News Flash

After life sentence, wealthy Italian fugitive believed to be on the run in Morocco

The escape of a notorious Italian fugitive has triggered an international manhunt. Italian media reports reveal that entrepreneur Giacomo Bozzoli is believed to have fled to Morocco by boat from Spain. In 2015, Bozzoli was sentenced to life imprisonment for the grisly murder of his uncle, whom he allegedly disposed of by throwing into a furnace at the family foundry in Marcheno. According to Il Messaggero, Giacomo Bozzoli initially went into hiding in Switzerland to secure his assets and

Two more Saharawis seek asylum in Spain during Madrid stopover

Following the case of Youssef El Mahmoudi, who identifies as a «Saharawi activist», two other Sahrawis applied for political asylum in Spain on Monday, July 8th, at Madrid's Barajas airport. They were traveling from French Guiana to Casablanca with a layover in Madrid, where they seized the opportunity to submit their asylum applications, according to Spanish media. These applications will first be reviewed by the Sub-Directorate of Borders under the Ministry of the Interior, and

Moroccan AI influencer Kenza Layli wins world's first AI beauty pageant

Moroccan AI influencer Kenza Layli has claimed victory in the world’s first-ever AI beauty pageant. «While I don’t feel emotions like humans do, I’m genuinely excited about it», said the Hijabi Instagrammer in an interview with New York Post on Monday. The lifestyle influencer secured the $20,000 grand prize for her human creator, winning over 1,500 computerized challengers. This beauty pageant is part of the inaugural World AI Creator Awards (WAICAs), in

Morocco's Q2 2024 inflation drops to 0.7%, nearly halved

According to the Haut-Commissariat au Plan (HCP), inflation, as measured by the consumer price index, fell by almost half in the second quarter of 2024 compared with the first quarter, dropping to 0.7% from 1.2%. This decline was driven by a 0.5% fall in food prices, while non-food prices accelerated by 1.5%, following a 0.9% increase in the first quarter, according to the HCP's second-quarter 2024 business review and third-quarter 2024 outlook. Underlying inflation, which excludes prices set

Tangier rally : Thousands march in solidarity with Palestinians

Thousands of Moroccans responded to the call of the Moroccan Front in Support of Palestine and Against Normalization, participating in a mass march in Tangier on Sunday, July 7, 2024, in support of the Palestinian people, who have been suffering from continuous Israeli attacks since last October. The march began at the Iberia Mosque and proceeded through several streets in the city, including Belgium Street and Pasteur Street, before culminating at Place des Nations. The participants,

Ryanair flight diverted to Marrakech after mid-air brawl over seats

Ryanair was forced to divert a flight from Agadir to London on Wednesday after a violent altercation broke out among passengers over seating arrangements. The flight left Morocco as scheduled, but tensions among passengers escalated just 36 minutes into the flight, according to British media reports. The plane landed in Marrakech after heated arguments escalated into physical altercations with punches thrown and screams heard. Upon landing, police intervened, removing the disruptive

Polisario founder's brother challenges leadership with reform call

A prominent figure within the Polisario movement, Bachir Mustapha Sayed, the brother of the group's founder, proposes to organize «a general conference to evaluate» the situation in the Tindouf camps and «take exceptional measures». Sayed presents his initiative as the only remedy to the chaos and the decline of the Polisario. He also addressed his appeal to the elements of the Front's militias so that they «elect their representatives to the general

Two Ittihad Tanger players missing at sea, three rescued after Yacht accident

Two Ittihad Tanger players went missing at sea since Saturday, July 6, after their small yacht was swept away by strong currents, a club deputy president told Reuters on Sunday. The two missing players were among five Ittihad Tanger players who went cruising off Tangier before their yacht was swept away. The players were swimming in deep waters when the yacht drifted away, Anass Mrabet said. «Three players have already been rescued on Saturday, while the search continues for the missing

Moroccan defender Yunis Abdelhamid signs one-year deal with AS Saint-Étienne

Moroccan international Yunis Abdelhamid has officially joined AS Saint-Étienne on a one-year contract as part of the summer transfer window. The French club announced the signing of the 36-year-old player, whose career path has been anything but typical, on social media. The Moroccan defender welcomed the new contract, stating his readiness to defend the club's colors and achieve its goals in the top league. Born in Montpellier on September 28, 1987, Yunis Abdelhamid did not attend a

Spanish minister halts deportation of pro-Polisario activist

A new development has emerged regarding the decision by the Spanish judiciary to expel Youssef El Mahmoudi, a Moroccan national who describes himself as a «Sahrawi activist». The order issued on Thursday by the Audiencia Nacional to deport him back to Morocco has been suspended following the intervention of Sira Rego, the Spanish Minister for Youth and Childhood from the United Left party. In a letter addressed to Interior Minister Fernando Grande-Marlaska (PSOE), Rego requested

Moroccan actor Mustapha Dassoukine passes away

Well-known on stage and television during the 1980s, 1990s and early 2000s, Moroccan actor Mustapha Dassoukine passed away on Saturday at the age of 82. He had been battling health issues in recent years. Born in the Derb Sultan district of Casablanca, Mustapha Dassoukine made a name for himself for decades in the theater and on the small screen. For many years, he formed a well-known generational duo with actor Mustapha Zaari. Mustapha Dassoukine left his mark on television production and

France elections : Left leads, far-right falls to 3rd place

Dominating the last European elections, the National Rally (RN) has secured third place in the legislative polls, the second round of which took place on Sunday, July 7, 2024, in France. In the National Assembly, the far-right party led by Jordan Bardella and its allies is projected to win between 132 and 152 seats, according to initial estimates. In an unprecedented turn, the Nouveau Front Populaire (NFP) is expected to come out on top with 172 to 192 seats. Ensemble pour la majorité

Morocco to observe 1st Moharram 1446 on Sunday, July 7

The 1st Moharram of the new Hegira year 1446 is Sunday, July 7, in Morocco, the Ministry of Habous and Islamic Affairs announced on Saturday. In a press release, the Ministry confirmed that the lunar crescent of the month of Moharram was observed at sunset on Saturday, July 6, 2024 (29 Dou El Hijja 1445).

Will UK left's rise threaten Morocco Sahara agreement ?

On Thursday, July 4, a red wave swept across the United Kingdom as the Labour Party returned to power. The early general election results handed Keir Starmer's party a resounding victory, securing an absolute majority with 412 seats in the 650-seat House of Commons. Former Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has resigned as leader of the Conservative Party following the defeat. From 2010 to 2024, relations between Rabat and London improved significantly, particularly after the UK's exit from the

Moroccan farm worker dies after tractor falls into ravine in Italy

A Moroccan farm worker in Challand-Saint-Victor (northern Italy) has died after losing control of his tractor at a height of 1,800 meters and falling into a ravine. Mohammed Badi, 36, could not be rescued in time. Rescuers were unable to reach the site by helicopter and had to be mobilized on foot. The causes of the vehicle's loss of control have yet to be determined.

Achraf Hakimi cleared to represent Morocco at Olympics

Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) has granted permission to right-back Achraf Hakimi to represent Morocco in the 2024 Olympic Games football tournament. This allows the 25-year-old defender to wear his national colors during the competition held in Paris from July 26 to August 11, 2024. His inclusion was confirmed by U23 coach Tarik Sektioui at a press conference yesterday. Olympic football allows three players over the age limit in each squad, and Hakimi brings valuable experience to the Moroccan

Emirates announces Cabin Crew recruitment days in Morocco

Emirates, the world's leading international airline, announces six new Cabin Crew recruitment days across Morocco throughout July. This program offers passionate Moroccans the chance to launch an international career soaring to iconic destinations like New York and the Maldives, all while calling Dubai their home. As Emirates Cabin Crew, successful candidates will experience diverse cultures, build international connections, and relish a tax-free income, furnished accommodation, transportation

Spain-Morocco collaboration thwarts Jihad network

The Moroccan General Directorate for Territorial Surveillance (DGST), in collaboration with the Spanish Civil Guard, arrested nine people on July 2 for promoting jihad in Melilla, Alcobendas, San Sebastián de los Reyes (Madrid), and Malaga. As part of their efforts to counter terrorist threats, the authorities analyzed restricted online messaging groups where terrorist propaganda and indoctrination materials were shared. The Spanish Interior Ministry recalls that the Guardia Civil