Algerian singer Katchou killed in car crash

Popular Algerian singer Ali Nasri, known as Katchou, died in a car crash Wednesday night near Batna, El Watan reported on Thursday (August 13th). The 45-year-old artist was en route to nearby Djemila to perform at the Arab Music Festival. According to APS, a crowd of some 5,000 people, including government officials, fans and fellow performing artists, attended his interment in Hamla (15k west of Batna) on Thursday afternoon. Katchou, known for modernising traditional chaoui music, scored big hits with “Agoujil”, “Nouara”, and “Hemi hemi”. In a statement, Culture Minister Khalid Toumi said she reacted to news of Katchou's death with a profound sadness, adding that “Algerian culture lost a talented artist”.

• Just hours before Katchou’s fatal crash, Algeria adopted tough new legislation aimed at curbing deadly road accidents, Tout sur l’Algerie reported. New measures include a points system on driver’s licences, sentences of up to 10 years in prison for accidents involving fatalities and fines of up to one million dinars for manslaughter. With approximately 4 million vehicles, Algeria is ranked 4th in the world for the number of car accidents. Some 15 people are killed and 200 injured daily.