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

Marrakech shuts down 31 hotels and guest houses for three months

Farid Chourak, the governor of the Marrakech-Safi region and the governor of Marrakech, ordered the closure of 31 hotels and guest houses in the city for three months due to serious legal violations and non-compliance with the regulations governing the tourism sector, according to local media sources. The decision followed inspections carried out by joint committees comprising local authorities, the urban community, and the security department in Marrakech, during which violations were

EBRD grants €50 million loan to support Moroccan MSMEs affected by earthquake

The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development has approved a €50 million local currency loan to Crédit Agricole du Maroc, aimed at supporting micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises in Morocco. The initiative will primarily focus on areas affected by the September 2023 earthquake, with 65% of the funding allocated to these regions. The loan agreement was signed in Rabat by EBRD President Odile Renaud-Basso and CAM President Mohammed Fikrat, with Agriculture Minister Ahmed

Tetouan : Rapist of minor schoolgirl sentenced to 5 years in prison

The Court of Appeal in Tetouan has sentenced a man accused of raping a minor schoolgirl,  to five years in prison and imposing a fine of 50,000 dirhams as compensation for the victim. The incident dates back to last June, when the victim's family filed a complaint against the accused, who had lured her, sexually assaulted her, and filmed her with the intent of blackmailing her. The Karama Association for Human Rights in Tetouan also intervened in the case, which led to the arrest of the

Morocco : Chamber of Councillors approves first part of 2025 Finance Bill

At a plenary session on Thursday, the Chamber of Councillors adopted the first part of the Finance Bill (PLF) 60.24 for the 2025 financial year, as amended, by majority vote. A total of 48 councillors voted in favor, 7 voted against, and 9 abstained. The session was attended by Fouzi Lekjaa, the Minister Delegate to the Minister of Economy and Finance, in charge of the budget. The House of Councillors received 231 proposed amendments to this part of the PLF, of which 66 were accepted, 55

Algeria resumes support for Polisario following Oran Diplomatic Forum

With the close of the Oran Diplomatic Forum, Algeria promptly resumed its traditional stance on the Sahara issue. This was evident in the statement made by the Algerian Foreign Minister following his talks with his Namibian counterpart in Algiers on Wednesday, December 4. After highlighting Algeria's support for Namibia's liberation movement (SWAPO), Ahmed Attaf emphasized that both countries «defend the legitimate rights of justice and freedom and just causes, particularly in Western

High-profile rape case in Morocco takes a new turn as plaintiff withdraws complaint

The case of the four men accused of rape, kidnapping, assault, and battery, known as the «Bennis-Alj-Slaoui affair», has taken a new turn. Mohamed Amine Naguib, one of the plaintiffs in the case, withdrew his complaint on Thursday, December 5, according to Le360. Naguib, who holds a position in committees within the CGEM (Moroccan Employers' Association), headed by the father of one of the accused, is also the partner of the 27-year-old French lawyer who filed rape complaints in

Fundraising campaign launched to repatriate young man's body from Spain to Morocco

The family of a young man named Amin, who passed away on November 29 after being stabbed during a fight in the «Los Vinos» area of the city of Ourense, Spain, has launched a fundraising campaign to repatriate his body to Morocco. The campaign was initiated through an Instagram account, aiming to collect donations to cover the victim's funeral costs. The campaign's appeal stated: «Let us unite our efforts to support his family in this difficult ordeal. Any contribution, no

BDS : Tanger Med port allows docking of new ships bound for Israel

Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions movement against Israel in Morocco stated that a ship loaded with military equipment from the U.S. Army and heading to the Zionist army's warehouses docked at the Tanger Med port. The movement added in a statement that this is the fifth ship of its kind to dock at the port, noting that the MAERSK CHICAGO ship arrived at the port on Monday, December 2nd, from teh US, «and unloaded its cargo at pier number 2». It added that currently, a «sixth

Moroccan man expelled from Italy for domestic violence

A Moroccan man has been expelled from Italy for domestic violence. The individual was repatriated on November 28 by the Italian State Police, according to local media reports. The expulsion came after a series of offenses prompted the Prefect and Police Chief in Udine, a city in northeastern Italy, to order his immediate expulsion. The man had been living in Italy since August 2015, having moved to reunite with his wife, who is legally residing in the country. However, during his stay, he

€50 million AfDB-Bank of Africa partnership to boost African trade

The African Development Bank (AfDB) and BANK OF AFRICA SA signed a 50 million euro (~530 million dirhams) risk-sharing agreement on December 4, 2024, in Rabat, aimed at supporting the private sector and boosting intra-African trade. The agreement, formalized on the sidelines of the Africa Investment Forum (December 4-6 in Rabat), will enable BOA to strengthen its support for local African banks in their international transactions. This notably involves expanding their financing and

CAF Women's Awards : Morocco shortlisted in every category

Morocco has been shortlisted in all the women's categories for the CAF Awards 2024, published Wednesday on the Confederation of African Football's (CAF) website. AS FAR striker Sanaa Mssoudy is in the running for the title of Woman's Player of the Year, while team-mate Khadija Er-Rmichi is among the contenders for the title of Women's Goalkeeper of the Year. The two national team players were also nominated for the Interclub player of the year award, alongside their teammate at the Doha El

King Mohammed VI appoints new ANRE head, expands mandate

At Wednesday's Council of Ministers meeting, King Mohammed VI ordered a review of the prerogatives of the National Electricity Regulatory Authority (ANRE), established on May 26, 2016, under the Benkirane government. The sovereign called on the government to revise ANRE's scope, according to a statement from the Royal Palace spokesman. The proposed revision aims to expand ANRE's mandate beyond electricity to cover all components of the energy sector, including natural gas, emerging energies

Morocco and Latin America establish Parliamentary Economic Forum

The President of the Chamber of Councillors, Mohamed Ould Errachid, signed a joint declaration on Wednesday, December 4, in Panama City with his counterparts from PARLACEN (Central American Parliament), PARLATINO (Latin American and Caribbean Parliament), PARLANDINO (Andean Parliament), and PARLASUR (Mercosur Parliament). The agreement establishes a Morocco-Latin America and Caribbean Parliamentary Economic Forum. This platform seeks to promote sustainable economic development, strengthen

Ride-Hailing driver arrested for punching passenger

Police in Tangier have arrested a ride-hailing driver for punching a woman in public, an incident captured on video and widely shared on social media. According to media reports, the driver got into a dispute, Monday, with the woman he was transporting, which escalated into a physical assault. The victim filed a complaint with the authorities, prompting an investigation that led to the identification and arrest of the suspect. He is currently in custody under the supervision of the

Moroccan Influence House : Morocco's first influencer residence

On December 11, Morocco will witness the launch of the «Moroccan Influence House», an event that will offer new perspectives for the kingdom's digital scene. Founded by Zey Agency, Morocco's leading influencer management, press relations, and influencer marketing agency, the «Moroccan Influence House» will provide a true immersion in a creative universe where 200 Moroccan influencers will be trained during creative Boot Camps. The aim is to propel the next generation of

Panama : Algerian Assembly President faces cold reception

The President of the Assembly of Algeria Ibrahim Boughali arrived in Panama City, Tuesday, to take part in a new session of PARLATINO. Algeria has just been granted observer member status at the Latin American and Caribbean Parliament. Boughali's visit follows Panama's decision on November 21 to suspend its recognition of the «SADR». This position was reiterated last week by Panama's Minister of Foreign Affairs, Javier Eduardo Martinez-Acha Vasquez, to his Moroccan counterpart,

AfDB President praises Morocco's infrastructure progress ahead of major sports events

Morocco is making significant strides in infrastructure development, particularly in water, sanitation, railways, and airport facilities, according to Akinwumi Adesina, President of the African Development Bank (AfDB). Speaking on Wednesday in Rabat, Adesina praised the country’s progress during a press briefing on the sidelines of the 5th Africa Investment Forum (AIF). «This renewed momentum is closely tied to the organization of the 2030 FIFA World Cup and the 2025 Africa Cup of

Scottish mother returns to Edinburgh after daughter’s dog captured, killed in Morocco

A Scottish mother had to leave her home in Morocco and return to Edinburgh, her hometown, after her six-year-old daughter’s dog was brutally captured and killed by the authorities. The mother, Louise Smith, told Edinburgh Live that her daughter’s favorite pet dog, Bingo, was loaded into a van and killed by dog catchers in Marrakech, where she lived with her daughter Salma. The 46-year-old mother, who spent years caring for local dogs as well as her family’s own pets, recalls