Moroccan-Belgian kickboxer Jamal Ben Saddik released conditionally in kidnapping case

Belgian-Moroccan kickboxer Jamal Ben Saddik has been conditionally released as part of an ongoing investigation into a drug-related kidnapping. Belgian newspaper Gazet van Antwerpen reports that the 33-year-old former world champion kickboxer was arrested in early July in connection with the alleged abduction of a 29-year-old man from Antwerp. According to the newspaper, the victim, said to be a dock worker, was reportedly kidnapped following a dispute over unfulfilled agreements

Morocco-UK power cable project faces local opposition in Devon

A proposed power cable project connecting Morocco to the UK has raised concerns among residents in north Devon (A region in southwest England). The Xlinks Morocco-UK Power Project, aimed at providing electricity for seven million UK homes by the early 2030s, has been declared a project of national significance by the UK government, according to the BBC. The scheme involves laying four cables over about 2,500 miles (4,000km), coming ashore near Abbotsham in north Devon. James Humfrey, CEO of

Folklorissimo festival to celebrate 60 years of Moroccan-Belgian ties

This September, Brussels will host the Folklorissimo festival, highlighting the longstanding connections between Morocco and Belgium. The event marks the 60th anniversary of bilateral agreements that brought Moroccan workers to Belgium, as reported by the Belgian newspaper Bruzz. According to the festival organizers, Folklorissimo will take place on September 21 and 22, 2024. The highlight of the celebration will be a grand procession on Sunday, coinciding with Brussels' Car-Free Sunday. This

Reverse migration : More Belgo-Moroccans moving back to Morocco

Belgian media have recently reported a growing trend among Moroccan-Belgians: an increasing number are choosing to relocate to Morocco. This phenomenon, while still minority, is gaining attention in both Belgium and Morocco. According to La Libre Belgique, a Belgian newspaper, more Belgo-Moroccans are leaving cities like Schaerbeek, Namur, and Verviers to live and work in Morocco. The newspaper reports that these individuals, often born and raised in Belgium, are attracted by new economic

Moroccan tennis star Malak El Allami makes history at US Open Juniors

Malak El Allami, an 18-year-old Moroccan tennis player, has achieved a historic milestone by reaching the finals of the 2024 US Open Juniors doubles tournament. Partnering with Norway's Emilie Sartz Lunde, El Allami secured her place in the final after defeating the Czech duo of Krejcova and Katerina in the semifinals. The Moroccan-Norwegian pair triumphed over their Czech opponents with a convincing score of 6-3, 6-4. This victory marks the first time a Moroccan tennis player has ever reached

Morocco rises in gender equality : Boosts in women's political and financial inclusion

A new report ranks Morocco 84th out of 139 countries for gender equality, highlighting progress but underscoring persistent challenges in women's empowerment across the nation.

Morocco coach aims to maintain competitiveness in Gabon, Lesotho matches

Walid Regragui, the coach of Morocco's national football team, held a press conference on Thursday, September 5, 2024, ahead of the team's upcoming matches against Gabon and Lesotho in the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers. Walid Regragui, the coach of Morocco's national football team, said Thursday in a pre-match press conference that the games against Gabon and Lesotho would be challenging. «We want to maintain competitiveness and see the level of competing teams», he stated.

Moroccan-Dutch man arrested in Melilla denies fleeing treatment

A 36-year-old Moroccan-Dutch man, recently apprehended in the Spanish enclave of Melilla, has denied allegations of fleeing his mandatory psychiatric treatment in the Netherlands. According to the Dutch newspaper DE STENTOR, the man claims he was visiting family in Morocco while awaiting admission to a forensic institution. The individual, identified only as M.B., was convicted last year by a Limburg court for attempted manslaughter and deprivation of liberty. He received a two-year

Amine Adli hails Walid Regragui as a «big brother» to players

Amine Adli, the 24-year-old Moroccan forward, is in a unique position, benefiting from the guidance of two highly regarded coaches in the world of football. As reported by The National, Adli is thriving under both Xabi Alonso at Bayer Leverkusen and Walid Regragui with the Moroccan national team. On the international stage, Adli has found equal success under Regragui, who led Morocco to a historic World Cup semi-final appearance in Qatar in 2022. Regragui's achievements have been recognized

Did Sultan Moulay Ismail of Morocco truly propose to King Louis XIV's daughter?

In 1699, Morocco's Sultan Moulay Ismail reportedly proposed marriage to Louis XIV's daughter, sparking a diplomatic mystery that continues to captivate historians and romantics alike.