[Photo/Xinhua]China launched a Long March 2C carrier rocket Thursday afternoon, placing a remote-sensing satellite for Algeria into orbit, according to China Great Wall Industry, the project's contractor. China Great Wall Industry is the overseas trading arm of the China Aerospace Science and Technology Corp. Under a contract signed in July 2023 between China Great Wall Industry and the Algerian Space Agency, China will deliver two optical remote-sensing satellites to the North African country and provide ground systems, training and other support services. The launch marks a new milestone in space cooperation between China and Algeria, following the successful launch of the Alcomsat-1 communications satellite in December 2017. The mission was the 626th launch of the Long March rocket family and China's third rocket launch in 2026.

NEED TO KNOWA Fight Over Yemeni Unity Is Splitting the Arabian Gulf ApartYEMENA decade ago, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates teamed up to conduct a military campaign against the Iran-backed separatist Houthis in Yemen, to restore the internationally recognized government’s authority but also to curb Tehran’s meddling so close to home. Yemen is now on the edge of another violent, unpredictable chapter, according to Farea Al-Muslimi of the London-based Chatham House. In 2014, allied with the ousted Saleh, the Houthis took over the capital and the north of the country. They have also operated a kidnap-ransom scheme targeting vessels sailing through the Red Sea that has earned them billions in revenue. Saudi Arabia also deployed its navy off Yemen’s coast even as Saudi-backed forces launched “a peaceful” ground offensive to retake areas from the UAE-backed southern separatists.

And regional countries are positioning themselves accordingly. As a result, Iran and Saudi Arabia saw taking a step toward normalizing relations in 2023 as the most reasonable option for themselves. Türkiye likewise normalized its relations with Saudi Arabia, the UAE and Egypt. At the same time, through its attacks on Lebanon, Syria and Iran, it is putting all regional security at risk. Saudi Foreign Minister Faisal bin Farhan and Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi discussed the development of bilateral relations over the phone.

Cavotec to work with TAKRAF on Morocco bulk handling projectPosted on 15 Jan 2026Cavotec says it has signed an order with TAKRAF India Pvt Ltd for the supply of cable and hose reel systems for one of Morocco’s largest companies that processes and manufactures phosphate and sulphur. The order comprises seven cable reel systems and six hose reel systems. The systems will provide safe and reliable power and fluid supply to bulk material handling equipment operating in harsh environments, Cavotec says. “This order expands our installed base at the end customer and strengthens our long-term partnership with TAKRAF,” David Pagels, CEO of Cavotec, said. ”The order also supports our positions in both the growing mining and minerals sector in North Africa and in the bulk materials handling market.”The order was signed in December 2025 and delivery is scheduled for the middle of 2026.

Cavotec has signed an order with TAKRAF India Pvt. Ltd. for the supply of cable and hose reel systems for one of Morocco's largest companies that processes and manufactures phosphate and sulfur. The order comprises seven cable reel systems and six hose reel systems. The systems will provide safe and reliable power and fluid supply to bulk material handling equipment operating in harsh environments. “This order expands our installed base at the end customer and strengthens our long-term partnership with TAKRAF”, said David Pagels, CEO of Cavotec.

9th All Africa Music Awards (AFRIMA): Africa under One Roof as Delegates, Artistes from 48 Countries ParticipateThe 9th edition of the All Africa Music Awards (AFRIMA) (https://AFRIMA.org) once again proved why it is regarded as Africa’s biggest music awards platform, as artistes, delegates and industry stakeholders from at least 48 African countries came together in Lagos, Nigeria, to celebrate the continent’s rich and diverse musical excellence. From Ethiopia, Haddinqo won Best African Jazz, Weeha claimed Best African Dance/Choreography, while Veronica Adane won Best African Traditional. Guinea celebrated Manamba Kanté as Best African Pop and Takana Zion as Best African Reggae, Ragga&Dancehall. Northern Africa winners included Adviser (Mauritania) and Sherine (Tunisia), while Southern Africa celebrated Yo Maps (Zambia), Nontokozo Mkhize and Ciza (South Africa). Distributed by APO Group on behalf of All Africa Music Awards (AFRIMA).

At the World Agri-Tech Innovation Summit in Dubai last month, a panel explored how technology could unlock regenerative agriculture opportunities across the Middle East and North Africa. Christine Gould, founder and CEO of GIGA Futures highlighted that the unmet opportunity in combining solutions into a coordinated suite of solutions. Food 3.0: The next levelBy operating in silos, agtech players risk underdelivering on their potential to drive the next stage of sustainable and productive food systems. Gould described this next phase as the Food 3.0 paradigm. Drawing on her own experience working in the MENA region through the Goumbook MENA Regenerative Agriculture Initiative, Gould has observed world-class technologies being developed to address the real needs and conditions of agriculture in the region.

Open this photo in gallery: The Dubai skyline in the United Arab Emirates in 2023. National Bank of Canada has opened its first office in the region.Kamran Jebreili/The Associated PressNational Bank of Canada NA-T is expanding into Dubai as Ottawa bids to increase trade between Canadian businesses and the United Arab Emirates. On Wednesday, the Montreal-based bank announced that it has opened its first office in the region, coinciding with an economic mission to the United Arab Emirates led by International Trade Minister Maninder Sidhu aimed at building commercial ties with the UAE. “Canadian clients are interested in getting capital, and we noticed that our clients are going there on their own and they are seeking help,” Mr. Fares said in an interview. In November, Montreal’s venture-capital firm Inovia Capital said it is opening a new global office in Abu Dhabi, the capital of the UAE.

HSBC has launched an asset management business in the UAE and launched 10 onshore investment funds. The registration of the 10 new funds with the Securities & Commodities Authority (SCA) of the UAE makes HSBC one of the first global asset managers to establish and register an onshore fund range under the UAE’s changing investment funds regime. Regulatory reforms have recently been introduced to encourage global asset managers to establish domestic UAE funds and deepen local capital markets. The new HSBC UAE onshore funds will provide retail and institutional investors with access to globally diversified strategies that are domiciled in the UAE and managed by HSBC Asset Management’s network of over 600 investment specialists. The new funds are:[HSBC UAE Funds] – Portfolios (Lux) World Selection 2 Feeder Fund[HSBC UAE Funds] – Portfolios (Lux) World Selection 3 Feeder Fund[HSBC UAE Funds] – Portfolios (Lux) World Selection 4 Feeder Fund[HSBC UAE Funds] – Portfolios (Lux) World Selection 5 Feeder Fund[HSBC UAE Funds] – HGIF (Lux) India Fixed Income Feeder Fund[HSBC UAE Funds] – HGIF (Lux) Strategic Duration and Income Bond Feeder Fund[HSBC UAE Funds] – HGIF (Lux) US Income Focused Feeder Fund[HSBC UAE Funds] – HIF (Lux) Islamic Global Equity Index Feeder Fund[HSBC UAE Funds] – ICAV (Ireland) Shariah Multi Asset Feeder Fund[HSBC UAE Funds] – ICAV (Ireland) Global Sukuk Feeder FundMohamed Al Marzooqi, CEO of HSBC in the UAE, said: “Establishing our onshore fund platform in the UAE is a major milestone in HSBC’s strategy to support the country’s ambition to be a critical wealth hub in our international network.

North Sea tanker crash explosion shown in court18 hours ago Share Save Stuart Harratt East Yorkshire and Lincolnshire Share SaveWatch: Moment cargo ship crashes into oil tanker in North SeaA court has been shown the moment a cargo ship crashed into an oil tanker in the North Sea, triggering an explosion that killed a crew member. The Old Bailey jury was played a video recording from the bridge of the oil tanker, which was carrying large quantities of aviation fuel, showing the Solong hitting its port (left) side before a huge fireball erupts. In the aftermath of the crash, which happened at 09:47 GMT, Motin was heard talking on the radio with the Coastguard. Download the BBC News app from the App Store for iPhone and iPad or Google Play for Android devices. More on this story Ship captain 'did nothing' to avoid tanker crash

Q3 2025 volumes reached 1.68 million tons against 1.5 million tons one year earlier, representing 12% growth. However, diesel import values declined 1.5%, dropping from 11.29 billion dirhams to 11.12 billion dirhams. However, associated value showed a slight 0.6% decrease, falling from 1.61 billion dirhams to 1.6 billion dirhams during the period. These nine operators imported 1.56 million tons during the period against 1.43 million tons one year earlier, representing 9.1% progression. Their import values totaled 10.38 billion dirhams against 10.89 billion dirhams in Q3 2024, registering a 4.7% decrease corresponding to 0.51 billion dirhams.

Some people are reported to have left polling stations without voting, saying they could not wait for the technical problems to be resolved. The country's law allows polling hours to be extended if challenges disrupt the voting process, however the commission did not explicitly say whether polling hours would be extended. The app, called Bitchat, uses Bluetooth technology to share images of the results forms from polling stations and voting data without internet access, according to Wine. Wine, real name Robert Kyagulanyi, lost to the president in the 2021 elections, although Wine dismissed the results, alleging fraud. Alongside Museveni and Wine, six other presidential candidates are on this year's ballot papers.

Reeves vows rail plan will go ahead, despite cynicism20 hours ago Share Save Emer Moreau and Faarea Masud , business reporters Share SaveGetty ImagesMajor rail improvements in northern England "will actually happen", Chancellor Rachel Reeves has said, as she acknowledged the HS2 rail project had become a "byword" for disastrous planning. The multibillion pound scheme, known as Northern Powerhouse Rail (NPR), aims to deliver faster journeys and more frequent trains through upgraded and new lines, and improvements to stations. Reeves agreed with her, saying the north had been "neglected for too long" and the new investment in Northern Powerhouse Rail will address that. The Conservatives accused the government of "watering down" Northern Powerhouse Rail, saying ministers had "put back any plans to actually deliver it and rewritten timetables on the fly". Shadow rail minister Jerome Mayhew said: "Northern Powerhouse Rail could have been transformational, empowering regional growth and regeneration.

Government of British ColumbiaCanada's Copper TriangleRoughly 75% of all of Canada's copper reserves are found in British Columbia's Golden Triangle, home to the only copper mine in the North of 60 coverage area. The completion of a pending merger between Teck Resources Ltd. and Anglo American plc could be a key to unlocking the Golden Triangle's nascent copper potential. will also benefit the Yukon, a territory poised to help diversify the world's supply of copper and other metals critical to energy and the economy. The first energy metals deposit that would benefit from the connection to B.C. While the company only began exploring Rae in 2024, it has already confirmed the high-grade copper potential of this district-scale project.

News IndustryTsodilo Resources plans a new rare earth drilling program at Gcwihaba in 2026. Global rare earth demand could rise to 150,000 tonnes by 2040, the IEA says. Tsodilo Resources, a mining company listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange, said on January 13, that it plans to launch a new drilling program in 2026 at its Gcwihaba rare earth project in Botswana. Rare earth elements play a key role in manufacturing permanent magnets used in electric vehicles and wind turbines. Meanwhile, Botswana also hosts Ditau, another rare earth exploration project operated by Kavango Resources.