News Flash

BTR to invest $363.5 million in new anode materials plant in Morocco

BTR New Material Group, a Chinese battery materials manufacturer, will invest USD 363.5 million to build a plant in Morocco for the production of anode materials, according to Chinese media reports. The Morocco plant, BTR’s second facility in the North African country, is expected to have an annual production capacity of 60,000 tons of anode materials, reports Yicai Global, citing a statement from the company on Tuesday. The new plant will be constructed over two years at Mohammed VI

USDA to lead agribusiness trade mission to Morocco in December

U.S. Department of Agriculture Under Secretary for Trade and Foreign Agricultural Affairs, Alexis M. Taylor, will visit Morocco later this year, leading an agribusiness trade mission to Casablanca. The mission is scheduled to take place from December 2-5, according to a USDA press release issued on Thursday. «This mission presents a pivotal opportunity for U.S. agribusinesses to tap into Morocco’s dynamic market and leverage its strategic position for broader access across

Brahim Diaz becomes fourth Moroccan international to win UEFA Super Cup

Following Real Madrid's 2-0 victory over Atalanta Bergamo in the European Super Cup, Spanish-Moroccan footballer Brahim Diaz has become the fourth Moroccan international to win the trophy. Achraf Hakimi with Real Madrid (2017), Hakim Ziyech with Chelsea (2021), and Munir El Haddadi with FC Barcelona (2015) are the other three Moroccan footballers who have been part of a club that won this prestigious trophy. With Real Madrid's sixth European Supercup triumph, Brahim Diaz now joins this

Energy Recovery to power Morocco's water security with $27.5 million desalination deal

American manufacturer of energy recovery devices for water and CO₂ refrigeration industries Energy Recovery announced on Thursday that it has signed contracts valued at $27.5 million to supply pressure exchangers for seawater reverse osmosis (SWRO) desalination projects in Morocco. These contracts, previously outlined in the company's financial guidance, are expected to be fulfilled by the end of 2024, reads a press release by the company. North Africa, including Morocco, is experiencing a

WHO declares public health emergency over resurgence of Mpox in Africa

On Wednesday, the World Health Organization (WHO) activated its highest international alert level in response to the resurgence of mpox cases in Africa. «Today, the emergency committee met and advised me that, in its view, the situation constitutes a public health emergency of international concern. I have accepted that advice», said WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus at a press conference. «WHO is committed in the days and weeks ahead to coordinate the global

Morocco-US military exercise «Arcane Thunder 24» concludes in Agadir

The Morocco-US military exercise «Arcane Thunder 24» concluded on Wednesday at the headquarters of the Southern Zone General Staff in Agadir. This exercise took place from August 5 to 14, 2024, in Agadir, Guelmim, Cap Draa, and Tan Tan. This is the second edition of the «Arcane Thunder» exercise, and it was held in Morocco for the first time, with the participation of around 300 personnel. Featuring both an academic training phase and an execution phase, «Arcane

Morocco PM Aziz Akhannouch attends 80th anniversary of Provence Landing in France

Head of Government Aziz Akhannouch represented King Mohammed VI at the ceremony commemorating the 80th anniversary of the landing in Provence, held on Thursday in Saint-Raphaël (southeastern France) under the presidency of French President Emmanuel Macron. The Head of Government was accompanied at the ceremony, which took place at the Boulouris National Necropolis in Saint-Raphaël, by the King's Ambassador to France, Samira Sitail. This event is part of a series of international

Two suspects arrested in Marrakech for kidnapping and torture of Belgian citizen

The Judicial Police, in collaboration with the General Directorate for National Security (DGSN), arrested two individuals suspected of kidnapping a Belgian man and torturing him in an apartment in Marrakech. The arrest took place on the evening of Monday, August 12, while the victim had been found and released on Saturday, August 10. The two suspects, a Moroccan and a French-Moroccan, are 34 and 38 years old, according to a DGSN press release. The French-Moroccan individual is said to have

Three arrested in Spain in connection with stabbing of Lamine Yamal's father

The Mossos d'Esquadra have arrested three individuals in connection with the stabbing of Mounir Nasraoui, father of Barcelona footballer Lamine Yamal. Nasraoui was hospitalized at Can Ruti Hospital in Badalona on Wednesday evening following the attack. While his condition is not life-threatening, the investigation remains open, with authorities considering additional arrests. The incident occurred in the Rocafonda district of Mataro, where Nasraoui and his family reside. Witnesses reported a

Morocco-born actor Najib Amhali brings Dutch comedy to Morocco

Moroccan-born Dutch stand-up comedian and actor Najib Amhali is preparing for his first show in Morocco, expected Thursday and Friday in Tangier. The comedian, who has been on stage for over thirty years in Europe, can't hide his excitement for his first performances in his home country, he told Dutch newspaper ANP. Amhali has been planning for these shows «five, six years ago» and it's finally happening. «I don't know the theaters here as well as in the Netherlands. That

Formula One champion Lewis Hamilton finds solace and adventure in Morocco's Sahara

Formula One champion Lewis Hamilton is enjoying a Moroccan getaway during his summer break. The racing star shared, Wednesday, stunning photos from his trip to the Sahara Desert oasis town of Erfoud on his Instagram account. «For a second year, I’m so fortunate to travel through Africa during the break», Hamilton wrote. «The first time around I was overwhelmed by just how beautiful and healing this world can be, and this trip is no different. Just like last time,

Ivory Coast seeks visa restrictions for citizens visiting Morocco

Ivory Coast has requested that Morocco impose a visa requirement on Ivorian passport holders entering the Kingdom, according to a July 2024 note from the Ivorian Embassy in Rabat. The document, circulated on social media and reported by Ivorian media, specifies that the measure will apply only to Ivorian citizens holding ordinary passports and is scheduled to take effect on September 1, 2024, for a two-year period. The Ivorian government claims that the decision aims to regulate migration

Melilla businessmen frustrated by Morocco's ongoing customs border closure

Melilla businessmen have expressed deep disappointment with the Spanish central government, accusing it of broken promises. José Luis Martínez Lázaro, president of the Andalusian Family Business Association, told local news outlet El Faro de Melilla that despite attending numerous meetings and being promised €357 million, the business community has seen no tangible benefits. The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and border closures has exacerbated the situation, with

Morocco condemns Israeli bombardment in Gaza and calls for ceasefire

Morocco condemns the Israeli army's bombardment of schools and hospitals in Gaza. This position was voiced on August 14 in Dakhla by Foreign Minister Nasser Bourita during a joint press briefing with his Chadian counterpart. On August 9, an airstrike on a school in Gaza sheltering displaced Palestinians killed more than 100 people. The Moroccan foreign minister also denounced the «incursions carried out by members of the Israeli government at the Al Aqsa Mosque» in Al Quds. Bourita

Father of Barcelona star Lamine Yamal stabbed in Spain, hospitalized

Mounir Nasraoui, the Moroccan father of Barcelona star Lamine Yamal, has reportedly been stabbed in Mataro, a town in Catalonia, Spain, according to information gathered by the Spanish newspaper La Vanguardia. Citing an anonymous source, the newspaper reports that Yamal’s father was stabbed during a fight on Wednesday evening in a parking lot in Mataro. He was subsequently transferred to Can Ruti Hospital in Badalona, a municipality in Catalonia, is allegedly in a serious condition. The

King Mohammed VI honors Soufiane El Bakkali for Olympic gold in Paris 2024

On Wednesday at the Royal Palace in Tetouan, King Mohammed VI received athlete Soufiane El Bakkali, the gold medalist in the men's 3,000m steeplechase at the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris. On this occasion, the sovereign awarded Soufiane El Bakkali the Ouissam Al Arch of the Commander’s Order. The audience, which took place in the presence of Abdeslam Ahizoune, President of the Royal Moroccan Athletics Federation (FRMA), reflects the King’s unwavering commitment to youth and the

Morocco calls on the UN to ensure self-determination for the «Kabyle people»

Morocco has responded to Algeria's recent intervention at the UN Security Council, where Algeria called «for self-determination for Western Sahara». In a countermove, Rabat accused Algeria of denying the same right to the Kabyle people. During the August 12 Security Council debate, Algeria's Foreign Ministry condemned Morocco's «occupation of Western Sahara». In response, Moroccan Ambassador Omar Hilale sent letters to the Security Council President and members,

20 Moroccans rescued from human traffickers in Mexico

Mexican police in Mexicali, Baja California, rescued 20 Moroccan migrants held captive by a criminal gang, local media reported. The operation was initiated following reports from concerned citizens who heard cries for help coming from a house. Upon arrival, state authorities freed the 20 Moroccan men, who claimed to have been kidnapped by a human trafficking group demanding a ransom for facilitating their illegal entry into the United States. The migrants described a perilous journey from