Morocco: Intense daytime heat ignites nightlife in Rabat.

Shotlist Rabat, Morocco - Recent 1. Various of traffic, tourists, locals 2. SOUNDBITE (Arabic, dubbed in English) Ayoub Hamdi, Rabat resident (starting with shot 1): "The atmosphere is much better at night. The streets become lively and crowded as people go out after the temperature drops. During the day, the hot weather keeps most people indoors." 3. Various of people dinning 4. SOUNDBITE (Arabic, dubbed in English) Zahira Touissi, Rabat resident: "The summer atmosphere is lively, and the streets are crowded at night. The evenings are pleasant, encouraging families to go out for dinner, enjoy street food and make the most of the cooler weather." 5. Dinners 6. Mustapha Dakhche, restaurant owner, chatting with customers 7. Various of drinks in cabinet, chef preparing food 8. SOUNDBITE (Arabic, dubbed in English) Mustapha Dakhche, restaurant owner (starting with shot 7/partially overlaid with shot 9): "Because of the heat, customers mainly look for cold drinks and water to cool down. Business is limited during the hottest hours, but it improves slightly in the evening. The most popular foods are tacos, pizza and sandwiches, while lighter meals are also in demand." SHOT OVERLAYING SOUNDBITE 9. Various of restaurant, food, drinks for sale SHOT OVERLAYING SOUNDBITE 10. Various of tourists, locals at night market 11. Various of tourists, locals at concert 12. SOUNDBITE (Arabic, dubbed in English) Youssef Sodor, photographer (starting with shot 11/partially overlaid with shot 13): "Cities organize a wide range of festivals, evening events and theater performances for residents and visitors. Moroccan cities are also safe, allowing people to walk around freely and enjoy the streets late at night." SHOT OVERLAYING SOUNDBITE 13. Various of performance, spectators SHOT OVERLAYING SOUNDBITE 14. Various of tourists, locals at night market Storyline In Morocco's capital Rabat and other cities, residents are shifting leisure activities into the cooler evening hours. The change is keeping businesses occupied late into the night and creating new opportunities. Under the intense daytime heat, many streets remain unusually quiet. But once temperatures begin to fall, the capital comes back to life as residents seek cooler air outdoors. "The atmosphere is much better at night. The streets become lively and crowded as people go out after the temperature drops. During the day, the hot weather keeps most people indoors," said Ayoub Hamdi, a Rabat resident. For families, evenings have become the best time to eat out, meet friends and enjoy public spaces away from the afternoon heat. "The summer atmosphere is lively, and the streets are crowded at night. The evenings are pleasant, encouraging families to go out for dinner, enjoy street food and make the most of the cooler weather," said Zahira Touissi, another local resident. The shift is also affecting local businesses. Restaurants see fewer customers during the day, before demand for drinks and light meals rises after sunset. "Because of the heat, customers mainly look for cold drinks and water to cool down. Business is limited during the hottest hours, but it improves slightly in the evening. The most popular foods are tacos, pizza and sandwiches, while lighter meals are also in demand," said Mustapha Dakhche, a restaurant owner. Shopping districts are staying active for longer, as residents and tourists use the cooler nighttime hours to explore markets and local businesses. Festivals, theater performances and other summer events are adding to the nighttime crowds, while a sense of security encourages people to remain outdoors until late. "Cities organize a wide range of festivals, evening events and theater performances for residents and visitors. Moroccan cities are also safe, allowing people to walk around freely and enjoy the streets late at night," said Youssef Sodor, a photographer. In Rabat and across Morocco, the heatwave is reshaping the pace of urban life, extending commercial and social activity deep into the night and turning the cooler hours into the main window for movement, leisure and business. [Restrictions: No access Chinese mainland]