Tunisian Jewish pilgrimage sees low turnout amid security fears
Djerba, Tunisia - Only a dozen pilgrims turned up Friday at this year's Jewish pilgrimage on Tunisia's island of Djerba amid heightened security concerns after a deadly attack last year and as the Israel-Hamas war rages in Gaza.The pilgrimage to the Ghriba synagogue, Africa's oldest, usually draws thousands of pilgrims...
Tunisia’s Ennahdha urges Friday protests, defying Covid ban
Tunisia's Ennahdha party has reiterated calls for demonstrations on Friday marking the anniversary of the country's revolution, defying tightened coronavirus restrictions it says are politically motivated. Ennahdha is the biggest party in a parliament that was suspended by President Kais Saied in July 2021, and has staged a string of...FANA flays attempts to block info on Palestine, approves 2022 budget
The Federation of Arab News Agencies (FANA) has stressed on the significance of the Palestinian cause and flayed the attempts of some agencies to block the information related to the issue. FANA approved a memo on dealing with global platforms on the conclusion of its 48th General Assembly on Wednesday,...Saudi Arabia and Tunisia sign energy agreement
The MoU encourages holding joint seminars and training courses on renewable energy, energy efficiency and conservation.UNWTO optimism to cheer up MENA tourism
While the likes of Egypt, Morocco, Tunisia, and Jordan depend heavily on tourism for revenue, the UAE and Saudi Arabia are using it to diversify their economy.Hunger-striking Tunisia politician fighting for life: Supporters
Tunisian former justice minister Noureddine Bhiri, who has been refusing food or medication since his arrest last week, was arrested by plainclothes officers on Friday and later accused of possible "terrorism" offences.Tunisia central bank calls to avoid monetary financing of budget deficit
The Banque Centrale du Tunisie (BCT) board has urged for continued coordination between financial and monetary policies.Tunisia launches national consultation to make new constitution
Eligible topics include electoral, economic, financial, social, developmental, health, education and cultural affairs.Tunisia in ‘uncertainty’ as president pushes new constitution
Tunisian President Kais Saied is preparing to ask the public for their thoughts on a new constitution.Cash-strapped Tunisia to borrow $7 billion more in 2022
Debt-ridden Tunisia unveiled a 2022 budget on Tuesday that will see it borrow almost $7 billion more, as it seeks to stimulate an economy battered by the coronavirus pandemic. The 2022 finance law boosts spending by over three percent year on year to 57.3 billion dinars ($19.8 billion, 17.6 billion...Tunisia rescues 48 illegal migrants at sea
Tunisian coastguards have rescued 48 illegal migrants trying to reach Europe from neighboring Libya in a makeshift boat.Recyclers try to conquer mountains of waste in Tunisia
Tunisian authorities are scrambling to find new sites as most of the country's 11 official dumping grounds will close by the end of 2022.Algeria beat Tunisia to win Arab Cup in Qatar
Amir Sayoud scored a goal in the ninth minute of extra-time while Yacine Brahimi scored with the final kick of the game to win Algeria the title of Arab champions. This, even as goalkeeper Rais Mbolhi kept Tunisian attacks at bay.Tunisia protests on revolution anniversary as economy spirals
Many Tunisians are tired of a system that is seen as graft-ridden and ineffective, and have welcomed the protests.Tunisia’s speaker Ghannouchi rejects extension of parliament freeze
President Kais Saied recently announced the extension of a suspension until Tunisians vote for a replacement assembly in December 2022. Saied said a nationwide public consultation would take place from January 1.Naif Arab University and Tunisia’s justice ministry sign exchange pact
Naif Arab University for Security Sciences has signed a cooperation agreement with the Tunisian Ministry of Justice on the sidelines of the scientific symposium “Alternative Punishments to Freedom-Depriving Punishments”, which is organized by the university and the ministry. The agreement aims at exchanging expertise between the two sides in the...Tunisia’s president announces constitutional referendum
Kais Saied presented a roadmap for restoring democratic institutions, and announced a nationwide public consultation from January 1 until March 20.Tunisia unions demand ‘roadmap’ to end state of exception
"Tunisia will not be built with individualism," UGTT secretary general Noureddine Taboubi told AFP after addressing supporters.Tunisia’s budget deficit narrows to nearly $1.3 billion at Sept end
Tunisia's budget deficit has narrowed to nearly 3.8 billion ($1.3 billion), at the end of September 2021, against 4.9 billion dinars, in September 2020, down 23 percent, local media reports said, citing Finance Ministry's budget data. The decrease in the budget deficit is due to the increase in budgetary resources...Tunisia women mix beats and break taboos
Fouchika Junior, one of Tunisia's rare female DJs is helping other women break into a male-dominated world.Ten bodies found in migrant boat off Libya: Charity
Doctors Without Borders said its Geo Barents rescue ship had picked up 99 survivors on Tuesday. The victims had died of suffocation after 13 hours adrift at sea.Tunisian town up in arms against trash
As tear gas and protest cries filled the air in the Tunisian city of Agareb, Mabrouka Ben Ibrahim vowed to demonstrate for her daughter, whose death she blames on a nearby rubbish dump.Tunisia MP jailed for sexual abuse of minor
A Tunisian member of parliament was sentenced Friday to a year in prison for sexually harassing a schoolgirl in a case that sparked a nationwide #Metoo movement.Film festival offers Tunisian inmates brief moment of freedom for art’s sake
For the first time, three prison inmates in Tunisia were allowed a brief taste of freedom for the sake of art. The prestigious Carthage Film Festival offered the prisoners the chance to briefly escape confinement -- under police supervision -- to help make a documentary about the festival. "To be...Organic farmers find fertile ground in North Africa
In Tunisia, the land dedicated to organic farming has multiplied 20-fold since 2001. In Morocco, the area of farmland certified for organic production has more than doubled in two decades.Tunisia film festival opens with ‘taboo’ abortion movie
The festival showcases 57 diverse films from 45 Arab and African countries, with screenings not only in cinemas, but in prisons and military barracks too.Tunisia shuts down TV station run by opposition party leader
The authority, known as HAICA, seized the channel’s broadcast equipment and said in a statement that Nessma TV was broadcasting without a licence. “Despite multiple letters and meetings, the channel continued its activities illegally,” the media authority said.Tunisia: Investment in services reach $252m in nine months of 2021
Tunisia has witnessed an investment of 713.4 million dinars ($252 million) in service activities during the first nine months of 2021, nearly the same level as in 2020. According to data recently published by the Agency for the Promotion of Industry and Innovation (APII), these investments will be mobilized under...Tunisia most democratic among countries roiled by Arab Spring
Tunisia, where the government of former president Zine El Abidine Ben Ali was overthrown in 2011, scored 6.59 out of ten in the 2020 Democracy indexTunisia in bailout talks with Saudi Arabia, UAE: Central banker
The birthplace of the Arab Spring uprisings, Tunisia has faced years of economic woes exacerbated by the coronavirus pandemic, with 18 percent unemployment and debt verging on 100 percent of gross domestic product.Tunisia, Morocco hoteliers eye an end to Covid woes
Tunisia found itself on European nations' red lists, making it virtually impossible for holidaymakers from major markets including France, Germany and Italy to visit.US calls new Tunisia government ‘welcome step’
The new government, which includes 10 female ministers, is a welcome step forwards towards addressing the significant economic, health and social challenges facing the country," State Department spokesman Ned Price told reporters adding that the US looks forward to further announcements to establish a broadly inclusive process for a rapid...Algerian president demands ‘total respect’ from France
Last weekend, Algeria recalled its ambassador from Paris and banned French military planes from its airspace, which France regularly uses to reach its forces battling militants in the Sahel region to the south. The moves came after a bitter row over visas, followed by media reports that French President Emmanuel...It’s all in the eye: Tunisia’s 90-year-old photographer
An exhibition of his work named "Souvenirs d'Avant l'Oubli" (Memories before Oblivion) is being held until the end of October in a palace in the medina of Tunis.UAE, Saudi Arabia lead regional innovations
The Arab countries have their own share in terms of investment in innovations with the UAE and Saudi Arabia leading from the front, a latest report has pointed out.Tunisia’s new PM faces economy battered by political turmoil
Heavily in debt, with spiraling inflation and widespread unemployment worsened by the coronavirus pandemic, Tunisia is hoping for a bailout package from the IMF. But talks have been suspended since President Kais Saied on July 25 sacked the government.Morocco, Algeria slam France’s decision to slash visas
France on Tuesday said it would sharply reduce the number of visas granted to people from Algeria, Morocco and Tunisia, accusing the former French colonies of not doing enough to allow illegal immigrants to return.Tunisia FM tells UN emergency measures to ensure ‘democracy’
Jerandi said Saied took the "exceptional measures" to put the country "back on track to respect the principles of democracy."Tunisia: Thousands rally against President Saied
Protesters waving the Tunisian flag gathered Sunday outside the municipal theatre in TunisTunisia’s Saied reinforces presidential powers
Under the current system, most of the executive power was in the hands of the government and the measures announced by Saied clearly tip the balance in favour of the presidency.Tunisian president Saied promises to name a PM
On July 25, Saied sacked the government, suspended parliament, removed lawmakers’ immunity and put himself in charge of the prosecutionTunisia’s president to amend constitution, form new government
The power grab came amid chronic legislative infighting that had crippled governanceAfrica data centre expansion plan to cover Morocco, Tunisia, Egypt
The project will involve building 10 hyperscale data centres, in 10 countries, over the next two years at a cost of more than US$500mColonial-era architectural heritage at risk in Tunis
Built by Italian and French architects and businesspeople, such buildings are associated with colonialismTunisia plants seeds of hope to fight climate change
Farmers in the North African nation are turning to the past by planting indigenous seeds at a time of drought, disease and climate change.Tunisian ex-presidential contender held in Algeria: reports
Senior party official Oussama Khelifi told reporters "official information" was still being awaitedFear, acceptance mix in cradle of Tunisian revolution
Sidi Bouzid’s suicide sparked an unprecedented uprising that left some 300 people dead and toppled long-time dictator Zine El Abidine Ben AliTunisian parliament’s suspension extended
President Kais Saied's also extended an order lifting immunity for the country’s lawmakers.Tunisian president takeover sparks fears for freedoms
Several politicians, businessmen and judges, as well as members of parliament have said they were banned from travelling abroad or put under house arrest without prior warning. Sacking of the government on Jul 25 sparked uncertainties for Tunisia, where the Arab Spring began a decade ago.Ex-head of Tunisia’s Anti-Corruption Committee placed under house arrest
Chaouki Tabib headed the independent authority from 2016 to 2020, when he was sacked by former Prime Minister Elyes FakhfakhSaudi Arabia to send oxygen tanks to Tunisia
King Salman bin Abdul-Aziz Al Saud has reportedly directed health authorities to provide medical oxygen and accompanying supplies to Tunisia.