power companies say they hope to restore supplies to the majority of homes later today. european ministers minus the uk home secretary priti patel are at a meeting in calais to discuss how to stop migrants crossing the channel. also this hour author chimamanda ngozi adichie talks about the responsibilities that come with being seen by many as a feminist icon in 100 women in conversation. that s in half an hour s time at 2.30 here on bbc news. good afternoon and welcome to bbc news. the health secretary sajid javid says the government could not have acted more swiftly in its response the the new 0mnicron
nearly 100,000 homes across the uk remain without power this afternoon after gale force winds created by storm arwen. properties in parts of scotland, wales and northern england are affected. power companies say they hope to restore supplies to the majority of homes later today. european ministers minus the uk home secretary priti patel crossing the channel. and coming up ros atkins and guests discuss the big that s in the media show at 3.30. good afternoon and welcome to bbc news. the health secretary sajid javid says the government could not have acted more swiftly in its response the the new 0mnicron coronavirus variant. he s called on people to come forward for booster vaccinations and is urgently considering widening the booster programme. two people who tested positive for the new variant remain in isolation as our health correspondent anna collinson reports.