Magharebia

Musicians from across the globe will come together in Rabat once again in May for the 2008 Mawazine World Rhythms festival. Jazz and gypsy music will be this year's focus, but listeners will hear music from many other genres over the course of the eight-day event.

In the wake of what many are calling an "exorbitant" penalty for libel, a diverse group of Moroccan newspapers is coming out in support of Al Massae daily. The papers say the decision threatens independent journalists and free speech.

RCD party chief Said Saadi has returned from an international tour to solicit observers for Algeria's presidential elections next spring. Some politicians view Saadi's move as an early indication of his likely candidacy. Others oppose the measure, arguing that foreign observers call Algeria's reputation and sovereignty into question.

Facing demographic change in Morocco, the long-term solvency of pension funds is at risk. The ratio of people working to those in retirement is falling. Workers do not want to increase their contributions or the age or retirement, and they hope the government will identify an equitable solution.

Morocco defeated Belgium in a friendly game, the Moroccan Olympic team won a Beijing qualifier, and Olympique Khouribga, FAR Rabat and Ittihad Zemmouri de Khemisset lead the 23rd round of the Moroccan League championship.

Morocco sees its potential as a "magnet" for foreign companies. To maximise its appeal to investors and benefit young people who are working for the first time, Morocco will pay the full cost of training thousands of new "offshoring" employees in 12 work specialities.

A new study released this month in Morocco reveals the successes and failures of the country's social housing programme for low-income families. The housing ministry says that while there have been setbacks, the plan has performed well.

Judges from throughout the Arab world are attending a workshop organised by the Arab Institute for Human Rights in partnership with a number of other groups. Attendees will receive education in the application of human rights principles in their respective justice systems.

Sports and government officials from across the Maghreb have instituted a new regional body based in Tunis to quell sports doping. The new centre will reduce testing costs and help create unified standards for athletes.

Tunisian President Zine El Abidine Ben Ali is promoting a bill that would allow opposition party leaders to stand in the country's 2009 presidential elections without signatures of support from elected officials. The specifics of the bill, while reportedly constituting a step towards political openness, exclude opposition candidate Nejib Chebbi from participating.

Algerian medical assistants held a three-day strike to protest new civil service laws governing their profession and pay.

The government’s new job-creation strategy is raising high hopes among young graduates, who will be the main beneficiaries of the new measures. Over 350,000 jobs are to be created, with the hope of bringing unemployment below 9%.

As al-Qaeda kidnappers extend the deadline for two Austrian tourists believed held in Mali, some reports indicate that the son of Libyan leader Moamer Kadhafi may be assisting with confidential negotiations to obtain their release.

Morocco called recently for Algeria to re-open the countries' shared border for the first time in 14 years. Algerian officials welcomed Morocco's invitation to normalise relations, but said a global approach is needed to resolve issues such as Western Sahara.

Moroccans and Tunisians weigh in on two audio messages reportedly from fugitive al-Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden.

A Moroccan cultural week organised by Tunisia's Ministry of Culture kicked off in the Tunisian capital last week. A number of Moroccan artists and artisan gathered to highlight the cultural similarities between the two countries.

Utility company Lydec and the city of Casablanca have resolved a major contract dispute through a memorandum of understanding. City residents, however, have not taken the news well, as water and electricity tariffs will remain at their present levels.

A goalless draw against IZK last Sunday brought Olympique Khouribga back to the top of Morocco's Premier League football tournament. FAR Rabat missed their opportunity to do the same, tying with Maghreb Tetouan in Round 22.

Representatives from seven Arab countries conferred in Tunis last week on how to involve more women in political life, from increasing voter turnout to pursuing greater representation in local government.

Morocco is experiencing a purchasing power crisis. As the cost of food continues to mount, Moroccan households are calling on the government to take steps to curb the eye-popping prices.

Morocco and the Polisario Front concluded their fourth round of talks over Western Sahara on Tuesday, in the New York suburb of Manhasset. While neither party made concessions during the round, the two sides agreed to meet again.

In a case which drew international media attention and support from the online community, the young Moroccan jailed for impersonating a member of the royal family on the internet has been released from prison. News of Fouad Mourtada's pardon delighted Moroccans, who for weeks had been waiting impatiently for this sort of response from the head of state.

Al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb's recent killing in a mosque of two moderate adherents of Algeria's Salafist movement reveals the extent of hostility between the country's radical groups.

Each year on the eve of Mouled celebrations, Algerian customs officials seize consignments of illegal firecrackers destined for local markets. The government cracks down on the illicit trade as a safety precaution, but many sellers are undeterred.

As alleged terror network mastermind Abdelkader Belliraj answers multiple charges in a Moroccan court, attorneys for six alleged cell members claim they are being prevented from mounting an adequate defence.

Tunisian families will continue to celebrate the birth of the Prophet Mohammed in 2008, in spite of numerous calls from religious scholars to end the practice. Some Muslim leaders have called observance of the holiday heresy.

A newly-approved Algerian law will require the government to disclose how it spends public funds. Many welcome the measure as an end to the government's lack of accountability regarding the management of billion-dollar budgets as well as a step toward granting more power to Parliament.

Alarmed by recent terrorism arrests in Morocco, some women's rights activists have taken a bold step to counter the threat of extremism: bringing an awareness-raising programme to schools and performing community outreach in poor neighbourhoods.

Ethnic violence forced thousands of Mauritanians out of their homes and into Senegal two decades ago, but the two countries and the UN are working together to bring them back home. After leaving camps across the Senegal River from their homeland last week, the second group of repatriates received a warm welcome in Rosso.

US and Tunisian officials agreed during meetings on March 10th-11th to lift US customs duties on some 5,000 Tunisian products. Duty-free treatment under the "preference program" will give Tunisian vendors an advantage in the US market.

As the three-day deadline set by al-Qaeda for two Austrian tourists approaches, Tunisia and Algeria appeared unwilling to yield to the kidnappers' demand. Meanwhile, Tunisians and Algerians from across the political spectrum denounced the abduction.

The Moroccan city of Fez hosted a book fair this month devoted to women writers and bibliophiles. The event offered Moroccans the chance to meet writers and discuss gender issues, as well as enjoying various theatrical and musical displays.

Caught between rising drug prices and a desire to give the public access to affordable healthcare, the Algerian government has found a solution: encouraging the production and use of generic drugs.

Algeria is venturing into the use of renewable sources to meet its energy needs. If the exploitation programme recently launched by the country succeeds, Europe will be the first customer.

The Moroccan Sahara Association announced last week it would put off its planned march to Tifariti, originally scheduled for March 16th. Meanwhile, the Polisario reportedly held celebrations in the region it considers "freed", despite Moroccan claims that the anniversary commemoration was cancelled.

Tunisian journalist and press freedom advocate Sihem Bensedrine and husband Omar Mestiri were allegedly assaulted by police early this month when entering Tunisia from Europe. The government denies the claims, but human rights groups are persisting in their accusations.

A major debate has sparked in Morocco following a call for ulemas to be given a political role. Some say a proposed parliamentary quota indicates respect, while others say the religious scholars should remain neutral and not carry political labels.

Star Academy Maghreb fans can expect big things from this summer's competition, despite last season's controversial final round. Organisers say even more aspiring stars will audition for the reality show this year.

Faced with declining fan support and media criticism, Moroccan football needs to be revitalised, officials agree. Experts met last week to plan strategy for saving not just the Atlas Lions but amateur sports in general.

Two Austrian tourists missing in Tunisia since mid-February have been reported kidnapped by al-Qaeda. Tunisian authorities deny the claim, suggesting the travellers strayed over the border into the deep Sahara.

The second Sufi Culture Festival, to be held in April in Fez, will offer a variety of art exhibits, lectures, and concerts on the themes of peace and tolerance.

Tunisia's National Library hosted an exhibition that showcases the architectural heritage of New York City. Visitors said the exhibition was an opportunity to build cultural bridges between the US and Tunisia.

Three Maghreb countries used folklore and handicrafts to promote themselves to German tourists at the world's largest travel trade show, the International Tourism Bourse in Berlin.

Faced with housing supply problems and a growing mismatch between income and real estate prices, Morocco's housing ministry has begun identifying measures to improve the state of affairs for aspiring home buyers.

As Moroccan women's rights advocates prepare to celebrate International Women's Day on March 8th, one activist group says that the anti-terrorism issue is a women's issue as well. It has delayed releasing its annual political agenda to instead battle "the spiteful ideas" which threaten Morocco.

Female entrepreneurs are showcasing their work at a large trade exhibition under way in Algiers. More than 50,000 people are expected to shop for unique merchandise and see product demonstrations, fashion shows and a hairstyling competition at EVE 2008.

Tunisian President Zine El Abidine Ben Ali welcomed Mauritanian President Sidi Mohamed Ould Cheikh Abdellahi this week for his first state visit to the Mediterranean nation. The two leaders discussed the implementation of various trade agreements and the possibility of a Maghreb summit.

A recent festival held in Britain celebrated women’s film in the Maghreb and Middle East. Many filmmakers said the event gave the region an opportunity to dissociate its culture from terrorism.

Moroccan singer and Star Academy Maghreb winner Hajar Adnane spoke to Magharebia about the revival of Maghreb song, calling art a "noble message" when used to sing for peace and tolerance.

The fifth annual Butterflies Rally is set to begin Wednesday in Tunisia. Female drivers will test their skills racing across 1,800 km of the famed Tunisian terrain.

As international representatives hold another conference in Morocco this week on legal migration and how to stem the "brain drain", some experts consider the success of such initiatives is dependent upon oversight and timely implementation.

A recent twist in the investigation of the Belliraj terrorist network in Morocco shows that ringleader Abdelkader Belliraj may have worked as an informant for Belgian intelligence for as long as eight years.

With a new UN-led initiative to curb the practice of female genital mutilation around the world, Mauritania – where an estimated 71% of women undergo the practice – faces significant challenges in alerting its people to the dangers and human rights implications of the tradition.

The Algerian government has ordered domestic mobile phone companies to end the sale of anonymous mobile phones and SIM cards, given the devices' role in a series of terrorist attacks in the country. The Algerian companies have been told to identify every subscriber by April 20th or the accounts will be blocked.