Anti-government protests gain traction in Kenya – The North Africa Post
Protesters took to the streets in various Kenyan cities calling for President Ruto to step down, as police shot tear gas and clashed with demonstrators. At least one person was killed in the renewed protests, despite president Ruto firing most of his cabinet members, Reuters reported. The protests erupted against tax hikes a month ago, following a contentious legislation that aimed to raise 78 billion dollars to address the country’s soaring debt. In total, at least 50 people have been killed in the protests according to the Kenya National Commission on Human Rights (KNCHR), which also cited cases of enforced disappearances. The demonstrators and the failure of the government to meet the aspirations of the youth, known as generation Z, put President Ruto under a rough test.
Source:The North Africa Journal
July 17, 2024 15:37 UTC
Canon launches flagship EOS R1 and advanced EOS R5 Mark II mirrorless cameras setting new standards for performance and creativity
EOS R1 and EOS R5 Mark II – the most anticipated editions of the EOS R mirrorless rangeThe release of the EOS R1 and EOS R5 Mark II full frame mirrorless cameras marks a monumental moment in Canon’s history – the EOS R1 being the first camera in the EOS R range within the EOS-1 series – known for its legacy of high performance and reliability. The EOS R5 Mark II succeeds the highly acclaimed EOS R5 which combined high resolution, speed and 8K movie performance. Thanks to this new imaging platform, the EOS R1 and EOS R5 Mark II both feature the latest version of Dual Pixel CMOS – Dual Pixel Intelligent AF. Both feature large, high brightness and resolution blackout-free viewfinders with the EOS R1 featuring the highest resolution at 9.44M dots and the EOS R5 Mark II offering twice the brightness of the EOS R5. Improved from the EOS R5, the EOS R5 Mark II offers 8K 60p resolution from the full width of the sensor and 12-bit RAW recording internally, along with 4K video at up to 120p with sound.
Source:The North Africa Journal
July 17, 2024 15:33 UTC
Ghana’s cocoa harvest below average this season – The North Africa Post
Ghana’s cocoa harvest was 55% less than an average year, standing at 429,323 tons, as climate change induced heat waves took a toll on local farmers. Special commodities monitors have predicted a catastrophic harvest in Ghana and other West African producers this year, following a heat wave and tree disease that damaged the harvest. The meagre harvest in Ghana, the world’s top cocoa producer, sent prices of chocolate skyrocketing. In April, the expected drop in output led authorities to increase farmgate cocoa prices by 58% to enhance the income of farmers. In the US, end consumers are already feeling the heat after an increase in chocolate prices on store shelves by more than 10%, while in the UK prices increased by 12.6%.
Source:The North Africa Journal
July 17, 2024 15:16 UTC
Unifeeder CEO Steps Down
Unifeeder CEO Steps Downby Ship & Bunker News TeamJesper Kristensen has stepped down as group CEO as of this month. Image Credit: UnifeederShipping firm Unifeeder has appointed two regional CEOs after its group CEO stepped down from the role. Jesper Kristensen has stepped down as group CEO as of this month, the company said in a LinkedIn post on Wednesday. Martin Gaard Christiansen has taken on the role of CEO of Unifeeder A/S, covering Europe, the Americas, West and North Africa. Ganesh Raj will be CEO of Unifeeder FZCO, covering Asia, the Middle East, East and South Africa.
Source:The North Africa Journal
July 17, 2024 14:48 UTC
Japan-Germany security cooperation troubles North Korea, China
North Korea and China are watching for possible regional impacts from Japan's recent enhanced security cooperation with Germany. North Korea slammed the security cooperation as "collusion" that crossed a "red line" and is "reminiscent of the Second World War," according to North Korea's state-run KCNA on Monday. Kishida and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz agreed in Berlin on Friday to boost their security cooperation after attending a NATO summit in Washington. Beijing said the cooperation between Japan and Germany should not create tensions in the Asia-Pacific region. However, she continued, "Strengthening NATO-IP4 ties could exacerbate tensions with China and Russia, who may perceive this cooperation as a containment strategy," and encourage countries like North Korea to align more closely with them.
Source:The North Africa Journal
July 17, 2024 14:03 UTC
The Uneven Politics of Decarbonization in the Middle East and North Africa
In theory, this availability offers the promise of a less hierarchical and more inclusive energy politics: energy production that is less dependent on fixed reserves easily controlled by state and corporate actors. But recent initiatives to produce green energy in the Middle East and North Africa illustrate that previously existing dependencies and the predominance of private control over energy production are not often overcome—they are merely reconfigured. Green Colonial DependenciesMany countries in the Middle East and North Africa, including Morocco, Tunisia, Egypt, Jordan, Saudi-Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Iran, are trying to turn themselves into renewable energy or regional electricity hubs. [4]When it comes to democratizing infrastructure, no country in the region is even close to exploiting the enormous potential of decentralized solar energy. The protests showed the unrealistic expectations that renewable energy projects would bring about peaceful interdependence.
Source:The North Africa Journal
July 17, 2024 12:25 UTC
Innovation and finance needed to achieve SDG7
Its assessment references the 2024 Tracking SDG7 Energy Progress Report by the International Energy Agency (IEA), International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA), UN Statistics Division (UNSD), World Bank, and World Health Organisation (WHO). The report, released last month, reveals a concerning increase in the global energy access gap. Energy access deficit in Sub-Saharan Africa continues to growUnderinvested countries need smart finance solutionsSEforALL’s four action areas to accelerate SDG7 progress:1. Increase investments to more countriesThe 2024 Tracking SDG7 Energy Progress Report shows that in 2022, financial flows rebounded to $15.4 billion, a 25% increase compared to 2021. See 2024 Tracking SDG7 Energy Progress Report
Source:The North Africa Journal
July 17, 2024 12:12 UTC
African, Arab countries sound the alarm on dire food situation and risk of famine in Sudan – The North Africa Post
Several African and Arab countries have sounded the alarm over the dire food situation and risk of famine in Sudan. This underscores the importance of a coordinated international response to the crisis, the joint statement said. These countries also call on the warring parties in Sudan to immediately halt hostilities, respect their obligations under international humanitarian law and comply with all relevant Security Council resolutions. These countries are also urging the international community to deliver an immediate and coordinated international response to address the urgent needs of those affected in Sudan. These countries also stress the urgent necessity to address the crisis and prevent further deterioration of the humanitarian situation and the impending risk of famine in Sudan including working towards achieving a sustainable resolution of the conflict in Sudan.
Source:The North Africa Journal
July 17, 2024 12:08 UTC
UK weather: New health alert as temperatures to hit 30C this week
Health alert as temperatures to hit 30C this week6 hours ago By Sofia Ferreira Santos , BBC News ShareA burst of summer - and rainA heat-health alert has been issued for parts of England, with temperatures predicted to hit 30C (86F) on Friday. The alert is in place from 17:00 BST on 18 July in London, the East Midlands, South East and eastern England. This will be the first spell of warm weather for most of the UK this month, but it is unlikely to mark the start of a heatwave. For a heatwave to be declared, temperatures must be above the official heatwave threshold for at least three consecutive days. Will the warm weather last?
Source:The North Africa Journal
July 17, 2024 12:02 UTC
Egypt-Saudi Arabia electricity linkage project set to start in 2025
Egypt sees linkage projects as crucial to ensuring electricity network stability and reducing the need for additional fuel for power generation. The North African country has been battling with its electricity supply amid a heatwave and gas shortages. Studies are also underway to raise the output of electricity linkage with Libya from 150MW to 2,000MW. Similarly, there is a plan to increase the output of Egypt’s electricity linkage with Jordan from 450MW to 1,100MW. Bernard Dagher, Chief Strategy & Growth Officer – MEA, Grid Solutions at GE Vernova, unpacks the historical electricity grid and the solutions to strengthen the system.
Source:The North Africa Journal
July 17, 2024 10:41 UTC
What Meta's Monetization Launch Means for Africa's Beauty Consumers
Meta has introduced new monetization features for content creators in Nigeria and Kenya that began in June 2024. This move is expected to spur a new wave of innovation and creativity among beauty influencers and brands. Beauty creators and influencers, like MAC Cosmetics and Fenty Beauty-endorsed Enioluwa Adeoluwa, have built a reputation by recommending used and trusted products to their cult following. Meta’s monetization features also drive higher engagement and reach for beauty content. It offers beauty creators unprecedented opportunities to earn from their content and encourages them to innovate and engage with their audiences more effectively.
Source:The North Africa Journal
July 17, 2024 04:27 UTC
Why FIFA’s search of ‘new deal’ for Club World Cup may be ‘bad news’ for Apple
Apple’s connection with Club World Cup streaming and problems for FIFAApple ’s reported billion dollar deal with FIFA to secure worldwide streaming rights for the Club World Cup tournament next year may have been scrapped. The expanded men’s Club World Cup is set to take place in the US from June 15 to July 13, 2025 and then in 2029.Through a newly-launched tender, FIFA is aiming to find multiple broadcasters to secure commitments for specific regions. The deadline for submitting bids is August 20.In April, reports suggested Apple was close to securing a $1 billion global streaming deal for the Club World Cup, with an announcement anticipated soon. Major names like NBC, the broadcaster of the English Premier League, and Fox Sports, which holds the FIFA World Cup rights, reportedly opted out of bidding.Secondly, with a deal providing global streaming rights via Apple TV+ would have aligned with Apple’s strategy of offering exclusive content to drive subscriptions for Apple TV+. For instance, the Premier League has sold rights to 40 companies in 97 countries for the current cycle (2022-2025).
Source:The North Africa Journal
July 17, 2024 03:47 UTC
APartnership to Empower Nigerian Youth through Photography
Canon Central and North Africa is delighted to announce a collaboration with Rolof Computer Academy aimed at empowering youth and fostering creativity. Through this partnership, Canon and Rolof Computer Academy will activate various educational programs such as the Canon Academy Juniors Programme, Miraisha Programme, Canon Print Hub, and Canon Academy. Together, we aim to empower the youth of Nigeria with more than just technical photography skills.”“We aspire to provide them with immersive experiences, moments of discovery, and opportunities for personal growth. These activities will provide children with a platform to unleash their artistic talents and create novel masterpieces. Convenience of online accessibilityThe Canon Academy offers a variety of practical photography workshops covering a wide range of topics, organized to cater to diverse interests and skill levels.
Source:The North Africa Journal
July 17, 2024 02:02 UTC
Video: LSE-listed uranium junior Power Metals lands in North America
“We’ve had a fantastic response on the OTC listing just this week, with people coming up and talking about the company and then buying shares. A major unnamed uranium player is set to take a 70% stake in a package of uranium assets in the Athabasca, which Wade says will unlock a large sum of cash. Power Metal also plans a spin-out and an initial public offering for its Australian uranium assets by year-end. The company further is raising about £15 million ($26.6 million) in a pre-IPO round for their Power Arabia business to capitalize on precious metals opportunities in the Arabian Shield. Watch the full interview with The Northern Miner’s western editor, Henry Lazenby:
Source:The North Africa Journal
July 17, 2024 01:53 UTC
Cape Town nets R36m carbon credits for waste to energy projects
Waste to energy initiatives which reduced gas emissions at the City of Cape Town landfill sites has seen the municipality successfully auction off R36 million in carbon credits. ‘We welcome this initial return of R36m from our first carbon credit auction. Carbon credits are permits that allow the owner to emit a certain amount of carbon dioxide or other greenhouse gases (GHGs). Carbon credits are also known as carbon offsets. The Carbon Offset Administration Systems facilitates for the listing, transfer and retirement of carbon credits to offset carbon tax liabilities.
Source:The North Africa Journal
July 17, 2024 01:35 UTC