Top 10 largest countries in the world by area—where does India rank?
RussiaRussia (Source: Freepik) Russia (Source: Freepik)Russia is the largest country in the world, spanning Eastern Europe and northern Asia. BrazilBrazil (Source: Freepik) Brazil (Source: Freepik)Brazil is the largest country in South America and the fifth-largest in the world. IndiaIndia (Source: Freepik) India (Source: Freepik)India is the seventh-largest country in the world and the most populated country in the world. KazakhstanKazakhstan (Source: Freepik) Kazakhstan (Source: Freepik)Kazakhstan is the largest landlocked country in the world and the ninth-largest overall. AlgeriaAlgeria (Source: Freepik) Algeria (Source: Freepik)Algeria is the largest country in Africa and the tenth-largest in the world.
Source:The North Africa Journal
July 18, 2024 07:18 UTC
Omotayo on Strengthening Africa’s Digital Payments Security
Africa’s digital financial ecosystem is still maturing, and as digital payments become more integrated across countries, and regions, and more interoperable across payment platforms, this increasingly complex environment can introduce new cybersecurity vulnerabilities. As digital payments become more prevalent, financial institutions must design products with built-in security features and continuously educate users on safe practices. More than this, there is a growing need to build the cybersecurity capacity needed to sustain the digital payments landscape. Cybersecurity is a cornerstone of Africa’s digital payments landscape. By addressing these challenges, Africa can build a secure digital payments ecosystem that supports economic growth and instills trust among users.
Source:The North Africa Journal
July 18, 2024 06:38 UTC
Italian PM Meloni comments on migration and energy crisis at forum in Tripoli
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni made remarks on migration and the energy crisis as she took part in the Trans-Mediterranean Migration Forum in Tripoli, Libya on Wednesday. Libya is a major route, albeit deadly, for migrants trying to reach Europe by crossing the Mediterranean Sea from different parts of Africa. Meloni also made comments about the energy crisis in Europe and said that Europe and Africa should increase cooperation in this sector. Africa is.... North Africa, but all Africa is potentially a huge producer of energy for itself mainly, but also that it could export," she added. Other participants in the forum include the prime ministers of Malta and Tunisia, as well as the European Union Commissioner Margaritis Schinas.
Source:The North Africa Journal
July 18, 2024 05:15 UTC
North Korean land mines could float into South Korea, South warns
SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — North Korean land mines could be swept into South Korea by flooding, South Korea’s military warned Wednesday, after the North has recently placed tens of thousands of additional deadly explosives along the rivals’ heavily fortified border. South Korea officials believe North Korea aims to boost its frontline security posture and prevent its soldiers and citizens from defecting to South Korea. Concerns about possible North Korean provocation have deepened after Kim Yo Jong, the powerful sister of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, threatened new countermeasures Tuesday against South Korean civilian activists’ efforts to drop leaflets over the north by balloon. North Korea has earlier responded by flying trash-carrying balloons toward South Korea, which have not caused major damage. In 2014, North Korea fired at balloons flying toward its territory and South Korea returned fire, though there were no casualties.
Source:The North Africa Journal
July 18, 2024 05:07 UTC
The dark side of tech for gender inequality in the Middle East
Part of its mission is to address gender inequality and reduce gender-based violence. At the policy level, there’s a limited understanding of technology-facilitated gender-based violence’s impact and legal status among survivors, perpetrators, authorities, and society. What’s more, digital violence is often trivialised by authorities, leading to low reporting rates and inadequate protection. Statistics show that digital violence is on the rise across the Middle East and North Africa, with nearly half of the women in the region experiencing online violence. Further research is needed to understand the nature and consequences of technology-facilitated gender-based violence for survivors and broader society, Loening says.
Source:The North Africa Journal
July 18, 2024 04:32 UTC
Port operator Marsa Maroc expands to Africa – The North Africa Post
Morocco’s top port operator, Marsa Maroc, said it will operate terminal 1 and 5 in Cotonou’s port after winning an international tender issued by the company in charge of cargo handling, Société Béninoise des Manutentions Portuaires (SOBEMAP). Marsa Maroc saw its shares in the Casablanca stock exchange surge following the announcement which marks the first expansion by the port operator outside Morocco. The operator said it will sign an agreement with SOBEMAP to start operations as soon as possible within the set deadlines. Marsa Maroc operates nine Moroccan ports including Tanger Med 1 terminal. It has signed in June a 25-year agreement to operate a 3.4 million TEU terminal at the Nador West Med Port.
Source:The North Africa Journal
July 18, 2024 01:55 UTC
Northern Trust's profit surges on fee income boost, accounting gain
A company logo is seen at Northern Trust offices in London, Britain August 1, 2019. Trust, investment and other servicing fees rose 6%, to $1.17 billion, driven by a 14% jump in assets under custody or administration to $16.57 trillion. Fees earned from managing and servicing client assets are the biggest source of revenue for the 135-year old company. Its NII is highly sensitive to deposit levels and largely driven by client deposit behavior. Foreign exchange trading income surged 17%, to $58.4 million, driven by higher client volumes.
Source:The North Africa Journal
July 18, 2024 00:27 UTC
Virgin trains: Plea for Sir Richard Branson to retake north Wales to London service
Plea for Virgin to retake north Wales train services13 hours ago By Gareth Wyn Williams , George Herd , BBC News ShareGetty Images Sir Richard Branson's Virgin Group was responsible for running London-north Wales rail services for 20 yearsBusiness leaders want Sir Richard Branson to retake north Wales to London rail services after it was revealed more than one in five direct trains were being cancelled. Virgin said it would "welcome the opportunity to discuss what is needed", and is "extremely proud of our time serving the passengers of north Wales". Last year Avanti West Coast was ordered to develop a recovery plan, aimed at addressing poor performance on vital routes. Under this type of licence, a firm does not receive any state subsidies and takes on the risk of running a rail service itself. It added that performance on the north Wales route had been impacted by the additional training required to launch the new Evero fleet.
Source:The North Africa Journal
July 18, 2024 00:15 UTC
Is $WAI The Best Presale of 2024
WienerAI (WAI) is a token that seeks to revolutionize the crypto trading experience by incorporating disruptive technologies. The $WAI token plays a vital role in the WienerAI ecosystem. WienerAI Price PredictionThe WienerAI presale is ongoing, and over $7.4 million has been raised. https://x.com/WienerDogAI/status/1811107397362143390During the current stage of the WienerAI presale, $WAI is trading at $0.00073. During the first stage of the presale, $WAI tokens traded at $0.0007, meaning that those who invested during the first stage already have a 4% price gain before $WAI debuts on exchanges.
Source:The North Africa Journal
July 17, 2024 23:08 UTC
US State Department highlights assets making of Morocco a foreign investments magnet – The North Africa Post
The US State Department has highlighted the assets that make of Morocco a magnet for foreign investments, such as its positive macro-economic policies, trade liberalization, and structural reforms. “Morocco actively encourages and facilitates foreign investment, particularly in export sectors like manufacturing, through positive macro-economic policies, trade liberalization, investment incentives, and structural reforms,” said the US State Department in its “2024 Investment Climate Statements” published Wednesday July 17. The Kingdom “implements strategies aimed at boosting employment, attracting foreign investment, and raising performance and output, designating renewables, automotive, aeronautics, textiles, pharmaceuticals, outsourcing, and agro-industry as key industries,” the report added. In February 2023, Morocco was removed from the Financial Action Task Force’s (FATF) “grey list” following a series of reforms to strengthen its anti-money laundering and counter terrorist financing legislation, regulations, and criminal penalties, the US State department stressed. The Investment Climate Statements by the Department of State help U.S. companies make informed business decisions by providing up-to-date information on the investment climates of more than 165 countries and economies.
Source:The North Africa Journal
July 17, 2024 22:32 UTC
Mali army chief launches investigation into video of soldier ‘cannibalism’
It added that the act did not align with the Sahelian West African nation’s military values. Rights groups and the United Nations have repeatedly accused Malian soldiers of serious abuses, including executions and torture, committed against civilians suspected of collaborating with jihadist groups that have been waging an insurgency in the Sahel since 2012. The army has always denied wrongdoing.
Source:The North Africa Journal
July 17, 2024 21:40 UTC
Extended holiday? Invasive European green crabs find new home in the Gulf of Maine
This includes microscopic plants, animals, and larval stages of larger animals such as the European green crab. It appears over the last 30 years, the lobstermen and green crabs have adapted to this new environment. Now, back to the interaction between green crabs and Asian shore crabs. The green crabs avoid the shore crabs, and the shore crabs aggressively attack the other crabs. It wouldn’t surprise me if the European green crabs were being chased north by the extremely aggressive Asian shore crabs.
Source:The North Africa Journal
July 17, 2024 19:41 UTC
WATRA calls for action on infrastructure sharing in West Africa
The West Africa Telecommunications Regulators Assembly (WATRA), which as its name implies, brings together the region’s telecommunications and ICT regulators, is apparently hoping to encourage infrastructure sharing to lower the cost of internet access in West Africa. However, as Aboki pointed out, lack of interconnectivity is another issue driving up the cost of telecom services in the sub-region. As online resource Nairametrics notes, increasing internet penetration, mobile connectivity, and a tech-savvy youth population have led to rapid growth in West Africa’s digital economy. WATRA figures suggest that the digital economy currently contributes around US$30 billion annually to the region’s GDP. However, the cost of internet access across West African countries is still high.
Source:The North Africa Journal
July 17, 2024 19:20 UTC
Nigeria set to export products to African countries – FG
According to him, these companies which would be exporting products like bags and drinks are setting a new standard for others to follow. “Some of the companies include, Le Look Nigeria Limited, exporting bags to Kenya; Secure ID Limited, exporting smart cards to Cameroon; Dangote exports clinkers to Cameroon; Avila Naturalle exports black soap and shea butter to Kenya. “Flour Mills Nigeria, exporting native starch to Algeria; Craft Methods Limited, exporting alcoholic bitters to Uganda; Ruchim Limited, exporting SIM and bank cards to Kenya; Tolaram Group, exporting wrappers to Egypt; and Hwani Industry Nigeria Limited, exporting water closet sanitary sets to Kenya,” Awolowo stated. Earlier, the Comptroller-General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, said Nigeria joined the AfCFTA in 2020, aiming to facilitate cross-border trade within Africa. “AfCFTA participation would open new business and economic growth opportunities for Nigeria and strengthen African relationships,” the customs boss stated.
Source:The North Africa Journal
July 17, 2024 18:55 UTC