South Africa, Lesotho, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Mozambique, Namibia, and Eswatini added to list of countries from which foreigners are barred entry

Strain, which goes by the scientific lineage number B.1.1.529, 'has a very high number of mutations' and has caused 'exponential' growth in cases

PM makes appeal while holed up in nuclear bomb-safe bunker underneath Jerusalem hills, as Israel simulates spread of theoretical new COVID variant

With virus numbers down, PM Bennett says Israel is not 'packing up' management bodies and pandemic-fighting forces yet

Boris Johnson's spokesman says Britain keeping 'close eye' on AY.4.2 variant, vows government 'won't hesitate to take action if necessary'

Salman Zarka says COVID-19 is here to stay for and that next booster shot may be adjusted for variants: 'This is our life from now on, in waves'

Bennett says an open Israel is 'within reach,' but avoiding 4th closure requires public's cooperation: 'You can protect yourselves, your livelihoods, our economy, our kids'

With Health Ministry chief widely expected to stamp expansion of program, health funds offer appointments to expanded age group, though not teachers

Experts say those given 3rd vaccine shot 6-8 times less likely to develop severe illness than those who got 2 doses; 10 cases of new AY3 strain identified in Israel

Officials tell Knesset panel the vaccine is less effective at countering mutation that has rampaged across South America and reached the US