The North Africa Journal: Arezki Daoud HSBC in North Africa: Going Where the Money Is ================================================================================ Arezki Daoud on 23 March, 2010 04:09:00 In summer 2008, London-based HSBC, one of the world’s largest banking and financial services institutions decided to add Algeria to its list of emerging markets operations. Libya is likely next in line. The decision meant that as of August 2008, the giant bank entered the Algerian market where it launched what it called “a full-service bank.” But is it really a full-service bank with the goal of contributing to economic growth and development or is HSBC focused on international trade operations to enable the flow of money in and out of the country? The King is Gone, Long Live the King! ================================================================================ Arezki Daoud on 27 March, 2010 08:16:00 For the Libyan leader Muamar Kaddafi there was a sense of déjà-vu again. His campaign to get a second term as head of the African Union collapsed, showing that like in his previous call to unify the Arabs, his latest African venture was also doomed to fail. Alessandro Bruno on CTV News Sharing Insights on the Darfur Truce ================================================================================ Alessandro Bruno on 20 March, 2010 11:08:00 The deputy editor of The North Africa Journal, Alessandro Bruno, explains how the cease-fire deals signed in Sudan are reflective of the government's pursuit of votes for a number of upcoming elections. Insecurity in the Sahel: Bad Governance and Poverty at the Source of Insecurity in the Region [Video] ================================================================================ The North Africa Journal on 21 March, 2010 09:30:00 The ethnic Touaregs, who have maintained their nomadic existence for thousands of years, have been battling the troops of Niger and Mali. Their efforts to gain some basic rights never materialize, creating a security vacuum that enables Al Qaeda to set foot and expand its recruitment. This documentary, which was filmed in Niger, provides a clear depiction of the harsh Touareg life. Maghreb Women Series: Obesity in Mauritania [Video] ================================================================================ The North Africa Journal on 18 March, 2010 10:07:00 Big is often regarded as beautiful in Mauritania, but the controversial act of force-feeding is still practiced in some parts of the country. What a Start! ================================================================================ Arezki Daoud on 07 March, 2010 09:55:00 The year 2009 was such a dismal year that many people questioned how worst it can get. In asking this question, there was an assumption that things are going to get better as we enter 2010. Three months into the new year and we are already seeing signs of stress everywhere, and North Africa is not spared from this movement. Maghreb Women Series: The 'Human Mules' of Ceuta [Video] ================================================================================ The North Africa Journal on 02 March, 2010 01:01:00 France 24 REPORTERS - The Spanish enclave of Ceuta in Morocco is a smuggler’s paradise and a transit point for all kinds of contraband. Every day, the ritual is the same. These so-called "mule women" cross the border between Morocco and Spain, carrying bags on their backs weighing up to 80 kilos. But sometimes they can buckle under the weight and even suffocate to death. Dubai’s Illusive Dream and Impact on North Africa: Seeing through the Arabian Mirage ================================================================================ Arezki Daoud on 06 March, 2010 12:34:00 Ancient Chinese philosopher Laozi once said “a country is never as poor as when it seems filled with riches,” and that may be very true for Dubai. Muslim Fashion: Cover Me Beautiful ================================================================================ The North Africa Journal on 22 March, 2010 11:48:00 (Global Pulse: March 19, 2010) The dress of Muslim women worldwide walks a fine line between conservative and chic. In Chechnya and Iran, politics affect how much skin a woman can show. Pakistani fashion designers rebel against Taliban influence with revealing clothes, while one female Muslim designer is making fabulous clothes that are both respectful and stylish. SOURCES: RT, Russia; South Asia Newsline, India; BBC, U.K.; CBS, U.S.