Press freedom group demands ‘immediate’ release of journalist Kahlout detained by Israel
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Source:The North Africa Journal
December 08, 2023 15:12 UTC
Hydrogen certification schemes and announcements at COP28
More than 30 countries endorsed the COP28 Declaration of Intent on the Mutual Recognition of Certification Schemes for Renewable and Low-Carbon Hydrogen and Hydrogen Derivatives. The countries which have endorsed the declaration will work towards mutual recognition of hydrogen certification schemes to help facilitate a global market. Hydrogen certification 101The design features of certification schemes are largely driven by demands of the end-consumer, in line with mandatory or voluntary requirements. The DOE’s Hydrogen Shot seeks to reduce the cost of clean hydrogen by 80% to $1 per kilogram by 2031. “The Hydrogen Energy Earthshot was our first priority – making clean hydrogen a viable, affordable source of energy,” explained Turk.
Source:The North Africa Journal
December 08, 2023 14:52 UTC
U.S., South Korean and Japanese security advisors meet to discuss North Korea
December 08, 2023 08:09 am | Updated 08:09 am IST - SEOULThe National Security Advisors of the United States, South Korea and Japan are set to meet in Seoul on Friday and Saturday to discuss North Korea and other global issues as they step up trilateral cooperation, South Korea's Presidential office said. The meetings come after the three countries condemned North Korea's launch of its first reconnaissance satellite last month for violating multiple U.N. Security Council resolutions. Pyongyang has dismissed criticism and said the move would enhance its capabilities to monitor the military activities of the United States and its allies. White House National Security spokesperson John Kirby said on Wednesday the advisors would discuss regional issues of mutual concern, "particularly in the security environment" as they seek to build on their leaders' agreement at Camp David to deepen cooperation. The United States and South Korea will also hold a separate meeting on Saturday to discuss expanding cooperation in advanced technologies such as chips, batteries, clean energy and artificial intelligence, Yoon's office said.
Source:The North Africa Journal
December 08, 2023 14:37 UTC
Healthcare entities ‘must overcome cybercrime’ as data breach costs exceed $9.1 million
Boasting world-class data protection capabilities has never been more essential for companies across industries. Kingston Technology, an affiliate of Kingston Technology Company, Inc., a world leader in memory products and technology solutions, is calling on healthcare entities to enhance their preparedness and prevent unauthorised access to confidential information. Hackers have identified the value of compromised healthcare data. The KP200 incorporates XTS-AES 256-bit hardware-based encryption and boasts enhancements that further raise the bar for data protection. “Healthcare entities and their employees must protect the data they are entrusted with”, added Harb.
Source:The North Africa Journal
December 08, 2023 14:08 UTC
Kenya’s tappi raises $1.5m pre-seed funding to digitise African SMEs
Kenyan startup tappi, which helps SMEs build their online identity through a chat tool that automatically creates a webpage, has raised US$1.5 million through an oversubscribed pre-seed round of funding to help it digitise and build online trust for African SMEs. The end-to-end digital commerce SaaS solution has raised US$1.5 million in an oversubscribed pre-seed round led by Mercy Corps Ventures and Chui Ventures, with participation from Digital Currency Group, SOSV, Resilience17, growX ventures, Orbit Startups and Reflect Ventures. Since its inception, tappi has captured verified reviews on US$3 million consumer transactions and engaged with over 150,000 consumers. The startup will also forge strategic partnerships, building on its existing relationship with MTN Nigeria, which has seen a 19 per cent month-on-month growth in business ads and business data bundle subscriptions. We are eager to empower SMEs across Africa by providing them with a trusted identity online to find customers.
Source:The North Africa Journal
December 08, 2023 14:02 UTC
Handley Notables: Richard “Dick” Kern, Class of 1938
Winchester, VA (22601)TodayIntervals of clouds and sunshine. High around 55F. Winds light and variable..TonightPartly cloudy skies early will give way to cloudy skies and rain later during the night. Winds S at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 80%.
Source:The North Africa Journal
December 08, 2023 13:53 UTC
The renewable energy agreements for Africa ramp up at COP28
The United Nations Climate Change Summit (COP28) taking place in the UAE saw several announcements made for financing and agreements to develop climate-smart renewable energy projects across Africa. These agreements support the development of clean energy portfolios across several markets in Africa, helping to unlock that potential and deliver improved levels of energy security to its population while encouraging industrialisation. This falls under Phase I of the 2GW renewable energy collaboration between the governments of the UAE and the Republic of Angola – the first renewable energy project under the strategic G2G collaboration between the two countries. Meanwhile, MW Energy, Africa50 and the Ministry of Energy & Hydraulics of the Republic of Congo signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to develop 500MW of renewable energy capacity in the country. The summit also saw Zambian energy utility ZESCO agree with Masdar to collaborate in the Zambian market through the decarbonisation of mining operations in the country by supplying green electricity from renewable energy projects to power IRH mines.
Source:The North Africa Journal
December 08, 2023 13:48 UTC
No north-south divide, the only threat to BJP in 2024 is...
The party performed better than expected just months before the 2024 general elections, prompting poll pundits to declare a favourable wind for the BJP. Prime Minister Narendra Modi with Union Minister Amit Shah, Pralhad Joshi, BJP National President JP Nadda and Union Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs Arjun Ram Meghwal. (Narendra Modi-X){{^userSubscribed}} {{/userSubscribed}}{{^userSubscribed}} {{/userSubscribed}}Is BJP victory in 2024 a foregone conclusion? The biggest threat the BJP faces is not the opposition, but the threat of complacency within the party. The mood was that the BJP was coming back to power, but ultimately the party lost by a margin of 8-9 seats.
Source:The North Africa Journal
December 08, 2023 13:29 UTC
‘Accidental’ Nigeria airstrikes could be crimes against humanity
from EMEKA OKONKWO in Abuja, NigeriaNigeria BureauABUJA, (CAJ News) – THE rate and brutality at which “accidental” airstrikes are claiming the lives of civilians, the Armed Forces of Nigeria is fast earning a reputation as one of the biggest threats to victims of Islamist insurgency and so-called bandits. In this spate of bombings, the civilians, including refugees, have been mistaken for terrorists or bandits. In the latest such mishap, the army on Tuesday mistakenly killed more than 80 civilians in a drone strike in the northern state of Kaduna. President Bola Tinubu, who is also Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces of Nigeria, dispatched a delegation led by Minister of State for Defence, Dr Bello Matawalle, to the grieving community. The armed forces have experienced mixed fortunes against Islamist insurgents and the so-called bandits.
Source:The North Africa Journal
December 08, 2023 13:22 UTC
Libya Adopts Renewable Energy Strategy, Targets 20% by 2035
Libya has set an ambitious target to source up to 20% of its electricity from renewable energy resources by 2035 through a strategy that has gained the support of global partners. Established last October and announced earlier this month, the strategy is considered a strategic economic move by the government, as it serves to not only raise access to electricity but also alleviate fiscal stress. Currently, energy subsidies account for 30% of government spending annually. The strategy will be undertaken with the support of the U.S. Agency for International Development, with the independent agency providing technical assistance to enhance transparency and service delivery across the North African country’s energy sector. With substantial solar and wind power potential, Libya’s renewable wealth will enable the country to diversify its energy matrix and provide decentralized power solutions.
Source:The North Africa Journal
December 08, 2023 12:20 UTC
EU to Allow Members to Ban Russian Pipeline Gas
The European Union has drafted a legislative proposal to authorize member states to ban Russian and Belarusian companies from booking capacity on gas pipelines in the bloc in a bid to reduce further the EU’s intake of Russian gas. The proposal comes amid calls to ban Russian LNG imports even as these hit a record this year. So far this year, Russian pipeline gas supplies to the European Union have trended significantly lower than last year. Per Eurostat data cited by the FT, Russian gas imports in the third quarter of this year accounted for 12% of the total, which although substantially lower than the more than 40% share Russian gas had before the war in the Ukraine is still a not insignificant amount. The EU has stipulated that it should end all imports of Russian oil, gas, and coal by 2027.
Source:The North Africa Journal
December 08, 2023 12:12 UTC
Seychelles lifts state of emergency measure after explosion, rains, flooding in northern region – The North Africa Post
Seychelles’ President Wavel Ramkalawan announced Thursday afternoon that the African country was no longer under state of emergency after the northern region of Mahe was earlier in the day the scene of an explosion in a storage area for explosives and damages caused by heavy rains and flooding. Ramkalawan declared a state of emergency in the archipelago earlier in the day. The move came after an explosion at the CCCL (Construction Chemicals and Commodities Limited) explosives store that has caused massive damage to the Providence area and the surrounding areas and major destruction caused by flooding due to heavy rains. One individual, a police officer, is still in the intensive care unit, while seven were admitted to the Seychelles Hospital. About the explosion, the leader also announced that investigations are underway to determine the causes.
Source:The North Africa Journal
December 08, 2023 11:49 UTC
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Adventurers test the durability of thermoplastic bikes in North Africa's terrain
Sustainable expedition Adventurers test the durability of thermoplastic bikes in North Africa's terrainIn early 2024, adventurers Mike Fuchs, Oliver Gehrking, and David Arlandis embark on a challenging journey from Frankfurt to North Africa, testing the limits of thermoplastic bicycle frames across 1,300 kilometers of diverse terrains. The frames convince with four main features:V Frames bicycle frames have a 68 percent lower carbon footprint than traditional aluminium frames. V Frames are lighter than aluminium framesV Frames frames are 100 percent recyclable at the end of their service life. The thermoplastic bicycle frames were compared with welded aluminium frames. Isoco / V Frames: System provider and manufacturer of injection molded sustainable thermoplastic carbon composite bicycle frames as well as other bicycle components, producing exclusively in Thuringia.
Source:The North Africa Journal
December 08, 2023 11:31 UTC
Artist Books, a Slippery Genre
Artists Making Books by Venetia Porter seeks to argue that the artist book is not exclusively the property of the Western canonKareem Risan, Every Day, 2005, book, mixed media. Courtesy the artistAn artist book is not, as you might think if applying your knowledge of language and its normal usage, simply a book produced with the involvement of an artist. Rather, it seems to be a publication in the production and physicality of which the artist is intimately involved. And it’s very clear too that it seeks to argue that the artist book is not exclusively the property of the Western canon. Artists Making Books: Poetry to Politics by Venetia Porter.
Source:The North Africa Journal
December 08, 2023 10:32 UTC
LEAP Africa and Dow Unite Over 10,000 Volunteers in 28 African Countries Towards Achieving Sustainable Development Goals
All of the executed projects were aligned with the 17 United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Kehinde Ayeni, Executive Director, LEAP Africa in her comment, expressed LEAP Africa’s commitment to the actualization of the Sustainability Development Goals (SDGs). “To Africa’s youth, I say: keep building the Africa you want,” said Sami Mainich, President, Dow Africa. About LEAP Africa:For 21 years, Leadership, Effectiveness, Accountability, and Professionalism (LEAP) Africa has stayed true to its mission to equip a new cadre of African leaders. LEAP Africa achieves this through its training programmes, research publications, convenings, and, most recently, e-learning.
Source:The North Africa Journal
December 08, 2023 10:29 UTC