The United Kingdom has banned flights to six southern African nations – South Africa, Botswana, Lesotho, Eswatini, Zimbabwe and Namibia - until Nov 28 over the spread of the B.1.1.529 strain of the coronavirus, the UK government said.
"From midday Friday (Nov 26) , South Africa, Botswana, Lesotho, Eswatini, Zimbabwe and Namibia will be added to the UK’s travel red list... Direct flights from the six countries will be banned from midday Friday until hotel quarantine is up and running from 4am Sunday (Nov 28)," Sputnik reported, quoting the government as saying in a statement.
Starting from Friday, non-UK and Irish citizens, who have visited the six African nations within the past 10 days, will be refused entry to the UK, while the UK and Irish citizens will be required to self-isolate for 10 days.
Earlier this week, scientists from the UK had warned of the appearance of a coronavirus strain, which contains 32 mutations, in Botswana. Many of the mutations indicate its high transmissibility and resistance to vaccines, the strain has more changes in the spike protein than all other COVID-19 variants. The South African National Institute of Infectious Diseases later also confirmed that the new strain had been found in South Africa, with 22 cases to date.
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SA discovers new Covid-19 variant
Scientists in South Africa said yesterday they had detected a new Covid-19 variant with multiple mutations, blaming it for a surge in infection numbers.
”Unfortunately we have detected a new variant which is a reason for concern in South Africa,” virologist Tulio de Oliveira told a hastily-called news conference.
The variant, which goes by the scientific lineage number B.1.1.529, “has a very high number of mutations,” he said.”It’s unfortunately causing a resurgence of infections,” he said.
It has also been detected in Botswana and Hong Kong among travellers from South Africa, he said. Health Minister Joe Phaahla said the variant was of “serious concern” and behind an “exponential” increase in reported cases, making it “a major threat”.
Daily infections shot to more than 1 200 on Wednesday, up from around 100 earlier this month. Before the detection of the new variant, authorities had predicted a fourth wave to hit South Africa starting around the middle of December, buoyed by travel ahead of the festive season.
The government-run National Institute for Communicable Diseases (NICD) said 22 positive cases of the B.1.1.529 variant have been recorded in the country following genomic sequencing.
It said in a statement yesterday that detected cases and the percentage testing positive are “increasing quickly” in three of the country’s provinces including Gauteng, which includes Johannesburg and Pretoria.
A cluster outbreak was recently identified, concentrated at a higher education institute in the capital Pretoria, the NICD said.
Last year South Africa also detected the Beta variant of the virus, although until now its infection numbers have been driven by the Delta variant, which was originally detected in India.
The country has the highest pandemic numbers in Africa with around 2.95 million cases, of which 89,657 have been fatal.
Scientists said the new B.1.1.529 variant has at least 10 mutations, compared to two for Delta or three for Beta.
”What gives us some concerns (is) that this variant might have not just have enhanced transmissibility, so spread more efficiently, but might also be able to get around parts of the immune system and the protection we have in our immune system,” said researcher Richard Lessells.
So far the variant has been seen spreading especially among young people.But the coming days and weeks will be key to determine the severity of the variant, Lessells said.
Neutralising the variant is “complicated by the number of mutations this variant” contains, said one of the scientists Penny Moore. ”This variant contains many mutations that we are not familiar with,” she added.
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How to Find the Best Real Estate Agent Near Me
Finding the best real estate agent near me starts with knowing what kind of help you actually need. Whether you are buying your first home, selling a property, or relocating, the right agent can save you time, reduce stress, and help you make better financial decisions.
A strong agent does more than unlock doors or list a home. They understand the local market, know how to price properties correctly, and can negotiate effectively on your behalf. In a competitive market, those skills can have a real impact on your final sale price or purchase terms.
The first step is to look for agents who work actively in your area. Local experience matters because neighborhood trends, school districts, pricing patterns, and buyer demand can change quickly from one ZIP code to the next. An agent who knows the local market will usually give you more realistic advice than someone who only works broadly across a region.
You should also review recent sales history. A good agent should be able to show you homes they have sold or helped clients buy in your price range and area. This gives you a better sense of whether they are experienced with properties similar to yours.
Communication style is just as important as market knowledge. Some agents prefer frequent phone calls, while others rely on texts or email updates. You want someone who responds quickly, explains things clearly, and keeps you informed throughout the process.
It also helps to ask the right questions during your first conversation. Ask how they market homes, how many clients they are currently handling, how they negotiate multiple offers, and what they think your home or target property is worth. Their answers will tell you a lot about their experience and professionalism.
If you are selling, look closely at their pricing strategy. An agent who inflates your listing price just to win your business may not serve you well in the long run. A realistic pricing plan often leads to stronger interest and better results.
The best real estate agent is not always the most famous or the one with the biggest marketing budget. It is the person who understands your goals, knows your market, and communicates well enough to guide you through one of the biggest decisions you will ever make.
Cybersecurity Solutions Every Business Needs in 2026
Rising Cybersecurity Threats Facing Businesses
Cybersecurity threats continue growing at an alarming rate as businesses rely more heavily on digital systems and online operations. Cybercriminals target organizations of all sizes using ransomware attacks, phishing scams, malware infections, and data breaches.
Small businesses are especially vulnerable because many lack dedicated cybersecurity teams and advanced protection systems. A single cyberattack can lead to financial losses, operational disruptions, legal liabilities, and reputational damage.
As technology evolves, businesses must adopt stronger cybersecurity strategies to protect customer information, financial data, and internal systems effectively.
Essential Cybersecurity Solutions
Modern businesses require multiple layers of protection to reduce cyber risks. Endpoint security software helps protect computers, mobile devices, and servers from malware and unauthorized access.
Multi-factor authentication adds an additional security layer by requiring users to verify identities through multiple methods before accessing systems. This significantly reduces the risk of compromised passwords leading to breaches.
Network monitoring systems and firewalls also help detect suspicious activity early and block unauthorized traffic before attacks escalate.
Employee Training and Risk Awareness
Human error remains one of the leading causes of cybersecurity incidents. Employees who unknowingly click phishing emails or use weak passwords can expose businesses to serious risks.
Regular cybersecurity awareness training helps employees identify scams, suspicious links, and social engineering tactics. Strong internal security policies and routine testing further improve organizational protection.
Cybersecurity should become part of company culture rather than simply an IT responsibility.
Final Thoughts
Cybersecurity solutions are now essential business investments rather than optional technology upgrades. Companies that prioritize strong security systems, employee education, and proactive risk management reduce the likelihood of costly cyber incidents.
As digital threats continue evolving, businesses that remain prepared and adaptable will protect their operations, customers, and long-term growth more effectively.
