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Travel bans

ASIAN countries and the EU rushed to tighten restrictions after a new and possibly vaccine-resistant coronavirus variant was detected in South Africa, with Singapore and India announcing stricter border controls and more rigorous Covid-19 testing on Friday.

Italy on Friday imposed an entry ban on people who have visited South Africa, Lesotho, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Mozambique, Namibia and Eswatini in the past 14 days.

Israel also announced a ban on travellers from South Africa, Lesotho, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Mozambique, Namibia and Eswatini, the prime minister’s office said. | Reuters

Solomon Islands

ABOUT 40 Australian Defence Force personnel and a navy ship joined Australian Federal Police officers in the Solomon Islands at the weekend in a peace-keeping role as local authorities struggle to control unrest in capital Honiara, media reported.

The islands’ Governor General on Friday imposed a curfew from 7pm to 6am daily in the capital as violent protests and sporadic looting entered a third day.

The unrest stems from the government’s moves to recognise China and sever ties with Taiwan. | Sputnik

Russia

THE Siberian mining region began three days of mourning on Friday after officials said 52 people died in a coal mine accident and a rescue effort ended in tragedy.

Investigators have launched a series of probes into the disaster at the Listvyazhnaya mine in the Keremovo region, the worst mining accident in Russia in more than a decade.

Officials said the mine had filled with smoke in the early hours of Thursday after an apparent gas explosion.

Fifty-two people were killed, including six rescuers who had been part of a search operation. | AFP

Libya

LIBYA’S government has condemned an attack on a court ahead of an appeal by the son of slain dictator Muammar Gaddafi against the rejection of his presidential election candidacy for the December 24 polls. Libya’s electoral commission rejected the candidacy of Saif al-Islam Gaddafi who is wanted by the International Criminal Court for alleged war crimes. He has the right to appeal the decision and was among 25 of the 98 hopefuls whose bids were turned down for non-compliance with the provisions of the electoral law.