Cheb Mami receives 5-year sentence

2009-07-03 A French criminal court on Friday (July 3rd) imposed a 5-year prison sentence on Algerian rai superstar Cheb Mami (Mohammed Khalifati) for a 2005 forced-abortion attempt on his ex-girlfriend, international press reported. Characterising the alleged crime as "violence from another era", the female prosecutor on Thursday requested a 7-year prison term. During the hearing, a sobbing Mami confessed that he made a grave mistake.

AU Commission to become "African Authority"

2009-07-03 African leaders attending the AU Summit in Sirte, Libya, approved early on Friday (July 3rd) a Libyan proposal to transform the union's executive body, the AU Commission, into the "African Authority", AP reported. Libyan leader Moamer Kadhafi has often discussed his desire for greater African unity through a federalised system dubbed the "United States of Africa".

ISESCO congress opens in Tunis

2009-07-03 The Islamic Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (ISESCO) Congress opened Thursday (July 2nd) in Tunis. APS quoted Algerian Education Minister Boubekeur Benbouzid as saying in Tunis that Algeria supports ISESCO's "work towards the West for the re-establishment of the genuine image of the Islamic World…an image free from the clichés of extremism and violence".

Algeria, Tunisia ink energy co-operation accords

2009-07-03 Algeria and Tunisia signed a series of energy co-operation deals Thursday (July 2nd) in Algiers, El Khabar reported. Algerian Energy Minister Chakib Khelil and his Tunisian counterpart, Afif Chelbi, agreed to increase electric power interconnection capacity and boost natural gas distribution in Tunisian border towns and villages.

Algeria to sign Trans-Sahara Gas Pipeline agreement

2009-07-03 Algerian Energy and Mining Minister Chakib Khelil arrived in Nigeria on Thursday (July 2nd) to sign an inter-governmental agreement for the Trans-Sahara Gas Pipeline, APS reported. Algeria, Nigeria and Niger on Friday will reportedly sign a deal to send 20-30b cubic metres of natural gas from Nigeria - via Algeria and Niger - to Europe each year, starting in 2015.

Tunisia announces VAT refund

2009-07-03 Tunisia plans to begin refunding the value-added tax (VAT) on purchases made in the country by tourists and non-residents, Ansa reported on Thursday (July 2nd). The measure aims at increasing sales and boosting the commerce and craft sectors.

Pan-African Cultural Festival to open Sunday

2009-07-03 For the first time in 40 years, African nations will join together for the Second Pan-African Cultural Festival on Sunday (July 5th) in Algiers. The official opening of PANAF coincides with Algeria's Independence Day. More than 8,000 artists and writers from Africa and Diaspora nations will participate in two weeks of events at multiple sites across Algeria. On Saturday, the celebration gets underway with a parade in Algiers feature showboat-style floats representing each African country.

Maghreb competitors dominate Med Games athletics

2009-07-03 Morocco scored several Mediterranean Games gold medals at athletics events held Thursday (July 2nd) in Pescara, Italy. Amine Laalou won the men's 800m, Jamal Chabli and Chakir Boujattaoui finished first and second in the 3,000m steeplechase, Hicham Bellani and Mohamed Amyn won the gold and the silver in the 10,000m race and Mohamed Moustaoui and Abdelaati Iguider finished second and third in the 1,500m. Moroccan boxers Driss Moussaid Mehdi Khalsi also won silver medals.

In the women's events, Hachlaf Halima claimed the silver medal in the 800m. Nadia Laaroussi Lalami and Fatima Zahra El Ellam defeated a Greek duo to win the bronze in the women's tennis doubles.

Algeria's medal tally increased to ten on Thursday. Boxer Rachid Hamani won the first gold medal for Algeria in the 75kg final, while Abdelhalim Ouradi and Abdelhafid Benchebla won silvers in the 58kg and 81kg categories. Runner Antar Zerguelaine won the gold for the men's 1,500m race.

Among the Tunisian participants, judoka Hajer Barhoumi (-52kg) won a gold medal. Ahmed Aouadi won the men's 1,500 m wheelchair race, while Samira Berri and Massaouda Sifi won the gold and bronze respectively in the women's 800m wheelchair event. In the volleyball competition, Tunisia defeated Albania 3-0 in sets.

Libya also won a gold medal in athletics, after Mohamed Khwala came in first in the men's 400m.

Morocco's Alloudi recovers from knee injury

2009-07-03 Moroccan international and Al Ain FC striker Soufiane Alloudi will fully recover from knee injury soon, Goal.com reported on Friday (July 3rd). While rehabilitating in Morocco, Alloudi has been training with former side Raja Casablanca. Alloudi will reportedly return to his Emirati club next season, but it is unclear whether he will be able to play in the remaining African/World Cup qualifiers.

Algeria to host Uruguay friendly

2009-07-03 Uruguay on Thursday (July 2nd) confirmed a friendly with Algeria on August 12th at the newly renovated July 5th Stadium in Algiers. Both teams are preparing for their World Cup qualifiers in September.