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Algerians mark 40th week of anti-government protests

Thousands of Algerians took to the streets on the 40th consecutive Friday of increasingly vociferous protests against the North African nation’s leadership, expressing fears that next month’s presidential poll will be rigged.
Chanting “No election on Dec. 12!” and “Nothing will stop us!” as a police helicopter flew overhead, the demonstrators in Algiers continued their demands for an end to Algeria’s post-colonial political system. Those demands include the departure of acting leader Abdelkader Bensalah and powerful army chief Gen. Ahmed Gaid Salah.
Protest organizers estimated that tens of thousands participated in Friday’s demonstration in the Algerian capital.
Although long-time former President Abdelaziz Bouteflika was ousted from power in April by the demonstrators, his legacy spawned a deep distrust of government that remains. The protesters don’t believe that those currently in power will ensure a democratic election because of their past links to the ailing, 82-year-old former leader.
The demonstrations on Friday formed a ballooning sea of placards and banners that stretched 2 kilometers (1.2 miles) down a key street in Algiers.
Thousands of protesters also took to the streets in the country’s big cities, including Oran, Constantine, and Setif.
Coming from all sections of society - including students, doctors, and teachers - the protesters who have turned out in the thousands since February are united behind a common goal of holding transparent national elections to install a brand-new leadership. They reject the vote being organized by the current leadership, whom they perceive as corrupt.
Two former prime ministers, Ali Benflis and Abdelmadjid Tebboune, are considered the favorites among the five candidates allowed to run in the Dec. 12 presidential election.
The European Parliament will discuss the political situation in Algeria next week.
source: The Associated Press
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Aimed at secondary school students, the event brought together a distinguished group of academic professionals and technology experts to mentor and inspire young participants.
More than 100 high school students from across the Kingdom of Bahrain took part in the hackathon, which featured an intensive programme of training workshops and hands-on sessions. These activities were tailored to enhance participants’ critical thinking, collaborative problem-solving, and team-building capabilities, while also encouraging the development of practical and sustainable solutions to contemporary challenges using modern technological tools.
BENEFIT’s Chief Executive Mr. Abdulwahed AlJanahi, commented: “Our support for this educational hackathon reflects our long-term strategic vision to nurture the talents of emerging national youth and empower the next generation of accomplished female leaders in technology. By fostering creativity and innovation, we aim to contribute meaningfully to Bahrain’s comprehensive development goals and align with the aspirations outlined in the Kingdom’s Vision 2030—an ambition in which BENEFIT plays a central role.”
Professor Riyadh Yousif Hamzah, President of the Royal University for Women, commented: “This initiative reflects our commitment to advancing women in STEM fields. We're cultivating a generation of creative, solution-driven female leaders who will drive national development. Our partnership with BENEFIT exemplifies the powerful synergy between academia and private sector in supporting educational innovation.”
Hanan Abdulla Hasan, Senior Manager, PR & Communication at BENEFIT, said: “We are honoured to collaborate with RUW in supporting this remarkable technology-focused event. It highlights our commitment to social responsibility, and our ongoing efforts to enhance the digital and innovation capabilities of young Bahraini women and foster their ability to harness technological tools in the service of a smarter, more sustainable future.”
For his part, Dr. Humam ElAgha, Acting Dean of the College of Engineering and Technology at the University, said: “BuildHer CityHack 2025 embodies our hands-on approach to education. By tackling real-world problems through creative thinking and sustainable solutions, we're preparing women to thrive in the knowledge economy – a cornerstone of the University's vision.”
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