Pakistani man's irregular Europe crossing via Morocco thwarted  (Read more...)

Hollywood stars explore Marrakech’s iconic rug shops while attending film festival

While attending the International Film Festival (FIFM), held from November 29 to December 7, 2024, in Marrakech, Hollywood stars took the opportunity to explore the city’s iconic market. One of the many attractions in the Medina’s narrow streets is the Moroccan rug shops, offering handmade carpets crafted by artisans using locally sourced wool and cotton. Australian actor Jacob Elordi, attending FIFM as a juror, was spotted visiting a rug shop, Soufiane Zarib 16, a boutique

Polisario loses key Middle East ally with El-Assad regime's fall

It is the end of an era for the El-Assad family's rule in Syria. The regime, established in 1971 by the father, Hafez, has fallen. His son Bashar, in power since July 14, 2000, left the country on Saturday, heading to Russia. This escape of the now former Syrian president is bad news for the Polisario. It has just lost the last country in the Middle East that officially recognizes «SADR». This decision was made by the father of the ousted leader, following his adherence to an Arab

Smart border between Morocco and Ceuta delayed to 2025 due to EU plan

The smart border between Morocco and Ceuta is now expected to open in the first quarter of 2025, according to information from the Government Delegation in the autonomous city. The delay is not due to the progress of construction work but rather to factors outside Ceuta’s control, the Spanish news agency EFE reported on Sunday. Initially scheduled for November 2024, the project was postponed following the European Union's decision to synchronize the rollout of the Entry/Exit System

The fall of Bashar al-Assad's regime is «a great historical event», says former Moroccan PM

In a Facebook post, former Moroccan Prime Minister Saadeddine El Othmani celebrated the fall of the Syrian regime. «Thank God this was achieved without bloodshed among the Syrian people, who deserve everything good», he wrote, adding, «This is the end of every oppressor, no matter how long they ruled». He also wished the Syrian people «stability, the establishment of strong institutions, and a prosperous state». Othmani called the event «a great

Maghreb: First visit of an Algerian president to Mauritania in 37 years

Abdelmadjid Tebboune is expected in Mauritania next week, according to Mauritanian media. This will be the first visit by an Algerian president to this Maghreb country in 37 years. Usually, it is the Mauritanian heads of state who visit Algeria. This is evidenced by the five trips, both official and private, made by Mohamed Cheikh Ould El Ghazouani to Algiers since his inauguration in August 2019, the last of which took place a few weeks earlier on the occasion of the commemoration of the

PJD criticizes Marrakech Film Festival for screening LGBTQ film

The General Secretariat of the Justice and Development Party (PJD) expressed its «strong disapproval» of «what the management of the International Film Festival in Marrakech did by screening an obscene film that glorifies homosexuality, disregarding the feelings, values, and principles of the Moroccan Muslim community». The screening of the movie was «met with great disapproval and rejection» by the Moroccan public. The party warned of the danger of

Algerian army blocks Sahrawis from exiting Tindouf Camps

The Algerian army refuses to grant permits to Sahrawis wishing to move from one camp to another or to go to Mauritania. These restrictions on free movement come as hundreds of Sahrawis have submitted requests to the Moroccan consulate in Nouadhibou to return to the kingdom. To break this blockade imposed by the Algerian soldiers, hundreds of Sahrawis have been holding an open sit-in for two days in front of the main access gate. They are demanding the right to leave the Tindouf camps freely

King Mohammed VI successfully undergoes shoulder surgery

King Mohammed VI suffered a fall on Sunday, December 8, 2024, during his regular sports activities, resulting in trauma to his left shoulder and a fracture of the humerus, according to a statement from his medical team, shared by MAP. «This fracture required surgery, which was successful, thank God», the statement added. The operation was performed on the same day at the Royal Clinic in Rabat. Following the procedure, the King’s left shoulder will be immobilized for 45 days,

Emmerson launches arbitration against Morocco over potash dispute

Morocco faces international arbitration as the British mining company Emmerson PLC escalates its dispute over the Khemisset potash project. The company announced on December 6, 2024, its intention to file a case with the International Centre for Settlement of Investment Disputes (ICSID) following a setback related to the environmental assessment. According to the company's official statement, the dispute emerged after Morocco's Regional Unified Investment Commission (CRUI) rejected the

Syrian opposition arrests Polisario fighters

Polisario fighters are reportedly in the hands of Syrian opposition forces. «Around thirty Front militiamen were arrested four days ago in Aleppo», a security source told Yabiladi, confirming information previously disclosed by a former Iraqi MP. «After completing special training under the guidance of Iranian military advisors in the Tindouf camps, they entered Syria a few months ago using Algerian passports», the same source said. «Their mission was to confront

Pope in Corsica : Moroccan benefactors donate €10,000

«The Moroccan Benefactors of Corsica» have demonstrated remarkable generosity by raising €10,000 to support the Diocese of Corsica in organizing the papal visit scheduled for Ajaccio on December 15. This gesture, described as «a testimony of love and fraternity towards all the inhabitants of Corsica», highlights the association's commitment to the island community. The president of the association, Miloud Mesghati, explained that the initiative aimed to

Sahara : Ramaphosa ignores protesters from his own party

President Cyril Ramaphosa remained silent on Friday, December 6, in Algiers, regarding the protest by members of his party urging him to reconsider his policy on the Sahara issue. In his speech before Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune, he simply reaffirmed his longstanding support for the Polisario's positions. «South Africa remains concerned about the continued occupation of Western Sahara by Morocco. The people of Western Sahara have the right to determine their own

Algeria delays repatriation of Ittihad Tanger player's remains

The body of Moroccan footballer Abdellatif Akhrif, discovered on a beach in Oran, Algeria, has yet to be repatriated, five months after his disappearance at sea. According to well-informed sources, the delay stems from the complexities of administrative procedures between Morocco and Algeria. The former footballer of Ittihad Tanger was reported missing in early July 2024, before his body was discovered on August 8 on the Algerian coast. On August 14, the Moroccan Royal Gendarmerie took DNA

Casablanca launches urgent plan to save Bouskoura forest

The true green lung of Casablanca, the urban forest of Bouskoura, plays a crucial role in ensuring the quality of life for residents and maintaining the region's ecological balance. It is also a vital space for relaxation and leisure. However, this emblematic forest, spanning over 3,000 hectares, is suffering from the cumulative effects of drought. The eucalyptus and pines that make up the forest are weakened, leaving them vulnerable to insects and diseases, which has recently caused a

Northern Irish tourist in critical condition after Moroccan accident

A 36-year-old woman from Bangor, Co Down, is currently in critical condition following a serious accident in Marrakech, Morocco. The incident occurred on November 28th, leaving her with severe lung trauma and multiple spinal fractures. According to The Irish News, medical assessment of Emma Eakin continues to be challenging due to language barriers, with initial scans focused on her chest, abdomen, and pelvis. Despite having travel insurance, policy limitations have created significant

Egypt enters race for AU Commission Deputy Chair against Morocco and Algeria

Egypt has joined Morocco and Algeria in a diplomatic race within the African Union (AU) to secure the position of Deputy Chairperson of the AU Commission, a role that will be assigned to North Africa. On Wednesday, the Permanent Mission of the Republic of Egypt to the African Union in Addis Ababa organized a «major event» attended by members of diplomatic missions accredited to the AU, the AU Commission, and African think tanks and research centers to promote Hanan Morsy's

Morocco and Mauritania deepen diplomatic and parliamentary ties

Diplomatic ties between Morocco and Mauritania continue to deepen, as demonstrated by Friday's meeting between Moroccan Minister of Foreign Affairs Nasser Bourita and the President of Mauritania's National Assembly, Mohamed Ould Meguett. The visit comes in a context shaped by King Mohammed VI's recent call, during the opening of the first session of the fourth legislative year, to bolster parliamentary diplomacy in defending the Kingdom's strategic interests, particularly the Moroccan identity

Five Israelis die in a car accident in Morocco

Five Israelis were reportedly killed in a car accident in Morocco. Israeli media reported on Friday that the fatal crash happened near the city of Ouarzazate. ZAKA, Disaster Victim Identification, a voluntary post-disaster response team in Israel, told Israeli media that on Friday morning it had received a report that a car carrying five Israelis had overturned after the driver lost control. The five victims are from Safed, a city in the Northern District of Israel. The mayor of the city