Year: 2018

Dozens hurt, 200 arrested in new Tunisia unrest

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More than 200 people were arrested and dozens hurt during clashes in several parts of Tunisia, the interior ministry said Wednesday, after a second night of unrest driven by anger over austerity measures.  Ministry spokesman Khalifa Chibani told local radio that 49 police officers were wounded during clashes across the country and that 206 “troublemakers” were arrested. Properties were damaged, he said, including a branch of the Carrefour supermarket chain in the suburbs of Tunis that was looted. Police and army forces were deployed in several cities during the night, including in…

Global sukuk issuance looks ‘uncertain’ for 2018, says S&P Global

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While 2017 was a bumper year for global sukuk issuance, the outlook for Islamic bonds remains “uncertain” for the coming year, according to ratings agency S&P Global. Global sukuk issuance in 2017 reached $97.9 billion, an increase of 45.3 percent, from the $67.4 billion recorded in 2016. The increase was underpinned by large issuances by GCC countries, particularly the $9 billion sukuk issued by Saudi Arabia in April. This remains the largest issuance globally to date. “Driving this performance were good liquidity conditions in the GCC and, more generally, globally,…

Designs unveiled for memorial to Tunisia terrorism victims

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Designs have been unveiled for a new memorial in Birmingham to the victims of two terrorist attacks which took place in Tunisian in 2015. The ÂŁ750,000 project, which was announced by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office in March, will see a memorial in Cannon Hill Park, Edgbaston, to remember victims of the attacks in Sousse and Bardo. New plans have now been lodged with Birmingham City Council which show how the finished memorial could look. London-based architecture practice George King Architects won the tender to design the memorial which will be built on an…

Claiming rights cannot go hand in hand with violence

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Since a couple of days, we have witnessed some demonstrations which erupted in many Tunisians regions for some reasons. Either for  high unemployment rate or for longstanding and extreme poverty,  for high living cost as well as economic inequality, in a  political landscape characterized by a dysfunctional economy and political incoherence between parties. In fact, we do believe that the government does not take any decision to suppress peaceful demonstrations, but it has to face the violent nature of some protests that broke out in some popular and delicate areas.…

Thomas Cook plans to quadruple number of tourists visiting Tunisia

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Tour operator Thomas Cook France plans to quadruple the number of tourists visiting Tunisia to reach 25 to 30 thousand visitors, its president Nicolas Delord announced at the opening of the congress of the largest tour operator in Europe Monday in Djerba, TAP reported. The year 2018 will see the return of the destination Tunisia, he pointed out, adding that Thomas Cook plans to open three hotel units, also this year, one in Djerba and two in Hammamet. Three hundred tour operators are participating in this congress, which continues until…

“Year 2018 will be last difficult year for Tunisia,” Chahed promises

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Prime Minister Youssef Chahed promised Tuesday an end to economic hardship, seeking to calm anti-austerity protesters. PM Chahed told reporters that demonstrations were acceptable but violence and looting was not. “People have to understand that the situation is extraordinary and their country is experiencing difficulties but we believe that 2018 will be the last difficult year for the Tunisians,” Chahed said. Prime Minister Youssef Chahed noted on Tuesday that “the only recourse against looters of public and private properties and their backers is to enforce the law.” On the fringes…

Algeria’s Sapped Tourism Potential

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Battered by a sharp decline in its international reserves, Algeria made of tourism a key sector to relieve its economy from an acute dependency on oil revenues. However, little is done to boost the contribution of tourism in GDP, which remains limited to 1.4% in 2016 with most tourists being Algerian expatriates returning to visit their homeland. With over 1600 km of Mediterranean coastline, important cultural and historical sites, and the vast desert, Algeria is endowed with a potential that could enable it to be a leading tourist destination. Nevertheless,…

Mixed Chambers Council Supports Chahed Government

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The Council of Mixed Chambers reasserts its support for Prime Minister Youssef Chahed in his fight against corruption and smuggling and commends his determination to place Tunisia’s interests above all other considerations and his call for the unity of all Tunisians. The Council of Mixed Chambers considers the government’s commitment to assume its responsibilities and to lead the fight to the end as clear signals to preserve the country’s stability, security and development, calling for the imperative to continue this fight concomitantly with the improvement of the business environment and…

Olives Grown at High Altitudes Found to Have More Antioxidants

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A study found a positive relationship between altitude and levels of CoQ10, tocopherols and phenolic compounds. A new study links the altitude at which olives are grown to key health benefits, Olive Oil Times reveals. The study found a positive relationship between altitude and levels of CoQ10, tocopherols and phenolic compounds — with olives grown at higher altitudes containing higher concentrations of the three chemical compounds, it adds. All three are widely recognized as powerful antioxidants with proven anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer benefits, Olive Oil Times underlines. Extra virgin olive oil (EVOO) was…

4 ways Tunisia is moving toward greater gender equality

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The North African country is making major strides. When it comes to championing for women’s rights, its safe to say the Arab world has had a relatively prosperous couple of years. From lifting the ban on women driving in Saudi Arabia to abolishing a rape law in Lebanon, the region has witnessed a wave of feminist ideologies being educated and implemented on ground. One country, however, has made huge strides regarding women’s rights. Here are four ways Tunisia, the country that made international headlines twice this year, is moving more and more…