News Flash

Three Moroccans freed after ransom paid to human traffickers in Myanmar

Three Moroccans have returned home after being released by a human trafficking network in Myanmar in exchange for a ransom. The families of the three victims paid 100,000 Dhs each to secure their freedom. This brings the number of freed Moroccan citizens to about 20, out of more than 100 estimated to be held in camps in Myanmar and other Southeast Asian countries, according to Al 3omk. The victims were initially lured with promises of high-paying jobs in e-commerce in Thailand but were instead

Moroccan Caftans captivate Parisian audience at the Oriental Fashion Show

On Sunday evening, three Moroccan fashion houses wowed the Parisian audience with a captivating display of traditional craftsmanship, showcasing the Caftan, a cherished symbol of Morocco's rich heritage. Amina Benzekri Benrahal, L'Altière, and Hind Berrada presented their collections in the grand finale of the Oriental Fashion Show, an event organized by Hind Joudar, an expert in Oriental fashion, at a prestigious Parisian hotel. Joudar, who founded the «Silk Road and

Moroccan court overturns school's hijab ban

The Marrakech Court of First Instance has ruled in favor of a student at the Lycée Victor Hugo, who was prevented from entering because of her hijab. The ruling, handed down on Friday, June 21, requires the Agence de l'Enseignement Français à l'Etranger (AEFE) to pay a fine of 500 dirhams per day of non-compliance with the decision, as well as legal costs. The incident occurred on June 10, when the student was refused access to the school because of internal regulations

Moroccan NGO denounces Israeli warship docking in Tangier

The «Moroccan Front in support of Palestine and against normalization» is strongly opposed to the reception of an Israeli warship in a Moroccan port. The NGO deplores, in a statement published on Saturday, June 22, the «absence of reaction from the Moroccan state». «The INS Komemiyut ship, belonging to the navy of the occupying army, which is currently waging a real genocidal war against the Palestinian people, docked at the port of Tangier on

The United States hails Morocco's «regional leadership»

On Friday evening, Foreign Minister Nasser Bourita had a phone call with his US counterpart, Antony Blinken. A «productive discussion», State Department spokesman Mathiew Miller said during a press briefing. «The U.S. is grateful to Morocco for their regional leadership», he added. This exchange comes three weeks after the June 3 phone call between the two parties. On that occasion, Blinken presented his Moroccan counterpart with the Biden administration's

Polisario influence in Mauritania's presidential race

Mauritanians are heading to the polls on June 29 to elect a new president. The election campaign has seen an active presence from the Polisario Front. Brahim Ghali's emissary in Nouakchott has been busy meeting with various political leaders. The Polisario envoy has held discussions with the president of the Al Karama Party, the head of the Alliance for Justice and Democracy, and the president of the Progressive and Popular Alliance. According to the Polisario press agency, «these

Sahel : Bourita's messages to Algeria

On Friday, June 21 in Rabat, the Moroccan Minister of Foreign Affairs shot arrows towards Algeria. During the press briefing held with his Burkinabe counterpart, Karamoko Jean Marie Traoré, Nasser Bourita stated that «the Kingdom is against foreign interference in the affairs of Sahel countries». Morocco opposes, he emphasized, the «policies of lesson-givers and those who believe that, because they have borders with the Sahel, can opt for a policy of

Moroccan swimmer Ilyas Fellaki sets new 800m freestyle record in Spain

The Royal Moroccan Swimming Federation (FRMN) announced on Thursday, June 20, a new sporting achievement. During the Spanish Championships taking place in Palma de Majorca from June 18 to 22, Ilyas Fellaki, representing the CODM association, set a new national record in the 800 meters freestyle. He achieved an exceptional time of 8 minutes, 17 seconds, and 91 hundredths, thus beating the previous record of 8 minutes, 25 seconds, and 83 hundredths.

Afcon to be held in Morocco between December 2025 and January 2026

Next year's edition of the Africa Cup of Nations (CAN 2025) is scheduled to kick off in Morocco on December 21, according to sources quoted on Friday by beIN SPORTS. However, these dates differ from previous announcements suggesting a July-August 2025 timeframe. The Confederation of African Football (CAF) is yet to confirm the official dates. Last month, the Confederation of African Football (CAF) formally denied reports of a possible postponement. In a brief announcement on its social media

20 Moroccan Hajj pilgrims die, natural causes cited

The death toll of Moroccan pilgrims in Hajj has reached 20, according to the Ministry of Habous and Islamic Affairs. The Ministry, in a press release, indicated there has been no «abnormal situation» in the deaths. They emphasized that this number is similar to deaths recorded last year. Over the last twenty years, Hajj deaths among Moroccan pilgrims have ranged from 30 to 45 cases annually. Regarding this year's deaths, the Ministry states they are natural deaths, highlighting

Danish national arrested in Casablanca for drug-related manslaughter

On Thursday in Casablanca, the National Judicial Police Brigade (BNPJ) arrested a Danish national who was the subject of an international arrest warrant issued by Danish authorities. The suspect was involved in a case of voluntary manslaughter, likely due to retaliatory violence between international drug and psychotropic drug trafficking networks, according to a security source. The arrest of the 32-year-old suspect is part of international cooperation in security and the DGSN's efforts to

Polisario seeks support from Namibia amid South Africa tensions

The President of Namibia, Nangolo Mbumba, in office since February 24th, received the Polisario representative in Windhoek on Thursday, June 20th. Brahim Ghali's envoy emphasized «the need for unity and friendship in the Southern region», according to the Namibian presidency on X. President Mbumba reminded his guest of «historical ties between Namibia and Western Sahara», the same source added. The head of state also «reaffirmed Namibia's position and support for

Morocco : Government yet to address pilgrim deaths in Saudi Arabia, spokesperson says

The Moroccan government, led by Prime Minister Aziz Akhannouch, did not address the deaths of Moroccan pilgrims in Saudi Arabia during its meeting on Thursday, June 20th, according to Mustapha Baitas, Minister of Relations with Parliament and Civil Society and government spokesperson. Baitas acknowledged this in response to a journalist's question. «There are relevant authorities who will provide all the data on this matter», Baitas explained during the press briefing following

Insurance : Green Card system recognizes Moroccan sovereignty over Sahara

Morocco is making confident strides in gaining international recognition of its territorial integrity. Yabiladi has learned that the Green Card system will now fully encompass the entire Moroccan territory, including its Saharan provinces. This recognition was formalized in a resolution unanimously adopted during the General Assembly of the Council of Bureaux (COB) held in London, United Kingdom, on June 6-7, 2024, at the initiative of the Moroccan Central Bureau of Insurance Companies

Ex-Malaysian envoy to Morocco honored with Grand Cordon of Alaouite Wissam

Former Malaysian ambassador to Morocco, Astanah Abdul Aziz, was decorated on Thursday the Grand Cordon of Alaouite Wissam, which was awarded to her by King Mohammed VI. This high Royal distinction was presented to Abdul Aziz by the Chargé d'Affaires of the Moroccan Embassy in Kuala Lumpur, Mohammed Saidi, at a ceremony held at the Embassy. Saidi stressed that the royal decoration was a sign of recognition of the efforts made by Abdul Aziz throughout her mission in Morocco to strengthen

Royal Air Maroc expands summer 2024 with 300,000 new seats, 6 routes

Royal Air Maroc is actively preparing for the 2024 summer season by implementing an ambitious plan to meet the growing demand for passenger travel. With a seat offering of over 6.5 million, representing a 300,000-seat increase compared to summer 2023, to over 90 destinations worldwide, the Moroccan national carrier is consolidating its position as a regional leader. Its program includes the launch of six new international routes and increased frequencies on strategic routes. Royal Air Maroc

Volkswagen sees Morocco as a new battery hub for Europe

Morocco is emerging as a battery hub for Europe, whose electric car industry lacks a domestic battery supply chain. This comes as China has announced plans to establish a production base in Morocco, according to Sebastian Wolf, COO of Volkswagen's battery unit. «We don't have any supply chain», Wolf said Tuesday as reported by Bloomberg. «Right now, we have to be honest that the set-up of the LFP supply chain is happening in Morocco and not in Europe». Europe trails

Spain approves 2.66-billion-dirham loan for major desalination plant in Morocco

The Spanish Council of Ministers has greenlit a repayable loan of up to 2.66 billion dirhams (250 million euros) to an Acciona-owned company. The funds will finance the design, construction, operation, and maintenance of a desalination plant in Morocco. This loan, provided by the Fund for the Internationalization of Spanish Enterprises (FIEM), aligns with Spain's «Horizon Africa» strategy, according to Europa Press. It aims to promote the presence of Spanish companies in Africa