Magharebia

Public information is usually an invaluable resource for businesses, providing background on everything from regulatory law to taxation. According to a new study, however, Moroccan companies find the information to be incomplete, unhelpful or slow to arrive.

The Algerian Ministry of Education intends to ban the use of make-up in schools starting January 3rd. While the majority of parents and teaching staff have applauded the measure, others fear that it constitutes a restriction of personal freedoms.

Under a new plan, the Moroccan government is taking steps to protect the tourism industry in the face of global economic decline.

Tunisia hosted two festivals celebrating the south's desert culture and heritage. The celebrations attracted many tourists, who came to enjoy performances by Tunisian, Maghreb, and Arab artists.

Morocco's Interior Ministry welcomed human rights activists last week for a discussion of how the country's reform plan is faring. Even critics concede that the effort to balance public safety with personal freedom is beginning to show results.

JSM Bejaia advance to the final of the UNAF Winners Cup. JS Kabylie, however, were knocked out of the North African Football Union’s Champions Cup.

Tunisian families are enjoying an international array of performers and new special effects wizardry at the annual Neapolis International Festival of Children's Theatre.

The first assembly of Moroccan women emigrants recommended improving education and access to the family code.

Moroccan officials appear confident that the country's real estate sector is impervious to the global crisis, but would-be buyers think otherwise.

Female factory labourers and household maids face harsh working conditions in Tunisia. Activists and labour union leaders met in Tunis to discuss how to help this threatened segment of the country's workforce.

The EU presented its new law on weapons export control to its North African partners. Although the legislation intends to limit the misuse of arms, critics say it will do little to control illegal trade.

The Egypt-based CIHRS releases its first report detailing the human rights situation in the Maghreb and the Arab world.

While the Moroccan Parliament prepares for a debate Wednesday on last week's fact-finding report on the June 2008 events in Sidi Ifni, human rights groups question the value of the conclusions.

Morocco holds second telethon to raise funds against AIDS. AIDS organisations will use the money to help AIDS victims and raise awareness among the country's youth.

A new report on human rights in Western Sahara has moved Morocco, Algeria and the Polisario Front to defend their actions and issue new accusations.

Tunisia took a new step last week toward its goal to create one million jobs by 2016. Under a new co-operation agreement, Spain has invested five million dinars to improve job prospects in Gafsa and other regions.

Until their demands are met, local authority workers seem willing to continue striking regularly. Interior ministry officials say the requests are being addressed. The public complains about lack of services.

After more than three years of legal proceedings, Abdelilah Ahriz was sentenced by a Moroccan criminal court to 20 years in prison for his role in the 2004 Madrid bomb attacks.

Elected this month as president of the Tunisian Association of Democratic Women, Sanaa Benachour talked about her vision to achieve gender equality and confront religious extremism.

Spain signed its largest development deal on record with Morocco. More than half a billion euros will be spent on renewable energy, telecom and transport projects.

The women's movement welcomed a move by Morocco to withdraw its reservations regarding the Convention on the Elimination of all forms of Discrimination against Women.

Tunisia was host last Friday to a discussion on the perils of religious interpretation in modern society.

Mauritanian hip-hop group Awlad Leblad aspires to change society through music.

After much delay, Moroccan officials prepare for the launch of an Amazigh language television channel.

Doctors and other health care providers in Algeria have gone on strike as promised, protesting anew the wage inequality and under compensation claimed by unions. The government has yet to address the protesters' demands.

Just weeks after his release from the prison where he spent almost 18 years, Sadok Chourou of the Ennahda Movement was arrested on allegations of heading a banned movement and found guilty by a Tunis court.

In the latest in a series of high-profile terror arrests in Morocco, the Interior Ministry disclosed a new twist in terrorist strategy. While the arrests show security measures are paying off, they are also troubling to citizens.

Moroccan singer Ghani Kabbaj speaks to Magharebia about his career and the power of music to bring people together.

One year after the December 11th attacks in Algiers, the United Nations held a ceremony in remembrance of the staff killed by a car bomb explosion.

Presidential candidates in Tunisia are using the social networking website to promote their agendas and win more votes.

The Moroccan government announced a multi-ministerial strategy to help inhabitants of mountainous regions handle winter cold fronts and snowfalls.

The surrender of a terrorist in Algeria this week led authorities to thwart a series of potential attacks in Boumerdès and elsewhere, and revealed new depth to al-Qaeda's internal struggle to maintain power.

The Moroccan independent press says the authorities are trying to limit freedom of expression, an accusation the state denies.

Maghreb liberals discussed the relationship between Islam and politics in North Africa at a recent meeting.

Algerians mark the one year anniversary this week of the deadly attacks that struck the heart of the capital. Eye-witnesses to the bombings against the UN and the government tell Magharebia about their experiences.

To mark Human Rights Day, Morocco establishes a committee for the promotion of human rights.

At a meeting in Tunis on Friday, businessmen from Maghreb countries discussed ways to improve economic and trade integration in the region.

In the first survey of its kind, Morocco's elderly are shown to feel lonely and isolated.

Several agreements were signed by the Algerian and Tunisian governments, most important was one to exempt 2000 items from customs between the two countries.

Nearly one year after the devastating December 11th attacks on Algiers, an ideological war is raging between terrorists and the Islamic scholars who condemn their violent practices.

In Mauritania, more young people use the internet every day. Some say it is to escape social constraints. Others find the love of their life while surfing the web.

The central anti-corruption authority promises to work towards eradicating corruption.

After winning the golden award for her radio show "Ahlu Al Fan", Wesleti talks about her feelings and ambitions.

Facing an increase in non-payment, Morocco's microfinance sector is working with the government to inform borrowers and to stabilise lending and repayment practices.

The Moroccan government is taking steps to encourage Moroccan artists to incorporate the fight against AIDS in their work.

Moroccan authorities signed an agreement last week to convert former prisons into local social centres. While planners and many citizens view the prison restoration as a way to preserve memory, others would prefer to see the notorious structures torn down.

In Hammamet, experts from all over the world convened to discuss the information technology industry. Tunisia's prime minister criticised the low numbers of internet users in Africa.

Terrorist financing is the central theme of a conference under way in Algiers. Experts from North and West Africa are meeting to discuss ways to improve and expand counter-terrorism efforts in the region.

The "Tunis Pact", which promotes better education and future for young Muslims, was adopted last week at the International Conference on Youth Issues in the Islamic World.

In a recent government report, Morocco is shown to have made considerable progress towards the UN Millennium Development Goals, although there is still work to be done.