News Flash

Morocco : Government yet to address pilgrim deaths in Saudi Arabia, spokesperson says

The Moroccan government, led by Prime Minister Aziz Akhannouch, did not address the deaths of Moroccan pilgrims in Saudi Arabia during its meeting on Thursday, June 20th, according to Mustapha Baitas, Minister of Relations with Parliament and Civil Society and government spokesperson. Baitas acknowledged this in response to a journalist's question. «There are relevant authorities who will provide all the data on this matter», Baitas explained during the press briefing following

Insurance : Green Card system recognizes Moroccan sovereignty over Sahara

Morocco is making confident strides in gaining international recognition of its territorial integrity. Yabiladi has learned that the Green Card system will now fully encompass the entire Moroccan territory, including its Saharan provinces. This recognition was formalized in a resolution unanimously adopted during the General Assembly of the Council of Bureaux (COB) held in London, United Kingdom, on June 6-7, 2024, at the initiative of the Moroccan Central Bureau of Insurance Companies

Ex-Malaysian envoy to Morocco honored with Grand Cordon of Alaouite Wissam

Former Malaysian ambassador to Morocco, Astanah Abdul Aziz, was decorated on Thursday the Grand Cordon of Alaouite Wissam, which was awarded to her by King Mohammed VI. This high Royal distinction was presented to Abdul Aziz by the Chargé d'Affaires of the Moroccan Embassy in Kuala Lumpur, Mohammed Saidi, at a ceremony held at the Embassy. Saidi stressed that the royal decoration was a sign of recognition of the efforts made by Abdul Aziz throughout her mission in Morocco to strengthen

Royal Air Maroc expands summer 2024 with 300,000 new seats, 6 routes

Royal Air Maroc is actively preparing for the 2024 summer season by implementing an ambitious plan to meet the growing demand for passenger travel. With a seat offering of over 6.5 million, representing a 300,000-seat increase compared to summer 2023, to over 90 destinations worldwide, the Moroccan national carrier is consolidating its position as a regional leader. Its program includes the launch of six new international routes and increased frequencies on strategic routes. Royal Air Maroc

Volkswagen sees Morocco as a new battery hub for Europe

Morocco is emerging as a battery hub for Europe, whose electric car industry lacks a domestic battery supply chain. This comes as China has announced plans to establish a production base in Morocco, according to Sebastian Wolf, COO of Volkswagen's battery unit. «We don't have any supply chain», Wolf said Tuesday as reported by Bloomberg. «Right now, we have to be honest that the set-up of the LFP supply chain is happening in Morocco and not in Europe». Europe trails

Spain approves 2.66-billion-dirham loan for major desalination plant in Morocco

The Spanish Council of Ministers has greenlit a repayable loan of up to 2.66 billion dirhams (250 million euros) to an Acciona-owned company. The funds will finance the design, construction, operation, and maintenance of a desalination plant in Morocco. This loan, provided by the Fund for the Internationalization of Spanish Enterprises (FIEM), aligns with Spain's «Horizon Africa» strategy, according to Europa Press. It aims to promote the presence of Spanish companies in Africa

Atlas Lions roar : Morocco climbs to 12th in FIFA rankings

The latest FIFA rankings, released on Thursday, see Morocco climb to 12th position globally. With 1669.44 points, the Atlas Lions retain their top spot in Africa, surpassing Senegal which now sit at 18th with 1623.34 points. Morocco's dominance extends to the Arab region as well, where they remain the highest-ranked nation, with Qatar trailing behind in 35th place (1504.06 points). On the global stage, Argentina retains the number one ranking, followed closely by France and Belgium in second

Morocco braces for scorching 42°C heatwave this weekend

The Directorate General of Meteorology (DGM) issued an orange alert bulletin on Thursday, forecasting scorching temperatures across several Moroccan provinces from Saturday to Monday. Temperatures are expected to range from 37°C to 42°C in Béni Mellal, Fquih Ben Salah, Khénifra, Settat, Rehamna, Youssoufia, and Chichaoua. The heatwave will also impact El Kelaâ des Sraghna, Marrakech, Moulay Yaâcoub, Fès, Meknès, Taounate, Sidi Slimane,

Binter resumes direct flights from Tangier to Gran Canaria for summer

Spanish regional airline Binter Canarias resumed its direct flights between Tangier and Gran Canaria (Spain) on Wednesday, June 19, 2024. This step was taken in partnership with the Moroccan National Tourist Office (ONMT) to reinforce the commitment of both parties to the resumption of tourism with the Canary Islands. Flights between Ibn Battouta airport (Tangier) and Gran Canaria airport (LPA) will be operational until the end of October. This extends the connection period compared with last

Polisario and Algeria boycott Ramaphosa's inauguration in South Africa

The Polisario boycotted the inauguration of South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, which took place on Wednesday, June 19. Its official media ignored the event, and Brahim Ghali did not send a congratulatory message to Ramaphosa. This reserve was evident as early as Friday, June 14, when the deputies re-elected Ramaphosa, head of the African National Congress (ANC), for a second term as President of South Africa. While many allies sent congratulatory messages, including the presidents of

Hajj death toll : 17 Moroccans perish

The death toll of Moroccan pilgrims in Hajj has reached 17 so far, an authorized source told Medias24 on Wednesday. The deaths are linked to chronic diseases such as diabetes and heart problems, the same source added. The source assured that the number of Moroccan deaths is less than the average number typically ranging from 30 to 45. 15% of the 34,000 Moroccan pilgrims participating in Hajj this year are senior citizens, aged more than 82 years old. This update comes as more than 900

Morocco Justice Minister addresses hotel couple control concerns raised by PJD

The Moroccan Minister of Justice, Abdellatif Ouahbi, reaffirmed on Tuesday evening on the state-owned Al Aoula channel that it is illegal for hotels to request a marriage certificate from couples when checking in. «Reception staff in tourist establishments do not have the authority to question clients about their marital status. It is a violation of the private lives of Moroccans», Ouahbi emphasized, adding that only police are competent to ask such questions. «I am not

Spain invites King Mohammed VI to Madrid for FIFA World Cup announcement

The Sanchez government is working diligently to convince King Mohammed VI to attend a ceremony in Madrid, scheduled for the coming months, where FIFA will officially attribute the organization of the 2030 World Cup to Morocco, Portugal, and Spain. «The invitation has already been sent to Rabat by the government, following efforts by the General Directorate of Protocol, Chancellery, and Foreign Orders, under the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. This body is technically preparing the project

Algeria fosters pro-Polisario network in Argentina

Algeria's ambassador to Argentina, Lotfi Sebouai, supervised, on Tuesday, June 18, in Buenos Aires, the creation of a support network for the Polisario, composed of journalists and communicators. In a speech, the diplomat, who was accompanied by the first secretary of the chancery, described the meeting as «more important than the United Nations meetings, because we are gathered here for justice and for the freedom of peoples». He welcomed the launch of this new support

Morocco rescues 91 sub-Saharan migrants near Dakhla coast

On Wednesday, a Royal Navy vessel intercepted a pirogue carrying 91 sub-Saharan migrants approximately 189 kilometers southwest of Dakhla. The migrants, who were reportedly aiming to reach the Canary Islands, received necessary care before being transferred to the Royal Gendarmerie for standard administrative procedures, according to a press release from the General Staff of the Royal Armed Forces.

Guinea backs Morocco's autonomy plan for the Sahara

The Republic of Guinea expressed its support for the Moroccan autonomy initiative on Wednesday, June 19, 2024, in New York (USA), viewing it as a «compromise solution» to resolve the long-standing Sahara dispute. «This initiative aligns with the principles of international law, the UN Charter, and relevant UN resolutions aimed at finding a solution», emphasized Paul Goa Zoumanigui, Guinea's ambassador and permanent representative to the UN, at the C24's annual meeting

Morocco champions coexistence amid global rise in hatred

At a time when the world is witnessing a worrying rise in hatred and intolerance, exacerbated by conflicts such as the war in Ukraine, the «genocidal risks» in Gaza, Congo, Sudan and China, and the rise of far-right in every corner of the globe, Morocco reaffirms its commitment to the values of coexistence. This commitment was highlighted by Omar Hilale, Morocco's Ambassador and Permanent Representative to the UN, during a high-level event held on June 19, 2024 in New

South Africa President Ramaphosa sidesteps Polisario in his inauguration speech

On Wednesday, June 19, Cyril Ramaphosa was sworn in as the new President of South Africa. In his address to parliament, he dismissed the country's traditional support for Polisario positions and the right to self-determination. Ramaphosa announced that the new foreign policy of the «government of national unity», formed through a coalition of five parties, will be «based on human rights, solidarity, and peace». For the record, Ramaphosa's party, the African