First Independent Mena Newspaper
In a gloomy economic environment, Morocco turned its eyes from Europe and opened its hand towards the South, wanting to free itself from the shackles and chains locked by trade agreements with a self-centered Europe. According to African countries, the EU uses its quotas and standards as leverage against them. The recent African tour led […]
Women in MENA countries have made big strides over the past four decades in the fields of education and health coverage, but they still face serious hurdles in the labor market, says a World Bank report. The progress made by countries of the region to bridge gender gaps has not been matched by increases in […]
The role of civil society in bringing about change in the Arab world has been widely acknowledged. Today, civil society organisations (CSOs) face the challenge of helping consolidate the process of reform at a time when progress towards democratisation is uncertain. Emerging think tank and policy research initiatives are at the centre of these efforts, […]
The sovereign debt crisis is often being called the mother of all problems, especially those with no-win solutions (or double-win of any sort for that matter). The consequences of the European sovereign debt crisis, touched off by Europe’s weakest economies in 2011, have been piecemeal yet deep and noticeable far beyond the EU’s borders. As […]
The current African tour undertaken by King Mohammed VI of Morocco is taking place in a particular juncture marked by the war in Mali and the growing activity of Al Qaeda affiliated groups in the Sahel-Sahara strip. The situation in Mali will thus be a focal issue in the talks the Moroccan King will successively […]
Chakib Benmoussa, a brilliant businessman, skilled technician and smart politician has been appointed Morocco’s ambassador to Paris, a position that remained vacant since October 2011. The former Minister of the Interior will also represent the North African Country to Andorra and Monaco. The rumour about his appointment to the position has been circulating for months […]
Interpol and the European Union have agreed with Libyan authorities to set up a real-time passport control capacity at Tripoli International Airport to help Libyan government improve border security. The project, that costs about € 2.2 million, is funded by the EU’s Instrument for Stability. It will enable the Libyan law enforcement and control authorities […]
Tunisian authorities have awarded an oil exploration permit to Ukraine’s YNG Exploration Limited. The permit authorizes the Ukrainian firm to begin explorations in the 988 KM² Araifa site in Tatounie, southern Tunisia. The firm will conduct seismic exploration and proceed to the drilling of two test wells over a five-year period at an estimated cost […]
Skeletons dating back to between 8,000 and 4,200 years have been discovered by archaeologists in Libya’s Sahara desert. The team discovered 20 Stone Age skeletons in and around a rock shelter which is believed to have been a local cemetery. About 15 women and children were found buried in the rock shelter, while 5 men […]
Plans are underway to enhance struggle against money laundering in Egypt through the issuance of personal certificates for Islamic Sukuk bonds. The plans were designed at the request of the head of the Financial Supervisory Authority in Egypt, Ashraf al-Sharqawy, who argued that such certifications will prevent money laundering. During a meeting with members of […]