Morocco to translate Quran interpretations into Amazigh  (Read more...)

A 2.3 million dirham agreement to relaunch the Mogador resort in Essaouira

Head of Government Aziz Akhannouch, alongside André Azoulay, Advisor to King Mohammed VI, presided over the signing ceremony of a major investment agreement in Essaouira on Thursday. The agreement, valued at MAD 2.3 billion, aims to develop the «Mogador» tourist resort to enhance tourism as a driver of socio-economic growth. The deal was inked with a consortium of prominent Middle Eastern investors, including Samih Sawiris, Hussain Al Nowais, and Hossam El Shaer. These

Israel has advocated for Paraguay's recognition of Morocco's sovereignty over Western Sahara

The Jerusalem Post highlights Israel's involvement in the Paraguayan Parliament's adoption of a resolution recognizing Morocco's sovereignty over Western Sahara. This decision comes after discussions led by Amir Ohana, President of the Israeli Knesset, during recent meetings with Paraguayan officials, including President Santiago Peña and Raúl Latorre, President of the Chamber of Deputies. A fervent supporter of Israeli-Moroccan relations, Amir Ohana, the son of Moroccan

US challenges Algeria's terrorist label for Kabylie movement

The United States has expressed its disagreement with Algeria's decision to label the Movement for the Self-Determination of Kabylie (MAK) as a terrorist group, considering that this designation is more about «political considerations than security ones». This position, formulated in the latest report from the State Department, emphasizes that the MAK, like the Islamist movement Rachad, also targeted by Algiers, does not appear to have committed terrorist acts as defined by

World Bank funds $250m to boost Morocco’s climate-smart agrifood sector

The World Bank's Board of Directors has approved $250 million in financing for Morocco's Agri-Food Systems Transformation Program. The initiative seeks to enhance the agrifood sector's resilience to climate challenges while improving food safety and quality. Contributing 16% of GDP and 19% of Moroccan exports in 2023, the agrifood sector is a cornerstone of the national economy. It accounts for 67% of rural employment and 36% of total jobs, including 30% in primary agriculture and 6% in

Morocco's Khalil Seddini secures silver at Jet Ski World Cup

Moroccan jet ski racer Khalil Seddini has clinched the silver medal at the 2024 Jet Ski World Cup, which took place recently in Pattaya, Thailand. Seddini secured his second-place finish with a total of 86 points accumulated over two rounds. The gold medal was awarded to Filipino competitor Angelo Vientos, who dominated the event with an impressive 120 points. Meanwhile, the bronze medal was claimed by New Zealander Noah Skipps, who earned 53 points, narrowly edging out Emirati racer Salmane

New late payment penalty calculation effective December 2024 in Morocco

The Moroccan General Directorate of Taxes (DGI) has announced that starting December 1, 2024, invoices with payment delays will incur a monetary penalty. This penalty will be calculated based on the new key rate set by Bank Al-Maghrib (BAM), which stands at 2.5% for the first month of delay. «Law No. 69-21 on payment deadlines mandates that any breach of the stipulated payment deadlines for commercial transactions will result in a monetary penalty. This penalty is set at the key rate of

New York indicts three traffickers arrested in Morocco

The United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York has indicted three international drug traffickers, following their arrest by Morocco's National Brigade of Judicial Police (BNPJ) in Marrakech last April. The trio, linked to global networks trafficking fentanyl, methamphetamine, and involved in money laundering, were apprehended as part of a collaborative effort between Moroccan and U.S. authorities. The accused, identified as Xiang Gao from China, Oleksandr Klochkov from

Libyan representatives commend Morocco's efforts to end the crisis

The House of Representatives and the High Council of State of Libya have extended their gratitude to Morocco for its unwavering efforts in resolving the ongoing crisis and fostering security and stability in Libya. This expression of thanks was made on Thursday during a meeting in Bouznika. «We reiterate our deep thanks and immense gratitude to the brotherly Morocco, King, government, and people, for the hospitality, warm welcome, and great support that the Kingdom has continuously

Morocco's Atlas Mountains among top global mountain destinations for 2025

The Atlas Mountains in Morocco have been identified as one of three must-visit mountain destinations for 2025, alongside Italy's Dolomites and Chile's Portillo resort. According to Forbes, Pinterest's annual trend report, which claims an 80% accuracy rate, shows a 30% increase in interest in the Atlas Mountains. The Telegraph and The Times have highlighted Morocco as one of the best value-for-money destinations, while Chase Travel has included the country in its «25 Trips To Take In

Huawei Cloud hosts first Morocco Media Innovation Forum in Casablanca

Huawei Cloud Northern Africa organized its first Morocco Media Innovation Forum 2024 on December 17 in Casablanca, bringing together local and international experts to explore technological innovations in media and entertainment sectors. The event showcased digital solutions for the rapidly evolving media landscape. The forum featured case studies including Mango TV's digital transformation and China Youth Daily's implementation of real-time digital avatars using artificial intelligence. The

Macron thanks king Mohammed VI for mediating release of four French nationals in Burkina Faso

Four French officials, detained in Burkina Faso since December 1, 2023, on charges of espionage, have been released. The French Directorate-General for External Security (DGSE) confirmed their release on Thursday, December 19. French President Emmanuel Macron expressed gratitude to King Mohammed VI of Morocco for his crucial role in mediating their release, as reported by France24. «The head of state spoke yesterday, Wednesday, December 18, with the King of Morocco to warmly thank him

Morocco, Germany ink €100m agreement to finance climate policy support program

Morocco's Budget Minister, Fouzi Lekjaa, and Jan Schilling, the Regional Head of the Water Sector for North Africa at the German Development Bank (KfW - Kreditanstalt für Wiederaufbau), inked a €100 million deal in Rabat on Thursday. The agreement aims to bolster Morocco's Climate Policy Support Program, focusing on enhancing the country's resilience to climate change and facilitating its transition to a low-carbon economy. During the signing ceremony, Lekjaa praised the robust

RAM to reopens Casablanca-Beijing route, seals return with 16 new agreements

In anticipation of the relaunch of the direct Casablanca-Beijing route on January 20, 2025, Royal Air Maroc (RAM) has solidified its presence in China by signing a series of agreements with top Chinese travel agencies. The signing ceremony took place on Wednesday evening in Beijing. A total of 16 agreements were signed by RAM's MENA and Asia Director, Abderrahman Brahimi, alongside RAM's representative in China, Adil Khalloufi. These agreements involve consolidators and travel agencies that

An Israelite Alliance virtual museum shares photos of a 1950s Hanukkah gathering in Morocco

Photos of a 1950s Hanukkah gathering in Morocco are part of a virtual museum created by the Paris-based Jewish education organization Universal Israelite Alliance. The virtual museum, which also includes photos of a schoolyard in Iran, aims to show how Jewish communities lived decades ago in North Africa, the Balkans, Asia, and the Mediterranean, wrote the Times of Israel on Thursday. «The museum is a national treasure of culture and tradition and a living bridge between

Mauritanian President visits Rabat post-Tebboune's Nouakchott trip

Mauritanian President Mohamed Ould Cheikh El Ghazouani left Nouakchott this evening, bound for Rabat on a private visit, according to a brief statement from the Minister in charge of the Office of the President of the Republic, Nani Ould Achrouga. This visit comes just a few days after Abdelmadjid Tebboune's visit to Nouakchott, which marked the first visit by an Algerian president to Mauritania in 37 years. Algeria has been trying for some time to rally Mauritania to isolate Morocco from its

High-ranking officials face prison as court of cassation rejects Saadi Casino appeal

The Court of Cassation has dismissed the appeal lodged by defendants in the high-profile Saadi Casino case in Marrakech. This decision upholds the earlier verdict by the Criminal Appeals Chamber for financial crimes at the Marrakech Court of Appeal, which confirmed the ruling of the Primary Criminal Chamber. The case traces back to the tenure of Istiqlal leader Abdellatif Abdouh as chairman of the Menara Gueliz Municipality in Marrakech from 1997 to 2003. In 2001, Abdouh controversially

Malta backs Moroccan autonomy plan for Sahara

In a significant diplomatic gesture marking the fiftieth anniversary of relations between Malta and Morocco, the Maltese government has declared its support for Morocco's autonomy plan, originally proposed in 2007. This endorsement was articulated in a joint statement released on December 18, 2024, after a videoconference between Ian Borg, Malta's Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and Tourism, and Nasser Bourita, Morocco's Minister of Foreign Affairs, African Cooperation,

Air Arabia introduces direct Fes to Milan-Bergamo flights

Air Arabia, a prominent name in low-cost air travel across the Middle East and North Africa, is set to launch a new flight route connecting Fes to Milan-Bergamo on December 18. This development marks Fes as the second Moroccan city, following Casablanca, to be linked to this Italian destination by the airline. An inauguration ceremony was held at Fes-Saïs Airport, setting the stage for the inaugural flight's arrival in Milan, where it was greeted with a traditional water cannon salute.