Saudi Arabia 300kph ‘Haramain Express’ train, High-speed intercity transport to serve pilgrims of the two holy cities

.60 million – number of passengers to be served per year .453 km – the distance covered by the two-way electric trains, linking the Saudi cities of Makkah and Madinah with extensions to Jeddah and King Abdullah Economic City. .5 – number of stations on the system (Makkah, Madinah via Jeddah, King Abdul Aziz International Airport and King Abdullah Economic City (KAEC) in Rabigh). .35 trains — number of trains to be used on the line .417 – Seating capacity per train .300kph – Maximum speed the Haramain Express Train The $16 billion (SR60 billion) high-speed “Haramain…

Respect for Territorial Integrity a Sine Qua Non for Maghreb Integration

Respect for the territorial integrity of member states is a sine qua non for achieving the long-sought integration of the Maghreb Union (AMU), Morocco’s Lower House Speaker Habib El Malki told AMU’s Secretary General Taieb Baccouche. During a meeting in Rabat, the two officials highlighted the wasted potential of the Maghreb as it continues to be one of the least integrated regions in the globe. They both underscored the pressing need for an integrated Maghreb region in a global context marked by economic clusters. The two parties also discussed the…

Toufoula Kids Wins Tunisia Edition Of DEMO Africa Innovation Tour

Following the successful hosting of the Moroccan leg of its Innovation Tour; an event which as reported by WeeTracker, culminated in the emergence of Moroccan eHealth startup, Moldiag, as eventual winners, DEMO Africa has rounded off on its Northern Africa tours with the latest event in Tunisia being one of two curtain-drawers. According to a press statement released on behalf of the program by Sipho Mhlope, External Communications Officer DEMO Africa, earlier this week, the Tunisian edition of the DEMO Africa Innovation Tour was the product of concerted efforts and tandem work between the…

Morocco Joins Interpol-Led Counter-Terrorism Operation ‘Neptune’

Interpol announced Friday it has deployed agents in Mediterranean seaports in eight countries, including Morocco, to apprehend suspected terrorists during the summer tourist season. Codenamed “Neptune,” the counter-terrorism operation aims to assist local authorities to identify foreign terrorists using Mediterranean maritime routes between North Africa and southern Europe. The operation also addresses threats from firearms, drugs, and human traffickers, Interpol stated. The “Neptune” operation is led by Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia, Spain, Italy, and France, with the support of the World Customs Organization and the European Border and Coast Guard Agency…