Morocco appoints Achraf Fayda as new tourism office chief  (Read more...)

Holmarcom, Microsoft launch AI INSTITUTE in Casablanca

The Holmarcom Group recently inaugurated AI INSTITUTE, a new training center specializing in artificial intelligence (AI) and data science in Casablanca. AI INSTITUTE aims to equip professionals with the essential skills needed to thrive in today's increasingly technology-driven world, according to a press release. On May 29, 2024, coinciding with GITEX Africa in Marrakech, Holmarcom and Microsoft formalized a strategic partnership to collaborate on the AI INSTITUTE project. «With

Sahara : Japan supports Morocco's «serious and credible efforts» for autonomy plan

Japan expressed its appreciation on Friday for Morocco's «serious and credible efforts within the framework of the autonomy initiative for settling the Western Sahara question». This position was conveyed by Japanese Foreign Minister Yoko Kamikawa during her talks in Tokyo with Moroccan Foreign Minister Nasser Bourita, according to a press release from the Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Referring to Japan's longstanding position, Kamikawa spoke of «Morocco's autonomy

Japan keen to promote economic ties with Morocco, FM says

Japan's Foreign Minister, Kamikawa Yoko, stated in Tokyo on Friday that her country is eager to explore ways to boost economic ties with Morocco. Morocco, a gateway connecting Europe and sub-Saharan Africa, boasts strong potential in various business and investment sectors, as highlighted by Kamikawa. She noted that Japanese companies are «highly interested» in Morocco as a base for expanding into the African region. The minister also underlined that Japan and Morocco have enjoyed

Morocco boosts tourism with Scandinavia via Light Tour

From May 27 to 30, the Moroccan National Tourist Office (ONMT) organized a Light Tour of the four Scandinavian capitals: Stockholm (Sweden), Copenhagen (Denmark), Helsinki (Finland), and Oslo (Norway). The event aimed to strengthen ties with tour operators and travel agents in the region. Nearly fifteen Moroccan operators participated in the Light Tour, establishing relations with their Nordic counterparts and promoting Moroccan experiences, particularly highlighting new air capacities secured

600 Moroccan university faculty members urge cancellation of Israeli partnership

Professors and employees of Abdelmalek Saadi University in Tetouan signed a petition on Thursday demanding the cancellation of a memorandum of understanding (MOU) signed between their university and the University of Haifa in Israel in September 2022. The agreement in question focused on cooperation in marine sciences, sustainable aquaculture, marine technologies, and ecological research. The petition, signed by over 600 professors and staff from 12 university institutions, is expected to be

Young Moroccan killed in Italy gang clash

A tragedy struck the town of Porto Sant'Elpidio, Italy, on Friday, May 31, when a young Moroccan man died from his injuries after being seriously wounded during a violent altercation in Piazza Garibaldi. Local newspaper Corriere Adriatico reports the incident involved extreme violence, leaving the victim «in a pool of blood» with severe abdominal and buttock wounds. In addition to the deceased, other individuals were injured. A Tunisian national was hospitalized with a

Six Moroccan migrants apprehended after attempting US entry through Mexico

Six Moroccan migrants were apprehended by the U.S. Border Patrol last Saturday in Santa Teresa, New Mexico. The migrants, along with their smuggler, were arrested. Local media reported on Thursday, May 30th, that security officials have intercepted over 52,000 migrants considered to be of «special interest» so far this fiscal year. The San Diego region accounts for nearly 88% of these apprehensions. In the El Paso, Texas area, authorities reported intercepting 17 smuggling

Egyptian FA suspends Moroccan footballer Mohamed Chibi for six matches

The Egyptian Football Association (EFA) suspended Moroccan international Mohamed Chibi, a right-back for Pyramids FC, for six matches. The decision was issued following a civil court case where Ahly player Hussein El Shahat received a one-year suspended sentence for assaulting Chibi during a local match last year. The EFA also fined Chibi 100,000 pounds for violating the regulations by resorting to the criminal court in a football matter. El Shahat was previously sentenced by a Cairo court

Mobile payment activation below 30% in Morocco, Bank Al-Maghrib regrets

In Morocco, the rate of mobile payment activation remains low at just 10%, while the use of bank cards for digital transactions, though increasing, doesn't exceed 30%, according to Bank Al-Maghrib Managing Director Abderrahim Bouazza. Despite significant advancements in payment methods, including faster and smoother options like internet payments, mobile payments (introduced in 2017), contactless payments (boosted by the pandemic), and instant transfers (launched in 2023), Bank Al-Maghrib's

Israel apologizes for map of Morocco excluding Sahara

The Israeli Foreign Ministry has apologized for using a map of Morocco that did not include the Sahara. On Friday morning, the Israeli Foreign Ministry's Arabic spokesman, Hassan Kaabia, apologized for what he called an «unintentional mistake» following an interview with the Israeli Prime Minister on French television. On Thursday, Benjamin Netanyahu appeared in an interview on French television channels TF1 and LCI holding a map of the Arab world and Iran that excluded Western

Casamémoire heritage days draw 11,000 attendees

The 13th edition of the Casablanca Heritage Days, held from May 13 to 19, gathered nearly 11,000 participants. Under the theme «Casablanca, Heritage in Motion», this edition was organized by the Casamémoire Association, in collaboration with the Governorate of the Casablanca-Settat Region and the City of Casablanca. For the occasion, several museums opened their doors, while various city spaces hosted exhibitions by Casablanca artists, namely the Liberté building, the

Benjamin Netanyahu holds a Morocco map that excludes the Sahara

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu appeared in an interview on French TV channels TF1 and LCI Thursday, May 30th, holding a map of the Arab world and Iran that excluded Western Sahara from Moroccan territory. In a letter addressed to King Mohammed VI in July 2023, Netanyahu announced Israel's recognition of Moroccan sovereignty over Western Sahara. He promised to reflect this position in all of Israel's work and documents at the United Nations, regional and international organizations,

Morocco sees Spain, Norway and Ireland recognizing Palestine as «important step»

The official recognition of the State of Palestine by Spain, Norway and Ireland is an «important step» towards a two-state solution and lasting peace in the Middle East, Moroccan Foreign Minister Nasser Bourita said. Speaking at the ministerial conference of the China-Arab States Cooperation Forum, the Moroccan diplomat called for an «immediate, complete and lasting» ceasefire in the Gaza Strip. He also called for facilitating the entry of humanitarian aid «in

Morocco : 7 dead and several injured in a cargo ship explosion in Jorf Lasfar

Seven people are dead and several injured, Thursday, after an explosion followed by a fire on the Panamanian ship Toro Rosso near the port of Jorf Lasfar, a provisional report indicates.   The Ministry of Health and Social Protection said the bodies of several victims had been removed from the scene of the tragedy, while three people transferred to Casablanca later succumbed to their injuries. The tragedy occurred about 8 nautical miles from the port site on Thursday morning onboard the

Ahly winger El Shahat gets one-year suspended sentence for slapping Moroccan Mohamed Chibi

A Cairo court sentenced Ahly winger Hussein El Shahat to a one-year suspended prison term on Thursday for assaulting Pyramids player Mohamed Chibi, a Moroccan international. The court also banned El Shahat for five years from any «sports activities» and ordered him to pay 100,000 pounds in compensation. El Shahat slapped Chibi, a Moroccan international, on July 23rd, after Al Ahly lost to Pyramids by three goals. Chibi then filed a legal complaint in Egypt, accusing him of assault

$76.4 million makes Brahim Diaz Morocco's most valuable player

A new ranking of the world's 100 most expensive footballers by the International Centre for Sports Studies (CIES) includes only one Moroccan player, 24-year-old Brahim Diaz of Real Madrid, whose contract runs until 2027. Valued at $76.4 million, Diaz ranks 70th on the list. Lamine Yamal, eligible for both Morocco and Spain but opting to play for Spain's national team, is ranked eighth with a market value of $140.8 million according to CIES. Notably absent is Moroccan international Achraf

Deportations of undocumented Moroccans doubled, Belgium State Secretary says

Belgium has repatriated 119 undocumented Moroccans residing in the country in the first five months of this year. This is more than double the 55 Moroccans returned to Morocco during the same period last year, according to news agency Belga on Thursday. Belgian State Secretary Nicole de Moor attributed the increase to improved cooperation with Morocco. In April, a Belgian government mission secured new agreements for the return of those considered to be illegally present, particularly

SAREX Detroit 2024 : Morocco simulates maritime crisis to test Response teams

Agriculture Minister Mohammed Sadiki led the launch of «SAREX Detroit 2024», a maritime search and rescue exercise, Wednesday, May 29th. Running until May 31st off the Tanger Med port, the event is part of the operation for the transit of Moroccans residing abroad. It mobilizes significant human and material resources to simulate a crisis at sea and assess the responsiveness of Moroccan intervention teams, according to a press release. Various high-ranking personalities attended