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BIM opens new logistics platform in Marrakech, announces 1 billion dirham investment

Turkish hard discount retailer BIM, a key player in Morocco's mass retail sector, has opened its fourth logistics platform in the Kingdom, in Marrakech. The event, marked by the presence of Ryad Mezzour, Minister of Trade and Industry, and Haluk Dortluoğlu, CEO of the BIM Group, illustrates the brand's determination to strengthen its strategic foothold in Morocco. With an investment of 150 million dirhams, this 16,000 m² infrastructure located in the Marrakech-Safi region aims to meet

Morocco : Ryanair flights diverted due to wind gusts at Nantes Airport

A Ryanair flight was forced to divert to Morocco on Thursday due to strong wind gusts at Nantes Airport in France. Flight #FR6969, initially scheduled to connect Agadir to Nantes, was unable to land at the intended destination. The flight returned to Agadir, completing nearly four hours in the air, AirLive reports. Earlier the same day, Ryanair flight #FR3982 from Agadir was also diverted, landing in Marseille instead, due to storm Caetano affecting the Atlantic coast. Other flights

Morocco fines Viatris 7.58 million dirhams over Mylan-Pfizer merger

American global pharmaceutical and healthcare corporation Viatris Inc. has been fined 7.58 million dirhams (approximately $760,000) by Morocco's competition regulator for failing to notify it regarding its merger, two official sources told Reuters on Thursday. The fine relates to the 2020 merger between Mylan, which has a subsidiary in Morocco, and Pfizer's Upjohn division, forming Viatris. Amounting to 2.5% of the company’s sales in Morocco for the previous year, the fine has already

Four minors sentenced to three years in prison for harassing girl in Tangier

A Tangier court, in a closed session on Thursday, sentenced four defendants to prison for harassing a girl on the Tangier Corniche. Each of the four defendants received a three-year prison sentence, as reported by al3omk news site. The defendants were charged with violently assaulting the victim, participating in the act, and drug consumption. Two additional suspects were prosecuted for their involvement in the assault. The case dates back to September when a video circulated on social media

Morocco and Spain dismantle Daesh-linked terrorist cell in joint operation

In a joint and coordinated security operation, Moroccan and Spanish authorities successfully dismantled a Daesh-affiliated terrorist cell operating in the Sahel region. The operation, conducted on Friday by Morocco's Central Bureau of Judicial Investigations (BCIJ), affiliated with the General Directorate of Territorial Surveillance (DGST), and the General Intelligence Directorate of the Spanish National Police, resulted in the arrest of nine individuals. Three were apprehended in Tetouan and

Was Algerian writer Boualem Sansal arrested over Eastern Sahara and Polisario remarks ?

After six days without contact, alarming news emerged this Thursday in France regarding French-Algerian writer Boualem Sansal, aged 75. Sansal, known for his criticism of the Algerian regime, has been reported missing since arriving at Algiers airport on Saturday, November 16. According to Le Point, he was allegedly arrested by Algerian police upon his return from Paris. Le Figaro reported that French President Emmanuel Macron is «deeply concerned» and closely monitoring the

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,