Latest news with #Ghali
Ya Biladi
5 days ago
- Politics
- Ya Biladi
Marseille : A politician close to President Tebboune organizes a trip for children from Tindouf
The «Holidays in Peace» initiative recently made a significant stop in Marseille, where Sahrawi children from the Tindouf camps were warmly received by Samia Ghali, a French-Algerian official who has served as the city's deputy mayor since 2020. «Staying true to its values, Marseille is hosting eight Sahrawi refugees this summer. This visit provides them with an opportunity to engage with local youth and explore the city, along with its greatest treasure: the sea. The connections we forge with these young refugees enhance the friendship between the Mediterranean peoples», Ghali expressed in a heartfelt welcome message shared on social media. As the organizer of this visit, Samia Ghali is recognized for her pro-Algerian views. In May 2024, she traveled to Algiers for a notable meeting with President Abdelmadjid Tebboune, attended by the French ambassador to Algeria, Stéphane Romatet. Following this encounter at the Al Mouradia Palace, she joined the support committee for the electoral campaign of the «independent candidate» Tebboune in France, ahead of the presidential elections scheduled for September 7, 2023.
Shafaq News
25-06-2025
- Business
- Shafaq News
Historic harvest: Karbala wheat yield tops 305,000 tons
Shafaq News/ An unprecedented wheat yield of over 305,000 tons, as Karbala's Directorate of Agriculture announced on Tuesday the completion of harvesting and marketing for the 2024–2025 agricultural season. 'The output this season is the highest in Karbala's history,' Agriculture Directorate spokesperson Baher Ghali told Shafaq News Agency, adding, 'Previously, production did not exceed 3,000 tons before the agricultural system was restructured.' Ghali noted a significant increase in productivity, particularly in areas cultivated with center pivot irrigation systems, with more than 3,000 pivots operating across the province. Wheat was cultivated across 365,000 dunams, mainly in desert areas developed using artesian wells and modern irrigation methods, including center pivot and mobile fixed sprinklers. According to Ghali, the quantity of wheat delivered to the state-run Grain Trading Company in Karbala reached 305,000 tons. The marketed wheat was sold at 850,000 Iraqi dinars per ton for crops irrigated via center pivots, and 800,000 dinars per ton for traditionally irrigated crops. The achievement, he said, was made possible by farmers' efforts and support from the Ministry of Agriculture, which distributed over 700 modern sprinklers as part of its plan to boost the use of modern techniques and expand farming into open desert areas to increase national output.
CNBC
13-06-2025
- Business
- CNBC
Where oil prices may go next, based on a history of Middle East conflicts
The spike in oil prices may soon stall and reverse course if the Israel-Iran conflict does not widen, according to historical data examined by TD Securities. Daniel Ghali, a senior commodity strategist at the firm, said in a note to clients that the initial moves in oil markets already put this week's developments on par with the average comparable event since the 1980s. "Historically, geopolitical risks typically faded within one month, and completely evaporated within six months, in line with subsequent macroeconomic headwinds and deployment of spare capacity. Expanded wars (incl. involving USA) have a more significant impact," Ghali said. In 14 similar events since 1948 identified by TD, it took an average of 2.36 months for oil prices to peak, with an average increase of 17%. However, that includes a 135% spike around the Yom Kippur War in 1973. Focusing only on events after 1980 shows a smaller average advance for oil prices. By comparison, West Texas Intermediate crude oil futures rose more than 8% on Friday. Prices have risen by more than 20% in all of June thus far, and some of the run-up before the conflict could be due in part to traders anticipating rising tensions. What happens over the weekend could play a big role in whether the spike in oil continues. Oil prices moved higher intraday Friday after Iran launched retaliatory missiles toward Israel. In particular, traders will be looking to see if oil infrastructure such as production platforms, pipelines or refineries are damaged in any back-and-forth exchanges between the two nations. Most Wall Street commentary from major investment banks pointed toward a narrow conflict and a short, limited move in oil prices. One outlier was Piper Sandler's global energy strategist Jan Stuart, who said in a note to clients, "we would not fade any oil price rally; this is war." Another variable to consider is the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries, or OPEC. A change in production from this group could offset or exacercebate the price impact of an Israel-Iran conflict. "Iranian crude grades may be replaced by Middle Eastern grades, but given regional politics, OPEC nations may hesitate to capitalize on weaker Iranian exports by ramping up the speed at which voluntary production cuts are unwound," Ghali said. — CNBC's Michael Bloom contributed reporting.
Morocco World
13-06-2025
- Politics
- Morocco World
International Calls to Label Polisario as Terrorists Intensify Amid Scrutiny of Separatists' Violent Past
Rabat – International appeals are mounting to confront Polisario's violent past and ongoing threats to regional stability. Igacio Ortiz published a new opinion piece on June 10 in La Provincia, in which he recalled Polisario's terrorist attacks against workers from Fos Bucraa, fishermen from the Canary Islands, and civilians from the Basque Country, among others. The author cited well-documented attacks reported by the Canary Association of Victims of Terrorism, also known as ACAVITE, noting that similar crimes reveal 'glaring historical evidence of terrorism' that the US cannot overlook. Violent past against Spanish workers ACAVITE has long been filing complaints against Polisario, calling for justice due to the separatist group's involvement in assassinating 300 people, mostly businessmen and fishermen. It also advocated for victims who were injured, tortured, or kidnapped by Polisario's militia between 1970 and 1980. Spain has acknowledged the presence of victims of the Polisario Front but failed to hold the Polisario leader responsible. In April 2021, Polisario's leader Brahim Ghali entered Spanish soil under a fake passport and the fake name of Mohamed Ben Battouch to escape judicial cases and complaints against him. He traveled to Spain for hospitalization, a case that sparked political tension with Morocco. It was not until April 2022 that Spain and Morocco opened a new chapter in their relations when Madrid endorsed Morocco's Autonomy Plan as a serious and credible political solution to end the dispute. For the author, similar calls to designate the Polisario as a terrorist group should not be a mere political theater. 'On the contrary, it should be a moral imperative,' the opinion piece reads, recalling Polisario's direct involvement in war crimes and terror attacks against workers from Fos Bucara and fishermen from the Canary Islands and the Basque Country. Notably, the piece zoomed in on Polisario leader Ghali and his direct involvement in terrorist attacks, noting his past included coordinated attacks killing seven Spanish crew members in 1978 in a high-profile crime referred to as the Cruz del Mar incident. Ghali, who was Polisario's Minister of Defense at the time, was also involved in the Mencey de Abona hijacking in 1980, where Captain Domingo Quintana was found strangled with a Polisario flag tied around his body. 'These are just a couple of examples among many, despite the political and media silence, particularly in the Canary Islands,' the author wrote. The piece further stressed that Polisario's crimes are backed by Spanish court documents and extensive press archives, showing that the group has been operating as a terrorist militia for decades. Ortiz also recalled the growing calls from politicians worldwide, urging their countries to label the Polisario Front as a terrorist group. International appeal In April, US Republican Congressman Joe Wilson announced that he would introduce legislation to that effect. 'I will introduce legislation to designate the Polisario as terrorists,' Wilson said, accusing Algeria and Russia of using the separatist front to gain a strategic foothold in Africa. Liam Fox, former Secretary of State for Defense in the UK, also made the same appeal earlier this year, saying: 'Like Hamas and Hezbollah, the Polisario Front is an Iranian proxy organisation. For the sake of our Moroccan allies, Western governments must move quickly to designate this group as a terrorist organisation.' Several research institutions and think tanks made similar appeals, shattering Polisario's self-portrayal as a liberation movement and unmasking its terrorist acts as an armed group that is involved in terrorist attacks, arms smuggling, and the indoctrination of youth. Among these institutions is the Hudson Institute, which recently stated: 'The Polisario Front claims to fight for self-determination in the region. But the organization carries a legacy of destabilization.' A new report from The National Interest made similar remarks in a new publication authored by Ahmed Sahrawi, who recalled the ongoing momentum in favor of Morocco's position in Western Sahara. Notably, the piece recalled the UK's newfound position, endorsing the Moroccan Autonomy Plan as the most serious and credible political framework to end the dispute for the first time in the country's history. Over 113 countries, including Kenya and Ghana, have joined the chorus to emphasize the viability of the autonomy initiative as the sole path to end the Western Sahara dispute, long exploited by the Algerian regime to advance its interests and challenge Morocco's territorial integrity over its southern provinces. La Provincia's new opinion piece recalled all the latest publications that have shed light on Polisario's criminal record, including the Washington Post's latest report quoting European officials who confirmed that Polisario fighters, based in Algeria, received training from Iran's proxy Hezbollah. 'Over the years, Iran has fostered a wide array of proxy groups to advance its interests,' the report said, quoting a regional official and a third European official who said Iran trained fighters from the 'Algeria-based Polisario Front,' who are now detained by Syria's new security forces. It also detailed the threats Polisario has directed at anyone and any country cooperating with Morocco, including Mauritania. 'Mustafa Sayed had already defended terrorism a year earlier, using his typical violent and dangerous rhetoric to incite Sahrawis to carry out terrorist acts against Moroccan interests in Western Sahara,' La Provincia wrote. Concluding the opinion piece, Ortiz said the US administration has an opportunity to declare Polisario a terrorist organization 'not only for its alliances with Iran or Hezbollah, but for its crimes against the citizens of Spain.' Tags: Brahim GhaliPolisario Front
India Today
08-06-2025
- Politics
- India Today
Italians head to polls as citizenship, labour referendums face low turnout
Italians vote over two days starting Sunday on referendums that would make it easier for children born in Italy to foreigners to obtain citizenship, and on providing more job protection. But apparently low public awareness risks rendering the votes invalid if turnout is not high for the change in the citizenship law say it will help second-generation Italians born in the country to non- European Union parents better integrate into a culture they already see as singer Ghali, who was born in Milan to Tunisian parents, urged people to vote in an online post, noting that the referendum risks failure if at least 50% plus one of eligible voters don't turn out. Data from Italy's Interior Ministry published at 1700 GMT showed that national turnout stood at 15.9%, almost half of the 30.3 % registered at the same time of the day in the latest comparable referendum held in 2011. The polling stations close on Monday at 1300 GMT.'I was born here, I always lived here, but I only received citizenship at the age of 18,'' Ghali said, urging a yes vote to reduce the residency requirement from 10 to five new rules, if passed, could affect about 2.5 million foreign nationals who still struggle to be recognised as measures were proposed by Italy's main union and left-wing opposition parties. Premier Giorgia Meloni has said she would show up at the polls but not cast a ballot — an action widely criticised by the left as antidemocratic, since it will not help reach the necessary threshold to make the vote valid.'While some members of her ruling coalition have openly called for abstention, Meloni has opted for a more subtle approach,' said analyst Wolfango Piccoli of the Teneo consultancy based in London. 'It's yet another example of her trademark fence-sitting.''RIGHTS AT STAKESupporters say this reform would bring Italy's citizenship law in line with many other European countries, promoting greater social integration for long-term residents. It would also allow faster access to civil and political rights, such as the right to vote, eligibility for public employment and freedom of movement within the EU.'The real drama is that neither people who will vote 'yes' nor those who intend to vote 'no' or abstain have an idea of what (an) ordeal children born from foreigners have to face in this country to obtain a residence permit,' said Selam Tesfaye, an activist and campaigner with the Milan-based human rights group 'Il Cantiere.'advertisement'Foreigners are also victims of blackmail, as they can't speak up against poor working conditions, exploitation and discrimination, due to the precariousness of the permit of stay,' she and opposition parties also denounced the lack of public debate on the measures, accusing the governing center-right coalition of trying to dampen interest in sensitive issues that directly impact immigrants and May, Italy's AGCOM communications authority lodged a complaint against RAI state television and other broadcasters for a lack of adequate and balanced coverage.'This referendum is really about dignity and the right to belong, which is key for many people who were born here and spent most of their adult life contributing to Italian society. For them, a lack of citizenship is like an invisible wall,' said Michelle Ngonmo, a cultural entrepreneur and advocate for diversity in the fashion industry, who has lived most of her life in Italy after moving as a child from Cameroon.'You are good enough to work and pay taxes, but not to be fully recognised as Italian. This becomes a handicap for young generations, particularly in the creative field, creating frustration, exclusion and a big waste of potential,' she four other referendums aim to roll back labour reforms, making it harder to fire some workers and increase compensation for those laid off by small businesses, reversing a previous law passed by a centre-left government a decade ago. One of the questions on the ballot also addresses the urgent issue of security at work, restoring joint liability to both contractors and subcontractors for workplace EXPECTED TO ABSTAIN FROM VOTINGOpinion polls published in mid-May showed that only 46% of Italians were aware of the issues driving the referendums. Turnout projections were even weaker for a vote scheduled for the first weekend of Italy's school holidays, at around 35% of around 50 million electors, well below the required quorum.'Many believe that the referendum institution should be reviewed in light of the high levels of abstention (that) emerged in recent elections and the turnout threshold should be lowered," said Lorenzo Pregliasco, political analyst and pollster at analysts note, however, that the centre-left opposition could claim a victory even if the referendum fails on condition that the turnout surpasses the 12.3 million voters who backed the winning centre-right coalition in the 2022 general election.
