Dutch-Moroccan ex-anti-terrorism official denies «spying for Morocco», seeks PM's testimony  (Read more...)

Air Arabia Maroc faces 85,000 euro fine for PNR violation

Italian authorities have fined Air Arabia Maroc 85,000 euros (915,249 dirhams) for failing to transmit passenger reservation data (PNR) to border police. According to Italian newspaper Il Corriere, border officials in the northwestern province of Cuneo detected irregularities during checks on a flight from Morocco at Levaldigi airport. Le360 reports that Air Arabia Maroc is the sole airline operating direct flights from Casablanca to this destination, which is popular among low-cost

Hirak activists hopeful for pardon, thank public for solidarity in new letter

«The overwhelming public support for our case strongly refutes all slander and false, morally abusive allegations», the Hirak Rif detainees stated, referring to the widespread expectation that they would be pardoned on the anniversary of the King and the People's Revolution. In a letter conveyed by Nasser Zefzafi's father, Nasser Zefzafi, Samir Aghir, Mohamed Haki, Zakaria Adhehchour, and Nabil Ahmajik added that this public support «is a spontaneous referendum without any

Melilla-based patrol boat commander issues Morocco a warning

Manuel Ángel López has assumed command of the patrol boat «Isla Pinto», based in the port of Melilla. The military officer, who took office on August 1, 2024, has issued warnings to Morocco. «We must remind Morocco that Spain maintains sovereignty over the two cities of Ceuta and Melilla and has territorial waters with associated rights that must be respected», he emphasized in press statements on Monday. «Moroccan boats cannot fish in Spanish

Polisario member criticizes leadership and questions viability of «self-determination»

The option of «self-determination for the Saharawi people», championed by the Polisario leadership and Algeria, is losing support even among Saharawis most opposed to Morocco. This shift is evident in the reaction of Said Zarwal, who has been living in Sweden for years following threats from a Polisario «minister», to the communiqué issued by the Front's General Secretariat after its August 20 meeting. Zarwal stated, «Anyone who bets on the UN-sponsored

Canary coalition condemns Moroccan naval exercises near Fuerteventura

The Canary Coalition, a governing party in the Canary Islands, has expressed concern over the Royal Moroccan Navy's naval exercises in Saharan waters. Cristina Valido, the coalition's sole deputy in the Spanish parliament, warned on Wednesday about the potential ecological risks of Morocco's military maneuvers near Fuerteventura, a region known for its cetacean populations. Valido urged the Spanish government, particularly the Foreign Minister, to disclose information about the

Morocco to Manchester flight leaves passengers without luggage due to cockroach infestation

Passengers returning from Morocco to Manchester earlier in August are still waiting for their luggage after being informed that the aircraft that flew them to the UK had one of its luggage holds infested with cockroaches. According to The Independent, the flight in question was Royal Air Maroc flight AT818, which flew from Casablanca to Manchester on Thursday, August 15. One of the travelers on the flight told the newspaper that after arriving in Manchester, passengers couldn't retrieve their

Mauritania : Government withdraws sponsorship of cultural festival due to Polisario involvement

The Mauritanian town of Aoujeft, located in the Adrar region, hosted a festival dedicated to Hassanie culture from August 17 to 19. The event was organized by the World Union of Hassani Poets, founded in February 2022 in Nouakchott, which invited a Polisario delegation to participate in the festival. This invitation led to the festival losing its sponsorship from the Mauritanian government, according to a media outlet in Nouakchott. The Agence Mauritanienne de Presse (AMI) did not report the

Royal Mansour Marrakech named No.3 Gin Art of Hospitality Award winner

The Royal Mansour in Marrakech has been named winner of the No.3 Gin Art of Hospitality Award, taking the top spot ahead of the upcoming International 50 Best Hotels in the World Awards in September 2024. The 600 voters of The World's 50 Best Hotels Academy chose the Royal Mansour as the establishment where they had the «best experience during the 18-month voting period». The award recognizes an establishment and its staff for «exceptional service and unrivalled attention to

King Mohammed VI grants royal pardon to 708 inmates

On Youth Day, King Mohammed VI granted a royal pardon to 708 individuals convicted by various Moroccan courts, the Ministry of Justice announced. Of the beneficiaries, 474 were currently incarcerated: 28 inmates received full pardons. 442 inmates had their prison sentences reduced. 4 inmates had their life sentences commuted to fixed-term sentences. The remaining 234 beneficiaries were not in detention: 31 individuals had their prison terms or remaining terms pardoned. 11 individuals had

Morocco triumphs at 2024 African Mathematical Olympiad

Morocco took first place at the 2024 African Mathematical Olympiad, held at the University of the Witwatersrand in Johannesburg, South Africa, from August 10 to 20. The national team achieved a total of 201 points, a record that no country has ever reached in the history of the Olympiads, followed by Algeria with 186 points in second place, and Tunisia with 133 points in third, according to a press release from the Ministry of National Education, Preschool and Sports. Moroccan students won

Spain's Defense Minister visits Melilla and Mediterranean islets claimed by Morocco

Spain's Minister of Defense, Margarita Robles, visited the Mediterranean islets claimed by Morocco on Monday, August 19. After arriving in Melilla, she proceeded to the Vélez and Alhucemas military barracks. According to Iberian media reports, the Minister held discussions with the military personnel stationed at these «points of Spanish sovereignty». Tuesday, Robles will continue her tour with a visit to Isla Isabella, part of the Chafarinas Islands. Durante el recorrido

King Mohammed VI grants pardons to cannabis-related offenders

On the occasion of the anniversary of the Revolution of the King and the People, King Mohammed VI granted pardons to 685 individuals, some in detention and others at liberty, who had been sentenced by various courts in the kingdom, according to a press release from the Ministry of Justice. Additionally, the King granted pardons to 4,831 people convicted, prosecuted, or wanted in cases related to cannabis cultivation, who met the necessary conditions to benefit from the pardon. Among the

Polisario rejects Dominican support for Moroccan sovereignty over Sahara

The Polisario Front denounced the Dominican Republic's continued support for Moroccan sovereignty over the Sahara on Sunday, August 18. Mohamed Zrug, the Polisario's representative in the Caribbean, declared in a statement that «the Sahrawi people's legitimate right to self-determination is inalienable. Only the people of Western Sahara can decide their political future through a free and democratic process». During a meeting with Moroccan Foreign Minister Nasser Bourita on

Seven killed in car crash near Berrechid

Seven people died in a road accident following a collision between two light vehicles near Berrechid on Saturday, August 17, 2024. Another person is in critical condition. Five individuals died at the scene, while two others succumbed to their injuries at a Casablanca hospital on Sunday, August 18. Local authorities responded to the accident, transporting the bodies to the morgue. An investigation is underway to determine the cause of the collision under the supervision of the competent

Moroccan wanted for human trafficking arrested in Spain

Spanish police in Alicante have arrested a Moroccan national wanted internationally for membership in a criminal organization and human trafficking. Acting on information that the suspect was hiding in the town of Vega Baja de Dolores, authorities launched an investigation. The 33-year-old man was subsequently located in an industrial area of La Marina and apprehended. The detainee was brought before the Alicante Court of Instruction and then transferred to the Central Investigation Court of

Barça expands in Morocco with new academy in Casablanca

FC Barcelona is expanding its international training network in Morocco by opening a new Barça Academy in Casablanca. «Following the success of the Barça Academy in Rabat, the club is launching a strategic project to further develop football in Morocco with the opening of a second Barça Academy in the country», the Spanish club announced on Monday, August 19, 2024. The Barça Academy Casablanca is set to open in September and will enroll approximately

Morocco's seductive allure targets Brazilian tourists

In an effort to capture the Brazilian market, the Moroccan National Tourist Office (ONMT) is highlighting Morocco's appeal as a travel destination to increase tourist arrivals and boost its share of the promising tourism market. The second edition of Brazil's Travel Next Minas, held on August 16-17 at the Expominas BH Exhibition Center in Minas Gerais, brought together over 5,000 industry professionals. Morocco and Brazil are committed to boosting tourism exchange by leveraging their rich

Algeria backs Polisario at SADC anniversary

The Southern African Development Community (SADC) celebrated its 44th anniversary on August 17 and 18 in Zimbabwe. To mark the occasion, Algeria hosted a ceremony yesterday at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, attended by ambassadors from SADC member states. Algerian Foreign Minister Ahmed Attaf addressing the gathering, expressed strong support for the Polisario Front. He stated, «Over time, certain countries have tended to accept, or even condone, the colonial fait accompli in Western