🇩🇿AlgeriaNorth Africa
Algeria puts Barcelona's prestigious El Palace hotel up for sale
via Algérie3602 min read
The Algerian state is reportedly offering the El Palace hotel in Barcelona for sale, with a transaction amount exceeding 100 million euros. The Spanish media outlet El Confidencial reported on April 16 that the property, recovered by Algerian authorities in 2025, is now on the market. Inaugurated in 1919, the five-star "grand luxury" hotel is located near Passeig de Gràcia and spans over 12,500 m², featuring two basement levels, nine upper floors, 125 rooms including high-end suites, six large event lounges, and a 1,500 m² panoramic rooftop terrace. The hotel attracts an international clientele, with room rates ranging from several hundred to several thousand euros per night for suites. It also boasts a strong cultural and gastronomic identity, with catering by Spanish chef Rafa Zafra and suites honoring artists like Salvador Dalí and Carlos Ruiz Zafón. The hotel was initially acquired in 2011 for approximately 80 million euros by Algerian businessman Ali Haddad, former head of the ETRHB group. Following his conviction in Algeria for corruption, his assets were targeted for recovery. The transfer of ownership to the Algerian state occurred in 2025 through a dation in payment mechanism, allowing authorities to recover the asset without a forced sale. Algerian authorities are now considering selling the hotel to investors, including specialized funds and asset management firms, as part of a broader strategy to monetize recovered assets, generate public funds, and finalize corru
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The Algerian Football Federation has confirmed that Vladimir Petkovic will remain as the national team coach until his contract ends in July 2028. A technical commission, led by former national coach Rabah Saâdane, evaluated Petkovic's performance and concluded that he not only met but exceeded the objectives of his initial contract, according to El-Khabar. These objectives included reaching the Africa Cup of Nations quarterfinals and advancing past the first round of the World Cup. The commission noted that the team progressed to the second round of the 2026 World Cup and delivered strong performances in preparation matches against Guatemala, Uruguay, and the Netherlands. Despite this, a significant reshuffle of the coaching staff is underway. The commission recommended the dismissal of Swiss assistant Davide Morandi and Algerian coach Nabil Neghiz. Morandi's contract had been extended alongside Petkovic's, but his public statements about the Swiss national team, made without FAF authorization, violated his contract and led to disciplinary proceedings. Goalkeeping coaches Guido Nanni and Nasser-Eddine Berrama, along with physical trainer Paolo Rongoni, will retain their positions. Anthar Yahia, former captain of the national team, has been appointed as the first assistant coach, while Karim Matmour and Rafik Saïfi are candidates for the second assistant role. Petkovic, currently on vacation, is expected to return to Algeria in early August, when the FAF will officially infor
A study published on July 9, 2026, by the Observatory of Immigration and Demography OID, utilizing 2022 INSEE census micro-data, reveals significant disparities in economic integration among different nationalities in France. The study focuses on individuals over 15 years old, excluding students and retirees, to fairly assess professional integration. Algerians are among the nationalities with the lowest employment rates, ranking sixth with 54.4%. They are slightly ahead of Turks 53.1%, Russians 52.6%, Pakistanis 51.8%, Haitians 51.5%, and Comorians 50.8%. Other nationalities with low employment rates include Serbs 56.9%, Moroccans 57.5%, Guineans 57.7%, and Tunisians 60.2%. In contrast, Portuguese natives show the highest integration with an 81.7% employment rate, followed by native-born French citizens at 79.6%. This top tier is largely dominated by Western European countries, including Switzerland 78.7%, Germany 77.6%, and the United Kingdom 76.5%, with Canada 75.5% and Lebanon 73.1% also featuring. The OID study indicates that employment disparities for foreign-born individuals persist throughout their lives. For those aged 25-54, the employment rate gap between North African natives 60-65% and native-born French citizens 85% doubles to 21 points. Gender disparities also play a role, with a 27-point employment rate gap between North African men and women at age 40, and a 40-point gap between native-born French women and Turkish-born women. Naturalization significantly imp
Construction has officially begun on the Skikda seawater desalination plant in the coastal commune of Ben M'Hidi. The plant, expected to be operational within two years, is a strategic initiative to improve water security in the region. The groundbreaking ceremony was led by Nour Eddine Daoudi, CEO of Sonatrach, and Saïd Akhrouf, the Wali of Skikda. The event was attended by leaders from Sonatrach's external and support activities holding SAES, the Algerian Desalination Company ADC, and the National Pipeline Company Enac, along with public group executives and local authorities. The plant is designed to produce 140,000 cubic meters of water daily. Of this, 100,000 cubic meters per day will be allocated to the Skikda industrial zone to support local production, while the remaining 40,000 cubic meters daily will supply Algérienne des Eaux ADE to strengthen the public network and secure household consumption in the region. Sonatrach stated that construction will not exceed 24 months and will adhere to strict engineering and technical standards. The project's overall management has been assigned to Sonatrach's subsidiary ADC, with operational deployment entrusted to Enac. This investment aligns with the state's roadmap, reflecting Sonatrach's commitment to national interest projects, sustainable development, and strengthening the country's water sovereignty.