Rabat – The US Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) have extended congratulations to Morocco’s security services for their achievements in the field of counterterrorism. In the face of violent extremism and the sourge of terrorism, both the FBI and the CIA said they are satisfied with their cooperation with Morocco’s General Directorate of Territorial Surveillance (DGST), Moroccan tate media reported on Tuesday. The two American intelligence services also expressed their desire to further intelligence sharing and related cooperation with their Moroccan counterparts, arguing that such collaboration ensures the safety and security of citizens from both countries. The FBI office in New York also emphasized the importance of counter-terrorsim cooperation between the two countries, recalling the recent collaboration that stopped a bloodbath in the US military just weeks ago. Last month, Morocco’s DGST provided key data on American soldier James Bridges. Police arrested the soldier for helping ISIS in targeting and attacking US troops. The soldier provided “tactical guidance to attempt to help ISIS to attack American forces in the Middle East,” the US State of Department announced on January 19. “Thanks to the strong cooperation and partnership between the General Directorate of Territorial Surveillance and the FBI, we can together guarantee the security of our two countries, the safety of our citizens, and the maintenance of security for all,” the FBI stressed in its letter. The FBI also vowed to continue to support Morocco’s DGST efforts in the fight against terrorism. For its part, the CIA in Washington echoed FBI’s appreciative comments, describing DGST’s work and leadership in counterterrorism as professional and outstanding. The CIA also emphasized the importance of joint security efforts against terrorists and extremist groups. The intelligence office in Washington said that Morocco’s assistant in the case of James Bridges reiterates DGST’s firm commitment to strengthening international cooperation mechanisms to neutralize terrorist risks and threats in Morocco and across the world. In an interview on January 24, the Head of Morocco’s Central Bureau of Judicial Investigation (BCIJ), Haboub Cherkaoui, emphasized the importance of the US-Morocco security cooperation against terrorism. He said that Morocco usually provides the US with a score of crucial intelligence. “Morocco provided the US with information regarding the Khalden training camp, one of Osama bin Laden’s main military training camps in Afghanistan,” Habboub said.

Last year was brutal for the hospitality industry. “We’ve been through hell,” says Zorawar Kalra, founder and director of Massive Restaurants, which includes brands such as Farzi Cafe, Masala Library by Jiggs Kalra and Pa Pa Ya. “There have been so many closures,” he says. This year, however, may just be different, says Kalra, who describes himself as an “eternal optimist”. In a phone interview, Kalra talks about why it felt like it was the right time to launch his new restaurants as well as the delivery-only brand, called Butter Delivery (in Delhi). “With the vaccine launch, it feels like a light has been switched on,” he says. Are all the new restaurants you’ve opened recently — Bot-Tai Switch and Swan in Delhi and +94 Bombay in Mumbai — an indication that you’re optimistic about the hospitality industry’s post-COVID future? In this industry, which is one of the riskiest and most volatile industries in the world and has a high failure rate, you have no option but to be eternally optimistic. That said, when looking at the metrics, it looks like things are improving. Once the COVID vaccine was rolled out, the fear reduced. It also feels safer for our restaurant staff and for guests. They feel like they can move around freely, like they did in December 2019. In India, we’re a hardy lot. In the overall scheme of things, I think India will bounce back quicker. You’re seeing a lot of revenge consumption. The vaccine announcement was the biggest impetus for going out. How is Bo-Tai Switch different from Bo-Tai? Bo-Tai has got the right atmosphere, with al-fresco dining and a high energy vibe. All that has been extended down to Switch, but we’ve made it a little different. It’s a place to switch off. You can have a great meal, spend time with friends. And then there’s a switch, from a gourmet restaurant to a nightlife spot after sunset. That’s the idea of Switch: it’s like an oasis in central Delhi. Swan seems like an ambitious and unusual concept, combining Japanese and Italian food. Japanese and Italian cuisines are poles apart: one is fresh and light and one is creamy and full of carbs and fat. We wanted to come up with a restaurant that focused on simplicity and ingredients. Japanese food is all about simplicity and technically, so is Italian. We’ve got out of the way to let the ingredients do all the talking. We’ve focused a lot on sourcing, and at 1500 sq ft, the restaurant’s kitchen is the largest in our system. It’s a very serious restaurant, with yummy and repeatable food and a menu that’s passionate and precise. In a social media post in October, you wrote that the pandemic had offered the company a chance to reflect and reboot. In what ways have you done so? We’ve been able to look inwards and we found a lot of stuff we don’t need. We’ve incurred many unnecessary costs. So we’ve come up with a way to make sure every restaurant is profitable. Even a few restaurants making losses is bad for the whole system. COVID shocked us; there’s no guarantee in the future. So we needed to get lean and more into detailing. Our company is now doing one weekly food cost report, unlike most who do a monthly report. So we are able to immediately assess a problem and fix it. We’re also allowing people to work from home. We’ve become a flexible workplace. We’re also going to be very tough about taking rental decisions. We’re are not going to sign crazy rents anymore. No more white elephants. We will only be at landmark locations and we won’t expand just for the sake of expansion. In what ways has COVID-19 changed the Indian restaurant industry? Are delivery-only brands, which emerged last year, here to stay? Smaller restaurants are the future. It’s better to avoid monstrosities because unforeseen circumstances will affect white elephants the most. The food costs were flying high in the industry and will be looked at closely. Real estate is the biggest problem and people must look at that. Rents will come down. Menus will be smaller, so there will be less waste. Indians like to see variety, but they order the same 10 per cent of the menu. All these things are what will make the industry survive. One cool thing is that because of COVID, deliveries really picked up. Even for restaurants like mine, which are dine-in destinations. We have now built a delivery-only brand, called Butter Delhi. There’s huge scalability, with huge possibilities for growth. We won’t just utilise existing restaurants but will have delivery-based hubs. There will be some fallout, as there’s a lot of clutter in the cloud kitchen system. But (the system) is here to stay.

He may be the mighty Thor, but he cannot skip his workouts. Actor Chris Hemsworth has revealed that he is so accustomed to exercising regularly that his “body cannot handle it” when he skips a few days. For the cover story for the March 2021 issue of Men’s Health Australia, the 37-year-old actor talked at length about his fitness routine and shared that his “body shuts down” when he “stops working out”. “I just don’t feel good. I like it for a couple of days, then everything just starts to hurt. I get achy and there’s inflammation, my back’s stiff. I’m just well aware that in order for me to live healthier and happier, I’ve got to keep moving,” he has been quoted as saying. The actor has said that he is able to “sustain his enthusiasm” for training by “constantly mixing things up”, and looking for things he enjoys. “I speak to plenty of people who are like, ‘Oh, I just hate training’. I’m like, ‘What do you do?’ ‘Oh, I just run. But I just don’t like running’. I’m like, ‘Don’t run then!’ I don’t run. I do a lot of different things. You’ve got to be an explorer in the world of fitness and exercise and constantly be on the lookout for something fresh.” Hemsworth, who is extolled for his great physique in his films, made his debut as the God of Thunder in ‘Thor‘ (in 2011). Hemsworth’s ripped physique has been praised by his co-stars, too, with his Thor actor Natalie Portman having previously described his body as ‘otherworldly’.

Washington D.C – Surprised and stunned by the United States decision to recognize Moroccan sovereignty over the Western Sahara territory, the Spanish government struggled to control its displeasure, anger and fear of the ramifications of such monumental development on its policy in North Africa. Washington’s action has unearthed Madrid’s true “feelings” and intentions toward its neighbor to the south. Complicating matters further is the Moroccan Israeli alliance that would strengthen Morocco and empower it to stand against Spain’s hidden agenda. Morocco’s normalization with Israel and the future military and political cooperation between the two states represent a real nightmare for the Spanish military and intelligence agencies. This new development coupled with the American support should be an impetus for the Spanish government to start a new, honest, respectful and open dialogue with the Moroccans on all outstanding topics. Meanwhile, the Spanish political establishment must come to terms with Morocco’s security seeds and adjust to Rabat’s new politico-military significance and prominence. Morocco and Spain have gone through several vicissitudes in their decades-old bilateral relationship since the collapse of the Franco dictatorship. The two nations appear at present to be going through a complicated and decisive phase. Madrid’s long standing “covert” strategy of keeping Morocco bogged down in the Sahara conflicts is no longer operational. Spain’s intelligence agencies distracting tactics to burry Rabat’s demands to decolonize the Spanish enclaves of Ceuta and Melilla came to the surface once Spain rejected the U.S. endorsement of Morocco’s Autonomy Plan for the Western Sahara. Spain’s refutation of the new American position has fueled the Moroccan public’s perceptions that Madrid position in the Western Sahara dossier is in fact adversarial. Failing to take advantage of this opportune moment to settle the Sahara conflict and end the suffering of tens of thousands of civilians stuck in Algeria , the Pedro Sanchez’s government chose instead to urge the Trump administration to reverse position , thereby not only discounting Moroccan interests, but also engaging in a deceptive diplomatic maneuver against its neighbor to the south. In fact, reassurances form the Spanish Monarch and statements by foreign minister Ms. Arancha González Laya that relations between the two kingdoms are in “good health” are unlikely to squash speculations about the true state of bilateral affairs, especially considering the relentless attacks on Morocco in the Spanish press and from several political organizations. It is insulting and offending to Moroccans to see Spain’s foreign ministry summon Morocco’s ambassador in Madrid to explain a declaration by its prime minister claiming the two enclaves in North Africa, when the Moroccan government deliberately ignored deputy Prime Minister Pablo Iglesias statements calling Polisario separatists brothers and promising to stand with them. How would Mr. Iglesias, Ms. González Laya and the rest of the Spanish political establishment feel if a Moroccan official invites pro-independence Catalan politicians to Morocco and give refuge, funds and non-governmental support to Catalan separatists and their leaders who are currently refugees in Brussels? If Spain feels righteous in claiming Catalonia and in negotiating with Britain over the future of Gibraltar, so does Morocco in claiming the Western Sahara and asserting the rights to Ceuta and Melilla. Moroccans are neither ignorant nor ambivalent to the fact that Spanish parties on the right and far-right like Vox and Po[CENSORED]r Party or on the left like Podemos hold deep seated anti-Moroccan feelings. In fact, it looks more and more like Spanish and Moroccan positions on some key issues are in a direct collision. Unfortunately, Spain is the only European country that opposed, on record, the American position and lobbied the Biden administration to reverse recourse. Thus, there is a clear and growing rift in Moroccan-Spanish relations. Not only different positions but also opposing interests, which could lead to further consequences. Spain faces today the hard choice of whether or not to stand by Morocco as a friend or come out as a foe. Thus far, the signs from Madrid have been vague, contradictory and unsatisfactory; even tough, Spain can prove its sincere friendship with Morocco by explicitly endorsing Morocco’s Autonomy Plan and opening serious and fair dialogue over the status of the enclaves.

ACCEPTED!

Everything that the US First Lady Jill Biden wore to the Inauguration ceremony last month symbolised something. While for the morning swearing-in she was in a blue custom-made tweed coat styled with a dress by designer Alexandra O’Neill, in the evening, she chose to wear a white dress paired with a tweed coat of the same colour. But, it was the corsage on her wrist that really stood out that day. According to a report in Insider, the first lady’s dress and matching coat were designed by Gabriela Hearst, and the embroidered flowers represented each US state and territory. And the white corsage that she wore on the day, is believed to have been a gift from the president. In a recent interview with People magazine, the first lady shared that the corsage was a surprise gift from her husband, and part of a longstanding tradition the two started on Valentine’s Day many years ago. “I love gardenias and so Joe would buy me a wrist corsage of gardenias. I wore it to school to teach! It’s just a tradition. He surprised me with it,” she said, adding: “I was surprised that people actually saw it on my wrist. I guess with a zoom lens you see everything.” On his part, Joe Biden said: “I think it’s important, and Jill does the same thing, to let each other know no matter how much time has gone by.” In the interview, which was also their first after taking office, the couple discussed their marriage, and how living in the White House has been “surreal”. “It’s surreal… but it’s comfortable. We were here for eight years, just not in this part of the residence,” the president said. The couple shared that throughout their 43-year marriage, they have supported each other. “I think we each could’ve done our jobs without the other, but not as well as we do them,” the president said, adding that he was glad Jill has continued working as a teacher.

Photography for L4artiste and Psycho Moustache started as an escape from the stress of daily life stress but resulted in personal evolution and a successful career for the two Moroccan photographers. Photography is a language that uses visual elements in lieu of words, translating an idea to a finished photo that provokes a reaction from the viewer. It is a unique art form that lets photographers interpret content in a variety of ways, from minimalism to the freedom of the abstract. Prominent Moroccan photographers have for long enjoyed recognition around the globe. These include figures such as Hassan Hajjaj, nicknamed the Andy Warhol of Morocco, or Laila Hida, who sheds light on the role and rights of women in Morocco. L4artiste and Psycho Moustache are two of the brightest stars in the country’s photography scene today, amassing over 30,000 followers each on their social media platforms. The two strive to deliver Moroccan messages to the world through their art. Moroccan photographers L4artiste and Psycho Moustache L4artiste’s work Moroccan photographer Ismail Zaidy, or L4artiste, was born and raised in Marrakech. It is easy to see the ochre city’s influence in his art. “My father is from Marrakech, my mother from a small town called Oued Zem. My siblings feature in much of my work. Family is intrinsic to my creativity,” L4artiste explained in an interview with Morocco World News. The 23-year-old graduated with a BA in international management in 2018 from Cadi Ayad in Marrakech but started taking photos on his rooftop in the summer of 2017. Hamza Lafrouji, better known as Psycho Moustache, comes from Casablanca. Pycho moustache’s work Raised on the po[CENSORED]r street of Sidi Moumen, the 28-year-old found inspiration at an early age from his uncle’s infatuation with cameras and started learning more about visual art. “Photography is something I’ve learned from my uncle and before I knew it, I’ve realized that photography is my true passion,” he explained. Fortunately for L4artiste, he used his family members as models so it was always relatively easy to communicate his ideas. “Luckily I had no challenges at the start of my journey as I kept it always simple,” he said. However, for Psycho Moustache, who started as a street photographer shooting portraits of strangers in the streets of Casablanca, he rapidly found out most people are camera shy. “I realized my first challenge was people were afraid of cameras, and they often see it as a threat.” But that did not stop him from following his passion. L4artiste and Psycho Moustache on pursuing photography in Morocco As a visual art form, photography captures the human essence and perception and can make the viewer experience deep emotions. The two Moroccan photographers capture moments and immortalize them forever. They can see the beauty in the small trivial details in the most ordinary places, elements most of us ignore. L4artiste needed an outlet in which he could immerse himself, lose himself, and forget his worries and daily stress. He needed an outlet into which he could pour his vision and talent. “I pursued a career in photography to express my inner perspective, around a hub of other unique creatives,” the 23-year-old Moroccan photographer explained. Psycho Moustache, on the other hand, who was enamored with his uncle’s cameras, felt that he was destined to hold a camera. He connected with photography on all levels, including each click. “I enjoyed the sound cameras make,” Psycho Moustache said, expressing how smitten he still is with cameras not just for their output but as instruments. The young creative admits that learning to become a great photographer is a serious challenge, but says it is definitely a pursuit that will never be boring. Being able to capture precious moments is both a fantastic photographic challenge and a profound learning experience, he added. Shooting his siblings on his rooftop in Marrakech, L4artiste reached a large number of followers and supporters on social media platforms, which only drove him to improve and enhance his work and take it more seriously. “I realized photography was more than a hobby once people started interacting with it and feeling the essence of it,” he recalled. Morocco in the photographers’ works L4artiste’s work L4artiste sees his photography as liberation from everything social and normal, as he tries to embody everything that is artistic and spiritual in an abstract yet minimalistic style. He insists that the Moroccan touch is always present in his works, whether it is written on the models’ faces, the walls, or even the sky. “Morocco is the main theme of my work, even if you can’t see it surely you can feel it, and that’s what’s important, art is a feeling.” Psycho Moustache has always given Morocco a prominent presence in his works. Every small detail in his day-to-day life inspires him to capture it. Morocco is his biggest inspiration to produce magnificent work that conveys a range of emotions, from happiness to sadness to fear to excitement. “Morocco influences my work with its simplicity and fascinating views, but especially the Moroccan beautiful faces that give me a lot of inspiration,” he explained. L4artiste and Psycho Moustache’s future goals and projects Supported fully by their family and friends, the young Moroccan photographers’ talent shined bright as famous international magazines began to feature their work. You can find Psycho Moustache’s art in international magazines such as Vogue Italia — in multiple issues — and also on local television show 2M TV POPUP. L4artiste, meanwhile, has featured on the pages of CNN Arabia and Vogue Arabia. L4artiste is currently working on a two-part exhibition called “Aayila” or “Family.” In fact, the first part is already on display in Ryad Yemma by Hassan Hajjaj. “My future objective and goal is to become one the most famous and recognized photographers in the world,” Psycho Moustache stated. He believes this dream is very much possible if he continues to work hard and express himself even further through the camera’s lens. What makes a good photographer? Having a camera does not make you a photographer. Photography is more than just mastering your camera or owning camera gear. According to the two Moroccan photographers, there are distinct inherent qualities that allow a photographer to capture the most beautiful scenes in the most unexpected places. First and foremost, like any form of art, photography demands creativity and imagination. Having a creative mind helps you distinguish beauty in the ordinary. Psycho Moustache insists that having “the eye for creativity” is one if not the most important qualities for a photographer. Psycho moustache’s work A good photographer must also have an eye for detail, combining all the elements within the photo to work harmoniously and portray the artist’s vision. L4artiste believes patience is extremely important for every photographer. Sometimes things don’t go your way, whether it’s the lighting or the models. Therefore, it is vital to stay patient and be flexible, he explained. “I believe that patience, frequent learning, and humility are the best qualities of a good photographer,” he stressed. L4artiste and Psycho Moustache’s advice for aspiring photographers “My favorite thing about being a photographer is the infinite space of imagination and self-expression it gives me,” L4artiste stated. No matter how young L4artiste might be, he has accumulated enough experience to give his own piece of advice to help and motivate fellow aspiring Moroccan photographers. “I can only say that they should read more about photography and put themselves on the shoulders of giants.” Psycho Moustache, meanwhile, emphasized that the starting point is the hardest but the most important. Whatever device you possess, as long as it can take pictures, you’re good to go. “Just start with anything you have, I started with a phone and then mastered the tools. Experience only comes when you are driven by passion. And passion is all that matters.”

Happy Rose Day 2021 Date: The romantic month has already arrived with mushy love stories. Rose Day on February 7, marks the beginning of Valentine’s week. On this auspicious day, roses are gifted to the special one, celebrating love and affection. It is said that the Victorians began the culture of exchanging roses with their beloved for communicating unspoken feelings. However, if you are wondering which rose to gift your special one, worry not. Here is a detailed description of what each rose colour signifies. Quickly go through them to choose the best one for your beloved. Red Roses Red roses are known to be the true expression of love as they define love and romance. It conveys romantic meanings to your beloved ones like “I love you” or “Be Mine”. Therefore, take a deep breath and gift your beloved a red rose to express your feelings. They are the true Valentine’s Day roses. Yellow Roses Yellow roses symbolise friendship and caring. Gifting a yellow rose to someone you love will express purely platonic emotions. Orange Roses The orange rose symbolises enthusiasm and passion. You may opt for it to express a deep feeling of intense desire for someone special. To give a strong message to your beloved, you can gift it along with a red rose too. Pink Roses Pink roses symbolise gratitude, grace, admiration, and joy. You gift these special blooms in case you are celebrating the day of love in an unconventional way. White Roses The white rose symbolises innocence and purity. They are mostly used on occasions like during weddings or funerals. Therefore, you might like to avoid gifting them during this time of the year unless you get to hear the wedding bells. Peach Rose Wondering about gifting your loved one peach roses? They signify modesty, expressing the first blush of love and appreciation. To appreciate someone for their beauty and modesty, this rose works the best. Lavender Roses The feeling of love at first sight is expressed through lavender colour. These roses convey adoration and fantasy along with a sense of majesty and splendor. Blue Roses Do you feel “I can’t have you but I can’t stop thinking about you” when you see your crush? In case you feel the same, you definitely gift blue roses as they embody the desire for the unattainable.

Rabat – Representatives of Libya’s opposing factions elected a unified transition government on Friday, February 5. The election marks a significant step towards achieving sustainable peace in Libya through the UN-guided Libyan Political Dialogue Forum (LPDF) hosted in Switzerland. Representatives of the two former warring parties in Libya’s bloody conflict had gathered near Geneva to evaluate candidates and agree on an interim transitional government. The group of 74 Libyan politicians voted for several important positions that aim to create a unified government to usher in a new era of political dialogue in the war-torn country. UN Envoy Stephanie Williams has witnessed the rapid transition from a seemingly endless conflict to a sudden ceasefire and now the establishment of a unity government. On behalf of the United Nations I am pleased to witness this historic moment,” she declared to roaring applause. The representatives of Libya’s two opposing factions managed to agree on its new interim government with more than 50 percent of the vote. The gathered officials had cast their votes in the early morning on Friday. They elected Mohammed al-Menfi as the country’s head of the Presidential Council as well as making Abdulhamid Dbeibeh the country’s first unified post-conflict prime minister. The list of candidates for the interim government’s leadership positions included a variety of Libya’s most prominent politicians, including Aguila Saleh from eastern Libya and Fathi Bashagha from the west. The gathering however chose to elect lesser known leaders, a decision that appears to be accepted by the losing candidates. By electing leaders with less political baggage, Libya’s representatives appear to be looking for a government that will face as little friction with both sides in the conflict. While Egypt backed the candidacy of Saleh and Bashaga to rule together, the LPDF decided otherwise. Libya’s new prime minister is not without controversy however, as Abdulhamid Dbeibeh comes from a prominent family that is seen as corrupt by many Libyans. Yet, there are few elites that do not face such suspicions in Libya. Despite some lingering doubts about the forum’s chosen leaders, the election nonetheless marks another step in the remarkable and unexpected path to peace in Libya. The interim government will now be tasked with organizing the national elections in December.

Celebrating Kamala Harris as America’s first woman vice president, a unique glass portrait in her honour has been unveiled in front of the historic Lincoln Memorial here. The exhibit, which will be on display through February 6, commemorates the seminal achievement for women in America and celebrates an incredible woman leader, 56-year-old Harris, with many “firsts” to her name — including the first woman vice president, first Black vice president, first Indian-American vice president and first vice president to graduate from a Historically Black College and University, according to a statement. “Representation matters, especially at the ballot box, and the inauguration of Kamala Harris as the first woman, and first woman of colour, to serve as vice president of the United States is a landmark moment in American history,” said Holly Hotchner, president and CEO of the National Women’s History Museum. Harris — whose mother Shyamala Gopalan Harris, a cancer researcher, was from Chennai and father Donald Harris is a Jamaican American professor of economics — took over the office of the US Vice President on January 20. The installation to honour Harris’ shattering of this monumental “glass ceiling” is presented by the National Women’s History Museum — the nation’s leading women’s history museum and the most recognised institution dedicated to uncovering, interpreting and celebrating women’s diverse contributions to society, in partnership with Chief, a private network focused on connecting and supporting women leaders. The one-of-a-kind broken glass medium used by the artist Simon Berger to create the portrait uniquely embodies Harris’ glass-shattering achievement. The installation was created by creative agency BBH New York, with production partnership from M ss ng P eces. Set against the historic and scenic backdrop of the reflecting pool and Washington Monument, the installation includes a plaque featuring a QR code which viewers can scan to take them to an Instagram Spark AR. This provides an augmented reality experience that immerses the observer in Harris’ glass-breaking moments. The campaign also includes a companion website and film. Based on a colour photo of Harris taken by photographer Celeste Sloman (represented by ATRBUTE, New York), the artwork measures 6.5 feet x 6.5 feet and was crafted by artist Simon Berger (represented by Artstübli Gallery, Basel), according to the statement. “Today’s progress is built on the legacy of the women who came before — the trailblazers, like Kamala, who raised their voices, marched for their rights, and ran for elected office; the women who cracked glass ceilings so that other women could shatter them,” Hotchner said. Lindsay Kaplan, who co-founded Chief in 2019 with Carolyn Childers, said that this artwork not only celebrates Vice President Harris, a woman who embodies this mission, but it recognises the women who came before her and those who’ll come after. Today, only 23 per cent of executive roles are held by women. “We hope this exhibit will show women of all backgrounds that they can change that percentage, assert their voices and open doors as they shatter barriers,” she added.

Rabat – Morocco’s diplomatic corps looks set to expand ties with Russia after a year of intense diplomatic cooperation with the US. While Russian diplomacy in North Africa often links to neighboring Algeria, Russo-Moroccan ties go back centuries and are set to only expand. While strengthening ties between the two countries appear to be based on win-win trade agreements, Spanish newspaper El Espanol’s Sonia Moreno published a piece on Monday that raised suspicions about the ever increasing relations between Russia and Morocco. Spanish sources appear to fear that ties with Russia will lessen Morocco’s economic dependency on business from Spain, going as far as to criticize Spanish party Podemos for its support for Polisario in Western Sahara. Intertwined relations Morocco’s King Mohammed VI has made no secret of his wish to strengthen economic and diplomatic ties with the Russian Federation. The monarch personally visited Moscow twice in the last decade and Russian President Vladimir Putin similarly visited Rabat. While Russia is the key provider of military equipment to Morocco’s rival Algeria, the two countries clearly hold no grudges. In 2017, Russia offered Morocco its state-of-the-art S-400 missile defense system after signing 11 agreements with Morocco the year prior. Morocco instead opted to purchase the US’ Patriot missile system, its choice for the US’ arguably inferior missile system a clear sign of Morocco’s unwavering support for the US and NATO. While some in Europe might fear closer relations between Russia and Morocco, the US is clearly aware of Morocco’s good intentions after a year of unprecedented joint diplomatic progress. But the links between Morocco and Russia extend far beyond politics and business. Both countries rely on each other to provide some of their most beloved staple products and their ties extend through the ages. Mutual reliance Moroccans depend on Russia for one of the most important elements for any breakfast, lunch, or dinner in Morocco: Traditional Moroccan bread. Growing wheat requires significant amounts of water, a scarce resource in Morocco, so the country imports a significant portion of its much-needed wheat from the Black Sea. Conversely, Moroccan products are also dear to people in Russia. In the midst of the barren Russian winters, Morocco provides many of its fruit and vegetables. One piece of fruit in particular has an emotional value for Russians, as Moroccan oranges are a key feature of Russia’s most important holiday: Its new year’s celebrations. Oranges branded with the word “Maroc” are so iconic in Russia that in 2017, then Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev wrote, “our two countries are separated by thousands of kilometres. However, you can hardly find anyone in Russia, even among children, who wouldn’t be aware of Morocco’s existence.” Political understanding Russia and Morocco have ties that extend back to 1777. Both countries at the time were considered empires and commenced ties through the exchange of letters between Sultan Mohammed Ben Abdellah al-Khatib (Mohammed III) and Russian Empress Catherine the Great. Russo-Moroccan relations started the same year that Morocco became the second country worldwide to recognize the newly independent United States. While Morocco and Russia both have a different form of government and even different flags compared to when they first established rudimentary ties, the two countries have shared some common political positions throughout the ages. “Russia has been always interested in strengthening Morocco’s independence,” Medvedev wrote in 2017, highlighting that the “Soviet Union was consistent in following this line, supporting the people of Morocco in their fight for liberation from colonial rule.” Growing ties Morocco was the first Arab nation to establish ties with Russia and ever since the two countries have enjoyed a strong connection. “There has always been a special chemistry in our relations, and the relations never took on an adversarial dimension,” Medvedev wrote in 2017. Morocco and Russia are not simply enjoying existing ties but are both eager to expand them. The governments of both countries reiterated this desire in December 2020 when the two countries organized a preparatory meeting for the 8th Morocco-Russia Joint Commission for Economic, Scientific, and Technical Cooperation. During the meeting, Morocco’s Foreign Minister Nasser Bourita called for a “multi-sectoral alliance,” which provided another symbol of the intertwined relations between the two countries. Morocco is currently Russia’s second largest Arab trading partner, and the third largest in Africa with plenty of room to grow. Watched with suspicion Some in Europe see the strengthening ties between the two friendly nations with suspicion. “Morocco scores another goal for the squad against Europe,” wrote El Espanol on Monday. It stated that Morocco is now ”closing ranks not only through trade and defense agreements with the United Kingdom and the United States, but also with Russia.” El Espanol in its title even highlighted that while King Mohammed VI and Vladimir Putin are reaching agreements, Spanish President “Sanchez waits to be received in Rabat.” Many in Europe fear stronger ties between Morocco and Russia because they aim to compete with Russia on wheat exports, fear a stronger Morocco, or are simply based on Europe’s problematic suspicions about anything Russian. While some might be suspicious of Russo-Moroccan relations, both countries appear to only stand to benefit from deepening ties. In difficult times of economic distress and a global health crisis it is good to be able to rely on proven friendships and mutually beneficial trade.

US President and First Lady Joe and Jill Biden recently talked about the experience of living in the White House, and their relationship with each other, in their first interview since swearing-in. Talking to People, Presiden Biden revealed how living in the White House has been “surreal”. “It’s surreal … but it’s comfortable. We were here for eight years, just not in this part of the residence.” “The residence staff has been so great, trying to make it feel like home for us. We have family pictures all around, our books, some furniture we brought from home,” Jill Biden, who has made history by choosing to continue to teach amid responsibilities as First Lady, was quoted as saying. On being asked about the “secret” behind their 43-year marriage getting stronger with time, the President expressed, “We each could do our jobs, but not as well as we do them. Thank God that when I’m really down, she steps in, and when she’s really down, I’m able to step in. We’ve been really supportive of one another. I’ve read all that data as well about families under pressure, and that’s why I’m glad she kept her profession.” “It’s really important that she’s an educator, although she took off two years when we first got married because the boys were little. It’s important that she has the things that she cares a great deal about, her independence. And yet we share each other’s dreams,” he added. Jill referred to a quote “that says sometimes you become stronger in the fractured places.” “That’s what we try to achieve.” Talking about how Jill had been a huge support, he further said, “Jill came along at a really important point and put my family back together. She’s the glue that held it together, and I knew that I wanted to marry her shortly after I met her. … It’s not that we don’t fight and argue sometimes. I’m just lucky.” “Well, after 43 years of marriage there’s really not that much more to fight about,” Jill was quoted as saying. The POTUS also opened up on what religion or prayer means to him. “My religion, for me, is a safe place. I never miss mass, because I can be alone. Jill, when she wants me to get a real message, she tapes it on the mirror above the sink where I shave. And she put up a great quote from Kierkegaard saying, “Faith sees best in the dark.” Other people may meditate. For me, prayer gives me hope, and it centers me.”

Spanish Minister of Foreign Affairs Arancha Gonzalez Laya has debunked pro-Polisario allegations from some Spanish political parties, who claim that Spain has the authority to intervene in Western Sahara. In a written parliamentary statement that sought to clarify Spain’s position on the Sahara conflict, Gonzalez Laya affirmed that her country has been “detached from any international responsibility” relating to the administration of Western Sahara since February 26, 1976. “The Spanish government has definitively terminated its presence in the territory of the Sahara,” she said, stressing that Spain has no say in the issue. In her letter, Laya responded to a question about Western Sahara from Spanish politicians Ines Sabanes Nadal and Inigo Errejon Galvan. Laya emphasized that neither the UN Secretary-General nor the UN Security Council mention Spain in their reports and resolutions on Western Sahara, proving that Spain has no ties to issue, nor the authority to intervene. The top Spanish diplomat also reiterated her country’s official stance on the Western Sahara issue: “Spain does not recognize the Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic.” Laya’s response came following a series of claims that Morocco-bashing Spanish politicians have made, urging their government to intervene in the Sahara dispute and recognize the separatist Polisario Front’s self-proclaimed Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic. The diplomat’s letter appeared to reflect her frustration with the repetitive calls from Spanish politicians urging her department to intervene in the issue. “The official Spanish position on the Western Sahara issue is constant and has not changed,” Laya declared. “Spain does not recognize the Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic.” Several Spanish political parties, such as Vox and Podemos, are known for their anti-Moroccan rhetoric, especially including their hostile discourse on Morocco’s sovereignty over its southern provinces. The Spanish government, however, is well aware of the importance of Morocco as a strategic partner. In recent weeks, Prime Minister of Spain Pedro Sanchez, Minister of the Interior Fernando Grande-Marlaska, and Foreign Minister Laya have all spoken highly about relations with Morocco, using a very pacifist discourse. Spanish officials also regularly express their frustration with politicians who attempt to harm Spain’s bilateral relations with Morocco.

Michelle Obama just received a “surprise” gift from the current US First Lady Jill Biden. The former First Lady took to Instagram to share a picture of the gift — a basket full of fresh vegetables from the White House Kitchen Garden. “So thankful for this beautiful care package from our amazing @FLOTUS! These fresh veggies from the White House Kitchen Garden were such a wonderful — and delicious — surprise. Love you, Jill!” Michelle wrote alongside the picture. The White House reportedly has multiple vegetable gardens. For instance, Hillary Clinton had a vegetable garden constructed on the roof of the White House. It was Michelle, however, who is credited with planting the largest and most expansive vegetable garden to date on the White House lawn. According to thehill.com, she developed the garden on the South Lawn, in 2009, as part of her initiative on healthy eating during childhood. The vegetables grown here include arugula (rocket), cilantro (coriander), tomatillo, hot peppers, spinach, chard, collards, black kale, berries, and lettuce, to name a few. The White House grounds, including the kitchen garden, are looked after by The National Park Service in US. “The White House Kitchen Garden supplies about 2,000 pounds of food each year for the White House. Any food that is not used at the White House is donated to a Washington, DC, charity feeding those in need,” mentions nps.gov.

Rabat – Morocco’s House of Councillors and the Royal Institute for Amazigh Culture (IRCAM) signed a cooperation agreement on Tuesday, pledging to accelerate the process of integrating the Amazigh (Berber) language into the work of the upper house of the Moroccan parliament. Abdelhakim Benchemach, the speaker of the house of councillors, signed the agreement with the rector of IRCAM Ahmed Boukous. The document seeks to establish a partnership between the two parties to implement the action plan the upper house approved recently. The plan includes methods and phases of integrating the Amazigh language in the plenary sessions of the House of Advisors and its bodies. The partnership also entails ensuring the implementation of the official aspect of the Amazigh language and the facilitation of its use by the Moroccan parliament. IRCAM and the House of Councillors vowed to work together to set up joint action plans for training and seminars in Amazigh language and culture at the House of Councillors. The two parties also promised to strengthen their cooperation through the exchange of experiences and documents. IRCAM will offer the necessary assistance to facilitate the integration of Amazigh during the plenary sessions of both the House of Advisors and its various bodies. The house, for its part, will provide assistance to IRCAM researchers in the development of research and studies related to the areas of parliamentary action. Also included in the agreement is the creation of a joint commission in charge of monitoring the implementation of the terms of the agreement approved by representatives of the two parties. Institutions did not respect deadline Abdelwahed Deriouch, councilor of Abdelhakim Benchamach and an MP told Morocco World News that the agreement is in line with Article 32 of Morocco’s organic Law 26.16. The law determines the phases of the process to implement the official character of Amazigh language. The law, which was published in late September 2019, sti[CENSORED]tes that all ministerial departments should prepare action plans to integrate the Amazigh language into their working environment. It set a six-month deadline for the concerned institutions to prepare their respective actions plans. “No other Moroccan institution other than the House of Councillors has introduced its action plan, which made the upper house the first departement to make actions in line with the organic law,” Deriouch told MWN. The MP called on all other institutions to implement the law and prepare action plans. “Those who vote in elections include Amazigh people. Therefore it is unfair to include only Arabic in plenary sessions, especially as it is difficult for some Amazigh people to understand Arabic,” he said. Deriouch said that the decision to include the Amazigh language will allow parliamentarians to ask questions in the language, which will be also translated in Arabic to ensure equality and fairness. The MP expressed hope to see the language included in the working environment of all other public institutions. Asked whether he believes Morocco will make “Id Yennayer” (the Amazigh New Year) an official holiday, Deriouch said activism in favor of the move is ongoing. The MP believes that such a decision is a sovereign action that King Mohammed VI should approve himself. “It is not happening yet, but I am confident this will happen sooner or later,” he concluded.

Priyanka Chopra Jonas is riding high on the success of her latest film, The White Tiger. And the actor and producer decided to share her enthusiasm by matching her outfit with the White Tiger itself. Trust us, this is no exaggeration! Recently, the actor shared a picture of herself with her Instagram-famous dog, Diana, and both were seen twinning in stripes. The actor looked striking in the asymmetrical dress which she styled with chic shades and hair tied in a bun. Sharing it she wrote, “A white tiger and her cub”, and we agree. The multi-hyphenated artist recently launched her own haircare line, Anomaly. In a long Instagram post, she wrote that the product is a result of her experiences over the years, of learning from good and bad hair days. “Our formulas are vegan and clean, with high-performance ingredients, and our bottles are made from 100 per cent plastic trash from our oceans and landfills. Oh, and btw, it’s $5.99! We are democratising sustainable beauty, because access to it should not cost us the Earth and should be available to all,” she wrote. The products dropped on January 31. She also shared a little-known story from her 2019 Cannes appearance with her fans. “I may look chill on the outside here, but little did everyone knows I had just been freaking out on the inside. The delicate zipper to this vintage @roberto_cavalli dress broke as they were zipping it up minutes before I had to leave for the red carpet at Cannes last year. The solution? My amazing team had to sew me into the dress on the way in the 5-minute car ride!” What do you think of her look?

Rabat – The Charge d’Affaires in the US embassy in Rabat David Greene has congratulated Morocco for the launch of the national COVID-19 vaccination campaign. The US embassy shared an unofficial translation of Greene’s congratulatory message addressed to King Mohammed VI on Monday. “It is with the highest respect that I extend my warm congratulations on the launch of the SARS-CoV-2 vaccination campaign, the first major country-wide campaign in Africa,” Greene said. He also emphasized Morocco’s leadership in the fight against the pandemic since the first outbreak of COVID-19. “I commend the outstanding perseverance and solidarity of the government and the people of Morocco. Your launch of the vaccination campaign is truly an achievement worthy of recognition,” the US diplomat added. The US appointed Greene after the departure of ambassador David Fischer, who was part of the first US delegation to visit Dakhla after former President Donald Trump recognized Morocco’s sovereignty over Western Sahara. “I avail myself of this opportunity to renew to Your Majesty the assurances of my highest esteem,” Greene concluded. King Mohammed VI launched the campaign on Thursday, January 28. He launched the vaccination campaign by receiving the first dose of the vaccines. The first vaccination phase, which is still ongoing, covers people in the front-lines, including security services, doctors, teachers, elderly, and those at risk of getting infected. Official statistics from the Ministry of Health said that over 200,081 people have received the vaccine as of February 1 at 6 p.m. The number of COVID-19 cases reached a total of 471,438 to date. Morocco carried out nearly five million tests of COVID-19 since the outbreak of the epidemic in Morocco in March 2020. The death toll has now reached 8,287, while recoveries sit at 450,052.