Gladiator II: A missed chance for North African representation
The Carthaginian Empire is "my Roman Empire" but I'm fully aware of Hollywood's annoying habit of white-washing, erasing and/or misrepresenting the Maghreb's history and inhabitants. A look at the first trailer for Gladiator II, the cast and interviews prove it has already prevented Middle Eastern, North African and Arab actors from playing real-life characters with shared ethnicities. Geta and Caracalla, therefore, would be of mixed ethnicity, mostly Arab-Middle Eastern and North African, but the actors playing them are not. We see a female archer in armour aiming a bow and arrow which may be a nod to several North African legends of female warriors. The only North African in the main cast list is that of Egyptian-Palestinian actress May Calamawy.
Source:The North Africa Journal
August 09, 2024 11:49 UTC
Krispy Kreme makes Morocco debut with Rabat outlet
US doughnut and coffee chain Krispy Kreme has launched in Morocco with a franchised store in the capital, Rabat. The launch sees Krispy Kreme expand its partnership with licensee Americana Restaurants, which licenses the doughnut and coffee chain across the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait, Egypt and Jordan. We know our iconic doughnuts and coffee will add an extra touch of joy to Moroccan consumers and bolster our presence in this crucial market,” said Raphael Duvivier, Chief Development Officer, Krispy Kreme. Kuwait-based Americana Restaurants acquired the franchise rights for Krispy Kreme in the MENA region in 2006 and currently operates 377 stores across the region. Founded in 1937, Krispy Kreme has over 2,160 stores and more than 14,100 global points of access – retail channels where its products can be purchased – across 39 markets globally.
Source:The North Africa Journal
August 09, 2024 11:31 UTC
Testing the ‘most valuable’ AI investment across the software development lifecycle – Intelligent CIO Africa
The research finds that DevOps teams are realizing the benefits of AI, with mature DevOps teams who have adopted AI significantly more likely (30%) to rate their teams as either extremely or very effective. However, a lack of AI skills (28%) is seen as the greatest hurdle to AI adoption in DevOps. Generative AI (Gen AI) and AI copilots are key drivers of AI adoption: GenAI (45%) is now the most widely adopted type of AI used by DevOps practitioners. In particular, AI copilots are also on the rise, with use cases in planning, code development and software testing. “As DevOps teams continue to mature, testing will be pivotal to realizing their investment in AI-augmented DevOps tools and practices.”Click below to share this article
Source:The North Africa Journal
August 09, 2024 11:17 UTC
Ukraine to seek greater influence in Africa even after Mali, Niger cut ties with Kyiv – The North Africa Post
Mali and Niger have cut diplomatic ties with Ukraine due to a controversial statement by Ukraine’s military intelligence agency (GUR), with some observers warning that a harsh reaction from Burkina Faso is to be expected, given the latter’s strong allegiance to Mali and Niger. A single statement implicating Ukraine in the death of dozens of Malian soldiers has within a week cost the East European country some points in the West African area, where it has sought to gain allies, given its ongoing conflict with Russia. Niger said on Wednesday (7 August) it had cut diplomatic ties with Ukraine, saying it made the move in “solidarity” with neighboring Mali, who severed their own relations with Kyiv two days earlier. Moscow’s influence across West Africa has undoubtedly contributed to Ukraine’s lack of influence and allegiance in Niger, Mali and Burkina Faso. The Summit of Peace in Ukraine that was held in Switzerland in June had 93 participants, only 11 of whom were African, highlighting Ukraine’s minimal influence in the continent as a whole.
Source:The North Africa Journal
August 09, 2024 11:11 UTC
Not-guilty plea in North Sprague Street fire
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Source:The North Africa Journal
August 09, 2024 11:05 UTC
Scatec Sells off Stakes in Sub-Saharan Africa, Pumps Money into Egypt’s Renewables
Scatec Sells off Stakes in Sub-Saharan Africa, Pumps Money into Egypt’s RenewablesBy Toyin AkinoshoNorwegian developer Scatec is winding down in sub-Saharan Africa. “We continue to deliver on our strategy to consolidate our portfolio through divestment of assets in non-core markets, and recycling capital into new investments in renewable energy”, Scatec says in a release. The company currently holds an economic interest of approximately 46% in the Kalkbult and 44% in the Linde and Dreunberg solar power plants. Scatec is focused on Egypt as it walks out of Sub-Saharan Africa. And while the company has EVPs focused for Asia and Europe, It has no such personnel dedicated to sub-Saharan Africa.
Source:The North Africa Journal
August 09, 2024 10:45 UTC
CASA delivering globally competitive IT services in SA – Intelligent CIO Africa
In the face of a dearth of IT skills around the world the managed services market continues to grow. SA is no different with BMIT’s 2022 South African IT Services Market Report revealing an 11.8% growth in the sector as it reached a value of R84.7 billion. “These are impressive stats particularly when viewed in the context of a stagnant economy,” said Paul Field, CASA Professional Services Manager. Managed services enables our customers to concentrate on core operations removing the chore of IT which is not their specialty skillset nor their focus,” said Field. CASA’s managed service value proposition to the SA market – local is lekker“The local market is growing but the playing field is not level in terms of service provider offerings.
Source:The North Africa Journal
August 09, 2024 09:39 UTC
Tropical Storm Debby Floods Carolinas
Debby entered the Atlantic Ocean and came ashore Thursday in South Carolina as a tropical storm. 1/95 Arrow Left Arrow Right A roof collapsed on a house when a tornado hit near Lucama, N.C. as bands from Tropical Storm Debby moved through early Thursday, Aug. 8, 2024. Tropical Storm Debby is seen on satellite on Thursday, Aug. 8, 2024. The region “continues to face unrelenting rain and destruction from Tropical Storm Debby,” Gov. Tropical Storm Debby has caused widespread flooding across North Carolina, where local officials are warning residents not to drive on waterlogged roads.
Source:The North Africa Journal
August 09, 2024 09:20 UTC
Global Data Center Market Set for 107% Growth
The global data center market is expected to see a huge jump to $317 billion by 2026, a new projection from JLL shows. The real estate investment firm said that would represent a surge of 107 percent from the 2020 levels, which is when it was valued at $153 billion. By 2025, the market is projected to be worth $274 billion, according to JLL.
Source:The North Africa Journal
August 09, 2024 07:56 UTC
Analyst: Sacking of Tunisia’s PM not surprising
As political and economic protests have consumed Africa in recent months, Tunisia, the birth of the Arab Spring, appears to be moving in the opposite direction ahead of presidential elections in October. President Kais Saied fired his prime minister this week and an opposition candidate was sentenced to two years imprisonment for criticizing the lack of transparency in the country’s electoral process. This, as Tunisia faces high food and energy prices, according to the Associates Press. Omar Khadr, a Middle East, North Africa, and Turkey intelligence analyst, tells VOA’s James Butty, the dismissal of the prime minister is not surprising because President Saied wants to consolidate power ahead of the elections.
Source:The North Africa Journal
August 09, 2024 07:39 UTC
Middle East: Understanding The Geography and Growth Drivers
The World Bank anticipates the region’s GDP to triple to $6 trillion by 2050, but it could grow to $13 trillion. REGIONAL GROWTH DRIVERS ARE:GROSS DOMESTIC PRODUCT (GDP)The region’s GDP is substantial. The GCC expects 3.6% growth in 2024, with the World Bank anticipating GDP will triple by 2050. GREEN GROWTHThe GCC countries are pursuing ambitious targets for achieving renewable resources for electricity generation. The UN World projects growth to peak at 68 million by 2048.
Source:The North Africa Journal
August 09, 2024 00:42 UTC
The Middle East Beauty Market : The British Beauty Council
First, love of beauty in the Middle East is not just skin-deep. But, the beauty market in the Middle East does not focus upon the past. The beauty and personal care market in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region is currently worth over $46 billion, and estimated to reach $60 billion by 2025. They belong to a generation that spends significantly more on makeup, seeks out new, exciting products, and keeps the beauty market on its toes. If you want to find out more about trading in the Middle East, visit the British Beauty Council’s Trade Hub.
Source:The North Africa Journal
August 08, 2024 22:20 UTC
Cocoa swollen shoot disease worsening in Ghana, poses long-term threat
LONDON, Aug 8 (Reuters) – Ghana’s cocoa sector faces a long-term threat from worsening swollen shoot disease as recent data indicates the world’s second largest grower of the bean is not managing to contain the outbreak, traders and experts said. Spread by small insects called mealybugs that eat leaves, buds and flowers, swollen shoot initially allows trees to produce, but at a reduced rate. After five to 10 years however, it kills them.
Source:The North Africa Journal
August 08, 2024 19:14 UTC
Tunisia's president replaces prime minister in the latest shakeup ahead of presidential election
TUNIS, Tunisia — Tunisia’s president has sacked the country’s prime minister and replaced him with another Cabinet member, the latest shakeup in the North African country ahead of the October presidential election. President Kais Saied announced late Wednesday in a brief press release that he was dismissing Prime Minister Ahmed Hachani after only one year in office. Saied also named Kamel Maddouri, previously Tunisia’s social affairs minister, to the post. Maddouri will be the sixth prime minister to serve as head of government under Saied. Saied, a 66-year-old former law professor, came to power in 2019, capitalizing on widespread discontent and promising to make Tunisia more prosperous.
Source:The North Africa Journal
August 08, 2024 19:09 UTC