Islamophobic extremist : Unraveling the Magdeburg attacker's motives  (Read more...)

International University of Rabat partners with Cisco to transform digital education

The International University of Rabat (UIR) and Cisco International Limited will officially announce a strategic partnership aimed at transforming computer networking and digital technology education on December 4, 2024. The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signing ceremony will take place on the UIR campus, with Cisco Africa's Regional Manager in attendance. The partnership will launch through the Cisco Networking Academy program, an internationally recognized initiative known for its

Ex-executive illegally moves company yacht from Spain to Morocco

A former director of the Anfi del Mar group, Santiago Santana Cazorla, has been sentenced to one year in prison by the Las Palmas Provincial Court for embezzlement. He was accused of illegally transferring a company-owned yacht to Morocco and using it for personal purposes as if it were his own property. The events date back to November 2016, a few months after Santana Cazorla resigned as CEO of the group. The former executive appropriated a Rodman 1250 yacht, legally acquired by the company

Morocco's Henna tradition added to UNESCO’s Intangible Cultural Heritage list

UNESCO’s Intangible Cultural Heritage Committee 2024, meeting in Asuncion, Paraguay, on Tuesday, added henna to the list of 19 new elements requiring urgent safeguarding. «Henna symbolizes the life cycle of an individual, from birth to death, and is present at the major stages of a person's life», states the UNESCO text defending its inclusion as intangible heritage. «Perceived as sacred by communities in Northern Africa and the Middle East, its leaves are harvested

In Saudi Arabia, Macron commends Morocco's water infrastructure

The French president has been on a state visit to Saudi Arabia since Tuesday. On the sidelines of this trip, Emmanuel Macron participated in the «One Water» summit, held on Wednesday, December 3, in Riyadh. In a speech, the head of state praised Morocco's experience with water highways, calling it a «great success». «Morocco has been able to mobilize all technologies and face challenges in rural areas and cities», he commended in front of the conclave

Morocco's Saham acquires control of SGMB and La Marocaine Vie

It's official: Saham Finances has completed the acquisition of 57.67% of the capital of Société Générale Marocaine de Banques (SGMB) and La Marocaine Vie from Société Générale S.A. This transaction, announced on Tuesday, December 3, follows the receipt of all necessary regulatory approvals. The agreement, signed in April 2024, amounts to 745 million euros (approximately 8 billion dirhams). This deal allows the Saham group to take control

Florida State Univesrity, World Bank and ICESCO to co-host education conference in Morocco

Morocco will host a global education conference next summer, co-organized by the Learning Systems Institute (LSI) at Florida State University, the World Bank, and the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO). Titled «Educators Shaping Futures: A Global Conference on Teacher Preparation and Development», the event will take place on June 23-24 in Rabat, Florida State University announced on Tuesday. Spanning two days, the conference will be

Casablanca taxi driver detained for assault on Russian diplomat using ride-hailing app

The investigative judge at the Casablanca Court of Appeals ordered on Monday evening that the driver of a taxi be transferred to Oukacha local prison, while three other drivers are to be held in custody. This decision follows an incident involving a Russian diplomat and his wife, who were physically assaulted while riding in a ride-hailing car booked through the Russian mobile app Yango. The attack began when taxi drivers blocked, last Friday, the path of the ride-hailing car and assaulted its

EBRD president to attend Africa Investment Forum in Morocco

The President of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), Odile Renaud-Basso, will visit Morocco from December 4 to 6. During her visit, she will engage with government officials and private sector representatives and participate in the Africa Investment Forum (AIF), according to an EBRD press release issued on Tuesday. At the AIF, Renaud-Basso is scheduled to meet Leila Benali, Morocco's Minister of Energy Transition and Sustainable Development, to discuss investment

Hilton plans to double hotel portfolio in Morocco with major expansion

Hotel giant Hilton has announced plans to expand its presence in Morocco, aiming to double its portfolio to 20 hotels in the coming years, according to a company press release. The expansion will see the addition of over 1,300 rooms through nine new hotels across seven of Hilton's global brands. Notable highlights of the expansion include the debut of the Waldorf Astoria brand in Rabat and Morocco's first LXR Hotels & Resorts in Casablanca. Other developments include Curio Collection by

Family declines compensation in Moroccan man's shooting by ex-Italian official

The family of Younes El Boussettaoui, a 39-year-old Moroccan man who died after being shot in Voghera, Italy, has rejected a new compensation offer from former security councilor Massimo Adriatici. The incident occurred on July 20, 2021, in Piazza Meardi when Adriatici's gun discharged, fatally wounding El Boussettaoui. According to Ticinonotizie newspaper, Adriatici recently deposited seven banker's checks with a notary, totaling 220,000 euros—offering 55,000 euros each to the victim's

Moroccan actor Mustapha Zaari, renowned for comedic and dramatic roles, dies at 79

Moroccan actor Mustapha Zaari passed away on Tuesday in Casablanca at the age of 79, according to his family. A seasoned and versatile artist, Zaari gained recognition for his portrayal of both comedic and dramatic characters, mastering his craft on stage as well as in film and television. However, it was on stage, where he performed for over five decades, that Zaari truly showcased the depth of his talent. Early in his career, Zaari worked in theater alongside many prominent figures before

AI-powered website launched to find missing Belgian tourist in Morocco

The family of a Belgian tourist who went missing while on holiday in Morocco has launched a website using artificial intelligence (AI) to help find him. The AI-powered website uses facial recognition technology to analyze photos uploaded by users, which were taken in the same area where Dries De Graeve, 29, was last seen—Taghazout, a surf village near Agadir. The goal is to locate the missing tourist. According to his family, Dries, from Ghent, Belgium, was traveling with two friends

Morocco's Almaden expands Al-Hoceima solar production to 1 GW

Ecoprogetti, an Italian firm specializing in solar panel manufacturing equipment, has recently expanded the production line capacity of Almaden Maroc, a green energy supplier in Al-Hoceima, from 500 MW to 1 GW. This is the largest solar module manufacturing plant in Morocco and North Africa. According to the solar energy portal PV Magazine, the new line features technology based on G12 18BB (TOPCon) cells, in a system designed to guarantee maximum efficiency and superior quality in glass

Morocco and Ecuador resume consultations after «SADR» suspension

On Monday, December 2, Foreign Minister Nasser Bourita met with his Ecuadorian counterpart, Gabriela Sommerfeld, via videoconference. The Ecuadorian minister reiterated her country's support for a peaceful and lasting solution to the Sahara question within the framework of the political process conducted exclusively under UN auspices. She also reaffirmed Ecuador's support for the efforts undertaken by UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres and his personal envoy, in accordance with the relevant

Morocco-Spain unite to protect biodiversity

A Moroccan delegation led by the National Agency for Water and Forests (ANEF) visited Andalusia in late November to enhance cooperation in biodiversity conservation. With support from the IUCN's Mediterranean Cooperation Center, the mission facilitated the exchange of expertise on captive breeding, reintroducing endangered species, and managing protected areas. Discussions between Moroccan and Spanish experts emphasized the preservation of key species such as the bald ibis, the Andalusian

500kg of cannabis seized from Moroccan truck near Lyon

On the night between Friday and Saturday, an operation led by Ofast (Anti-Narcotics Office) in Meyzieu, near Lyon, resulted in the seizure of 500 kilograms of cannabis resin. The drugs were being transported in a truck with Moroccan registration, which had just made a stop to deliver the illicit cargo. Under surveillance by law enforcement, Ofast, in collaboration with the Organized Crime Division, arrested three individuals: the truck driver and two men tasked with receiving the drugs. All

Morocco's taxi upgrade : New Interior Ministry measures

The taxi sector in Morocco is set to undergo significant reforms aimed at enhancing service quality and user experience. With the upcoming CAN 2025 and the anticipation of the 2030 World Cup, the urgency for these measures is evident. To address existing issues, the Minister of the Interior, Abdelouafi Laftit, recently issued a circular to governors and walis emphasizing strict regulation of taxi services. This initiative is part of a broader strategy to modernize road transport

Sahrawi Woman in Spain faces charges for inciting terrorism against Morocco

The Spanish National Court has opted to pursue charges against a Moroccan woman from the Sahara, alleging her involvement in promoting messages advocating armed Islamic jihad from her residence in Menorca, where she was apprehended. According to the Diario de Mallorca, the woman is part of a family with multiple members linked to terrorist organizations, with one of her brothers reportedly killed during a «violent operation in Morocco». During investigations, she denied any ties to