The Algerian regime is set on using the penal code to curb freedom of speech with the introduction of amendments that threaten with life imprisonment anyone who leaks security or economic documents or information. The new law comes as Algerian journalists in exile continue to unveil the endemic corruption and failed policies of Tebboune’s administration and his military mentors. Another amendment that shows both the control of the army on the judiciary and the irrational mindset of the military regime. Human Rights activist, Zaki Hannache, estimates the number of prisoners of free speech, currently in jail on charges of “terrorism”, at 228 at least. At least 260 Hirak activists have also received jail terms due to article 87 which considers peaceful calls for regime change as unconstitutional assimilating them to terrorist acts.

Tunisia’s Olympic 400-metre freestyle champion Ahmed Hafnaoui is unlikely to defend his title at this year’s Games in Paris due to an injury. The 21-year-old’s participation at the Paris Olympics was cast in doubt after Mehrez Bousyan, head of the Tunisian Olympic Committee, told a locally televised sports programme that Hafnaoui will miss “a significant portion” of the Games, according to Africa Aquatics. “I’m currently suffering from an injury, and I don’t know whether or not I will participate in the Olympics,” the 21-year-old Tunisian swimmer told AFP news agency on Wednesday. Hafnaoui went on to win the 800-metre and 1,500-metre freestyle titles at last year’s World Championships in Fukuoka, Japan. If he swims in Paris this year, he has a chance to match Tunisia’s top Olympic swimmer Oussama Mellouli, who won two golds and a bronze in the 2008 and 2012 Games.

Dubai’s DP World, a global provider of supply chain solutions, on Tuesday announced the launch of operations at Integrated Chennai Business Park, the company’s free trade warehouse zone (FTWZ) at Manali, about 30 km north of Chennai. The third, inside the Kochi Port container terminal, which is operated by DP World, will be ready soon, he told mediapersons at the facility in Manali. Once the facilities are fully ready in 3-4 years, about 4 million sq ft of warehouse space would be available, he said. The Chennai facility is located within a 40-km radius of key ports including Kattupalli (~15 km), Ennore (~11 km), and Chennai (~27 km). The four warehouses at the Chennai facility can collectively accommodate 17,000 pallet positions, enabling the handling of specialised and uneven shaped cargo.

Nigerian digital identity solutions provider Seamfix has raised US$4.5 million in funding to scale its technology infrastructure, improve data flow crucial for continental trade and integration, and kickstart the expansion of its digital ID and credential services into five new African countries. Founded by Chimezie Emewulu and Chibuzor Onwurah, Seamfix provides identity management, data capture and process automation solutions for large businesses and government agencies across the world. It is now planning further growth and expansion after securing US$4.5 million in funding from Alitheia IDF, a US$100 million gender-lens fund that identifies, invests in, and grows SMEs led by gender-diverse teams. The new funding represents Seamfix’s first institutional investment, and will enable the company to expand its services to Ghana, Kenya, South Africa, Ethiopia, and Uganda. “We are thrilled to announce this new funding, which marks a significant milestone in our journey of shaping the future of digital ID verification in Africa and connecting Africa to the rest of the world.

To achieve these targets, the North African countries are launching new licensing rounds, paving the way for enhanced cooperation with global E&P players. EGPC and Ganope are currently evaluating proposals from two licensing rounds that concluded on April 4, 2024, comprising a total of 23 onshore and offshore blocks. The two companies are also seeking an operator to develop the Zarat Oil and Gas Field -Tunisia’s largest undeveloped offshore oil and gas field. Algeria 2024 Bid RoundAlgeria is expected to launch a licensing round offering between 10 and 12 onshore blocks in late 2024. The bid round forms part of the country’s strategy to maximize its gas and LNG potential.

ROME — Italy’s aviation authority has barred humanitarian migrant rescue groups from using a Sicilian airport to launch search and rescue flights over the Mediterranean, in the government’s latest move to regulate their activities. An ordinance from ENAC’s western Sicilian office said the flights interfered with the Italian coast guard’s exclusive role in coordinating search and rescue efforts and put migrant lives at risk. Non-governmental rescue groups that continue using the Lampedusa, Sicily airport risk unspecified fines and the seizure of their aircraft, it said.

The £145m scheme has delivered several major railway improvements between Manchester and Sheffield including the upgrade of Dore & Totley station, increasing connectivity between Bamford and Hathersage, and completing general track renewals. The improvements will increase the number of trains that operate between the cities from two fast trains to three fast trains per hour. The Dore & Totley station upgrade has created a new platform and accessible footbridge with lifts at Dore & Totley Station, a railway loop between Bamford and Hathersage and a new overbridge at Hathersage West, replacing the current foot crossing to improve safety. The successful delivery of this project reinforces our partnership with Network Rail and underscores our capability to contribute to significant infrastructure development schemes. This project will provide multiple advantages for the North of England and will enhance passenger connectivity and reliability.

MoneyHash Teams Up with Visa to Empower Secure and Enhanced Digital Payment ExperiencesMoneyHash, a pioneering force in the Middle East and Africa’s payments and revenue operations sector, proudly announces its collaboration with Visa, a world leader in digital payments, for delivering secure and enhanced digital payments experiences. It also allows MoneyHash to leverage Visa's global reach, capabilities, and security - key elements in Visa’s mission to connect the world through the innovative, reliable, and secure payment network across MENA. "It empowers our customers to enhance their payment infrastructure, ensuring secure, fast, and reliable payment experiences. "We thrive to empower our partners with the tools and resources necessary to provide secure and seamless payment solutions." Recognized for its innovative approach, MoneyHash addresses key challenges that businesses face in the realm of digital payments.

Who is chef Hichem Ameur? Chef Hichem Ameur has lived in Evansville for a little over a year and is ready to bring you the food of his heart. He’s from Tunisia, a North African country situated on a wedge of coast between Algeria and Libya. To contact Chef Hichem Ameur about catering, visit Sahara's Facebook page, call 812-459-3262, or e-mail at hichemferniz16@gmail.com. This article originally appeared on Evansville Courier & Press: Tunisian chef Hichem Ameur catering in Evansville

According to the plan, the US will pull back around 75 troops of its Army Special Forces from Chad and above 1,000 deployed troops from Niger. According to the Associated Press, the US is seeking to reach an agreement with both governments in a view to maintain certain military presence there. Teng pointed out that with the removal of the US troops and the entry of Russian military forces, there will be a significant shift in the power dynamics within the Sahel region of Africa. For example, Russia's food aid endows the people in underprivileged African countries with enhanced prospects of survival. Comparatively, African countries exhibit a stronger inclination to accept the existence of Russia rather than Western countries including the US in the locality.

North Macedonians go to polls to vote in parliamentary and presidential elections that can present a test for the Balkan state’s European Union ambitions. Victory for the nationalist party would set the stage for tension with neighbouring Greece and Bulgaria, threatening to weigh on already slow EU accession talks. Opinion polls suggest that VMRO-DPMNE is set to win the parliamentary elections by a double-digit margin. North Macedonia has lost about 10 percent of its population to emigration over the past two decades. In 2001, NATO pulled North Macedonia back from the brink of civil war during an ethnic Albanian rebellion and promised faster integration into the EU and NATO.

An agritech initiative based out of the UK and Malawi has won the $1 million Milken-Motsepe Prize in Green Energy. Image Source: Milken-Motsepe Prize. Green energy competition enters the business end for innovatorsMilken-Motsepe PrizeThe Milken Institute and the Motsepe Foundation announced the winners at the Milken Institute Global Conference in Los Angeles yesterday. This is the second in the Milken-Motsepe Innovation Prize Programme. Of interestInvestor confidence in African private capital industry persistsThe Milken-Motsepe Prize in Fintech will offer $2m in prize money.

Rescuers make contact with 11 survivors buried under rubble after building collapses in George, Western Cape province. At least six people have been killed and dozens of others are unaccounted for after a building collapsed in South Africa. “We are in contact with 11 people” trapped under rubble, Colin Deiner, head of rescue operations, told a news conference in Cape Town. A construction crew of 75 people was on site at the time of the collapse, authorities said. At least 11 of those injured were in “red” conditions, authorities said, indicating that “emergency” care was needed for critical injuries under South Africa’s triage procedures.

The company is also tying up with local companies to create cross-selling opportunities by working closely with tourism boards in the region. The company has also signed Memorandum of Understandings (MoUs) with regional tourism boards like Qatar and Saudi Arabia to expand its collaboration in the Middle East. “We recently had a joint promotion with the Saudi Tourism Authority and SAUDIA airlines where we bundled air tickets with hotels to attract Chinese travellers – it recorded an overwhelming response. We are looking to forge similar partnerships with other tourism boards in the region,” he added. In North Africa, Trip.com Group is mainly focusing on Egypt and Morocco primarily.

Long-term megatrends such as sustainability and wellness were predictably visible at the Inspired Home Show, with rising messaging for durability, recyclability and energy saving. Of more immediate interest (and shouting loudly at this event) were three lifestyle trends directly impacting growth opportunities and product choices in 2024. The Elevating the Experience trend was behind Riedel's "best in show" award, and visibly gains momentum in dining and hosting 2024 innovation. Elevating the ExperiencePart of this trend covers recreating the restaurant experience at home. It was takeaway and delivery that rescued the sector; restaurant food is popular again, but dining at home remains strong, mixing home-cooked and restaurant food consumption.