Christian churches have been forced to close in Algeria amid a crackdown on religious freedom and a persecution of Christians across the country, said the US Commission on International Religious Freedom. In a recent report, the Commission recommended the US to put Algeria on a Special Watch List in view of the violations of religious freedoms in the country. It also called on the US government to “condition financial and technical support to the Algerian government on addressing violations of religious freedom.”“In 2023, the Algerian government brought religiously grounded blasphemy and proselytization charges against several individuals, including Christians, Muslims, and freethinkers,” the report said. The report also warned of the surge of antisemitic tropes in Algerian state-media, noting that “with no operational synagogue left in Algeria, ritual observance for the roughly 200 practicing members of its Jewish community remains a challenge.”
Source:The North Africa Journal
October 14, 2024 15:01 UTC
Somalia said it welcomes an Egyptian offer to deploy troops once the mandate of an African Union peace keeping mission expires in December. The decision is seen from Ethiopia as a hostile move, amid tension between Cairo and Addis Ababa over the Ethiopian renaissance dam. Somalian officials issued a statement following a summit in the Eritrean capital, attended by Egyptian president Abdelfattah El-Sissi. Somalia, Eriteria, and Egypt signed an agreement to back Somalian forces in their fight against terrorist groups. Ethiopia has previously warned that it will not accept Egyptian troops on its borders, adding that this would be considered as a casus belli.
Source:The North Africa Journal
October 14, 2024 14:11 UTC
South Africa’s Eskom is looking to set up renewable energy sources at some of its power plants, with the country’s Minister of Electricity and Energy expressing support for the utility’s ambition to increase its new generation capacity. “Eskom 2.0 is my own reference… Eskom wants to enter the terrain of renewable energy generation…“How Eskom is going to fund this new generation and structure this new generation… Eskom at the right time will come out in the public. Mpumalanga’s path to renewable energy dominanceMarokane said Eskom is going through the evaluation stages of commercial proposals for the 75MW PV solar plant at Lethabo. Six key take-outs from the Eskom energy outlook for summerMinister of Electricity and Energy Dr Kgosientsho Ramokgopa addresses the media at the Lethabo Power Station in the Free State on Monday, 14 October. Facing decommissioning, its coal-fired power generation units is mooted to be replaced by solar power, possibly in conjunction with battery energy storage.
Source:The North Africa Journal
October 14, 2024 13:54 UTC
The investment is part of Jetapult’s broader strategy to support game studios in emerging markets with a $100 million commitment over the next five years. The acquisition aims to expand UMX Studio's portfolio and audience in overseas markets, and develop new game genres using Jetapult's expertise and technology. Jetapult has acquired stake in UMX Studio for $4.5 million, marking its first investment in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region. Bengaluru-based Jetapult has picked up stake in Saudi Arabia-based game developer UMX Studio for $4.5 Mn (INR 38 Cr) in an all-cash deal, marking the gaming investment company’s maiden bet in the MENA (Middle East and North Africa) region. Founded in 2014 by Ali Alharbi, UMX Studio is a game development studio in Saudi Arabia.
Source:The North Africa Journal
October 14, 2024 13:32 UTC
This September, Clingendael Academy welcomed fourteen mid-career level diplomats from the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region to participate in a diplomatic training programme. Over the course of two weeks, the participants had the opportunity to dive into key cross-cutting policy themes that face their region and the world today. Highlights of the programme were a panel discussion on water diplomacy with three experts, a simulation on international negotiations, and a crisis meeting simulation. In addition, the programme provided a platform for enhanced inter- and intra-regional cooperation between the participants, forging a strong network during the working visits and social activities, including a visit to The Hague’s Panorama Mesdag museum. Panorama by Hendrik Willem Mesdag, a 360º experienceWe look back on an extremely successful and comprehensive training programme, with participants noting that the course was enjoyable and “highly engaging and informative”.
Source:The North Africa Journal
October 14, 2024 13:23 UTC
Space in Africa, in collaboration with the African Space Agency and the Egyptian Space Agency, is organising the fourth edition of the NewSpace Africa Conference from 21st to 24th April 2025 in the Egypt Space City, Cairo, Egypt. “The 4-day NewSpace Africa Conference 2025 will explore policies, research, trends, and future outlooks in the African space and satellite industry. More details on the recent editions of the conference, NewSpace Africa Conference 2022, 2023 and 2024, can be accessed here. The NewSpace Africa Conference is the main event of Space in Africa to facilitate further business interactions and cooperation in the African space and satellite industry. About the African Space AgencyThe African Space Agency (AfSA) is the continental space organisation responsible for developing an adequate regional space capability on the continent.
Source:The North Africa Journal
October 14, 2024 12:26 UTC
KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI, US — Before Russia invaded Ukraine, triggering a disruption of the global wheat supply and exacerbating the continent’s wheat deficit crisis, Africa’s wheat industry already was battling climate change, unfavorable trade policies, and inadequate investments in the sub-sector. In East Africa, wheat production has remained flat at 6.6 million tonnes from 2022 to 2024, according to the FAO. Between 2010 and 2020, reports indicated that Africa’s wheat production increased from 20.9 million tonnes to 25.3 million tonnes, a 21% increase. SAVE wheat varietyIn its drive to achieve self-sufficiency in wheat, Zimbabwe has embraced a new bread wheat variety called SAVE, developed by the International Centre for Agricultural Research in the Dry Areas (ICARDA). Other wheat producers such as Ethiopia and Sudan also have expanded their irrigated wheat acreage, increased use of modern irrigation technology and adopted climate change-resilient wheat varieties.
Source:The North Africa Journal
October 14, 2024 12:23 UTC
State Alabama Alaska Arizona Arkansas California Colorado Connecticut Delaware Florida Georgia Hawaii Idaho Illinois Indiana Iowa Kansas Kentucky Louisiana Maine Maryland Massachusetts Michigan Minnesota Mississippi Missouri Montana Nebraska Nevada New Hampshire New Jersey New Mexico New York North Carolina North Dakota Ohio Oklahoma Oregon Pennsylvania Rhode Island South Carolina South Dakota Tennessee Texas Utah Vermont Virginia Washington Washington D.C. West Virginia Wisconsin Wyoming Puerto Rico US Virgin Islands Armed Forces Americas Armed Forces Pacific Armed Forces Europe Northern Mariana Islands Marshall Islands American Samoa Federated States of Micronesia Guam Palau Alberta, Canada British Columbia, Canada Manitoba, Canada New Brunswick, Canada Newfoundland, Canada Nova Scotia, Canada Northwest Territories, Canada Nunavut, Canada Ontario, Canada Prince Edward Island, Canada Quebec, Canada Saskatchewan, Canada Yukon Territory, CanadaZip Code
Source:The North Africa Journal
October 14, 2024 12:13 UTC
VR CAVE, at Zarzis Smart Centre, Zarzis Business Park, Tunisia, features three Barco F80 projectors, projecting onto three 2.4m × 3m screens at a resolution of 4,800 × 2,000 pixelsUsing Barco projectors, T Engineering Antycip (Antycip), a European provider of simulation and virtual-reality solutions, has delivered North Africa’s first-ever VR CAVE at the Zarzis Smart Centre, located within the Zarzis Business Park in south-eastern Tunisia. The CAVE features three high-performance Barco F80 projectors, projecting onto three 2.4m × 3m screens at a resolution of 4,800 × 2,000 pixels. The CAVE will also be accessible to educational institutions across Tunisia, including primary and secondary schools, universities, and training centres. Chaouki Friaa, president and CEO of Zarzis Business Park, said: “This VR CAVE will provide a unique, immersive space that will attract residents of all ages, strengthening social bonds within the community. In response to growing demand, the park has announced a 4,500m² expansion to the Zarzis Smart Centre, further establishing the region as a driver of technological progress.
Source:The North Africa Journal
October 14, 2024 11:08 UTC
Dublin, Oct. 14, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The "Egypt Commercial Data Center Market" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering. While the country is facing considerable macro-economic headwinds, the colocation market is highly undersupplied. At the onset of the cloud era, only KSA and UAE will add more commercial colocation capacity in the MENA region over the forecast periodEgypt is facing considerable macro headwinds. This is a highly undersupplied market. For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/6wxbquAbout ResearchAndMarkets.comResearchAndMarkets.com is the world's leading source for international market research reports and market data.
Source:The North Africa Journal
October 14, 2024 11:00 UTC
Algeria plans to spend $5.4 billion boosting what are already Africa’s largest desalination facilities, as climate change piles pressure on the OPEC member’s water supplies. It’s a process already favored by wealthy states on the Arabian peninsula, where almost all drinking water comes from the sea and one of the world’s largest plants is found at Jebel Ali in Dubai. Africa’s biggest country by area, Algeria now targets getting 60% of its drinking water from desalination by the turn of the decade, compared with 42% currently. That’ll culminate in total capacity of some 5.8 million cubic meters by 2030. AEC will charge the state distributor Algérienne Des Eaux 52-100 dinars ($0.39-0.76) per cubic meter for the water, Zennadi said.
Source:The North Africa Journal
October 14, 2024 10:49 UTC
Headlines: Northern Lights, floods and sea rescueTewkesbury Abbey Nick Duff-Davies Tewkesbury Abbey was lit up by the Northern Lights on Thursday nightA stunning display of the Northern Lights made headlines across the West this week. Both Bristol Live and Gloucestershire Live reported on widespread flooding on the M5. Several Bristol residents commented on Facebook that flooding in the city was made worse by blocked drains. Digital reporter Antonio Scancariello quoted North Somerset Councillor Mark Canniford, who said: "This is a red letter day for Weston-super-Mare. Finally, another stunning picture of the Northern Lights; this one of the Clifton Suspension Bridge was taken by local photographer Andrew Cleaver.
Source:The North Africa Journal
October 14, 2024 10:31 UTC
A global climate solutions company and the Kenya Private Sector Association (KEPSA) have signed a partnership agreement to increase the accessibility and mobilisation of catalytic carbon and climate finance. Climate financing: 6 key challenges facing AfricaAccessing carbon, climate financeKenya’s government has committed to a 32% reduction in carbon emissions by 2030, demonstrated by the introduction of the Kenya Climate Change Act Amendment in September 2023 and Climate Change Carbon Markets Regulations in 2024. Developing an effective carbon finance strategy to support the large-scale mobilisation of this alternative finance source for KEPSA’s members. Carbon finance as a catalyst for NDCsFernandez said from a macro perspective, the potential for carbon finance to enable African countries to deliver on its Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) is huge. “Carbon finance presents a more cost effective, more accessible alternative.
Source:The North Africa Journal
October 14, 2024 10:23 UTC
First published: 14-Oct-2024 13:38:55Abu Dhabi, UAE: EFG Hermes, an EFG Holding Company and the leading investment bank in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) announced today that its investment banking division has successfully completed an accelerated book build (ABB) on behalf of Helmerich & Payne, Inc. (H&P). This transaction involved the full divestment of H&P’s stake in ADNOC Drilling, valued at approximately USD 197 million. EFG Hermes acted as Joint Global Coordinator for the ABB, facilitating H&P’s exit from ADNOC Drilling, a stake it had initially acquired as a cornerstone investor during ADNOC Drilling’s initial public offering (IPO). Commenting on the transaction, Ali Khalpey, Head of Equity Capital Markets at EFG Hermes, said: “We are proud to have successfully supported Helmerich & Payne in this important transaction. This transaction demonstrates EFG Hermes’ deep understanding of regional capital markets and highlights our extensive distribution capabilities.”This transaction marks EFG Hermes’ fifth follow-on offering in the GCC this year and its third transaction on the Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange (ADX), including its role in the IPO of ALEF Education.
Source:The North Africa Journal
October 14, 2024 09:53 UTC
A series of panels at the event delved into the continent’s respective clean-energy industries, as part of the AOW Clean Energy Future Forum. Delegates heard how the narrative around Africa’s energy future is no longer one of scarcity, as a mosaic of established and emerging players now contribute to the continent’s rapidly evolving energy mix. Potential to transform economiesOverall, the panel painted an optimistic picture of the future of renewable energy in South Africa. “It’s not a question of renewables versus the fossil fuels, or us against the utilities,” said Zayd Vawda, principal associate and renewable energy leader of WSP. Renewable energy promises to be able to do that.”Image credit: [trustieee]©123RF.comNow watch
Source:The North Africa Journal
October 14, 2024 09:39 UTC