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Council assigns FIFA Women’s World Cup™ hosting decision to FIFA Congress; also approves financial statements for 2020 and budget for 2022, published on FIFA.com

Meeting by videoconference, today the FIFA Council conferred to the FIFA Congress the decision to award FIFA Women’s World Cup™ (https://fifa.fans/3vGb89k) hosting rights.
Until now, the decision has been taken by the FIFA Council, most recently in June 2020 when the hosting rights for the 2023 edition were awarded to Australia and New Zealand. As FIFA seeks to raise the profile of the women’s game, this represents a significant step to bring the FIFA Women’s World Cup in line with the flagship men’s competition, the FIFA World Cup™ (https://fifa.fans/38qjc3Z).
The proposal will be put forward for a final decision by the 71st FIFA Congress, which will meet virtually (for the second time) on 21 May.
International match calendar and release of players
The FIFA Council received a report on the international football situation during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Bureau of the FIFA Council had extended to April 2021 the temporary amendments to the Regulations on the Status and Transfer of Players regarding the release of players for international duty, and FIFA, the confederations, and FIFA’s member associations remain in dialogue with national authorities about exemptions from quarantine rules for national team players.
The FIFA Council recognised that the highest priority in football is the health of the players, and therefore the discussion around the release of players for international duty must maintain this perspective, especially as the public health situation develops around the world.

2020 financials and 2022 budget
The FIFA Council also approved the organisation’s Annual Report, which contains the financial statements for 2020 and the budget for 2022.
The FIFA Annual Report 2020 focuses on the role played by world football’s governing body in the fight against COVID-19, primarily through the unprecedented FIFA COVID-19 Relief Plan, which has made available USD 1.5 billion to support FIFA’s 211 member associations and the confederations through times of financial uncertainty.
The FIFA Annual Report 2020 (http://fifa.fans/2NCvWgQ) is available on FIFA.com.
FIFA Arab Cup 2021™
The Council approved the competition regulations for the FIFA Arab Cup 2021, confirming the match schedule and draw procedure for the competition taking place in Qatar from 1 to 18 December this year.
 Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA).
African Media: AfricanMedia@fifa.org
Media files

FIFA Congress to decide on hosts for future editions of the FIFA Women’s World Cup™

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Results of COVID-19 tests done on 18 March 2021 confirm 26 new cases. The cumulative confirmed cases are 40,651. 

The breakdown of the new cases are: 25 contacts and alerts: Kampala (14) Masaka (6) Adjumani (2) Gulu (2) Wakiso (1); 1 Truck Driver from Kampala.
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Ministry of Health &#8211; Republic of Uganda. Media files

Coronavirus – Uganda: COVID-19 update (18 March 2021)

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2020 proved that the only constant is change — organisations were forced to unlock new levels of investment in transformation in order to adapt, remain resilient and ultimately change the way we work forever.

Perhaps one of the hardest things for businesses was the uncertainty — overnight, technologies that were once 3-5 years away are now commonplace. This alone placed enormous pressure on IT teams tasked to do more with less.
To get to grips with the latest technologies and innovation without breaking the bank, IT News Africa (www.ITNewsAfrica.com) and industry experts alike are set to lead the digital transformation conversation at the Digital Transformation Webinar (https://bit.ly/3vBaCJE) on 24 March 2021.
Under the theme ‘Using Hybrid Cloud Agility to Put your Organization Ahead’, this free webinar will tackle how to take advantage of the cloud. It will impart knowledge on how to build a solid IT environment that allows organizations to navigate difficult global situations, making the right architectural decisions to unlock freedom without sacrificing security and control and “right-size” VMs to minimize resource waste to maximize application performance.
Confirmed Speakers Include:
 	Kumaran Selvarajalu, Senior General Manager at the Payments Banking Association Of South Africa 	Dr. Michael Modiba, Cloud Engineer at Standard Bank 	Martin Walshaw, Strategic Account Manager at Nutanix 
Who Should Attend:
CIO, CMO, Chief Digital Officer, Head of Customer Experience, CTO, Strategy Director, Digital Transformation Manager, CSO, Chief Digital Officer, Chief Data Officer
How to participate:
Register for this virtual conference HERE (https://bit.ly/3vBaCJE)
For more information on this webinar visit: https://bit.ly/3vBaCJE
[t]: 011 026 0981/2
[e]: events@itnewsafrica.com
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of IT News Africa.

Unlocking Hybrid Cloud Agility Solutions at Digital Transformation Webinar

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UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, is warning about an alarming increase in the number of attacks by an armed group on civilians in north-eastern parts of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).

Since January, attacks blamed on the armed group, Allied Democratic Forces (ADF), have killed nearly 200 people, injured dozens of others, and displaced an estimated 40,000 people in DRC’s Beni Territory in North Kivu province as well as nearby villages in Ituri province.
In less than three months, the ADF has allegedly raided 25 villages, set fire to dozens of houses, and kidnapped over 70 people. This is in addition to the 465 Congolese killed in attacks attributed to the ADF during 2020.
Attacks and widespread human right violations also continue in other parts of North Kivu province.
The main reasons for these attacks are reported to include retaliation by armed groups against military operations, their search for food and medicine, and accusations against communities of sharing information on ADF positions.
Those forcibly displaced this month have fled to Oicha, Beni and Butembo towns in Beni Territory, with many fleeing on motorbikes. The majority are women and children, as men stay behind to protect properties, exposing themselves to the risk of further attacks.
Displaced people are living in dire conditions without shelter, food, water or health care. In the context of Ebola and COVID-19, the lack of access to toilets, clean water, soap and menstrual hygiene products is of particular concern. In addition, families do not have enough essential items like blankets, sleeping mats or cooking materials.
Prior to the recent mass displacement, an estimated 100,000 internally displaced people were already in need of protection and help with shelter in Beni. Funding shortages have curtailed UNHCR’s ability to respond with humanitarian assistance, including shelters.
In 2020, UNHCR was able to build more than 43,000 family shelters in eastern DRC. In 2021, with the funding currently available, only 4,400 families can be assisted out of hundreds of thousands in need. More funding is also needed to resume a cash programme for displaced women at risk which had to be cut.
UNHCR urgently needs US$2 million to reinforce its protection and humanitarian response in Beni, North Kivu and Irumu Territory in Ituri. Currently, the US$33 million UNHCR requires for the response in the whole of eastern DRC is just 5.5 per cent funded.
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR). Media files

Armed attacks kill hundreds, displace 40,000 civilians in northeast DR Congo

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The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) is providing take-home rations to pre-primary and primary school children and their household members, totalling 20,000 beneficiaries. The rations comprising of rice, fortified vegetable oil, and pulses are intended to mitigate the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the students and their families. This assistance was made possible thanks to a contribution of 200,000 CAD (US$ 150,000) by the Government of Canada to WFP in Liberia.

“WFP is very grateful to the Government and people of Canada for their support to school children in Liberia,” said Karla Hershey, the WFP Representative and Country Director in Liberia. “This support will also raise awareness about the importance of improving girls’ access to education in the country and help to ensure that the next generation in Liberia reaches its full potential.”  
Studies show it is more difficult for children to learn without adequate food and nutrition. Many families in Liberia put their children to work or keep them at home rather than send them to school. However, a daily nutritious school meal is a strong incentive to enroll children in school and keep them there.
WFP provides school feeding as a critical intervention for improving the enrolment and learning status of children. The take-home rations play a vital role of enabling the whole family to receive nutritious food support while encouraging their children’s attendance.
WFP prioritised school feeding in Maryland Country due to high rates of food insecurity and childhood malnutrition. Up to 25 percent of children under five years of age suffer from chronic malnutrition in Maryland County, according to the Liberia Demographic and Health Survey 2019-2020. The situation is exacerbated by measures to contain the spread of COVID-19, including movement restrictions.
The meals provided to 5000 school children by WFP through support by Canada aim to reduce the impact of the COVID-19 socio-economic shocks on vulnerable girls and boys and their families.
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of World Food Programme (WFP).

WFP, the Government of Liberia and Canada provide support to school children and their families

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COVID-19 update &#8211; 18th March,2021: we report 387 new cases out of 6,381 tests (6% positivity), 70 recoveries and 5 deaths.
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Zambia National Public Health Institute (ZNPHI). Media files

Coronavirus – Zambia: COVID-19 update (18 March 2021)

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Tests conducted: 9,556,404 Positive cases identified: 1,533,961 Total recoveries: 1,459,894 Total deaths: 51,724 New cases: 1,464
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Republic of South Africa, Department of Health. Media files

Coronavirus – South Africa: COVID-19 update (18 March 2021)

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Seventeen patients have been diagnosed positive for COVID-19 in tests carried out today at Quarantine Centers in Gash Barka and Central Regions.

Out of these, sixteen patients are from Quarantine Centers in Adibara (9), Agordat (3), Shambiqo (2), Ali-Ghidir (1), and, Om-Hajer (1), in Gash Barka Region. The last patient is from a Quarantine Center in Asmara, Central Region.
On the other hand, sixty three patients who have been receiving medical treatment in hospitals in Gash Barka (47), and Central (16), Regions have recovered fully and have been discharged from these facilities.
The total number of recovered patients to-date has accordingly risen to 2,833 while the number of deaths stands at seven.
The total number of confirmed cases in the country to-date has increased to 3,095.
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Ministry of Information, Eritrea. Media files

Coronavirus – Eritrea: Announcement from the Ministry of Health (18 March 2021)

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New cases: 75 Cumulative confirmed cases: 33,045 Active cases: 4,288 Total recovered: 27,532 (348 new) Recovery rate: 83.3% Currently admitted in treatment units: 39 (2 new) New discharges from treatment units: 8 Total tests conducted: 210,730 (771 new) Positivity rate: 9.7% Total deaths: 1,091 (3 new) Total vaccinated to date: 9,091 (3,674)
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Ministry of Health and Population, Republic of Malawi. Media files

Coronavirus – Malawi: COVID-19 update (18 March 2021)

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Kwik Delivery (www.Kwik.delivery) announces today that it has closed its pre-Series A financing round. The company successfully raised $ 1.7 million in equity from institutional and high net worth investors.

“Kwik Delivery has demonstrated to customers and investors alike its efficiency as well as the relevance of its bold technology-based approach during a most challenging period” explains Romain POIROT-LELLIG, Founder &#038; CEO of Kwik Delivery. “This financing round is enabling us to grow even faster and to disrupt and conquer new markets.”
Launched in 2019, Kwik Delivery is an on-demand, last-mile delivery platform that connects African businesses to independent delivery riders, dubbed Kwiksters. The Kwik platform is currently open to Kwiksters operating in Lagos State. The Kwik Delivery app is available on iOS and Android. Kwik Delivery is the trading name of Africa Delivery Technologies SAS.
Please visit www.Kwik.delivery for more information.
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Kwik.

Kwik Delivery successfully closed its $1.7 million pre-Series A financing round

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The Kenya Rugby Union (www.KRU.co.ke) will continue achieving one of its strategic plans of growing the game this weekend as the Development and Training and Education departments host a Get Into Rugby course on Saturday 20th March at the Impala Grounds from 9:00 am.

A total of 40 men and women have confirmed attendance of this course that will see Ronnald Okoth, KRU’s Development Officer, Malik Ndemi, KRU’s Training, and Education Coordinator, and JohnBosco Muamba, Rugby Africa’s Development Officer be the Educators on duty. These 40 members have been selected from within the Nairobi Metropolitan and once they’re done with the course, they’ll be expected to introduce rugby in their various Estates.
These new members are all required to have completed three prerequisites: Rugby Ready, Coaching Children, and Laws of the game.
“The main purpose of this course is to increase our GIR numbers country-wide as well as the numbers of our equipped coaches. Increasing and maintaining these numbers will in-turn guarantee us good numbers of the players who make their way to our top tier clubs and eventually to the National Teams,” said Ronnald Okoth.
There will be more GIR courses introduced in the KRU Regions and will be organized and overseen by Okoth and Ndemi assisted by the Regional Development Officers.
After this weekend, KRU will organize a monthly Children’s festival, the dates will however be communicated in a subsequent communication.
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Kenya Rugby Union (KRU).
Media Contact: Rugby@APO-opa.com
Media files

KRU Set To Grow The Get Into Rugby Numbers Countrywide

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Daily: Laboratory test: 8,055 Severe cases: 600 New recovered: 330 New deaths: 10 New cases: 2,057

Total: Laboratory test: 2,256,439 Active cases: 33,916 Total recovered: 145,349 Total deaths: 2,602 Total cases: 181,869
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Ministry of Health, Ethiopia. Media files

Coronavirus – Ethiopia: COVID-19 update (18 March 2021)

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1,225 people have tested positive to the disease, out of a sample size of 7,308 tested in the last 24 hours. The total confirmed positive cases are now 117,535. Cumulative tests so far conducted are 1,394,748.

142 patients have recovered from the disease, 83 from the Home Based and Isolation Care, while 59 are from various health facilities. Total recoveries now stand at 89,203.
17 patients have succumbed to the disease pushing the cumulative fatalities to 1,954. Our sincere condolences to families and friends of those who have lost their loved ones.
A total of 793 patients are currently admitted in various health facilities countrywide, while 2,250 patients are on Home Based Isolation and Care.  114 patients are in the ICU,  28 of whom are on ventilatory support and 81 on supplemental oxygen. 5 patients are on observation.
Another 38 patients are separately on supplementary oxygen with 30 of them in the general wards and 8 in the High Dependency Unit (HDU).
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Ministry of Health, Kenya.

Coronavirus – Kenya: COVID-19 update (18 March 2021)

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Minister of Health Lizzie Nkosi announces one new COVID-19 death in Eswatini, taking total deaths to 664. &#8220;May his soul rest in peace.&#8221;

New cases: 10 Total cases: 17,267 Active cases: 657 New recoveries: 51 Total recoveries: 15,936 New death: 1 Total deaths: 664
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Ministry of Health, Government of the Kingdom of Eswatini.

Coronavirus – Eswatini: COVID-19 update (18 March 2021)

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Total cases: 20,551 (+71) Recovered: 19,007 (+101) | 92.4% Active cases: 1,260 In critical condition: 7 Tests: 1,077,055 (+3,231) Test positivity rate: 2.2% Vaccinated: 323,744 (+2,046) Deaths: 284 (+1) | 1.4%
 Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Ministry of Health, Republic of Rwanda. Media files

Coronavirus – Rwanda: COVID-19 update (18 March 2021)

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Today, Facebook (www.Facebook.com) has announced the launch of Instagram Lite to Sub-Saharan Africa, a new, lightweight version of the Instagram app for Android that uses less data and works well across all network conditions.

The new version of Instagram Lite for Android is less than 2MB in size, making it fast to install and quick to load. It also has improved speed, performance, and responsiveness. Instagram Lite not only works similarly to the Instagram app for Android, but it allows the Instagram experience to remain fast and reliable for more people, no matter what device, platform and network they use. 

Commenting on the rationale for introducing the app to Sub-Saharan Africa, Engineering Manager for Instagram Lite, Peter Shin said, “Connectivity in the region can be unstable, slow and expensive, making it challenging for people to have a high-quality Instagram experience. Many people were already familiar with the concept of a Lite app after the successful roll-out of Facebook Lite some years ago. We started testing the new version of Instagram Lite when people across the continent started asking for a Lite app for Android. The feedback was very positive and we are excited to launch it across the continent today&#8221;. 

&#8220;Our team aims to leave no one behind, so today we are very excited to bring Instagram Lite to people in over 170 countries, including the entire Sub-Saharan Africa region,” he added.

Instagram Lite is similar to the core Instagram app experience, though some features are not currently supported, such as Reels creation, Shopping, and IGTV. Instagram Lite is likely to gain appeal to users in locations with limited bandwidth or high data costs, especially in the developing world. 

Instagram Lite is currently rolling out in over 170 countries, and Facebook remains committed to building and improving the app to help everyone in the world connect to the people and things they love. 
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Facebook.
Media Contact: Idea Engineers PR agency for Facebook Africa facebook@ideaengineers.co.za

Facebook rolls out Instagram Lite to Sub-Saharan Africa and other emerging markets

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Case Update for 17th March 2021

200 new cases of COVID-19 in Nigeria; Lagos-42 Taraba-29 Edo-17 Abia-13 FCT-13 Rivers-11 Kaduna-10 Katsina-9 Oyo-9 Kwara-7 Plateau-7 Ondo-5 Bayelsa-4 Cross River-4 Ogun-4 Osun-4 Akwa Ibom-3 Borno-3 Ekiti-3 Nasarawa-3
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC). Media files

APO

FIFA Congress to decide on hosts for future editions of the FIFA Women’s World Cup™

Coronavirus – Uganda: COVID-19 update (18 March 2021)

Unlocking Hybrid Cloud Agility Solutions at Digital Transformation Webinar

Armed attacks kill hundreds, displace 40,000 civilians in northeast DR Congo

WFP, the Government of Liberia and Canada provide support to school children and their families

Coronavirus – Zambia: COVID-19 update (18 March 2021)

Coronavirus – South Africa: COVID-19 update (18 March 2021)

Coronavirus – Eritrea: Announcement from the Ministry of Health (18 March 2021)

Coronavirus – Malawi: COVID-19 update (18 March 2021)

Kwik Delivery successfully closed its $1.7 million pre-Series A financing round

KRU Set To Grow The Get Into Rugby Numbers Countrywide

Coronavirus – Ethiopia: COVID-19 update (18 March 2021)

Coronavirus – Kenya: COVID-19 update (18 March 2021)

Coronavirus – Eswatini: COVID-19 update (18 March 2021)

Coronavirus – Rwanda: COVID-19 update (18 March 2021)

Facebook rolls out Instagram Lite to Sub-Saharan Africa and other emerging markets

Coronavirus – Nigeria: COVID-19 update (17 March 2021)

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APO

FIFA Congress to decide on hosts for future editions of the FIFA Women’s World Cup™

Coronavirus – Uganda: COVID-19 update (18 March 2021)

Unlocking Hybrid Cloud Agility Solutions at Digital Transformation Webinar

Armed attacks kill hundreds, displace 40,000 civilians in northeast DR Congo

WFP, the Government of Liberia and Canada provide support to school children and their families

Coronavirus – Zambia: COVID-19 update (18 March 2021)

Coronavirus – South Africa: COVID-19 update (18 March 2021)

Coronavirus – Eritrea: Announcement from the Ministry of Health (18 March 2021)

Coronavirus – Malawi: COVID-19 update (18 March 2021)

Kwik Delivery successfully closed its $1.7 million pre-Series A financing round

KRU Set To Grow The Get Into Rugby Numbers Countrywide

Coronavirus – Ethiopia: COVID-19 update (18 March 2021)

Coronavirus – Kenya: COVID-19 update (18 March 2021)

Coronavirus – Eswatini: COVID-19 update (18 March 2021)

Coronavirus – Rwanda: COVID-19 update (18 March 2021)

Facebook rolls out Instagram Lite to Sub-Saharan Africa and other emerging markets

Coronavirus – Nigeria: COVID-19 update (17 March 2021)

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