Iran declares Strait of Hormuz fully open during ceasefire, global markets react
via Le Matin3 min read
Iran's Foreign Minister, Abbas Araghchi, announced on Friday that the strategic Strait of Hormuz is "entirely open" for all commercial vessels for the remainder of the Middle East ceasefire. Araghchi did not specify whether this referred to the ten-day truce between the Israeli army and Hezbollah, which began Thursday evening in Lebanon, or the ceasefire between the United States and Iran, theoretically ending on April 22. US President Donald Trump welcomed Iran's announcement, calling it a key point in negotiations between Tehran and Washington to end the war. Following the news, European stock markets surged, with Paris up 2.01%, Frankfurt 2.23%, Milan 1.67%, and London 0.40%. Oil prices simultaneously plunged, with Brent crude falling 10.42% to $89.03 per barrel and West Texas Intermediate dropping 11.11% to $84.17 per barrel. Meanwhile, Lebanese President Joseph Aoun described direct talks with Israel as "crucial," while Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz stated that the military operation in Lebanon was "not over." Russia expressed support for the Israel-Lebanon ceasefire, hoping it would lead to lasting agreements. Three Iranian oil tankers, carrying five million barrels of crude oil, exited the Gulf via the Strait of Hormuz on Wednesday, the first since the US blockade on Iranian ports. French President Emmanuel Macron hosted Keir Starmer, Friedrich Merz, and Giorgia Meloni ahead of a videoconference summit with about thirty "non-belligerent" participants to secure t
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The government is addressing repayment difficulties faced by some beneficiaries of the Forsa program, which has supported over 21,000 project holders since its launch. The program emphasizes accompaniment, with nearly 16,000 projects currently active due to monitoring, supervision, and coaching. For entrepreneurs experiencing constraints in meeting repayment deadlines, the government offers the option to request credit rescheduling based on individual situations, providing additional time to consolidate activities. Between June 2025 and June 2026, 4,600 rescheduling requests were filed. To date, approximately 1,400 beneficiaries have completed the necessary steps to defer loan repayments for up to twelve months, following an amendment to their loan and guarantee contracts. Other requests are still under review by financial institutions in coordination with regional stakeholders. The support system for the first edition of the program, launched in 2022, is provided by financial institutions and regional offices, while incubators support project holders from the second edition, initiated in 2023. These measures aim to sustain the entrepreneurial momentum of the Forsa program and reduce business failures, highlighting post-financing support as crucial for project longevity.
Meryem Belhoussine's research, based on testimonies from over 80 former Moroccan female parliamentarians, highlights the persistent exclusion of women from political governance. She identifies financial and sociocultural obstacles, such as limited resources for campaigns and gender stereotypes within parties, as well as "invisible resistances" like psychological violence and unfulfilled promises. Many women wait 30 to 35 years in activism before reaching parliament, revealing systemic dysfunctions. While quotas have significantly increased women's presence in parliament, they haven't transformed party operations, which remain opaque and influenced by informal networks. Quotas have often led to women being elected through reserved lists rather than competitive local constituencies, and are sometimes seen as political rent rather than merit-based promotion. Belhoussine notes that Moroccan political parties, despite constitutional reforms and legal requirements for female representation in leadership, often only partially adhere to these obligations without developing genuine strategies for promoting female leadership. She argues that the main challenge is no longer just getting women into institutions, but ensuring they have equal conditions, career prospects, and evaluation criteria as men. For the upcoming September 23, 2026 legislative elections, Belhoussine emphasizes that parties must invest in women in truly competitive constituencies. She advocates for democratizing the
Must ReadThe 15th Morocco-France High-Level Meeting concluded with the signing of several agreements across strategic sectors. These agreements demonstrate the commitment of both nations to deepen their strategic partnership through structured projects. The meeting, held in Rabat, signifies a new phase in the cooperation between Morocco and France.