Flash actualités

Brahim El Mazned wins UNESCO Sharjah prize for Arab culture

Moroccan cultural entrepreneur and producer Brahim El Mazned has been awarded the 21st UNESCO-Sharjah Prize for Arab Culture, which this year is dedicated to music, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) announced. Established by UNESCO with the support of the government of Sharjah in the United Arab Emirates, the award will be presented on June 24 at UNESCO headquarters in Paris. El Mazned shares the prize with Tanzania’s Dhow Countries Music

Morocco arrives in US for 2026 FIFA World Cup

Morocco’s national team arrived in the United States on Wednesday ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which is being co-hosted by the U.S., Canada and Mexico. The Atlas Lions were welcomed at Newark Liberty International Airport by Morocco’s ambassador to the United States, Youssef Amrani, and the Kingdom’s consul general in New York, Mohamed Aït Bihi. Several members of the Moroccan community also turned out to greet the team on arrival. Speaking to the press, Amrani

Morocco offers free flights for students taking oral exams in France

In a move aimed at supporting high-achieving students, Morocco’s Ministry of National Education, Preschool and Sports has announced that free airline tickets will be provided to candidates invited to sit oral entrance examinations for France’s leading engineering and business schools during the 2026 admissions cycle. The ministry said the initiative targets students currently enrolled in, or having completed, their second year in Morocco’s preparatory classes for grandes

Italian nurses save infant on flight to Marrakech

Two Italian nurses saved the life of a 13-month-old infant after he suffered severe respiratory arrest aboard a direct flight from the Italian city of Bergamo to Marrakech. The nurses, Riccardo Marchetto and Ilaria Valentini, intervened immediately after the cabin crew issued an emergency call when the child suddenly fell ill, according to Italian media reports. According to the available information, the infant’s family suspected he was suffering from an airway obstruction, possibly

Vueling launches new Barcelona to Fez route

Vueling has launched its new international air route between Barcelona and Fez, which will operate on Tuesdays and Saturdays until September 19. The first flight on the new route landed in Fez at 6:15 a.m., according to a statement issued by the company. With this route, Vueling expands its network of destinations in Morocco to six, connecting Barcelona with Marrakech, Tangier, Essaouira, Agadir, Nador and now Fez.

Morocco overtakes Netherlands to reach record seventh in FIFA rankings

Morocco has climbed to seventh place in the latest FIFA World Ranking, overtaking the Netherlands to secure the highest position in its history. The Atlas Lions now have 1,756.94 points, an increase of 1.07 points from the previous ranking. The new ranking reflects Morocco's recent victories in its World Cup warm-up matches. The Atlas Lions defeated Madagascar 4-0 on Tuesday after thrashing Burundi 5-0 last week. Morocco's current position is not only its highest-ever FIFA ranking but also

EU backs Morocco national water plan with 3.7 billion dirhams

A MAD 3.7 billion (€348 million) program to support Morocco’s National Water Plan was launched Tuesday in Rabat. The initiative combines European Union grants and concessional loans from three European financial institutions under a «Team Europe» approach, according to a statement. The launch was led jointly by Morocco’s Ministry of Equipment and Water, the European Union, Germany, Italy and France, which is coordinating the co-financing effort. The program

Al Hoceima land dispute leaves several injured in family clashes

Several people were injured on Monday after violent clashes erupted between two families over a land dispute in the commune of Beni Boufrah, Al Hoceima province. According to local media reports, bladed weapons and a firearm were used during the confrontation, leaving several people from both families injured. The victims were taken to hospital for treatment. Local authorities and Royal Gendarmerie officers intervened to restore order and secure the area. A judicial investigation was opened

Tangier shop workers in custody over unlawful detention of theft suspect

Tangier police have placed several employees of a commercial establishment in custody after they were seen in a viral video detaining a man and forcing him to accompany them to another location. According to the Tangier Police Prefecture, investigations revealed that the employees had detained the individual because they suspected him of stealing from their shop before later notifying the competent police services. A judicial investigation has been opened into the alleged theft, while the

Morocco housing aid program benefits over 105,000 people

More than 105,000 people have benefited from Morocco’s direct housing assistance program, Secretary of State for Housing Adib Benbrahim said on Tuesday in Rabat. Responding to an oral question in the House of Councillors, Benbrahim said the program has generated strong interest nationwide, attracting 218,000 applications. Moroccans living abroad account for 24% of beneficiaries, while women represent 40%. Young people under the age of 40 make up 52% of recipients. He noted that 60% of

Morocco secures first seat at UN General Assembly session

Morocco was chosen on Tuesday in New York to occupy the first seat at the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly, which will open next September. The Kingdom was selected in a draw carried out, in keeping with General Assembly practice, by UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres during a plenary meeting of the body responsible for shaping the policies of the multilateral organization. In this regard, UN Secretary-General's spokesman Stéphane Dujarric welcomed Morocco’s

Sweden: Parliament rejects proposal backing Polisario positions

The Foreign Affairs Committee of the Swedish Parliament has rejected a bill put forward by political groups close to the Polisario. The initiative called on the government to ask the UN to expand MINURSO’s mandate to include human rights monitoring in the Sahara. The rejection is in line with the new foreign policy of the centre-right coalition government, which is supported by two far-right parties. This position «clearly illustrates the current government’s priority on

Madagascar friendly an important step in Morocco's preparations, says Ouahbi

National team coach Mohamed Ouahbi said on Tuesday in Rabat that the friendly against Madagascar was «an important step» in the Atlas Lions’ preparations for the 2026 World Cup. Speaking at the post-match press conference following Morocco’s 4-0 victory, Ouahbi said the objective of these warm-up games is to put into practice the work carried out in training while continuing to pursue results and convincing performances. The coach welcomed the team's display, noting

Three suspects held after InDrive driver found burned near Casablanca

The Royal Gendarmerie has arrested three suspects, including a young woman, in connection with the murder of a 22-year-old InDrive driver from Sidi Taïbi, near Kénitra. The suspects were apprehended in the Salé area while in possession of the victim’s black Renault Clio. Yassine, a father of a newborn child, disappeared on May 30, the third day of Eid al-Adha. After repeated attempts to contact him failed, his family reported him missing. The following morning, May 31,

Sweden allocates nearly €1 million to support Tindouf camps

The Swedish government is among the principal donors supporting populations living in the Tindouf camps, according to a report by the Swedish Parliament reviewed by Yabiladi. In 2025, Sweden, through the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (Sida), allocated 10 million Swedish kronor (€922,679.50) to the international NGO Oxfam to support Sahrawi populations residing in the camps in Algeria. Sweden is also one of the largest contributors to the core funding of UNHCR, the

Spain approves summer stay for 2,800 Sahrawi children from Tindouf camps

In Spain, the Cabinet on Tuesday approved the reception of 2,800 Sahrawi children from the Tindouf camps as part of its summer program, following a proposal by the Ministry of Inclusion, Social Security and Migration. The government also authorized the issuance of visas for 170 accompanying adults who will supervise the children during their stay. The number of beneficiaries is slightly lower than last year, when 3,000 children took part in the initiative. The scheme forms part of the

Carlinhos Brown, Richard Bona, Asmaa Lamnawar and 47Soul headline Gnaoua Festival 2026

Essaouira will host the 27th edition of the Gnaoua and World Music Festival from June 25 to 27, bringing together 460 artists from Morocco and around the world for three days of performances celebrating cultural exchange and musical fusion. Among the headline acts is Brazilian musician Carlinhos Brown, the acclaimed percussionist, singer and composer whose work blends Afro-Brazilian traditions, samba-reggae and contemporary sounds. Organizers describe his appearance as one of the most

UAE President receives King Mohammed VI at his residence in Rabat

UAE President Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan received King Mohammed VI on Tuesday at his residence in Rabat, during the Emirati leader’s private visit to Morocco. According to a statement by the Royal Cabinet, the two leaders reviewed regional and international developments and exchanged views on a range of issues and challenges, particularly those affecting the Gulf region and the Middle East. The meeting reflects the longstanding fraternal ties between the leaders and the two