First Independent Mena Newspaper
Following the repeated attacks of shrines by unidentified individuals, the Tunisian government has decided to adopt emergency measures to protect Sufi Muslim mausoleums, considered as religious and cultural treasures. The latest such attack took place last Thursday when two Sufi mausoleums were torched. Many believe that ultra-conservative Salafist Muslims are behind such acts. The government […]
Relations between the Head of the Government, Abdelilah Benkirane, and the leader of the Istiqlal Party, the backbone of the governmental coalition, Hamid Chabat, are growing more strained by the day. Chabat’s harsh criticism of the government’s performance and his repeated calls for a cabinet reshuffle are the main bone of contention between the two […]
While French troops are treated and greeted in Mali as liberators rather than as foreign occupiers, Egypt’s Islamist president Mohamed Morsi has expressed opposition to France’s military action launched to dislodge the Jihadist fighters linked to Al Qaeda occupying the northern part of the impoverished West African country. “We do not accept at all the […]
Mansour group is planning to sell its supermarket chain, Metro, and discount grocery store Kheir Zaman. Majid Al Futtaim (MAF) has set its eyes on the supermarket in a deal estimated around $200 to $300 million. Egypt’s largest supermarket chain is Metro. It is present in 10 cities with more than 40 outlets. MAF gained […]
At least some 37 foreign workers, who were taken lately hostage by Islamist militants linked to Al Qaeda at a gas plant in Southern Algerian city of In Amenas, were killed during a military operation launched by the Algerian Special Forces to release the captives and retake to the gasfield compound. The identified slain hostages […]
A recent report conducted by the Investors Union stated that approximately 1500 factories in Egypt have either closed or are operating at reduced capacity. Production has been falling since the economic crisis began and the number of factories to close will be increasing especially those importing raw materials to be used in local production. The […]
Negotiations are going on between Tunisia and the International Monetary Fund for a loan programme. The IMF director for the Middle East and North Africa, Masood Ahmed, said he is looking forward for their talks to progress by early February. Negotiations have been going on prosperously between the two parties and Tunisia is hoping to […]
Two years ago, Tunisia’s Jasmine Revolution toppled Zine al-Abidine Ben Ali’s dictatorship and ignited the first flames of what would be called the Arab Spring. At the same time, it kindled Tunisians’ hopes and dreams for a better future, a better Tunisia where democracy, freedom and social justice will prevail. Two long years have elapsed, […]
As many as 41 people – including American, British, French, Japanese, Norwegian, Irish and Austrian nationals – are being held hostage by armed Islamist militants after storming a gas facility in Algeria. The gas production facility attacked on Wednesday by the terrorists is located in the town of In Amenas (near the Libyan border). The […]
The national team of Algeria, the “desert foxes”, are preparing for their final test game before focusing on the North African derby against Tunisia in the African cup of nations in South Africa. It will be their last game and it will be against a first division team in South Africa’s league known as the […]