Day: December 2, 2016

HAICA reports audiovisual media profile of parties

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The Independent High Broadcasting Authority (French/HAICA) released today its periodic report on political pluralism in Audiovisual Media for the first quarter  of 2016. This study conducted by HAICA showed that parties represented in the House of the People’s Representatives (HPR) recorded the highest rate in television channels, followed by the government , the parties not represented in HPR as well as the  Presidency of the Republic occupies the last rank. However, Ennahdha party is at the top of political parties present in television channels followed by Nida Tounes and the…

Tunisia breaks up 160 militant cells in first 10 months of 2016: ministry

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Tunisian security forces dismantled 160 jihadist cells in the first 10 months of this year, about 45 percent more than during the whole of 2015, the interior ministry said on Friday. Tunisia has been the only Arab state to achieve a relatively peaceful democratic transition since the Arab Spring uprisings of 2011 but has struggled to contain Islamist militancy, partly because of a spillover of instability from neighboring Libya. An interior ministry statement said the number of terrorism suspects arrested between January and October this year was 850, compared with…

EU reiterates determination to assist and support Tunisia’s efforts to address its security, economic and social challenges

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This first visit of a Tunisian President to the institutions of the European Union comes as we are celebrating the 40th anniversary of the first Cooperation Agreement. Our meetings demonstrate, at the highest level, our commitment to taking our strategic relationship a step further, and at the same time reflect the strength of the ties that unite us and the Tunisian democratic exception in the neighbourhood. Since the Tunisian revolution in 2011, the European Union has made support for the fledgling democracy one of the priorities of its external policy.…

The Deadly Sea from Libya to Europe

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The flow of migrants to Europe has increased dramatically over the past year even as their trips become more dangerous. Over the last few years, the expanse of Mediterranean Sea stretching between Libya and Italy has become an increasingly dangerous highway used by economic migrants and refugees pursuing a desperate dream of a better and richer—or just safer—future in Europe. “This year has been the worst ever in terms of numbers of migrants and also the number of deaths at sea,” said Libyan Navy spokesman Ayoub Ghassem. “In the last two…

Tunisia’s central bank examines introduction of Chinese yuan into currency reserves

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The Central Bank of Tunisia (BCT) Thursday announced its intention to introduce the Chinese yuan into Tunisian foreign currency reserves. The BCT unveiled this in an official statement, saying the move was recommended by the Monetary Policy Committee of Tunisia at the end of November. Citing financial experts, some Tunisian media estimate that the introduction of the Chinese yuan in the settlement of invoices of Tunisian importations from China would reduce currency risks. Tunisian importers “would no longer be forced to pay their bills in U.S. dollars even though their…

One Nation, Divided

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The nation is still deeply divided over Donald Trump’s stunning win – and so is Congress. The 2000 presidential election was a painful period for American democracy, as voters and candidates wondered whether the electoral system that was supposed to be a model for the world was, in fact, fatally flawed. A protracted recount in Florida left the nation without a clear winner until December, when a Supreme Court ruling stopping the recount made Republican George W. Bush the winner. Foes of the president-elect called the outcome rigged, and said…

“Tunisia 2020”, a great success (EU)

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The European Union (EU) welcomed, on Thursday, the measures announced at the investment conference (Tunisia 2010), affirming the determination to support the dynamics unleashed by this international meeting and to ensure the implementation of the Commitments made. “The first visit by a Tunisian President to European Union institutions comes at a time when we are celebrating the 40th anniversary of the first co-operation agreement signed in 1976. Our meetings demonstrate at the highest level our determination to take a new step within the framework of a strategic relationship, the EU…