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☆ Airfares to this glamorous beach destination just got cheaper
▼ + stars: | 2024-10-12 | by ( Maureen O'Hare | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

CNN —In travel news this week: fat bears, hungry raccoons, an R-rated flight movie mishap and the best-value air travel destinations for Americans in the year ahead. Top of the list is the Mediterranean resort city of Nice, a much-loved playground for visitors to the French Riviera. Fares to the city fell by 27% in the first half of 2024, compared with the same period the year before. Fares to its capital, Rabat, have dropped by 24%, meaning you’ll have more to spend when you get there. Rounding out the top five is a US domestic destination: Fargo, North Dakota (-24%).

Persons: It’s, Hurricane Helene, Lucia, Alaska’s, Taylor Swift, ” Organizations: CNN, Southeastern, Boeing, Flames, Frontier Airlines, Atlanta’s Hartsfield, Jackson International, Qantas Airways, Spirit Airlines, US Army Locations: Southeastern United States, Hurricane Milton, Hurricane, United States, Nice, Castries, St, Bridgetown, Barbados, Morocco, Rabat, Fargo , North Dakota, Argentina, Washington, Thailand, New York, Bangkok, Sydney, American, Las Vegas, Tokyo, South Korea, Nepal, Canada, Soviet Central Asia

☆ I spent 6 ½ hours in first class on a train in Morocco. It wasn't luxurious, but I'd do it again in a heartbeat.
▼ + stars: | 2024-07-24 | by ( Alice Levitt | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

But I was resolute in my desire to make the nearly seven-hour journey from Marrakech to Fes by ONCF train. The Marrakech train station alone is worth visitingThe Marrakech Railway Station station was a fine place to kill time. Alice LevittMy husband insisted we arrive an hour and a half early for our 7:50 a.m. train. AdvertisementThere wasn't much legroom on the train, but I managed to rest and make friends on boardOur ONCF train arrived at the station on time. Alice LevittThough there are cheap hourlong flights on Ryanair from Marrakech to Fes, I'm glad that I took the train.

Persons: —, I've, King Hassan II, Alice Levitt, Tyson Bateman, Zaha Organizations: Service, Disney, Epcot, Business, Marrakech Railway, Ryanair Locations: Morocco, Casablanca, Marrakech, Fes, ONCF, Segafredo, Mumbai, Moroccan, Rabat, Morocco's, It's

☆ Jon Stewart says the Israel-Gaza solution could be a DMZ governed by an Arab NATO. Some experts say it's a pipe dream.
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-28 | by ( Matthew Loh | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +9 min

The DMZ would be enforced by an alliance of Arab countries, much like the North American Treaty Organization, Stewart said. While tongue-in-cheek, Stewart's solution isn't a new concept, experts on the Middle East told Business Insider. Advertisement"But really, Jon is conflating a Middle East 'NATO' with something else. Ironically, the very concept of the two-state solution could extend his political life, said Lord. "But only as part of a credible political process working toward a two-state solution, but unfortunately, this is something that the Israeli government rejects. "

Persons: Jon Stewart, Stewart, —, That's, let's, Jonathan Lord, Jon, Anna Jacobs, Jacobs, William Wechsler, Wechsler, It's, it's, Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, Mohamed Chtatou, Chtatou, Israel, Weeks, Benjamin Netanyahu, Spencer Platt, Bibi, Mahmoud Abbas, Seth Wenig, Abbas, Lord Organizations: NATO, Service, American Treaty Organization, Treaty Organization, East, Business, Trump, East Strategic Alliance, Middle East Security, Center, New, New American Security, Getty, United, Rafik Hariri Center and Middle, Atlantic Council, United Nations, League, AFP, Mohammed V University, Palestinian Authority, West Bank, BI Locations: Israel, Gaza, Arab, Palestine, NATO, New American, Washington, DC, East, Iran, Gulf, Qatar, Belgium, Anadolu, United Arab Emirates, Morocco, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Egypt, Rafik, United States, Cairo, Rabat, Europe, Korea, Palestinian

☆ Spain's Top Court Rules Mass Deportation of Minors to Morocco Was Illegal
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-22 | by ( Jan. | At A.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +2 min

MADRID (Reuters) - The deportation of hundreds of Moroccan youths from the Spanish enclave of Ceuta in August, 2021 after a mass border crossing was illegal, Spain's Supreme Court ruled on Monday, dealing a blow to the leftist coalition government's immigration policy. The judges dismissed the government's appeal against an earlier ruling by a local court in Ceuta that had ordered Madrid to ensure the youths' return to Spain as it deemed their expulsion unlawful. Around 700 of them were sent back to Morocco in mid-August following an agreement between the neighbouring countries. The Supreme Court said the minors' collective expulsion flouted not only domestic immigration laws, but also breached the European Human Rights Convention. Authorities in Ceuta failed to meet any of these conditions, the Supreme Court ruled, adding that the minors' rights to physical and moral integrity were violated, as they were "put in serious danger of suffering physical or psychological harm".

Persons: flouted, David Latona, Andrei Khalip, Ed Osmond Organizations: Interior Ministry, Human Rights, European Locations: MADRID, Ceuta, Madrid, Spain, Rabat, Western, Morocco

☆ Best travel destinations to visit in 2024
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-01 | by ( Cnn Travel Staff | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +32 min

cdwheatley/iStockphoto/Getty Images Angola: Beyond the capital city of Luanda, pictured, Angola has some jaw-droppingly spectacular scenery and cultural treats. David ChiaFF/Alamy Stock Photo Mérida, Mexico: Yucatán state's capital city showcases a blend of Mayan and colonial heritage. Pavel Tochinsky/The Image Bank RF/Getty Images Morocco: This North African country is home to nine UNESCO sites, including the historic city of Meknes, pictured. Panama City is also the only world capital with a tropical rainforest within its city limits. And a historic city forever entwined with the famed Camino de Santiago.

Persons: you’d, Tengguo Wu, Gabriele Thielmann, Turkey's, Gary Ennis, Matevz, Bill Bachman, Christian Kober, Gonzalo Azumendi, David ChiaFF, Pavel Tochinsky, Terry Kelly, Raul Rodriguez, iStock, Anton Petrus, –, — Karla Cripps Turkey’s, — Barry Neild, Mana Kaasik, — Maureen O’Hare, — Maggie Hiufu Wong, Deb Snelson, Glen Arbor, Marnie Hunter, — Forrest Brown, — Forrest Brown Angola Cristo, Eric Lafforgue, it’s, King, Eric Carr, John’s, Saint John, New Brunswick —, —, Tuul, Bruno Morandi, — Julia Buckley, Groenewald, Alamy, — Lilit Marcus, Alexander the Great, Philip II of Macedon, — JB, Bogdan Lazar, — Tamara Hardingham, Gill, Hercules, Francesca, Lazarus, ”, David Casanova, Megan Sequeira Casanova, “, Kuka y Naranjo, medina, Gordon Sinclair, Yvette Cardozo, — FB, Pierce Ingram, Stefan Tomic, Fujairah, who’ve, Samarkand —, It’s Organizations: CNN, United, CNN Travel, Getty Images, Town, Getty, Northwest, Saint, New Brunswick Tourism, UNESCO, Heritage, Alamy, Parque Nacional Volcán Barú, Galicia, Tercera Orden, Parque, Bank, Wakulla Springs, Texas, United Arab Emirates, AP, Rock, of Culture, Estonian National Museum, — Maggie Hiufu Wong Northwest Michigan, Bear, Farm, Riders, Lubango, — BN Saint John, Canada Tourists, St, Saint John City Market, Historic, Saint John Arts Centre, Carnegie, Carnegie Library, — KC, Korea, Folk, Netflix, South Korea, Adriatic, Nacional Glaciares, Australian Sea Lions, Panama, Spain Santiago de, Spain Santiago de Compostela Cathedral, Islas, Camino, Mexico People, YouTube, US State Department, Morocco, Regis Hotels, Resorts, — FB Texas, Travel Texas, Krause, Gruene, Fujairah, Icefjord, FS, Tuul, ” Locations: United States, Sumba, Indonesia Sumba, Indonesia, Bali, Getty Images Tartu, Estonia, Tartu —, European, Tainan, Taiwan, Northwest Michigan, Traverse City, Lake Michigan, iStockphoto, Western Balkans, Culebra , Puerto Rico, Flamenco, Culebra, cdwheatley, Angola, Luanda, , New Brunswick, Fundy, New Brunswick, New Brunswick Tourism South Korea, Korea Albania, Albania, Chile, mauritius, Western Australia, Greece, Macedonia, American, Panama, Spain, Camino, Santiago, St, John's, Mexico, Parque Hidalgo, Morocco, Meknes, Florida, Spicewood, Anton, Greenland, Denmark, AP Uzbekistan, Bukhara, Indonesian, Sumela, Turkey's, — Barry Neild Tartu, Estonia Tartu, of Culture Tartu, Tartu, “, Baltics, — Maureen O’Hare Tainan, Taiwan Tainan, Taipei, — Maggie Hiufu Wong Northwest, Lake, Traverse, Leland, Glen, perusing, Balkans, Slovenia, Bosnia, Herzegovina, North Macedonia, Serbia, transdinarica.com, —, Puerto Rico, It’s, — Forrest Brown Angola, Lubango, Barra, Cabo Ledo, — BN Saint John , New Brunswick, Canada, Hopewell, Newfoundland, Saint, Canada’s, Korea Andong, South Korea, Sanga, Korea, Seoul, Busan, Andong, Albania Albania, Berat, Montenegro, Vlorë, Gjirokastër, — Julia Buckley Chile, Atacama, Patagonia, Coral Coast, Geraldton, — Lilit Marcus Macedonia, Thessaloniki, Greece's, Hemis, Athens, Vergina, Veria, Naousa, Greece’s, Thrace, Philippi, Kavala, Panama . Panama City, Gill Galicia, Spain Santiago, Spain Santiago de Compostela, Galicia, Galicia’s, Santiago de Compostela, Cabo, Fisterra, Galicia —, Singapore, John’s, Paseo, Montejo, Mérida, Yucatán, getaways, there’s, Marrakech, Rabat, Fes, Resorts Morocco, Wakulla, Ginnie, Fredericksburg, Texas, Marble Falls, Meanderers, New Braunfels, Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Wadi, Nuuk, Ilulissat, West, FS Uzbekistan, Samarkand, Uzbekistan, China, India, Khiva, Uzbek, Sentob, Tashkent

The naive pair — unknowns whom Garrone found and cast in Senegal — witness mass death in the Sahara, scams and torture beyond their expectations. Italian Premier Georgia Meloni has called migration the biggest challenge of her first year in office. The film shows the two cousins Seydou and Moussa leaving their home without alerting their parents or knowing what to expect. The film's subject is familiar to those who follow migration news in Europe and North Africa. Garrone said he relied heavily on migrants in Rabat and Casablanca who worked on the film as extras.

Persons: Matteo Garrone, Seydou, Moussa, Garrone, Pope Francis, Georgia Meloni, ”, Mamadou Kouassi, ” Kouassi, hasn't, who've, “ Organizations: United Nations, Georgia, Associated Press, West, Libyan Locations: MARRAKECH, Morocco, Italian, Europe, Marrakech, Dakar, Niger, Libya, Italy, Senegal, Albania, Tunisia, Ivorian, Caserta, Libyan, North Africa, Casablanca, Erfoud, Rabat

All have been hit by a boycott campaign over Israel's military offensive in the Gaza Strip since the deadly Hamas attack in southern Israel on Oct. 7. Western brands are feeling the impact in Egypt and Jordan, and there are signs the campaign is spreading in some other Arab countries including Kuwait and Morocco. Videos have circulated of what appear to be Israeli troops washing clothes with well-known detergent brands which viewers are urged to boycott. In Kuwait City on Tuesday evening, a tour of seven branches of Starbucks, McDonald's and KFC found them nearly empty. Previous boycott campaigns in Egypt, the Arab world's most populous nation, had less impact, including those advocated by the Palestinian-led Boycott, Divestment, Sanctions (BDS) movement.

Persons: Mohamed Abd, Reham Hamed, Ahmad al, McDonald's, Jordan, Hossam Mahmoud, Sameh El Sadat, executive's, Issam Abu Shalaby, Farah Saafan, Sarah El Safty, Mai ShamsElDin, Suleiman Al, Ahmed Hagagy, Jonathan Spicer, Aidan Lewis Organizations: Hamas, REUTERS, Gaza, U.S, Kuwait City, McDonald's, KFC, McDonald's Corp, Reuters, BDS, Starbucks, TBS Holding, Malaysian, Cola, Nestle, Turkish, Israel, United Arab, Thomson Locations: Kentucky, Egypt, Gaza, Israel, Palestinian, Cairo, CAIRO, Jordan, Kuwait, Morocco, Amman, Rabat, BDS Egypt, Egyptian, Malaysia, Putrajaya, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, Tunisia, Khalidi, Danial Azhar, Kuala Lumpur, Kuwait City, Istanbul

The Managem Group in a statement denied the findings published in German newspaper Suddeutsche Zeitung that pointed to increased levels of arsenic in the water near its century-old cobalt mine at Bou Azzer in the central Moroccan desert. The newspaper's investigation, published last weekend, found those levels of arsenic were hazardous. At the mine itself, they found almost 19,000 micrograms of arsenic per liter in the water. Political Cartoons View All 1250 ImagesIn its statement, Managem — a subsidiary of King Mohammed VI’s Al Mada Group — said its own monitoring had yielded no evidence of health or water quality issues. The German manufacturer said in a statement this week that it had spoken about the new allegations to Managem, which denied wrongdoing.

Persons: Sidi Blal, Managem, King Mohammed VI’s Al, —, Bou Azzer Organizations: Managem, Suddeutsche Zeitung, BMW, Renault, AFP Locations: RABAT, Morocco, Bou Azzer, Moroccan, United States, China, Europe, Congo, Australia, Bou

☆ Morocco unearths Roman-era second century site in Rabat
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-03 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

[1/5] A view shows what Moroccan archeologists said is a Roman-era archeological site that they uncovered in Rabat, Morocco November 3, 2023.REUTERS/Ahmed El Jechtimi NO RESALES. NO ARCHIVES Acquire Licensing RightsRABAT, Nov 3 (Reuters) - Moroccan archaeologists said on Friday they uncovered a Roman-era site in Rabat containing a port district, a bath and a cemetery dating back to the second century. The Roman-era bath spans over 2000 square meters (21,527 square feet) resembling imperial counterparts in Rome, he said. Archaeologists also found a second century headless statue of a Roman deity, he said, noting that when ancient Moroccans adopted Christianity around the fifth century it was a common practice to behead statutes representing Roman gods. The newly uncovered monuments are an extension of a nearby Roman-era site and tourist attraction, Chellah, where the Muslim Marinide dynasty built a fortified necropolis in the 13th century.

Persons: Ahmed El Jechtimi, Mauro, Abdelaziz El Khayari, Ahmed Eljechtimi, Josie Kao Organizations: REUTERS, Thomson Locations: Rabat, Morocco, RABAT, Rome

The fortified necropolis and surrounding settlements were built near the Atlantic Ocean along the banks of the Bou Regreg river. The main excavation site has been closed for renovations since the pandemic and archaeologists have worked on expanding it since March. The footprint — including the extended site presented on Friday — is larger than that of Volubilis, widely visited ruins 111 miles (179 kilometers) east of Rabat. El Khayari and his team of archaeologists said the new discoveries further from the center of Chellah have never been subject to study. We are aiming for 1 million by developing this site, bringing it to life, setting up marketing, communications and everything.”

Persons: Abdelaziz El Khayari, El Khayari, —, Mehdi Ben Said, Ben Said, ” Organizations: —, Morocco’s National, of Archaeological Sciences, Heritage, UNESCO Locations: RABAT, Morocco, Bou, Rabat

☆ Four blasts kill one, injure three in Western Sahara, Moroccan authorities say
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-29 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

RABAT, Oct 29 (Reuters) - Four explosions late on Saturday in the city of Smara in Morocco-controlled Western Sahara killed one man and injured three others, local authorities said. The blasts damaged two houses, authorities said in a statement, without adding further details. Morocco considers Western Sahara its own territory, but the Algerian-backed Polisario Front wants an independent state there. Morocco has said autonomy is the most it can offer to the territory as a political solution. Twenty-eight other countries - mostly African and Arab - have opened consulates in Dakhla or the city of Laayoune, in what Morocco sees as tangible support for its Western Saharan rule.

Persons: Ahmed Eljechtimi, Bernadette Baum Organizations: Western, Polisario Front, UN, Polisario, UN Security, Thomson Locations: RABAT, Smara, Morocco, Western Sahara, Algerian, Polisario, Algeria, U.S, Dakhla, Laayoune

[1/3] Yemenis gather during a pro-Palestinian protest to express solidarity with Palestinians in Gaza, in Sanaa, Yemen, October 20, 2023. Some demanded military action against Israel, others said Arab states should consider using other methods to stop the bombardment of Gaza. Egypt borders Gaza but has not been able to negotiate an opening of its crossing to allow in aid. Hundreds of people marched in central Tunis, a smaller protest than ones that have rallied there against Israel's Gaza campaign in recent days. On Iraq's border with Jordan, hundreds of supporters of Iran-backed paramilitary groups staged a sit-in to voice support for Gaza, brought in by bus.

Persons: Benjamin Netanyahu, Mohammed Gomaa, Souhail Ben Nasser, Netanyahu, Joe Biden, Marisa, Hussein Samir, Suleiman al, Nafisa Eltahir, Amina Ismail, Tarek Amara, Ali Kucukgocmen, Ahmed Eljechtimi, Angus McDowall, Daniel Wallis Organizations: Houthi Media, REUTERS, Israel, Gaza, U.S ., Indonesian, U.S, Iran, Bulent Usta, Thomson Locations: Gaza, Sanaa, Yemen, Jordan, Egypt, Turkey, Indonesia, Malaysia, India, AMMAN, CAIRO, Jakarta, Tunis, Israel, Palestinian, Beyazit, Palestine, Cairo, Morocco, Western Sahara, America, Asia, U.S, Kuala Lumpur, Jaipur, Mumbai, Iraq, Tehran, Baghdad, Iran, Khalidi, Amman, Nafisa, Istanbul, Rabat

WASHINGTON (AP) — The global economy has shown “remarkable resilience’’ but still bears deep scars from the coronavirus pandemic, the war in Ukraine and rising interest rates, the head of the International Monetary Fund said Thursday. The United States, she said, “is the only major economy where output has returned to its pre-pandemic path. Weighing on global growth is China’s disappointing recovery despite the lifting late last year of draconian zero-COVID policies, which had crippled commerce in the world's second-biggest economy last year. She said the odds are rising that global economy can manage a “soft landing’’ — avoiding recession even while bringing down inflationary pressure. “Fighting inflation is the number one priority,’’ she said, urging central banks to keep interest rates “higher for longer.

Persons: “, Kristalina Georgieva, Georgieva, ’, Sam Metz Organizations: WASHINGTON, International Monetary Fund, IMF, World Bank, Global, U.S . Federal Reserve, Bank, Associated Press Locations: Ukraine, Abidjan, Ivory Coast, United States, Marrakesh, Morocco, Rabat

“This process is not behind schedule.”The July agreement included a pledge of 105 million euros ($110 million) earmarked for migration. As arrivals increased last month, the European Commission announced it would send an initial 127 million euros ($133 million) to Tunisia. Apart from migration, the bulk of the funds are contingent on Tunisia reaching agreement with the International Monetary Fund on stalled loan negotiations. In April, he called the terms “diktats from abroad.”Supporters, including Italian Premier Giorgia Meloni, have hailed Europe's agreement with Tunisia as a regional model. Since taking power in 2019, Saied has repeatedly characterized sub-Saharan African migrants as violent and a threat to Tunisia.

Persons: Kais Saied, ” Saied, Saied, Marcus Cornaro, Saied's, “ We're, ”, Giorgia, ___ Sam Metz Organizations: —, Monday, European Union, TAP, EU, UNHCR, European Commission, International Monetary Fund, World Bank Locations: TUNIS, Tunisia, — Tunisia, Europe, Rome, Tunisian, Italy, North Africa, Italian, Germany, Europe’s, Rabat, Morocco, Georgia

☆ China to host opening two events in 2024 Diamond League
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-26 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

Sept 26 (Reuters) - The 2024 Diamond League will begin its 15-stop season with two meets in China, in Xiamen and Shanghai, in April while Brussels will stage the two-day season finale in September, organisers said on Monday. Last year's Diamond League was also scheduled to have 15 meets but the Shanghai stop was cancelled after COVID-19 restrictions caused delays in the renovation of the venue. Xiamen will host the opening event on April 20, a week before Shanghai returns to the calendar for the first time since 2019. Paris, Monaco and London will host meetings in July before the Paris Games begin later that month. Brussels will host the final for the first time since 2019 and 11th time overall when it stages the meet from Sept. 13-14.

Persons: Eugene, Hritika Sharma, Peter Rutherford Organizations: Diamond League, League, Shanghai, Prefontaine, Stockholm, Olympic, Paris Games, Thomson Locations: China, Xiamen, Shanghai, Brussels, Doha, Rabat, U.S, Eugene , Oregon, Oslo, Paris, Monaco, London, Lausanne, Silesia, Rome, Zurich, Stockholm, Hyderabad

☆ Sakkari beats Dolehide to win Guadalajara title
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-24 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Second seed Sakkari powered past Dolehide, who is ranked 111th in the world, for a 7-5 6-3 victory to capture her second career title, ending the week without dropping a set. Sakkari had lost six finals since winning her first title at the WTA 250 tournament in Rabat in 2019. "We've heard so many bad things - that I will never win a title, that I'm a top-five player with only winning one title," said Sakkari, who broke down in tears after her win. We've waited for more than four years for a second title." In Saturday's final, Dolehide rallied from a break down in a tight opening set to take a 5-4 lead, but Sakkari won the next three games to take the set.

Persons: Maria Sakkari, Caroline Dolehide, Henry Romero, American Caroline, Sakkari, Jessica Pegula, We've, Tom, Dolehide, Hritika Sharma, Jamie Freed Organizations: Panamerican Tennis Center, U.S, REUTERS, WTA, Thomson Locations: Guadalajara, Mexico, Greece, American, Rabat, Hyderabad

☆ Dolehide stuns Kenin, books Guadalajara title clash with Sakkari
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-23 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Playing in her first career semi-final, the 25-year-old Dolehide fought back from a break down in both sets against Kenin to win the all-American clash 7-5 6-3 in an hour and 25 minutes. "I'm really proud of myself for getting through that one today, because Sonya is not an easy player to get by," Dolehide, 25, said before Saturday's final, using Kenin's nickname. World number nine Sakkari reached the Guadalajara final for the second straight year after a 6-3 6-0 win over third seed Caroline Garcia of France. Sakkari, who lost to Jessica Pegula in last year's final, has not dropped a set this week and is aiming to win her first title since the WTA 250 tournament in Rabat in 2019. Reporting by Hritika Sharma in Hyderabad; Editing by William MallardOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Caroline Dolehide, Sofia Kenin, Henry Romero, Maria Sakkari, Dolehide, Kenin, Martina Trevisan, Sonya, Caroline Garcia of, Sakkari, Jessica Pegula, that's, couldn't, Hritika Sharma, William Mallard Organizations: Panamerican Tennis Center, Sofia, U.S, REUTERS, Rights, WTA, Guadalajara, Caroline Garcia of France, Wimbledon, U.S ., Thomson Locations: Guadalajara, Mexico, Rights GUADALAJARA, Greece, Rabat, Hyderabad

☆ Morocco to spend $11.7 billion on five-year post-quake reconstruction plan
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-20 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

Ait Abdellah Brahim, 86, gestures among rubble, in the aftermath of a deadly earthquake, in Talat N'Yaaqoub, Morocco, September 16, 2023. REUTERS/Ammar Awad Acquire Licensing RightsRABAT, Sept 20 (Reuters) - Morocco plans to spend at least 120 billion dirhams ($11.7 billion) in a post-earthquake reconstruction plan over the next five years, the royal palace said on Wednesday. A 6.8 magnitude earthquake struck on Sept 8, killing more than 2,900 people, mostly in the hard-to-reach villages of the High Atlas mountains. The plan would target 4.2 million people in the worst-hit provinces of Al Haouz, Chichaoua, Taroudant, Marrakech, Ouarzazate and Azizlal, the royal palace said, following a meeting of King Mohammed VI with government and army officials. The royal palace said the plan would be funded by the govenrment's budget, international aid and by a fund set up in response to the quake.

Persons: Ait Abdellah Brahim, Talat, Ammar Awad, Al Haouz, King Mohammed VI, households.It, Ahmed Eljechtimi, William Maclean Organizations: REUTERS, Thomson Locations: Talat N'Yaaqoub, Morocco, Al, Taroudant, Marrakech, Ouarzazate

In many areas hit by the quake, there were complaints that the government was slow to rescue and bring relief supplies to stricken villages. Driving along the road to the Tizi N’Test pass, the challenges faced by relief workers getting through became clear. Upon seeing the blocked road, they begged Mr. Id Lahcen and his colleague, Mustapha Sekkouti, to help get their bags of supplies to the other side. “This reality, we want it to be a memory in our history,” said Mr. Sekkouti, 50. Helping clear the road to save lives.”The efforts by Mr. Id Lahcen and Mr. Sekkouti opened a gap near the top of the road on Sept. 11, allowing some aid to get through.

Persons: Lahcen, Mustapha Sekkouti, ”, Sekkouti, “ Organizations: New York Times Locations: Rabat

☆ Morocco's king keeps regal distance even in earthquake crisis
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-15 | by ( Aidan Lewis | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +5 min

Analysts and rights groups say the political class has been largely co-opted, while real power rests with the king and his "Makhzen", or Morocco's old political establishment. The tremor has, however, shown the unevenness of Morocco's economic development. Meanwhile, Forbes ranked the king in 2015 among Africa's richest men, with personal wealth valued at more than $5 billion. The king ordered Almada to donate 1 billion dirhams ($100 million) to an earthquake response fund. While the king has made few appearances since the earthquake, government officials have also kept a low profile.

Persons: King Mohammed VI, Hassan II, isn't, Aboubakr Jamai, Mohammed, Almada, Manar, Aidan Lewis, Edmund Blair Organizations: Royal Armed Forces, American College of, Forbes, Africa's, Thomson Locations: Rabat, Marrakech, Morocco, Africa, France, Tunisia, Egypt, Moroccan, Tangier, Casablanca, Almada, London

☆ What travelers to Morocco need to know following the recent earthquake
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-11 | by ( Julia Buckley | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +14 min

CNN —Thousands of people are known to have killed in the Morocco earthquake, with the death toll expected to rise as rescuers continue to search for survivors. Zdenek Kajzr/iStock Editorial/Getty ImagesHow about the High Atlas Mountains? “Many hotels in the High Atlas Mountains have had considerable structural damage with some of them closing,” he says. “I would say that the only part to avoid is the High Atlas mountains, to help the authorities with the rescue process. Santiago Urquijo/Moment RF/Getty ImagesIs there an an alternative to the High Atlas mountains?

Persons: King Mohammed VI, that’s, Al Haouz, “, ”, Zina Bencheikh, CNN’s Ivana Kottosová, storeowners, Kottosová –, Bilal El Hammoumy, Vanessa Branson, El Fenn, Musee Des Confluences, Zdenek Kajzr, Kottosová, ” Kasbah, Richard Branson, El Hammoumy, –, Fez –, Abdelilah El Khadir, Francesco Riccardo Iacomino, Anabel Dean, she’d, Dean, Stallholders, Bencheikh, Ait, they’ve, I’d, ” El Hammoumy, ” Dean, ” Azrou, Santiago Urquijo, Ameziane, Meryem Organizations: CNN, Intrepid Travel’s, EMEA, AFP, Inclusive, Jewish, El, Musee Des, Marrakech medina, Expeditions, US State Department, Foreign Locations: Morocco, Spain, Qatar, UAE, Marrakech, Al, medina, Seaside, Agadir, Casablanca, Fez, Intrepid Travel’s Morocco, Jemaa el, Bahia, Saadian, El, ”, Inclusive Morocco, reroute, “, Hassan, Rabat, Paris, –, Ait Benhaddou, Dades, Santiago

☆ France says controversy over Morocco aid misplaced
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-11 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Paris and Rabat have had a difficult relationship in recent years notably over the issue of Western Sahara, which Morocco wants France to recognise as Moroccan. "This is a misplaced controversy," Catherine Colonna told BFM television when asked why Morocco had not made an official request to Paris for urgent assistance despite accepting help from Spain, Britain, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates. "We are ready to help Morocco. Paris has made 5 million euros ($5.4 million) available for non-governmental organisations operating in Morocco, Colonna said. Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin told France 2 earlier on Monday that Rabat, a "brotherly" nation, had the capabilities to cope alone with the rescue efforts.

Persons: Catherine Colonna, BFM, Colonna, Emmanuel Macron, Morocco's King Mohammed VI, Gerald Darmanin, John Irish, Nicolas Delame, David Holmes Organizations: United, France, Polisario, Western, Observatory, Immigration, Thomson Locations: Morocco, France, Paris, Rabat, Western Sahara, Moroccan, Spain, Britain, Qatar, United Arab Emirates, It's, Algeria, Algiers

☆ Morocco earthquake damages historic mountain mosque
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-10 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Sept 10 (Reuters) - Morocco's deadly earthquake badly damaged one of the most important historical sites in the High Atlas mountains, an earth-and-stone mosque built by a medieval dynasty that conquered North Africa and Spain. Moroccan media reported that parts of the Tinmel Mosque had collapsed. Photographs circulating online, which Reuters could not immediately verify, showed tumbled walls, a half-fallen tower and large piles of debris. At least 2,000 people have died in the 6.8-magnitude quake, the most destructive in the area since at least 1900. The quake also caused damage to the old city of Marrakech, a UNESCO World Heritage site, where a minaret toppled over and parts of the historic city walls collapsed along with some traditional houses.

Persons: Zakia Abdennebi, Ahmed Eljechtimi, Dominique Vidalon, Angus McDowall, Frances Kerry Organizations: Reuters, Moroccan Culture Ministry, United Nations, UNESCO, High, Thomson Locations: North Africa, Spain, Moroccan, Tinmel, Marrakech, Rabat, Paris

☆ Algeria to allow Morocco flights after quake despite bad ties
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-09 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

A view shows a damaged building on the road between Amizmiz and Ouirgane, following a powerful earthquake in Morocco, September 9, 2023. REUTERS/Ahmed El Jechtimi Acquire Licensing RightsALGIERS, Sept 9 (Reuters) - Morocco's deadly earthquake prompted Algeria, which cut ties with its neighbour two years ago, to put aside the countries' bad relations and open its air space to aid flights. The border between Algeria and Morocco, the most powerful countries in the region, has been closed since 1994 and Algiers closed its air space to Morocco and suspended diplomatic relations in 2021, accusing Rabat of "hostile acts". During deadly wildfires in Algeria during each of the past three summers, Morocco has made offers of aid that Algiers has publicly ignored. Many Algerians voiced solidarity with Morocco on social media, some saying they hoped the bad political ties would not get in the way of helping their neighbour.

Persons: Ahmed El Jechtimi, Abdelkader Bengrina, Al Bina, Lamine Chikhi, Tarek Amara, Angus McDowall, Mark Heinrich, Frances Kerry Organizations: REUTERS, Rabat, Foreign Ministry, Thomson Locations: Amizmiz, Morocco, ALGIERS, Algeria, Algiers, Western Sahara, North Africa, Europe

Mapping the Damage from the Earthquake in MoroccoAn earthquake, which had a magnitude of at least 6.8, struck Morocco on Friday night, killing more than 1,000 people and devastating a region where many vulnerable buildings were unable to withstand the shaking. Shake intensity Very strong Moderate Fes Rabat Meknes Casablanca Safi MOROCCO Marrakesh Essaouira Epicenter Ouarzazate Agadir MOROCCO ALGERIA Shake intensity Very strong Moderate Rabat Casablanca MOROCCO Safi Marrakesh Essaouira Epicenter Ouarzazate Agadir MOROCCO ALGERIA Fes Rabat Shake intensity Meknes Very strong Moderate Casablanca Safi MOROCCO Marrakesh Essaouira Epicenter Ouarzazate Agadir MOROCCO ALGERIA Sources: U.S. Geological Survey (earthquake intensity); WorldPop (population data)The epicenter was about 35 miles west of Oukaimeden, a popular ski resort in the High Atlas Mountains, according to the United States Geological Survey. Rubble filled alleyways in Marrakesh, a UNESCO World Heritage site, and houses were flattened in villages in the countryside. About 3 million more people experienced moderate shaking. Fadel Senna/Agence France-Presse — Getty ImagesAlthough much of southern Morocco, where the quake struck, is rural, the region’s cities and towns are often very densely populated.

Persons: Fadel Senna Organizations: Rabat, . Geological Survey, United States Geological Survey, UNESCO, New York Times, U.S . Geological Survey, MOROCCO MOROCCO Oulad, Agence France Locations: Morocco, Fes Rabat Meknes Casablanca, MOROCCO Marrakesh, Agadir MOROCCO ALGERIA, Rabat Casablanca MOROCCO Safi Marrakesh, Agadir MOROCCO ALGERIA Fes Rabat, Meknes, Casablanca Safi MOROCCO Marrakesh, Oukaimeden, Marrakesh, U.S, WorldPop, Ourir, MOROCCO MOROCCO, MOROCCO MOROCCO Oulad Berhil, MOROCCO, Moroccan

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