The central African nation is battling its latest Ebola epidemic in the conflict-ridden east, a region scarred by decades of violence.

Two people have been killed and four others wounded in the latest mass shooting in the United States of America.

NASA is preparing to launch a new space telescope in a mission designed to tackle some of the universe’s biggest mysteries, from dark matter and dark energy to the discovery of thousands of new planets. The telescope, named the Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope, is undergoing final preparations ahead of a launch set to take place from Florida’s Kennedy Space Centre in late August. Nancy Grace Roman The Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope will study how the universe began, what it is made of and how it has evolved over time. Named after NASA’s first chief astronomer, the ‘mother of the Hubble Space Telescope,’ the Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope will have a field of view at least 100 times larger than Hubble’s, potentially measuring light from a billion galaxies in its lifetime. “This observatory will also be able to block starlight to directly see exoplanets and planet-forming disks, complete a statistical census of planetary systems in our galaxy, and settle essential questions in the areas of dark energy, exoplanets, and infrared astrophysics,” NASA said. Measurements To make Roman’s sensitive measurements possible, the telescope will observe from a vantage point about 930,000 miles (1.5 million km) away from Earth in the direction opposite the Sun. “At this special place in space, called the second Sun-Earth Lagrange point, or L2, gravitational forces balance to keep objects in steady orbits with very little assistance,” NASA said. NASA added that Roman carries two main instruments, added by the space administration. The telescope has a primary mirror that is 7.9 feet (2.4 meters) in diameter – the same size as the Hubble Space Telescope’s primary mirror. Instruments The Roman Space Telescope will have two instruments: the Wide Field Instrument, and the Coronagraph Instrument technology demonstration. The Wide Field Instrument will detect infrared light coming from the universe. Infrared light has wavelengths that are slightly longer than those of visible light. This allows the instrument to see through cosmic dust and look deeper into the cosmos. The coronagraph is designed to block the overwhelming glare of nearby stars. The idea is a bit like placing a hand in front of the Sun to make it easier to see something faint beside it. Impact Roman’s greatest impact may come from the unexpected. With repeated observations of large areas of sky, it will detect rare events and previously unseen phenomena. For astronomers, this is one of the mission’s most exciting aspects. The Roman Space Telescope will have a primary mission lifetime of 5 years, with a potential 5-year extended mission.

Having had a week off with their families following the conclusion of the first stage of the Nations Championship, the Springbok squad for the one-off Test against Argentina and the series against the All Blacks will kick off on-field training again on Monday. The 43-man squad gathered in Joburg on Sunday, with coach Rassie Erasmus set to use this week assessing players who have been recalled after missing out on, or playing a limited role in, the Nations Championship Tests against England, Scotland and Wales due to injuries. The 10 players who Erasmus and the Bok medical team will be interested to see training are Eben Etzebeth, Lood de Jager, Franco Mostert, Siya Kolisi, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, Handre Pollard, Ethan Hooker, Canan Moodie, Andre Esterhuizen and Morne van den Berg. They will all want to prove their fitness ahead of the trip to Argentina for the one-off Test in Buenos Aires next weekend (8 August). With the four Test series against the All Blacks to follow, Erasmus will be keen to let them loose against the Pumas. “Some players are returning from injury and need some valuable game time, so depending on how they progress from their injuries during the week’s training camp, we will decide who we will take to Argentina, while the other guys in the 43-man squad will remain behind in Johannesburg with a group of coaches and management to begin preparing for the Tests against New Zealand,” said Erasmus. The 26-man squad that will travel to Buenos Aires is expected to be finalised at the end of this week. They will travel to Argentina in two groups on Sunday and next Monday. Expect a number of the other first-choice players who were involved in the Tests recently in the Nations Championship to stay home and continue training here. These players could include Damian Willemse, Cheslin Kolbe, Jesse Kriel, Damian de Allende, Jasper Wiese, Pieter-Steph du Toit, Ruan Nortje, Malcolm Marx, Wilco Louw and Thomas du Toit. Meanwhile, the All Blacks squad for the tour of South Africa was named early on Monday in Auckland, by new coach Dave Rennie. A group of 44 players will tour South Africa from next week. The visitors will play four Tests against the world champions and four matches against the SA United Rugby Championship sides.

Prop Siale Lauaki, loose forward Semisi Tupou Ta’eiloa and inside back Josh Jacomb are the three uncapped players named by All Blacks coach Dave Rennie for the tour to South Africa, which will include four Tests against the Springboks. The trio are joined by returning All Blacks Ollie Norris, George Bell, Fabian Holland, Ethan Blackadder, Timoci Tavatavanawai, Rieko Ioane and Emoni Narawa. The All Blacks will kick off Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry in Cape Town on 7 August against the Stormers, while the first Test will be against the Springboks is on 22 August at Ellis Park. The second and third Tests will be at DHL Stadium in Cape Town and FNB Stadium in Johannesburg respectively. Both teams will then travel to America to play the fourth and final Test in Baltimore, Maryland – the first time the rivals have played each other on US soil. In the touring squad, all 34 players who completed an unbeaten Nations Championship campaign against Ireland, Italy and France have been retained, while 10 more players were also added for the demanding seven-week tour. All Blacks squad Forwards: Asafo Aumua, Codie Taylor, Samisoni Taukei’aho, George Bell, Ethan De Groot, George Bower, Xavier Numia, Ollie Norris, Tyrel Lomax, Fletcher Newell, Pasilio Tosi, Siale Lauaki, Tupou Vaa’i, Patrick Tuipulotu, Josh Lord, Sam Darry, Fabian Holland, Peter Lakai, Simon Parker, Ethan Blackadder, Luke Jacobson, Anton Segner, Ardie Savea (c), Wallace Sititi, Semisi Tupou Ta’eiloa.Backs: Cameron Roigard, Cortez Ratima, Kyle Preston, Ruben Love, Beauden Barrett, Damian McKenzie, Josh Jacomb, Jordie Barrett, Quinn Tupaea, Billy Proctor, Anton Lienert-Brown, Timoci Tavatavanawai, Caleb Clarke, Fehi Fineanganofo, Leroy Carter, Josh Moorby, Will Jordan, Rieko Ioane, Emoni Narawa. Competitive tour expected Rennie congratulated the selected players and said all 44 would be required to play in the tour. “This tour will challenge us and demand the very best of us. We have selected a squad that we know is up to the challenge.  It’s a balanced blend of experienced Test players and a cohort of younger players who will be keen to work hard and showcase their skillset on tour. “We are thrilled for those players who will have the opportunity to pull on the All Blacks jersey for the first time, and welcome back those who are returning to the group. “With eight matches in six weeks, including a four-Test series against the Springboks, this would have to be the toughest tour in rugby. Every player will be required to play their part across this tour, whether it’s preparing to play or helping their mates prepare.  “It will be an intense seven weeks of touring but an excellent opportunity for us to pit ourselves against the current benchmark team in world rugby, and to build connections with each other in a way that only a tour of this scale can do. What we learn about ourselves on and off-field will set us up well for the Rugby World Cup in 2027,” Rennie said.

New Kaizer Chiefs boss Fernando Da Cruz wants to sign four players in attacking positions. Here’s the latest as the club shakes things up. Chiefs boss says the club wants four players Kaizer Chiefs coach Fernando Da Cruz wants new options in attack. New wingers, a new number 9 and a creative midfielder are on the wish list for the French boss. “A striker, new wingers and an offensive midfielder. We have good profiles (already), but we asked management to get different profiles, so that we can play different football and be less predictable.” Is Duba for sale? Wandile Duba is arguably the best finisher at the club, and he’s popular among fans. Now 22, he can play through the middle as a number 9 or as a wide player in a front three. A return of three goals and two assists in 18 league outings last term isn’t great, but he does have a knack for scoring spectacular goals, often in big games. Will that attract interest from elsewhere in South Africa or overseas? Profiling Chiefs’ new midfield man Kaizer Chiefs have secured the signature of Adolf Mtasingwa Bitegeko from Tanzanian giants, Azam FC, for an undisclosed fee. Here’s a little more from the official club website: “The 27-year-old defensive midfielder, who was captain at Azam, becomes the first player from Tanzania to join Amakhosi. His arrival adds to the impressive list of players from over 20 different African countries who have worn the famous Gold & Black jersey. Mtasingwa brings valuable experience, having spent six seasons in Scandinavia, playing in the Icelandic, Norwegian and Finnish leagues. He returned home in 2024 to help Azam FC finish third in the Tanzanian league last season. The Tanzanian international has filled the role of vice-captain for his national team. We warmly welcome Adolf to the family and wish him success on his journey with the Glamour Boys.”

Vodacom has cut its dividend payout policy to at least 65% of headline earnings, from at least 75% previously.

Local lenders have gone from building everything in-house to buying the start-ups that outran them.