Features Headlines Tunisia

Tunisian Ennahda Party: Power, Power when you Hold US…

Tunisian Prime Minister Hamadi Jebali announced on Monday that his proposal to form a technocrat cabinet to bring the country out of the deadlock has fallen short. Following the second round of negotiations with some 15 political parties on his initiative to form an apolitical cabinet of technocrats, Jebali was quoted by Tunisia’s official news […]

Columns Features Opinions

Doing Business in the MENA Region: Going the SMART Way?

Doing business in North Africa seems to be very challenging and still largely for the intrepid. The World Bank’s annual survey ‘Doing Business’ provides data on the relative easiness (or difficulty) of running a business around the world. A high ranking on the ease of doing business index means the regulatory environment is more conducive […]

Features Letters to the Editor Opinions

Who are the “Islamists” in the Arab Spring?

In the context of the Arab Spring, the use of the term “Islamism” is very common. The new political elites throughout the North Africa, commonly referred to as the “Islamists”, often talk of replacing the old and more or less authoritarian secular regimes in the Middle East. Journalists also use the term quite excessively and […]

Europe Features International

Pope’s Resignation, Unexpected, Unprecedented move

Pope Benedict XVI announced this Monday that he would be stepping down from office by the end of the current month, in an unexpected and unprecedented move in modern times. In a speech he delivered Monday before a church council, the Pope, 85, announced that he made his decision, which he described as “a decision […]

Business Emerging Markets Features Headlines Morocco

Bombardier Aerospace Starts Components Production in Morocco

Bombardier Aerospace, one of the world’s leading aircraft manufacturers, announced it started producing components at a transitional facility in Morocco. “This is a very exciting milestone for us as we start to see our operation in Morocco take form,” said Hugo Brouillard, General Manager, Bombardier Aerospace, Morocco. The group said in a release that 18 […]

Americas Features Headlines International

Big Challenges Awaiting New U.S. Secretary of State

The stalled peace talks between the Israelis and Palestinians, the civil war in Syria, Iran’s nuclear program, North Korea, the Arab Spring uprisings, Afghanistan, Iraq and the growing threat from Islamists in North Africa are among the major hot foreign policy issues awaiting America’s new Secretary of State, John Kerry. In addition to the thorny […]

Features Headlines Tunisia

Who Killed Tunisian Opposition Politician Chokri Belaid?

Thousands of angry Tunisians have mourned the assassination of opposition political figure Chokri Belaïd, a prominent opponent of the Islamist-led government of Hamadi Jebali. They took to the streets of the Tunisian capital in a huge march against the killing of the human rights militant who was shot in the head and the chest outside […]

Business Energy Features Headlines Tunisia

Tunisia: PAR and Sondes waiting on partnership

Since the conclusion of a preliminary agreement with Canadian oil and gas exploration and production company Sonde Resources in December, PA Resources (PAR) is still looking for farm-in partners for the Zarat license offshore Tunisia. The two companies hold the joint oil block license north of the Zarat concession, concerning unitization principles for the Zarat […]

Europe Features International Libya

Michelle Peresso announces arrival in Libyan markets

Malta-based Michele Peresso Group, best known for its sportswear stores, is planning to open retail outlets in Libya while also expanding into solar energy production. Maltese Prime Minister, Lawrence Gonzi, said that it will be the first time the group goes into Libya’s market during a visit to the group’s Birkirkara head offices where he was […]