Live updates: follow the latest news on Covid-19 variant Omicron
Israel's Health Ministry on Thursday said several countries including the UAE, UK and US would be removed from a Covid-19 "red list" of banned destinations, despite a surge in the Omicron coronavirus variant.
"The ministry of health recommends to the government to remove at this stage all countries from the red list," it said.
The decision goes into effect Thursday, the ministry said, adding that it was "subject to the approval of the government".
The measure was taken "in light of the share of infections of those entering Israel compared to the share of community spread", the ministry said.
Ethiopia, Tanzania, Mexico, Switzerland and Turkey will also be removed from the banned destinations list.
Last month, Israel barred travel to those countries among dozens of "red" destinations to try to slow an Omicron-fuelled surge in cases.
That ban followed a move in late November to block entry to all foreign tourists.
Israel this week announced that vaccinated visitors from low-risk countries could enter the country.
"Five weeks ago we closed the state of Israel to entry by foreign nationals," Prime Minister Naftali Bennett said on Sunday. "This greatly delayed the entry of Omicron to the country."
Israeli authorities reported 16,115 coronavirus infections on Wednesday, the highest daily load since the start of the pandemic.
There are 307 people in hospital with the virus, the health ministry said.
On Monday Israel began administering fourth Covid-19 vaccine shots for people older than 60 and health workers.
About 4.3 million Israelis have had three shots of a coronavirus vaccine, while about 2.8 million people of a population of 9.4 million have not received any shots at all.
Visitors to Israel will be allowed in from Sunday.
They will have to take a PCR or antigen test before boarding their flights and another PCR when they arrive, and they will be required to enter quarantine while waiting for the result.
Israel Palestine on Swedish TV 1958-1989
Director: Goran Hugo Olsson
Rating: 5/5
Tank warfare
Lt Gen Erik Petersen, deputy chief of programs, US Army, has argued it took a “three decade holiday” on modernising tanks.
“There clearly remains a significant armoured heavy ground manoeuvre threat in this world and maintaining a world class armoured force is absolutely vital,” the general said in London last week.
“We are developing next generation capabilities to compete with and deter adversaries to prevent opportunism or miscalculation, and, if necessary, defeat any foe decisively.”
Sheer grandeur
The Owo building is 14 storeys high, seven of which are below ground, with the 30,000 square feet of amenities located subterranean, including a 16-seat private cinema, seven lounges, a gym, games room, treatment suites and bicycle storage.
A clear distinction between the residences and the Raffles hotel with the amenities operated separately.
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'Gold'
Director:Anthony Hayes
Stars:Zaf Efron, Anthony Hayes
Rating:3/5
ESSENTIALS
The flights
Fly Etihad or Emirates from the UAE to Moscow from 2,763 return per person return including taxes.
Where to stay
Trips on the Golden Eagle Trans-Siberian cost from US$16,995 (Dh62,414) per person, based on two sharing.
Married Malala
Malala Yousafzai is enjoying married life, her father said.
The 24-year-old married Pakistan cricket executive Asser Malik last year in a small ceremony in the UK.
Ziauddin Yousafzai told The National his daughter was ‘very happy’ with her husband.
Match info
Bournemouth 0
Liverpool 4 (Salah 25', 48', 76', Cook 68' OG)
Man of the match: Andrew Robertson (Liverpool)
It Was Just an Accident
Director: Jafar Panahi
Stars: Vahid Mobasseri, Mariam Afshari, Ebrahim Azizi, Hadis Pakbaten, Majid Panahi, Mohamad Ali Elyasmehr
Rating: 4/5
Sholto Byrnes on Myanmar politics
Who's who in Yemen conflict
Houthis: Iran-backed rebels who occupy Sanaa and run unrecognised government
Yemeni government: Exiled government in Aden led by eight-member Presidential Leadership Council
Southern Transitional Council: Faction in Yemeni government that seeks autonomy for the south
Habrish 'rebels': Tribal-backed forces feuding with STC over control of oil in government territory
Qosty Byogaani
Starring: Hani Razmzi, Maya Nasir and Hassan Hosny
Four stars
25-MAN SQUAD
Goalkeepers: Francis Uzoho, Ikechukwu Ezenwa, Daniel Akpeyi
Defenders: Olaoluwa Aina, Abdullahi Shehu, Chidozie Awaziem, William Ekong, Leon Balogun, Kenneth Omeruo, Jamilu Collins, Semi Ajayi
Midfielders: John Obi Mikel, Wilfred Ndidi, Oghenekaro Etebo, John Ogu
Forwards: Ahmed Musa, Victor Osimhen, Moses Simon, Henry Onyekuru, Odion Ighalo, Alexander Iwobi, Samuel Kalu, Paul Onuachu, Kelechi Iheanacho, Samuel Chukwueze
On Standby: Theophilus Afelokhai, Bryan Idowu, Ikouwem Utin, Mikel Agu, Junior Ajayi, Valentine Ozornwafor
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
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