Magharebia

Each year, more than 26,000 people lose their lives on Arab roadways. At a recent meeting in Tunis, public safety and transportation officials discussed ways to prevent traffic accidents and reduce their financial impact.

As Algerian oil revenues accrue, many of the country's economists and politicians are encouraging the government to spend the money on boosting infrastructure and countering unemployment.

The Agadir Free Trade Agreement came into force in January 2007 with great hopes for regional economic growth. One year later, the results have been disappointing and member countries may seek arbitration to end long-standing trade disputes.

Many international mega-stars performed at the recent Mawazine Festival in Rabat, but for one Moroccan singer now living in the US, the event marked an emotional homecoming.

As Algeria marks 5 years since the catastrophic earthquake, a new study shows that a lack of money, information, trust and interest is behind Algerian ambivalence to purchasing mandatory natural disaster insurance.

Morocco abandoned "Summer Time" nearly a decade ago. On June 1st, however, clocks in the Kingdom will advance one hour to extend daylight and reduce energy consumption. Opinions are mixed as to whether the measure will make a difference.

Meeting in Rabat last week, African MPs reached agreement on recommendations aimed at protecting the rights of Sub-Saharan migrants in their host countries.

At a recent seminar in Rabat, journalists and press advocates came together to call for increased protections for workers in the field. Morocco's largest press syndicate declared that incidents of assault and harassment of journalists is on the rise.

The annual Jewish pilgrimage to the Ghriba Synagogue came to a close Friday on the Tunisian island of Djerba. The number of Europeans making the trip is increasing, six years after a deadly attack on the holy site left 21 dead.

Saturday May 24th saw the close of the seventh Mawazine Festival amid great fanfare. A full slate of international superstars drew fans to a city normally known for its serenity.

In a close contest Friday in Lebanon, Tunisia's Nader Quirat emerged as this year's Star Academy champion. Tunisians were jubilant over the win – a first for the Maghreb country.

Tunisia's Club Africain emerged as this year's Premier League champions on Thursday following a 2-1 victory over ES Zarzis. Despite yielding a goal in the first half, the team rallied after the break to edge out second-place ES Sahel for the title.

ES Setif won the Arab Champions League title for the second year in a row after defeating Wydad Casablanca 1-0 in Blida on Thursday. The Moroccans fought hard, but a jam-packed stadium of supporters, including Algerian Prime Minister Abdelaziz Belkhadem, saw Setif through to victory.

The Moroccan woman will be honoured in a series of events in Fez, as part of the larger programme to celebrate the city's 1,200 years of history.

Morocco hopes to end the growing divide in education and opportunity between urban and rural areas. A new team at the education ministry has been tasked with making pre-school education more widely available.

Many believe that Nader Quirat of Tunisia has honoured his country with a successful run at the Star Academy Season 5 title in Lebanon. Fans are largely supportive, but wonder whether a Maghreb candidate will be given a fair chance to win.

Days of purported violence between rival youth gangs in Berriane has kept Algeria on edge. A government panel will now visit the Saharan town to determine what must be done to prevent a recurrence of the arson and bloodshed.

Scholars from three religions attended a recent conference in Doha to discuss the importance of interfaith dialogue. Participants stressed the need for education to bring people together.

Starting June 1st, the Algerian government will begin an ambitious plan to combat unemployment by paying employers to hire graduates. Despite their optimism, some young people worry that the plan will get mired in red tape.

A Moroccan prosecutor asked for lengthy prison terms for more than two dozen suspected terrorists accused of recruiting suicide bombers for Iraq and of plotting bomb attacks in Morocco and on EU buildings in Belgium.

Algeria's lower house of parliament met with the interior minister last week to discuss the growing phenomenon of kidnapping in the country.

A new Algerian study warns that organised crime is almost as big a threat to the country's security as terrorism. With new DNA labs, crime databases and improved training already showing signs of success, Algerian law officers say they are ready.

The first stone was laid last week in the building project of Morocco's new football training facility in Salé. The academy, funded through private contributions and a royal grant, will train aspiring footballers in the skills they need both on and off the pitch.

Tunis hosted a seminar on Maghreb co-operation and food security last week, organised by the newly-launched Maghreb Farmers' Union. The organisation seeks government assistance for farmers to help curb rising food costs and harmonise grain production across the region.

On the fifth anniversary of the terrorist attacks which rocked Casablanca on May 16th, 2003, Moroccan NGOs launched an initiative to promote a culture of solidarity and tolerance.

Security and tourism officials from Arab League member states agreed to work together to protect the safety of tourists and counter the threat terrorism poses to the tourism sector.

Rising food costs have prompted broad measures from the Tunisian government to help the agricultural sector achieve self-sufficiency.

The Casablanca Court of Appeals has once more decided to delay the Rosamor Ameublement factory fire trial until May 21st. Meanwhile, victims' advocates say procedural errors could reduce claimants' compensation.

The latest Desert Music Festival in Morocco celebrated the Sahraoui landscape and inter-cultural dialogue.

A large-scale awareness campaign in Morocco this month targets the early detection of breast cancer. As part of the national effort, the nation's first breast and cervical cancer screening centre was inaugurated in Rabat.

The recent explosion of fast food franchises and independent restaurants is credited to more than Algeria's positive economic changes and investment incentives. Thanks to an improved sense of security, Algerians are spending time at all hours in fast food shops.

Health ministers from the Maghreb came together last week in Tunis to discuss the importance of regional integration and co-operation in public health policy.

Nearly 1,000 associations across Morocco have banded together for a large-scale campaign to get more women on the ballot for next year's local elections.

Despite positive economic indicators for their country, Tunisians are feeling the pinch of high prices. Some even blame the government's lack of action against unemployment for a tragedy a week ago.

Tunis hosted a meeting of experts last week to explore ways to employ modern technology in correcting misinformation about Islam in the media.

Thanks to government initiatives and improved water conservation, Morocco anticipates doubling last year's grain harvest. Some vendors worry, however, that speculation in the wheat market will continue to drive up domestic prices.

JSK reached the end of the line in the African Champions League, despite their 2-1 win over Cameroon's Coton Sport on Friday. Meanwhile, play will resume on May 12th in the Algerian league.

The Moroccan government has told Aljazeera to cease broadcasting from the satellite channel's Rabat bureau until legal issues are resolved. Press freedom groups say the issue is about politics, not administrative technicalities.

After crossing Libya's desert without incident, the FIA OPTIC 2000 Tunisia Rally 2008 ended Saturday in Djerba. Organisers say the Rally success proved that Tunisia is safe and defied extremists.

The National Union for Higher Education concluded a three-day strike at Morocco's universities on Thursday. It was the third such protest held in 2008, in a bid to bring the government back to the negotiating table on education reform.

Ten hip-hop and breakdance groups from across Morocco competed at the Ouf du Bled music festival Saturday in Casablanca. Female rappers Flow Tigresses and breakdance troupe Anti Boys Crew won the final vote.

Michèle Alliot-Marie, France's Minister of the Interior, met with top Algerian officials on Monday and Tuesday to discuss co-operation in counter-terrorism and disaster relief operations, as well as France's proposed Mediterranean Union project.

The 26th Tunis International Book Fair came to a close on Sunday. Visitors from Tunisia and abroad noted a decline in the number of religious books offered, and publishers complained of a fall in sales over previous years.

Ten days after the horrific Casablanca factory fire which killed dozens of workers, survivors are still in shock. One man tells Magharebia about his desperate escape, a friend's brave sacrifice and his hope that Morocco will compensate victims' families.

Following the success of Maktoub and Ali Zaoua, director Nabil Ayouch is back with a new feature film. "Whatever Lola Wants", which uses the story of an American girl in Cairo to discuss "culture clashes" and tolerance, is garnering raves in Morocco and abroad.

In its first annual report on press freedoms since reorganisation, the new National Union of Tunisian Journalists made numerous claims of harassment and censorship by the government. Critics say the union lacks factual support for its arguments.

As charges were filed this week against the owner of the Casablanca mattress factory where 56 people died last Saturday, Moroccans come to terms with the fact that the disaster may have been caused by building code violations and human error.

The International Federation of Journalists organised a meeting in Tunis to improve conditions for women journalists, advocating their increased participation in professional unions.

Due to an improved average life expectancy and a drop in birth rate, Algeria's population is ageing. Lawmakers hope to address the changing needs of the elderly population, which is expected to rise to 40% of the national total by 2040.

Morocco's Health Ministry plans to expand the use of generic medicines in the private sector. While consumers would benefit from the lower prices, trade agreements and patent restrictions could hinder the sector's growth.

As the latest set of talks by labour unions and the Moroccan government end without any solution to improving workers' incomes, some union leaders are calling for a general strike.