Latest news with #Catalonian
Morocco World
3 days ago
- Business
- Morocco World
Catalonian Economic Delegation Kicks Off Three-Day Mission to Morocco
Doha – A delegation of Catalonian business leaders and officials begins a three-day economic mission to Morocco today. The visit, running from May 27 to 29, aims to strengthen economic and commercial relations between the northeastern Spanish region and the North African country. The mission is organized by the Catalonian Employers' Confederation, known locally as Foment del Treball (FDT), in partnership with the Morocco-Spain Economic Council (CEMAES). About thirty entrepreneurs representing strategic sectors with high cooperation potential are participating in the delegation. Led by Josep Sánchez Llibre, president of FDT, the delegation will visit Tangier, Rabat, and Casablanca. The group includes businesses specializing in international logistics, customs management, engineering, construction, sustainable chemistry, digital solutions (SaaS), and industrial production of technical materials. During their stay, the Spanish delegation will hold meetings with Moroccan institutions including the Regional Investment Center of Tangier, the Ministry of Investment, Convergence and Evaluation of Public Policies, and Casablanca Finance City. The visit agenda includes tours of strategic industrial sites such as Tangier Automotive City and the Nouaceur Technopole. Networking opportunities are also planned with key officials, including Ryad Mezzour, Morocco's Minister of Industry and Commerce, Omar Moro, president of the Tangier-Tetouan-Al Hoceima region, and Enrique Ojeda Vila, Spain's Ambassador to Morocco. This mission is part of FDT's international projection strategy, which aims to foster sustainable economic partnerships. The initiative seeks to bring Moroccan and Catalonian productive ecosystems closer together while encouraging interregional dialogue between Europe, Africa, and the Middle East. Morocco, Spain's top trading partner in Africa The visit coincides with heightened trade and investment flows across the Strait of Gibraltar—momentum that is set to grow further as both countries, alongside Portugal, prepare to co-host the 2030 World Cup. Spain has been Morocco's top trading partner for over a decade, with bilateral trade reaching a historic record of over €22.5 billion in 2024. Spanish exports to Morocco reached €10.843 billion in 2024, showing a 68% increase. Imports from Morocco were valued at €8.220 billion, growing by 9.1% during the same period. Approximately 61% of Spanish exports to Africa go to Morocco. Morocco ranks as Spain's third-largest trading partner outside the European Union, behind only the United States and the United Kingdom. Since 2014, Spain has been both Morocco's primary customer and supplier, with 18-20% of Morocco's foreign trade conducted with Spain. Spanish investment in Morocco exceeded €250 million in both 2022 and 2023. Spanish companies invest primarily in Morocco's automotive industry, textiles, agribusiness, and tourism sectors, while Moroccan investments in Spain reached nearly €40 million by late September 2024. Read also: Spain Commits €340 Million to Casablanca Desalination Plant
Yahoo
23-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Throwing a party in an Airbnb this summer? Here's how the platform plans to stop you
Planning a summer blowout? Don't count on booking an Airbnb to host it. The popular short-term rental platform says it is once again deploying anti-party technology to block 'high-risk' bookings. The system uses machine learning to screen guests based on warning signs, such as short stays, last-minute reservations and how far they live from the listing. If a booking is flagged, users are blocked from renting entire homes – though alternative accommodation options are suggested. The move is part of the company's push to 'promote responsible travel and help hosts safeguard their spaces' during peak demand. Since launching a global 'party ban' in 2020, Airbnb says reports of disruptive events have dropped by half. This is the fourth year Airbnb has used the system. In 2024, the company claims it stopped over 51,000 would-be partiers during the Memorial Day and Fourth of July weekends in the US – two of the most popular travel weekends in the country. While Airbnb cracks down on parties, the wider impacts of short-term rentals remain under scrutiny. That is especially true in European cities where the platform is blamed for rising rents, housing shortages and neighbourhood disruption. Czechia, for example, has introduced limits on short-term rentals like Airbnb in its city centres to cut down on noise disturbances – a move welcomed by district councillors. Amsterdam limits property owners to 60 rental days per year, one of many efforts to address overtourism, noise pollution and housing issues before they worsen. The city also introduced a 'Stay Away' campaign and interactive quiz to test visitors on behavioural etiquette to clamp down on rowdy parties and noise. Related Milan bans late night food and drink in city centre after noise complaints from residents Croatia's 'party island' is cracking down on noise. Here's what it means for your summer holiday But few places have made Airbnb as big of a flashpoint as Spain – especially Barcelona. The Catalonian capital already required permits for tourist rentals and imposed taxes and rental limits before it set out to ban the platform entirely. Barcelona later announced plans to eliminate all 10,000 licensed short-term rental apartments by 2028. The move was made to prioritise housing for permanent residents and reduce the kinds of disturbances that have plagued its downtown, as well as cities such as Seville and Valencia. Spain's central government recently upped the pressure on Airbnb, ordering 65,000 holiday listings removed nationwide for failure to follow rules and regulations. Founded in 2007 as a peer-to-peer platform, Airbnb has grown into a globe-spanning ecosystem that rivals the hotel industry. But as the platform has boomed, it has faced pressure from cities struggling to balance tourism growth with quality of life. Airbnb says its anti-party screening is just one element of a broader strategy to ensure responsible stays and support hosts. The platform also uses machine learning to screen global reservations for risky bookings and offers free noise sensors, a round-the-clock safety line and a support channel for law enforcement to report concerns. Questions remain about the efficacy of these tools, but the message is clear: if you're planning to party, don't expect Airbnb to roll out the welcome mat.
Euronews
23-05-2025
- Business
- Euronews
Airbnb rolls out anti-party tech to prevent summer disruptions
Planning a summer blowout? Don't count on booking an Airbnb to host it. The popular short-term rental platform says it is once again deploying anti-party technology to block 'high-risk' bookings. The system uses machine learning to screen guests based on warning signs, such as short stays, last-minute reservations and how far they live from the listing. If a booking is flagged, users are blocked from renting entire homes – though alternative accommodation options are suggested. The move is part of the company's push to 'promote responsible travel and help hosts safeguard their spaces' during peak demand. Since launching a global 'party ban' in 2020, Airbnb says reports of disruptive events have dropped by half. This is the fourth year Airbnb has used the system. In 2024, the company claims it stopped over 51,000 would-be partiers during the Memorial Day and Fourth of July weekends in the US – two of the most popular travel weekends in the country. While Airbnb cracks down on parties, the wider impacts of short-term rentals remain under scrutiny. That is especially true in European cities where the platform is blamed for rising rents, housing shortages and neighbourhood disruption. Czechia, for example, has introduced limits on short-term rentals like Airbnb in its city centres to cut down on noise disturbances – a move welcomed by district councillors. Amsterdam limits property owners to 60 rental days per year, one of many efforts to address overtourism, noise pollution and housing issues before they worsen. The city also introduced a 'Stay Away' campaign and interactive quiz to test visitors on behavioural etiquette to clamp down on rowdy parties and noise. But few places have made Airbnb as big of a flashpoint as Spain – especiallyBarcelona. The Catalonian capital already required permits for tourist rentals and imposed taxes and rental limits before it set out to ban the platform entirely. Barcelona later announced plans to eliminate all 10,000 licensed short-term rental apartments by 2028. The move was made to prioritise housing for permanent residents and reduce the kinds of disturbances that have plagued its downtown, as well as cities such as Seville and Valencia. Spain's central government recently upped the pressure on Airbnb, ordering65,000 holiday listings removed nationwide for failure to follow rules and regulations. Founded in 2007 as a peer-to-peer platform, Airbnb has grown into a globe-spanning ecosystem that rivals the hotel industry. But as the platform has boomed, it has faced pressure from cities struggling to balance tourism growth with quality of life. Airbnb says its anti-party screening is just one element of a broader strategy to ensure responsible stays and support hosts. The platform also uses machine learning to screen global reservations for risky bookings and offers free noise sensors, a round-the-clock safety line and a support channel for law enforcement to report concerns. Questions remain about the efficacy of these tools, but the message is clear: if you're planning to party, don't expect Airbnb to roll out the welcome mat.
News18
21-05-2025
- Sport
- News18
'Messi And I Made History, Now It's Yamal's Turn': Ronaldinho's High Hopes For Barca Wonderkid
Last Updated: Yamal has become the fulcrum of a thriving Barcelona attack. The 17-year-old has represented the Catalonian side on 114 occasions, scoring 25 goals and dishing out 34 assists. Superlatives continue to fail to capture the sheer magic and brilliance of Barcelona's Lamine Yamal, who, at 17 years of age, continues to etch his name into football history with every passing day — whose genius hasn't gone unnoticed even by the likes of Ronaldinho. The Barcelona and Brazil legend recently expressed his elation over Yamal's rise to the upper echelons of football, stating that he hopes the Spanish wonderkid can achieve greatness much like Lionel Messi and himself. The 17-year-old star has become a key figure on the right flank, where Barca's all-time top goalscorer Messi operated for many years, with both players coming through their La Masia youth academy. Yamal marked his Barca debut two years ago on April 29, 2023. The young winger played his first minutes that day in La Liga against Betis at the Spotify Camp Nou aged 15 years, 9 months, and 16 days old, making him the youngest debutant for the club. With a La Liga title already in the bag, Ronaldinho expressed his desire to see Yamal carry on the legacy of greats such as Messi and himself, and etch his own along the way. 'Messi and I have already made history, now it's Lamine Yamal's turn. What he's shown so far, at such a young age and with so much talent, is extraordinary. I like watching players like him; they're good for football. I hope he can have a career like ours," said Ronaldinho to Spanish news outlet Marca. Yamal has become the fulcrum of a thriving Barcelona attack. The 17-year-old has represented the Catalonian side on 114 occasions, scoring 25 goals and dishing out 34 assists. His season tally currently stands at 18 goals and 25 assists: contributions which helped him lead Barca to a historic domestic treble. Although comparisons naturally arise when a player of his potential bursts onto the scene, Ronaldinho believes every player is unique and hopes Yamal continues to grow. 'I've never liked those kinds of comparisons because every footballer has his own unique style of play. The important thing is that Lamine Yamal brings joy to the people, like I did in my time, or like Messi did later. I hope he continues the potential he's shown to date," he added. Yamal, though, previously cleared the air around such comparisons, calling the Argentine forward the greatest player of all time. 'I admire him obviously, as the best player in history, but I don't compare myself to him," he reiterated. 'So I don't think the comparison makes sense, with Messi even less — I'm going to enjoy myself, and be myself." One can rest assured that Barcelona would wish for nothing else but the same: for Yamal to be Yamal.
News18
19-05-2025
- Sport
- News18
Barcelona Set To Secure Lamine Yamal's Future With New Contract Extension
Last Updated: FC Barcelona president Joan Laporta confirmed the club is close to extending Lamine Yamal's contract. FC Barcelona president Joan Laporta confirmed the club is close to tying down young gem Lamine Yamal with a contract extension. The Spaniard's current contract with the club is set to run out in 2026, and Laporta confirmed that the contract extension deal is already in place with only the signature pending. 'Lamine's contract renewal has already been agreed upon, and all that remains is the official signing. He is a genius who enjoys playing for Barcelona, has friends at the club, and is part of a generation that has a strong bond with his teammates," said Laporta in a press conference. When asked if Yamal's wages will match his growing rise in football and importance at the Barcelona side, Laporta replied, 'At Barcelona, we pay players according to their abilities. We are a club that pays well. We also say that there is no better place than Barcelona." On April 29, 2023, Yamal was 15 years, 9 months and 16 days old when he made his league debut against Betis, making him the youngest player ever to appear in a competitive fixture for the team. He has since become one of their most lethal forwards and is one of the most promising players in the world. He has represented the Catalonian side on 104 occasions while scoring 24 goals and dishing out 34 assists. His season tally stands at 17 goals and 25 assists and he led Barca to a historic domestic treble. In the end, Laporta cited the example of the greatest Barcelona player in history, Lionel Messi, who has often been used as a standard for the 17-year-old forward and said Yamal, like the eight-time Ballon d'Or winner, knows the Spanish side provides the best project for a player of his stature. 'Something similar happened to me with Lionel Messi, when Inter were trying to sign him and in the end, we all decided, including Messi's father, that Barcelona had the best project for him and it was the right decision because he became the best in history." 'At only 17, Lamine is among the best players in the world and he feels comfortable here, as does his family," concluded Laporta. First Published: May 18, 2025, 18:26 IST
