a red weather warning is issued, from the coast of north east scotland to northumberland — meaning there is a risk to life and property it's my name, sweetie. our name, sweetie. and coming up, find out what mark kermode thinks about lady gaga's performance in house of gucci, and more, in the film review at 5:45pm. hello, good afternoon. belgium has reported europe's first case of the new coronavirus variant first detected in south africa. it comes has the world health organization holds a special meeting to consider its significance. here, the health secretary sajid javid has told mps there is "huge international concern" about the new variant saying it could pose a substantial risk to public health. our health correspondent katharine da costa reportrs. the emergence of a new highly complex variant in southern africa has sounded alarm bells around the world. so far most cases have been identified in one province of south africa, where it appears the variant may be driving a new wave of infection. early analysis show this variant has a large number of mutations that require and will undergo further study. it will take a few weeks for us to understand what impact this variant has. the new variant was only identified four days ago. genetic analysis shows it has twice the mutations of delta, the dominant variant worldwide, including 30 changes to the spike protein which the virus uses to enter human cells. we haven't got evidence it is here yet. we haven't identified it in our genome sequencing and we are giving results of more than 50,000 cases a week. a huge amount. but there is travel from south africa across the globe and there are many rising cases in south africa at the moment so we will need to be very aware and look very carefully at all of the data coming through. current vaccines have been designed to target the spike protein from the original wuhan strain. some of the mutations in this new variant meaning the virus can spread more easily or make the vaccine less effective. jabs still provide protection against other variants of concern and can be tweaked if needed. it is highly unlikely they will not have any effect. that really would be a catastrophe. but we may well see that the protection that we get is to some degree reduced, particularly because there are so many mutations in the part of the protein that many of the antibodies bind to, so i do not think we are likely to see vaccines do not work at all. flights to the uk have been suspended from six african countries until 4am on sunday to allow time to set up quarantine hotels. the government hopes a new travel ban will delay the variant being brought into britain. we are working quickly and we are working with a high degree of uncertainty. we are continuing to make assessments, including about those countries with strong travel links to south africa, and we are working with our international partners, including south africa and the european union, to ensure an aligned response. but this variant is a reminder for all of us that this pandemic is far from over. labour welcomed the travel restrictions, but said better distribution of vaccines to poorer nations was essential. vaccines are still our best defence. we will have to wait two to three weeks for scientists to understand the risk this new variant may pose. katharine da costa, bbc news. in the last hour, south africa's health minister has been speaking from pretoria about the steps the south african government are taking to investigate the virus. we wa nt we want to assure south africans and other people elsewhere in the world that we believe that some of the reaction has actually been unjustified. i'm referring here specifically to the reaction of the countries in europe, the uk, and a number of other countries. all that we did together with our scientists, who made this discovery of the variant. but not to be in line with the norms and standards as prescribed by the world health organisation. meanwhile, belgium has reported europe's first case of the new variant. the eu is calling on member states to halt travel to and from nations where the highly—mutated strain has been found. here's european commission president, ursula von der leyen. we are taking the news about the new highly mutated variant of covid—19 very seriously. we do know mutations could lead to the emergence and spread of even more concerning variants of the virus that could spread worldwide within a few months. it is now important that all of us in europe act very swiftly, decisively and united. the european commission has today proposed to member states to activate the emergency brake on travel from countries in southern africa and other countries affected to limit the spread of the new variant. all air travel to these countries should be suspended. they should be suspended until we have a clear understanding about the danger posed by this new variant. travellers returning from this region should respect strict quarantine rules. i'm joined now by calum semple, professor in child heath and outbreak medicine at the university of liverpool. given that viruses mutate, how given that viruses mutate, how concerning is that, as far as you are concerned? given that viruses mutate, how concerning is that, as far as we concerning is that, as far as you are concerned? we don't concerning is that, as far as we don't know enough concerning is that, as far as you are concerned? we don't know enough about concerning is that, as far as we don't know enough about the virus but what is concerning are concerned? we don't know enough about the virus but what is don't know enough about the virus but what is concerning as there about the virus but what is concerning as there don't know enough about the virus but what is concerning as there is about the virus but what is don't know enough about the virus but what is concerning as there is a cluster of concerning as there is a cluster of mutations, most of which but what is concerning as there is a cluster of mutations, we mutations, most of which individually we have seen in other versions of the but what is concerning as there is a cluster of mutations, we have seen individually we have seen in other versions of the virus but we are seeing them altogether. cluster of mutations, we have seen but we are versions of the virus but we are seeing them altogether. find versions of the virus but we are seeing them altogether. and this resents seeing them altogether. and this presents an _ seeing them altogether. and this presents an increased _ cluster of mutations, we have seen but we are and this presents about seeing them altogether. and this i presents an increased concern about how the virus will behave. the other cause for optimism is it's very likely that having very good vaccine coverage and boosters, we will still have a wall of immunity thatis will still have a wall of immunity that is protecting us that's protecting us against severe disease, but not necessarily can acquisition of mild disease. that oint acquisition of mild disease. that point about _ acquisition of mild disease. that point about the _ acquisition of mild disease. that point about the vaccine is interesting because people trying to keep up with this really quite fast developing situation, i guess it's just human nature to wonder if it works — do we know? the just human nature to wonder if it works - do we know? the bottom line is probably- — works - do we know? the bottom line is probably- we _ works - do we know? the bottom line is probably. we can't _ works - do we know? the bottom line is probably. we can't be _ works - do we know? the bottom line is probably. we can't be sure, - is probably. we can't be sure, but definitely this is a good reason to get the booster because we do know that the booster is very effective at substantially raising levels of immunity, and we know that the vaccine, like many other vaccines, doesn't last forever. so please get your booster. doesn't last forever. so please get your booster-— your booster. ok, so you said the susicion your booster. ok, so you said the suspicion is _ your booster. ok, so you said the suspicion is that _ your booster. ok, so you said the suspicion is that this _ your booster. ok, so you said the suspicion is that this variant - your booster. ok, so you said the suspicion is that this variant is - suspicion is that this variant is more transmissible. ultimately then, what is the knock on effect if the vaccine is still protecting those who had one, what is the wider picture than if it is much more transmissible?— picture than if it is much more transmissible? the application is that those people _ transmissible? the application is that those people who _ transmissible? the application is that those people who have - transmissible? the application is that those people who have not. transmissible? the application is - that those people who have not been vaccinated, or who have been vaccinated, or who have been vaccinated sometime ago haven't had a booster are more likely to suffer disease, and that is a concern. there is still dutch are still sufficient people in our country who are not vaccinated or backdated some time ago that would lead them to be susceptible to some disease most unlikely to die, but perhaps several days or weeks off work, and they may suffer long covid. so i think it's very reasonable that we are seeing restrictions in travel movements in order to slow the spread of the virus as long as we can so as to allow our booster campaign to get ahead of it. allow our booster campaign to get ahead of it— allow our booster campaign to get ahead of it. . �* , , ., ahead of it. that's interesting, and also i ahead of it. that's interesting, and also i suppose _ ahead of it. that's interesting, and also i suppose it — ahead of it. that's interesting, and also i suppose it buys _ ahead of it. that's interesting, and also i suppose it buys time - ahead of it. that's interesting, and also i suppose it buys time to - ahead of it. that's interesting, and also i suppose it buys time to find | also i suppose it buys time to find out a bit more about this. because you've given all the caveats that are there, and with all the time we have, will we understand much more about this new variant?— about this new variant? absolutely, that's right- — about this new variant? absolutely, that's right. we _ about this new variant? absolutely, that's right. we need _ about this new variant? absolutely, that's right. we need to _ about this new variant? absolutely, that's right. we need to give - about this new variant? absolutely, that's right. we need to give the i that's right. we need to give the scientists a chance to get ahead of it. and as your previous commentator said, it is possible to refine the vaccines. but these mutations are coming so hard and fast, it's hard to know which version do you choose to know which version do you choose to go into vaccine production. and we have seen new variants quite quickly spread throughout the world and become the dominant strain. you've talked about the travel restrictions — just on a more mundane, day—to—day basis, should we all be adapting our behaviour? the smaller things we do, like wearing a face covering and so on? we should, but we've already _ face covering and so on? we should, but we've already seen _ face covering and so on? we should, but we've already seen this - but we've already seen this happen. the vast majority of people have adjusted their lifestyle quite substantially. we've seen quite a bit of social distancing maintained, people that perceive themselves to be the high risk groups are tending to maintain greater social distancing, and indeed some continue to wear masks — i certainly wear masks in trains and shops as best i can, i've actually consciously felt bad if i forgot my mask and find myself not wearing it. so we are actually seeing very high levels of adherence to the regulations in large part. adherence to the regulations in large part-— adherence to the regulations in lane art. , . large part. interesting. thanks so much, large part. interesting. thanks so much. doctor- — large part. interesting. thanks so much, doctor. professor- large part. interesting. thanks so much, doctor. professor simple l much, doctor. professor simple referencing much, doctor. professorsimple referencing those probably bands and suspensions on flights. that ban on flights from southern africa, which was imposed last night before hotel quarantine rules can come in the force. it means passengers who flew from africa to europe over and i are now stuck in limbo. kathy hogarth joins me, thanks so much for talking to us. just explain, you are talking to us. just explain, you are talking to us. just explain, you are talking to us from amsterdam — explain when you got on your flight from south africa, did you know anything about this? what's happened to you there? we knew initially about the virus just from the news, the new strain. people boarded the flight at 12:20am, we've been left on the runway for four hours with no explanation whatsoever. they had no food on the plane and we were shipped to this terminal here where it's been absolute mayhem. people are crowded, there's no social distancing, we are told we need to have pcr tests and nobody can leave until everyone has had a pcr test, and they have the results back from the laboratory. haifa and they have the results back from the laboratory-— the laboratory. how many of their are ou? the laboratory. how many of their are you? well _ the laboratory. how many of their are you? well over— the laboratory. how many of their are you? well over a _ the laboratory. how many of their are you? well over a thousand - the laboratory. how many of their i are you? well over a thousand here, so it's hard- — are you? well over a thousand here, so it's hard. people _ are you? well over a thousand here, so it's hard. people are _ are you? well over a thousand here, so it's hard. people are worried - so it's hard. people are worried now because they're running out of phone charge and can't get our pcr tests through. the food incident has been terrible, children are crying and the toilets are flooded. we alljust want to get home to our families. 1000 people? that's multiple flights by the sounds of it, so we are dust you are all in one place. you talk about how you can't leave until you've had the pcr test — tell us about the timescale, when will you get it, how long do you have to wait for the results, and potentially how long are you there?— long are you there? we've had no official communication _ long are you there? we've had no official communication about - long are you there? we've had no official communication about the l official communication about the time. we are hoping people in the airport said possibly about 8:30pm but i don't think that'll happen because in the background there are still queues of people waiting to be tested. �* , ., �* , still queues of people waiting to be tested. �* ,, �* , _, , tested. and if you're pcr test comes throu . h tested. and if you're pcr test comes through finding _ tested. and if you're pcr test comes through finding clear— tested. and if you're pcr test comes through finding clear and _ tested. and if you're pcr test comes through finding clear and you - tested. and if you're pcr test comes through finding clear and you don't l through finding clear and you don't have anything or any symptoms, do you understand what happens to you next? ~ �* ., , ., ., next? we've not been told that, we have had no — next? we've not been told that, we have had no official _ next? we've not been told that, we have had no official munication, - next? we've not been told that, we have had no official munication, we| have had no official munication, we don't know what's happening with our luggage. we've been told we might have to stay in amsterdam over the night, and they'll see how many people tested positive. versus how many people have tested negative, and they'll make the decision as to whether we need to quarantine here or not. but it's not official, we've had no communication at all. and had no communication at all. and ou're had no communication at all. and you're there _ had no communication at all. and you're there with _ had no communication at all. and you're there with whatever hand luggage you had on the plane, i suppose? it’s luggage you had on the plane, i su ose? �* , , luggage you had on the plane, i suuose? �*, , ., , suppose? it's 'ust me and my colleague. — suppose? it'sjust me and my colleague, michelle, - suppose? it'sjust me and my colleague, michelle, with - suppose? it'sjust me and my| colleague, michelle, with only suppose? it'sjust me and my - colleague, michelle, with only our hand luggage with us, we don't know what's happened the rest of our stuff. �* ., , . ,, stuff. argument to be back here, caettin stuff. argument to be back here, getting back _ stuff. argument to be back here, getting back to — stuff. argument to be back here, getting back to work? _ stuff. argument to be back here, getting back to work? what - stuff. argument to be back here, . getting back to work? what happens if you get stuck there? we getting back to work? what happens if you get stuck there?— getting back to work? what happens if you get stuck there? we are meant to be getting — if you get stuck there? we are meant to be getting back— if you get stuck there? we are meant to be getting back to _ if you get stuck there? we are meant to be getting back to work _ if you get stuck there? we are meant to be getting back to work on - to be getting back to work on monday, just catching up with the family this weekend. we just want to get back to your our families, and instead... we've had no communication as to what's happened, we can't even update our families on what's been happening at this point. so the airport staff, your airline staff — it sounds like you've had very little information? staff - it sounds like you've had very little information?- staff - it sounds like you've had very little information? we've had very little information? we've had ve little very little information? we've had very little information, _ very little information? we've had very little information, there's - very little information? we've had very little information, there's a l very little information, there's a lot of health staff here, they don't want airport staff you're necessarily which has been the issue with the food, they didn't want to bring us food in case anyone else came into the airport and risk getting infected with covid. so they are at very thin on staff here. you've heard obviously now about the new variant, we've been discussing it here on the bbc all day given that it it here on the bbc all day given thatitis it here on the bbc all day given that it is being described as the most highly mutated variant that we've seen in this whole pandemic — do you have any sympathy at all, although you're stuck in a dreadful situation, do you have any understanding of why this is happening to you and those hundreds of other people?— of other people? we've understand full wh of other people? we've understand fully why it's _ of other people? we've understand fully why it's happening. _ of other people? we've understand fully why it's happening. my - of other people? we've understand fully why it's happening. my point l fully why it's happening. my point to this is, why was there not a contingency put in place? we know it we've dealt with over the last year, year and a half, they knew we were coming overfrom year and a half, they knew we were coming over from south year and a half, they knew we were coming overfrom south africa but nothing was done, we've been left here all day. it's really poor organisation, no one knows what's going on —wise at the case? the dutch authorities have really let everyone here down today. you had less information _ everyone here down today. you had less information than _ everyone here down today. you had less information than if _ everyone here down today. you had less information than if you - everyone here down today. you had less information than if you have i less information than if you have just stayed in south africa, perhaps?— just stayed in south africa, --erhas? ~ . , just stayed in south africa, --erhas? ~ . ., , , ., perhaps? we had the opportunity to net an perhaps? we had the opportunity to get an earlier _ perhaps? we had the opportunity to get an earlier flight, _ perhaps? we had the opportunity to get an earlier flight, which - perhaps? we had the opportunity to get an earlier flight, which we - get an earlier flight, which we should have done. but it's happened now, we possibly would've stayed in south africa for work because i'll be no good in quarantine in a hotel room for ten days. my be no good in quarantine in a hotel room for ten days.— be no good in quarantine in a hotel room for ten days. my goodness, we wish ou room for ten days. my goodness, we wish you all— room for ten days. my goodness, we wish you all the _ room for ten days. my goodness, we wish you all the best, _ room for ten days. my goodness, we wish you all the best, we _ room for ten days. my goodness, we wish you all the best, we hope - room for ten days. my goodness, we wish you all the best, we hope you i wish you all the best, we hope you get more clarity soon and some food soon. it's really good for you —— of you to talk to us here the bbc. we will talk you later in the afternoon to see if you've had any updates. we really appreciate it, best to you and your colleague that you're travelling with. kathy hogarth there, she said there were about 1000 people there in amsterdam's main airport with a lack of information, all having to have a pcr test, perhaps we will check in with kathy later on in the evening and see what's happening with her attempt to return home. the uk government has released the latest coronavirus cases. in the latest 24—hour period, there were another 50,091 cases and 160 deaths — that's within 28 days of a positive test. more than 50 million people have received the first dose, 46 million have been fully vaccinated, and nearly 17 million have had a boosterjab — that's 29% of the population aged 12 and over. moving away from covid and turning our attention to the migrant situation and the current double medic row over all this. the french president emmanuel macron has accused the uk of not being serious about dealing with the migrant crisis. european ministers will meet on sunday to discuss the situation, after 27 people drowned on wednesday trying to reach the uk — but president macron confirmed that the home secretary priti patel can no longer attend that meeting, though uk officials still will. her invitation was withdrawn after borisjohnson publicly called on france to take back migrants who cross the channel. here's our political correspondent damian grammaticas. is the prime minister an undiplomatic leader? macron says you aren't serious — is he right, prime minister? - what sparked this blow—up were mrjohnson's very public statements after the deaths of 27 people in the channel. last night he sent out a series of tweets, saying he had written to president emanuel macron with a series of proposals. he tweeted the letter too, asking, among other things, for joint patrols from next week of french police and uk border force officers, and a returns agreement so the uk could send back all those coming across the channel in small boats. france, which has rejected exactly these things before, took offence, saying this was not what the prime minister discussed on the phone with president macron two days ago and this was no way to deal with sensitive issues. translation: you do not communicate between leaders on these issues - by tweet and public letters. we are not whistle—blowers, come on. come on. leaders communicate in a serious way to deal with serious questions between serious people. on sunday our interior minister will meet with his eu counterparts and the european commission. we will see, when it comes to the the uk, how we can act effectively — if they decide to be serious. as a consequence, france has uninvited home secretary priti patel from a meeting of eu ministers happening on sunday to discuss how to respond to the boats. this is a humiliation for the prime minister and the home secretary, who have completely lost control of the situation in the channel, at the very moment when the prime minister needed to be a statesman, to actually deal with this. what we saw instead was a grave error ofjudgment, putting a public letter on twitter. here in downing street, they are putting up the christmas tree. relations with france, however, are far from festive. here, they say their aim is to prevent further loss of life, but borisjohnson's proposals have been rebuffed by the french. after brexit, the uk is no longer part of the eu scheme that allows the return of asylum seekers to eu countries. what this crisis shows is that both countries have to find ways to work together. no nation can tackle this alone, and so i hope that the french will reconsider. it is in our interest, and their interest, in certainly in the interests of people who are being people trafficked to the uk, and these tragic scenes that we are seeing. so the uk says it does want to act cooperatively. france has proposed that the uk send personnel to process asylum claims for the uk in france. but that was dismissed by the uk side yesterday. damian grammaticas, bbc news, westminster. the england and wales cricket board has published an anti—racism action plan in response to the azeem rafiq scandal. it follows his testimony to mps earlier this month about the abuse he suffered at yorkshire country cricket club. the measures announced include a review of dressing—room culture and action to help non—white and less privileged players pursue careers in the game. the ecb's chief executive, tom harrison, said the last few weeks have been "very, very tough for cricket". you may recognise dr samara afzal, who is a gp we have spoken to before on the news channel. well, she is also a director on the welsh cricket board — and former warwickshire player. we can speak to her now. really good of you to talk to us again, thanks so much forjoining us. a12 point action plan — first of all, what do you make of it, do you welcome it?— of all, what do you make of it, do you welcome it? thanks for having me. absolutely, _ you welcome it? thanks for having me. absolutely, it _ you welcome it? thanks for having me. absolutely, it was _ you welcome it? thanks for having me. absolutely, it was much - you welcome it? thanks for having i me. absolutely, it was much needed. we've heard some really distressing stories not only from azeem rafiq, but other players in the last few weeks that have really tarnished of the sport and given it a lot of negative press. this action plan was needed, you know, and at the forefront at number one is education. and that is so, so important. a lot of the comments made, the things labelled as banter comes from ignorance. and unless you tell people specifically, they don't know. as players, coaches and officials get told about other lots officials get told about other lots of laws, doping and corruption— nobody actually says, "you can't say this," or discrimination whether it be on race, gender, disability, your social class. so it's much needed and they've got an action plan together, but they're putting £25 million over the course of the next six months to get education programmes in place from top to bottom, to get more people from diverse backgrounds not only playing cricket but in top positions. i think that is a very positive step. we've always been zero tolerance to any discrimination, we've always strived for equality and diversity because we recognise that's really important in order to grow the game and include everybody. iuntimely important in order to grow the game and include everybody.— important in order to grow the game and include everybody. when you were -la in: , and include everybody. when you were -la in:, did and include everybody. when you were playing. did you _ and include everybody. when you were playing, did you experience _ and include everybody. when you were playing, did you experience racism, i playing, did you experience racism, or did you hear it or experience it in relation to the women's or men's games was yellow i didn't experience any overt racism. in games was yellow i didn't experience any overt racism.— any overt racism. in terms of ignorance. — any overt racism. in terms of ignorance. i _ any overt racism. in terms of ignorance, i remember i any overt racism. in terms ofj ignorance, i remember doing any overt racism. in terms of. ignorance, i remember doing a any overt racism. in terms of- ignorance, i remember doing a test for a county trial and i had to be excused because i had been awake since 4am and i was told to just get on with it. so i think we need to be more inclusive, we need to realise that actually, cricket is a diverse sport, and in order to get more people involved we have to understand different backgrounds and cultures. and we don't see that, in certain parts of yorkshire you only get white men playing cricket. so someone from an afro—caribbean or asian background, they can feel alienated — which they don't mean to be discriminated against, but it's just ignorance. it's important that we've heard these stories in the last few weeks, it's really important that we put this plan together. important that we put this plan touether. ., , , . . together. some of the specific examples. _ together. some of the specific examples, for _ together. some of the specific examples, for example, i together. some of the specific examples, for example, a i together. some of the specific. examples, for example, a target together. some of the specific- examples, for example, a target for board level diversity. these are specific proposals, and that needs to come in quite quickly — is that helpful to try and drive change? change should come from the top and it's all about good leadership, isn't it? ~ , �*, it's all about good leadership, isn'tit? , isn't it? absolutely, it's about aood isn't it? absolutely, it's about good leadership _ isn't it? absolutely, it's about good leadership and - isn't it? absolutely, it's about good leadership and players l isn't it? absolutely, it's about l good leadership and players can identify with others from their cultural background. and in order to feel welcome, you have to include everyone. but it can be difficult to open up, you know, it's important to have transparency. but actually they need to know why is it that three out of ten players at the grassroots level playing cricket from a bame level playing cricket from a bame level but significantly less in the professional level? from what it seems, it will be transparent, players will be told why they didn't progress or what the methods are for progression. it's not seen as a negative thing in most professions, but there is the independent commission for equity in cricket which is so players have an independent unit they can speak to to express their concerns. at wales, we've done that, we've been very proactive and recognise cases where there has been discrimination and gotten those people to talk about it in theirjourneys, and see what we can learn moving forward.- can learn moving forward. really interesting _ can learn moving forward. really interesting to _ can learn moving forward. really interesting to talk _ can learn moving forward. really interesting to talk to _ can learn moving forward. really interesting to talk to you, - can learn moving forward. reallyj interesting to talk to you, thanks so much, and really good to hear your experience. a 12—year—old girl has died after suffering catastrophic injuries during an argument in liverpool city center. ava white was with friends when she was assaulted yesterday evening. four teenage boys, aged between 13—15, have been arrested on suspicion of her murder. detective superintendant sue coombs from merseyside police gave this update earlier. 12—year—old ava white tragically died after an incident at the liverpool city centre last night. police were called at 8:39pm to report an assault and, when they got there, they found ava white collapsed on the ground with a member of the public giving first aid. paramedics attended the scene and took ava to the children's hospital, but tragically she died a short time later despite the efforts of medical staff. this is the early stages of the investigation, but what we have so far is for males custody, they are aged 13, 214, and 115 years of age. they've been arrested on suspicion of murder and they'll be interviewed at police stations in merseyside. we've yet to do a postmortem to establish the cause of death. but what we do know at this stage is that ava was in liverpool city centre with some friends yesterday afternoon, evening, that she was involved in a verbal argument which escalated to an assault we believe involving a knife, and that there were catastrophic injuries, and tragically she died. we also know that the offender is made off up a school laying across hanover street, and we know they'll have been a lot of people around at the time. the christmas lights at church street had not long gone on. so we firstly need to ask members of the public if they saw anything of significance or if they potentially captured something on their mobile phone of significance, to please contact the police. and finally, there is a very large scene that we've retained at liverpool city centre, and we ask for everybody�*s patience and understanding as we methodically go through that seem to gather all the evidence that we need to bring justice for ava's family. sue coombs with the update following the murder of a 12—year—old girl in the murder of a 12—year—old girl in the liverpool last night. the weather prospects are extremely important tonight, especially in some parts of the country with a atrocious weather coming in. all the latest debt to micro details from darren. hello there, it's rare for the met office to issue a red warning, but wins are picking up especially in the northeast, this red warning is for coastal areas of eastern england until the early hours of the morning. winds could be gusting 80-90 morning. winds could be gusting 80—90 mph. we've already seen some snow falling over the high ground in scotland, that snow will push its way onto the pen nines, the welsh hills, into the parts of southern england as well, temperatures close to freezing by the end of the night. the wind is perhaps more significant notjust the wind is perhaps more significant not just across the the wind is perhaps more significant notjust across the northeast, but around these western coasts and the iron democrat iris sea. a windy start for everywhere on saturday. sleet and snow over the hills mainly, gradually retreating more towards eastern parts of england, many areas becoming brighter with sunshine, a few more wintry showers especially northern scotland, and a cold day perhaps no better than 3-4 c cold day perhaps no better than 3—4 c whilst winds ease down a bit, it will still feel significant leak holder given the strength of the wind. this is bbc news. the headlines. the health secretary says the new covid—19 variant could pose substantial risk to public health and is of international concern. experts say it's the most heavily mutated variant so far. belgium says it has identified the first case of the new variant in europe. the eu proposes to suspend flights from any countries with cases. the england and wales cricket board publishes an anti—racism action plan in response to the azeem rafiq scandal — with measures including a review of dressing—room culture. the french president says the uk isn't serious about tackling the english channel crisis. borisjohnson suggested france should take back people who cross the channel to get into the uk. a 12 year old girl has died after an argument in liverpool city centre — four teenage boys have been arrested on suspicion of murder. we will talk more about the atrocious weather coming in for some parts of the country in the next few minutes and it is the film review coming up but right now it's time for all of the latest sport and here is lizzie greenwood—hughes. the for all of the latest sport and here is lizzie greenwood-hughes. the draw for the play-offs _ is lizzie greenwood-hughes. the draw for the play-offs for— is lizzie greenwood-hughes. the draw for the play-offs for next _ is lizzie greenwood-hughes. the draw for the play-offs for next years - for the play—offs for next years football world cup in qatar were made this afternoon on the headlines for british fans are that if both scotland and wales win their semifinal is they will play each other in their final which means only one of them can reach the tournament. scotland are at home to ukraine while wales will play austria in cardiff but there are some very good sides in the play—offs including italy and portugal and there are three play—offs in three teams will go through and the games will take place at the end of march. wales are bidding to reach their first world cup in 64 years while scotland have waited 24 years. eddie howe will be in the dugout for the first time as newcastle's head coach after returning a negative covid test today. he missed what should have been his first game in charge against brenford last week, instead watching it from home, but after being cleared, he can finally be with his team when they take on arsenal at the emirates tomorrow. the task is a tough one for howe though, newcastle are bottom of the premier league with six points from 12 games. manchester united are currently sorting out the final details of ralf rangnick�*s move from lokomotiv moscow. the german is due to take charge for the remainder of the season, but michael carrick will still manage the side for sunday's trip to chelsea. liverpool managerjurgen klopp knows rangnick well, and has sent this warning to other premier league teams. he will be organised and on the pitch i will think that we should realise that and that is obviously not good 0ur he will be organised and on the pitch i will think news for other teams. like all coaches in the world, we need time to train with their teams and pretty quickly will realise they have no time to train because they play all the time so that'll it harder for him but a really good man and an outstanding coach, and if it happens we will come to england. now to the news this afternoon that the england and wales cricket board have released their new action plan to tackle racism and discrimination in the game. it follows the testimony by the former yorkshire bowler azeem rafiq — in which he called the english game "institutionally racist." here's the ecb's chief executive, tom harrison. the important thing about it is meaningful and it is collective, it is the whole game recognising. that we have is the whole game recognising. trust we have indeed had an earthquake in the game and it's now our responsibility to respond positively to that, however difficult that is, given the introspection that has happened through the game in the last few weeks and it's now important that we collectively turn that into an opportunity to accelerate the change we want to see in the game to make it an inclusive environment and a powerful environment and a powerful environment for people to have a sense of belonging and to be welcome in the game at all levels across the country. the cardiff and scarlets rugby union teams are still trying to return to the uk before the new quarentine rules for travel from south africa come into force on sunday morning. they are in johannesburg and durban respectively — to play two rounds of matches in the united rugby championship. those games have now been postponed, but officials are still negotiating a way back for almost 100 players and staff before the deadline. 15 uk and ireland golfers have also withdrawn from the joburg 0pen, which started on thursday — and the future of two more dp world tour events in south africa in the coming weeks also under threat. there's more on our website, including a big night for wales and scotland women who are in women's world cup qualifying action tonight. find out more on bbc.c0.uk/sport. the met office has issued a red weather warning that covers the coast of north—east scotland to northumbria and a red warning means there is a risk to life and property. winds are expected to bring down power lines and give severe disruption to transport. 0ur scotland correspondent lorna gordon is in stonehaven for us. please bring this up to date and explain what it is like. the please bring this up to date and explain what it is like.— explain what it is like. the red warninu explain what it is like. the red warning for — explain what it is like. the red warning for wind _ explain what it is like. the red warning for wind came - explain what it is like. the red warning for wind came into i explain what it is like. the red i warning for wind came into force in the middle of the afternoon on the worst of the weather so far hitting aberdeen, aberdeenshire, places right down the east coast of scotland and as far south as middlesbrough in the north—east of england. pretty wild conditions out on the roads tonight and people are being advised not to travel and of course there is this rare, red wind warning which has been issued and that means that there is a potential threat to life from flying debris, for instance, and in addition to that, you move further inland and there is a warning for snow and in there is a warning for snow and in the cairngorms they expect a big dump of snow, potentially hurricane force gusting winds on the top of the mountains, so very difficult conditions out on the east coast of scotland tonight and people being advised not to travel and in areas like stonehaven where in the past they have had flooding, the flood gates are up in people's houses and they are well prepared and so far they are well prepared and so far the water here is not over topping and high tide has passed, so they are looking to the villages along the coast down in the borders and flood defences up there as well to see what will happen there but the main warning is, don't travel unless you have to and if you have to go on the trains, check before you travel because there is severe disruption on the railways tonight with a ferry disruption as well and these winds are expected to carry on through the night till about two pm tomorrow morning. night till about two pm tomorrow morninu. ., . night till about two pm tomorrow mornin.. ., ., ., ,, night till about two pm tomorrow mornin.. ., ., .,~ night till about two pm tomorrow mornin.. ., ., ., morning. lorna, take care, our car - scotland correspondent. _ french fishermen are blocking major french ports and the channel tunnel in a protest over post—brexit fishing rights. they sayjersey and the uk have given its fishermen too many licences. ferry services in and out of calais have been disrupted and protesters have also threatened to delay freight traffic through the channel tunnel. borisjohnson says he is "disappointed" by the threats. climate change activists have blocked a number of amazon warehouses, on the retailer's busiest day of the year. members of extinction rebellion targeted 13 sites across the uk, including its largest distribution center in dunfermline. it said it wanted to draw attention to alleged exploitation of amazon workers and environmentally wasteful business practices. amazon said it was working to minimize any potential disruption to customers. the headlines on bbc news. the health secretary says the new covid variant could pose substantial risk to public health and is of international concern. health officials say it's the most heavily mutated variant so far. the mutation was identified in south africa, now flights from there and five other african countries have been suspended. the ecb publishes an anti—racism action plan in response to the azeem rafiq scandal — with measures including a review of dressing—room culture. and coming up in sport, wales will play austria and scotland face ukraine in the semifinals play—offs for the world cup and if they win both home nations will face each other for a both home nations will face each otherfor a place both home nations will face each other for a place at kate are 2022 and elsewhere manchester united reach an agreement for the lokomotiv moscow's head of sport and development, ralph rang nick to head to their as interim manager and we take a look at the ecb plans to tackle discrimination and racism in cricket in england and wales, which is all on sports day at 630, but now it is time for the film review. hello, and welcome to the film review on bbc news. to take us through this week's cinema releases is mark kermode. so mark, what do we have this week? a proper mixed bag. we have a shepherd, an eerie british chiller. and we have house of guuci, the new film by ridley scott. and pirates where we party like it's 1999. where we party like it's1999. sheppard. tell me more. you don't like horror— sheppard. tell me more. you don't like horror films _ sheppard. tell me more. you don't like horror films and _ sheppard. tell me more. you don't like horror films and it's _ sheppard. tell me more. you don't like horror films and it's not - sheppard. tell me more. you don't like horror films and it's not a i like horrorfilms and it's not a horror film, like horrorfilms and it's not a horrorfilm, it's a chiller. it's an atmospheric chiller and i'm trying to talk you into it. and this is a story about a young man who is something's haunting you, mr black — i can see it. a something's haunting you, suffering from grief and has lost mr black — i can see it. is his wife and is full of guilt and story about a young man who is decides to take a position on a remote scottish island as the is shepherd but only him on the island, the him on a very small rundown house, his dog and a lighthouse which looks h worrying and decrepit. his droptop on the island by kate dickie in and a lighthouse which looks , the i , and a lighthouse which looks sinister style. , the island clip. on the island by kate dickie in sinisterstyle. it on the island by kate dickie in sinister style. it was a clip. so, you're just leaving now? it's not my place here. it's not my place here. when will you be back? i'll be back next - mr black — i can see it. i tuesday with supplies. anything else you need, you'll let me know? i 0k. you've got some sheep to find. best get to it, mr black. you'll not be short of chores here, that's for sure. - i nearly forgot... you'll be needing this — a journal. keep it safe. keep it safe. good luck. something's haunting you,