Morocco's Arrabet and Skaleet partner for a new neo-bank offering in Africa  (Read more...)

Khaled Meshaal, former Hamas leader, is to visit Morocco

Khaled Meshaal, the former leader Hamas' political bureau is expected to visit Morocco next Tuesday, says Al3omk.com. The Islamist leader is expected to hold talks with members of the PJD's general secretariat, led by Saadeddine El Othmani, and the leadership of the Unity and Reform Movement, the same source added. The Palestinian politician, who currently lives in Qatar, is also expected to meet with associative figures known for their support for the Palestinian cause to examine the

Munir El Haddadi will not be playing with Morocco's national football team

Munir El Haddadi, an international player who plays as a forward in the Deportivo Alavès will not be part of the Atlas Lions. The Royal Moroccan Football Federation (FRMF) «withdrew the appeal it had filed with the Court of Arbitration for Sport (also known as the CAS, an international quasi-judicial body established to settle disputes related to sport through arbitration) to allow Munir El Haddadi to play with the Moroccan team,» says the Spanish news agency EFE. The Royal

A Moroccan national shot and arrested after forcing his way into Ceuta driving a car

A Moroccan national was shot in the arm on Friday, 22nd of December, after trying to force his way into the Tarajal border gate, reports Huffpost Maroc quoting local Spanish media platforms. The incident took place early morning when the man drove his car fleeing the national police at the borders. Threatening to hit pedestrians with his speeding car, the police officers had to open fire on the Moroccan national forcing him to stop. After driving for 300 meters, the car coming from Morocco

The World Bank grants Morocco a € 172 m loan to boost the Casablanca Development Plan

Morocco and the World Bank (WB) concluded on Thursday in Rabat, a 172 million Euros loan agreement to support the Develoment Plan of the Greater Casablanca (PDGC), set to improve the living conditions in the city, promote economic competitiveness, the business environment and enhance the attractiveness of the city. This agreement was signed by the Minister of Economy and Finance, Mohamed Boussaid, the head of the World Bank's department for the Maghreb and Malta, Marie Françoise

For the first time, a hippopotamus was born at the National Zoo in Rabat

A baby hippo was recently born at the National Zoo in Rabat, after a pregnancy that lasted 8 months, said the establishment in a statement. According to the same source, this process is part of the conservation strategy that aims to protect endangered species. This first birth is the result of the adaptation of the hippopotamus species to their environment, following the actions of the zoo for the conservation of ex-situ species. The mother, who is 16 years old, has been a resident of the zoo

Brahim Diaz refuses to represent Morocco at the 2018 FIFA World Cup set in Russia

Brahim Diaz, an 18-year-old Spanish footballer of Moroccan descents who plays as an attacking midfielder for Manchester City, has refused to join the Morocco national football to represent the kingdom at the 2018 World Cup in Russia, reports Goal.com. Herve Renard, who currently manages the Moroccan team, has tried to convince the Malaga-born footballer of playing alongside the Atlas Lions at the international competition, meeting with his representatives in the last weeks. Unfortunately,

Morocco, World Bank Sign $ 200 Mln Loan Agreement to Improve Performance of Agriculture Sector

Morocco and the World Bank signed, Thursday in Rabat, a $ 200 million loan agreement to boost agribusiness value chains and improve the performance of the agricultural sector. Signed by minister of Economy and Finance, Mohamed Boussaid, and director of the World Bank Operations for the Maghreb and Malta, Marie Francoise Marie-Nelly, this agreement is meant to strengthen pillar II of the Plan Maroc Vert (Green Morocco Plan) through improving the competitiveness of the agribusiness industry and

France’s Engie to acquire Spie’s Moroccan operations

Engie, a French multinational electric utility company operating in the fields of electricity generation and distribution, natural gas, nuclear and renewable energy, has announced on Thursday, 21st of December, that it has signed an agreement with Spie SAS a company specialized in energy and communications in France is to acquire the company’s Moroccan operations, reports Fox Business. According to the same source, Spie Morocco, which has been operating for more than a century,

UN member states back a resolution denouncing Trump’s wish to relocate the American embassy

More that 120 countries have backed on Thursday, 21st of December, a UN resolution denouncing the recent declaration of President Donald Trump, reports Reuters. At the United Nations General Assembly in New York, member states voted for a resolution urging the U.S. to «drop its recognition» of Jerusalem as the capital city of Israel. According to the British agency «a total of 128 countries backed the resolution, which is non-binding, nine voted against and 35 abstained.

FIFA ranking : Morocco keeps the same position as last month

The national football team is still ranked 40th among 738 countries by the December FIFA ranking released on Thursday. At the continental level, Morocco is positioned fifth, behind Senegal (884th), Tunisia (838th), Egypt (805th) and DR Congo (740th). Internationally, Brazil came second, behind the Mannschaft, the Germany national football team, which won the title of «Team of the Year». Portugal is ranked third while the top 10 list remained unchanged due to the small number of

Gdim Izik Trial : Mohamed El Ayoubi sentenced in absentia to 20 years in prison

The Salé Appeal court sentenced in absentia, on Wednesday ; suspect Mohamed El Ayoubi, who was sued for violence and aggravated assault against members of the forces of order as part of the Gdim Izik events, to twenty years in prison with no remission. The court had decided in January to separate the case of El Ayoubi, who was sued while on bail due to his health condition which prevented him from attending hearings, from the rest of the suspects. The Salé Appeal court had

A Moroccan national expelled from Italy for being an Islamist extremist

A Moroccan national has been expelled by the Italian authorities after he was accused of being an Islamist extremist, said IANS news agency quoting the Italian Interior Ministry. The 37-year-old Moroccan was deported from Italy via a flight from Milan’s Malpensa airport joining the 103 alleged religious extremists that were expelled this year by the Italian authorities, said the same source.   According to the same source, the suspect «came to the attention of Italian

Mauritania appoints a new ambassador to Morocco, local media reports

Mauritania is said to have appointed a diplomat to head its embassy in Morocco on Wednesday, 20th of December, local media platforms such us Anbaa.info and Alakhbar.info said. On the other hand, AMI, the Mauritanian official news agency has not commented on that. The same online newspapers confirmed that a former minister, namely Mohamed Lemine Ould Aboye, is the new Mauritanian ambassador to Morocco. He had previously held similar positions in Niger and Senegal. «He is an intellectual

Terrorism : A young Algerian-Moroccan couple acquitted in Montreal

A Moroccan-Algerian-born couple settled in Canada was acquitted on Tuesday, after being implicated in a terrorism-related case in Montreal, reports AFP quoted by the Algerian News Agency. Both individuals were held in pre-trial detention since April 2015, suspected of activities related to «terrorism». They were accused of attempting to leave Canada «for the purpose of committing a terrorist act abroad», for «committing a crime for the benefit of a terrorist

More than 84,000 foreigners live currently in Morocco according to the High Commission of Planning

The number of foreigners residing in Morocco reached in 2014 a total of 84,001 inhabitants, that is a proportion of 0.25% of the total Moroccan population, said the High Commission for Planning (HCP) in a note. The foreign population in Morocco posted an increase of 32,566 foreigners compared to 2004, that is an overall growth rate of 63.3%, according to this note issued on the occasion of the international migrants day. According to HCP, 95.2% of the foreign population is established in

«Bitcoin is not a currency», warned Abdellatif Jouahri

Abdellatif Jouahri, the governor of Bank Al-Maghrib, commented on the Bitcoin controversy, during a press conference held by the end of the organization’s quarterly meeting for 2017. Referring to the risks generated by «digital currencies» including Bitcoin, Mr. Jouahri explained that theoretically speaking ; Bitcoin «is not a currency». «A currency must meet three criteria : Being a means of payment, a store of value and a saving instrument and Bitcoin does

Morocco Flatly Condemns Houthi Missile Fired Against Populated Zones in Riyadh

The Kingdom of Morocco flatly condemned the firing on Tuesday of a ballistic missile by the Houthi militia against populated zones in Saudi capital Riyadh. The Kingdom of Morocco reiterated its unwavering solidarity with the brotherly Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in its fight against anything that could undermine the security of its territories and disturb its populations, said on Tuesday the ministry of foreign affairs in a statement. Morocco also voiced its deep concern over this dangerous

Morocco : 62 penitentiary institutions to benefit from an HIV testing campaign

The General Directorate of Integration and Prison Services launched, in partnership with the Ministry of Health, an HIV testing campaign to raise awareness among detainees in 62 penitentiary institutions, representing 80% of the prison population. This initiative, entitled «Zero stigmatization, 100% human dignity», will continue until December 27, says a statement issued by the directorate, stating on Tuesday that the local prison of Tetouan will be the first stop of this campaign,