all remaining _ away. we will remove all remaining domestic - away. we will remove all -

remaining domestic restrictions in law. remaining domestic restrictions in law, ., remaining domestic restrictions in law. ., , , in law. so, from this thursday, if ou in law. so, from this thursday, if you test _ in law. so, from this thursday, if you test positive _ in law. so, from this thursday, if you test positive in _ if you test positive in england, it won't be law to stay at home. from april, only the most vulnerable will get free covid tests, but there will be another booster vaccine for the elderly and those at risk. �* �* ., ., ._ , risk. all we've got today is et risk. all we've got today is yet more _ risk. all we've got today is yet more chaos _ risk. all we've got today is yet more chaos and - risk. all we've got today is i yet more chaos and disarray. not — yet more chaos and disarray. not enough to prepare us for the new_ not enough to prepare us for the new variant plural which may— the new variant plural which may yet _ the new variant plural which may yet —— the new variants which — may yet —— the new variants which may— may yet —— the new variants which may yet appear, and approached that things that living — approached that things that living with covert means simply ignoring — living with covert means simply ignoring it. living with covert means simply ignoring it-_ ignoring it. the rules being removed — ignoring it. the rules being removed will _ ignoring it. the rules being removed will make - ignoring it. the rules being removed will make many l removed will make many practical differences but it is also the end of a very strange and stressful eire, in england at least, where politicians have passed laws that have dictated so many aspects of our lives. for borisjohnson, it is a welcome relief to satisfy those in his party who believe the restrictions have been in place for too long, and have been too tight. but the pandemic is not over, and

loosening up is not without risk. listen to the prime minister's sentiment tonight. i do believe this is a moment of pride for our nation.— pride for our nation. then his top doctors's _ pride for our nation. then his top doctors's caution. - pride for our nation. then his top doctors's caution. we - pride for our nation. then his| top doctors's caution. we still have high _ top doctors's caution. we still have high rates _ top doctors's caution. we still have high rates of— top doctors's caution. we still have high rates of omicron, l top doctors's caution. we still. have high rates of omicron, and i have high rates of omicron, and iwouid — have high rates of omicron, and i would urge people in terms of public— i would urge people in terms of public health advice, and this is very— public health advice, and this is very much the government's position. — is very much the government's position, that people should still, — position, that people should still, they have covid, try to prevent— still, they have covid, try to prevent other people getting it, prevent other people getting it. and — prevent other people getting it, and that means self—isolating. it, and that means self-isolating. you are scrapping _ self-isolating. you are scrapping free - self-isolating. you are scrapping free tests i self-isolating. you are | scrapping free tests for self-isolating. you are - scrapping free tests for all, but you are telling everybody they have to take personal responsibility. how can people take personal responsibility if they may not be able to afford to get a covert test? vulnerable people will continue to have access to free tests. we are going to make sure that we invest in surveillance, because we want to have the keenest pair of eyes in the crewe's nest to watch for the iceberg in the form of a new variant. , , ,

variant. the virus is still prevalent. _ variant. the virus is still prevalent, even - variant. the virus is still prevalent, even in - variant. the virus is still i prevalent, even in windsor castle were the queen has favoured herself with mild symptoms. another stop on this agonising nationaljourney, that roaster moment where every single one of us has been affected, but the laws are listening, while the pandemic has certainly not gone and is certainly not forgotten. laura kuenssberg, bbc news, westminster. the dress that madonna wore in the material girl video is up for sale in male —— in may. it is part of the singer's auctions in california. a pink satin dress was made for the 1984 film norma jean, and then rented to madonna by the singer in the material girl video. it includes the dress, satin opera gloves, rhinestone bracelets, and is expected to sell, they are talking about, between one

and $2000. it are talking about, between one and 52000-— and $2000. it is from one of the most _ and $2000. it is from one of the most historic— and $2000. it is from one of the most historic and - and $2000. it is from one of the most historic and iconic i the most historic and iconic pieces of madonna. we actually haveit pieces of madonna. we actually have it on the cover of our catalogue, but very few items that are this iconic are in the public domain, so we anticipate it will sell for a lot of money. we sold a dress she wore on the cover of vogue for over $200,000 a few years ago, so we anticipate that 100,000 is very conservative for this dress. that conservative for this dress. at the very least, i guess. i want to bring in some other pictures, they are spectacular as they always are when volcanoes get going, mount etna roaring back into life as it sends this column of volcanic ash. it actually went ten kilometres up into the sky. a crater on the south—east side of the volcano was spewing lava and sent these clouds of smoke and sent these clouds of smoke and ash over surrounding villages, and also forced the nearby catania airport to shut down. let mejust remind nearby catania airport to shut down. let me just remind you nearby catania airport to shut down. let mejust remind you of our main story. the united states has led a wave of international condemnation in the un security council against

russia's decision to recognise the independence of two territories in the eastern ukraine. vladimir putin signing a decree ordering the russian military into donetsk and luhansk. hello. the weather is looking a little, and quiet of the rest of this week. no new named storms but still and windy weather at times, and of course weather at times, and of course we have the legacy of all those storms, still some flooding, this is the picture in shrewsbury in shropshire. we will see flood warnings in force particularly across england and wales, and a few for scotland as well. all down to the fact that we have got another band of rain approaching from the north—west. some of that rain will be falling on areas that really could do without it. still quite a lot of isobars on the map. another breezy day on tuesday. certainly not as disruptive as the winds we have seen recently. to start the day it will be cold towards the east, where we will have had the clearest sky is the longest

overnight, but rain already in northern ireland and scotland could be quite heavy over tuesday morning, with some blustery winds. it sweeps across northern england into wales, and will tend to become quite light and patchy. followed by sunshine and showers, some of them wintry over the high ground of scotland and gusts of wind round about 40 mph. another fairly cool feeling day across scotland and northern ireland where you are exposed to the windier conditions too but reasonably mild at the further south and east, temperatures 13 degrees but turning colder behind that cold front as it sweeps eastwards. overnight, we are in that colder air mass, lighter winds and clearer spells, so that is the recipe for quite a chilly night as we head into the early hours of wednesday. could be a touch of frost across england and wales particularly, it will cloud over from the north particularly, it will cloud overfrom the north bringing some rain across northern parts of scotland as we start the day. after that fairly cool but mostly dry start towards the south at least, what we will see is this where the front just making inroads into scotland and northern ireland, so trying to push on, bumping

into higher pressure further south. that will bring outbreaks of rain, perhaps a bit of melting snow into scotland. late into northern ireland, perhaps a bit showers into the far north—west of scotland, but for england we are looking at a drier day on wednesday, some sunshine around, temperatures ten or 11 degrees in the south but to the north of that cold front, only read about seven degrees for stornoway for instance, and then we are looking at a colder day more wildly —— widely on thursday, blustery showers, fairly windy day, things looking more warmer, drier and brighter by the time we get friday. goodbye for now.

hello, you are watching bbc news, the headlines. the united states has oil prices have risen to their highest in seven years. it has taken billions of dollars of the value of russian and ukrainian assets. elevations are taking place in colombia after the country's highest court decriminalised abortion up to 24 weeks of pregnancy. activists argue that illegal abortions were risking the lives of thousands of colombian women every year.