🇩🇿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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Mohamed Seghir Saâdaoui, the Minister of National Education, announced a significant reduction in the scope of internet shutdowns and social media blocking during the June 2026 baccalaureate exams. These restrictive measures will now be strictly limited to the immediate vicinity of examination centers. This approach aims to secure the exams and guarantee their integrity, while sparing other regions of the country from network disruptions. Saâdaoui emphasized that social media blocking would also be confined to the areas around the examination centers. This enhanced organization is part of the effort to combat fraud and subject leaks, while minimizing the impact on citizens' daily lives and economic activities. This technical adjustment aligns the baccalaureate's security with the national digitalization strategy. By limiting restrictions to examination centers, authorities aim to prevent the paralysis of online services and maintain economic and administrative continuity across various sectors. The official launch of the 2026 baccalaureate exams took place this Sunday in the wilaya of Tizi Ouzou. A total of 876,201 candidates are participating nationwide, including 588,615 enrolled students and 287,586 free candidates, across 2,973 examination centers. Saâdaoui affirmed that all logistical and organizational provisions were rigorously finalized, ensuring optimal conditions for candidates to take these national exams peacefully. He reiterated that exam subjects would cover onl
Must ReadAlgeria has addressed 82% of the World Health Organization's WHO reservations regarding its pharmaceutical industry, moving closer to achieving NM3 certification. This international standard is crucial for opening foreign markets to locally manufactured medicines. Minister Ouacim Kouidri announced this progress, highlighting the country's efforts over a year of reforms, field missions, and intensive self-assessment workshops. The final WHO evaluation is scheduled for September 2026. This certification is part of Algeria's strategy to export pharmaceuticals to Africa, leveraging its position as home to over 30% of the continent's pharmaceutical factories. The NM3 standard, the third level of the WHO's maturity reference system, formally recognizes a country's ability to independently guarantee the quality and safety of medicines produced within its borders. Achieving this will enhance the credibility of Algerian-made medicines in foreign markets, simplify registration processes with importing countries' regulatory agencies, accelerate the integration of Algerian products into export channels, and solidify the country's role as a pharmaceutical leader in Africa. Minister Kouidri emphasized that obtaining NM3 will directly facilitate the entry of Algerian medicines into the African market, contributing to the continent's economic and health complementarity.
China intends to open new branches for teaching the Chinese language across Algeria, following the success of the Confucius Institute in Algiers. This initiative was discussed during a meeting between Kamel Baddari, the Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research, and a high-level Chinese scientific delegation led by Wei Yong, president of the Chinese International Education Fund. The Chinese Ambassador to Algeria, Dong Guangli, was also present. Wei Yong expressed China's strong interest in establishing more Confucius Institute branches due to the current institute's success in teaching Chinese in Algeria. Minister Baddari used this opportunity to advocate for deeper bilateral cooperation, particularly in advanced sectors. He called for strategic partnerships between the five National Superior Schools of the "Chahid Abdelhafid Ihadaden" scientific and technological hub in Sidi Abdellah and leading Chinese universities. This expansion builds on the inauguration of the first Confucius Institute at the University of Algiers 2 "Abou Al Kacem Saâdallah" in September, which was attended by Ambassador Dong Guangli. This ceremony formalized a dynamic that began with the opening of a Chinese language department in the previous academic year. The Minister had previously highlighted that this structure would serve as a significant cultural and academic bridge to strengthen ties between universities in both nations, and the current interest in expanding the institute demonstrat