About five children were affected with one child having their treatment put back by five days.

They faced a delay because more than half of specialist nurses in the field are off work in the trust, with seven members of staff “unavailable for work due to planned and unplanned absences”.

However, in a statement, the Belfast Health Trust said clinical nurse specialists are now providing additional support.

The trust also said they are “working to improve the situation and staffing and service delivery is being closely monitored to ensure adequate and safe staffing levels”.

Sources earlier told BBC News NI that issues around staffing levels across the health trust have been raised, and specifically about the number of specialist nurses in the paediatric haematology and oncology departments.

A member of staff said staffing problems were not being addressed by senior management.

The trust said while nursing posts were fully recruited, unfortunately “the number of chemotherapy-trained nursing staff on the ward has temporarily decreased due to planned and unplanned absences”.

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Tamara had microcephaly – an abnormally small head – one of many conditions resulting from her mother being infected with the Zika virus while pregnant.

Now nine-years-old, Tamara eats through a stomach tube. Her hands are increasingly stiff and contracted and she has a hard time holding her head still.

“I was told early on that she wouldn’t walk, she wouldn’t speak nor smile,” says Rute.

“And yet I would ask every doctor I visited: ‘My kid is going to walk, right?'”

Rute’s daughter is one of the nearly 2,000 babies born to women who contracted the mosquito-borne virus in Brazil between 2015 and 2016.

Back then, the country was preparing to host the Olympics and the world watched with concern as the virus spread across Brazil as well as to dozens of other countries.

• Zika Love Stories: I went to Brazil to find out how families are coping

A public health emergency was declared by the World Health Organization and Brazilian authorities, whose warning remained in place until May 2017.

It’s still not clear why the outbreak spontaneously ceased and it hasn’t resurged over the past decade.

Zika disappeared from the public eye, and families dealing with its long-lasting consequences have been largely forgotten.

According to government figures, 261 children diagnosed with congenital Zika syndrome – a pattern of birth defects caused by infections during pregnancy – have died. Hundreds more have seen their health conditions deteriorate.

Tamara is one of them. She lives in Maceió, a coastal city in north-eastern Brazil, where 75% of the cases of congenital Zika virus syndrome in the country were registered.

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NRS Healthcare, which works with the NHS and about 40 councils in England and Northern Ireland, was expected to run out of cash by the end of last week, the BBC understood.

NRS supplies a wide range of equipment from wheelchairs and hoists to hospital beds and pendants which monitor falls.

Herefordshire Council said two council-commissioned providers took over services for about 12,000 residents in the county on Friday.

Hoople Ltd is providing items such as shower chairs, toilet frames and hoists while Careium UK is taking over technology services including lifeline units, fall detectors and emergency call monitoring.

The council said people who use those services did not need to take any action or change their routines or equipment use.

They were, however, advised to make a note of new contact details for the companies.

Hilary Hall, corporate director of community wellbeing, said the council worked quickly as soon as it became aware of concerns, adding: “We have found new suppliers who can pick up these services immediately with minimum disruption.”

Close eye on situation

In a statement on Wednesday, NRS Healthcare said the firm had been working hard over the past few months “to turn around the business and explore all possible options to safeguard services and protect the communities who rely on them”.

“We have already begun transferring all services to other providers and are implementing plans with the local authorities to preserve service provision and jobs,” said a spokesperson.

In a statement, a government spokesperson said: “We are closely monitoring this situation and are working with a range of partners who are supporting local authorities to minimise any potential disruption, find alternative suppliers if needed and ensure patients continue to receive high-quality care.”

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Health minister Karin Smyth visited St George’s Surgery in St George, Worle, part of the Mendip Vale Medical Group in Weston-super-Mare, where she spoke to staff and patients about AI.

The surgery serves almost 14,000 patients and uses AI to automate note-taking and letter drafting, which are checked by clinicians before they are sent out.

Smyth said: “For far too long, staff have been hampered by needless administrative tasks which have held them back from doing what they do best – caring for and treating their patients.”

St George’s Surgery booked more than 9,000 appointments in June alone, with over half of those taking place on the same day the appointment was made.

As part of the 10 Year Health Plan, the government will support providers to rollout technology, potentially freeing up the equivalent capacity of more than 2,000 full-time GPs.

Andy Carpenter, digital director for Mendip Vale Medical Group, said: “General practice is seeing more patients than ever before, and the use of AI and digital technology is playing a vital role in helping to meet that demand.”

He added they had many safety processes in place to keep patients’ data safe.

“Most patients see that AI is a benefit to their patient care and are willing to have it working,” Mr Carpenter said.

“I think what it does at this moment in time, it allows for GPs to have more face-to-face time.”

During her visit, Smyth also had the opportunity to see other areas of AI in action, including remote fridge-temperature monitoring to prevent loss of vaccine stock.

“The use of AI technology is really key for the future, we have to make sure it’s safe. We need to make sure healthcare is always well regulated. We’re very actively working with clinicians to make sure we’re on the right track with that,” Smyth added

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Afghanistan Journal-The agreement was officially signed on the 10th of Jawza 1404 (May 30, 2025) in the presence of Acting Minister of Mines and Petroleum Mullah Hedayatullah Badri, Deputy Minister for Finance and Administration Mawlawi Hesamuddin Sabri, Ministerial Advisor Mawlawi Motiullah Haqqani, and Head of Procurement Mawlawi Mir Mohammad Nabi Mohammadi.

Under the terms of the agreement, the Turkish company is obligated to complete the drilling of the three wells within one year.

It is estimated that, once operational, the wells will collectively produce 100,000 cubic meters of gas per day.

Ministry officials emphasized that this project will not only help meet part of the country’s gas needs but will also create job opportunities for Afghan citizens.

This initiative is seen as a significant step toward developing domestic natural resources and reducing reliance on imported energy, contributing to Afghanistan’s path toward energy self-sufficiency.

Afghanistan Journal

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Afghanistan Journal-According to official data, the breakdown of cargo movement through key ports is as follows:
Hairatan Port: 247,042 tons
Aqina Port: 32,117 tons
Torghundi Port: 23,168 tons.
Khaf-Herat Railway Line: 30,509 tons

Out of the total, 16,772 metric tons were export and transit goods, primarily consisting of dried fruits, minerals, potatoes, rice, and pomegranate juice.

Officials from the ministry emphasized that the growing volume of railway cargo is contributing significantly to national revenue, job creation, and the country’s journey toward economic self-sufficiency.

The ministry also stated it is actively working to expand railway infrastructure and services, with the aim of facilitating trade, reducing transportation costs, and enhancing cooperation with domestic and international traders.

Afghanistan Journal

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Afghanistan Journal-The complex offers advanced amenities such as dry and steam saunas, swimming and splash pools, a cold-water tunnel, an artificial river, a saltwater pool, and hydrotherapy services facilities described by officials as unmatched in Afghanistan and powered by cutting-edge technology.

At the inauguration, Haji Mohammad Reza Jamali, head of the Almas Group behind the project, stated that the center was established to promote health, recreation, and family-friendly environments.

He noted that the complex has created jobs for more than 100 people, both directly and indirectly.

Jamali added that technologies used in this complex are being introduced in Afghanistan for the first time, making it a potential model for future sports infrastructure development.

Haji Hazrat Ali, Secretary to the Governor of Balkh, called the project a clear example of impactful investment in the sports and employment sectors.

He urged other investors to launch similar initiatives to boost economic growth and social well-being.

This complex marks a major step toward modernizing Afghanistan’s sports infrastructure and is expected to become a new hub for youth, families, and advocates of a healthy lifestyle.

Afghanistan Journal

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Tries from Jone Naikabula and debutant Amato Fakatava in the first half and one from Semisi Masiwera in the second kept Japan in front for most of the game, but Tonga scored two tries of its own and was pressing for another until the end.

The Yomiuri Shimbun
Amato Fakatava scores a try for Japan in the first half.

Winger Naikabula opened Japan’s account off an attacking scrum but just three minutes later a smart pickup by Tongan blindside Vaea Fifita around a weakly defended ruck set up scrumhalf Sonatane Takulua to run one in for the visiting side.

The back and forth continued throughout, punctuated by a series of handling errors on both sides which left little room to build phases and pressure.

With less than two minutes until the final whistle, Japan led by just five when an interception by Tonga outside center Afusipa Taumoepeau almost resulted in a try that would have leveled up the scores.

A last ditch try-saving tackle by replacement fullback Kotaro Matsushima, however, saved Japan and the host side held on to secure the victory.

Japan lacked the flair that characterized its 2019 World Cup performances, and it appeared to feel the absence of loose forward Michael Leitch, who was banned for a red card offence during last week’s loss to Samoa.

The win moved Japan to second place in the Pacific Nations Cup standings behind Fiji, which it meets in the final round next week

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In this competition, the 10 teams that are going to compete are:

• Saadat – Nimroz

• Zaytoun Kabul

• Appearance of Asad Kabul

• Ancient bridgehead

• Herat Union

• Youth of Khorasan, Baghlan

• New era of Ghazni

• Victory of Panjshir

Sadaqat Kabul and Shamsherat will compete with each other with the league system.

It should be said that in 2020, in the first round of the Afghanistan Futsal Premier League, “Etihad Team” was able to win the championship position and in this round of the competition, it is going to appear as the defending champion.

According to the Afghanistan Football Federation, this tournament will be opened on the 26th of December with the meeting of “Saadat Nimroz” and “Zaytoon Kabul” teams, and in the future, the competitions will be held every day with two matches held in the gymnasium of the Afghanistan Football Federation and hosted by Kabul. .

In this ceremony, Dean Mohammad Safi, the senior advisor of the Afghanistan Football Federation, says that “after the recent developments in the country, the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan has provided the best points for Afghan football and they have also nationalized the sport.”

He also thanked Ariana TV channel for broadcasting the first round of the Afghanistan Futsal Premier League in “HD”.

At the same time, Shahpour Armaghan, the deputy director of the Ariana TV channel, says that “tonight, many people are happy that Ariana Radio and Television Global Network has launched the second season of Afghanistan Futsal in close cooperation with the Afghanistan Football Federation.”

Mr. Armaghan also added that: “As he knows, Ariana TV and Afghan Wireless Telecommunication Company have stood by the country’s sports community and have contributed to friendly sports by supporting sports programs.”

Also, the second season of Afghanistan Futsal Premier League will be broadcast live and exclusively through Ariana TV channel.

In this regard, Lotfollah Stanakzai, director of Ariana TV sales, says: “We ensure that all viewers not only in the 34 provinces of the country, but also outside Afghanistan, our people can watch the competitions with the best quality through television, satellite and digital.”

Mr. Stankzai says that sports is the priority of Ariana TV and this year they will publish good sports programs for the people, starting with the top league of “Afghanistan Futsal”.

The post The draw of the second season of “League Top” of Afghanistan futsal appeared first on The Afghanistan Journal.

Tries from Jone Naikabula and debutant Amato Fakatava in the first half and one from Semisi Masiwera in the second kept Japan in front for most of the game, but Tonga scored two tries of its own and was pressing for another until the end.

The Yomiuri Shimbun
Amato Fakatava scores a try for Japan in the first half.

Winger Naikabula opened Japan’s account off an attacking scrum but just three minutes later a smart pickup by Tongan blindside Vaea Fifita around a weakly defended ruck set up scrumhalf Sonatane Takulua to run one in for the visiting side.

The back and forth continued throughout, punctuated by a series of handling errors on both sides which left little room to build phases and pressure.

With less than two minutes until the final whistle, Japan led by just five when an interception by Tonga outside center Afusipa Taumoepeau almost resulted in a try that would have leveled up the scores.

A last ditch try-saving tackle by replacement fullback Kotaro Matsushima, however, saved Japan and the host side held on to secure the victory.

Japan lacked the flair that characterized its 2019 World Cup performances, and it appeared to feel the absence of loose forward Michael Leitch, who was banned for a red card offence during last week’s loss to Samoa.

The win moved Japan to second place in the Pacific Nations Cup standings behind Fiji, which it meets in the final round next week.

End

Afghanistan Journal

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