🇹🇳TunisiaNorth Africa
Health alert on air fresheners: what science really says
via Business News5 min read
Recent health concerns have been raised regarding the common use of certain indoor air fresheners. Reports suggest these products may contain undeclared or poorly identified chemical substances on their labels, prompting questions about their potential long-term effects on human health. The primary concern is that indoor air, where most people spend significant time, can be affected by external sources and by products used to "freshen" the air. Key potentially dangerous chemicals often found in air fresheners include volatile organic compounds VOCs like formaldehyde, a known irritant and carcinogen, and benzene, also a carcinogen. Many products also contain terpenes such as limonene or alpha-pinene, which can react with ozone to produce harmful secondary pollutants. Phthalates, suspected endocrine disruptors, are sometimes used to fix fragrances. Some air fresheners may also contain synthetic musks, glycol, irritating solvents, and allergenic preservatives. Additionally, some sprays release fine particles and complex fragrant substances whose exact composition is not always listed, making repeated inhalation potentially problematic, especially in enclosed spaces. These compounds can also react with other elements in indoor air to form even more harmful secondary pollutants. For instance, terpenes can produce formaldehyde or ultrafine breathable particles in the presence of ozone. Studies indicate that air fresheners emit not only their advertised ingredients but also a comple
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Tunisia's food trade balance recorded a surplus of 798.3 million dinars by the end of March 2026, a 29.65% increase compared to the same period in the previous year, according to the National Observatory of Agriculture Onagri. The coverage rate improved from 134.8% to 139.6%. This surplus was driven by a 17.9% rise in food exports, notably olive oil exports which increased by 38.1%, despite a 13.9% increase in food imports, including a 7.7% rise in cereal imports. Export prices for olive oil, tomatoes, and citrus fruits decreased by 3.6%, 18.3%, and 6.7% respectively, while prices for fishery products and dates increased by 6.6% and 3.2%. Import prices for durum wheat, soft wheat, and corn decreased by 15.6%, 9.9%, and 7.8% respectively, though barley prices rose by 3.4%. Sugar prices increased by 30.4%, while vegetable oil prices fell by 1% and milk and dairy product prices decreased by 7.8%. The food trade surplus helped mitigate the overall trade deficit, which worsened by 3.62% to -5.23 billion dinars by the end of March 2026, as reported by the National Institute of Statistics INS. Food imports constituted 9.4% of total imports, and food exports accounted for 17.3% of total exports. Onagri highlighted that the food trade surplus contributed 15.3% to offsetting the overall trade deficit.
Must ReadThe Médenine Court of First Instance sentenced human rights activist Abdallah Saïd, president of the "Enfants de la Lune" association, to one year in prison on Tuesday, April 21, 2026. This decision followed his second hearing, with the public prosecutor immediately appealing the verdict. Saïd has been in pre-trial detention since November 12, 2024, for over a year, in connection with his association's humanitarian activities in Médenine, which include social and health support for vulnerable groups. The court had previously rejected his request for release during the first hearing in February 2026. The case was initially directed to the judicial counter-terrorism unit but was later reclassified after the unit concluded there was no terrorist dimension. Accusations of undermining state security and money laundering were also dropped. Currently, only a financial charge remains under investigation, which his defense argues is insufficient to justify his prolonged detention. Civil society organizations, including the collective against the criminalization of humanitarian action, have consistently supported Saïd, denouncing his detention as arbitrary. They highlight his 30-year career as a doctor and civil servant at the Ministry of Health, and his dedication to vulnerable individuals, including people with disabilities, migrant and refugee children, and women and minors who have dropped out of school. His role in establishing the Dar Al-Jam'iyyat space in Médenine, which hosted
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni responded on Tuesday, April 21, 2026, to statements made by American President Donald Trump. Speaking on the sidelines of her visit to the Milan Furniture Fair, Meloni stated she was not affected by Trump's comments, emphasizing her belief in a demanding concept of political and personal relationships. She asserted that courage involves expressing one's thoughts, even when there is disagreement, and that disagreement should not lead to self-censorship or weaken relations between allies. Meloni stressed that these differences of opinion do not undermine the historical relations between Rome and Washington, noting that strong alliances allow for expressing disagreements without jeopardizing cooperation. She believes that friends help each other, especially by voicing their disagreements, advocating for diplomatic frankness in international relations. This comes amidst ongoing transatlantic disagreements and an incident involving Pope Leo XIV. The Pope's call against "the idolatry of self and money" and leaders' displays of force, perceived as a critique of US policy in the Middle East, drew a strong reaction from Trump, who publicly called the Pope "weak" and criticized his stance on Iran. Initially, Meloni offered a measured response, praising the Pope's peace efforts without directly mentioning Trump. However, facing internal criticism, she later deemed Trump's comments about the Pope "unacceptable." Tensions further escalated over Italy'
Must ReadMohamed Salah Ayari, a university professor and tax advisor, highlighted the potential for the Tunisian economy to be heavily impacted in 2026 by rising energy prices and international tensions. Speaking on National Radio on April 22, 2026, he noted that the global economy is experiencing significant turbulence, influenced by events like those in the Middle East, which have led to reduced energy flows and volatile prices. The price of a barrel of oil, previously around sixty dollars, has surpassed one hundred dollars before stabilizing at approximately 94 dollars, a level that remains high and detrimental to importing economies. Ayari also pointed to the worsening food insecurity, with an estimated 45 million more people globally potentially facing hunger, bringing the total to nearly 360 million. He expects a substantial increase in demand for financing from the International Monetary Fund, with needs ranging from twenty to fifty billion dollars. For Tunisia, Ayari noted a discrepancy between the official 2026 finance law's growth forecast of 3.2% and the IMF's projection of 2.1%. The energy issue is particularly concerning, as the state budget was based on an oil price of 63.3 dollars per barrel, significantly lower than current levels. He estimates that each additional dollar per barrel adds about 160 million dinars to public finances, potentially reaching 5.1 billion dinars if prices remain high, or 1.9 billion dinars even at 75 dollars per barrel. These pressures could a