Compassionate leave south africa

It is difficult to know what COVID is doing to the people of Africa. The World Health Organization (WHO) says the death toll has been vastly undercounted in much of the world, but poor data collection in most African countries makes it difficult to assess the true impact on the continent. Evidence on COVID -related deaths in South Africa suggests there are serious grounds for concern. Experts at South Africa’s Medical Research Council believe hundreds of thousands of deaths have been lost in the paperwork. The real death toll is thought to be three times the official number of 101,000. Health officials are also grappling with worryingly low rates of vaccination in many African countries. As a whole, only 17% of Africans have been fully vaccinated against COVID, a rate that lags far behind other parts of the world - like Europe (65.7%), Asia (69%), and South America (74.5%). These dismal numbers are compounded by the fact that the drive to vaccinate the public in … [Read more...] about COVID: On the road with the ‘vaccine convoys’ critical to keeping up the fight against coronavirus

A rare Transit of Mercury is about to take place, marking the last chance to see it for more than a decade. The phenomenon happens when the planet travels right between the Earth and the Sun , allowing it to be seen as a tiny dot on our star. It is the last chance to see the rare celestial sight until 2032, because the planets so rarely line up in such a formation. The Transit of Mercury will begin at 12.35 GMT, and last for almost six hours. All of it will be visible from the Americas, most of the Caribbean and some of west Africa. Some places such as Europe, the Middle East and most of Africa will miss out on the end because the sun will set before it is over, and people in much of Asia and Australia will miss out entirely. There are only 13 or 14 of the transits each century. Though Mercury goes around the Sun every 88 days, and moves between the Earth and the Sun every 116 days, it usually above or below the star and so we cannot see it. Best … [Read more...] about Transit of Mercury today: How to watch incredibly rare celestial sight as planet crosses in front of the Sun

American Idol contestant Caleb Kennedy has been dropped from the show after a controversial video featuring the star was unearthed. In the unexpected move, the hopeful quit the ABC singing competition program after a clip was released online in which he was seen next to someone wearing what looked like a ‘KKK-style’ white hood. The 16-year-old singer had made it to the final five this week before the video surfaced, which the country music crooner has since apologized for. Now he’s been axed from the show, just Casey Bishop, Chayce Beckham, Grace Kinstler, and Willie Spence are left to battle it out in the next round of the competition, which will feature one elimination. Here’s all you need to know about Caleb Kennedy’s exit from the series. Why did Caleb Kennedy leave American Idol? A video surfaced of the 16-year-old South Carolina native in which he can be seen sat next to a pal who is wearing a cone-shaped white hood that covered his face with only eye … [Read more...] about What did Caleb Kennedy say that led to his American Idol exit?

Museums are facing pressure to return “stolen” artefacts to India after a council voted to repatriate a 14th century sword in a landmark vote. Glasgow councillors have backed a proposal to send back seven items taken out of India that eventually found their way into exhibitions across the city. Documents submitted to Glasgow City Council show officials from the High Commission of India lodged a request in January for the return of six artefacts “stolen” from Hindu temples and shrines in the 19th century. In March, an additional application made on behalf of the Indian Government asked for a 14th century tulwar, a sword used for ceremonial events, and its scabbard to be brought back after they were scavenged from the Deccan plateau. The items will now be transported to India after councillors recommended their return along with objects looted from Nigeria and belongings taken from a group of massacred Native Americans . The outcome was celebrated as the largest … [Read more...] about Glasgow City Council to return ‘stolen’ artefacts to India

Arsenal are closing in on their first signing of the summer window after agreeing a fee with Sao Paulo for Marquinhos. The Brazilian teenage winger arrived in London earlier this week after the Gunners finalised terms on a deal worth around £3million. Marquinhos made his senior debut 18 months ago and has caught the eye of Arsenal’s South American scouts. According to Goal, assuming the paper work is completed in time, the versatile forward could link up with his new teammates in the summer and could be given the chance to impress during pre-season . Marquinhos has been identified as ‘a player for the future’ but that was also the case with Gabriel Martinelli, who joined as a virtual unknown from Ituano in the summer of 2019, but such was his impact that he was immediately promoted to the first team squad. Despite their likely failure to miss out on Champions League qualification, Arsenal’s transfer budget is unlikely to be adversely impacted and the club … [Read more...] about Marquinhos arrives in London as Arsenal close in on first signing of summer transfer window