Page 2 - Morocco

Dalai Lama condoles loss of lives in quake-hit Morocco, offers assistance

Tibetan spiritual leader the Dalai Lama has written to Moroccan Prime Minister Aziz Akhannouch expressing grief at the loss of lives caused by an earthquake in the country. In his letter, the Dalai Lama said he has asked the Gaden Phodrang Foundation of the Dalai Lama to make a donation towards the rescue and relief efforts in Morocco. "I offer my condolences to Your Excellency, the families of those who have lost loved ones and pray for all those affected by this great tragedy. I am aware that your government is doing everything it can to provide support to help the rescue and relief efforts in the quake zones," he said. "It is also heartening that the international community is sending aid following the earthquake. As a token of my solidarity with the people of Morocco affected by this tragedy, I have asked the Gaden Phodrang Foundation of the Dalai Lama to make a donation towards the rescue and relief efforts," he added. A powerful earthquake struck Morocco on September 8 killin

Here's what to know about Morocco earthquake and the efforts to help

An earthquake has sown destruction and devastation in Morocco, where death and injury counts continue to rise as rescue crews dig out people both alive and dead in villages that were reduced to rubble. Law enforcement and aid workers both Moroccan and international have arrived in the region south of Marrakech that was hardest hit by the magnitude-6.8 tremor Friday night and several aftershocks. Residents await food, water and electricity, and giant boulders now block steep mountain roads. Here's what you need to know: WHAT ARE THE AREAS MOST AFFECTED The epicenter was high in the Atlas Mountains about 70 kilometers (44 miles) south of Marrakech in Al Haouz province. The region is largely rural, made up of red-rock mountains, picturesque gorges and glistening streams and lakes. For residents like Hamid Idsalah, a 72-year-old mountain guide from the Ouargane Valley, it is unclear what the future holds. Idsalah relies on Moroccan and foreign tourists who visit the region due to

Rescuers search for survivors after Morocco quake claims over 2000 lives

Nearly every building in the mountain village of Tafeghaghte, which is 60 kilometres (37 miles) from Marrakesh, has been destroyed due to the quake

No report of any Indian national getting affected in Morocco earthquake

There is no report till now of any Indian national getting affected due to the earthquake in Morocco that has killed over 2,000 people, the Embassy of India here has said, advising all its citizens in the country to stay calm and adhere to guidelines issued by the local authorities. The powerful 6.8 magnitude earthquake shook Morocco late on Friday. The Interior Ministry of Morocco said late Saturday that 2,012 people were killed in the temblor. At least 2,059 people were injured, including 1,404 critically. The Embassy of India in Rabat issued an advisory on Saturday in the aftermath of the quake and said it was in touch with the community members. "Till now, there is no report of any Indian national getting affected due to the earthquake," the mission said. It urged all Indian nationals currently in Morocco to stay calm and adhere to the advisory/guidelines issued by the local authorities from time to time. "The Embassy of India in Rabat would like to advise all Indian citizens

Morocco quake kills over 2K; here are the deadliest earthquakes in history

The epicentre of the quake was high in the Atlas Mountains, around 70 kilometres away from Marrakech

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

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