Day: June 28, 2017

A Lyrical Cruise in Tunis

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Urban scholars spend at least a decade thinking about the cities they research from the time they identify a research problem to the time they publish their manuscript. But we rarely find published those initial thoughts that are as much about misunderstanding as about comprehending the cities we turn into research projects. This essay is based on field notes from my first summer of pre-dissertation fieldwork in Tunisia, May to July 2014. I use pseudonyms to protect the identity of my interlocutors. The current version is loyal to my mis/understandings…

Western approach erases our memory, Tunisian director Nacer Khemir says

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Director of well-received films such as ‘Bab-Âziz,’ ‘The Dove’s Necklace’ and ‘Wanderers of the Desert,’ Tunisian director Nacer Khemir’s new film, ‘Looking for Muhyiddin,’ depicts the life of the great Islamic philosopher Muhyiddin ibn-i Arabi and premieres in Turkey soon. Tunisian director Nacer Khemir is preparing for the release of his movie, “Looking for Muhyiddin,” which focuses on the life of Muhyiddin İbn-i Arabi, in Turkey. Speaking to Anadolu Agency (AA), the famous director who is known for his movies, including “Bab’Aziz,” “The Dove’s Lost Necklace,” and “Wanderers of the…

Morocco, 2nd Most Connected Country in Africa

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Morocco was ranked the second most connected country in Africa and the 33rd globally in a study by the Internet Live Stats website. The website said in its annual internet users report 2016, that Morocco counts 20.068.556 internet users among a population estimated at 34.817.065, that is a penetration rate of 57.6%, the second highest rate in Africa after Seychelles with 57.9%. Elsewhere in the Maghreb, Tunisia registered 5,472,618 users and 48.1% penetration rate, while Algeria lagged behind with 19.7% penetration rate and 7,937,913 users. Globally, Iceland posted 100% penetration…

Tourism to Tunisia won’t recover without Brits, says tourist office

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Security in Tunisia has been “dramatically tightened” in the two years since the Sousse massacre but tourism will only recover if British holidaymakers return, says the country’s tourist office. Speaking just after the two-year anniversary of the terrorist gun attack in Tunisia which killed 38 holidaymakers, including 30 Brits, the tourist office said 1.5 million European tourists visited the destination last year. These included 400,000 French, 130,000 Germans and 630,000 Russians. Sami Tounsi, trade manager at the Tunisian National Tourist Office, said: “All went home safely. Since the attack on…

German Development Bank finances 10 MW solar project in Tunisia

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The German Development Bank (KfW) has agreed to provide Tunisian power state-owned utility Société tunisienne de l’électricité et du gaz (STEG) with  €12.5 million financing for a 10 MW solar project that the company is developing in Tozeur, southern Tunisia. In a statement to pv magazine, the KfW said the funds consist of a €12 million low-interest rate loan for the plant construction and a further €0.5 million for additional services related to the project. The loan was awarded in partnership with the EU in the frame of the Neighbourhood…