NEW YORK, July 29 (UPI) — Maggie Gyllenhaal, Stephen Rea and Janet McTeer are to star in “The Honorable Woman,” an eight-part mini-series shooting in the United Kingdom and Morocco. …read more
Maggie Gyllenhaal to star in Sundance thriller
Tag Archives: Morocco
Why Morocco Is Attracting Foreign Manufacturers
By Mfonobong Nsehe, Contributor
Some of the world’s most prominent automotive brands are setting up shop in the Kingdom of Morocco. Last year, French multinational vehicle manufacturer Renault S.A inaugurated a $1.5 billion giant car factory in Melloussa, a small cosmopolitan town close to Tangiers, a commercial city in the northern region of Morocco. Renault now manufactures low-cost cars under the Dacia and Renault brands at the plant, which has an annual production capacity of 150,000 cars. …read more
Source: FULL ARTICLE at Forbes Latest
Vivendi in exclusive talks to sell Maroc Telecom stake
French conglomerate Vivendi said on Tuesday it was in exclusive talks with the UAE’s telecom operator, Etisalat, to sell a 53-percent stake in Morocco’s operator Maroc Telecom. …read more
Source: FULL ARTICLE at Fox World News
Mauritanian court frees Canadian 'Al-Qaeda trainee'
A Mauritanian court on Sunday freed a Canadian jailed for attempting to join an Al-Qaeda training camp in neighbouring Mali, a judicial source said.
Aaron Yoon was serving two years in Nouakchott after being convicted in July last year when he was 24, but his sentence was reduced in an appeal brought by the prosecution who were asking for the term to be extended to 10 years, the source said.
“The Canadian Aaron Yoon was sentenced by an appeals court on Sunday to a year and a half in prison but he has already spent this time in jail and must therefore leave the penitentiary immediately,” the source told AFP on condition of anonymity.
Yoon, who is of Korean descent, was arrested in December 2011 when he tried to visit the camps of Al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM) in Mali, according to the indictment against him.
He denied any link to terrorism, saying he had come to Mauritania from Morocco to study the Koran and learn Arabic, but the authorities maintained he had “strong links with AQIM terrorists and his plan to join the movement is indisputable”.
“We cannot say how and when but he must leave the prison and will probably be removed from the country,” the judicial source said.
Mauritania shares over 2,200 kilometres (1,350 miles) of border with Mali, where a French-led military operation was launched against armed Islamist groups in January, driving them out of cities in the country’s vast desert north.
Source: FULL ARTICLE at Fox World News
Morocco eliminate Tunisia in African Nations Championship
African Nations Championship (CHAN) holders Tunisia were eliminated this weekend in the first qualifying round.
They drew 0-0 away to Morocco in the second leg, but fell 1-0 on aggregate after losing at home last Saturday.
Packed with stars from CAF title-winning clubs Esperance, Etoile Sahel, CS Sfaxien, Club Africain and CA Bizertin, Tunisia were expected to advance.
But a last-minute breakaway goal from striker Abdessamad Mbarki in Mediterranean resort Sousse proved decisive over two defence-dominated games.
Tunisia won the second edition of the tournament for home-based footballers with a 3-0 drubbing of Angola in Sudan two years ago.
But coach Nabil Maaloul chose only goalkeeper Farouk Ben Mustapha from the title-winning squad to confront the Moroccans.
The 16-nation 2014 tournament is scheduled for January 11-February 1 in South Africa and Morocco will appear at the finals for the first time.
South Africa qualify automatically as hosts and Ghana and Libya have secured places after opponents Benin and Algeria withdrew.
Uganda are set to join them after building a 1-0 away advantage over Tanzania in an east Africa derby.
Midfielder Brian Majwega was the architect of the 48th-minute winner, setting up defender Denis Iguma to fire across goalkeeper Juma Kaseja into the net.
Tanzania had more possession in the eagerly anticipated Dar es Salaam showdown, but were let down by woeful finishing.
Mrisho Ngasa was repeatedly off target with long-range shots and striker John Bocco also disappointed when offered scoring opportunities.
It was the third consecutive victory for Serb coach Milutin Sredojevic since succeeding sacked Scot Bobby Williamson as Uganda coach last month.
He guided the ‘Cranes’ to World Cup qualifying wins over Liberia and Angola, and a victory over Senegal during September would take them to the play-offs.
However, Sredojevic cautioned against premature celebrations, especially given the Ugandan habit of snatching defeat from the jaws of victory.
“By winning the first leg we have got only the passports for South Africa and now we need to get the visas by winning the return match,” he told reporters.
Ethiopia host Rwanda later on Sunday in the remaining fixture this weekend with second-leg fixtures scheduled for late July.
Source: FULL ARTICLE at Fox World News
Houzz Tour: Morocco Meets Texas in a Family Townhouse (18 photos)
This Texas townhouse was bedecked in French country style for years and needed a new look. The style inspiration: the souks of Morocco and that country’s love of cobalt blue, intricate handmade rugs and patterned tiles covering expanses of walls, floors and fountains. Interior designer Laura…
Source: houzz
Clashes erupt in Western Sahara after UN vote
Protesters have clashed with government forces in Western Sahara after the U.N. Security Council extended a peacekeeping mission in the disputed territory — but without a mandate to monitor human rights.
Morocco annexed the former Spanish colony in 1976 and has proposed autonomy for the mineral-rich territory. The Polisario Front seeks self-determination through a referendum on Western Sahara‘s future.
Conflicting reports emerged Saturday about clashes late Friday in the northern town of Laayoune. Hamoud Iguilid of the Moroccan Association of Human Rights said dozens chanted their hopes for rights monitors and protested peacefully. He said a young man who was hurt and a woman who lost a finger were among those injured.
The Security Council vote Thursday came after the U.S. abandoned the monitoring proposal amid strong Moroccan opposition.
Source: FULL ARTICLE at Fox World News
Kosmos Energy Establishes New Exploration Positions in Porcupine Basin, Offshore Ireland
By Business Wirevia The Motley Fool
Filed under: Investing
Kosmos Energy Establishes New Exploration Positions in Porcupine Basin, Offshore Ireland
DALLAS–(BUSINESS WIRE)– Kosmos Energy Ltd. (“Kosmos”) (NYS: KOS) announced today that it has entered into two farm-in agreements, whereby Kosmos is acquiring an interest in multiple blocks in the prospective Porcupine Basin, offshore the west coast of Ireland. The farm-in agreements were executed with Antrim Energy Inc. (“Antrim”) covering Licensing Option 11/5 and with Europa Oil & Gas (Holdings) plc (“Europa”) covering Licensing Options 11/7 and 11/8.
Per the agreement with Antrim, Kosmos is acquiring a 75 percent participating interest and operatorship in the approximately 1,410 square kilometer Licensing Option 11/5 in exchange for carrying the full costs of a planned 3D seismic program on the block. In addition, the Company will reimburse Antrim for a portion of previously-incurred exploration costs.
Kosmos is also acquiring an 85 percent participating interest and operatorship in Licensing Options 11/7 and 11/8, an area totaling 2,000 square kilometers, in a separate agreement with Europa. According to terms of the agreement, Kosmos will fully fund a planned 3D seismic program on each block and will reimburse Europa for a portion of its previously-incurred exploration costs. Contingent upon an election by Kosmos and Europa to enter into a subsequent exploration drilling phase on one or both of the blocks, Kosmos will also fund 100 percent of the costs of the first exploration well on each block, subject to an investment cap. The per-well investment cap for the first well is $90 million on Licensing Option 11/7 and $110 million on Licensing Option 11/8.
Paul Dailly, Senior Vice President and Chief Geoscientist, commented, “The addition of these highly-prospective blocks offshore Ireland represents further opportunity to leverage our understanding of Cretaceous-age combination structural-stratigraphic plays in overlooked and underexplored basins. With a number of significant leads already identified on 2D, our plans are to commence 3D seismic acquisition over portions of these deepwater acreage positions later in 2013, subject to finalizing the areas as Frontier Exploration Licenses. Combined with our positions offshore Morocco, Mauritania, and Suriname and onshore Cameroon, we are building out a premier exploration portfolio and exposing Kosmos to substantial upside exploration value.”
The completion of the farm-in agreements remains subject to Irish government approval and other customary closing conditions. Following approval, Kosmos and co-venturers will pursue converting the Licensing Options to Frontier Exploration Licenses and seek approval of a work program.
A map of the acreage will be available under the Operations tab at www.kosmosenergy.com.
From: http://www.dailyfinance.com/2013/04/18/kosmos-energy-establishes-new-exploration-position/
Morocco cancels war games with US
Morocco has canceled its annual military exercises with the United States after the Obama administration supported adding human rights monitoring to the U.N. mission to the disputed Western Sahara territory, U.S. officials said.
From: http://feeds.foxnews.com/~r/foxnews/politics/~3/k4AdnSKXusI/
Morocco: No to UN eyeing human rights in W. Sahara
Morocco condemned on Monday any talk of giving the U.N. mission to the disputed Western Sahara territory the power to supervise human rights after reports surfaced the U.S. was backing the move.
The United States is “in discussions” over proposing that MINURSO expand its mission to include monitoring human rights, confirmed U.S. embassy in Rabat spokesman Rodney Ford.
It is a position long backed by international human rights groups, who maintain the Moroccan government violates the rights of Saharan people living in the former Spanish colony.
U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said in a report Thursday that continued reports of human rights violations required sustained monitoring by a neutral party.
The Moroccan statement, issued after a meeting among the king, Cabinet and political party heads on Monday, however, rejected any such proposal and said Morocco‘s efforts to promote human rights were internationally recognized.
“The bias of such a unilateral move without prior consultation, in terms of content, context and procedure can only evoke incomprehension and rejection,” said the statement.
Morocco annexed the former Spanish colony to its south in 1976, sparking a fight for independence in the region. There was a ceasefire in 1991, but a proposed U.N. referendum over the fate of the territory has never been carried out.
Morocco has proposed wide-ranging autonomy for mineral-rich Western Sahara, but the Polisario Front, the pro-independence nationalist movement, insists on the “inalienable right” to self-determination through a referendum on the territory’s future. Neither side has budged and sporadic talks have ended in a stalemate.
The U.N. observer mission in the Western Sahara currently has 183 military observers, 26 troops, and six civilian police. Ban recommended an increase of 15 military observers and six police and suggested the mission be extended until April 30, 2014.
From: http://feeds.foxnews.com/~r/foxnews/world/~3/akxlh8uEJHU/
Accused Ala. terrorist to plead guilty
An accused terrorist with Alabama ties has announced he’ll plead guilty to federal charges.
Dom Soto, a lawyer for Randy Wilson, says his client will plead guilty to conspiracy to provide material support to terrorists. The man’s trial is scheduled to begin April 19 and AL.com reports (http://bit.ly/Ymt9qq ) that Soto announced the plan during a pretrial conference this week.
Federal agents arrested Wilson in December as he was boarding a plane in Atlanta with his young family headed to Morocco. Prosecutors allege Wilson planned to travel from Morocco to another African country and support fellow Muslims in waging terrorist activity. The same day, agents arrested Mohammad Abdul Rahman Abukhdair, Wilson’s ex-business partner. Both were living in Mobile at one point.
Charges against Abukhdair are still pending and his trial is set for August.
Source: FULL ARTICLE at Fox US News
Morocco looks to diversify tourism arrivals
Morocco‘s tourism minister says the popular North African travel destination is looking to expand its markets for visitors.
More than half of Morocco‘s 9 million annual arrivals come from just two countries, Spain and France, but both have suffered economic crises and there have been drops in the number of people coming from those nations.
Lahcen Haddan told The Associated Press in an interview Wednesday that Morocco is hoping to attract more visitors from Britain, Germany, and Saudi Arabia.
Tourism contributes 8 percent of Morocco‘s GDP and is a top earner of foreign currency.
After years of steady increases, economic troubles in Europe and political upheaval in North Africa have kept tourism growth flat in Morocco over the past two years.
Source: FULL ARTICLE at Fox World News
Travel Safety: Tips To Keep Yourself Safe While On The Road
By The Huffington Post News Editors
NEW YORK (AP) — Recent high-profile attacks on tourists in India, Brazil, Turkey and Mexico — including rapes — have raised questions about personal safety for overseas travel, especially for women. But frequent travelers and those who work in the industry say a few common-sense precautions can go a long way to ensuring personal safety.
For example, Fly.com vice president Warren Chang didn’t hang a “Do not disturb” sign on his hotel room door on a trip to Jordan, because he didn’t want to advertise his presence. Cindy Vanhoutte, who works for the vacation rental site HomeAway.com, always checks Google Street View to see what neighborhoods look like before renting there. And Pauline Frommer, co-publisher of Frommer Guidebooks, leaves her jewelry home and tries to dress according to “local norms” — recently wearing long, loose trousers in Morocco.
It’s also prudent to check the U.S. State Department website’s travel warnings, which track everything from crime to terrorism to natural disasters.
Source: FULL ARTICLE at Huffington Post
"Our best days are ahead of us" say three-quarters of Arab youth in 5th annual ASDA'A Burson-Marstel
By Business Wirevia The Motley Fool
Filed under: Investing
“Our best days are ahead of us” say three-quarters of Arab youth in 5 th annual ASDA’A Burson-Marsteller Arab Youth Survey
- Arab youth have a greater sense of national identity after the Arab Spring, with 87% saying they are “more proud to be an Arab”
- Being paid a fair wage and home ownership remain their highest priorities, and rising living costs their top concern
- UAE continues to be seen as a model nation, while France, Germany and China are regarded most favourably among countries outside MENA
DUBAI, UAE–(BUSINESS WIRE)– Representing a resounding vote of confidence in the Middle East and North Africa’s future outlook, three-quarters of Arab youth, the region’s largest demographic, say their best days are ahead of them in the fifth annual ASDA’A Burson-Marsteller Arab Youth Survey, released today. An overwhelming 74% of all Arab youth surveyed in 15 countries across MENA agree with the statement: “Our best days are ahead of us”.
A ground-breaking initiative of ASDA’A Burson-Marsteller, the leading public relations consultancy in MENA, the Arab Youth Survey is aimed at providing reliable data and insights into the attitudes and aspirations of the region’s 200 million-strong youth population, informing policy- and decision-making of both government and the private sector.
ASDA’A Burson-Marsteller selected international polling firm Penn Schoen Berland (PSB) to complete 3,000 face-to-face interviews with exclusively Arab national men and women aged 18-24 in the six Gulf Cooperation Council countries (UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Kuwait, Oman and Bahrain), Iraq, Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon, Libya, Tunisia, and in three new countries added this year: Morocco, Algeria and Yemen. The survey was conducted between December 2012 and January 2013.
In each of the 15 countries surveyed, a clear majority are optimistic about the future, with a nearly equal percentage of youth in the Gulf and non-Gulf states (76% and 72%, respectively) saying “our best days are ahead of us”. Likewise, more than half (58%) believe their country is “heading in the right direction” considering the last 12 months, while 55% say their national economy is also heading in the right direction.
In …read more
Source: FULL ARTICLE at DailyFinance
Kosmos Energy Will Host First Quarter 2013 Results Conference Call and Webcast on May 9
By Business Wirevia The Motley Fool
Filed under: Investing
Kosmos Energy Will Host First Quarter 2013 Results Conference Call and Webcast on May 9
DALLAS–(BUSINESS WIRE)– Kosmos Energy (NYS: KOS) will host a conference call and webcast on Thursday, May 9, 2013, at 10:00 a.m. Central time (11:00 a.m. Eastern time) to review its first quarter 2013 results. The dial-in telephone number for the call is +1.877.407.3982. Callers outside the United States should dial +1.201.493.6780.
A live webcast of the event can be accessed on the Investors page of the Company’s website at www.kosmosenergy.com.A replay of the webcast will be available on the website for approximately 90 days following the event.
About Kosmos Energy
Kosmos Energy is a leading independent oil and gas exploration and production company focused on frontier and emerging areas in Africa and South America. The Company’s asset portfolio includes existing production and other major project developments offshore Ghana, as well as exploration licenses with significant hydrocarbon potential offshore Mauritania, Morocco and Suriname and onshore Cameroon. Kosmos is listed on the New York Stock Exchange and is traded under the ticker symbol KOS. For additional information, visit www.kosmosenergy.com.
Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. All statements, other than statements of historical facts, included in this press release that address activities, events or developments that the Company expects, believes or anticipates will or may occur in the future are forward-looking statements. The Company’s estimates and forward-looking statements are mainly based on its current expectations and estimates of future events and trends, which affect or may affect its businesses and operations. Although the Company believes that these estimates and forward-looking statements are based upon reasonable assumptions, they are subject to several risks and uncertainties and are made in light of information currently available to the Company. When used in this press release, the words “anticipate,” “believe,” “intend,” “expect,” “plan,” “will” or other similar words are intended to identify forward-looking statements. Such statements are subject to a number of assumptions, risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond the control of the Company, …read more
Source: FULL ARTICLE at DailyFinance
France reportedly looking to buy US drones
France is reportedly considering buying American drones to boost the country’s defense capabilities after targeting Al Qaeda-linked extremists during a military operation in Mali.
France has made a request to Washington to purchase U.S.-made Reaper drones, which are currently being used to kill militants in Pakistan, according to French newspaper La Tribune.
“A letter has been sent to Washington to evaluate the feasibility” a French defense ministry source told AFP, France 24 reports.
On Thursday, France President Francois Hollande said the country’s troops would take part in a proposed U.N. peacekeeping mission in Mali after they end their task of clearing Al Qaeda– linked rebels out of the African country’s vast northern region.
Hollande made the announcement as he spoke before Morocco‘s parliament, during a two-day visit celebrating the two nations’ close cooperation.
“France will soon complete its mission (in Mali) in a few weeks and African forces will take over,” Hollande said. “The Security Council is going to deploy a peacekeeping operation and France will play its part.”
There are currently two proposals in front of the U.N. for peacekeeping operations, including giving the lead to an African-led force currently on the ground or authorizing a full U.N.-led force of 11,200 troops that would conduct combat operations and operate alongside a non-U.N. force that would continue counter-terrorism operations.
Mali plunged into turmoil after a coup in March 2012 created a security vacuum. That allowed secular rebel Tuaregs, who have long felt marginalized by Mali‘s government, to take half of the country’s vast north as a new homeland. But months later, their struggle was co-opted by jihadists who imposed strict Islamic law in the north.
France launched a military operation on Jan. 11 against the Islamic extremists, many of whom are linked to Al Qaeda, after they began moving south and captured key towns. Backed by Chadian troops, the French ousted the militants from major towns in northern Mali, though many went into hiding in the desert and continue to stage attacks.
Hollande said last week that the first of France‘s more than 4,000 troops in Mali will pull out in late April and, by July, the French contingent will be down to 2,000 soldiers. He said just 1,000 will remain by the end of the year.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Source: FULL ARTICLE at Fox World News
France to take part in Mali peacekeeping after clearing out Al Qaeda rebels
French troops will take part in a future U.N. peacekeeping mission in Mali after they end their task of clearing Al Qaeda-linked rebels out of Mali‘s vast northern region.
French President Francois Hollande made the announcement Thursday as he spoke before Morocco‘s parliament, part of a two-day visit celebrating the two nations’ close cooperation.
“France will soon complete its mission (in Mali) in a few weeks and African forces will take over. The security council is going to deploy a peacekeeping operation and France will play its part,” Hollande said.
He said that scenario was based on the condition that a “indispensable” dialogue take place between Mali‘s factions and the Mali government in Bamako and on the resumption of the democratic process in the West African nation.
Elections in Mali are planned for July.
Mali was plunged into turmoil after a coup in March 2012 created a security vacuum. That allowed secular rebel Tuaregs, who have long felt marginalized by Mali‘s government, to take half of the country’s vast north as a new homeland. But months later, their struggle was co-opted by Islamic jihadists, who imposed strict Shariah law in the north.
France launched a military operation on Jan. 11 against the Islamic extremists, many linked to Al Qaeda, after they suddenly started moving south and captured key towns. Backed by Chadian soldiers, French troops ousted the radical Islamic fighters from major towns in northern Mali, though many went into hiding in the desert and continue to carry out attacks.
Hollande said last week the first of France‘s more than 4,000 troops in Mali will pull out in late April and by July, will be down to 2,000 soldiers. He said just 1,000 will remain by the end of the year.
Hollande also took the opportunity to describe Morocco‘s autonomy plan for the Western Sahara region it annexed beginning in 1976 as “credible.”
Source: FULL ARTICLE at Fox World News
France to take part in future Mali peacekeeping
France‘s president says French troops plan to take part in a future U.N. peacekeeping mission in Mali — even after they end their mission to clear out al-Qaida-linked rebels from the West African nation’s vast northern region.
Speaking in front of Morocco‘s parliament, French President Francois Hollande said African forces will take over from the French in northern Mali in a few weeks.
He said Thursday that France‘s participation in a peacekeeping force would be conditional on “indispensable” dialogue between Mali‘s factions and the Mali government in Bamako and on the resumption of the democratic process.
Elections in Mali have been planned for July.
Hollande, in a two-day visit to the north African kingdom of Morocco, also championed joint ventures between Morocco and France to help support Africa‘s economic development.
Source: FULL ARTICLE at Fox World News
It's 'Unlike Anything Found on Earth'
STEFAN RALEW/SR-METEORITES.D
Its name is NWA 7325 and it’s 4.56 billion years old. Scientists found it in Morocco last year, and there’s a reason they’re going gaga over it.Place formation may have come from
…read more
Source: FULL ARTICLE at AOL
Morocco's unions protest government, economy
Thousands of members of two of Morocco‘s largest labor unions have marched through the capital to protest the Islamist-led government‘s planned economic reforms and failure to stem unemployment and inflation.
Chanting, the “people want the fall of the government” and calling for the departure of Prime Minister Abdelilah Benkirane, union members dressed in bright yellow baseball caps and smocks marched through Rabat on Sunday in a light rain.
Benkirane’s moderate Islamist party won the most seats in elections following pro-democracy uprisings in 2011, and he took the helm of the government promising to fight corruption and address the North African country’s huge gap between rich and poor.
His fractious coalition has achieved little, however, and is currently embroiled in the sensitive process of reforming the massive subsidies and pension systems.