Rabat - An advertising by an unknown home service recruitment company in Saudi Arabia offering services of Moroccan maids has sparked controversy for allowing families to know what their maids look like before hiring them.

In the ad, the company says it provides families in Saudi Arabia “customized” Moroccan maids.

“What sets us apart is that we allow you to know the look of the maid, call her and discuss with her [the post] while in her country,” the ad says, concluding that if the customer likes the maid the company will bring her to Saudi Arabia.

A report by Saudi Arabia’s daily Al Weeam newspaper said that Saudi Arabian observers condemned the newspaper that allowed such controversial advertisements to be published.

According to the same source, they wondered what the objectives of such advertisements could be.

Al Weeam, meanwhile, did not disclose the name of the newspaper in which the advertising was published, or the name of the company.

Previous media reports suggested that families in Saudi Arabia worry about the look of the Moroccan maids.

Earlier this year, a report by Saudi Arabia's Sabq newspaper, quoted by Emirates 24/7, said that recruitment companies in the kingdom claim that wives are demanding to see photographs of prospective staff to ensure maids arriving from Morocco or Chile are not beautiful.

The paper said that it has spoken to women who refused to hire maids from those countries because of a fear that a pretty employee could cause problems within the family.

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Marcy Borders, the dust-covered woman who was photographed as she fled from the World Trade Center on September 11, has died of stomach cancer. She was 42. NJ.com reports that Borders was diagnosed with the disease in August of 2014.

Years after the World Trade Center was brought down, Borders told the New York Post that on 9/11, she had only been working for Bank of America for a month when the attacks occurred.

She ignored her boss's request that employees stay at their desks. She fled from the building and her life fell apart after that. She was unable to work and by 2011 she was "a complete mess."

She started smoking crack cocaine because she didn't want to live. But by 2014, her life looked different. Borders was sober after a stint in rehab, and had started working again. Rest in peace, Marcy.

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Rabat - Marrakech's Ecole Supérieure des Arts Visuels (the School of Visual Arts) ESAV has been selected among the best international film schools, according to the Hollywood Reporter.

ESAV has made it to a list of 15 film schools from around the globe "that might just produce the next generation of international film talent".

The list includes film schools from Australia, China, Mexico, Italy, Germany, Czech Republic, Russia, France, Poland, United Kingdom, Israel and Austria.

"This up-and-coming school offers a scholarship program targeting talent in sub-Saharan Africa," said the Hollywood Reporter, a multiplatform American media with a focus on the Hollywood motion picture, television, and entertainment industries.

"The recognition of our work by a specialist as important as the Hollywood Reporter is a great pride for all the teachers and students of ESAV," said the school's general director Vincent Melilli.

Founded in 2006 by Vincent Melilli and Susanna Biderman, ESAV offers courses of studies: cinematography, television, graphic design and interactive design.

The list in full: Australian Film, Television and Radio School, Beijing Film Academy, Centro de Capacitation Cinematografica, Mexico, Centro Sperimentale di Cinematografia, Italy, Deutsche Film, und Fernsehakademie Berlin, ESAV Marrakech, Morocco, FAMU, Czech Republic, Film Academy Baden-Wurttemberg, Germany, Gerasimov Institute of Cinematography, Russia, La Femis, France, Lodz Film School, Poland, The London Film School, National Film and Television School, England, Tel Aviv University, Israel and The Filmacademy Vienna, Austria.

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Miami - Late in 2014 Bloomberg TV Africa’s Miranda Atty interviewed Mamoune Bouhdoud, Morocco’s Trade and Industry Delegate to discuss Morocco’s strategic economic planning for 2015. Ten months later, “Industrie Maroc” has resurfaced the video. Did the Moroccan government successfully achieve its Finance Project for 2015? You be the judge! Here are points discussed:

According to financial reports, Morocco’s government announced a plan for the creation of 500,000 sustainable jobs. Minister Delegate Bouhdoud presents the key elements involved. First Morocco, must develop a strategy where the government follows a clear roadmap which will in effect facilitate international and national investments. Investors need a clear vision to “anticipate their territory”.

Bouhdoud further discloses some of Morocco’s advantages in 3 points.

1. Morocco has an open economy with 56 FTA with different countries, and “is the only country in Africa to have an FTA with the United States”.
2. It has a strong political and economic stability.
3. It counts with strong infrastructure developments, such as “Tanger-Med, being the largest harbor in the Mediterranean Sea, and the Casablanca Airport connecting to more than 30 African countries”.

The Minister Delegate also highlights the importance of aeronautics and automotive for job creation and how the Kingdom plans to focus in the industrial sector in order to add half-million jobs, add 9 points to the GDP value to be in competitive levels at 25%, and zero out the economic balance.

To implement this financial project of trade and industry, main measures are established that Bouhdoud lays out:

1. Higher integration rate of SMEs (small and medium-sized enterprises)
2. The allocation of $2.5 billion in industrial funds (highest amount ever allowed for this sector)
3. Focusing on “lends on financial sectors” and place an “offset strategy”
4. Reinforcing the upward trend of automotive exports where Morocco is gaining strength
5. Develop new industries within renewable energy, agribusiness and textiles
6. Strengthen the partnership with OCP “Morocco’s biggest company”

As far as changes in Free Trade Agreements, Bouhdoud reiterates that the FTA signed in 2006 with the US is still in effect and has “high potential”. He supports a closer look at the FTA and taking advantage of Morocco’s geographical position which places the Kingdom at just 9 ship days from Tanger-Med to USA.

Another asset to Morocco is its knowledge on dealing with Africa, which eases trust of foreign investors. He declares Africa, “the part of the world where you have the highest return rate on your investments”. Bouhdoud also mentions China’s interest in Moroccan investments.

Miranda Atty touches on rebasing Morocco’s GDP and he says that the priority is placed in “creating added value” than into rebasing, at the moment.

Finishing up, the Minister Delegate discusses how Morocco is changing their vision to integrate the economy by giving “specific and special attention” to the growth of SMEs. Creating “a link between the big enterprises and SMEs” to further technical knowledge and boost job creation.

[video id="9XcsPdfjgtc" type="youtube"]

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Rabat - French journalist Eric Laurent reportedly tried to blackmail King Mohammed VI of Morocco.

French authorities on Thursday arrested 68-year-old Eric Laurent who attempted to extort King Mohammed VI of Morocco by threatening to publish a new book about the monarch, unless he was paid a whopping three million Euros to remain silent.

Laurent, a former reporter of Radio France and the writer of many books about Morocco and its rulers, reportedly contacted the office of King Mohammed VI to ask for a meeting regarding a book about the Moroccan sovereign that is due to hit the bookshop shelves.

According to French media reports, a first meeting took place on August 11 between Eric Laurent and Eric Dupond-Moretti, a French lawyer hired by Morocco. During the meting, the French journalist solicited the massive amount of money for not publishing his latest book about the Moroccan monarch.

Following the second meeting, Moroccan authorities lodged a complaint with the Paris prosecutor.

The French journalist had a second meeting with the Moroccan lawyer on August 21. During the meeting, which was under police surveillance this time, Laurent repeated his demands for the three million Euros in exchange for not publishing the book. As soon as the proof of blackmail was established, the Paris Public Prosecutor's department appointed three judges to open a criminal investigation into the case.

A third meeting took place on August 27. This time around, Laurent agreed to lower his demand to two million Euros transaction and 80,000 Euros in advance in exchange for waiving his 'right' to write the book.

According to RTL, Eric Laurent was later arrested at a restaurant in the French capital, accompanied, by his co-author, Catherine Graciet, who was also working on the book.

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Rabat - Eight of the best young Moroccan artists are participating in an artistic program in the United States co-organized by the Moroccan-American Commission for Educational and Cultural Exchange (MACECE) and the U.S. Embassy in Rabat.

The program aims to teach the Moroccan artists about U.S. culture and contemporary art through the experience of American artists and their major role in the development of society.

The Moroccan artists will also seize the opportunity to unleash their skills and show the American art specialists the potential of Moroccan art. They will also visit Washington, DC, Los Angeles, Chicago, and New York.

The program includes eight creative artists: Marouane Sitti, Mohcine Ennou, Abderrahmane Doukkaneand, Amine Slimani, and plastic designers Fahd Bouksimi, Yasmina Ouahid, Rachid Ouhnni, and the painter Asmae Bennani.

They were selected after a competition co-organized by MACECE and the US Embassy under the theme “I Have A Dream”.

The artists’ photographs were taken in front of the US Capitol Building,  and Smithsonian Institution of American Art, and the National Portrait Gallery.

Pictures credit: US Embassy Rabat

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Rabat - After abandoning the NFA-1 well located in Lalla Mimouna earlier this month, Irish energy company Circle Oil announced on Wednesday that it has plugged and abandoned the Ksiri South (KSS-A) exploration well on the Sebou permit in Morocco.

In a press release, the Limerick-based company said the KSS-A well encountered unexpected rock composition, and as a result was plugged and abandoned in order to allow time for a new well design to be engineered.

The technical data from the well is being assessed to determine further drilling in this area at a later date, the company said.

The rig will now be mobilized to drill the Ksiri West (KSR-A) exploration well in the Sebou permit in the Rharb Basin.

“Although we are disappointed to have not reached the prognosed TD of KSS-A, we have minimized any cost implications by quickly moving on to the next well in the campaign,” said Chief executive officer Mitch Flegg.

Circle Oil’s shares were trading lower on Wednesday following the news that the company is abandoning the KSS-A well onshore in Morocco.  Shares in the company were down 7 percent in early trading.

This is the second well that Circle Oil has abandoned in the past month month after the NFA-1 well located on the Lalla Mimouna permit onshore Morocco which was abandoned on August 3.

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Miami - Orlando, Florida is one of the top traveler destinations in the world welcoming hundreds of thousands of tourists from all cultures and religions. Most travelers arrive by air at the Orlando International Airport (MCO).

As of September 1^st, Dubai-based Emirates Airlines will be flying daily in and out of MCO on Airside 4. The affluence of passengers from the Middle East is expected to increase accordingly which has created a larger need for traveler prayer areas. According to several local reports in Orlando, MCO has spent $250,000 to build another prayer area named Reflection Room.

This Reflection Room will welcome travelers and airport employees of all religions to practice their faith in a quiet area. MCO has had a non-denominational chapel on the other side of the airport past security checkpoints (Airside B), since the 1980s.

On a statement to the Orlando Sentinel, MCO Director Phil Brown wrote, “Orlando is truly becoming a global community, and we want to be able to accommodate and provide high-quality amenities for all our passengers”.

According to Shayan Modarres, a Muslim and Orlando civil-rights attorney, the Reflection Room will have an “ablution area, carry-on-luggage bins and shoe racks, as well as directional signs” where Muslims can pray and face east in the direction of the Mecca.

Before this Reflection Room, Muslims have had to pass security checkpoint on the B side to do their prayers, or settle to pray in public areas and even inside restrooms. Orlando Aviation is planning another prayer room before passing security checkpoints to accommodate families and guests of those not traveling as well.

This will be an interfaith Reflection Room where everyone is welcome, Imam Muhammad Musri, President of the Islamic Society of Central Florida says, “Travel involves anxiety. People are anxious when they fly. They like to have space where they can relax and pray”.

The Reflection Room is scheduled to open on September 1^st.

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Casablanca - The Pretty Little Liars (PLL) star, Shay Mitchell was left fascinated of what Marrakech had to offer during her short stay in Morocco.

Shay Mitchell, born Shannon Ashley Mitchell (28), is a Canadian actress and model. She is best known for her role as Emily Fields in the successful American mystery television series called “Pretty Little Liars”. Before her fame, Shay’s first job was at a Canadian clothing store.

In the video below, Shay Mitchell learnt to cook 3 varieties of traditional Moroccan Tajines. With the help of professional Moroccan cooks preparing and cooking tajines became an enjoyable and easy effort.

In addition, during her vacation in Morocco, Shay made Moroccan tea with its main traditional ingredients: fresh herbs and sugar.

In the beginning of May, Shay Mitchell started her journey in Marrakech, also known as Morocco’s “red city”. The young actress kept her fans updated with pictures and videos through social media in which she revealed Marrakech’s beauty at its finest. In her YouTube channel, Shay shared her insights of Morocco’s culture and traditions by thoroughly explaining each aspect to her followers and fans.

Shay loves to travel and explore new countries and cultures on a regular basis. From Thailand to Morocco, and France to Bali, the Canadian, it is certain that Shay is full of wanderlust.

Not only did the talented PLL star pose with snakes in Jemaa el-Fnaa, but she also profited from numerous activities, such as: learning how to cook a real Moroccan tajine, meeting locals, belly dancing, visiting the medina and much more. Amazed by the local souk, Shay Mitchell spent the majority of her time shopping with her crew.

In her Morocco Shaycation series that can be found on her YouTube channel (or at the end of this report), she created two vlogs of her daily discoveries in Marrakech. Enjoy!

Part 1: Shay Mitchell explores Marrakech

Part 2: Shay Mitchell mingles with the locals

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Miami - On Thursday, French authorities arrested former French journalists, Eric Laurent and Catherine Graciet under charges of attempted blackmail against Moroccan King Mohammed VI.

Laurent and Graciet have reportedly written a book about the King named and were demanding 3 million Euros in exchange for not publishing it.

In an interview with French TV channel LCI, King Mohammed VI’s French lawyer, Eric Dupont-Moretti, explains the charges and what the future could look like for these two journalists who have extorted a King in power. The journalists remain in custody at the BRDP Anti-Crime Unit in Paris (Brigade de Répression de la Délinquance contre la Personne).

Dupont-Moretti talked in detail about the alleged book. “We know there is no sensational fact in it. There’s absolutely nothing to say”.

Laurent had previously written a book praising King Hassan II, now he writes another one supposedly bashing King Mohammed VI. “All this is extremely disturbing. The Kingdom of Morocco has no choice but to react to this type of process. It is the first time in history that a journalist blackmails an executive in office”, declared Dupont-Moretti.

The French lawyer also questioned Laurent and Graciet’s motives. What is their true agenda? Are they being manipulated by a group? But more importantly, Dupont-Moretti brings up “terrorism” as a possible ulterior motive. He claims, “The geopolitical consequences of this type of scam are considerable”.

While pointing out that he does not know if the French Minister of Justice has been fully informed of the case nor what the judges will decide, the King’s lawyer stresses that “there is sufficient evidence in the investigation to confidently have [them] face trial at the earliest; they are filmed, registered and signed”.

These journalists could face France’s penal code, where extortion is penalized with up to 7 years in jail and a 100,000 Euro fine. Charges for blackmailing are also punished with up to 5 years in jail and a 75,000 Euro fine.

Dupont-Moretti said that King Mohammed VI has placed his trust in the French justice to properly handle this incident.

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Rabat - French President François Hollande will travel to Morocco on an official two-day state visit to King Mohammed VI in September 19-20, according to media reports.

The two heads of states are expected to meet in the northern city of Tangier.

During the visit, François Hollande will also decorate Morocco’s head of the Domestic Intelligence Agency (DST) and National Directorate for National Security (DGNS), Abdellatif Hammouchi, with the Insignia of Chevalier of the Legion of Honor.

This is the second visit of François Hollande to Morocco after his first visit in April 2013. During that visit, Hollande met with King Mohammed VI and Head of government Abdelilah Benkirane. The French President also addressed the Moroccan Parliament.

Holland's second visit to Morocco comes after a year-long diplomatic spat that came to an end following a February meeting between Hollande and King Mohammed VI. At their meeting they signed an agreement to reestablish legal and judicial cooperation.

The spat was triggered after French police went to the Moroccan embassy in Paris seeking to question the head of domestic intelligence over torture allegations.

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Rabat - Dr. Kaoutar El Maghraoui, a research scientist at the IBM T.J. Watson Research Center in New York, devotes herself to improving the status of women in technology in the USA and the Middle East.  Dr. El Maghraoui is currently serving as co-chair for both the Grace Hopper Celebration of Women in Computing and the Arab Women in Computing (ArabWIC), an Anita Borg Institute Systers’ (sic) community.

Profiled recently on the Anita Borg Institute website, the Moroccan native expressed her passion for supporting the participation of women in computing fields and her point of view regarding the position of women and technology in the world.  She sees a vast potential for women in technology in the Arab world. “ArabWIC is a dynamic community that was founded by Professor Sana Odeh of New York University with the goals of supporting, inspiring, retaining and encouraging collaboration among Arab women in computing,” she explained.  It is a matter of great pride for a woman in the Arab world to take part in the computing field, she notes, adding that membership of women in technological disciplines will help achieve gender equality in the world.

Dr. El Maghraoui went on to point out that there is a misconception about the sciences in America, with media all too often supporting the notion that science is only for boys.  “If you look at children’s programming, you rarely see girl characters who are into computers, but rather they are into singing, dancing and fashion. The culture doesn’t encourage girls to pursue engineering.” In order to change this mindset, Dr. El Maghraoui mentors eighth graders from area schools to expose them to various technologies like LEGO robotics, programming and web design. “I want to excite young girls about the fields of computing through applications for computer science like robots built to clean hospitals and deliver medicine based on programming concepts,” she expressed.

She is also keen to spread the excitement of women’s participation in science disciplines across the world. “It’s amazing to see the female-led startup companies and innovative technologies being developed in countries like Palestine and Libya,” she said. “These are women who may not have electricity, but they’re still organizing vocal communities for women in tech. They’re empowered, not discouraged, by their environment and the difficult conditions they live in.”

Dr. El Maghraoui obtained a PhD degree in Computer Science in 2007 from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI), Troy, New York, and a Master’s degree in Computer Networks in 2001 from Al Akhawayn University, Morocco. She has been the recipient of many awards, including the Robert McNaughton Award for best thesis in computer science at RPI and IBM’s Eminence and Excellence award for leadership in increasing women’s presence in science and technology.

Edited by Esther Bedik

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Rabat - A Moroccan man living in Spain was arrested earlier this week on suspicion he recruited militants in Morocco to join the so-called Islamic State.

Abdeladim Achriaa, who has a Spanish residence permit, was detained on Tuesday in a small town 30 km to the south of the capital Madrid.

He is accused of coordinating a network of the so-called Islamic State supporters in several Moroccan cities who recruited militants to fight in Iraq and Syria.

Achriaa, also known as "salami Jihadi" on Facebook, was arrested as part of a joint-Moroccan Spanish police operation. Thirteen others were also arrested in several Moroccan cities, including Fez, Casablanca, Nador, Al Hoceima and Driouch.

According to Judge Juan Pablo Gonzalez from Spain's High Court, the members of the group intended to emigrate to join Islamic State themselves.

He also said that Achriaa's partner, Hafsa Azaoum, is the daughter of one of the other suspects arrested in Morocco and five of her brothers have travelled to Syria to fight for the Islamic State.

This operation comes one week after a Moroccan man was arrested in France after allegedly opening fire onboard a high-speed train destined to Paris from Amsterdam.

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Rabat - Famous Moroccan singer Hatim Idar has revealed he is batting cancer, the disease that claimed the life of his father.

Hatim Idar confirmed the news to his fans last weekend during his recent concert in Agadir, saying he is “undergoing treatment’” for the disease.

Hatim Idar hasn’t given an official statement regarding his health situation. However, multiple media reports said the Moroccan star is suffering from a tumor in his hand.

Hatim Idar, whose father had died of cancer, was shocked by the terrible news and is going through a difficult time, according to his sister and manger Hanan Idar.

On Thursday, Hanan Idar said her brother did make an official statement to media because he is still in shock and needs time to come to terms with his disease.

He singer is now reportedly receiving treatment at Lalla Salma Hospital for Cancers in Casablanca.

Prince Moulay Ismail, the cousin of King Mohammed VI, decided to cover all the treatment expenses once he received notice of Idar’s illness.

On Wednesday, Hatim Idar took to his official page in order to thank Moulay Ismail, whom he described as ‘the prince of humanity.’

“Thank you Prince of Humanity for everything. I promise to be stronger than the disease and beat it Inshaalah (God willing),” Hatim Idar wrote on his page.

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Rabat - King Mohammed VI’s French lawyer, Eric Dupont-Moretti has revealed that former French journalists, Eric Laurent and Catherine Graciet could face a minimum of five years in jail for their attempt to blackmail King Mohammed VI of Morocco.

Eric Dupont-Moretti communicated with Moroccan media for the first time regarding this case and informed Media24 that punishment for blackmailing is the lesser of the charges the arrested journalists may face. He added that blackmailing is penalized with up to 5 years in jail and a 75,000 Euro fine.

Meanwhile, King Mohammed VI’s French lawyer pointed out that current investigations are seeking clues to uncover the true motives of these journalists. “We are searching for the background of this incident. We may find other things we can use to press other charges against them.”

Dupont-Moretti also noted that he has appealed to the French justice to press charges for organized crime against Eric Laurent and Catherine Graciet.

The French lawyer suspects foul play in Laurent and Graciet’s motives. He believes there is more to this crime than what is known so far. Who are the real beneficiaries? Is there a mastermind behind it? He has expressed money is unlikely to be their only motive.

In a previous interview with French TV channel LCI, Dupont-Moretti said the French journalists might have been manipulated by a group. He also brought “terrorism” as a possible ulterior motive.

“The geopolitical consequences of this type of scam are considerable,” he claimed.

King Mohammed VI’s lawyer confirmed that Eric Laurent and Catherine Graciet remain in custody at the BRDP Anti-Crime Unit in Paris (Brigade de Répression de la Délinquancecontre la Personne).

At last, he informed the media that more information will be disclosed regarding the future of the arrested journalists as investigations are still searching. The case will be clearer on Saturday afternoon, and Laurent and Graciet will stay in custody another 48 hours.

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Rabat - Hundreds of ghost employees, who are recorded on the payroll system of the General Directorate for National Security (DGSN), were told to either work or leave the police force during an anti-ghost operation led by DGSN head Abdelatif Hammouchi.

According to media reports, Hammouchi took the decision against 300 ghost employees who are on the payroll list of the DGNS in the capital Rabat.

Many ghost employees, especially in the archives service of the police department in Rabat, have not been performing their duties and receiving salaries.

The DGNS head has reportedly directed employees to perform their duties, or otherwise the violators would be dismissed from their posts.

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Rabat - Morocco has reportedly expelled a TV crew working for French channel TF1 for shooting an interview with the brother of Ayoub El Khazzani, the Moroccan who opened fire onboard a high-speed train bound for Paris on August 21st.

On Friday, Moroccan authorities ordered the TF1 crew to leave Moroccan territory due to lack of permits.

A report by Alyamou24 said the French journalists‘ cameras were confiscated at Tangier’s Ibn Battouta International Airport for lacking the required shooting permits.

However, the crew defied Moroccan authorities, managed to buy new cameras in Tangier and taped an interview with Imran El Khazzani, brother of the Thalys train attacker.

The expulsion came in late given that TF1 aired the interview with Imran El Khazzani on Thursday night. The TF1 crew drove to Tetouan, 44.36 km (27.57 miles) away from Tangier to meet with Imran.

During the interview, Imran told TF1 it is "impossible" that his younger brother Ayoub El Khazzani intended to kill others. "His education, his behavior with Christians and Muslims in general absolutely do not indicate that he is a terrorist," he declared.

On the other hand, Imran admitted that his brother can be unpredictable and violent.“My brother is a nervous man. If he has doubts that you will hurt him, he'll kill you before you kill him," Imran concluded.

Imran and Ayoub were born and raised in Tetouan, Morocco. Their neighbors told TF1 that they cannot accept Ayoubisa terrorist.

"We do not believe this story," a neighbor said. Another one argued that it is impossible Ayoub was involved in selling or buying drugs.

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Rabat - An Australian bar has come under fire on social media for using naked women as human fruit platters.

Cruise Bar, in Circular Quay, Sydney, decided to hire semi-naked women to lie on tables while draped in fruit for a tropical-themed relaunch party on Wednesday.

The models were wearing skin-coloured underpants and their bodies adorned in fruit.

Here are the flicks from the #CruiseBar launch last night with a nude ladies draped in food.... ????????????????????????????????????????????????#NOPE pic.twitter.com/Zw9dEomNoX

— Dan and Maz (@DanAndMaz) 26 Août 2015

Women as edible props? We're not OK with this http://t.co/nfY913NR87 #CruiseBar @CruiseBarSydney pic.twitter.com/0jH5NX4b2q

— The Fashion Spot AU (@TFSAustralia) 26 Août 2015

On their Facebook account, the bar, in the Sydney Overseas Passenger Terminal, wrote: "Amazing night to officially launch to the public. More pics to come tomorrow!"  

The bar has been heavily criticized for objectifying women, with many people calling the display "unacceptable".  

This is the display tonight at the Sydney Overseas Passenger Terminal Cruise Bar - unacceptable. #destroythejoint pic.twitter.com/aasWBgSQO2 — Melanie James (@melanie_james) 26 Août 2015

@JointDestroyer@EverydaySexism No. Just no. Can we please just be treated like human beings for a change?

— Coralie Alison (@CoralieAlison) 26 Août 2015

Melinda Tankard-Reist, co-founder of Collective Shout, a movement against the objectification of women in the media told Daily Mail Australia: "I hope people decide to boycott Cruise Bar en masse for treating women like trays. It is part of the ongoing objectification of women to use them as serving trays and just part of the buffet."

"Someone has to tell this company it’s the 21st century and this is not appropriate. I hope they’re punished," she added.

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Fez - The problems of oil company SAMIR seem endless. Following a scandal over unpaid taxes, now a high-ranking Moroccan official has accused the CEO of the company, Saudi billionaire Mohamed Houssein El Amoudi, of smuggling fuel outside the country without paying taxes to the Moroccan state.

Acording to Moroccan news website Hespress, the official, who asked not to be named, claimed that SAMIR smuggles one billion tons of fuel annually without transferring the hard currency to Morocco. The Moroccan official has raised the question of what happens to the money raised by the sale of this fuel.

"SAMIR’s accounts are not transparent, and we have noticed a lot of excesses," he said. "The export of this fuel is highly irresponsible."

SAMIR did not comment on the allegations despite attempts by Hespress to contact the company.

Abdelkader Aamara, the Moroccan Minister of Energy, Mining, Water and the Environment said last week that the Ministers of Interior, Budget and Mines had reminded El Amoudi of the illegal practices which led to the company’s financial crisis, referring to the fact that Amoudi had been asked to pay all SAMIR’s outstanding debts to the Moroccan state. .

El Amoudi has so far taken no steps to solve the financial crisis afflicting the refinery. He has shown no willingness to pay taxes owed by the company on fuel consumption and VAT, which exceed MAD13 billion, in addition to MAD 24 billion in outstanding loan repayments.

Jamal Ba-Amer, General Manager of the company, stopped production without warning at the refinery, putting Moroccan fuel supplies in jeopardy and forcing the Moroccan government to act to secure sufficient fuel storage for the country.

Edited by Faith Barker

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