Global impact finance firm Human Planet announced the appointment of former HSBC sustainability leader Sabrin Rahman as Partner, responsible for leading the company’s expansion into the Middle East and North Africa (MENA). Launched in 2022, Human Planet is a global impact finance-focused firm, providing advisory services aimed at helping NGOs, governments, and investors to mobilize capital for large-scale climate action and sustainable development projects. She also served as Director of Partnerships for COP28 UAE, helping to shape the UAE Presidency’s Action Agenda and the UAE Consensus. Rahman said:“Joining Human Planet at this pivotal moment will help unlock the next generation of impact-driven capital in the Middle East and North Africa. Florian Kemmerich, Managing Partner at Human Planet, said:

India’s Economic Times has said that it has been told that the government has frozen Vi's AGR dues at INR876.95 billion (about US$9.72 billion) from 31 December last year. The next step will be the formation of a committee (this will take three to four months) to reassess dues. However, well before the 2036 financial year it seems that Vi is expected to be paying other outstanding AGR dues that predate the frozen ones. Now, however, a number – possibly hundreds – of ISPs and non-telecoms-related firms have felt encouraged to request AGR relief. It’s not clear whether this move will have a strongly positive effect, but it does at least push the whole issue back a few years.

Uncertainty surrounding the Red Sea remains one of the biggest risks facing the global ocean freight market as 2026 begins, according to Dimerco’s Asia Pacific Monthly Freight Report for January 2026. Northeast Asia ocean freight remains soft at seasonal lowIn Northeast Asia, ocean freight conditions remain soft. Singapore’s ocean freight market remains relatively stable, with no major space or rate challenges expected in January, though early planning is still advised. India ocean freight stable amid inland transport challengesIn India, ocean freight rates remain broadly stable despite the announcement of general rate increases and peak season surcharges for January 2026. Fragile conditions expected to persist through 2026Overall, Dimerco’s January 2026 report presents a cautious outlook for the global ocean freight market.

Alamar currently operates as the master franchisee for Domino’s across the Middle East and North Africa. Saudi Arabia: Al Majed for Oud to potentially acquire Al Safa PharmaceuticalsFragrance manufacturer Al Majed for Oud has signed a memorandum of understanding to potentially acquire 100% of Al Safa Pharmaceuticals and Medical Supplies Company. National sugar production increased by 76% during the reform period, reaching 815,454 metric tonnes. South Africa: Transnet and ICTSI activate Durban Pier 2 partnershipThe partnership between Transnet and International Container Terminal Services Inc. (ICTSI) for Durban Container Terminal Pier 2 became operational on January 1, 2026. The planned industrial site will focus on manufacturing televisions, refrigerators, and air conditioners for regional Middle Eastern and African markets.

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Libyan demonstrators gathered, on Monday January 5, outside the headquarters of the United Nations Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL) in Janzour, denouncing what they described as escalating foreign interference in Libyan affairs. Protesters called for respect for Libya’s sovereignty and urged an end to external influence that they say has deepened political instability. Criticism was particularly directed at UNSMIL, with participants blaming the mission for prolonging political deadlock and obstructing electoral processes. They demanded a clear political roadmap towards forming a unified national government tasked with organizing free and fair presidential and parliamentary elections. Demonstrators warned that continued inaction could trigger open-ended popular escalation, holding the United Nations responsible for ensuing consequences.

Nearly 65,000 civilians have been displaced from Sudan’s Kordofan region over the past three months as insecurity intensifies, the International Organization for Migration (IOM) said. The IOM documented 56 displacement incidents during the period, including 17 in North Kordofan, 38 in South Kordofan, and one in West Kordofan. According to the agency, 42,780 people fled North Kordofan, while 21,860 were displaced from South Kordofan and 250 from the Geibaish area in West Kordofan. The wider conflict, which began in April 2023, has killed thousands and displaced millions nationwide. The RSF now controls most of the Darfur region, while the army maintains dominance across much of the south, north, east and central parts of the country, including the capital, Khartoum.

The firm offers end-to-end support across tax advisory and planning, international taxation, and IBFD-certified transfer pricing, as well as tax disputes and litigation, compliance and HR services, financial reporting, and M&A advisory. "Just as Pacioli enlightened Da Vinci's artistic endeavors, we are dedicated to illuminating our clients' financial journeys," said Arcelin Ben Mahmoud, managing partner of Luca Pacioli. "This addition strengthens our presence in a key market and broadens our tax capabilities across North Africa," said Mark L. Vorsatz, global chairman and CEO of Andersen. Andersen Global is an international association of legally separate, independent member firms comprised of tax, legal, and valuation professionals around the world. Established in 2013 by U.S. member firm Andersen Tax LLC, Andersen Global now has more than 50,000 professionals worldwide and a presence in over 1,000 locations through its member firms and collaborating firms.

U.S. republican congressman Lance Gooden has joined the list of lawmakers supporting the labelling of Algeria-backed Polisario group a terrorist organization, seeking to destabilize Morocco, strategic ally and long-standing partner of the United States. A bipartisan legislation was introduced in June 2025 in the U.S. Congress to designate Polisario a Foreign Terrorist Organization (FTO). The legislation was sponsored by Representative Joe Wilson, a senior member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, and Democrat Jimmy Panetta. The “Polisario Front Terrorist Designation Act” has gained so far the support of congressmen Mario Diaz-Balart (R-FL), Jefferson Shreve (R-IN) and Randy Fine (R-FL) and more House Representatives are expected to join the momentum. Any entity or country such as Algeria or South Africa associated with funding, supporting, or cooperating with the Polisario will face criminal charges and economic sanctions.

Which countries could be in Trump's sights after Venezuela? 22 hours ago Share Save Tom Bennett Share SaveGetty ImagesUS President Donald Trump's second term is being shaped by his foreign policy ambitions. When describing the operation, Trump dusted off the 1823 Monroe Doctrine and its promise of US supremacy in the western hemisphere - re-branding it the "Donroe Doctrine". GreenlandThe US already has a military base on Greenland - Pituffik Space Base - but Trump wants the whole island. Asked whether the US would carry out an operation targeting Colombia, Trump replied, "It sounds good to me".

Investigative journalism in the Arab world is in deep crisis. Adding to these challenges, cuts to USAID funding have severely impacted investigative journalism in the Middle East and North Africa. Nevertheless, the deterioration of the productive environment that enables accountability journalism has been met by the steadfastness, resilience, and determination of investigative journalists. The Damascus Dossier offered not only harrowing evidence of systematic brutality but also a meticulous example of cross-border investigative journalism at scale. She has worked with local and international media organizations, including Global Integrity, 100Reporters, and the Arab Reporters for Investigative Journalism network.

A Tunisian court has freed a group of humanitarian workers after handing them suspended sentences for facilitating the "illegal entry and residence" of migrants, a support committee said on Tuesday. Hours after the hearing, Riahi's support committee posted a video of her leaving prison overnight, announcing her colleagues had also been freed. The NGO employees were accused alongside 17 municipal workers from the eastern city of Sousse who were implicated for having lent premises to the organisation. The defendants were arrested in May 2024 along with about a dozen humanitarian workers, including anti-racism pioneer Saadia Mosbah, whose trial is to start later this month. His speech triggered a series of racially motivated attacks as thousands of sub-Saharan African migrants in Tunisia were pushed out of their homes and jobs.

Royal Air Maroc Cargo has launched a dedicated freighter service between Casablanca and Dakar, adding a new cargo corridor between North and West Africa and expanding its scheduled all-cargo operations on the continent. With the addition of Dakar, the airline’s freighter network now covers Brussels, Istanbul, Bamako and Ouagadougou, creating a structure that supports intra-African cargo movements while feeding into Royal Air Maroc Cargo’s wider passenger and belly-hold network across Africa, Europe, the Americas and Asia. The carrier is deploying its B767 freighters alongside daily cargo capacity on Boeing 787 and Boeing 737 aircraft, allowing it to balance scheduled freighter capacity with passenger aircraft holds for time-sensitive and regular shipments across regional and intercontinental lanes. “This new freighter route marks another milestone in our long-term vision to reinforce Africa’s logistics ecosystem and bring markets closer together,” said Rita Chraibi, Vice President of Cargo at Royal Air Maroc. Royal Air Maroc Cargo operates from its base at Mohammed V Airport near Casablanca, where its freight terminal includes cold chain and secure handling areas, supported by interline agreements and trucking partnerships that extend its reach beyond its own flight network.

Libya Energy & Economic Summit 2026 Confirms Speaker Participation of Senior Legal and Advisory LeadersAs Libya reshapes its fiscal, regulatory and investment landscape to reestablish itself as a globally competitive hydrocarbons destination, the upcoming Libya Energy&Economic Summit (LEES) 2026 has confirmed the participation of five senior legal, advisory and energy sector leaders. Legal certainty and regulatory compliance will be a central theme at LEES 2026, with FS Legal Services bringing on-the-ground expertise across Libya, the UAE and the UK. “This distinguished group of leaders’ expertise in legal, advisory and energy-sector strategy will no doubt provide invaluable insights as Libya positions itself for the next phase of hydrocarbon development. Join industry leaders at the Libya Energy&Economic Summit 2026 in Tripoli and explore investment opportunities in one of North Africa’s most dynamic energy markets. LEES 2026 offers a premier platform for partnerships, innovation and sector growth.

Four other migrants from the same rescue were returned in the days leading up to the larger group’s departure. That brings the total to 48 people repatriated within 17 days of landing in Malta. The country of origin for the returned migrants was not disclosed in any official statements. (Image courtesy of Paul-Briden via iStock)New digital border systems comingMalta’s handling of migration is about to change with new EU border systems rolling out this year and next. For the 44 migrants sent home on December 28, the digital systems weren’t yet fully in place.