Prolonged drought and record temperatures have critical impact in the Mediterranean

Severe and prolonged drought events have affected Europe for more than two years and northern Africa for six years, causing water shortages and hampering vegetation growth. Today the Commission’s Joint Research Centre (JRC) publishes its report Drought in the Mediterranean – January 2024 on the persisting droughts and their impact across the wider region. Long-lasting, above-average temperatures, warm spells and poor precipitation have led to severe drought conditions in the Mediterranean region, affecting numerous areas across southern Italy, southern Spain, Malta, Morocco, Algeria, and Tunisia. In the midst of winter, the ongoing drought…

The extreme suffering of the brave and patient Palestinian people

The horror of the Israeli genocide against defenceless Palestinian people during 122 days is something truly indescribable and very sorrowful. History does not witness such atrocities. The footage of people everywhere running and screaming, between shards of broken glass, building debris and traces of blood, is painful for all humanity even for some Jews within Israel and in the Diaspora, condemning Israel’s war on Gaza and expressing their solidarity with the people of the blockaded enclave. Even though it is the most Barbaric war in history, Palestinian people will rebuild…

Monitoring opportunities and meeting challenges for market expansion in 2024

With 2024 just around the corner, the Tunisian solar energy market is poised for significant expansion, presenting a myriad of opportunities and challenges. The country’s installed capacity will pass the 200 MW mark for solar PV capacity by 2023. In the last decade, Tunisia has demonstrated a growing interest in developing solar energy. The country has witnessed the launch of numerous initiatives and projects aimed at exploiting Tunisia’s vast solar potential. In particular, the deployment of large-scale, distributed solar systems has increased sharply, contributing to a more diversified energy mix.…

Saudi mediation in releasing prisoners in Russia… Hints and repercussions

By Dr Alaya Allani, Academic and Researcher in strategic issues At the peak of the Russian-Ukrainian war, Saudi diplomacy was prompted by Crown Prince and Deputy Prime Minister Prince Mohammed bin Salman to ease some of the tensions created by the war with prisoners exchange negotiations between Russia and Ukraine that resulted in the release of Moroccan, American, British, Swedish and Croatian prisoners, some of whom were threatened with execution. The success of this mediation in freeing these hostages is an indication that Saudi Arabia can play other roles in…

Network wants to make impact by providing 21st-century skills

Academics have stressed the importance of ensuring African graduates secure jobs after their studies, ideally linked to the expertise they have gained during their courses. They spoke out at the second Annual Academic Summit, an international conference hosted by the Honoris United Universities (HUU) network of private universities, which was staged on both campuses of Tunisia’s Central University (Université Centrale), Tunis, and the Ariana, Tunis-based ESPRIT or Private Higher School of Engineering and Technology (Ecole Supérieure Privée d’Ingénierie et de Technologies), from August 30 to September 2. In the conference’s…

Tunisian scientists alert on degradation of Posidonia, Mediterranean Sea lungs

Tunisian specialists are sending an alarm about the damaging effects of the reduction of Posidonia in the Mediterranean Sea. Over the years scientists have proven that seagrass meadows have a strong carbon absorption capacity. And according to this marine ecologist in Tunis, Posidonia could also produce up to 20 litres of oxygen per square meter. ” Forests store carbon on land, and this is called green carbon. Underwater, is referred to as blue carbon. So these ecosystems and especially Posidonia, capture large quantities of carbon over thousands of years, what’s…

Global leaders unite in urgent call for international pandemic treaty

25 heads of government and international agencies come together in extraordinary joint call New treaty would signal high-level political action needed to protect the world from future health crises The international community should work together “towards a new international treaty for pandemic preparedness and response” to build a more robust global health architecture that will protect future generations, world leaders said in a commentary published today in several newspapers around the world. “There will be other pandemics and other major health emergencies. No single government or multilateral agency can address this threat…

Soon, Misrata opens marine terminal for passenger cruising

Misrata city is near to opening a new marine station in partnership between the public sector represented by the Iron and Steel Company, and the private sector represented by the “Kevalay” Tourism Services Company, the Libya Observer reported. After years of suspension, travelers from Libya will be able to sail to their destination allowing them to save money and enjoy the scenery and landscapes of the blue sea. According to informed sources, the first trips will leave Misrata towards Tunisia and Turkey, while other destinations would be added, respectively. The…

Libya: Tobruk Parliament Overcomes Disagreements During Tangier Meeting

The consultative meeting of Libya’s House of Representatives, known as the Tobruk Parliament, has led the legislative body to overcome its internal disagreements. The meeting took place in Tangier, northern Morocco, from November 23-28. During the session’s closing ceremony, members of the Libyan House of Representatives made seven pledges that seek to bring the war-torn country closer to overcoming its political crisis. The deputies first agreed that the House of Representatives should be located in Benghazi, Libya’s second-most populous city. The legislative institution has been headquartered in Tobruk, northeastern Libya,…

Africa’s renewable energy capacity is set for consecutive years of growth, exceeding 50 GW in 2025

Africa’s installed capacity of renewable energy, which stood at 12.6 gigawatts (GW) in 2019, is set for consecutive years of growth, a Rystad Energy analysis shows. The continent’s capacity is forecast to reach 16.8 GW in 2020, add another 5.5 GW in 2021, and a further climb to 51.2 GW in 2025, led by growth in solar and wind projects in Egypt, Algeria, Tunisia, Morocco and Ethiopia. At present, South Africa leads the continent in terms of installed renewable energy capacity with 3.5 GW of wind, 2.4 GW of utility…