* The US government is finally set to enforce travel restrictions from India but the ban, which only applies to non-US citizens, won't come into effect until Tuesday
* It comes days after the State Department issued a Level 4 travel advisory, which is the highest alert of its kind, urging all Americans to leave India if they can because of the current COVID-19 outbreak there
* Until now, there was no word on whether the US government would issue any travel restrictions despite there still being bans in place on the UK, South Africa , Brazil and a number of European countries
* India is currently experiencing a catastrophic second wave that is, in part, fueled by a deadly Indian variant known as B.1.617
* The Indian variant has already been detected in the US with reports of cases in California and Tennessee
* President Biden added South Africa to the restricted list in January after a COVID-19 variant started spreading there rapidly was detected in the US
* Following the travel advisory, passengers were spotted arriving on direct flights from India in New York, Washington DC and Chicago
* Passengers told of how the majority of their flights were full and how they struggled to even get tickets
* Meanwhile, the TSA announced on Friday that it was extending mask wearing on planes and in airports through September this year
The US government is finally set to enforce travel restrictions from India where medics say 30,000 people are dying every single day, bodies are piling up in the streets and three different types of its homegrown variant are ravaging the country.
The ban, which only applies to non-US citizens, won't come into effect until next Tuesday.
The announcement comes two days after the State Department issued a Level 4 travel advisory, which is the highest alert of its kind, urging all Americans to leave India if they can because of the current COVID-19 outbreak there.
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MIDDLE EAST
Indirect talks on Iran nuclear deal in 'unclear place' -U.S. national security adviser.
Amid uncertainty, Iran and US showing ‘willingness’ in deal talks.
Iran has funded Syrian militia groups, regime for years to the tune of billions.
UN ‘disturbed’ by Bahrain forces’ violent breakup of jail sit-in.
Saudi ban on Lebanese produce a strong warning about lawlessness.
US envoy meets Saudi crown prince in fresh Yemen peace push.
Medics work to identify the 45 killed in Israeli stampede.
Israel crush: Netanyahu promises inquiry as first victims are buried.
ASIA
India posts new Covid record as global cases hit 150 million.
India's neighbors on alert for 'double mutant' COVID variant.
Afghanistan: Taliban tied to major surge of attacks ahead of U.S. pullout.
Car bomb kills 30 in eastern Afghanistan's Logar province, high school students among the casualties.
Kyrgyzstan says 31 killed in clashes at Tajikistan border.
Myanmar risks coming to standstill as violence worsens -U.N. envoy.
UN fails to agree on Myanmar statement, diplomats blame China, Russia.
China 'confident' in ability to block Taiwan independence, Beijing says.
PLA will leave no room for Taiwan secessionist activities: spokesperson.
Duterte ‘reluctant’ to confront China over South China Sea row.
U.N.: Nearly half in Myanmar live in poverty due to coup violence, COVID-19.
AFRICA
Chad army says killed 'several hundred' rebels.
UN: Nearly 30,000 fled attacks in Mozambique’s Palma since March.
DR Congo police break up protest in troubled east.
Somalia: Chaos over term extension as Farmaajo blames opponents, foreign interest.
Egypt: Ethiopia refuses mediation to solve Renaissance Dam crisis.
Nigeria's Buhari under fire over surging violence.
Nigeria welcomes Germany's decision to return looted Benin Bronzes.
Algerians protest arrests of pro-democracy marchers.
EUROPE
Covid threat for Europe 'remains present,' WHO says despite falling infections
Europe's recession deepened in the first quarter but the recovery is underway.
Eurozone suffers double-dip recession as pandemic impact continues.
Russia imposes entry ban on 8 EU officials.
U.S. Embassy in Moscow cuts visa services and warns Americans with expired visa to leave before June 15 deadline in further deterioration in relations with Russia.
Blinken to show support on Ukraine trip after Russian troop movements.
More than half of French people support generals’ warning that France is 'DISINTEGRATING,' hurtling toward civil war, poll shows .
Thousands hit Liverpool rave in trial reopening from lockdown.
EU aims to cut foreign reliance on chips, pharma materials -document.
AMERICAS
US hits 100 million fully vaccinated milestone.
Biden administration expected to restrict travel from India starting Tuesday.
Biden-Putin summit in works for summer, says Sullivan.
US investigates more 'Havana syndrome' attacks: senators.
US extends face-mask requirement on planes until September.
Brazil calls on countries to share spare vaccines.
Mexico looks for U.S. help as AstraZeneca admits Latin American vaccine delay.
Canada's economy grew at a 6.5% pace to start 2021, slightly faster than U.S. did.
Colombia’s ex-FARC leaders admit kidnapping and other crimes.
TERRORISM/THE LONG WAR
Al Qaeda promises 'war on all fronts' against America as Biden pulls out of Afghanistan.
Guantánamo detainee takes on CIA ‘black sites’ in UN human rights case.
The operation that took out Osama Bin Laden.
ECONOMY/FINANCE/BUSINESS
Stocks pull below record but still end best month this year.
Exxon tops earnings estimates as oil prices, chemicals drive rebound.
Bitcoin rises 6.54% to $57,098.08.
EU charges Apple with breach of competition law.
