Arabic News Weekly Edition for Local, 12/15/2003
Weekly Edition, Local - Week of December 15, 2003
- Moroccan government determined to fight children exploitation in work places
The Moroccan government is determined to fight all forms of children exploitation in work places through implementing germane laws, handicraft and social economy minister, M'Hamed El Khalifa, pledged in Rabat on Thursday. Morocco, Culture, 12/20/2003 - Mohammed V foundation collects over us $15 million in solidarity campaign
Moroccan charity, "Mohammed V Foundation for Solidarity" has collected US $15.3 million (153 million Dhs) in this year's solidarity campaign, US $11.8 million of this sum in cash and the rest of it in goods, it was revealed in Rabat Friday. Morocco, Local, 12/20/2003 - Terrorism: Briton among 5 extremists sentenced to 20 years in Morocco
Five people, including a Briton of Moroccan origin and two Arabs, were sentenced in absentia to 20 years imprisonment by a Moroccan court, in Rabat Friday, under the new anti-terrorism law enacted last May after the terror bombings that hit (May 16) the Moroccan economic capital, Casablanca, killing 43 people including the 12 suicide bombers. Morocco, Local, 12/20/2003 - Six armed men killed in acts of violence in Algeria
The official Algerian radio said that the security forces killed on Thursday 6 members of armed groups to the west of the capital Algiers. Algeria, Local, 12/20/2003 - Moroccan court may set historic precedent on innocent till proven guilty concept
The defense pleaded for the temporary release on the basis of the assumption that anyone shall be presumed innocent until proven guilty. Morocco, Judicial, 12/19/2003 - New Israeli incursion in Nablus, five Palestinians killed by occupation bullets
The Israeli forces incurred yesterday at dawn in the city of Nablus, where aggression and breaking in operations were carried out, and resulted in killing five Palestinians, while nine Palestinians were detained in a campaign of arrest that covered various areas in the West Bank. Palestine-Israel, Military, 12/19/2003 - Indian folk art exhibition opens at indian cultural center in damascus
The Madhubani painting, also known as Mithaila Painting, is traditionally a woman's ritual art composed of geometrical forms and magico-religious symbols which are part of rich folk art tradition of India, and handed down through generations from mother to daughter. Syria-India, Culture, 12/19/2003 - 5,000 athletes to take part in international marathon of Marrakesh
Over 5,000 athletes will take part in the 15th edition of the international marathon of Marrakesh, to be held in January 18, organizers have said. Morocco, Sports, 12/19/2003 - Otari meets with Arab ministers of higher education Syria-Regional, Local, 12/19/2003
- Nearly 1 million Moroccans to benefit of anti-illiteracy campaign in 2004, official Morocco, Education, 12/19/2003
- Morocco probes health project with World Bank Morocco, Local, 12/19/2003
- Morocco donates foodstuffs to Mauritanian Children
According to official statistics, 35% of Mauritanian children suffer from malnutrition, which directly causes the death of 50% of the country's children. Mauritania-Morocco, Culture, 12/18/2003 - There is no tension between justice department and magistrates, minister
"The justice family is resolved to cut off tumors infecting it and make its reforming and moralization process a success," he said. Morocco, Judicial, 12/18/2003 - Israel kills tow Palestinians, an attack by Hamas
Palestinian medical sources announced that one Palestinian was killed today at dawn by the bullets of the Israeli soldiers, during an incursion operation in the old part of the city of Nablus to the north of the West Bank. The source said that Ala Eddine Dweibi ( 25 year old) who works for a bakery was hit by 15 bullets in the head, adding that another Palestinians was also hit by the occupation bullets. Palestine-Israel, Military, 12/18/2003 - Naguib Mafouz awarded kavafis International prize
The Greek government awarded Naguib Mahfouz kavafis International Award on the occasion of his 92th birthday anniversary. This award is named after the well -known Alexandrian Greek poet. It has been awarded only to the great international media men. Egypt-Greece, Local, 12/18/2003 - Scores killed, wounded in Baghdad explosion, 3 US soldiers wounded
Three American soldiers were wounded yesterday evening in two separate attacks that took place in Musil, to the north of Iraq, according to the Iraqi police and witnesses. Iraq-USA, Military, 12/18/2003 - Two policemen killed by Islamists in Algeria
Security sources said that two Algerian policemen were killed by bullets when they were performing their missions in front of a bank, in the downtown of al- Medya state, 80 km to the south of the capital Algiers. Algeria, Local, 12/18/2003 - Over 600 kg of hashish seized in tangiers Morocco, Local, 12/18/2003
- Al-Assad meets the mayor of Athens: The world benefited from fruits of our ancient cultures
Al-Assad said "From Athens, this ancient Metropolis emerged the most memorable radiation of culture and civilization. In this city emerged philosophers and scientists who spread throughout the world," al-Assad added. He also pointed out that from Athens, the Olympic torch is carried to the cities of the world which host the Olympic games as a symbol of human communication among nations. Syria-Greece, History, 12/17/2003 - 24 killed in clashes in Somalia
Some 24 persons were killed at least, and other 80 wounded in clashes between warring factions on Monday and Tuesday in the city of Herali in the downtown of Somalia. Somalia, Local, 12/17/2003 - Center for women information, studies and documentation created in Morocco
Yasmina Baddou, Morocco's state secretary in charge of family, solidarity and social action, launched Monday construction works of the Moroccan Center for Women Information, Studies and documentation, part of efforts to "support human development and social integration." Morocco, Culture, 12/17/2003 - Israel kills child; 5 Israeli soldiers refuse immoral service; Bethlehem will not celebrate this year
Five Israeli soldiers who refused military service in the occupied Palestinian territories have been indicted by the Israeli Jaffa military court on Tuesday. The soldiers; Noam Bahat, Hagay Mattar, Adam Mouar, Shimi Tzamrit and Mittan Kminar, refused service in the Palestinian territories in the sense of right and wrong doings Palestine-Israel, Military, 12/17/2003 - Asmaa al-Assad- discuss Syrian- Greek cultural activities in Athens Syria-Greece, Culture, 12/17/2003
- 'One Thousand Months' movie awarded twice in Damascus festival
Moroccan director Faouzi Bensaïdi's film "One Thousand Months" was awarded the Silver Trophy and a prize of the best Arab film in Damascus international cinema festival that wound up Saturday. Regional-Morocco, Local, 12/17/2003 - Egyptian PM to visit Syria Monday Egypt-Syria, Local, 12/17/2003
- Sand challenge race in BidiyahÊ Oman, Sports, 12/17/2003
- Morocco wins Arab kick boxing championship Regional-Morocco, Sports, 12/17/2003
- Mrs. Asmaa al-Assad highlights environmental issues with Greek sides concerned
In the frameworks of the meetings held in Athens on Monday with a number of international organizations and domestic institutions in Athens, Syruia's First Lady Asmaa al-Assad stressed the necessity for activating the role of non governmental organizations' role in the fields of environment and durable development. Syria-Greece, Environment, 12/16/2003 - Launch of campaign to protect children
The National Observatory of Children Rights,(ONDE), a Moroccan NGO, launched, on Sunday, a new campaign of awareness for the protection of children against sexual exploitation. Morocco, Culture, 12/16/2003 - Two Palestinians killed in Gaza, a Palestinian- Israeli meeting
Two civilian Palestinians were killed yesterday by the Israeli soldiers bullets in the north of Gaza. Israeli military sources said that the two Palestinians were among 6 persons who tried to enter Israel, in search of work. Palestine-Israel, Military, 12/16/2003 - King Appoints Princess Lalla Meryem, chairwoman of national union of Moroccan women Morocco, Local, 12/16/2003
- New evidence not enough to free Mounir El Motassadeq
Mounir El Motassadeq, convicted in connection with the September 11 attacks, will remain in jail despite secret new evidence in a related case that might have freed him, his lawyer said Monday. Morocco-Germany, Local, 12/16/2003 - Spain's Santiago Luna wins 32nd Hassan II golf trophy Morocco, Sports, 12/16/2003
- Morocco, Jordan, Egypt, Lebanon entrusted with elaborating inter-religious dialogue document
The executive council of Waqf (endowments) and Islamic affairs ministers entrusted on Thursday to Morocco, Jordan, Egypt and Lebanon the mission of working out a document on dialogue among religions as regards their respective experiences. Regional, Religion, 12/15/2003 - Launching of report: the state of the world's Children 2004
A celebration was held on December, 13, at the Damascus Meridian hotel marking the launch of the State of the World's Children 2004 with "Girls Education and development" as the main theme of this year. Regional, Culture, 12/15/2003 - Morocco to double budget allocated to school building
Moroccan national education and youth minister, Habib El Malki, announced in Rabat Friday that the budget allocated to building schools, estimated at 1.39 billion Dhs in 2003 (US $139 million), will be doubled next year. Morocco, Education, 12/15/2003 - 17 Iraqi policemen killed in booby trapped car explosion; American soldier killed
Three explosions took place on Sunday evening in the Iraqi capital Baghdad. A police source announced that one of the explosions was a result of a truck loaded with fuel barrels rather than explosives. Iraq-USA, Military, 12/15/2003 - One Palestinian killed; shelling a settlement in Gaza
Palestinian gunmen fired 20 mortars shells at the Israeli Neve Dekailm settlement in Gaza, causing slight damage. Settlers sources said that the shells fell intensively within several hours, and targeted a commercial area in the settlement which is inhabited by 2400 Israelis. Palestine-Israel, Military, 12/15/2003 - International conference in Yemen to limit light weapons dissemination
Sessions of an international conference to limit the deployment and misuse of small weapons started in the Yemeni capital Sanaa, with the participation of Arab and foreign experts. Yemen-Regional, Local, 12/15/2003 - Two minors get release on probation
The court of appeal of Rabat sentenced on Friday to one year of release on probation two minors sued under the anti-terrorism law. Morocco, Local, 12/15/2003 - European commissioner for EU enlargement postpones visit to Morocco Morocco-European Union, Local, 12/15/2003