馃嚥馃嚘MoroccoNorth Africa
Atlas Lions hold first training session in New Jersey for 2026 World Cup
via Le Matin1 min read
The Atlas Lions conducted their initial training session in New Jersey, characterized by a focused atmosphere and positive team spirit. The session included dynamic warm-ups, technical drills, and collective exercises, emphasizing quick ball circulation, precise passing, and intense sequences to refine team coordination. The team trained under excellent conditions, showing strong determination ahead of the competition. Moroccan supporters residing in the United States, along with fans of various nationalities, attended the session at the Pingry School facilities to cheer on the national team. Morocco will play a final friendly match against Norway on Sunday, serving as the last rehearsal for Achraf Hakimi and his teammates before their World Cup debut. In the 2026 World Cup group stage, Morocco is in Group C with Brazil, Scotland, and Haiti.
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The Ministry of Health and Social Protection has launched a campaign to promote healthy eating and prevent chronic diseases such as diabetes, hypertension, cardiovascular diseases, and kidney diseases. This initiative aims to enhance public knowledge of nutrition by providing reliable, simple, and accessible information. The campaign will emphasize the complementary roles of different food groups, the importance of dietary variety, and the adoption of healthy cooking methods. It seeks to raise awareness about the link between diet and chronic disease prevention. The campaign will utilize various communication channels, including audiovisual content from health professionals, educational publications, and informational materials. Through this effort, the Ministry intends to foster a better nutritional culture, encourage balanced and sustainable eating habits, and empower citizens to make informed dietary choices based on their age, health status, and specific needs. The Ministry calls upon health professionals, institutional stakeholders, media, civil society, and all citizens to help disseminate the campaign's awareness messages.
The African Development Bank AfDB has praised Morocco's strategy for human resource development and technological know-how transfer within its railway program. In its evaluation report accompanying a 205 million euro loan for the Railway Infrastructure Development Support Project PADIF, the AfDB highlighted Morocco's focus on expertise transfer to address technological challenges associated with its high-speed rail LGV line. This approach involved a partnership with French operator SNCF, which provided support in project management, technical integration, operational readiness, maintenance, and project ownership. This cooperation facilitated the transfer of skills to teams at the National Office of Railways ONCF and Moroccan design offices. The AfDB notes that this strategy is yielding concrete results, with 200 Moroccan railway workers now fully managing LGV maintenance, a number expected to reach 350. Rolling stock maintenance is overseen by a joint venture with SNCF, aiming for a complete transfer of skills by 2035. The Institute for Railway Training IFF, established in 2015, plays a crucial role, offering over 140 training modules for LGV operators, including infrastructure and equipment maintenance. The AfDB also points out that this strategy is complemented by an industrialization policy. Industrial offset clauses in contracts with railway equipment manufacturers have spurred local production for both ONCF and other African operators. Examples include a partnership with
Christopher Nolan's epic film, "The Odyssey," has achieved significant box office success, leading the North American box office in its opening weekend. Globally, the film garnered $264.1 million, with $139.6 million from international markets, marking one of the director's best career openings. The movie, an adaptation of Homer's nearly 3,000-year-old poem, follows Odysseus's journey and his challenging return to the island of Ithaca after the Trojan War. Matt Damon stars as the Greek hero, alongside Anne Hathaway, Tom Holland, Zendaya, and Charlize Theron. With a budget estimated at $250 million and a runtime of nearly three hours, the film was shot in various countries, including Greece, Italy, Iceland, Scotland, and Morocco. Christopher Nolan utilized Imax cameras for the entire production, a film format known for its unique resolution despite technical constraints. Morocco played a visible role in the film's spectacular reconstruction, with the Ksar of Ait Ben Haddou in Ouarzazate province serving as the ancient city of Troy. In Essaouira, a large-scale sequence involving the Trojan Horse reportedly engaged thousands of extras, aligning with the director's preference for real sets and crowds over entirely computer-generated imagery. "The Odyssey" significantly surpassed initial estimates, outperforming "Moana" which earned $19 million, and "Minions and Monsters" with $14.8 million at the North American box office.