African nations pivot to LNG for energy security and growth
African nations are increasingly recognising the potential of liquefied natural gas to drive economic growth and energy independence, according to a new report from the African Energy Chamber. "Natural gas is a catalyst for African prosperity, not merely a commodity on the market," said NJ Ayuk, executive chairman of the African Energy Chamber. "By expanding LNG and domestic uses, nations can drive growth, cut emissions, and assert their energy independence." Natural gas already powers 40% of the continent's electricity, with North Africa accounting for a 32% share. The African Energy Chamber emphasises that targeted investments can overcome challenges like infrastructure gaps, import vulnerabilities, and environmental concerns as the continent develops its natural gas resources.
Source:The North Africa Journal
December 24, 2025 08:12 UTC
North-east and Cumbria farmers welcome inheritance tax shift
At last year's Budget, ministers said they would start imposing a 20% tax on inherited agricultural assets worth more than £1m from April 2026. But following months of protests by farmers and concern from some Labour backbenchers, that threshold has been increased to £2.5m. Mr Bainbridge, who farms at Cambo in Northumberland, reacted: "It means that the next generation can get on with growing food and looking after the environment without a huge tax burden." Mr Donaldson also paid tribute to all those who protested and the "rural MPs who stood up for their constituents". Follow BBC North East on X and Facebook and BBC Cumbria on X and Facebook and both on Nextdoor and Instagram.
Source:The North Africa Journal
December 24, 2025 06:22 UTC
Morocco reinforces measures to counter floods amid heavy rain and snowfall – The North Africa Post
Morocco has recorded significant water inflows into its dams following recent snowfall, while authorities intensify efforts to mitigate flood risks, Water and Equipment Minister Nizar Baraka said. Speaking to members of parliament, Baraka said the country remains vulnerable to extreme weather patterns, alternating between drought and flooding. Over the past ten days, some 482 million cubic meters of water have been added to dam reserves, driven by snowfall covering 55,000 square kilometers, bringing overall reservoir filling rates to around 34%, he said. The ministry will launch a study to identify solutions and implement preventive measures, including new flood-protection structures for Safi, he said. Fifteen additional projects are underway, and a new program will be launched through hydraulic basin agencies early next year, Baraka said.
Source:The North Africa Journal
December 24, 2025 01:54 UTC
EOG Wins Environmental Approval for Offshore Trinidad Gas Wells
U.S.-based energy company EOG Resources has secured a Certificate of Environmental Clearance to drill two offshore gas exploration wells in Trinidad. Issued by the Environmental Management Authority (EMA), the approval covers the TG1 and TG2 wells located in the NCMA 4(a) Unlimited Block off the country’s north coast. The EMA also assessed potential environmental impacts associated with the offshore campaign before issuing approval. He noted that the decision supports Trinidad and Tobago’s development objectives while maintaining environmental protection standards. The approval marks a key step in advancing EOG’s offshore gas exploration plans in Trinidad, reinforcing continued upstream activity in one of the Caribbean’s most established gas-producing markets.
Source:The North Africa Journal
December 23, 2025 23:11 UTC
SEGG Media Celebrates Landmark Success as Official Live Streaming Partner of Super League Kerala
Marc Bircham, Chairman of SEGG and Director of Sports Acquisitions, hailed the SLK partnership as a pivotal milestone:“The Super League Kerala has been a phenomenal success for SEGG Media and a defining moment for the Sports.com brand. Mathew Joseph, CEO of Super League Kerala, praised the collaboration and its impact on the League’s visibility:“Partnering with SEGG Media and the Sports.com brand elevated the Super League Kerala to an entirely new level. About Super League KeralaThe Super League Kerala is a premier football competition showcasing top-tier talent from across the region. About Lottery.com Inc. (dba SEGG Media Corporation)SEGG Media (Nasdaq: SEGG, LTRYW) is a global sports, entertainment and gaming group operating a portfolio of digital assets including Sports.com, Concerts.com and Lottery.com. Focused on immersive fan engagement, ethical gaming and AI-driven live experiences, SEGG Media is redefining how global audiences interact with the content they love.
Source:The North Africa Journal
December 23, 2025 21:32 UTC
Claire McCants, 4, of North Walpole plays with bubbles
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Source:The North Africa Journal
December 23, 2025 20:42 UTC
BRICS, SCO and African Union: architecture of new world
BRICS, the SCO, the African Union: goals and synergyBRICS, the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO), the African Union, and other structures such as the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) are organisations and structures of the Global South. BRICS members South Africa, Ethiopia and Egypt are also members of the African Union. Against the backdrop of progress towards the shared large-scale goal of strengthening a multipolar world, BRICS, the SCO and the African Union are also striving to develop economic cooperation in the current realities. BRICS and the African UnionThe African Union (AU) is one of the continent’s longest-standing associations. Thus, the Eurasian Economic Union is organically integrating into the multipolar economic system being formed on the basis of BRICS.
Source:The North Africa Journal
December 23, 2025 20:28 UTC
North Korea's Kim Jong Un, daughter open luxury resort – DW – 12
Five new hotels were opened in Samjiyon, near the Chinese border, with Kim Jong Un praising the "rising status" of North Korea's people. North Korea's leader Kim Jong Un and his daughter Ju Ae have opened what state media calls an "attractive mountainous tourist resort and leisure ground for the people." According to the official Korean Central News Agency (KCNA), five luxury hotels have opened their doors in Samjiyon, a remote northern city near China. According to KCNA he said the new resort was "clear proof of the ever-growing ideal of our people and our state's potential for development." But Kim is on a drive to boost tourism, and the opening of the new hotels at Samjiyon follows North Korea's launch of the Wonsan Kalma Coastal Tourist Zone earlier this year.
Source:The North Africa Journal
December 23, 2025 20:26 UTC
Freedom for Christmas: the extraordinary journey of an enslaved woman to Britain
There she was taken by road to North Shields and welcomed by two “Miss Spences” on Christmas Day. Macham lived in freedom in North Shields for the next 62 years. Though her story is little known nationally, exhibitions about her have been held at the Old Low Light Museum in North Shields and the Discovery Museum in Newcastle. She told her story knowing it would be shared, but otherwise it seems she used her freedom in Britain as simply that – freedom. The sentiment that fostered a welcoming atmosphere in North Shields for Macham persists to this day.
Source:The North Africa Journal
December 23, 2025 13:52 UTC
A story about North Korea and Japan, an exhilarating political film and a funny spy thriller – the three best releases of 2025
Anora, a film about a sex worker who gets caught up in the world of a Russian oligarch’s son, won best picture at the Oscars. We consulted with our academic experts to whittle down the year’s cultural offering, presenting you with lists of the best books, films and albums. But here are the novels, movies, dramas and music that really left a lasting impression on the Something Good team. Flashlight by Susan ChoiJonathan CapeI’ve learned a lot about Korean history – and the trauma that still lingers – through literature. Anna Walker, Senior Arts and Culture EditorApple TV+I have to confess I am bereft ever since season five of Slow Horses ended.
Source:The North Africa Journal
December 23, 2025 13:26 UTC
Northern Trust names new co-presidents of asset servicing
Northern Trust has made senior leadership appointments effective January 1, 2026, including the appointment of Clive Bellows and Guy Gibson as co-presidents of asset servicing. All three executives will report to Northern Trust chief executive officer Michael O’Grady. Gibson and Pickett will also join Bellows as members of the Northern Trust Leadership Team. Gibson joined Northern Trust nearly a decade ago through the acquisition of Aviate Global LLP, which he co-founded. Since joining Northern Trust in 2017, she has driven growth for Asset Owners Americas and led the launch of Front Office Solutions.
Source:The North Africa Journal
December 23, 2025 12:04 UTC
Africa24 Group: Suspension of Broadcasting in Guinea; False Allegations and Abusive Actions
Africa24 Group: Suspension of Broadcasting in Guinea; False Allegations and Abusive ActionsOn Sunday, 22 December 2025, the Africa 24 Group (https://Africa24TV.com/) received a letter from the President of the High Authority for Communication (HAC) via our distribution partner, the Canal+ Group, entitled « Decision No. 025/ HAC/P/25‘ with the subject line ’Suspension of broadcasting of the AFRICA 24 television channel for illegal operation in the Republic of Guinea »The Africa 24 Group is accused of covering the presidential campaign in Guinea without authorisation. The Africa 24 Group, which has never broken any law in Guinea, fully respects the prerogatives of the High Authority for Communication. • No public entity in Guinea is a shareholder of the Africa 24 Group• The Africa 24 Group, through its activities, cannot meet the criteria of Decision No. Distributed by APO Group on behalf of AFRICA24 Group.
Source:The North Africa Journal
December 23, 2025 09:09 UTC
Top Hits of 2025 Middle East & North Africa
Top Hits of 2025 Middle East & North AfricaFrom Tul8te's 'El Hob Gany' to Vanco and Aya System's 'Ma Tnsani', we look back at the standout hits that soundtracked our dancefloor, long drives and Spotify-and-chill nights in 2025. As of late 2025,’ سنيورة’ amassed over 15.6 million streams on Spotify. As of December 2025, the track has amassed over 4.3 million streams on Spotify and more than 2.1 million views on YouTube. The track became a global electronic moment, racking up over 54 million Spotify streams and even earning remixes from legends like Tiësto. As of late December 2025, ‘Nasser’ accumulated over 2 million streams on Spotify.
Source:The North Africa Journal
December 23, 2025 09:06 UTC
Vilpa Films launching Vilpa Max streaming platform
Vilpa Films, the production company established my Mexican producer, filmmaker and author Alejandro Vilpa, will launch its new streaming platform, Vilpa Max, on January 31st 20206. The platform will seek to provide short filmmakers from around the world an opportunity to present their work to a global audience. Some of films set to be featured at launch include Oscar-winning short The Mozart of Pickpockets from writer/director Philippe Pollet-Villard, the Oscar-nominated The Red Suitcase from director Cyrus Neshvad, and Palme d’Or winning All the Crows in the World from writer/director Yi Tang. Vilpa commented: “At Vilpa Films and Vilpa Max, our mission is to champion extraordinary cinema while creating a bridge for emerging filmmakers to enter the international distribution landscape.We curate and produce work that stands alongside Oscar-winning and Cannes-acclaimed films, offering audiences a catalogue defined by vision, craft, and cultural impact. At the same time, we empower new voices by giving them opportunities to gain international visibility and positioning as they continue building their careers.”
Source:The North Africa Journal
December 23, 2025 06:31 UTC
Deck your garden with boughs of holly, a plant rich in symbolism and evergreen beauty
The best time to plant hollies is in early spring, after the last hard freeze (if applicable) but before the heat of summer sets in. One male can effectively pollinate about 10 female plants growing within 50 feet (15 meters), sometimes more. American Holly (Ilex opaca)Native along the entire East Coast and west to Missouri and Texas, this slow-growing, pyramidical holly can reach 25-60 feet (8-18 meters) tall at maturity. Winterberry holly (Ilex verticillata)Unlike the other species on this list, verticillata is a deciduous, not evergreen, plant that loses its foliage in autumn. English or common holly (Ilex aquifolium)Native to Europe, West Asia and North Africa, English holly is spreading into wild areas and choking out native vegetation from Vancouver to the Pacific Northwest and into California.
Source:The North Africa Journal
December 23, 2025 05:46 UTC