Flash actualités

Atlas Lions to return home Sunday after World Cup run

The Moroccan national football team will return home on Sunday, July 12, following its World Cup campaign in the United States, the Royal Moroccan Football Federation (FRMF) announced on Saturday. The Atlas Lions are scheduled to arrive at Rabat-Salé Airport at 1:00 a.m., coming from Boston after reaching the quarter-finals of the 2026 FIFA World Cup. pic.twitter.com/BLqw8EXdKi — FRMF (@FRMFOFFICIEL) July 11, 2026 The FRMF praised Morocco's run, describing it as another

Morocco leads Turkish exports to Africa in first half of 2026

Morocco was Turkey's largest export market in Africa during the first half of 2026, with Turkish exports reaching $2.1 billion, up 19.1% year-on-year, according to data from the Turkish Exporters' Assembly (TIM). Egypt ranked second with $1.9 billion, followed by Libya at $1.3 billion. Speaking to Anadolu, Osman Aksoy, chairman of the Türkiye-Africa Business Council at DEIK, attributed Morocco's position to its stable economic policies, investment-friendly reforms and role as a production

Morocco eyes stronger trade partnership with Indonesia and ASEAN

Morocco's Secretary of State for Foreign Trade, Omar Hejira, held a series of high-level meetings in Jakarta on Friday aimed at strengthening trade and investment ties with Indonesia and expanding Morocco's economic engagement with Southeast Asia. On the second day of his official visit, Hejira met with officials from the Indonesian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, in the presence of Morocco's ambassador to Indonesia, Redouane Houssaini, along with business leaders from both countries. The

Morocco: Over 337,000 students pass 2026 baccalaureate exams

Morocco's Ministry of National Education, Preschool and Sports announced that 337,192 students enrolled in public and private schools passed the 2026 baccalaureate examinations across both the regular and resit sessions, achieving an overall pass rate of 81.6%. In a statement, the ministry said that 64,586 students passed the resit examinations, with an attendance rate of 86% during the session. The pass rate among female students reached 84.5% of those who sat the exams, compared with 78.6%

PAM breakthrough in Dakhla shakes Istiqlal stronghold

On Friday, July 10, the Authenticity and Modernity Party (PAM) scored a significant political gain in Dakhla, a region long considered a stronghold of Hamdi Ould Errachid, the influential Istiqlal leader in the Sahara and mayor of Laâyoune. During the visit, a PAM delegation led by the party's national coordinator, Fatima Zahra Mansouri, was received by Ynja Khattat, president of the Dakhla-Oued Eddahab Regional Council, who was elected under the Istiqlal banner. Khattat, the central

Morocco weighs Rafale deal as US fighter jet deliveries face delays

On March 25, 2019, Morocco signed a contract with the United States to acquire 25 F-16 Block 72 Viper fighter jets, worth $3.787 billion (around 40 billion dirhams). At the same time, Rabat secured the upgrade of its 23 F-16s already in service to the F-16V configuration at an estimated cost of $985.2 million (more than 10 billion dirhams). More than seven years after the order was placed, the new aircraft have still not been delivered, fueling speculation that the Royal Armed Forces (FAR) may

Ten year old boy found strangled in Safi, relative detained

A 10-year-old boy died on Thursday in the commune of Jamaat Shaim, in Safi province, under tragic circumstances while on a family visit from the city of Essaouira. According to preliminary information, the child was found dead, with initial indications suggesting he had been strangled with a handkerchief, amid suspicions that a female relative may have been involved in the incident. The Royal Gendarmerie has opened an investigation under the supervision of the competent public

OPCW restores rights to Syria under Moroccan chairmanship

Under the chairmanship of Morocco's Ambassador to the Netherlands, Mohamed Basri, the Executive Council of the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) adopted a decision on Thursday, July 9, during its 112th session in The Hague, restoring the Syrian Arab Republic's rights and privileges within the organization, which had been suspended since 2021. The decision, backed by 67 States Parties, including Morocco, representing various regional groups, was adopted by

Morocco Government Council approves draft decree on biometric passports

The Government Council on Thursday approved a draft decree on the biometric passport, presented by the Minister of the Interior. The measure concerns Draft Decree No. 2.26.551, which amends Decree No. 2-08-310 of October 23, 2008, establishing the biometric passport, Government Spokesperson and Minister Delegate for Relations with Parliament Mustapha Baitas said during a press briefing following the Council meeting. Baitas also announced that Draft Decree No. 2.25.631, which amends and

Moroccan woman's face slashed in Milan, Algerian man arrested

A 23-year-old Moroccan woman in Italy was hospitalized after being stabbed and left with facial injuries in an attack at a Milan metro station, according to Italian media. The suspected attacker, a 27-year-old Algerian national living in Italy without legal status, allegedly shouted at the victim, «What are you looking at? I'm a man and a Muslim», before attacking her with a knife. The two were reportedly unknown to each other. The suspect had been arrested the previous night on

Operation Marhaba: 43 wanted individuals arrested at Ceuta border in June

Spain's National Police arrested 43 people wanted on judicial or police warrants during June as part of Operation Marhaba at the border crossing in Ceuta, according to Spanish media. The figure exceeds the number of arrests recorded during the same period last year. Among those detained were two individuals wanted under international warrants, highlighting the coordination between Spanish police and national and international law enforcement agencies during the annual transit operation linking

Ouahbi after Morocco's exit: «We gave everything, I'm proud of the players»

Morocco coach Mohamed Ouahbi said he was «very proud» of the Atlas Lions despite their 2-0 defeat to France in the World Cup quarter-finals, praising their commitment and insisting the elimination would not alter the team's ambitions. «We gave everything. We tried everything. We wanted to perform better with the ball, but the French put us under tremendous pressure. They created the better chances and were superior at key moments», Ouahbi said after the match, while

Morocco falls to France in 2026 World Cup quarter finals

Morocco’s national team was beaten by France (0-2) on Thursday in the quarter-finals of the 2026 World Cup, played at Boston Stadium. Les Bleus’ goals came from Kylian Mbappé in the 60th minute, before Ousmane Dembélé doubled the lead in the 66th. In the semi-finals, France will face the winner of the match between Belgium and Spain.

Morocco backs US in UN vote against Cuba embargo debate

Morocco aligned with the United States by voting against initiating a debate at the UN General Assembly regarding the economic embargo imposed by Washington on Cuba since February 3, 1962. Supporters of the US stance included Israel, Argentina, Paraguay, Costa Rica, the Czech Republic, North Macedonia, and Ukraine. In contrast, 136 nations voted to open the debate, while 30 abstained. This vote signifies a notable shift in Rabat's traditional diplomatic approach. Historically, Morocco had

Morocco launches 275 million dirham logistics zone near Fez

On Wednesday, Minister of Transport and Logistics, Abdessamad Kayouh, presided over the inauguration of development efforts for the Fez logistics zone in the Moulay Yacoub province. This initiative, backed by public funds amounting to nearly 275 million dirhams, is part of the national strategy aimed at boosting logistics competitiveness and enhancing infrastructure to fuel economic growth. The Moroccan Agency for Logistics Development (AMDL), in collaboration with the Fez-Meknes Regional

Brussels tightens security ahead of Morocco–France World Cup clash

Brussels authorities have stepped up security measures ahead of Thursday night's World Cup quarter-final between Morocco and France, anticipating large celebrations by the Belgian capital's sizeable Franco-Moroccan community. According to Belgian media, police have coordinated all six Brussels police zones through a joint command center, while public transport operators have introduced preventive measures. De Lijn buses will avoid Molenbeek and Anderlecht between 11 p.m. and 2 a.m., and

FAO warns of desert locust swarms in Morocco

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) reports a surge of winged adult locust groups across expansive areas in Morocco, with 87,363 hectares treated, including 33,500 by air. In its information bulletin dated July 7, 2026, the agency warns that these groups could evolve into small swarms as they mature. Amid this development, the FAO anticipates that «some mature groups will migrate to the Oriental region and western Algeria to continue breeding in July».

Benkirane apologizes for controversial comment at Essaouira rally

Justice and Development Party (PJD) Secretary-General Abdelilah Benkirane has issued a clarification on his party's website, apologizing for using the word «qandouh» during a party rally in Essaouira on July 4, a remark that sparked widespread controversy. Speaking about the absence of any authority in Morocco comparable to that of the King, Benkirane said: «I know that Mr. Azoulay belongs to this city and cares about it, but this city does not belong to Azoulay. It is a city