New Covid variant is classed 'of concern'

The World Health Organization (WHO) has declared a new coronavirus variant to be "of concern" and named it Omicron. It has a large number of mutations, and early evidence suggests an increased reinfection risk, the WHO said.

A number of countries around the world have now decided to ban or restrict travel to and from southern Africa, as it was first reported to the WHO from South Africa.

Also in the programme: why Russia's supreme court is hearing arguments on the liquidation of one of the country’s oldest and most prominent human rights groups and we celebrate the life of one of the great figures of American theatre - the composer, Stephen Sondheim - who has died.

Joining Paul Henley to discuss these and other issues are Michaela Kuefner, chief political editor of Deutsche Welle, Germany’s international TV channel, and Simon Robinson, global managing editor for the news publisher, Reuters.

(Picture shows a woman receiving a jab from a pair of hands. Credit: Reuters)