hello and welcome to your thursday one show, with ronan keating. and rylan. it's officially a month to christmas — rylan — i assume the tree's up already? one tree. only one this year? so far, i have been a busy boy. your trees, i saw them, you are having a lovely time. thank you. we will go to south africa, which has a new strain of coronavirus. we africa, which has a new strain of coronavirus.— africa, which has a new strain of coronavirus. ~ , , ., ~ ., ., ., coronavirus. we will speak to one of south africa's _ coronavirus. we will speak to one of south africa's top _ coronavirus. we will speak to one of

south africa's top scientist. - we start tonight looking at the international reaction to the deaths of 27 people who died trying to cross the channel on wednesday. the uk and france have both called for stronger international coordination to tackle human trafficking. let's ta ke let's take you through what we know so far. at least 27 people are known to have died. among them 17 men, seven women and three children. one of the women was pregnant. there are two survivors who are recovering in hospital. according to several charities, many of the dead appear to have been kurds from iraq and iran. some may have been arabs and afghans, as well as other iranians. the prime minister of the kurdistan region of iraq tweeted:|�*m deeply saddened by the tragic loss of 27 innocent lives in the english channel last night. our thoughts are with theirfamilies.

this is a potent reminder of the dangers of illegal migration and the smugglers who send there have been five arrests from the french. the uk government is calling on french counterparts to take more action. here's the uk's home secretary priti patel. we've offered to put more troops on the ground so too we can skew clear the area and vulnerable people do not risk their lives by getting into unseaworthy boats. but for the french government it's an issue for the uk. here' the french president emmanuel macron when these men and women arrive at the coast it is too late. , ., ., too late. this morning our prime minister held _ too late. this morning our prime minister held a _

too late. this morning our prime minister held a special— too late. this morning our prime minister held a special meeting l minister held a special meeting where they considered all options including maximum presence, including maximum presence, including using the reservists and asking for the british to increase their efforts because, remember, in a way, we are guarding this border for the british. these men and women do not want to claim asylum in france and we have offered that and if they do, we have centres for them near calais and dunkirk. katya adler our europe editor is in calais tell me who you have spoken today with and what you have seen. here in calais ou with and what you have seen. here in calais you have _ with and what you have seen. here in calais you have people _ with and what you have seen. here in calais you have people in _ with and what you have seen. here in calais you have people in camps - with and what you have seen. here in calais you have people in camps who | calais you have people in camps who are waiting to cross over to the uk and you have concerns, angry local politicians and concerned and unhappy individuals who are so upset at all of this loss of life and are

setting up impromptu memorial see in calais tonight and of course although everyone is expressing distress at this big loss of life the politics are so intertwined here. and in france, in the uk and in the wider european union that inside the humanitarian tragedy you keep having these links to the wider political picture as well. find political picture as well. and thou . h political picture as well. and though this _ political picture as well. and though this tragedy yesterday has created a sense of urgency, the fundamental problems are familiar to france and the uk and all of the countries of the european union as well, so who can give it fresh momentum and come up with new ideas that have not already been considered?— that have not already been considered? , , ., ., considered? this is not a new roblem considered? this is not a new problem and _ considered? this is not a new problem and not _ considered? this is not a new problem and not for - considered? this is not a new problem and not for the - considered? this is not a new problem and not for the uk . considered? this is not a new l problem and not for the uk and france over the channel crossing, even though the numbers of people who are risking their lives in flimsy dinghies on freezing cold and windy night they are rising and

rising and rising and one of the reasons they are rising is because of uk cooperation in the channel tunnel and because working together they have made it so difficult for asylum seekers and others to cross over by road or rail that they are taking to these dinghies. so when both sides say they want to cooperate, they can cooperate, but again you have to see the wider picture. there's not much trust between france and the uk at the moment and relation is probably at an all—time low in france was seen as very much the bad cop in the brexit negotiations and for france, it is angry with the uk after brexit and says it is not providing it with the fishing permits for its fishermen in uk waters as promised and the uk says it is absolutely working on that and france's nose was recently put out ofjoint when the uk signed a security deal with australia and the us and france

found out literally at the last minute, so there's a lot of bad—tempered feelings over the northern ireland protocol from the brexit withdrawal agreement, so cooperation, yes, in a word, there will be a meeting in calais by the meeting ? ministers responsible for migration with the uk and representatives of the uk commission of germany, belgium, the netherlands and of course france as well and priti patel has called for international cooperation and france says it wants it as well but although it rejects joint patrols with the uk and french pieces it is turning to the eu and saying, you know about irregular migration and the loss of life caused by people smugglers with these flimsy dinghies which we saw in 2015 in the migrant crisis and wejust which we saw in 2015 in the migrant crisis and we just had poland asking for eu help and the eu has to do something about it, because where do

you think these people are doing are coming to the uk. they crossed over to other european union countries to get here. and we saw eu member states incapable of deciding on a humane and effective migrant understanding policy.- humane and effective migrant understanding policy. thank you very much indeed- — both the uk and france have pledged funds and resources to tackle the issue. let's take you through the key ones. the two countries have set up a joint intelligence group which has so far contributed to 94 investigations. earlier this week france announced an extra ?11m, that's £9.3m worth of equipment and 100 vehicles. the uk has pledged to give france ?62.7m that's £5am this year to help increase police patrols,

boost aerial surveillance and strengthen security at ports. but some french politicians say that won't help solve the issue. here's pierre—henry dumont a member of parliament representing. what i can assure you is, that having more money or having more police officers patrolling the french shore will not change anything. i'm not change anything, because we've got 200, 300 kilometres of shore monitor 2a/7. and it only takes five to ten minutes for smugglers to take a boat

language but many cited how they had been treated by language but many cited how they had been treated by the language but many cited how they had been treated by the french government as their belief that britain would be more humane. maw; britain would be more humane. many do sta in britain would be more humane. many do stay in france _ britain would be more humane. many do stay in france and _ britain would be more humane. many do stay in france and other— britain would be more humane. many do stay in france and other european countries, he is hugh schofield with more information on that. we overlook the _ more information on that. - overlook the fact that many choose to stay in france, apply for asylum in france. we are seeing part of the problem of the border crossing to the uk and a very big one, but one mustn't forget it is only one aspect of it from a french point of view. why do they keep going to the border? the same reason that brought them there 25 years ago when the whole saga began at the end of the 19905. it is the draw of the uk with

its free economy, with its multiplicity ethnic groups, the language, the fact that there is no id card. the general sense that seems to be held around the world that the uk is a free economy where you can lose yourself and make your life again. which applies less in france. that is the pull factor, there is no secret about that. a lot of people will therefore, 25 years on, relatives and friends in britain which is also part of the draw. so thatis which is also part of the draw. so that is why, it's not particularly they are being pushed out of france, or france are trying to get rid of them, they are the ones who are going quite entirely of their own volition. let's find out about the people making the crossing and what is happening. clare moseley is the founder of carelicalais, an organisation that

helps migrants in northern france i wonder what stories you have been hearing this week. it i wonder what stories you have been hearing this week.— hearing this week. it has been a ve bus hearing this week. it has been a very busy week _ hearing this week. it has been a very busy week on _ hearing this week. it has been a very busy week on the - hearing this week. it has been a very busy week on the beachesl hearing this week. it has been a l very busy week on the beaches in dungeness and i was out all day wednesday and people arriving. and kurds arriving as well and as well as the iraqis we met a palestinian man and many had fled frightening situations and i spoke to a man there with his brother and two children who are aged 13 and 15, and his brother had been an officer in the afghan special forces and he showed us a card showing his participation injoint showed us a card showing his participation in joint exercises with the us military and said he left after the pressure from the taleban became unbearable and they had too many problems to stay. find had too many problems to stay. and when ou had too many problems to stay. and when you talk— had too many problems to stay. and when you talk to the people about why they want to reach the uk rather than registered in france or another country, what is the answer. i spoke

to a man who _ country, what is the answer. i spoke to a man who lived _ country, what is the answer. i spoke to a man who lived in _ country, what is the answer. i spoke to a man who lived in birmingham . country, what is the answer. i spoke l to a man who lived in birmingham and he felt he could come back to the only country he knew another spoke very good english and wanted to come and many were well reluctant to talk about experiences in france and had talked about the boat for ten or 12 hours at this point, and where just finding it very difficult to articulate what it was like in france. �* ., articulate what it was like in france. ., . ., france. and are you convinced that all of these — france. and are you convinced that all of these people _ france. and are you convinced that all of these people were _ france. and are you convinced that all of these people were arriving i all of these people were arriving with the help of people smugglers? i can't speak for all. there were about 600 who arrived in dungeness when i arrived there but there was one young man who described the process he encountered with people smugglers and said he had been in calais and they moved him down to the beaches in boulogne where there were fewer patrols and he said he paid 2,000 euros and realised with 50 other people on the boat that they'd all pay the same price and he reckoned that people smugglers must have made up to £100,000 for his

boat alone, so they are describing these interactions with the smugglers and the boats all looked similar and smugglers and the boats all looked similarand one smugglers and the boats all looked similar and one officer suggested it might have been made specially and they were in poor condition when they were in poor condition when they arrive. they were in poor condition when they arrive-— they were in poor condition when the arrive. . , ., , they arrive. finally, where does the border force — they arrive. finally, where does the border force fit _ they arrive. finally, where does the border force fit into _ they arrive. finally, where does the border force fit into this _ they arrive. finally, where does the border force fit into this and - they arrive. finally, where does the border force fit into this and where l border force fit into this and where they present in dungeness, and if they present in dungeness, and if they were, what were they doing. we they were, what were they doing. - didn't see many border force officers at that stage but we did see them on land and people were arriving into dungeness which is a more open area and waiting often for hours on the beach and in the company can police on the rnli and border force officers were processing them and taking names and putting wristbands to keep families together to make sure they were together to make sure they were together with their parents and eventually taking them away to be processed in land.— processed in land. thank you for shafinu processed in land. thank you for sharing your _ processed in land. thank you for sharing your report. _ processed in land. thank you for sharing your report. that - processed in land. thank you for sharing your report. that is - processed in land. thank you for i sharing your report. that is emma yeomans from the times. we'll be looking more in depth at this and the political wrangling

between france and the uk later in the programme. let's turn to russia now and 1a people have died and dozens are missing after a fire in a siberian coal mine. three of those who died were rescuers sent to find those trapped underground. almost 300 people were underground when the fire began. it was caused when coal dust in a ventilation shaft caught alight — filling the mine with smoke. a major rescue operation began and most of those underground were successfully brought to the surface. but 35 miners are still underground. one official speaking to the afp news agency said it is unlikely that those people have survived. the rescue operation had to be stopped after a few hous because of the danger. this is the regions' governor. the chance of an explosion is very high.

we've decided to suspend the search and rescue operation until the concentration of gas reduces," the mine is the kemerovo region in siberia — about 3,500km from three days of mourning have been declared for the region. mining is a big part of its economy despite the dangers. the mine has been in operation for more than 60 years and this is the third time that accidents have caused significant loss of life there. president putin has commented on this latest tragedy, let's hear what he said. unfortunately the situation is not getting easier. and there's a danger to the lives of the rescuers. the necessary decisions are taken at the scene. we'll hope they can save as many people as they can. when people lose their lives, it's always a great tragedy. adam robinson is from bbc monitoring. what further details to be have of

how the fire started?— how the fire started? well, the first details _ how the fire started? well, the first details about _ how the fire started? well, the first details about this - how the fire started? well, the| first details about this emerged early in the morning and it happened around to am our time and the first report suggested smoke filled the mine and there were reports there had been an explosion. and the course was cold as catching fire and thereafter smoke spread throughout thereafter smoke spread throughout the mine. it thereafter smoke spread throughout the mine. , ~ thereafter smoke spread throughout the mine. , ,, i. the mine. it sounds like everyone in the mine. it sounds like everyone in the mine. it sounds like everyone in the mine would _ the mine. it sounds like everyone in the mine would have _ the mine. it sounds like everyone in the mine would have been - the mine. it sounds like everyone in the mine would have been aware i the mine. it sounds like everyone in the mine would have been aware of| the mine would have been aware of the mine would have been aware of the security threat because it has encountered it before.— the security threat because it has encountered it before. there was a similar accident _ encountered it before. there was a similar accident like _ encountered it before. there was a similar accident like this _ encountered it before. there was a similar accident like this in - encountered it before. there was a similar accident like this in this - similar accident like this in this mine in 2004 and the death toll was far lower at that point and it's generally methane gas and coal dust seen as the biggest threats to safety in russian miners, chronic problem and its often reported,

practically every year of mining accidents in the country. tell us more about _ accidents in the country. tell us more about the _ accidents in the country. tell us more about the region - accidents in the country. tell us more about the region for - accidents in the country. tell us. more about the region for people accidents in the country. tell us - more about the region for people who do not know russia well. this more about the region for people who do not know russia well.— do not know russia well. this is the re . ion do not know russia well. this is the region watch _ do not know russia well. this is the region watch is _ do not know russia well. this is the region watch is the _ do not know russia well. this is the region watch is the transnet - do not know russia well. this is the region watch is the transnet basin, | region watch is the transnet basin, a huge coal mining area drive to industrialise which is in siberia and it is the area that the soviet union wanted to invest in to push forward the agenda of industrialisation. ., ,, , ., , industrialisation. thank you very much indeed _ industrialisation. thank you very much indeed for _ industrialisation. thank you very much indeed for telling - industrialisation. thank you very much indeed for telling us - industrialisation. thank you very much indeed for telling us about industrialisation. thank you very l much indeed for telling us about it and we appreciate it. adam robinson from bbc monitoring. let's turn now to belarus. did you see the bbc�*s steve rosenberg extraordinary interview with the belarusian president alexander lukashenko? it's remarkable if you've not seen it. the entire thing is available on youtube. and this week on the media show on bbc radio 4 i've been speaking to steve about it.

this is all about president lukashenko who's been in power since 1994 and was accused of rigging and election in 2020. that led to the eu putting sanctions on belarus. he then launched a brutal crackdown against his critics amid widespread protests. and now he's accused of weaponising migrants, of inviting them to cross into poland from belarus, as a response to the eu sanctions. he denies this. steve rosenberg's sit—down interview with mr lukashenko has rightly gone viral on social media. it gave us a fascinating insight into the man. steve told me on the media show what it was like to do. mister lukashenko was on his way and could have waltzed into the room and sat down and there was not much small talk. and my russian is not native and i tried my best and he said he would do the interview in my language and off we went. and very

quickly he was trying to put me down. he accused me of lying and said, don't be dumb and he used the familiarform, and in russian there is one form, the polite form for you and a familiar form is one form, the polite form for you and a familiarform and he used is one form, the polite form for you and a familiar form and he used the familiarform which i took and a familiar form and he used the familiar form which i took as an insult, basically, so he was clearly trying to get one up on me, i think. before we talk about it further. let's hear some of the interview. you told the eu that belarus had been stopping migrants and they would have to catch them themselves. the migrants took that to mean that belarus is open to them. i told the migrants took that to mean that belarus is open to them.— belarus is open to them. i told the eu i'm belarus is open to them. i told the eu l'm not — belarus is open to them. i told the eu l'm not going — belarus is open to them. i told the eu i'm not going to _ belarus is open to them. i told the eu i'm not going to detain - belarus is open to them. i told the | eu i'm not going to detain migrants on the border and hold them at the border, and if they keep coming from now on i still won't stop them, because they are not going to my country, they are going to yours. the west stopped talking to us and working with us. if you don't want to, then fine, we will sort the problem out ourselves as best we

can. problem out ourselves as best we can. ., fl problem out ourselves as best we can. ., ,, , �*, can. some of steve rosenberg's interview with _ can. some of steve rosenberg's interview with president - can. some of steve rosenberg's - interview with president lukashenko and my mouth was hanging open on occasions when i was watching it because i couldn't believe how frankie was being. were you surprised? i frankie was being. were you surprised?— frankie was being. were you surrised? ~ ., �*, ., ., ., ., surprised? i know he's an emotional erson, surprised? i know he's an emotional person. but — surprised? i know he's an emotional person. but it _ surprised? i know he's an emotional person, but it was _ surprised? i know he's an emotional person, but it was fascinating - person, but it was fascinating having this dialogue with him and i don't think he expected to be interrupted. he is not used to journalist interviewing him and interrupting and i had to try and interrupting and i had to try and interrupting because i didn't want the interview to become a platform for mister lukashenko, this controversial leader who is not recognised as the president of belarus by the european union and i did not want it become a platform for him to put across his views, so i had to press him on human rights in belarus and on relations with russia and some of the things he did not like, he got irritated when i brought up vladimir putin and you could tell that. and he always

mentioned the west, blaming the west of everything, using the west as an excuse. i of everything, using the west as an excuse. ., . ., , ., excuse. i notice he referred to you as the west. _ excuse. i notice he referred to you as the west. or— excuse. i notice he referred to you as the west, or most _ excuse. i notice he referred to you as the west, or most likely - excuse. i notice he referred to you as the west, or most likely saw i excuse. i notice he referred to you | as the west, or most likely saw you as the west, or most likely saw you as a representative of notjust the uk but all western countries. i became the personification of the west. i was the one who was funding the anti—government protest last year and i was the one sitting in this chair he was attacking belarus and i tried to stay as calm as possible whilst opposite me this leader was getting more and more angry and it was difficult, because russian is not my native tongue but i did as best i could. i russian is not my native tongue but i did as best i could.— i did as best i could. i think you ea-ui ed i did as best i could. i think you equipped yourself _ i did as best i could. i think you equipped yourself well - i did as best i could. i think you equipped yourself well on i i did as best i could. i think you equipped yourself well on that l equipped yourself well on that front. i wonder if you had journalistic doubts whether people who were opponents of president lukashenko had doubts about the merits of giving him bbc news airtime. ., , merits of giving him bbc news

airtime. . , ., merits of giving him bbc news airtime. ., , ., ., , , airtime. certainly i did have doubts and when the _ airtime. certainly i did have doubts and when the news _ airtime. certainly i did have doubts and when the news came _ airtime. certainly i did have doubts and when the news came out i airtime. certainly i did have doubts and when the news came out on i airtime. certainly i did have doubts- and when the news came out on friday that the bbc had recorded an interview with alexander lukashenko, before the into, there was some criticism on the bbc for actually sitting down and recording an interview with this particular person and certainly some of the producers who came from the belarusian opposition but once the interview aired, the 24 minute version, now 33 minute version, most of the criticism has gone and the interview has been pretty much welcomed and well received. and you can listen to the full episode of radio 4's the media show via the bbc sounds app. for viewers in the uk, you can also watch that edition too on the bbc news channel on saturday, at half past midnightand 4.30pm and on sunday, at 3.30pm.

a reminder of our top story. the united nations has said the shocking deaths of 27 people who drowned in the english channel on wednesday could have been avoided. the un refugee agency said it had warned many times that closing off legal routes to people applying for asylum would lead to more dangerous attempts to reach safe countries. it urged all states to give fair access to those who need international protection. earlier, britain and france called for stronger international coordination to tackle human trafficking. britain said there was no quick fix, while france said it was already too late to tackle the problem once migrants reached the french coast. despite the drownings and wintery conditions, there have been further attempts to make the crossing today. what is important to remember is this is a humanitarian story, but as patria was explaining earlier, this is wrapped up in the domestic politics of france and the uk and the broader politics across europe as well, so there are lots of

different dynamics playing out into how the western powers respond to what is happening in the channel. in the second half we will look at the story in further detail in unpacked request ? questions between the humanity and side of the story and the political side of the story and will have a special edition, a ten—minute edition of the explainer series looking at this in depth, coming up in about 20 minutes' time. 0k, coming up in about 20 minutes' time. ok, that's it for the first half of the programme and i will see you in a couple of minutes' time. i would really described today as the calm before the storm because the calm before the storm because the first named storm of the season is heading to the uk at the moment and that is going to sweep stronger winds down across the uk late friday into saturday and some snow mainly

other northern hills but disruption is expected. the storm is yet to really develop but already ahead of it we are pushing down this cloud and some of it is quite thin, high cloud and four southern areas it is still cold and temperatures close to freezing but the figure cloud and the rain will sweep its way round followed by clearer spells but even by the end of the night we have temperatures close to freezing across parts of the south—east and we have cloud and rain to move down across england and wales early on friday morning and then sunshine follows and showers will continue in those could turn wintry in northern ireland and we could find ace bell of snow arriving in northern scotland and blizzards as well because the wind is starting to pick up because the wind is starting to pick up by this stage and temperatures might be a degree higher than today that there might be stronger winds. this is where we expect to see the strongest winds and this is where we have the wind warning they could be gusting at 75mph near coastal areas. the storm doesn't look that

impressive and we have rain and snow wrapped around it but it's the back edge of the storm picking up and those will sweep south overnight and then into saturday across much of then into saturday across much of the uk. so it is a windy picture for saturday. notjust across the north—east but some strong winds running through the irish sea onto some western coast as well for a while and further east across england we have cloud, mainly rain but a bit of sleet and snow over the hills and it will stay a bit damp and wet through the afternoon. elsewhere, your brightness up as the showers become fewer but it will be a cold day with temperatures struggling up to four or 5 but when you add on the strength of the wind, this is where it feels quite a lot colder. second half the weekend things calm down and the storm weakens and moves away into continental europe and the week when the front approaches northern ireland and threatens cloud and a little rain. steel will be when the first thing across eastern parts of england and we might keep some wintry showers going and wintry showers also in scotland but

otherwise driving some sunshine, still cold, but not as windy.

hello, i'm ros atkins, this is outside source. the uk and france call

for greater cooperation to stop human traffickers — after 27 people died in the english channel. this is about smashing the criminal gangs that treat human beings as cargo and tackling supply chain. this requires a coordinated, international effort. in a this requires a coordinated, international effort. in a way we are guarding — international effort. in a way we are guarding this _ international effort. in a way we are guarding this border - international effort. in a way we are guarding this border for i international effort. in a way we are guarding this border for the | are guarding this border for the british — are guarding this border for the british. these men and women don't want to— british. these men and women don't want to claim a silence in france. we have — want to claim a silence in france. we have offered that and if they do, we have _ we have offered that and if they do, we have centres for them. in calais, a vigil is being held for the victims — there were seven women, one of whom was pregnant and three children among those who drowned. and despite the danger, more people crossed the english channel today. also in the programme — south africa has detected a new coronavirus variant. six cases have been identified with multiple mutations which scientists fear could drive more waves. and we'll turn to the solomon islands — which has been hit by two days of rioting — some of it triggered by the country's relationship with china.

now to coronavirus and scientists are warning of a new covid—19 variant that may have properties that help the virus evade the bodies immune response. only ten cases have been identified in botswana — and south africa. here's some of the detail from our africa health correspondent. the variant has not been named a variant of concern by the w h oh yet but south african scientists and those ins botswana have said they are concerned because they have noticed the variant has mutated more than 30 times and they say there is a lot more to know about this bearing. but in south africa they are attributing the high number of cases, to this particular variant. it's worth mentioning that there have been thousands of covid—19 mutations and only

a handful have been declared — variants of concern by the who. in fact it's only four — thats the alpha variant, first identified in the uk, the beta variant first identified in south africa. the gamma variant first identified in brazil and the delta variant — now dominant across the globe. but this new variant — has brought a warning from one top uk virologist saying the �*incredibly high amount of spike mutations suggest this could be of real concern' to talk through all this i'm joined now by professor salim abdool karim — he chairs the south african ministerial advisory committee on covid—19. good evening, how concerned are you? i am quite concerned full. i am quite concerned this good evening, how concerned are you? i am quite concerned this particular variant has a wide range of variants. it has characteristics of the alpha variant and the s gene is

not picked up. the beta variant escape to some aspects of immunity and it has mutations that are common to the delta variant. it is likely to the delta variant. it is likely to have higher transmissibility. and those characteristics together pose a problem. as we said, we don't yet know how this virus is behaving, it has onlyjust been described. but we are extrapolating based on the mutations we know from the other variants. �* ., , variants. bearing in mind everything ou have variants. bearing in mind everything you have just _ variants. bearing in mind everything you havejust said, _ variants. bearing in mind everything you havejust said, sir, _ variants. bearing in mind everything you havejust said, sir, what - variants. bearing in mind everything you havejust said, sir, what should| you havejust said, sir, what should be done both in south africa, botswana and more broadly, globally? i think the first important point is that it has highlighted the importance of good surveillance. in particular, we have picked it up at a very early points of the critical aspects now is that this first set

of cases have come from a group of university students, tracking them down and establishing how widespread this particular variant is among their students is our first port of call. but then it will be to increase surveillance and establish how this variant is currently distributed and is a growing at a particularly rapid pace? and then would come some guidance about what restrictions we would need to put in place while research is under way to establish if our vaccines remain effective against this variant. can i ask ou effective against this variant. can i ask you how _ effective against this variant. can i ask you how easy or difficult it is to predict how a variant will behave in the long run? with delta, with gamma and with alpha, could we say very early on this is a big problem or is it at the time we realise it definitely was? there is almost no way — realise it definitely was? there is almost no way to _ realise it definitely was? there is almost no way to tell. _ realise it definitely was? there is almost no way to tell. this i realise it definitely was? there is almost no way to tell. this virusl realise it definitely was? there is l almost no way to tell. this virus is

so new, these mutations are so new, we really don't know. after we have seen the way the virus behaves, that is when we catch up and better understand it. the thing about this virus that has been so challenging is the rapid pace at which things occur. we are almost trying to pay play catch up with this virus because once it mutates it spreads so rapidly and by the time we have detected it it has already spread, so we have got to try and keep up. if you look at what we do know, there _ if you look at what we do know, there are — if you look at what we do know, there are some things we can predict may occur~ _ there are some things we can predict may occur. but we will only know when _ may occur. but we will only know when we — may occur. but we will only know when we have actually seen how this virus behaves in the community. professor. — virus behaves in the community. professor, we appreciate you joining us, thank you very much indeed. pleasure. we always bring you the

biggest global stories and now we will report from the solomon islands. .. . will report from the solomon islands. . , ., islands. the south pacific island nation and _ islands. the south pacific island nation and for _ islands. the south pacific island nation and for the _ islands. the south pacific island nation and for the past - islands. the south pacific island nation and for the past two i islands. the south pacific island nation and for the past two days islands. the south pacific island l nation and for the past two days it has been rocked by rioters, some of whom accuse the prime minister of being too close to china. the focuses capital called honiara, a city of 85,000 people. several buildings have been set alight and over a thousand protesters storming the chinatown district and targeting many chinese owned businesses. this is drone footage of one bank that was set on fire. this is the sense of the devastation and this is the city center where other buildings have been ransacked. there is rubbish everywhere. we know the police are guarding critical infrastructure including government buildings, but they cannot guard everything. this is the latest from janus in honiara.

for us in honiara it's quite a sad day for us, especially with what is happening now. now it's getting out of control and people are now looting, burning down buildings starting from the east of honiara, they burnt down a bank, a branch of the bank south pacific and islands enterprise, a local company that has been here for quite a long time. so they've not only looted or burning down chinese owned shops, but they've also burnt down local businesses, which is quite a sad thing to happen, especially at this time. yesterday, unfortunately they managed to gather more protesters with them as they go along and now it has come to a time when there is chaos now and i'm not too sure if the local police will be able to keep such a crowd with what we've seen so far. it seems as if things are getting out of control, especially in some parts

of the town. so that was the situation on thursday. this map will show us where the violence began on wednesday. it took place outside parliament, when protestors tried to storm the building, in a bid to topple the prime minister. the day started off peaceful. this was outside the parliament. you can see there are hundreds gathering. and then things escalated. buildings were set alight. this smoke was seen from inside the parliament compound. this police station was also targeted and destroyed. next came a 36—hour curfew. but the violence didn't stop. this video was posted on twitter on thursday. this woman's timber business has gone up in flames. the unrest has alarmed the islands' south pacific neighbours. australia has close relations and is sending over 100 military and police personnel. this is the australian prime minister scott morrison. our purpose here is to provide

stability and security to enable the normal constitutional processes within the solomon islands to be able to deal with the various issues that have arisen. and that be done in a climate of peace, stability and security. it is not the australian's government intention to intervene in the internal affairs of the solomon islands. that is for them to resolve. to understand what's happening in the solomon islands now — we must go back to 2019. to this moment, when the government took up diplomatic relations with china — and severed ties with taiwan. this was after a government report found that the solomon islands stood to "benefit a lot if it switches" up until then, the country was among a handful with formal diplomatic relations with taipei rather than beijing. the move angered the local government in the country's most populated province, which already had tense relations with the central

government in honiara. as solomon islands journalist is explaining the action the government is taking now. the government is reeling from the size of this revolt and they are welcoming the support of this railing is, who started arriving last night and more are arriving last night and more are arriving today. the dialogue and the original protest in that whole political issue that was initially raised on wednesday i think is no longer the focus of this. this is like all—out criminal activity, opportunists, the looting on the rioters, i don't think are completely connected to that initial political fallout over a seeming lack of consultation, a lack of the

government hearing what the people who initially started the protest were talking about.— were talking about. before this started was _ were talking about. before this started was it _ were talking about. before this started was it a _ were talking about. before this started was it a known - were talking about. before this started was it a known issue, l were talking about. before this i started was it a known issue, this animosity towards china and to chinese people? 50 animosity towards china and to chinese people?— animosity towards china and to chinese --eole? , . ., chinese people? so the switch from china domestically, _ chinese people? so the switch from china domestically, it _ chinese people? so the switch from china domestically, it isn't - chinese people? so the switch from china domestically, it isn't the i china domestically, it isn't the switch from china that is the big issue, it is more like the straw that broke the camel's back. there has been a long—running issue and the national government, a lot of grandstanding in the elections, in terms of national projects that were supposed to be delivered. it goes back to ethnic unrest and crisis of the late 905 where there was massive violence and bloodshed. there is a lot of unresolved issues in terms of what the demands, which are

basically for decentralisation of the wealth in the solomon islands, which is all concentrated in the capital, honiara and for more development to the provinces. there have been poor consultation from the government in terms of the switch and the way they railroaded it through. there have been instances where mps have taken tax off their own salaries, giving themselves raise us and recently they try to extend the term of parliament to five years from four years, so they could be in power when the 2023 pacific games happens on solomon islands and they can be at the helm of all of that international attention. it is this lack of consultation, seeming arrogance in power. later in outside source we will talk

about the focus in the english channel and why so many people are making this dangerous crossing france and the uk are trying to do about it. a rare roman mosaic has been found in the east midlands. it was found during a walk by the owner's some. hidden for more than a millennium and a half, and mosaic so rare, nothing like it has ever been found in the uk before and it is part of a much bigger roman villa complex from the third orfourth much bigger roman villa complex from the third or fourth centuries. excavations were carried out this sum in a former�*s field in rutland. at the discovery was made in 2020 by the former�*s son, jim irvine. it

at the discovery was made in 2020 by the former's son, jim irvine.— the former's son, jim irvine. it was amazin: , the former's son, jim irvine. it was amazing. the _ the former's son, jim irvine. it was amazing, the level— the former's son, jim irvine. it was amazing, the level of _ the former's son, jim irvine. it was j amazing, the level of preservation. he found some potteries fragments and checked out satellite imagery. this is the mosaics in this section. the family came back on a sunny day with some spade's and started digging. with some spade's and started din ruin. ., with some spade's and started di ”in, ., with some spade's and started dininu. ., ., , with some spade's and started dininu. ., ., y . digging. you can only tell so much from a map _ digging. you can only tell so much from a map and — digging. you can only tell so much from a map and crop _ digging. you can only tell so much from a map and crop marks i digging. you can only tell so much from a map and crop marks until. digging. you can only tell so much i from a map and crop marks until you dig a hole, you don't know what is in it. it was a good day out. we did know what we had. we expanded the hole up a bit until we came across what was obviously roman mosaic tiles, at which point things went a bit silent in the group. we realised what we had. bit silent in the group. we realised what we had-— what we had. late roman pottery uives us what we had. late roman pottery gives us third _ what we had. late roman pottery gives us third or— what we had. late roman pottery gives us third or fourth _ what we had. late roman pottery gives us third or fourth century. l gives us third or fourth century. the university of leicester provided the archaeologists who have provided some artefacts. to. it is the most complicated and complete a plan of a roman_ complicated and complete a plan of a roman villa we have found. the icing on the _ roman villa we have found. the icing on the case _ roman villa we have found. the icing on the case is this fantastic

mosaic, _ on the case is this fantastic mosaic, it _ on the case is this fantastic mosaic, it is so unique and it really— mosaic, it is so unique and it really emphasises how important the space _ really emphasises how important the space was _ really emphasises how important the space was. the really emphasises how important the sace was. ., , ., . .,, really emphasises how important the sacewas. . , space was. the mosaic has been covered up _ space was. the mosaic has been covered up again, _ space was. the mosaic has been covered up again, back- space was. the mosaic has been covered up again, back beneath | space was. the mosaic has been i covered up again, back beneath the soilfor covered up again, back beneath the soil for its own protection. it is hoped that at some point in the future it can be uncovered again so people can come and see it for themselves. this is outside source live from the bbc newsroom. our lead story is... the uk and france call for greater cooperation to stop human traffickers — as vigils are held in calais for the 27 people who drowned in the english channel on wednesday. every week we make an in depth report for the bbc news website and, for the those of you in the uk, for iplayer too. this time it's migration to the uk. because the spotlight this week has been on the english channel — and a tragedy, at sea.

the english channel is one of the busiest shipping lanes in the world. this year, thousands of people in small boats have crossed it to reach the uk. they set off close to calais in northern france, their destination is kent in south—east england 40 kilometres away. but as we have seen this week, this is a perilous journey. we have seen this week, this is a perilousjourney. on we have seen this week, this is a perilous journey. on wednesday, we have seen this week, this is a perilousjourney. on wednesday, at least 27 people drowned near calais. this was borisjohnson's response. it is an appalling thing they have suffered. i also want to say that this disaster underscores how dangerous it is to cross the channel in this way. dangerous it is to cross the channel in this way-— in this way. president macron has said france _ in this way. president macron has said france will— in this way. president macron has said france will not _ in this way. president macron has said france will not let _ in this way. president macron has said france will not let the i in this way. president macron has. said france will not let the channel become a cemetery. the dangers of these crossings have long been known and yet for some, the risks are still worth taking. these are people getting into boats in france this week. we know the number of crossings has gone up sharply this year to over 25,000 so far. and earlier this month a new record was

set when over 1100 people across the channel on a single day. the uk government has repeatedly promised to make this route unviable. so far it has been unable to and some british mps think france needs to do more. it’s british mps think france needs to do more. �* , , , , british mps think france needs to do more. i, _ ., british mps think france needs to do more. _ , ., more. it's simply not credible that 1000 people _ more. it's simply not credible that 1000 people can _ more. it's simply not credible that 1000 people can muster - more. it's simply not credible that 1000 people can muster on i more. it's simply not credible that 1000 people can muster on the i more. it's simply not credible that i 1000 people can muster on the french beaches and the french not spot them getting into small boats. they have money provided from the british taxpayer, they have drones and security intelligence and they need to get the french people on the beachis to get the french people on the beach is to put a stop to these boats leaving french shows. natalie elhicke is boats leaving french shows. natalie elphicke is referring _ boats leaving french shows. natalie elphicke is referring to _ boats leaving french shows. natalie elphicke is referring to a _ boats leaving french shows. natalie elphicke is referring to a deal i elphicke is referring to a deal signed injune when the uk pledged to give france £54 million to support efforts to stop the boats. france has stopped hundreds of them, but others are getting through. this french policeman told the daily mail we have 24 hours, seven day week surveillance and there are multiple departure times every two miles. we will stop one, two, three, four but

if we are busy elsewhere, the fifth or sixth will leave. the rise attempt attempted crossings is a factor, but others see politics. the times quoted uk government source who called the french approach president macron's brexit management strategy. france is unimpressed and its interior minister said we not taking lessons from the british, they must stop using us as a punching bag for domestic politics. but for all of this, the uk and france know they must work together on this and wednesday's tragedy has given this extra urgency. that may mean more patrols on the french coast, but there is another option the uk wants to pursue. boris coast, but there is another option the uk wants to pursue. boris and i have worked _ the uk wants to pursue. boris and i have worked intensively _ the uk wants to pursue. boris and i have worked intensively with i the uk wants to pursue. boris and i have worked intensively with every| have worked intensively with every institution with the responsibility to respect our borders, deliver operational solutions including you tactic succeed, which we are working to implement to turn back the boats. there is the home secretary, priti patelin there is the home secretary, priti patel in october. as well as the

moral and legal arguments in turning back the boats, the french argue without the cooperation, it is impossible to do anyway. the osition impossible to do anyway. the position from _ impossible to do anyway. the position from the _ impossible to do anyway. tie: position from the french authorities, it is not safe for them to do that. they fear migrants threatened to jump on the water other boats are so flimsy, attempting to turn them around could actually capsize the boats and lead to deaths in the channel. as far as we know, not a single boat has been turned around. that has led to this criticism from the opposition. headline grabbing plans repeatedly from the home secretary which achieved — from the home secretary which achieved nothing, are achieving nothing — achieved nothing, are achieving nothinu. ,, . ., , nothing. since the tragedy, the uk government's _ nothing. since the tragedy, the uk government's focus _ nothing. since the tragedy, the uk government's focus has _ nothing. since the tragedy, the uk government's focus has been i nothing. since the tragedy, the uk l government's focus has been people smugglers. but the task of taking them on it's getting harder. because ofthe them on it's getting harder. because of the restrictions _ them on it's getting harder. because of the restrictions on _ them on it's getting harder. because of the restrictions on covid _ of the restrictions on covid regarding travel, the single method of entry is now deepened and intensified and has become so profitable for criminals that it is

going to take a phenomenal amount of effort to shift it. find going to take a phenomenal amount of effort to shift it.— effort to shift it. and this method of entry meaning _ effort to shift it. and this method of entry meaning small— effort to shift it. and this method of entry meaning small boats, i effort to shift it. and this method of entry meaning small boats, is| of entry meaning small boats, is seen by many people as their best chance of getting to the uk. and so a vicious circle is being created as demand for the crossing increasing, so the smuggling operations expand. the more capacity the smugglers have, the more crossings that are. the more crossings that are. the more crossings that are the more demand increases. it is a cycle that is very hard to break. as it lays out, there is another dimension. these crossings are very visible and the more images we see are people arriving on british beaches, the more this becomes political. the refugee council describes how this increased visibility is undoubtedly resulted in the significantly increased media attention this issue

has received, which in turn increases the political pressure to address the uk. the point being these crossings have become intertwined with some people's desire to change how the uk's border work. this is one conservative mp speaking last week. irate work. this is one conservative mp speaking last week.— speaking last week. we told the eo - le speaking last week. we told the --eole at speaking last week. we told the people at the — speaking last week. we told the people at the referendum i speaking last week. we told the people at the referendum we i speaking last week. we told the i people at the referendum we could take back control. it is clear we have lost control. it take back control. it is clear we have lost control.— have lost control. it is certainly true the government _ have lost control. it is certainly true the government has i have lost control. it is certainly true the government has not i true the government has not controlled channel crossings as it said it would. look at net migration, the number of people arriving minus the number of people leaving. it fell by 88% last year. it is now in the tens of thousands. then there is the number of people who were granted asylum in the uk. it is lower than germany, france or greece. typically, the uk remains the signatory of a long—standing international agreements on refugees, but to the government, this particular issue in the channel is about showing control and about a system, overall, in its view isn't

working. system, overall, in its view isn't workinu. ~ . ., , , working. we fundamentally believe eo - le working. we fundamentally believe people should _ working. we fundamentally believe people should seek— working. we fundamentally believe people should seek asylum - working. we fundamentally believe people should seek asylum in i working. we fundamentally believe people should seek asylum in the l people should seek asylum in the first safe country and not be making dangerous journeys across the channel. dangerous “ourneys across the channel. , , ., dangerous “ourneys across the channel. , , . . channel. many people are making that danuerous channel. many people are making that dangerous journey _ channel. many people are making that dangerous journey to _ channel. many people are making that dangerous journey to the _ channel. many people are making that dangerous journey to the uk _ channel. many people are making that dangerous journey to the uk for i channel. many people are making that dangerous journey to the uk for a i dangerous journey to the uk for a number of reasons, as this migration expert explains. the number of reasons, as this migration expert explains-_ expert explains. the number one responses _ expert explains. the number one responses family, _ expert explains. the number one responses family, they _ expert explains. the number one responses family, they will i expert explains. the number one responses family, they will have | responses family, they will have some _ responses family, they will have some existing family member in the uk and _ some existing family member in the uk and other things are a preference for the _ uk and other things are a preference for the english language and the perception the uk is a fair, democratic country.- perception the uk is a fair, democratic country. these reasons won't be easily _ democratic country. these reasons won't be easily addressed - democratic country. these reasons won't be easily addressed by - democratic country. these reasons won't be easily addressed by more| won't be easily addressed by more patrols on the french coast. there is another factor. patrols on the french coast. there is anotherfactor. nearly patrols on the french coast. there is another factor. nearly everyone who crosses the channel in a small boat applies for asylum and most are accepted. even if they aren't, the vast majority still stay, as we learned in this exchange. flan vast majority still stay, as we learned in this exchange. can you tell us how _ learned in this exchange. can you tell us how many _ learned in this exchange. can you tell us how many asylum - learned in this exchange. can you tell us how many asylum seekers| learned in this exchange. can you i tell us how many asylum seekers or how many people arriving have been returned to any eu country in the course of the last year since january? course of the last year since janua ? , course of the last year since january?—

january? this year it is five. that's right. _ january? this year it is five. that's right, five _ january? this year it is five. that's right, five this - january? this year it is five. that's right, five this year. | january? this year it is five. - that's right, five this year. brexit means a previous return arrangement with the european union no longer applies. this high chance of staying is one of a number of reasons the uk is one of a number of reasons the uk is a desirable destination. if those are the pull factors, we mustn't lose sight of why these people left home in the first place. in the year to september 2021, the top five countries of origin are people making asylum applications were iran, eritrea, albania, iraq and syria. each person's story is different, some may travel for economic reasons but the percentage of asylum requests that were granted by the uk suggests these are countries where you have good reason to believe for your safety, as my colleague, lewis goodall, heard in calais. , . colleague, lewis goodall, heard in calais-_ why _ colleague, lewis goodall, heard in calais-_ why did - colleague, lewis goodall, heard in calais._ why did you - calais. kurdistan. why did you leave? the — calais. kurdistan. why did you leave? the politicians, - calais. kurdistan. why did you leave? the politicians, they i calais. kurdistan. why did you l leave? the politicians, they said ou must leave? the politicians, they said you must leave _ leave? the politicians, they said you must leave this _

leave? the politicians, they said you must leave this country - leave? the politicians, they saidj you must leave this country over evil killie. , ., , ., evil killie. these are the personal stories at the _ evil killie. these are the personal stories at the heart _ evil killie. these are the personal stories at the heart of _ evil killie. these are the personal stories at the heart of this - evil killie. these are the personal stories at the heart of this and i evil killie. these are the personal. stories at the heart of this and why this issue will not easily be resolved. the reasons for people seeking a new home in europe are not going away, nor is the need for better cooperation among these countries these people are heading to. this is accepted by france and the uk. , , ., to. this is accepted by france and theuk. , , ,, the uk. this is a complicated issue and there is _ the uk. this is a complicated issue and there is no _ the uk. this is a complicated issue and there is no simple _ the uk. this is a complicated issue and there is no simple fix. - the uk. this is a complicated issue and there is no simple fix. it - the uk. this is a complicated issue and there is no simple fix. it does| and there is no simple fix. it does mean a herculean effort and it will be impossible without close cooperation between all international partners and agencies. which, in some ways, brings us back to brexit. borisjohnson has always said brexit will not affect close cooperation with the eu and that is being put to the test. as priti patel says, no one country can solve this alone. and well, for some, getting into a dinghy and heading across the channel in november seems like a solution, a solution is desperately needed. there is more information on that story through

the bbc news website. a quick update on the serious fire in a coal mine in siberia in russia. writers are reporting the death toll has risen to 52, attributed to the russian news agency. we need dozens of miners were trapped but this is a significant increase on the number of people assumed to have died. the death toll has been reported that the death toll in the russian mine in siberia is now passed 50. thank you for watching, we will see you soon. goodbye. i would describe today as the calm

before the storm. snow over the hills but disruption is expected. the storm is yet to develop but already had a bit we are pushing down this cloud. some of it is quite thin, high cloud for southern areas it is still cold. temperatures close to freezing but the thick cloud, strengthening wind and rain will sweep its way southwards over followed by clear spells and showers. even by the end of the night we have temperatures close to freezing across some parts of the south—east of england. we have cloud and rain to move down across england and rain to move down across england and wales early on friday morning and wales early on friday morning and then sunshine follows. showers will continue and those could turn wintry in northern ireland and a speu wintry in northern ireland and a spell of snow arriving over the higher ground in northern scotland and blizzards, because the winds are picking up by the state. temperatures may be a degree higher than today but there will be a stronger wind. this is where we are expecting the strongest winds to be. this is where we have the amber wind warning from the met office and gus could be up to 75 mph. 0n the face

of it, storm arwen doesn't look that much. winds will pick up and sweep their way southwards overnight. it is a windy picture for saturday and not just across the is a windy picture for saturday and notjust across the north—east, but strong winds running through the irish sea onto some western coasts as well for a while. further east across england we have cloud, mainly rain but sleet and snow possibly over the hills and it will stay damp and wet through the afternoon. elsewhere it brightens up as the showers become fewer but it is going to be a cold day. temperatures struggling up to four or 5 degrees. when you add on the strength of the wind this is where it feels quite a lot colder. second half of the weekend, things start to calm down. storm arwen weakens and moves away into continental europe. it will be windy first thing across eastern part of england and we may keep a few wintry showers going and wintry

showers in scotland, but otherwise dry with some sunshine, still cold, but not as windy.

long—term pull factors, this is bbc news. i'm lukwesa burak. the headlines at 8pm: the uk and france call for a coordinated international response to human trafficking, following the deaths of 27 people whose dinghy capsized in the english channel. translation: we need more cooperation from the british, | because we're guarding the border

for the british. this is about addressing