Morocco Launches Major Mining Exploration Tender in South-Eastern Region – The North Africa Post
Morocco has launched an international tender for mining exploration in the Tafilalet and Figuig Mining Region, a zone rich in gold, silver and copper, lead, zinc and barite. These include efficient use of land & natural resources, especially water and energy. The Moroccan evaluation system also includes assessment of theintegrated sustainable mining models that incorporate circular economy practices, renewable energy, and storage technologies. Morocco’s mining sector is a cornerstone of the economy, contributing 8–10% of GDP and 30% of exports, anchored by holding 70–77% of the world’s phosphate reserves. The country’s mining industry is diversifying into critical minerals like cobalt, copper, and zinc, aiming to become a major green energy supplier.
Source:The North Africa Journal
February 19, 2026 15:42 UTC
South African Court dismisses Gabrielle Goliath’s bid to reinstate cancelled Venice pavilion
Courtesy Institute for Creative ArtsIn the latest development in the row over South Africa’s presentation at the 2026 Venice Biennale, the country’s high court has rejected artist Gabrielle Goliath’s bid to reinstate her pavilion. The selection was then cancelled by South Africa’s Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture Gayton McKenzie, who requested several changes to the work, which Goliath refused. In Goliath’s bid to overturn the cancellation, the artist and Masondo said that the minister lacked the contractual authority and that the decision infringed her constitutional right to freedom of speech. Following a hearing on 11 February, judge Mamokolo Kubushi of the country’s North Gauteng High Court rejected the bid. Read more South African government pulls Gabrielle Goliath’s Venice Biennale pavilion
Source:The North Africa Journal
February 19, 2026 14:58 UTC
Turkey’s Expanding Influence Around the Mediterranean and Red Sea
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Source:The North Africa Journal
February 19, 2026 11:03 UTC
The Middle East & North Africa at a Crossroads
Photo credit: Simone BoccaccioClimate change isn’t just an environmental issue—it’s reshaping economies, societies, and strategies across the MENA (Middle East and North Africa) region. For the nations of MENA, these challenges touch the very foundations of water, food, energy, and territorial sovereignty. Agroecology, water-smart systems, solar energy, and climate modeling are sectors of the future. MENA has the land, solar potential, water expertise, and human resources to make this happen. By integrating water, agriculture, energy, and urban planning into a cohesive climate doctrine, the region can anticipate, protect, and structure its future—turning climate challenge into strategic advantage.
Source:The North Africa Journal
February 19, 2026 10:06 UTC
North Korean leader deploys 50 new rocket launchers ahead of major party congress
SEOUL, South Korea — North Korea said Thursday leader Kim Jong Un held a ceremony to unveil the deployment of 50 new launch vehicles for nuclear-capable short-range missiles threatening rival South Korea as he flaunted his expanding military capabilities ahead of a major ruling party congress. In a separate statement, Kim’s sister , who is a key foreign policy official acknowledged a South Korean minister’s apology regarding alleged civilian drone incursions, but said the North is bolstering border security against the “enemy” South. North Korea has suspended nearly all talks and cooperation with the South since 2019, when Kim’s nuclear diplomacy with U.S. President Donald Trump derailed over U.S.-led sanctions. The Korean Central News Agency said the vehicles support the country’s 600-millimeter multiplier rocket launcher systems. They are part of Kim’s growing collection of nuclear-capable short-range weapons that are designed to overwhelm missile defenses in South Korea.
Source:The North Africa Journal
February 19, 2026 09:57 UTC
US – CleanChoice buys North Carolina solar
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Source:The North Africa Journal
February 19, 2026 09:47 UTC
North Korean TV says Kim drove nuclear-capable launcher
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Source:The North Africa Journal
February 19, 2026 09:27 UTC
Northern Dynasty tumbles on DOJ brief backing Pebble veto
The proposed area where Pebble mine would be built, 320 km southwest of Anchorage, within the Bristol Bay watershed. (Image courtesy of Northern Dynasty Minerals)Northern Dynasty Minerals (TSX: NDM) (NYSE-A: NAK) tumbled after the Department of Justice filed a court brief in Alaska supporting the US Environmental Protection Agency’s veto of its flagship Pebble project. If built, the Pebble mine would be the largest copper, gold and molybdenum extraction site in North America. In a bid to overturn the EPA’s decision, Northern Dynasty filed for legal action with Alaska’s federal district court in 2024. Shares of Northern Dynasty Minerals fell by as much as 45% to a five-month low of C$1.52 on the DOJ brief.
Source:The North Africa Journal
February 19, 2026 07:31 UTC
German insurer HDI plans North America expansion
HDI Global on Tuesday announced a new strategic plan that includes expanding its presence in North America, along with growth in Southeast Asia and the Middle East. Under the plan, called Xcelerate29, HDI Global will also broaden its specialty lines, including aviation, crisis management, surety and credit insurance, the Hannover, Germany-based insurer said in a statement. In the U.S., HDI Global is based in Chicago and operates through three subsidiaries: commercial property/casualty insurers HDI Global Insurance and HDI Global Select Insurance, and surplus lines insurer HDI Specialty Insurance. HDI Global, part of Talanx, also plans to standardize underwriting and claims practices using data and artificial intelligence, the statement said. In 2024, HDI Global reported gross revenue of €10 billion ($11.8 billion).
Source:The North Africa Journal
February 19, 2026 04:37 UTC
Greece working with another 4 European countries to set up migrant deportation hubs outside EU
ATHENS, Greece — Greece is working with four other European countries to set up deportation centers in third countries, most likely in Africa, for migrants whose asylum applications are rejected, Greece’s migration minister said Wednesday. He didn’t specify which countries were being considered to host the return hubs, and said the choice of the African continent was “not binding.” It was the larger European countries that were speaking directly with the countries where the return hubs could be located, “but we are participating too,” he added. The use of return hubs would be for people whose asylum applications are rejected and whose countries of origin will not take them back, the minister explained. He said their existence would act as a deterrent to prospective migrants who are unlikely to be granted asylum. Plevris said the government was now focusing on returns of those whose asylum applications are rejected.
Source:The North Africa Journal
February 19, 2026 01:37 UTC
Strength of Morocco-Israel ties highlighted in Knesset – The North Africa Post
Israeli lawmaker Dan Illouz, a Knesset member of Moroccan descent, said ties between Morocco and Israel have strengthened five years after diplomatic relations were restored, calling the rapprochement both strategic and personal. Israel later followed the U.S. step by also recognizing Morocco’s sovereignty over the Sahara, further anchoring the diplomatic opening. A sixth of Israeli citizens have Moroccan origins, which give bilateral ties a personal and human aspect. Israeli supplies now include air‑defense and unmanned systems, with Morocco expanding drone production with Israeli support. “I am not only a Knesset member; I am a living bridge proud of his roots,” he said.
Source:The North Africa Journal
February 18, 2026 23:18 UTC
Occidental Announces Fourth Quarter 2025 Results
OccidentalHOUSTON, Feb. 18, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Occidental (NYSE: OXY) today announced its fourth quarter 2025 financial results. The earnings release and accompanying financial schedules can be accessed via the Investor Relations section of the company’s website at oxy.com. The company will hold a conference call to discuss the results on Thursday, February 19, 2026, at 1 p.m. Eastern/12 p.m. Central. A recording of the webcast will be posted on the Investor Relations section of the company’s website within several hours after the call is completed. Headquartered in Houston, Occidental primarily operates in the United States, the Middle East and North Africa.
Source:The North Africa Journal
February 18, 2026 23:08 UTC
Russia’s Institutionalization of Influence in Africa
Check out this new report from USSOCOM’s Joint Special Operations University: From Guns for Hire to Military Doctrine: Russia’s Institutionalization of Influence in Africa. Below are highlights from the introduction, and we highly encourage you to dive into the full report at the link above. For SOF readers tracking how influence campaigns are evolving across Africa, Inter Populum’s Proxy Battlespaces: A New Perspective on Ukraine’s Use of Special Operations Forces in Syria, Sudan, and Mali is a useful companion to read alongside this JSOU report. It explores Ukraine’s use of partners and indirect methods in environments where Russia has pursued regime access and resource security through Wagner/Africa Corps. Together, they sharpen the comparative picture: institutionalized coercive influence versus agile, networked competition.
Source:The North Africa Journal
February 18, 2026 20:35 UTC
Macron adviser to head Arab World Institute in Paris after ex-minister quits over Epstein links
Anne-Claire Legendre (right) has served as President Emmanuel Macron's Middle East and North Africa adviser since 2023. An adviser to French President Emmanuel Macron was named on Tuesday as head of the Arab World Institute in Paris, after its previous boss stepped down over his links to Jeffrey Epstein. Her appointment comes a day after French police raided the Paris cultural centre as part of investigations into Lang's alleged financial ties to Epstein. Legendre has served as Macron's diplomatic adviser for North Africa and the Middle East since 2023. The Arab World Institute ("Institut du Monde Arabe") promotes Arab culture from its Left Bank headquarters that frequently host some of the capital's most talked-about exhibitions.
Source:The North Africa Journal
February 18, 2026 20:03 UTC
Great Power Competition and the MBN Advantage
Members of the Commission are interested in MBN’s work tracking Chinese influence in the Middle East and North Africa. We’ve seen a pattern around the world: Chinese financing eroding national sovereignty; Chinese-funded infrastructure projects with commercial cover that serve Communist Party security objectives. The Middle East is key to China’s Belt and Road Initiative. Ditto another MBN newsletter, MBN Agenda, our weekly briefing — in Arabic and English — on what’s driving events in the Middle East and Washington. Our audiences across the Middle East and North Africa have an insatiable appetite for accurate and reliable news and information.
Source:The North Africa Journal
February 18, 2026 19:00 UTC