News Flash

Spanish Court rejects urgent measures for deportation of Sahrawi man

On Thursday, Spain's National Court rejected a request for urgent measures filed by the lawyers of Hamou Ali, a 30-year-old Sahrawi man, against the deportation decision issued against him by the Ministry of Interior. According to Spanish media, Ali Hamou Ali, who had applied for international protection, is «deaf and has cancer». He has been detained in the asylum rejection hall at Madrid-Barajas Adolfo Suarez Airport for over a week and now faces possible deportation to

World Bank to boost foreign investment in Morocco through guarantees

The World Bank plans to leverage guarantees to attract more international financing to Morocco, according to Hiroshi Matano, Executive Vice President of the Multilateral Investment Guarantee Agency (MIGA). «We believe our guarantees can help Moroccan borrowers, including sub-sovereign entities and state-owned enterprises, diversify their funding sources by accessing private capital», Matano stated in an interview with MAP. The initiative is anticipated to support Morocco's

CNDH urges rights violation victims to report amid mass migration attempts

In response to recent migration attempts from M'diq-Fnideq, the National Council for Human Rights (CNDH) has reaffirmed its commitment to protecting human rights. The CNDH urged individuals who have experienced rights violations, including minors and their guardians, to contact the institution for support and protection. The Council invited those affected to come forward within the framework of its central and regional jurisdictions. In a statement released on Thursday, the CNDH confirmed that

Morocco enacts new earthquake-resistant building regulations

On Thursday, the Government Council adopted draft Decree 2.24.766 amending and supplementing Decree 2.02.177 approving the Earthquake-Resistant Construction Regulations (R.P.S 2000) applicable to buildings, setting out the earthquake-resistant rules and establishing the National Earthquake Engineering Committee. Presented by Fatima Ezzahra El Mansouri, Minister of National Land Planning, Urban Development, Housing and Urban Policy, this draft is part of national efforts to deal with the

Morocco blames «unknown parties» for Ceuta mass migration

Prime Minister Akhannouch expressed concern over the recent migration of hundreds of young Moroccans to Ceuta. «The issue of migration is a global phenomenon, and we have seen similar occurrences in many countries», said Minister Delegate for Relations with Parliament and Government Spokesman Mustapha Baïtas on Thursday, September 19, in response to media questions. «Unfortunately, some young people have been encouraged by unknown individuals to leave the country, using

Morocco elected to IAEA board of governors

Morocco was elected on Thursday to the Board of Governors of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) for the 2024-2026 term, during the 68th regular session of the IAEA General Conference in Vienna. The Kingdom’s election by acclamation to the IAEA’s key decision-making body, representing Africa, reflects the international community’s trust in Morocco as a nation committed to peace, dialogue, and consensus in multilateral fora. Morocco's Permanent Representative to the

Spanish FM rebukes Vox’s migration proposals, praises Moroccan cooperation

During a parliamentary session on Wednesday, September 18, Spanish Foreign Minister José Manuel Albares dismissed Vox's proposals to address irregular migration. Albares criticized initiatives that could potentially lead to «conflicts with neighboring countries», including Morocco, according to Europa Press. Carlos Flores Juberias, a member of the far-right party Vox, urged the leftist coalition government to «immediately deport individuals who enter Spain illegally or

Ryanair launches Marrakech-Milan route

Low-cost carrier Ryanair announced on Thursday that it will begin offering direct flights between Marrakech and Milan Malpensa starting in October. The route will operate four times per week and is part of the airline's winter schedule for 2024. Bookings are now open on Ryanair's website. Elena Cabrera, Ryanair's Communications Manager, stated that this route is part of the airline's ongoing effort to increase traffic, connectivity, and affordability in the region.

Morocco dominates Panama 6-3 in Futsal World Cup

Morocco's futsal team clinched a 6-3 victory over Panama in their second Group E match of the 2024 FIFA Futsal World Cup, held in Uzbekistan. Soufiane El Mesrar put Morocco ahead early in the second minute, followed by two goals from Soufiane Charraoui. Panama briefly narrowed the gap with a goal from Ortie Abdiel, but Morocco maintained a comfortable lead. Idriss Raiss extended Morocco's lead with two goals in the second half. Campos Aquiles and Maquesni Alfonso scored for Panama, but El

Lamine Yamal's grandmother : «He has no connection to Morocco»

The grandmother of Barcelona and Spanish national team player Lamine Yamal stated in a media interview that her grandson has no connection to Morocco. «He was born here, he studied here. This boy is not from Morocco, do you understand me? My son was not forced to do anything», she said. The 17-year-old Yamal chose to represent the Spanish national team, despite efforts by the Royal Moroccan Football Association to convince him to play for the Atlas Lions.

Secegsa launches seismic study for potential Spain-Morocco tunnel through Gibraltar Strait

Secegsa, the Spanish Society for Fixed Communication Studies through the Strait of Gibraltar, is conducting a seismic research campaign to explore the feasibility of constructing a tunnel between Spain and Morocco. To support this research, Secegsa has issued a tender for the lease, with an option to purchase, of four ocean bottom seismometers (OBS). These instruments will be used by the Geophysics Department of the Royal Observatory of the Spanish Navy (ROA) for a six-month research campaign,

FIFA world ranking : Morocco remains Africa's highest ranked team

Morocco maintained its position as Africa's top-ranked team in the latest FIFA world rankings, released on Thursday. The Atlas Lions held steady at the 14th position with 1,676.14 points, surpassing Senegal, who ranked 21st globally with 1,620.87 points. Egypt completed the African top three, occupying the 31st spot worldwide with 1,515.64 points. Globally, Argentina continued to hold the top spot, followed by France and Spain.

Morocco-Spain : Ryanair launches direct route between Girona and Beni Mellal

Low-cost carrier Ryanair has introduced a new direct route connecting Girona and Beni-Mellal, operating three times per week. During a presentation at Girona-Costa Brava airport on Wednesday, Elena Cabrera, the airline's director for Spain, Portugal, France, and Morocco, announced that this launch is part of a strategic shift in destinations from the Spanish city, with a focus on Marrakech and Beni-Mellal. Additionally, Elena Cabrera emphasized Ryanair's commitment to expanding operations at

Starbucks MENA stake sale delayed due to Gaza war boycotts

The sale of a stake in Starbucks' Middle East and North Africa, a franchise operated by the Kuwaiti group AlShaya, is postponed, according to a source with knowledge of the process who spoke to British news agency Reuters on Thursday. AlShaya, which is also present in Morocco through Starbucks and the retail shop H&M, is «not in a rush to sell», one of the people told the same source, adding that the sale process is delayed by boycotts preventing bidders from valuing the

Morocco votes for UN resolution against Israel

The United Nations General Assembly has adopted a new, non-binding resolution demanding that Israel «end its unlawful presence in the Occupied Palestinian Territory within 12 months». The resolution was approved with 124 votes in favor, 14 against, and 43 abstentions. Morocco was among the countries that voted in favor, along with other Arab states. European Union members Greece, Spain, Belgium, and France also supported the resolution, as did Russia. Opponents included the United

Polisario bans Sahrawi traders from leaving Tindouf camps

Dozens of Sahrawi traders and their trucks staged a sit-in in front of the Polisario headquarters in the Rabouni camp on Wednesday, September 18. They were protesting against the separatist movement's refusal to issue them with permits to leave the camps for Algeria or Mauritania. In statements posted on social media and viewed by Yabiladi, the protesters denounced the «monopoly» held by certain parties in trade with Algiers and Nouakchott. These restrictions on the free movement

Sahara : British diplomats receive Staffan de Mistura

Hamish Falconer, Under-Secretary of State at the UK Foreign, Commonwealth, and Development Office, received Staffan de Mistura in London on Wednesday, September 18. «A constructive discussion today with Staffan de Mistura, the UN Secretary General’s Personal Envoy for Western Sahara, on the importance of the UN-led political process», wrote the British diplomat on X. «Finding a solution agreed by all would contribute significantly to regional security and

Thundershowers, gusty winds expected from Thursday to Sunday in Morocco

The Directorate General of Meteorology (DGM) has issued a weather alert, warning of heavy thunderstorms, hail, and gusty winds across several Moroccan provinces from Thursday to Sunday. The DGM expects particularly intense rainfall, exceeding 50 millimeters in 24 hours, in Es-Smara, Assa-Zag, and Tata provinces from Thursday afternoon (3 p.m.) to Sunday evening (11 p.m.). Additional weather alerts will provide updates on the severity and geographic extent of the storms. The provinces of