Morocco to build nuclear plant in 2020

2009-11-19 Moroccan will launch construction of a 100MW nuclear energy plant in 2020, Energy Minister Amina Benkhadra told parliament on Wednesday (November 18th). Also in 2020, Morocco's new $9 billion solar power project is expected to produce 2,000 MW, the minister added.

FAR and FUS vie for Throne Cup

2009-11-18 Rabat-based teams FAR and Fath Union Sport will clash for the Throne Cup final on Wednesday (November 18th), MAP reported. The capital derby coincides with celebrations marking the 54th anniversary of Morocco's independence. FUS enter the match with four Cup wins, the most recent of which was in 1995. The Militaires hope to win their 11th title and third in a row.

Olympian Ramzi stripped of gold medal over doping

2009-11-18 Moroccan-born Olympic running champion Rashid Ramzi has been stripped of his Beijing Games medal, international press reported on Wednesday (November 18th). The International Olympic Committee (IOC) will announce that, as a result of last April's positive test for blood-boosting drug CERA, the 29-year-old Bahraini national lost his 1500m gold medal. Ramzi will also be banned from the 2012 Olympic Games in London.

Under his original name, Rachid Khoula, the Safi native won a silver medal for Morocco at the 1999 African Juniors. Ramzi became a citizen of Bahrain in 2001 and won his adopted country its first-ever Olympic medal.

Morocco PM presses world leaders to boost agriculture spending

2009-11-18 Strengthening a country's agricultural sector should be a core element of national economic policy, Morocco Prime Minister Abbas El Fassi told international leaders at the World Food Security Summit in Rome on Tuesday (November 17th). Speaking on behalf of King Mohammed VI, El Fassi urged the 60-plus heads of state and government officials to spur investment in agriculture in order to meet food challenges, MAP reported.

Morocco jails Al Massae journalists

2009-11-18 A Moroccan court sentenced two Al Massae journalists to prison for "publishing false information" in a drug trafficking case, ANSA reported on Tuesday (November 17th). Editor Rachid Nini received a 3-month jail term and writer Said Laajal got a two-month sentence for reporting that during an interrogation, the alleged head of a drug trafficking network had discussed the involvement of a judicial official.

Moroccan cyclist wins Tour du Rwanda first stage

2009-11-17 Moroccan cyclist Adil Jelloul on Monday (November 16th) won the Tour du Rwanda first stage between Kigali and Gisenyi, MAP reported. The 8-day Tour of Rwanda gives qualification points for the 2012 Olympics in London.

Chamakh, Ziani nominated for top African footballer award

2009-11-17 Algerian Karim Ziani of Wolfsburg and Moroccan Marouane Chamakh of Bordeaux are among ten nominees for an annual best African football player award, MAP reported on Monday (November 16th). The winner of Moroccan sports newspaper al-Mountakhab's annual "Lion d'Or" prize will be chosen by international sports journalists, African football experts and internet voting.