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News in brief


Morocco reduces 2025 Hajj costs, announces refunds for pilgrims

The Royal Commission for Pilgrimage in Morocco has set the cost for the 2025 Hajj season (1446 H) at MAD 63,770 (6,377),reflectingareductionfromthepreviousyear’sfeeofMAD66,865.50(6,377), reflecting a reduction from the previous year’s fee of MAD 66,865.50 (6,377),reflectingareductionfromthepreviousyear’sfeeofMAD66,865.50(6,686).......

Major drug trafficking attempt foiled at Tanger port: 64,080 psychotropic pills seized

Authorities at Tanger-Ville Port successfully intercepted an attempt to traffic 64,080 psychotropic pills late Sunday night, apprehending three individuals suspected of involvement in an international drug trafficking network, according to security sources. The suspects, identified as a family unit—a......

Simplified Schengen visa renewals: New procedures introduced by BLS Rabat

Starting February 24, BLS Rabat will implement a streamlined process for renewing Schengen visas, introducing a no-appointment system for eligible applicants. This initiative aims to simplify administrative procedures and enhance accessibility for visa renewal services. Renewing one-year Schengen visas Holders......

Fire at Marrakech conference center claims two lives, leaves three injured

A devastating fire broke out on Thursday evening, February 13, 2025, at the Palais des Congrès in Marrakech, resulting in the tragic deaths of two individuals and leaving three others injured. According to a representative from the Marrakech prefecture, the injured were rushed to the intensive......

Moroccan intelligence aids Spanish authorities in major hashish seizure on Canary Islands

In a coordinated effort showcasing international cooperation, Morocco's General Directorate of Territorial Surveillance (DGST) provided critical intelligence that enabled Spain's Civil Guard to seize over two tons of hashish off the northern coast of Tenerife in the Canary Islands. The Spanish......

Fitness influencer arrested for concealing ISIS content in workout videos

Spanish and Moroccan authorities have apprehended a social media fitness personality with over 100,000 followers in Madrid as part of a counter-terrorism operation. The suspect allegedly embedded ISIS propaganda materials within fitness and calisthenics tutorial videos shared on social media platforms. The......

Moroccan nationals lead French residence permit recipients with steady growth in 2024

Nearly 37,000 Moroccan citizens received first-time French residence permits in 2024, maintaining their position as the largest recipient group with a 0.4% increase from 2023. Algerians followed with 32,003 permits, succeeded by Tunisians, Chinese, and U.S. citizens. The French Interior Ministry reports......

US Visa Services Temporarily Suspended in Morocco for System Upgrade

The United States Embassy in Morocco announced a temporary pause of visa services from February 5 to 7, as part of the implementation of a new digital system set to launch on February 8. During this three-day period, fee payment services and call center operations will be unavailable. The embassy has......

Spanish-Moroccan cooperation leads to arrest of terrorist network spreading extremist content

Spain's Civil Guard has apprehended seven suspects in a coordinated anti-terrorism operation supported by Morocco's General Directorate for Territorial Surveillance (DGST). The operation, which began in late 2023, resulted in arrests across Toledo, Madrid, and Pontevedra provinces. Three suspects......

Pakistan Cracks Down on Officials Following Mediterranean Tragedies

Mass Dismissals and Blacklisting in Response to Human Smuggling Crisis Islamabad, Pakistan – The Pakistani government has launched a sweeping crackdown on officials linked to human smuggling networks after the tragic deaths of at least 43 Pakistani migrants off the coast of Morocco in January.......

Pakistan to repatriate 22 survivors of Dakhla boat tragedy

The Pakistani Foreign Office has announced the repatriation of 22 survivors of a boat capsize near Morocco’s Dakhla port. The operation is the result of extensive investigations and coordination with Moroccan authorities, with the repatriation set to begin today. Four migrants, who had been stranded......

Fatal explosion in Taroudant tunnel highlights safety concerns in infrastructure projects

A tragic incident unfolded on Sunday in the Ouzioua region of Taroudant province, where four workers lost their lives following an explosion inside a tunnel associated with the "El Mokhtar Soussi" dam elevation project. According to a statement issued by the Tafnout commune on its official......

Mystery deepens: No word yet on missing Moroccan truckers in West Africa

Four Moroccan truck drivers who disappeared on Saturday between Dore, Burkina Faso, and Tera, Niger, remain unaccounted for despite unconfirmed reports of their release. Mustapha Chaoune, Secretary General of Morocco's Democratic Organization of Multimodal Transport and Logistics, stated Monday that......