Morocco

Morocco declares national holiday to mark UN resolution on Western Sahara

Morocco's royal palace on Tuesday declared October 31 starting next year as a national holiday marking the adoption of a U.N. Security Council resolution backing the North African country's autonomy…

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Unrest Deepens in Morocco as Youth Protests Turn Deadly

Two people were killed and others injured in Lqliaa, near Agadir, when security forces used firearms to prevent a group of individuals from stealing their weapons on Wednesday night, local…

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Hackers breach Morocco’s social security database in an unprecedented cyberattack

Morocco ‘s social security agency said troves of data were stolen from its systems in a cyberattack this week that resulted in personal information being leaked on the messaging app…

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5.1 magnitude quake in northern Morocco

The United States Geological survey (USGS) said early on Tuesday that a 5.1 magnitude quake hit near Ksar el Kebir in northern Morocco. There were no official reports of casualties.…

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Morocco reports first Mpox case

Morocco confirmed its first Mpox case in a man in Marrakech, the health ministry said. The World Health Organization declared the recent outbreak of the disease a public health emergency…

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Morocco releases jailed journalists, pardons 2,476 convicts

Morocco's King Mohammed VI ordered the release of jailed journalists Taoufik Bouachrine, Omar Radi and Soulaimane Raisouni, as part of a pardon benefiting 2,476 convicts, a government source said. "This…

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Morocco Heatwave: 21 Dead as Temperatures Soar to 48C

A heatwave in Morocco has killed at least 21 people in a 24-hour period in the central city of Beni Mellal, the health ministry revealed. The meteorology department said soaring…

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Morocco bets on cannabis to boost economy

The potential of the European cannabis market could bring between 420 and 630 million dollars to the North African country. Morocco has announced an ambitious project to turn the cannabis…

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Morocco reports first legal cannabis harvest of 294 metric tons

By Ahmed Eljechtimi RABAT, March 18 (Reuters) - Morocco's first legal cannabis harvest was 294 metric tons in 2023, after the country approved its cultivation and export for medicine and…

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Morocco trade deficit shrinks 7% on tourism and lower imports

RABAT, Feb 4 (Reuters) - Morocco's annual trade deficit contracted by 7.3% to 286 billion dirhams ($28.6 billion) in 2023, helped by a drop in energy imports and higher tourism…

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UPDATED: Moroccan quake survivors struggle even as response appears to scale up

Some quake survivors spent fifth night in the open More troops, relief workers in quake zone King Mohammed made first TV appearance since quake Latest toll: 2,901 dead, 5,530 injured…

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Morocco’s mud brick housing makes hunt for earthquake survivors harder

Rescuers digging through the rubble after Morocco's deadly earthquake warned on Monday that the traditional mud brick, stone and rough wood housing ubiquitous in the High Atlas mountains reduced the…

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Morocco survivors seek aid as earthquake toll passes 2,100

Death toll edges higher to 2,122 Biden expresses sadness at loss of life Residents describe digging the dead from rubble Next 24 to 48 hours seen critical to saving lives…

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UPDATE : Rescuers hunt for survivors of Morocco quake with over 2,000 dead

Many still under the rubble, says resident of quake zone Fallen rocks partially block some roads Next 24 to 48 hours seen critical to saving lives King calls for prayers…

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UPDATED: Morocco earthquake kills over 1,000 people, rescuers dig for survivors

By Ahmed Eljechtimi Most dead are in hard-to reach mountain areas, official says Marrakech residents report damage in historic old city People flee houses in Casablanca, Rabat, elsewhere AMIZMIZ, Morocco,…

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UPDATED: World leaders offer condolences after Moroccan earthquake

Following are reactions from foreign governments to the powerful earthquake that struck Morocco's High Atlas mountains late on Friday, killing hundreds and destroying buildings in the deadliest tremor to hit…

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Morocco breaks heat record

France 24 - Rabat (AFP) – Temperatures in Morocco have for the first time on record topped 50 degrees Celsius (120 Fahrenheit), the North African country's meteorological service said Sunday…

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At least six migrants dead after boat sinks off Morocco

TUNIS, July 22 (Reuters) - At least six migrants died after their boat sank off Morocco, the MAP state news agency said on Friday on its Facebook page. It added that the…

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Morocco to review its fisheries partnership with EU

RABAT (Reuters) - Morocco is reviewing its current fisheries partnership with the EU in a way that takes into account its own fishing strategy and biological factors, Foreign Minister Nasser…

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Informal labour accounts for two-thirds of Morocco jobs

By Ahmed Eljechtimi RABAT, (Reuters) - Two thirds of Moroccan jobs are now in the grey economy, statistics agency said, giving its first public assessment of a trend that the…

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Morocco to spend $580 mln to attract more tourists

RABAT, March 17 (Reuters) - Morocco plans to spend 6.1 billion dirhams ($580 mln) up to 2026 to develop its tourism sector in order to attract more visitors and bring…

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Morocco says removal from financial watchlist will help ratings

RABAT (Reuters) - The Financial Action Task Force's decision this week to remove Morocco from its "grey list" of countries under special scrutiny will help Rabat's position in talks with…

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Morocco’s inflation jumps 8.9% in January as food prices soar

RABAT, Feb 22 (Reuters) - Morocco's consumer price index rose by 8.9% year-on-year in January, driven mainly by a surge in food prices, the high commission for planning said on…

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Morocco’s trade deficit widens 56.5% in 2022

RABAT, Feb 2 (Reuters) - Morocco's trade deficit widened 56.5% to 311 billion dirhams ($ 30.6 billion) in 2022, boosted mainly by higher energy costs, data from the foreign exchange…

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Spain, Morocco forge economic ties as Western Sahara policy reversal eases tensions

Spain, Morocco hold first summit in eight years Relations long strained by illegal migration issue Expected to sign up to 20 accords on trade, investment By Belén Carreño and Ahmed…

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Morocco sends T-72B main battle tanks to Ukraine

Morocco has reportedly sent around 20 T-72B main battle tanks to Ukraine, according to Ukraine’s armed forces. In its latest update, the military said: A week ago, Morocco sent 20…

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Morocco’s economy to grow 3.3% in 2023 – statistics agency

RABAT (Reuters) - Morocco's economic growth is expected to recover to 3.3% in 2023 after 1.3% in 2022, driven by domestic demand, the statistics agency HCP said. The forecast assumes…

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Morocco complains of European Parliament ‘harassment’ after graft probe

RABAT (Reuters) - Morocco's ties with the European Union must be protected against harassment at the European parliament, foreign minister Nasser Bourita said this week, following a European probe into…

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Morocco to ban arrivals from China over COVID surge

RABAT (Reuters) - Morocco will impose a ban on people arriving from China, whatever their nationality, from Jan. 3 to avert any new wave of coronavirus infections, the foreign ministry…

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Moroccan banks, big firms to brace for higher taxes starting 2023

RABAT, (Reuters) - Morocco has drafted a budget for 2023 that plans higher taxes on banks and big firms as the government seeks additional revenue to cut its fiscal deficit…

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Morocco issues first permits for cannabis production

RABAT, Oct 5 (Reuters) - A Moroccan state agency has issued the first 10 permits for the use of cannabis in industry and medicine and for export, it said, the…

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18 migrants die in storming of Spanish border in Morocco

MADRID — Morocco said 18 migrants died trying to cross into Spain's North African enclave of Melilla on Friday, after a violent two-hour skirmish between migrants and border officers that…

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Morocco to raise minimum wage for public, private sectors

RABAT (Reuters) - The Moroccan government announced on Saturday a raise in the minimum wage of public and private sector workers, the prime minister’s office said in a statement. The minimum monthly…

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Tension flares up between Algeria and Morocco

Algeria condemned what it called an attack by Morocco against a convoy of trucks in the border area between Mauritania and the disputed territory of Western Sahara, saying it…

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Spanish PM to visit Morocco on Thursday as ties improve

The Moroccan royal palace said that King Mohammed VI will meet Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez on Thursday in Rabat, as the two countries seek to patch up a diplomatic…

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EU targets 8.4 bln euros in Morocco investments over next 7 years

RABAT, (Reuters) - The EU has revised upwards its investments in Morocco over the next seven years to 8.4 billion euros ($9.2 billion) to support job creation, sustainable agriculture and renewable energy,…

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‘Catastrophic’ Moroccan drought to boost import, subsidy costs

The worst drought in decades has left Moroccan farmers facing what one industry official dubbed a "catastrophic year" that will force the government to hike grain imports and subsidies. Rainfall…

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Morocco to spend $1 bln to mitigate drought impact- palace

RABAT, Feb 16 (Reuters) - Morocco will spend 10 billion dirhams ($ 1.07 bln) on a national plan to mitigate the impact of drought on farmers and the economy, the royal palace…

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Morocco prepares to bury ‘little Rayan’

Morocco prepared Monday to bury "little Rayan", the five-year-old boy who died trapped in a well despite a days-long rescue operation that gripped the world. The child's fate drew global…

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Heartbreak and shock in Morocco after death of boy in well

Morocco was in shock Sunday after emergency crews found a five-year-old boy dead at the bottom of a well in a tragic end to a painstaking five-day rescue operation that…

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Update – Moroccan boy trapped in well dies before rescue

RABAT, Feb 5 (Reuters) - A small boy trapped in a well in northern Moroccan for five days died before rescuers were able to reach him late on Saturday and…

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Morocco gripped by rescue operation of five-year-old stuck in a well

Rescuers in Morocco raced against the clock on Friday to save a young boy trapped in a deep well for almost three days, in an operation that has gripped the…

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Morocco to end two-month flight ban on February 7

Morocco will reopen its airspace for international flights starting Feb. 7, the state news agency (MAP) reported. Morocco banned all inbound international passenger flights in November due to concerns over…

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Morocco’s tough COVID restrictions hammer tourism sector

RABAT, Dec 31 (Reuters) - Businesses working in Morocco's key tourism sector say the country's tough COVID-19 restrictions, including a full flight ban, are undermining its competitiveness compared to rival…

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Morocco extends flight ban because of coronavirus

Morocco has extended the suspension of commercial flights to and from the North African country until January 31. The decision comes almost a month after the Interministerial Covid Monitoring Committee…

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Morocco and Israel sign defence MOU in Rabat, Israeli spokesperson says

Morocco and Israel signed a defence memorandum of understanding (MoU) in Rabat on Wednesday, opening the way for possible military sales and cooperation after the countries upgraded diplomatic ties last…

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Morocco plans additional airport COVID testing amid Europe surge

Morocco will conduct rapid COVID-19 tests to passengers arriving in its airports and ports, and will deny access to any visitor with a positive result, the government said. The measure,…

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Morocco to focus on wind energy in sustainable energy drive

Morocco will mobilize global investment of around 14.5 billion dirhams ($1.6 bln) in a wind energy programme, its foreign ministry said in a tweet on Tuesday. The integrated wind energy program will be fully commissioned…

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Royal Air Maroc source says only 15 flights affected by Algeria airspace closure

A source at Royal Air Maroc (RAM) said Algeria's closure of airspace to Moroccan aircraft from Wednesday would only affect 15 flights weekly linking Morocco with Tunisia, Turkey and Egypt.…

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Liberals win most seats in Morocco’s parliamentary election, routing Islamists

Morocco's liberal RNI party has won most seats in the country's parliamentary elections followed by another liberal party, PAM, while co-ruling moderate PJD Islamists suffered a crushing defeat, preliminary results…

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Moroccans vote in parliament election under new voting rules

Moroccans started voting on Wednesday in a parliamentary election under new rules that were expected to make it much harder for the moderate Islamist PJD to remain as the biggest…

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Algeria says cutting diplomatic ties with Morocco

ALGIERS, Aug 24 (Reuters) - Algeria is cutting diplomatic relations with Morocco, Foreign Minister Ramdane Lamamra said on Tuesday at a news conference, accusing its neighbour of "hostile actions". Morocco…

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Morocco reinforces vaccine campaign with Pfizer-BioNTech vaccinations

Morocco received on Friday a shipment of 600,000 doses of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine as it expands its inoculation campaign to younger people amid a recent surge in new cases, said…

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Israeli airlines start direct flights to Morocco

Two Israeli carriers on Sunday launched nonstop commercial flights to Marrakesh from Tel Aviv following the upgrading of diplomatic relations last year between Morocco and Israel. Israel and Morocco agreed…

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Morocco economic growth to slow to 2.9% in 2022

Morocco's economic growth is expected to slow to 2.9% in 2022 from a forecast 5.8% this year, the planning agency said on Monday. The forecasts signal a recovery in domestic…

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Migration: Morocco’s action in crisis was unacceptable, Spanish PM say

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez described Morocco's actions during a crisis two weeks ago when thousands of would-be migrants crossed into Spain's north African enclave of Ceuta as unacceptable and an assault…

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Spain hopes for swift end to spat with Morocco as more migrants sent back

Morocco’s ambassador to Madrid warned that if Spain allows the leader of the Western Sahara independence movement to leave Spain without informing Rabat it will worsen the diplomatic crisis between…

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