Magharebia

"Music can be a bridge of tolerance and love between the world's nations", one salsa performer told Magharebia.

Authorities plan to investigate the situations of all Mauritanians held in prisons overseas, including the child-bride case in Spain involving the Bouna family.

A print and television ad campaign highlighting economic opportunities in Morocco will target businesspeople in France and Spain.

A wave of support from last week's meeting of international donors has Mauritanians both excited and watchful.

A mother of nine has created an educational website for the use of students, housewives and anyone interested in learning.

A lack of facilities is the biggest obstacle to exercising for some Tunisians, a recent study reveals.

Baccalaureate candidates had their best pass rate in years, with one young woman scoring Tunisia's first-ever perfect 20/20.

Magharebia tagged along Sunday to see how one candidate and his friends braved the baccalaureate exams.

Greens fans living in Tunisia share the thrill and the despair of the World Cup journey with their adopted countrymen.

Several jihadi organisations have renounced violence and reviewed their positions after years of embracing bloodshed.

An "unprecedented" competition to choose religious leaders could help Mauritanian authorities curb extremism, say observers.

While some Tunisians embrace their imams' emphasis on tolerance and compassion in media programming, others are uneasy with what they call a shallow approach to religion.

Ministry of Education statistics for 2010 show a much higher bac pass rate than in 2009, but 44% of Morocco's candidates still have to re-take the exam to pass.

"It looked like M'bolhi was playing against the US single-handedly," one Fennecs fan said after the Greens' heartbreaking elimination.

The streets of Nouakchott are festooned with Algerian, Ivoirian and Cameroonian flags as Mauritanians stake out which team they will cheer on.

Moroccan bands like Mazagan and Darga took the stage to entertain many young fans who attended the festival.

The Saudi cleric's visit "blocked the way for extremists, and especially al-Qaeda's supporters", said teacher Naji Salah.

The production of packaged milk has suffered since Algerian authorities slashed powdered milk quotas.

A regional electricity market will boost "fruitful co-operation between the two sides of the Mediterranean", said Algerian Energy Minister Yousef Yousfi.

The suspects are accused of using the internet to persuade Moroccans to attack their home country.

"I don't regret what I've done," Abdelli told Magharebia in the wake of controversy over his outspoken performances.

Algerian flags fly off store shelves as Tunisians cheer on the only Arab team at the World Cup.

Farida T. was attacked six months ago in broad daylight, waiting for a bus in the Rabat district of Yaacoub El Mansour.

Algeria held England to a goalless draw on Friday, salvaging fan dreams of a berth in the next round.

With only 13% of food products subject to subsidies, Tunisian consumers on tight budgets seek solutions from the government.

The treaty aims to keep nuclear weapons out of the arms of terrorists while allowing for the peaceful use of nuclear energy.

The Orient-Occident Foundation, with the UNHCR, will also offer language training in French and Arabic.

"I've found a beautiful country and wonderful people, and I've fulfilled a dream – to watch Algeria play in the World Cup," said one Fennecs supporter.

Students in Tunisia suffered from varying levels of bac stress, depending on their specialisation and how distracted they are by their passion for football.

Al Jazeera's selling price for World Cup broadcast rights was called too high by Morocco's government, so many Moroccans cannot watch the matches at home.

Following her trailblazing journey to the Roland Garros Juniors tournament, Tunisian Ons Jabeur is now looking to win Olympic gold and Wimbledon.

Young people do not have many viewing options on Arab satellite stations, participants said at a recent Tunis conference.

Advocacy groups and working children are contesting government claims that child labour rates have fallen.

"The historic setting of Chellah is magical. The festival manages to showcase Moroccan talent," said one festival-goer.

Algeria's defeat at the hands of Slovenia dampened hopes of World Cup glory for the Fennecs.

Most Tunisians do not consider the environment when making everyday choices, a new poll reveals.

The Maghreb needs to focus on economic co-operation, not politics, said participants in the 7th Consultative Council meeting of the Arab Maghreb Union (AMU).

Undisclosed fees can raise the price of flats by up to 30%, prospective homeowners complain.

"We didn't reserve this result, but that's football," Algeria coach Rabah Sâadane said after the defeat.

"[The federation] hopes to boost scientific research in the Maghreb by intensifying the efforts being made by the region's universities," said one university representative.

Safety in the stands, whether in the Maghreb or South Africa, is earning renewed attention in the wake of incidents that recall past problems with out-of-control crowds.

Tourist attractions should provide more protection for visitors, said Arab world tourism and security officials who met this week in Tunis.

"In Mauritania, the baccalaureate degree is the key to opening a lot of doors, and young people like us have to get it," one candidate told Magharebia.

Musicians from around the globe are treating Fes residents and visitors to a feast of sacred sounds.

As baccalaureate exams kick off in Tunis, Magharebia visits a testing centre in El Menzah to see how students are faring.

The political activist has even selected a cabinet, but public reaction is mixed.

An estimated 5,000 Algerians are taking advantage of subsidised plane tickets and special travel offers to cheer on the Greens at the World Cup.

Hundreds of thousands of young people will sit the exam this week, as the Education Ministry puts new testing procedures in place.

At the start of the Algerian bac exams on Sunday, Magharebia followed one high school student through her experience.

A win over Tunisia on Saturday earned Algeria a spot in the African Women's Championship (AWC) football finals.

To celebrate the WHO's annual day devoted to fighting tobacco use, Princess Lalla Salma recognised Moroccan institutions that are making headway in the fight against smoking.

The new bill threatens those acting against Tunisia's economic interests with prison sentences ranging from one to five years.

Star Academy Maghreb winner Hajar Adnane, who is dedicating her latest single to her fans, speaks to Magharebia about her current work.

Anxiety over the looming baccalaureate takes a toll on Algerian pupils and parents. Magharebia investigated their favourite ways of improving both marks and mindsets.

Maghreb culture ministers met in Libya to schedule heritage festivals and fine arts forums to deepen regional ties.

Student groups have been demanding for months that Morocco honour its pledge to provide civil service jobs for degree-holders. On Wednesday, things took a dangerous turn.

A Tunisian bac candidate shares his strategy for success with Magharebia as the June 9th start draws near.

The Islamic Bank of Zitouna plans to grow by 20 branches per year and hopes to expand from Tunisia into neighbouring countries.

"We're prepared to help the Maghreb countries and sub-Sahara African countries to face and chase al-Qaeda," said AFRICOM commander General William Ward.

Analysts see last week's defection of top al-Qaeda terrorist Abou El-Abbes as a blow to the organisation.

Under the banner "Women, I Love You", the Tunis International Film Festival screened 16 works, all with a nod to the role of women in the seventh art.

"If we adopt Kadhafi's suggestion, the World Cup will never leave Brazil, Italy, Germany and Argentina," said one critic of the Libyan leader's idea for changing FIFA rules.

Reactions to changes in Algeria's cabinet range from satisfaction within the ruling party to opposition discontent.