britain, the eu, the united states, and japan have all announced travel restrictions on several southern african countries, to try to slow the spread of the variant — named omicron. here's our medical editor fergus walsh. after months of opening up, the newly—named omicron variant means travel restrictions are back. at heathrow, the last flights from south africa arrived this morning. i feel extremely relieved, because who knows how long this is going to last? we've been told we have to isolate at home, so that shouldn't be too bad. from sunday, only uk and irish residents will be allowed in from six southern african countries, and they will have to pay to quarantine in a hotel. the travel restrictions mean catherine will miss her niece�*s wedding in south africa. it is devastating. they have held back this wedding for two years for us, so we were all going to be together, which was really important. and literally we were off on the 9th, and now we're not. the health secretary said the new variant may pose a substantial risk to public health, so the restrictions we re necessary. i want to reassure this house that there are no detected cases of this variant in the uk at this time, but this new variant is of huge international concern. several coronavirus mutations have already made the covid pandemic worse. the alpha variant, identified in kent, drove a huge wave of hospital admissions and deaths here last winter. the delta variant, first detected in india, was even more transmissible, and is currently the dominant strain worldwide. on paper, the new variant looks worrying, with twice the number of mutations found on delta. around 30 of these are in the spike protein, the key the virus uses to unlock our cells and these changes may help it evade our body's defences. but so far we don't know whether the variant causes more severe disease, whether vaccines will be less effective or drugs won't work. it's the sheer number and type of mutations that has scientists here troubled. some of them have never been seen in a combination like this before, and many of them we've seen in various variants of concern so far, but it's the complexity of the mutations that we're seeing today, and the effects that it may have on both the immune response and transmissibility that are a huge concern. with belgian recording europe's first case of the omicron variant, the european commission in brussels called for a suspension of air travel to affected african countries. we do know that 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. vaccine companies say they can prepare updated versions of theirjabs, perhaps within 100 days, if the omicron variant is found to evade immunity. fergus walsh, bbc news. the first confirmed cases of the new variant were found in south africa and botswana. namibia, zimbabwe, lesotho, and eswatini — formerly swaziland — are also affected by the travel bans being introduced by several countries. the measures have been criticised by the south african government and scientific community, who say they will cause more harm than good. from there, our africa correspondent andrew harding reports. a technical university in pretoria, south africa, this afternoon. this is where the new variant was first properly identified, spreading fast among students. obviously, this is so overwhelming, we are all worried, but the management took a decision to suspend all social gatherings and social activities. the impact here has been swift, with many countries now following britain's lead in banning flights from south africa. so, this morning's arrivals from johannesburg and cape town could be the last for some time. it is absolutely ridiculous that they have imposed it again so quickly, without really investigating this new variant. the timing for south africa could hardly be worse. it is summer here, and the tourist industry was hoping for a big boost after two richard years of lockdowns and red listings. —— wretched years. no wonder south africa's foreign minister has criticised the travel ban, calling it rushed, economically damaging, and are urging britain to reconsider. not that that seems very likely, at least not in the short term. today, south africa is gearing up for a likely fourth wave, dominated by this new variant, but scientists here insist that trying to isolate countries or regions makes no practical sense. we saw with the delta variant that within three weeks, 53 countries were reporting cases of the delta variant, so stopping travel from one country or a small group of countries very soon becomes superfluous. it's really not the solution. but could there be one upside to the arrival of this new variant? in recent months, south africa's vaccine roll—out has slowed down. it is the same in other african countries, partly down to a shortage of vaccines, but also due to public apathy, and fear of the new variant could change that. hopefully, we get past the stage... are you vaccinated? i'm vaccinated, so hopefully i'll be safe. the focus is on this south african laboratory and the scientists trying to unlock the secrets of the virus's new mutations. andrew harding, bbc news, johannesburg. 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. mr macron confirmed that the uk is no longer invited to the talks. it comes after the british prime minister, borisjohnson, made a public call for france to take back migrants who cross the channel. lucy williamson reports from calais. the road between paris and london is getting colder. the political distance a little wider each day. here in the migrant camps, caught between the two governments, they know what it takes to bridge the channel and what the risks are if you fail. two days ago a boat capsized, killing 27 people. tonight the first victim was named as 24—year—old maryam nuri mohammed amin from iraqi kurdistan. her fiance said he was messaging her as the dinghy began to lose air. herfather, mourning her death in irbil in northern iraq, spoke to the bbc. translation: from germany she went to france, _ and in france she got into this slaughterhouse. the whole world talks about europe is a place that his calm, that is pleasant. is this what "calm" means? around 30 people dying in the middle of the sea? this is a sin to put people through this. this tragedy has put pressure on paris and london to amend their rift over how to tackle the channel crossings. macron says you aren't serious. is he right, prime minister? meeting the polish prime minister today, mrjohnson said cooperation between european partners was the way to solve the migrant crisis. and of course that again underlines that this is a problem that we have to fix together. but france has accused the prime minister of doublespeak. last night in a series of tweets, mrjohnson said he had written to the french president, emmanuel macron, with some proposals. he tweeted the letter too, calling forjoint patrols of french gendarmes and uk border force, and suggesting that all illegal migrants who cross the channel be returned to france. this, he said, would break the business model of the criminal gangs. france is irritated by mrjohnson�*s style of diplomacy, and it shows. translation: i'm surprised when things are not done seriously. - we don't communicate between leaders on these issues via tweets or publish letters. we're not whistle—blowers, come on _ the ministers will work seriously to settle a serious issue with serious people. the tensions between france and the uk, built up over a range of issues, are becoming increasingly public. the home secretary, priti patel, was due here in calais this weekend to discuss migration, but since mrjohnson�*s tweets last night, she's been disinvited, though uk officials are in paris today to discuss the issue. no invitations needed here, though. through it all, migrants plan the next crossing attempts. like moez from saddam, among those we met queueing for a food distribution truck. he is undeterred by the deaths of 27 people in the channel this week. would he stop trying if he thought he'd be sent straight back to france? this my dream, to go to uk. if come back to france, again go to uk. never not to stop, not to stop, never. neither disaster nor diplomacy has stopped the rhythm of these crossings. an alternative to the promises of people smugglers can feel as remote here as the elysee palace or downing street. lucy williamson, bbc news, calais. three people have reportedly died in the unrest in the solomon islands. the political crisis in the country is deepening, with protesters surrounding the prime minister's home for a third day, and police firing warning shots and tear gas to disperse crowds outside his residence. a building near the compound has been set alight. protesters caused further destruction in the chinatown district of the capital city, honiara. a night—time curfew has been extended. you are watching bbc news. a reminder of our top stories... a new covid strain found in southern africa is classed a "variant of concern" by the world health organisation over fears it may be more infectious and more resistant to vaccines. french president emmanuel macron is accusing the uk of not being serious about dealing with the migrant crisis as the diplomatic row deepens. the legendary composer of broadway musicals, stephen sonheim, has died at his home in connecticut. he was 91. sondheim composed and wrote lyrics for a vast number of musicals, including west side story, sweeney todd, and follies. daniella relph looks back on his career. # isn't it bliss, don't you approve? # one who keeps tearing around, one who can't move... "send in the clowns" from the musical a little night music. # send in the clowns... it was stephen sondheim's only hit song — remarkably, because this was the man who revolutionised the american musical. as a young man, he learned his trade from oscar hammerstein — the lyricist who wrote shows like oklahoma and the sound of music. sondheim, too, started by doing the words, notably for leonard bernstein's music in west side story. # i want to be in america... soon he was writing his own music, as well. most of the shows that followed were hits. and then, in 1970, he came up with a new idea — a musical that didn't follow an obvious plot. company was a series of vignettes featuring a dozen central characters. no two sondheim musicals were the same. i don't want to get bored writing them, you know? when you hit a chord that you've hit before, or a technique you've used before — when i do, i get very nervous. and i think i've written that — "i mustn't do that, somebody will catch me up on it," so to speak, it's as if somebody�*s saying, "wait a minute, you did that in that show." into the woods was based on fairy stories like "jack and the bea nstalk". sondheim's music was rhythmically complicated and harmonically sophisticated. # we've no time to sit and dither while her whithers wither, wither. # and no one keeps a cow for a friend... # artists are bizarre # fixed, cold # that's you, georges, you're bizarre... one of his cleverest creations was sunday in the park with george — about the painter georges seurat, whose most famous painting was recreated by the characters on stage. art is not an easy thing to do. and i've heard people say, "oh, so—and—so is so talented," as if all they had to do was get up in the morning and the painting was made, or the song was written. and they don't understand that it's exactly as much hard work, and maybe harder, than making a shoe, or anything that you make out of nothing. # i thought that you'd want what i want # sorry, my dear... for his admirers, stephen sondheim produced some of the most sophisticated and thoughtful musicals ever written. # quick, send in the clowns # don't bother, they're here... broadway star sierra boggess played cinderella in sondheim's into the woods, and shared her memories of the composer a little earlier. first of all, thank you so much for having me. it's a cathartic experience for me right now because we all in this broadway community and around just heard this news, so it's beyond. but that's one of my favourite things about a sondheim musical, the material you learn is some of the most complex series of notes you can learn. so you feel such a sense of accomplishment when you finally arrive at that place and realise you've got it, you know how to sing that sondheim lyric and beautiful phrase that he wrote. his melodies are so complex, and they may not be easy always on the ear, but they are — some of my favourite things to sing as a singer, as a musician, it requires all of you. he redefined the musical. he upped the ante for what we could do. no one had ever written like him before, it's what you study him in school if you're studying to get a degree in musical theatre or you're theatre student. you know when you're learning music, you have to learn a sondheim because it elevates you — and that's what he did for all of musicals. he changed the way that we listen, the way that we... he never made it easy, ifeel like, for either the performer or the audience. he required you to listen. he required you to... it's like the best thing for going and seeing a show, because then you have this session of afterwards of, "what the heck did that mean?" it's so complex and so... and he gave words, i feel like he articulated things like love and loss, and regret in ways that i would never be able to, and most of us wouldn't ever be able to. health authorities in the netherlands say based on initial test results there were likely dozens of people infected with covid—19 among some 600 passengers that arrived at amsterdam's schiphol airport on friday on two flights from south africa. the passengers have been kept isolated from other travellers at the airport after their arrival because of concerns about the new variant. meanwhile, peaceful protests continue in the country after the dutch government announced new round of restrictions. one person has already died as parts of britain are hit by storm arwen. winds of up to 60 mph are hitting northern ireland and parts of scotland. our correspondent lorna gordon is in stonehaven on the north east coast of scotland. she gave us this update a little earlier. a huge sweep of the east coast is being battered by this storm with this red warning for wind, which means there's a potential dangerfor life in place, from north of aberdeen to middlesbrough, in the north—east of england. and the conditions really are brutal — there's driving rain, dropping temperatures, and winds are forecast to potentially gust up to 90 mph. 25,000 homes, primarily in aberdeenshire, have been left without power tonight, the conditions on the roads are described as treacherous, police are warning people not to travel. and there's significant disruption on the rail network, as well. many services are cancelled. and there are reports of people stuck on trains because fallen trees blocking the lines. network rail says they're sending stuff to help, but that it could take some time. of course, because the worst of this storm is hitting overnight, we won't know the full extent of any damage caused until the morning. the england and wales cricket board has published a 12—point, game—wide action plan to tackle racism and all forms of discrimination in the game. it follows azeem rafiq's testimony to mps earlier this month about the abuse he suffered at yorkshire country cricket club. the ecb's chief executive, tom harrison, said the last few weeks have been �*very, very tough for cricket'. laura scott has been at lord's — the home of england cricket and passes the action plan. this comes at a time when the chief executive of the england and wales cricket board, that's the governing body for cricket here, has said that it was like an earthquake hitting the sport, the racism crisis that's engulfed the club. and, of course, what has happened over the last few weeks, with the powerful testimony of azeem rafiq and others, has raised serious questions about the culture and governance within the game. and that is the focus of the 12 points agreed by the game today. this 12—point action plan covers a full review of the dressing room culture and english cricket, all the way up to the international level. the removal of barriers that are preventing ethnically diverse players from getting to the recreational level to the professional ranks. and making cricket grounds, like here at lords, more welcoming for everyone — so that'll be including the food provision and the use of alcohol—free zones. on a governance level, boardroom diversity targets have been set with a deadline of april next year — and if the counties don't meet those targets, then they could expect to have their funding from the england and wales cricket board withheld. tom harrison, who's in charge of the sport here, said today that he doesn't expect this plan to be the silver bullet, it won't answer all of cricket's problems — but what he hopes it is is a good start. laura, there's been so many allegations of racism over the last few weeks — have you had any response from anyone who is alleging racism in the sport to this action plan? well, i spoke to the jahid ahmed, a former cricketer at essex who has alleged he was racially abused while at essex county cricket club, those allegations are being investigated by the county and the ecb — and he went through the plan with me, and he said he does welcome the action plan, but what he wants to see is that the momentum behind the drive to tackle racism and improve diversity is maintained. it doesn't fade away as the news agenda moves on. he said he found the dressing room was a horrible place to be — he hopes no one else goes through that same experience. love it or hate it, the annual shopping extravaganza black friday is under way. it's no longerjust a day, some retailers have been offering deals since the start of the month. this weekend, shoppers here in the uk are expected to spend over £9 billion — that's over $12 billion. but it's the first big test for retailers as they prepare for the christmas rush. our correspondent emma simpson reports. it wouldn't be black friday without big tvs, gadgets, and appliances flying off the shelves. this vast distribution hub in newark is home to britain's biggest electrical retailer. it's their most important time of the year, and the pressure's really on. it truly has been a perfect storm of shortages across the board. so we've taken on more warehousing space, we've got more stock than ever in our stores, and we've recruited over 3,200 colleagues across our business. so we've got the drivers, the warehouse staff, we've got everything we need to deliver this peak. how many playstation 5s do you have, then? never enough of the ps5s, but we've got some and we're getting more. black friday deals started even earlier this year to help spread the demand. even so, they're still processing an order every second here. this shopping bonanza is going to test many retailers to the limits, but it's the ones with the deepest pockets and the biggest clout with suppliers who'll likely cope the best. they sell a bit of magic at this small shop in york — potions and drinks. they don't do black friday, but they do need to conjure up more stock. the huge headache right now is not having the products we want on the shelves to sell. stock being stuck all over the place, from here in the uk where we can't get manufacturers to make what we need, to as far as stuck in a port in china somewhere, our giftware not being able to get onto boats because the boats aren't there. it's frustrating and it's sad. there are fewer deals this year, and some aren't all they're cracked up to be, but shoppers are spending. i always love a good deal. and especially on black friday, yeah. we didn't plan on spending as much money as we have, but we've got some. we saved a lot of money. this could turn out to be the biggest black friday yet if retailers can deliver the goods. emma simpson, bbc news, newark. just time to let you know that extremely rare honeybees have been discovered in ancient woodland in the grounds of oxfordshire's blenheim palace here in the uk. 50 miniature nests have been found in tree cavities. conservationists say the lack of chemical pesticides and managed honeybee populations on the estate have aided their survival. you can reach me on twitter — i'm @sima—kotecha. storm arwen has been buffeting the uk over recent hours. so far, the strongest wind gusts i've seen have been across coastal regions of aberdeenshire. inverbervie picking up a top gust of 78 mph. not too far behind, northumberland — 7a mph gust of wind here. those wind gusts strong enough to bring down some trees, no doubt some transport disruption out and about as we head into saturday. the peak red weather warning lapses, though, during the early hours of saturday and, as our low pressure moves southward, we'll be left with two regions of strong winds — one affecting eastern areas of scotland and northeast england, and another for wales and southwest england. both of these areas will see gusts of wind around about 60—70 mph, so still strong enough to bring down some trees. we could see some further disruption — and, as well as that, we've got some rain, some heavy snow over high ground, particularly the southern uplands and into the high highlands and over the high parts of the pennines, the cheviots, as well. could see some disruptive falls of snow high up. even low down, you might see a little bit of snowjust for a time as we head into the first parts of saturday morning. and, of course, it will be a very blustery and cold start to the day on saturday, as well, with those gusts well up, even inland, very blustery, indeed. now through the rest of saturday, we will have this zone of rain, still a bit of sleet and snow mixed in with that, although anything accumulating — well, that's not really likely to happen — anything that falls willjust melt back to rain, really, as the day goes by. but we'll keep those strong winds all day, and it will feel very, very cold — temperatures around 3—4 celsius quite widely, but factor in those winds, it will feel bitter. now, for the second half of the weekend, arwen continues to work away from the uk, it's dying. but we've still got these fairly strong northerly winds, and those northerly winds won't be feeling any warmer at all. sunday will be a day, really, of sunshine and showers. these showers ok, most frequent across northern and eastern areas, but i think there'll be a whole raft of showers working into the northwest, as well. so nowhere's immune from seeing an odd downpour. and those showers still having a wintry flavour, a bit of hail and sleet mixed in with some of those — temperatures around two celsius or so in newcastle, maybe a four in london, but again, feeling cold. now into next week, we'll see a sharpjump upwards in temperatures. turns much, much milder by tuesday, but rain and some strong winds in the week ahead. that's your latest weather. this is bbc news. the headlines... a new covid strain found in southern africa is classed a "variant of concern" by the world health organisation over fears it may be more infectious and more resistant to vaccines. the us is the latest country to impose travel restrictions to the affected countries to slow the spread. french president emmanuel macron is accusing the uk of not being serious about dealing with the migrant crisis as the diplomatic row deepens. 27 people drowned on wednesday trying to reach the uk — european ministers will meet on sunday, but the uk is not invited to the talks. one of the most influential figures