�*welcome to newsday, reporting live from singapore, i'm karishma vaswani. the headlines. the uk prime minister borisjohnson introduces new covid restrictions, but there are claims of politics over the timing. it is now the proportionate and the responsible thing to move to plan b in england while continuing to work closely with their colleagues in the devolved administrations so we slow the spread of the virus. pfizer says a three—shot course of their covid vaccine — is effective against the omicron variant. in other news, india's top military commander is killed in a helicopter crash.

and listen to this. it's the sound of an indonesian coral reef coming back to life it's seven in the morning in singapore, and ”pm in london where the british prime minister boris johnson has become the latest world leader to announce the return of coronavirus restrictions. the so—called plan b is an attempt to halt the spread of the omicron variant. from monday, people in england will be encouraged to work from home wherever possible. but more immediately, from friday, facemasks will have to be worn in most public indoor venues. that includes theatres,

cinemas, and restaurants. and the nhs covid pass will now be mandatory for nightclubs and other venues with large crowds. some mps though have questioned borisjohnson�*s credibility to announce these measures after claims his own staff broke covid restrictions last christmas. laura kuenssberg reports. borisjohnson stuck boris johnson stuck with two problems together. sick and some of the public and what he reckons needs to happen now to push back the virus. the danger to notice the fiasco of problem one which makes problem too much harder to solve. the variance spreading at lightning speed, in the countries most senior scientists were back on the platform. scientists were back on the platform-— scientists were back on the latform.~ ., , scientists were back on the latform. ~ ., , ., platform. we cannot yet assume that omicron is less _ platform. we cannot yet assume that omicron is less severe _ platform. we cannot yet assume that omicron is less severe than _ platform. we cannot yet assume that omicron is less severe than previousl omicron is less severe than previous variance. so, while the picture may get better and i sincerely hope that

it will, we know that the remorseless logic of exponential growth could lead to a big resin hospitalisations and therefore sadly indents. and that is why it's not the proportionate and the responsible thing to move to plan bin b in england. how can you stand there were _ b in england. how can you stand there were some _ b in england. how can you stand there were some of— b in england. how can you stand there were some of your - b in england. how can you stand there were some of your team . b in england. how can you stand - there were some of your team laughed and joked about covid—i9 rules and told people they must now follow your new instructions and do you really asked the public to believe that you had no idea what was going on under your own roof? the that you had no idea what was going on under your own roof?— on under your own roof? the british ublic on under your own roof? the british public notwithstanding _ on under your own roof? the british public notwithstanding the - on under your own roof? the british public notwithstanding the point - public notwithstanding the point that you make, can see the vital importance of the medical information that we are giving. he pleaded with you to separate political shenanigans from protecting health.- political shenanigans from protecting health. political shenanigans from rotectin: health. , protecting health. people get very an: , protecting health. people get very angry. including — protecting health. people get very angry, including colleagues - protecting health. people get very angry, including colleagues and i angry, including colleagues and friends — angry, including colleagues and friends when they feel that it is

unfain — friends when they feel that it is unfain in — friends when they feel that it is unfair. in the premise to set than the house — unfair. in the premise to set than the house of commons and he said it today _ the house of commons and he said it today that_ the house of commons and he said it today. that is quite different from people. _ today. that is quite different from people, wanting things to connect to know what's going on in making decisions — know what's going on in making decisions. those need to be separated. decisions. those need to be separated-— decisions. those need to be searated. ., ., ., separated. the reason for that outra . e separated. the reason for that outrage is _ separated. the reason for that outrage is apparent _ separated. the reason for that outrage is apparent in - separated. the reason for that - outrage is apparent in confirmation and a practice press conference that there was a party in downing street last christmas when socialising was banned for all. this last christmas when socialising was banned for all.— banned for all. this fictional party was a business _ banned for all. this fictional party was a business meeting _ banned for all. this fictional party was a business meeting and - banned for all. this fictional party was a business meeting and it - banned for all. this fictional party l was a business meeting and it was not socially — was a business meeting and it was not socially distanced. _ was a business meeting and it was not socially distanced. one - was a business meeting and it was not socially distanced.— not socially distanced. one of the aids that was — not socially distanced. one of the aids that was laughing, - not socially distanced. one of the aids that was laughing, those - not socially distanced. one of the i aids that was laughing, those jokes turning to tears. denying the party was not her decision and she paid with herjob. mr; was not her decision and she paid with herjob-_ with her 'ob. my 'okes seem to make liuht with her 'ob. my 'okes seem to make li . ht of with herjob. my 'okes seem to make li . ht of the with herjob. my jokes seem to make light of the rules. _ with herjob. my jokes seem to make light of the rules. people _ with herjob. my jokes seem to make light of the rules. people were - light of the rules. people were doing — light of the rules. people were doing everything _ light of the rules. people were doing everything to _ light of the rules. people were doing everything to obey - light of the rules. people were i doing everything to obey them. light of the rules. people were . doing everything to obey them. i light of the rules. people were - doing everything to obey them. i was never— doing everything to obey them. i was never my— doing everything to obey them. i was never my intention. _ doing everything to obey them. i was never my intention. and _ doing everything to obey them. i was never my intention. and i— doing everything to obey them. i was never my intention. and i will- never my intention. and i will regret— never my intention. and i will regret those _ never my intention. and i will regret those remarks - never my intention. and i will regret those remarks for- never my intention. and i will regret those remarks for the i never my intention. and i will. regret those remarks for the rest never my intention. and i will- regret those remarks for the rest of my days _ regret those remarks for the rest of my days and — regret those remarks for the rest of my days and i— regret those remarks for the rest of my days and i apologise _ regret those remarks for the rest of my days and i apologise to - regret those remarks for the rest of my days and i apologise to all - regret those remarks for the rest of my days and i apologise to all of. my days and i apologise to all of those _ my days and i apologise to all of those at —

my days and i apologise to all of those at home, _ my days and i apologise to all of those at home, all— my days and i apologise to all of those at home, all of— my days and i apologise to all of those at home, all of you - my days and i apologise to all of those at home, all of you who i my days and i apologise to all of l those at home, all of you who lost loved _ those at home, all of you who lost loved ones — those at home, all of you who lost loved ones and _ those at home, all of you who lost loved ones and endured _ those at home, all of you who lostl loved ones and endured intolerable loneliness — loved ones and endured intolerable loneliness and _ loved ones and endured intolerable loneliness and struggled _ loved ones and endured intolerable loneliness and struggled with - loved ones and endured intolerable loneliness and struggled with yourl loneliness and struggled with your businesses. — loneliness and struggled with your businesses. i_ loneliness and struggled with your businesses, i am _ loneliness and struggled with your businesses, i am truly— loneliness and struggled with your businesses, i am truly sorry. - loneliness and struggled with your businesses, i am truly sorry. andl businesses, i am truly sorry. and this afternoon, _ businesses, i am truly sorry. and this afternoon, i— businesses, i am truly sorry. and this afternoon, i am _ businesses, i am truly sorry. and this afternoon, i am offering - businesses, i am truly sorry. and this afternoon, i am offering myl this afternoon, i am offering my resignation _ this afternoon, i am offering my resignation to _ this afternoon, i am offering my resignation to the _ this afternoon, i am offering my resignation to the prime - this afternoon, i am offering my. resignation to the prime minister. thank_ resignation to the prime minister. thank you — resignation to the prime minister. thank you for— resignation to the prime minister. thank you for your— resignation to the prime minister. thank you for your time. - resignation to the prime minister. thank you for your time. but- resignation to the prime minister. thank you for your time.— thank you for your time. but her exit would _ thank you for your time. but her exit would not _ thank you for your time. but her exit would not be _ thank you for your time. but her exit would not be the _ thank you for your time. but her exit would not be the end - thank you for your time. but her exit would not be the end of- exit would not be the end of questions to borisjohnson. at first, he started with an apology and announced an investigation. i share the anger up and down the country at sea number ten staff seeming to make light of lockdown measures. and i can understand how infuriating it must be to think that the people who have been setting the rules have not been following the rules, mrspeaker. because i rules have not been following the rules, mr speaker. because i was also furious to see that clip. in mr speaker, i apologise, also furious to see that clip. in mr speaker, iapologise, i also furious to see that clip. in mr speaker, i apologise, i apologise unreservedly. i advised the cabinet secretary to establish all the facts. , ,

facts. the prime minister, the government — facts. the prime minister, the government spent _ facts. the prime minister, the government spent the - facts. the prime minister, the government spent the week i facts. the prime minister, the - government spent the week telling the british public that there was no party _ the british public that there was no party all_ the british public that there was no party. all guidance was followed completely. millions of people now think the _ completely. millions of people now think the prime minister was taking them _ think the prime minister was taking them for— think the prime minister was taking them for fools. and that they were li-ht them for fools. and that they were tight to _ them for fools. and that they were li . ht to. �* . them for fools. and that they were liuht to. ~ ., ., ., them for fools. and that they were liuhtto. ~ ., ., ., ., , light to. and a moment to raise the anon of light to. and a moment to raise the agony of constituents _ light to. and a moment to raise the agony of constituents who - light to. and a moment to raise the agony of constituents who lost - light to. and a moment to raise the | agony of constituents who lost loved ones agony of constituents who lost loved one , , ., , ., agony of constituents who lost loved one , , ., ., ones she is devastated and appalled at recent revelations _ ones she is devastated and appalled at recent revelations as _ ones she is devastated and appalled at recent revelations as to _ ones she is devastated and appalled at recent revelations as to what - ones she is devastated and appalled at recent revelations as to what has| at recent revelations as to what has gone _ at recent revelations as to what has gone on _ at recent revelations as to what has gone on in — at recent revelations as to what has gone on in downing _ at recent revelations as to what has gone on in downing street. - at recent revelations as to what has gone on in downing street. it- at recent revelations as to what has gone on in downing street. [it is. gone on in downing street. it is something _ gone on in downing street. it is something i— gone on in downing street. it is something i would _ gone on in downing street. something i would never ever gone on in downing street.- something i would never ever get over. ,, something i would never ever get over. , w something i would never ever get over. ,, .,, ., ., over. she lost her father and her sister. when _ over. she lost her father and her sister. when i— over. she lost her father and her sister. when i saw _ over. she lost her father and her sister. when i saw the _ over. she lost her father and her sister. when i saw the video, it i sister. when i saw the video, it sickened me — sister. when i saw the video, it sickened me and _ sister. when i saw the video, it sickened me and as _ sister. when i saw the video, it sickened me and as discussed l sister. when i saw the video, it | sickened me and as discussed in thinking, how can a laugh and so many people are going through so much heart ache and pain. i'm finding it very hard to swallow, to take instruction from the government, especially after this. this is a miserable and dangerous moment for downing street. it's not just about whether a few dozen staff had drinks in their last year, but

whether the truth has been told. whether you can put faith and with the government sets from day—to—day, or guidance or even demands from ministers for what you have to do. with the virus creeping back in tighter restrictions too, it is no time for authority to be draining away. the prime minister may be pushing the button on plan b to cope with the pandemic, but this christmas, borisjohnson may need a plan b for his leadership too. pfizer—biontech say three doses of their covid vaccine have been able to neutralise the new omicron variant of coronavirus, following initial tests. but they said two doses may not be sufficient to protect against infection from the new variant. it all underlines the importance of getting fully vaccinated, as our medical editor fergus walsh reports. morning.

there are many remarkable stories of survival against the odds on covid wards. this patient was admitted to university hospital coventry six weeks ago, pregnant and unvaccinated. she was put on a ventilator and her baby, now in special care, was delivered at 26 weeks. i nearly died. and i wish i had that vaccine, i wish i knew how bad a pregnant i nearly died. and i wish i had that vaccine, i wish i knew how bad a pregnant woman can get by not being vaccinated, and the risks of covid. this covid has ruined my life. so you didn't see your daughterfor a month? no, i didn't see her because i was in a coma, and that is a parent's worst nightmare. there are many who are admitted who wish they could turn back the clock and have had their covid jab. four out of five patients on the covid wards here are unvaccinated and although it is much less busy than back injanuary, there is real concern

about what the coming weeks may bring. a small laboratory study by pfizer biontech has suggested three doses of their covid vaccine produce sufficient antibodies to neutralise the omicron variant, with two doses likely to stop severe disease. it is not real—world evidence but it underlines the vital nature of boosting immunity. we are turbo—charging the programme again. we have almost 3000 centres open, more vaccine centres than we have ever had. we are recruiting 42,000 extra volunteers and of course we freed up gps so they can spend more time vaccinating. it is a year to the day since margaret keenan became the first person in the world to get the pfizer vaccine outside of a trial. reunited with the nurse who gave her thejob, 92 next week, she urged those still unvaccinated to come forward. please, please do, do have the jab.

because it does save your life and the life of your friends and family and the nhs as well, of course. you are a global icon now. iam! people meet me in the street and they say, "thank god for you because i wasn't going to have this jab." and it's lovely to hear that, you know. since then, more than 51 million people in the uk have been vaccinated, but the pandemic is still far from over. fergus walsh, bbc news, coventry. i'm joined now by dr sumit chanda, infectious disease researcher at the scripps research department of immunology and microbiology. pfizer — saying that two doses of the vaccine may not be enough — but three might — so is this definitive then — do we all need boosters?

this is preliminary data that is been done outside of the human body and using, essentially a test tube to determine this result and so, the definitive data will be looking at hospitalisations and deaths across europe and the us and comparing those versus those with too. but right now, the data suggested that a third shot is more protective and optimal than a two dose regimen. what about the research on the other vaccines — like moderna — and astrazeneca — how effective are they? its early days and the data still

needs to come in. based on the biology of the vaccine, there are delivering the same and we are seeing a diminishment of antibodies from all the vaccines. so it stands to reason that all of the vaccines we need a booster dose for their efficacy against omicron. how much do we know at this stage about how transmissible omicron is — and how severe the illness it causes? the data that we're seeing is exclusive to south africa which is a specific demographic and our question except to admit to extrapolating that data to a worldwide scenario. but if we look at this, look says it least transmissible if not more is delta. it is now driving the spike in

infections in south africa. their initial reports that it is causing severe, less severe illness and this could be extremely good news because this could be a harbinger of how this could be a harbinger of how this pandemic ends, were removed for more transmissible, but less pathogenic virus.— more transmissible, but less pathogenic virus. based on what ou've pathogenic virus. based on what you've just _ pathogenic virus. based on what you've just said, _ pathogenic virus. based on what you've just said, can _ pathogenic virus. based on what you've just said, can you - pathogenic virus. based on what | you've just said, can you forecast what the path of the evolution of this virus is going to be? you know, i think the coronavirus _ this virus is going to be? you know, i think the coronavirus is _ this virus is going to be? you know, i think the coronavirus is really - i think the coronavirus is really fooled us at every turn and so, i've gone from forecasting. my sense is given the transmissibility of this, the initial reports of transmissibility, it will likely be the dominant variable around the world. and the key questions are going to be the one that you asked,

whether vaccines still protect against the omicron variant in a meaningful way, will he protect people from getting hospitalised and dying? and also, does this virus send people to the hospital was white thank you forjoining us on newsday with your thoughts. if you want to net newsday with your thoughts. if you want to get in _ newsday with your thoughts. if you want to get in touch _ newsday with your thoughts. if you want to get in touch with _ newsday with your thoughts. if you want to get in touch with me - newsday with your thoughts. if you want to get in touch with me on - newsday with your thoughts. if you want to get in touch with me on any of the stories that you've seen. if you want to get in touch with me i'm on twitter — @bbckarishma you're watching newsday on the bbc. still to come on the programme. a new chancellor and a new era for germany, as olaf scholz takes over from angela merkel. john lennon was shot at the entrance of the dakota building in the centre of new york.

there's been a crowd here standing and putting on a silent vigil and the flowers have been piling up. the 14th cease—fire of this war ended at the walls of the old city. witnesses say that the shells were landing every 20 seconds. people up celebrating the passing of a man they hold people are celebrating the passing of a man they hold responsible for hundreds of deaths and oppression. elsewhere, people have been gathering to mourn his passing. the widow of the former president of the philippines has _ gone on trial in manila. i she is facing seven charges of taxl evasion, estimated as £120 million. she pleaded not guilty. the prince and princess of wales are to separate. they said the decision had been reached amicably. this is newsday on the bbc. in singapore.

our headlines. with the omicron variant spreading rapidly, borisjohnson introduces new covid restrictions for england. pfizer says a three—shot course of their covid vaccine — is effective against the omicron variant. india's top military commander has died in a helicopter crash, in the southern state of tamil nadu. chief of defence staff — general bipin rawat — his wife and 11 others — were killed when their helicopter came down, in hills near coonoor city. one survivor is being treated for his injuries in hospital. our south asia correspondent rajini vaidyanathan reports. the general was killed in that helicopter crash in south india was on board with his wife and a number of defence officials. the general was the chief of the defence staff here in india, a very powerful role in the country,

overseeing the army, the navy and air force. it was a new role created in 2019. and the general was very close to india's prime minister who has paid tribute to him today in a series of tweets, the prime minister described the general as a true patriot and an outstanding soldier and said he was deeply saddened by the news. he said that he modernised india's armed forces and security apparatus and described him as exceptional. the general oversaw a number of key military operations in india including an indian administered kashmir and at the border with china so there is — this is a big day in india and it is big news are many so, this is a big day in india and it is big news are many people are mourning his loss.

germany's new chancellor, olaf scholz, leader of the social democrats, has been sworn in, closing the long chapter of angela merkel�*s 16 years as the head of government. he's just the fourth chancellor of germany in nearly forty years — as our correspondentjenny hill reports from berlin. in the powerful heart of europe, a new political era has begun. no pomp, little ceremony... olaf scholz isn't known for his charisma or stirring speeches, but the social democrat and former finance minister's style, his manner, his politics, remind many germans of angela merkel, and they like him for it. mr scholz had promised the country a new government for christmas. his other pledges, to create a fairer, more liberal society, and a climate friendly country, may be harder to keep. angela merkel has done a greatjob but i think now

it was a time for something new, something more green. translation: now we have something different but they have _ to prove themselves. that mr scholz managed to form a government at all is seen by some as nothing short of a miracle. he will have to hold to get an unusual coalition. the social democrats, the greens, and the business friendly free democrats are not natural bedfellows. this is an historic day for germany and there is a real sense of excitement at the political changes unfolding here. what the rest of the world wants to know is what does this mark to know is does this mark a significant shift in germany's wider positions and policies? for now, it seems the answer is no. olaf scholz championed the eu, likes a multilateral approach. his government plans to spend more on defence and will stick to nato commitments. you might see some shift on russia and china, in tone at least, if not in substance.

this man was once angela merkel�*s foreign policy adviser. the outside world will be surprised that there will be much more continuity and change. there are many people who like to have this type of stability in germany. after 16 years, the merkel era is over. earlier, she wished mr scholz luck. he will need it. germany is experiencing its worst covid wave to date. the chancellor's first task — to develop, like his predecessor, a reputation for managing a crisis. jenny hill, bbc news, berlin. president biden will host what he's calling a 'summit for democracy on friday�* as part of an effort to confront what he sees as authoritarian forces led by china and russia. those countries of course, are not on the guest list. but taiwan — which beijing considers its own territory

will be taking part. i'm joined now by shelley rigger, professor of political science at davidson college, north carolina it's great to have you on the programme. in the first instance, the fact that china has not been invited, but taiwan has been. beijing is been positioning them to rally forces against them. how fair is that? i rally forces against them. how fair is that? ~ , rally forces against them. how fair is that? ~' , ., is that? i think there is a little something _ is that? i think there is a little something to _ is that? i think there is a little something to that _ something to that characterisation. i don't think it's just the prc. something to that characterisation. i don't think it'sjust the prc. the people's republic of china that may be a little bit targeted or very explicitly left off the guest list for this event. russia and a number of other countries are also not included. but i can understand why the prc would see this as the us

convening its own friends and allies for something that very point excludes china.— for something that very point excludes china. ~ , ., , ,, excludes china. why does the us need a settlement — excludes china. why does the us need a settlement on _ excludes china. why does the us need a settlement on democracy _ excludes china. why does the us need a settlement on democracy anyway - a settlement on democracy anyway and what is it helping to achieve? in the us, finding some friends what is it helping to achieve? i�*i the us, finding some friends and soliciting some support for efforts and reinvigorating and preserving our democracy is welcome event. i don't think that anyone really imagine the us democracy for the purpose stated that they found it in. the real motivation is that increasingly now, we see democracy underfire, notjust in the us, but around the world and the number of countries, that seem to be making

progress towards consolidating the democracies, and now seem to be going in the other direction and i think the president biden is trying to do is to rally the democratic nations and remind them not only of the virtues of democracy but also that they are not alone in the struggles with democracy and that there is a strong history of democratic thriving success and that we can and should really dig in and tried to recover the performance of democratisation in the world. thank ou so democratisation in the world. thank you so much — democratisation in the world. thank you so much for— democratisation in the world. thank you so much forjoining _ democratisation in the world. thank you so much forjoining us - democratisation in the world. thank you so much forjoining us with - democratisation in the world. thank you so much forjoining us with your thoughts on that story. let's take a look at some other stories in the headlines. in testimony to the us congress, the head of the social network instagram has been answering allegations the app is harmful to children. adam mosseri urged the creation of an industry body to determine best practices to keep young

people safe online. a saudi man arrested at paris airport on tuesday on suspicion of involvement in the killing of the saudi arabian journalist, jamal khashog—ji, has been released. the paris prosecutor's office said that identity checks had established that an arrest warrant issued by turkey did not apply to the man. underwater now, where scientists who "eavesdropped" on a restored coral reef in indonesia say their recordings of fish "whooping, croaking and growling" are the reef coming back to life. take a listen to this. over a decade, the reef has been re—seeded with new corals. the researchers used underwater microphones to record.

and these sounds, some of which have never been recorded before, provide a measure of the health of the reef. doctor tim lamont from the university of exeter was the lead researcher of the study. the fish continue to surprise and amaze us the longer we listen. we joke that the longer we listen, the weirded kits. in almost every time weirded kits. in almost every time we go out, fish can make more in weirder and more diverse sounds than weirder and more diverse sounds than we ever thought before. sound is a very important part of the lives of any underwater animal because sound travels so well underwater. they are using central also to things in their everyday life and so commence from the sun tzu here are them defending the territory, some of them are trying to attract a mate, some are communicating with each other. and so it's really integral

part of the ecosystem and that means by listening into this ecosystem, we can understand more of this thing thanif can understand more of this thing than if we look.— for months, goodbye. that's it from us. hello again. storm barra of course has been dominating our weather picture over the last couple of days with strong winds, heavy rain and some upland snow as well. but look at these big rocks. the seas have been chucking them onto the coastline of west wales. you know the seas are pretty angry when they throw breaksized lumps of rocks at you. there is barra, it continues to feel it's getting less intense. we do have a window of slightly clearer weather that's set to come in during thursday. that means we'll see these showers that we got at the moment fading away over the next few hours. but it's going to be quite chilly for those heading out across northern england and scotland, temperatures as low as —2, —3 c as you perhaps head outside the door first thing in the morning. but for many, a fine start to the day.

in fact for some of you, it should be a lovely sunrise. the early rising sun illuminating this lump of cloud, the next weather system not taking long to move its way in and bringing rain back to northern ireland, west england and wales. but also eventually bringing some milder air into the southwest where temperatures reach around 11 through the afternoon. still for most of us, it's another fairly chilly run with 6 or 7 c, more typical temperatures. as we head into friday, that area of rain, perhaps with a little bit of mountain snow clears out of the way. we'll be left with these north westerly winds. those northwesterly winds bringing a lot of sunshine, sparkling visibility but also a number of showers. the showers will always be most frequent across the northwest, they will be some that reach right across the midlands, perhaps down towards even parts of southern england. temeratures, well, similar to recent days, still quite chilly around 6 or 7 c. but the weather is set to change as we head into the weekend. another area of low pressure responsible for the change, this one is going to be bringing south—westerly winds in, particularly across parts of england and wales. could be some mist and fog patches

first thing in the morning. so for some it could be quite a murky start and it's not entirely dry, we've got outbreaks of rain piling and particularly through western areas of the country. although probably not a huge amount of rain across eastern most areas. temperatures rising through the day, 12 toward southwest england and heading into sunday, that milder air will continue to push its way eastwards and northwards. by the time we get to sunday afternoon most of you will see temperatures into double figures and the milder spots on sunday you could see temperatures as high as 14. then it looks like it will stay quite mild into next week.

this is bbc news, the headlines. borisjohnson has announced new measures in england to deal with the omicrom varient. guidance to work from home is to be reintroduced, facemask rules will be tightened and vaccination passes will be needed to enter nightclubs and venues with large crowds. the drug firm pfizer— biontech says tests have shown that three doses of its covid—i9 vaccine can neutralise the omicron variant but two shots may be compromised. the head of india's armed forces, general bipin rawat, has been killed in a helicopter crash in tamil nadu. his wife and eleven other people on board — crew and officers — also died. the new german chancellor has been sworn in. olaf scholz — who's a social democrat — replaces angela merkel, who led germany for sixteen years.