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Morocco World
18 minutes ago
- General
- Morocco World
Free-Ranging Dogs Management in Morocco: The Feeding Dilemma under Law No. 19.25
Morocco is currently facing intense public debate over Draft Law No. 19.25, a proposed piece of legislation intended to regulate the management of free-ranging animals. The law represents a significant shift toward humane approaches such as TNVR (Trap–Neuter–Vaccinate–Return), yet it also contains provisions that have sparked controversy, especially those prohibiting the feeding, sheltering, or treating of stray animals in public spaces without authorization. Violators face fines of up to 3,000 dirhams. This creates a fundamental question: if TNVR is the official policy, who will feed the animals after they are released back into the streets? Overview of Law No. 19.25 The law aims to establish a legal framework that balances public safety and animal welfare, particularly in response to growing concerns about stray animals, especially dogs, and their risks: disease transmission, traffic accidents, and potential aggression. The law aligns with international standards (OIE/WOAH) and adopts the Five Freedoms, internationally recognized principles for animal welfare, in humane stray animal management programs. It defines 'stray animals' broadly as any animal in public spaces without supervision or ownership. It introduces a digital platform to: Report stray animals, Register pets with unique identification, Manage updates (loss, health changes, death), Track recovery procedures when animals are brought to It mandates the creation of dedicated animal care centers, overseen by veterinarians, to: Capture, care for, sterilize, vaccinate, and release stray animals, Accept abandoned pets, Offer adoption or handover options, Restrict euthanasia strictly to cases where animals pose a proven risk or have incurable It encourages partnerships between local governments and registered animal-welfare associations, under strict criteria and formal agreements. Private entities may also run care centers under five-year authorizations, subject to oversight and revocation processes. It strictly prohibits individuals from feeding, sheltering, or treating stray animals in public spaces unless through authorized channels; violators face fines of up to 3,000 dirhams. Other penalties include: 2 months to 6 months imprisonment and up to 20,000 dirhams for animal Fines up to 500,000 dirhams for unlicensed care centers, and up to 100,000 dirhams for centers operating without veterinary supervision or failing to maintain updated data. 5,000 to 10,000 dirhams for owners who fail to register their pets or keep health records The law will take effect upon publication in the Official Bulletin ('Bulletin Officiel'). However, provisions requiring detailed regulations (e.g., setting up centers, data platform specifics) will only come into force once the corresponding decrees are issued. The Ecology and Origins of Free-Ranging Dogs A free-ranging dog, commonly called a 'stray dog', is a dog that is not confined to a yard or house. It includes village dogs, stray dogs, feral dogs, etc., and may be owned or unowned. Free-ranging dogs often called 'wild dogs' in everyday conversation, are in reality domestic dogs ( Canis lupus familiaris ) that have lost regular human care and now roam freely. These animals descend from once-owned pets but have adapted to life without a specific owner. Unlike truly wild canids such as wolves or jackals, they remain heavily dependent on human environments for survival, even if indirectly. They inhabit both urban and rural areas, often scavenging through rubbish, loitering near markets, or receiving scraps from sympathetic residents. Empty lots, souks, abandoned buildings, roadside ditches, and shaded alleyways can serve as makeshift shelters. Their daily patterns often mirror human routines: early mornings and late evenings see more movement when streets are quieter, while midday might be spent resting in shaded areas. They are opportunistic omnivores, feeding on household refuse, slaughterhouse waste, animal carcasses, and food intentionally provided by humans. This scavenging lifestyle means their distribution is closely tied to human density, waste management practices, and cultural attitudes toward dogs. Socially, they may form loose groups or packs, but these groupings are often fluid, centered around food sources rather than strong cooperative hunting strategies like wolves. Their reproduction is seasonal in some climates, and because few are sterilized, population growth can be rapid. From a public health perspective, their close association with humans and livestock facilitates the spread of zoonoses. Poor waste management and lack of sterilization programs often exacerbate the problem. The ecology of free-ranging dogs makes management challenging. Culling has historically been used but is often ineffective because it doesn't address the root causes of population growth (uncontrolled breeding and food availability). Humane strategies like TNVR (Trap–Neuter– Vaccinate–Return) are increasingly promoted, particularly when paired with community education, responsible pet ownership, and better waste control. The TNVR Approach and Its Implications TNVR is designed as a humane and scientifically supported method to stabilize and reduce stray animal populations. It involves capturing free-ranging dogs, sterilizing them, vaccinating them, particularly against rabies, identifying them with visible tags, and returning them to their original territories. The approach relies on the principle that a stable, non-breeding population will naturally decline over time. However, for TNVR to succeed, returned dogs must have access to food and water. Without a steady food source, they may roam beyond their territories in search of sustenance, increasing the risk of road accidents, disease spread, or conflict with people and other animals. Feeding is, therefore, not an optional kindness, it is an operational necessity. Public Health Considerations: Key Zoonoses Impacting Morocco Free-ranging dogs are carriers of several serious diseases that can spread to humans, posing significant public health challenges. Among the most important zoonoses transmitted by these animals are rabies, a deadly viral infection; leishmaniasis, a parasitic disease causing severe skin ulcers and potentially fatal internal illness; echinococcosis, which leads to dangerous cysts forming in vital organs; and leptospirosis, a bacterial disease that can cause kidney and liver damage. Unlike domestic dogs, stray populations often lack vaccination and veterinary care, allowing these diseases to persist and spread unchecked. Addressing the risks posed by stray dogs is essential to safeguarding community health across Morocco. Rabies Rabies is a fatal viral disease that affects the central nervous system of mammals, including humans. It is primarily transmitted through the bite of an infected animal. Once symptoms appear in a human, the disease is almost always fatal. The initial symptoms of rabies in humans may include fever, headache, and general weakness or discomfort. As the virus progresses, more specific symptoms appear, such as anxiety, confusion, agitation, hallucinations, hydrophobia (fear of water), difficulty swallowing, paralysis, and ultimately coma and death. In dogs, rabies may manifest as sudden behavioral changes, restlessness, aggression, excessive salivation, difficulty swallowing, paralysis of the hind limbs or jaw, and sudden death. Dogs are the primary source of human rabies deaths, contributing to 99% of all rabies transmissions to humans. This underscores the critical importance of widespread canine vaccination and responsible management of dog populations. Leishmaniasis Morocco is endemic for several forms of leishmaniasis, including cutaneous leishmaniasis caused by Leishmania major , L. tropica , and L. infantum , as well as the more severe visceral leishmaniasis, predominantly linked to L. infantum . Cutaneous leishmaniasis is widespread in provinces such as Errachidia, Tata, and Azilal, while visceral leishmaniasis occurs more frequently in the northern regions, including Taounate, Al Hoceima, and Sidi Kacem. Free-ranging dogs pose a particular public health concern, as they act as uncontrolled reservoirs for L. infantum . Often carrying the parasite without showing symptoms, these dogs can move freely across large areas, increasing the likelihood of contact with sandfly vectors and nearby human communities. Unlike owned dogs, which can benefit from vaccination, treatment, or protection via insecticide collars, stray dogs cannot be easily monitored or managed. This makes them a persistent and influential factor in sustaining and amplifying the transmission cycle of zoonotic leishmaniasis, which is a silent but persistent threat in Morocco. Hydatidosis Hydatidosis, also known as echinococcosis, is a parasitic disease caused by the larval stage of the Echinococcus tapeworm. Dogs serve as the definitive hosts, harboring adult tapeworms in their intestines and excreting the eggs in their feces. Humans become accidental intermediate hosts when they ingest these microscopic eggs through contact with contaminated food, water, or surfaces, or by handling infected dogs. Once inside the human body, the eggs hatch and form fluid-filled cysts, primarily in the liver and lungs, though they may also affect the brain, bones, or other organs. Symptoms in humans depend on the size and location of the cysts, and may take months or years to appear. They can include abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, chronic cough, chest pain, and in severe cases, anaphylactic shock if a cyst ruptures. In dogs, there are usually no outward signs of infection, which makes them silent but effective vectors of the disease. The cycle of transmission is often sustained in areas where dogs are fed raw offal from livestock. Leptospirosis Leptospirosis is a widespread bacterial zoonosis caused by Leptospira species, affecting both humans and animals. Among stray dogs, the disease is facilitated by their outdoor lifestyle, frequent exposure to contaminated water or soil, and the lack of vaccination. These dogs often roam in environments where they come into contact with wild rodents, a primary reservoir for Leptospira , and may also scavenge in areas with stagnant or flood-prone water conditions that favor bacterial survival. Transmission to humans typically occurs through direct contact with the urine of infected animals or indirectly via contaminated water, soil, or food. In Morocco, the risk is particularly heightened in urban and peri-urban settings where stray dogs and people share common spaces, especially markets, waste disposal areas, and riverbanks. Human leptospirosis can range from a mild, flu-like illness to severe, life-threatening conditions, characterized by jaundice, kidney failure, and hemorrhaging. The lack of monitoring and preventive measures for stray dogs not only sustains the bacterial reservoir but also creates an ongoing public health hazard, especially for vulnerable groups such as children, waste collectors, and agricultural workers. The Cultural and Religious Context of Feeding Animals in Morocco In Morocco, feeding animals in public spaces is not merely an act of charity, it is a deeply ingrained cultural and religious tradition. Moroccans believe food is sacred, and should never be wasted. Leftovers, especially bread, are never thrown away but given to animals. This practice stems from a mix of ecological logic and moral duty, reinforced by Islamic teachings that encourage mercy and compassion toward all living beings. Historically, people have fed street dogs and cats with food scraps, leftover couscous, or discarded meat and fish from Souks. Today, with the spread of dry commercial pet food, some caregivers have shifted to more hygienic feeding methods, but the underlying motivation remains the same: caring for animals is a moral and communal responsibility. For many, criminalizing feeding is not just a legal issue, it is an attack on a core moral value. The Current Role of Volunteers and NGOs For years, Morocco's stray animal population has been supported by volunteers, NGOs, and informal community caretakers. They distribute thousands of kilograms of food annually to street dogs and cats. Without these efforts, many animals would face starvation, especially those neutered and returned under TNVR who can no longer compete aggressively for food. If the law criminalizes these acts without offering an alternative, the survival of these animals will be at risk. The Legal Contradiction Articles 5 and 44 of Draft Law No. 19.25 prohibit feeding, sheltering, or treating stray animals in public spaces without official permission. The intention, according to proponents, is to regulate and professionalize animal care, ensuring that interventions are safe, hygienic, and coordinated. However, this prohibition clashes directly with the TNVR framework. By returning dogs to the streets without providing a structured feeding plan, the law risks: Creating welfare problems for the animals, undermining public trust in humane control measures, forcing compassionate acts underground, beyond any form of coordination or monitoring. Reconciling TNVR with Feeding Restrictions If Morocco wishes to align Law No. 19.25 with both scientific best practice and cultural values, several steps could bridge the gap: Establish authorized community feeding points, managed jointly by municipalities and NGOs Create volunteer caregiver registries allowing approved citizens to continue feeding under hygienic, monitored conditions Launch public awareness campaigns linking TNVR and controlled feeding, Ensure feeding and care are integrated into municipal stray animal management Tags: dogs moroccoStray Animalsstray dogs
Bangkok Post
30-07-2025
- Automotive
- Bangkok Post
Output ticks up for automobiles
Thailand's Manufacturing Production Index (MPI) increased by 0.58% year-on-year to 97.35 points in June, driven by the recovery of the car market, an increase in exports and state stimulus measures, says the Office of Industrial Economics (OIE). However, the MPI fell by 3.47% from May when it was 100.79 points. Car bookings at the 12-day Bangkok International Motor Show, which ended in early April, prompted car manufacturers to increase production to deliver cars to customers, contributing to the higher May MPI. Passakorn Chairat, director-general of the OIE, is upbeat about the MPI in June. "The increase in MPI reflected a positive sign for the manufacturing sector," he said. In June, car production increased by 17% year-on-year, driven by growing demand for hybrid electric vehicles and battery electric vehicles in the domestic and overseas markets. Mr Passakorn said this is a positive for car manufacturers struggling to deal with sluggish sales, caused mainly by buyers' difficulties in accessing auto loans as banks and car financing companies maintain strict lending criteria given the high level of household debt. According to the Bank of Thailand, household debt continues to decline, falling to 87.4% of GDP in the first quarter of 2025, attributed to weaker loan demand from borrowers and stricter lending standards from financial institutions. Household debt was 88.4% of GDP in the previous quarter. Other industries that contributed to the June MPI include electronic products and palm oil. Electronics and printed circuit board manufacturing increased by 6.18% year-on-year because demand rose for semiconductors and integrated circuits in the US market. Palm oil production gained by 9.84% year-on-year, driven by new purchase orders from China, India and Myanmar. Thailand's capacity utilisation rate was 59.6% in June. Officials continue to monitor the impact of the US's reciprocal tariff, household debt levels and the influx of low-cost imports on the Thai market as these incidents can deal a blow to the manufacturing sector, noted the OIE.
Business Wire
24-07-2025
- Politics
- Business Wire
Columbia University in the City of New York: Our Resolution with the Federal Government
NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Columbia University has reached an agreement with the United States Government to resolve multiple federal agency investigations into alleged violations of federal anti-discrimination laws. As part of the resolution, Columbia will pay a $200 million settlement over three years to the federal government. In addition, the University has agreed to settle investigations brought by the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission for $21 million. Importantly, the agreement preserves Columbia's autonomy and authority over faculty hiring, admissions, and academic decision-making. Under today's agreement, a vast majority of the federal grants which were terminated or paused in March 2025—will be reinstated and Columbia's access to billions of dollars in current and future grants will be restored. This includes the reinstatement of the majority of grants previously terminated by the National Institutes of Health and the Department of Health and Human Services, renewal of non-competitive grants, the release of overdue payments on active, non-terminated grants, and Columbia's restored eligibility to apply for new federal research funding in the ordinary course. The portion of funding not restored reflects broader reductions by the government in certain research areas and is not related to the conduct addressed in this agreement. Today's agreement also codifies a set of reforms Columbia announced publicly on , which included enhancements to campus safety, changes to disciplinary processes, and renewed efforts to foster an inclusive and respectful learning environment. While Columbia does not admit to wrongdoing with this resolution agreement, the institution's leaders have recognized, repeatedly, that Jewish students and faculty have experienced painful, unacceptable incidents, and that reform was and is needed. The agreement builds on Columbia's broader commitment to combating antisemitism, reflected most recently in a set of additional institutional actions announced on July 15, 2025, including the incorporation of the IHRA definition of antisemitism into the work of the University's Office of Institutional Equity (OIE), the appointment of Title VI and Title VII coordinators in OIE, and the expansion of university-wide education and training initiatives. The agreement establishes a jointly selected independent monitor who will assess the implementation of the resolution. The University will provide regular reports to the monitor, documenting its adherence to the agreement and its continued compliance with applicable federal laws and regulations pertaining to admissions, hiring, and international students. These provisions reflect Columbia's broader commitment to transparency, institutional accountability, and sustained progress on our commitments. Acting University President Claire Shipman said, 'This agreement marks an important step forward after a period of sustained federal scrutiny and institutional uncertainty. The settlement was carefully crafted to protect the values that define us and allow our essential research partnership with the federal government to get back on track. Importantly, it safeguards our independence, a critical condition for academic excellence and scholarly exploration, work that is vital to the public interest.' 'Today's agreement with the federal government affirms Columbia's unyielding commitment to academic freedom, freedom of expression, and open inquiry. It confirms the changes already underway at Columbia to meaningfully address antisemitism on our campus and allows the University to continue to undertake its transformative research and scholarship,' said Board of Trustees Co-Chairs David Greenwald and Jeh Johnson. 'Columbia's longstanding research partnership with the federal government is vital to advancing our nation's progress in key areas of science, technology, and medicine. We are proud of the role we play in advancing this public service and preparing the next generations of students to meet complex challenges around the world.'
Middle East Eye
11-07-2025
- Politics
- Middle East Eye
Pro-Israel professor Shai Davidai leaves Columbia University after 'mutual agreement'
An assistant professor who was accused of harassing pro-Palestinian students as well as staff at Columbia University has left the institution following a "mutual agreement" he will not return to teaching at the Ivy League school, according to a university official. Shai Davidai, a controversial pro-Israel advocate who taught at Columbia's business school, left the university on 8 July. His campus access had been restricted since October following the 'intimidation' of university employees. 'Assistant Professor of Business Shai Davidai has decided to depart Columbia, effective July 8, 2025,' a Columbia University spokesperson wrote in an email to Middle East Eye, adding: "Assistant Professor Davidai has chosen, by mutual agreement with the University, to not return to teaching at Columbia." 'The University thanks him for his service and wishes him the best in his future endeavors.' Davidai said in a post on X on Friday that he left the university because he did not trust 'the anti-Jewish, anti-Israel, and anti-American hate festering on [Columbia's] campus'. New MEE newsletter: Jerusalem Dispatch Sign up to get the latest insights and analysis on Israel-Palestine, alongside Turkey Unpacked and other MEE newsletters 'I didn't leave Columbia to 'pursue other endeavors', he said. 'I left because I no longer trust its so-called leadership to confront the anti-Jewish, anti-Israel, and anti-American hate festering on campus. During my six years there, I met plenty of well-paid bureaucrats - but not once did I meet a true leader.' Davidai has been a vocal critic of Columbia and other universities for their response to pro-Palestinian protest encampments on US campuses against the war in Gaza, while also being accused of threatening behaviour to students and faculty at the institution. Davidai had been under investigation by Columbia's Office of Institutional Equality (OIE) into allegations of harassment made against him in February 2024. Davidai shared in a post on X on Thursday that Columbia had 'tried to smear' his name and that he 'wouldn't let them', sharing a letter from Laura Kirschstein, vice-provost at OIE, saying: 'On July 8, OIE closed its investigations relating to you without issuing any findings or conclusions of wrongdoing, and without imposing any discipline or penalty on you.' A university official said that any OIE investigations normally terminate when an individual "is no longer employed at the University" and consequently the investigation into Davidai had closed 'without issuing any findings or conclusions of wrongdoing'. Katherine Franke, a former law professor who had taught at Columbia University, shared on Instagram on Thursday a video of her showing a letter from OIE sent to students who had made allegations against Davidai, which said that the 'OIE process has been terminated without any determination', meaning that Davidai had not been absolved of wrongdoing, just that a determination wasn't made before he had left. Columbia University has been criticised for capitulating to the Trump administration's demands over its allegations of antisemitism. Access denied In October, Columbia University issued a statement regarding Davidai's access to the institution being restricted, saying, 'Columbia…does not tolerate threats of intimidation, harassment, or other threatening behaviour by its employees'. The university also said it had "temporarily limited his access to campus while he [Davidai] undertakes appropriate training on our policies governing the behavior of our employees". After he was barred, he took to Instagram to criticise the decision, saying that it was 'because of October 7th [2023]. Because I was not afraid to stand up to the hateful mob. And because I was not afraid to expose Mr fucking Cas Holloway'. Holloway is the chief operating officer at Columbia. That video has since been taken down, but Davidai shared many social media posts harassing Holloway. It was the second time the non-tenured Israeli professor had been barred from the campus in a year. He had also been barred on 22 April for around a month for threatening to do a pro-Israeli sit-in on a pro-Palestinian encampment. Harassment Davidai in April 2024 called pro-Palestine students "the Hitler Youth" on X (his post has subsequently been taken down) and used his social media accounts, where he has over 108,000 followers, to repeatedly call for the US National Guard to be brought into the protest encampment at Columbia. More than 13,000 students signed a petition asking for him to be fired because he used his 'personal social media accounts to target, harass, and bully students, including Palestinian students who have lost family members in Gaza'. As well as students accusing him of harassing them both in person and on social media, critics said he also endangered staff, students and faculty. For example, he called on Secretary of State Marco Rubio on a post on X for Columbia graduate and Palestinian activist Mahmoud Khalil to be deported from the US. This happened two days before he was picked up by Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents dressed in plain clothes. Khalil was subsequently freed on 8 March after 104 days at a detention centre in Jena, Louisiana. In another incident, he tagged former faculty member Mohamed Abdou in posts with the FBI and Homeland Security. Abdou subsequently discovered he was "terminated" from a faculty position while watching on CSPAN, Columbia's antisemitism congressional hearing in April 2024. Abdou said his 'doxxing" and 'termination' was "irreparable'.
Bangkok Post
01-07-2025
- Business
- Bangkok Post
Manufacturing production index up for 2 months in a row y/y
The political risk that threatens to undermine the government should become clearer this month, indicative of whether the manufacturing sector will decelerate after the Manufacturing Production Index (MPI) rose by 1.8% year-on-year in May for a second consecutive month to 100.79 points, says the Office of Industrial Economics (OIE). The Constitutional Court is scheduled to convene on Tuesday to consider a petition submitted by the Senate in a bid to oust Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra over a contentious leaked recording of a phone call with Cambodian Senate president Hun Sen on the Thai-Cambodian territorial dispute. "The political problem has just started. Whether it will escalate or how the government will deal with it to prevent an impact on investment will soon be seen," said Passakorn Chairat, director-general of the OIE. Investment will hardly avoid the impact of growing concern over the government's stability as the premier is losing the trust of the public, Apichit Prasoprat, vice-chairman of the Federation of Thai Industries, said earlier. As of the end of May, the MPI grew steadily, driven by several factors, including car manufacturing, which increased by 12.8% year-on-year, and the value of exports, up by 18.4% cumulatively over an 11-month period. "Car bookings at the Motor Show prompted manufacturers to increase production to deliver cars to customers," said Mr Passakorn. Factories which sell products overseas also increased production to increase exports ahead of US President Donald Trump's reciprocal tariff of 36% on Thai imports, estimated to come into effect around July 8. In May, palm oil production soared by 25% due to more output and purchase orders from India, China and Myanmar. Sugar manufacturing also increased by 21% due to an increase in sugar cane as a result of an uptick in rainfall. Farmers also expanded their plantations because of higher crop prices. Capacity utilitsation stood at 61% in May, up from 56.6% in April. However, local air conditioner production fell by more than 10% year-on-year in May despite strong exports. This was due to a drop in domestic sales amid the rainy season and the import of low-cost air conditioners.
