New U.S. travel ban to spare green card holders – Trump official

Minister of Health, Dr Osagie Ehanire, said on Thursday that Nigeria had not placed travel restrictions or ban following the outbreak of the coronavirus, code-named COVID-19 because of its reliance on surveillance, among others, at all entry points.

The Federal Government has issued a travel ban against 13 countries to curb the spread of Coronavirus (COVID-19). The Presidential Task Force on COVID-19 disclosed during press briefing in Abuja.

Even during a strict lockdown, anti-poaching rangers in South Africa's Greater Kruger Park area continue on the front lines to guard one of the country’s most precious resources: its wildlife. Conservationists are wary that poaching -- for food or illegal trade -- might increase.

Here is why you should pick up a copy of The Guardian on Thursday. Find these stories and much more when you grab a copy of The Guardian on the newsstands on Thursday⁣.

A new art installation in Tokyo and Singapore lets people "blow" dandelion fluff across to each other at a time when the coronavirus has closed international borders.

The outgoing administration of US President Donald Trump issued a new temporary rule that could require tourist and business travellers from two dozen countries – most in Africa – to pay a bond of as much as $15,000 to visit the United States.

Boko Haram abducts 35 travellers on Damaturu-Maiduguri Highway

Mike Pompeo has accused Beijing of genocide a day before president-elect Joe Biden takes office. US-China relations have plunged to the lowest level in decades in the last year of Trump's administration.

EU member states have agreed to allow vaccinated travellers into the bloc under a recommendation to be adopted on Friday by EU ministers and taken up by leaders at a summit next week, the European Commission says. EU ambassadors agreed that those inoculated with EU-approved vaccines against Covid-19 would be able to enter, though the decision is not binding on member states, which can make up their own mind whether to apply it. Also, an "emergency brake" will be available to prevent variants being imported into the EU.

Four police officers have been arrested in Kogi following a viral video in which they were captured assaulting and extorting travellers while on patrol duty along the Adogo-Okene Road.⁣⁣ The police chief in Kogi has condemned the incident, adding that any of the officers found wanting after investigations would be dealt with accordingly.⁣⁣ ⁣

The Omicron variant was first reported to the WHO from South Africa on 24 November. The WHO has listed it as a ‘variant of concern’ and said it could take several weeks to know if there are significant changes in transmissibility, severity, or implications for Covid vaccines, tests, and treatments. Australia, Italy, Germany, the Netherlands, Britain, Israel, Hong Kong, Belgium, Switzerland, and Canada are countries where the new COVID-19 variant has also been detected.

Here are a few reasons to pick up a copy of The Guardian on Tuesday⁣⁣ ⁣⁣