A growing list of countries have banned travel from the UK in an attempt to stop the spread of a new variant of coronavirus. The variant has forced the south-east of England into a tier four lockdown, and on Sunday, the health secretary warned it was "getting out of control". France has closed its border with the UK for 48 hours, meaning no lorries or ferry passengers can leave Dover, and Eurotunnel is closed. Ireland, Belgium, Germany, Italy, Switzerland and Canada are among the other nations who've also halted flights. There'll be a meeting of EU states in Brussels later, while Boris Johnson will chair an emergency Cobra meeting in Westminster.
The border closures are already having a significant impact, with lorries backing up on the M20. About 10,000 a day usually travel between Dover and Calais during peak periods such as Christmas, and the problems are coming on top of existing disruption due to Brexit. The Food and Drink Federation says UK supplies could be interrupted, although supermarkets insist their warehouses are well-stocked. Government sources also say the delivery of the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine won't be affected.
The number of daily coronavirus infections in the UK reached an all-time high on Sunday of 35,928. Health officials say there's no evidence the new variant is more deadly, but just increasing transmission could cause problems for hospitals. Here's everything we know about it right now. The surge in cases has prompted Northern Ireland to join the rest of the UK in drastically curbing relaxations previously put in place for Christmas. Check the rules wherever you are.

The UK's deepening coronavirus crisis comes as the clock ticks down towards the end of the Brexit transition period. Negotiators worked throughout the weekend, but failed to achieve a breakthrough. They'll be back around the table in Brussels on Monday, but Britain says it needs to see a "substantial shift" in position from the EU.
Right now, it all comes down to fishing. The UK insists it must regain sovereignty over its waters, but the EU is demanding some ongoing access for member states' fleets. Get more on why it's such a thorny issue.
The European Parliament said talks needed to have ended on Sunday in order for it to ratify a deal by 31 December. Our Europe editor Katya Adler says sign-off from the parliament isn't legally necessary to avoid a no-deal - it's approval from the UK and 27 EU nations that's crucial. But time really is running out for it to happen, and we understand there's likely to be a decision one way or the other before Christmas. What would no-deal mean? Let us explain.

Seven-time Formula 1 world champion Lewis Hamilton has been crowned BBC Sports Personality of the Year. In a public vote, Liverpool captain Jordan Henderson finished second, while jockey Hollie Doyle was third. Watch Hamilton's acceptance speech and see why many view him as the best driver in the sport's history. Footballer Marcus Rashford was honoured with a special prize for his work on food poverty, while Capt Tom Moore received the Helen Rollason award. See the full list of winners, and the moments chosen by the public as their own sporting highlights of the year.

One story dominates this morning - the imposition of travel bans on the UK. "French show no merci" is the play on words from the Sun, which says the restrictions are "stoking fears" of a breakdown in food supplies. The Daily Telegraph says the bans could affect the travel plans of 250,000 Britons. "Sick man of Europe" is the headline in the Daily Mirror, as it calls for the prime minister to issue a sincere public apology for what it calls "the fright before Christmas". "UK put into isolation by Europe" is Metro's take, while the Times has a similar assessment of the "international scramble" to "quarantine the UK". The Guardian warns a national lockdown beckons if the new coronavirus variant "spreads as fast as thought". Paul Hunter, a professor of infectious diseases, tells the i it's only a matter of time, with any easing unlikely to come until April or May. "Does the prime minister have any idea what he's doing or where he's going?" asks the Daily Mail. It urges the PM to stop "buying in to every scientific scare story" and come to "a measured conclusion based on risk". The Financial Times believes the UK needs him to show "bold but pragmatic leadership" at a very difficult time.

Two European mountaineers are embarking on a bitterly cold, week-long trek in a bid to achieve something no human has ever done before: the winter summit of K2. Find out what awaits them. Elsewhere, BBC media editor Amol Rajan reveals the best writing of 2020. And we discover the surprising science behind guide dog puppies.

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