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

Moroccan strawberry exports test negative for Hepatitis A and Norovirus, ONSSA finds

Following concerns raised by the European Union's Rapid Alert System for Food and Feed (RASFF) about possible Hepatitis A contamination, Morocco's National Office for Sanitary Safety of Food Products (ONSSA) launched an inquiry. The results of the inquiry, sent Friday to Yabiladi, confirm that both the batch of strawberries in question and the water used for its irrigation showed no presence of Hepatitis A or Novovirus. ONSSA «quickly opened an investigation and conducted necessary

Siemens Gamesa recommits to Sahara wind projects despite Polisario threats

Siemens Gamesa maintains its investments in the Sahara. The decision comes in response to questions raised by the NGO Western Sahara Resource Watch (WSRW), an NGO that supports the Polisario Front, during the German group's last general assembly. Management has even expressed its willingness to conclude other contracts with the Moroccan authorities. «Siemens Energy and Siemens Gamesa will fulfil their obligations under valid contracts in accordance with the law», the board

French-Moroccan artist Gérard Darmon voices support for Israeli army amid war on Gaza

French-Moroccan artist Gérard Darmon expressed his support for the Israeli army, which has been waging a devastating war against the Gaza Strip since October 7. The war has tragically claimed the lives of more than 30,000 Palestinians, a majority of whom are women and children. Vous êtes notre fierté, vous êtes notre honneur. Sans vous, on ne serait pas là. Vous faites vivre l'État d'#Israel . "Am Israël Haï", a déclaré

Spain’s Popular Party challenges Sanchez's support for the Moroccan autonomy plan

In Spain, the Popular Party (PP) is once again challenging Pedro Sanchez's support for the Moroccan plan for autonomy in Western Sahara. The opposition party's group of deputies presented a proposal to the Foreign Affairs Committee, which, while non-binding for the government, calls for a return to «consensus» on this issue, aligning with the resolutions adopted by an absolute majority in the House on June 30 and July 13, 2022. The parliamentary initiative also urges the executive

Family Code reforms : Morocco's Islamist party PJD denounces «dissonant voices»

Morocco’s Justice and Development Party (PJD) is again at odds with the National Human Rights Council (CNDH) and left-wing parties, particularly the Party of Progress and Socialism (PPS) and the Socialist Union of Popular Forces (USFP), who disagree on Family Code reforms. In a press release on Thursday, March 7, the Islamist party's general secretariat called its detractors «dissonant voices nostalgic for bygone practices and discourses». The party affirms its commitment to

Morocco’s Meteor Airlines to bring Amazigh rock to the Texas South by Southwest music festival

The Moroccan rock band Meteor Airlines will perform in Austin, Texas (United States) at the South by Southwest (SXSW) music festival from March 11 to 16, 2024, representing Morocco. As part of their performances, Meteor Airlines will headline the official WOMEX showcase at SXSW on March 14 at the Flamingo Cantina. WOMEX, recognized for promoting emerging artists internationally, partners annually with SXSW to facilitate intercultural exchanges and collaboration among music

Morocco's Es-Smara-Mauritania road project raised in parliament

A Saharawi deputy from the PAM, Sidi Saleh El Idrissi, sent a written question to the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Nasser Bourita, relating to the road project to connect Es-Smara to Mauritania. The parliamentarian wanted to know the measures Morocco was taking to guarantee the opening of a new commercial passage between the two countries, similar to El Guerguerate. The MP affirms that due to its geographical position, «the city of Es-Smara could constitute a suitable passage for the

Morocco’s ambassador Youssef Amrani presents credentials to President Joe Biden

US President Joe Biden received Youssef Amrani at the White House on Thursday, where he presented his credentials as Morocco’s ambassador to the United States. At the end of this audience, the diplomat expressed his commitment to working in accordance with the royal guidelines and deepening the historic and strategic alliance between the two countries. Youssef Amrani was appointed to this position by King Mohammed VI. Before that, he held the position of mission manager in the royal

Clocks back one hour in Morocco this Sunday, March 10th

Morocco will switch back to Greenwich Mean Time (GMT) on Sunday, March 10, 2024, at 3:00 AM. This change precedes the holy month of Ramadan, during which the country observes its standard time zone. As a result, clocks will need to be set back one hour. According to a press release from the Ministry of Digital Transition and Administration Reform, this decision is based on article 2 of decree 2.18.855 concerning legal time. The same source clarifies that Morocco will return to GMT+1 time at

Morocco’s Saham to reportedly acquire Société Générale Maroc in landmark deal

Moroccan private holding Saham, founded and owned by former Industry Minister Moulay Hafid Elalamy, is reportedly in the process of acquiring a 57% majority stake in Société Générale Maroc, a national bank owned by Société Générale group in France. According to exclusive information relayed by Moroccan newspaper Maroc Hebdo, the acquisition is estimated at 8 billion dirhams, around half of which would be paid directly by Saham. The

Spain's Vox party takes advantage of the health warning about strawberries to attack Morocco

The Spanish far-right party Vox attempted to capitalize on a recent issue to criticize Morocco. Jorge Buxadé, head of the party's delegation in the European Parliament, called for a complete ban on Moroccan strawberry imports following a health warning related to the potential presence of hepatitis A. In a letter addressed to the European Commissioners for Food Health (Stella Kyriakides), Agriculture (Janusz Wojciechowski), and Environment (Virginijus Sinkevičius), Buxadé

Morocco’s Yassine Bounou wins third consecutive best goalkeeper award in Saudi League

Moroccan international Yassine Bounou, playing for Saudi club Al Hilal, has been awarded the title of Best Goalkeeper in the Saudi League for the month of February, marking his third such win in the season. This recognition is a result of Bounou's outstanding performance with Al Hilal, where he kept clean sheets and contributed significantly to the team's positive results. Previously, the Moroccan goalkeeper also secured the Best Goalkeeper of the Month award in October and November 2023,

United Airlines to launch first direct flight from New York to Marrakech

Morocco's National Tourism Office (ONMT) and United Airlines have announced an agreement to launch a new direct flight between New York and Marrakech. This will be the first ever direct flight from the United States to Morocco operated by an American carrier, according to an ONMT press release. The new route, which will begin operating in October 2024 and fly three times per week, will depart from Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) and arrive at Marrakech Menara Airport

Morocco invites the Argentine President to visit the Kingdom to strengthen trade relations

Morocco's Ambassador to Argentina, Fares Yassir, invited President Javier Gerardo Milei to visit Morocco to strengthen trade relations between the two countries. Yassir met with Argentinian Parliament Speaker Martin Alexis Menem and discussed «parliamentary cooperation and establishing parliamentary groups to enhance exchange visits». He added, «It would be an honor for President Milei to visit the Kingdom of Morocco». According to official data, trade between

Morocco's security chief Hammouchi visits UK to boost security cooperation

Starting Tuesday, March 5, Director General of National Security and Territorial Surveillance, Abdellatif Hammouchi, conducted a two-day working visit to the United Kingdom. The visit included meetings and discussions with British security officials regarding mechanisms for developing joint cooperation in various security fields, particularly counter-terrorism and transnational organized crime. The program included working meetings with Ken McCallum, Head of the Internal Intelligence Service

Morocco, Mauritania discuss cooperation as Algeria pushes for isolation

The Egyptian capital hosted a meeting on Wednesday, March 6, between Moroccan Foreign Minister Nasser Bourita and his Mauritanian counterpart, Mohamed Salem Ould Merzoug. The meeting took place on the sidelines of the 161st session of the Arab League's Executive Council. «We discussed strengthening the distinguished cooperative relations between our two brother countries and the mechanisms to develop them, as well as issues of common interest», Ould Merzoug wrote on X. The meeting

Morocco tests affordable Brazilian military transport plane

Morocco continues to diversify its arms suppliers, opening up to Brazil. The Royal Armed Forces (FAR) are, in fact, testing a Brazilian-made medium-lift military transport aircraft, the KC-390, according to reports from the Spanish daily La Razon. On the market, the device attracts attention with its price. It costs $50 million roughly half the price of an American C130. The twin-engine aircraft can transport a cargo of 26 tonnes. In terms of troop capacity, it can carry up to 80 soldiers, 74

From Algiers, Rif separatists reach out to Polisario

After opening a representation in Algiers, the «Rif Nationalist Party» urged the Polisario to coordinate their actions «in order to confront the Moroccan occupation». This announcement was made during a press briefing hosted by its representative in Algeria. He also expressed the party's readiness to «establish an office» in the Tindouf camps and in other countries. The Polisario may welcome members of the separatist party to train them in the use of