Tunisia: Bassem Loukil talks about major African meeting in Tunis

Bassem Loukil, head of the Loukil Group and president of the Tunisia-Africa Business Council), spoke about the event that will probably be one of the flagship events of 2017: The African Business Forum, probably scheduled for late October – November. He explained that it is “Classe Export”, initiator and organizer of the event, which wished to relocate it this year in Tunis. The last edition, Africa 2016, was held in Paris. Henceforth, he said, the meeting will be organized alternately in Paris and in an African country… Things have progressed…

Former Tunisian president given 10 years for corruption

Tunisian ex-president Zine el Abidine Ben Ali and his wife issued prison sentences for corruption.  Tunisian ex-president Zine el Abidine Ben Ali and his wife, Leila Trabelsi, were issued new 10-year prison sentences for corruption on Thursday, authorities said, according to AFP. The two were found guilty by a court in Tunis in a case involving “administrative and financial corruption”, said prosecution spokesman Sofiene Sliti. Ben Ali, who ruled Tunisia for 23 years, has been living in exile with his wife in Saudi Arabia since they fled the country during…

UN Expert: Tunisia Must Speed Up Reviews of Terror Cases

A U.N. human rights expert is urging Tunisian authorities to expedite judicial processing of more than 1,500 people accused of terrorist acts, saying nearly all are lingering in provisional detention without having been convicted of any crimes. Ben Emmerson, a special rapporteur on human rights amid the fight against terrorism, has aired concerns about prolonged detention, allegations of torture, and restrictions on the movement of terror suspects. Ending a five-day mission to Tunisia, Emmerson said Thursday that over 1,500 people face investigations and prosecution for alleged terrorism, but fewer than…

TripAdvisor ranks nine Mövenpick properties amongst world’s top one percent

Global hospitality firm’s Middle East properties revered by millions of travellers worldwide  TripAdvisor has named nine Mövenpick Hotels & Resorts properties among the world’s top one percent in its 15th TripAdvisor Travellers’ Choice Awards. Based on reviews and opinions of millions of travellers, the awards are the highest honour the site can bestow on hotels. The awards also recognise hotels in specific categories such as destination, family, service and romance. Mövenpick’s nine featured hotels – located in Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Tunisia, Jordan and the United Arab Emirates – received 21 awards…

Life, Interrupted, For those covered by President Donald Trump’s travel order, there is potential heartache at every turn

Dr. Muhamad Alhaj Moustafa and Nabila Alhaffar wed in 2015 and planned to start a family this year. He was almost through his residency at Washington Hospital Center, and they both longed for children. On Jan. 27, Moustafa went to Dulles International Airport to pick up Alhaffar when she returned from a short trip to visit her mother, a breast cancer survivor, in Qatar. But due to the order issued by President Donald Trump earlier that day, she was denied entry and put on a plane back. For 10 days,…