Nearly 97,000 Moroccans benefit from direct housing aid program

On Monday, Secretary of State for Housing Adib Benbrahim told the House of Representatives that 96,948 beneficiaries have already received support under the revamped direct housing aid program, out of nearly 200,000 applications submitted since its launch, highlighting strong interest in the scheme. Responding to an oral question from the National Rally of Independents (RNI) group on the ministry’s housing and urban planning strategy, Benbrahim explained that the new approach shifts

Morocco launches digital Moushaf Mohammadi app for Quranic study and recitation

The Ministry of Endowments and Islamic Affairs has announced the launch of the digital Moushaf Mohammadi, an application designed to facilitate Quran recitation, grammatical analysis (i'rab), exegesis (tafsir), and access to translations. According to the ministry, the initiative aims to promote the dissemination of the Holy Quran, support digital transformation, and improve access to the text in the Warsh ‘an Nafi’ recitation. The application provides full access to Quranic

Achraf Hakimi says he is «calm» as rape case moves to trial

In his first public comments since being sent to trial over a rape charge, Moroccan international Achraf Hakimi expressed that he remains «calm» about the situation. During a press conference ahead of the Champions League quarter-final second leg between PSG and Liverpool, scheduled for Tuesday, the footballer addressed the matter in response to a question. Echoing his defense's stance, Hakimi reaffirmed that the allegations against him are «false.» He stated, «I

Morocco’s water reservoirs reach 75% after recent rainfall

On Monday, the Minister of Equipment and Water, Nizar Baraka, announced to the House of Representatives that recent rainfall and snowfall have significantly boosted the reservoir fill rate, now reaching 75%, which equates to nearly 13 billion cubic meters. Addressing an oral question from the Authenticity and Modernity group about the role of water resource management in securing national food sovereignty, Nizar Baraka assured that the current water reserves are sufficient to supply drinking

El Jadida: 10-meter sinkhole suddenly appears

A sinkhole estimated at around 10 meters deep suddenly appeared on Sunday in the village of Oulad Abbou, in the province of El Jadida, raising concern among local residents. The collapse occurred at the «Sha’noun» basin, fed by the Flifel River, which flows through the Doukkala and Rehamna regions. According to local residents, the sinkhole formed abruptly as water levels in the basin had been steadily receding in recent days. Alarmed by the development, residents are

Crown Prince Moulay El Hassan inaugurates iconic Mohammed VI Tower in Rabat

On the directive of King Mohammed VI, Crown Prince Moulay El Hassan officially inaugurated the Mohammed VI Tower on the Bouregreg's right bank this Monday. This striking new architectural landmark stands as a beacon of modernity, symbolizing the rising stature and significance of the twin cities, Rabat and Salé. The Crown Prince explored the tower's various highlights, starting with the grand lobby where he was briefed on the building's features and admired samples of Moroccan

Mauritanian army denies Malian incursions amid Polisario misinformation claims

The Mauritanian army has firmly denied any reports of Malian soldiers crossing into its territory, as reported by media outlets in Nouakchott. «All movements of Malian forces have taken place outside Mauritania's borders,» stated the army's communications and public relations department in an official release. According to the same source, Malian soldiers have indeed been active in several villages within Malian territory, specifically in Lebezia, Kat'a al-Dafou, Ahl Ibrahim, and

Morocco, Nigeria to sign intergovernmental deal for $25B gas pipeline this year

Morocco and Nigeria are expected to sign an intergovernmental agreement (IGA) for the $25 billion gas pipeline this year, Amina Benkhadra, head of Morocco’s National Office of Hydrocarbons and Mines (ONHYM), told Reuters. Following the signing of the IGA, a high authority based in Nigeria will be established, bringing together ministerial representatives from the 13 participating countries to ensure political and regulatory coordination. A joint venture between ONHYM and the Nigerian

Algerian migrant missing after swim attempt from Morocco to Ceuta

About two weeks ago, an Algerian migrant, Mohamed Zeboudj, 27, went missing after attempting to swim from Morocco to Ceuta via the maritime barrier in the Tarajal area, according to his family, who are appealing for help to locate him. Media reports in Ceuta said the family indicated that the young man was wearing a wetsuit and attempted the crossing with a friend, who was later apprehended and deported. Mohamed, however, has been missing since his last contact with his family on March

Jamal Belahrach advocates for patriotic leadership in new essay on Morocco's future

Jamal Belahrach, a prominent member of the Higher Council for Education, Training, and Scientific Research (CSEFRS) and the president of the House of the Diaspora, unveils his latest essay, titled «Réinventons-nous !» (Let's Reinvent Ourselves!). In this thought-provoking work, he calls for an «authentic and patriotic leadership dedicated to forging a new social contract.» Co-published by Sochepress Editions and the Council of the Moroccan Community Abroad

Morocco: For the PJD, the rise in fuel prices is «understandable»

The Justice and Development Party (PJD) has made its position clear this Sunday on the escalating fuel prices. Abdelilah Benkirane, speaking at a meeting of the party's general secretariat, remarked, «Driss Azami [the party's deputy leader, editor's note] highlighted that, given the global situation, this price hike is understandable». Echoing his deputy's sentiment, Benkirane urged PJD members to resist engaging in «populist rhetoric», emphasizing the party's unique

Moroccans included in U.S. deportation flight to Costa Rica

Moroccan nationals were among a group of 25 deported migrants from the United States who arrived in Costa Rica on Saturday under a recent bilateral agreement. The group also included individuals from Albania, Cameroon, China, Guatemala, Honduras, India, and Kenya, as well as one Costa Rican citizen. Upon arrival, the migrants received initial assistance from the Migration Police and the International Organization for Migration (IOM), including accommodation, food, and humanitarian support for

Spain acquits Moroccan man in Algeciras church killing, orders psychiatric detention

The Appeals Chamber of the Spanish National Court has acquitted a Moroccan national, Yassine Kanjaa, of the murder charge involving a priest in an Algeciras church. Instead, the court has mandated his confinement in a psychiatric facility for up to 30 years. This decision is based on his diagnosis of a severe mental disorder that compromised his ability to understand and control his actions. The court emphasized the necessity of ongoing medical treatment due to the danger he poses and the

Morocco selected for USDA's Food for Progress program in 2026

Morocco has been included among the priority countries selected by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Foreign Agricultural Service for its Food for Progress program in fiscal year 2026. The initiative is expected to allocate up to $226 million in new cooperative agreements for projects lasting up to five years, with individual funding ranging between $28 million and $35 million. Morocco appears on the list alongside Bangladesh, Bolivia, Ecuador, the Philippines, Sri Lanka, and

El Khannous scores stunner as Stuttgart move into third place

VfB Stuttgart secured a dominant 4–0 home win over Hamburg on Sunday in the 29th round of the Bundesliga, highlighted by a stunning goal from Moroccan international Bilal El Khannous in the 86th minute. The victory lifts Stuttgart to third place with 56 points, with five matches remaining in the season, strengthening their push for a UEFA Champions League spot. Angelo Stiller opened the scoring in the 22nd minute, before Chris Führich and Maximilian Mittelstädt extended the

British national detained at Casablanca airport on Belgian warrant for drug trafficking

On Saturday evening, April 11, security services at Mohammed V International Airport in Casablanca arrested a 34-year-old British national, acting on an international arrest warrant issued by Belgian judicial authorities. The suspect was detained while preparing to board a flight to Dubai. A database check by the General Directorate of National Security confirmed that he was wanted internationally at the request of Belgian authorities on suspicion of involvement in a criminal network engaged

Italy sentences two couples over Moroccan newborn smuggled in shopping bag

Two couples have been sentenced in Italy in a case involving a Moroccan newborn girl smuggled from Tangier to Turin in a shopping bag under dangerous conditions. The woman who transported the child by ferry pleaded guilty to illegal immigration and received a two-year prison sentence, while her husband will stand trial under ordinary procedure starting in February 2027. The couple who hosted the baby in Italy were sentenced to nine and ten months in prison for aiding and abetting, following a

Racist chants target Moroccan player Omar El Hilali in the Barcelona and Espanyol derby

Moroccan player Omar El Hilali was targeted by racist chants during the derby between his club Espanyol and Barcelona (1–4) on Sunday, once again bringing the issue of racism in stadiums to the forefront. At the Camp Nou, sections of the crowd directed offensive remarks at the Moroccan international, prompting stadium officials to intervene several times over the loudspeakers, urging fans to stop such behavior. Tensions rose during the match, particularly after a clash between El Hilali