Northern Gaza sees fiercest fighting yet
• Residents say bulldozers demolishing homes, markets• Israeli tanks, warplanes bombard parts of RafahCAIRO: Israeli forces launched a fresh assault on northern Gaza on Friday in some of the fiercest engagements since they returned to the area a week ago, while in the south Hamas fighters attacked tanks massing around Rafah. It is all happening before the one-eyed world,” Ayman Rajab, a resident of western Jabalia, said via a chat app. At the southern end of Gaza, thick smoke rose over Rafah, bordering Egypt, where an escalating Israeli assault has sent hundreds of thousands of people fleeing from what was one of the only places of refuge left. Israel said on Friday that its forces had rescued the bodies of three prisoners from Gaza, without saying where they were found. Many have crowded into Deir al-Balah, a city up the coast that is the only other one in Gaza yet to be assaulted by Israeli forces.
Source:The North Africa Journal
May 18, 2024 03:25 UTC
Drivers prepare for All-Star Race after rain halts qualifying
Late afternoon rain at North Wilkesboro Speedway in North Carolina postponed qualifying for Sunday’s All-Star Race and set the field by points for the All-Star Open, the preliminary race before the 200-lap headline event. Instead, the Pit Crew Challenge used to qualify the All-Star participants for Saturday’s heat races will take place in the morning.
Source:The North Africa Journal
May 18, 2024 03:20 UTC
Ten underrated music festivals worth travelling to this summer, from Morocco to Malta
Here are 10 underrated European and North African festivals worth checking out this summer. Returning after a five-year hiatus, North Africa's biggest music festival returns with a bumper line-up of regional and international stars. exitfest.orgThe North Sea Jazz Festival: July 12 to 14Where: Rotterdam, NetherlandsHeadliners: Andre 3000, Jessie Ware, Vincent Amigo and Cecile McLorin SalvantWhy go? Spread across 15 stages featuring over 1,000 musicians, the North Sea Jazz Festival is a bucket list item for serious jazz aficionados. In addition to being an epic music festival with 19 stages, this event is also home to film screenings, theatre performances and art workshops.
Source:The North Africa Journal
May 18, 2024 00:16 UTC
Pyramid Cafe And La Cantina: Bet You Didn’t Know!
La Cantina and Pyramid staff from left, Rashid Zomnati, Moraya Gutierrez and Kasey Bradford on the job Thursday in Central Park Square. Photo by Andy McBride/ladailypost.comBy Andy McBrideStudent ReportLos Alamos Daily PostLa Cantina and Pyramid restaurants in Central Park Square are both owned by Mohamed “Zig” Rzig, but based on two totally different cultures. La Cantina is more of an American-style restaurant and has a bar with its own specialty drinks. Rasheid Zomnati, a bartender at La Cantina, is very happy to work with the team that is there, it is very familiar coming from India. They sing happy birthday to the customers, bring out the food, and generally make the customers very happy.
Source:The North Africa Journal
May 18, 2024 00:09 UTC
Spotify Pays N25 Billion to Nigerian Artists as Streaming Royalties Soar
ShareMusic streaming giant Spotify has revealed that it paid over N25 billion in streaming royalties to Nigerian artists in 2023. Remarkably, royalties to Nigerian artists on Spotify have surged by a staggering 2,500% since 2017, underscoring the rapid growth of music streaming and its revenue potential for the Nigerian music industry. However, it’s important to note that artists also earn royalties from other major streaming services like YouTube Music, Apple Music, and Amazon Music. A previous global report indicated that Spotify paid a total of $9 billion in royalties to artists worldwide in the past year. This growth is part of a broader surge in the African music market, driven by the rise of paid streaming services.
Source:The North Africa Journal
May 17, 2024 20:21 UTC
Benin ‘greenlights’ exports of Niger’s oil following China’s mediation – The North Africa Post
Benin and Niger finally appear to have resolved their trade dispute following the mediation by the Chinese government, which has led Benin to lift the blockade preventing Niger’s oil export through its territory to China. Tensions between the two West African neighbors began last year after Niger’s ruling junta ousted the country’s democratically elected president Mohamed Bazoum. Benin retaliated by blocking a newly Chinese-built oil pipeline leading from Niger to the port of Seme Kpodji, in southern Benin. Now, following a mediation of the Chinese government and Chinese companies operating the newly inaugurated pipeline, Benin has finally given a green light for the export crude oil from Niger to China. The oil pipeline, which was supposed to go into operation these days, runs through Beninese territory.”
Source:The North Africa Journal
May 17, 2024 18:31 UTC
Accion launches $152.5m Digital Transformation Fund to assist small businesses with growth capital
Global non-profit Accion has launched the US$152.5 million Accion Digital Transformation Fund (ADTx), which seeks to enable financial institutions to better meet the needs of small businesses currently excluded from the financial system by providing growth capital and strategic support for digital transformation. The ADTx fund, managed by Accion Impact Management, will build on Accion’s experience supporting banks and finance companies around the world to connect millions of small businesses and individuals to the digital economy. Investments will focus on companies serving micro, small, and medium enterprises across Africa, South and Southeast Asia, and Latin America. It expects to make up to 12 investments, while limited partners include British International Investment (BII), the UK’s development finance institution and impact investor; the Dutch entrepreneurial development bank FMO; IDB Invest; International Finance Corporation (IFC); Mastercard; OeEB, the development bank of Austria; and Swedfund, Sweden’s development finance institution. Leveraging third-party capital is a critical part of our strategy,” said Michael Schlein, president and CEO of Accion.
Source:The North Africa Journal
May 17, 2024 15:51 UTC
Dust from North Africa to Affect Region Again
According to information from the Meteorology Department, the dusty weather will start to be effective from 3:00 PM today and will continue until May 24. Residents with dust sensitivities are advised to take precautions as the dust particles are expected to create air pollution in the area.
Source:The North Africa Journal
May 17, 2024 14:30 UTC
The New Silk Road means big opportunities for Asia and MENA
Growth in the New Silk Road region is a major opportunity not to be missed. That is the take away from a new report by global management consultancy Oliver Wyman, which explores the increased trade among the New Silk Road economies. The Asia and Middle East corridorAsia and MENA’s share of the world’s GDP is on the rise. The New Silk Road countries are leading the way in IC and other components, electronics, textiles, telecom equipment, and clothing. The Middle East, of course, dominates in the energy sector, where it dominates 31% of the world’s fuel exports.
Source:The North Africa Journal
May 17, 2024 14:24 UTC
‘Regime machinery operating efficiently’ as Tunisia cracks down on dissent
Supporters denounce arrests of lawyers, journalists as ‘wave of repression’ shows no sign of slowing down. “Those parts of civil society that avoided the repression that followed the [July 2021 events] now seem to be the primary targets of the authorities. The fact the discussions over the decree governing associations have resumed as civil society is under attack is no coincidence,” he said. If passed, it would force civil society groups to seek permission from authorities to operate, Amnesty International said in October. According to Zied Dabbar, head of the National Union of Tunisian Journalists, at least 60 journalists and commentators have so far been summoned under the law.
Source:The North Africa Journal
May 17, 2024 14:09 UTC
South Sudan govt, rebel groups sign peace deal to end civil war – The North Africa Post
South Sudan’s transitional government and rebel opposition groups signed a “commitment declaration” on Thursday (16 May), pledging to support efforts to end hostilities and promote inclusive growth in the conflict-torn country. The rebel opposition groups were not part of the 2018 agreement that ended South Sudan’s five-year civil war that left 400,000 people dead and millions displaced. By signing the declaration of commitment to the Tumaini Initiative, meaning “hope” in Swahili, South Sudan’s Transitional Government of National Unity and opposition groups are committed to addressing the deep-rooted divisions and conflicts in the the landlocked country of about 11 million people to achieve lasting peace. Sumbeiywo also urged all parties involved to take a give-and-take approach, emphasizing the importance of resolving the long-standing issues that have plagued South Sudan since its independence in 2011. “It is time to put an end to the violence that has ripped communities apart and caused tremendous suffering.” The security and political situation in South Sudan remains fragile months before the elections that are due to be held in December this year.
Source:The North Africa Journal
May 17, 2024 13:46 UTC
Fragrance firm scents further expansion through growth of logistics capacity
Fragrance firm scents further expansion through growth of logistics capacityNantwich-based fragrance-led home and lifestyle brand, Fabulosa, has secured the lease of a newly-built 25,000 sq ft warehouse to accelerate the growth of its flourishing export channel. The firm, which manufactures a growing array of fragranced household products, will now benefit from additional warehouse space next to its existing premises in Cheshire. The new site will allow for increased stockholding, supporting Fabulosa’s ambitious aims to grow its global sales. The business is also exploring production facilities overseas as part of its medium to long term expansion strategy. In June last year the company announced it had expanded its geographical reach to the Middle East and North Africa.
Source:The North Africa Journal
May 17, 2024 13:44 UTC
North America Dominates Deep Tech, But WIll It Last?
A key finding is that fully 72 percent of the leading deep tech companies are based in North America, 68 percent in the US alone. Africa, Oceania, and Latin America each host around one per cent of the leading deep tech firms. Santa Clara Valley, or Silicon Valley, is the leading deep tech hub globally. The second most important global hub for deep tech is New York, where close to 8 percent of all globally leading deep tech companies are located. North America has particularly strong dominance in the areas of quantum & computing, as well as in pharmaceuticals and artificial intelligence.
Source:The North Africa Journal
May 17, 2024 13:38 UTC
North Africa: Scientists May Have Solved Mystery Behind Egypt's Pyramids
BBC | Scientists believe they may have solved the mystery of how 31 pyramids, including the world-famous Giza complex, were built in Egypt more than 4,000 years ago. Among those features were "buried rivers and ancient structures" running at the foothills of where the "vast majority of the Ancient Egyptian pyramids lie," Prof Ghoneim said. The team found that the river branch - named the Ahramat branch, with "ahramat" meaning pyramids in Arabic - was roughly 64km (39 miles) long and between 200-700m (656-2,296 ft) wide. And it bordered 31 pyramids, which were built between 4,700 and 3,700 years ago. The River Nile was the lifeline of Ancient Egypt - and remains so to this day.
Source:The North Africa Journal
May 17, 2024 13:19 UTC
Critical minerals demand remains robust, but pricing levelling out
After two years of dramatic increases the price of critical minerals fell in 2023, returning to levels last seen in pre-pandemic times. It notes that demand for critical minerals continues to grow strong in all likely scenarios posited by the IEA. The IEA reminds that as clean energy deployment expands, so too will the demand for critical minerals. The Agency sees the strong growth in demand producing a major uptick in the overall value of the critical minerals market. Find out more about potential areas of weakness for each mineral and how much investment into mining critical minerals will cost to reach net-zero emissions by 2050 in the IEA’s Global Critical Minerals Outlook.
Source:The North Africa Journal
May 17, 2024 13:12 UTC