Historic Papal Visit to Annaba: A Message of Dialogue and Algerian Hospitality Copy link

ALGIERS / LONDON – Iconic British musician Sting has officially released the Desert Rose Reimagined EP, a collection featuring three new remixes of his record-breaking 2000 hit. While the release looks to the future of the dance floor, it serves as a powerful reminder of the Algerian creative DNA that made the original a global phenomenon.

The Algerian Soul of a Global Classic

The original “Desert Rose” was never a solo effort; it was a bridge between the West and the heart of North Africa. The track’s identity is defined by:

The Voice of Raï: The instantly recognizable, soaring vocals of legendary Algerian artist Cheb Mami, whose performance brought the authentic emotional depth of Raï music to millions of listeners worldwide.

Algerian Authorship: The track was co-crafted by Algerian songwriter Cheb Raba (Rabah Zarradine), ensuring the lyrical and melodic structure remained rooted in genuine Algerian folk traditions.

Reimagining a Masterpiece

The new EP features a standout remix by the duo Bedouin (Tamer Malki and Rami Abousabe). Their “reimagined” version honors the cinematic spirit of the 2000 original while injecting deep house rhythms and down-tempo grooves.

Crucially, this new version continues to lean heavily on the North African stylings that gave the song its initial fire. By blending Middle Eastern flair with the foundation laid by Mami and Raba, the remix ensures that the Algerian influence remains the “spine” of the track’s international appeal.

Chart-Topping Heritage

Originally appearing on the album Brand New Day, “Desert Rose” successfully broke into the Billboard Hot 100 Top 50 and dominated Top 10 charts across the globe. Decades later, this EP confirms that the fusion of Western pop and Algerian Raï remains one of the most potent musical exports in history.

Source: Classic Pop Magazine

The Prime Minister of the Islamic Republic of Mauritania, Mr. Mokhtar Ould Diay, visited Djamaa El-Djazair (the Great Mosque of Algiers) on Monday evening, where he was received by its Rector, Sheikh Mohamed Mamoune El Kacimi El Hassani.

During the visit, the Mauritanian Prime Minister was briefed on the mosque’s architectural features and its scientific and cultural facilities. He commended the depth of the fraternal and spiritual ties that bind the two brotherly nations.

Earlier in the day, Mr. Mokhtar Ould Diay arrived in Algeria on an official visit, leading a high-level ministerial delegation, as part of the 20th session of the Algerian–Mauritanian Joint Grand Commission for Cooperation.

Algeria has achieved a notable milestone at both continental and global levels, ranking first in Africa in the 2026 Resilient Food Systems Index (RFSI), published by Economist Impact. The country placed 32nd worldwide with a score of 64.66 points, in an index that measures nations’ ability to ensure stable food availability and accessibility despite accelerating global challenges.

This ranking highlights Algeria’s growing position in the field of food security, as it has succeeded in building a food system capable of adapting to economic fluctuations and disruptions in global supply chains, amid an international context marked by increasing climate and geopolitical instability.

Growing capacity to withstand crises

According to the report, Algeria topped the African rankings, ahead of South Africa, which ranked 38th globally with 62.65 points, and Egypt, which came 39th with 62.18 points.

The index underscores Algeria’s strong capacity to cope with global supply chain challenges, particularly in the face of price volatility and trade disruptions. This performance reflects public policies focused on boosting domestic production, improving distribution mechanisms, and ensuring the availability of essential food products at affordable prices.

It also indicates steady progress in food security and sustainable development indicators. Algeria has previously achieved advanced positions in similar international reports in recent years, reinforcing its status as a regional player in this strategic sector.

At the Arab level, Algeria ranked fourth, behind countries such as Qatar and Saudi Arabia, in an index that evaluates 60 countries worldwide based on 71 quantitative and qualitative indicators.

Globally, Portugal topped the rankings with 76.83 points, benefiting from its agricultural diversity and policies supporting healthy food systems. The report also revealed a gap of more than 40 points between the most resilient and the most vulnerable food systems, highlighting the scale of challenges still facing many countries.