CAF approves RS Berkane's jersey with full map of Morocco, sparking anger in Algeria  (Read more...)

Civil Guard busts luxury car cocaine smuggling ring from Spain to Morocco

The Spanish Civil Guard dismantled a criminal network that was transporting cocaine from southern Spain to Morocco, via Melilla, hidden in sophisticated false bottoms of high-end vehicles The operation resulted in the arrest of 13 people and the seizure of 37.5 kilograms of cocaine, valued at 1.2 million euros. Authorities also seized goods worth an additional 2.67 million euros. This success came after security agents began investigating the case last year, when they discovered an organized

Morocco, Italy sign MoU to boost collaboration in higher education

Morocco’s Ministry of Higher Education, Scientific Research and Innovation and the Italian Ministry of University and Research signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) in the field of higher education on Friday in Rabat. The MoU, initialed by Minister of Higher Education, Scientific Research and Innovation Abdellatif Miraoui and Italian Minister of University and Research Anna Maria Bernini, aims to foster collaboration in higher education, scientific research, and innovation between

Spain seeks Morocco's help in deadly drug boat attack

The government delegate in Andalusia, Pedro Fernandez, on Friday expressed confidence in Morocco's cooperation to identify and bring to justice the person responsible for the attack in the port of Barbate (Cadiz) by a drug boat last February that killed two Civil Guard officers. The Spanish official emphasized that the investigation into the case is still ongoing. Fernandez added that Spain has requested Morocco's cooperation in the investigation, citing the existing framework of

FC Barcelona welcomes back Moroccan futsal star Khalid Bouzid

Spanish futsal club FC Barcelona has announced the return of 26-year-old Moroccan player Khalid Bouzid, who joined Industrias Santa Coloma five seasons ago. The Moroccan international has signed a two-season contract with the Catalan club. Bouzid first played for Barcelona at the age of 15, winning two La Liga U19 championships (2015 and 2017) and the second division with the reserve team (2016/2017). In the summer of 2019 he left for Industrias Santa Coloma to make his debut in the first

Morocco and Germany form alliance for green hydrogen production and export

Morocco and Germany have agreed to form a climate and energy alliance, with Berlin supporting renewable energy expansion and hydrogen production in Morocco. According to Reuters, Germany aims to increase its reliance on hydrogen as a clean energy source to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. However, domestic renewable energy production won't be enough to meet their needs, requiring them to import up to 70% of their hydrogen in the future. «Morocco has the best conditions for the energy

Morocco discovers pristine 515-million-year-old fossils

A team of researchers from the University of Poitiers, led by Professor Abderrazak El Albani, has recently published an article in the prestigious American journal Science, reporting the discovery of two new species of trilobites in Morocco, preserved in exceptional condition. According to a press release from the scientific team coordinated by Professor El Albani, a teacher-researcher at the Institut de Chimie des Milieux et Matériaux in Poitiers, these fossil arthropods, found

Moroccan students to connect with astronaut aboard the International Space Station

The École Marocaine des Sciences de l'Ingénieur (EMSI) announced on Thursday that a live telecontact will be organized with the International Space Station (ISS). The event is scheduled for July 1, 2024. The event is organized in collaboration with the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), the European Space Agency (ESA), the Russian Space Agency (ROSCOSMOS), and the Japanese Space Agency (JAXA). Bringing together students, professors, and special guests to

King Mohammed VI directs Higher Council of Ulema to review Family Code proposals

King Mohammed VI, Chairman of the Higher Council of Ulema, instructed the Council on Friday to examine certain points contained in the proposals of the body responsible for revising the Family Code. This examination should refer to the principles and precepts of Islam and its tolerant purposes, and a Fatwa should be submitted to the Sovereign, according to a statement by the Royal Cabinet. This referral follows the completion of the revision body's mission within the allotted time and the

Morocco and Switzerland unite in anti-doping agreement

A partnership agreement on anti-doping and exchange of experiences was signed on Thursday in Rabat between the Moroccan Anti-Doping Agency (AMAD) and the Swiss Sports Integrity Agency (ASIS). The agreement aims to develop AMAD's competencies in anti-doping and strengthen its committees' capacities. In a statement to the press, AMAD's head, Fatima Abouali, called the agreement with the internationally recognized Swiss Sports Integrity Agency a valuable opportunity to develop AMAD's work

Morocco government majority praises «positive balance sheet» despite challenges

On Wednesday, June 26, the presidency of the government majority held a meeting in Rabat, chaired by the leaders of the RNI, PAM, and Istiqlal. The three parties, which have formed the executive since October 2021, welcomed the «positive government balance sheet» presented by Aziz Akhannouch before the two Houses of Parliament, despite the crises and constraints the government has had to face during this period, the three formations said in a press release. The body also hailed

Sahara Escobar : Interior Ministry moves to replace Naciri and Bioui

After several months of waiting, the Moroccan Ministry of Interior has finally launched the procedure to replace Said Naciri and Abdenbi Bioui, charged of drug trafficking as part of the «Sahara Escobar» case. Both remain presidents of two major local authorities despite being in prison since December 2023. The Wali of Oujda has therefore invited elected representatives to submit their candidacies to succeed Bioui at the head of the Oriental Regional Council between June 27 and

Opium Paris & Nike give Air Jordans a Moroccan makeover

Sneaker shop Opium Paris has released an original advertising video shot in Morocco. The brand has created a new model of the Air Jordan 1 in collaboration with Nike, the «Jordan Air Ship Zellige». With a Moroccan twist, these sneakers revive the art of traditional zellige, rooted in Morocco's artisanal heritage. The initiative was taken by two French-Moroccans, Mounir and Yace, founders of Opium Paris. The collaborators based their design on a classic model: the Air Jordan, one

Italy : €1/hour Moroccan worker granted residence permit after exploitation

A 30-year-old Moroccan worker, G.A., was the victim of severe exploitation at a construction site in Castelfranco Emilia, Modena province, Italy. Despite his irregular immigration status, G.A. contacted the Fillea Cgil (Italian Federation of Wood, Building and Construction Workers) in January 2024 to report wage disparities. With the assistance of Souad Elkaddani and lawyer Elisabetta Vandelli from the Centro Lavoratori Stranieri (Center for Foreign Workers), he filed a complaint alleging

Students urge Mohammed VI Polytechnic University to halt ties with Israel

1,256 students and alumni of Morocco's Mohammed VI Polytechnic University have urged the university to sever partnerships with Israeli institutions, according to a petition they signed. In a press release sent Thursday to Yabiladi, the signatories also call on professors and students from other Moroccan universities to join the movement against what they term «academic normalization». This is not the first attempt by Mohammed VI Polytechnic University students to end academic

Algerian FM rallies pro-Polisario NGO in Austria

The Algerian Foreign Minister, Ahmed Attaf, is on a working visit to Austria, with the Sahara issue high on his agenda. The head of diplomacy met yesterday in Vienna with the president of the «Austrian-Saharan Friendship Group», Karen Schella. Schella informed Attaf of the «actions carried out and the services» provided by her NGO «in various fields in favor of the Sahrawi people and their just cause», according to a press release from the Algerian Ministry

Fez court increases sentences for ex-official and mayor in corruption case

The Court of Appeals in Fez on Wednesday significantly increased the sentence of Abdelkader El Boussairi, a former member of parliament and deputy mayor of Fez. El Boussairi was initially convicted of five years for embezzlement, bribery, and other corruption charges. The Appeals Court raised his sentence to eight years. The court also overturned the acquittal of Fez Mayor Abdeslam Bekkali and City Clerk Sofiane El Idrissi, convicting them of six months each for manipulating contracts. Four

Rif Hirak leader Nasser Zefzafi earns baccalaureate in prison

Rif Hirak leader Nasser Zefzafi obtained his baccalaureate degree for the 2023/2024 academic year from Tangier prison, where he is serving a 20-year sentence. Zefzafi passed the exams in the humanities stream with a score of 14.31, earning him a baccalaureate degree, his father announced Wednesday on social media. Ahmed Zefzafi commented on the news of his son’s success in a Facebook post: «24 years after Nasser Zefzafi left the classroom, he obtained his baccalaureate this year in

Geert Wilders criticizes Islam as PVV joins Dutch coalition government

A few days before his party becomes part of a coalition government for the first time in the Netherlands, far-right PVV leader Geert Wilders criticized Islam on social media. On his X account, the politician wrote on Wednesday that Islam is «a disgusting, reprehensible, violent, and hateful religion». Wilders claimed his conclusion comes after «20 years of security, safe houses, 5 fatwas, thousands of death threats, and visiting many Islamic countries». He justified