Tunisian public health sector struggles to heal itself

Tunisia's independent media regulator shuttered Nessma TV, owned by President Kais Saied's political rival. Quran Kareem, a religious radio station, was also closed.

Tunisia’s lagoon farmers north of Tunis face the real-world impacts of climate change as rising sea levels, hotter weather and scant rainfall threaten to wipe out crop – and an agricultural system dating back to the 17th century.

Protesters gathered at the Agareb landfill to protest its reopening on Wednesday, a day after a demonstrator died from allegedly inhaling tear gas fired by police at a similar rally. "It is not reasonable for the army to protect a place of waste and to fire tear gas and attack the protesters," said a protester. Tunisia’s General Trade Union (UGTT) called for a general strike and a day of mourning in Agareb following the death of the 35-year-old protester.  

The leader of the UK's opposition Labour party said on Sunday (December 12) that British Prime Minister Boris Johnson had broken the public's trust over COVID-19 regulations, making him "unfit for public office." Speaking on the BBC's Andrew Marr Show, Keir Starmer said Johnson posed a risk to public health following reports that parties were held at Downing Street during a 2020 Christmas lockdown when such festivities were banned.

In tonight's edition: Tunisia's president says the democratically-elected parliament will remain suspended for at least another year. Kais Saied also announced a referendum and elections for 2022.

A quarter of couples experience infertility despite regular sex, according to the French national research institute INSERM. The reasons include exposure to pollutants, endocrine disruptors, trying for a child later on in life, smoking and obesity. But in more than 15 percent of cases, the cause of the infertility remains unconfirmed. France's health minister has decided to take action by putting together a working group to better understand the issue and suggest changes by the end of the year. FRANCE 24's Eléonore Vanel and Camille Nedelec report.

Overfishing is a growing problem along Tunisia's coast, especially due to trawlers. Their nets pick up sharks, rays and other endangered species. The Med Bycatch Project wants to encourage more sustainable fishing.

Mali's Ibrahima Koné may have scored the winning goal against Tunisia, but the man everyone's talking about is the referee, who blew his whistle too early and ended the game in confusion. Also on Day 4, Gambia make a triumphant entry into their first-ever AFCON tournament with a 1-0 victory against Mauritania, and Ivory Coast jump to the top of Group E after beating Equatorial Guinea. Alison Sargent is joined by James Vasina and sports editor Simon Harding from Cameroon to discuss all the action.

It will be a battle of the Eagles tonight in Garoua when Nigeria’s Super Eagles and the Carthage Eagles of Tunisia take to the pitch of the Roumdé Adjia Stadium in an Africa Cup of Nations round of 16 clashes. With a lot of history between Nigeria and Tunisia, many are expecting a very tough encounter, but Dennis Erezi’s guest analyst, Ifeanyi Ibeh says it’s going to be a very comfortable win for the Super Eagles against a Covid-depleted Carthage Eagles.

Teams in Cameroon are putting in their final preparations ahead of the last 16 matches which kick off on Sunday. Burkina Faso and Gabon will get the ball rolling as they go head to head in Limbé, while flawless Nigeria will take on Covid-hit Tunisia.

A women-only motorcycle club is breaking gender stereotypes in Tunisia, organising rallies and events to encourage other women to ride.

More than 200 judges and lawyers in black robes protested Thursday outside the main court in the Tunisian capital after President Kais Saied vowed to scrap a key judicial watchdog.