<p>Around 900 people have lost their lives in the deadly 6.8 magnitude earthquake that rocked central Morocco late Friday.</p>

<p>The death toll, which was initially hovering in double digits, started rising exponentially throughout the day, and the casualties breached past 650 within&nbsp;a few hours.</p>

<p>The tremors were so strong that it was felt in neighbouring Algeria and all the way up to Portugal.</p>

<p>The United States Geological Survey (USGS) said that this was the strongest tremor to hit that part of the North African nation in more than a century.</p>

<p>Videos going viral on social media showed the moment the tremors jolted the city and people ran for safety.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">BREAKING: 6.8 magnitude earthquake strikes Morocco, killing over 300 people.<br />
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My heart goes out to all those affected. Stay strong. 🇲🇦🙏 <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Morocco?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Morocco</a> <a href="https://t.co/c2u56EA6DJ">pic.twitter.com/c2u56EA6DJ</a></p>
— Hananya Naftali (@HananyaNaftali) <a href="https://twitter.com/HananyaNaftali/status/1700353544539328998?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 9, 2023</a></blockquote>
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<p>In a 28-second clip, people can be seen running as the ground began shaking. Soon, buildings started falling too.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">A terrifying moment of a collapse captured by a security camera<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Maroc?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Maroc</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/moroccoearthquake?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#moroccoearthquake</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Morocco?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Morocco</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/earthquakemorocco?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#earthquakemorocco</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/earthquake?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#earthquake</a> <a href="https://t.co/9aeA7XsmoS">pic.twitter.com/9aeA7XsmoS</a></p>
— Kinetik (@KinetikNews) <a href="https://twitter.com/KinetikNews/status/1700345833709805820?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 9, 2023</a></blockquote>
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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Morocco earthquake <a href="https://t.co/Krv4awedBB">pic.twitter.com/Krv4awedBB</a></p>
— Ｎｅｒｄｙ 🅰🅳🅳🅸🅲🆃 (@Nerdy_Addict) <a href="https://twitter.com/Nerdy_Addict/status/1700287147494818169?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 8, 2023</a></blockquote>
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<p>Residents of Marrakech, the nearest major city to the epicentre, said some buildings had collapsed in the old city, a UNESCO World Heritage site, and local television showed pictures of a fallen mosque minaret with rubble lying on smashed cars.</p>

<p>Morocco's geophysical centre said the quake struck in the Ighil area of the High Atlas with a magnitude of 7.2.</p>

<p><strong>Also read |</strong>&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/trending/morocco-man-sets-his-priorities-right-holds-on-to-playstation-amid-earthquake-chaos-634052">Morocco man sets his priorities right, holds on to PlayStation amid earthquake chaos</a></p>

<p>The US Geological Survey put the quake's magnitude at 6.8 and said it was at a relatively shallow depth of 18.5 km (11.5 miles).</p>

<p>Meanwhile, Morocco's civil protection forces early on Saturday morning were preparing truck loads of supplies from a centre in Arjaat to be sent to quake zones.</p>

<p><strong>Also read |&nbsp;</strong><a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/morocco-rocked-by-powerful-earthquake-killing-dozens-633888">Morocco: Powerful earthquake kills 632; tremors felt till as far as Portuga</a></p>

<p>Morocco often experiences earthquakes as it lies on the Azores-Gibraltar fault line, which separates the African and Eurasian tectonic plates.</p>

<p>The region is considered an active earthquake zone, with cities along the northern coast, such as Al Hoceima, experiencing seismic activity regularly.</p>

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Around 900 people have lost their lives in the deadly 6.8 magnitude earthquake that rocked central Morocco late Friday. The death toll, which was initially hovering in double digits, started rising exponentially throughout the day, and the casualties breached past 650 within a few hours.

Around 900 people have lost their lives in the deadly 6.8 magnitude earthquake that rocked central Morocco late Friday. The death toll, which was initially hovering in double digits, started rising exponentially throughout the day, and the casualties breached past 650 within a few hours. The tremors were so strong that it was felt in neighbouring Algeria and all the way up to Portugal. The United States Geological Survey (USGS) said that this was the strongest tremor to hit that part of the North African nation in more than a century. Videos going viral on social media showed the moment the tremors jolted the city and people ran for safety. BREAKING: 6.8 magnitude earthquake strikes Morocco, killing over 300 people. My heart goes out to all those affected. Stay strong. 🇲🇦🙏 #Morocco pic.twitter.com/c2u56EA6DJ — Hananya Naftali (@HananyaNaftali) September 9, 2023 × In a 28-second clip, people can be seen running as the ground began shaking. Soon, buildings started falling too. A terrifying moment of a collapse captured by a security camera#Maroc #moroccoearthquake #Morocco #earthquakemorocco #earthquake pic.twitter.com/9aeA7XsmoS — Kinetik (@KinetikNews) September 9, 2023 × Morocco earthquake pic.twitter.com/Krv4awedBB — Ｎｅｒｄｙ 🅰🅳🅳🅸🅲🆃 (@Nerdy_Addict) September 8, 2023 × Residents of Marrakech, the nearest major city to the epicentre, said some buildings had collapsed in the old city, a UNESCO World Heritage site, and local television showed pictures of a fallen mosque minaret with rubble lying on smashed cars. Morocco's geophysical centre said the quake struck in the Ighil area of the High Atlas with a magnitude of 7.2. Also read | Morocco man sets his priorities right, holds on to PlayStation amid earthquake chaos The US Geological Survey put the quake's magnitude at 6.8 and said it was at a relatively shallow depth of 18.5 km (11.5 miles). Meanwhile, Morocco's civil protection forces early on Saturday morning were preparing truck loads of supplies from a centre in Arjaat to be sent to quake zones. Also read | Morocco: Powerful earthquake kills 632; tremors felt till as far as Portuga Morocco often experiences earthquakes as it lies on the Azores-Gibraltar fault line, which separates the African and Eurasian tectonic plates. The region is considered an active earthquake zone, with cities along the northern coast, such as Al Hoceima, experiencing seismic activity regularly. WATCH WION LIVE HERE

Watch: Video shows earthquake causing devastation in Morocco

Marrakesh is home to a secret paradise - A garden of plants and artworks designed by an Austrian artist. The eight-acre site is open to visitors who come to wander through the paths of this eccentric attraction. Here's a report from Morocco.

World of Africa: Morocco 'Anima' paradise Garden

<p>Setting a new record, a goat, which is known as Marrakesh, has been sold for $21,000. The goat had gone on sale in the western New South Wales town of Cobar on Wednesday. &nbsp;</p>

<p>Andrew Mosely, the buyer of the most expensive goat of Australia, has described his acquisition as a “very stylish buck”. &nbsp;</p>

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<p>The earlier record of the sale of the most expensive goat in the country was $12,000. It was reportedly held by Brock, a buck, who was sold last month. &nbsp;</p>

<p>Mosely said, “He’s a very stylish buck, very well put together. Nice and free in his movement ... not too big, but he’s got that early growth, muscle and fat cover.” &nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/new-zealand-to-reopen-its-borders-for-fully-vaccinated-travellers-from-early-2022-431670" hreflang="en">New Zealand to reopen its borders for fully vaccinated travellers from early 2022</a></strong></p>

<p>Earlier, Mosely was the owner of most expensive goat in Australia when he paid $9,000 at the same sales last year for another buck. &nbsp;</p>

<p>“Wild harvest goat numbers are under pressure. They’re not going to come back. People harvested heavily over the past five years so, to meet the orders for goat meat, we need to run them in semi-managed or fully managed properties,” added Mosely, who grew up in western NSW. &nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/australia-names-all-of-hezbollah-neo-nazi-group-as-terrorist-organisation-431646" hreflang="en">Australia names all of Hezbollah, neo-Nazi group as terrorist organisation</a></strong></p>

<p>Marrakesh was bred at the Rangeland Red Stud near Goodooga, which is not far from the Queensland border. &nbsp;&nbsp;</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em>&nbsp;</p>


Setting a new record, a goat, which is known as Marrakesh, has been sold for $21,000. The goat had gone on sale in the western New South Wales town of Cobar on Wednesday.

Setting a new record, a goat, which is known as Marrakesh, has been sold for $21,000. The goat had gone on sale in the western New South Wales town of Cobar on Wednesday. Andrew Mosely, the buyer of the most expensive goat of Australia, has described his acquisition as a “very stylish buck”. × The earlier record of the sale of the most expensive goat in the country was $12,000. It was reportedly held by Brock, a buck, who was sold last month. Mosely said, “He’s a very stylish buck, very well put together. Nice and free in his movement ... not too big, but he’s got that early growth, muscle and fat cover.” Also Read: New Zealand to reopen its borders for fully vaccinated travellers from early 2022 Earlier, Mosely was the owner of most expensive goat in Australia when he paid $9,000 at the same sales last year for another buck. “Wild harvest goat numbers are under pressure. They’re not going to come back. People harvested heavily over the past five years so, to meet the orders for goat meat, we need to run them in semi-managed or fully managed properties,” added Mosely, who grew up in western NSW. Also Read: Australia names all of Hezbollah, neo-Nazi group as terrorist organisation Marrakesh was bred at the Rangeland Red Stud near Goodooga, which is not far from the Queensland border. (With inputs from agencies)

In Australia, most expensive goat Marrakesh fetches record $21,000

Morocco declared a state of health emergency in mid-March and shut its borders to stop coronavirus from spreading.

Morocco's Marrakesh suffocates without tourists amid COVID-19 pandemic

<p>Days ahead of an international conference in Morocco to endorse a<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/morocco-meeting-to-adopt-un-migration-pact-despite-withdrawals-182116"> UN migration pact,</a> the United States made the case Friday for opposing the deal that it shunned a year ago and which has since prompted a wave of withdrawals.</p>

<p>In a lengthy statement, the United States said the Global Compact for Safe, Orderly and Regular Migration represents "an effort by the United Nations to advance global governance at the expense of the sovereign right of states to manage their immigration systems."</p>

<p>The non-binding pact agreed in July last year has become a target for right-wing and populist politicians who have denounced it as an affront to national sovereignty.</p>

<p>The US, which quit negotiations in December 2017, expressed concern that supporters of the agreement would use it to build "customary international law" or "soft law" in the area of migration.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The three-page US statement outlined a number of objections such as a provision in the compact stating that detention of migrants should be "a last resort," arguing that this was inconsistent with US law.</p>

<p>Washington is also concerned that it "downplays the cost of immigration to destination countries" such as the "loss of employment opportunities" for low-skilled workers and "stresses on public services."</p>

<p>The US statement came with the UN preparing to host a two-day conference opening on Monday in Marrakesh to endorse the pact, despite a string of defections.</p>

<p>Hungary withdrew last year and since then Australia, Israel, Poland, Slovakia, the Czech Republic, Austria, Switzerland, Bulgaria, Belgium Latvia, Italy and the Dominican Republic have quit the pact or expressed strong reservations.</p>

<p><strong>No closed door </strong></p>

<p>The global pact lays out 23 objectives to open up legal<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/major-migration-flows-in-the-last-decade-182125"> migration </a>and better manage the influx as the number of people on the move worldwide has increased to 250 million, or just over three per cent of the world's population.</p>

<p>When the deal was approved in July, it was held up as an example of a UN diplomatic success achieved without the United States at a time when President Donald Trump is questioning the relevance of the world body.</p>

<p>UN spokesman Stephane Dujarric said it was "regrettable" that some countries had over the past week walked out but added that there was no "closed door" and that they were "always welcome to come back."</p>

<p>Stressing that the pact was non-binding, he recalled that the accord was aimed at helping countries manage migration and did not pose a challenge to state authority over borders.</p>

<p>"It seems to defy logic to see how you can manage migration without having a global conversation," he said.</p>

<p>UN Secretary-General<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/g20-pm-modi-discusses-global-climate-change-with-un-secretary-general-180330"> Antonio Guterres</a> will travel to Marrakesh for the conference to be attended by German Chancellor Angela Merkel, the most high-profile leader at the event.</p>

<p>The document will return to the UN General Assembly for approval at a session scheduled for December 19.</p>


Days ahead of an international conference in Morocco to endorse a UN migration pact, the United States made the case Friday for opposing the deal that it shunned a year ago and which has since prompted a wave of withdrawals.

Days ahead of an international conference in Morocco to endorse a UN migration pact, the United States made the case Friday for opposing the deal that it shunned a year ago and which has since prompted a wave of withdrawals. In a lengthy statement, the United States said the Global Compact for Safe, Orderly and Regular Migration represents "an effort by the United Nations to advance global governance at the expense of the sovereign right of states to manage their immigration systems." The non-binding pact agreed in July last year has become a target for right-wing and populist politicians who have denounced it as an affront to national sovereignty. The US, which quit negotiations in December 2017, expressed concern that supporters of the agreement would use it to build "customary international law" or "soft law" in the area of migration. The three-page US statement outlined a number of objections such as a provision in the compact stating that detention of migrants should be "a last resort," arguing that this was inconsistent with US law. Washington is also concerned that it "downplays the cost of immigration to destination countries" such as the "loss of employment opportunities" for low-skilled workers and "stresses on public services." The US statement came with the UN preparing to host a two-day conference opening on Monday in Marrakesh to endorse the pact, despite a string of defections. Hungary withdrew last year and since then Australia, Israel, Poland, Slovakia, the Czech Republic, Austria, Switzerland, Bulgaria, Belgium Latvia, Italy and the Dominican Republic have quit the pact or expressed strong reservations. No closed door The global pact lays out 23 objectives to open up legal migration and better manage the influx as the number of people on the move worldwide has increased to 250 million, or just over three per cent of the world's population. When the deal was approved in July, it was held up as an example of a UN diplomatic success achieved without the United States at a time when President Donald Trump is questioning the relevance of the world body. UN spokesman Stephane Dujarric said it was "regrettable" that some countries had over the past week walked out but added that there was no "closed door" and that they were "always welcome to come back." Stressing that the pact was non-binding, he recalled that the accord was aimed at helping countries manage migration and did not pose a challenge to state authority over borders. "It seems to defy logic to see how you can manage migration without having a global conversation," he said. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres will travel to Marrakesh for the conference to be attended by German Chancellor Angela Merkel, the most high-profile leader at the event. The document will return to the UN General Assembly for approval at a session scheduled for December 19.

US takes aim at UN migration pact ahead of conference

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