Lamine Yamal named best young player in the world, Bilal El Khannouss ranks 10th  (Read more...)

Fez Court reduces sentences for rappers behind controversial «Kobi Atay» song

The Fez Appeal Court reduced the initial sentences handed to two rappers known for their song «Kobi Atay». They were sentenced to four months' imprisonment each, after the Fez Court of First Instance had initially sentenced them to two years in prison each, in addition to a fine. The defendants were charged with «inciting minors to prostitution and to commit a felony or misdemeanor by electronic means» and participation in such acts. In its verdict, the court also

Morocco FM Nasser Bourita meets outgoing Arab Maghreb Union Secretary General

On Tuesday, July 2, Foreign Minister Nasser Bourita received the outgoing Secretary General of the Arab Maghreb Union in Rabat, Moroccan diplomacy announced on X. This meeting comes a day after Tunisian Taïeb Baccouche's mission at the head of the AMU came to an end. At an official ceremony held in Rabat on Monday, July 1, Baccouche handed over the leadership of the AMU to his compatriot Tarek Ben Salem. Ben Salem was appointed the new Secretary General of the Maghreb Arab Union by

EBRD reaffirms support for Morocco's energy transition with MAD 150 million loan

On Tuesday, July 2, 2024, the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) reaffirmed its support for Morocco's energy transition by granting a MAD 150 million loan to PROCANEQ, a Moroccan-based company that provides mining subcontracting services to the OCP Group. To accelerate the sector's green transition, the EBRD funding will be used to purchase new equipment for extracting and transporting phosphate to processing facilities from several mines, the London-based institution said

Russia did not schedule a meeting on the Sahara at the Security Council

Russia holds the rotating presidency of the Security Council for the month of July. The program circulated by Moscow's embassy to the United Nations in New York did not include any meetings on the Western Sahara issue. For his part, Russian ambassador Vassily Nebenzia did not address the Sahara issue or MINURSO at a press briefing held yesterday in New York to present his country's agenda for the month. The diplomat announced the organization of three debates on: multilateral cooperation for a

Polisario wishes to meet South Africa's new Foreign Minister

After initially ignoring the re-election and inauguration of President Cyril Ramaphosa, the Polisario is now trying to reconnect with South Africa. On Tuesday, July 2, the «SADR Minister of Foreign Affairs» sent a congratulatory message to Ronald Lamola, Pretoria's new head of diplomacy who succeeded Naledi Pandor. «I look forward to meeting you personally and working closely with you to strengthen the cooperation and solidarity between our two brotherly countries and

Casablanca Fête de la Musique celebrates diversity with record attendance

The 2024 edition of the Fête de la Musique, organized by local development company Casablanca Events et Animation, was a resounding success. Held on June 28 and 29, the event aims to promote music in all its forms and celebrate cultural and musical diversity. Offering an opportunity for amateur and professional musicians to perform in public and share their passion with Casablancans and visitors to the city, the program boasted a diverse lineup of artists: Ganga Vives, Hasba Groove,

Morocco, US discuss deepening trade ties at FTA monitoring meeting

Representatives from Morocco and the United States met in Washington on Monday to discuss the implementation of the free trade agreement (FTA) between the two countries. The 8th session of the joint committee tasked with monitoring the FTA was chaired by Morocco's Minister of Industry and Trade, Ryad Mezzour, and the Assistant U.S. Trade Representative for Europe and the Middle East, Bryant Trick. Discussions focused on ways to further develop trade and address remaining challenges. Minister

Marrakech court sentences three to 4 years each for deadly food poisoning

The Marrakech Court of First Instance sentenced three defendants: the owner of a fast food restaurant and two of his employees, to four years in prison each, with a fine of 1000 dirhams. This follows the death of six people, including a child, due to food poisoning after they ate at the restaurant in the Mahamid neighborhood of Marrakech. The fast food owner was charged with «unintentionally causing manslaughter due to his negligence and disregard for laws and regulations»,

Eindhoven blocks Moroccan star Ismael Saibari from Olympic participation

Moroccan footballer Ismael Saibari will be unable to participate with the Moroccan Olympic team at the Paris Olympics this summer due to his Dutch club PSV Eindhoven refusing to release him, reports beIN Sports. Saibari is a key player for the Moroccan Olympic team. He is also a key player for the dutch club, having featured in 29 matches across all competitions last season for Eindhoven. The draw for the Olympic football tournament placed the Moroccan national team in Group B alongside

Presidential elections in Mauritania : Ould El Ghazouani re-elected in first round

Voters in Mauritania have re-elected Mohamed Cheikh Ould El Ghazouani to a second term as president of the country. His candidacy for the June 29 presidential elections won 56.12% of the votes cast in the first round, according to the final results published on Monday by the Independent National Electoral Commission (CENI). Opponent Biram Dah Abeid, 59, came second with 22.10% of the vote. Supporters of the abolitionist activist staged demonstrations in the streets of Nouakchott on Sunday

Moroccan mother and children tragically killed by ex-husband in Spain

A 30-year-old Moroccan mother and her two children, ages 5 and 7, were tragically murdered on Saturday by their father in the Spanish town of Las Pedroneras. At the request of the Las Pedroneras City Council, a minute of silence was held today in the town «in solidarity with the victims and as a sign of condemnation and rejection of this act of gender-based violence». Local residents placed black and purple ribbons, candles, and posters with messages in memory of the three victims

Green Hydrogen Morocco Camp kicks off in Benguerir

The first edition of the «Green Hydrogen Morocco Camp» was launched on Monday, July 1, at the Green Energy Park in Benguerir. This week-long initiative (running until July 6) aims to promote green hydrogen development in Morocco. The camp is a organized by the Institut de Recherche en Énergie Solaire et Énergies Nouvelles (IRESEN), the German Corporation for International Cooperation (GIZ) in Morocco, and the MED-GEM network funded by the European Union. Participants

Spain's security chief : Morocco poses no threat to national security

In response to inquiries from Iberian media, Monday, the head of Spain's National Security Department, General Loreto Gutiérrez Hurtado, stated that Morocco is not currently considered a threat in Spain's national security strategy. «We have working groups on Ceuta and Melilla, just as we do for all other autonomous communities», General Hurtado, who assumed office in November 2023, explained. «Our responsibility is to defend the state, and at this time, there's

Moroccan footballer Abderrazak Hamdallah transfers from Al Ittihad to Al-Taawoun

Moroccan footballer Abderrazzak Hamdallah, 33, has signed for Saudi Arabian club Al-Taawoun to bolster the ranks of the Saudi first division soccer club. The Al Ittihad Jeddah striker is expected to join Al Qassim this week to finalize his transfer, according to the Saudi newspaper Arriyadia. He will undergo the traditional medical check-up at the club center before signing his contract and being officially presented to the media. Having joined Al Ittihad Jeddah in 2021, the former Olympic

Anti-trafficking organization urges Thai PM to help free Moroccans held by gang in Myanmar

A Thai anti-trafficking organization, Exodus Road, has sought the help of Thailand Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin to free 21 Moroccan nationals abducted by a human trafficking network operating on the Thai-Myanmar border, Thai media reported on Sunday. The organization decided to seek the Prime Minister's help after the Moroccan Embassy in Bangkok requested assistance from various agencies on May 17th in an official letter. These agencies included the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Royal

France's legislative election : Eric Ciotti promises renewed French-Moroccan relations

«If we win, we will rebuild relations of friendship and trust with the Kingdom of Morocco, which is a great country and a great democracy, for which I have a lot of respect, friendship, and consideration. Re-establishing relations is important», said Eric Ciotti, the French politician who has led The Republicans, a Gaullist party, since 2022, during Sunday’s early legislative elections in France. Eric Ciotti topped the election results with 41% of the vote in his stronghold

Netanyahu offers condolences to King Mohammed VI on Lalla Latifa's passing

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu offered his condolences to King Mohammed VI on the death of his mother, Lalla Latifa. «On behalf of myself and my wife Sara, I send my deepest condolences on the death of the mother of the King of Morocco, Mohammed VI, Lalla Latifa», wrote the Israeli Prime Minister on his official X account in Arabic. باسمي وباسم زوجتي سارة، أبعث بأحر التعازي في وفاة والدة ملك المغرب، محمد

Spain to upgrade security of Mediterranean islets claimed by Morocco

The Spanish Ministry of Defense is planning to equip the Mediterranean islets claimed by Morocco with new aerial beacon and strategic satellite communication systems, reports OK Diario. The program, costing around 600,000 euros, will ensure that the military units deployed in Vélez de la Gomera, Alhucemas and Chafarinas considerably improve their capabilities. Following the high-level Moroccan-Spanish meeting held in Rabat on February 1-2, 2023, the Spanish Ministry of Defense