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Baladna project: first American cows to arrive in November 2026 for Algeria's powdered milk production
via Algérie3602 min read
The Baladna project, central to Algeria's food security ambitions, has entered a concrete phase with the official signing of the second phase of implementation contracts on April 23, 2026. This event took place at the "Abdelatif Rahal" International Conference Center, supervised by the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Yacine El Mahdi Oualid. This new series of agreements, totaling over $635 million, was concluded with several Algerian and international partners specializing in services, construction, and livestock. The focus is primarily on the agricultural and industrial hub in the Adrar wilaya, aimed at massive powdered milk production. The director of "Baladna Algeria" emphasized that this second package of contracts is a "pivotal step," preparing the ground for livestock establishment and the deployment of actual production capacities. These agreements cover civil engineering, earthworks, irrigation system installation, construction of a concrete plant, as well as accommodation infrastructure and logistical support services. A key announcement was the acquisition of livestock, with the dairy cow import program officially launching in November 2026. An exceptional logistical operation will be deployed: an airlift spanning ten months will transport 30,000 cows via 109 regular flights, with 300 animals per trip. These animals, selected according to stringent genetic and sanitary standards, will originate from nine different American states. The objective is to
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Must ReadThe Confederation of African Football CAF President Patrice Motsepe announced the expansion of the Africa Cup of Nations AFCON 2027 to 28 teams, up from 24 in the previous edition. This decision was made in Johannesburg, exactly one year before the tournament is set to kick off on June 19, 2027, in co-host nations Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania. The qualification rounds are scheduled to begin in September, though the precise rules for allocating spots have not yet been released by CAF. It is anticipated that the top two teams from each qualification group will advance, along with the four best third-placed teams. The three host countries, Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania, will automatically qualify. For the final tournament, a format of seven groups of four teams is expected, which would alter the knockout stage qualification. Instead of four best third-placed teams advancing, only the two best third-placed teams would proceed, alongside the top two from each group. This expansion comes amid logistical challenges for the host nations, with reports in February from The Guardian suggesting a potential postponement due to uncertainties in preparation, particularly in Kenya, which faces general elections in August 2027. Despite these concerns, Motsepe affirmed the tournament would proceed as planned. The Algerian team, the Fennecs, has been drawn into Group I for the qualifiers, facing Zambia, Togo, and Burundi, with their campaign starting on September 21 against Zambia.
Aïssa Mandi, the most capped defender for the Algerian national team, has officially announced his retirement from international football after 13 years, 123 selections, and eight goals. The 34-year-old made the announcement in a video on his social media. Mandi's last appearance was on July 3, during a 0-2 loss to Switzerland in the round of 16 of the 2026 World Cup. He holds the record for most selections for Algeria and was part of the team that won the Africa Cup of Nations in 2019. Mandi expressed pride in his career, stating he leaves "with a clear conscience, feeling of duty accomplished." He also conveyed a message to the new generation, emphasizing the values of respect, hard work, and solidarity. His retirement follows that of Riyad Mahrez, who also announced his international retirement after the same match against Switzerland, marking a period of transition for the Algerian national team. Mandi's club career continues, having recently signed a two-season contract with Levante UD in Spain's second division, after playing for clubs like Reims, Real Betis, Villarreal, and LOSC Lille.
Vittorio Pisani, Italy's Director General of Public Security, visited Algiers and met with his Algerian counterpart, Ali Badaoui, at the Directorate General of National Security DGSN headquarters. Their discussions led to the signing of a technical cooperation protocol aimed at strengthening the security partnership between Algeria and Italy. The agreement focuses on optimizing bilateral operational coordination to address evolving security threats, particularly transnational organized crime, cybercrime, and irregular migration, which are considered major threats across the Mediterranean. The protocol also includes provisions for intensifying training programs and exchanges of expertise between the two police forces, reflecting a shared commitment to sustainable cooperation and skill development. This agreement follows a broader initiative, with Algerian President Tebboune and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni having previously affirmed their commitment to enhanced coordination in combating irregular immigration and cross-border crime during a summit in Algiers in March. Pisani is also scheduled to attend the 64th anniversary celebrations of the Algerian National Security as a guest of honor, symbolizing the strong relationship between the two institutions. This visit is part of a series of international security collaborations by the DGSN, which has also engaged with German and South Korean police forces recently.