The South African William Kentridge, born in 1955, is one of the most internationally renowned living artists. Based in Johannesburg, Kentridge works with different media forms, from visual arts to filmmaking, performance and storytelling. Kentridge has been a regular guest at the Documenta in Kassel and at the Biennale in Venice. Now, the Martin-Gropius-Bau in Berlin will feature for the first time a comprehensive exhibition of his interdisciplinary oeuvre. Post-apartheid tensions The son of two lawyers representing people marginalized by the apartheid system, William Kentridge studied political sciences and African studies before he switched to fine arts. Many recognized in his early works allegorical evocations of the tensions and oppression in South Africa under the apartheid. Even though the laws of this inhuman system have disappeared, "the residue of 300 years of exploitation and oppression are still very much with us," Kentridge says. Kentridge creates … [Read more...] about William Kentridge, chronicler of political and philosophical uncertainty
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COVID-19: US warned of possible ‘fourth surge’ if coronavirus variants spread
The US could see a "fourth surge" of coronavirus cases fuelled by the spread of variants, a top health official has warned. Dr Rochelle Walensky, director of the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), said variants are a "real threat to our people and progress", and that there was real concern of a possible fourth wave based on some concerning CDC data. Live COVID updates from the UK and around the world New COVID-19 cases in the States have plateaued, following some steep drops, and have started to increase again over the last few days. Declines in hospitalisations and deaths are also "potentially levelling off at still a very high number", Dr Walensky said. Advertisement What threat do new variants pose? There are currently around 70,000 coronavirus cases a day and 2,000 daily deaths, Dr Walensky added. Overall, the outbreak has killed more than half a million Americans. More from Covid-19 … [Read more...] about COVID-19: US warned of possible ‘fourth surge’ if coronavirus variants spread
Virgin Active landlords plot exit amid talks over new funds
A group of Virgin Active landlords are exploring moves to end their relationship with the health and fitness chain as it tries to thrash out a rescue deal that could involve steep haircuts for creditors. Sky News has learnt that the owners of a handful of Virgin Active's UK sites have appointed Coffer Corporate Leisure to canvas interest from potential alternative tenants. The five gyms include its clubs in Notting Hill and Wandsworth in London, Northampton and Nottingham - equating to around 10% of its operations in Britain. One industry source said the landlords were preparing contingency plans in the event that they could not agree revised terms with Virgin Active, which is trying to shore up its balance sheet after being hammered by the COVID-19 pandemic. The identities of the relevant landlords was unclear on Tuesday. Advertisement Negotiations have been taking place for weeks between the company's shareholders, who include Sir Richard Branson's … [Read more...] about Virgin Active landlords plot exit amid talks over new funds
Kidnapped Nigerian schoolgirls: ‘Repentant bandits’ key to release of the 279 students it has emerged
"Repentant bandits" helped secure the release of 279 girls kidnapped from a Nigerian boarding school, it has emerged - as the students open up about the horrors of their ordeal. A group of about 100 gunmen burst into the Girls Science Secondary School in the northwestern state of Zamfara on Friday and abducted the students . Before ransacking the school in Jangebe town, they also attacked a nearby military camp and checkpoint, preventing soldiers from stepping in. Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 'They were pointing guns at our heads' The girls said they were forced to march through stones and thorns and were repeatedly hit with guns if they could not keep up. Umma Abubakar said: "Most of us got injured on our feet and we could not continue trekking, so they said they will shoot anybody who did not continue to walk." Advertisement Farida Lawali, 15, added: "While they were beating the girls with guns, … [Read more...] about Kidnapped Nigerian schoolgirls: ‘Repentant bandits’ key to release of the 279 students it has emerged
Kidnapped Nigerian schoolgirls have been released and are ‘safe’
A group of girls who were abducted from a boarding school in Nigeria have been released and are "safe", reports say. Gunmen abducted 279 students from the Girls Science Secondary School in Jangebe town, Zamfara state, on Friday. But Dr Bello Matawalle, the state's governor, says the girls are "now safe". Alhamdulillah! It gladdens my heart to announce the release of the abducted students of GGSS Jangebe from captivity. This follows the scaling of several hurdles laid against our efforts. I enjoin all well-meaning Nigerians to rejoice with us as our daughters are now safe. pic.twitter.com/YKfHoUuiXP — Dr. Bello Matawalle (@Bellomatawalle1) March 2, 2021 The men who ransacked the school had also attacked a nearby military camp and checkpoint, preventing soldiers from intervening. Lawani Adali, the security man on duty on the day, said policemen and vigilantes could not get inside because the gunmen had blocked all entrances. Advertisement … [Read more...] about Kidnapped Nigerian schoolgirls have been released and are ‘safe’