Trump extends ceasefire with Iran, maintains port blockade
via Business News4 min read
US President Donald Trump announced on Tuesday, April 21, 2026, an extension of the ceasefire with Iran "until further notice," stating his intention to allow Tehran more time to present a proposal to resolve the crisis. Concurrently, the White House confirmed the continued blockade of Iranian ports, framing it as leverage in ongoing negotiations. Trump indicated on Truth Social that the truce would remain in effect until Iran submits an acceptable offer to "end the conflict." The American agenda was adjusted at the last minute, with Vice President J.D. Vance's planned trip to Pakistan for discussions involving Iran being canceled for the day. A White House official told Reuters that this cancellation is due to awaiting a formal proposal from Tehran, deemed a prerequisite for diplomatic progress. Despite de-escalation announcements, tensions remain high, with the Israeli army reporting a strike on a Hezbollah position in southern Lebanon following rocket fire targeting its soldiers.
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Tunisia's Assembly of People's Representatives adopted a bill on April 21, 2026, approving a loan agreement signed on October 16, 2025, with the Arab Fund for Economic and Social Development. This loan will finance a major project to renew and modernize railway lines dedicated to phosphate transport. The bill passed with 71 votes in favor, two abstentions, and five against. The project aims to enhance phosphate and derivative transport capabilities, increase flow volumes, and improve the sector's overall performance, which is a cornerstone of the national economy. The program targets several sections of the railway network in southern Tunisia, across the governorates of Gabès, Gafsa, and Sfax. It includes rehabilitating and modernizing approximately 190.5 kilometers of priority railway tracks and constructing a pre-stressed concrete sleeper production unit. Key lines involved are Line 5 Gabès, Line 14 Gafsa, Line 17 Sfax, and Line 21, which connects Gabès and Gafsa over nearly 129 kilometers and is central to the project. Beyond infrastructure work, the project also covers technical services, including study updates, tender preparation, assistance in selecting companies, and execution monitoring. The total project cost is estimated at approximately 165.5 million dollars, or nearly 500 million dinars. The loan from the Arab Fund for Economic and Social Development amounts to 16 million Kuwaiti dinars, equivalent to about 153 million Tunisian dinars, and will fully fund the rem
Must ReadThe General Federation of Electricity and Gas, part of the Tunisian General Labor Union UGTT, held a press conference on April 21, 2026, to express its concerns regarding draft laws on renewable energy production concessions. The UGTT criticized its exclusion from discussions on this strategic issue, emphasizing its historical role in national matters and the importance of energy sovereignty. While supporting renewable energy development, the federation opposes the current model, which it believes favors private, often foreign, investors over the public operator, the Tunisian Electricity and Gas Company Steg. The UGTT asserted that Steg possesses the technical capabilities and human resources to lead renewable energy projects, with tenders ready since 2020 awaiting government approval. The union also raised concerns about carbon credits, advocating that potential revenues should fund national investments and support the public company. It warned that the current concession policy risks foreign domination of electricity production, potentially increasing dependence and prioritizing external market logic over national needs, especially with projects aimed at exporting electricity to Europe. The federation also highlighted the financial burden on public finances due to contract extensions and revisions within existing concessions. The UGTT called for a national dialogue involving public authorities, parliament, Steg, social partners, experts, and civil society to redefine the co
Sociologist Mohamed Ali Ben Zina indicates that Tunisia is experiencing an acceleration of deep-seated demographic trends rather than sudden ruptures, driven by social, economic, and cultural changes. He emphasizes that current developments are a continuation of dynamics observed over several decades, with historical roots extending back at least twenty years. While events like the Covid-19 pandemic and recent political changes may have accelerated these trends, they are not their root causes. One significant indicator is the divorce rate, which reached a record high of nearly 17,000 in 2019, continuing an upward trend since the early 2000s when it was around 10,000. The pandemic temporarily reduced divorce numbers to 13,000 and then 12,000 due to slowed legal procedures, but figures returned to their original trajectory post-crisis. Historically, the divorce rate per 100 marriages has risen from 5-7% in the 1970s to 10% in the 1980s, 10-12% in the 1990s, 12-15% in the 2000s, and over 20% in the 2010s. Currently, Tunisia records 22-23 divorces per 100 marriages, reflecting a profound change in attitudes towards marriage and separation. Ben Zina cautions against misleading interpretations of daily divorce numbers or direct comparisons of marriages and divorces in a single year, as divorces often relate to unions contracted years prior, and marriage numbers depend on the demographic structure. Beyond statistics, the sociologist highlights increased social acceptance of divorce,
Must ReadThe investigative media outlet Inkyfada is indirectly involved in a judicial procedure as its publishing association, Al Khatt, faces a request for dissolution. This request will be examined on May 11, 2026, by the Court of First Instance of Tunis. Al Khatt, founded in December 2013 under Decree-Law 88 on associations, announced the development in a statement on Tuesday, April 21. The association states that since its inception, it has conducted public interest activities, including media education, supporting the associative sector, and backing independent journalism. It initiated the "Jaridaty" project and has published Inkyfada since 2014. According to Al Khatt, since late 2023, it has faced a series of banking, administrative, and judicial measures. The association claims to have responded to all official requests, providing required documents and exercising legal remedies. However, Al Khatt believes these measures have progressively exceeded a simple compliance check, citing repeated blockages of its funding, sometimes for several months, and an increase in procedures that strain its resources. These difficulties have reportedly impacted its teams, leading to salary delays, deteriorating working conditions, and reduced social benefits, including for Inkyfada journalists. Al Khatt also asserts that some financial operations were obstructed without clear written justification, despite being declared and documented. It sought explanations from the Central Bank of Tunisia bu