A migrant from Guinea, Paldy Soulima, sits with other migrants in a public garden in Sfax, Tunisia July 13, 2023. The Italian island of Lampedusa is struggling with a record number of landings by boat migrants crossing from North Africa. Almost 10,000 migrants reached Lampedusa last week, dealing a blow to the credibility of right-wing Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, who won office last year vowing to curb illegal immigration. A Tunisia national guard statement on Tuesday said that 62 human smugglers were arrested and dozens of boats had been seized in its operation. It also prevented about 1,900 sub-Saharan African migrants who tried to enter Tunisia across the land border, the statement said.

Rwanda's commitment to conservation has yielded significant results, as Nyungwe National Park has been added to the prestigious UNESCO World Heritage List. On Monday, the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) unveiled its latest additions to the World Heritage Site list, including Nyungwe National Park. Established in 2004, Nyungwe Forest National Park encompasses a sprawling 970 square kilometers of rainforest, bamboo, grasslands, wetlands, and bogs. Prior to Nyungwe's inscription, Rwanda was among 12 African countries without a UNESCO World Heritage site. Tunisia's Ministry of Cultural Affairs celebrated Djerba's "definitive acceptance" as a UNESCO World Heritage site, acknowledging the collaborative efforts of authorities and civil society.

Kenyan tech-enabled insurance company Turaco has announced the acquisition of microinsurance company MicroEnsure Ghana to make the West African country its fourth market. Launched in 2019, Turaco uses technology to increase access to affordable insurance with a seamless and customer-centric approach. Under the deal, MicroEnsure will rebrand as Turaco Ghana and retain the expertise of the existing team and leadership. “As a pioneer of microinsurance in Africa, we focused on making an impact while providing affordable insurance to low-income customers. As we move into this next growth phase as Turaco Ghana, we look forward to leveraging our in-market experiences to improve our approach further and capture additional segments of the market that have historically been excluded,” said Leona Abban, general manager of Turaco Ghana.

By Amanda Mouawad:Hundreds of protesters rallied in Libya’s disaster-hit Derna on Monday, accusing the authorities of neglect after a huge flash flood devastated the coastal city and swept thousands to heir deaths. Demonstrators gathered outside the city’s grand mosque and chanted slogans against the parliament in east Libya and its leader Aguilah Saleh. Al-Masar television reported that the head of the eastern-based government, Oussama Hamad, had dissolved Derna council and ordered an investigation into it. – Disease outbreaks –On Monday the UN warned disease outbreaks could bring “a second devastating crisis”. The health minister of the divided country’s eastern administration, Othman Abdeljalil, said Monday 3,338 people were now confirmed dead in Derna.

The International Finance Corporation (IFC) intends to expand its investment footprint in Senegal, following $987 million in total contributions across 67 projects since 1966, according to Nouma Dione, Country Head of the IFC in Senegal and the Gambia. In addition to Senegal, the financial institution is committed to growing its portfolio across the wider MSGBC region. In the last four years, $780 million has been distributed in Senegal by the IFC, with a record-breaking amount of more than $350 million in 2022 alone.

JUANA SUMMERS, HOST:The tiny Italian resort island of Lampedusa sits in the Mediterranean about 120 miles off the coast of Tunisia. NPR's Ruth Sherlock is on the island tonight and joins us now, and a note that we'll be describing the tragic circumstances that some of these migrants face. RUTH SHERLOCK, BYLINE: Well, you know, there was this scene of dozens of dilapidated boats. He says, you know, Lampedusa cannot bear the weight of the world. SUMMERS: NPR's Ruth Sherlock on the island of Lampedusa.

The National Electricity Regulator of South Africa (Nersa) has approved a trading licence for the National Transmission Company of South Africa Ltd (NTCSA). The trading licence gives the Transmission Company the ability to buy and sell electricity as a commercial activity. The NTCSA applied for a trading licence to buy and sell electricity from Eskom power stations and independent power producers (IPPs) under section 34 determinations, including cross-border electricity imports and IPP generators under the Eskom Holdings programmes, such as short-term power purchases only to Eskom Distribution exclusively. The term of the NTCSA’s trading licence will be five years as a transitional arrangement to allow for transition from the exclusive trading arrangement and incorporation of changes that may emanate from the Electricity Regulation Act amendment and price review processes. This will enable the energy Regulator to review the licence conditions after five years.

South African tech startups have an opportunity to gain international exposure and access to global markets via the Irish Tech Challenge South Africa. A collaboration between the Embassy of Ireland in South Africa, the Department of Science and Innovation (DSI), the Technology Innovation Agency (TIA), and Impact Amplifier, the Irish Tech Challenge South Africa aims to create mutually beneficial partnerships between Irish tech expertise and South African tech entrepreneurs to help drive innovation, job creation and inclusive economic growth in South Africa. The organisers want to accelerate high-potential tech entrepreneurs in South Africa who are ready to scale globally and enhance their impact but face challenges such as limited resources and lack of access to the appropriate global networks and infrastructure. Primary consideration will be given to businesses owned and run by women, youth, and members of historically disadvantaged communities. Five tech entrepreneurs will get the opportunity to build their networks in Ireland, Europe and South Africa, and receive funding support of up to EUR10,000 (US$11,000) each.

What do you eat to break the Yom Kippur fast? Tunisian, Libyan and Algerian Jews break their fast with bollo (or bolo or boulou, depending on their origin). Her version of il bollo uses yeast, so it’s similar to the Libyan version, and is spiced with fennel seeds. Both communities served bollo for break fast after Yom Kippur. Notes I highly recommend using SAF instant yeast; it’s available online and can keep for months in the freezer.

Dubai, UAE:– The UAE Ministry of Finance is hosting the 13th annual meeting of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) Middle East and North Africa Senior Budget Officials (MENA SBO). This meeting is a key platform for financial decision-makers, especially senior budget officials, to discuss key public financial management issues, enhance the efficiency of public spending, and adapt to regional and global economic challenges and opportunities. He added that the government is keen on maintaining a cautious and rational spending policy to ensure a strong national economy and employing public financial management systems in the development process to achieve public policy objectives. The meeting’s discussions will provide participants with insights that help them find solutions to challenges related to financial management issues. The “Green Budget” session discussed the issue of green transformation, a fundamental challenge facing countries around the globe.

PARIS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Regulatory News:Eutelsat Communications (Euronext Paris: ETL) announces that Eurovision Services has signed a new agreement, renewing their long-standing partnership, for capacity on several satellites including 7° East and 10° East, two leading orbital locations for professional video services. This multi-year agreement enables Eurovision Services (ES) to support the live transmission of major sports events to audiences in Europe, the Middle East and North Africa, via Eutelsat’s fleet. Eurovision Services underpins the global media content value chain, from in-venue content-capture and pop-up media control rooms, to rock-solid hybrid network capabilities—encompassing satellite, fibre, and internet. ES services major sports federations, rights holders, and media companies to connect hundreds of millions of people to unmissable sports and events in HD and UHD resolution. For 70 years, Eurovision Services has pushed the boundaries of live broadcasting.

Setting up Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs) in South Africa presents a unique set of challenges. Webinar date and time: Thursday, 7 December, 14h00 SATThe country’s energy landscape is marked by regulatory complexity, evolving policies, and the need to navigate the intricacies of multiple stakeholders. What are some common risks associated with PPAs, and how can they be mitigated? Register for the webinar

Most of the municipalities in South Africa do not have a revenue management and enhancement strategy in place. Webinar date and time: Thursday 9 November, 14h00 SATEven worse, they lack the capability and capacity to drive the generation, completeness, protection and growth of revenue. What does a revenue enhancement strategy look like for a municipality? Register for the webinar below

The North African countries, including Morocco, Libya, Algeria and Tunisia, have suffered heavy losses due to earthquakes, floods, and fires in recent months, Anadolu Agency reports. The chain of natural disasters began with forest fires in Tunisia and Algeria, which were hit by record-breaking temperatures. Anadolu has compiled information on recent disasters that have caused significant losses in Morocco, Tunisia, Algeria and Libya. Floods and forest fires in AlgeriaAfter a period of severe drought in Algeria, increased rainfall from May onward led to flooding in many cities. Shortly after extinguishing these fires, the country faced another wave of forest fires.

A week after the floods that killed thousands of people, hopes are fading of finding survivors in Derna. And all the while, resentment towards the authorities is spreading among the population. The more time passes, the less hope there is of finding survivors, admitted the Health Minister of the government of eastern Libya, which is not recognized by the international community, on Monday. Rescue workers dispatched by the Spanish authorities declared that they were calling off their search. According to a volunteer rescuer working in the town, over 600 bodies were recovered from the sea off Derna.