Magharebia

With the 2008 Summer Olympic Games set to begin in one week, Tunisian athletes are already in Beijing. This year, medal hopes are pinned on individual athletes such as star swimmer Oussama Mellouli.

Moroccan athletes hope to add more Olympic medals to the country's collection, with a heavy emphasis on boxing and athletics competitions.

After a long delay, results were released last week in the Mauritanian baccalaureate examinations, bringing a troubled academic year to an end in the country. Overall results show a success rate of roughly 46%.

Algerian officials say investing rising oil revenues in sovereign funds is a risky move.

President Bouteflika sharply criticized privatisation and foreign investors last weekend, accusing them of failing to contribute to the development of the Algerian economy. Economists say bureaucracy and corruption are to blame.

Under a new law in Tunisia, prisons are required to provide separate facilities for pregnant or nursing inmates. The new law also reduces the length of time a child can stay with their incarcerated mother from three years to one.

The Moroccan government, politicians and business leaders are sparring over recent allegations that a property development group was allowed to buy land from the state at bargain prices.

The Moroccan Senate is reviewing an anti-smoking bill that would ban smoking in certain public places and prohibit the sale of cigarettes to people under 18.

Tunisian opposition figure Ahmed Nejib Chebbi wasted no time in responding vigorously to the adoption of a temporary constitutional amendment that would block him from running for president in 2009.

Days after a suicide bomber rammed his motorbike into a military truck in Lakhdaria, Algerian President Abdelaziz Bouteflika inaugurated several projects in the region.

Until recently, women were barred from attending Morocco's elite training academy for district officers. The graduation of the country's first female caids last week is seen as a milestone for equal rights.

With current economic indicators and forecasts strong for Morocco, business and industry leaders say that partnerships between the country's public and private sectors are paying off.

In a surprise move to many, Abdelillah Benkirane was elected Secretary-General of Morocco's PJD last weekend. Viewed by many as a moderate voice within the Islamist movement, some wonder about the reasons for his appointment.

The Moroccan government is developing closer ties to the country's NGO community, in a bid to help organisations fill gaps in the social sector.

Algerian government, security officials learn counter-terrorism measures in a closed-door UN training session.

With the high prices of hotel rooms and the influx of foreign tourists, some Tunisians say it's more affordable to leave their country during the summer than to vacation at home.

A rural Algerian village is still reeling after terrorists robbed a home and beheaded a local farmer. The incident reminds many local residents of the dark days of the 1990s.

Tunisian journalist Slim Boukhdhir was released from prison Monday after serving seven months of a year-long sentence. Many believe Boukhdhir's arrest and conviction resulted from the writer's criticism of the Tunisian government.

The fourth Casa Music festival held from July 17th-20th was a huge success. For four days the festival lit up the night atmosphere of the largest districts of Morocco’s economic capital.

Moroccan parliamentarians are calling for the implementation of a government plan to provide support to Moroccan citizens living overseas.

Young Moroccan singer Joudia Belkabir, famous for her appearance on Studio 2M, speaks with Magharebia about her career and future plans.

After focusing on public administration for many years, Moroccan universities have been slow to adapt to the needs of the business world.

Morocco announced last week that in an effort to protect Moroccans living abroad from the threat of religious extremism, it will send 176 imams to Europe and North America during the holy month of Ramadan.

The designation of October 10th as National Women's Day celebrates Morocco's 2003 Family Code. Parliamentarians welcomed the new holiday while some citizens say the code has not yet been fully implemented.

The Algerian government has responded to al-Qaeda leader Abdelmalek Droukdel by announcing that fewer than 300 terrorists capable of carrying out attacks remain. Security experts describe the exchange as "information warfare".

One of Africa and the Arab world's longest-running arts festivals is now under way in Carthage. Organisers are offering a lineup of international concerts, plays and films through mid-August.

A political tug-of-war in Mauritania's majority party garnered the public's attention during the first week of July. Citizens say the fall of the two-month old government is a sign of democratic progress and evidence that the common man's voice is being heard in Parliament.

Baccalureate candidates in Mauritania eagerly await their results as teachers end their long strike and a new government is formed.

Drug shortages have sparked panic among Algeria's chronically ill. In a bid to solve the crisis, the government decided last week to lift import restrictions imposed in December 2007.

Morocco, a country where 96% of energy is imported, has announced a plan to reduce dependence on foreign supplies by encouraging increased efficiency and the use of sustainable alternative energy sources.

Competition and the rising price of raw inputs threaten to kerb the success Morocco's textile market enjoyed in 2007.

The first group of Algerian athletes is on its way to the 2008 Olympic Games. They will spend time in Seoul, Korea conducting final preparations before heading to Beijing.

The Mediterranean union project proposed by French President Nicolas Sarkozy has become reality. At a summit meeting in Paris on Sunday, 43 leaders welcomed the creation of the new institution, intended to foster stronger relations in the region.

After a number of postponements, Spanish Prime Minister José Luis Zapatero made a visit to Morocco to "thaw" relations between the two countries.

A conference of Arab officials concluded with calls for Arab states to work together in the fight against drugs.

Nejib Chebbi, former Secretary-General of the Democratic Progressive Party, is poised to defy the law and run against Tunisian President Ben Ali in the next presidential elections.

Students who put themselves forward for the baccalaureate found out their results overnight from Wednesday to Thursday. Nearly 56% of candidates managed to secure their passport to university.

Moroccan engineer-turned-terrorist Hicham Doukkali, who made headlines last year for his failed suicide bomb attack on a busload of tourists in Meknes, was sentenced to life in prison Thursday. His accomplice Hassan Azougar received ten years.

The fifth season of Morocco's popular football reality show "Golden Foot" will include contestants from other Maghreb countries for the first time in programme history.

Moroccan doctors are back to work following an agreement with the Ministry of Health concerning pay, benefits and recognition of public service.

Morocco's new national football team selector Roger Lemerre briefed the press Tuesday on his plans for success in his new post. He called on fans, players, and the coaching staff to all do their part, saying "nothing must be left to chance".

Participants in the International Festival of Carthage revealed the latest program of one the oldest and richest arts festivals in Africa and the Arab world, in hopes of making up for lacklustre editions in previous years.

The Moroccan government has rejected talk by the Netherlands of ruling out dual nationality for citizens of a number of countries, including Morocco.

The Committee to Protect Journalists recently visited Tunisia to evaluate the current state of press freedom in the country. Despite a refusal by state media and government officials to meet with the delegation, the group will prepare a report to convey its findings.

Tunisian academics and officials participated in a seminar last week on the growing phenomenon of violence among youth. Young people in attendance said the proposed measures do not adequately address the problem.

In an address to the country's military on Saturday, Algerian President Bouteflika reiterated his commitment to national reconciliation. Analysts give their input on the significance of the speech.

The Moroccan government increased fuel prices on July 1st to respond to the rising crude oil costs. Officials assure concerned citizens that the Caisse de Compensation will continue to provide assistance and say fuel subsidies for low-income families are now under consideration.

Energy ministers from Arab Maghreb Union countries agreed at a recent meeting in Algiers to boost co-operation in the trade and production of energy. The officials also plan to collaborate on the development of renewable energy resources.

Moroccan Health Minister Yasmina Baddou appeared on national television on July 1st to present her road map to reform the health sector. Many Moroccans complain about poor management and say the provision of health care is linked with the patient's financial status.

The newly-formed Amadeus Institute opened its doors last month in Rabat, bringing together researchers and officials to address Mediterranean issues. Institute Vice-President Younes Slaoui talks about the institute's mission and the future of the Mediterranean Union.

Moroccans are praising the arrest of 35 suspected terrorists based on information provided by Algerian authorities. Some however, say that security measures need to be complemented by economic and social development.

Algerians rejected a number of assertions made by Al-Qaeda Organisation in the Islamic Maghreb leader Abdelmalek Droukdel in a recent interview with the New York Times. Terror victims decried attacks that kill or injure civilians while experts said the organisation's capabilities are limited.

The Polisario Front may abandon Western Sahara negotiations with Morocco, following remarks by UN envoy Peter van Walsum that independence is no longer feasible.

Sociologists and officials came together on June 28th-29th to discuss the erosion of traditional Algerian values and its impact on youth and family structures. Widespread social problems like unemployment and the influence of foreign media were identified as causes.

The telecommunications sector in Morocco is growing strongly, benefitting from liberalisation in the industry and the increased use of mobile telephones and the internet.

The defence team representing Aljazeera bureau chief Hassan Rachidi has been granted additional time to prepare, and rights activist Brahim Sab'alil was arrested after reiterating claims of police abuse in Sidi Ifni.

The teams have been selected for this year's Tunisian Cup football final. ES Sahel, fresh off a victory against Stade Tunisien, will play against powerhouse Espérance on Saturday in Radès.

The 11th Gnawa and Music of the World festival, held from June 26th-29th in the Moroccan city of Essaouira, proved to be yet another roaring success for the event.