
New incidents of collective asphyxiation have been reported at Habib Bourguiba College in Gabès, raising concerns about air quality in the region. According to Stop Pollution, two separate episodes occurred within days, affecting a significant number of students. The first incident on April 18, 2026, involved about 20 students experiencing respiratory discomfort. A second, more alarming episode on April 22 affected over 40 students at the same institution. In both cases, students showed symptoms of asphyxiation and required immediate care. These events occur amid ongoing controversy surrounding the Tunisian Chemical Group, which has been frequently criticized for its environmental impact in the region. For several years, associations and residents have denounced polluting emissions from industrial facilities, suspected of degrading air quality and affecting public health. Despite calls for a thorough investigation and urgent measures to ensure a healthy environment in a region where ecological issues are particularly sensitive, official promises have not yet resulted in concrete action on the ground.
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Former deputy and lawyer Seif Eddine Makhlouf announced on Thursday, April 23, 2026, through his lawyer Abdelwaheb Maatar, his categorical refusal to appear before Tunisian courts in the future, citing a lack of independence. Makhlouf, currently detained in Sfax prison, expressed anger over his transfer from Mornaguia prison, calling the decision "arbitrary" and "illegal," despite finding current detention conditions acceptable. He challenges the entire judicial system, stating he no longer recognizes "judges," "justice," or "law," and refers to cases as fabricated, denouncing "violations" and "excesses." Makhlouf considers his decision to boycott hearings, which he views as "mock trials," to be "definitive," believing his presence would only "legitimize" a judicial charade. He attributes his and other activists' incarcerations to "political orders" that he believes will eventually disappear. Makhlouf, who was transferred to Sfax prison on April 7, 2026, after his extradition from Algeria on January 18, remains hopeful for a change in the situation, despite being prepared for a prolonged detention. His stance follows the confirmation of a five-month prison sentence on March 31, 2026, in the "airport case" from March 2021, involving an altercation with security forces. He also faces other convictions related to political altercations, social media posts, and undermining the prestige of military justice, which include a five-year ban from practicing law. This position marks a c

The public sector section of the Tunisian General Labor Union UGTT raised concerns following a meeting on Wednesday, April 22, 2026, at the union's headquarters. The section denounced the deteriorating purchasing power, the degradation of public services, and the continued implementation of decisions without consultation. The meeting, chaired by UGTT Secretary General Slaheddine Selmi, reviewed the country's general situation and conditions within various public sector branches. Participants reaffirmed their commitment to the UGTT and their readiness to defend the organization against policies aimed at weakening it. They also emphasized their dedication to public and individual rights and freedoms, prioritizing trade union freedom. The statement highlighted the increasing pressure on public agents, citing a continuous and insufficiently controlled rise in prices, along with a decline in the quality of essential services. This situation has led to a dangerous decrease in purchasing power and a significant deterioration in workers' living conditions. The section also criticized the removal of direct automatic deductions for the UGTT, viewing it as an attack on the balance of social dialogue and union operations. The union called for serious and responsible negotiations with authorities to improve the material and professional conditions of public agents and demanded an end to unilateral decisions, which they believe fuel social tensions. The UGTT also requested the honoring of

A viral post on X claims Tunisia possesses billions of barrels of oil and gas, suggesting the country could achieve complete energy independence. The post cites figures from the U.S. Energy Information Administration and economic reports, mentioning up to 1.5 billion barrels of shale oil and 23 trillion cubic feet of gas, along with more ambitious estimates for the Pelagian basin. It also suggests the World Bank identified Tunisia as meeting "major global exploration themes," implying export potential through existing infrastructure. However, verification reveals these claims mix real technical data with significant overstatements. The figures for 1.5 billion barrels and 23 trillion cubic feet refer to "technically recoverable" resources, meaning potential volumes extractable with current technology, but without considering economic viability, regulatory constraints, environmental impacts, or investment costs. This differs fundamentally from "proven reserves," which are quantities confirmed as economically exploitable. Tunisia's actual oil production is modest and declining, at around 33,000 barrels per day in 2023, placing it among small global producers. While geological potential exists in areas like the Ghadames basin and Pelagian basin, these resources require confirmatory drilling, in-depth economic studies, an attractive regulatory framework, and heavy investments to become exploitable. No major industrial development has begun for these unconventional resources due to

The National Syndicate of Tunisian Journalists SNJT, along with the National Support Committee for the Journalist and Prisoner of Conscience, has called for a solidarity mobilization for journalist Mourad Zeghidi. A vigil is scheduled for Friday, April 24, from 6 PM to 8 PM, in front of the syndicate's headquarters. This action aims to support Zeghidi, who has been detained for over 700 days due to his positions. Zeghidi's detention began with financial and tax-related cases, leading to an initial sentence of one year, reduced to eight months on appeal. Although he was expected to be released in early 2025, a new arrest warrant for money laundering extended his incarceration. On January 22, 2026, he was sentenced to three and a half years in prison. His appeal trial, initially set for April 14, has been postponed to April 28. The SNJT emphasizes that the April 24 mobilization is part of a broader effort to defend freedom of expression and the press in Tunisia, urging journalists, activists, and citizens to participate.