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

Morocco-Qatar 2024 : Tbourida showcases equestrian art in Doha

As the closing event of the Morocco – Qatar 2024 Cultural Year, a Tbourida show was organized on Tuesday, December 17, at the Al Shaqab Equestrian Center in Doha. This demonstration featured the participation of five troupes and 65 riders from different regions of the country, thus embodying the richness of local traditions. Presided over by Princess Lalla Hasnaa and Sheikha Sara Bint Hamad Al Thani, the event indeed highlighted the national equestrian art, thanks to the Royal Society of

Morocco extradites suspect in 2021 bombing to Israel

A man suspected of planting a bomb that exploded at the Israeli Health Ministry in 2021 was extradited on Monday, December 16, from Morocco, where he had been arrested and detained, the Israeli State Attorney’s Office said. According to the Jerusalem Post, Nassim Kabilat is suspected of being behind the bombing that took place in Nazareth, northern Israel, in November 2021. According to an indictment, he was charged with detonating, via remote control, an explosive device he had placed

Truck crash at tram station in Casablanca leaves three dead and several injured

Three people were killed, and several others were seriously injured on Wednesday morning in Casablanca after a truck crashed into a tram station in Hay Mohammadi, a neighborhood in Casablanca. The third victim succumbed to their injuries while being transferred to the hospital. According to local sources, the collision occurred when the truck driver lost control of the vehicle near Ibn Tachfine. Civil Protection and local authorities were dispatched to the scene. The injured were rushed to

Morocco backs UN moratorium on death penalty abolition

As expected, on Tuesday, Morocco voted in favor of the United Nations moratorium on the death penalty. The kingdom was one of 131 states to sign the UN General Assembly resolution, adopted on December 17. The text was rejected by 32 votes, while 12 countries abstained. Morocco's adherence to the moratorium was announced on December 9 in the House of Representatives by the Minister of Justice, Abdellatif Ouahbi. «This major historic step is a continuation of the great progress made by

Africa : After Agadir-Dakar, Morocco plans to launch more shipping lines

Morocco aims to open shipping lines with other African countries. «In the next few days, the Kingdom will launch a commercial shipping service between Agadir and Dakar», announced Omar Hejira, Secretary of State for Foreign Trade, at the House of Councillors on Tuesday. He stressed that «the government is open to all proposals aimed at strengthening maritime connectivity between Morocco and Africa. Morocco is also open to all companies wishing to link Moroccan ports to

Morocco's unemployment soars to 21.3% in 2024

Between 2014 and 2024, Morocco witnessed a significant rise in unemployment, escalating from 16.2% to 21.3%. This increase mirrors trends in both urban and rural areas, with the latter experiencing a particularly alarming surge. According to the latest general population and housing census (RGPH), the unemployment rate in urban areas climbed from 19.3% to 21.2% over the decade, while rural regions saw a dramatic rise from 10.5% to 21.4%. These figures, unveiled at a press conference by the

Morocco Central Bank cuts key rate to 2.5%

The Board of Morocco's central bank, Bank Al-Maghrib (BAM), convened on Tuesday in Rabat and announced a decision to lower the key interest rate by 25 basis points, bringing it down to 2.5%. In a press release issued after its fourth and final quarterly meeting of 2024, BAM explained: «Given that inflation evolves at levels in line with the price stability objective and considering the high uncertainty surrounding the medium-term outlook, particularly on the international stage, the

Pedro Sanchez to chair Socialist International meeting in Rabat

The President of the Spanish Government and Secretary General of the Spanish Socialist Party (PSOE), Pedro Sanchez, will fly to Morocco by the end of this week to chair the World Council of the Socialist International, a political international organization consisting mostly of social democratic political parties and labor organizations. The Council is expected to take place on Saturday in Rabat, wrote the Spanish news agency EFE Tuesday on X. This World Council will be held at the

Flight disruptions in France impact routes to Morocco amid air traffic controllers' strike

Several flight cancellations and delays are expected at airports across France, as air traffic controllers stage a strike this Tuesday, December 17. The day before, the French Civil Aviation Authority (DGAC) announced that a «local strike notice» would affect air navigation services at Lyon, Ajaccio, and Montpellier. At Ajaccio airport, all-day delays are anticipated, while flights from Montpellier, Nîmes, and Perpignan have been canceled for the day. According to Le Figaro,

Morocco-EU discuss new multibillion migration deal

Morocco is set to enter negotiations with the European Union for a new multibillion-euro partnership agreement, focusing on migration management and strategic cooperation. The proposed deal, which would build upon existing arrangements between Rabat and Brussels, aims to strengthen the kingdom's role in managing migration flows toward Europe. According to the Financial Times, EU Commissioner for the Mediterranean Dubravka Šuica identified Morocco as the EU's «most important»

Iran and Morocco elevate consultations to diplomatic level

Morocco and Iran continue their consultations initiated last November in Rabat. After meetings at the security service level, held in the Kingdom, Iran, and the United Arab Emirates, the rapprochement between the two countries has reached a new stage. We learn that Rabat and Tehran have included diplomats in the negotiation process. Members of Morocco's Permanent Mission to the United Nations have met their Iranian counterparts in New York. On the Western Sahara question, Iran could soften its

Spanish government clarifies Sahara policy for military personnel

The Spanish government has clarified its position on the Sahara issue for the military. The Spanish Ministry of Foreign Affairs has issued a note outlining the guidelines to be followed by all army personnel regarding this matter, reports local media. «Spain's position on Western Sahara is perfectly well known and in line with the United Nations framework and international legality. As emphasized by the President of the Government at the United Nations General Assembly on September 25,

Morocco to host FIFA African office

Morocco will be home to the headquarters of the African office of the Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA), accoridng to an agreement signed on Monday evening at the Palais des Congrès in Marrakech, on the sidelines of the 2024 CAF Awards. The agreement was signed by Head of Government Aziz Akhannouch, FIFA President Gianni Infantino and Fouzi Lekjaa, President of the Royal Moroccan Football Federation (FRMF). The deal aligns with FIFA's role

Morocco plans to reopen embassy in Syria post-Assad

Morocco plans to reopen its embassy in Damascus, which has been closed since November 2011. The announcement was made by a spokesman for the new Syrian authorities in an interview with the Qatari channel Al Jazeera. «Morocco is in the process of communicating with the new Syrian leadership to reopen its diplomatic representation. Other Arab countries could take the same decision», he revealed. In November 2011, the Moroccan government recalled the Kingdom's ambassador to Damascus

CAF Awards 2024 : Hakimi and Amrabat featured in the African Team of the Year

Moroccan internationals Achraf Hakimi and Sofyan Amrabat have been named in the African Team of the Year, unveiled on Monday evening at the CAF Awards 2024 ceremony, held for the second consecutive year in Marrakech. The ideal African men's team also includes goalkeeper André Onana (Cameroon), defenders Kalidou Koulibaly (Senegal) and Chancel Mbemba (DR Congo), midfielders Yves Bissouma (Mali), Franck Kessié (Côte d'Ivoire), and Mohammed Kudus (Ghana), as well as forwards

CAF Awards 2024 : Moroccan captain Ghizlane Chebbak makes African shortlist

Ghizlane Chebbak, captain of the Moroccan women's football team, has been named to the Women's African Team of the Year. Unveiled on Monday evening at the CAF Awards 2024 ceremony in Marrakech, the list is dominated by players from Nigeria and South Africa. The striker, who plays for Levante Badalona at the club level, is the sole Moroccan representative. In addition to Ghizlane Chebbak, the Women's Best XI includes South African goalkeeper Andile Dlamini; defenders Michelle Alozie (Nigeria),

Body discovered in near Agadir may belong to missing Belgian tourist

A decomposed body was discovered on Monday in a ravine in a forested area near the beach in Tamri commune (Agadir Ida-Outanane prefecture), raising suspicions that it could belong to a Belgian tourist who has been missing since late November, pending DNA analysis, according to local authorities in the Souss-Massa region. Preliminary evidence, including personal items found at the top of the ravine, suggests the man may have died as a result of a fall, the same sources reported. The Royal

Boumehdi, El Madani, Karboubi, and Messaoudi among Morocco’s CAF Awards 2024 winners

At the CAF Awards 2024 ceremony held in Marrakech, Morocco, Lamia Boumehdi emerged as the Women's Football Coach of the Year. Boumehdi, who led DR Congo's TP Mazembe to victory in this year's African Champions League, was celebrated for her exceptional leadership and coaching prowess. During the same ceremony, Moroccan player Doha El Madani of AS FAR was recognized as the Young Player of the Year. The 19-year-old was also in contention for the Local Player of the Year award, alongside club