Newsletter: Business & Tech World Cup spending boosts Morocco stocks This week, Morocco’s stock market surged on 2030 World Cup hype, Egypt secured its first Qatari industrial investment in sustainable aviation fuel, Yemen’s oil-rich south saw renewed conflict, and AI-driven robots are helping the UAE meet construction demands. By Jack Dutton In Bristol, reporting on regional business, climate change, AI, tech
Morocco’s markets rise as World Cup spending fuels largest IPO in decades Shares in SGTM jumped by 10% on Dec. 16 after the construction firm raised roughly $550 million from its IPO, underscoring demand in a market that has featured few new listings in recent years. Morocco
Culture World Cup: Iran fumes over LGBTQ+ themes as Jordan qualifies for first time Morocco is hoping to build on its historic run in 2022, with Saudi Arabia, Egypt and others in the region similarly vying to build on recent successes. Iran
Spain, Morocco dismantle drone network flying hashish across border Spanish authorities seized more than 150 kilograms of hashish and more than 320,000 euros ($371,820) in cash in searches across southern Spain. Morocco
Analysis Morocco's UN-backed Western Sahara plan offers investors some reassurance By Jack Dutton In Bristol, reporting on regional business, climate change, AI, tech
Feature Trump eyes Algeria-Morocco rift over Western Sahara in latest peace bid By Elizabeth Hagedorn In Washington, DC, reporting on diplomacy, regional politics, human rights
Moroccan cartoonists fight for their right to express themselves It doesn’t seem like Morocco is the perfect place to be for daring caricaturists and satirical writers, but despite restrictions, some are still fighting for freedom of expression. Morocco
Lobbying 2015: Morocco courts US backing in Sahara dispute Morocco is spending upwards of $3 million a year to convince US politicians – including presidential hopeful Hillary Clinton – to back its claims over the disputed Western Sahara. So far, it’s working. Morocco
How Morocco plans to contain its Salafists Several prominent Salafists in Morocco have surprised the nation by joining mainstream political parties. Syria
Morocco’s Amazighs still feel marginalized It has been four years since the Amazigh language was officially recognized by the Moroccan Constitution, but there is still no law in place to guarantee the cultural minority’s rights. Morocco
Morocco battles Islamic State cells After attacks in neighboring Tunisia, Morocco is doing all it can to crack down on Islamic State sympathizers. United Arab Emirates
Morocco, Algeria compete over Libya Morocco may be exploiting Algerian weaknesses to raise the stature of its foreign diplomacy by hosting the UN-sponsored dialogue between the conflicting Libyan parties. North Africa
Is Hillary Clinton taking 'blood phosphate' money from Morocco? Critics of a $1 million Clinton Foundation gift see a ploy to build support for illegal exploitation of the "last colony in Africa." Morocco
Russia shows interest in Western Sahara Russia's desire to play an active role in the Middle East extends beyond Cairo and Damascus to longstanding issues further south. Algeria
10 Middle East artists to watch Many female artists in the Middle East and North Africa are redefining their mediums. Bahrain
Why did Iran, Morocco resume relations? Economics, Iran's desire for greater international standing, the Islamic State and Western Sahara may be factors in Iran naming an ambassador to Morocco after a nearly six-year break in ties. Legacy: Gulf
Tensions increase between Egypt, Morocco Cordial relations between Egypt and Morocco have been hampered by a media brawl between both countries’ official TV channels, as Egypt moves closer to Algeria. Egypt
Erdogan’s heavy hand in Turkish media Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s personal call to a TV station to immediately stop a news scroll reveals the extent of the restrictions on press freedom in Turkey. Turkey
