News Flash

Marhaba 2024 : Morocco expects 820,000 vehicles and 3.3 million passengers this summer

Starting today (Thursday, June 13), the Directorate General of Civil Protection is putting in place the arrangements for Operation Strait Crossing (OPE) 2024, according to EFE. The aim of this operation is to manage the massive flow of Moroccan citizens returning to their country of origin during July and August via Spain. Last year, 3,219,618 passengers and 775,410 vehicles used this route thanks to this effective strategy. This year's scheme, which will run until September 15, is expected to

Jam Show crowns Morocco's Newest rap star Nezar

Morocco's channel 2M introduced a groundbreaking platform for young rap talent with their new program, «Jam Show», After six weeks of competition, Nezar (real name Nizar Zouhri) emerged victorious, captivating both the audience and the star-studded jury that included rappers ElGrandeToto and Dizzy Dros. Nezar, a 23-year-old with a passion for rap since the age of 9, hails from Azilal. His goal is clear: to become a rap star. He believes rap is his calling, and winning the

First direct flight from Montreal lands in Marrakech

The first-ever direct flight from Montreal to Marrakech was operated today, Thursday, June 13, by Canadian air carrier Air Transat, according to a press release by the Moroccan National Tourism Office (ONMT). The inaugural flight landed this morning at Marrakech Menara airport, marking the first direct service to Marrakech from North America. The route is part of ONMT's «growth strategy focused on the North American market» (Light In Action). Canada has become an emerging market

Swiss-bred crocodiles travel to Morocco for historic reintroduction

Sixteen West African crocodiles, reared at Lausanne's Aquatis Aquarium, were transported to Morocco on Wednesday, June 12, to begin a gradual reintroduction into their natural environment. According to the Swiss news agency Keystone-SDA, the young desert crocodiles arrived in Agadir as part of a first-of-its-kind species protection project in Africa. The trip from Switzerland to Morocco went smoothly, Aquatis director Michel Ansermet told the agency. «The animals were fitted with

Five Moroccan pilgrims die during Hajj

Five Moroccan pilgrims have died in Mecca since the start of the 2024/1445 Hajj season, Morocco's Consul General in Jeddah, Abdelillah Daddas, said on Wednesday in a phone call with Radio Aswat. Daddas said three of the deceased pilgrims died in their hotel rooms. He added that the cause of death appears to be natural, as «they all suffered from chronic diseases such as diabetes and high blood pressure». When asked about repatriation, Consul Daddas explained that Moroccan pilgrims

Spain-Morocco trade : €2.49 billion imports drive growth

Spanish imports from Morocco amounted to €2.49 billion (about Dh26.69 billion) during the first quarter of 2024, a 4% increase compared to the same period last year. This is positive news for Morocco, which saw its exports to Spain outperform overall Moroccan exports (+3%) and the shrinking Spanish import market (-7.1%). For the full year 2023, Spanish imports from Morocco reached €9.03 billion, a 4% increase year-on-year. Morocco was Spain's eleventh largest supplier, accounting for

Second high school student suicide strikes Tetouan after Safi tragedy

A 15-year-old girl in Tetouan died by suicide on June 11th, jumping from the fifth floor of a building near Al-Muqaddam Mosque on Jabal Tadghin Street. Authorities are investigating the incident. According to media reports, the girl is firs-year high school student. Her body was transported to the mortuary of Sania El Remel Hospital. The cause of the incident remains under investigation. Security forces are working to determine the circumstances. Unconfirmed reports suggest family issues or

Schengen Visa Rejections : Algerians spend €13 million, Moroccans €11 million

In 2023, Africans received 704,000 negative responses for their Schengen visa requests, spending €56.3 million on non-refundable visa fees, according to the 2023 Schengen Visa Statistics for Schengen Countries. Algeria was the country of origin for the most rejected applications in 2023, accounting for 10.18% of the total spent on rejected applications. Algerians also had the highest number of rejected applications, with 166,260 out of a total of 474,032 requests (35.07%), spending

Two Moroccan men stabbed in Portugal

Two Moroccan men were reportedly stabbed by a group of individuals believed to be Indian on Monday, June 10, in Porto, Portugal, according to local media. The Polícia Judiciária, Portugal's Criminal Investigation Police, is investigating the incident and reviewing CCTV footage to identify the attackers. The stabbing took place near the upper level of the iconic Dom Luís Bridge, which spans the Douro River between Porto and Vila Nova de Gaia. The attackers fled the scene

Meeting at Moroccan embassy identifies need for Miami consulate

A meeting at the Moroccan embassy in Washington identified the need for a consulate in Miami, according to a statement by the Moroccan embassy in the US. The city is home to a significant portion of the Moroccan community residing and active in the United States. The meeting, chaired by Ambassador Youssef Amrani on Tuesday, June 11, included all the Consuls General serving Moroccan communities across the United States. The focus of the meeting was upgrading and modernizing consular services

Morocco welcomes 5.9 million tourists by May 2024

Tourist arrivals in Morocco surged to more than 5.9 million by the end of May 2024, registering a 15% increase compared to the same period last year, according to the Ministry of Tourism, Handicrafts and the Social and Solidarity Economy. «In the first five months of 2024, Morocco welcomed over 5.9 million visitors, 772,000 more arrivals than in the same period in 2023, reflecting a significant 15% growth», the ministry stated in a press release. The positive trend continued in

EU must acknowledge Morocco's priorities, FM says

The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Nasser Bourita, issued a strong message to the European Union. «As the Kingdom is committed to being a reliable partner of the EU on the Union's priority issues, Morocco deserves the European Union to take into account the fundamental issues and positions of Morocco regarding its territorial integrity, national sovereignty, and everything concerning the development of the country», emphasized the head of diplomacy during a joint press conference held

Morocco crushes Congo Brazzaville 6-0 in World Cup qualifiers

The Moroccan national football team dominated their match against Congo Brazzaville, securing a resounding 6-0 victory on Tuesday at Adrar Stadium in Agadir. The win strengthens their lead in the 2026 World Cup qualifiers. Attacking midfielder Azeddine Ounahi opened the scoring in the 8th minute. Chadi Riad doubled the lead by the 16th minute. Ayoub El Kaabi, striker for Greek club Olympiacos, emerged as the star of the game, netting a hat-trick against Congo Brazzaville, scoring at the 20th,

Morocco supports UN resolution for Gaza ceasefire

Foreign Minister Nasser Bourita expressed in Rabat on Tuesday Morocco's approval of the UN Security Council's adoption the day before of Resolution 2735, which calls for a three-phase ceasefire in the Gaza Strip and provides for a «comprehensive multi-year reconstruction plan» in the Palestinian territory. In a press briefing, Bourita said that Morocco welcomes this resolution, which calls for an immediate, total and complete ceasefire in the Gaza Strip, a complete withdrawal of

Gnawa Master Allal Soudani passes away

Gnawa Master Allal Soudani died on Monday in Essaouira at the age of 72, after a long illness, his family said. Born in Essaouira in 1952, Allal Soudani belonged to a long line of Gnawa musicians from Essaouira with Sudanese origins. He began learning Gnawa music from a young age under the strict supervision of his father, acquiring a solid musical foundation. By the young age of 18, he became a teacher himself, joining other renowned schools, notably those of Boubker Guinia, Ahmed Haddad, and

Slovenia backs Moroccan autonomy plan for the Sahara

Slovenia describes the Moroccan autonomy plan for the Sahara as a «good basis for reaching a definitive and consensual solution» to the regional dispute, in accordance with the UN Secretary-General and his personal envoy for the Western Sahara. This position was expressed in a joint press release issued in Rabat on Tuesday, June 11, following talks between Foreign Minister Nasser Bourita and Slovenian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign and European Affairs, Tanja

Morocco, Italy boost security ties : Counter-terrorism, migration top agenda

The Moroccan Minister of Interior, Abdelouafi Laftit, held talks on Tuesday in Rabat with his Italian counterpart, Matteo Piantedozzi. Officials from both ministries were present. The two ministers discussed regional issues of common interest, according to a statement from the Moroccan Interior Ministry. The statement further noted that both ministers emphasized the importance of strengthening cooperation between the two countries, especially in the areas of security and migration. They

AMIC announces record 3 billion MAD capital raise in 2023

The Moroccan Association of Capital Investors (AMIC) recently unveiled its 2023 Activity Report of the private equity sector in Morocco, a study carried out by Grant Thornton under the supervision of AMIC's Studies and Statistics Commission, chaired by Hassan Laaziri. In 2023, capital raised reached a record 3,009 million Moroccan dirhams (MMAD), more than double the funds raised between 2012 and 2017, totaling 9,879 MMAD over the 2018-2023 period. Transregional funds have dominated