Morocco's health insurance covers only 70 percent despite rising registrations

The Supreme Audit Institution has revealed a striking disparity in Morocco's mandatory health insurance coverage. Although the number of registered individuals surged to approximately 31.94 million by the end of 2024, only 25.6 million actually benefited from the insurance, translating to an effective coverage rate of about 70 percent, excluding exceptional systems. In its 2024-2025 annual report, the council highlighted that «despite efforts to maintain system balance, all insurance

King Mohammed VI reviews Nador West Med port project ahead of launch

King Mohammed VI chaired a working meeting on Wednesday, January 28, at the Royal Palace in Casablanca, devoted to the new Nador West Med port and industrial complex. This meeting was held ahead of the port’s operational launch scheduled for the fourth quarter of this year.  During the meeting, an update was presented to the King by Fouad Brini, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Nador West Med, on the progress of the project and achievements to date. Following the

Airtificial expands automotive technology in Morocco with new contract

The Spanish engineering giant, Airtificial Group, has secured a new contract in Morocco, marking one of three international deals it has inked with global clients in the automotive industry. This move aligns with the company's strategy to bolster its global footprint and diversify its geographical reach. In a statement released on Tuesday, Airtificial revealed plans to develop cutting-edge technology for a factory associated with a «well-known company» in Morocco's automotive

AFCON Morocco becomes most digitally viewed edition with 6 billion views

The TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations Morocco 2025 is the most digitally viewed AFCON, generating 6 billion views across social media platforms, including 5.2 billion video views. The figures highlight the tournament’s expanding global reach and the strong engagement of African football fans, particularly within the African diaspora, where CAF attracted millions of new users and audiences, the Confederation said on Wednesday. Fan-driven content played a central role, with 285

Morocco and Egypt FMs hold two phone calls in one month

On the evening of January 27, Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelaty held a telephone conversation with his Moroccan counterpart, Nasser Bourita. The exchange was described as part of the «regular consultations and coordination between the two brotherly countries», according to an official statement from Egypt’s Foreign Ministry. The communiqué noted that «the two ministers reaffirmed the strength and depth of bilateral relations between Egypt and Morocco, as

Brazil to use Egypt friendly to prepare for Morocco World Cup clash

Brazil is preparing for its opening Group Stage match of the 2026 World Cup against Morocco. As part of these preparations, the Seleção has chosen Egypt, another African team, as a friendly opponent. The announcement was made by Egyptian Football Association President Hany Abo Rida, who confirmed that the Brazil–Egypt friendly will take place shortly before the World Cup. Brazil and Morocco have been drawn into Group C, alongside Scotland and Haiti. Morocco will face

Belgian-born footballer Rayane Bounida edges closer to choosing Morocco

Rayane Bounida, a Moroccan-Belgian young footballer, is increasingly leaning toward an international future with Morocco. The 19-year-old midfielder, born and raised in Belgium, remains eligible to choose his national team, having only represented Belgium at youth level. According to Belgian sports journalist Sacha Tavolieri, the player is said to have privately expressed a preference for the Atlas Lions, with Morocco’s football federation reportedly close to securing his international

Mohamed Chouki is the sole candidate to succeed Akhannouch as RNI leader

The political bureau of the National Rally of Independents (RNI) announced in a statement that, following the close of the nomination period to succeed Aziz Akhannouch as party leader, it had received a single candidacy, that of Mohamed Chouki. The bureau added that, after reviewing the nomination, it decided to submit it to an extraordinary party congress. The RNI, which currently leads the government, will hold an extraordinary session of its national congress on February 7, 2026, in the

Moroccan-French parliamentary forum returns to Rabat for strategic discussions

The Moroccan Parliament will host the fifth session of the Moroccan-French Parliamentary Forum on January 29 and 30. According to a parliamentary statement, the session will be co-chaired on the Moroccan side by the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rachid Talbi Alami, and the Speaker of the House of Councillors, Mohamed Ould Rachid. On the French side, it will be chaired by the President of the Senate, Gérard Larcher, and the President of the National Assembly, Yaël

Newborn's body discovered in Nador province, investigation launched

The body of a newborn infant was found abandoned on Tuesday in Douar Ain Eddib, part of the Ouled Settout commune in the Nador province. According to local sources, residents discovered the body and alerted the authorities. Royal Gendarmerie, along with local officials, subsequently arrived at the scene to assess the situation and open an investigation. Acting on instructions from the public prosecutor, the body was transferred to the morgue for an autopsy, while investigations are

Man subject to judicial investigation dies in Beni Mellal, inquiry launched

A person who was the subject of a judicial investigation in a misdemeanor case has died in the intensive care unit of the regional hospital in Beni Mellal, according to information provided by the Beni Mellal Security Authority. Preliminary findings indicate that the individual was transferred to the hospital after suffering a health emergency while undergoing procedures related to the judicial investigation. Based on instructions from the competent public prosecutor, the preventive custody

EU-sanctioned oil tanker carrying Russian crude escorted to Morocco

An oil tanker under EU sanctions for transporting Russian crude is being escorted to the Tanger Med port in Morocco by a Spanish maritime rescue vessel, Spain’s Merchant Marine announced on Tuesday. The tanker, Chariot Tide, which sails under a Mozambique flag and was previously known as Marabella Sun until November, is being escorted to Tanger Med by the Spanish rescue ship Clara Campoamor, according to Reuters. Spain’s Merchant Marine said the tanker suffered an engine failure

Trump's advisor discusses the Sahara issue with the Algerian Foreign Minister

On Tuesday, the Algerian Foreign Minister Ahmed Attaf welcomed Massad Boulos, Senior Advisor to the President of USA on Arab and Middle Eastern Affairs and concurrently Senior Advisor for Africa at the U.S. Department of State, who is currently on an official visit to Algeria. In a brief statement, the Algerian Foreign Ministry announced that Attaf and Boulos engaged in a private bilateral meeting, which was subsequently followed by an expanded session that included members from both the

At the Security Council, the US reaffirms its support for the autonomy plan

During a UN Security Council meeting on Monday evening, the Trump administration reaffirmed its support for Morocco’s autonomy plan to resolve the Western Sahara issue, first presented in 2007. «On Western Sahara, the U.S.-penned resolution adopted in October resulted in the Council voicing strong support for negotiations to reach a mutually acceptable resolution based on Morocco’s credible and realistic Autonomy Proposal», said Ambassador Tammy Bruce, Deputy

CAF disciplinary jury hears Senegal after AFCON 2025 Final

The Senegalese Football Federation (FSF) announced that it appeared before the Disciplinary Jury of the Confederation of African Football (CAF) on Tuesday, January 27, 2026. The hearing followed reports submitted by match officials, as well as objections filed by the Royal Moroccan Football Federation (FRMF) after the final of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (CAN) hosted in Morocco. According to the FSF, the Senegalese delegation was led by its Secretary General, accompanied by its legal

Severe weather halts maritime traffic at Tangier Med Port

The port authorities at Tangier Med Port have announced a temporary halt to maritime traffic today, Tuesday, until further notice, due to severe weather conditions impacting the Strait of Gibraltar. The port officials stated that «updates will be provided as soon as conditions improve and services resume», advising travelers to «reach out to their shipping company for further information regarding their journey». The General Directorate of Meteorology had previously

Italy: Moroccan shot dead during drug patrol, police officer under investigation

An Italian police officer is under investigation for voluntary manslaughter following the fatal shooting of a 28-year-old Moroccan man, Abderrahim Mansouri, during a drug control operation on the evening of January 26 in Milan’s Rogoredo district. According to initial findings, the officer, who was in plain clothes and part of a patrol carrying out drug checks, opened fire after the man allegedly pointed a pistol at him. The victim was struck in the head and died at the scene. The weapon

Italian nightclub bouncer and owner on trial over «Moroccans are not allowed»

In Italy, a nightclub bouncer and the venue's owner are on trial over the words «Blacks and Moroccans are not allowed», local media said. The case dates back to August, 2022, at the Marina Bay nightclub in Marina di Ravenna, a coastal town in Italy, where a 16-year-old boy born in Ethiopia and adopted by an Italian family was denied entry despite holding a valid ticket for a concert by rapper Capo Plaza. According to the complaint, he was told to stand aside with other Black youths