Weeks of second trimester

Staff at Norway's Bergen Aquarium this week began vaccinating a group of Gentoo penguins that has been living under quarantine for months. Cases of a highly infectious bird flu strain, H5N8, were detected in the country in December. The type had not been registered in Norway before, but scientists say it has a 90% mortality for birds. Though devastating for birds, transmission to humans is rare, but not impossible. "Because of this, the Food Health Authority enacted a curfew: all birds in captivity must be kept under a roof," aquarium director Aslak Sverdrup told AFP on Thursday. So far, none of the birds at the Bergen Aquarium caught the flu. A colony of emperor penguines in Antarctica Which penguines will get vaccinated first? Twelve penguins have to be vaccinated. The birds in the highest risk group, the oldest, received their first doses on Wednesday. Thursday was the youngest's turn. The zoo posted a video of a few of the penguines getting vaccinated on … [Read more...] about Norwegian penguins get vaccinated and can end isolation

A 1% pay rise for NHS workers is "the most" the government can afford due to the economic cost of the COVID crisis, a health minister has told Sky News. The government is facing a furious backlash - led by the Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer - after calling for health care staff in England to be restricted to a pay rise of 1%. Live COVID updates from the UK and across the world But Nadine Dorries said it "would be wrong to say a single person in the government does not appreciate the effort" of NHS staff, as she defended the decision not to recommend a larger pay increase. "Of course, we recognise the sacrifice and the commitment and the vocation of nurses and all health workers over the past year," the minister said. Advertisement "We've all been touched by, or personally experienced, help by NHS workers. "But I think it is important to note that the priority of the government has been about protecting people's livelihoods, about … [Read more...] about COVID-19: 1% pay rise for NHS staff ‘the most’ the government can afford, says minister Nadine Dorries

Holidaymakers face paying more for a UK seaside break this summer, with demand for staycations driving up the cost of accommodation by an average of 35% compared to last year. A study by consumer group Which? indicated prices have been hiked in 10 of the UK's most visited beach destinations, including St Ives, Whitby, Llandudno and Brighton. Live COVID updates from the UK and across the world Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 'Great uncertainty' around foreign holidays Under Boris Johnson 's road map for easing coronavirus lockdown restrictions, people in England could be allowed to stay in self-contained accommodation such as holiday lets from 12 April. Meanwhile, foreign holidays, which may be permitted from 17 May, are likely to involve restrictions and conditions such as COVID-19 testing and self-isolation periods. Advertisement It comes as Cyprus said it will let British tourists who … [Read more...] about COVID-19: Staycation surge hikes up cost of seaside holiday lets

"Because of the pandemic, it is difficult to travel from Germany to Iraq. So everyone wants to follow the pope's visit on television or YouTube," says Raad Washan Sarah Sharafana, a priest in Berlin. He belongs to the Chaldeans, the Iraqi branch of Catholicism. For weeks now, when he celebrates Mass in the Catholic Church of the Good Shepherd, the 51-year-old has also been praying for a safe and successful journey for the pope. Never before has the head of the Catholic Church visited Iraq. And seldom has one of the pontiff's 32 visits abroad raised as many expectations as the upcoming four-day tour. Everyone wants to follow the pope's visit on television, says Raad Washan Sarah Sharafana In Berlin, Alen Albezo is one of the congregation of roughly 50 people who attend mass every Sunday, even during the pandemic. The parish is made up of much younger people than the average Catholic parish in Germany. Albezo is 21 and stays around after Mass talking to people from his own … [Read more...] about Iraqi Christians in Germany have high hopes for Pope Francis’ visit to their old home