I Quack & They Feed Me

Everyone knows that water loving friendly bird. some call him batta & others call him duck. but how much credit do we give to these significant aquatic birds?

in morocco, ducks can be found at local parks all over. they mate and nest amongst the parks. they wash in the water, especially as the summer strengths in the sky.

and while they go about their lives here, children find fascination with the ducks. young ones, even babies, find amusement and happiness watching the ducks. curious children follow them as they embark into the water. in old age, ducks accompany the old as they sit through the golden years.

scientists believe that ducks are extremely effective in proper development of social behavior in children. children have a natural tendency to copy what they see. The duck allows a child to observe a friendly creature, that moves fast and observes his surroundings carefully. this helps a child develop awareness of his surroundings.

ducks allow a child to develop motor skills for walking. young children will begin to follow ducks. the slow movement of the ducks allow the child to begin walking towards a goal – that cool yellow bird!

in fact, according to one study done in sacremento, california --children that play in duck parks learn to walk & speak 6-8 months before children that do not interact with ducks.

for old citizens, ducks allow an isolated section of society to interact with a friendly animal. the ducks keep him company and allow him to feel that he can communicate. this also benefits the duck himself with free bread!

Correspondent Mansour al-battadou reports

EPIC Win for Istanbul

after a brutal month of protests between The People of istanbul against the turkish police and supporters of erdogan, over the voice of a once silent community in istanbul, the high court has ruled in favor of the masses! plans for redeveloping taksim square are officially scrapped.

while morsi is under house arrest in egypt. while syria and libya are enduced in civil war. turkish families are able to celebrate tonight. they have successfully made a point that law makers could not avoid.

but what is the next step? Will this proud and loud step by the public lead to further movements against erdogan? we ask to hear from the turkish people and understand their thoughts for the future!

in the meantime, we pray whole-heartedly that the military of egypt complete a successful mission in advancing the will of the people.

Correspondent Ibrahim Abu al-Naggar reports

Vacation Trepidation

Spain. You know, the once powerful Western European country with the failing economy? The administration has a natural talent for making financial gaffs, and they just made a huge one this summer. 

The economy of Spain’s small businesses is heavily based on tourism, especially in the summer when tons of European, American and Mediterranean people are expected to visit the peninsular state.

Unfortunately, Spainish policy makers have decided to limit visas issued this season. Small shop owners are outraged as the beaches are less than half full. They were counting on foreign euros, dollars, and dirhams finding their way into the Spanish system. We spoke with furious Moroccan and American tourists who had saved up hundreds of dollars to spend in Spain. Money that will never pump its way into the struggling shop keeper’s pockets in the failing economy:

“It sucks!” said one individual, who wishes to remain anonymous. Her visa was denied because she failed to show enough liquidity in her bank account. “I’m 18 years old, my trip to Spain is a graduation present from my parents. I am 18, it is their money and gift I wasn’t paying.”

Not only did Spanish policy makers drop the ball here. This upset grad’s father and mother both work, and filed taxes for their household in 2012 for $184,000. 

We tried consulting the Spanish consul, but received no reply. Maybe their visa was denied to the US and are looking for a job in Spain (good luck!)

Correspondent Ibrahim Abu al-Naggar reports

The FED Goes Fishing

After months of historically low interest rates in the United States, the Federal Reserve raised the 10-Year Treasury by 20 basis points 4 weeks ago. After the raise, the Fed observed that the market healthily continued to grow, despite the increase. Which led them, last week, to raise rates by another 20 basis points (after a 5 basis point reduction).

What does this mean? It most likely means that before the end of the year the Federal Reserve will raise rates back up from historical lows to more standard amounts. Which means that if you want to refinance your mortgage, or take out a loan, NOW is the time to do so!

Interest rates are an important fact in the economy and affect everyone. But not more so than real estate. In this economy, a New York entrepreneur can get a mortgage on a million dollar apartment complex at 4% interest. Fixed for 10 years on a 30-year amortization. Which means, for the next 10 years, his payment will be mounted on 4% of the loan appreciated at a compound rate. Compare this to a more standard rate of 6%, like acquired in 2008. 2% compound over 10 years is $17,926.39 (on a $750,000 loan). That’s money for your pocket, if you refinance today instead of waiting until December!

Don’t let the Fed catch the fish you should be eating for dinner




Correspondent Ibrahim Abu al-Naggar reports

The Snowden Snowjob

Whether you support him or are against him, this is certainly still up for debate. Is he the lone traitor or the lone patriot? We are not yet about to delve into this matter. However, Snowden’s allusiveness has shown the diplomatic and international pull the United States has.

Of the 15 countries which Snowden has asked for asylum 13 have said no, INCLUDING Russia and Cuba. The two exceptions are Venezuela and Bolivia, which have said “maybe” towards the issue. However, three diplomatic flexes have unfolded.

After the US has been discovered to be spying on the European Union States, Germany is outraged. Embassies and consuls across the globe have been sweeping for bugs and wires. Ecuador found some, or so they report to British authorities. In comparison, Richard Nixon is a laid back beach goer, compared to Obama’s international paranoia!

The plane of Evo Morales, president of Bolivia, was denied airspace by both France and Portugal, under suspicion that Snowden was aboard his plane. The flight was rerouted and landed in Vienna. Snowden was not on board, but the rumor alone was enough to make the sleeping giant force down his plane.

What happens with Snowden is long off from decided. But it will be up to more than just historians to comment on this one.

Reported by Muammar Hassan

GOODBYE, MR PIG

Morsi was elected person
of the year in time magazine

Today, across the Arab World, we eagerly await the ultimatum set by the Egyptian military for our brothers (and sisters) protesting the Morsi Dictatorship. Record Breaking numbers of individuals have come to Tahrir Square to continue unfinished work: Democracy.

In 2012, Mohamed Morsi came to power after a fair election in Egypt. He was appointed by a majority to a 4 year term. However, as soon as he was elected, Mohamed Morsi betrayed many who voted for him. He quickly shifted from an administration of ideas to a regime of one man’s idea.

The people returned 4 days ago, in numbers even larger than when Mubarak was in power, demanding Morsi answer for his betrayal of the spirit of Tahrir Square. 

Morsi HAS IGNORED THE PEOPLE. NOW THE COUP IS UNDER WAY, AS HE SITS IN HOUSE ARREST! A NEW LIBERATED EGYPT IS ON THE HORIZON!

Egyptians, we are with you as you depose the dictator and bring justice to the Middle East.

Reported by Muammar Hassan

Historical Fact You Don't Know

To coins lover !

1285 hegir moroccan coin 
with david star

See that coin? If you guessed that it is Jewish, you’re only partially correct. This is a coin from the late 1800s, minted in MOROCCO. Yes, on all the Moroccan money, was the Star of David. As surprising as this sounds, even more astounding is that Morocco had this symbol on their national flag until 1948.

Now, why is it only partially correct that this coin is Jewish? While today Morocco is a predominantly Sunnite country, at one time there was a thriving Jewish population

When this coin was minted, in the late 1800s, there were over 300,000 Jews living within the mamlukum (kingdom)

Today, remnants of this once thriving population, leave behind many synagogues, Kosher (halal yahud) restaurants, and a population of 3,000

Reported by Ibrahim Abu - Naggar