Magharebia

Menouar Merabtene, better known as the cartoonist Slim, tells Magharebia of his career and plans for the future.

Verses and rhymes exposed this week's Hammamet festival-goers to a wide range of urban culture.

Education officials are working to reduce the perils posed by Tunisia's job market, but recent graduates still have problems finding employment.

The new play "Harek Yetmanna" uses laughs to show "a true picture" of the horrific plight of young Tunisians who become illegal immigrants.

This summer, the Ministry of Youth and Sport enrolled nearly 151,000 children aged 7-17 in holiday camps, including a trail-blazing initiative for girls only.

A strategy for improving Rabat's e-government includes setting up 89 new online services by 2013, with 15 of them going live by 2011.

A new draft law granting greater protections to children has Tunisians debating its benefits.

The president of Mauritania's ruling party is offering to co-operate with France's "war" on Al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM) in the wake of the murder of a French aid worker.

A 30-0 second-half run by Nasr Sebkha showed Imraguens fans how cruel hoops can be.

The Ministry of Education has released exam results, leaving some baccalaureate candidates furious.

CA Bizertin defeated Club Africain while Espérance drew 0-0 against ES Sahel during Friday's sweaty start to the Tunisian football championship.

At the Oujda International Rai Festival, artists and spectators alike celebrated the common musical heritage of the Maghreb.

During the third Diwan Festival of Music, Algerians and Moroccans performed Gnaoua classics side by side.

Battles in the paint are the talk of Nouakchott as Mauritania's hoops stars sweat for a victory.

Despite hurdles and limited media coverage, the revisions presented Islamic legal reasoning that remain unchallenged by al-Qaeda.

Officials meeting in Tunis this week recommended fighting terrorism with measures ranging from controlling mobile phone use to improving child-rearing techniques.

Fans reactions to Rabah Saadane's new contract at the helm of the Greens range from support to scorn.

"You have to concentrate in class and keep revising throughout the year," a top-scoring Rabat candidate told Magharebia.

To cover a sensitive subject, a Tunisian filmmaker teamed up with an Algerian producer. The result breaks new ground for content and collaboration.

A recent decision by Algeria's Religious Affairs Ministry to set limits on imams' behaviour is drawing a mixture of praise and concern.

One audience member said new play "Ibn Rushd" was "valid for every place and time".

Rights activists believe the Muslim Brotherhood is reaching out to Libyans through Facebook. But will they take the bait?

The July 16th Maghreb derby between EST and ES Setif gave three points to the Tunisians.

Music fans are soaking up the sounds of Gnaoua, Wassoulou and other African styles at the Diwan Festival in Algiers.

"We're ready to pay any price to enjoy a few hours with the artists we love," one fan said as he prepared to dance away his post-baccalaureate stress.

Members of popular musical group Darga talk about how songs with social themes are winning over young Moroccan fans.

"Divorce in Tunisia has become like the most popular sport in the country," one woman says. A new bill may change that by offering mediation to couples in crisis.

Those who still embrace jihad should review the approach of armed struggle, according to former Algerian terrorist leader Othmane Touati, aka Abou El-Abbes.

"All our hopes for the renaissance of Mauritanian basketball ride on this youngest category of player," said M'Bodj Amadou Ousmane.

The Moroccan government announces austerity measures to stave off the type of economic difficulties faced by neighbouring countries.

It has been ten years since Morocco became a signatory to the International Criminal Court. Activists say it's time for the Rome Statute to be ratified.

"I can't stand my fat-laden body anymore," one 30-year-old told Magharebia.

A recent proposal to raise the legal retirement age has Moroccan workers worried.

The murder of former Algeria security chief Ali Tounsi rocked the national security apparatus. New DGSN head Abdelghani Hamel has plans to get things back on track.

Aspiring performers are thrilled by a popular Lebanese talent competition's move to Tunisia; but local music impresarios say the producer has a hidden agenda.

The Writers Union, long Tunisia's sole representative of authors, has a newcomer to reckon with.

The refusal of a handful of Algerian imams and Salafists to stand up for the national anthem at recent events has revived fears of extremism.

Employment ministers from across the Maghreb convened in Rabat to discuss new regional job-training partnerships.

A newly established United Nations entity is pledging to champion women's rights, raising cautious hopes among the Maghreb's female leaders and activists.

The autumn introduction of a major French network into Tunisian TV programming is expected to energise the industry.

Thirty years after a Carthage Festival performance introduced Lebanese singer Majida El Roumi to Maghreb audiences, she returns for a special anniversary show.

Border security officials and experts from across the Arab world propose a series of improvements to regional security strategies.

Assembled youths in Hammamet discussed the part women can play in society, specifically in sustainable development projects.

Morocco's top institution in the fight against corruption issued a new report this week, pointing out several flaws in the nation's legal framework.

Whether from education reforms or good luck, more Algerian students than ever are celebrating their favourable bac results this week.

Education, employment and political empowerment were among the top issues at the recent Arab Youth Forum in Tunis.

Former Star Academy contestant Amel Bouchoucha sits with Magharebia to discuss her career shift towards acting.

After pan-Arab media giant Rotana bowed out of this year's Carthage Festival, organisers took quick action to prepare a stellar programme.

In a recent survey, women in Morocco say the media portrays them in an inaccurate and distorted fashion.

Participants at a recent conference on cross-border trade and investment say there is much work to be done to boost Tunisian-Algerian economic growth.

Immigration officials throughout the Arab world hope to remove bureaucratic impediments to inter-regional trade.

The Carthage Eagles fell 1-0 to Botswana in the opening game of the African Nations Cup qualifiers.

Security challenges such as terrorism and drug trafficking are the most critical issues facing the region today, said participants in a recent Tangiers conference.

For many Moroccans, the internet opens up a new door on romance.

Rabat announces plans to provide young Moroccans residing abroad with better Amazigh language instruction.

Young people from around Africa met in Tunis last week to support key values promoted by the African Union.