Friday morning news briefing: 'My wife was on migrant boat'

In the moments before they lost contact, his wife had told him by phone she was in a boat with about 30 other people and beginning a perilous journey across the Channel. Then, her GPS signal suddenly disappeared.

The husband of the Iraqi-Kurdish woman now fears that she was among the 27 migrants who drowned in Wednesday's tragedy off the coast of Calais.

"I am in a very bad state," said the husband of Maryam Nuri. Read his interview with Bill Gardner as he tearfully told how he had been tracking his wife as she travelled to join him in the UK.

Meanwhile, it emerged that smugglers shot a scared migrant in the kneecaps after he refused to board a boat on the same night of the deadly sinking.

Last night, Boris Johnson wrote to Emmanuel Macron formally proposing joint patrols on French beaches as early as next week to stop small boats heading for the UK.

In a letter spelling out UK plans, the Prime Minister also called for a new "returns agreement" between the two countries.

Political Editor Ben Riley-Smith explains how the deal would work. If one cannot be agreed, Nick Timothy argues that Britain must take emergency action to toughen the asylum system.

New super-variant puts African countries on red list

South Africa is being put on the travel red list from noon today amid widespread concern over a new Covid variant which has been detected in the country. Several neighbouring nations will also see flights temporarily banned. It marks a return to travel restrictions, with anyone travelling to the newly red-listed nations forced to spend 10 days in hotel quarantine on return, with a £10,000 penalty for those who flout the rules. Experts believe the new strain may be more transmissible than the Delta variant and the vaccines less effective. Sajid Javid, the Health Secretary, was asked what the new variant means for Britain in the run-up to Christmas. Meanwhile, leading scientists have rejected speculation that the Covid vaccine is linked to the recent on-field collapses of three footballers, as sporting pundits came under attack for fuelling hesitancy.

Black Friday: Our guide to the best shopping deals

The biggest shopping event of the year has arrived - and it is bigger than ever. Many major retailers have released Black Friday discounts and we are tracking them all, with pages dedicated to the best deals at John Lewis, Amazon, Currys, Argos and more. If you are looking to get your Christmas shopping done early, our guide has the best deals out there.

Daily dose of Matt

Today's cartoon | View Matt's latest sketch as he focuses on shoppers' Black Friday dilemmas.

Also in the news: Today's other headlines

Army reforms | British tanks are to return to Germany amid tensions with Russia, the Defence Secretary has announced, in a major restructuring of the Army. The move will boost the amount of British military equipment available in central Europe, in an attempt to enable the rapid reinforcement of Nato's eastern flank. Defence and Security Editor Dominic Nicholls reports that the announcement forms part of plans to restructure the Army after years of under investment.

• UK weather | Danger to life warning as storm Arwen blows in

• Treasury tensions | Sunak rules out new cash for levelling up

• Khan warns Starmer | Wealth tax will cause London exodus

• BAME | NHS urged to scrap the term that 'erases identities'

• 'Show must go on' | Nativities should continue, minister urges

Around the world: Riots escalate on Solomon Islands

Australia rushed peacekeepers to the Solomon Islands, hoping to quell riots that threatened to topple the Pacific nation's government. Protests descended into a violent free-for-all, with gangs of stick-wielding youths rampaging through the capital, stripping stores and clashing with police. After a second day of widespread looting and protests against Chinese influence on the island, the prime minister called for help.

Comment and analysis

• Fraser Nelson | Was I actually right to support Brexit?

• Tom Stevenson | Forget about inflation and keep buying shares

• Judith Woods | Parenthood has become a performative minefield

• Jemima Lewis | Nerdiness is making a comeback - about time!

• Reader letters | Each successful migrant attracts more to France

Editor's choice

1. Page rage | What is causing the crisis at the heart of literary fiction?

2. Points of Light | How Downing St is keeping the art of the thank-you letter alive

3. Encanto, review | Disney's Latin adventure is a dazzling out-and-out delight

Sport briefing: Tottenham's humiliating defeat

Tottenham endured one of the most embarrassing games in their history last night as they were beaten by the lowest-ranked team in the Europa Conference League, going down 2-1 to NS Mura in Maribor. Sam Dean has our match report on the humiliating defeat. After Ralf Rangnick agreed a six-month deal with Manchester United to become interim manager, Stefan Bienkowski profiles the "Godfather of gegenpressing".

Business briefing: Not just any flagship store…

Marks & Spencer has become the target of a row over plans to demolish its flagship London store, as fears rise over the death of Britain's high street heritage architecture. Since plans to redevelop its Marble Arch site were voted through on Tuesday night, opposition from heritage charities and architecture aficionados has been brewing against the 137-year-old retail institution. Laura Onita explains the significance of the site.

Tonight's dinner

Cider gratin potatoes with cheesy rye crumb | Why not cook this dish by Eleanor Steafel with a couple of thick pork chops and quick creamy mustard sauce? View the recipe. For more, try our Cookbook newsletter.

Your daily travel inspiration

Off-piste | Whatever your ability, we have got you covered for winter 2021/2022. From luxury stays in Val Thorens to family holidays in Whistler, our experts list 40 of the best ski holidays for every budget.

And finally... for this morning's downtime

Heartbreaking tale | Anthony Broadwater, who was accused of raping the author Alice Sebold, has been exonerated by a judge after a Netflix producer turned detective. Christina Patterson explores how the real villain in this tragic story has yet to be caught.