i made that with al jazeera english proud recipient of the new york festivals broadcaster of the year award for the 5th year running. ah, japan becomes the latest country to band foreign visitors in response to the new cove at 19 variance. ah, another i'm how am i hitting this is al jazeera live from doha. also coming up it's miles, very, very mild symptoms. the doctor who 1st attacked it's the only kron variance says patients who suffered only mild illness so far.

supporters of leftist opposition candidates? jamara castro celebrates in honduras, claiming victory in the countries of presidential election. i'm gabriel's onto a new york where british socialite elaine maxwell will face a jury for the 1st time in a trial. it's sure to be filled with drama. ah, japan is banning foreign travelers from entering the country in an attempt to control the spreads. often you only con, variance prime minister for me. ok. she does says the band will take effect on tuesday and other measures are also being considered. you know me good ongoing schema, so we are responding to the army con variant with a strong sense of urgency in my country. we've suspended the entry of foreigners from south africa and 9 other countries from yesterday at midnight. as the new

variance spreads further around the world, we're considering additional measures to strengthen our border control measures says, i'll announce when necessary, what the sheets or the south african presidents has demanded an immediate ends to the travel bands that he is described as unjustified and discrimination against his country and its neighbors, the world health organization is again urging countries not to impose certain travel bands. the w h o sense it will take weeks to low we're fee, omicron, variance is more transmissible or causes worse symptoms. more than 10 countries have now confirmed cases off the new variance, tony chang is in bangkok and has more on the measures taken by some asian nations. well, borders and are close to foreign business people and foreign students, many of whom were celebrating after being allowed back into the country several weeks ago. for some japanese nationals will be able to return. but quarantine

protocols are going to be introduced once again. so japan really stepping back very quickly there that did cause a different markets across asia this morning, although they appear now to have studied we've seen this other reactions in the region. the philippines, imposing a ban on arrival from 14 countries, including 7 european nations, particularly those were the only kron variant has already been detected thailand and the indonesia have band 8 arrivals from 8 or southern african nations. they appear to be watching very closely what's going to to be going on. no. the detection yet of cases in any countries other than hong kong are of the owner, con barian. but i think people here will be very wary. they have just started to open up, particularly here in thailand. we're the, the tourist industry has been absolutely devastated by the last 18 months and the,

and the shut downs. they announced in bunker to over the weekend that they were going to be lifting their entry require me slightly. this of course is going to set everyone on go guard again. but i think if the thai government can do anything to keep those gateways open, they'll be trying to do so. so the terrorists can eventually return a safe african doctor who raised the alarm about the new variance says her patients have shown mainly most symptoms so far. from the miller reports now from johannesburg, angelie could see the south african doctor who 1st to take that new symptoms in patients who had contract coven 19 while she says the symptoms up until ya cases so far have been mild. so what is interesting is that, that the clinical symptoms or not the same, then with delta, extreme tightness, and fatigue, and the young people that was how we 1st detected with

a bit of her body i, campaign, and headache. very, very similar to what you will normally see with any viral infection. so the africa has to take to just over 50 cases of the new variant and enabling, but swan or 900 people have been infected. they've also been cases in belgium, israel, and other countries. so i to say it may take up to 2 weeks to better understand the variance to determine how easily it spreads and how well vaccines work to protect people. because these more than 30 mutations, that might, it might escape the immune system, or it might xscape the vaccines. what we have seen so far is people that has been vaccinated specie we're far, is it around? we had the last short in august this year did contact the virus and it's mild, very, very much symptoms. there are no known admissions to hospitals. hill people with contract the new variant. what is your view then on the global reaction to this

variant being detected in south africa? extremely premature. and you know, it is as if they went into a frenzy and each and every one out there on biking, a great, a high about this. and the question is, you know what, why we have, we have won't that we are going to see a 4 foot or a wife. we have to sit, they will come at variance. we did say that the variance will mostly come from unvaccinated ivy paid people who's not controlled on the medication or never been to taking any medication. that's not, that's something that's new. well, scientists say the variant is behind a sharp rise of cases in the halting province. how the spread of the disease is managed should be carefully considered. an increasing number of experts say the law downs and travel bands don't work and that instead damaging economies and causing

unnecessary panic, then says the focus should be on ensuring everyone in the world has access to vaccines. south africa, india and other countries have been for months coating for payton waivers. to allow for vaccines to be manufactured around the world. so far, just 70 percent of africans have received a job with very low vaccine access, with the inability to be able to fully make our own vaccines and to be able to get out of this. been driving fast enough in a timely manner. with the vaccine motive that we are witnessing, and the stigmatization of certain countries in africa related to the variance. this is not a good look for the global not what we need is cooperation. what we need is global solidarity. and what we're getting in return is actually of a punitive approach to how we can actually all, many has been damaged 2 weeks from now. when we might see a different picture, we might see a total different clinical picture from, from us what we experienced currently. but, but for now, we can't even cite,

escaped the vaccine efficacy. we can say that while travel bands often used by time to better understand new variance and the spread of the coven, 1900 virus. some scientists in south africa, a calling it's a futile exercise. for me to mila al jazeera johannesburg, frances minister for overseas territories. as visiting the french caribbean islands of guadalupe, he's insisting that french laws will be enforced that make covert 1900 vaccines, compulsory for health workers, the laws response riots important for testers of poof, mandatory vaccination. and my sex nation drive is underway in the philippines when we 40 percent of the population has been fully inoculated so far. that governments has also recently tightened its border controls in an effort to limit the spreads of the only con, variance of coal with 19 ah

. in honduras fee left, one candidate seo, mar, castro has claimed victory in sunday's presidential election. castro told supporters that voters have reverse authoritarianism. the governing national party also announced that its candidates had one on durance in choosing a successor to go in leader one, orlando, hernandez, mont, or follow, has more from the home to and capital. it's been a jovial environment. people very much happy celebrating and we're val, uh, we've already heard from us. your mother cast it on herself who came out and spoke to her supporters stopping short of declaring victory would say that today, the people of honduras have one and promised a government reconciliation saying that it's early as tomorrow she wants to meet with the under other candidate to form a government of reconciliation,

a government that truly serves all of the people of honduras. this election really does have the potential to be a pivotal one. not only because the of the potential for the lasted area where we could see a 1st woman president of honduras, but because of the backdrop under which these general elections are taking place. one of the most, one of the worst migrant crisis in the history of the country, a poverty rate that's reaching historic levels, it currently sits at somewhere around 75 percent. and regardless of your political background here in honduras, many people are simply happy to see the exit of the controversial president wonderland. where landed a president, whose administration has been marred by allegations of corruption misuse of public funds and ties to norco trafficking, to, to drug trafficking, to the united states, his own brother, a former member of congress, now serving a life sentence in the united states for drug trafficking, so many people in this country are hungry for change. the trial,

a former georgian presidents because successfully is sent to resume in the capital to please see he's been held in jail since returning to georgia from exile last month. he faces 6 years in prison for corruption during his time in office for robin forest. walker joins me and i live from tbilisi or robin. it looks like grid locate site. the courthouse for you are just talk us through what's happening. you know. yeah, i mean it's quite a chaotic here the moment they might be close both the lane, both roads in and out of the city. you could probably see behind the some of the support is on that road bridge and, and also right now somebody being stretch it away from the scene because really emotions of running high here. people are very angry. those of course, the support,

the former president that he's been sending trial at all. and those supporters have come out today in a crowd of several 1000 to show that support for him outside the court where he's due to make an appearance today where he's been charged with abuses of power and full use of excessive force back in 2007, a long time ago. now, of course that was then this is now because that guys really is basically been in prison since the 1st of october. and, and we've been expecting to see him make an appearance in court the last few weeks . but he, on each occasion the authorities were saying, no, it's not safe for him to come out. we're worried about his health. all we're worried about the security situation. and i have voice concerns that,

that this idea allocations that he support this might try to spring him, were to really get him out. and to help him escape from the, from, from, from his prison or from, or in transit to the court room. and that was one of the reasons given why they didn't want to bring him to face troll in person. and of course, that has all the concerns that being raised about his opportunity to have a free and fair trial. so this sort of worrying seems that taking place, i said he emotions running high, we believe because that because really is inside the code or you to attend the court shortly, but he'll be entering by the back room of for sure, and robot at such all those clearly captured the public moods in georgia for our international audience, just reminders i how we got to this point when it comes to the public mood. because because that, because really is a very divisive former president is credited by by half the country,

the rows revolution. but the bringing georgia democratic reforms making big changes to the economy. but then there is another site, the georgia that sees him as an autocrat. there's an authoritarian who abused these powers in office and that he must stand trial. he was in exile for 8 years. and then he returned to this country, smuggled himself in on the 1st october was immediately arrested for those charges that he was accused of. and he's been on hunger strike since then. of course that is riley to support as you've been very concerned about his health, the government has maintained that this is all a ploy for him to somehow take back power. and this is where we some t j. a divided julia divided over because that has really can hear those horns behind probably of anger because people can't get through. they can't get to work

on can't get to the hospitals that are in this area. it's a very divided country right now, and certainly looks at a divided country or one which is actively protesting, right, and i will leave it there for now robin. but come back to you later. as robin forest, your walker, i bring us up to h simply see, boss marcella has here on out to sarah schools in gander, said to reopen soon. but the more fears some students may not scope back to class will explain why plus, why france is declared. it won't be held hostage by british politics on migration. crisis meeting. it excluded the u. k. ah, ah, look forward to brighter skies. the winter sponsored my cattle airways. how i was

starting dryer and brighter across so spain and portugal over the next couple of days. that's the good news elsewhere it's looking pretty cool. well, when the am wintry for much of europe, we got a nasty area of low pressure now beating some very heavy showers over towards italy . the balkans tools grease, very strong windsor packed him across that western side of turkey. plenty of rang there, pushing up towards ukraine was got some snow still there rather baltic states. and when she mixed their intricate part of her scandinavia, it does in pro, if i'm pleased to say over the next couple of days across. so the british charles had the island of ireland. we have got a celsius, therefore, glasgow society of some woman, whether pushing through just 5 degrees there in london on monday, but picking up in double figures as we go on through tuesday. as that same address pushes down into the cool across central parts of europe. widespread snow coming in, it does brighten up and please to say across good part of southern europe by the state was still pretty breezy across at east the side of the mediterranean,

one or 2 showers still continuing. just around the far north of algeria, northern parts of ch in india, it brightens up here as you go on into choose day. bright to prosecute parts of west africa, one or 2 showers just along the south coast. move the weather, sponsored by catera always. ah, the stage a thing, and it's time for a different approach. one that is going to challenge the way you thing were digital sound bites. and we're digging into the issues from international politics to the global pandemic. and everything in between. join me if i take on the lars. dismantle the misconceptions and beat the contradictions upfront with me. mark lamarr hill on out 0. ah,

the me this is al jazeera, quick reminder of the top stories. this are. japan is banning foreigners from entering the country as to the discovery of the new home, a chrome variance prime minister for me. ok. she says other measures also being considered ponderous. is leslie candidates humor. a castro has claimed victory in sunday's presidential election told supporters potions have reversed authoritarianism. the governing national policy has also and owns its candidates, had one. and the trial of george's former president speaker, secretary is set to resume in the capsule. jibley, see, he says corruption charged against him are politically motivated with jail when he returns from excel silver. let's take you back to her top story,

know the new omicron variance. let's take a closer look at our countries are attempting to control the spreads of this new covariance passengers traveling to the u. k. from all 10 of these, southern african nations, no need to corn seen this are going further, morocco is whole thing. all incoming air travel from around the world for the next 2 weeks and that follows israel's decision to ban all foreigners from answering. also for a 2 week periods as schools and uganda are set to reopen in january nearly 2 years after they closed because of the pandemic. but the u. l is warning many students and teachers may not wants to return to class. catherine sewing, explains why timothy cyril go is a high school student, but he has not been in class for much of the last year and

a half. you going to close it's learning institutions in march 2020, because of covet 19. some classes were reopened earlier. this year, but only for 3 mans. several go is now launching to fix computers. so he can start a business. he says he'll go to school in january, but many of his friends may not. and some friends of mine. really though i bill good some work with blue, some ones are in your dean somewhere and they, i, me, mechanic in very cause and some of my friends totally the in do things. and we are there, we're of bill over the each year. government officials, talis, they're working with teachers and other partners to make sure that at least the basic facilities are in place before january, but a little time left and not enough money to prepare,

inserting safety and the well being or did it as an dilemma. as we need them to be alive, we're talking about the opening but to we have no t taken it into other factors from for the since we're looking at now. what is, what is it that has been prepared asked level the infrastructure level. in some neighborhoods, volunteers try to keep children busy. uganda has had one of the longest school closures in the world, and it's the only nation in africa. less students are still at home, but this is the classroom of a privately own school in the city. other schools have been converted to business and leaving spaces for rent. many schools are in a bad state, and some teachers stelis that they may not be able to provide a safe environment for students to come back. some aid workers see you, kunda is facing a learning crisis that could take many years to fix. many children have been out of

school for 2 years. they are lost interest. they are engaged in some other negative . it is like tight labor. some of them have suffered her plato psychosocial effects . some of them have been abused, getting all that character to come to school, getting the schools ready to accept their children and help them learn. getting that is us back and getting the system ready for all of it. is a big challenge. some students have been starting online or with private tutors, but many like say rugle can't afford that. and once school starts, it may take a long time for them to catch up catching, sorry, al jazeera kampala, the conflict in ethiopia is ti gray region is expanding to other areas including neighboring northeastern are far where more sen, ports come through. al jazeera mohammed tell her how cool is the 1st journalist from an international media network to gain access to the region since the fighting

began? national army medina. debra either model is that after g, i let it, we are now at the city of schieffer where your strategic city, but separates the regions of a far and i'm hora. it's also not far from the t gray region. it was the main stronghold of the t gray frontrunner, which controlled this strategic area. the manifestations of the fighting a very clear around. this was a major fighting for that. been a large number of killings and the large displacement movement. the situation is still a chaotic and difficult. everyone around us has been turned into an armed person. that could be militia members, a federal soldiers. still, most of the residents are civilians. this is the strategic shift for a city which was the center of the fighting between the fighter of the t great front and forces from afar supported by the federal government. mom about our call . jeff, for the other front says it won't be held hostage by the u. kanes domestic politics

. on migration. european leaders attended an emergency summers only issue the northern french city of kelly, but the british were not invited. the meeting was cold after 27 people died, trying to cross the english channel. will re challenge reports no form kelly they wait, because that's all their lives have become here. the queueing for charity clothing, anything to fight the early winter chill. but ultimately there waiting for an opportunity. if when that comes, it might kill them keys and from see don heard about the 27 people who died in the channel this week. it hasn't put them off when you date and do something that is good for day. but you died and you is leaving says father. so diana, day thing that is good, says but it's got raised. well today drive your running behind your dream. they're

trapped. no european country wants them and they know it until we are dying of death or our discipline. those, the only option just do is their shoes. tell them movie to say french police have stepped up beach patrols recently. storms have made this a treacherous time to attempt to crossing. assuming you can afford the $3300.00 smugglers, a charging and the inflatable dig. he's the use a small and vulnerable refugee charities, according on governments to make legal options for migrants and asylum seekers. easier. and what we need is a, is a better a solid system is not fit for purpose in a moment. and we call for something that doesn't force me with arista lives in about across the channel. on sunday ministers from france, germany, belgium, and the netherlands. and he repent commission diplomats met to discuss the crisis. they pledged more unified policing. and the use of e resources like an e u. border agency plane to patrol frances coastline. past the u. k. was absent

disinvited by france after boris johnson angered emanuel my cron. by tweeting a letter he'd written to the french presidents containing previously rejected policy suggestions. said to handle that, have i wish joint work mating can only be done in a serious way and without paying hostage to domestic politics. macro said several times this week that the relationship with britain must be relationship of equals. we are not auxiliaries of britain. this issue has always been one that requires co operation between france and the united kingdom and right now that is failing. yes, british politicians like to blame france to distract from domestic problems, but with french presidential elections approaching the case. isn't the only government playing to the home crowd by throwing insults across the channel. meanwhile, desperate people a shivering in the cold and drowning in the see where we challenge out his era. kelly protest is in germany or calling on the government to welcome migrants who

stuck at the border between poland and bella was 6000 green lights were placed in front of parliament, symbolizing the people who are trying to reach germany. british socialites colon maxwell is set to go on trial in new york. in the coming hours. she's accused of enabling the crimes of late sex offender jeff ramp, seen. he took his own life fall awaiting trial. maxwell insists she's innocence and claims. she too, was a victim. gabriel elizondo has been following the story from new york. a. how much did delaine maxwell know about geoffrey epstein to alleged sexual abuse of under age girls? that will be the central question. in the trial of the 59 year old british socialite, facing charges of sex trafficking and other crimes. and he is going to be the invisible presence hanging over this. and that is why i think

that she is going to have to explain something that everybody really wants to know . what was his hold over her? what was that relationship? a big unknown on the trial is how far the judge will allow the prosecutors to probe and epstein and maxwell's high profile social circles that included many household names from politics, industry, and entertainment. one being britain's prince andrew and his accuser, virginia roberts, who says she was trafficked by maxwell to the prince per sex. when she was a teenager is likely not going to be called as a witness. he denies any wrongdoing, but prosecutors are expected to call at least 4 other women. all epstein accusers who are going to tell the jury, maxwell groomed them for sex with epstein, one when she was as young as 14 years old. it's a trial with all the trappings of a salacious, drama, sex power, money,

and fame. but victims rights advocates hope that the jury does not get distracted by that and instead keeps their focus on the women who say they were abused by epstein. and that it could have only happened with the help of maxwell. this is an example of one of the most horrific and long enduring patterns of sex trafficking and child exploitation. there are so many victims and what's particularly disturbing about the case is how open they operated. and how many people knew, and how many people they involved in this exploitation scheme, maxwell has pleaded not guilty and denies all the charges. her legal team will try to cast doubt on the allegations and the testimony based on evidence that happened more than 20 years ago. the trial is expected the last 6 weeks, if convicted maxwell faces up to 80 years in prison. gabriel's hondo al jazeera,

new york, the caribbean island nation old barbados is becoming a republic. my cousin ties with the british monarchy prince charles is arrived for a transition ceremony, which will see queen elizabeth removed as head of state or beatles, gainful independence from the u. k. in 1961, it will remain a member of the commonwealth griffith nations. ah, this is al jazeera, these are the headlines. japan is banning foreigners from entering the country after the discovery of the new omicron variance prime minister for mucus. she don't says other measures are also being considered. tony chang is following the developments from bangkok, borders and are close to foreign business people and foreign students. many of whom .