Over three years, pesticide application increased by 47% and so did incidences of pesticide-related health impairments. The most frequently reported symptoms were sneezing, dizziness, headache and blurred vision, and skin irritations. Pesticide-related acute symptoms increase significantly with the number of pesticide products handled, writes Ibrahim Macharia for The Conversation.

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In her career, spanning nearly five decades, Living Legend, casting director and industry veteran, Moonyeenn Lee, casted or managed the casting of films such as the Oscar-winning Tsotsi, Fanie Fourie's Lobola, the Oscar-nominated Mandela: Long Walk To Freedom, Hotel Rwanda and Blood Diamond; the Oscar-shortlisted Black Panther and Emmy-winning series Homeland, among others. Moonyeenn was nominated for two Emmy Awards.

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From a turnaround of 24 hours when the novel coronavirus first struck in Kenya in March, it is now reportedly taking more than seven days to get results. Meanwhile, those tested go on with their lives and may infect others. The government is facing a crisis over a shortage of testing kits and reagents at a time when the numbers of positive cases are rising.

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While the government has not yet announced the date for the resumption of learning in schools, it  have released guidelines for the safe reopening of schools and learning facilities after the Covid-19 pandemic, in a 52-page document that outlines actions, measures, and requirements needed for resumption. The delay in the reopening of schools has largely been caused by a surge in the number of Covid-19 cases in the country and the safety measures that had to be implemented in schools to protect

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On July 18, 2020 people around the world celebrated Mandela Day, six years since the death of iconic former South African President Nelson Mandela. Mandela, who encouraged active citizenship, spent 67 years of his life fighting for human rights. Mandela Day is celebrated every year on his birthday which is  July 18. It is more than a celebration of his life, it is a chance to carry his legacy forward and change the world for the better.

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A U.S.-based coalition of civil society groups has issued a call "to engage all Africans and Africanist institutions worldwide" in a heightened campaign to press "for justice and dignity of African peoples all over the globe." The statement was issued to mark Nelson Mandela International Day on June 18 by the Advocacy Network for Africa (AdNA), which focuses on U.S.-Africa policy issues.

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Kajiado, Nakuru, Uasin Gishu, Bungoma, Machakos, Taita-Taveta and Busia could be locked down should their infection rates continue to rise, with their leaders preparing for the scenario. Health Cabinet Secretary Mutahi Kagwe has blamed the rise in infections on the the lifting of travel restrictions.

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Nigeria's efforts to diversify its economy has seen the country produce its first locally made gold bar which was handed to President Muhammadu Buhari, signifying the beginning of the country's move to use the precious metal to boost its foreign reserves. The president said that "improved gold mining operations in the country will generate no fewer than 250,000 jobs and over U.S.$500 million annually in royalties and taxes to

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Senior doctors have now threatened to strike over low pay and lack of the Covid-19 protective gear, in the latest dispute to plague Zimbabwe's battered health system. This comes as thousands of nurses strike over wages hit by galloping inflation. Meanwhile, the novel coronavirus infections are rising rapidly, reaching 1,089 cases, and 20 deaths, according to official figures.

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Confirmed cases in Equateur Province have now surpassed the total number recorded during the province's last outbreak in 2018. The World Health Organizations warned that the ongoing response is facing funding shortfalls but the world must not let the fight against COVID-1 eclipse other health challenges.

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