Tunisian President Kais Saied, pictured on November 9, 2020. AFP
Tunisian President Kais Saied, pictured on November 9, 2020. AFP
Tunisian President Kais Saied, pictured on November 9, 2020. AFP
Tunisian President Kais Saied, pictured on November 9, 2020. AFP

Tunisian president to launch talks on economic and social reform


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Tunisian President Kais Saied will launch a national dialogue in the coming weeks that will include political parties and youth from all regions, his office said on Wednesday.

The presidency said the dialogue proposed by the powerful Tunisian General Labour union (UGTT) seeks economic, social and political reforms as people protest against bad public services, widespread unemployment and corruption almost a decade on from the country’s uprising.

Ten years ago, mass demonstrations against poverty, marginalisation and unemployment brought down the government of Zine El Abidine Ben Ali. The unrest triggered a wave of uprisings in Egypt, Libya and Syria, among other countries.

Despite that, Tunisia is an example of peaceful transition in a region struggling elsewhere with violence and upheaval.

Later, its economic and social situation worsened and the country became on the verge of bankruptcy and the protests increased.

“The dialogue aims to correct the process of the revolution, which has been diverted from its true path that the people set 10 years ago, which is employment, freedom and dignity,” the presidency said.

Noureddine Taboubi, head of UGTT, which led talks to reach a consensus between secularists and Islamists in 2013.

The initiative “is a glimmer of hope to correct the process of the revolution,” he said.

The trade union was among Tunisia’s National Dialogue Quartet, which won the Nobel Peace prize in 2015 for helping to build democracy.

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The team

Photographer: Mateusz Stefanowski at Art Factory 
Videographer: Jear Valasquez 
Fashion director: Sarah Maisey
Make-up: Gulum Erzincan at Art Factory 
Model: Randa at Art Factory Videographer’s assistant: Zanong Magat 
Photographer’s assistant: Sophia Shlykova 
With thanks to Jubail Mangrove Park, Jubail Island, Abu Dhabi 

 
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
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Founded in 1985 by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, the Central Veterinary Research Laboratory (CVRL) is a government diagnostic centre that provides testing and research facilities to the UAE and neighbouring countries.

One of its main goals is to provide permanent treatment solutions for veterinary related diseases. 

The taxidermy centre was established 12 years ago and is headed by Dr Ulrich Wernery. 

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Warn others to prevent further harm

Courtesy: Crystal Intelligence

England Test squad

Ben Stokes (captain), Joe Root, James Anderson, Jonny Bairstow, Stuart Broad, Harry Brook, Zak Crawley, Ben Foakes, Jack Leach, Alex Lees, Craig Overton, Ollie Pope, Matthew Potts

 
MATCH INFO

Newcastle United 1 (Carroll 82')

Leicester City 2 (Maddison 55', Tielemans 72')

Man of the match James Maddison (Leicester)

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