The Tunisian Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research has clarified the conditions under which Tunisian doctors trained abroad can obtain diploma equivalency without an examination. In a written response to the President of the Assembly of People's Representatives on July 1, 2026, the Ministry stated that a Tunisian doctor with a foreign degree can receive equivalency without an evaluation test or additional training, provided they have at least five years of effective practice after obtaining their specialty diploma. This possibility is already covered by existing regulations and does not require legislative changes. The Ministry highlighted that rules governing diploma equivalency, particularly in medical specialties, were revised by a ministerial decree on October 10, 2023. This reform was the result of consultations initiated in 2018 with key stakeholders, including the Ministry of Health, medical faculties, and the Order of Physicians. The text explicitly allows doctors with five years of professional practice post-specialization to directly benefit from equivalency, bypassing aptitude tests or supplementary training. The Ministry noted that this provision is already applied by the sectoral commission for medical and paramedical diploma equivalencies, with favorable decisions granted to several doctors who specialized in Germany after verifying their professional experience. This clarification comes amid ongoing discussions about the return of medical profess
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Algeria's legislative elections on July 2 recorded an unprecedented low voter turnout of 21.24%, the lowest in the country's history, according to official results announced on Monday, July 6, 2026. The Front de libération nationale FLN, the historic independence party, secured the most seats with 90 out of 407 in the Assembly. The Rassemblement national démocratique RND followed with 73 seats, and the Front El Moustakbal obtained 59. Islamist parties, the Mouvement de la société pour la paix MSP and El Binaa, secured 43 and 38 seats respectively. Non-Islamist opposition parties experienced a decline, with the Front des forces socialistes FFS getting 12 seats, the Rassemblement pour la culture et la démocratie RCD winning four, and the Parti des travailleurs three. Female representation also decreased, with only 23 women elected, down from 38 in 2021 and 118 in 2017. Despite polling stations remaining open an extra hour to encourage participation, mobilization remained low. Karim Khelfane, interim president of the Autorité nationale indépendante des élections Anie, noted that low turnout is not unique to Algeria, citing similar trends in other democracies, and praised the transparency of the election. The electoral campaign took place during the World Cup, under high temperatures, and before a long weekend, contributing to the low engagement. The previous legislative elections in 2021 also saw a low participation rate of 23%.
FIFA is embroiled in a major scandal at the 2026 World Cup after it annulled the suspension of American forward Folarin Balogun, allowing him to play in the round of 16 match against Belgium. This rare decision followed an alleged intervention by former US President Donald Trump with FIFA President Gianni Infantino, according to American media outlets like The New York Times and Associated Press. Trump himself fueled the controversy by posting on Truth Social, thanking FIFA for "doing the right thing and righting a great injustice" shortly after the announcement. The New York Times reported that Trump personally called Infantino hours after Balogun's expulsion to request a review of the sanction. FIFA justified its decision by invoking Article 27 of its disciplinary regulations, a provision rarely used to suspend a sanction, especially not during a World Cup to allow an expelled player to immediately play the next match. The Wall Street Journal highlighted the close relationship between Infantino and Trump, which has existed for several years. The Belgian Football Federation expressed its astonishment and is exploring all options, with coach Rudi Garcia sarcastically remarking, "I didn't know July 5 was April Fools' Day in the United States." UEFA issued a strong statement, calling the decision a "red line" that threatens the "integrity of the game" and the "credibility of the competition," questioning the precedent it sets. European Commissioner for Sports, Glenn Micallef, p
Hospital-university doctors, pharmacists, and dental surgeons in Tunisia staged a sit-in and march on Monday, July 6, 2026, in Monastir, following the assault of a colleague. Adnen Hanchi, Secretary General of the General Union of Hospital-University Doctors, Pharmacists, and Dental Surgeons, stated that this action highlights the continuous deterioration of working conditions, increased violence against healthcare professionals, and a lack of dialogue with authorities. He emphasized that the crisis extends beyond sectoral demands, affecting all healthcare personnel due to declining conditions in public health institutions and the absence of sustainable public policies. The protest was prompted by the assault of a surgeon at Fatouma Bourguiba University Hospital by a patient he had operated on. The surgeon sustained injuries requiring surgery and is considering resignation from public service due to the incident and a growing sense of abandonment among healthcare professionals. Hanchi noted that repeated violence is a major factor in the emigration of medical talent, alongside poor working conditions and material difficulties. He also highlighted the dire financial state of public hospitals, citing unpaid debts from the National Health Insurance Fund Cnam totaling approximately 2.2 to 2.47 billion dinars, which prevents hospitals from acquiring basic supplies. Hanchi criticized the ineffectiveness of security measures, such as a police post at Fatouma Bourguiba that lacks suf