Eswatini rejects SADC-Polisario agreement, backs Morocco's autonomy plan  (Read more...)

Crew member on Indiana Jones 5 died of heart disease while filming in Morocco, inquest confirm

Nicholas Cupac, a 54-year-old British camera grip working on the final Indiana Jones film, was found dead in his hotel room in Fes, Morocco, on October 31, 2021. An inquest has now confirmed that he died of ischaemic heart disease, a condition that develops over time due to restricted blood flow to the heart, The Daily Mail reported Tuesday. Cupac was one of 100 crew members in Morocco filming Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny, the fifth and final installment in the iconic adventure

Four Moroccan robotics teams head to World Championship in Houston

Four Moroccan teams, after excelling in national competitions, will represent Morocco at the FIRST Championship in Houston, USA, from April 15-20, 2025. The teams qualified through the FIRST LEGO League Challenge (February 1, 2025, UM6P Campus Benguerir) and the FIRST Tech Challenge (February 15, 2025, ENSAM Rabat). They are: NOVATARD (FIRST Tech Challenge, Casablanca) Robot 11 Janvier (FIRST Tech Challenge, Moulay Yacoub, sponsored by APTIV) 3ndiBlasti Masters (FIRST LEGO League,

Mutual driving license recognition between Italy and Morocco starts June 3

The mutual recognition and conversion of driving licenses between Morocco and Italy will officially enter into force on June 3, 2025, the Italian Ministry of Infrastructure and Transport announced Tuesday, April 15, on its official website. In a statement, the Ministry confirmed that it has finalized the necessary procedures for the implementation of the agreement. Signed in March 2024 by Matteo Salvini and Moroccan Ambassador Youssef Balla, the deal facilitates the conversion of driving

Naïma Moutchou, French MP of Moroccan origin, targeted by racist letter

On Monday, April 14, French National Assembly member and vice-president Naïma Moutchou (Horizons) revealed on X the contents of a racist letter she had just received. The handwritten note, accompanied by her photo as published in Paris Match, launched a vicious attack: «You have an Arab face», «You are destroying our country» and «Get out quickly!» In response, the Val-d’Oise representative announced she would be filing a complaint. In a

Lamine Yamal’s choice was clear, says Regragui : «He never pretended»

Moroccan national team coach Walid Regragui appeared on the Spanish program El Chiringuito on Tuesday, where he spoke about his experience with the Moroccan squad and addressed the case of Lamine Yamal, the Barcelona star who ultimately chose to represent Spain over Morocco. During the interview, Regragui explained the reasons behind the young star’s decision, despite Morocco’s efforts to convince him to join the «Atlas Lions». «Lamine Yamal is an exceptional

Algeria hands over 23 Moroccan migrants after weeks of detention

On Tuesday, April 15, Algerian authorities released a new group of young Moroccans who were candidates for irregular migration. This group, consisting of 23 young men, was freed after being detained for more than six weeks, according to the Moroccan Association for Assisting Migrants in Difficult Situations. This organization is dedicated to supporting Moroccan prisoners, detainees, and missing migrants. The handover took place at the Zouj Beghal border center and included several Moroccans

Would Hakimi prefer facing Real Madrid or Arsenal in the Champions League semi-finals?

Moroccan international star Achraf Hakimi continues to shine for Paris Saint-Germain, playing a decisive role in his team's qualification for the semifinals of the 2025 UEFA Champions League at the expense of English side Aston Villa. Hakimi opened the scoring early in the 11th minute, followed by a second goal from teammate Nuno Mendes in the 27th. Aston Villa responded with a goal from Youri Tielemans in the 34th minute. The English club maintained pressure in the second half, netting twice

Sahara : A new European country backs Morocco's autonomy plan

Moroccan Foreign Minister Nasser Bourita visited Moldova on Tuesday, April 15, for a working visit marked by a significant diplomatic development: the Moldovan government announced its support for Morocco’s autonomy plan for Western Sahara, first presented in 2007. Chisinau described the plan as «the most serious and credible basis» for resolving the dispute. This backing was formalized in a joint statement issued after talks between Bourita and his Moldovan counterpart,

Morocco U17 advances to CAN final after penalty shootout win over Côte d'Ivoire

The Moroccan under-17 team has secured a spot in the final of the Africa Cup of Nations for their age category (CAN U17) after defeating Côte d'Ivoire in a penalty shootout following a goalless draw during regulation time this Tuesday in Mohammedia. Despite missing goal-scoring opportunities and thwarting attempts, the Morocco U17 team managed to prevail over Côte d'Ivoire (0-0, 4-3 on penalties) to advance to the final. The ultimate showdown is scheduled for Saturday against Mali.

Morocco places order with the U.S. for 600 Stinger missiles worth $825 million

The U.S. Department of State announced on Tuesday, April 15, its approval of a potential military sale to Morocco. The deal involves the acquisition of 600 FIM-92K Stinger Block I missiles and related equipment for the Royal Armed Forces (FAR), with an estimated value of $825 million (approximately 7.7 billion dirhams). On the same day, the Defense Security Cooperation Agency formally notified Congress of the proposed sale. Morocco has also requested engineering, logistics, and technical

France-Algeria tensions flare again over consulate employee’s arrest and expulsions

After only a few days of calm, the diplomatic crisis between France and Algeria has reignited. Algeria has expelled 12 staff members from the French embassy in Algiers in response to France's arrest of an employee at the Algerian consulate, who is suspected of involvement in the kidnapping of an Algerian dissident. In a swift response, French President Emmanuel Macron announced today that France would take reciprocal measures, including the expulsion of «12 employees from the Algerian

Zambia and Comoros join Malawi in rejecting SADC-Polisario agreement

Following Malawi, Zambia and the Union of the Comoros—both members of the Southern African Development Community (SADC)—have now also voiced their rejection of the memorandum of understanding signed on April 2 with the Polisario. In a note addressed to the Kingdom’s embassy in Lusaka on April 8, the Zambian government «explicitly rejects the memorandum of understanding», describing it as «non-binding». Zambia also reaffirms its

«Too intense to ignore» : Moroccan winger Ould-Chikh opens up about racism in Dutch football

Moroccan winger Bilal Ould-Chikh, who plays for FC Volendam, has opened up about the racism he continues to face from the stands—despite his decisive performances on the pitch. In an interview with NU.nl, cited by Voetbalprimeur, the former Morocco U20 international described the shocking abuse he’s endured this season. During an away match against FC Den Bosch, he was reportedly called a «cancerous Muslim». The 27-year-old also spoke of a «feeling of structural

Julian Marley to light up Mawazine’s Bouregreg stage with reggae vibes

Julian Marley, reggae icon and son of the legendary Bob Marley, is set to take the stage at Bouregreg on Friday, June 28, 2025, for the 20th edition of the Mawazine Festival – Rhythms of the World. A Grammy Award winner for his 2024 album Colors of Royal, Julian blends his father's legacy with a fresh, contemporary sound that speaks to global audiences. With over 100 million streams on Spotify and a powerful international presence, Julian Marley has performed at top festivals like

EU Ambassador to Morocco visits El Haouz to support post-earthquake recovery

The European Union Ambassador to Morocco, Patricia Llombart Cussac, paid an official visit today to the El Haouz region, which was hit by the September 2023 earthquake. This visit highlights the EU's commitment, along with its Member States, to support Morocco in the reconstruction of the affected areas, reads a press release. During the visit, the ambassador met with the Governor of the El Haouz Province and visited the Achbarou weaving cooperative, where women benefit from a literacy program

Moroccan teachers strike after fatal student attack sparks national outcry

Teachers affiliated with Morocco’s five major trade union confederations are observing a nationwide strike on Wednesday, April 16, following the death of a vocational training teacher who was assaulted by one of her students in Erfoud. In a joint statement sent to Yabiladi, the education branches of the UMT, CDT, UGTM, FNE, and FDT also announced regional sit-ins on Monday and Tuesday to denounce the violence targeting school staff. In coordination with the Union Against School

El Hajeb : MCEG launches new water bottling facility and introduces eco-friendly cap

Morocco Consulting Environment Global (MCEG), a subsidiary of Bugshan Morocco, has inaugurated a new water bottling facility in Laqsir, El Hajeb province, backed by a MAD 150 million investment. The site will produce up to 45,000 bottles per hour of ACYL, its newly launched brand of natural spring water sourced from the Sebou basin. The new site has already generated over 300 jobs, including 110 direct positions. Industry Minister Ryad Mezzour, who attended the inauguration ceremony, praised

Moroccan coach Rachid Taoussi hospitalized with Malaria in Tanzania

Moroccan coach Rachid Taoussi, head coach of Azam FC in Tanzania, has been admitted to the intensive care unit of a hospital in Dar es Salaam after contracting malaria, a disease prevalent in East Africa. According to medical sources, Taoussi has passed the critical stage and his condition is gradually improving, though he remains under medical supervision until he fully recovers. He is expected to be discharged in the coming days, provided his condition continues to stabilize.