
Air Algérie has released a video and announced its program for the 2026 Hajj season, providing essential guidelines for Algerian pilgrims. The national airline aims to ensure a smooth and organized departure for over 41,000 pilgrims. Upon arrival at the airport, pilgrims will be assisted by Air Algérie agents through administrative and boarding procedures. Key documents required include a passport valid for over six months, an airline ticket with a visa, a Hajj booklet, a health booklet with mandatory vaccinations, and the original bank receipt. Pilgrims are advised to make photocopies of all documents and keep them separately. They must arrive at the airport five hours before departure. Baggage limits are two checked bags, each weighing a maximum of 23 kg, and one cabin bag not exceeding 10 kg. Medications and official documents should be placed in hand luggage, while liquids are prohibited in the cabin. Air Algérie will mobilize 12 airports and operate 176 flights in collaboration with Saudia Airlines and Flynas, with Air Algérie handling 88 flights. The first flight is scheduled for April 29, 2026, and return flights begin June 1, 2026. The company has coordinated closely with the National Office for Pilgrimage and Omra ONPO to ensure all logistical and organizational arrangements meet international standards. A dedicated toll-free number +966 800 8500 585 is available 24/7 in Saudi Arabia for pilgrims to access information throughout their journey.
Free daily or weekly digest of the most important stories from across 18 African countries. No spam, unsubscribe any time.
This summary was AI-generated from a story originally published by Algérie360.
Must ReadAlgeria is set to adopt the Apostille system on July 9, simplifying the process for authenticating public documents for international use. This change, resulting from Algeria's adherence to the 1961 Hague Convention, eliminates the need for multiple legalization steps previously required by various ministries and administrations. Now, a single stamp will ensure an Algerian public document is recognized in all signatory countries. This reform is expected to benefit students, entrepreneurs, and the diaspora by making procedures for academic records, civil status documents, and other certifications simpler, faster, and more accessible. Algerian businesses operating internationally will also experience an accelerated mechanism for authenticating administrative and commercial documents, aiming to boost the country's economic attractiveness and trade. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the High Commission for Digitization have collaborated on this transformation, including a strategic training workshop for future trainers. A dedicated national platform has been launched, allowing citizens to submit requests, transmit documents, and track their progress online, reducing the need for physical visits. According to Meriem Benmouloud, High Commissioner for Digitization, this platform is the first of its kind in Algeria, built with robust cybersecurity and data protection. Initially, the system will cover documents from the Ministries of Interior, Justice, Higher Education, National Edu

Each year, hundreds of Algerian students travel abroad for quality higher education, with Russia increasingly becoming a popular destination due to its recognized academic standards, affordable tuition, and scientific opportunities. The Russian State Agrarian University - Moscow Timiryazev Agricultural Academy RSAU-MAA, founded in 1865 by Emperor Alexander II, stands out as Russia's premier agricultural science center. With over 18,500 students, including 1,200 international students from 76 countries, Timiryazev offers comprehensive programs from undergraduate to doctoral levels in agricultural and scientific fields like agronomy, veterinary sciences, biology, civil engineering, economics, and applied informatics. For non-Russian speakers, a preparatory department provides intensive Russian language courses alongside fundamental sciences. Students can opt for competitive tuition fees or scholarships, and on-campus housing is guaranteed for all international students. The university maintains over 110 cooperation agreements globally. Its 500-hectare campus in Moscow, a cultural heritage site, features experimental fields, orchards, a botanical garden, and research centers such as the Center for Selection and Seed Production of Vegetable Crops and the Edelstein Center for Horticulture. The Institute of Digital Transformation of the Agro-Industrial Complex trains experts in AI for agriculture. Choosing Timiryazev also means living in Moscow, a dynamic city celebrating its 879th
Must ReadSpanish and French police, in a coordinated operation by Europol, have dismantled a criminal network specializing in the online sale of fake residence permits. The operation culminated in Alicante with a key arrest on May 27, 2026, and the seizure of nearly 800 counterfeit documents, including identity cards, passports, and residence permits. The suspect, who had been in Alicante since 2024, operated an online platform offering fake documents in both paper and digital formats to clients across Europe. Investigators discovered a clandestine falsification workshop in his apartment, along with 1,580 euros in cash. Europol stated that the manufacturing techniques indicated "industrial-scale" production, a common method for criminal networks involved in migrant trafficking. According to Europol, this platform was crucial for migrant trafficking, enabling individuals to bypass border controls, fraudulently obtain residence permits, and facilitate illegal movement within the European Union. Europol officially announced the network's dismantling on June 4, 2026. The agency, through its new ECAMS center, focuses on advanced investigations using big data analysis and open-source intelligence to combat migrant trafficking, including financial investigations to trace illicit profits. Europol emphasizes that document falsification is a primary driver of migrant trafficking, enabling fraudulent acquisition of residence permits in the EU. Two days after the Alicante arrest, on May 29, 2026,