Tunisia's Assembly of People's Representatives ARP approved two loan agreements for the Tunisian Electricity and Gas Company STEG on Tuesday, July 14, 2026. These loans are intended to finance an energy sector reform program. The first bill, approving a guarantee agreement between Tunisia and the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development IBRD for a STEG loan, passed with 72 votes in favor, 19 against, and six abstentions. The second bill, concerning another guarantee agreement with the IBRD as the implementing entity for the Clean Technology Fund, also for STEG, was adopted with 19 votes against and six abstentions. These loans aim to improve efficiency, performance, and governance in Tunisia's energy sector, strengthen electrical infrastructure, and support renewable energy development. The adoption followed several days of parliamentary tension, including a session on Friday, July 10, being suspended and postponed. Deputy Bilel El Mechri had accused the Assembly President, Brahim Bouderbala, of delaying the vote due to strong opposition, calling the agreements "colonization loans" and alleging they would benefit foreign companies and lead to STEG's privatization.
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A widely circulated Facebook post claiming the Egyptian Ministry of Health officially banned C-sections, except in extreme necessity, has been debunked as false. Investigations found no official communication from the ministry announcing such a prohibition. Instead, Egyptian health authorities have been implementing a long-standing policy to reduce medically unjustified C-sections, not to ban them. Official recommendations encourage natural childbirth when medically feasible, while maintaining C-sections for maternal or infant protection. The Egyptian Health Council's guidelines emphasize clinical evaluation by health professionals for such decisions. Egypt has a high C-section rate, prompting a national strategy to reduce unnecessary interventions through medical training and improved obstetric practices. This strategy does not include a general ban on C-sections. This rumor has been circulating on Egyptian social media since October, appearing in various forms suggesting an official decision, but no official document has confirmed it. The Egyptian authorities' policy aims to combat C-sections performed without medical indication, not to eliminate them, as C-sections remain essential in many obstetric situations.
The Tunis Court of Appeal's criminal chamber specializing in terrorism cases increased the sentences of Béchir Akremi, Habib Ellouze, and Hassen Brik on Monday, July 13, 2026, in two cases related to the assassination of Chokri Belaïd. Béchir Akremi's total sentence was raised from 23 to 29 years in prison for procedural failures in handling the Belaïd case, including intentionally omitting to arrest a suspect, concealing the truth, and falsification. Habib Ellouze and Hassen Brik each saw their sentences increase from 13 to 17 years in prison. They were convicted for providing skills and expertise to individuals involved in terrorist offenses and disclosing information to aid those linked to terrorist crimes. The court also confirmed the administrative control measure for all three convicts, to be applied after their prison sentences. These decisions follow the initial judgments on March 4, 2026, by the Tunis Court of First Instance. Both the convicted individuals and Chokri Belaïd's defense committee had appealed the first-instance rulings. These cases are part of investigations following the assassination of political opponent Chokri Belaïd on February 6, 2013, focusing on the judicial handling of the matter rather than the perpetrators of the assassination itself. The Ennahdha movement had previously criticized the initial trial, citing a lack of independence and procedural irregularities, and disputed the charges against Habib Ellouze and Béchir Akremi's involvement.
Tunisian President Kaïs Saïed sent a message of condolences to Qatar on Monday, July 13, 2026, following the death of Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, the former emir, who passed away on Sunday at the age of 74. In a message conveyed by the Qatar News Agency QNA, the head of state expressed his deep sympathy to the ruling family and the Qatari people. He offered prayers for the deceased and extended wishes of courage and comfort to his loved ones and the entire Qatari nation during this period of mourning. Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani died in Doha, and a funeral prayer was held at the Imam Mohammed bin Abdel Waheb Mosque before his burial. Qatari authorities have declared four days of national mourning. Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani was a significant figure in Qatar's contemporary history, playing a central role in the emirate's transformation and development during his reign.