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A year ago, Moroccan artist Mizmiz had painted his first surface in the city as part of the Jidar street art festival’s Collective Wall, a training panel reserved for young Moroccan artists and art students. This year he had the whole building. A diptych in which a blue angel and a red devil sit in mirrored postures, knees drawn up, eyes closed. The angel has folded golden wings and a halo. The devil has dark wings, horns, a tail and a trident. The two figures hold the same shape. That progression, from training wall to commissioned facade, is the story Jidar’s 11th edition tried to tell. The festival ran April 16-26 and brought murals to the neighborhoods of Hassan, Yacoub El Mansour, El Youssoufia and Agdal-Riad under the theme “Urban Dialogues.” Its closing days overlapped with the opening of Rabat’s year as UNESCO’s World Book Capital, an institutional designation that placed two cultural programs, books and walls, on the same urban map. Swipe up on the story to read more #Morocco #Jidar #Festival #Art #Wall #Artists #CMK #HespressEng

The United States expressed on Wednesday “delight” to see its alliance with the Kingdom of Morocco expand to space. “Today, we are delighted to see our alliance extend to space,” U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau, said following Morocco’s signing of the Artemis Accords. This statement was made during a press conference following the meeting in Rabat between the Minister of Foreign Affairs, African Cooperation, and Moroccan Expatriates, Nasser Bourita, and Landau, during which Bourita signed the Artemis Accords, marking Morocco’s accession to these agreements. “The remarkable growth of the Artemis Accords, which now have sixty-four signatories from around the world, attests to the universal appeal of their vision of responsible space exploration,” he pointed out. The Artemis Accords are a set of international principles aimed at guiding civil space exploration in a peaceful and collaborative manner. They promote transparency among nations, the sharing of scientific data, mutual assistance when needed, and respect for existing international law, particularly regarding the use of space resources. These Accords also emphasize the protection of space assets and the sustainability of space activities, in order to prevent conflicts and ensure that space exploration benefits all of humanity. #Morocco #UnitedStates #ChristopherLandau #Alliance #Space #CMK #HespressEng

Malaga police arrest man for counterfeiting €20, €50, and €100 notes at his house @policianacional #Spain #Malaga #Police #Arrestation #Counterfeiting #CMS #HespressEng

Christopher Landau reaffirmed Washington’s recognition of Morocco’s sovereignty over the Sahara on Wednesday, stressing that the conflict, which has lasted since 1975, has gone on for far too long and requires a timely resolution. “We are looking toward a peaceful resolution of this, but also a resolution that is timely, because this situation cannot wait another 50 years or 150 years or 200 years to be resolved. That is ridiculous,” Landau said during a press conference at Morocco’s Foreign Ministry headquarters in Rabat. He added that efforts are continuing within the framework of the latest U.N. Security Council resolution to reach a peaceful settlement, emphasizing that “these kinds of conflicts” should not outlast human lifetimes. The visit comes as Morocco and the United States approach nearly 250 years of diplomatic relations, dating back to 1777, when Morocco became the first country to recognize U.S. independence. #Morocco #US #Washington #MoroccosSahara #ChristopherLandau #Recognition #CMK #HespressEng

A young Moroccan man who died during a police intervention in Spain was killed by asphyxiation, according to a final autopsy report. The incident happened in Torrejón de Ardoz, near Madrid, after two off-duty police officers stopped him following an alleged robbery attempt. Forensic experts say the man, Abderrahim El Akkhou, died after being held face down while one officer applied a chokehold and pressed on his chest. This position caused a severe lack of oxygen, leading to his death in the early hours of June 18, 2025. The report also found broken ribs, bruises, and injuries to his face and arms. Videos recorded by neighbors played a key role in the investigation. Witnesses can be heard warning the officers that the man was in serious danger, but the restraint continued. The autopsy also noted that the victim had a heart condition and may have used drugs earlier, which could have worsened the situation, but experts were clear that the main cause of death was the restraint. So far, only the officer who applied the chokehold is under investigation. However, the victim’s family is now pushing for the second officer who held the man’s legs to also face charges, arguing he shares responsibility. #Autopsies #Moroccans #Spain #Police #AbderrahimElAkkhou #CMK #HespressEng

Syrian Civil Defense and locals rescue a 3-year-old boy after 18-meter well fall in northern Aleppo @syriacivildefence #Syria #Aleppo #Rescue #Well #Kid #CivilDefense #CMK #HespressEng

Morocco has officially joined the Artemis Accords, a non-binding set of principles co-led by the United States Department of State and NASA aimed at guiding civil space exploration and the peaceful use of outer space in the 21st century. The accords were signed Wednesday by Moroccan Foreign Minister Nasser Bourita, making the kingdom the 64th nation to join the initiative. The Artemis Accords were first launched on Oct. 13, 2020, with eight founding members: Australia, Canada, Italy, Japan, Luxembourg, the United Arab Emirates, the United Kingdom and the United States. The framework covers civilian space activities in orbit, on the surface and below the surface of the Moon, Mars, asteroids and comets. It also applies to stable orbital zones known as Lagrange points in the Earth-Moon system, as well as transit routes between these celestial bodies and locations. “It gives me so much pleasure to see the beautiful and historic flag of Morocco now being added to all these other flags of the countries that have signed the Artemis Accords,” U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau said during a press conference. Landau said the signing comes as Morocco and the United States approach nearly 250 years of diplomatic relations, which began in 1777 when Morocco became the first country to recognize U.S. independence. He said the two countries have remained close partners since. #Morocco #NASA #US #ArtemisAccords #civilSpace #CMK #HespressEng

A photo showing an Israeli flag displayed alongside other national flags inside a classroom at a school in the commune of Kaa Asras, in the province of Chefchaouen, has sparked widespread anger on social media, with critics accusing the Regional Directorate of the Ministry of National Education of normalising ties with Israel within schools. Mohamed Abdelghafour Azzaoui, the Regional Director of the Ministry of National Education in Chefchaouen, told Hespress that the activity was part of a partnership with the Tamkine Foundation, which holds cooperation agreements with the regional academy and the ministry. He described it as a purely educational Model United Nations exercise, explaining that the format required all national flags to be present. Azzaoui denied any link to normalisation, saying the topic debated during the session was the Palestinian cause itself. He added that it would have been better for critics to ask questions before drawing conclusions, while acknowledging their right to free expression under the Moroccan constitution. The Regional Directorate said the activity is part of an approved educational programme designed to help students simulate UN meetings by taking on the roles of ambassadors and delegates, developing their dialogue and critical thinking skills. #Morocco #Chefchaouen #Israel #CMO #HespressEng

Agadir police have located the missing Scottish tourist and influencer Rachel Kerr, confirming she is safe and was found in an apartment in the city after voluntarily checking out of her hotel. In a statement released on Wednesday, April 29, the Agadir Security Authority said it received notification of the disappearance on April 27 and immediately launched an investigation, using national security databases to identify the woman and trace her movements. Records confirmed she had entered Morocco on March 30. Police located her in an apartment in Agadir, where she was found to have left her hotel of her own accord and had not been subjected to any attack or threat to her physical safety. Authorities confirmed she is still in Morocco under normal circumstances and is in contact with her brother, who entered the country on April 22 and reached her in Agadir. #Morocco #Agadir #Tourist #CMO #HespressEng

Canadian Foreign Minister Anita Anand told her Moroccan counterpart, Nasser Bourita, by phone this week that Ottawa now considers Morocco’s 2007 autonomy proposal “a credible and serious basis” for resolving the half-century dispute over the Sahara, ending Canada’s long-standing neutrality on the file. Canada becomes the fifth member of the Group of Seven to publicly endorse the proposal as a basis for negotiations. G7 alignment carries weight at the U.N. Three of its seven members, the United States, France and Britain, hold permanent Security Council seats, and the bloc pays the largest share of the regular U.N. budget. Read more: hes.press/48tlkqN #Morocco #Sahara #G7 #CMO #HespressEng

A US diplomatic push in North Africa is putting Algeria’s economic and security ties with Washington under scrutiny, while leaving its position on Sahara largely unchanged. Algerian Foreign Minister Ahmed Attaf met US Deputy Assistant Secretary Christopher Landau in Algiers this week as part of a regional tour that includes Morocco. Talks focused on energy, investment and regional security, alongside the Sahara, according to official statements. Read more: hes.press/4ecKqxO #US #Algeria #Energy #Sahara #CMO #HespressEng

Canada recognizes the autonomy plan proposed by Morocco “as basis for a mutually acceptable solution” to the regional dispute over the Moroccan Sahara. This position was expressed in a statement issued Tuesday in Ottawa by the Canadian Foreign Ministry, following a phone conversation held earlier between Anita Indira Anand, Canada’s minister of Foreign Affairs, and Moroccan minister of Foreign Affairs, African Cooperation, and Moroccans Residing Abroad, Nasser Bourita. Read more: hes.press/4ddYgyU #Morocco #Canada #Sahara #CMO #HespressEng

US President Donald Trump on Wednesday warned Iran to "better get smart soon" as efforts by Washington and Tehran to end hostilities appeared at a standstill. "Iran can't get their act together. They don't know how to sign a nonnuclear deal. They better get smart soon!" the US leader posted on his Truth Social platform, alongside an illustration of Trump holding an assault rifle, with the caption "NO MORE MR. NICE GUY!" #Trump #US #Iran #CMO #HespressEng

An estimated 3 to 5 million Moroccans live abroad, many of them born, raised and fully integrated into their countries of residence. Some choose to enter politics, exercising a basic democratic right, yet their presence on the ballot is still frequently met with suspicion and racism. The pattern has been documented across multiple countries and has become more visible as Moroccan communities grow more politically active in Europe. When Najat Vallaud-Belkacem was appointed France’s education minister in 2014, becoming the first woman to hold the position, the far-right weekly Minute placed her on its cover under the headline: “A Moroccan Muslim heads the national education ministry. The Najat Vallaud-Belkacem provocation.” Another publication, Valeurs Actuelles, depicted her as an ayatollah. A fake letter, forged in her name, also circulated on social media, falsely urging French towns to teach Arabic to children. Vallaud-Belkacem, born in rural Morocco and raised in northern France, held dual citizenship and had spent years in public service. She described herself as “a pure product of the Republic,” but said none of it shielded her from racialized attacks. She responded consistently to criticism with one message: “Racism is not an opinion. It is a crime.” Racism targeting Moroccans in politics is not limited to France. #Moroccanq #Abroad #Europe #Politics #Rasicm #CMK #HespressEng

PSG players receive warm welcome at Parc des Princes ahead of Bayern clash @psg #PSG #ParcdesPrinces #March #Bayern #CMS #HespressEng

Canada recognizes the autonomy plan proposed by Morocco “as basis for a mutually acceptable solution” to the regional dispute over the Moroccan Sahara. This position was expressed in a statement issued Tuesday in Ottawa by the Canadian Foreign Ministry, following a phone conversation held earlier between Anita Indira Anand, Canada’s minister of Foreign Affairs, and Moroccan minister of Foreign Affairs, African Cooperation, and Moroccans Residing Abroad, Nasser Bourita. The statement also underscores that, acknowledging the “importance” of the Sahara issue to Morocco, Canada notes the adoption of UN Security Council resolution 2797 on October 31, 2025, and draws the appropriate conclusions. Emphasizing the “need to reach a lasting, just and mutually acceptable political settlement in accordance with the principles of the UN Charter and relevant Security Council resolutions”, the Canadian Foreign ministry’s statement describes the autonomy plan put forward by Morocco as a “serious and credible initiative in achieving a just and lasting settlement of the conflict.” This shift in Canada’s position comes ahead of an “official visit to Morocco” by minister Anand “in the coming weeks,” which will serve as an opportunity to “further discuss the two countries’ relations and to deepen discussions” on the Sahara, the statement concludes. #Morocco #Canada #MoroccanSahara #AutonomyPlan #CMK #HespressEng

The International Labour Organization (ILO) has warned in a recent report that psychosocial risks at work, such as stress, harassment, long working hours, excessive workload, and job insecurity are responsible for around 840,000 deaths every year worldwide. The report, released ahead of the World Day for Safety and Health at Work on Tuesday, highlights growing concerns over mental health in the workplace. It is based on estimates that draw mainly on World Health Organization (WHO) data. According to the ILO, work-related psychosocial risk factors contribute to approximately 840,000 deaths annually, caused by cardiovascular diseases and mental health disorders. While these illnesses often have multiple causes, the report notes that numerous long-term studies consistently show a strong link between negative psychosocial conditions at work and both mental and cardiovascular health problems. The report identifies five main psychosocial risk factors in the workplace: stress, long working hours, exposure to harassment, imbalance between effort and reward, and job insecurity. It also calls for stronger global research to produce more regular, consistent, and comparable data, and for better evaluation of policies to identify effective prevention methods. The ILO further urges improved cooperation between occupational safety authorities, public health institutions, and social partners to better address these risks. It also stresses the need for managers to take psychosocial risks more seriously, in collaboration with workers. The report, estimates that the global economic cost of cardiovascular and mental disorders linked to psychosocial risks amounts to about 1.37% of global GDP annually. #WorkPlace #MentalHealth #PsychocialRisks #Death #ILO #CMK #HespressEng

Morocco is at the center of the upcoming Prime Video series Love Is Never Gone, a Filipino romantic action-drama starring Joshua Garcia and Filipino-Moroccan actress Ivana Alawi, set to be released on May 8. The series marks Garcia and Alawi’s first on-screen pairing, as well as the first Filipino teleserye filmed in Morocco, where production began in November 2025. Joshua Garcia also highlighted the country through his visual project “Morocco on Film”, where he shared film-style images from the shoot and his travels across the Kingdom. The filipino series set partly in Morocco, is a romantic action drama that follows a story of love, crime and revenge. It uses the kingdom’s streets, deserts and landscapes to build a cinematic and international atmosphere. With Love Is Never Gone, Morocco gains new visibility in Southeast Asian entertainment and places the country inside a Filipino mainstream series showing its growing appeal as a filming destination for international stories. #Morocco #FilmIndustry #LoveisGone #FilipinoSeries #PrimeVideo #IvanaAlawi #CMK #HespressEng

A deadly gas explosion inside a residential home in Batna province killed two people and injured two others on Monday, as Algeria hosts high-level diplomatic talks with the United States and heightened security concerns following reported twin security incidents near the capital. The explosion occurred in the Tazoult Road area of Batna district, where a gas leak inside a family home triggered a powerful blast that caused significant material damage and panic among nearby residents, according to preliminary local reports from Ennahar news outlet. Authorities quoted by the Algerian media say two people were killed and two others sustained injuries of varying severity. Emergency teams from Algeria’s Civil Protection services rushed to the scene shortly after the blast, launching rescue operations, evacuating the injured to a nearby hospital and securing the area. The two-story building suffered extensive structural damage, while officials said investigations are still underway to determine the exact cause of the explosion. #Algeria #GasExplosion #BatnaProvince #Death #CMK #HespressEng

Families in Ceuta of Muslim origin are now allowed to recover their original surnames after Spain’s Congress backed a proposal urging the government to make it possible. The move comes through a non-binding resolution approved by the Justice Committee, meaning it still needs to be turned into concrete action by the government. The plan is to create a special procedure within the Civil Registry so affected families can restore their surnames in a way that is collective, simple, fast, and free. The goal of the resolution is to avoid the usual bureaucratic hurdles and make the process accessible to everyone concerned. The initiative was introduced by Podemos and promoted by Ceuta Ya!. It received broad support from most political parties, with Vox voting against it and several others choosing to abstain. The main point of disagreement was whether the state should officially acknowledge a “historical error” linked to surname changes during nationalization processes in the 1980s. Beyond enabling surname recovery, the proposal also calls on the government to allocate enough administrative and human resources to ensure the system works effectively. #MoroccanFamilies #Ceuta #MuslilOrigins #SpainsCongresss #CMK #HespressEng