News Flash

EU invests €600,000 to boost Morocco's cultural and creative industries

A partnership agreement between the European Union and the General Confederation of Enterprises in Morocco (CGEM) allocates 600,000 euros to the Moroccan Forum of Cultural and Creative Industries (FICC), to support this sector at national level. A signing ceremony was held on Monday June 3, attended by Patricia Llombart Cussac, Ambassador of the EU Delegation, and Chakib Alj, President of the CGEM, in the presence of Neila Tazi, President of the FICC. The project, titled «ICC:

Morocco's police chief meets Italian security director

The Director General of National Security and Territorial Surveillance, Abdellatif Hammouchi, held talks Monday with the Director General of Italian Public Security, Vittorio Pisani, during a visit to the Kingdom at the head of a large security delegation. The two parties reviewed the various security threats and current international crises and their potential impact on the security of Morocco and Italy, as well as the dangers of transnational crime, including human trafficking, irregular

Three dead, 18 hospitalized in Morocco after consuming alcoholic substance

Three people died and 18 others were placed under medical surveillance on Monday in the commune of Sidi Allal Tazi, following intoxication by an alcoholic substance unfit for consumption, local authorities said. An investigation by the Royal Gendarmerie led to the identification of the suspects and the arrest of two individuals, aged 41 and 21. The two suspects were placed under medical surveillance at the Kenitra provincial hospital, pending their recovery to expedite the judicial

Morocco backs Biden's proposals on Gaza crisis

Morocco stresses the importance of the proposals put forward by US President Joseph R. Biden to promote a lasting ceasefire in the Gaza Strip, humanitarian access, the protection of civilians, the return of displaced persons and the reconstruction of destroyed areas, the Foreign Ministry said Monday. The Kingdom «hopes that the various parties concerned will adhere to this initiative and commit themselves to the implementation of its various stages», the ministry stressed in a

Etihad Airways and Royal Air Maroc partner to boost travel experience

The United Arab Emirates' Etihad Airways and Morocco's national carrier, Royal Air Maroc (RAM), signed a new agreement on Monday to improve travel for their customers, according to a press release. The partnership aims to expand cooperation in several areas, including: Increased flight options, enhanced frequent flyer programs, and streamlined travel experience. The two flag carriers will explore adding codeshare routes on domestic flights within Morocco and Africa. They will also work

Tangier drug case uncovers grocer's 6-year-old intrafamilial murder

In Tangier, an investigation into drug trafficking led the police to discover the body of a grocer who had been missing for six years, «embedded in a wall of his own home in Tanja Balia», reports Le360. On Sunday evening, around 10:30 pm, the accused were brought before the Tangier public prosecutor and then before the investigating judge. They are a mother and her five children. The accused family is charged with torture resulting in death, complicity, and failure to report a

Moroccan man fatally struck by train at Bolzano station in Italy

A Moroccan man died from his wounds on Sunday after being struck by a train at the Bolzano railway station in northeastern Italy. The accident occurred on Saturday, June 1st, when 32-year-old Moroccan Redouan Amiri was talking on his phone while sitting on a bench between platforms 3 and 4 at the station. Known to Italian police as a political refugee, Amiri got up from the bench, approached the tracks while still on his phone, and was subsequently hit by the train. The man was struck by a

Moroccan-born ex-Israeli Foreign Minister David Levy passes at 86

Former Israeli Foreign Minister David Levy, who was born in Morocco, died Sunday at the age of 86. The politician, who held several government posts in Israel, was known for fighting racism against Jews from North Africa. Born in Rabat, he immigrated to Israel when he was 20 years old. He settled in Biet Shean, a town in northern Israel, Associated Press recalls. Before entering politics, he worked in construction and served as a representative of construction workers. He served in the

Moroccan cyclist Mounir Makhchoun takes podium spot in Tour du Maroc

Moroccan cyclist Mounir Makhchoun took third place on the podium in the third stage of the Tour du Maroc cycliste, between Agadir and Essaouira on June 2nd. He came in behind French cyclist Paul Hennequin, from the «Nice Métropole Côte d'Azur» team, who covered the distance in 4 hours, 19 minutes and 19 seconds. The overall classification is currently dominated by French cyclist Emmanuel Cognet, who maintains his yellow jersey. Fellow Moroccans Alessio Cialone and

Massive Casablanca drug bust seizes 18 tonnes

In the early hours of Monday morning, the Casablanca Judicial Police Department, in close coordination with the General Directorate of National Surveillance, managed to thwart a major international drug trafficking operation from the beach area of Sidi Rahal, seizing a total of 18.243 tons (or 18 tonnes and 243 kilograms) of cannabis resin. The joint security operation resulted in the arrest of five people caught in the act of transporting the seized drugs on board a large truck for

Morocco sees 10.6% surge in foreign currency travel revenues in April 2024

Until April 2024, travel revenues in foreign currencies reached 31.9 billion dirhams, a significant increase of 10.6% compared to the same period last year. This month alone, revenues reached 8 billion dirhams, bolstering growth prospects for the end of 2024. Minister of Tourism, Handicrafts, and Social and Solidarity Economy, Fatim-Zahra Ammor welcomed the «predictable» recovery, given the strong arrival numbers. «It shows that our country remains a popular destination,

Morocco to launch derivatives to help finance 2030 World Cup projects

Morocco is planning to start derivatives trading by the end of this year, according to Nezha Hayat, chair of the Moroccan Capital Market Authority, who spoke with Bloomberg. The move is expected to help Morocco expand its capital markets to finance infrastructure projects scheduled ahead of the 2030 World Cup, the business newspaper reported on Monday. Hayat emphasized the urgency of financing World Cup projects, stating the need to significantly broaden the market by attracting more retail

Polisario delegation visits Mauritania ahead of presidential elections

On June 29, Mauritanians will vote in new presidential elections. In the run-up to these elections, the Polisario leader sent a delegation to Nouakchott, led by his advisor Salek Beiba. In the Mauritanian capital, Brahim Ghali's envoy held a series of meetings with leaders of political parties and independent candidates in the upcoming presidential elections, the Polisario news agency SPS reported. Beiba held talks with the president of the Insaf party (Equality, the formation founded in 2022

French national wanted by Interpol arrested in Morocco

Moroccan police apprehended a French national wanted by Interpol in Bab Sebta on Sunday, June 2nd, according to a statement from the General Directorate of National Security (DGSN). The individual faces an international arrest warrant issued by French authorities for alleged involvement in criminal activities like drug trafficking and illegal possession of firearms. #التعاون_الأمني_الدولي باب سبتة.. توقيف مواطن من جنسية فرنسية ، يشكل

Moroccan workers exploited in French vineyards, trafficking ring busted

Following months of investigation, authorities intervened on May 27th to dismantle a human trafficking operation exploiting workers in the Gironde and Lot-et-Garonne departments of France. Gendarmes targeted workers' housing in Monségur, a town in the Entre-deux-Mers wine region, and the Marmandais area. The operation resulted in finding fifteen Moroccan employees. Three lacked proper documentation, and all faced poor working conditions. They received partial wages and were housed in

Marhaba 2024 : Easier customs clearance for Moroccans abroad

The Customs and Indirect Tax Administration (ADII) announced new facilitation measures for Moroccans living (MREs) abroad as part of the Marhaba 2024 operation. These measures, implemented annually under royal directives, aim to improve the reception process for MREs, according to an ADII circular dated June 1, 2024. Good news for MREs with cars on Temporary Admission (TA): The validity period, typically expiring on December 1st, has been extended by six months at no additional cost. This

Morocco paves the way for domestic arms industry

Following the legal framework approved in August 2020 for a domestic arms industry, Morocco is now allocating land for interested manufacturers. King Mohammed VI chaired a Council of Ministers meeting on June 1st, which adopted «a draft decree creating two defense industrial acceleration zones», according to a statement from the royal cabinet. These zones will be designated for «defense industries relating to defense and security materials and equipment, weapons and

Morocco's King appoints new head of sustainable energy agency

King Mohammed VI presided over a Council of Ministers meeting on June 1st, appointing Tarik Moufaddal as the new President and CEO of the Moroccan Agency for Sustainable Energy (MASEN), according to a press release from the Royal Cabinet. Moufaddal replaces Mustapha Bakkoury, who had held the position since December 30, 2009. Since March 2021, however, Bakkoury's participation in certain official capacities had been restricted. This included meetings chaired by the King to review the progress