U.S. approves $88.37 million sale of Advanced Air-to-Air Missiles to Morocco  (Read more...)

Moroccan YouTuber «Weld Chinwiya» sentenced to 3 years in prison

A Casablanca First Instance court sentenced Moroccan YouTuber Reda Bouzidi, known as «Weld Chinwiya», to three years in prison on Monday. He was convicted on charges of threatening to assault individuals, publishing and disseminating false information and allegations intended to defame others and harm their private lives, as well as insulting public officials while on duty. The prosecutor also pursued charges against another defendant, a woman known on TikTok as «Bent

Moroccan Tiktoker returns home after unsuccessful cancer treatment in France

Hicham, a well-known TikToker, returned to Morocco with his wife, Khadija Sadik, after an unsuccessful cancer treatment in France. Khadija shared on her Instagram account that doctors have confirmed there is nothing more they can do for Hicham. She expressed her gratitude to King Mohammed VI for his support. Last July, she announced that King Mohammed VI had responded to her and her husband’s appeal, offering to sponsor Hicham’s treatment in France. Hicham has been battling

New EU diplomat seeks stronger ties with Morocco

The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Nasser Bourita, had a telephone conversation on Monday, December 9, with the High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Kaja Kallas, who succeeded Spain's Josep Borrell on December 1. The Estonian expressed her satisfaction on X for having had «a useful exchange» with the head of Moroccan diplomacy regarding «the situation in the Middle East». «I know we can count on Morocco to

Berkane plays in jersey featuring full map of Morocco, sparks anger in Algeria

Far from home, Renaissance Sportive de Berkane (RSB) secured an important victory yesterday against the South African club Stellenbosch (1-3). In this match, part of the first day of the group stage of the African Confederation Cup, RSB wore a jersey emblazoned with the map of Morocco, including Western Sahara, sparking outrage in the Algerian media. Last night, a commentator on the sports channel Al Haddaf denounced the CAF's decision to allow «RSB to play with the fictional map of

Moroccan Finance Minister : Cryptocurrencies key to financial inclusion

Cryptocurrencies could become a significant lever for boosting financial inclusion in Morocco, stated the Minister of Economy and Finance, Nadia Fettah, during an event in Casablanca on Monday. «Despite the risks associated with cryptocurrencies, they can also be viewed as an opportunity, particularly to promote financial inclusion», Fettah remarked during a panel discussion titled «A New Era for African Finance: Has the Time of Champions Finally Arrived?» held as part

RAM launches Toronto-Casablanca direct route

Morocco's national carrier Royal Air Maroc (RAM) inaugurated, Sunday, its direct air route connecting the Canadian city of Toronto to Casablanca, thus strengthening the commercial positioning of the airline in North America.The flight departing from the Canadian metropolis took off from Toronto International Airport on Sunday evening, carrying 289 passengers, while the first flight departing from Mohammed V Airport in Casablanca recorded 204 travelers. According to RAM, this new connection,

13-year-old discovered hidden in van from Morocco to Genoa

Border police in the Genoa port discovered a 13-year-old boy curled up inside a compartment beneath the two front seats of a van arriving from Morocco, ANSA reported on Saturday. A 44-year-old Moroccan man, the van's owner, was arrested. He could not explain how the child ended up in his vehicle. Investigators suspect, however, that the driver is allegedly part of an organization facilitating the irregular reunification of minors with relatives in Veneto, northeastern Italy. Before

Moroccan man sought by Thai police for suspected murder of transgender girlfriend

A Moroccan man is wanted by Thai police for the suspected murder of his transgender girlfriend in Chiang Mai, a city in northern Thailand. According to local media, Thai police have sought the help of Interpol to arrest the man, who is believed to have fled the country. The lifeless body of T.D. was discovered on Friday, December 6, in the beauty clinic she owned. The transgender woman was found lying on a bed in her third-floor bedroom. Police reported bruising around her neck, suggesting

Morocco hopes «recent shift will bring stability to Syria» in first official response to Bashar’s fall

«Morocco hopes that the recent developments in Syria will bring stability, fulfill the aspirations of the Syrian people, and offer a better future for the country» said Morocco’s Foreign Minister on Monday, marking the kingdom’s first official reaction to the fall of Bashar al-Assad’s regime. During a press conference held today in Rabat with the former Prime Minister of Kenya, Nasser Bourita stated that Morocco «has always advocated for the national

Moroccan tourism shatters records with 15.9 million tourists by the end of November

In a historic milestone for Moroccan tourism, the country welcomed 15.9 million tourists during the first eleven months of 2024, marking a 20% increase, or 2.6 million additional visitors, compared to the same period in 2023, according to the Ministry of Tourism, Handicrafts, and the Social and Solidarity Economy. This growth was fueled by a significant rise in foreign tourists, which increased by 23%, or 1.5 million additional visitors, alongside a 17% surge in Moroccans Residing Abroad

Ericsson hosts four-day Technology Days in Morocco to present 5G benefits

Swedish multinational telecommunications company Ericsson hosted a four-day event, Technology Days, in Morocco last week, concluding on December 6. In a press release, the company noted that the event, held in Rabat and Casablanca, brought together telecom stakeholders to discuss the transformative potential of 5G for Morocco's digital landscape. Participants included customers, regulators, local operators, industry partners, and media representatives. The event featured technology

Hollywood stars explore Marrakech’s iconic rug shops while attending film festival

While attending the International Film Festival (FIFM), held from November 29 to December 7, 2024, in Marrakech, Hollywood stars took the opportunity to explore the city’s iconic market. One of the many attractions in the Medina’s narrow streets is the Moroccan rug shops, offering handmade carpets crafted by artisans using locally sourced wool and cotton. Australian actor Jacob Elordi, attending FIFM as a juror, was spotted visiting a rug shop, Soufiane Zarib 16, a boutique

Polisario loses key Middle East ally with El-Assad regime's fall

It is the end of an era for the El-Assad family's rule in Syria. The regime, established in 1971 by the father, Hafez, has fallen. His son Bashar, in power since July 14, 2000, left the country on Saturday, heading to Russia. This escape of the now former Syrian president is bad news for the Polisario. It has just lost the last country in the Middle East that officially recognizes «SADR». This decision was made by the father of the ousted leader, following his adherence to an Arab

Smart border between Morocco and Ceuta delayed to 2025 due to EU plan

The smart border between Morocco and Ceuta is now expected to open in the first quarter of 2025, according to information from the Government Delegation in the autonomous city. The delay is not due to the progress of construction work but rather to factors outside Ceuta’s control, the Spanish news agency EFE reported on Sunday. Initially scheduled for November 2024, the project was postponed following the European Union's decision to synchronize the rollout of the Entry/Exit System

The fall of Bashar al-Assad's regime is «a great historical event», says former Moroccan PM

In a Facebook post, former Moroccan Prime Minister Saadeddine El Othmani celebrated the fall of the Syrian regime. «Thank God this was achieved without bloodshed among the Syrian people, who deserve everything good», he wrote, adding, «This is the end of every oppressor, no matter how long they ruled». He also wished the Syrian people «stability, the establishment of strong institutions, and a prosperous state». Othmani called the event «a great

Maghreb: First visit of an Algerian president to Mauritania in 37 years

Abdelmadjid Tebboune is expected in Mauritania next week, according to Mauritanian media. This will be the first visit by an Algerian president to this Maghreb country in 37 years. Usually, it is the Mauritanian heads of state who visit Algeria. This is evidenced by the five trips, both official and private, made by Mohamed Cheikh Ould El Ghazouani to Algiers since his inauguration in August 2019, the last of which took place a few weeks earlier on the occasion of the commemoration of the

PJD criticizes Marrakech Film Festival for screening LGBTQ film

The General Secretariat of the Justice and Development Party (PJD) expressed its «strong disapproval» of «what the management of the International Film Festival in Marrakech did by screening an obscene film that glorifies homosexuality, disregarding the feelings, values, and principles of the Moroccan Muslim community». The screening of the movie was «met with great disapproval and rejection» by the Moroccan public. The party warned of the danger of

Algerian army blocks Sahrawis from exiting Tindouf Camps

The Algerian army refuses to grant permits to Sahrawis wishing to move from one camp to another or to go to Mauritania. These restrictions on free movement come as hundreds of Sahrawis have submitted requests to the Moroccan consulate in Nouadhibou to return to the kingdom. To break this blockade imposed by the Algerian soldiers, hundreds of Sahrawis have been holding an open sit-in for two days in front of the main access gate. They are demanding the right to leave the Tindouf camps freely