Magharebia

Seaports and airports are making extra efforts to accommodate Algerian expatriates on holiday in their home country. Maritime transport companies have put measures in place to deal with the summer rush. Air passengers have been pleasantly surprised by the modern design of Algiers' new airport.

FIFA refuses to recognise new Tunisian Football Federation President Ali Labiadh, who was appointed by the Tunisian sports minister on 10 August to succeed Hammouda Ben Ammar, who resigned.

The start of school coincides with Ramadan season this year, causing Tunisian consumers concern over the combined cost of school supplies and holy month provisions. Tunisian authorities have extended the period of price reductions to alleviate the cost pressure.

Algeria and Germany signed an agreement for the advance repayment of $387m of Algeria's debt of an estimated $759m on 27 August. The Maghreb nation, which has now paid most of its Paris Club debt, will now turn its attention towards the London Club. High oil prices have greatly improved Algeria's economic situation.

The Association of Moroccan Women Business Leaders (AFEM) has decided to launch an incubator called "Casa Pionnières" to counter the fact that women...

The poverty rate in Algeria has significantly declined over the past several years, according to a study by the Centre for Study and Analysis of Population and Development. Experts attribute the apparent decline in poverty to the high price of oil allowing more government projects, higher education levels, lower fertility rates and better access to clean water and sanitation.

Moroccan director Hassan Benjelloun has just finished shooting his latest film "Al-Hana" (The Bar), which tells the story of Moroccan Jews' immigration to Israel in the 1960s and the subsequent effects on non-Jewish residents. Actor Rabie Kati talked to Magharebia about his role in the project.

The Tanmia.ma association has produced a CD-ROM to promote women's and children's rights in Morocco. The "Know Your Rights" project has been largely financed by the EU.

Seif al-Islam Kadhafi, the eldest and most prominent son of Libyan leader Colonel Moamer Kadhafi, severely criticised the political and economic climate of his nation and called for reform in a recent speech. Maghreb investors, especially Tunisians, hope to take advantage of any resulting easing of trade restrictions.

Tunisian national football coach Roger Lemerre, who is still being second-guessed over his World Cup decisions, is opening himself up to more criticism by revealing a roster missing many former stars and including many young players for a match against Mauritius, the first qualifier for the next African Cup of Nations.

Relief efforts for Lebanon have ramped up since major hostilities have subsided. Donor governments and international aid organisations are working closely with the Lebanese government to provide both short-term and long-term assistance.

The third Algerian seminar on the development of regional radio stressed the need to modernise equipment and to raise the quality of human resources to develop and extend the national radio network.

The first round of the Tunisian Football Championship was marked by smaller underdog teams surprisingly tying their favoured foes. Football analysts feel the seeming reversal of fortunes will make for an exciting season.

Many emigrés from Kabylia have decided to return to their homeland this year on holiday. The precipitous decline in the value of the euro has not deterred them from seeking to recapture the warm family atmosphere of home.

Many young Moroccans feel that the country's mainstream media is offering them a very limited notion of musical culture. But with the evolution of the Internet, international music has become more easily accessible, Layla Al-Zubaidi reports.

The foiled terror plot at London's Heathrow Airport may have given summer travellers a scare and a major inconvenience, but travel company officials and travel research centres do not seem to think the incident will have a major impact on the worldwide or North African travel industries.

The world-renowned ancient ruins of Tipasa are no longer on the "World Heritage in Danger" list following an assessment by the UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation, which found the site was being well-preserved.

Mohamed Bahry, known as Barry to his fans, is an example of a new generation of Moroccans. The young singer has inadvertently become an advocate for traditional music.

The Djemila Festival is being renamed the Djemila-Baalbeck Festival for this year to show solidarity with the Lebanese. The ongoing event is being held at the ancient Roman ruins of Djemila. Algerian rai singer Khaled was particularly popular with the audience.

A record number of Algerians have installed air conditioners this summer, which has caused frequent power outages. National electricity company Sonelgaz has resorted to power cuts until electricity production is increased.

Trade between Arab states has yet to reach its potential because it is hampered by customs barriers and bureaucratic procedures. Many politicians and independent businesspeople hope the ratification of the Agadir Agreement with the EU will improve the situation.

Aspiring young singers are auditioning for the 14 coveted spots to sing before millions of television viewers on "Star Academy Maghreb", which begins airing in October.

The Algerian high plateaux region, a semi-arid zone between the Sahara Desert and the Mediterranean coast, will be the site of a sustained industrial investment programme by the Algerian government. Developing this area will generate new jobs and create regional balance.

A growing number of retirees are finding greater affordability, among other benefits, by retiring in Tunisia or Morocco. The Tunisian government is in the process of granting more incentives to such people to realise the kind of economic boon seen in Morocco.

Rachid El Ouali never set out to become an actor. Today he is one of Morocco’s most acclaimed stars. With 20 years of acting experience under his belt, he is hoping to become a producer.

In the regions of Kabylia, the Chaouis and the Toaureg, the Amazigh are keeping the tradition of jewellery making alive by mixing old techniques with modern styles. While the craft is well-known and respected, jewellers still have to deal with the problems of expensive material and counterfeiting.

Yto Barrada's dual French-Moroccan citizenship has allowed her to travel with relative ease. This has inspired her to take pictures of people for whom border crossings are more difficult.

A terrorist plot to blow up aeroplanes travelling between Britain and the United States was stymied by British authorities after reportedly being tipped off by a British Muslim. British Muslims expressed shock at the plot and praised the police for alerting them to the situation.

The first private television channel representing the aspirations and interests of Maghreb youth will be launched next October. Nabil Karoui, founder of Nasama TV and owner of Karoui World, says the channel will be operated and managed by Maghrebian staff.

Algeria is preparing to launch two major projects to transfer the Sahara Desert's underground water resources to supply towns in the far south and on the High Plateaux in the north of the country.

Algiers' housing services have launched a campaign to break up shantytowns encircling some of its suburbs and to re-house the inhabitants. Many of the residents fled the countryside during the political unrest of the 1990s.

North African defence ministers met in Tripoli to mull creating a defence force to help settle regional disputes. Past attempts at similar initiatives all failed.

North Africans are opening their hearts and wallets to Lebanese in need. Governments and citizens are working together to send aid to Lebanon.

According to law professor Abdullahi Ahmed An-Naim, the application of the Sharia, as propagated by current-day Islamists, contradicts international law. Cem Say of Qantara.de has spoken with him on the compatibility of Sharia with modern life.

Born in Marrakech, Joudia Belkabir is the granddaughter of the composer of the Malhoun Qsida "Lalla Oum El-Ghit". Following in the footsteps of her grandfather and her uncle Abdeljalil Belkabir, Joudia launched her own career as a singer.

World Breastfeeding Week is observed each year from 1 to 7 August. In conjunction with the observance, the Algerian Ministry of Health released the results of a 2005 breastfeeding poll.

Algerians are rushing to the beaches to escape this summer's heat wave, resulting in the government attempting to ensure their safety by educating the public about the risk of drowning and other dangers.

The second Mediterranean Amazigh Festival of Tangier is being held from 3-6 August. The event aims to recognise Amazigh culture in Morocco.

North African trade union representatives have brought food and medical aid to victims of violence in Lebanon. The Algerian government is also giving more humanitarian aid and dispatching a second team of doctors to the country.

Esperance and Etoile du Sahal both advanced in the African Confederation Cup and will play each other on 12 August, while Sfaxien was defeated in an African Champions League match. Meanwhile, Club Africain is petitioning to have its next match postponed after losing many players to national teams.

A Moroccan delegation has signed a partnership agreement with Swiss organisers of the 40th Montreux Jazz Festival to have performances in Marrakech from 3-5 November.