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
Morocco, Algeria face off at UN over Western Sahara The Polisario Front is disappointed over the lack of interest from the international community in the group's four-decade-long battle for self-determination and an independent state. Algeria
Intel: US touts nearly $40 million in coronavirus aid to Middle East The United States today touted nearly $40 million in aid to the Middle East and North Africa as part of a $274 million emergency health and humanitarian assistance package to help afflicted countries deal with the coronavirus pandemic. Yemen
North Africa braces for coronavirus It remains unclear how the coronavirus outbreak will affect the economies and social fabric of North African countries. Algeria
Morocco shows support for Egypt in conflict with Ethiopia over Nile Dam Although Moroccan King Mohammed VI's visit to Egypt had been postponed more than five times without clear reasons, a silent alliance between Egypt and Morocco may have been formed. Egypt
Morocco’s balancing act on Israel and Palestine Moroccans protest against the "deal of the century" and want the government, which recently took possession of Israeli spy drones, to do more to aid the Palestinian cause. Palestine
Intel: Morocco played up Iran rhetoric as it eyed US-Israel deal on Western Sahara Israel, Morocco and the United States have been pursuing back channel negotiations on the disputed Western Sahara for more than a year. Israel
Intel: Congress piles on the Pentagon over possible North Africa drawdown The leaders of the House and Senate foreign affairs panels today expressed concern over a possible Pentagon plan to draw down US troops in Africa, which could impact plans to fight terror in Tunisia and Morocco. North Africa
Libya is only small part of Turkey’s ambitious Africa overture Although Turkey’s moves in Libya capture a lot of headlines these days, Ankara has been busy on other fronts in Africa. Egypt
Solidarity swells in Morocco after crackdown on free expression Moroccan journalist Omar Radi has been released pending trial in March, but other YouTubers, rappers and students remain in jail for criticizing the king and the regime. Morocco
Moroccan YouTubers forced to silence A day after Mohammed Sekkaki recorded a witty rant against the king and uploaded it to YouTube, Moroccan police raided his home and arrested him. Morocco
Intel: How Israel — and Netanyahu — stand to gain from Pompeo's Morocco visit Secretary of State Mike Pompeo has arrived in Morocco for a one-day trip aimed boosting ties with a country that the State Department deems a "critical partner" across a range of issues ahead of the visit. Morocco
How bus ban reflects Morocco's broader migration policy The well-known Moroccan bus company CTM denies accusations that it prevents "Africans" from boarding some of its buses. Morocco