LATEST TECH NEWS: 5 things you need to know today, March 26, 2020

These 5 latest stories from the tech space will keep you updated with trends today.

1. World Bank partners CES to launch Global Tech Challenge on gender divide

The World Bank has entered into partnership with event host for players in business of consumer technologies, CES, to launch the Global Tech Challenge with a vision to bridge the digital gender divide. The two partnering organisations is hosting the challenge to reward those startups and innovators that have developed scalable, innovative technological solutions that seek to empower women.

According to a press release from the partners, these startups must focus on some areas of interest which include those empowering women in the development of tech platforms, the development of digital skills, the development of online content and through measures that enhance digital access. Against this backdrop, selected startups will receive recognition and brand visibility at CES 2021 as a Global Tech Challenge winner. They will equally be granted the opportunity to engage with governments and World Bank Group teams to potentially scale their solutions within development projects.

2. South Africa takes draconian decision to ground its airplanes

South African Airways has announced the suspension of flights from Friday, March 27, in the heat of persistent rise of the pandemic. This suspension of all domestic flights comes on the heels of the earlier announcement by the airline to suspend both international and regional flights. Confirming this development, the airline said in a statement that “the decision came after government announced a nationwide lockdown for 21 days aimed at combating the spread of the coronavirus.”

Before the lockdown, however, the airline had stated that it will provide support to passengers who intend to change their travel plans and commence their journeys before the implementation of the national lockdown. Going by this, the South African economy will be facing a touch time ahead, with fears to record pronounced inflation.

3. China set to return to work as other nations trip into lockdown

China, the COVID-19 origin, is gradually crawling out and putting behind the challenges of the pandemic as news filters across the globe that the country is restarting production at factories and resuming some flights. Analysts and commentators opined that this recovery in the world’s second largest economy provides some relief for global manufacturers in the months ahead.

Read also: LATEST TECH NEWS: 5 things you need to know today, March 25, 2020

Although, the pandemic outbreak continues to wreak havoc in Europe, US, India, Latin America and South Africa; the rejuvenation happening in China might be greeted with mix feelings. While some are still of the view that China continues to observe lockdown in solidarity to other nations that imported the virus from Wuhan. There are predictions equally that world power might shift should China enters full commercialisation while the U.S. halts commerce through the pandemic in months ahead.

4. Facebook ads revenue nosedives amidst Covid-19 global pandemic

Social networking site, Facebook, has decried the negative impact of the ongoing global pandemic on its financial portfolio. Facebook noted that its advertising business is taking a hit in some parts of the world as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic. Facebook wondered that it was the least expected in a period when demand for information and messaging drives an “unprecedented” spike in usage for many of its services.

Facebook, in a post, stated: “Our business is being adversely affected like so many others.” This is true as Twitter shares similar sentiments. This development remains shocking because many of Facebook’s products, including messaging and voice calls through Messenger and WhatsApp, have seen a dramatic increase in traffic as people stay home or remain isolated from friends, family and colleagues. For this reason, it had been envisaged that revenue would shoot up -but, as thought realistic as possible, this never happened.

5. Apple enters charity to donate 10M face masks to healthcare workers

Apple CEO, Tim Cook, has announced that the company has sourced and will be donating 10 million face masks in solidarity to the cause against the pandemic. Compared to recent donations, the number (10 million) is a sizable increase over the two million reported last week, and a hefty bump over the nine million figure Vice President Mike Pence announced during a recent White House press conference.

In his broadcast, the CEO expressed excitement over the donation while disclosing to the public how the company achieved it. “Proud to share we’ve been able to source 10M masks for the US and millions more for the hardest hit regions in Europe. Our ops teams are helping to find and purchase masks from our supply chain in coordination with governments around the world,” the tweet stated. This is Apple joining other companies ( to include Tesla, Facebook, Twitter, Nigeria’s GIGM) supporting government to combat the pandemic.

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