Germany, the Czech Republic and the UK are the latest countries to confirm cases of the omicron variant. The new strain that was first detected in South Africa has prompted governments around the world to re-introduce travel restrictions.

The omicron variant of Covid-19 has added a fresh layer of uncertainty to global stock markets. Rabobank's Senior Market Strategist Christian Lawrence talks us through the latest volatility, and what he expects from central banks in the coming weeks. Also in the show: India's coal mines could hamper the country's efforts to reduce carbon emissions.

South Africa's president warns of a "health apartheid", criticising travel bans once again. This as Omicron becomes the dominant strain of Covid-19 in the country. Meanwhile in Cameroon, we meet survivors of sexual violence from the Anglophone regions. Rape and abuse are being used as weapons of war in the conflict. Finally, our reporters are in Gambia ahead of Saturday's presidential poll. We bring you a report on voters waiting to take part in the country's democratic transition.

South Korea garnered early success in battling COVID-19. But as the country has begun to open up, daily case numbers have hit new highs. The government is considering reimposing restrictions. For businesses already struggling, that is not good news.

The pharma giant and its German partner BioNTech announced preliminary lab results showing a 25-fold increase in protection. Germany has ordered millions of booster doses as a new government takes over in Berlin.

Here are a few reasons to pick up a copy of The Guardian on Friday.

The omicron variant of the coronavirus is less likely to land patients in hospital in comparison with delta.

The person who died was between the ages of 60 and 79, according to the Robert Koch Institute health body. Germany has also registered a spike in omicron infections in recent days.

German police are running "at full capacity all the time" and struggling to cope with stress as they deal with violent and aggressive protesters, the police union has said.

In an effort to stave off a spike in COVID-19 infections, authorities have started to impose strict rules. With most new cases reported in urban areas, nighttime curfews have been declared in all major cities. But maintaining social distancing is a huge challenge.

Coronavirus cases have hit global records. Some countries have tightened measures, while others are pushing to relax rules because of the omicron variant's perceived milder infections and high national vaccination rates.

Many schools in Germany are reopening their doors. Schools are hot spots for coronavirus transmission — and the number of cases is rising rapidly nationwide.