SOUTH AFRICA: A bus veered off a road and plunged down an embankment on a steep mountain pass in northern South Africa, killing at least 42 people and leaving another 49 passengers injured, authorities said today.

The crash happened on Sunday on the N1 highway near the town of Louis Trichardt, about 248 miles north of the capital, Pretoria.

The Transport Ministry said in a statement that the victims included seven children, 17 men and 18 women. 

PAKISTAN: Police officers clashed with thousands of protesters during a march in support of Palestinians today, killing at least one officer and injuring dozens of other officers, police and witnesses said.

Political party Tehreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan said in a statement that many of its supporters were also killed or wounded.

VISA BOND: Mali announced on Sunday that it is imposing a visa bond requirement on citizens from the United States visiting their country. 

The move is identical to those Washington has placed on Malian travellers.

The foreign ministry in Bamako announced the measures after the US began requiring Malian nationals seeking business or tourist visas to post bonds of between $5,000 and $10,000 (£3,700 and £7,400) starting on October 23. 

GERMANY: Voters in Germany’s eastern city of Frankfurt on the Oder chose an independent over the far-right Alternative for Germany candidate on Sunday.

The outcome foils the bid by the Alternative for Germany to win its first major urban mayoral election.

Independent Axel Strasser won with 69.8 per cent against the AfD’s Wilko Moeller who secured 30.2 per cent. Voter turnout was 49.4 per cent.