The Daily Brief 2019-06-14
This is a summary of 15 AMN articles on the following subjects: Aleppo, Hama, Idlib, Latakia, Syria, Russia, Erdogan, Turkey, Iran, Oman, Trump, US, Tartous, Putin, Libya, Tripoli. Categories covered in this brief: Syria, Turkey, Iran, Gulf, North-AfricaLet us know how you like this brief in the comments below. In particular, the Russian Air Force bombed the jihadist commanders inside the Taftanaz Airport, which was captured by the jihadist rebels in 2013. “Turkey will not remain silent if the Syrian regime continues to attack observation points in Idlib,” Erdogan said. According to a military report from northwestern Syria, the Syrian Army’s 14th Special Forces Division deployed to the Hama Governorate earlier this week.
Source:The North Africa Journal
June 15, 2019 22:07 UTC
Father's Day memories: When I think of my dad, he's fishing
Sometimes Dad and Mom also would stay a week or more while my brother and I vacationed with Grandma and Grandpa. I suspect he was born to be a Methodist preacher, because his name was John Wesley Frisbie — John Wesley being the founder in England in the 18th century of the Methodist Church. After one such outing, near dark, Dad, my brother and I returned to Frazee with buckets full of crappies. Grandpa’s garage was still standing, and I imagined also Dad bent over there, fillet knife in hand, cleaning fish. John Frisbie and Elnetta Frisbie, and their house in Frazee, Minn.Long before his time, cancer got Dad, and he was sick the last dozen years of his life.
Source:The North Africa Journal
June 15, 2019 21:08 UTC
Brazil Gives a Boost to Morocco’s Stance on Western Sahara
For all the perceptible diplomatic gains Morocco has made in recent years on the complex Western Sahara front, there is still a long way to go. Avoiding the usual enthusiastic and overt proclamation of support in such instances, Araujo was diplomatic in his remarks—a reminder of the thorny issue that the Western Sahara question has become in diplomatic circles. The AU, an organization which still recognizes SADR, and until recently seemed intent on pushing for a Western Sahara agenda other than the UN’s, has decided to retreat from the Western Sahara dossier and unconditionally support the UN process. He singularly stressed the significance of Morocco’s presence in the AU, dismissing critics who continue to question Morocco’s “historical Africanness” to challenge the sincerity of its increasingly African gaze. And also that some instances of reticence (like President Buhari’s principled—but gentle—commitment to Nigeria’s default Western Sahara stance) should invite more sustained engagement.
Source:The North Africa Journal
June 15, 2019 19:22 UTC
Corsica comes within 0.2C of heat record
This turned out to be a hot, dusty, windy day, the result of a sirocco from North Africa. On Friday it stayed dry and dusty with a relative humidity of 12 percent. It is the relative humidity that determines whether we, as warm-blooded beings, can bear the heat. This beats the standing June record by 1.6 degrees and is only shy of the all-time record of 40.3C set in July 1983. Indians and Pakistanis have endured 50C but with similarly low relative humidity.
Source:The North Africa Journal
June 15, 2019 17:34 UTC
Top Ten African Football Teams on FIFA Rankings
FIFA has realised it's latest report of the world's best ranked football teams. The rankings for the African teams are not exactly how many we would expect with favourites such as Egypt not making the cut for the top ten. MaliThe West African team does not boast big superstar names, however, they have proved to be tactical and clinical over the past tournaments. The team has made more appearances at the FIFA World Cup than any other African country. Who can forget Asamoah Gyan's iconic celebration at the 2010 World Cup as they cruises to the quarter-finals?
Source:The North Africa Journal
June 15, 2019 17:32 UTC
Casablanca & Toronto Finance Centers Foster Global Financial Services Collaboration
Casablanca Finance City (CFC) and Toronto Finance International (TFI) signed, Thursday in Toronto, a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to promote their cooperation and facilitate increased access to the two financial centers. Manal Bernoussi said, “We are honored to sign this agreement with Toronto Finance International which will enable exploring cooperation opportunities between Canada, Morocco and Africa.”“This agreement allows Casablanca Finance City to strengthen its partnerships network in North America and further expand its international cooperation. Recognized as the leading financial center in Africa and a part-ner of the largest international financial centers, CFC has built a strong membership community of finance companies, re-gional headquarters of multinationals, service providers and holding companies. TFI is a public-private partnership between Canada’s three levels of government, the financial services sector and academia. TFI’s mission is to lead collective action that drives the competitiveness and growth of Toronto’s financial sector and establishes its prominence as a leading international financial center.
Source:The North Africa Journal
June 15, 2019 15:56 UTC
Morocco Sets up Pest Surveillance Network to Suppress Medfly, Promotes Sterile Insect Technique
Invasive fruit fly species, present in neighboring countries, could undermine the success of the suppression of the medfly. These include the peach fruit fly and the Oriental fruit fly. In order to mitigate this risk, the IAEA has helped Morocco in the development of the early detection of and emergency response to incursions of invasive fruit fly species. The surveillance network is composed of eight sites, classified as high-risk points-of-entry, located along the country’s borders, with a total of 94 traps. Additionally, traps have been placed in 19 supplemental sites identified as risk sites, including in fruit markets, tourist sites and some orchards close to risky areas.
Source:The North Africa Journal
June 15, 2019 14:15 UTC
Morocco Deposits Instruments of Ratification of Three ILO Conventions
Morocco deposited on Friday in Geneva instruments of ratification of three conventions of the International Labor Organization (ILO). The deposit of these documents, which consolidates Morocco’s positive interaction with the ILO labor standards system, took place on the sidelines of the 108th ILO Conference, in the presence of ILO director-general, Guy Ryder. The documents concern the Convention on the Promotional Framework for Occupational Safety and Health; the Convention on Migrant Workers; and the Convention on Social Security. By ratifying this convention, Morocco joins the 56 other member States that have already signed this flagship convention on social security, Ryder said. The ratification of the three conventions reflects Morocco’s commitment to strengthening the human rights system and its positive interaction with the labor standards system established by the ILO.
Source:The North Africa Journal
June 15, 2019 12:45 UTC
Sahara: Dublin Supports UN-Led Process & Looks for Enhanced Partnership with Rabat
Senior Irish officials voiced on Friday their full support to the process led by the Secretary General of the United Nations for the resolution of the Sahara issue. After their visit to Norway, the delegation of elected officials from Morocco’s Southern Provinces, travelled to Dublin where they conferred with several Irish Govt officials and political leaders on the Sahara issue. These meetings, held in presence of Moroccan ambassador in Dublin, Lahcen Mahraoui, were an opportunity for the delegation to highlight the relevance of the autonomy plan proposed by Morocco for the settlement of the regional dispute over the Moroccan Sahara. The elected officials from the Sahara affirmed that Morocco’s plan offers a “realistic political solution” called for by the United Nations, noting that the Security Council Resolution 2440 invites all parties to move towards “a realistic, pragmatic, sustainable and compromise-based political solution”. They also stressed that the genuine legitimate representatives of the Sahrawis are those democratically elected during the elections held in Morocco in 2015 and 2016.
Source:The North Africa Journal
June 15, 2019 12:11 UTC
Kaizer Chiefs' Khama Billiat keen to secure European move after Afcon
Afcon provides platform to secure move to Europe, says Kaizer Chiefs forward Khama BilliatThe former Ajax Cape Town forward is open to leaving Amakhosi after one season, which saw him score 14 goals across all competitionsKaizer Chiefs forward Khama Billiat has admitted that he still harbours ambitions of playing in Europe. The Zimbabwe international is coming off his maiden season with Amakhosi, having joined the club from in June 2018. Billiat is one of Zimbabwe's key players heading into the 2019 finals and he is keen to impress at the continental tournament. Article continues belowBilliat was heavily linked with overseas clubs after impressing at the 2017 Afcon finals in Zimbabwe's matches against North African giants and . According to SABC Sport, should another overseas offer come for Billiat after the 2019 Afcon finals, Chiefs will not think twice if it meets their evaluation for the 28-year-old player.
Source:The North Africa Journal
June 15, 2019 12:00 UTC
Urodynamic Equipment Market: Analysis Regions (North America, Europe, Middle East, ROA, Africa) 2018-2026 – Forex Tribune
Coherent Market Insights study report on “Urodynamic Equipment Market by Size, Scope, Manufacturers, Applications, Types, Regions and Forecast to 2026”. The Urodynamic Equipment business standing, review, bits of information and driving the interest with gifted summary with gauge. This report has been custom-made instrument the market estimate investigation to approve it within the overall Urodynamic Equipment Market. Urodynamic Equipment Market report acts as a confirmed source of information to offer a telescopic view of the current market trends, situations, opportunities and status. Major Business Players within Urodynamic Equipment Industry Space:Key Urodynamic Equipment Players influencing the market are profiled in the study along with their SWOT analysis and market strategies.
Source:The North Africa Journal
June 15, 2019 10:18 UTC
Conversation with Faisal Saeed Al Mutar on Ideas Beyond Borders
Faisal Saeed Al Mutar is the founder of Ideas Beyond Borders and Bayt Al-Hikma 2.0, Global Secular Humanist Movement. When there is a conversation, when human rights are respected, when civil societies can participate and protect rights and advocate for these rights, then, definitely, something positive can happen here. There are many missing elements in the ideas world. It is exposing many people across the region to the idea of women’s rights, human rights, and civil rights, too. Jacobsen works for science and human rights, especially women’s and children’s rights.
Source:The North Africa Journal
June 15, 2019 08:48 UTC
Afcon: Senegal depart for Egypt with Sadio Mane
Afcon: Senegal depart for Egypt with Sadio ManeThe Terenga Lions had their last training session on Thursday in Alicante before leaving for the continental tournamenthave departed their Spanish-based training ground at Pinatar Arena Center for the 2019 in along with their long-awaited star forward Sadio Mane on Friday. The biennial tournament will kick off on June 21, while the Terenga Lions open their campaign in the competition against on June 23. After helping to win the Uefa title, Mane only teamed up with the rest of the squad on Thursday and received a guard of honour from his teammates. Earlier, Aliou Cisse had pruned down his 25-man provisional squad for the tournament to 23, leaving out forward Santy Ngom and Lorient midfielder Sidy Sarr. On Sunday, they will square up with three-time African champions and West African neighbours in their last preparatory game for the tournament in Ismailia.
Source:The North Africa Journal
June 15, 2019 06:22 UTC
Mediterranean countries ramp up efforts to find missing migrants
Nearly 18,500 migrants have gone missing since 2014 while making the perilous journey across the Mediterranean (AFP Photo/STRINGER)The Hague (AFP) - Mediterranean countries say they have taken a key step towards finding out the fate of thousands of migrants -- many fleeing Syria's war -- who have gone missing while trying to reach Europe. At a meeting of the International Commission for Missing Persons in The Hague this week, Cyprus, Greece and Malta pledged to coordinate and beef up their efforts to trace nearly 18,500 migrants who have disappeared since 2014 while making the perilous journey across the Mediterranean. Finding out what happened to those missing -- whether they are eventually found alive or whether they have been confirmed dead and their remains found -- provides crucial closure for families. - 'Give them hope' -The plan to better locate and identify missing migrants fleeing conflict and economic hardship in the Middle East and Africa was launched in Rome last year. Top ICMP representatives nevertheless called for more to be done to help find the missing migrants, particularly those from Syria's war where the fate is of an estimated 85,000 people is not known.
Source:The North Africa Journal
June 15, 2019 05:15 UTC
Malta Is Punching Above Its Weight
Being the smallest member of the European Union, the largest EU maritime registrar, and situated strategically on the periphery in the Mediterranean, Malta punches above its weight when it comes to influence within the European bloc. The main points Mr. Borg stressed were Malta’s vibrant economy and infrastructure development. “This effort is appreciated by the United States,” Mr. Borg confirmed. Since we have only enjoyed our independence from Britain since 1964, we still feel ourselves tied to the U.K.“Many foreign companies are also moving to Malta,” Mr. Borg said. The most exciting project is a tunnel that will be dug to connect the island of Malta with our sister island, Gozo.
Source:The North Africa Journal
June 15, 2019 04:30 UTC