First Independent Mena Newspaper
Several international experts, intellectuals and human rights activists are wondering whether the idea of setting up a task force to fight the upsurge of illegal immigration will ever work?. The proposed task force, to include delegates or agents from North Africa (Algeria, Libya, Morocco, Mauritania & Tunisia) and their European partners (France, Italy, Malta, Portugal […]
Gas production in the Mauritanian Banda field may start in late 2014 or early 2015, it was announced in Nouakchott earlier this week. The construction of a gas pipeline for the Banda gas field, whose reserves are estimated at 500 billion cubic feet, may be entrusted to U.K.-based explorer Tullow Oil Plc (TLW). Construction works […]
On Sunday October 7th, The Philippine government has announced a preliminary peace agreement with the country’s largest Muslim group, the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF). This deal aims at ending a 40-year conflict that has killed an estimated 120,000 people. But it could also open the way to boost domestic and foreign investments in the […]
Many countries around the world, including the United States, Europe and India have sounded the alarm against the risks and security threats posed by the telecom equipment made by Chinese firms Huawei and ZTE. Some of these countries have banned or pulled out of the market these rigged equipments (mobile phones, wireless internet routers…) widely […]
A nationwide awareness campaign to the danger of plastic bags on the environment and the need to use other alternatives was launched this week, under the motto “Morocco without plastic bags.” The campaign, sponsored by a local association, “Mawarid”, seeks to foster public awareness as to of the danger posed by non-biodegradable plastic bags to […]
Presidential debates in America have been hijacked, creating the “charades devoid of substance, spontaneity and answers to tough questions.” The October 3 debate leaves citizens to rail against the lobbyist-led, anti-democratic control of the process. Three sponsors even dropped out before the opening remarks. US Pres. Barack Obama and Republican challenger Mitt Romney “hoodwinked the […]
Moroccan actor Amine Naji won the Best Actor Award at the second edition of the Arab Film Festival in Malmö, Sweden, held last week. The actor was awarded for playing the main role in the feature movie “Al Mansiyoune” (The forgotten) directed by Hassan Benjelloun. The actor has been awarded prizes for the same role […]
Stakes owned by Vivendi SA in Maroc Telecom are being sold as part of debt reduction plan by the former. The sale is estimated to generate more than $5billion. Two potential investment banks have already been contacted by Vivendi but political policies might make a deal hard to come by, the source added. Vivendi accounts […]
The Algerian government is planning to invest over $ 24 billion between 2012 and 2016 to enhance electricity production and distribution in the North African country experiencing power shortage and outages that have affected lately business and households. Many Algerians were angry over the frequently power cuts in the oil & natural gas producing country. […]
The United States has reportedly deployed a dozen aircraft in the Middle East-North Africa region probably as a precaution, in case conflicts there necessitate quick action. According to Stratfor, a news outlet specialized in geopolitical analysis and intelligence news, at least a dozen military transport planes and gunships, typically used for a variety of special […]