this is bbc news with the latest headlines for viewers in the uk and around the world. as the new omicron covid variant spreads to several more countries, the south african president criticises the decision to put his country on the international red list. these restrictions are completely unjustified, and unfairly discriminate against our country and our southern african sister countries. one more — a third — omicron case has been detected in the uk. britain is convening an urgent meeting of g7 health ministers on monday. tens of thousands of homes and businesses are still without electricity in the uk — in the wake of storm arwen. four european countries agree to deploy a plane to patrol the french coast —

to help prevent migrants crossing the sea to britain. and sir frank williams — who created one of the great formula 1 teams — has died aged 79. hello and welcome if you're watching in the uk or around the world. britain is to convene an urgent meeting of g7 health ministers on monday to discuss developments relating to the new omicron coronavirus variant. it comes as the netherlands, denmark and australia are the latest countries to confirm cases of the new strain and as new travel restrictions are brought in worldwide to limit its spread. the dutch authorities have said that at least 13 tested positive for the new variant after arriving recently from south africa. coronavirus variant.

it comes as the netherlands, denmark and australia are the latest countries to confirm cases of the new strain and as new travel restrictions are brought in worldwide to limit its spread. the dutch authorities have said that at least 13 tested positive for the new variant after arriving recently from south africa. scientists fear the highly—mutated variant — first detected by scientists in south africa — could be more transmissible and drive further waves of the disease. south africa's president has condemned global travel bans against his country following the detection of the new variant. cyril ramphosa called the moves unjustified and not based on science. mr ramphosa declined to impose new restrictions on south africa itself, saying increased vaccination was the best way to tackle the new variant. omicron has far more mutations than any previous variant. secondly, we know that omicron is readily detected by the current covid tests. this means that people who are showing covid—19 symptoms or have been in contact with someone

who is covid—19 positive should still get tested. thirdly, we know that this variant is different from other circulating variants and that it is not directly related to the delta or the beta variants. fourthly, we know that the variant is responsible for most of the infections found in gauteng in the last two weeks, and is now showing up in all other provinces in our country. the bbc�*s africa health correspondent, rhoda obhiambo, told us more about mr ramaphosa's television address. this is the first time south africa's president has come out to talk about the omicron variant that was identified in south africa, and is responsible for the rise in cases, particularly in gauteng province, while giving out what information or not the scientists are documenting, he was quick to talk about the travel

restrictions that have been imposed by countries on south africa and its neighbouring countries, he said that travel restrictions amounted to to discrimination and they are unfair because south african scientists, together with those in botswana came out to share information about this variant and what other scientists can be able to do in order to pick it out or flag it out much faster. yes, i mean a sense of frustration on that front, what about the sort of rate of increase in the numbers found in south africa at the moment? he gave a bit more on that? yes, he did. he was able to say that right now, according to the data he is getting from different provinces, this is now the command centre where they are getting the information. they are right now about more than 80 cases or 90 cases, he was not able to give an accurate number of these cases, but he also says within a few weeks they'll be able to know more about that particular variant, because there are still a few questions that scientists are trying to understand, if whether it will be

able to work against the current vaccines that are in use, but one thing he was quick to add on, which other african scientists have stressed, is that viruses do mutate all the time and people should think about them like copying errors. one can understand the very conflicting fears round the travel restriction, at the same time the rest of the world is trying to limit the international spread, what measures are being taken in south africa itself, to limit transmission now? so right now, other than the current mesh drawers have been put in place, measures that have been put in place, the president, the president mentioned that there are no other restrictions to be put in place, there is still a curfew in place from midnight to 4am. alcohol cannot be sold during curfew hours and people are still being advised to wear a mask, failure to which is a criminal offence.

he said these measures would be reinforced or other measures would be reintroduced if cases continue to rise, as they are still monitoring the situation. but he also called on people to get vaccinated, because critics have argued that if we look at vaccination in south africa, there are only 42% of people who are fully vaccinated in a population of about 60 million people, yet they have so many vaccines in stock. they have cited that all the vaccine campaigns did not target the population, with the correct messaging, so right now they are trying to revamp the vaccination campaign so people do get vaccinated with the vaccines available to prevent them from becoming severely ill with the disease, as they monitor the situation to see what more they will be able to know as the scientists mentioned that right now, what they are seeing is that most of the cases that have been reported are mild, people have similar symptoms, fatigue, body aches, but that might change in the coming months

or in the coming weeks, but the hospitals ready, doctors have been advised what to do. beds have been set aside and oxygen has been put in hospitals. in the uk the health secretary sajid javed said the vaccination programme should be expanded as a matter of �*urgency�*, because of the new omicron variant of coronavirus. a third case has now been identified here. and there are expected to be more, with concerns that it may spread more easily and potentially evade current vaccines. ministers say they have acted swiftly — in england mask wearing in shops and on public transport will be a legal requirement once again on tuesday. but some unions want the government to go further in schools. here's our health correspondent anna collinson. taking up a booster when eligible was always important — but since the emergence of the heavily mutated variant, is even more important. queues like this in slough could include people as young as 18, with a key government adviser saying

the roll—out could be expanded sooner than planned. the government also announced new measures yesterday including making face masks compulsory in shops and on public transport in england as well as asking all uk arrivals to take a pcr test. everyone wants us to protect the progress we have made. that is why we have acted very swiftly and i believe in a proportionate way with the news of this new variant. that includes the decision on thursday to red list six countries. we added four more countries to that list. a third omicron case has now been detected in the uk, along with two others confirmed in brentwood in essex at nottingham. in essex and nottingham. it is feared there may be many more. to slow any spread, targeted testing is taking place at locations where cases have been found. however, for now, the government in england is not asking people to work from home again,

something that was advised by sage and which is already in place in scotland. we are already advising people to work at home wherever that is practical and possible. our advice on that hasn't changed in scotland in the way it has in recent months in england. it's not a political competition. i've said all along that my first and most important duty is to do what ijudged to be correct and appropriate and proportionate to keep people in scotland are safe. there are many unknowns with this new variant, so over the coming weeks, scientists are going to answer some key questions such as, is it more transmissible? meaning does it spread more easily? does it cause more severe disease compared to other variants? and does it reduce the effectiveness of current covid vaccines and boosters? there is some potentially positive news which could help save christmas. the doctor who first spotted the new omicron variant in south africa said she found many patients who test positive displayed very mild symptoms, no

cough, more tiredness. what we are seeing clinically in south africa and, remember, at the epicentre where i am practising is extremely mild. we haven't admitted anyone. i spoke to other colleagues of mine and it's the same picture. the government believes vaccines will still work against the omicron variant. the us company moderna says it should know in the coming weeks and, if needed, a newjab could be available early in the new year. anna collinson, bbc news. the department of education has said that pupils in year seven and above should wear masks in communal areas of schools in england from monday. headteachers were sent an email from the department earlier today. the rule will also apply to visitors and staff in communal areas. dr mary bousted is the joint general secretary at the national education union. we do welcome the fact that mask

wearing is being reintroduces in communal areas. wearing is being reintroduces in communalareas. in primary wearing is being reintroduces in communal areas. in primary school, when adults are meeting they will be wearing masks as well. we do wish the government had gone further, and in secondary schools mandated mask wearing in classrooms as weller because they are communal areas and area where they are often very crowded and where pupils and teachers spent most time. what crowded and where pupils and teachers spent most time. what about in rima teachers spent most time. what about in primary schools? _ teachers spent most time. what about in primary schools? we, _ teachers spent most time. what about in primary schools? we, we _ in primary schools? we, we understand _ in primary schools? we, we understand from _ in primary schools? we, we understand from the - in primary schools? we, we understand from the old - in primary schools? we, we - understand from the old variant that transmission in secondary is stronger, secondary age children transmit more and there are more difficulties with primary schools because it is quite a discipline to because it is quite a discipline to be able to wear a mask all the time. we do know that some primary schools are saying mask wearing in year six, and the children seem to be able to do that, but we do think that that needs to be locked —— looked at but certainly it was the case in

secondary they year seven, children age 11 and above wore masks and we think that is a sensible move. if you delay the necessary measures, then the new variant takes hold, like the delta variant did. new variants will take hold any how but what you are trying to do but introducing measures, is slow the rate of transmission so that the hospitals aren't overwhelmed, so, something like, in secondary schools wearing a mask in a classroom, that isn't a big, that is not a big drawback, and if that means that fewer teenagers get this variant, which we understand to be highly transmissable. if they get it, or if there are close contact of, pupil with this variant, this new variant, then that i have to isolate for ten day, that is going to be incredibly disruptive to schooling, so surely, the best thing, we know that masks

suppress the transmission of the virus, we know they are the second most effective way of suppressing transmission, so surely if we want the keep children in school, if we want to keep teachers teaching, we should take the necessary measures to achieve and secure and sustain schooling, we also need much better ventilation in schools as well, and thatis ventilation in schools as well, and that is something we have been calling for for a long time and for which the government's response has been inadequate. the eu border agency is to deploy a plane over the english channel from wednesday, to detect migrants attempting to cross to the uk in small boats. the decision was announced after immigration ministers from france, germany, the netherlands and belgium held crisis talks earlier today to try and find a solution to the growing number of migrants crossing the channel. 27 people died last week. the uk was told not to attend the meeting after french anger over borisjohnson's response to the crisis. our paris correspondent

lucy williamson reports it's usually migrants arriving in europe that prompts this kind of meeting. today was triggered by migrants who are leaving the eu. 27 people died in the channel on wednesday trying to reach the uk. opening the meeting, france's interior minister called for a common fight against people smugglers. he was also heard admitting that the relationship with the uk was "not easy" but it's necessary, he said, "our geography means we have to get along with our british friends." there was one glaring absence from this meeting, the home secretary had her invitation revoked, after president emmanuel macron said the british government wasn't serious. he was reacting to a letter published on twitter by borisjohnson calling forjoint patrols with french forces and the ability to send migrants straight back to france. after the meeting, france's interior

minister had this to say. translation: this meeting wasn't anti-english, it was l pro—european, and we must work with our british friends. france says it's now a front—line state for the eu when it comes to migration. people smuggling networks are known to operate across borders here and the government says more than half the people camped in calais have come from belgium. in rome today, pope francis expressed his sadness at the deaths this week and urged governments to keep talking. translation: i renew my heartfelt appeal to those who can help - resolve these problems, especially civilian and military authorities, so that understanding and dialogue can prevail over exploitation and so that they direct their efforts toward solutions that respect the humanity of these people. in folkestone, people gathered to remember those who died

on the narrow strip of sea that separates them from france. british politicians like to say, during brexit negotiations, that the uk wasn't leaving europe, just leaving the eu. what that distinction means for managing cross—channel migration is still being hammered out. lucy williamson, bbc news, calais. tens of thousands of homes and businesses in scotland and northern england are still without power in the wake of storm arwen — with some being warned they may not be reconnected "for several days". all schools in aberdeenshire will remains closed until wednesday at the earliest. parts of wales and the midlands have also been badly affected — alexandra mackenzie reports storm arwen brought winds of over 90 mph. the damage caused was extensive. scottish power said it was the worst in many years — like here in lockerbie. trees were blown onto power lines. in the town of kintore

in aberdeenshire, people are doing what they can to stay warm and fed. but they don't know when their electricity will be restored. we've had no power since friday night, when some big trees took down the cables beside our house. so we've got my 97—year—old dad, he's is in the village, so he's got power now, thankfully. but it doesn't look as though we'll be getting any power any time soon. thousands of people in wales are also without power. carmarthenshire is one of the worst—affected areas, and attempts to resolve the problem resumed early this morning. we rely heavily on electric for everything in the household now. we can't even make a cup of tea. the simple things in life have been taken away from us. it's also been a struggle across parts of the north of england. you can't eat, you can't cook. parts of the north of england. you can't have a drink, you can't have a shower or anything.

so we've just been surviving off the last bits of the hot water. and then we've had to sleep with all our clothes on because it's been so cold in the bedrooms. i can't even tell you how cold it is. here in east lothian, some are making the most of the winter weather and freezing temperatures. alexandra mackenzie, bbc news. sir frank williams, the founder of the williams formula i team, has died at the age of 79. during his time, the team won nine constructors' championships and seven drivers�* titles — and dominated much of the 1980s and 1990s. lizzie greenwood hughes looks back at his life. in a sport so dominated by global big business, frank williams made formula i a family affair. the former salesman was a pioneer, building up his motor racing team from nothing, starting in an empty carpet warehouse in oxfordshire and going on to become the best in the world. seven wins for frank williams�* team.

up to the chequered flag and past it goes alanjones. i have had a wonderful life, i wouldn't change anything, truthfully. an exciting business with something to worry about. which can be quite healthy, actually. it's been very good to me. in total, williams racing won nine constructors world titles and seven drivers titles. mansell finishes and he is world champion. and damon hill wins the japanese grand prix and i have got to stop, because i have got a lump in my throat. his achievements are all the more incredible, considering many of those victories came after he sustained a serious spinal injury in 1986. an "inconvenience", he called it. ayrton senna was the driver williams idolised and his tragic death while driving for him was something the family described as heartbreaking. the williams family eventually bowed

out of the sport last year, but the team which bears his name and to which he dedicated his life lives on. frank williams, who has died at the age of 79. sport, and for a full round up, from the bbc sport centre. the founder and former team principal of the williams formula one team, sir frank williams, has died at the age of 79. one of the greatest names in the sport, his team won nine constructors�* championships and seven drivers�* titles. former formula one driver and three time world champion sirjackie stewart has been paying tribute tonight. we had great times together. i once ran out of petrol, he stopped to give me a lift to get some petrol and he neverforgave me for it. so we had lots of fun together. he

didn�*t approve of the stewart tartan trousers, and he, he said of course i would never wear those, said if we won a grand prix, frank would you wear the trouser? of course because you will never a grand prix, well we did, and frank has to wear the tartan trousers! he was a friend to the end and it was sad that he was so ill, at the end, that in a way, today he has passed away in peace, and for that, i think frank would appreciate that. next to the premier league, where manchester united have drawn at chelsea in their first league game since the sacking of ole gunner solsjkaer, led by caretaker manager michael carrick, united took the lead in the second half throuthadon sancho, after a mistake from jorginho — but the italian made up for it by scoring from the penalty spot to grab a point for chelsea

who are nowjust a point clear at the top of the table. united are eighth. iam i am absolutely happy with the performance, the effort, and the quality of the game from us. i think dominate the game from first to last minute, did everything for this game, rhythm intensity, we were aggressive, we never stopped attacking, and yes, unfortunately we scored two goals but one on each side! scored two goals but one on each side! it�*s manchester city that are just a point behind chelsea now after they beat west ham. ilkay gundogan with the opening goal — there was a snow storm before half time — but city ground out the result which moves them above liverpool into second. burnley�*s game against tottenham didn�*t survive the snowy conditions though. these were the scenes at turf moor as staff frantically tried to clear the pitch before kick off — but it wasn�*t enough and the match was postponed. elsewhere, leicester beat watford 4—2 while everton

in spain — real sociedad missed the chance to go top — after losing 1—0 against espanyol. real betis beat bottom side levante. current leaders real madrid are currently up against sevilla where it is currently! —i. meanwhile the leaders in france, paris saint germain survived a scare to extend their winning league run to four matches. they came from behind to beat saint etienne 3—1. rennes are up to second after a 2—0 win at lorient. and in italy — ac milan missed the chance to go top of serie a after a shock 3—1 defeat at home to sassuolo. the loss means napoli can move three points clear at the top — if they�*re able to beat lazio. napoli are currently leading lazio 3—0. and england�*s director of cricket ashley giles says that it�*s been hard to get the best preparation possible for the upcoming ashes series because of the weather conditions in brisbane. a warm—up match scheduled for last week was curtailed because of rain but giles says the mood in the england camp is still high:

the schedules are very busy and riling now, the weather in brisbane is not its normal self so we have had a difficult week with that, but, what the guys you foe, what the guys have got as much as they possibly can out of this last week or so, and, you know it feels from being here like there a pretty good thing going in the camp. it�*s home to some of the world�*s best surfers and dishes up some of the best waves on the planet... but brazil isn�*tjust about epic battles in the world surf league — this next event got tails wagging. tanya dendrinos has more. cheering. these beaches are famed the world over. so why not catch a wave with your best friend?

translation: his happiness on the board started gaining | other people�*s attention. my dog has such a good time on the board. brazil is synonymous with surfing and it was the pups that reign supreme in the surf dog festival. hanging ten alongside their owners. translation: once more we have proven that it is possible to have i humans and pets interacting on the beach and dog surfing is a good sport. after winning silver and bronze at the world championships, this very good girl was crowned top dog. translation: i'm really excited, | i'm very grateful for being here | and having won this title. they might not be able to throw up a shaka sign but if tail wags are anything to go by, this sport mayjust continue growing in popularity. tanya dendrinos, bbc news. cycling is probably not the mode of transport most pregnant women would think of when it�*s time to go to the hospital to give birth. but new zealand mp, julie anne genter, is clearly not

"most women". she�*s shared her impressive birth story on social media, with photos showing her io—minute bike ride to the hospital at 2:00 in the morning — arriving at the car park, then producing a healthy baby girl. she admitted it wasn�*t something she had been planning in pregnancy, but that itjust ended up happening. now it�*s time for a look at the weather with alina jenkins. it has been a quieter day today. we still had some sleet and snow from scotland and england. we will keep some wintry showers. for many, clear skies, which will lead to frost and ice before outbreaks of rain pushed back into the north and west of scotland late in the night. for many, temperatures at or below freezing, rain pushed become into the north and west of scotland later in night.

for many temperatures will be at or below freezing, down mine four or five for rural parts of scotland and northern england. in week ahead it turns milder on tuesday, doesn�*t last long, it turns colder from midweek on wards and there will be spells of wet and windy weather. the rain on monday will chiefly by a cross scotland, northern ireland and into northern england, courtesy of this warm front. behind it is some warmer air, so cloud and outbreaks of rain into scotland through the morning, maybe snow over higher ground, clipping parts of northern ireland could slide into northern england. furthersouth ireland could slide into northern england. further south it stays dry, the best of the sunshine down to dorset but here temperatures five or six celsius, a cold feeling day, starting to feel less cold across the north and west of scotland. that warm front continues southwards overnight. not bringing much rain but it will increase the cloud and push that milder air across the uk, so less chance of a frost on tuesday morning with many staying above

freezing, and more like six or seven the further north you are. as we go into tuesday, we are in between these frontal system, notice the isobars are closer together so a windier day. heavy rain in the morning across scotland. a few showers pushing southwards, that rain bands intensify, pushing heavy rain bands intensify, pushing heavy rain into northern ireland, western scotland and northern england, further south it is likely to stay drier with bright or sunny spells but look at the temperature, 11 or 12 on tuesday. doesn�*t last long because as that front moves across the uk, tuesday night into wednesday, it returns to cold air, across the uk, so feeling colder by wednesday and thursday, and we see a return of the biting north—westerly winds, also bringing showers along so milder on tuesday but turning colder through wednesday and thursday. goodbye.

hello this is bbc news — the headlines. a third case of the new omicron variant of coronavirus has been detected in the uk — the government urges people to get their boosters and to follow new rules — from tuesday — on mask wearing in england. the government says pupils in year 7 and above in england should wear masks in communal areas of schools from tomorrow morning. the south african president has criticised the decision to put the country on the international red list. tens of thousands of homes and businesses are still without electricity — in the wake of storm arwen. four european countries agree to deploy a plane to patrol the french coast —

to help prevent migrants crossing the sea to britain.