Tunisia : Government puts brakes on Saïed's labour reforms
Africa Intelligence uses cookies to provide reliable and secure features, measure and analyse website traffic and provide support to the website users. Apart from those essential for the proper operation of the website, you can choose which cookies you accept to have stored on your device. Either “Accept and close” to agree to all cookies or go to “Manage cookies” to review your options. You can change these settings at any time by going to our Cookie management page.
Source:The North Africa Journal
July 26, 2024 10:42 UTC
SA mobility startup LULA acquires UK-based Zeelo’s South African business
South Africa’s LULA, an enterprise ride-sharing platform, has announced its acquisition of the UK-based Zeelo’s operations in South Africa, a move that will see it scale significantly. The UK-based Zeelo, meanwhile, is a smart bus platform for organisations, similar to LULA in that it provides flexible turn-key and plug-in transportation programs for commuting and school runs. The deal will see Zeelo’s South African operations transition to LULA’s solution. The acquisition will mean an increase in customers, vehicles and operating partners, and staff to strengthen and scale LULA’s business in South Africa, as well as into other African markets. “Significantly, the acquisition of Zeelo‘s operations in South Africa means that LULA becomes a profitable business, with enough breathing room to scale smart, rather than scale fast,” Nodada said.
Source:The North Africa Journal
July 26, 2024 09:39 UTC
Flights in Northern Hemisphere Will Likely Experience More Turbulence Due to Climate Change
Known as clear air turbulence, the phenomenon also increased in the Northern Hemisphere between 1980 and 2021, the study found. While most people expect turbulence when flying in an airplane through a thunderstorm or over a mountain range, clear air turbulence hits aircraft unexpectedly. And unlike other, more obvious types of turbulence, there is no easy way to detect and avoid clear air turbulence. Recent well-publicized encounters with clear air turbulence caused injuries on Singapore Airlines and Air Europa flights. “We now have high confidence that climate change is increasing clear air turbulence in some regions,” he said.
Source:The North Africa Journal
July 26, 2024 08:55 UTC
Dozens killed, at least 150 missing after Canaries-bound migrant boat capsizes off Mauritania – The North Africa Post
The Mauritanian coastguard “saved the lives of 103 illegal immigrants and recovered 25 bodies, following the sinking of their boat off the coast of the capital Nouakchott,” AMI reported, citing a coastguard commander. “Among the survivors, 10 people were urgently referred to hospitals for medical care, and four unaccompanied and separated children were identified,” the agency added in a statement. For the past two months, more than 76 boats with more than 6,000 surviving migrants have disembarked in Mauritania, but at least 190 people have died or are missing, the IOM statement added. Close to 5,000 people are estimated to have died at sea between January and May of 2024 trying to reach the Spanish archipelago, migration rights group Walking Borders said last month. 160% more migrants arrived in the Canaries, using the Atlantic route, between January and July 2024 compared to the same period last year, according to the IOM data.
Source:The North Africa Journal
July 26, 2024 08:54 UTC
Mamelodi Sundowns reach agreement with Bafana Bafana star - Reports
Rumours have been swirling regarding the future of midfield star Teboho Mokoena at the Brazilians. Article continues below Article continues below Article continues below Mokoena attracts overseas interestContract talks with Sundowns hit a snagPlayer has reportedly extended his stay Click here to get Mzansi's best soccer coverage delivered to you via WhatsApp. Article continues below
Source:The North Africa Journal
July 26, 2024 08:34 UTC
Carriers reduce blank sailings, bullish for peak season
Now that we are nearly a third of the way through the traditional container shipping peak cargo season, planned blank sailings and capacity deployment for the remainder of the third quarter can provide us a good perspective on the carriers’ confidence in the 2024 peak season, says the latest update from Sea-Intelligence. On Asia-North America West Coast, carriers have so far planned to blank 3.9 percent of the total capacity, which is not too different from the pre-pandemic average or from 2020. "It is, however, significantly lower than in the pandemic years (where blank sailings were forced due to port congestion). Given this strong capacity growth and the relatively low blank sailings level, it suggests that the carriers are bullish for the peak season on this trade lane, the update added. The fact that carriers are willing to maintain that level of elevated capacity on Asia-North Europe in 2024, coupled with the relatively low level of blank sailings, indicates the carriers have a confident strong outlook for the peak season on Asia-North Europe, the update added.
Source:The North Africa Journal
July 26, 2024 05:34 UTC
EXCLUSIVE-Israel seeks changes to Gaza truce plan, complicating talks, sources say
WASHINGTON/CAIRO, July 25 (Reuters) – Israel is seeking changes to a plan for a Gaza truce and the release of hostages by Hamas, complicating a final deal to halt nine months of combat that have devastated the enclave, according to a Western official and a Palestinian and two Egyptian sources. Israel says that displaced Palestinians should be screened as they return to the enclave’s north when the ceasefire begins, retreating from an agreement to allow civilians who fled south to freely return home, the four sources told Reuters.
Source:The North Africa Journal
July 26, 2024 05:16 UTC
ExaGrid and StorIT announce strategic partnership
ExaGrid, recently announced that is has begun a new strategic partnership with StorIT Distribution, a Value-Added Distributor in the Middle East and North Africa for Enterprise IT Products and Solutions. “We firmly believe this relationship with ExaGrid will open a large market opportunity for our partners to address pain points of organisations around the modern era data backup & recovery needs in the region”, said Mr. Subi Antony, Senior Director at StorIT Distribution. StorIT in partnership with ExaGrid will help organisations to have a comprehensively secure data backup that enables fast ransomware recovery, through its Tiered Backup Storage solution. Together, we are committed to equipping organisations with cutting-edge technologies that safeguard their critical data assets against evolving cyber threats. “ExaGrid is pleased to partner with StorIT, further expanding the availability of ExaGrid Tiered Backup Storage in the Middle East.
Source:The North Africa Journal
July 26, 2024 05:14 UTC
Climate change will bring more turbulence to flights in the Northern Hemisphere
Known as clear air turbulence, the phenomenon also increased in the Northern Hemisphere between 1980 and 2021, the study found. While most people expect turbulence when flying in an airplane through a thunderstorm or over a mountain range, clear air turbulence hits aircraft unexpectedly. And unlike other, more obvious types of turbulence, there is no easy way to detect and avoid clear air turbulence. Recent well-publicized encounters with clear air turbulence caused injuries on Singapore Airlines and Air Europa flights. Each box represents percent changes in the frequency of clear air turbulence as climate change intensifies.
Source:The North Africa Journal
July 26, 2024 04:43 UTC
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