this is bbc news with the latest headlines: military vehicles enter eastern ukraine, hours after vladimir putin recognises two breakaway areas as independent states. ukraine's president has appealed for western support. we are waiting for clear and effective steps of support from our partners. it is very important to see now who our real friends and partners are. will sanctions change putin's mind? senior members of the government attend a cobra meeting chaired by the prime minister, to discuss sanctions aimed deterring russian aggression. it has completely torn up international law. we will

immediately introduce a package of economic sanctions. two severe flood warnings — meaning a danger to life — are in force for the river severn in the west midlands — a day after the uk was battered by storm franklin. as england prepares to live with covid — the health secretary the nhs will decide whether staff get free testing. if nhs staff need tests, they will be provided with free tests and that will be a decision for the nhs and those trusts. i'll put your questions on the living with covid plans to an epidemiologist in half an hour. send them to me on twitter @annitabbc or by using the hashtag bbc your questions. also coming up — if you are living in a material world with a few hundred thousand dollars to spare — this iconic madonna outfit could be yours.

good morning, the prime minister borisjohnson says vladimir putin is bent on a "full—scale invasion of ukraine" after the russian president's decision to order his forces into two areas of the country controlled by moscow—backed rebels — in a significant escalation of the crisis president putin signed a decree saying the troops would carry out peacekeeping duties in donetsk and luhansk — which he'd earlier recognised as independent territories. hours after his decree, reports from donetsk said convoys of tanks had entered the main city. moscow's recognition of two breakaway regions prompted an emergency meeting of the un security council where russia was accused of violating international law. ukraine's president volodymyr zelensky says its people are not afraid of the kremlin adding its international borders will remain the same

despite russia's statements. and after chairing a cobra meeting in downing street in the last hour, borisjohnson has agreed to what the government is calling �*the first barrage�* of sanctions against russia which he'll announce in the commons later today. we'll hear from our correspondents in russia and ukraine in the next few minutes but first mark lobel reports. this is how independence looks in the rebel republics now recognised by russia. but president putin's provocative move has been condemned by the west as a clear breach of international rules. the question is whether these columns of military vehicles spotted hours later on the outskirts of donetsk are a worrying sign of bigger things to come elsewhere in ukraine, with its sovereignty under threat. translation: we are waiting for clear and effective steps i of support from our partners. it is very important

to see now who our real friends and partners are. the uk prime minister, borisjohnson, told president zelensky the uk had already drawn up sanctions to target those complicit — alongside the us and eu — to implement imminently, and they will explore sending further defensive support to ukraine. so what could that be? we have now enough rockets to cover all the tanks which can cross our border. we have some troubles with the sea and air. that's where our efforts are concentrating right now. kyiv�*s long feared russia would create a pretext for war. in the past few days, russia evacuated thousands of civilians from the separatist republics to russia. russian tv claimed ukraine was shelling the area — claims vigorously denied by kyiv. president putin's final act was to effectively sign away the minsk peace agreements intended to calm tensions in eastern ukraine.

president putin has torn the minsk agreement to shreds. we have been clear that we do not believe he will stop at that. but despite tens of thousands of russian troops on ukraine's borders, both its western allies and russian neighbours still talk of a diplomatic way through, but with differing views of who's to blame. translation: |'u leave | the direct verbal assaults against us unanswered. now it's important to focus on how to avoid war and how to force ukraine to stop the shelling and provocations against donetsk and lu ha nsk. if we need to fight, we will fight. if we need to be peaceful, we will be peaceful. volunteers for ukraine's homeland security — no strangers to russian attacks on their country — now preparing to protect their families, their country, they say — if that's what it takes. mark lobel, bbc news.

in the last few moments, the prime minister borisjohnson finished chairing the emergency cobra meeting and had this to say. we have just had a corporate meeting about the situation in ukraine, particularly in the region were plainly president vladimir putin has violated ukrainian sovereignty, he has sent troops n, he has broken international law, he has repudiated the minsk agreement, he has torn up the minsk agreement, he has torn up the understanding for budapest in 1994 that the territorial integrity of the ukraine would be respected, completely torn up international law, we will immediately institute a package of economic sanctions which i think as people would expect, not

just identities in donetsk and luhansk but in russia itself, targeting russian economic interest as hard as we can and we will be... we will be talking about it in the house of commons. this is, i should stress, the first barrage of uk economic sanctions against russia because we expect, i'm afraid, that there is more russian irrational behaviour to come. and the sad thing is at every turn in this crisis, the uk's pessimistic predictions have been vindicated, we said there would been vindicated, we said there would be false flag operations and there have been, we said there would be provocations in the region and that is what we are seeing, and i am afraid all the evidence is that president vladimir putin is bent, as you said just now, on a full—scale

invasion of the ukraine. and the overrunning, the subjugation of an independent sovereign european country. and i think that, let me be clear, that would be catastrophic. there will of course be pressure for continued conversation, negotiations, and that is right. whilst there is still a discussion to be had, of course, a discussion should be had. and the uk will be engaged actively in diplomacy at all levels to try and find a way forward other than through the violence that president vladimir putin is proposing. i want everybody to be in no doubt that if vladimir putin continues down this track of violence and aggression of a full—scale invasion of encircling kyiv itself which seems to be what

he proposes to do, capturing the ukrainian capital, it is absolutely vital that that effort, that conquest of another european country should not succeed and that he should not succeed and that he should fail. that is what we will be exerting ourselves to ensuring as the outcome. let's talk to our chief political correspondent adam fleming. the health secretary talking about the situation in ukraine a little earlier before the prime minister spoke said that the invasion of ukraine had begun. is that the settled view of the uk government at this point? because borisjohnson was talking there about provocation, still saying there was potentially a room for discussion, for diplomacy. as far as the uk government is concerned, has a significant line been crossed? the concerned, has a significant line been crossed?— concerned, has a significant line been crossed? ~ , been crossed? the prime minister did not no been crossed? the prime minister did not go quite — been crossed? the prime minister did not go quite so _

been crossed? the prime minister did not go quite so far— been crossed? the prime minister did not go quite so far as _ been crossed? the prime minister did not go quite so far as the _ been crossed? the prime minister did not go quite so far as the health - not go quite so far as the health secretary to say that this is the invasion starting, this is eight. he came very close to that and he showed that the government has got a very, very gloomy, pessimistic interpretation of what this means. 0k, interpretation of what this means. ok, the prime minister kept the door open to a political diplomatic solution and more talk with the russians. but he was dialling down that part of the rhetoric and dialling up the gloomy interpretation of what this means about russian troops going into donetsk and luhansk. he told ministers at the cobra meeting in the cabinet office, the government emergency committee meeting at 630 this morning it was an undermining of ukrainian sovereignty and a breach of international law. what he has been saying in public is what he has been saying in public is what he has been saying in public is what he has been sent to his ministers and he has not sugar—coating the situation. it seems incredibly serious now.— situation. it seems incredibly serious now. ~ ., ., ., ~ ., serious now. what more do we know about the package — serious now. what more do we know about the package of _

serious now. what more do we know about the package of sanctions - serious now. what more do we know about the package of sanctions due i about the package of sanctions due to be announced later? broadly similar to what president biden has announced, banning trade and finance in those two regions? will it be similar? ~ , similar? the prime minister left downin: similar? the prime minister left downing street _ similar? the prime minister left downing street and _ similar? the prime minister left downing street and his - similar? the prime minister left. downing street and his motorcade, heading to parliament, to update mps around lunchtime. we will get more detail about what he described as a barrage of economic sanctions against russia and russian interest. some legislation was published ten days ago which would let them target a wider range of business interests and economic sectors and people that they targeted in the past. that legislation is there waiting to go. we will get more details shortly. although i think the prime minister will face calls from his own backbenchers and opposition parties to clamp down further on russian

interest in the city. conservative backbenchers saying things like should we not stop wealthy russian families having access to british private schools which they really like? in terms of different countries and different blocks, they are trying to show a united front to vladimir putin by triggering sanctions at the same time. that is what you have not seen individual countries going earlier or in advance. they want to show a united front. each country and each block will be tailored to their own economic interests vis—a—vis russia. it is worth remembering the sanctions that we talk about them being punitive and retaliatory, but the come at a cost for the people imposing the sanctions. this will cost british business money and european and american businesses money. vladimir putin will be looking to see what appetite there is ample tolerance there as for cost domestically when it comes to punishing. our correspondentjames

waterhouse is in kyiv: throughout this crisis, vlodymyr zelensky has urged people not to panic, to remain calm. what is he saying today after the events of the last 12 hours or so and how our ordinary ukrainian people feeling today? ? that is the big ordinary ukrainian people feeling today?? that is the big question. it is an important question. the president gave a televised address last night in front of a full map of the ukraine which in includes the crimea and these occupied territories. the urge ukrainians not to have sleepless nights, easier said than done, but he said his people would not be afraid to fight. there are some concerns, though, some ukrainians are not impressed with the scale of the response from america so far, specific sanctions that you mentioned on these occupied

territories in two and donetsk, because the main worry is that vladimir putin has given an angry speech and how he sees ukraine and how it has no basis to be a country in the first place, then he has given an order as part of his official recognition of these occupied territories for troops to move on, unconfirmed reports of some movements they are. the question now as, ok, are thejust going to occupy what has already been taken or are they going to advance further and try and take the entire regions of luhansk and donetsk, which would be crossing the comfort line. ukraine said they would defend themselves should that happen. that would be an enormous escalation and something that people are worried about. to ask that question another way, is president vladimir putin stretching diplomacy to the maximum or is he going to go beyond that? on that

point you are raising about the ukrainian president not being entirely happy with the sanctions and so far by the us, we are waiting to hear the details of the uk sanctions and the eu are still discussing their package of sanctions, what more would you like at this point? i sanctions, what more would you like at this point?— at this point? i think if we are talkin: at this point? i think if we are talking about _ at this point? i think if we are talking about sanctions, - at this point? i think if we are talking about sanctions, it - at this point? i think if we are - talking about sanctions, it should have happened yesterday in the mind of the ukrainian government. they have wanted economic punishment now for what russia has already done for backing the separatist and annexing the crimea, the hybrid warfare, misinformation campaigns, cyber attacks, officials are feeling one today on the infrastructure of the country, something that has happened a couple of times over the last two months. that is not uncommon. he is posing the question, he gave a well—received speech over the weekend to world leaders, he said who is going to fight? it is going to be us fighting in this world. it

is going to be ukraine acting as a buffer between the global argument between russia and nato. ukraine is going to be the battleground and crucially it is going to be ordinary people who will be affected directly. in the east we have seen thousands evacuated into neighbouring russia as moscow, according to the west, continues to build the fake justification for further action. and then you have the ukrainians, here in kyiv, who are worried about the forecasts about troops moving from the south from the belarusian border. there are hundred and 50,000 estimated russian troops in circling the whole some are moving further west, there is a backdrop of uncertainty, the ukrainians have had to shoulder this continued uncertainty from russia for close to eight years. they are accustomed to that. the last few days, many have talked about their

worries. the uncertainty of invasion. they say they want to fight, it is a battle of identity and the country, but they admit they don't know what it means, what you when one of the world most powerful armies tries to move on. it is hard to imagine fora armies tries to move on. it is hard to imagine for a lot of people that buy vladimir putin giving such an order, we are seeing the situation has got a lot more serious. the hope is now, given the comments of the russian ambassador to the un, if there is a diplomatic outcome, a breakthrough there, a sizeable concession of the west, ukrainian neverjoining nato, something which if you judge nato and the west on so far, they are not going to give an inch on this. what is going to give? on that question, we will leave it for the moment. our correspondent caroline davies gave us this update from the city of taganrog in south west russia —— not far from the ukrainian

border with the rebel—held region of donetsk. we are one and a half hours away from ukraine. many evacuees have been coming through here before being sent further into russia. you may see behind me, there are emergency tents put out by the russian authorities to help process people and provide people with somewhere warm to stay when they arrived. there are temporary toilet facilities. during the course of the last few days there have been buses arriving along here with people who say they have been travelling more than 24 hours from these regions and they are taken from here, taken down they are taken from here, taken down the road and put on trains and sent to central russia, other parts of russia. one train we went to see and spoke to the authorities was going more than 1000 kilometres to the east of moscow. quite some distance.

despite the fact this announcement was made yesterday by vladimir putin saying he was sending in peacemaking groups of which is not how the international community views them at all, despite that, we have heard from some of the people here that they are expecting more evacuees to come here during the course of today. we will have more on the latest developments on the border between russia and ukraine. all covid restrictions will end in england on thursday — including mandatory self—isolation for positive cases. free mass testing will stop from the first of april for most people. it's part of the government's "living with covid" plan — as our health correspondent, sophie hutchinson reports. this club for older people, one of the few to have remained open through the pandemic. now there's no social distancing, and most members have stopped wearing masks. and a further return to normal life is afoot, now the government in england has announced an end to

the remaining restrictions. so what exactly is changing, and when? well, on thursday, the legal requirement to stay at home if you have covid will end. instead, people will be advised to stay at home for at least five days. routine contact tracing will end on thursday, as well. the £500 self—isolation payments will stop this week, and in april free testing for all will finish — although it will be available for those most at risk, or people working with high—risk groups, such as in care homes. 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 enabled us to protect ourselves whilst restoring our liberties in full. the government says, instead of restrictions, treatments and vaccines are now the way forward.

many here will be eligible for the spring boosterjabs, and most say they'll get them. lovely — i'll have one! you think that's a great idea? i do — i think it's brilliant. anything that's going, i'll have it. oh, i think it's a good idea. i think it protects you. i'm over 80, so i will definitely have anotherjab, yeah. - the vaccines will be available for anyone aged over 75, and those at high risk over the age of 12. they'll be available six months after the previous dose. that previous dose seems to wane slightly after ten weeks, and government advisers say even a small reduction in protection might cause problems for the nhs. one thing to bear in mind is that if there is a drop in protection from, say, 95% to 90%, that is actually a change of twice the amount of protection — from 5% to 10% — and that could mean,

and translate into, a doubling of hospitalisations, for example. scotland, wales and northern ireland have confirmed they will also offer the boosters in the spring. sophie hutchinson, bbc news. the health secretary sajid javid said that free covid tests would still be available for nhs workers in england... if nhs staff need tests they will be provided with free tests and that would be a decision for the nhs and those trusts and by the way, even before covid, the nhs has always sensibly made a decision on tests and keeping their staff safe because keeping their staff safe means keeping their patients safe and it's always about patient safety. and actually, i was, just last week, i travelled i think it was 1200 miles around the country and i met many fantastic nhs staff in every corner of england. and i was pleased to see how people are getting on with the job, how they feel positive about looking ahead, and how this country has

collectively dealt with the pandemic but especially with the support of all nhs workers. let's speak to henry hill who is news editor of conservativehome: good morning. thank you forjoining us. reflecting on last night downing street news conference, was that the biggest divergence of political and scientific thinking we have seen during the pandemic? that scientific thinking we have seen during the pandemic?— scientific thinking we have seen during the pandemic? at least in ublic, it during the pandemic? at least in public. it is _ during the pandemic? at least in public, it is very _ during the pandemic? at least in public, it is very difficult - during the pandemic? at least in public, it is very difficult to - during the pandemic? at least in public, it is very difficult to tell l public, it is very difficult to tell the extent of which there has always been an agreement behind—the—scenes. we are definitely at a point where ministers are definitely taking ownership of the decisions in a way that earlier in the pandemic they were very deferential and there was a sense of outsourcing the critical decisions to advisers and other bodies. this time, borisjohnson has taken control of it as a politician.

that is perfectly legitimate, of course. ultimately, the balance of harms from covid—19 and versus the cost of lockdown is a decision politicians need to make. it is a striking difference from the early stages of the pandemic. haifa striking difference from the early stages of the pandemic. how much of the risk is that _ stages of the pandemic. how much of the risk is that for _ stages of the pandemic. how much of the risk is that for him _ stages of the pandemic. how much of the risk is that for him at _ the risk is that for him at this point? ah. the risk is that for him at this oint? �* ,., .., the risk is that for him at this oint? �* , , point? a political risk? it depends on whether— point? a political risk? it depends on whether there _ point? a political risk? it depends on whether there is _ point? a political risk? it depends on whether there is a _ point? a political risk? it depends on whether there is a new- point? a political risk? it depends on whether there is a new wave i point? a political risk? it dependsj on whether there is a new wave or another variant. at the moment it seems low risk relatively, most of the evidence points to the fact that it is as good a time as any to ease restrictions, hospital numbers are falling, protection for the public is good, if you're going to exit the universal regime we have at the moment, it has to be exited at some point, if not now when the indicators are good, then when are you going to do it? if it blows back in his face, that is a different matter. as it stands, it is probably safe. ~ ., safe. would you disagree with the voices saying _

safe. would you disagree with the voices saying pressure _ safe. would you disagree with the voices saying pressure on - safe. would you disagree with the voices saying pressure on boris i voices saying pressure on boris johnson over party gate has influenced the timing of this announcement?— influenced the timing of this announcement? ., ., . , announcement? no, not necessarily, the language — announcement? no, not necessarily, the language of— announcement? no, not necessarily, the language of the _ announcement? no, not necessarily, the language of the statement - the language of the statement yesterday, there was emphasis on the coast of lockdown to the nhs under mental health, which is the language we have been seeing from lockdown sceptical mps over the last couple of years. i do not think the two things are unrelated at all, if you look at the actual evidence of the case being made by the government for what they are doing, i do think it is defendable. do for what they are doing, i do think it is defendable.— it is defendable. do you think it will make any _ it is defendable. do you think it will make any difference - it is defendable. do you think it will make any difference to - it is defendable. do you think it will make any difference to the | it is defendable. do you think it - will make any difference to the mood around a vote of no confidence, a potential vote of no confidence in the prime minister depending on how the prime minister depending on how the investigation unfolds? it the prime minister depending on how the investigation unfolds?— the investigation unfolds? it might, i do not the investigation unfolds? it might, i do not think— the investigation unfolds? it might, i do not think it _ the investigation unfolds? it might, i do not think it will _ the investigation unfolds? it might, i do not think it will have _ the investigation unfolds? it might, i do not think it will have an - i do not think it will have an impact on the public standing of the prime minister, it has been very gradual, most restrictions have been lifted already, i do not think he will get the big freedom to dividend that he might have expected from

earlier unlocking, it is an issue which has... a lot of concern conservative backbench mps, and if the question of a leadership challenge comes up, they will be people who might have been more inclined to rebel against him if he had held on to the lockdown restrictions as they saw it unjustifiably but be more prepared to give him a hearing now that he has eased the restrictions.- has eased the restrictions. thank ou ve has eased the restrictions. thank you very much- — two severe flood warnings — meaning a danger to life — are in place for parts of the river severn, following the heavy rain brought by storm franklin. more than 100 otherflood warnings are in force across england and wales. both the severe, danger to life warnings are for sections of the severn in the west midlands — one near ironbridge in shropshire, where there are fears the river could top the flood defences — the other is at bewdley in worcestershire. claire dinnis is from the environment agency and is the area director for the west midlands — she joins us from nearby tewkesbury.

thank you very much for your time on what is a busy day for you. can you give us the latest assessment for the areas we have been mentioning? the river is incredibly high. the peakis the river is incredibly high. the peak is travelling downstream towards shrewsbury at the moment which means that we are watching the levels at ironbridge very closely. the peaks they are not due until later today and into tomorrow, but we are expecting the barriers will start to... later on today. and that is why it is important that people are taking action now to stay safe. if they have not taken action already, what would you like them to do? ah. already, what would you like them to do? �* , ., ., ., already, what would you like them to do? �* , ., ., , do? a severe flood warning means that ou do? a severe flood warning means that you need _ do? a severe flood warning means that you need to _ do? a severe flood warning means that you need to act _ do? a severe flood warning means that you need to act now. - do? a severe flood warning means that you need to act now. the - do? a severe flood warning means | that you need to act now. the most important thing is if you are in immediate danger, due called the

emergency services. we would much rather beforehand people remove themselves, theirfamilies, any themselves, their families, any particular themselves, theirfamilies, any particular belongings they need, insurance documents, medication, those kind of things, from behind the barrier. the local authorities, police and others are there and they have been advising people and they can give people advice as to where they should go and how they can get more help. they should go and how they can get more hel. ~ . . they should go and how they can get more hel. ~ ., ., i. they should go and how they can get more hel. . ., ., y., ., ,., more help. what are you and your colleagues — more help. what are you and your colleagues trying _ more help. what are you and your colleagues trying to _ more help. what are you and your colleagues trying to do _ more help. what are you and your colleagues trying to do in - more help. what are you and your colleagues trying to do in way - more help. what are you and your colleagues trying to do in way of. colleagues trying to do in way of mitigation? you are worried the flood defences are going to be breached. in this circumstance, what else can you do? we breached. in this circumstance, what else can you do?— else can you do? we have been workin: else can you do? we have been working towards _ else can you do? we have been working towards this _ else can you do? we have been working towards this since - else can you do? we have been working towards this since last| working towards this since last week, all of our barriers are up, all of our pumps are operational, teams have been out through the night and into defences where we can. they are on site. we are at this stage in both of those locations where it is not safe for our teams to be behind the barriers either. they are on site, they are

talking to residents, we will help residents if water comes round in both of those cases. the most important thing now is that everybody stays safe and we watch that go through. everybody stays safe and we watch that go through-— that go through. good luck to you and all of your— that go through. good luck to you and all of your colleagues. - that go through. good luck to you and all of your colleagues. it - that go through. good luck to you and all of your colleagues. it is i that go through. good luck to you j and all of your colleagues. it is an appropriate time to take a look at the weather. through this morning we have had a pint of heavy rain and squally winds pushing southwards. this is where it will be but the rain continuing to weaken. behind it, sunshine and some showers, wintry showers on the tops of hills in scotland. it will be a windy day but not as windy as it has been with the named storms. this evening and overnight, clearskies, the named storms. this evening and overnight, clear skies, frost, the showers will fade, you new weather friend coming from the north—west

will introduce further spells of rain. overnight low temperatures from three to seven celsius. tomorrow, a band of rain across scotland and northern ireland, into northern england later. the rest of england and wales largely driver sunshine, a few showers, once again it will be windy. colder in the north, still mild in the south. good morning and welcome to bbc news. the headlines. military vehicles enter ukraine hours after vladimir putin recognises areas as military states. an appeal has been issued for western support. we military states. an appeal has been issued for western support.- issued for western support. we are waitin: for issued for western support. we are waiting for clear _ issued for western support. we are waiting for clear and _ issued for western support. we are waiting for clear and effective - waiting for clear and effective support. it is very important to see now who are real friends and partners art.

now who are real friends and partners art-— now who are real friends and partners art. now who are real friends and artners art. ,, ., , , ., partners art. senior members of the government — partners art. senior members of the government attend _ partners art. senior members of the government attend a _ partners art. senior members of the government attend a cobra - partners art. senior members of the government attend a cobra meeting| government attend a cobra meeting chaired by the prime minister who says president putin is bent on a full—scale invasion and sanctions will be imposed. he full-scale invasion and sanctions will be imposed.— full-scale invasion and sanctions will be imposed. he has completely torn u- will be imposed. he has completely torn up the — will be imposed. he has completely torn up the rule _ will be imposed. he has completely torn up the rule book. _ will be imposed. he has completely torn up the rule book. we - will be imposed. he has completely torn up the rule book. we will- torn up the rule book. we will immediately institute a package of economic sanctions. tum immediately institute a package of economic sanctions.— immediately institute a package of economic sanctions. two severe flood warnin . s economic sanctions. two severe flood warnings meaning _ economic sanctions. two severe flood warnings meaning a — economic sanctions. two severe flood warnings meaning a danger— economic sanctions. two severe flood warnings meaning a danger to - economic sanctions. two severe flood warnings meaning a danger to life - warnings meaning a danger to life are in force for the river severn in the west midlands. a day after the uk was battered by storm franklin. as england prepares to live with covid the health secretary says the nhs will decide whether staff get free testing. sport and time for a full round up from the bbc sport centre. john watson is here. good morning. some breaking news. in the last hour, a world heavyweight title matchup between two greats has been agreed in principle. tyson fury and deli and wide. the contract signed

just hours before the deadline. said to go ahead in april the 23rd, wembley and the principality stadium in cardiff among the venues. white won his last fight, a rematch with his russian opponent was the last match, tyson fury unbeaten after defeating dion to walter for a second time in october. good morning. novak djokovic looking to put one of the most controversial epoisodes in sport behind him, having returned to the court for the first time in 2022 following his controversial withdrawal from the australian open. he comfortably beat italy's lorenzo musetti in straight sets at the dubai championships where djokovic could be challenged for his world number one spot by daniil medvedev. djokovic missed the first major of the year because of his vaccination status and could miss more grand slams this year, but says he's had the support of his fellow players. the majority of them actually welcomed me and said that it's nice to see me back on the tour, so obviously that makes me feel great and i'm very thankful

for that, because having the kind of an understanding, at least, i would say, you know, if not support from my peers and my colleagues is very important to me, because they are the people that i get to see sometimes more than my family. andy murray is also there competing alongside djokovic having faced questions over his immediate future. he won an epic first round tie in three sets and nearly three hours against australian qualifier christopher o'connel. this was murray's first match since he was thrashed 6—0, 6—1 at a tournament in qatar last week, and afterwards he said this performance gave him hope that he can compete at the top level. the holders are back in champions league action this evening as chelsea welcome the french side lille in the first leg of their last 16 tie. the build—up has focused on chelsea striker romelu lukaku, who touched the balljust seven times in 90 minutes in their last

premier league match. that stat prompted some jokes at his expense from fans, but his manager says it's time to get behind their £90—million man. it can be like this and it's of course not what we want and of course not what romelu wants but it's also not like... it's not the time to laugh about him and make jokes about him. he is in the spotlight, of course, and we will protect him because he's our player. well, the final of this year's champions league is due to be held in st petersburg. uefa say there are no plans to switch that as things stand. european football's governing body say they're closely monitoring the ongoing situation in ukraine, with a view to making a contingency plan if needed. the final�*s due to be played in the russian city on may 28th. and we had a long wait for medal success

at the beijing winter olympics. finally, it came over the last two days of competition in the curling. the women's gold—winning team and the men's silver medallists are now back in the uk — welcomed back by a bagpipes rendition in central london this morning. eve muirhead said they enjoyed a first—class flight home after their golden efforts in beijing. and she was quick to praise her team. �* , ., ., , ., team. i'm so proud of my team. i would not — team. i'm so proud of my team. i would not like _ team. i'm so proud of my team. i would not like to _ team. i'm so proud of my team. i would not like to do _ team. i'm so proud of my team. i would not like to do it _ team. i'm so proud of my team. i would not like to do it alongside i would not like to do it alongside any other girls. we have worked very hard to get this, we are all very dedicated, we all had the same goal to get that gold medal so i am very proud of them all and i hope you see some time back at an olympic games and i am sure you will see the faces again. and i am sure you will see the faces aaain. a . ~ and i am sure you will see the faces aaain. 1, . ~ ., ., and i am sure you will see the faces aaain. ., ., , ., again. back home and straight back on the ice, again. back home and straight back on the ice. by _ again. back home and straight back on the ice, by the _ again. back home and straight back on the ice, by the looks _ again. back home and straight back on the ice, by the looks of- again. back home and straight back on the ice, by the looks of it! - that's all the sport for now. now on bbc news,

your questions answered. welcome to your questions answered. you've been sending in your questions on the end of covid restrictions and of free mass testing in england. with me to answer your questions is dr raghib ali, an epidemiologist from cambridge university, who was also a frontline nhs consultant during the height of the pandemic. thank you for your time this morning. we will get straight to those questions. stephen asks can someone explain why the frequency of ordering lateral flow test has changed from one per day to one 72 hours. ,., ., changed from one per day to one 72 hours. , ., ., ., changed from one per day to one 72 hours. ,., ., ., ., , ., hours. good morning. the main use of lateral flow tests _ hours. good morning. the main use of lateral flow tests of _ hours. good morning. the main use of lateral flow tests of course _ hours. good morning. the main use of lateral flow tests of course is - hours. good morning. the main use of lateral flow tests of course is to - lateral flow tests of course is to know whether you have covid or not and if you do not have symptoms, excuse me, it is a way of checking

whether you may have covid. what we have found is testing twice a week is sufficient to pick up people and that's what we do in hospital, for example, we tested twice a week so it's not necessary to check every day. if you have symptoms, of course you can check more frequently. but you can check more frequently. but you should really get a pcr test done to confirm the diagnosis and i think the final point, some people have been overusing these tests, testing multiple times a day so we are keen to ensure tests are not wasted and they are used in the appropriate way. it’s wasted and they are used in the appropriate way-— appropriate way. it's also about mone , appropriate way. it's also about money. the _ appropriate way. it's also about money, the government - appropriate way. it's also about money, the government wants | appropriate way. it's also about i money, the government wants to recoup some of the money spent on the pandemic response. this one is from ross and ipswich. by dropping the restrictions while covid are still around artery opening ourselves up to the chance of another mutation? a mutation, ross says that could potentially be even more deadly than the first few versions of this virus? the reason

we are in a _ versions of this virus? the reason we are in a position _ versions of this virus? the reason we are in a position to _ versions of this virus? the reason we are in a position to reduce - we are in a position to reduce restrictions is because fortunately we have very high levels of population immunity, 98% of people have antibodies so cases, hospitalisations and deaths are fortunately falling and that reduces the risk of limitations but it's important to vaccinate the whole world to reduce that risk further. in the uk, the situation is relatively good. with all of these key metrics heading in the right direction, it's unlikely to make much difference, the change in the rose to the current trajectory. would you call it a calculated risk, perhaps? would you call it a calculated risk, erha s? ~ . would you call it a calculated risk, --erhas? ~ ., , . ., , ., perhaps? with all restrictions and all intervention _ perhaps? with all restrictions and all intervention she _ perhaps? with all restrictions and all intervention she must - perhaps? with all restrictions and all intervention she must weigh . perhaps? with all restrictions and| all intervention she must weigh up costs and benefits but the current situation with omicron particularly and immunity, as the chief medical officer said yesterday it is a reasonable step to take now. we need to monitorfor these

reasonable step to take now. we need to monitor for these new reasonable step to take now. we need to monitorfor these new variants and to be well prepared and that is why it is good the ons infection survey is continuing to give us that capability to pick up new variants should they arise.— capability to pick up new variants should they arise. nicola asks eye and vulnerable, _ should they arise. nicola asks eye and vulnerable, they _ should they arise. nicola asks eye and vulnerable, they say - should they arise. nicola asks eye and vulnerable, they say make . should they arise. nicola asks eye i and vulnerable, they say make your own risk assessment but how can i do that when i do not have the data. pcr testing allowed me to judge the case numbers and it is true that the sort of community surveys that we have been seen throughout the pandemic are going to be scaled back somewhat, aren't they? the pandemic are going to be scaled back somewhat, aren't they?— somewhat, aren't they? the key survey that _ somewhat, aren't they? the key survey that we _ somewhat, aren't they? the key survey that we look _ somewhat, aren't they? the key survey that we look at _ somewhat, aren't they? the key survey that we look at is - somewhat, aren't they? the key survey that we look at is from i somewhat, aren't they? the key. survey that we look at is from the ons, it is called the ons infection survey, that will continue and it provides the best data as to what the current prevalence of infection is in the community. pcr case numbers are affected by people's choices as to whether to test are not and there is some evidence over the last few weeks they are not tracking the prevalence as well as they did previously so in fact that survey will continue so you will still be able to get that level of

detail as to what the infection levels are in your area. and that should help you to judge levels are in your area. and that should help you tojudge risk levels are in your area. and that should help you to judge risk but it's also important, any one of our patients who are in the vulnerable category, to talk to your gp or consultant, doctor, because you can get a personalised level of risk from the risk calculator we are using and that hopefully will help you to judge a personal level of risk. you to 'udge a personal level of risk. ., ., , ., ., risk. let me add a question that has come in on — risk. let me add a question that has come in on twitter— risk. let me add a question that has come in on twitter in _ risk. let me add a question that has come in on twitter in the _ risk. let me add a question that has come in on twitter in the last - risk. let me add a question that has come in on twitter in the last few. come in on twitter in the last few moments progresses that i suffer from severe anxiety and am frightened we cannot trust individuals to take personal responsibility to self—isolate even with restrictions, any neglecting to wear masks and many still unvaccinated. how can i feel safe, she asks? ~ ., ., , she asks? what we have seen with revious she asks? what we have seen with previous restrictions _ she asks? what we have seen with previous restrictions being - she asks? what we have seen with previous restrictions being lifted i previous restrictions being lifted as most people continue to act cautiously. and to take precautions. for example, over christmas there was no legal limit on the number of

contacts that people could have, on average there was three compared to ten before the pandemic. even when the mask mandate was lifted, according to the surveys we have the majority of people continue to wear masks in crowded indoor areas or with people at high risk so it's not only government rules influencing behaviour, there is some evidence it is the level of risk that people perceive it has the biggest impact on their behaviour more than the rules in place. based on that evidence it is unlikely people's kind of behaviour will change from thursday. most people continue to self—isolate symptoms. and so i hope that will reassure all our vulnerable patients, that the level of risk to them will not change between this rule change. them will not change between this rule change-— them will not change between this rule change. steph asks why is not antibody for _ rule change. steph asks why is not antibody for vaccine _ rule change. steph asks why is not antibody for vaccine efficacy - rule change. steph asks why is not antibody for vaccine efficacy in i rule change. steph asks why is not antibody for vaccine efficacy in cev patients, clinically extremely vulnerable people, who take

immunosuppressant medications. steph says surely if we knew how safe we are after four vaccines it would enable us to make some progress back to some normality? interesting question. to some normality? interesting ruestion. �* , , , ., question. antibody testing is not really widely _ question. antibody testing is not really widely available, - question. antibody testing is not really widely available, but - question. antibody testing is not really widely available, but if i question. antibody testing is not| really widely available, but if you are in a canticle for your clinically extremely vulnerable hopefully you will have access to your hospital doctor or gp. they can arrange for antibody test. at a population level it's not that helpful to do that because it does not really change management stop those who are clinically extremely vulnerable, asking for that to see if you have a response to the vaccines you have found. the majority of people will see a decrease in immune response and they have some protection from the vaccines but that does not apply to everybody and that's why the tests can be useful. the second thing is sometimes what we see on an antibody response does not tell you the whole picture so the t cell response is

extremely important, particularly for protection against hospital admission and death and we do not have routinely available tests although it can be done in a research setting. these tests are not perfect but they are available to patients in those categories. i hope that will give some degree of reassurance. they will need to be given advice. 1.i reassurance. they will need to be given advice. 1.1 would make is that people who do not have a good immune response, wearing a well fitted mask provides protection against catching covid and we were those masks in hospital. we have to wear a well fitted mask. hospital. we have to wear a well fitted mask-— hospital. we have to wear a well fitted mask. ., . ,, , fitted mask. some good advice steph for ou. fitted mask. some good advice steph for you. approaching _ fitted mask. some good advice steph for you. approaching your _ fitted mask. some good advice steph for you. approaching your gp - fitted mask. some good advice steph for you. approaching your gp for i for you. approaching your gp for testing and also the type of mask that you were. tracey in grimsby asks art the most vulnerable who had early boosters to be offered further immunisation? it early boosters to be offered further immunisation?—

immunisation? it was announced a coule of immunisation? it was announced a couple of days _ immunisation? it was announced a couple of days ago _ immunisation? it was announced a couple of days ago that _ immunisation? it was announced a couple of days ago that over - immunisation? it was announced a couple of days ago that over 75 i immunisation? it was announced a couple of days ago that over 75 is i couple of days ago that over 75 is and those with reduced immune responses will be eligible for a fourth dose and recommended to get that, they are the groups when it happens most quickly. that fourth doseis happens most quickly. that fourth dose is now available. to happens most quickly. that fourth dose is now available.— happens most quickly. that fourth dose is now available. to anybody in that category- _ dose is now available. to anybody in that category. pretty _ that category. pretty straightforward yes to you, tracy. anne marie asks when a lateral flow tests be denied in free end and how much will the cost to the public? i much will the cost to the public? 1 do not know if you know the much will the cost to the public? i do not know if you know the answer to the cost? i do not know the cost, free testing relent from the first of the expectation by then is as levels and infection levels will be significantly lower partly because the omicron wave will continue to decrease. and people will be spending more time outdoors, in spring and summer. so that is one of the reasons it has been delayed until the 1st of april. i hope the

government will reassess further testing will be necessary at that point. i would also ask the government makes retesting available to those who would not be able to afford it so we do not have an equity gap between those who can and cannot afford it. 5ir equity gap between those who can and cannot afford it.— cannot afford it. sir patrick vallance — cannot afford it. sir patrick vallance was _ cannot afford it. sir patrick vallance was saying - cannot afford it. sir patrick vallance was saying the i cannot afford it. sir patrick i vallance was saying the vaccine feeds off inequality and that needs to be remembered at all times and clearly there is a concern people on low incomes may not be able to afford lateral flow tests when they have to start paying for them. an anonymous question. is it no longer anonymous question. is it no longer a legal requirement for admin staff and clients to wear face coverings in health care settings? each hosital in health care settings? each hospital trust _ in health care settings? each hospital trust has _ in health care settings? each hospital trust has its - in health care settings? each hospital trust has its own i in health care settings? eacq hospital trust has its own rules. i work it is a requirement for all staff to wear face coverings, for those of us who are front line staff, i do not know the routes across the country but certainly where i work, that is still a requirement.— where i work, that is still a requirement. where i work, that is still a reauirement. , ., requirement. the question is admin staff and client _

requirement. the question is admin staff and client specifically - requirement. the question is admin staff and client specifically but - staff and client specifically but that would be very much encourage, i would imagine. in any setting where you have patients who may be vulnerable?— you have patients who may be vulnerable? yes, i think both in health care _ vulnerable? yes, i think both in health care facilities _ vulnerable? yes, i think both in health care facilities as - vulnerable? yes, i think both in health care facilities as well- vulnerable? yes, i think both in health care facilities as well as l health care facilities as well as care homes. it would be highly recommended to wear a mask, as i say, where i work, it is mandatory to wear face coverings for all staff and clients. to wear face coverings for all staff and clients-— and clients. michael asks what is the current _ and clients. michael asks what is the current death _ and clients. michael asks what is the current death rate _ and clients. michael asks what is the current death rate from - and clients. michael asks what is i the current death rate from covid-19 the current death rate from covid—19 compared to the annual death rate from influenza?— compared to the annual death rate from influenza? there is a number we look out called _ from influenza? there is a number we look out called the _ from influenza? there is a number we look out called the infection _ look out called the infection fatality rate which means if you get infected with no particular virus, covid in this case, what portion of those people end up dying. currently the last figure i saw was around 0.05%, about one and 200 infected with omicron. a highly immune population as we have in the uk, thatis population as we have in the uk, that is the current fatality rate, similar to seasonal flu. that is the current fatality rate, similar to seasonalflu. it that is the current fatality rate, similar to seasonal flu. it was not the case previously, previous

variants it was higher, before we had high levels of immunity. it was much higher with the first variant, it was around 1% of people infected who were dying so it has decreased significantly. overtime. who were dying so it has decreased significantly. over time. find who were dying so it has decreased significantly. over time.— significantly. over time. and mary asks if all restrictions _ significantly. over time. and mary asks if all restrictions are - significantly. over time. and mary asks if all restrictions are being i asks if all restrictions are being lifted for covid does this mean all gp surgeries will return to face—to—face appointments? i know it is a bugbearfor many face—to—face appointments? i know it is a bugbear for many gps who have said we had been doing face—to—face appointments during a pandemic but this question specifically is does this question specifically is does this mean all gp surgeries will return fully, i guess, to face—to—face appointments? to face-to-face appointments? to clari face—to—face appointments? trr clarify one comment. it was one in 2000. in clarify one comment. it was one in 2000. ., , ., , ., 2000. in the last answer, i am sor ,i 2000. in the last answer, i am sorry. i did _ 2000. in the last answer, i am sorry. i did not _ 2000. in the last answer, i am sorry, i did not pay, _ 2000. in the last answer, i am sorry, i did not pay, on - 2000. in the last answer, i am sorry, i did not pay, on that. sorry, i did not pay, on that either. on appointments in gp surgeries. a full restrictions are lifted will all gp surgeries fully return, to face—to—face

appointments? return, to face-to-face appointments?- return, to face-to-face appointments? return, to face-to-face anointments? . , ., ., appointments? the current situation, i am not a appointments? the current situation, i am not a gp — appointments? the current situation, iam notagpso— appointments? the current situation, iam notagpsoi_ appointments? the current situation, iam notagpsoido_ appointments? the current situation, i am nota gp so i do not— appointments? the current situation, i am not a gp so i do not know- i am not a gp so i do not know exactly what is happening but as far as i know anybody that wants a face—to—face appointment can have one and that has been the guidance for the last few months. that may not happen in every practice but thatis not happen in every practice but that is the guidance i have seen. some people prefer to have remote appointments. it may be more convenient for them but who ever needs or wants a face—to—face appointment should be able to get one. . ~' appointment should be able to get one. ., ~ , ., y appointment should be able to get one. ., ~ i. , . appointment should be able to get one. . ~' ,, y . ., appointment should be able to get one. ., , . ., one. thank you very much for your time this morning, _ one. thank you very much for your time this morning, answering i one. thank you very much for yourl time this morning, answering those questions. we appreciate your time and expertise. and thank you to you for sending in those questions. house prices across the uk have risen dramatically since march 2020. but ons figures have revealed that houses in cornwall rose by 50% more on average compared with the rest of the country. across the county no fault evictions — which the government has pledged to ban — are causing problems for local renters, who face having their homes

changed into holiday lets. lack of affordable alternatives mean some are now facing homelessness. eleanor lawrie reports. it was very, very stressful, not knowing where you're going to be. we could have been anywhere in devon or cornwall, and we just want a home for our kids. fishermanjason and his wife laura — a student — were served with a no—fault eviction. it's affected my mental health quite badly. being here on my own when my husband's not here is quite hard because i've got no friends close by. you feel like sometimes you can't breathe because you just can't get away. rehoused in this caravan park — but only until next month, when the holiday season starts again. go! like laura, single parent heath is also now living in holiday accommodation, after being served with his no—fault eviction. i can guarantee that property — it won't go to a working—class

family with kids and stuff, it will be turned into a holiday home. pretty much all my clients have been second—home—owners and airbnb people. so, you know, what are these? these people need people like me for their businesses, as well. if it wasn't for me putting up on social media that i've got a problem and this is what is happening... the community has helped me. derek thomas is his local mp. your government pledged, as part of their election manifesto, to ban no—fault evictions, though that still hasn't happened. why is that? there will be a bill put forward that will support renters, but also strike that balance between making sure that landlords still see being a landlord as an attractive thing to do. the council car park is even being used to house homeless people in these pods. up the road is jasmine. her mother couldn't afford to house her once she turned 18, and she's currently living

in a travelodge. i've moved 12 to 16 times. it's definitely not great on my mental health. no—one can tell the 18—year—old when she'll move into a house. it's pretty much, "you have a roof over your head, you're no longer our problem." she's not allowed visitors, or cooking facilities. there is only so much, like, kfc and mcdonald's you can eat before you just start feeling incredibly sick. ideally i would like to end up back in falmouth so i can be with my family and where i've grown up. hello, st petrocs, faye speaking. some people fall through the cracks entirely. ok, so whereabouts are you staying this evening? i was actually staying in a bush. i was in a tent in the woods. when somebody spotted lily sleeping rough, they phoned this charity. it was scary. the area kept getting flooded quite a lot, so it was quite hard to stay clean and dry. and i think there were some guys that were around my tent quite a lot. after applying for hundreds

of properties, she was still low down on the priority list. i got a caring job, and i thought that if i had the money, then i'd be able to get a place. local charity st petrocs have just managed to house her, but that's only temporary. just to have a home and a job and a family... like anyone else, really. yeah. cornwall�*s unique landscape has been drawing people to it for generations, with all the benefits that brings. but the pressure it's now under means some residents are giving up on ever having a permanent place to call home. eleanor lawrie, bbc news, in cornwall. cornwall council says it is working hard to find suitable emergency accommodation for all those who need it. officials in hong kong say they will launch a vaccine pass scheme for shopping malls and restaurants this week as hospitals struggle under the weight

of an omicron—driven covid outbreak. daily case numbers rose to a record high of 7,500. officials have warned of even tougher social—distancing rules ahead and placed the city on "full—on war mode" against covid. a vigil has been held in west london for the music and media entrepreneur, jamal edwards, who died suddenly on sunday at the age of 31. crowds gathered in acton to pay their respects. jamal was a majorfigure in uk grime and rap. his youtube channel, sbtv, helped to launch the careers of artists including ed sheeran and jessiej. the australian government is to spend more than 500—million us dollars on drones and helicopters to strengthen its presence in antarctica. the prime minister scott morrison said the funding, to be used over the next ten years, would bolster australia's strategic and scientific capabilities as china looks to step up its presence in the frozen continent. the iconic dress madonna wore in the material girl video is going under the hammer

in california in may. her entire ensemble outfit, which includes the dress, satin opera gloves and rhinestone bracelets is expected to sell for up to £150,000. wendy urquhart reports. 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 girl's best friend. it is one of the most historic and iconic pieces of madonna, we actually have it on the cover of our catalogue but very few items that are this iconic of hers are in the public domain, so we anticipate it will sell for a lot of money. madonna tends to keep her clothes now but back in the mid—80s she was not 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 john lennon and paul mccartney's first band, the quarrymen. the main thing we have is colin hatton's drum kit that he used in the quarrymen. the quarrymen, 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—1959 and george harrison joined in 1958 so it is a really significant piece of rock and roll history. that little piece of history is expected to go for between 400 and 600,000 us dollars. there's also a whole bunch of other stuff up for auction including bruce springsteen's handwritten lyrics for glory road, eddie van halen's electric guitar and a diary of lyrics written by guns n roses frontman axel rose. i hope you've got deep pockets. wendy urquhart, bbc news. now it's time for a look at the weather with carol kirkwood

what is the latest on the flooding situation? there still are over 100 flood warnings in force and that means flooding is likely and we also have two severe flood warnings in force on the river severn. you can see scenes like this have been sending through this morning. exacerbated by this weather front sinking south, producing heavy rain and as you see from the isobars, squally winds around it but today it will be windy. a weak weather front clearing the south—east of england, heavy rain moving across scotland and northern ireland. swiftly pushing south across england and wales, behind it it is brightening up wales, behind it it is brightening up the sunshine. that rain continues pushing south and east, it is starting to break up, a weakening feature. behind it, dry weather, some sunshine, some showers, some of which will be wintry on the hills in scotland. wherever you are today it will be windy, even behind the

squally winds. you see the wind gust strength, not as windy as it has been but you'd notice it, nonetheless and temperatures ranging from 5 degrees in the north of the 13 in the south. this evening and overnight under clear skies there is frost, many early showers fading but not all of them and we have another whether front coming in across the north west, accompanied by strong winds in the outer hebrides and north—west scotland. the low temperatures, 3—7 , lower than that in rural areas. tomorrow, the weather front slowly pushes across scotland and northern ireland, eventually getting into northern england but for the rest of england and wales, largely dry, bore some showers, variable amounts of cloud, some sunny skies but again, the northern half of the country will be windy, turning colder. with snow on the hills. increasingly through the evening we see some of the snow reaching lower levels. following on

behind this weather front, cold front, this node not getting down to lower levels across scotland but also across northern ireland as well and that continues into thursday. snow showers mainly on the hills of northern england, wales, and the mirrors, generally speaking, the south—eastern corner will be dry with sunshine. but it is going to be windy wherever you are. despite the fact you see temperatures on the chart between 4—9 , adding on that wind chill, it will feel much colder than that.

this is bbc news — these are the latest headlines in the uk and around the world. military vehicles enter eastern ukraine, hours after vladimir putin recognises two breakaway areas as independent states. ukraine's president appeals for western support. we are waiting for clear and effective steps of support from our partners. it is very important to see now who our real friends and partners are. will sanctions chan-e putin's mind? senior members of the uk government attend an emergency meeting, to discuss russian sanctions. borisjohnson says putin is bent on a full scale invasion. he has completely torn up international law. we will immediately introduce a package of economic sanctions.

as england prepares to live with covid —