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Today, with the news of three new innovative RF lens and a new file sharing app, Canon Inc. (www.global.Canon) announces the development of EOS R3 (https://bit.ly/3mTs73P) – its latest high-speed and ultra-responsive professional mirrorless camera. With its ground-breaking design, the camera will empower professional sports and news photographers to meet challenging demands – to outpace and outperform. Boasting qualities seen in Canon’s DSLR and mirrorless bodies, the EOS R3 truly is a hybrid, next generation camera for the sports and news photographers of today and tomorrow.

The EOS R3 features a new Canon-developed BSI stacked CMOS sensor, a powerful DIGIC X imaging processor, shooting capabilities of 30fps[i] with AF/AE tracking, eye, head and body detection and a pioneering new autofocus Eye Control Function. It is the ideal camera for action photographers looking for quality images, both still and moving, of objects travelling at intense speeds.
Built on the revolutionary EOS R System, with its unparalleled RF Mount and paired with one of Canon’s innovative RF lenses, the camera offers capabilities unseen in any other camera/lens duo. With lenses like the today launched RF 400mm F2.8L IS USM and RF 600mm F4L IS USM, professionals can achieve unrivalled optical excellence and performance.
Here’s five things you need to know about the new EOS R3:
High quality, at high speed
The EOS R3 is the first EOS series camera to feature an entirely new 35mm back illuminated stacked CMOS sensor – developed by Canon. Combined with the power of its DIGIC X imaging processor, professionals using EOS R3 will achieve next-level, high-speed photography and filmmaking. Using the camera, they can enjoy 30fps with AF/AE tracking with minimal image distortion [1] when using the electronic shutter – perfect for the likes of professional sports photographers challenged with capturing action within a fraction of a second.
Impressive tracking of fast-moving action
Professionals can push creative boundaries with pin-sharp accurate tracking and focus on fast-moving action. The EOS R3’s next generation Dual Pixel CMOS AF can track subjects’ eyes, heads and bodies travelling at speed – excellent for capturing even the finest of details in a split second. What’s more, Canon reveals it will add a new subject (yet to be disclosed) to the camera’s AF tracking.
AF control – with your eye!
The EOS R3 will feature new and improved technology first seen in Canon’s EOS 5. It is the first EOS digital camera to provide a new generation of photographers with ground-breaking Eye Control Function, which enables users to simply select and move the AF point using their eye via the viewfinder. This instinctive feature offers professionals natural and speedy control over AF. Reducing the time to focus, which is usually done with a multi-controller/button, this feature is again perfect for photographers looking to capture the most important subject for their frame at speed – whether that’s during a news conference or photographing a team sport.
Professional build 
Inspired by the EOS-1D series, the EOS R3 body allows for ultra-intuitive control in the most demanding professional situations. Professionals can expect the same durability and dust and water resistance as provided in Canon’s legendary EOS-1 series bodies. The camera also has the integrated grip that EOS-1D series users love and trust. With EOS R3, professionals have the confidence to keep on shooting – whatever the conditions – whether they are pitch side or poolside, inside or outside, in snow or sunshine.
Fast connection – introducing Canon’s new Mobile File Transfer
The EOS R3 will be fully compatible with Canon’s Mobile File Transfer smartphone app. This provides a new way to transfer images and speed up workflow whilst on the move, using mobile network services and without the need for wired LAN equipment.
Canon is launching Version 1.2 of its Mobile File Transfer for iOS via the Apple App Store in June, which is compatible with Canon’s EOS-1D X Mark III, EOS R5 and EOS R6. Android support will be added in the future.
Today, Canon also announces the RF 100mm F2.8L MACRO IS USM – an impressive macro and portraiture lens which is the world’s first AF macro lens with 1.4x close up magnification [2]. In addition to this Canon also revealed details of the new RF 400mm F2.8L IS USM and RF 600mm F4L IS USM, two telephoto prime lenses designed to meet the demands for sports and wildlife professionals, with incredible focal lengths and capabilities, especially when paired with EOS R3.
More information about today’s launches can be found here &#8211; https://bit.ly/3mTs73P and you can stay updated on EOS R3 news by signing up to Canon’s email list.
[1] Minimal image distortion for still imagery
[2] For an interchangeable autofocus lens, for full frame mirrorless cameras. Canon survey as of April 13, 2021
 Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Canon Central and North Africa (CCNA).
Initial EOS R3 key features announced today (14th April 2021) are:
 	•  New Canon-developed stacked BSI CMOS sensor 	•  30fps with AF/AE tracking  	•  Eye Control Function  	•  Subject eye and head detection 	•  Dual Pixel CMOS AF  	•  1D series weather resistance 
Media enquiries, please contact: Canon Central and North Africa Mai Youssef e. Mai.youssef@canon-me.com
APO Group &#8211; PR Agency Rania ElRafie e. Rania.ElRafie@apo-opa.com
About Canon Central and North Africa: Canon Central and North Africa (CCNA) is a division within Canon Middle East FZ LLC (CME), a subsidiary of Canon Europe. The formation of CCNA in 2015 was a strategic step that aimed to enhance Canon’s business within the Africa region &#8211; by strengthening Canon’s in-country presence and focus. CCNA also demonstrates Canon’s commitment to operating closer to its customers and meeting their demands in the rapidly evolving African market.
Canon has been represented in the African continent for more than 15 years through distributors and partners that have successfully built a solid customer base in the region. CCNA ensures the provision of high quality, technologically advanced products that meet the requirements of Africa’s rapidly evolving marketplace. With over 100 employees, CCNA manages sales and marketing activities across 44 countries in Africa.
Canon’s corporate philosophy is Kyosei (https://bit.ly/2QrZoY3) – ‘living and working together for the common good’. CCNA pursues sustainable business growth, focusing on reducing its own environmental impact and supporting customers to reduce theirs using Canon’s products, solutions and services. At Canon, we are pioneers, constantly redefining the world of imaging for the greater good. Through our technology and our spirit of innovation, we push the bounds of what is possible – helping us to see our world in ways we never have before. We help bring creativity to life, one image at a time. Because when we can see our world, we can transform it for the better.
For more information: www.Canon-CNA.com.
Media files

Ultra-fast, and responsive – first details of EOS R3 revealed, Canon’s latest professional mirrorless for sports and news

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Newly Confirmed cases: 102 Recoveries: 178 Active cases: 1286 Death: 6
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Ministry of Health and Social Services, Namibia. Media files

Coronavirus – Namibia: COVID-19 update (14 April 2021)

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COVID-19 update &#8211; 14th April,2021: we recorded 171 new cases out of 6,640 tests (3% positivity), 97 recoveries; no new deaths were reported.
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Ministry of Health, Zambia. Media files

Coronavirus – Zambia: COVID-19 update (14 April 2021)

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Ten patients have been diagnosed positive for COVID-19 in tests carried out today at Quarantine Centers in Adibara (5), and Ghirmaika (5), in the Gash Barka Region.

On the other hand, forty two patients who have been receiving medical treatment in hospitals in Gash Barka (40), and Southern (2), Regions have recovered fully and have been discharged from these facilities.
The total number of recovered patients has accordingly risen to 3273 while the number of deaths stands at ten.
The total number of confirmed cases in the country to-date has increased to 3479.
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Ministry of Information, Eritrea. Media files

Coronavirus – Eritrea: Announcement from the Ministry of Health (14 April 2021)

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New cases: 19 Cumulative confirmed cases: 33,891 Active cases: 948 Total recovered: 31,675 (78 new) Currently admitted in treatment units: 20 (2 new) New discharges from treatment units: 0 Total tests conducted: 225,576 (617 new) Total deaths: 1,134 (1 new) Total vaccinated to date: 240,744 (11,524 new)
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Ministry of Health and Population, Republic of Malawi. Media files

Coronavirus – Malawi: COVID-19 update (14 April 2021)

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89 new cases of COVID-19 in Nigeria;

Lagos-19 FCT-15 Adamawa-12 Akwa Ibom-10 Cross River-9 Rivers-6 Ogun-6 Kano-5 Kaduna-4 Osun-3
164,000 confirmed 154,270 discharged 2,061 deaths
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC). Media files

Coronavirus – Nigeria: COVID-19 update (14 April 2021)

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Daily: Laboratory test: 8,705 Severe cases: 995 New recovered: 863 New deaths: 24 New cases: 1,893

Total: Laboratory test: 2,469,593 Active cases: 56,560 Total recovered: 174,591 Total deaths: 3,252 Total cases: 234,405
 Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Ministry of Health, Ethiopia. Media files

Coronavirus – Ethiopia: COVID-19 update (14 April 2021)

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Tests conducted: 10,216,114 Positive cases identified: 1,561,559 Total recoveries: 1,486,873 Total deaths: 53,498 New cases: 1,599
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Republic of South Africa, Department of Health. Media files

Coronavirus – South Africa: COVID-19 update (14 April 2021)

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African Wildlife Foundation (AWF) (www.AWF.org) and Nature’s Best Photography (NBP) have announced the official “Call for Entries” for the the Benjamin Mkapa African Wildlife Photography Awards. Competition participants will have through June 18, 2021 to submit photos for consideration by a panel of judges. Professional, Amateur, and Youth (18 and younger) photographers from Africa and across the globe are invited to enter the competition. The results are scheduled to be revealed at an awards ceremony in November 2021.

Named to honor the late, iconic African leader and former Tanzanian President, H.E. Benjamin Mkapa, this new competition recognizes his leadership in conservation, education, and his passionate support for AWF programs. To help celebrate World Wildlife Day, AWF and Nature’s Best launched the awards as a pre-cursor to the 60th Anniversary of AWF later this year.
Speaking from the launch event last month from AWF HQ in Nairobi, Kenya, AWF CEO, Kaddu Sebunya said, “We value innovation and technological mechanisms. Mechanisms that can scale up AWF’s work and impact, like digital technologies that can create new experiences by more directly connecting people to wild lands and wildlife. Breaking degrees of separation between people and nature and creating ownership, transparency, demonstrated impact, and personalization. This is what the Benjamin Mkapa African Wildlife Photography Awards is all about.” 
“Bringing Africa to the World and the World to Africa” defines the global competition geared towards creating a platform for Africans to embrace conservation through photography and to value the beauty of its nature.
In line with AWF’s mission to ensure wildlife and wild lands thrive in modern Africa and Nature’s Best’s to celebrate the natural world through the art of photography and visual storytelling, the competition’s goal is to engage, involve, and attract photographers at all levels of expertise, while encouraging young talent to become advocates for generational behavioral change towards wildlife conservation. 
The Grand Prize Winner will be awarded $5,000 USD, an interview and portfolio in Nature’s Best Photography magazine; and publication in a special edition of Nature’s Best devoted to the Mkapa Photography Awards. The category Winners will each be awarded $1,000 USD and will be featured in Nature’s Best special edition. Plus, there will be two overall Youth Winners: one African-based and one Global Winner.
The competition will enhance the visibility of African wildlife through the following categories: African Wildlife Behavior, African Wildlife Portraits, Wildlife at Risk, Fragile Wilderness, African Conservation Heroes, Wildlife in Modern Africa: Coexistence And Conflict, Art in Nature, African Wildlife Backyards, Mobile, and through the Africa in Motion/Video category, participants will be able to submit footage of natural wildlife behavior and outdoor experiences in wild lands. 
In further elaboration of the new awards, Nature’s Best Photography President, Stephen Freligh, says, “Through my 40 years as a publisher of photographic works, I have personally witnessed the positive impact of combining the creative and documentary talents of professional, amateur, and youth photographers alike. Their memories are our new discoveries, and their stories are the window to the wild.”
Learn more at www.NaturesBestPhotography.com/africa
 Distributed by APO Group on behalf of The African Wildlife Foundation (AWF).
Access the audio files here: https://we.tl/t-RvtrolJkIa
AWF Media contacts:  For more information or to arrange interviews contact: Wambui Odhiambo of AWF in Nairobi, Kenya at wodhiambo@awf.org +254 728 886987
Patrick Mitchell of AWF in Washington, D.C. at pmitchell@awf.org 202-441-7647.
NBP Media contact: For more information or to arrange interviews contact: Stephen Freligh NBP Awards Director McLean, Virginia sfreligh@naturesbestphotography.org phone 703-307-7010
About Nature&#39;s Best Photography: Now celebrating its 25th anniversary, Nature’s Best Photography (NBP) was founded to inspire, educate, and motivate a better understanding, appreciation, and conservation of the natural world through the art of photography, storytelling, and personal wellness initiatives. This dynamic public engagement platform has produced award-winning publications, large-format print exhibitions, multimedia televised presentations, and prestigious museum events hosted around the globe.
About African Wildlife Foundation: The African Wildlife Foundation is the primary advocate for the protection of wildlife and wild lands as an essential part of a modern and prosperous Africa. Founded in 1961 to focus on Africa’s conservation needs, we articulate a uniquely African vision, bridge science and public policy, and demonstrate the benefits of conservation to ensure the survival of the continent’s wildlife and wild lands.
Media files

AWF and Nature’s Best Photography  Announce the Benjamin Mkapa African Wildlife Photography Awards Call for Entries

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981 people have tested positive to the disease, from a sample size of 7,529 tested in the last 24 hours. Positivity rate is at 13%. Total confirmed positive cases are now 148,128. Cumulative tests so far conducted are 1,578,773.

Distribution of positive cases by age is as follows; 0-9 years (32), 10-19 years (53), 20-29 years (154), 30-39 years (242), 40-49 years (192), 50-59 years (139), 60 and above (169).
County distribution;  Nairobi 349, Bungoma 61, Turkana 55, Kiambu 49, Kisumu 46, Mombasa 46, Nakuru 41, Uasin Gishu 39, Meru 35, Busia 24, Kajiado 23, Siaya 20, Kilifi 19, Migori 17, Taita Taveta 17, Kitui 16, Kakamega 12, Machakos 12, Isiolo 11, Nandi 13, Nyandarua 10, Vihiga 9, Kirinyaga 8, Homabay 7, Kericho 7, Murang’a 6, Kisii 5, Laikipia 5, Makueni 5, Marsabit 4, Nyeri 3, West Pokot 3, Baringo 1, Kwale 1, Samburu 1 and Transnzoia 1.
RECOVERIES: 665 patients have recovered from the disease, 528 from Home Based and Isolation Care while 137 are from various health facilities. Total recoveries now stand at 100,245.
DEATHS: 26 deaths have been reported in the last 24 hours with 3 of them having occurred in the 24 hours and 23 having occurred on diverse dates in the last one month. This now pushes our cumulative fatalities to 2,420.
New deaths by age; 0-9 years (0), 10-19 years (0), 20-29 (0), 30-39 years (0), 40-49 years (2), 50-59 years (5), 60 years and above (19).
Cumulative deaths by age; 0-9 years (47), 10-19 years (18), 20-29 (95), 30-39 years (214), 40-49 years (329), 50-59 years (545), 60 years and above (1,172).
ADMISSIONS: 1,623 patients are currently admitted in various health facilities countrywide, while 5,565 patients are on Home Based Isolation and Care.  269 patients are in the ICU, 47 of whom are on ventilatory support &#038; 172 on supplemental oxygen. 50 patients are on observation.
283 patients are separately on supplementary oxygen with 257 of them in general wards and 26 in High Dependency Units (HDU).
VACCINATION: As of yesterday, a total of 569,244 people had been vaccinated with the Astrazeneca vaccine. From this number 127,451 are Health Workers, 45,968 Security Officers, 84,016 Teachers and 311,809 are other members of the public who include those at 58 years and above.
GENDER: 320,343 are Males and 248,687 are females.
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Ministry of Health, Kenya.

Coronavirus – Kenya: COVID-19 update (14 April 2021)

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Total cases: 23,672 (+69) Recovered: 21,594 (+199) | 91.2% Active cases: 1,761 In critical condition: 7 Tests: 1,237,120 (+6,312) Test positivity rate: 1% Vaccinated: 348,926 Deaths: 317 (+1) | 1.3%
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Ministry of Health, Republic of Rwanda. Media files

Coronavirus – Rwanda: COVID-19 update (14 April 2021)

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More than 13.6 million – including 12 million AstraZeneca – vaccine doses have been administered in Africa, with most of the adverse events reports following vaccination involving only mild to moderate side effects. There have been no cases of blood coagulation disorders reported following vaccination. 

Monitoring vaccine safety is critical to COVID-19 vaccine rollout. The World Health Organization (WHO)-led African Vaccine Regulatory Forum (AVAREF) is supporting African countries to ramp up regulatory capacity and oversight, which includes authorization and inspection of clinical trials, and approval of vaccines and other medical products. The continent has established strong regulatory agencies. Regulators from Ethiopia, Ghana, South Africa and Tanzania participated in WHO global assessments for the three COVID-19 vaccines which have so far received Emergency Use Listing.
“To significantly slow down COVID-19 we must avert serious illness, hospitalization and death. Every vaccine shot given moves us a step closer to ending this pandemic,” said Dr Matshidiso Moeti, WHO Regional Director for Africa. “But this historic endeavour is not risk-free. African countries have put in place stringent regulations and are monitoring for side effects and any severe adverse events following vaccination. WHO is working closely with countries to manage potential risks.”
There have been recent reports of rare blood clots among a few recipients of the AstraZeneca vaccine in several European countries and Johnson &#038; Johnson vaccines in the United States of America. The WHO Global Advisory Committee on Vaccine Safety is monitoring the reports on the Johnson &#038; Johnson vaccine. On AstraZeneca, the committee’s review found that a causal relationship between the vaccine and the occurrence of blood clots with low platelets is plausible but not confirmed.
To date, more than 200 million people have received AstraZeneca vaccines around the world and cases of blood clots and low platelets are extremely low – fewer than 200 cases have been reported. COVID-19 on the other hand has claimed nearly 3 million lives worldwide. While the vaccine reviews continue, WHO considers – based on available data – that the benefits of receiving AstraZeneca or Johnson &#038; Johnson vaccine greatly outweigh the risks.
In Africa, AstraZeneca vaccine doses have been delivered to 36 countries through the COVAX Facility – a vaccine-procurement platform co-led by the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI), Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, and WHO in partnership with UNICEF.
A total of 45 African countries have started COVID-19 vaccination campaigns. Over two-thirds of the administered doses have been given in 10 countries where supplies are running low or are depleted.
“COVID-19 vaccine access remains starkly unequal across the world. In high-income countries, one in four people on average has received a COVID-19 vaccine compared with just one in 500 in lower-income countries, which includes many African countries,” said Dr Moeti.
With limited supplies and delays in vaccine shipment, it is important for Africa to develop its own vaccine manufacturing capacity. The continent is home to 16% of the world’s population but produces 0.1% of vaccines. African countries that largely rely on importation are particularly vulnerable to delays in accessing essential health products during the pandemic.
Africa has now recorded over 4.3 million COVID-19 cases. In the past 28 days, new cases rose by 50% or higher in 13 countries including Angola, Central African Republic, Ethiopia and Kenya. Twenty-nine countries, including Algeria, Ghana, Nigeria and South Africa, reported a decrease in new cases. Overall, Africa has seen a downward trend in cases over the past month.
The WHO Regional Office for Africa held a virtual press conference today facilitated by APO Group during which Dr Richard Mihigo, the Vaccine Preventable Disease Programme Coordinator, WHO Regional Office for Africa, briefed on vaccine rollout in Africa. He was joined by Dr Boitumelo Semete, CEO, South African Health Products Regulatory Authority, Professor Oyewale Tomori, Emeritus President and Professor of Virology, Redeemer’s University, Ede, Nigeria. Also on hand to answer questions were Dr Thierno Balde, Team Lead, Operational Partnerships, WHO Regional Office for Africa, and Dr Mory Keita, Technical Officer, WHO Regional Office for Africa.
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of WHO Regional Office for Africa.

Bolstering vigilance as Africa rolls out COVID-19 vaccines

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Distributed by APO Group on behalf of WHO Regional Office for Africa. Media files

WHO Africa COVID-19 Online Briefing

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As you were signing the long-awaited contract that will finally allow the construction of the East Africa Crude Oil Pipeline &#8211; African longest crude oil pipeline &#8211; hundreds of young people, activists, environmentalists and ordinary citizens from all over the world, including representatives from East Africa, were gathered online (https://bit.ly/3uSv2wu) for workshops, panels and discussions focused on a just and sustainable recovery not only from the COVID-19 pandemic, but also from the climate crisis and other multiple socio-economic injustices facing our communities, particularly in southern countries.

The three agreements you signed with the French oil companies Total and the China National Offshore Oil Corporation pave the way for the construction of the pipeline that will run through a number of sensitive biodiversity areas and wetlands of designated international importance in your countries. You were delighted with this progress described as “the core of bigger developments (https://bit.ly/3e2Urgb)” and even invited neighboring countries to use the pipeline.
As East African citizens and climate activists, it is our duty to share with you and with the public our regrets and deepest concerns that these oil projects and the linked pipeline are going to have on our communities, our ecosystems, our climate as well as our future as a regional block with a common and shared destiny. You may have heard these concerns before but we thought they are worth raising again at this particular moment when the launching seems imminent.
A project with multiple dire social, economic and environmental impacts
Firstly, the construction of a 1,443 km long heated pipeline that crosses several villages and towns in both Uganda and Tanzania will have &#8211; and is already having &#8211; enormous consequences on local populations. Most of the communities affected by Total&#39;s projects have clearly indicated that they are not actually free to use the land as they wish. Such restrictions on rural and farmers communities have dire effects on their livelihoods, and consequently, on their right to food, education and health. Put simply, this project is undermining the well-being of over 80,000 people (https://bit.ly/3gbuZb7) in both countries.
Secondly, the pipeline poses significant risks to critical water sources, wetlands and several rivers in both countries.  Approximately 460 km of the pipeline will be within the freshwater basin of Lake Victoria, Africa’s largest lake, which directly supports the livelihoods of more than 40 million people in the region. What would happen to such people in a likely scenario of oil spills? Are both countries well equipped to handle such disasters and to prevent pollution and ensure clean water access to such a large population?
Thirdly, the pipeline clearly threatens one of the most ecologically diverse and wildlife-rich regions of the world. This is a region home to a number of unique, iconic and endangered animals which have been attracting thousands of tourists. What would happen to the local tourism industry, a source of livelihood to thousands in both countries? Will all of them be employed by the oil projects? What are the mitigation measures in place to address the strong potential loss of jobs in the tourism sector and the related local socio-economic sectors?
Fourthly, allow us the opportunity to remind you that the project is estimated to generate over 34 million tons of carbon emissions each year. This is an unimaginable prospect as the scientific community, as well as world leaders have agreed that all new fossil fuels must be kept in  the ground if we are to reach the goals set by the Paris Climate Agreement you have adhered to in order to avoid further catastrophic climate change.
Though the East African region, and Africa at large bear the least responsibility for rising emissions, this shouldn’t serve as an excuse to add tons of extra millions tons of carbon emissions yearly. As the wiseman said, every adversity contains within it the seeds of opportunity and growth. Today’s climate challenge and associated crisis should be seen as a golden opportunity for Africa to develop in a way that is truly fair and sustainable and that prioritises the interests and well-being and future of its youthful population. Uganda, Tanzania and many other African nations are blessed with abundant sources of energy that are clean and green that can satisfy its current and future energy needs while creating thousands of jobs.
Do you know who you are dealing with?
As we conclude this letter, allow us to highlight a few facts about Total, the largest shareholder of the deals recently concluded. This is a multinational which has been behind some of gravest environmental degradation and several human rights violations in Africa (https://bit.ly/3a8M81i) and beyond. From Algeria to Cameroon, from Libya, Angola to Nigeria. Total is gradually withdrawing from Central and West Africa over the depletion of resources and now extending its operations in Eastern and Southern Africa. We don’t want to see our dear region transformed into another Niger Delta in the name of oil business.
In the specific case of EACOP, Total has failed to respond to the urgent needs of affected communities and repeated alerts from civil society and claimed to have plans to ‘avoid, minimise, mitigate or compensate potential risks or threats (https://bit.ly/2QqDggu) to the environment and people’ as part of its greenwashing communication that you should be aware of. The oil giant is facing a legal action in France based on the law on the duty of vigilance of multinationals, in order to force it to develop and effectively implement adequate measures capable of putting an end to the violations of human rights and prevent future violations as well as irreversible damage to the environment and climate.
Your Excellencies, building the world’s longest heated crude oil pipeline in the midst of a climate emergency is a terrible development that must be stopped. No responsible government or ethical financial institution or operator should venture into such deadly business at this stage. We sincerely hope you will reconsider this ill advised project which is likely to benefit only Total and CNOOCat the expense of local communities hardly hit by the effects of climate crisis and pandemic.
Yours sincerely. Vanessa Nakate, Climate Activist, Founder of RiseUp Movement Landry Ninteretse, 350Africa.org Regional Director
 Distributed by APO Group on behalf of 350.org. Media files

Dear Presidents Museveni and Suluhu Hassan (By Vanessa Nakate & Landry Ninteretse)

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Rugby Union returned to the National Sports Festival (NSF) 2020 after a ten-year absence having missed out the last three editions held in Lagos, Rivers and Abuja.

The NSF is a biennial multi-sport event organized by the Federal Government of Nigeria through the National Sports Commission for athletes from the 36 States of Nigeria.
Rugby last featured as a medal winning event in Kaduna 2009 having debuted at the 2006 Gateway games in Ogun State. Prior to that, Rugby went through a mandatory demonstration in three consequent events.
Kano Men’s team won the sevens gold medal at the Adolor College, venue of NSF Rugby having defeated all their opponents except for Team Edo who forced Kano to a 12-12 score line.
Delta recovered to pick up top spot in the ten’s event whilst Edo State team’s pack proved too strong in the fifteens event which secured gold for the host team.
In the Women’s competition, Edo State and Delta went toe to toe in all three events as team Edo emerged with gold medals in sevens and fifteens leaving Delta with the Gold medal in the ten’s event.
Medal Standing; 
Women’s Rugby
Rugby 7s Edo State &#8211; Gold Ogun State &#8211; Silver Delta State – Bronze
Rugby 10s Delta State &#8211; Gold Edo State &#8211; Silver Akwa Ibom– Bronze
Rugby 15s Edo State &#8211; Gold Delta State &#8211; Silver Akwa Ibom- Bronze
Men’s Rugby 
Rugby 7s Kano State -Gold Edo state &#8211; Silver Delta state Bronze
Rugby 10s Delta Gold Plateau -Silver Edo- Bronze
Rugby 15s Edo &#8211; Gold Kano &#8211; Silver Delta &#8211; Bronze
The National Sports Festival was postponed twice in 2020 as a precautionary move against COVID-19 spread.
Athletes from the 36 states and the FCT participated in the festival tagged “Edo 2020’’.
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Nigeria Rugby Football Federation (NRFF).
Media Contact: Rugby@APO-opa.com
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A Decade Later, Rugby Union returns to Nigeria National Sports Festival – Edo 2020

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Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC). Media files

Weekly Press Briefing on the Coronavirus Disease Outbreak

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Already in 2021, online module completions by the worldwide community of players, coaches, match officials, medics and members of the public has topped 200,000, driven by a strong increase in concussion and medical course completions, reflecting World Rugby’s (www.WorldRugby.org) mission to educate everyone in the game.

The total number of completions of the international federation’s online modules now stands at 1.6 million. When combined with the total face-to-face courses, over 1.8 million completions have been achieved, while millions more have engaged with national union delivered education, expanding the global network of people who have been upskilled in basic first aid, rugby-specific care and concussion identification and management.
1,651291 online modules have been completed, including 123,555 completions of dedicated COVID-19 return-to-play education as community rugby prepares to return around the world.
With rugby united in its commitment to best-practice concussion education, prevention and management, completions of all concussion modules to date have reached 143,091. Further to this, there have been 52,825 completions of First Aid and Immediate Care in Rugby online modules and more than 50,000 downloads of World Rugby’s concussion education app.
The course completions have taken place in addition to the global roll-out of the Activate injury-prevention warm-up programme across 120 unions. The programme can reduce the risk of concussion by 29-60 per cent in youth and adult players.
World Rugby’s training and education portfolio features 32 online learning modules and 28 face-to-face courses across seven dedicated strands. This includes 366,712 completions of the flagship Rugby Ready programme since inception (317022 online/49,690 face-to-face), which is designed to help everyone involved in the game to manage risk effectively.
World Rugby has also launched additional child and youth specific programmes across the globe aimed at furthering injury-prevention by best-practice technique learning:
Age and stage specific Strength and Conditioning Coaching Courses with accompanying online modules launched (Children, Youth and Adult) in 2020 with a further updated advanced course for Adult coaches to come in 2021
Coaching Children face-to-face Workshop launched in Jan 2021 to build on the content of the Online Learning Module currently available.
Tackle Ready and Administrators Academy set to launch.
This year will see World Rugby launch two new global programmes aimed at furthering injury-prevention best-practice – Tackle Ready and the Administrator’s Academy.In addition to the above, World Rugby’s online learning platform – World Rugby Passport – will soon move to an updated responsive platform which will allow users to complete online learning more easily on mobile devices.
World Rugby’s General Manager, Training and Education, Jock Peggie said: “A growing global sport requires a strong network of trainers, educators, face-to-face courses and online resources to support the welfare and development of every player around the world.
“The rate of completion of our online courses in particular, especially in the priority area of injury prevention and concussion education and management, has seen a surge since the middle of last year which demonstrates just how seriously the sport takes this priority area.
“Programmes such as Activate and Tackle Ready have the ability to be game-changers for the community game, reducing the risk of injury through best-technique promotion.”
For further information visit the training and education (https://bit.ly/3mPdNt9) section of the World Rugby website.
 Distributed by APO Group on behalf of World Rugby.
Media Contact: Rugby@APO-opa.com
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