Magharebia

Recently published results show performance on the Tunisian baccalaureate exam is improving, due in part to structural reforms in the country's education system.

Morocco's government has undertaken a new project to stimulate the domestic trade sector through the creation of new financial tools to aid merchants and a series of investments to optimise local commerce at all levels.

At a June 22nd meeting in Tunis, Maghreb and Spanish leaders pledged their commitment to fight gender-based violence. The resulting Tunis Declaration established a concrete plan of action for participating countries to educate their populations about the issue and to establish a framework of institutions to support victims of domestic violence.

Maghreb trade leaders convened in Casablanca for Algerian Trade Week and used the occasion to establish an annual Maghreb trade exposition, to take place starting next year in Algeria.

Residents of southern Algeria have suffered the effects of a severe heat wave for four days. The hot temperatures are expected to shift north into the country’s interior.

Engineering unions and groups lobbying for gender equality attended a conference in Tunis from June 7th to 9th, on women in engineering and technology sponsored by the World Federation of Engineering Organizations.

The issue of changing Algeria’s weekend returned to the public debate recently, following the decision of an Indian steel company to change its weekend without consulting local authorities.

The 13th edition of Rabat's auteur cinema festival kicked off with tributes to Adel Imam and Ahmed Bouaanani. This year's edition will feature workshops for young filmmakers.

Falling revenues from internet cafes are causing some managers to consider leaving the business. Others seek to bolster their incomes by offering additional services.

JS Kabylia were off to a bad start in the African Champions League Friday when they lost 1-0 to al-Ittihad Libya.

Moroccan immigrants have difficulty integrating into host countries because their degrees are not valued and because of discrimination.

In an effort to empower women seeking small loans, the Centre for Arab Women Training and Research (CAWTAR) prepared a comprehensive directory of financial institutions which offer microcredit in the Arab world.

The pass rate for this year’s first round of baccalaureate exams was 39.1%. Some 87,000 students, more than half of them girls, were successful. Science and technology subjects saw the highest success rates.

To overcome a lack of essential resources, Morocco is seeking to change its energy strategy. The High Commission for Planning has drafted potential solutions for Morocco’s future energy supply, focusing primarily upon nuclear energy and regional co-operation.

The Algerian government endorsed plans to create an Amazigh Language Academy and a Higher Council for the Amazigh Language.

After his dismissal from the show on Friday, Farid from Star Academy said the show has transcended boundaries to unite the people of the Maghreb.

Counter-terrorism officials from throughout the Arab world met in Tunis on June 13th to discuss strategies and co-operation with members of the Arab League and the United Nations. Attendees called for a central database of al-Qaeda information to be shared among Arab governments.

NATO officials visited Tunisia on June 18-19 to discuss the Mediterranean Dialogue with Tunisian leaders and academics. The Tunisian Defence Minister pledged his country’s commitment to regional co-operation.

The Jazz au Chellah festival ends Tuesday in Rabat, after five days of musical exchange between genres, cultures, and peoples. Performances featured folk- and traditionally-inspired jazz, from Morocco and abroad.

The Algerian government introduced new amendments to the electoral law with the goal of intensifying requirements for candidates wishing to run independently and on small party lists.

In the second part of a two-part interview, award-winning Moroccan journalist Ahmed Reda Benchemsi talks about the role of journalists in rejecting extremism and about the new press law in Morocco.

At a conference on NATO and the Mediterranean, held June 13th in Rabat, officials discussed Morocco’s unique relationship with the organisation and stressed the need for increased co-operation in regional security initiatives.

Ahmed Reda Benchemsi speaks to Magharebia about his award-wining article, the state of Morocco's press freedom and the role of journalists in fighting extremism.

Approximately 700,000 pupils across Algeria have been sitting their Baccalaureate examinations since June 9th. According to forecasts from Education Minister Boubekeur Benbouzid, 70% of students are expected to pass.

Tunisian organisations including the League for the Defence of Human Rights and the local branch of Amnesty International have banded together against the death penalty in their country. The new alliance will petition the Tunisian government, which has not executed a prisoner since 1993, to change the law by abolishing capital punishment altogether.

The parents of an English girl abducted in Portugal, Madeleine Beth McCann, visited Morocco this week to appeal to the government to assist in their search. The four-year-old was reportedly seen in Morocco, just six days after her abduction. Numerous Moroccan child advocacy groups also expressed their intention to help.

The Algerian government has decided to respond to calls to postpone its local elections, scheduled for September 2007.

The Moroccan government has teamed up with crafts organisations to improve protections for freelance artisans and help them better promote their wares.

At a meeting in early June, representatives of the Moroccan government and transport unions identified steps to move forward in resolving disputes over a draft highway law which drivers and hauliers found too strict.

In Star Academy Maghreb’s latest elimination round on Friday (June 8th), 19-year-old Farah Bouelasri became the eighth contestant to go home. Following her dismissal, she spoke to Magharebia about her experiences on the show.

Algeria and the United States signed a bilateral agreement on Saturday (June 9th), concerning the peaceful use of nuclear energy.

Some 294,115 candidates across Morocco took the Baccalaureate exams from June 7th to 9th. Also this year, the Ministry for National Education enacted new measures to improve the conditions under which the exams are held.

The Afak Community Involvement and Development Association launched a campaign to educate citizens about the benefits of elections.

Prime Minister Zein Ould Zeidane presented the new Mauritanian government’s programme, in which he vowed to fight poverty and tackle economic problems.

A new organisation was formed last month in Tunisia, to combat what is perceived to be an increased presence of religious rhetoric in the country’s public space. Sofiene Ben Hmida, founding member of the Association for the Defence of Secularism in Tunisia, spoke to Magharebia about the group’s creation and mission.

Engaged in a fight against terrorism since 1992, Algerian security forces have to constantly evolve to keep pace with innovations by terrorists, resorting to new information and communication techniques to prevent attacks and to convince terrorists to put down their weapons.

A new fund established by the International Federation of Journalists aims to provide financial security to African journalists to help them to practice and defend their profession.

Tunisians flocked Wednesday to greet Marwan Ali, the winner of the pan-Arab talent show Superstar. Many said they were proud of his achievements and hard work.

President Bouteflika's decision to reappoint nearly the entire previous government has come as a great disappointment to some Algerians who had been hoping for a change. Although most citizens were firm in their opposition to the decision, Algerian politicians were divided.

The 40th annual Algiers International Fair opened on Saturday (June 2nd), drawing trade exhibitions from Algeria's European trading partners and many other countries.

High dropout levels from public schooling places Algerian children in a precarious social situation. Many children who withdraw from school also have troubles at home and are not being socialized for success, leading to high levels of child mistreatment.

The Tunisian Parliamentarians Association held a conference entitled "Dialogue, Cooperation and Solidarity in the Western Mediterranean" from May 30th to 31st in Tunis. Participants discussed intercultural communication and the importance of tolerance in forging positive international relations.

Magharebia speaks with one of Star Academy Maghreb’s popular favourites, Badro, upon his dismissal from the Academy.

A delegation from the US House of Representatives concluded its visit to Tunisia on Friday (June 1st), as part of a larger visit to the region. The officials discussed numerous issues of mutual interest, including economic development and the fight against terrorism.

The Algerian government is preparing to implement radical reforms of the electoral system in effect since the 1997 elections, seeking to introduce key amendments to the current electoral law.

Last month, the US State Department-sponsored Middle East Partnership Initiative announced the establishment of an alumni network, to connect the beneficiaries of its programmes.