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Morocco’s Grand Casablanca Stadium wins architecture contest

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Morocco’s Grand Casablanca Stadium, which is one of the stadia built for the 2030 world cup, has won a world architecture contest.

 

The consortium which designed the spectacular edifice led by Moroccan architect, Tarik Oualalou, won the architecture competition for the future Grand Casablanca Stadium, beating 12 other contestants to the gong.

 

Moroccan authorities had preselected the 12 candidates after reviewing technical and administrative files, including Populous Ltd, a British agency with world-renowned stadium projects, and ME Engineers Ltd, a global leader in sports design and lighting.

 

“Of the 12 candidates who had applied for the design, technical study and supervision of the construction of the Grand Stade de Casablanca, the National Company for the Production and Management of Sports Equipment Sonarges had selected seven before the end of this first phase,” the organizers of the contest said on its website.

 

“Australia’s Rider Levett Bucknall and Italy’s Maffeis Engineering SPA, the other members of the selected consortium, have experience with major projects like the Lusail Sports Arena, the United Arab Emirates’ Khalifa Stadium, the Stade de la Meinau in France, and Heathrow International Airport in London.

 

“Tarik Oualalou’s consortium won the contract after proposing a fee rate of 5.70%, which represents an estimated cost of services of approximately MAD 199 million, approximately $20 million.

 

“The Grand Casablanca Stadium will be built in line with the most contemporary regulations of international football, notably the FIFA 2030 criteria,” the statement said.

 

“It is designed to have a maximum seating capacity of 115,000 to serve all mass sports and cultural organizations and events.

 

“Located near Benslimane Airport, the proposed Grand Stade site is 38 kilometers from Casablanca and 18 kilometers from Mohammedia in the commune of Mansouria in the province of Benslimane.

 

“The Grand Stade de Casablanca development deal was signed on October 20, 2018, and the highest estimated budget for the project is MAD 5 billion ($500 million).

 

“Located on an expansive 100-hectare site, the project will include the Grand Stade and its supporting infrastructure, as well as ancillary projects and services. The project may eventually be expanded or redeveloped with the available land.

 

“The stadium will include a FIFA-approved grass pitch, covered stands with a capacity of 115,000 seats, as well as ancillary facilities for athletes, officials, operators, organizers, and spectators.

 

“In addition to these features, the project also includes the construction of a public assembly hall, dressing rooms, medical services, media centers, secure parking lots for officials and players, and one area designated for the general public.

 

“Additional facilities include ticketing, accreditation, broadcasting and volunteer centers, as well as four FIFA-approved training pitches and adjacent parking lots.

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Ugandan TikToker sentenced to 32 months for insulting President Museveni

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21-year-old Ugandan TikToker and content creator, Emmanuel Nabugodi, has been sentenced to 32 months in prison for allegedly insulting President Yoweri Museveni in a satirical video.

Nabugodi was found guilty by an Entebbe High Court for allegedly creating a video deemed insulting to President Museveni, a verdict which human rights advocates say further entrenches Uganda’s intolerance for criticism of government officials and holding them accountable.

During his arraignment before Chief Magistrate Stellah Maris Amabilis on Monday, Nabugodi pleaded guilty to four charges of defamation of character.

The content creator who gained popularity for his comedy sketches with over 20,000 followers, pleaded guilty to charges including hate speech and spreading malicious content about the president.

Local media report that the offensive video featured a mock trial of President Museveni, where Nabugodi depicted the leader being subjected to public flogging.

While delivering the judgement, Chief Magistrate Amabilis said the sentencing aimed to deter social media users from targeting others, including high-profile individuals like the president.

“This court hopes that by the time the convict leaves prison, he will have learned that abusing people in the name of creating content is unacceptable,” she stated.

Rights groups have frequently raised concerns about shrinking freedoms of expression in Uganda with critics arguing that Museveni, who has been in power since 1986, has little tolerance for dissent.

Nabugodi’s case is the latest in a string of arrests targeting social media users.

In July, another TikTok creator, Edward Awebwa, received a six-year prison sentence on similar charges, while three others are awaiting trial for their TikTok contents.

The convictions stem from Uganda’s 2022 amendment to the Computer Misuse Act, which criminalizes sharing content online that could “ridicule, degrade, or demean” others based on their identity or affiliation.

Human rights organizations have also accused Ugandan authorities of routinely violating freedoms of speech and expression, with many calling for reforms to protect citizens’ digital rights.

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Davido to donate N300m to orphanages to mark 32nd birthday

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Nigerian Afro-Pop superstar, David Adeleke, popularly known as Davido, has announced plans to donate the sum of N300 million to different orphanages across the country and anti-drug advocacy initiatives to mark his 32nd birthday later this year.

The Grammy-nominated singer who revealed the plan in a post he shared on his official X handle (formerly Twitter) on Monday, said he would donate the whopping sum to orphanages and charities that help young people to avoid drug addiction.

The “Unavailable” crooner added that the donation is intention to support vulnerable children at the orphanage and combat drug abuse among youths, and the funds will be split between orphanages and organizations working to prevent drug addiction.

He also assured his fans that details of the donation, including beneficiary organizations and distribution plans, will be made public soon.

“Once again on my birthday this year, we donating to orphanages and a charity that helps young people stay away from drug abuse & addiction. This year is N300m. Details to follow soon,” the multiple award-winning singer wrote.

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