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China

CHINESE customs said this week it no longer required cross-border travellers to report certain Covid-related information, such as tests and previous infections, when clearing customs.

Mainland China, which still has some of the world’s most stringent Covid-19 policies for international travellers, has taken steps to make cross-border travel less onerous, such as shortening the quarantine period and removing some testing and self-isolation requirements for inbound travellers.

Those intending to enter China from many countries still have to report tests and other Covid-related information to its embassies before boarding flights, according to embassy websites. | Reuters

United Nations

UN HUMAN rights chief Michelle Bachelet said she did not know who her successor would be, adding that as many as 50 candidates had applied to replace her.

Speaking ahead of the end of her term on Thursday, Bachelet – herself a two-time former Chilean president – also warned of the threat to democracy in Brazil as President Jair Bolsonaro steps up his attacks on the judiciary and voting system before the October elections.

Especially concerning are his calls for his supporters “to protest against judicial institutions”, she said.

“Heads of state should respect other powers, should respect the judicial power, should respect the legislative power.”

| AFP

India

THERE is just one day left for bringing down the Supertech Twin Towers in

Noida, in the Indian state of Uttar Pradesh.

The Supreme Court had ordered the demolition of the towers in August last year as they were built in violation of construction bylaws. The towers are the tallest to be demolished in the country.

The demolition of Apex and Ceyane towers will be carried out with least 3 700kg of explosives which have been installed in the 40-storey towers.

A seven-member team from South African firm Jet Demolition along with Edifice Engineering will bring down the towers with a controlled blast tomorrow afternoon. | ANI

France

PRESIDENT Emmanuel Macron and eight of his ministers end their three-day visit to Algeria today to help mend ties with the former French colony, which this year marks its 60th anniversary of independence.

The country’s war for independence ended more than 130 years of French colonial rule in 1962. Franco-algerian relations have seen repeated crises since then.

This is Macron’s second visit as head of state to Algeria since 2017. | AF