🇩🇿AlgeriaNorth Africa
Algeria's Théniet El Had National Park joins UNESCO's global biosphere reserve network
via Algérie3603 min read
Algeria's Théniet El Had National Park has officially joined UNESCO's prestigious global network of biosphere reserves. The park director, Abderezzak Lahmar, announced that the Algerian application received unanimous approval in Paraguay during the 38th session of the International Coordinating Council of the Man and the Biosphere Programme, which concluded on June 6. This recognition highlights the park's unique ability to protect exceptional biodiversity while promoting local sustainable development. The park, a significant part of Algeria's environmental heritage, spans 3,400 hectares of dense forests and majestic landscapes. It is known for its unique populations of Atlas cedars, Aleppo pines, green oaks, and cork oaks. The park is home to over 100 species of mammals, birds, and reptiles. Natural sites within the park include Mount Ras El Brarit and Kef Siga, which offer panoramic views from 1,700 meters altitude. This UNESCO inscription is expected to boost scientific research, strengthen site protection, and transform the park into a key destination for sustainable tourism. In related news, Algeria has also officially submitted the "Augustinian Itineraries in Algeria" dossier to UNESCO. This initiative aims to protect archaeological remains and stimulate the local economy by promoting a 1,500 km route connecting 14 cities in the central and eastern parts of the country, following the footsteps of Saint Augustine.
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.
Tonight, around 8:30 PM local time, a significant celestial event will be visible to the naked eye: a conjunction of Venus and Jupiter. According to the Research Center in Astronomy, Astrophysics and Geophysics CRAAG, these two bright planets will appear close together, with an angular separation of approximately 1.6 degrees, positioned about 25 degrees above the western horizon. Mercury will also be visible, though less bright, at about 15 degrees above the horizon, completing a remarkable planetary alignment. Beyond astronomical observations, the CRAAG plays a crucial role in monitoring seismic activity. The center manages the national seismic surveillance network, which has been particularly active recently. On June 4, 2026, the CRAAG recorded the strongest earthquake of the year, a magnitude 4.9 tremor near Aïn Djasser in Batna wilaya. This followed a 3.8 magnitude quake the previous day and other tremors during the Eid El-Adha celebrations in Médéa, Tlemcen, and Béjaïa. Despite these events, CRAAG scientists assure the public that this seismic activity is normal and routine. Northern Algeria is located on the edge of the African tectonic plate, which collides with the Eurasian plate, moving approximately 5 mm per year. This movement causes energy to accumulate and release as tremors. The national network records an average of 80 tremors per month in Algeria, with nearly 90% being too weak to be noticed by the population.
Must ReadRabeh Abderrahmane Mouissat, an Algerian graduate in automation from Kasdi Merbah University in Ouargla, has successfully had his advanced artificial intelligence model, "AraCode-7B," officially approved on the international platform Featherless AI. This achievement, described on Tuesday, June 9, 2026, as a "remarkable scientific feat" by the Algérie Presse Service APS, propels national university expertise onto the global tech stage. AraCode-7B is an open-source model specialized in software engineering, capable of understanding and generating computer code, and explaining code lines in Arabic with technical precision. It can also propose algorithmic solutions and write computer scripts efficiently. According to Mouissat, this tool will serve as an interactive guide for students and developers, simplifying complex technical and IT concepts. The integration of AraCode-7B on a global AI platform addresses a significant lack of large language models adapted to Arabic in advanced disciplines, thereby strengthening digital sovereignty and Arabic scientific content in AI and computer science. Mouissat expressed his ambition to develop new, 100% Algerian artificial intelligence models to compete globally.
The Algerian Ministry of Health has introduced a series of new measures to tackle the persistent breakdowns of medical equipment in hospitals. These measures include accelerating maintenance operations, securing the supply of spare parts, and deploying a digital platform for tracking failures. Minister of Health, Mohamed Seddik Aït Messaoudène, identified administrative delays in maintenance, supply chain issues, and a lack of technical supervision as the root causes, particularly affecting imaging devices. He emphasized that the problem is not with the equipment's quality but with these systemic inefficiencies. The Minister highlighted critical factors such as delays in signing or renewing maintenance contracts, and prolonged administrative procedures for acquiring essential spare parts. He also noted deficiencies in implementing preventive maintenance programs in some hospitals, attributing this to the technical weakness of local maintenance teams and improper handling of high-tech devices due to inadequate staff training. In response, the ministry has issued directives to expedite maintenance contract signings and strengthen preventive review protocols. Measures are also in place to remove obstacles hindering spare parts availability, with increased coordination with relevant sectors to streamline hospital supply. A new regulatory framework is being developed to facilitate the import of essential components. Since February, a centralized digital platform has been operation