Page 3 - Morocco

Morocco earthquake kills over 2,000; nation declares three-day mourning

A powerful earthquake struck Morocco late Friday, damaging buildings in major cities and sending panicked people pouring into streets and alleyways from Rabat to Marrakech. There was no immediate word on any casualties. The US Geological Survey said the quake had a preliminary magnitude of 6.8 when it hit at 11:11 pm Morocco's National Seismic Monitoring and Alert Network measured it at 7 on the Richter scale. Variations in early measurements are common, although either reading would be Morocco's strongest since 1960, when a magnitude 5.8 earthquake struck near Agadir and caused thousands of deaths. The epicentre of Friday's tremor was high in the Atlas Mountains south of Marrakech and west of Oukaimeden, a popular Moroccan ski resort. It was also near Toubkal, the highest peak in North Africa. Moroccans posted videos showing some buildings turned to rubble. Tourists and others posted videos of people evacuating restaurants in Marrakech as throbbing club music played.

Morocco Earthquake: Death toll past 1,000; what we know so far

The earthquake struck central Morocco, killing more than 1,000 people, with more than 1,200 injured. Watch the video for latest updates

LIVE: Eiffel Tower lights to go dark in tribute to Morocco quake victims

Catch all the latest updates from across the globe here

PM Modi welcomes African Union as permanent G20 member in opening remarks

G20 Summit begins with Prime Minister Narendra Modi's welcome remarks.

G20 Summit 2023: PM Modi opens the meeting with 'Bharat' nameplate

During PM Modi's opening remarks at the G20 Summit, the country's nameplate read 'Bharat' instead of the traditional 'India'

India ready to offer all possible assistance to quake-hit Morocco: PM Modi

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday expressed grief at the loss of lives in an earthquake in Morocco and said India is ready to offer all possible assistance to it in this difficult time. A powerful earthquake that struck Morocco late Friday killed at least 296 people, the country's Interior Ministry said. Moroccans posted videos showing buildings reduced to rubble and dust and parts of the famous red walls that surround the old city in historic Marrakech, a UNESCO World Heritage site, damaged. Modi said on X, "Extremely pained by the loss of lives due to an earthquake in Morocco. In this tragic hour, my thoughts are with the people of Morocco. Condolences to those who have lost their loved ones. May the injured recover at the earliest. India is ready to offer all possible assistance to Morocco in this difficult time.

IT services firm HCLTech launches global delivery center in Morocco's Rabat

IT services company HCLTech on Tuesday launched its Global Delivery Center (GDC) in Rabat, Morocco, to drive transformation projects to clients across portfolio themes of digital, engineering, cloud, AI and software. The centre is HCLTech's first facility in Morocco and is part of the company's nearshore strategy to serve global enterprises, according to a company release. It will deliver transformation projects to clients across HCLTech's portfolio themes of digital, engineering, cloud, AI (Artificial Intelligence) and software. The launch strengthens the company's global network of nearshore locations that have over 23,000 employees working on digital transformation projects for some of the world's biggest companies, the release said. The launch follows the signing of a memorandum of understanding between HCLTech and the Government of Morocco in 2022 to invest in the country's technology sector. Access to a skilled talent pool and the prime geographic location make Morocco an id

HCLTech announces launch of its global delivery center in Morocco

The launch follows the signing of a MoU between HCLTech and the Government of Morocco in 2022 to invest in the country's technology sector

Morocco's historic Women's World Cup debut inspires girls in the Arab world

The game was sparsely attended; it was midweek and the match wasn't going to be a nail-biter: the Association Sportive des Forces Armees Royales, a powerhouse in women's soccer here, ended up crushing its Moroccan national women's professional league opponent 7-0. One young fan in the stands was excited regardless. Dressed in a jersey reading Morocco in Arabic, 5-year-old Aliae Benazzouza descended to the pitch to meet the players. A favourite of hers, Fatima Tagnaout, who plays for Morocco's national women's team and for the armed forces team known as ASFAR, wrapped her arms around Aliae as they posed for photos. Aliae waved at another player. During the game, she would make her way to the front of the stands for a better view. I was very happy, Aliae said. After years largely in the margins, Moroccan women's soccer is gaining new ground, capturing the imagination of some girls like Aliae, winning the hearts and minds of more parents, and chipping away at a traditional view of so

UAE, Morocco review strengthening financial, economic cooperation

Al Hussaini reaffirmed the UAE's keenness to further strengthen bilateral relations with the Kingdom of Morocco to include all vital and priority sectors

Onion prices soar, shortage threatens a new chapter in world food crisis

Prices are soaring, fueling inflation and prompting countries to take action to secure supplies. Morocco and Turkey have halted some exports, as has Kazakhstan

Moroccan lawmakers denounce European Parliament criticism, reconsider ties

The Moroccan Parliament decided Monday to reconsider its ties with the European Parliament and subject them to a comprehensive evaluation after the EU legislature criticised the state of press freedoms in Morocco. The decision followed an extraordinary joint plenary session of Morocco's two houses of Parliament in Rabat on Monday that was convened to address the European Parliament's resolution from last week. The Moroccan legislators called the resolution an unacceptable attack on the kingdom's sovereignty and the independence and sanctity of its judicial institutions, according to a joint parliamentary statement read out by the speaker of the House of Representatives, Rachid Talbi Alami. Last week, EU legislators approved a non-binding resolution calling on Moroccan authorities to improve their respect of freedom of expression and media freedom. The resolution said press freedom in the North African kingdom has been continuously deteriorating, and called for a fair trial with all

Morocco plans to sell India 1.7 mn tonnes of phosphate fertilisers in 2023

Moroccan phosphates and fertilisers producer OCP said on Sunday it plans to supply India with 1.7 million tonnes of phosphate-based fertilisers in 2023

5.3-magnitude earthquake hits province of Al Hoceima in northern Morocco

A 5.3-magnitude earthquake jolted the province of Al Hoceima in northern Morocco, the Moroccan Institute of Geophysics said

Messi's World Cup triumph to Ronaldo's fall: Football's journey in 2022

Messi established himself as the greatest of all time by winning the World Cup but Ronaldo had to part ways on a sour note with Manchester United

Fifa World Cup, 3rd place play-off CRO vs MAR: Croatia win, take third spot

Fifa World Cup, Croatia vs Morocco, third place play-off highlights: Josko Gvardiol and Mislav Orisic scored as Croatia beat Morocco 2-1 at the Khalifa International Stadium in Qatar

Fifa WC, CRO vs MAR, 3rd place play-off preview: The last dance for Modric!

Fifa World Cup 2022, Croatia vs Morocco, third place play-off preview: It will be a match between the two losing semifinalists, two teams which definitely punched above their weight in this tournament

Morocco makes another World Cup statement despite loss against France

Yassine Bounou stretched out his arm with everything he had, desperately trying to get something, anything, in the way of the ball. It was no use. France substitute Randal Kolo Muani had come on only seconds earlier and with his first touch assured the defending champions of a second straight World Cup final, putting an end to Morocco's proud fight once and for all. France ended up winning 2-0 and will face Argentina for the title on Sunday. But it wasn't until that moment, in the 79th minute of an enthralling semifinal match at Al Bayt Stadium on Wednesday, that the two-time champions could breathe easily. My players gave everything, Morocco coach Walid Regragui said. They've gone as far as they could. It's difficult for them to take now. They wanted to rewrite the history books, but you can't win a World Cup with miracles, you have to do it with hard work and that's what we are going to do, keep working. The team that has provided the most improbable story of this year's World C

Mbappe, France advance to FIFA World Cup 2022 final, beat Morocco 2-0

France and Kylian Mbapp are headed back to the World Cup final for a much-anticipated matchup with Lionel Messi after ending Morocco's historic run at soccer's biggest tournament. France beat Africa's first ever semifinalist 2-0 Wednesday, with Mbapp playing a part in goals by Theo Hernandez in the fifth minute and then substitute Randal Kolo Muani in the 79th. France will head into Sunday's title match against Argentina looking to become the first team to retain the World Cup title since Brazil in 1962. Mbapp has the chance to cement his status as soccer's new superstar when he comes up against the 35-year-old Messi, who has dominated the game with Cristiano Ronaldo for the past 15 years. There will be no team from the Arab world in the final of the first World Cup in the Middle East, a prospect that seemed nigh impossible before the tournament. Yet Morocco did break ground for Africa and generated an outpouring of pride among Arab nations after topping a group containing Croatia

Fifa World Cup, FRA vs MAR, SF Highlights: Easy 2-0 win see France in final

Fifa World Cup 2022, France vs Morocco Highlights: Morocco gave had far more possession of the ball than France and an almost equal number of shots on goal and on target, yet they lost the game 0-2