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
OPEC loans $100 million to Morocco to promote financial inclusivity Financial technology (fintech) is expanding across the Middle East and enabling more people to use financial tools. But some cultural barriers remain. Morocco
US concerned after Moroccan court upholds journalist’s sentence The State Department said it was "concerned with the judicial process" that led to Omar Radi's six-year sentence. Morocco
Morocco acquires Israeli anti-drone air defense system Israel's defense minister is expected in Rabat on Wednesday to finalize further deals. Morocco
Israeli defense minister to visit Morocco in first since normalization Israeli Defense Minister Benny Gantz is expected to sign security cooperation agreements with his Moroccan counterpart, Abdellatif Loudiyi. Morocco
Algeria accuses Morocco of fatal attack on three truck drivers The Algerian presidency said the killing of the three Algerian truck drivers in a roadside bombing on Monday "will not go unpunished." Morocco
Morocco sentences journalist Omar Radi in trial slammed by rights groups The court on Monday sentenced Omar Radi to six years in prison on espionage and rape charges he denies. Morocco
Moroccan journalist's jailing draws rebuke from US State Department spokesman Ned Price said the United States is "disappointed" by a Moroccan court's five-year sentence of journalist Soulaiman Raissouni. Morocco
Moroccan PM congratulates Hamas for 'victory' against Israel Saadeddine Othmani's support for the Palestinians during the recent conflict with Israel followed Morocco and Israel agreeing to normalize relations late last year. Morocco
Tensions between Morocco, Polisario Front remain after leader's killing Polisario Front Police Chief Addah al-Bendir was murdered. And much like the long-simmering dispute between the Front and Morocco, nothing about his death is clear. North Africa
Surprising economic upside seen for Egypt, Morocco and Iran Reports this month by the IMF and the US intelligence community also underscore troubling trendlines. Egypt
Freedom House: Syria, Western Sahara worst in world for political rights The think tank also downgraded Jordan to "not free" in its 2021 democracy rankings. Jordan
Israel reopens liaison office in Morocco The mission's reopening comes a month after Israel and Morocco agreed to establish diplomatic and economic ties. United Arab Emirates
