French customs seize 2,000 prehistoric artifacts from Algeria at auction house
via Algérie3602 min read
French customs officials have seized 2,000 prehistoric archaeological artifacts from Algeria at an auction house in Béziers, France. The items, including stone tools, fossils, ceramic fragments, and ancient coins, were part of 118 lots with an estimated value of 5,000 to 8,000 euros. The seizure occurred after customs officers in Sète received a tip-off and conducted an inspection in collaboration with customs intelligence services and DRAC Occitanie. No documentation justified the acquisition or regular importation of the goods. The artifacts have been entrusted to the Archaeological Documentation Center of Gard in Nîmes for scientific study and heritage preservation. This incident highlights the ongoing issue of cultural heritage plundering in Algeria. Algerian police have also made significant seizures since the beginning of 2026, including over 10,000 Roman bronze pieces in Ain Defla, 335 coins, statuettes, and a handcrafted firearm in another operation. In Tébessa, a criminal network was dismantled, leading to the seizure of 4,365 Roman coins. An attempt to traffic 1,352 coins was thwarted at Algiers airport, and in Constantine, authorities seized 1,381 coins, 132 pieces of jewelry, 13 statuettes, a metal detector, and excavation equipment.
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Spain has increased the financial resources required for foreign tourists traveling with a Schengen visa, effective for 2026. This change is a direct result of the Spanish government's decision in February to raise the national minimum wage to 1,221 euros per month, as Spanish legislation automatically links the minimum amount required from foreign tourists to national salary levels. Travelers to Spain, including those from Algeria, must now demonstrate proof of at least 122 euros per person per day to cover their stay. For trips lasting nine days or more, a minimum of 1,099 euros must be shown. Spanish border police are now authorized to demand written proof of sufficient funds from non-EU travelers. This measure is being strictly enforced, with several travelers already denied entry for failing to present the required financial documentation. To prove solvency, travelers can present cash, credit cards, or certified checks. However, border police agents retain the discretion to refuse entry to any traveler unable to justify their resources, provide proof of accommodation, or show a return ticket. Failure to meet these requirements can lead to immediate expulsion on the first available flight and registration in the new European EES database, potentially impacting future visa applications. While checks may be random, all travelers are subject to these controls.
Algerian national team defender Ramy Bensebaïni is uncertain for the team's first World Cup 2026 match against Argentina due to an ankle injury. This is a concern for national coach Vladimir Petkovic, as Bensebaïni is considered a key defensive player. The Borussia Dortmund defender has been suffering from right ankle pain, a different injury from one he sustained at the end of the Bundesliga season. As a precautionary measure, the technical and medical staff opted to rest him during a recent friendly match. The Algerian team recently secured a 4-1 victory against Bolivia in a friendly, showcasing strong defensive and offensive capabilities. Despite Bensebaïni's uncertain status, the team is working to ensure his recovery. In his potential absence, Zinedine Belaïd and Aïssa Mandi could form the central defense. The team approaches the World Cup with confidence, aiming to build on their recent positive performance.
Algerian Minister of Trade, Export, and Promotion, Professor Kamel Rezig, met with electronic and home appliance manufacturers to discuss expanding their industrial solutions. He specifically encouraged producers to develop equipment tailored for the hospitality and tourism sectors, as well as IT and technological equipment for businesses. Rezig highlighted the national market's opportunities for local producers to grow and strengthen their presence, aligning with the policy of import substitution through local production. He commended the industry's positive export dynamic, noting the successful entry of Algerian products into international markets, which he views as evidence of the industry's qualitative evolution and global competitiveness. The minister reaffirmed his department's commitment to supporting economic operators, in coordination with other ministries, to boost national production and non-hydrocarbon exports, thereby diversifying the national economy and promoting the "Made in Algeria" label globally.