Oil prices rise amid renewed US-Iran hostilities and Middle East tensions
via Le Matin2 min read
Oil prices increased following new attacks between the United States and Iran, with Brent crude rising 2.51% to $98.41 per barrel and West Texas Intermediate gaining 2.63% to $96.23 per barrel. Both Iran and the US accuse each other of violating an increasingly fragile ceasefire. The US military reported that Tehran launched several missiles towards countries in the region, all of which missed their targets. However, the Kuwaiti army announced that Iranian drones hit Kuwait International Airport, injuring several people. Iran's Revolutionary Guard Corps blamed the US, stating their actions were in retaliation for two separate attacks. Kathleen Brooks, an analyst at XTB, suggests investors may have been too quick to factor in the impact of a memorandum of understanding, which, according to Axios, proposed a 60-day ceasefire extension and the opening of the Strait of Hormuz. Brooks notes it is now unclear if discussions to end the conflict and reopen the strait are ongoing. Donald Trump maintains that contact between the two parties has not been broken, despite reports from Iran's Tasnim news agency on Monday that discussions were suspended due to Israeli attacks in Lebanon. Iran demands that the war in Lebanon be included in negotiations, which Tamas Varga, an analyst at PVM, says makes the situation more complex. Trump had also stated on Monday that Israel and Hezbollah promised de-escalation, but clashes in Lebanon have continued. Israeli strikes on Wednesday killed six peop
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Oncorad Group has completed over 450 robotic surgeries in Morocco since the first robot-assisted radical prostatectomy was performed in Casablanca on May 27, 2024. The majority of these procedures, 81.6%, are in urology, with radical prostatectomies accounting for 88% of urological interventions. Digestive surgery makes up 11.5% and gynecology 6% of the total. The group has also achieved the first robot-assisted thoracic and digestive surgeries in the Kingdom, established a telesurgery network connecting Casablanca to Tangier and Shanghai, performed Africa's largest series of robot-assisted cystectomies, and is the only group on the continent to perform robot-assisted lombo-aortic dissection. Oncorad Group's teams are also researching new applications for robotic surgery, including intraoperative ultrasound guidance and robot-assisted artificial sphincter implantation. To broaden access to this technology, Oncorad Group recently acquired a second surgical robot with a dual connected console, installed in Tangier, to enhance surgeon training, facilitate remote expert support, and share technical resources. Founded in 2000 by Professor Redouane Samlali and Dr. Omar Hajji, Oncorad Group specializes in cancer care and has expanded into various medical disciplines, including robotic surgery, nuclear medicine, medical imaging, and radiotherapy.
In his latest book, My Seddik Rabbaj explores the transformation of Marrakech, particularly focusing on the Sidi Youssef Ben Ali neighborhood where he grew up. He describes a childhood marked by freedom, contrasting it with the current generation's need for more to achieve happiness. Rabbaj observes that modernity has significantly altered Moroccan lifestyles, leading to a more Westernized way of living. While acknowledging progress, he laments the decline of traditional values like solidarity. He notes that mass tourism has contributed to these changes, but emphasizes that globalization, disseminated through media, is the primary driver, making Moroccans feel they live in the world rather than just Morocco. The author discusses the transformation of the medina, with original inhabitants moving to the outskirts as riads are converted into tourist accommodations and Airbnb rentals. He offers a nuanced perspective, suggesting that selling these riads at high prices allows heirs to live comfortably and that renovating one riad can help preserve several neighboring ones. Rabbaj acknowledges the displacement of long-term residents but views change as an inherent part of life. Addressing public discontent over real estate speculation and rising prices, Rabbaj believes the state has tools to regulate these dynamics, citing examples from Spanish cities that manage foreign investment. He stresses the importance of education in fostering acceptance of differences and preventing identit
Morocco's government is developing a roadmap to structure and accelerate the growth of e-commerce, aiming to position the country as a leading African hub in the global e-commerce ecosystem and enhance the presence of "Made in Morocco" products on digital platforms and export markets. This initiative comes as global e-commerce sales reached $5.8 trillion in 2023 and are projected to hit $8 trillion by 2027, a 39% increase. This exponential growth has shifted consumer habits, with online sales experiencing double-digit growth while in-store sales decline in regions like Europe, the Middle East, and Latin America. In Morocco, the e-commerce sector's turnover reached 19 billion dirhams by September 2023, with an average growth rate exceeding 30%. Despite this progress and a dynamic entrepreneurial ecosystem, authorities believe the sector's potential is underexploited due to organizational, legal, and fiscal challenges. To address this, the Ministry of Industry and Trade has launched an in-depth study to identify development levers and export potential. The roadmap will involve analyzing the current e-commerce landscape, including governance, regulatory and tax frameworks, digital and logistical infrastructure, and economic models. It will also examine new value chains generated by e-commerce and their impact on sectors like agri-food and textiles, especially in the context of the African Continental Free Trade Area AfCFTA e-commerce protocol. Benchmarking against countries with
A study by Rabat Business School RBS, affiliated with the International University of Rabat UIR, surveyed 807 young Moroccan professionals aged 25 to 30 with at least a Bac+4 degree. The findings reveal that while 71% of young graduates find employment within a year and 78% believe their first job aligns with their initial training, their sense of preparedness for the professional world is mixed, with an average score of 6 out of 10. Respondents largely hold universities and schools responsible for their job preparation, expecting more professionalization, support, internships, and clarity on career opportunities. Despite nearly 69% perceiving job opportunities as scarce and 62% believing the market is stagnant or deteriorating, over 80% are satisfied with their current jobs. This apparent contradiction is attributed to the importance placed on the quality of human experience at work, rather than salary. Young professionals prioritize quality management, recognition, work environment, and work-life balance. The study highlights that those in larger organizations with structured management report higher satisfaction, while a lack of supervised autonomy leads to dissatisfaction and a higher intent to leave, with over 61% having considered quitting their jobs. The research also points to disparities, with women reporting lower satisfaction in areas like recognition, remuneration, and career prospects compared to men. Graduates from major cities are generally less satisfied than