Latest from Morocco World
Morocco World
an hour ago
- Climate
- Morocco World
Hot Temperatures, Thunderstorms Expected Across Morocco on Saturday
Rabat – The General Directorate of Meteorology has announced that the heatwave is expected to continue across several parts of Morocco this Saturday. According to the weather report, high temperatures will affect the northern and central coastal areas, the plains, the Anti-Atlas mountains, the far southeast of the country, and the interior of the southern provinces. Thunderstorms are also expected to form during the day, bringing scattered rain showers over the High and Middle Atlas regions, the southern part of the eastern region, and possibly the Rif mountains. Moderate to strong winds are expected in the southeast, the central and southern regions, the Tangier area, and the eastern region. These winds may stir up local dust. Minimum temperatures will range between 25 and 30 degrees Celsius in the southeast, the eastern part of the southern provinces, the Souss region, and inland areas of the northern and central plains. In the rest of the plains, the eastern region, the Rif, the Mediterranean coast, and Tangier, temperatures will range between 21 and 26 degrees. The lowest temperatures, between 16 and 23 degrees, are expected in the remaining regions. Daytime temperatures are expected to rise in general, exceeding 40 degrees in some regions. In recent days, Morocco has been experiencing very hot weather, with temperatures rising sharply in many cities. The heat has been accompanied by unstable conditions, including sudden thunderstorms. To escape the high temperatures, many Moroccans have been heading to beaches across the country. Coastal cities like Agadir and Tangier have seen large crowds looking for relief from the heat. Others are spending time in parks, swimming pools, or staying indoors during the hottest hours of the day.
Morocco World
an hour ago
- Entertainment
- Morocco World
Moroccan Author Zineb Mekouar Wins Henri de Régnier Prize from French Academy
Rabat – Moroccan writer Zineb Mekouar has won the prestigious Henri de Régnier Prize from the French Academy (Académie Française) for her second novel 'Souviens-toi des abeilles' ('Remember the Bees'), published by Gallimard. The award was announced on Thursday as part of the Academy's 2025 literary prize list. The Henri de Régnier Prize is given as support for literary creation. It is one of 71 prizes awarded this year by the French Academy to honor achievements in literature, poetry, history, philosophy, cinema, music, and more. 'I'm very moved to receive this beautiful prize, given by the French Academy, an institution I admire and respect immensely,' Mekouar said in a statement to Morocco's state news agency MAP. The author explained that the prize shines a light on both her writing and the themes explored in the novel, such as motherly love and the urgent need to care for the Earth. Set in the ancient collective beehive of Inzerki in Morocco, which is considered the world's oldest and largest traditional apiary, 'Souviens-toi des abeilles' also pays tribute to local Moroccan heritage. Mekouar dedicated this prize to the people of Inzerki, who she said welcomed her so warmly. The novel has already received acclaim in France for its poetic style and delicate treatment of climate change issues. It was one of the French Academy Goncourt's summer 2024 favorites and appeared on the first selection list for the 2024 Jean Giono Prize. In addition, 'Souviens-toi des abeilles' won the 2025 Folire Prize, which spotlights the connection between mental health and community life. Born in Casablanca in 1991, Mekouar has lived in Paris since 2009. Her first novel, 'La poule et son cumin' ('The Hen and Its Cumin'), published by JC Lattès in 2022, was a finalist for the Goncourt Prize for First Novels and was also selected as a summer favorite by the Goncourt Academy in 2022. Tags: AuthorZineb Mekouar
Morocco World
an hour ago
- Morocco World
Benguerir: Public Prosecutor Denies Claims of Arbitrary Arrest in Public Disturbance Case
Rabat – The Public Prosecutor at the First Instance Court of Benguerir has issued a statement refuting online rumors alleging the arbitrary arrest of two individuals in the city. According to the prosecution, the two men were legally detained after being found in a state of visible intoxication, during which they insulted police officers, caused disturbances, and damaged public property. The first individual was apprehended in the early hours of Friday, June 27, after verbally assaulting police officers who had approached him as he was live-streaming video footage of a police station and citizens accessing public services. Authorities reported that during the livestream, the suspect was in communication with a person living abroad and referred to an ongoing case currently under review by the Marrakech Court of Appeal. When officers intervened, the man—clearly intoxicated—refused to cooperate and continued to insult law enforcement. His brother, who was also drunk, stormed into the police station, created further disruption, insulted officers, and smashed a window. Following the incident, both men were placed in custody under the supervision of the Public Prosecutor, who ordered an investigation into alleged offenses including public drunkenness, property damage, and insulting public officials while performing their duties. As part of the legal process, both suspects were taken to a hospital for medical examinations, as confirmed by the police. The prosecution stressed that the detention is being carried out in full compliance with legal safeguards, and the suspects will be referred to the Public Prosecutor's Office once the investigation concludes, so that appropriate legal measures can be taken. Tags: arrest bengurirarrestedprosecution
Morocco World
2 hours ago
- Business
- Morocco World
Morocco, Chinese Firm Launch MAD 220 Million Smart Farming Project
Rabat – Morocco has launched a major agricultural partnership with Hong Kong-based Jungnong Group, a subsidiary of China 's Agricultural Development Group, marking a significant step in the country's drive toward sustainable and tech-enabled farming. The partnership, formalized through a memorandum of understanding with Morocco's Ministry of Agriculture, Maritime Fisheries, Rural Development, and Water and Forests, will establish a cutting-edge agricultural hub with an initial investment of MAD 220 million ($22 million). At the heart of the initiative are three strategic goals: the widespread adoption of localized drip irrigation systems, the rehabilitation of saline and alkaline soils, and the cultivation of high-value, low-water crops such as olives, pomegranates, almonds, and figs. Jungnong says its use of digital tools—including soil nutrition management platforms and data-driven monitoring systems—will reduce water usage by up to 50% while increasing crop yields by more than 20% per hectare. The project also aims to transform semi-arid zones into productive agricultural regions focused on exports. A key component includes the creation of a vocational training center to upskill local workers in smart, sustainable farming, with expectations to generate more than 300 direct jobs. Morocco's Minister of Agriculture praised the collaboration as 'an integrated development model that merges technology with social impact,' especially relevant in a country where agriculture remains a primary source of income for rural communities. For Jungnong, Morocco serves as a strategic base for its global expansion. Building on previous successes in Southeast Asia and Latin America, the company aims to extend its smart agriculture model across North Africa, including Algeria, Tunisia, and Egypt, as part of its broader South-South cooperation strategy. Analysts see Jungnong's investment model—based on the 'golden triangle' of capital, technology, and value chains—as a potential blueprint for future agricultural cooperation. With climate pressures mounting and global food security in the spotlight, such ventures may become vital for sustainable growth in emerging markets. Tags: agriculturechina moroccomorocco china cooperation
Morocco World
3 hours ago
- Politics
- Morocco World
Sahrawi NGOs Condemn Polisario Attack on Es-Smara, UN Mission Launches Field Investigation
Rabat – A coalition of Sahrawi NGOs has strongly condemned the recent projectile attack near the southern Moroccan city of Es-Smara, calling it a 'hostile act' and a grave violation of Morocco's sovereignty and international law. The incident, which caused panic among residents but resulted in no casualties, is widely believed to be the latest in a series of attacks carried out by the Polisario Front. The explosions occurred in an uninhabited area a few kilometers outside the city, close to a MINURSO camp. Images and videos shared online showed debris from the projectiles scattered in the area. The United Nations Mission in the Sahara (MINURSO) visited the impact sites on Friday evening to conduct an on-the-ground assessment, according to local reports. The field visit, conducted in coordination with members of Morocco's Royal Armed Forces, aimed to assess the damage and collect data for a detailed report that will be submitted to UN Secretary-General António Guterres. In a statement released after the incident, the coalition of Sahrawi NGOs expressed deep concern over what it described as the Polisario Front's continued breach of the UN-brokered ceasefire agreement. It accused the group of intentionally targeting areas close to civilians in a desperate attempt to destabilize the region and spread fear. Algeria under scrutiny The coalition said local authorities recovered explosive shells near the urban center of Es-Smara, warning that such acts were aimed at harming civilians and striking at Morocco's territorial integrity. The attack 'signals an intentional targeting of a civilian urban environment in order to impose a new, unstable reality in the region,' the group said, adding that Algeria's support and silence made it complicit in the escalation. The statement blamed Algeria for allowing a non-state armed group to operate from its territory and carry out attacks against Morocco. According to the coalition, Algeria's failure to control its borders and prevent such escalations makes it fully responsible for the ongoing military provocations. It also warned that this incident reflects a pattern of indiscriminate violence and deliberate targeting of populated areas, contradicting Polisario's claims that it only strikes military sites. 'This, it argues, constitutes a breach of international law, norms, and conventions, and must be met with an appropriate international response.' The NGO coalition reiterated its solidarity with the residents of Es-Smara and called on the UN Security Council to act swiftly to preserve peace and stability in the region. It urged Algeria to support peaceful dialogue and UN-led efforts to find a political solution to the conflict, instead of backing armed provocations. This latest incident comes less than two years after a similar attack in Es-Smara in 2023, which killed one person and injured three others. In that case, Morocco's UN ambassador Omar Hilale stated that the blasts struck civilian neighborhoods and noted that the Polisario had issued a statement indirectly taking responsibility. 'There were no military installations at any of the sites,' Hilale said in a press conference after the incident, adding that 'targeting civilians is a terrorist act under international law, and those responsible will not go unpunished.' Hilale also emphasized that those behind the attacks, as well as those who arm and support them, must be held accountable. He specifically referred to Algeria, which has been hosting, financing, and fully backing the Polisario for decades. Polisario faces US pressure Meanwhile, in the United States, a bipartisan effort is underway to designate the Polisario Front as a foreign terrorist organization. US Republican Senator Joe Wilson and Democratic Representative Jimmy Panetta recently introduced the bill, which cites the group's attacks on civilians and its renewed armed activities following the collapse of the 2020 ceasefire. Wilson described Polisario as a 'Marxist militia backed by Iran, Hezbollah and Russia providing Iran a strategic outpost in Africa and destabilizing the Kingdom of Morocco, a US ally for 248 years.' The legislation cites the Polisario's indiscriminate attacks on civilians and its rearmament after the collapse of the 2020 ceasefire. Lawmakers from both parties argue that this designation would enable enhanced sanctions, travel bans, and financial restrictions against the group. The bill reflects growing US concerns over renewed violence, especially following the ceasefire ending in late 2020. Meanwhile, Morocco's Autonomy Plan for Western Sahara has been gaining significant diplomatic backing recently. Rabat's comprehensive plan currently receives support from at least 113 countries, and the momentum is quickly growing. In 2020, the US officially recognized Moroccan sovereignty over Western Sahara and expressed support for the Autonomy Plan, with American officials recently reiterating this stance. In addition, France positively shifted tone in July 2024, labeling Morocco's 2007 autonomy proposal 'the only basis' for a just, lasting, UN-compliant settlement On June 1 this year, the United Kingdom became the third permanent UN Security Council member, after the US and France, to endorse Morocco's autonomy plan, calling it 'the most credible, viable and pragmatic' path forward. Tags: AlgeriaEs SmaraPolisarioSaharaWestern sahara
