Flash actualités

Morocco denies Education Minister claimed country «does not represent Africa»

Morocco's Ministry of National Education, Preschool and Sports has denied statements circulating on social media and in several media outlets that were falsely attributed to Minister Mohamed Saad Berrada. The ministry described the claims as «entirely false and unfounded». The fabricated quotes alleged that «Morocco does not represent Africa», that «the national football team represents only Morocco, not Africa», and that «Morocco does not need

Vatican investigates Rabat archbishop Cristóbal López over sexual assault claims

Cardinal Cristóbal López Romero, the Archbishop of Rabat, is facing allegations of sexual assault from at least five women. The Vatican has opened an investigation into the claims, while the cleric, who temporarily stepped aside from his duties on July 7, has denied all wrongdoing, according to Agence France-Presse (AFP).The 74-year-old Spanish cardinal had been considered one of the leading contenders to succeed Pope Francis during the recent conclave that ultimately elected

Dutch cities tighten security ahead of Morocco-France quarter-final

Authorities in several major Dutch cities are stepping up security preparations ahead of Thursday's World Cup quarter-final between Morocco and France, according to Dutch media. In Amsterdam, the municipality said police officers, street coaches and community volunteers would be deployed to ensure celebrations remain peaceful. «Street celebrations can escalate into public order disturbances, so we prepare thoroughly for every match, including Thursday's», a municipal spokesperson

Armas ferry cancellations disrupt Moroccans summer trips to Al Hoceima

ASSORIF has condemned the repeated cancellation of Armas ferry crossings between the Spanish port of Motril and Al Hoceima, warning that the disruptions are throwing the travel plans of thousands of Moroccans living abroad into disarray at the height of the summer holiday season. In a statement, the association, which defends the interests of Moroccans residing abroad, said all sailings scheduled between July 7 and 13 had been cancelled, with no assurance that further cancellations would not

Two Moroccans die saving child from river in Italy

Two Moroccan men died on Sunday after jumping into Italy's Sesia River to save a six-year-old girl who had been swept away by the current, according to Italian media. The child was rescued by bystanders, but Benzaid Abdelhadi and his uncle, Bouchta El Kerjmi, drowned during the rescue attempt, triggering an outpouring of grief in the northern Italian towns of Azzio and Casorate Sempione, where they lived with their families. According to the same source, the two men will now be laid to rest

Morocco launches tender for 362 MW El Menzel pumped storage plant

Morocco's National Office of Electricity and Drinking Water (ONEE) has launched an international tender for the construction of the El Menzel Pumped Storage Power Station (STEP), a 362 MW energy storage facility located about 35 kilometers southeast of Sefrou in the Fès-Meknès region. The project, to be carried out under an Engineering, Procurement and Construction (EPC) turnkey contract, covers detailed engineering studies, equipment supply, construction, installation and

Galenica ships first Moroccan medicines to Russia and EAEU market

Moroccan pharmaceutical company Galenica has made its first shipment of medicines to Russia in partnership with Asia Pharm Group. According to Russia's trade representation in Morocco, the shipment marks the company's entry into the market of the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU). Galenica previously obtained Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) certification and EAC marketing authorizations, enabling it to distribute its medicines across the bloc. Alexey Andreev, Russia's trade representative in

Lekjaa on Lamine Yamal: «I don’t know any Spaniard named Jamal»

In a segment from the documentary «Inside: The Rise of Moroccan Football», produced by Onze Mondial and recently unveiled on its YouTube channel, Royal Moroccan Football Federation president Fouzi Lekjaa expressed his respect for Lamine Yamal's decision to play for Spain. He emphasized that this choice has not influenced the federation's interactions with Yamal or his family. Addressing Yamal’s decision, Lekjaa told the French football media: «Jamal… Lamine

2026 legislative elections: Benkirane renews criticism of the King's advisers

As the September 23 legislative elections approach, Abdelilah Benkirane is setting the stage for the pre-campaign period. During a rally organized by the PJD in Essaouira last weekend, the party’s secretary-general renewed his criticism of certain advisers to King Mohammed VI, with a particular focus on André Azoulay. «The city doesn't belong to Azoulay. It belongs to God, Morocco, and our King,» he asserted to a gathering of PJD activists. Benkirane praised King

Morocco welcomes 960 diaspora children for cultural stay in Kénitra

The Hassan II Foundation for Moroccans Residing Abroad is hosting the 27th edition of its Cultural Stay from July 4 to August 18, 2026, at the Foundation’s socio-cultural center in Kénitra. This year, the initiative welcomes 960 Moroccan children aged 9 to 13 from 18 different countries, with all expenses covered by the Foundation. According to a statement, participants hail from France, Belgium, Spain, Italy, the Netherlands, Germany, the United States, the United Kingdom,

Marine Le Pen remains eligible after Paris court reduces election ban

The Paris Court of Appeal has upheld French National Rally leader Marine Le Pen’s eligibility to stand for election, after reducing the period of ineligibility imposed on her to 45 months, 30 of them suspended, in her appeal trial over the embezzlement of European public funds. On Tuesday, the court found Le Pen guilty of embezzling public funds and complicity in that offense, sentencing her to three years in prison, two of them suspended, and one to be served under electronic

Algeria says it arrested 18 Moroccans in irregular migration case

Eighteen Moroccan nationals were among 23 people arrested in the Algerian city of Oran over an alleged attempt to organize an irregular sea crossing, according to Algerian authorities on Monday. Citing a statement from the police of Oran province, local media reported that the suspects were preparing to leave Algeria's coast by boat before the operation was thwarted by the Research and Intervention Brigade. The detainees have been placed in custody as the investigation continues to

House of Representatives passes journalists' status and copyright bills

Morocco's House of Representatives on Monday approved two bills reforming the legal framework governing professional journalists and copyright, with 85 lawmakers voting in favor and 35 against. The first bill amends Law 89.13 on the status of professional journalists as part of broader efforts to modernize the country's media legislation in line with the Constitution and Morocco's international commitments on human rights, freedom of expression and journalists' socio-professional

Nabila Mounib named PSU candidate for Casablanca Anfa legislative race

As expected, the political bureau of the Unified Socialist Party (PSU) has designated Nabila Mounib as its lead candidate in Casablanca's Anfa constituency for the upcoming legislative elections. Under the party's bylaws, the political bureau has the final authority over candidate nominations. The decision comes despite the PSU's local branch in Anfa having selected Abdullah Abaakil to head the party's list in the constituency. Mounib's nomination had nevertheless been widely anticipated,

French prefecture bans a football event over Salafism concerns

The Hauts-de-Seine prefecture has prohibited a weekend event scheduled for July 4 and 5, 2026, initiated by AMFAR Développement. This event, which was to feature a football tournament and other activities led by the Association of Muslims of Fontenay-aux-Roses (AMFAR), faced the ban. According to Le Figaro, Prefect Alexandre Brugère cited «administrative issues» as the reason. In an initial statement, the NGO claimed that «all necessary measures for organizing

Adverse weather, competition push Morocco's fresh strawberry exports to record low

Morocco's fresh strawberry exports fell to a record low during the 2025/26 season, dropping to just 8,700 tons between October 2025 and April 2026, half the volume recorded a year earlier, according to EastFruit. The decline marks the fourth consecutive season of falling exports. The downturn is being driven by a combination of factors, including stronger competition from Egypt, recurring drought, labor shortages and adverse weather. Water scarcity and rising production costs, particularly

Temperatures of up to 47°C expected from Tuesday to Thursday in Morocco

A heatwave is expected to sweep across several Moroccan provinces from Tuesday through Thursday, the General Directorate of Meteorology (DGM) said in an orange-level weather alert. Temperatures of between 45°C and 47°C are forecast in the provinces of Aousserd, Oued Ed-Dahab, Boujdour, Assa-Zag, Es-Semara, Tata and Zagora. On Tuesday and Wednesday, temperatures are expected to range between 43°C and 45°C in the provinces of Sidi Slimane, El Kelaâ des Sraghna, Marrakech,

Spanish concerns grow over Morocco's 2030 World Cup final bid as «Trump Pressure» claims surface

Increasing concern grips the Spanish Football Federation over alleged pressures from U.S. President Donald Trump on FIFA, purportedly to sway the decision in Morocco's favor to host the 2030 World Cup final. The venue for the final of the joint World Cup, to be hosted by Morocco, Spain, and Portugal, is yet to be decided. According to Spanish media, the Royal Spanish Football Federation is increasingly worried by «reliable» reports, hinting that external pressures may lead to the