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IOL News
a day ago
- Lifestyle
- IOL News
Inspectors shut unsafe Nyanga Home Affairs office
Hazardous working conditions found at Nyanga Home Affairs. Image: Supplied THE Department of Home Affairs (DHA) has 60 days to comply with a Labour Department notice issued after serious health hazards, flagged by the Public Servants Association (PSA), forced the shutdown of the home affairs Nyanga office. The Nyanga office was closed on Tuesday after an inspection uncovered the unsafe conditions. Following the inspection, a direction notice was served on the DHA for contravening health and safety regulations. Mould seen on the ceiling of Nyanga Home Affairs. Image: Supplied Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. 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Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Next Stay Close ✕ The notice requires the department to submit a valid Electrical Certificate of Compliance for all repairs and installations, and to conduct an Ergonomics Risk Assessment before commencing any work that could expose employees to ergonomic hazards. Alongside this, a prohibition notice was issued, seen by the Cape Times, preventing the reopening of the Nyanga office until several urgent safety measures are addressed. These include the immediate repair of the leaking roof to reduce fire and electrical risks and the replacement of sagging ceilings to prevent potential collapse and structural damage. Nyanga Home Affairs closed after Labour department inspection. Image: Supplied The department must also unblock all emergency exits, as currently only one door is used for both entry and exit, posing a serious evacuation risk. In addition, clean, potable drinking water must be provided for staff and the public, the current JOJO tank was found to be inadequate and had not been serviced for more than a year. The DHA was also ordered to repair and properly secure all exposed electrical wiring to eliminate the risk of electrocution. The Department of Employment and Labour did not respond to further requests for comment on the matter by deadline. The PSA said they could no longer stand by and "witness the continued degradation of the DHA Nyanga Office". 'Following numerous complaints from our members regarding hazardous working conditions, the PSA escalated the matter by requesting an urgent inspection by the Department of Employment and Labour (DEL). Despite the clear dangers, the employer has failed to issue any formal communication or guidance to staff regarding their safety or that of the public. This inaction reflects a disturbing disregard for the health and safety of both employees and the public. 'The PSA urgently calls on the Department of Home Affairs to act swiftly and responsibly to safeguard the well-being of all affected. A safe and healthy work environment is not a privilege, it is a Constitutional right. The Department must take immediate steps to comply with legal safety standards and restore dignity to the workplace and the Department of Home Affairs,' said PSA labour relations officer, Crystal Human. The DHA confirmed that a mobile unit was on site from Wednesday to provide services to clients, DHA said. 'Priority is to have the findings speedily addressed for citizens and clients to continue receiving uninterrupted services they deserve. The Department has escalated the matter to the Department of Public Works and Infrastructure for swift engagement with the landlord of the building. 'The Department regrets this development given the inconvenience it has caused to clients and remains committed to ensuring a safe environment for both clients and officials in the delivery of services. We are doing all in our power to minimise impact on communities, thus the deployment of a mobile office was prioritised,' said DHA spokesperson and deputy director-general for operations, Thulani Mavuso. Cape Times
Daily Mail
3 days ago
- Health
- Daily Mail
Experts reveal the best foods to eat to prevent and stop migraine attacks
Experts have revealed the best foods you can eat to stop, and potentially prevent, migraine attacks. A migraine is a neurological condition that causes severe throbbing pain or a pulsing sensation, usually on one side of the head. More than just a typical headache, migraines, which affect about 39 million Americans, can worsen with movement, lights and sounds and cause nausea, vomiting, numbness in limbs and vision changes. A migraine attack can last for hours to days and a majority of sufferers are unable to work or function normally during an attack. The severity of the pain caused from migraines may vary from person to person and can spread from the head to around the eyes, face, sinuses, jaw and neck and can interfere with regular life. While treatments such as over-the-counter and prescription pain relievers and lifestyle changes can help deal with the pain, they can come with a host of undesirable side effects and hefty costs. However, experts now say that eating fatty fish such as salmon, tuna, mackerel, herring, sardines and oysters, all of which are high in omega-3 fatty acids and known for their anti-inflammatory properties, can be helpful. Kayla Farrell, a registered dietitian, told Prevention: 'While identifying and avoiding trigger foods is important, incorporating nutrient-rich, anti-inflammatory foods into the diet can also support migraine management.' During a migraine, the brainstem (a part of the brain connected to the spinal cord) becomes activated and triggers the release of chemicals known as neuropeptides. These chemicals cause inflammation and swelling in the blood vessels in the brain, which leads to throbbing pain in the head, eyes, temples, neck and face. While the pain may fade after a while, those suffering from chronic migraines may have some level of constant inflammation in their brain. However, experts say that consuming a high amount of omega-3 fatty fish, particularly DHA (docosahexaenoic acid) and EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid), can help reduce this inflammation over time. A 2021 BMJ study found that those who consumed diets high in EPA and DHA for 16 weeks reported about 40 percent fewer headache days per month and a decreased frequency of headache hours per day than people who had a lower intake of these omega-3 fats. The researchers found that diets high in EPA and DHA omega-3 fats increased blood levels of oxylipin, a byproduct of omega-3s that helps reduce pain and inflammation in the brain. Additionally, both EPA and DHA fats can reduce the production of cytokines and eicosanoids - two kinds of protein molecules that are key players in causing inflammation in the body. Consuming these foods regularly, ideally two or more three-ounce servings per week, can help reduce overall brain inflammation with time and reduce the frequency of migraine episodes. For non meat-eaters and vegans, experts suggest consuming flax seeds, edamame and avocados, which are also rich in omega-3 fats and can provide the same benefits as fatty fish. Previous studies have linked migraines to different gastrointestinal disorders, such as inflammatory bowel disease and celiac disease. While it remains unclear how GI disorders can lead to migraines, scientists believe that also eating fiber-rich foods such as beans, berries and apples can help ease GI pain and in turn, ease the brain's pain receptors. High magnesium content in foods such as brown rice, bananas and dark leafy greens can also soothe migraine pain. According to Farrell, a 2021 study in the journal Headache found people who experienced migraines were not receiving enough magnesium, 'a mineral that plays a role in muscle and nerve function.' The researchers involved in the study found that consuming magnesium-rich foods can promote the release of serotonin in the brain - a chemical that is responsible for blood vessel constriction and dilation in the brain. Low serotonin levels can lead to thinning of the brain's blood vessels, which can trigger pain signals and lead to a migraine and its other symptoms. However, consuming magnesium-rich foods can help increase overall serotonin levels in the body which can dilate the blood vessels in the brain and open them up and reduce pain. Apart from this, Dr Sandip Sachar, a New York-based board-certified dentist, also noted that at times, migraines can be triggered by temporomandibular joint disorder (TMD) - a condition that can cause tightening of muscles around the jaw, head and neck. Due to the close proximity of the temporomandibular joint to the areas where migraines are often felt, any tension in the jaw and face can create pressure in the head and cause a migraine. However, Dr Sachar suggests that eating soft food such as mashed sweet potatoes and scrambled eggs that are easy to chew and will not trigger jaw pain can help prevent migraine flare-ups. Additionally, Dr Brian Gerhardstein, director of headache medicine at JFK University Medical Center also recommends eating water-rich foods such as cucumbers and watermelons. He explained: 'The concept of food triggers in the development of migraine headaches is complex. 'It is important to maintain adequate hydration throughout the course of the day as well.'
Bloomberg
4 days ago
- Climate
- Bloomberg
Four Dead as Wildfires Ravage Turkey and Threaten Mediterranean
Wildfires driven by searing temperatures and strong winds ravaged Turkey and parts of Greece in recent days, leaving four people dead and forcing hundreds of residents and tourists to flee the flames. Two fires broke out in Turkey's western province of Bursa over the weekend, filling the skies of two major towns with smoke. Three volunteer firefighters died when their water tanker truck fell off a cliff, and another passed away from a heart attack, DHA news agency reported. Last week, 10 forest workers and rescue volunteers were killed while fighting wildfires in Turkey's Eskisehir province.
India Today
5 days ago
- India Today
10 killed after bus loses control, falls into ditch in Pakistan
At least ten people were killed and over two dozen injured on Sunday in a bus accident in Pakistan, officials bus with 40 passengers onboard, travelling from Islamabad to Lahore along the M-2 motorway, fell into a ditch near Balkassar in the Punjab province's Chakwal to a spokesperson of the Chakwal Rescue 1122 emergency services, the bus driver lost control after one of the tyres burst, causing the vehicle to overturn and fall into a 'Nine people died in the accident and 30 were injured,' Dr Saeed Akhter, chief executive officer of the Chakwal District Health Authority (DHA), said in a passengers died on the spot, while two succumbed to injuries at the hospital. The bus driver and four children were among the the deceased and injured were shifted to a government hospital in to emergency services, Emy Dela Cruz, a Filipino woman, was also among the Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz expressed grief over the accident and directed the health authorities to provide the best treatment to the accidents are common in Pakistan and are often caused by careless driving and poor road conditions.- EndsMust Watch
The Independent
5 days ago
- Climate
- The Independent
Locals battle raging wildfires in popular Turkey holiday destination
New wildfires broke out along Turkey 's Mediterranean coast on Friday (July 25), leading the government to declare two western provinces as disaster zones. Dramatic television footage showed flames and thick smoke engulfing areas near high-rise apartments in Antalya, a popular holiday destination for both domestic and international tourists. As the fires spread, authorities evacuated homes in the city centre and the nearby Aksu district, according to the private news agency DHA. Firefighters fought tirelessly to contain the blazes, but strong winds hampered their efforts, threatening to push the flames further and forcing the closure of a major coastal highway. Further east along the coast, properties in the city of Manavgat were also under serious threat.
