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Saturday, June 22, 2024
TopicSouth Africa

Topic: South Africa

WHO urges caution as South Africa says Omicron variant causes ‘mild’ symptoms

WHO said understanding Omcron's severity will take days to weeks, adding that currently there is no information to suggest its symptoms are different from other Covid variants.

Home Secy holds meeting over Omicron, govt to review decision on restarting foreign flights

Modi govt had Friday announced resumption of scheduled international commercial flights from 15 December, but will now review SOP on testing and surveilling incoming passengers.

South Africans who tested Covid positive in India infected with Delta variant, says official

The official added that the South Africans tested positive on 11 and 20 November debunking the fear of any possible spread of the new Covid variant B.1.1.529, known as Omicron.

‘Draconian’ Covid travel bans are ‘misdirected’, South African health minister says

At a news briefing Friday, Health Minister Joe Phaahla said that the approach is wrong, misdirected and that some countries' leaders are finding a scapegoat to a worldwide problem.

UK, EU to ban flights from southern African countries amid concerns over new Covid variant

South Africa hit back at UK's move, saying it was taken 'too hastily'. The new variant of the virus has the most mutations of any strain yet identified.

What’s the new Covid variant in South Africa, and why it’s of ‘serious’ concern even in India

The new variant, B.1.1.529, seems to be dominating all infections in South Africa in less than two weeks. No cases in India yet, but scientists and Union health secy have raised alarm.

New coronavirus mutation variant of ‘serious concern’, South Africa says

Virologists have detected almost 100 cases linked to the B.1.1.529 variant in South Africa. In neighbouring Botswana, the new variant has been detected in vaccinated people.

De Kock finally took the knee, but only after putting spotlight on gesture & confused ICC policies

De Kock sparked a row after he withdrew from South Africa's T20 World Cup match against West Indies. Here’s a look at the gesture’s 15-month-long history in cricket.

What South African cricket doesn’t get about BLM movement, just like rest of sporting world

South African cricketer Quinton de Kock's refusal to 'take the knee' before the T20 World Cup match against West Indies drew usual criticsm that was more grandstanding.

South Africa unrest is worst since apartheid, confronts the failing state with hard choices

South Africa can’t succeed unless Ramaphosa & his successors revive the economy. He’ll need to convince South Africans burnt by years of corruption that days of 'state capture' are over.

On Camera

NTA was supposed to rescue exams from ‘Munna Bhais’. Now it’s part of the problem

National Testing Agency’s charter is to assess the 'competence of candidates' for admission and recruitment, but NEET and UGC-NET firestorms have put its own competency in question.

Fewer millionaires set to emigrate this yr, India produces ‘far more’ than those leaving — Henley report

The report predicts net emigration of 4,300 millionaires in 2024, lower than the outflow in 2023 & 2022. Congress has raised concerns about the outflow of HNIs from the country.

Army hospital commandant says no misuse of disability pension grant. ‘Scrutiny at all levels’

Lt Gen Nilakantan says revised Entitlement Rules & Guide to Medical Officers for pensions had been revised to rationalise disability classification, quantification & granting of disability.

Modi’s new universe: the normal irritants of democracy & awkward chai with Rahul Gandhi

Changed reality for Modi govt in its 3rd innings is by no means rise of a new phenomenon. It's a return to old normal where even majorities had to routinely wrestle with storied million mutinies.