Africa's week in pictures: 14
A selection of the week's best photos from across the African continent and beyond:
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Ghosts of apartheid haunt South Africa as compensation anger brews'Nigerian Senate is run like a cult', suspended MP tells BBCThe expelled envoy at the heart of the latest US-South Africa row'I was duped into leaving London for school in Ghana - but it saved me'
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Glasgow Times
43 minutes ago
- Glasgow Times
Glasgow hillwalking champion on King's Birthday Honours List
'It was a pretty weird gift,' agrees the 34-year-old, who lives on the Southside of Glasgow. 'But I had been going through a difficult time in my life and they thought it might help me.' She pauses. 'It did, and it has had a lasting impact on my life.' Zahrah Mahmood (Image: Zahrah Mahmood) Zahrah is the Hillwalking Hijabi, newly appointed president of Ramblers Scotland, and a diversity champion who documents her adventures on social media to inspire people across the country. She has received an MBE in the King's Birthday Honours List, something she says 'is still sinking in.' Zahrah adds: 'I'm incredibly grateful, it just feels very surreal.' The name of her Instagram account was her sister's idea, she laughs. 'As I got more into hillwalking, I was telling my sister that I didn't really see many people like me when I was out there,' explains Zahrah. 'I got a lot of stares. 'So my sister just said, 'lean into it – you're the hillwalking hijabi.' She grins. 'And it stuck.' Zahrah is receiving the MBE in recognition of her voluntary service and commitment to social change. She has become a leading voice in the movement for diversity in the world of hillwalking. 'There are barriers to the outdoors, not just in terms of race but also for people who are on low incomes, or who are new mums, for example,' she says. This is a subject close to Zahrah's heart, as the chartered accountant is currently on maternity leave with her eight-month-old baby daughter Hafsah. She and husband Tom also have a son, three-year-old Harris. 'I am honoured to receive an MBE, and I hope I can continue, with Ramblers Scotland, to reduce those barriers and make the outdoors accessible to everyone," she adds. For Monty Cowen, finding out he had been awarded an MBE was an especially bittersweet moment. 'My wife, Phyllis, died on May 3 five years ago, and it was on May 3 this year I received the letter,' says the 92-year-old. 'It made me very sad, as I know she would have been very proud.' He adds: 'I am honoured and thrilled, of course. It means a great deal to receive this.' Monty receives the MBE for services to the Jewish community and to the community in Giffnock over the last 60 years. His many accomplishments include helping the synagogue in Giffnock move to a bigger building, now known as Giffnock Newton Mearns Hebrew Congregation, and organising fundraising events. Monty is an honorary president of the Glasgow Hebrew Burial Society, and as an active member of the Kashrut Commission, he ensures supervision of Kosher food suppliers and caterers for Glasgow and the west of Scotland. He is actively involved with the Association of Jewish Ex-Servicemen and Women (AJEX), a cause close to his heart, as he served in Egypt during his National Service in the 1950s. The retired optical manufacturer is the Area Brigade Commander, and runs the local Armistice Day parade. 'Supporting my community is a passion,' says Monty, who has a son, a daughter, four grandchildren and five great-grandchildren. 'I'm just interested in what goes on around me and I have loved playing a part in helping people.' Leanne McGuire (Image: Newsquest) Glasgow City Parents Group founder Leanne McGuire is to receive the British Empire Medal for 'services to parental and carer engagement in education.' The 45-year-old said: 'I'm filled with pride to receive this honour. This isn't just about me. It's a reflection of the collective effort of so many parents, carers, campaigners and community voices who have worked tirelessly to make our education system fairer and more inclusive.' She paid tribute to her daughter, who she said 'was my main motivation for all of those voluntary hours I worked on top of my full time job and most importantly being her mum.' Leanne added: 'She was a constant reminder me why it all mattered.' Pam Duncan-Glancy MSP (Image: Newsquest) Labour MSP Pam Duncan-Glancy will receive an MBE for her political and public service. The 43-year-old, who has served Glasgow since May 2021, is the first permanent wheelchair user elected to the Scottish Parliament. Pam has used her own experience to highlight the challenges disabled people face, and she has pushed the Scottish Government and the Labour Party to move faster in improving accessibility for disabled people. Pam said she was 'surprised and proud' to receive the MBE. 'As a working-class woman in a wheelchair, things like this don't happen to us,' she says. 'I never thought it possible to become an MSP, never mind receiving an MBE. 'I'm overwhelmed and will continue to work tirelessly for my community, and to public service to have a positive impact on society.'
Daily Mirror
11 hours ago
- Daily Mirror
Two young sisters killed in Air India crash after going to surprise their gran
A Boeing Dreamliner plane bound for London Gatwick and carrying 242 people tragically crashed and exploded shortly after take-off from Ahmedabad Airport yesterday Two sisters killed in the Air India tragedy had flown to India to visit their grandmother for her birthday. Dhir and Heer Baxi, who were both in their 20s, travelled from London to Ahmedabad to visit their family for the special day. But on their return to London Gatwick, the plane barely managed to get off the runway before smashing in to a nearby medical college, exploding into a fiery ball and killing 241 of the 242 people on board. Their family described the girls as "young talents" as they spoke of their heartbreak today. Dhir was studying to become a fashion designer, while her sister worked in an investment and renewable energy company as a project director. Previously, she worked in Singapore, which is where it's understood the sisters grew up. Speaking to The Telegraph, their older brother Ishan said: "I can't express what my complete family is going through – shell shocked, not coming to terms is what I can say right now "Both had a natural aura of helping and always cared about family values. They both had aspirations to be successful enough to roam around the world, tension-free. Along with their parents, they both had a proclivity towards modernisation without changing traditional values. "Both my sisters know what is right and what is wrong, thus whatever work they carried out, in academics or fashion, they always got success with no conflicts amongst peers or seniors." A loved one also wrote "RIP young talent" under the last Instagram post on Heer's feed. In another tragic tale from the horrific crash yesterday, a bride who was meeting her husband for the first time since their wedding was also named as one of the victims. Khushboo Rajpurohit, 21, was on board yesterday when the Boeing Dreamliner plane tragically crashed and exploded shortly after take-off - killing her and 240 other people. Ms Rajpurohit, who was from a small village called Araba in Rajasthan, India, had married husband Manfool Singh, who studies in London, back in January. She had taken a smiling selfie with a relative at the airport shortly before take-off - but would never reach her destination. Also thought to have died is four-year-old Sara Nanabawa, who was travelling with her parents Akeel and Hannaa when the aircraft smashed into a doctors' hostel in Ahmedabad, India. A family of five from Rajasthan who were relocating to London are also feared dead. In one selfie taken seconds before take-off, Komi Vyas and husband Prateek Joshi, both doctors, were seen smiling as they sat on the aisle opposite their children. Joshi had moved to London a few years ago, and his family were set to join him. Four medical students inside the struck building are believed to have been killed, along with four relatives who were in the building. One man - a British national - miraculously survived the disaster.
Daily Mirror
11 hours ago
- Daily Mirror
Banning skirts in school would be 'ridiculous' change to uniforms
Some schools across the UK have banned pupils from wearing skirts, while others are looking further into making the change. However, the decision has caused an uproar among parents The move to ban girls from wearing skirts in schools has sparked a heated debate. Several schools across the UK have announced plans to adopt a trousers-only policy, citing the persistent issue of girls rolling up their skirts. Earlier this month, students at Honywood School in Coggeshall, Colchester, Essex, were informed that, starting in September, they would only be allowed to wear trousers or knee-length shorts, effectively banning skirts. The move was later postponed after backlash from parents. Fred Longworth High School in Tyldesley, Wigan, Manchester, also made headlines when it revealed that replacing skirts with pinafores had failed to resolve the problem of girls rolling their skirts up. While other schools, including Thomas Clarkson Academy in Wisbech and Neale-Wade Academy in March, both in Cambridgeshire and Philips High in Whitefield, Bury, Manchester, have already banned skirts. In light of another school suggesting the change, many have taken to social media to express their concerns over the ban on skirts in schools. One wrote: "That's ridiculous, yes have rules but making girls wear shorts/trousers... what is this world coming to." READ MORE: Complete list of 15 jobs 'not entitled' to National Minimum Wage - what to know Someone else added: "This is really interfering with their education." "I'm surprised they haven't banned trousers instead," another penned. While a fourth questioned: "Is this not discrimination against girls." However, others seem more opposed to the idea as one mentioned: "It will stop them from rolling them over at the waist band so they are so short." A second added: "There should be a strict uniform regulations and if not adhered to parents heavily fined: end of." The announcement about the school uniform policy from Honywood School in Essex sparked criticism among parents. In light of alleged "discriminatory and bigoted" feedback over the potential skirt ban, the headteacher of Honywood School said it would be put on hold as he addressed criticism of "liberal wokeness". A statement was posted on the school's Facebook page, encouraging parents and carers to share their opinions on the school's dress code before any changes are implemented. The statement also addressed some of the feedback already received, reports Essex Live. The statement read: "Following on from the letter sent to you yesterday, I would like to clarify our next steps towards reviewing the uniform policy at Honywood School. I have paused any further actions regarding implementing any changes to the policy so that feedback can be gathered from families and fed into the process. READ MORE: Two stowaways found under school coach carrying children back from France trip "I still believe we need to review our dress code for several reasons. These include concerns about behaviour, affordability, and promoting a more gender-neutral approach. Most of the feedback I have received is around the topic of being gender-neutral, which at times, perhaps unintentionally, has been quite discriminatory and bigoted towards some groups of society." The head teacher pointed out that only a small number of students are not adhering to the school's dress code, with 75 pupils failing to wear skirts according to the guidelines. Headteacher Mr James Saunders commented: "Whilst I am keen to collate further feedback, I feel we need a more productive framework, free from the emotive and polarised opinions that permeate society and are exploited for sensational news. As a society, we do not always have to be on the opposite ends of the spectrum. "Talking about 'liberal wokeness' at one extreme or a 'Victorian approach to discipline' on the other is not helpful. It is all too easy to be swayed in emotive language and follow the crowd. "Rarely do such discussions recognise what happens in schools and this approach risks us losing the art of debate and discussion - let's do that in a measured way together. I offer my sincere apologies that the communication may have felt rushed and that you have not had a proper opportunity to share your views - we will rectify this." He also mentioned that, as of his writing, he had received 12 emails from parents or carers expressing questions or concerns, and 11 showing support for the change. Mr Saunders expressed gratitude towards those who reached out to the school and assured them he would respond after all feedback has been considered. He further invited other parents and carers to voice their opinions on the dress code, both in its current form and the proposed changes, before any decisions are made. Mr Saunders asked for feedback regarding the cost and affordability of different gendered uniforms, branded items, behaviour management, and the practicality of the PE kit. Additionally, he urged parents and carers to consider the feelings of those with protected characteristics, exceptions during extreme weather conditions, suitability and safety, as well as environmental impact.
