Andrew Fitch, a North Adams city councilor, announces his run for state representative in the 1st Berkshire on Tuesday. PreviousNextAndrew Fitch Launches Bid for State Representative in North BerkshireCandidate Andrew Fitch gets a hug from his mother, Sara Prouty, who introduced him. — Andrew Fitch announced his run for state representative to an enthusiastic crowd on Tuesday morning. Afterward, Fitch said he'd been approached several times over the past few years about running for state representative. If elected, he plans on holding regular office hours and town halls to keep the North Berkshire communities informed.
Source:The North Africa Journal
February 04, 2026 02:07 UTC
This force projection suggests the US is no longer focused on containing Iran but rather compelling a final resolution of a long-running conflict. The US would coordinate strikes against the Iranian leadership, missile forces, air defences and remaining nuclear infrastructure, seeking to cripple the regime. This would probably trigger Iranian regional escalation ranging from attacks on US bases, shipping lanes and Israeli cities, and maybe even some proxy mobilisation across the Gulf. Under combined external pressure and internal unrest, the regime fractures, producing not liberal transition but a power vacuum. Whether through forced compromise, limited war or regime collapse, none of the likely paths ahead point toward immediate stability or democratic transition.
Source:The North Africa Journal
February 04, 2026 01:31 UTC
On Tuesday, March 3, our lunar neighbor will turn into a dramatic 'blood moon' during the first and only total lunar eclipse of 2026. You won't want to miss this event as the next total lunar eclipse won't happen until New Year's Eve 2028! You can learn more about the total lunar eclipse on March 3 with our blood moon lunar eclipse 2026 guide and keep up to date with the latest lunar eclipse content with our lunar eclipse live blog . The total lunar eclipse will take place between 3:44 and 9:22 a.m. EST (0844-1422 GMT) on March 2. Stages of a total lunar eclipse captured in a composite image.
Source:The North Africa Journal
February 04, 2026 01:11 UTC
Tesla will enter the Moroccan market on February 6 with a launch event at Casablanca’s AnfaPlace Mall, where it will showcase the Model 3 and Model Y, Electrek reported. Morocco’s car sales hit 179,013 units in 2024, up 12.8%, with first-half 2025 sales rising 22.4% to 103,391 units. The country is also Africa’s leading EV market, with electric vehicle sales jumping 176.5% in the first half of 2025 and BYD holding the top spot. Morocco’s EV fleet reached about 11,000 units in 2025 and is expected to exceed 18,000 this year. Tesla will compete with lower cost brands but may benefit from its premium positioning and established charging network.
Source:The North Africa Journal
February 03, 2026 23:41 UTC
CMA CGM has announced new FAK rates for dry cargo shipments moving from the Indian Subcontinent to North Europe, the Mediterranean, and North Africa, effective 15 February 2026 until further notice. From North West IndiaThe new rates from North West India are set at USD 2,400 per 20-foot container and USD 2,400 per 40-foot container for shipments to North Europe and the Mediterranean. Cargo moving to North Africa will be charged USD 3,400 per 20-foot container and USD 3,400 per 40-foot container. From South East India and Sri LankaFrom South East India and Sri Lanka, CMA CGM has set FAK rates to North Europe at USD 2,400 per 20-foot container and USD 2,400 per 40-foot container. From PakistanFor shipments originating from Pakistan, the new FAK rates to North Europe are USD 2,500 per 20-foot container and USD 2,500 per 40-foot container.
Source:The North Africa Journal
February 03, 2026 23:09 UTC
The Independent National Electoral Commission (CENI) of Mauritania signed on Monday in Nouakchott a Memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the European Union (EU), providing for technical support from the European Center for Support of Electoral Processes (ECES), and launch of a collaborative initiative to bolster the capacity of the African country’s election-related institutions. Under the auspices of CENI’s 2025–2027 strategic Plan, the project is designed to strengthen the legal and administrative framework for electoral processes, enhance planning methodologies, build professional competencies among election officials, and embed modern technology to advance transparency and credibility in electoral operations. The initiative further extends support to key constitutional bodies engaged in the electoral cycle, including the Constitutional Council, the Press and Broadcasting High Authority, and the National Human Rights Commission. This pact reflects a broader EU-Mauritania partnership aimed at nurturing democratic governance and institutional resilience, situated within existing cooperation frameworks between Nouakchott and Brussels.
Source:The North Africa Journal
February 03, 2026 22:02 UTC
CAIRO (AP) — Seif al-Islam Gadhafi, the son and one-time heir apparent of Libya's late dictator Moammar Gadhafi, was killed in the northern African country, Libyan officials said Tuesday. Khaled al-Zaidi, a lawyer for Seif al-Islam, confirmed his death on Facebook, without providing details. Abdullah Othman Abdurrahim, who represented Gadhafi in the U.N.-brokered political dialogue which aimed to resolve Libya’s long-running conflict, also announced the death on Facebook. Seif al-Islam was captured by fighters in Zintan late in 2011 while attempting to flee to neighboring Niger. The fighters released him in June 2017 after one of Libya's rival governments granted him amnesty.
Source:The North Africa Journal
February 03, 2026 21:54 UTC
From May through Oct. 2027, Carnival Sunshine will operate a series of Mediterranean and North African cruises, including a chance to see a solar eclipse at sea. NORFOLK, Va. — Carnival Cruise Line is expanding Carnival Sunshine’s schedule with a new wave of 2027 sailings that will take the ship to Europe, North Africa, and the path of a rare solar eclipse at sea. The cruise line said the season will mark its first-ever visits to African ports, with calls in La Goulette, Tunisia, and Tangier, Morocco. From late May through October 2027, Carnival Sunshine will operate Mediterranean and North African itineraries sailing from Barcelona, Spain, and Civitavecchia, Italy, visiting destinations across Italy, Spain, France, Turkey, and Montenegro. A highlight is a special sailing departing July 25, 2027, from Barcelona, positioned for optimal viewing of a solar eclipse on Aug. 2, 2027.
Source:The North Africa Journal
February 03, 2026 21:34 UTC
FILE - In this Feb. 25, 2011, file photo, Seif al-Islam Gadhafi speaks to the media at a press conference in a hotel in Tripoli, Libya. (AP Photo/Ben Curtis, File)CAIRO – Seif al-Islam Gadhafi, the son and one-time heir apparent of Libya's late dictator Moammar Gadhafi, was killed in the northern African country, Libyan officials said Tuesday. Khaled al-Zaidi, a lawyer for Seif al-Islam, confirmed his death on Facebook, without providing details. Seif al-Islam was captured by fighters in Zintan late in 2011 while attempting to flee to neighboring Niger. In November 2021, Seif al-Islam announced his candidacy in the country’s presidential election in a controversial move that was met with outcry from anti-Gadhafi political forces in western and eastern Libya.
Source:The North Africa Journal
February 03, 2026 21:24 UTC
Morocco, Washington’s longstanding ally and strategic partner, will receive $20 million in Foreign Military Financing (FMF) in 2026, according to a Bill passed lately by the U.S. House of Representatives. Morocco and the United States hold annual “African Lion” exercise, major military multinational exercise in the Continent. The North African Kingdom, a major non-NATO ally of the United States, plays a pivotal role in promoting regional stability and security. The two countries partnership is based on enduring friendship, mutual trust & respect, strong military cooperation, shared pursuit security and prosperity. The two countries are bound by a strategic military cooperation agreement that runs until 2030.
Source:The North Africa Journal
February 03, 2026 21:22 UTC
OCP Maintenance Solutions, a subsidiary of the OCP Group specializing in industrial maintenance solutions, has opened its first subsidiary in Saudi Arabia, part of its international expansion strategy. The new office, based in Riyadh, offers its advanced know-how and smart solutions to Saudi corporations to empower industries to eliminate unplanned downtime, unlock the full potential of their assets, and build a future where predictive and personalized maintenance drives sustainable growth. Established in 2017, OCP Maintenance Solutions is committed to improving productivity, increasing reliability, and supporting digital transformation through a unique combination of cutting-edge technology, human expertise, and knowledge transfer. The list of its clients includes major industrial players in several countries, including France, Switzerland, Spain, Côte d’Ivoire and India. The subsidiary of the OCP group operates in various sectors including mining, chemicals, petrochemicals, cement, steel and beverages.
Source:The North Africa Journal
February 03, 2026 21:15 UTC
Jason Statham has shown his box office clout in the Middle East and North Africa once again with action picture Shelter. The movie’s MENA distributor Front Row Filmed Entertainment said Shelter took the number one slot across the region as it launched in cinemas there last week, to deliver a $2.23 million opening weekend. Watch on DeadlineThe film was particularly successful in Saudi Arabia where it accounted for 34.5% of total nationwide admissions and 38% of total box office revenue during its opening weekend. In the United Arab Emirates, Shelter delivered 37,000 admissions over the opening weekend out of a total market attendance of 133,700. Jason Statham’s connection with audiences in this region is unmatched, and Shelter reinforces his position as the defining action star for MENA.”
Source:The North Africa Journal
February 03, 2026 21:06 UTC
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Source:The North Africa Journal
February 03, 2026 21:06 UTC
Saif al-Islam Gaddafi, the son of Libya's late long-time ruler, has died, relatives reported on Tuesday, without providing details on his death. "Seif al-Islam has fallen as a martyr," his cousin, Hamid Kadhafi, told Libyan network al-Ahrar, adding that the family had no further details. Abdullah Othman Abdurrahim told al-Ahrar TV channel that Seif al-Islam was killed in his house by a group of four unidentified men. "Four armed men stormed the residence of Seif al-Islam Kadhafi after disabling surveillance cameras, then executed him," Abdurrahim was reported as saying. Seif al-Islam, 53, had been seen as his father's successor.
Source:The North Africa Journal
February 03, 2026 20:25 UTC
CAIRO (AP) — Seif al-Islam Gadhafi, the son and one-time heir apparent of Libya’s late dictator Moammar Gadhafi, was killed…CAIRO (AP) — Seif al-Islam Gadhafi, the son and one-time heir apparent of Libya’s late dictator Moammar Gadhafi, was killed in the northern African country, Libyan officials said Tuesday. Khaled al-Zaidi, a lawyer for Seif al-Islam, confirmed his death on Facebook, without providing details. Abdurrahim, who leads his political team, didn’t provide further details, but Libyan news outlet Fawasel Media cited him as saying that armed men killed Seif al-Islam in his home. Seif al-Islam was captured by fighters in Zintan late in 2011 while attempting to flee to neighboring Niger. The fighters released him in June 2017 after one of Libya’s rival governments granted him amnesty.
Source:The North Africa Journal
February 03, 2026 20:03 UTC