Flash actualités

Laayoune: Authorities foil attempt to smuggle 8.6 tons of cannabis resin

Police in Laayoune, in coordination with Morocco’s domestic intelligence service (DGST), foiled an attempt early Tuesday to smuggle 8.6 tons of cannabis resin (chira) and arrested three suspects aged between 18 and 37, believed to be linked to an international drug trafficking network. According to a security source, the operation was carried out in coordination with the Royal Gendarmerie in a rural area near Boujdour. The suspects were caught in the act while attempting to transport the

Morocco: Unemployment hits 10.8% in Q1 2026, youth most affected

In Morocco, the number of strictly unemployed people stood at 1,253,000 in the first quarter of 2026, of whom 31.3% are women. According to a labor market report by the High Commission for Planning (HCP), the unemployment rate reached 10.8%, including 16.1% for women and 9.4% for men. Young people aged 15 to 24 are the most affected (29.2%), followed by those aged 25 to 34 (16.1%). The report also indicates that 671,000 employed individuals are affected by insufficient working hours. In

Moroccan striker Hamdallah sidelined after clash with teammate at Saudi club

Moroccan footballer Abderrazak Hamdallah, currently with Saudi club Al-Shabab, is embroiled in fresh controversy after clashing with Belgian teammate Yannick Carrasco over a free kick during a Saudi League match against Al-Taawoun. In response, Al-Shabab's management has sidelined Hamdallah from team training sessions for a week and excluded him from the upcoming match against Al-Nassr. Khaled Al-Shenaif @k_alshenaif details the altercation between Carrasco and Hamdallah in the locker

Six months in jail for bicarbonate: Moroccan man sues Spanish state

A 39-year-old Moroccan man is planning to file a compensation lawsuit against the Spanish state after spending nearly six months in pre-trial detention, only for tests to later confirm that the substance he was accused of possessing was not a drug, but simple bicarbonate. His release came after the investigating judge at the Telde Court received the final laboratory report on March 19, confirming that the substance contained no controlled substances and bringing an end to his 180-day

One of the missing U.S. soldiers jumped into the ocean to rescue the other in Morocco, officials say

One of the two U.S. soldiers who went missing while participating in African Lion, currently underway in Morocco, jumped into the ocean in an attempt to rescue the other, newly released details reveal. U.S. defense officials told CBS News on Monday that the incident occurred over the weekend near the Cap Draa training area, where a group of soldiers had gone to watch the sunset. One soldier is believed to have fallen into the water from coastal cliffs, prompting fellow service members to

Bryan Adams’ Rabat show moved to newly inaugurated Royal Theatre

Bryan Adams’ much-awaited concerts in Morocco will see a change of venue for the Rabat date. Organizers announced that the Rabat show will now take place at the newly inaugurated Royal Theatre instead of the Mohammed V Theatre, where it was initially scheduled for May 5. The move aims to provide a setting more in line with the scale of the event and the stature of the Canadian artist, SNRT reported. The concerts are part of Adams’ «Bare Bones» international tour, which

Plastima Group opens new FlowPipe unit in Mohammedia

On Monday, the Plastima Group celebrated the grand opening of its new FlowPipe industrial unit at the Ech-Chellalate site in Mohammedia. This state-of-the-art facility is dedicated to the production of fiberglass-reinforced polyester (FRP) pipes, with a primary focus on supporting Morocco’s major hydraulic projects. The inauguration was graced by the presence of the Minister of Industry and Trade, Ryad Mezzour, underscoring a significant milestone in the group's industrial journey. With

Moroccan parliament approves bill to modernize National Press Council

On Monday evening, the House of Representatives passed Bill 09.26, which reorganizes the National Press Council (CNP), with a majority vote. During the legislative session, the bill received 70 votes in favor and 25 against. Minister of Youth, Culture, and Communication, Mohamed Mehdi Bensaid, highlighted that this legislation marks a significant step towards modernizing the national media landscape and advancing the rule of law. Bensaid noted that the new law aims to strike a balance between

Rabat mobilizes Royal Air Maroc to evacuate foreigners from Mali amid rebel offensive

«In response to the offensive launched by rebel and jihadist groups in Mali since April 25, 2026, Rabat has activated Royal Air Maroc (RAM) to assist in the evacuation of foreign nationals», reports Africa Intelligence on Monday, May 4. Despite the escalating crisis, RAM has kept its daily flights between Casablanca and Bamako operational, even deploying «a larger capacity aircraft» to accommodate the urgent demand. As other airlines, including Corsair and Air

Morocco unveils mining reform and digital permit system

Energy Transition Minister Leila Benali announced on Monday a set of measures to boost Morocco’s mining sector, focusing on safety reforms, digitalization, and investment. A revised mining law is being prepared after the 2021 deaths of five miners, introducing a mining worker card and tougher penalties for negligence. The draft is set to be submitted to the Government Council. The ministry has also launched a national digital mining registry, making over 40 administrative procedures

Morocco to boost energy storage capacity by 2030, Minister says

Minister of Energy Transition and Sustainable Development Leila Benali announced on Monday before the House of Representatives that the government is implementing three key measures to strengthen Morocco’s strategic energy reserves. The first focuses on expanding storage capacity. Over the past three years, since 2021, investments in storage infrastructure have increased by more than 30%. Storage capacity reached 3.2 million cubic meters in 2025. For the first time during this

Morocco and Jordan strengthen parliamentary ties during high level visit in Rabat

On Monday in Rabat, the President of the House of Representatives, Rachid Talbi Alami, engaged in discussions with Khaleefa Suleiman Mohammad Al-Diyat, head of the Permanent Administrative Commission of the Jordanian House of Representatives. Al-Diyat is leading a parliamentary delegation on a working visit to Morocco from May 3 to 10. During the meeting, both leaders lauded the longstanding ties between Morocco and Jordan, as noted in a statement from the House of Representatives. Talbi Alami

Moroccan caftan takes center stage in Brussels

The Moroccan caftan, an iconic piece of the Kingdom’s sartorial heritage, was celebrated on Sunday in Brussels during the first edition of «Moroccan Caftan Week Belgium», an event aimed at showcasing Moroccan craftsmanship, fashion, and haute couture. The initiative highlighted Moroccan artisanal know-how through a fashion show featuring eight designers from Morocco and Belgium, who presented collections rooted in tradition while incorporating contemporary touches. Held under

Morocco to launch mystery guest inspections in hotels from May 2026

Morocco’s Ministry of Tourism, Handicrafts, and Social and Solidarity Economy has announced the launch of «mystery guest» inspections in classified accommodation establishments starting in May 2026. According to a statement, operators selected through a public tender will assess around 2,500 establishments across the Kingdom. Introduced under Law No. 80-14, these mystery visits mark a major shift in Morocco’s hotel classification system. The new approach no longer

Why Morocco has become hotter and drier since 1980

Morocco’s climate is shifting toward hotter and drier conditions, with more frequent heatwaves and declining rainfall potential. This is the main conclusion of the study «Changes in Regional Circulation Weather Type in Morocco During the Period 1980–2019» , which analyzes atmospheric patterns over nearly four decades. Published on April 28, the research shows that the country is experiencing a structural change in its atmospheric dynamics. Circulation patterns

Spain relies on Moroccan drivers to tackle truck driver shortage

Spain is grappling with a critical shortage of road transport drivers, prompting the country to increasingly turn to foreign workers, notably from Morocco, to address a shortfall that surpasses 30,000 truck drivers and approximately 4,700 bus drivers. Morocco ranks among the key nations benefiting from an accelerated process for driving license equivalency, alongside Peru and Colombia, due to the urgent demand for labor in this sector. In 2025, Spanish authorities processed over 15,000

World Cup 2026: Morocco and U.S. step up cooperation

Morocco’s ambassador to the United States, Youssef Amrani, recently held talks with Andrew Giuliani, presidential advisor in charge of the White House Task Force for the 2026 World Cup. As preparations advance for the tournament, co-hosted by the United States, Mexico, and Canada, the meeting underscores Washington’s interest in strengthening cooperation with Morocco, according to an official statement. The Task Force is notably focused on ensuring the smooth reception of millions

King Mohammed VI urges Moroccan pilgrims to embody Islamic values and represent Morocco

King Mohammed VI has urged Moroccan pilgrims to be worthy representatives of their country and its long-standing civilization, embodying the noble values of Islam, righteousness, respect for others, solidarity, and sincere faith. In a message addressed on Monday to Moroccan pilgrims preparing to travel to the Holy Sites for the year 1447 H, the sovereign stressed that this civilization is «founded on unity, harmony, and attachment to the constants and sacred values of the Moroccan