North African

Foreign tourist numbers up 23 percent in Tunisia in 2017

Tunis - Muslimchronicle

The number of foreign tourists in Tunisia rose by 23 percent in 2017 compared with the previous year, official data showed, indicating that a vital industry crippled two years ago by extremists attacks is recovering. Tourism accounts for about 8 percent of Tunisia’s gross domestic product, provides thousands of jobs and is a key source of foreign currency, but hasRead more

Tunisia suspends Emirates flights after security measures

Tunis - Muslimchronicle

Tunisia said Sunday it has suspended Emirates Airlines flights after a public outcry over security measures in the United Arab Emirates targeting women from the North African country. The transport ministry said it had "decided to suspend" Emirates flights to Tunis "until the airline is able to find the appropriate solution to operate its flights in accordance with international lawRead more

Thirty-one bodies recovered after migrant boat sinks off Libya

TRIPOLI - Muslimchronicle

At least 31 migrants died after their boat sank off Libya’s western coast on Saturday and some 200 others were picked up by the coast guard to be brought back to port in Tripoli, officials said. The migrants were on two boats off the coast near Garabulli, east of Tripoli, one of which had already sunk when the coast guardRead more

At least 25 dead after migrant boat sinks off Libya

Tripoli - Muslimchronicle

At least 25 migrants died after their boat sank off Libya’s western coast on Saturday and survivors were being brought back to port in Tripoli, Libyan coastguard officials said. Libya is the main departure point for mostly African migrants trying to cross to Europe. Smugglers usually pack them into flimsy inflatable boats that often break down or sink. Most migrantsRead more

Local elections kick off in Algeria

Algiers - Muslimchronicle

The local elections in Algeria kicked off on Thursday, as voters have chosen their representatives at 1,541 municipal assemblies and 48 prefect assemblies. These are the 6th local elections in this North African nation since it adopted plural-party system in 1989. These elections follow the legislative elections on May 4. The government said it hoped these polls would help deepenRead more

African Union calls for ‘slave market’ probe

DAKAR - Muslimchronicle

The African Union (AU) on Friday called for Libyan authorities to investigate “slave markets” of black Africans operating in the conflict-torn nation, following the release of shocking images showing the sale of young men. The demand follows the release of CNN footage of a live auction in Libya where black youths are presented to North African buyers as potential farmhandsRead more

MP: New tax aims to achieve justice

Algeria - Rabia Khreis

Algerian parliamentarian Ahmed Al Sharifi revealed that the Algerian government's decision to resort to a wealth tax to finance the public treasury, which suffers from a large deficit, has not brought any positive results. He added that the percentage that the wealth tax will add to the Algerian state treasury is very weak. The Algerian government wanted to give itRead more

600 migrants rescued; fears rise of new surge from Libya

Milan - Muslimchronicle

Some 600 migrants rescued at sea arrived Friday in Sicily — one of the biggest influxes since Italy struck a deal with Libyan authorities to limit migrant smuggling — raising concerns of a renewed surge on the Libyan human trafficking route. The migrants, including many unaccompanied minors from sub-Saharan Africa, were rescued in seven operations over 36 hours, and transportedRead more

Egypt coach Cuper calls up new faces ahead of Togo friendly

Egypt - Arab today

Egypt Argentinean manager Hector Cuper has called-up a 25-man squad including several new faces ahead of a training camp the team kicks off on Thursday. Cuper kept some of his key players in the squad along with new faces that haven't been tested under his helm, including Denmark-born Alexander Jakobsen. The runners-up of the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations,Read more

Algeria women footballers wave red card at stigma

Algiers - Arab today

When Fathia was seven years old, she would wait each day for classes to end, throw down her schoolbag and rush to play football with the boys from her neighbourhood. Now in her twenties, Algerian international Fathia plays for all-female club Afak Relizane, where love for “the beautiful game” has trumped gender stereotypes and even militant threats in the conservativeRead more