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

WHO chief urges increase in cholera vaccine production amid global shortage

On Thursday, August 15, 2024, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, the Director-General of the World Health Organization (WHO), urged an increase in cholera vaccine production, emphasizing that the current supply is far from meeting global demand. «The response continues to be affected by a critical shortage of the vaccine, as demand continues to outpace supply, with 105 million doses requested by 18 countries since January 2023. 55 million doses have been produced in the same period», he

Spain : Strait crossings surge past 2 million amid record OPE

Operation Crossing the Strait (OPE) has shattered records this year, with over two million passengers embarking before August 15. A further surge in traffic is anticipated. According to EFE, Spanish Civil Protection data released on Tuesday revealed that 1,662,707 travelers departed from Spanish ports bound for North Africa, primarily Morocco, during the outbound phase. The return journey saw an additional 465,883 passengers by the same date, totaling 2,143,557 passengers in both

Moroccan international Ilias Akhomach makes Villarreal first team

Moroccan international Ilias Akhomach, who joined Spanish club Villarreal from FC Barcelona B last year, has been promoted to the first team. Villarreal unveiled its first-team squad for the 2024-2025 season on Thursday, August 15, 2024, listing Akhomach as a forward «after playing a leading role in the previous season». «Ilias Akhomach is a talented footballer who, despite his young age, excels in the attacking third, demonstrating strong potential both domestically and

Moroccan Navy rescues 124 migrants off Dakhla coast

A Royal Navy unit intercepted a migrant boat carrying 124 sub-Saharan individuals, including 12 women, approximately 240 kilometers southwest of Dakhla on Thursday. The migrants were attempting to reach the Canary Islands. After providing necessary care, the rescued individuals were transferred to the military port of Dakhla and handed over to the Royal Gendarmerie for further processing, according to a statement from the Royal Armed Forces.

Polisario and Algeria use front group to bash Chad's Dakhla consulate

Chad opened a consulate in Dakhla on August 14th, as planned. There has been no reaction from the Polisario Front or Algeria so far. Meanwhile, the media outlets of the two allies published a press release from a group of NGOs, known as the Union of National Associations for Unity and Solidarity of the Republic of Chad. The statement condemned the recognition of Morocco's sovereignty over the Sahara by the government of President Mahamat Idriss Déby Itno. The Union described this

Morocco steps up monkeypox surveillance amid global resurgence

The Morocco Ministry of Health and Social Protection has intensified its monitoring of the monkeypox outbreak following a surge of cases in several African countries. The ministry has updated its national response plan in line with WHO recommendations, it said in a press release issued Thursday. The World Health Organization declared a second public health emergency for monkeypox yesterday, citing the rapid spread of the disease and high fatality rates in some African nations. Morocco has

Brazil approves investment agreement with Morocco

Brazilian Senate approved a bilateral investment agreement with Morocco on Thursday. The deal, signed in 2019, aims to foster economic cooperation and provide legal protection for investors from both countries. Submitted by the Foreign Relations and National Defense Commission after its approval by the Chamber of Deputies in February, the draft decree was unanimously endorsed by the senators during a plenary session in the upper house of Congress, chaired by Senator Rodrigo Pacheco. The

BTR to invest $363.5 million in new anode materials plant in Morocco

BTR New Material Group, a Chinese battery materials manufacturer, will invest USD 363.5 million to build a plant in Morocco for the production of anode materials, according to Chinese media reports. The Morocco plant, BTR’s second facility in the North African country, is expected to have an annual production capacity of 60,000 tons of anode materials, reports Yicai Global, citing a statement from the company on Tuesday. The new plant will be constructed over two years at Mohammed VI

USDA to lead agribusiness trade mission to Morocco in December

U.S. Department of Agriculture Under Secretary for Trade and Foreign Agricultural Affairs, Alexis M. Taylor, will visit Morocco later this year, leading an agribusiness trade mission to Casablanca. The mission is scheduled to take place from December 2-5, according to a USDA press release issued on Thursday. «This mission presents a pivotal opportunity for U.S. agribusinesses to tap into Morocco’s dynamic market and leverage its strategic position for broader access across

Brahim Diaz becomes fourth Moroccan international to win UEFA Super Cup

Following Real Madrid's 2-0 victory over Atalanta Bergamo in the European Super Cup, Spanish-Moroccan footballer Brahim Diaz has become the fourth Moroccan international to win the trophy. Achraf Hakimi with Real Madrid (2017), Hakim Ziyech with Chelsea (2021), and Munir El Haddadi with FC Barcelona (2015) are the other three Moroccan footballers who have been part of a club that won this prestigious trophy. With Real Madrid's sixth European Supercup triumph, Brahim Diaz now joins this

Energy Recovery to power Morocco's water security with $27.5 million desalination deal

American manufacturer of energy recovery devices for water and CO₂ refrigeration industries Energy Recovery announced on Thursday that it has signed contracts valued at $27.5 million to supply pressure exchangers for seawater reverse osmosis (SWRO) desalination projects in Morocco. These contracts, previously outlined in the company's financial guidance, are expected to be fulfilled by the end of 2024, reads a press release by the company. North Africa, including Morocco, is experiencing a

WHO declares public health emergency over resurgence of Mpox in Africa

On Wednesday, the World Health Organization (WHO) activated its highest international alert level in response to the resurgence of mpox cases in Africa. «Today, the emergency committee met and advised me that, in its view, the situation constitutes a public health emergency of international concern. I have accepted that advice», said WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus at a press conference. «WHO is committed in the days and weeks ahead to coordinate the global

Morocco-US military exercise «Arcane Thunder 24» concludes in Agadir

The Morocco-US military exercise «Arcane Thunder 24» concluded on Wednesday at the headquarters of the Southern Zone General Staff in Agadir. This exercise took place from August 5 to 14, 2024, in Agadir, Guelmim, Cap Draa, and Tan Tan. This is the second edition of the «Arcane Thunder» exercise, and it was held in Morocco for the first time, with the participation of around 300 personnel. Featuring both an academic training phase and an execution phase, «Arcane

Morocco PM Aziz Akhannouch attends 80th anniversary of Provence Landing in France

Head of Government Aziz Akhannouch represented King Mohammed VI at the ceremony commemorating the 80th anniversary of the landing in Provence, held on Thursday in Saint-Raphaël (southeastern France) under the presidency of French President Emmanuel Macron. The Head of Government was accompanied at the ceremony, which took place at the Boulouris National Necropolis in Saint-Raphaël, by the King's Ambassador to France, Samira Sitail. This event is part of a series of international

Two suspects arrested in Marrakech for kidnapping and torture of Belgian citizen

The Judicial Police, in collaboration with the General Directorate for National Security (DGSN), arrested two individuals suspected of kidnapping a Belgian man and torturing him in an apartment in Marrakech. The arrest took place on the evening of Monday, August 12, while the victim had been found and released on Saturday, August 10. The two suspects, a Moroccan and a French-Moroccan, are 34 and 38 years old, according to a DGSN press release. The French-Moroccan individual is said to have

Three arrested in Spain in connection with stabbing of Lamine Yamal's father

The Mossos d'Esquadra have arrested three individuals in connection with the stabbing of Mounir Nasraoui, father of Barcelona footballer Lamine Yamal. Nasraoui was hospitalized at Can Ruti Hospital in Badalona on Wednesday evening following the attack. While his condition is not life-threatening, the investigation remains open, with authorities considering additional arrests. The incident occurred in the Rocafonda district of Mataro, where Nasraoui and his family reside. Witnesses reported a

Morocco-born actor Najib Amhali brings Dutch comedy to Morocco

Moroccan-born Dutch stand-up comedian and actor Najib Amhali is preparing for his first show in Morocco, expected Thursday and Friday in Tangier. The comedian, who has been on stage for over thirty years in Europe, can't hide his excitement for his first performances in his home country, he told Dutch newspaper ANP. Amhali has been planning for these shows «five, six years ago» and it's finally happening. «I don't know the theaters here as well as in the Netherlands. That

Formula One champion Lewis Hamilton finds solace and adventure in Morocco's Sahara

Formula One champion Lewis Hamilton is enjoying a Moroccan getaway during his summer break. The racing star shared, Wednesday, stunning photos from his trip to the Sahara Desert oasis town of Erfoud on his Instagram account. «For a second year, I’m so fortunate to travel through Africa during the break», Hamilton wrote. «The first time around I was overwhelmed by just how beautiful and healing this world can be, and this trip is no different. Just like last time,