News Flash

Over 300 migrants thwarted in swim from Morocco to Ceuta

More than 300 people attempted to swim from Morocco to Ceuta early Monday morning. Spanish Civil Guard forces, in cooperation with Moroccan security personnel, intervened to prevent the crossings, according to Spanish media. Medical assistance was provided to the migrants, with around 80 percent of those treated being minors, according to the same source. In a similar incident the previous morning, another 150 people were intercepted in the same area. Most suffered from mild hypothermia and

Morocco PM Aziz Akhannouch criticized for using Darija in message to Atlas Cubs

Aziz Akhannouch is facing criticism from defenders of the Arabic language. They are upset over the congratulations written in Darija, Moroccan Arabic, that the head of government posted on social media to celebrate the Atlas Cubs' bronze medal win at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games. Fouad Abou Ali, president of the National Coalition for the Arabic Language in Morocco, argued that the prime minister's use of dialect in his message «contravenes the provisions of the Moroccan

Water stress : Morocco closes hammams in Casablanca and Marrakech for three days

Authorities in Marrakech and Casablanca have decided to close traditional Moroccan public baths, or hammams, for three days a week in response to the effects of drought and water stress. In the metropolis, hammam owners have been informed of the obligation to shut down from Monday to Wednesday of each week. In the ochre city, the wilaya of the region held a meeting on Saturday August 10 to uphold the decisions concerning both public baths and car washes. At the same time, local actions will

Morocco Royal Navy rescues 68 migrants off Dakhla, two found deceased

Two Royal Navy units intercepted a pirogue carrying 68 sub-Saharan migrants, including two deceased individuals, 16 km southwest of Dakhla on Sunday. The rescued migrants, who had set sail on August 5 for the Canary Islands, were brought to the port of Dakhla, where they received necessary care before being handed over to the Royal Gendarmerie for the usual administrative procedures, according to a press release from the General Staff of the Royal Armed Forces. The two bodies were transported

UFC fighter Youssef Zalal to transform family's life in Morocco with bonus

Mixed martial arts (MMA) fighter Youssef Zalal recently earned his first $50,000 bonus in the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC). The Casablanca native, who has lived in the United States for the past fifteen years, announced plans to use the prize money to improve the lives of his family in Morocco. In a press conference, Zalal expressed his excitement about fulfilling a long-held dream. «This was a goal of mine while fighting in the UFC: to go back to Morocco, where money can make a

Morocco shakes up boxing technical staff after Olympic disappointment

The Royal Moroccan Boxing Federation (FMRB) has dismissed its technical management following the disappointing performance of the Moroccan boxing team at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games. The decision was made during an emergency meeting held last Friday in Rabat. The federation aims to implement reforms in preparation for the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles. In a press release issued on Saturday, the FMRB announced the dismissal of National Technical Director Othmane Fadli and the entire coaching

Algeria and Polisario gear up for key UN Sahara talks

Algeria's Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ahmed Attaf, received his Polisario «counterpart», Mohamed Sidati, in Algiers on Sunday, August 11. «The meeting was devoted to examining and discussing developments on the issue of decolonization in Western Sahara, in light of the report recently presented by the UN Secretary-General, as well as the prospects for future diplomatic efforts in this regard, whether at the level of the Security Council or the UN General Assembly», the

High-tech balloons in Morocco-US military drill spark concerns in Spain

Morocco and the United States are jointly organizing «Arcane Thunder 24» in Agadir, a military exercise focused on electronic warfare that incorporates high-tech balloons and cutting-edge drones. The use of balloons has sparked panic in the Canary Islands, prompting local air traffic controllers to issue alerts. A Spanish news outlet reported «Balloons from Morocco detected spying on Spain», claiming the objects were flying at higher altitudes than commercial

Paris-bound flight from Agadir diverted over security concerns

A Transavia flight from Agadir was temporarily grounded at Orly airport this Sunday morning following a security alert. According to information from Atcu Paris, a crew member was alerted by the name of a Bluetooth device used by a passenger. French authorities were immediately notified. Upon landing, law enforcement officials isolated the aircraft on a runway. Airport authorities subsequently confirmed that no incidents occurred on board. Transavia explained that during flight TO3121 from

Moroccan international Yahia Attiat-Allah joins Al Ahly

On Friday, FK Sochi officially announced the loan transfer of Moroccan international Yahia Attiat-Allah to Egyptian powerhouse Al Ahly for the 2024-2025 season. Al Ahly, who recently clinched their 44th Egyptian league title, secured the services of the 29-year-old defender. Notably, before departing on loan, Attiat-Allah extended his contract with the Russian club until the end of the 2026-2027 season. Following a challenging season that resulted in relegation to the Russian second division,

Thunderstorms and hail expected in northern Morocco this Sunday

Heavy thundery showers accompanied by hail and gusty winds are expected in several provinces of the Kingdom this Sunday, according to the Directorate General of Meteorology (DGM). Thundershowers, with rainfall amounts of 15 to 35 millimeters, are forecast from 2 p.m. to 9 p.m. this Sunday in the provinces of Ifrane, Khénifra, Boulemane, and Midelt, the DGM stated in an orange alert bulletin.

Flight from Netherlands to Morocco disrupted after passengers' dispute

A flight from the Netherlands to Morocco was disrupted following an argument between two passengers on board. Dutch media reports say that a Transavia plane bound for Marrakech from Amsterdam-Schiphol had to turn back to its point of departure on Thursday, August 8. Once landed, the two men were removed from the aircraft by the staff. The plane departed again two and a half hours later. The Koninklijke Marechaussee, a police force that is part of the Dutch army and responsible for border

AfDB loans Morocco €120 million to enhance governance and climate resilience

The African Development Bank (AfDB) has granted Morocco a loan of 120 million euros to enhance governance and strengthen resilience against climate change. This loan, according to AfDB, will support the implementation of reforms aimed at revitalizing the Moroccan economy and bolstering its ability to withstand external pressures, particularly those related to climate change. The funding will also help refocus the public sector on its strategic and regulatory roles while maintaining its

FIFA President Gianni Infantino congratulates Morocco on Olympic football bronze medal

FIFA President Gianni Infantino congratulated the Moroccan Olympic team on winning the bronze at the 2024 Olympic Games (JO 2024) in Paris. «My heartfelt congratulations to Morocco on winning the bronze medal in the men’s Olympic Football Tournament of Paris, your first podium finish at the Games and something to be extremely proud of», he wrote on his Instagram. «You have brought joy to your fans in at home and elsewhere around the world», he added. Yesterday,

Anthony Hopkins celebrates International Cat Day in Morocco, supports local animal shelter

Welsh actor Anthony Hopkins celebrated International Cat Day in Morocco, sharing photos of himself playing with a kitten in Ouarzazate. On Thursday, the 86-year-old star posted photos on Instagram, snuggling with the adorable feline. He captioned the post, «From Ouarzazate, Morocco, with love». The Silence of the Lambs actor held the kitten in his arms as it looked straight into the camera. He also shared photos of a ginger cat lounging on a bed and acting playfully, along with

Morocco and Azerbaijan lift visa requirements

Morocco and the Republic of Azerbaijan have lifted visa obligations for both Moroccan and Azerbaijani nationals, Morocco’s embassy in Azerbaijan announced on Friday. The visa exemption will take effect on August 28th, marking the 32nd anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries. «Beginning on this date, Azerbaijani nationals will be able to travel to Morocco without a visa for stays of up to 90 days, provided their passports are valid for at

PJD criticizes member exclusion from census organization

The Justice and Development Party (PJD) has condemned the «exclusion» of its members from participating in the organization of the 2024 general census, scheduled for September 1-30. «After being selected like other citizens and completing all preparation and training stages, they have been sidelined solely because they belong to the Justice and Development Party», the PJD's secretariat general stated in a press release issued on Thursday, August 8. The Islamist party,

FAR drone destroys Polisario vehicles east of Sand Wall

A Royal Armed Forces (FAR) drone conducted a new strike on Thursday, August 8, targeting the Polisario militias. The operation, which took place in the Moug El Kalbe area, located east of the Sand Wall erected by the FAR, hit two all-terrain vehicles and a truck. The exact number of casualties and injuries is not yet known, a source close to the matter told Yabiladi. Meanwhile, a Polisario media outlet confirmed the «complete destruction of two vehicles and a large truck in the liberated