🇩🇿AlgeriaNorth Africa
Algerian cities Hassi Messaoud and Ouargla among the world's hottest as global temperatures rise
via Algérie3602 min read
Two cities in southern Algeria, Hassi Messaoud and Ouargla, have reached a critical temperature of 45.7°C, placing them among the top 15 hottest locations globally, according to Eldorado Weather. Hassi Messaoud ranked 14th and Ouargla 15th, with similar temperatures to areas in Iran and Arabia. Residents are limiting outdoor activities to cooler hours, finding daily tasks more challenging, and experiencing difficulty sleeping due to the intense heat. This local heatwave aligns with broader global warming trends. The World Meteorological Organization, an UN agency, and the UK Met Office have released a report indicating an approaching phase of near-record or record heat over the next five years. The report suggests an 86% probability that one of the months or years between 2026 and 2030 will surpass the 2024 temperature record, which was the hottest year ever recorded. There is a 91% probability that global temperatures will exceed the +1.5°C threshold compared to the pre-industrial era 1850-1900 at least once during 2026-2030, a threshold already reached in 2024 with an average warming of 1.55°C. The report also indicates a 75% probability that this exceedance will extend across all five years, and a 1% probability of exceeding +2°C in a single year. Dr. Leon Hermanson, the report's lead author, noted that current indicators point to a return of the El Niño phenomenon in late 2026, potentially leading to unprecedented heat levels in 2027. This situation is expected to impact
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This summary was AI-generated from a story originally published by Algérie360.
President Abdelmadjid Tebboune has signed a presidential decree granting a pardon to approximately 5,000 inmates who obtained diplomas during the 2025-2026 academic year. This pardon applies to prisoners who earned their Brevet d'Enseignement Moyen BEM, Baccalaureate, or completed a professional or artisanal training program, as announced by the Presidency of the Republic. This decision emphasizes intellectual effort as a path to reintegration into society. The measure is symbolic, recognizing and rewarding educational efforts made during incarceration, and aligns with a broader vision of rehabilitation where education plays a central role in preparing individuals for civilian life. This is not the first time the Presidency has used this mechanism; in March 2026, two decrees granted presidential pardons to over 5,600 individuals in common law cases, with specific eligibility conditions and exclusions. Presidential pardons have become a regularly activated mechanism under President Tebboune, used in various contexts, including a clemency measure in January 2026 for Algerians residing abroad in irregular situations, allowing them to regularize their status and return home. The case of French journalist Christophe Gleizes, whose judicial process was closed by the Supreme Court in June 2026, also highlighted the head of state's discretionary prerogatives regarding pardons. The decree for diploma-holding inmates is part of a consistent political approach where clemency is exercise
Must ReadFrench President Emmanuel Macron has publicly corrected his ambassador to Algeria, Stéphane Romatet, regarding statements about visa numbers for Algerians. Romatet had suggested a return to pre-crisis levels of 250,000 visas annually, which sparked a political and media outcry, particularly from the right-wing and National Rally parties in France, who denounced it as a "capitulation" to Algiers. Government spokesperson Maud Bregeon stated that Macron clarified France has no numerical visa targets and is not lenient. She emphasized that France is engaged in significant work with Algeria but without specific visa quotas. Bregeon also recalled that Macron, upon taking office in 2017, decided to reduce visa numbers from 500,000 annually to align with France's needs and geopolitical realities. Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez stated that visa numbers were never discussed in his talks with Algeria. Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot responded to critics in the National Assembly, asserting that France's policy is based solely on national interest, not quotas, and noted a 20% drop in visas granted to Algerians in 2025 due to diplomatic tensions.
Must ReadAlgeria has successfully recovered several 5-star hotels in Barcelona and a large real estate portfolio from former businessman Ali Haddad, who was convicted of corruption in Algeria. This restitution, facilitated by a bilateral judicial cooperation with Spain, includes the Hotel El Palace in Barcelona, formerly the Ritz, which Haddad acquired in 2011. The Spanish authorities' diligence was praised by President Abdelmadjid Tebboune, who highlighted Spain's exemplary cooperation in returning misappropriated assets. Beyond the hotel sector, investigations by the General Directorate of National Security led to the dismantling of a criminal group involved in the embezzlement of nearly 1,000 billion centimes from the United Tobacco Company. Seizures in this case include two high-standing villas, six luxury apartments, prestige vehicles, and collectible watches, located in both Algeria and Spain. This cooperation is underpinned by legal frameworks, including the 2004 convention on mutual legal assistance in criminal matters, the 2006 agreement on mutual assistance in civil and commercial matters, and the 2008 extradition treaty. These agreements have also enabled the extradition of individuals wanted for state security offenses and membership in terrorist groups, such as former military deserters Mohamed Benhalima and Mohamed Abdellah, members of the RACHAD organization. The successful conclusion of these procedures establishes a strong precedent for the recovery of misappropriated