Russian ship that sank in the Mediterranean was attacked, owner says

MOSCOW (AP) — The Russian operator of a cargo ship that sank in the Mediterranean Sea between Spain and Algeria said Thursday that it had been hit by a series of explosions in an act of sabotage. Oboronlogistica, a state-controlled company that operated the Ursa Major freighter,...

Algeria facing growing calls to release French-Algerian author Boualem Sansal

Politicians, writers and activists have called for the release of French-Algerian writer Boualem Sansal, whose arrest in Algeria is seen as the latest instance of the stifling of creative expression in the military-dominated North African country. The 75-year-old author, who is an...

At least 6 mercenaries with Russia's Wagner group killed in an extremist attack in Mali

DAKAR, Senegal (AP) — At least six Russian mercenaries were killed in an attack by an al-Qaida-linked group in central Mali, according to a statement by the extremists on its media platform. The group, known by its acronym, JNIM, said it ambushed a convoy of mercenaries working for...

Algeria opens book fair opens without winner of top French language literary prize

ALGIERS, Algeria (AP) — As one of the Arab world’s largest book fairs opens in Algeria on Wednesday, there is one conspicuous absence. French-Algerian author Kamel Daoud, who won France’s most prestigious literary award earlier this week, was not invited to this year’s event. ...

In Cyprus, officials from Algeria to Iraq train to keep WMD from crossing their borders

LARNACA, Cyprus (AP) — From as far as Algeria, Iraq and Georgia, an assortment of senior government officials converge on this small facility for training by top U.S. experts to prevent the kinds of materials used to build weapons of mass destruction from crossing their borders. In...

Algeria pardons and releases journalist who became a key voice during 2019 pro-democracy protests

ALGIERS, Algeria (AP) — Algeria has pardoned a journalist who emerged as a key voice during the country’s 2019 pro-democracy protests and was later imprisoned for taking foreign funding for his media outlets and threatening state security. Ihsane El Kadi was released from prison...

Algeria pardons journalist who played major role in 2019 democracy protests, later jailed for threatening state security

UN extends mandate for UN peacekeepers in Western Sahara, with Algeria protesting over human rights

UNITED NATIONS (AP) — The U.N. Security Council voted to extend the mandate of the U.N. peacekeeping force in the Western Sahara for another year Thursday with Algeria refusing to vote in protest at the resolution’s failure to include a reference to monitoring human rights in the disputed north...

Swiss tourist suffers 'violent death' visiting Algeria with tour group

DJANET, Algeria (AP) — A Swiss tourist was killed earlier this month in Algeria, which has in recent years aimed to attract tourists and put a history of instability and terrorism in the Sahara in the past. Switzerland's Department of Foreign Affairs on Tuesday said in a statement...

Israel pressured by UN and US to step up action to tackle Gaza's escalating humanitarian crisis

UNITED NATIONS (AP) — The top U.N. humanitarian official accused Israel on Wednesday of blocking the delivery of desperately needed aid to Gaza, and the U.S. ambassador demanded that its government step up efforts to tackle the Palestinian territory’s ”intolerable and catastrophic...