The electronic mobile parking service ParkNow allows users to reserve a parking space in advance, at a guaranteed, clearly-defined rate in accordance with the driver's personal preferences.

ENGADGET: BMW DriveNow EV car sharing comes to San Francisco Bay Area, ParkNow follows suit

The fear that really prompted French intervention and that guaranteed it wide-spread support was the nightmare that a vast area like northern Mali could turn into ungoverned space providing a sanctuary for AQIM.

BBC: Can France achieve its goals in Mali?