Was Algerian writer Boualem Sansal arrested over Eastern Sahara and Polisario remarks ?  (Read more...)

Crown Prince Moulay El Hassan receives Chinese President Xi Jinping in Casablanca

Crown Prince Moulay El Hassan received the President of the People's Republic of China, Xi Jinping, on Thursday evening in Casablanca during a brief visit to the Kingdom. Upon his arrival at Mohammed V International Airport in Casablanca, the Chinese Head of State was welcomed by Crown Prince Moulay El Hassan. Following this, Xi Jinping was greeted by the Head of Government, Aziz Akhannouch, before inspecting a detachment of the Royal Guard in a formal ceremony. The Crown Prince and the

Achraf Hakimi extends PSG contract until 2029

Moroccan international Achraf Hakimi has decided to extend his stay with the French Ligue 1 club Paris Saint-Germain. The 26-year-old, who also plays as a right winger for the Moroccan national football team, has signed an extension with the French team for an additional three seasons, keeping him at the club until 2029, French sports newspaper L’Équipe reported on Thursday. Hakimi initially joined PSG in the summer of 2021 on a five-year contract. This season, he has made 13

Radio station in France closed after «diplomatic incident» involving Moroccan MP

The Bordo FM radio studios in Saint-Médard-en-Galais, near Bordeaux, have been temporarily closed due to an unusual «diplomatic incident» involving a Moroccan MP who was a guest on a radio program. A rat emerged from the attic and «fell on the head of a Moroccan MP (...) and a ministerial delegate for youth from the Moroccan government» the radio station said in a press release. Following this unprecedented event, Bordo FM's head office was temporarily closed for

Algeria : Commander of border with Morocco region appointed army chief

In his role as Minister Delegate to the Minister of Defense, General Said Chengriha has introduced several changes to the hierarchy of the Algerian army. On Thursday, November 21, he appointed Major General Moustapha Smaili, formerly in charge of the 3rd Military Region based in Tindouf near the Moroccan border, as head of the army. Smaili, who oversaw the Polisario camps, shares a background with Chengriha, who also led the 3rd Military Region for many years and developed close ties with

Brazil : President Lula's party supports Sahara autonomy plan

Is Brazil's ruling Workers' Party (Partido dos Trabalhadores) shifting its stance on the Polisario? Recent developments in relations between Brasília and Rabat suggest so. «The autonomy plan for the Sahara presented by Morocco is based on the principles of dialogue and international law and should contribute to the well-being of the populations concerned», Romenio Pereira, the Workers' Party (PT) international relations secretary, told MAP. «I think Brazil should offer

Two killed in light aircraft crash at Benslimane Airport

Two people were killed on Thursday, November 21, in a plane crash at Benslimane Airport after a light aircraft from the Royal Air Force training center crashed during takeoff at around 10:00 a.m. The competent authorities, in cooperation with the Office of Investigation and Analysis for Civil Aviation Safety, have launched an investigation into the causes of the accident, according to Le 360 newspaper. The aircraft involved in the crash was a twin-engine Diamond Aircraft DA42, primarily used

Moroccan fighter Abderrahman Barkouch ready for Glory Collision 7 challenge

Moroccan heavyweight fighter Abderrahman Barkouch is set to face Oleh Pryimachov at Glory Collision 7 on December 7 at the GelreDome. Despite being considered the underdog, the fighter is determined to prove his capabilities. «I'm going for gold», Barkouch stated confidently. According to vechtsportinfo newspaper, Barkouch's previous defeat against Tariq Osaro at Glory Rivals 3 in 2022 was attributed to what he describes as a «lucky punch». He has indicated that he

Moroccan fugitive arrested in Germany to serve 17-year drug trafficking sentence in Italy

A 36-year-old Moroccan citizen, wanted in Italy to serve a 17-year sentence, was arrested in Germany, Italian media reported on Thursday. The man was handed over to the Italian State Police at Linate Airport in Milan. The arrest resulted from a collaboration between German authorities and the Italian Flying Squad, coordinated by the Terni Prosecutor’s Office, the same source added. The Moroccan in question was the subject of a European arrest warrant issued by the Attorney General of

Moroccan female footballers shine with multiple nominations at CAF Awards 2024

On Wednesday, the Confederation of African Football (CAF) unveiled the nominations for the women's categories of the 2024 CAF Awards, with Morocco strongly represented. AS FAR and national team player Sanaa Mssoudy is nominated for the prestigious CAF Women's Player of the Year award, alongside nine other African footballers from both domestic and international leagues. Mssoudy is also up for the Interclub Player of the Year award, competing against her AS FAR and national team teammates Doha

Upfund secures €1.3 million funding to revolutionize commercial real estate with AI

French start-up Upfund, specializing in data analysis and artificial intelligence for commercial real estate, has completed a €1.3 million financing round. This investment, supported by Bpifrance, CDG Invest, and MNF Ventures (for Morocco), as well as several business angels from the technology and real estate sectors, aims to accelerate the development of its GeoAI technology and disrupt a market valued at $7.2 trillion. With this funding, Upfund intends to improve the transparency and

Young Moroccan's body found in Nador waters after failed swim to Melilla

After two weeks of being missing, the body of a young Moroccan man was found in the waters near Nador, following his attempt to swim to the Spanish city of Melilla in search of a better life. Mohamed, 29, from Nador, set off on Thursday, November 7, from the Beni Ansar area towards Melilla by swimming. After that, all contact with him was lost, and his family and friends had no news of him. According to sources from the Spanish Civil Guard, his family contacted the relevant authorities during

Moroccan YouTuber Weld Chinwiya detained amid human trafficking investigation

Moroccan YouTuber Reda Bouzidi, known as «Weld Chinwiya», was placed in detention by the Casablanca Court of First Instance on Wednesday, along with a woman identified as «Bent Abbas». The decision came after «Weld Chinwiya» appeared before the public prosecution alongside his mother, brothers, and «Bent Abbas» on charges including «insulting and slandering, violating the private lives of others by publishing defamatory allegations online,

Belgium expels over 200 Moroccans in 2024, quadrupling 2023 figures

More than 200 Moroccans residing irregularly in Belgium have been expelled to Morocco, the Belgian State Secretary for Asylum and Migration, Nicole de Moor, announced on Wednesday. De Moor explained that since the beginning of 2024, 203 Moroccans have been forcibly returned to Morocco, a figure that has «quadrupled» compared to 2023, when only 43 Moroccans in irregular residence were expelled. Of the 203 individuals returned, 113 were released from prison. De Moor attributed this

Morocco drops to 98th in Global Knowledge Index 2024

The Global Knowledge Index (GKI) 2024, a collaboration between the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) and the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Foundation for Knowledge, has been released. Morocco, which ranked 92nd in 2023, has dropped to 98th out of 141 countries. The GKI 2024 awarded Morocco a score of 42.8 points, below the global average of 47.8 points, reflecting weak performance in key sectors, particularly knowledge infrastructure. The index highlights several strengths in

Morocco rises to 8th in 2025 Climate Performance Index, leading Africa and the Arab World

Morocco continues to lead the global race toward carbon neutrality, climbing to 8th place in the 2025 Climate Performance Index (CCPI), unveiled on Wednesday at the 29th Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP29) in Baku, Azerbaijan. Recognized as a regional leader in sustainable development and greenhouse gas (GHG) reduction, Morocco maintains its prominent position in this ranking, according to CCPI experts. In the report accompanying the

Iran comments on resuming diplomatic ties with Morocco

The Iranian government has commented on news regarding meetings with Morocco aimed at resuming diplomatic relations that were severed since May 1, 2018, according to Persian media outlets. The Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson said in press statements: «The history of our relations with Morocco is clear. Iran never initiated the severance of ties». He added: «In accordance with the policy we previously followed and continue to follow in the fourteenth government, we

Moroccan YouTuber Ilyass El Malki sentenced to 4 months in prison and fined

The Court of First Instance in El Jadida pronounced yesterday, Tuesday, the conviction of YouTuber Ilyass El Malki, sentencing him to four months in prison and a fine of 5,000 dirhams. Ilyass El Malki, from El Jadida, was found guilty of indecent exposure. However, the YouTuber was acquitted of charges related to inciting hatred and discrimination, following complaints from Amazigh associations that were ultimately withdrawn. But the legal marathon is not over for Ilyass El Malki. On

Moroccan national team faces FIFA ranking drop despite wins

Despite the positive results achieved by the Moroccan national football team in their last two matches during the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers, they are expected to drop one position in the upcoming FIFA ranking, set to be released at the end of this month. According to a football ranking website that specializes in predicting team standings ahead of FIFA’s official release, Morocco is projected to fall from 13th to 14th place. The Atlas Lions' decline is attributed to the