Hiya targets deepfake calls with Loccus.ai buy
US-based voice security company Hiya bought deepfake detection player Loccus.ai, bolstering its capabilities at a time when it states consumers are reporting a rise in the number of scam calls employing AI. Hiya is incorporating Loccus.ai’s technology with its own voice security system to improve detection of fraudulent calls. The company is pitching Hiya AI Voice Detection as a way for businesses and operators to enhance security and, in turn, consumer trust. Of 2,000 US consumers quizzed, 27 per cent believe they had been targeted by an AI deepfake voice scam since April. Hiya said 61 per cent of audio deepfakes came through personal voice calls; 22 per cent from Facebook; 17 per cent YouTube; 16 per cent email; and 14 per cent TikTok.
Source:The North Africa Journal
July 26, 2024 04:12 UTC
Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) deadline looms
The deadline is looming for owners of commercial property owners in South Africa to register their buildings and display an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC). To obtain an EPC, buildings must first be registered with South African National Energy Development Institute (SANEDI). Once a building is registered, the owner must take the necessary steps to ensure that energy performance is measured. Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) rating scaleAn EPC rates buildings on a scale of A to G, similar to how appliances are rated for their energy efficiency. FAQ – Energy Performance Certificate (EPC)What is the EPC certificate in South Africa?
Source:The North Africa Journal
July 26, 2024 01:12 UTC
New ‘independent’ Africa credit rating agency on track to launch in 2025 – The North Africa Post
A new credit rating agency designed to address the needs of sovereign borrowers in Africa, and led by an African Union (AU) Commissioner, is on track to be launched in 2025, according to a senior AU official. A rating agency essentially assesses the ability of organizations to meet their financial obligations. The official aim of the new agency is to offer a “more tailored” and “fair” credit ratings for African nations to address high borrowing costs and lack of global rating system representation. The assessment will provide an independent risk analysis that potential investors can use when deciding whether to invest in assets. The idea for an African credit rating agency was first floated in 2017, following numerous complaints by African governments regarding the conduct of the “big three” international ratings agencies — Moody’s, Fitch, and S&P in particular.
Source:The North Africa Journal
July 26, 2024 00:04 UTC
Scaling up mangrove conservation in Kenya
As the International Day for the Conservation of the Mangrove Ecosystem approaches on 26 July, the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and UN-Habitat, through the Go Blue project, are showcasing a transformative initiative to counter climate change in Lamu County, Kenya. The effort, known as the Lamu Blue Carbon Project, is aiming to enlist local residents in a push to conserve and restore 4,000 hectares of mangrove forests along Kenya’s coast. The Lamu initiative, launched in 2023, is an upscaling of the successful Mikoko Pamoja and Vanga Blue Forest projects, which also took place in Kenya. While the Lamu blue carbon initiative is rooted in Kenya, observers believe its lessons can be applied globally. The Biodiversity Plan, formerly known as the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, aims to reverse this trend by 2030.
Source:The North Africa Journal
July 25, 2024 23:04 UTC
Italy to present hydrogen corridor plan in autumn, may involve Switzerland
The so-called SouthH2 Corridor would connect North Africa, Italy, Austria and Germany, allowing renewable hydrogen produced in the Southern Mediterranean to reach European industries. Europe is attempting to kick start the production and import of renewable hydrogen – a fuel manufactured using renewable electricity – which countries are betting on to cut fossil fuel use in industrial processes such as steel-making. “We are planning a hydrogen transport through Austria, hooking up Switzerland, and into Germany,” Pichetto said. The plan was officially announced in May when energy ministers from Italy, Austria and Germany signed a cooperation agreement as part of an EU strategy to decarbonise its industry. Last year sources told Reuters Italy was in preliminary talks with Bavaria’s government to supply gas and hydrogen to the southern German state.
Source:The North Africa Journal
July 25, 2024 13:43 UTC
Cape Town: Golden Arrow secures 120 electric buses from BYD
Golden Arrow Bus Services in Cape Town is to take stock of 120 electric buses before the end of the year. 2020: Golden Arrow partners with BYD (bus manufacturer) and uYilo (co-funding) to test two 100% electric buses for a 12-month period. Golden Arrow partners with BYD (bus manufacturer) and uYilo (co-funding) to test two 100% electric buses for a 12-month period. 2024: Golden Arrow orders 120 BYD electric buses for delivery from Q4 2024 to Q4 2025. Testing electric buses in Cape TownAs of July 2021, two electric buses were incorporated into Golden Arrow’s day-to-day operations, carrying passengers between Retreat and Cape Town.
Source:The North Africa Journal
July 25, 2024 10:33 UTC
Carmaker Stellantis pledges to tackle problems in North America as profits plunge
MILAN (AP) — Stellantis CEO Carlos Tavares pledged action to tackle problems in North America and elsewhere Thursday after reporting a plunge in first-half earnings. The carmaker, which was created in 2021 from the merger of Fiat-Chrysler with PSA Peugeot, reported net profits of 5.6 billion euros ($6 billion) in the period, down 48% compared with 11 billion euros in the same period last year. Revenues in the period dropped 14% to 85 billion euros. The company reported adjusted operating income of 8.5 billion euros ($9.23 billion), down 5.7 billion euros from the first half of last year. In North America, Tavares said the company let inventory get too high, and plans to fix that in the first half didn’t work.
Source:The North Africa Journal
July 25, 2024 10:32 UTC
African entrepreneurs invited to apply for $9k UK-run Young Innovators Programme
Innovate UK Global Alliance Africa was founded to build new and stronger UK-African partnerships to maximise the creation of inclusive market access, funding and investment opportunities through innovation knowledge transfer. The winner of the programme, designed to inspire and support the next generation of innovators, will take home GBP7,000 to help provide access to innovation support including mentorship, training and startup capital. “We are thrilled to announce the return of the Young Innovators Programme, which builds on the success of last year’s edition. We are looking forward to an even better programme this year,” said Innovate UK country lead Joshua Adedeji. “Our commitment remains resolute: to empower young innovators in Ekiti State by providing them with the essential resources and support needed to turn their groundbreaking ideas into reality.”Applications are now open here.
Source:The North Africa Journal
July 25, 2024 09:05 UTC
Olympics: Morocco beats Argentina 2-1 in a dramatic game – The North Africa Post
Morocco’s Olympic football squad stunned Argentina 2-1 in a match that was marred by referral dysfunctions. Morocco opened the score and led the match 2-0, before Argentina netted a goal and was struggling for an equalizer. Some of whom entered the pitch and throw bottles. The game has been described as an embarrassment for the Olympics opening football championship. After a well-deserved precious three points in the game against Argentina, the Atlas Lions will face Ukraine on July 27 and Iraq on July 30.
Source:The North Africa Journal
July 25, 2024 08:53 UTC
Plotting a course for universal electricity access in Uganda
Paul Mwesigwa, Managing Director of Uganda Electricity Distribution Company Limited, provides an overview of the energy landscape in the East African country. He said one of the challenges that utilities across Africa faces is ageing infrastructure, “so we have to look at what plans are there for infrastructure renewal modernisation.”“(Uganda) has modelled concepts now and we are looking at a financial sustainability model that in the next five to 10 years we shall be in a position to go through government agencies… to create self-sustainability. “If we foresight generation plans increasing, then on the side of transmission and distribution we make sure that we are establishing an investment plan that would be in position to evacuate all the energy to the right point.”Mwesigwa said Uganda is targeting universal electricity access by 2030 as per the country’s development plan. This interview took place at Enlit Africa.
Source:The North Africa Journal
July 25, 2024 08:01 UTC
World hails success of historic Palestinian unity declaration
The declaration on ending division and strengthening unity was signed on Tuesday after three days of reconciliation talks among 14 Palestinian factions, including rivals Hamas and Fatah. United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres "very much welcomes" the signing of the declaration by Palestinian factions, UN spokesman Stephane Dujarric said in New York on Tuesday. Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim wrote on social media platform X that the declaration signed in Beijing "represents a promising step toward achieving Palestinian solidarity, so crucial for realizing the rights of the Palestinian people". He commended "the government of the People's Republic of China for facilitating talks" among Hamas, Fatah and 12 other Palestinian factions. The Foreign Ministry of Turkiye welcomed in a statement the gathering of Palestinian factions in Beijing and "their acceptance of a declaration aimed at achieving national unity", according to Turkiye's Anadolu Agency.
Source:The North Africa Journal
July 25, 2024 07:32 UTC
SA’s Quicket acquired by world’s leading ticket marketplace Ticketmaster
South African startup Quicket, a pan-African self-service ticketing platform founded in 2011, has been acquired by Ticketmaster, the world’s leading ticket marketplace, in a move aimed at further supporting the rapidly growing live events market across the continent. An alumni of the Grindstone accelerator programme, and backed by KNF Ventures, Quicket has expanded operations in Nigeria, Uganda, Kenya, Zambia, and Botswana. Ticketmaster, meanwhile, is the world’s largest ticket marketplace and the global market leader in live event ticketing products and services. Partnering with Quicket will supercharge our mission to elevate Africa’s dynamic live events to the global spotlight they truly deserve. “The founders built a resilient, capital efficient, high-growth African business, and it is awesome of Ticketmaster to recognise that.
Source:The North Africa Journal
July 25, 2024 06:42 UTC
South Africa Courier, Express and Parcel Services Industry Report 2024, with Profiles of 25 Companies Including UPS, Fedex, DSV, RAM, DPD Laser, Courier Guy and PostNet - ResearchAndMarkets.com
DUBLIN--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The "Courier, Express and Parcel Services Industry in South Africa 2024" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering. This report covers courier, express and parcel activities offered by postal operators and the South African Post Office. Market InsightsEcommerce is the leading contributor to courier, express and parcel demand in South Africa. According to the South African Express Parcel Association, the express parcel industry is the fastest-growing transport-related sector in the country. Companies FeaturedAramex South Africa (Pty) LtdBidair Cargo (Pty) LtdBusiness Express Of South Africa (Pty) LtdCourier Guy (Pty) Ltd (The)DHL International (Pty) LtdDPD Laser Express Logistics (Pty) LtdDSV South Africa (Pty) LtdEPX Courier Services (Pty) LtdFedex Express South Africa (Pty) LtdFreight Innovations (Pty) LtdGroupair (S A) (Pty) LtdInternet Express (Pty) LtdIsicabucabu Franchising (Pty) LtdLaser Group (Pty) Ltd (The)Pargopoints (Pty) LtdPostnet Southern Africa (Pty) LtdRam Transport (South Africa) (Pty) LtdRTT Group (Pty) LtdSeabourne Inxpress (Pty) LtdSkynet South Africa (Pty) LtdSouthgate Courier Service CCSuid-Afrikaanse Poskantoor Soc LtdSuper Group Trading (Pty) LtdTakealot Online (Rf) (Pty) LtdUPS SCS South Africa (Pty) LtdValue Logistics (Pty) LtdKey Topics Covered:1.
Source:The North Africa Journal
July 25, 2024 04:27 UTC
Air India Plans North America Destination Growth
“But Mumbai has been grossly underserved by us—that’s partly the fault of Air India but it's also because of airport capacity. Navi Mumbai International Airport is expected to handle 20 million passengers initially, rising to 90 million once future phases have been completed. Additionally, Air India in April signed an agreement to develop a connecting hub at Bengaluru’s Kempegowda International Airport (BLR). From a geographical perspective, it also allows for connected flows from Africa, Middle East, Asia and Australasia.”Earlier this week, Air India LCC subsidiary Air India Express launched nonstop service from BLR to Abu Dhabi, marking the airline’s first international service from the city. On Air India’s North America plans, Wilson said: “In the US, we've added a lot of capacity into San Francisco—we’ve inaugurated Mumbai-San Francisco and Bengaluru-San Francisco—and have added capacity to New York.
Source:The North Africa Journal
July 25, 2024 03:45 UTC
Southern Ethiopia landslide kills 230 people – The North Africa Post
Two mudslides in southern Ethiopia left at least 230 people dead, following heavy rain as chances thin to find survivors. Most deaths were caused by the first landslide, followed by a second that killed people who were trying to rescue survivors, local media reported. Landslides are common during Ethiopia’s rainy season, which started in July and is expected to last until mid-September. Floods triggered by heavy rains have displaced thousands of Ethiopians in recent months, the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) said in a report last month. At least 43 people died from floods and landslides last year, OCHA said in November.
Source:The North Africa Journal
July 25, 2024 03:06 UTC