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Covid: Scientists deeply concerned over new variant says health secretary

Scientists are deeply concerned about a new Covid-19 variant, the health secretary has said.

Speaking to reporters about new travel restrictions, Sajid Javid said it was right to "remain cautious".

From 12:00 GMT on 26 November six countries will be added to the red list - all flights from South Africa, Namibia, Zimbabwe, Botswana, Lesotho and Eswatini are being suspended.

Read more: Coronavirus variant fear sparks Africa travel curbs

25 November 2021

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Dawit Isaak

The courageous father in jail for 23 years

A famer standing in the middle of the flooded farm

'My farm was destroyed by drought then floods - I am confused'

Farmer Mema Fwa standing in a waterlogged field of dead crops

‘When I saw my farm submerged, I was confused’

Image show a tearful Mohanad

'They ransacked my home and left my town in ruins'

Starlink terminal outdoors

Is Elon Musk’s Starlink a game changer for Africa?

Mourners read the order of service at Rebecca Cheptegei's funeral. One of the two women holds a baby

Funeral of Ugandan Olympian killed by ex-partner takes place

Cheptegei running

Rebecca Cheptegei: ‘An inspiration to girls in her community'

Miss South Africa

'I never thought someone like me could become Miss South Africa'

Baby Ummi at an MSF clinic

‘They cry of hunger once they notice there’s no milk’

Shamsa holding a mobile phone

'Now I know how it feels to be a full woman'

Sudanese pupils at a refugee camp in Chad

The school bringing hope to children fleeing Sudan's war

BBC News

UK Elections 2024: Why should Africans care?

In the distance the sky is illuminated by fire and bellowing smoke after an ammunition dump in Chad's capital caught fire.

Fatalities after fire engulfs large ammunition dump in Chad

Travel vlogger Tayo Aina points to a southern African country on a wall map.

‘And my favourite place in Africa is…’

A damaged car and houses in Omdurman, March 2024

UN arms embargo violated in Sudan, investigation finds

Image of two men in front of barbed wire

LGBTQ+ photo exhibition comes to Tate Modern

A diver filming the corals underwater.

Zanzibar's ingenious solution to protect its coral

A wide shot showing a tornado-like storm in the distance

'Tornado-like' storm devastates town in South Africa

Marjorie Taylor Green and Anthony Fauci

'You're mister, not doctor': Fauci grilled by Taylor Greene

A woman casts her vote in the South African 2024 election

South Africa votes, here's what people had to say

A snowy tree in Llanuwchllyn, Gwynedd

Watch: Snowy scenes as cold snap hits UK

Several weather warnings have been issued as the first snow of the season hit parts of the UK.

A group of schoolchildren in purple jumpers singing Happy Birthday to King Charles

Children sing Happy Birthday to the King

The monarch smiled as the group of youngsters sang to him with their teachers during a visit for a food poverty project.

A composite image of June Spencer as a young and older woman

Watch: June Spencer recounts her lifetime on The Archers

The radio star, who played Peggy Woolley in The Archers, has died aged 105.

Antonio Banderas looking at a Blue Peter badge next to Olivia Colman who is excitedly putting her badge on. A sign in the background reads Paddington in Peru

Watch: Colman's Blue Peter badge delight baffles co-star

The Oscar-winning actress appeared overwhelmed with joy when presenter Shini Muthukrishnan awarded her the badge.

Prince William playing rugby with school children in Cape Town

Prince William plays rugby with children in Cape Town

The Prince of Wales is on a trip in South Africa promoting his Earthshot environmental prize.

a woman looking at an off-screen interviewer. Her gaze is direct and she is wearing a black top and plum-coloured lipstick

'Little girls were threatened in the most depraved way'

Catherine Kierans from the PPS explains how Alexander McCartney abused young girls online.

King Charles standing at a podium

King: 'It is vital that we understand our history'

King Charles says says "the most painful aspects of our past continue to resonate" in a speech to Commonwealth leaders.

A still from the bodycam footage showing the moments before Chris Kaba was shot

Bodycam video shows moments before Chris Kaba shooting

Police release bodycam footage showing moments before Chris Kaba is shot.

Scorpion

'Our flatmate found a scorpion in her Shein parcel'

A university student had a shock when she found a live scorpion in a clothing parcel from fast fashion firm Shein.

Princess of Wales

Kate in Southport for surprise first public visit since chemo

The Princess of Wales arrives in Southport for her first official engagement since finishing cancer treatment.

Learner motorbike rider uses phone while overtaking

Watch: Dangerous driving caught on camera

More people are being prosecuted for dangerous driving thanks to a huge increase in footage submitted to police by the public.

King Charles dancing

'He's got the moves' - King tries Samoan dance

The King and Queen met guests representing the Commonwealth at a St James's Palace reception.

Prince William and David Beckham pose in front of a helicopter

'East End boy' Beckham helps with Prince William fundraiser

Beckham says he was "excited and proud" to help raise money for the London Air Ambulance service.

Prince Harry smiles at WellChild Awards

Prince Harry arrives in London for charity awards

Prince Harry poses for photographs as he visits London for the WellChild Awards ceremony.

Harrison in the water, the sun is shining on the water and there is a boat behind him

Teenager swims Bristol Channel before rugby game

Harrison, 15, swam "non-stop" for several hours, then played rugby the next morning.

Huw Edwards outside court

Watch: Silent Huw Edwards arrives at court

The former BBC News presenter has arrived at Westminster Magistrates’ Court filmed by TV cameras, photographers and watched by journalists.

Gary Lineker, Joe Hart and Danny Murphy sit in the Match of the Day studio, with a backdrop of the Royal Albert Hall

Match of the day or Last Night of the Proms? Well, it's both!

To mark the 60th anniversary of Match of the Day, the football pundits had a go at some Proms commentary.

King Charles grins as three rugby players wearing black New Zealand t-shirts give him hug

Watch: King surprised by 'very healing' hug with rugby players

King Charles laughed after accepting the surprise offer from a player on New Zealand's women's team.

Emily Maitlis

Emily Maitlis reflects on impact of Prince Andrew interview

The 2019 interview, widely viewed as a "car-crash", saw the prince talk candidly to Maitlis about his friendship with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.

Dionne Barrett

'Absolutely sickening': Mum reacts to early release of son's killer

Dionne Barrett said it is 'absolutely sickening' that a man jailed for her son's manslaughter will be released.