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ONEE launches €50 million program with KfW support to enhance drinking water supply resilience
via Le Matin2 min read
The National Office of Electricity and Drinking Water ONEE is accelerating its strategy to adapt to water stress through a climate-resilient drinking water supply program. This major initiative, with a total investment of 50 million euros, is supported by the German development bank KfW and is set to run until June 2030. Its primary goal is to secure drinking water supply amidst recurrent droughts and increasing pressure on resources. The program involves a gradual reorientation of water production, focusing on expanding and diversifying resources, particularly surface water, to reduce reliance on over-exploited groundwater. The aim is to meet current demand, including peak consumption, and anticipate future needs driven by demographic and economic growth, while ensuring service continuity and sanitary quality. The program has two main pillars: the first focuses on new drinking water production projects and improving existing facilities through modernization and optimization; the second is a flexible credit line for smaller, high-impact operational projects. Technical assistance, including a consulting engineering firm, will coordinate, monitor, and supervise projects, covering technical, financial, and environmental aspects, and ensuring compliance with donor standards and integration of environmental and social requirements. Land acquisition is a key focus, with a dedicated system to manage land purchases and prevent delays. This program represents a deeper evolution of Mor
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This summary was AI-generated from a story originally published by Le Matin.
A meeting of the Morocco-US Defense Consultative Committee took place, where Berrid and Loudyi were received by the US Secretary of War. The meeting, attended by Morocco's Ambassador to Washington, Youssef Amrani, and the US Ambassador to Rabat, Duke Buchan III, focused on strengthening bilateral relations, particularly in defense, defense industry, and cybersecurity. Both parties commended the historical and exemplary relations between Morocco and the United States, driven by the commitments of their respective leaders. The Moroccan delegation also acknowledged the American position supporting Morocco's full sovereignty over its Sahara and highlighted Morocco's efforts as a committed actor for regional peace and security, promoting stability and prosperity regionally and internationally.
Must ReadUS and Iranian negotiators are scheduled to meet this weekend to finalize a peace agreement, according to Donald Trump. Trump told "Axios" that Iranians are eager to reach a deal and he anticipates an agreement within a day or two. The former US President believes there are "good chances" for a definitive agreement to end the war, but warned that the United States would "blow everything up" in Iran if negotiators fail to agree. Earlier, Trump stated on Truth Social that Iran has agreed "never again to close the Strait of Hormuz," a strategic maritime passage. He also indicated that Iran is removing all its naval mines from the Strait of Hormuz with US support, adding that the US naval blockade on Iranian ports will remain until an agreement is reached. On Thursday, Trump announced that Iran has agreed to surrender its enriched uranium, a key US demand for an agreement with Tehran to end the war.
Must ReadInternational organizations, including the World Meteorological Organization, indicate a probable transition to an El Niño climate system between May and July 2026. This phenomenon is known for its role in global climate variability. Strong "Super" El Niño events are typically linked to warmer global temperatures and an increased likelihood of temperature records. During El Niño phases, surface waters in the equatorial Pacific release more heat into the atmosphere, contributing to global temperature increases. However, the effects of El Niño are not uniform across all regions. In Morocco, its influence is partial, indirect, and highly seasonal. It primarily affects southern arid regions like Laâyoune, Dakhla, and Ouarzazate, with less impact in the North and Center. This influence is more noticeable in spring. In winter, when precipitation is crucial, other climatic mechanisms, particularly atmospheric oscillations linked to the North Atlantic and Mediterranean basin, become more dominant. Specialists emphasize that El Niño never acts in isolation; it interacts with other climate systems that can modify or counteract its effects. The diverse configurations of El Niño also lead to varying impacts depending on whether it develops in the eastern or central Pacific. Recent observations highlight this complexity: Morocco experienced significant droughts between 2020 and 2024 despite La Niña conditions, which are generally associated with wetter years. This demonstrates the limitat
Must ReadIran has reinstated strict control over the Strait of Hormuz, accusing the United States of violating an agreement to allow limited passage of tankers and commercial vessels. Tehran stated it had "accepted in good faith to allow the passage of a limited number of oil tankers and commercial ships" but claims the US engaged in "piracy under the guise of the so-called blockade." Consequently, the strategic passage is now under Iran's strict control. This announcement comes amidst diplomatic efforts to end the conflict in the Middle East, following a two-week ceasefire between Iran and the United States that began on April 8. Earlier on Saturday, MarineTraffic showed a slight resumption of commercial traffic in the strait, with over a dozen vessels, including several tankers, though at least two appeared to turn back around 09:00 GMT. A cruise ship, the Celestyal Discovery, also transited the waterway without passengers from Dubai to Muscat, marking a first since hostilities began on February 28. Before the conflict, approximately 120 vessels transited the strait daily. Following Tehran's announcement of the strait's reopening on Friday, Donald Trump affirmed that the US blockade of Iranian ports would remain "fully in effect" until negotiations concluded, and would "continue" if no agreement was reached. The US Central Command stated on X that "since the beginning of the blockade, 21 ships have complied with US forces' directives to turn back and return to Iran." In Iran, the co