Flash actualités

Italy: Cash and gold worth €172,000 seized at Morocco terminal in Genoa port

Italian authorities seized cash and gold bars worth nearly €172,000 during inspections at the Morocco departures terminal in the Port of Genoa, as part of an operation targeting illicit currency trafficking. According to local media, officers from the Guardia di Finanza and the Customs Agency discovered more than €52,000 in cash hidden inside a detergent container. Under Italian law, travelers must declare any cash exceeding €10,000 to customs. The operation resulted in six

Faouzi Skali acquitted in Fez Festival of Sacred Music case

On Tuesday, July 7, the Fez Court of Appeal acquitted Faouzi Skali of all charges concerning the mismanagement of the Fez Festival of Sacred Music. As the former director of the event, he was cleared of the administrative and financial irregularities that had previously led to his initial sentencing to a two-year suspended prison term and a 100,000 dirham fine. The Court of Appeal also revised the sentence for Abderrafie Zouiten, president of the Spirit of Fez Foundation, which organizes the

Morocco's World Cup fever boosts business in Amsterdam

Morocco's World Cup campaign is driving brisk business in parts of Amsterdam ahead of Thursday's quarter-final against France. According to Dutch media, a pastry shop in the Bos en Lommer district has doubled production of cakes decorated in Morocco's national colors, increasing from 250 sold after the Canada match to 500 prepared for the France clash. The enthusiasm has also benefited other local businesses. A nearby market vendor said he had already sold more than 400 Morocco national team

Petro exit may keep Polisario from Colombia inauguration

Without waiting for the official end of his term on August 7, 2026, Colombian President Gustavo Petro has announced that he will step down on July 20. He said he intends to mark his departure with a speech and «demonstrations» by his supporters against the election of far-right lawyer Abelardo de la Espriella, and added that he will boycott his successor's inauguration ceremony. The decision is expected to prevent the Polisario from attending the swearing-in of Colombia's new

Three arrested after dangerous stunt driving in Casablanca

Casablanca police have arrested three people after a video circulated on social media showed them performing dangerous car stunts on public roads in the Rahma district during celebrations of Morocco's victory in a 2026 FIFA World Cup match. According to the General Directorate of National Security (DGSN), Wednesday, the reckless driving endangered the safety of road users. Investigators identified the suspects and arrested them in separate security operations, while also seizing the vehicles

AfDB approves 205 million euros for Morocco rail upgrade

The Board of Directors of the African Development Bank (AfDB) Group approved €205 million in financing for Morocco on Wednesday to support the implementation of the Railway Infrastructure Development Support Project (PADIF). According to an AfDB statement, the project aims to strengthen the operational performance of the Kenitra–Marrakech rail corridor by extending the high-speed rail line and upgrading existing railway infrastructure. Beyond improving mobility, the project is

Polisario: Brahim Ghali sparks anger among a major tribal faction in Tindouf

On Tuesday, Brahim Ghali appointed a successor to Lahbib Mohamed Abdelaziz on the Polisario's General Secretariat, following the latter's death on June 7 in a strike the Front attributed to a Moroccan drone. Ghali chose Salek Baba Hassana for the post. «He is an important figure within the Front's apparatus. After studying in Cuba, he held several ministerial positions, including at the Ministry of Equipment. Hassana's father also served in the Spanish Parliament», a Sahrawi source

Israeli airline Arkia to resume direct Marrakech flights after three-year halt

Israeli carrier Arkia will resume direct flights between Tel Aviv and Marrakech on August 24, ending a three-year suspension linked to the war, according to Israeli media. The airline said the route will operate twice a week, on Mondays and Wednesdays, using Airbus A320 aircraft. One-way fares will start at $329, and flights will take around five to six hours, landing at Marrakech Menara Airport. Arkia said the route's reopening follows months of coordination with aviation and security

Trump threatens to cut trade with Spain over NATO spending

At the NATO summit held on Wednesday in Ankara, President Donald Trump once again took aim at Spain. «Spain is a lost cause. It is a terrible ally. They don’t take part, they don’t pay. I want nothing more to do with Spain, and I don’t even intend to go back there», he told reporters. Trump then instructed Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent to «immediately» prepare an executive order ending «all trade» with Madrid. Spanish Prime Minister

Brahim Diaz: «We're aiming for the semi-finals»

Morocco's objective in Thursday's 2026 FIFA World Cup quarter-final against France is clear: secure a place in the last four, Brahim Diaz said on Wednesday. Speaking at the pre-match press conference in Boston, the Real Madrid midfielder said the Atlas Lions are ready for the decisive clash, praising the fighting spirit the team has shown throughout the tournament. «We have shown everyone our mental strength and what we are capable of. That is the mindset we will take into this match,

Ouahbi says Morocco won't change its style against France, confirms Saibari absence

Morocco head coach Mohamed Ouahbi said on Wednesday that the Atlas Lions will remain faithful to their style of play when they take on France in the quarter-finals of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, stressing his team's determination to continue its run in the tournament. Speaking at the pre-match press conference in Boston, Ouahbi said his players are approaching the encounter with confidence and ambition while fully aware of the quality of their opponents. «We respect France, but we are

Two migrants die trying to reach Ceuta by paraglider

The Moroccan Association for Human Rights in Nador, alongside the Border Resistance collective, has reported the tragic death of two sub-Saharan migrants who perished while attempting to reach Ceuta via paraglider. According to these organizations, one victim has been identified as Mohamed Saif al-Din Moussa Douma, a Sudanese asylum seeker from South Darfur, born in 1999. This information is supported by identification documents and testimonies from his companions. El Faro de Ceuta reports

Saham Bank launches five-minute online account opening

Saham Bank has launched a new service allowing customers to open a bank account entirely online in just five minutes, without visiting a branch. According to the bank, users can complete the process through its mobile application, choose their preferred branch, and immediately access its banking services. The launch is part of Saham Bank's broader digital transformation strategy. The bank said it has already introduced free and unlimited instant transfers to all Moroccan banks under its Start

Senegalese futsal player literally named King Mohammed VI

A Senegalese futsal player has attracted widespread attention after football fans noticed that he bears the full name and royal title of Morocco's King Mohammed VI. Roi Mouhamed Six Goudiaby, a player for Ndangane FC, appeared on the Senegalese Football Federation's squad list published on July 2 for the national team's preparations ahead of the Youth Olympic Games, with his unusual name quickly circulating across social media. Le Maroc ?? en vrai ils sont nos amis et

Morocco seeks Chile support on Sahara

Foreign Minister Nasser Bourita on Tuesday received in Rabat a Chilean parliamentary delegation from the Morocco-Chile Friendship Group, led by its chair, Catalina Del Real, a lawmaker from the Republican Party. Speaking to the press after the meeting, Del Real said UN Security Council Resolution 2797, adopted on October 31, represents a lever for «strengthening stability and progress in the Moroccan Sahara». Del Real has repeatedly voiced support for Morocco's position on the

Moroccans Tarik Khbabez and Mohamed Touchassie to Clash for Glory title

Moroccan kickboxer Tarik Khbabez will challenge for the Glory light-heavyweight world title on December 12 at Collision 10 in Arnhem, marking his return to the promotion after resolving a long-running dispute over his contract. The 34-year-old from The Hague will face fellow Dutch-Moroccan Mohamed Touchassie, the reigning champion who captured the title by defeating three opponents in a single-night Grand Prix and was later honored by King Mohammed VI. «I have respect for Mo Touchassie,

Crédit Agricole du Maroc, Visa sign strategic digital payments partnership

Crédit Agricole du Maroc and Visa signed a long-term strategic partnership on Tuesday, July 7, aimed at accelerating the digitalization of payments and promoting financial inclusion in Morocco, they announced in a press release. Signed by Mohammed Fikrat, Chairman of Crédit Agricole du Maroc's Management Board, and Leila Serhan, Visa's Senior Vice President and Group Country Manager for North Africa, the Levant and Pakistan, the agreement seeks to develop a new payment

Insurance: Allianz Maroc officially merges into Sanlam Maroc

Sanlam Maroc and Allianz Maroc have completed their merger, which officially took effect on July 2 following several months of preparation and a regulatory approval process. The deal, part of the broader partnership between the Sanlam and Allianz groups across Africa, brings together two long-established insurers under a single company, reads a press release. The merged entity now ranks as Morocco's fourth-largest insurer, with more than MAD 8 billion in combined gross written premiums and a