Year: 2024

Italy and Tunisia forge stronger ties to tackle migration challenges

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Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni began an important diplomatic mission in Tunis on Wednesday (17 April), where she consolidated a partnership with President Kais Saied aimed at tackling the challenges of migration. “Working with Tunisia is an absolute priority for Italy in many respects, and it is also part of the work that Italy is doing with the Mattei plan,” said Ms Meloni at a press conference in Tunis after she met with Mr Saied. The Mattei plan, a 5.5 billion euro project by Mr Meloni’s government, aims to foster…

Fares Landoulsi’s starring role in new Russian series

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It’s not every day that one of a country’s most famous actors is hired to play the lead in a TV series in a completely different country. That’s exactly what happened to Fares Landoulsi, arguably one of Tunisia’s most famous actors, best known for his role in the series ‘Messiah’ and ‘Ouled El Ghoul’. Tunisian actor Fares Landoulsi announced on social media his new involvement in a new project, saying “A scoop and good news for you all, I’ve been preparing for some time for my new project, my new…

Qair finances a 10 MW solar project in Tunisia

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French independent renewable energy producer Qair has secured debt financing of EUR 7.8 million (USD 8.3 million) to build and operate two solar farms that will add 10 MW to Tunisia’s electricity generation capacity. The financing will be extended by the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), the Paris-based company said on Monday. The new capital will be allocated to the construction of the Feriana photovoltaic power plants in the town of Feriana, in the governorate of Kasserine, in west-central Tunisia, as well as the grid connection infrastructure for…

Tunisia: water stored in dams down 16.9% compared with last three years’ average

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Water stored in dams stood at 839.815 million cubic meters (m3) on April 12, down 16.9% on the average for the last three years (1,010.755 million m3), according to a report on the situation of dams published on Saturday by the National Observatory for Agriculture (ONAGRI).The deficit is estimated at 170.940 million m3. At the same date, the filling rate had reached 36.3%, with dams in the north supplying water at a rate of 43.7%. The Bouhertma dam recorded the highest filling rate (64%) with 71.378 million m3, followed by…

10,000 miles and 352 days later, a UK man reaches his goal of running the length of Africa

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Sore and sandblasted but triumphant, runner Russ Cook reached the northernmost point of Africa on Sunday, almost a year after he set off from its southern tip on a quest to run the length of the continent, Denver7 reported. Dozens of supporters gathered on a rocky outcrop beside the Mediterranean in northern Tunisia, cheering on the British charity fundraiser, who has run more than 16,000 kilometers (10,000 miles) across 16 countries in 352 days, the same source said. “I’m a little bit tired,” Cook said — likely an understatement. In…

New TUI flight from Stansted Airport to Tunisia launched

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A new flight route has been announced from Stansted Airport to a tourist hotspot in Africa. TUI has announced it will be running flights to Tunisia from summer 2025 as part of its holiday programme for the year, Essexlive reports. The route will be travelling from the Essex airport to Enfidha in Tunisia in the northern part of Africa next year. TUI said it is aiming to offer people more “choice and flexibility” to customers in the county and the UK. The full TUI programme for summer 2025 includes 14…

Tunisia secures EUR 145 mn in loans from EIB and AfDB for Bizerte bridge project

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Tunisia will receive EUR 123 mn from The European Investment Bank (EIB) and EUR 122 mn loan from the African Bank of Development (AfDB) for the construction of the Bizerte bridge project, according to a statement released last week. Construction will take place over 38 months for the bridge and 27 months for its roads and interchanges, according to the statement. The project involves building a 2.07 km, 56-meter-high bridge that should move traffic away from the city center, the statement adds. The project will also support regional economic activity…

Qair Solar Project B: Tunisia Launches Groundbreaking Solar Energy Initiative

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Tunisia is embarking on a transformative journey towards renewable energy with the initiation of Project B, a pioneering solar photovoltaic power plant in Feriana town. This ambitious venture, backed by Qair Solar, marks a significant milestone in Tunisia’s efforts to diversify its energy mix and reduce reliance on fossil fuels, Solar Quarter said Project B, financed with EUR 3.9 million from the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), aims to construct and operate a 10MW solar PV plant. The project, categorized as Environmental Category B, signifies a strategic move…

World Water Day: rationalising water consumption in all sectors

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The national day for rationalising water consumption was organised in conjunction with World Water Day, which takes place every year on 22 March. Tunisia is trying to develop a strategy to preserve water resources by building new hydraulic dams, desalinating sea water and rationalising consumption. The event, organised by the Ministry of Agriculture, focused on raising awareness and providing information on rationalising water consumption in all sectors. Given that Tunisia will be one of the countries affected by water stress over the next two decades, urgent solutions must be implemented.…

Maritime forces Thwarts Dozens of Illegal Sea Crossings, Rescues Almost 1,200

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Tunisian maritime forces conducted a major operation Satoruday off the eastern coast, rescuing 1,178 undocumented immigrants and preventing 28 illegal sea crossings to Italy, the Tunisian National Guard reported. The action took place near Sfax province, where the guards intercepted multiple vessels carrying primarily immigrants from sub-Saharan Africa, alongside 18 Tunisians. The operation also led to the recovery of two bodies. In addition to the rescue efforts, authorities confiscated 15 boats and detained nine suspects. The future of the rescued immigrants is currently under consideration, following discussions with the public…