Morocco

16 Dec 2022; MEMO: Tunisian President Kais Saied has taken advantage of the state resources to promote the next parliament, which he will control, rights group I Watch warned yesterday.

In a statement I Watch said Saied "made nine field visits during the electoral campaign, the last of which was a visit to the neighbourhoods of the District of Mnihla on December 11."

RABAT, Dec 14 (Reuters) - Morocco's national airline said it was cancelling all flights it had scheduled for Wednesday to carry fans to Doha for the World Cup semi-final, citing what it said was a decision by Qatari authorities.

"Following the latest restrictions imposed by the Qatari authorities, Royal Air Maroc regrets to inform customers of the cancellation of their flights operated by Qatar Airways," the airline said in an emailed statement.

The Qatari government's international media office did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

RABAT, Morocco (AP) — Hind Sabouni bristles with pride as she recalls her country’s history-making World Cup run as it eliminated one European soccer powerhouse and former colonial power after another — Belgium, Spain and Cristiano Ronaldo’s Portugal — to become the first African and Arab nation to reach the semifinals.

LAAYOUNE, Western Sahara (AP) — After the final whistle of every match Morocco won in its history-making World Cup run, crowds poured out of homes and cafes in the biggest city of Western Sahara, celebrating for hours.

The revelers included some Sahrawi people, members of an ethnic group that has sought independence for Western Sahara since Morocco annexed the disputed territory in 1975. Other Sahrawis rooted for Morocco’s defeat on the soccer field or refused to take part in the celebrations.

08 Dec 2022; MEMO: The National Institute of Archaeology and Heritage in Morocco yesterday announced the discovery of skeletal remains of the Atlas lion, also known as the Barbary lion, dating back 110,000 years.

07 Dec 2022; MEMO: Israel's NewMed Energy signed a deal with Morocco's energy and mining ministry and Adarco Energy for offshore natural gas exploration and production.

"For a long time now, we have recognised a huge potential in Morocco for collaborations in both the natural gas and renewable energy sectors," NewMed CEO, Yossi Abu, said in a statement.

RABAT, Morocco (AP) — Exuberant Moroccans poured into the streets of their capital and in cities across Europe on Tuesday, waving flags and honking horns to celebrate their national soccer team’s historic victory over Spain at the World Cup.

Morocco defeated Spain in a penalty shootout, making the Atlas Lions the only team from outside Europe or South America to make it to the quarterfinals in Qatar — and the first Arab team in World Cup history to make it to the last eight.

RABAT, Dec 5 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Protesters turned out in force to march in Morocco’s capital Rabat Sunday to denounce the “high cost of living and repression”, amid surging inflation and rising social discontent.

“The people want lower prices… The people want to eliminate despotism and corruption,” chanted the crowd, estimated by journalists to be around 3,000 people, the largest such rally in recent months.

Police put the turnout at between 1,200 and 1,500 people.

RABAT, Nov. 28 (Xinhua) -- The 17th session of the UNESCO Intergovernmental Committee for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage started on Monday in the Moroccan capital Rabat.

Delegates from 180 countries attended the session, which will be held from Nov. 28 to Dec. 3.

During the session, the committee will evaluate over 50 nominations submitted by States Parties for inscription on the Lists of the Convention, including traditional tea processing techniques and associated social practices in China.

01 Nov 2022; MEMO: Morocco's King Mohammed VI has cancelled his participation in the Arab summit held in Algeria, Al Quds Al Arabi has reported. Citing the French magazine Jeune Afrique, the report pointed out that according to Moroccan and then Algerian diplomatic sources, the king was one of the first leaders to confirm their participation in the summit, which was a source of controversy because of the tense relations between Rabat and Algiers.