a third case of the omicron variant of coronavirus is identified in the uk.

with concerns about how easily it may spread, people are being urged to get their boosterjabs — and from tuesday in england masks must again be worn in shops and on public transport. everyone wants us to protect the progress that we have made, and that is why we have acted very swiftly, and i believe in a proportionate way, with the news of this new variant. there's now new guidance for schools in england — masks in all communal areas for staff, visitors, and pupils fom year 7 on. and as omicron sparks border closures in several countries, we'll have all the details. also coming up: how a kudish father of three in northern iraq fears his whole family were among those who drowned in the channel. in the wake of storm arwen, tens of thousands of homes are still cut off from power supplies. seven wins for frank williams�* team. and the founder of one of the great formula one teams —

sir frank williams — has died. good evening. the health secretary says he wants to expand the uk vaccination programme as a matter of urgency, because of the new omicron variant of coronavirus. with a third case of it now detected here and more expected, ministers say they have acted swiftly in response. in england, masks will be required again in shops and on public transport — and tonight there's new guidance on masks in schools too. we'll be looking at the latest science and the impact on travel in a moment but first here's our health correspondent anna collinson. with the emergence of a heavily mutated covid variant, boosters are seen as more

important than ever. queues, like here in slough, could soon include people as young as 18, with the programme expected to be expanded sooner than planned. i think everyone wants us to protect the progress that we have made and that is why we have acted very swiftly, and i believe in a proportionate way, with the news of this new variant. a third omicron case has been detected, this time in central london. health officials say the person had links with travel from south africa and is no longer in the uk. targeted testing is also taking place in brentwood in essex and nottinghamshire, including in a school. from tomorrow, all secondary pupils and staff in england are strongly advised to wear a face covering in communal areas. so again i think this is the precautionary approach, again trying to reduce the mixing in areas where they don't know who exactly they are mixing with in communal areas, mixing between year groups, mixing again with teachers, parents and students.

from our point of view that's a good precautionary measure that will help us prevent larger outbreaks in schools. there are many unknowns with this new variant, so over the coming weeks scientists are going to try to answer some key questions — such as is it more transmissible, meaning does it spread more easily? does it cause more severe disease compared to other variants? and does it reduce the effectiveness of current covid vaccines and boosters? more cases of omicron are now seen as very likely. to control the spread, from tuesday, all uk arrivals will take a pcr test. in england, facemasks will be compulsory in shops and on public transport, moving it in line with the uk's other nations. but people are not being asked to work from home, unlike in wales, northern ireland and scotland. we are already advising people to work at home wherever that's practical and possible,

so our advice on that hasn't changed in scotland in the way it has in recent months in england. the government believes vaccines will still work against the omicron variant. the us company moderna says it should know in the coming weeks, and if needed a newjab could be available early in the new year. anna collinson, bbc news. live now to westminster and our political correspondent iain watson. iain, we had the initial measures the government announced, then this evening the new masks guidance for schools in england — how would you describe the approach? the government would say it is acting swiftly, but proportionately in the face of the new variant. but i can tell you tonight that there are concerns among conservative mps about that guidance on mask wearing in secondary schools, because it wasn't part of the initial package of measures announced by the prime minister yesterday. so some of them now fear they are on a slippery slope towards further restrictions in england. concerns have also been expressed to me about the potential

economic impact of the self isolation measures. we will give more details of those tomorrow, when regulations are laid before parliament. as for the government's political opponents, some of them think the measures are not going far enough. there are calls for tests to be introduced for travellers before they come to the uk, notjust after they come to the uk, notjust after they arrive. and labour saying people should be encouraged in england to work from home, as they are in scotland and wales. these new measures will be reviewed, mishal, a week before christmas. if boris johnson finds he has to extend them, rather than lift them, it will be a political gift for his opponents, because they will say, we told you so. in the netherlands, airport testing of passengers who had flown in from south africa has revealed more cases of the new variant. it comes as a number of countries have decided to close their borders to all incoming flights, as caroline davies reports. schiphol airport on friday night. 600 passengers from two planes to south africa were disembarked and tested.

now the dutch authorities have confirmed 13 people in this crowd did test positive for the omicron variant. those who tested negative were sent home. they include cathy hogarth, now back in the uk. she's self isolating but feels she was put at risk. i'm shocked. i feel quite vulnerable. on the planes where social distancing is difficult, however, you are wearing a face mask, you are not allowed to walk up and down the plane, we were sanitising all the time. once we got to the airport, all of that went out the window. even the buses, the transport they put us on, was crammed full of people. why has that happened? schiphol airport said it was a unique situation and they had done their best to make sure people were comfortable. others have also been affected by the variant. the cardiff rugby team and their support staff have been unable to leave south africa because of two positive covid cases. one is thought to be the omicron variant. they are now isolating at a hotel. around the world, travel restrictions are tightening.

from this morning, quarantine hotels in the uk took guests again. switzerland has announced that uk rivals will need to isolate for ten days, be double vaccinated, and take a covid test. spain has said british travellers must be vaccinated to be allowed in. and morocco has suspended all incoming flights from late tomorrow for two weeks. getting home has become increasingly complicated for some. middle east have cancelled most of the flights in and out of south africa, so you can't get back that way. there are some through europe, european nations are trying to get back to the nations, too. so to try and get out of south africa now is really difficult. meanwhile, in the uk, although the restrictions are still limited, they're already having an impact. while christmas shoppers fill the streets, some are already changing their plans. one body for the hospitality industry said that they're already seeing cancelled reservations as fragile consumer confidence is knocked again. the travel industry is also concerned that people won't make holiday bookings as long as the travel rules keep changing.

the uncertainty about the variant and where it's spread is already making business uncertain, too. caroline davies, bbc news. the latest uk coronavirus figures show more than 37,500 new infections in the latest 24—hour period. that means an average ofjust over 43,500 new cases per day in the last week. there have been another 51 deaths — that's of people who died within 28 days of a positive test result. that means the average in the last week was 121 covid—related deaths per day. and finally on vaccinations, more than 17.5 million people have now had a booster and our medical editor fergus walsh is here now. we're only a few days on from first hearing about this new variant, fergus. what do we know now? it is really early days- _ what do we know now? it is really early days- it _ what do we know now? it is really early days. it was _ what do we know now? it is really early days. it was only _ what do we know now? it is really early days. it was only identified l early days. it was only identified a week ago, only named on friday night. we are seeing science playing

out in real time here. it is spreading fast in south africa. and on paper, omicron looks like the worst variant so far. but it is all theoretical. all of the measure so far are purely precautionary. there are some scraps of encouragement. doctors in south africa who first identified the cases say it is causing a mild illness there, but the cases are predominantly in younger people. we will have to wait and see what happens when it spreads to older populations. obviously we will get more cases here, but it will get more cases here, but it will be easy to distinguish from the tens of thousands of daily delta cases, because, on a pcr test, omicron has a different genetic signature. omicron has a different genetic siunature. ~ ., ., i. ~ signature. what do you think it means for _ signature. what do you think it means for vaccines? _ signature. what do you think it means for vaccines? the - signature. what do you think it means for vaccines? the great | signature. what do you think it - means for vaccines? the great thing about the new _ means for vaccines? the great thing about the new vaccine _ means for vaccines? the great thing about the new vaccine technologiesl about the new vaccine technologies as they can be tweaked really, really fast come in a matter of months. and they shouldn't need to go through a lengthy clinical trial, because it will be a tweaked vaccine, a bit like the updated flu jabs we get each year. but we might not need them. the current vaccines we have are all against the original

wuhan strain, and that provides very strong protection against alpha, delta, all of the variance, so hopefully it will provide protection against omicron, too. four days after the bodies of people who drowned in the channel while trying to reach the uk were discovered, the identities of all 27 are yet to be confirmed. many are thought to be kurds from northern iraq, and as the days go on without news, families there fear the worst. the bbc�*s murad shishani has the story of one man whose wife and three children are believed to have been on the boat. for those waiting for news, the uncertainty is almost as difficult as the grief. this man's wife and three children wanted to come to the uk to start a new life. away from their village, uk to start a new life. away from theirvillage, in iraqi kurdistan. his oldest daughter had wanted to

study to become a doctor. translation:— study to become a doctor. translation: ., , ., ., , , translation: fathers and mothers try to make their— translation: fathers and mothers try to make their children _ translation: fathers and mothers try to make their children better. - translation: fathers and mothers try to make their children better. i - to make their children better. i am a father, i love my kids. i want my children to have a good life. but the last time — children to have a good life. but the last time he heard from them was on tuesday, as they were boarding a boat. he says he called hundreds of times, with no answer. the next day, french authorities polled 27 people from the water. and because of delays identifying the dead, rizgal does not know if his wife and children are among them. translation: i don't know if they are dead or alive, i won't believe anything unless i see my children here will find in hospital. he anything unless i see my children here will find in hospital.- here will find in hospital. he had even sold the _ here will find in hospital. he had even sold the family _ here will find in hospital. he had even sold the family house to i here will find in hospital. he had l even sold the family house to tape people smugglers for the journey. it is an expensive and illegal way to get to europe. an estimated 40,000 people have left the region in the past year using the smuggler

network. i am on my way to meet one such smuggler, he was not involved with rizgal�*s family. they called them the middleman here. he agreed to talk to me on condition of anonymity. he is directing me to a place of his choice, insisting that my time with him should be quick and short. do you regret being in this business after seeing what happened at the english channel? translation: how can i not regret? _ english channel? translation: firm" can i not regret? they are iraqi, they are muslim, even if they were palestinian, iraqi, jordanian, syrian, they are still human beings. whoever it is, it is as though it is my son, or even one of my relatives. it is a crime against humanity.

rizgal looks at family photos of happier times as he waits for news. but after five days, he is happier times as he waits for news. but afterfive days, he is beginning to lose hope. meanwhile in calais, there were talks today about the channel crossings between immigration ministers from france, germany, the netherlands and belgium. the uk wasn't invited — following a growing diplomatic rift. lucy williamson is in calais. what was the outcome of the talks? well, this was really a big show of european solidarity. capped with the announcement that europe's border forces going to begin patrolling the channel from the 1st of december, helping french, dutch and german police spotted people smuggling networks, and also give an early warning sign for anyone who looks like they are trying to cross the channel. of course, the uk has long said that anything that stops migrants from getting to the french

beachesin migrants from getting to the french beaches in the first place is a good thing. but the home secretary, of course, was not here to give her views in person, because she has been dis— invited. in her absence, there was a little bit of criticism. the french interior minister said that when the french asked for intelligence, they didn't always get the response they expected. and he said that the relationship with the uk was, as he put it, not easy. but they did want to work with their british ally, the meeting today, without the home secretary, was not anti—british, he said, it was pro—european. anti-british, he said, it was pro-european.— anti-british, he said, it was pro-european. anti-british, he said, it was --ro-euroean. , ~ ., pro-european. lucy williamson in calais. forecasters are warning tonight could be the coldest of the season — with temperatures dropping to as low as minus 10 degrees in parts of the uk. in eastern scotland and the east of england weather warnings remain in place following storm arwen — and tens of thousands of homes are still without power. here's our scotland correspondent alexandra mackenzie. storm arwen brought winds of over 90 mph. the damage caused was extensive.

scottish power said it was the worst in many years — like here in lockerbie. trees were blown onto power lines. in the town of kintore in aberdeenshire, people are doing what they can to stay warm and fed. but they don't know when their electricity will be restored. we've had no power since friday night, when some big trees took down the cables beside our house. so we've got my 97—year—old dad in the village, so he's got power now, thankfully. but it doesn't look as though we'll be getting any power any time soon. thousands of people in wales are also without power. carmarthenshire is one of the worst—affected areas, and attempts to resolve the problem resumed early this morning. we rely heavily on electric for everything in the household now. we can't even make a cup of tea. the simple things in life have been taken away from us. it's also been a struggle across parts of the north of england. you can't eat, you can't cook.

you can't have a drink, you can't have a shower or anything. so we've just been surviving off the last bits of the hot water. and then we've had to sleep with all our clothes on because it's been so cold in the bedrooms. i can't even tell you how cold it is. here in east lothian, some are making the most of the winter weather and freezing temperatures. alexandra mackenzie, bbc news. there's growing international concern about the conflict in ethiopia and its impact on the civilian population. for the last year, different groups from across the country have been fighting the government of president abiy ahmed — with the most significant tigrayan rebels from the north advancing closer to the capital addis ababa. the government has been recruiting more people to serve as soldiers — but a worsening humanitarian situation means over 9 million ethiopians are now facing hunger. our africa correspondent andrew harding reports.

a late night road block in ethiopia's capital and a hunt for rebels from the northern region of tigray. these patrols are manned by civilians, volunteers eager to support the ethiopian government at a time of civil war. they have already detained thousands of people, under a sweeping state of emergency that has been heavily criticised as arbitrary by human rights groups. "we found a lot of suspicious items, including guns and explosive devices," says this neighbourhood organiser. access to the conflict itself is heavily restricted, but the ethiopian government has released this footage, reportedly from the front lines, far north of the capital. it shows the prime minister himself surrounded by his soldiers, and visible holding a satellite phone. translation: our role | is to lead from the front. we had one victory here today, and we will continue with many greater victories.

but who is really winning? tigrayan rebels are parading captured ethiopian soldiers, thousands of prisoners of war. the tigrayans insist theirforces have the momentum, but they are fighting on many fronts and the tide could yet turn. the conflict is certainly spreading, and with it a humanitarian crisis that began in tigray, turned into a famine and is now affecting other regions of ethiopia. again, access is a appropriate. —— again, access is a problem. as the volatile conflict spreads across north ethiopia, we are seeing more and more populations fall into a dire situation. now there are more than 9.4 million people who are in need of food assistance, because of — as a direct impact of the conflict. back in the ethiopian capital donations of food are gathered

to send to government troops. and here, a ceremony for new army volunteers, young and old. an official from the governing party salutes this mother's courage. translation: i'm ready to give my i life for my country at any time. i more recruits for the night—time patrols too. but as ethiopians rally to the cause, the concern is that neighbours are turning on neighbours, in a conflict that may be spinning further out of control. andrew harding, bbc news, south africa. ground breaking fashion designer virgil abloh has died of cancer at the age of 41. abloh became louis vuitton�*s first african—american artistic director in 2018 and founded his own fashion

label, "off—white", with clients including rihanna, kanye west and naomi campbell. in a statement his family said he wanted to "open doors for others" to create "greater equality" in the world of art and design. and there have been tributes today to sir frank williams, founder of the williams formula 1 team, after his death at the age of 79. during his time the team won nine constructors' championships and seven drivers�* titles. lizzie greenwood hughes looks back at his life. in a sport so dominated by global big business, frank williams made formula 1 a family affair. the former salesman was a pioneer, building up his motor racing team from nothing, starting in an empty carpet warehouse in oxfordshire and going on to become the best in the world. seven wins for frank williams�* team, up to the chequered flag and past it goes alan jones. .. i've had a wonderful life, wouldn't have changed anything, truthfully.

an exciting business. always something to worry about, which can be quite healthy, actually. it's been very good to me. in total, williams racing won nine constructors�* and seven drivers titles. mansell finishes andi he's world champion. and damon hill wins- the japanese grand prix. and i've got to stop, because i've got a lump in my throat! - and perhaps there could have been many more, had he managed to sign a young lewis hamilton. the record—breaking driver instead choosing mclaren. but hamilton�*s tribute today shows just how much respect they had for each other. describing him as one of the kindest people he had met in the sport, and adding, what he achieved something special. williams�* success was all the more incredible, considering many of his victories came after a serious spinal injury in 1986.

an inconvenience, it was what he called it. ayrton senna was a driver williams idolised, and his tragic death while driving for him is something the family described as heartbreaking. the williams family eventually bowed out of the sport last year. but the team which bears his name, add to which he dedicated his life, lives on. sir frank willams, who has died at the age of 79. that�*s it. now on bbc one it�*s time for the news where you are. goodbye.

hello. this is bbc news.

more now on the death of the f1 legend, sir frank williams. sirjackie stewart obe is a three time formula 1 world champion, and knew sir frank well. he shared some of his memories with me earlier this evening. he was an incredible achiever. he started with little or no money in motor racing, and less with formulas, and had some of the very good drivers for him in the lower classes, and then of course finally he went into formula one, and when he did that, he did it with great style and expertise, by which time he knew how to go and get money from people to make his motor racing pay. and he was the one who got originally, from saudi arabia, major sponsorship for the williams grand prix car, and it was a relatively small factory to begin with, but it ended up to be one

of the most beautiful facilities for motor racing in the world, as it still is today in that very same place. so frank created an enormous amount. he was a great brit, and he had a wonderful sense of humour. we had great times together. i once ran out of petrol near silverstone, it was he who stopped to give me a lift to get some petrol and he neverforgave me for it. so we had lots of fun together. he didn�*t approve of the stewart tartan trousers, and he, he said that "of course i would never wear those," and i said "if we won a grand prix, frank, would you wear the trousers?" "of course, because you�*ll never win a grand prix, stewart grand prix." "well, we did win a grand prix and frank had to wear the tartan trousers. he was a friend to the end and it was sad that he was so ill at the end, that, in a way, today he has passed way in peace, today he has passed away in peace,

and for that, i think frank would appreciate that. he was a wonderful man, wonderful for british motor sport. very proud of his knighthood, and correctly he got a nice knighthood, and he brought along so many, many successful grand prix drivers to the very top and win world championships. i mean, you mention his illness at the end there, but of course one major life defining was his car accident? 1986, wasn�*t it. i wonder, can you give us a sense of how he coped with those life—changing injuries? well, for many, many weeks, he was unconscious, he was never — he had a great doctor, sid watkins was looking after him, and more than once sid called me to see if i thought it was better for frank to slip away, because he

was in deep unconsciousness. i thought "oh no, we can�*t do that, we have to keep trying," and of course sid watkins who was the man who pulled him through in the end. he then corrected himself into such a fashion that he went back to formula one, as a team principal. of course, with the paralysis completely, it was an amazing manner that he went about his business, and everybody respected frank. he was safe as houses every where he went. he was a great brit and he was very proud to be british, and a great admirer of her majesty the queen. that was his great statement at all times. frank will never be forgotten, he did so much for british motor sport, carried it with such style, and sadly, the road accident that caused his paralysis and so forth, he overcame that in a fashion that i don�*t think i�*ve ever seen anyone else take on that challenge that he had, because he truly was completely helpless in a way,

and yet his mind was there. and continued to, you know, to show that off and have drivers win world championships. and it is extraordinary in some ways that his greatest successes came after that accident, what does that tell us? well, thatjust again shows you the greatness of the man. he had wonderful people round him. he had a wonderful chief designer, who is still with us, and that relationship will last forever, for both of them, even in heaven, they will be there. so frank had good friends, and few friends but good friends, he chose very carefully who he had friends with, but he was very good at raising money into motor sport in a big way. it�*s a cut throat business, you know that, it is full of a lot of big egos as well, isn�*t it, and i wondered if you could give me

finally a little insight into what was his style to navigate some of those big personalities? modesty. he never saw himself as a great man, he always was modest. he was good with other people, he was very good motivating people, engineers, so forth. so therefore he had that skill, and everybody believed him and everybody trusted him, that�*s the other thing, and he chose good people, and they stayed with him. many of the williams people are still in the team, because of where frank brought them. so he brought people along, he built people, and really, i think i can�*t say enough for frank. i mean, frank was just one of those very special people. he was a great brit, he was so proud of great britain, and when he got his knighthood, it was the biggest thing that could ever have happened in his life. it was wonderful and it was great he got that, great privilege.