North Korea is shutting embassies
In North Korea’s version of history, Neto, Angola’s first president, learned the ways of anti-colonial struggle from the North Korean supreme leader, Kim Il Sung. Yet on October 27th North Korea closed its embassy in Luanda. According to the Yomiuri Shimbun, a Japanese newspaper, more than a dozen North Korean embassies in all, about a quarter of the total, could soon close. This means North Korea can expend less energy and hard currency dealing with smaller countries such as Angola. After all, even if North Korea’s embassies can cover their costs, they represent liabilities.
Source:The North Africa Journal
November 10, 2023 06:15 UTC
US says Israel to begin ‘humanitarian pauses’ to let people leave Gaza’s north
Thousands of Palestinians continued to flee south from northern Gaza on Thursday as the White House announced that Israel would begin to implement four-hour “humanitarian pauses” in parts of the area to allow people to leave. Israel said it had allowed movement along the Salah al-Din road – the main highway that runs along the Gaza Strip – for the fifth consecutive day. A surgeon at al-Shifa hospital, the territory’s largest, said he could hear gun battles from the hospital on Thursday. The Israel Defence Forces announced on Thursday that their troops had been operating in the centre of Gaza City, where they said Hamas’s military quarter was located, near al-Shifa hospital. “One month into a tight siege and a brutal war, the humanitarian needs in the Gaza Strip are colossal.
Source:The North Africa Journal
November 10, 2023 00:44 UTC
BII to Invest €15m in MC IV Fund
British International Investment (BII), UK’s development finance institution and impact investor, has committed €15m in the new MC IV fund to support mid-cap companies in North and Sub-Saharan Africa. With two investments already executed (Laprophan and Cash Plus), MC IV aims to invest up to €350m in African businesses to help them reach their full operational and growth potential. Mediterrania Capital Partners’ funds target mid-cap companies operating in sectors crucial for the furtherance of development, including Financial Services, Tertiary Education, FMCG, Construction and Consumer Staples. Albert Alsina, Founder and CEO of Mediterrania Capital Partners, said: “We’re thrilled to count on the ongoing trust and support of BII and welcome them to MC IV. Across all its investments, Mediterrania Capital Partners takes a highly proactive and hands-on approach to implementing the portfolio companies’ growth strategy while leading their ESG processes.
Source:The North Africa Journal
November 09, 2023 22:58 UTC
Mercy Ships Recognised for Outstanding Advocacy Campaign on access to Surgical and anesthetic care and education across the surgical ecosystem in Africa
The Mercy Ships campaign, supported by APO Group, was celebrated for its creativity and strategic success on a global scale by the PRovoke Media SABRE Awards. Mercy Ships is an international NGO that operates the largest civilian hospital ships in the world to deliver surgical care and medical training. This Declaration was endorsed on board international health charity Mercy Ship’s newest hospital ship, the Global Mercy™, as it docked in Dakar on May 20, 2022. Mercy Ships International Chief Medical Officer Dr. Mark Shrime urged that the progress made, and highlighted by the award, needs continued and urgent action. Mercy Ships stands solidly behind this call, recognizing that one person dies of a surgically treatable disease every two seconds.”Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Mercy Ships.
Source:The North Africa Journal
November 09, 2023 22:58 UTC
China is winning Africa’s “white-gold” rush for lithium
They carry loads from Arcadia, Africa’s biggest lithium mine, opened this year by Zhejiang Huayou Cobalt, a Chinese firm. Overall, more than 90% of Africa’s supply this decade will come from entities at least partly owned by Chinese firms, estimates Benchmark Mineral Intelligence, a consultancy. Australia, an American ally, has this year blocked two Chinese investment proposals from firms involved in mining lithium and rare-earth minerals. More Chinese firms could process and refine metal in Africa over the next few years, notes Ms Zou. The case of Zimbabwe and lithium is also a reminder that Chinese mining comes in various forms.
Source:The North Africa Journal
November 09, 2023 21:38 UTC
Hapag 9 months 2023 profit drops 77% on lower freight rates
Carried volume declined marginally to 8.92 million TEUs from 8.99 million TEUs in the corresponding period last year, says an official release. Total revenue declined 47 percent to €14.1 billion from €26.7 billion in the first nine months of 2022. "Following the completed acquisition of the terminal business of Sociedad Matriz SAAM on 1 August 1, 2023, the business activities have been separated into liner shipping and terminal & infrastructure segments. "In the liner shipping segment, a significant decline in the average freight rate caused EBITDA to fall to €4.1 billion in the first nine months of 2023 (9M 2022: €15.6 billion). "The terminal & infrastructure segment generated EBITDA of €35.5 million and EBIT of €27.1 million in the first nine months of 2023.
Source:The North Africa Journal
November 09, 2023 20:55 UTC
Morocco renews urgent call for immediate ceasefire in Gaza – The North Africa Post
Morocco has renewed its urgent call for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza, reaffirming its rejection of any form of violence against civilians and stressing the need to put an end to the dangerous situation which is no longer acceptable on legal and humanitarian levels. Representing Morocco at an international conference held Thursday in Paris, Fouad Yazourh, Director General at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, said Rabat is committed to achieving peace, stability, well-being, and prosperity for all the region’s peoples. In coordination with all partners, Morocco supports international mobilization for immediate cessation of hostilities in Gaza, said the diplomat, stressing the need to protect civilians in the Palestinian territory. Leaders of Western and Arab nations, international agencies and nongovernmental groups gathered Thursday in Paris to press Israel to stop its massive air and ground campaign against civilians in Gaza. He also said that diplomatic work must resume on bringing peace to the Middle East, with a two-state solution.
Source:The North Africa Journal
November 09, 2023 20:34 UTC
Kenya: Hundreds of lives saved as an innovative bead necklace helps diagnose pneumonia among children
An innovative bead necklace is revolutionising the detection and treatment of pneumonia for children living in remote areas of Kenya, saving nearly 200 lives this year, Save the Children said ahead of World Pneumonia Day on 12 November. Community health volunteers use beads to count and detect rapid breath intake which is an early warning sign for the disease. Ekitela*, a community health volunteer from Loima sub-county, serves 64 households in his village. Save the Children’s Country Director for Kenya and Madagascar, Yvonne Arunga, said:“Many children in Kenya and around the world are facing increased risks from the biggest infectious killer for children: pneumonia. Save the Children has been providing support to children in Kenya since 1950.
Source:The North Africa Journal
November 09, 2023 19:58 UTC
Major renewable energy projects on the cards for Nigerian state
A Nigerian state is planning to develop several renewable energy and low carbon projects that encompass solar and hydropower. The two entities are to collaborate on the development of renewable energy and low carbon projects. The renewable energy collaboration aims to drive four projects:A Greenfield Hydroelectric power project. He highlighted the state’s commitment to clean energy and the harnessing of its water resources to achieve green energy goals. He said it is a step toward making Nigeria a hub for green energy and a green economy.
Source:The North Africa Journal
November 09, 2023 19:43 UTC
Hapag-Lloyd sees decrease in earnings in first nine months of 2023
Hapag-Lloyd has concluded the first nine months of 2023 with a Group EBITDA of USD 4.5 billion (EUR 4.2 billion) and a Group EBIT of USD 3.0 billion (EUR 2.8 billion). The Group profit stood at USD 3.4 billion (EUR 3.2 billion). In the first nine months of 2023, the EBITDA in the Liner Shipping segment decreased to USD 4.5 billion (EUR 4.1 billion). The EBIT fell to USD 3.0 billion (EUR 2.7 billion). In the Terminal & Infrastructure segment, an EBITDA of USD 38 million (EUR 35 million) and an EBIT of USD 29 million (EUR 27 million) were achieved in the first nine months of 2023.
Source:The North Africa Journal
November 09, 2023 19:10 UTC
ATS Network Management to showcase SolarWinds Service Desk at Africa Tech Fest, Transforming IT Service Management
ATS Network Management, the leading distributor of cutting-edge Network and Cyber Security Monitoring solutions in Africa, is excited to showcase SolarWinds Service Desk at the prestigious Africa Tech Fest. SolarWinds Service Desk is a comprehensive, cloud-based platform designed to streamline and enhance IT service management (ITSM). The unveiling of SolarWinds Service Desk at Africa Tech Fest marks the beginning of an exciting era in IT service management for African businesses and institutions. SolarWinds Service Desk adopts an Enterprise Service Management (ESM) approach to service management, extending the application of ITSM principles to other departments, enabling organizations to streamline processes, reduce operational costs, and enhance customer service across the enterprise. To get more information about SolarWinds Service Desk, visit ATS Network Management and Solarwinds at stand c100.
Source:The North Africa Journal
November 09, 2023 18:29 UTC
Hungarian legislature green-lights deployment of troops to Chad – The North Africa Post
Hungary will send up to 400 troops to Chad to protect the interests of the European country and assist international forces in the region in the fight against terrorism. The troops will arrive as late as December 31, Alwihda Info reports, citing local Hungarian media. Hungary’s mission to Chad is about halting migration, fighting terrorism, and fostering local development,” Defense Minister Kristóf Szalay-Bobrovniczky said on X. “We believe in taking the help where it’s needed, not bringing trouble home,” he added. The deployment comes in response to an invitation dating back to September 19 from Chad’s leader Mahamat Idriss Déby Itno.
Source:The North Africa Journal
November 09, 2023 18:20 UTC
EU poised to renew fisheries agreement with Mauritania – The North Africa Post
The European Union, EU, is poised to renew its current fisheries agreement with Mauritania coming to an end next year, Spain’s Minister of Fisheries Isabel Artem reportedly indicated Wednesday November 8. Both sides inked in November 2021 the agreement that allows the European fleet to access Mauritanian waters for the fishing of approximately 290,000 tons per year of crustaceans, demersal fish, tuna and small pelagics. In return, the EU provides €57.5 million annual support to Mauritania and another €3.3 million each year in support of local fishing communities. Isabel Artem also indicated that the two sides will put in place a joint Committee to ponder over the renewal of the deal in December 2023.
Source:The North Africa Journal
November 09, 2023 17:55 UTC
The cheapest and most expensive public transport in the world
Source: Compare the Market AustraliaThe 5 most expensive countries for public transportSwitzerlandZürich’s public transport is officially the most expensive public transport in the world — Getty ImagesAverage one-way fare: €3.73Average monthly pass price: €82.84A famously pricey country that takes pride in the cleanliness and general upkeep of things, it’s perhaps not a surprise that Switzerland is, overall, the most expensive country in the world in which to travel by public transport. Zürich actually comes out on top as the most expensive city in the world for a public transport ticket, with an average one-way journey price of €4.55. Public transport is reliable and easy to use, though, and includes such things as the electric ferries that get Oslo locals (Oslocals?) The 5 cheapest countries for public transportSri LankaSri Lanka is one of the very cheapest countries in the world when it comes to public transport — Getty ImagesAverage one-way fare: €0.16Average monthly pass price: €5.4393% of all Sri Lanka’s public ground transport is buses, with the nationally-owned SLTB (Sri Lanka Transport Board) running routes between cities. That doesn’t mean that there’s no public transport, however; in Kathmandu, Ratna Park is the central hub for all bus and minibus traffic.
Source:The North Africa Journal
November 09, 2023 17:16 UTC
Daily Memo: Disagreements Over Postwar Gaza, US-China Arms Control Talks
We deliver cutting edge analysis and intelligence so you can stay ahead of the news. Take it from them: I can't emphasize enough my appreciation for you and the rest of the staff at Geopolitical Futures. Full accessto our content With any paid subscription you get full access to our entire content. Rebuffing Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s remark about an indefinite Israeli security presence in the Gaza Strip, the U.S. proposed that the Palestinian Authority should administer postwar Gaza. Any such plan likely needs the buy-in of Jordan and Egypt, which border the West Bank and Gaza, respectively.
Source:The North Africa Journal
November 09, 2023 17:15 UTC