Dutch-Moroccan ex-anti-terrorism official denies «spying for Morocco», seeks PM's testimony  (Read more...)

Morocco's net international reserves down 6.4%

Morocco's net international reserves amounted to 223.1 billion dirhams until November 23, 2018, recording a 6.4% year-on-year decrease, Morocco's central bank (Bank Al-Maghrib) said. During the week of November 22-28, Bank Al-Maghrib injected 75.3 billion dirhams. As for the interbank rate, it remained at 2.28%, the source added in a press release. During the same period, the Dirham appreciated by 0.47% against the Euro and depreciated by 0.68% against the Dollar.

King Mohammed VI congratulates Raja Casablanca over winning CAF Confederation Cup

Following the winning by the Raja Casablanca of the CAF Confederation Cup, King Mohammed VI held a phone conversation with president of the club Jawad Ziyat, coach of the team Juan Carlos Garrido and team captain Badr Banoun to extend his heartfelt congratulations over this win. During this phone call, at the end of the game that took place at Martyrs Stadium in Kinshasa against Congo's AS Vita Club, the monarch tasked the president, the coach and the team captain to convey his congratulations

A Moroccan woman sends her husband to prison after faking domestic violence

An Australian national was allegedly tricked by his Moroccan wife who sought the help of the police after faking the fact that she was beaten by her husband, says Australian online newspaper Weekly Times Now quoting Australian current affairs program «A Current Affair». After eight months of marriage, Faisal who met his Moroccan wife on a Muslim dating site, realized that his partner was not there «for love». The Australian national contacted a lawyer and

Morocco's Raja Casablanca wins CAF Confederation Cup

Morocco's Raja Casablanca won on Sunday the CAF Confederation Cup, despite their loss (1-3) to Congo's AS Vita Club, in the second leg of the final game played at Martyrs Stadium in Kinshasa. Moroccan Abdillah Hafidi scored first for Raja at the game's 21 min. The scores were tied at the 4th minute of the extra time of the first half-time by Jean-Marc Makusu. The AS Vita Club doubled and tripled the score by Mukoko Batezadio (71) and Luamba Ngoma Fabrice (74). In the first leg, which took

Marrakech Film Festival : For Robert De Niro «arts celebrate diversity, origins and ideas»

The 17th edition of the Marrakech International Film Festival was there to render homage to American actor Robert De Niro, by awarding him the Golden Star offred by the festival. The event is also attended by Robert De Niro's traveling companion Martin Scorsese who was happy to hand the actor his award. The two stars had tears in their eyes while greeting one another in front of the festival's guests. Accepting his honorary award at the Marrakech Film Festival from Martin Scorsese, De Niro

2019 Africa Cup of Nations : Hervé Renard thinks Morocco is ready to host the event

Atlas Lions coach Hervé Renard reacted on Friday, November the 30th, to the decision of the African Confederation of Football (CAF) which withdrew the 2019 African Cup of Nations hosting right from Cameroon. Speaking to beIN sports, Renard said that he wishes to see Morocco hosting the big sports event. CAF’s inspectors found out that the country was not prepared enough for the competition expected to take place between the 15th of June and 13th of July 2019. During its Executive

Canada : The 29th of January, a day against hatred and intolerance

Set for months by the representatives of the Muslim community, the 29th of January commemorating the Great Mosque of Quebec shooting, will not be only about fighting against Islamophobia. According to Radio-Canada, the «National Council of Canadian Muslims (NCCM) suggests that the day must be dedicated to the fight against hate and intolerance in general». The Council removed the word «Islamophobia». Thus, the so-called «National Day of Remembrance and Action

CAF Awards : Five Moroccan players among Player of the Year Nominees

Five Moroccan players are in a list of 34 players that will compete for the award of the Player of the Year in Africa, the Confederation of African Football (CAF) has announced. These players are Mehdi Benatia (Juventus), Hakim Ziyech (Ajax Amsterdam), Ayoub El Kaabi (Hebei China Fortune), Ismail Haddad (Wydad Athletic club) and Mahmoud Benhalib (Raja Club Athletic). In the category of Youth Player of the Year, Moroccan Achraf Hakimi (Borussia Dortmund) is among the nominees. Moroccan

Hirak : Human Rights Watch says the court shouldn’t ignore evidence of «torture»

The Casablanca Court of Appeals must provide justice for Hirak activists, Human Rights Watch (HRW) said on Friday. In an article entitled «Morocco: Torture Suspicions Mar Mass Trial Verdicts», the organization recalled the trial of Hirak activists. «A court shouldn’t just ignore evidence of torture», said Ahmed Benchemsi, Middle East and North Africa communications and advocacy director at Human Rights Watch, adding that «the appeals court needs to

The UN reaffirms support for «increased dialogue» between Morocco and Algeria

The United Nations reaffirmed, Thursday, its support for «increased dialogue» between Morocco and Algeria, which would benefit the whole region. «We have always been very supportive of increased dialogue between Algeria and Morocco, whose relationship is very important to the region», Spokesperson for the UN Secretary-General, Stéphane Dujarric, said at his daily press briefing. On Nov. 7, 2018, Dujarric said that the UN Secretary-General, Antonio Guterres,

Morocco : Carlos Ghosn’s detention will not affect the Renault–Nissan–Mitsubishi Alliance

Leaders of Renault, Nissan and Mitsubishi will continue working together. The information was confirmed Thursday, November the 29th in Amsterdam, during their first meeting after the arrest of Carlos Ghosn, chairman and CEO of Renault and Nissan, says Jeune Afrique. The weekly magazine says that their alliance will last, especially, at the Renault plant located in Tanger-Med. In a press release issued after the meeting, the leaders believe that this cooperation «is the

King Mohammed VI : «Any unilateral actions affecting Al-Quds are unacceptable»

On November the 29th of every year, the UN commemorates the International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People. On this occasion, King Mohammed VI sent a message to the chairman of the Committee on the Exercise of the Inalienable Rights of the Palestinian People Cheikh Niang. «This year's celebration of the International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People has special significance in that it takes place amid sensitive and complex regional and international events

A Moroccan national escapes a Switzerland prison after a doctor’s visit

A 23-year-old Moroccan detainee escaped a prison in Frauenfeld, Switzerland, on Thursday November the 29th, during a doctor's visit. The police are currently looking for the man, reports the Swiss newspaper Blick. The latter fled when he had to visit an outside doctor. According to the police, he must be handcuffed and he would not be imprisoned for «a violent crime». On Wednesday, another prisoner escaped prison when visiting a doctor from Gommiswald (south of Zurich). He is a

The Council of the European Union adopts the fisheries agreement

The Council of the European Union adopted Thursday, November the 29th, the fisheries agreement concluded between Morocco and the EU, a European source told MAP news agency. After it was approved, Tuesday, by the Committee of Permanent Representatives in the European Union (COREPER), the fisheries agreement must be ratified by the committees of the European Parliament before being finally adopted. In a document published on the 27th of November COREPER, indicated that it «should be

Bulgarian Prime Minister arrives in Morocco for working visit

Prime Minister of the Republic of Bulgaria, Boyko Borisov, arrived in Morocco on Thursday for a two-day official visit to the Kingdom at the head of a large delegation. Following his arrival at Rabat-Salé airport, Borisov was welcomed by Head of Government, Saad Eddine El Othmani. After reviewing a detachment of the Royal Air Force that made the honors, the Bulgarian Prime Minister was greeted notably by Minister of Economy and Finance, Mohamed Benchaaboun, Minister of Employment and

Royal navy assists 112 would-be immigrants

Coast guards of the Royal Navy assisted, on Wednesday night in the Mediterranean, 112 would-be immigrants, the majority of whom are Sub-Saharan nationals, a military source said. The would-be immigrants, who were boarding six boats, were brought safe and sound to the nearest Moroccan ports, the source added.

Italy adopts a new law, putting a strain on migrants

The Italian Chamber of Deputies adopted Wednesday, November the 28th, a decree putting a strain on migrants coming into the country, says Le Monde. This new law replaces, in particular, humanitarian residence permits, currently granted to 25% of asylum seekers and for a period of two years, by various other permits. The text also includes an emergency procedure set to expel applicants considered «dangerous». In addition, the reception system for asylum seekers, who

Authorities arrest 32 Moroccan migrants off Al Hoceima

The Royal Navy arrested on Wednesday, November the 29th, 32 Moroccan migrants who were carried by three boats off Al Hoceima, a security source told EFE. The same source reported that a Royal Navy vessel transferred the migrants, who all live in Al Hoceima, to the Royal Gendarmerie, to identify them and find out who organized their attempt to illegally cross the Mediterranean. On Tuesday, the Royal Navy also arrested 103 migrants, including 92 from Morocco and 11 from sub-Saharan Africa, as