PARIS – The economic crisis in Europe doubled the number of Spanish, Portuguese and Italian immigrants in France between 2009 and 2012, raising the percentage of European immigrants in France to 46 percent of the total, according to a report released Friday.

 “I’m going to make a Moroccan Shabbos dinner; you must join us,” said Asma Chaabi, visiting Miami from Rabat, Morocco.

AUSTIN, Texas -- Texas and 16 other states, including Wisconsin, filed a federal lawsuit Wednesday challenging President Barack Obama's executive actions on immigration, arguing that he had violated his constitutional duty to enforce the laws and illegally placed new burdens on state budgets.

Rabat - The 10th edition of Aeromart, an international business convention of aeronautical and space industries, will see the participation of six Moroccan companies, LaVieEco reported.

Noureddine Bellaoui, aka "MagicNoor" made his first appearance before the Moroccan public in 2012, invited by comedian Hassan El Fad in Marrakech laughter festival to present a magic trick in his "halqa".

ROME - (NewMediaWire) - December 1, 2014 - If countries of the Mediterranean want to stem the tide on forced migration and human suffering, they must put agricultural, food and rural development at the core of regional cooperation, FAO Director-General José Graziano da Silva said today.

MEPs acknowledged Lebanon's struggle with the enormous migration flows and voiced their concerns about the internal crisis there and growing extremism across the region, in a Foreign Affairs Committee debate with its Prime Minister Tammam Saeb Salam on Tuesday afternoon.

When net migration falls, David Cameron can take the credit: for making Britain poor, hostile and pessimistic.

Moroccan-born comedian Gad Elmaleh and Belgian singer Stromae are virtually unknown to the British public. But in London they play to sell-out crowds at top venues - one sign of how rising immigration is changing Britain's population and economy.

The Swiss government avoided a new headache on Sunday when voters rejected a popular initiative to impose radical immigration curbs, but the result is unlikely to lend it any leverage in talks with the European Union related to migration.

A campaigner in Australia is lobbying the Minister of Maori Development to change immigration laws in Aotearoa to match legislation across the Tasman, which prohibits certain rights for New Zealanders.

PHNOM PENH, Dec 2 (Bernama) -- The General Department of Immigration rounded up 1,168 foreigners from July to November for living illegally in the country, Xinhua news agency reports citing the National Police on Tuesday.

Fewer and fewer people choose the EU as a long-term residence, but Germany is the exception to this rule, according to an OECD finding, most likely due to the effects of the eurozone crisis. EurActiv Germany reports.

EU countries are cutting back on search and rescue missions in the Mediterranean, leaving the job up to fishermen like Kamel Ben Ramdan.

Beijing/ with Map – Morocco will launch an air route to China in a bid to encourage Chinese investment in Morocco, Minister of Infrastructure, Transport and Logistics, Aziz Rabbah, said Friday.

A new study has shown that Germany's social system experiences a financial gain because of immigration while at the same time accruing losses due to a lack of integration.

The Prime Minister sets out plans to overhaul the benefits system to reduce the number of migrants coming to the UK and announces an emergency fund to help communities with large foreign populations.

Amsterdam (Map)– Morocco topped the favorite travel destinations for Dutch tourists, according to a survey conducted by Dutch leading travel website, Riksja Travel.

Paris(Map) – The UNESCO nominated on Thursday 'Argan, Practices and Know-how Concerning the Argan Tree' for possible inscription in the 2014 Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.

The Swiss will once again head to the polls this weekend to decide whether to dramatically slash immigration numbers, this time in the name of saving the environment in a proposal opponents have labelled xenophobic.

A man who has spent two months in a Tucson church to avoid deportation is not getting any help from the president's new executive action on immigration, even though his attorneys say he's eligible.

Britain has reported a big increase in immigration last year despite government efforts to control the numbers of arrivals.

At many times in Europe’s turbulent history religious leaders have turned a blind eye to violence and discrimination. At other times faith itself has set the battleground. This awareness heightened both the strangeness and the poignancy of the Nov. 25 speech by Pope Francis to members of the European Parliament in Strasbourg.

Rabat (Map)- Spanish writer Juan Goytisolo, 83, will receive the Cervantes prize, the most important prize of literature in the Spanish-speaking world.

Rabat(Map) – King Mohammed VI will pay, as of November 27, an official visit to the People’s Republic of China, at the invitation of president Xi Jinping, the ministry of the Royal Household, Protocol and Chancellery announced on Monday.

Rabat (Map)- South Korean Prime Minister Chung Hong-won arrived this Monday to Rabat on a three-day official visit to Morocco.

My fellow Americans, tonight I’d like to talk with you about immigration. For more than 200 years, our tradition of welcoming immigrants from around the world has given us a tremendous advantage over other nations.

Barack Obama is ordering far-reaching changes to the US immigration system that will protect nearly five million people from deportation, and will have implications for undocumented Irish migrants.

The new plan tests the limits of his presidential powers and inviting a showdown with newly-emboldened Republicans.

NIGEL Farage has been forced into damage-limitation after Ukip's Rochester and Strood by-election candidate Mark Reckless suggested EU migrants settled in the UK could be forced to leave if Britain quit the 28-member bloc.

The Communications Authority of Kenya (CA) has set a December deadline for switching off analogue broadcast signals within Nairobi, 45 days before a three-month negotiation window period ordered by the Supreme Court expires.

Washington (AP): President Barack Obama said on Wednesday he will sidestep Congress and unveil administrative actions on immigration, measures that could spare from deportation as many as 5 million people illegally in the U.S. and set up one the most pitched partisan confrontations of his presidency.

President Obama is reportedly about to announce that up to five million illegal immigrants will no longer be subject to deportation, but most voters oppose his plan. The majority, in fact, continue to believe the federal government already isn't doing enough to send illegal immigrants back home.

WASHINGTON - US President Barack Obama is poised to give relief from deportation to millions of undocumented immigrants who are parents of US citizens or of permanent legal residents, according to a source familiar with White House deliberations.

Marrakech- Moroccan tourists are traveling to Israel at a remarkable rate, with over 2239 visiting this year.

Parents and grandparents of Canadian citizens and residents are eligible for Canadian residency and perhaps, citizenship under the Parent and Grandparent Programme (PGP) (Shutterstock).

CHIOS, Greece—Amer Khalif, a 23-year-old Syrian refugee, swam frantically toward the Greek coast-guard boat, screaming "Help, help!" Two friends panted behind him, clinging to their inner tubes and splashing in the clear Aegean water on a warm September morning.

New York- In the world population, there are approximately 1.6 billion Muslims, making Islam the second largest religion. As Dr. Omid Safi states in his book "Memories of Muhammad", "whether some of us think of ourselves as Americans first or citizens of one shared planet first, it is simply part of being an educated citizen to have accurate knowledge of the faith of Islam."

In August, the Magazine reported on a couple who spent millions of euros to save migrants in danger of drowning at sea. Their 60-day mission has now ended - so what did they achieve, asks Alison Gee?

"We helped to save around 3,000 men, women and children who would have otherwise been likely to perish," says Christopher Catrambone who - as we reported earlier - set up the Migrant Offshore Aid Station (MOAS) with his wife, Regina, and daughter, Maria Luisa.

"They are not refugees, they are all illegal immigrants" is the phrase most often pronounced as a kind of mantra by several anti-immigration politicians, mostly by the Lega and in general by critics of migration as we talk about disembarking.

Rabat (with Map) – The US Embassy in Rabat moved Monday to its new location on Mohammed VI Avenue in Souissi, Rabat which will host the office of the US Agency for International Development for Morocco (USAID-Morocco).

Rabat- Jean-Pierre Legrand, leader of the National Front in Roubaix, France, has proposed to “entrust the keys of a disused church to Muslims” who suddenly find themselves without a mosque.

After denouncing the far-right group to which he says he once belonged, UK Twitter user Matthew Lester gained attention on Sunday when he visited a local mosque to apologise to Muslim community members.

Rabat(Map) - The Moroccan Expatriates Council (CCME) decided "regretfully" to freeze its partnership with the "Tropenmuseum" until further notice, sources from CCME said.

San José (Costa Rica) Map– The President of the Republic of Costa Rica Luis Guillermo Solis received last Friday at the presidential palace in San José a Moroccan parliamentary delegation which is taking part in the work of the human rights commission of the Forum of Presiding Officers of Legislative Assemblies of Central America and the Caribbean Basin (FOPREL).

Brussels (Map)-The Council of Moroccan Ulema for Europe strongly condemned the "criminal fire attack" on the Grand Mosque of Strasbourg, calling it "a despicable act contrary to the values of tolerance and coexistance."

Forget the euro crisis, Europe is endangered by its anti-immigrant fervor.

MELILLA,—For nearly a decade, Spain has counted on tall border fences to discourage migrants from crossing illegally from Morocco into two small Spanish enclaves on Africa's Mediterranean coast.

Rabat - Africa has made history. During the closing session of the First Global Forum on Youth Policies, held in Baku, Azerbaijan that was held on October 28–30, the birth of the African Network of Youth Policy Experts (AfriNYPE) was announced, the goal of which is to advance the cause of youth policies in the region.

Canada's government is considering legislation to curb immigration rights for polygamists.

At a press briefing today, House Speaker John Boehner warned President Obama not to act alone on immigration.

According to the 2014 MasterCard Global Destination Cities Index, Casablanca is the 5th most popular destination city in Africa with a total number of international visitors that amounts to 989,219 and a visitor spend of $737 million(US$).

Yu Zhengsheng, chairman of the National Committee of Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, visited Morocco for a three-day official visit. He met King Mohamed VI on Tuesday and held separate meetings with Prime Minister Benkirane and President of the Chamber of Representatives Alami on Monday.

At 22- year-old, Yousef Taleb wants to revolutionize the tablet segment in the world. Combining two cutting-edge technologies in a single device, this little genius gives us his story.

Rabat - Montasser AlDe’emeh, a Belgian researcher and specialist in Islamic radicalization and international jihad, has criticized Moroccan Imams for being “monolingual.”

Marrakesh (Map) - German carrier Air Berlin inaugurated Monday a new route linking the German western city of Düsseldorf to Marrakesh with two weekly direct flights, the Moroccan airports authority (ONMT) announced.

German anxiety about its plans to curb immigration from the European Union, saying it would tackle what has become a major public concern regardless.

The number of illegal immigrants entering Britain could quadruple because a vital agreement with France is under threat.

A government whistleblower here has revealed that “furious” French chiefs are thinking about scrapping the Le Touquet Treaty which effectively moved the UK border across the Channel.

On a continent where Muslim leaders are decrying a surge in discrimination and aggression, Alisiv Ceran is the terrorist who wasn’t.

The Conservative government plans to increase immigration levels significantly as it heads into an election year in 2015.

Abstract: One of the most important challenges facing the European Union over the next few decades is demographic: as birthrates continue to decline and the population ages, immigration will be needed to sustain a sufficient working-age population. This volume takes that fact as a point of departure for analyzing patterns and prospects of immigration from the Middle East and North Africa to Europe, taking into account existing migration links and current EU migration policies as well as demographic, economic, and political developments in the Middle East and North Africa.

Marrakesh (Map) - The British low-cost airline EasyJet inaugurated its new route connecting Glasgow (Scotland) to Marrakesh, airport sources said.

Rabat-Visitors of the Morocco pavilion located within Epcot theme park at Walt Disney World Resort in Florida will now have the opportunity to meet “B’net Al Houwariyate”, an internationally-acclaimed ensemble of female performers from Marrakech who play traditional instruments, dance and perform songs ranging from rural Amazigh chants to Chaabi festival rhythms.

Jerusalem— The Swedish government on Thursday officially recognized a state of Palestine, as the new prime minister, Stefan Lofven, ignored Israeli protests and followed through on a pledge he made at his inauguration this month.

Paris(Map) - HM King Mohammed VI gave his orders to the Moroccan diplomatic and consular services in France to take the necessary measures to facilitate access to Moroccan justice to Valérie Rhaba, whose husband was arrested on Oct.15 at the Casablanca airport while he was trying to board to join terrorist organization "ISIS" together with two daughters, aged 4 and 2.

Beirut (MAP) - The Arab organization for social responsibility and lasting development awarded on Tuesday its golden shield to the Rabat town council, on the sidelines of a conference on lasting development challenges at the local level held in Beirut.

A statement from the Moroccan Ministry of Foreign Affairs said that the "Kingdom of Morocco welcomes the smooth and peaceful climate that characterized the legislative elections, held, on Sunday, October 26th, in the Republic of Tunisia."

Rabat ( Map) – Indonesia formally appointed Mr. Hassan Berkani as honorary consul of the Republic of Indonesia in Casablanca.

Washington –According to an official statement released by the White House, American Vice President Joe Biden will travel to Morocco during the week of November 17th. He will lead the U.S. delegation to the Fifth Annual Global Entrepreneurship Summit in Marrakesh.

London(MAP) - HM King Mohammed VI leads with intelligence and clear-sightedness the process of democratic and economic development in Morocco, said Sir Jeremy Greenstock, Chairman of the United Nations Association - UK (UNA-UK).

A Muslim woman is nursing a broken arm after being pushed onto a road in an unprovoked racist attack in the Australian city of Melbourne, a report said.

Marrakech- The largest Moroccan mosque in the North Brabant (southern Netherlands) opened its doors at a ribbon-cutting ceremony in Roosendaal in the Netherlands on Friday, according to Maghreb Arab Press (MAP).

Despite being home to some 20 million Muslims, Russia today has only two hotels – both in the traditionally Muslim region of Tatarstan – that are officially recognized as halal. (File photo: AFP)

A group of students at the New York University School of Law protested against an event on their campus that demonizes Muslims and promotes the use of torture.

Police guarding Spain's borders with Morocco are being ordered to take care to prevent injuries when tackling migrants who scramble over the fences into Spanish territory, after evidence of abuse sparked outrage.

London- The financial magazine “World Finance” awarded Morocco two prizes of excellence for the Wessal Capital initiative.

This is the first book to analyze the important phenomenon of South-South development initiatives. Drawing on critical theories and insights from intersectional analysis, the book examines the experiences and impacts of Middle Eastern and North African (MENA) youth’s participation in South-South higher education programmes designed to maximise “self-sufficiency”.

This book will be a valuable resource for students, researchers and practitioners in the areas of migration studies, refugee studies, comparative education, development and humanitarian studies, international relations, and regional studies (Latin America, Middle East, and North Africa).

UNESCO has launched the process of carrying out a comprehensive assessment of the media landscape in Morocco, using its Media Development Indicators (MDIs). The project was launched on Friday 17 October at an information session organized by the UNESCO Office in Rabat for the Members of the Advisory Committee.

The acquired rights of Moroccan citizens concerned by the 1972 Moroccan-Dutch agreement on social security are a "red line", minister delegate for Moroccans Abroad and Migration Affairs Anis Birou said.

The White House on Wednesday cautioned against making assumptions about President Barack Obama's changes to immigration rules based on a new federal contract proposal from the Homeland Security Department to buy enough supplies to make as many as 34 million immigrant work permits and residency cards over the next five years.

A political party targeting the immigrant vote by advocating looser immigration laws and "a ban on banning" religious symbols has launched in Denmark amid record support for the populist right.

Britain’s bosses have come out fighting for the country to remain in the European Union and warned that David Cameron’s plans to cut migration from the EU could backfire by damaging business.

ZURICH (Reuters) - A narrow majority of Swiss voters look set to back a referendum next month which would place severe limits on immigration to the country, according to an online poll published on Tuesday by free Swiss daily newspaper 20 Minuten.

IT’S the economy, stupid. That was the crude message once delivered to the American electorate, but surprisingly, the economy may be relegated to second place in this country at next May’s general election.

New York(MAP) - President of employers' association (CGEM) Miriem Bensalah-Chaqroun was appointed, Tuesday in New York, as a member of the board of directors of U.S. NGO "Initiative for Global Development" (IGD).

Writers from the Guardian, Le Monde, El País, Süddeutsche Zeitung and La Stampa address some common claims about migration and assess whether they are true in their country.

European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso told British Prime Minister David Cameron on Monday he risked upsetting allies and losing international clout if he pursued an anti-immigration agenda designed to placate domestic voters.

Although no one had imagined the creation of an Islamic state in Iraq and the Levant by an initially small minority group nor imagined the restoration of the old institution of the Caliphate (abolished by Atatürk in 1924 ) Daech and the caliphate of Al-Baghdadi are not epiphenomena. What is happening nowadays is to be taken seriously, as much as the Khmer Rouge in Cambodia and the Islamic revolution of Khomeini in Iran. It is a sustained movement that the international military coalition that is taking place will fail to eradicate. They could kill Al-Baghdadi, but another caliph will arise because the ability to restore the caliphate is engrained in many spirits.

Theo Francken, the Belgian Secretary of State for Asylum and Migration, apologized for his old racial statements against Moroccans, Algerians and Congolese immigrants.

Casablanca - King Mohammed VI received, on Friday in Casablanca Royal Palace, several foreign ambassadors who came to present their credentials as their countries' ambassadors to Morocco.

They are:

MARRAKECH - Over 900 stakeholders from across the African continent, including the Presidents of Cote d'Ivoire and Senegal as well as the Prime Ministers of Morocco and Cape Verde convened in Morocco for the UN's Economic Commission for Africa (ECA) African Development Forum. Participants came from 56 countries of which 37 countries were African.

Press release: On 6 October 2014, His Excellency Mr. Abdelilah El Housni, Ambassador of the Kingdom of Morocco to Thailand paid a courtesy call on His Excellency Mr. Don Pramudvinai, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of Thailand at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Just how friendly are Moroccans?  A new report, put out earlier this month by the World Economic Forum, has ranked which countries roll out the welcome mat to travelers and which give the cold shoulder. The good news is that Morocco was in the top three.