Magharebia

An independent report levels numerous criticisms against Morocco's political parties and election procedures, though the country offers the region's most democratic conditions.

The majority of Tunisian youth shun politics and political parties, a recent study shows. The majority also rejected religious extremism and marriage.

Paris will host the third congress for the World Coalition Against the Death Penalty in February. Organizers say many of the country's political parties support the abolishment of the death penalty.

Algiers hosted a meeting on journalism and press freedom at the weekend. Participants called for the protection of journalists working in war zones as well as increased co-operation between journalist unions.

A meeting of the Maghreb trade ministers in Tunisia last week ended with a call for activating the Maghreb Union. The creation of a new Maghreb Union for Businessmen was also announced.

Algeria is stepping up efforts to curb the theft of its archaeological treasures. The police plans to recruit archaeology graduates and curb the illegal trade of stolen items.

Tunisian, Libyan and Mauritanians minister agreed to establish a centre to monitor water resources and help devise strategies to combat fresh water shortages.

Three million of the 11 million land mines laid by the French Army during the war for independence are still buried along Algeria's borders. Victims of these mines are demanding special status from the Algerian government, along with better payments and health care.

An economic forum in Tunis brought together Tunisian and Italian businessmen and officials. The forum focused on cementing economic co-operation and encouraging Italian investments in Tunisia.

A new law places restrictions on the building and funding of new places of worship in Morocco. The move aims at ending the exploitation of mosques by extremist groups.

After ten years of trying, Club Africain managed to defeat its rival Esperance in a decisive match on Saturday. Fans celebrated their victory, with some calling it "the most important gift".

A nationwide campaign to raise awareness about the dangers of hiring child maids was launched in several Moroccan cities. The campaign is part of the Childhood National Action Plan adopted by the government last year.

Libya has said it will not give in to EU pressure aimed at securing the early release of five Bulgarian nurses and a Palestinian doctor, sentenced to...

Tunisia's national handball team won the first round of the World Championship, currently taking place in Germany. The coach and players have high hopes for the team. TEASER

Tunisian men suffering from sexual disorders are turning to the black market for treatment. The Tunisian government prohibits the sale of drugs for sexual disorders, such as Viagra, Cialis and Levitra in pharmacies, and the health ministry will not pay for treatment.

Due to demographic growth, rural migration and urban expansion, Morocco is faced with an ongoing solid waste problem. New legislation and government funding aims to solve the issue.

A European Parliament resolution calls for the immediate release of five Bulgarian nurses and a Palestinian doctor, demanding that the EU review its ties with Libya if that does not happen.

An elite group of politicians, former ministers and academics from the Maghreb and European countries met to determine the causes for the lack of economic unity in the Maghreb region.

Algeria hosted the international conference on counterfeiting. The meeting is supposed to provide the country ways to combat the growing phenomenon.

Despite the lighter than expected sentence, some press freedom advocates thought the verdict in the Nichane case was a defeat to freedom of expression in Morocco.

Although Tunisian tourism has recovered from the terrorist atrocities of 9/11 and the Jewish synagogue bombings in Jerba in 2002, the fierce competition that this sector has begun to face has caused the Tunisian government to diversify its tourism product.

After a long delay, Star Academy Maghreb is expected to kick off in February with 14 contestants from the Maghreb and Europe. Tunisia will host the talent show, which will be broadcast on Nessma TV.

Tunisian authorities want to lower the illiteracy rate to less than 10% by 2009. A national programme places special emphasis on illiterate youth under 30.

The Algerian government unveiled a strategy to wipe out illiteracy in ten years. Literacy classes will be offered in schools across the country.

The Tunisian government has moved to end media speculation about the January 3rd clashes between security forces and an armed group. The interior ministry said on Friday that a group of Islamist extremists had infiltrated the country from Algeria and planned attacks on foreign embassies and diplomats.

Government efforts to curb corruption are ineffective because judges do not play their role in stamping out abuses of the legal system, says Transparency Morocco.

A programme to train 10,000 engineers every year is underway in Morocco. Agreements have been made between the government and a number of public and private educational establishments.

A new documentary film by a young Tunisian director has won the praise of moviegoers and critics. It is the first documentary film to be shown commercially in movie theatres in the country.

Algiers will be initiated as the Arab Cultural Capital on Friday. The event is expected to breathe life into Algerian culture, with many artists receiving funding for their projects.

Two Moroccan journalists are on trial for publishing an article that Moroccan authorities deemed offensive to Islam. Local and International groups are calling the trial and the decision to ban the publication a violation of press freedom.

Women trade unionists from Tunisia, Morocco and Algeria met in Algiers this week to discuss women involvement in trade unions. They blamed poor female representation on patriarchal Maghrebian societies.

A two-day conference on nuclear energy and its applications in electricity generation and non-energy fields kicked off in Algiers Tuesday. Representatives from 45 African countries are taking part.

Even though Morocco's labour market increasingly needs graduates with technical skills, few high schools students are studying technical subjects. This is being attributed to poor academic guidance and substandard facilities in schools.

Moroccan NGOs complain that the deportation of illegal immigrants to Oujda is creating a humanitarian problem. The immigrants are often dumped in desolate areas and eventually find a way back into Morocco.

Periodic car inspections are now required in Algeria. Motorists have three months to comply or risk having their car impounded.

Last year saw the Casablanca Stock Exchange listing more companies and increasing share prices. Financial analysts expect the growth to continue this year, reflecting increased confidence in the Moroccan economy.

Undocumented African immigrants talk to Maghrebia about their dreams of better lives, and how their journeys most often turn into nightmares.

Vocational training in Morocco is increasingly adapting to the expectations of businesses -- and young trainees themselves.

Algerians, Tunisians and Moroccans are questioning the decision to execute former Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein on the first day of Eid al-Adha. While many acknowledged his bloody history, they felt the timing of the execution was offensive to Muslims.

Abrous Mansour has written an encyclopaedia on Algerian artists. He says he wants to restore the presence of Algerian artists.

A Moroccan programme to create small businesses is running into difficulties stemming from bank processing time and applicants not submitting well thought-out business plans.

Moroccan blogger Manal Benkirane believes that changes and development depend on young people getting involved in their country’s social and political life. Author of the popular blog, "Carpe Diem", Benkirane has just returned from a week-long programme for young leaders.