Flash actualités

University professor sentenced for bribery in Agadir master's program scandal

The Preliminary Chamber for Financial Crimes at the Marrakech Court of Appeal on Friday convicted a university professor in a case involving «bribery and abuse of influence» linked to admissions into a master’s program at the Faculty of Law of Ibn Zohr University in Agadir. He was sentenced to four years in prison, the same penalty handed down to a second defendant. The court also issued sentences against other individuals involved in the case. The main defendant’s

French court authorizes Muslim gathering at Le Bourget despite initial ban

The gathering of Muslims of France, initially banned, has now been greenlit to proceed at Le Bourget this Friday, following a decision by an emergency court judge. According to a statement from the Paris administrative court, reported by AFP, the court ruled that the alleged «public order disturbances» cited by the police prefecture to justify the ban «were not backed by sufficient evidence». Just a day earlier, the event had been prohibited at the behest of the Ministry

Belgian-Moroccan gangster held in Guinea despite expired detention

A Belgian-Moroccan gangster remains detained in Guinea despite having been eligible for release since January 3, 2025, according to findings by the Organized Crime and Corruption Reporting Project (OCCRP). Ibrahim Akhlal, 30, is still being held in Conakry’s central prison, even though official documents indicate his detention had «expired». Belgium and the Netherlands have long sought his extradition, as he still has to serve a total of 21 years in prison for multiple

Sahara: The United Kingdom reaffirms its support for the autonomy plan

The British government on Thursday reaffirmed its backing of Morocco's autonomy plan, highlighting it as the most credible, viable, and pragmatic foundation for resolving the ongoing conflict in the Moroccan Sahara. This stance was reiterated by Hamish Falconer, the British Foreign Office Minister for the Middle East and North Africa, during his address in the House of Commons, the lower chamber of the UK Parliament. The UK is eager to see a lasting resolution to the Sahara conflict, Falconer

Ridouan Taghi’s sister wanted internationally

Authorities in the Netherlands have placed the sister of convicted drug lord Ridouan Taghi on an international wanted list, with reports indicating she has fled to Morocco. The development was revealed by the public prosecutor on Thursday during closing arguments in the trial of Inez Weski, a Dutch criminal defense lawyer accused of participating in the criminal organization of her former client, alleged kingpin Ridouan Taghi. A spokesperson for the Public Prosecution Service told RTL

Child dies from electrocution near M'diq promenade

In a heartbreaking incident on Thursday evening, a six-year-old boy lost his life in M'diq after suffering an electric shock near the city's promenade. The child was playing in the vicinity when he accidentally touched exposed electrical wires, reportedly left behind after the removal of lighting fixtures from public restrooms. This contact resulted in a fatal shock. Despite being rushed to the hospital, he tragically succumbed to his injuries, as reported by local sources.

Spanish onion imports gain ground as prices soar locally

Moroccan markets are seeing a surge in demand for onions imported from Spain, driven by a significant price gap compared to local produce. While locally grown onions are priced at around 18 dirhams per kilogram, Spanish imports sell for between 8 and 10 dirhams per kilogram. This trend is largely due to a drop in local supply following the end of the «Karkoub» onion season, a staple variety in Morocco. The market is now awaiting more stable supply levels as summer

New Fiat «Koala» could be produced in Morocco

A new Fiat model from Stellantis could be produced in Morocco. According to Italian media outlet Corriere della Sera, the model, likely to be named «Koala», may be manufactured at the group’s Kenitra plant, where Stellantis has already allocated other models, including the Giga Panda (seven-seater) and the Fastback, both derived from vehicles assembled in Serbia. According to industry sources, the pre-series units for Koala are already in preparation and

Tifelt: Toddler dies after drowning in family home

A tragic incident occurred yesterday morning in Tifelt, where a one-and-a-half-year-old girl drowned at her family’s home. According to local sources, the child was playing near a water-filled washing container when she accidentally fell in during a brief moment of inattention. Despite urgent attempts to save her, she passed away before reaching the hospital. Civil protection units, along with local and security authorities, were quickly dispatched to the scene. The child’s body

Tétouan gains first direct air link with London

Tétouan will, for the first time, be connected to London via a direct air route. Operated by Royal Air Maroc, the service links London Gatwick to Tétouan twice a week, with flights on Thursdays and Sundays aboard 96-seat Embraer 190 aircraft, according to British media. «This new route marks an exciting milestone for Royal Air Maroc and for the growing relationship between the UK and Morocco», said Zoubida Smahi, the airline’s UK general manager. She added that

A European report reveals the difficulties in returning migrants from Spain to Morocco

A recent European Union report on migration management has revealed that Spanish police acknowledge deportations of irregular migrants to Morocco remain «extremely limited». The report, which focuses on the situation in the Canary Islands, highlights the widespread lack of identification documents among Moroccan migrants, making the enforcement of deportation orders nearly impossible. It also points to Morocco’s refusal to sign a readmission agreement with Spain, further

Ryanair launches new Valencia to Rabat route for summer 2026

On Tuesday, Ryanair launched a new air route connecting Valencia to Rabat, with four weekly flights, as part of its summer 2026 schedule. The new service aims to strengthen connectivity between Morocco and Spain by expanding the airline’s offerings on this route during the summer season, Ryanair said on its website. According to the company, the route is part of an enhanced summer 2026 program designed to offer passengers more travel options at competitive prices across

Anwar El Ghazi wins final appeal against FSV Mainz 05 over pro-Palestine statements

Dutch-Moroccan footballer Anwar El Ghazi has once again won his legal battle against German club FSV Mainz 05, after a German court rejected the club’s latest appeal over his 2023 dismissal. El Ghazi was sacked shortly after joining Mainz following public statements in support of Palestine made after October 7. He challenged the decision, arguing the termination was unlawful, a claim upheld by German labor courts, which ruled the dismissal invalid. Despite multiple appeals, the ruling

Bob Maghrib returns with Moroccan reinterpretation of Bob Marley's legacy

Bob Maghrib is making a triumphant return with a revamped lineup, more than a decade after their initial journey began. Their official relaunch was marked by a concert on April 1, 2026, at Casablanca's Studio des Arts Vivants. The stage was graced by Adil Hanine on drums and vocals, Foulane Bouhssine playing the ribab, violin, and providing vocals, Anas Chlih on the outar and vocals, Fayçal Boudli on bass, Simo Babara handling percussion and backing vocals, Mourad Belouadi on the guembri

Fire at Morocco Mall construction site in Marrakech, no casualties

A fire broke out on Thursday afternoon, April 2, at the construction site of the Morocco Mall in Marrakech. No casualties were reported, and the damage was limited to minor material losses. According to local sources, the fire started on the facade of the shopping center, which is in its final stages of construction ahead of its expected opening in the coming weeks. Civil protection units were quickly dispatched to the scene and managed to contain and fully extinguish the blaze. Authorities

Morocco–France task force meets to boost 2030 World Cup cooperation

A Morocco–France Task Force meeting on cooperation ahead of the 2030 World Cup was held Thursday at the Mohammed VI Football Complex in Salé. Chaired by Fouzi Lekjaa, President of the Royal Moroccan Football Federation (FRMF) and the Morocco 2030 Foundation, the meeting brought together French Minister Delegate for Foreign Trade Nicolas Forissier, CGEM’s Mohamed Bachiri, and French Football Federation president Philippe Diallo. Lekjaa described the 2030 World Cup as a major

Jidar: The Rabat street art festival celebrates 11 years of urban dialogues

The Jidar Festival is set to unveil its 11th edition from April 16 to 26, 2026, with a bold mission to transform Rabat into a vibrant open-air museum. Launched by the EAC-L’Boulvart association in 2015, this festival is poised to spotlight «transmission and the Moroccan scene» through engaging «urban dialogues» centered around street art. This year's event will feature the creation of 15 murals across the city, with organizers placing a strong emphasis on

Mauritanian camel breeders offer exports to ease soaring prices in Morocco

In response to soaring camel meat prices in the Saharan provinces, the Mauritanian Federation of Camel Breeders has announced its readiness to export herds to these regions. In a statement, the organization said the initiative aims to «support the development of the camel sector, effectively meet local market needs, and strengthen economic and trade exchanges between operators in both countries». The Federation added that exports could be carried out at competitive prices, while