Africa.gm - Africa news and information community - News - RSSSyndicated content powered by .geographical mediaRSS syndication makes it easy to receive content updates in My Yahoo!, Newsgator, Bloglines, and other news readers. |
Current Feed ContentMigrant dies in attempt to reach Spanish enclaveAn African migrant was killed on Thursday when Moroccan police fired warning shots to stop 80 illegal migrants trying to reach Spain's North African outpost of Melilla, Moroccan state news agency MAP reported.The migrants tried to force their way through Morocco's Iyassenen checkpoint and rush the Melilla border in the early hours of the New Year in the latest violent attempt by migrants to reach Europe, added MAP quoting security officials.Zidane and Ronaldo fight povertySoccer stars Zinedine Zidane and Ronaldo of France and Brazil respectively have played an all-star friendly match to fight poverty in Morocco on Monday. However, hundreds of youngsters were left outside the stadium as they could not afford the seats.Morocco uses new technology to fight drug traffickingNotorious for its role in cannabis production, Morocco has stepped up its fight against the drug trade, both domestic and international. With help from neighbouring countries and new technology, Moroccan officials have delivered encouraging results in 2008.Owner and manager of Moroccan factory arrested over 55 fatality firePolice have arrested the owner of a mattress factory in Hay Hassini, Casablanca, Morocco which burned down in a disaster that claimed 55 lives. His son, who was the factory's manager, was also arrested. Those killed — 35 of whom were women — were trapped inside by locked fire exits, which were barricaded to stop theft during working hours. "The people who died were either asphyxiated or burned," commented a firefighter. 17 were wounded. Moustapha Taouil of the Casablanca civil protection...55 people died in a Casablanca mattress factory fire55 people were killed today after a mattress factory in Casablanca, Morocco was swept by fire. The fire initiated on the ground floor this morning and quickly engulfed the entire building. 12 others were injured - seriously, according to the Irish Times - including one police officer. 100 firefighters were dispatched to the five-storey factory after the blaze broke out at 10 am local time. Earlier reports had indicated 25 deaths and eight people injured. MAP, the state news agency, is quoted...Royal pardon for Moroccan demonstratorsEight men convicted of undermining the monarchy in Morocco last year have been released after they were pardoned by the King on Friday, 4 April. Nine others facing judicial proceedings based on the same charges also benefited from the Royal pardon. All of those pardoned were members of the Moroccan Association for Human Rights. Seven of them were arrested on 1 may 2007 for chanting slogans critical of the monarchy, five in Lksar Elkbir and two in Agadir. They were sentenced to between three...Freedom for Moroccan jailed over Facebook profileA Moroccan who was jailed for creating a Facebook profile of a prince has been released from prison. Fouad Mourtada, a 26-year-old IT engineer, was freed on Tuesday after being pardoned by the king. Fouad Mourtada had been given a three-year prison term and fined 10,000 dirhams (US$1,320) in February for creating a profile of Morocco's Prince Moulay Rachid on Facebook. He was convicted after a trial in Casablanca. Two Amnesty International delegates observed the trial. They said they were...Morocco cracks down on illegal fishingThe Moroccan government has brought into force a tough law that will punish fishermen who continue to use driftnets in its waters. WWF congratulates Morocco on this strong action against illegal and destructive fishing in the Mediterranean Sea. Driftnets are fishing nets which drift with the tide or current – buoyed up by floats or attached to a boat – and can stretch for up to 14km long. A wasteful and destructive fishing gear, they are known to cause the accidental death or injury of many... |
