Flash actualités

Nasser Bourita receives the UN Under-Secretary-General for Peace Operations

Morocco’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, African Cooperation and Moroccans Living Abroad, Nasser Bourita, received Jean-Pierre Lacroix, the UN Under-Secretary-General for Peace Operations, on Monday in Rabat, during Lacroix’s second official visit to Morocco. The talks focused on Morocco’s major role and contribution to United Nations peacekeeping operations, stemming from a Royal Vision that continues the Kingdom’s long-standing commitment in this area since

Morocco ranks 22nd worldwide for tourist arrivals in 2025

Morocco ranked 22nd worldwide for international tourist arrivals in 2025, welcoming 19.8 million visitors, according to the latest edition of the World Tourism Barometer published by the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UN Tourism), the Ministry of Tourism, Handicrafts and the Social and Solidarity Economy announced. The ministry said the Kingdom gained three places in the global ranking in just one year and has climbed 12 positions compared with 2019. Morocco also improved its

King Mohammed VI honors Nawal Sfendla after Everest and Lhotse ascents

King Mohammed VI received Nawal Sfendla at the Royal Palace in Rabat on Monday, after the Moroccan mountaineer recently completed back-to-back ascents of Everest and Lhotse. During the audience, the sovereign decorated her with the Wissam Al Moukafaa Al Watania, with the rank of Officer. The royal audience reflects the King’s commitment to sport as a driver of human development, inclusion and social cohesion, as well as his attention to issues concerning Moroccan women, a cornerstone of

Morocco arrests 11 suspects wanted under international warrants

Eleven people wanted under national and international arrest warrants were arrested on Monday in coordinated security operations carried out in Marrakech and Tangier, according to a press release issued by Moroccan authorities. The suspects include 10 dual Moroccan-French, Moroccan-Belgian and Moroccan-Dutch nationals, as well as one French citizen. Checks through Interpol databases revealed that 10 of them were the subject of Red Notices issued at the request of judicial authorities in

OMDH urges Moroccan parties to prioritize human rights in 2026 elections

The Moroccan Organization for Human Rights (OMDH) has published a memorandum urging political parties to place human rights at the heart of the platforms they are preparing for the September 2026 elections. The document outlines public policy proposals aligned with the Constitution and Morocco’s international commitments under ratified conventions. The OMDH says the proposals should help shape the programme of the future governing party while addressing expectations related to economic,

BCP ends Belgium probe with 175 million euro settlement

After several years of legal uncertainty, the Banque Centrale Populaire (BCP) Group has closed one of the most sensitive chapters in its European operations. On Monday, the French-speaking Court of First Instance in Brussels approved a settlement between BCP, its subsidiary Banque Chaabi du Maroc (BCDM), and Belgium’s federal prosecutor’s office, bringing an investigation launched in 2018 to a definitive close. Under the agreement, the two institutions will pay €174.5 million

Oujda police arrest teen seen threatening with bladed weapon in viral video

proofread this and refine and make more native sounding Security services in the city of Oujda arrested an 18-year-old man who appeared in a video circulating on social media carrying a bladed weapon and threatening to use it in a public street, an incident that sparked widespread reaction among users of digital platforms. Investigations launched by security services following the circulation of the footage revealed that the incident is linked to a criminal case currently being handled by the

464,919 candidates sat Morocco’s baccalaureate exams

A total of 464,919 candidates sat Morocco’s unified national Baccalaureate examinations, held from June 4 to 6, with attendance rates reaching 96.5% among school-based candidates and 52.7% among independent candidates, according to the Ministry of National Education, Preschool and Sports. In a statement issued on Sunday, the ministry said the exams took place under satisfactory pedagogical and organizational conditions, thanks to the mobilization of all stakeholders involved in

Mentally ill man dies at hospital entrance, sparking investigation in Taza

The public prosecutor’s office in Taza has ordered an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the death of a man suffering from mental health disorders after he died outside the emergency department of Ibn Baja Provincial Hospital. According to local media reports, the man had been taken to the hospital to receive treatment. However, he was neither admitted to the psychiatric unit nor transferred to Fez for specialized care. The incident has drawn strong reactions from human

American Comedian Conan O’Brien films new travel series episode in Morocco

American comedian and television host Conan O'Brien has wrapped filming in Morocco for the third season of his HBO Max travel series Conan O’Brien Must Go. O’Brien announced the end of the shoot in a social media post, Saturday, showing himself and his longtime assistant, Sona Movsesian, riding camels. «Sona and I are taking Ubers back to the airport. Farewell, Morocco!» he wrote. According to José Arroyo, a writer on the show, the crew filmed in Casablanca,

After dog-eating video, Moroccan YouTuber goes on trial today

The King’s Prosecutor at the Court of First Instance in Temara decided on Sunday to prosecute controversial YouTuber Ayoub Bn Nsns while in custody and ordered his detention at El Arjat 1 prison pending his first court appearance, scheduled for Monday. Bn Nsns faces several charges, including «insulting the Islamic religion, killing and dismembering an animal, threatening to commit a misdemeanor, and threatening to commit a felony», Mohamed Amziane, president of the Al Rahma

Morocco GDP growth reaches nearly 5 percent in 2025

Morocco’s economy grew by 4.9% in 2025, up from 4.4% in 2024, according to national accounts released by the High Commission for Planning (HCP). The improvement was driven by an 8.2% increase in agricultural activity and 3.9% growth in non-agricultural sectors, the HCP said in its note on the national economic situation in 2025. According to the institution, this performance was supported primarily by strong domestic demand and occurred in a context marked by controlled inflation,

Moroccan man who fled war in Ukraine killed in road crash in Italy

A 26-year-old Moroccan man, identified as Hamza El Hail, was killed in a road accident in the Italian town of San Sperate, near Cagliari in Sardinia, during the night of June 7. According to Italian media reports, El Hail was driving a van belonging to the food transport company for which he worked when he lost control of the vehicle at around 3 a.m. The van veered off the road and crashed into a fence and trees, killing him at the scene. The exact circumstances of the accident remain under

Lahbib Mohamed Abdelaziz, seen as potential successor to Brahim Ghali, killed

The Polisario Front has announced the death of Lahbib Mohamed Abdelaziz, the son of its former leader Mohamed Abdelaziz, along with two other members, in a strike reportedly carried out by a Moroccan drone in the buffer zone east of the security wall. According to the Front, the three men were leading attacks against Moroccan army positions at the time of the strike. Lahbib Mohamed Abdelaziz had been regarded as one of the leading contenders to succeed the Front’s current

FMEJ rejects new public aid rules for small, regional media

The Moroccan Federation of Newspaper Publishers (FMEJ) on Saturday denounced a new eligibility requirement for public aid allocated to the media sector this year. In a statement, the federation said the Ministry of Youth, Culture and Communication had circulated a list of required documents introducing a new condition for small online and regional media outlets. Under the measure, these companies must employ at least five journalists holding professional press cards, in addition to the

Atlas Lions draw Norway in final World Cup warm-up match

Morocco's national football team drew 1-1 with Norway in a friendly match played on Sunday at Sports Illustrated Stadium in New Jersey. The Atlas Lions opened the scoring in the seventh minute through Brahim Díaz, before Norway equalized in the 75th minute thanks to Martin Ødegaard. The match was Morocco's final warm-up fixture ahead of the FIFA World Cup, where the team will begin its campaign against Brazil on June 13. In addition to Brazil, Morocco will face Scotland and

Royal Air Maroc inaugurates its first direct Casablanca–Los Angeles flight

Royal Air Maroc (RAM) on Sunday inaugurated its first direct route between Casablanca and Los Angeles, marking a major milestone in air connectivity between Africa and the U.S. West Coast. The inaugural flight departed Mohammed V Airport in Casablanca at 4:00 a.m., opening a direct 12-hour connection to Los Angeles, the national carrier said in a statement. “The launch of this direct route between Casablanca and Los Angeles is a historic milestone for Royal Air Maroc and for African air

King Mohammed VI sends condolences to Claude Chirac following the death of Bernadette Chirac

King Mohammed VI has sent a message of condolence and sympathy to Claude Chirac following the death of her mother, Bernadette Chirac. In the message, the Sovereign said he had learned with deep emotion of Bernadette Chirac’s passing and, at this painful moment, extended his sincere condolences and sympathy to Claude Chirac, as well as to all members of her esteemed family and loved ones. «The Kingdom of Morocco will cherish the memory of a woman of great distinction who faithfully