Algeria's Tebboune Seeks Death Penalty for Arsonists After Wildfires

According to the BBC, Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune said he wants to reinstate the death penalty for arsonists after a wave of forest fires killed at least 12 people. He ordered the justice ministry to draft changes to criminal law to introduce capital punishment for arsonists, and gave a 15 September deadline for amendments covering anyone convicted of intentionally starting a fire in forested areas. More than 100 wildfires were recorded in recent days in the country's northeast, most of them extinguished, while Tebboune said on Saturday he did not rule out foul play. He said investigations would be carried out, ordered compensation for affected families and repairs to damaged homes and essential services, and said there would be inquiries into the extent of the damage and losses caused by the fires.