Wamda's roundup of Expand North Star
According to the organisers, more than 1800 startups exhibited at ENS, while 1000 investors from across 65 countries attended. They need funding not just to pursue expansion plans, but to survive. He made the case for venture debt for startups in need of funding. He also believes that moving forward there will be more partnerships between startups and corporates instead of direct investment. Whether splitting ENS from Gitex physically was the right thing to do remains something for the organisers to decide.
Source:The North Africa Journal
October 19, 2023 02:08 UTC
Multiple violent protests erupt across Middle East and North Africa after blast at the Al-Ahli al-Arab Hospital in Gaza
Protests have erupted across the Middle East and North Africa after the deadly explosion at the Al-Ahli al-Arabi Hospital in Gaza. Protestors burn the United States and Israeli flag the flag after hundreds of Palestinians were killed in an air strike on the Al-Ahli al-Arabi Hospital in Gaza. Protests were also held in Libya, Kuwait, Turkey, Tunisia, Turkey, Morocco, Iraq and the West Bank, after the hospital which is surrounded by residential buildings was hit without any warning. The audio suggested the missile was in fact launched from the cemetery behind the hospital by the Palestinian Jihad group. In an interview with Sky News Australia on Thursday morning, Hamas spokesperson Basem Naim claimed the audio has been doctored.
Source:The North Africa Journal
October 19, 2023 00:59 UTC
COP28 is Middle East’s Last Chance to Avoid Climate Catastrophe
It concluded that even if greenhouse gas emissions fall in the coming decades, global warming would still rise by 2 °C due to greenhouse gas emissions already built-up in the atmosphere. Despite being responsible for less than 1% of greenhouse gas emissions, Pakistanis are 15 times more likely to die from climate-related disasters. Climate FinancingThis underscores a critical gap in climate financing – one that is exacerbated by broken promises of support from the developed world. The commitment made at COP15 to provide $100 billion annually to help vulnerable regions meet climate targets has still not been fulfilled. COP28 aims to encourage Middle Eastern nations to adopt more aggressive emissions reduction targets, given their significant contributions to greenhouse gas emissions, while also supporting their transition to cleaner and more sustainable energy sources.
Source:The North Africa Journal
October 18, 2023 22:34 UTC
A Ceasefire in Gaza
The health ministry in Gaza blamed an Israeli airstrike; Israel, later backed by the U.S., pointed to errant Palestinian militant rocket fire. Hamas and Palestinian militants, in turn, would end rocket fire from Gaza and let the hostages go. Since the attack, Israeli leaders have often suggested that civilians in Gaza bear responsibility for Hamas’s actions. If Israel does launch a ground offensive, it appears likely to first seek to capture or establish a presence in northern and central parts of Gaza, including Gaza City. The view held by most Israeli security cabinet ministers appears to be that Israel will purge Gaza of Hamas and withdraw.
Source:The North Africa Journal
October 18, 2023 21:55 UTC
The Element of Machine Hallucinations in AI-Generated News - IT News Africa
It seems to be void of the element of political biases, yet is not exempt from error. Measuring AccuracyNewsGPT’s CEO Alan Levy said, “We believe that everyone deserves access to unbiased and fact-based news.”, however the level of accuracy is questionable as the AI – news agency has also said that machine hallucinations might happen. Machine Hallucinations Leaves Room for ErrorNewsGPT has said that machine hallucinations “might” happen. Machine hallucinations are unexpected and nonsensical outputs generated by artificial intelligence (AI) or machine learning models. The outputs can be in the form of text, images, sounds, or any other form of data that AI systems are designed to generate.
Source:The North Africa Journal
October 18, 2023 21:11 UTC
International enrolments in German higher education rise again for a new record
International student enrolment growth in German higher education 2018/19 to 2022/23. Source: DAADAs many first-time international students were in Germany in the 2022/23 winter semester as before the pandemic in 2019: 117,900. Of Germany’s total student population, international students make up 12%, rising to 23% in master’s programmes (compared with 7% in bachelor’s programmes). International students drawn to scientific programmesMore than 4 in 10 foreign students in Germany are pursuing engineering programmes. That study found that 45% of international students remain in Germany 10 years after graduation to work.
Source:The North Africa Journal
October 18, 2023 20:28 UTC
Stellantis Pro One: Commercial Vehicles Offensive to Boost Global Leadership
As part of the Stellantis Pro One launch, a fully renewed van lineup for each brand will be revealed on Monday, October 23 featuring second-generation zero-emission powertrains, a unique hydrogen solution, full connectivity, and top-level autonomous driving assistance systems. “We are launching Pro One to leverage our undeniable commercial vehicles leadership with the concept – six brands, one force – as this business accounts for one-third of Stellantis Net revenues,” said Jean-Philippe Imparato, Head of the Stellantis Commercial Vehicles Business Unit. Leveraging 400 existing global partnerships in 34 countries, Stellantis links converters and upfitters – who represent 50% of Stellantis commercial vehicle sales – with customers, retailers and the manufacturer in a seamless digital customer journey to reduce production and delivery lead times. “The renewal of the entire Stellantis van range, based on second generation electric offers, along with the electrification of four pickups from 2024 onwards, are at the heart of the ‘Pro One’ project based on a 360-degree, customer-centric approach, and ambition to reinforce our international leadership in commercial vehicles,” said Xavier Peugeot, Senior Vice President of Stellantis Commercial Vehicles Business Unit. Stellantis Pro One is fully part of the company ambition to become a carbon net zero corporation by 2038, all scopes included, with single-digit percentage compensation of remaining emissions.
Source:The North Africa Journal
October 18, 2023 20:00 UTC
South Africa´'s Handre Pollard expecting to face ruthless England in semi-final
South Africa trained in Paris as their preparations continued ahead of the Rugby World Cup semi-final against England. The game will serve as a repeat of the 2019 final when the 'Springboks' claimed a resounding victory over England. South Africa are aiming for a fourth title that will see them become the most successful nation in World Cup history. South Africa fly-half Handre Pollard expects semi-final opponents England to have some "beef" with South Africa due to their defeat in the final of the last World Cup. "You could see the disappointment on their faces four years ago [after South Africa beat them in the 2019 RWC final]," said Pollard.
Source:The North Africa Journal
October 18, 2023 19:53 UTC
Egypt becomes first in Africa to issue sustainable panda bond
Olivia Adam EMEA reporter IFLR Contact emailOlivia joined IFLR as EMEA reporter in 2022. She graduated from Strathclyde University with a masters in digital journalism and has a LLB from Edinburgh University. Her focus is Europe M&A and ESG.
Source:The North Africa Journal
October 18, 2023 19:28 UTC
Which World Leaders Came to China’s 3rd Belt and Road Forum?
AdvertisementOn October 18, top leaders from around the world gathered for a “family photo” at the third Belt and Road Forum in Beijing, China. The 2017 Belt and Road Forum counted 30 heads of state or government in attendance, including China’s own Xi Jinping. The UAE, for example, sent its prime minster to the 2019 BRF, but only a Supreme Council member to this year’s forum. All 11 regional states – the 10 members of ASEAN, plus Timor-Leste – have signed Belt and Road cooperation documents. Yet only the UAE has ever sent a top leader to a Belt and Road Forum (once, in 2019).
Source:The North Africa Journal
October 18, 2023 17:59 UTC
Protests denouncing Israel across Middle East and North Africa
(Photo by Zain JAAFAR / AFP)Al JazeeraSpontaneous protests have emerged in a number of major cities across the Middle East and North Africa as well as elsewhere, some devolving into confrontations with local security forces. In the Lebanese capital Beirut, protesters gathered outside the US Embassy in the city, before some attempted to break through the security barriers that surround the site. Hundreds gathered outside the French embassy in Tunis, chanting anti-French and anti-US slogans. Egyptian opposition parties led protests in front of the US Embassy in Cairo, while others took place in neighbouring Giza. And in Istanbul, Turkey’s biggest city, protesters gathered outside the Israeli consulate before police dispersed the crowd.
Source:The North Africa Journal
October 18, 2023 17:59 UTC
Why Egypt and other Arab countries are unwilling to take in Palestinian refugees from Gaza
FILE - Palestinians wait to cross into Egypt at the Rafah border crossing in the Gaza Strip on Monday, Oct.16, 2023. (AP Photo/Fatima Shbair, File)FILE - Palestinians wait to cross into Egypt at the Rafah border crossing in the Gaza Strip on Monday, Oct.16, 2023. (AP Photo/Fatima Shbair, File)FILE - Palestinians wait to cross into Egypt at the Rafah border crossing in the Gaza Strip on Monday, Oct.16, 2023. (AP Photo/Fatima Shbair, File)FILE - Palestinians wait to cross into Egypt at the Rafah border crossing in the Gaza Strip on Monday, Oct.16, 2023. After fighting stopped in the 1948 war, Israel refused to allow refugees to return to their homes.
Source:The North Africa Journal
October 18, 2023 17:56 UTC
MENA’s trade prospects get a boost from Asia and Africa
in line with the overall global economic slowdown, as falling oil prices had an adverse effect on oil-exporting countries in the region. Several supportive factors , including a likely stabilization in oil prices, should drive a rebound from 2024 – although oil price swings and climate change present significant risks. , including a likely stabilization in oil prices, from 2024 – although oil price swings and climate change present significant risks. Robust trade with Asia to benefitAll MENA countries , especially those in the GCC, will benefit from trade and strong relations with key Asian markets, particularly China and India . China remains a major supplier of solar panels and other technologies supporting the region’s energy transition.
Source:The North Africa Journal
October 18, 2023 17:40 UTC
Europe’s Biggest Challenges Ahead
Antonia Colibasanu is Senior Geopolitical Analyst at Geopolitical Futures and Senior Fellow for Eurasia Program at the Foreign Policy Research Institute. She has published several works on geopolitics and geoeconomics, including "Geopolitics, Geoeconomics and Borderlands: A Study of a Changing Eurasia and Its Implications for Europe" and "Contemporary Geopolitics and Geoeconomics". Prior to Geopolitical Futures, Dr. Colibasanu spent more than 10 years with Stratfor in various positions, including as partner for Europe and vice president for international marketing. Prior to joining Stratfor in 2006, Dr. Colibasanu held a variety of roles with the World Trade Center Association in Bucharest. Dr. Colibasanu holds a master’s degree in International Project Management, and she is an alumna of the International Institute on Politics and Economics at Georgetown University.
Source:The North Africa Journal
October 18, 2023 17:27 UTC
Bird flu now sweeping the world evolved in Europe and Africa
Since 2021, a subtype of the bird flu virus called H5N1 has infected and killed a record number of both domestic and wild birds across the globe. They collected data on the number and location of confirmed bird flu cases worldwide from the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations and the World Organisation for Animal Health. They also obtained genetic information on bird flu viruses using two public databases. Careful vigilance is critical for understanding which bird flu viruses are circulating and how they are evolving or migrating, says Seema Lakdawala at Emory University in Georgia. This information can guide vaccine development and efforts to curb bird flu transmission.
Source:The North Africa Journal
October 18, 2023 17:01 UTC