Yalla Group Announces Partnership with Saudi Esports Federation to Drive Growth of Local Esports Ecosystem
In addition, Yalla will launch a talent development program in collaboration with the SEF's Saudi Esports Academy, designed to foster local esports talent through training, mentorship, and competitive experience. Saifi Ismail, President of Yalla Group, said, "This partnership marks an important step in our engagement with Saudi Arabia's esports sector. "Partnering with a MENA leader like Yalla Group brings valuable regional expertise to the Saudi eLeague," said Ibrahim Alsheddi, Chief Shared Services Officer at the Saudi Esports Federation. About Yalla Group LimitedYalla Group Limited is the largest MENA-based online social networking and gaming company, in terms of revenues in 2022. About Saudi Esports FederationThe Saudi Esports Federation is the regulating body in charge of nurturing elite gaming athletes and developing the gaming community and industry in Saudi Arabia.
Source:The North Africa Journal
February 02, 2026 10:19 UTC
Government begins constitutional revision process
Other proposals include a constitutional provision on the cost of party programs, fixed election cycles and civil service tenure. On Sunday, Defense Minister Nikos Dendias suggested changing the process for selecting judicial leaders, arguing that the country needs stronger institutions. The timetable for the constitutional revision will be outlined during the regular briefing by government spokesman Pavlos Marinakis. MigrationOn Wednesday, Parliament will vote on legislation seeking to overhaul the labor recruitment process for third-country nationals. The Attica Taxi Drivers’ Union said its members will march to the prime minister’s office in central Athens on February 3.
Source:The North Africa Journal
February 02, 2026 08:28 UTC
Middle East and North Africa Regions produce 155 million tons of garbage annually. Waste to double in 2050
Middle East and North Africa Regions produce 155 million tons of garbage annually. Waste to double in 2050Middle East and North Africa Regions produce 155 million tons of garbage annually. Waste to double in 2050The Middle East and North Africa region generates more waste per person than the global average and causes an estimated US$7.2 billion in environmental damage each year. This is according to a new World Bank report, titled, Waste Management in the Middle East and North Africa. This figure is expected to double and hit 310 million tons by 2050 if no action is taken.
Source:The North Africa Journal
February 01, 2026 22:28 UTC
Brussels gives formal support for Morocco’s regional autonomy plan
PREVIEWDitching its earlier assertion that Western Sahara isn’t part of Morocco, the European Commission has signed a new deal with RabatThe European Commission has given its formal backing for Morocco’s controlled autonomy plan for Western Sahara, in a major shift of the bloc’s diplomatic stance. At a meeting between EU foreign ministers and Morocco’s foreign minister Nasser Bourita on 29 January, the two sides agreed a joint text which stated said that ‘genuine autonomy could be among the most feasible solutions’ for the territory. Kallas stated unequivocally that this was a ‘new EU position on the Western Sahara’, and the text was welcomed as a ‘fundamental step forward’ by the foreign ministry in Rabat. The European Commission has made no secret of its hopes for closer political and economic relations with Rabat (AC Vol 66 No 25, Polisario goes back to Luxembourg). It can expect a frosty reception to this policy shift from Algeria, Morocco’s neighbour and the main supporter of the Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic whose claims of sovereignty over Western Sahara will be further weakened by this development.
Source:The North Africa Journal
February 01, 2026 22:15 UTC
How Much Does It Cost to Launch a Satellite in Africa? Budget Breakdown + Real Examples
Satellite Launch Costs in Africa: Budget Breakdown by Satellite Type and CountryAfrican countries sending an increasing number of satellites into spaceMain Cost Components of a Satellite LaunchLaunching a satellite involves three main expense areas: design and manufacturing, launch services, and regulatory approvals. The Middle East & Africa space launch services market is expected to grow at an annual rate of 9.1% through 2030. African Satellite Projects: Budget ExamplesNigeria’s Telecommunications Satellite ProgramsNigeria has established itself as a leader in Africa’s satellite initiatives, with projects like the NigComSat-1 communications satellite and the NigeriaSat Earth Observation microsatellite series. sbb-itb-dd089afHow Satellite Launch Costs May Change in AfricaRegional Spaceport DevelopmentAfrica’s reliance on foreign launch providers has historically driven up costs and left budgets vulnerable to currency fluctuations. More Competition Among Launch ProvidersGrowing competition between the U.S. and China is driving down launch costs and improving Africa’s negotiating position.
Source:The North Africa Journal
February 01, 2026 22:09 UTC
Honeywell Collaborates With Kortech To Automate Infrastructure Projects Across Middle East And North Africa
Dubai, February 01, 2026: Honeywell (NASDAQ: HON) today announced an agreement with Kortech, a subsidiary of Hassan Allam Holding - one of the leading engineering, construction, investment and development groups in the MENA region – to collaborate on automating and digitizing critical infrastructure projects in the Middle East and Egypt. The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), signed in the presence of Eng. “By combining our capabilities with Kortech’s regional engineering and infrastructure knowledge, we plan to create value for the many ambitious infrastructure projects underway across the region.”“This collaboration enhances our capacity to deliver advanced, technology-focused infrastructure solutions at scale throughout the region,” added Zayan Waziry, Chief Techno-Commercial Officer of Kortech. “Joining forces with Honeywell helps us broaden the range of offerings we provide for transportation, buildings and data center initiatives. For more news and information on Honeywell, please visit www.honeywell.com/us/en/press
Source:The North Africa Journal
February 01, 2026 20:17 UTC
Riyadh flashes the gold card
The privately owned Saudi Gold Refinery Company has confirmed that it wants to buy gold from Sudan (AC Vol 67 No 1, Undoing what remains of the nation). That could hit the finances of the RSF, which control swathes of Sudan, particularly the western regions. Gold sales, official and otherwise, to the UAE, have been matched with a steady supply of weapons for the RSF. The Sudanese government officially cut ties with the UAE last June but gold exports have continued, taking advantage of record prices that exceeded US $5,000 an ounce in January. Saudi Arabia wants to ensure that its geopolitical rivals, including the UAE, do not gain access to the Red Sea.
Source:The North Africa Journal
February 01, 2026 19:32 UTC
Libya’s NOC and Hungary’s MOL Group Sign Strategic MoU to Expand Energy Cooperation
The National Oil Corporation (NOC) has signed a strategic memorandum of understanding with MOL Group, marking another step in Libya’s efforts to deepen international partnerships and strengthen its oil and gas sector. The agreement was signed in Budapest by MOL Group Chief Executive Zsolt Hernádi and NOC Chairman Masoud Suleiman. Hernádi described Libya’s oil and gas sector as a strong driver of growth, noting that the partnership could expand MOL Group’s international portfolio while generating mutual economic benefits. MOL Group currently operates exploration and production assets in nine countries, with active production in eight, including Egypt, Iraq, and Azerbaijan. Libya National Oil Corporation, NOC Libya, MOL Group Hungary, Libya oil sector, Libya gas sector, Libya Hungary relations, energy cooperation MoU, Libya oil partnerships, MOL exploration production, Libya hydrocarbons, Libya energy recovery, Tripoli oil sector, Budapest energy talks, Libya crude oil trade, Libya oilfield services, European energy investment Africa, Libya upstream oil, Libya international oil companies, MOL Egypt Iraq Azerbaijan, Libya oil diplomacy, North Africa energy, Libya state oil company, MOL international portfolio, Libya oil production, Libya energy strategy, Libya gas exploration, oil and gas cooperation, Africa Europe energy ties, Libya foreign investment oil, NOC agreements, Libya hydrocarbons development, MOL Group CEO Zsolt Hernádi, NOC chairman Masoud Suleiman, Libya energy news, Africa oil sector, Mediterranean energy security, Libya oil infrastructure, Libya upstream sector, international oil partnerships, Libya economic recovery
Source:The North Africa Journal
February 01, 2026 15:19 UTC
7,000-year-old mummies reveal how the world’s largest hot desert once had lakes, and forests
A Green Sahara and a genetic surpriseLinks to Morocco, not sub-Saharan AfricaHow culture spread without mass migrationFor thousands of years, the Sahara has symbolised extreme isolation, a landscape so hostile it feels incompatible with sustained human life. Both groups show a similar genetic distance from sub-Saharan African populations of the same era, suggesting limited gene flow between northern and sub-Saharan Africa during the Green Sahara period.The comparison also revealed unexpected patterns of Neanderthal ancestry. The Taforalt population carries roughly half the Neanderthal DNA found in non-African populations today. Researchers also found faint evidence of genetic admixture with Levantine farmers, though the Takarkori gene pool remained largely distinct.For decades, archaeologists assumed that pastoralism and early farming spread across North Africa through waves of migration. The Takarkori mummies offer a rare glimpse into that lost world, and suggest there may be more discoveries waiting to complicate what we think we know about ancient human ancestry.
Source:The North Africa Journal
February 01, 2026 12:47 UTC
Winter Weather North Carolina
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Source:The North Africa Journal
February 01, 2026 11:43 UTC
Africa to lead 40% of high-impact wells by 2026
Africa to dominate high-impact wellsAfrica is set to be the main driver of global exploration in 2026, accounting for around 40% of planned high-impact exploration wells globally. Ultra-deep waters mark the 2026 strategyRystad Energy ‘s projections indicate that about 60% of the high-impact wells slated for 2026 will be located in ultra-deepwater, reflecting a clear shift toward technically complex but materially scaled resource potential environments. Onshore, virtually all high-impact drilling will be concentrated in Africa, with the exception of one well in Greenland. Exploratory success and pressure for new resourcesThe push toward high-impact wells is supported by better recent results. Asia grows, North America slows downOutside Africa, Asia has eight high-impact wells planned, led by Indonesia, India and Malaysia.
Source:The North Africa Journal
February 01, 2026 10:54 UTC
North Carolina visits Brooks and NC State
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Source:The North Africa Journal
February 01, 2026 10:32 UTC
Caleb Wilson dominates in return to hometown, leads No. 16 North Carolina past Georgia Tech 91-75
ShareATLANTA (AP) — Caleb Wilson dominated in the return to his hometown, scoring 22 points as No. 16 North Carolina cruised past Georgia Tech for a 91-75 victory on Saturday. The 6-foot-10 Atlanta native set a school record by scoring 20 points for the 15th time as a freshman. He had been tied with Tyler Hansbrough, who had 14 games with 20 points for the Tar Heels in 2005-06. Wilson had a pair of thunderous slams as well as converting a three-point play, pushing North Carolina to a 52-37 lead at the break.
Source:The North Africa Journal
February 01, 2026 09:24 UTC
HAVARD: Heat check: Seasons not exactly same in North, South
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
January 31, 2026 12:32 UTC
FAO–Hungarian Government Scholarship 2026/2027 for Study in Hungary (Fully Funded)
Applications are now open for the 2026/2027 FAO–Hungarian Government Scholarship. The scholarship will cover:application and tuition fees throughout the study period with basic books and notes;dormitory accommodation;subsistence costs;health insurance. All of the above mentioned costs are financed by the Hungarian Government, according to the Agreement between FAO and Hungary in 2007. Application and selection processThe selection process as described below applies to scholarships beginning in September 2026. DocumentsFor more details, please read the related documentsFor More Information:Visit the Official Webpage of the FAO–Hungarian Government Scholarship
Source:The North Africa Journal
January 31, 2026 08:40 UTC