CAF approves RS Berkane's jersey with full map of Morocco, sparking anger in Algeria  (Read more...)

Spanish far-right party Vox criticizes Brahim Diaz’ dual citizenship

Days after he was summoned by Morocco’s national football team coach to play for the Atlas Lions, Spanish Moroccan attacking midfielder Brahim Diaz is criticized by Spain’s national conservative political party Vox. In a video, the president of the party’s Melilla section addresses the footballer’s dual nationality. José Miguel Tasende argues that the Civil Code of Spain does not grant citizens of Moroccan origin the right to dual citizenship. Instead, this

Polisario at the heart of talks between France and Algeria

The president of the Algeria’s National Assembly Ibrahim Boughali held, Monday, talks with France’s ambassador to Algiers Stephane Rometet, during which support for the Polisario was addressed. During their meeting, Boughali reiterated «Algeria's determination to enable the Saharawi people to realize their legitimate right to self-determination in accordance with the relevant UN resolutions», Algeria’s lower house said in a press release. This message is

Marrakech suffers water supply cuts due to service disruption at water production facility

The inhabitants of Marrakech have suffered, Monday, water cuts, due to some unprecedented disturbances in water supply. In a short notice shared to Facebook, earlier on Monday, the Autonomous Agency for Water and Electricity Distribution in Marrakech (RADEMA), announced that its water production facility, affiliated to the National Office of Water and Electricity (ONEE), has suffered a service disruption. «This distribution will either lead to a reduction in the water supply or a

Morocco’s national carrier RAM launches new direct flights to Manchester, Naples, and Abuja

Moroccan national carrier Royal Air Maroc (RAM) is launching new direct flights linking Casablanca to Manchester, Naples and Abuja, starting June 22, 2024. The flights are meant to «better serve Moroccans around the world and the African diaspora, while promoting Moroccan tourism», RAM said Monday in a press release. «The airline will resume direct flights to Naples (Italy) from June 22, with two frequencies per week (Monday and Saturday). The Casablanca-Naples flight

Morocco, AFD sign €134.7 million deal to finance education system reform

Morocco and the French Development Agency (AFD) signed, Monday in Rabat, a financing agreement, and a loan protocol worth 134.7 million euros (M€) to finance a dedicated program for the education system reform 2022-2026. The agreement was signed by Morocco’s Minister Delegate for the Budget Fouzi Lekjaa, and the French Development Agency (AFD), represented by the French Ambassador to Morocco, Christophe Lecourtier and the AFD Director in Rabat, Quiterie Pincent. Signed in the

Moroccan striker Abderrazak Hamdallah named second highest scorer of Saudi league

Moroccan striker Abderrazak Hamdallah has become the second highest scorer in the history of the Saudi Professional League, after scoring two goals against Al-Fath on Saturday night. Hamdallah scored a brace against Al-Fath, raising the total number of goals he scored within the Saudi league to 127, surpassing Nasser Al-Shamrani as the runner-up in the list of historical scorers, according to Saudi league official X account. Hamdallah needed to play 132 matches to reach his number with

Moroccan runner Zouhair Talbi finishes second at the New York half marathon

Moroccan long-distance runner Zouhair Talbi secured second place at the New York City half marathon held Sunday, March 17. Speaking following the race, the US-based athlete said he «pushed until the end». «I tried to stay strong until the end», he told reporters. He beat his personal best with a time of 1:00 and 41 seconds. The 13.1-mile half marathon started in Brooklyn, making its way through Manhattan Bridge and FDR Drive, organizers said. Runners also run

Anti-normalization group asks Morocco’s football body to end McDonald's sponsorship

The Moroccan Front in Support of Palestine and Against Normalization has opposed «a partnership sealed by the Royal Moroccan Football Federation (FRMF) and McDonald's». In a letter addressed to FRMF President Fouzi Lekjaa, the group denounced the agreement signed with a fast-food franchise «that supports the Zionist entity's army» and «US imperialist policy». The letter argues that this partnership happens at a time when «the

Balenciaga sells Moroccan-inspired mules for more than $900

They are heelless leather slippers worn by men all over Morocco. These traditional Moroccan mules, locally known as Belgha, are now being sold by luxury fashion house Balenciaga. But instead of a few hundred dirhams, the pair of shoes cost hundreds of dollars on Balenciaga's official online boutique. Balenciaga is selling the Moroccan-inspired mules for 995 dollars. «Flat Mule in black smooth lambskin is in several looks of Balenciaga Summer 24 Collection», reads a description of

Morocco arrests German man wanted on Interpol red notice

A German national wanted under an INTERPOL Red Notice, following an international arrest warrant issued by the Austrian authorities, was arrested on Sunday in Morocco for his alleged involvement in cases related to financial crime and property damage. The 40-year-old was arrested as he was preparing to board a flight to Turkey. Moroccan authorities checked the International Criminal Police Organization (INTERPOL) database which showed that the man in question was wanted internationally for

Algeria condemns Morocco’s plan to expropriate part of its real estate in Rabat

Algeria condemned, Sunday, the planned expropriation of some of its real estate in Rabat. In a press release, the Algerian Foreign Ministry threatened to «respond to these provocations by all means it deems appropriate». «The Kingdom of Morocco has embarked on a new phase of escalation in its provocative behavior towards Algeria. These new provocations include a plan to confiscate the premises of the Algerian embassy in Morocco», the same source states. Algeria

Are Algerian dates missing from Moroccan Ramadan tables ?

Some Moroccan news outlets have reported a perceived absence of Algerian dates in Moroccan markets during the month of Ramadan. Online newspaper Assahifa attributed this absence to concerns among some Moroccans regarding alleged contamination by remnants of French nuclear tests in the Algerian desert. The report also mentioned an increased presence of dates from other countries, such as Tunisian «Shamrukh», «Deglet al-Nour», and «Salima», alongside

After De Mistura, Russian diplomacy receives Morocco’s ambassador to Moscow

Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Russia and Special Representative of the President of Russia for the Middle East Mikhail Bogdanov, received Morocco's Ambassador to Moscow, Lotfi Bouchaara, on Friday. The talks focused on «topical issues related to the progressive development of traditionally friendly relations between Russia and Morocco. These included maintaining an active political dialogue on resolving ongoing crisis situations in the Middle East and North Africa, based on the

Morocco expropriates property belonging to Algeria in Rabat

The Moroccan government has decided, based on a proposal by the Minister of Economy and Finance and after consultation with the Minister of the Interior, to expropriate real estate belonging to Algeria in Rabat. The decision, published in the Bulletin officiel of March 13, 2024, aims to facilitate the extension of the central headquarters of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Expropriation proceedings had already been initiated against the three properties The expropriation of these properties

Morocco seizes over 10 tons of drugs in fishing boat

Acting on precise criminal intelligence from the General Directorate for Territorial Surveillance (DGTS), police officers in Agadir, in cooperation with the Royal Navy and Royal Gendarmerie, seized a fishing boat and thwarted an international drug smuggling attempt involving a large shipment of approximately 10 tons and 542 kilograms of Al-Shira. In a joint statement, the General Directorate of National Security (DGSN) and DGTS announced that based on intelligence, law enforcement officers

Yusi and Velilles brothers, the other players who pulled a Brahim Diaz and chose the Atlas Lions

Days after Malaga-born midfielder Brahim Diaz with Moroccan descent announced his switch to the Moroccan national team, attention has shifted to other young players who have made the same decision. Spanish sports newspaper AS refers to Youssef Enríquez Lekhedim, nicknamed Yusi, as «another Brahim». The young left-back for Real Madrid's youth team has been included in the Atlas Lions squad called up by national team coach Walid Regragui for upcoming friendlies. The list also

Real Madrid coach Ancelotti backs Brahim Diaz's national team switch

Asked in a press conference about Brahim Diaz's recent decision to play for Morocco, Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti said that the attacking midfielder was a very important player for the club. «[He] can be for any team», Ancelotti acknowledged. «He has chosen where he wants to play, and I think Morocco, which is a strong team, have done well. Brahim will give them additional depth and talent», he added. At the club level, Brahim Diaz is enjoying his first full season

Spain’s Popular Party exploits strawberry controversy to target Moroccan imports

Spain's Popular Party (PP) has launched a two-pronged attack on Moroccan agricultural exports. In the House of Representatives, the PP submitted a non-binding proposal urging the government to adopt measures against imports, particularly Moroccan, containing residues exceeding those authorized in the European Union (0.01 milligrams per kilogram for food and animal feed). Europa Press linked the PP's proposal to the recent «discovery of a shipment of Moroccan strawberries carrying traces