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The smell of rubbish suffocates Tunisia’s industrial hub of Sfox

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The smell of rubbish suffocates Tunisia's industrial hub of Sfox

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Sfox (Tunisia) (AFP) – The streets of Sfox, the largest industrial city in the Middle East and Tunisia, have been littered with garbage and its stench for weeks. Residents and NGOs warned of a crisis on Saturday. Failed waste management in the country.

Garbage bags with their stench and the flies that cover them have been piled up in various parts of Sfax for more than 40 days, even in piles near hospitals, shops and schools.

“The situation is dire, in the strict sense of the word, catastrophic,” said Mohamed Bouzelban, a resident of Tunisia’s second largest city with a population of more than one million.

Wearing the mask, he adds, “We can no longer live the usual way. Garbage is everywhere. We are so afraid for the health of our families and children.”

The economy of the coastal city is based on agriculture, especially the production of olive and almond oil, as well as the conversion of industries and phosphates.

Pointing to dozens of black plastic bags behind him, the owner of the epic, Rabe Obid, demands the immediate intervention of the authorities.

We can’t stay in our stores because of the stench and flies, we complained to the municipalities, but there is no solution yet, ”he says.

Hamdi Chaban, an expert on waste assessment and a member of the civil coalition “Green Tunisia”, explains to the AFP that since the closure of the mainland in Sfax’s Agrop area at the end of September, municipalities have refused to collect waste until the government finds a solution.

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As a result, “the area is currently experiencing a catastrophic ecological situation,” he added.

According to local media, the Agrop landfill was closed following protests against the dumping of chemical waste in a place set aside for household waste.

Temporary solution?

On October 21, Environment Minister Leila Chikhaoui, during her visit to Sfax municipalities, proposed the creation of new places to temporarily store waste from homes.

However, this temporary solution was rejected by the residents, who opposed the conversion of the land into a landfill.

An ambulance goes by on a road in Sfox, and garbage bags pile up on the sidewalk after a garbage dump in the area closes. Hossam Zouari AFP

In Tunisia, with a population of 12 million, difficulties in dealing with garbage are recurring. Many international organizations claim that most of the 2.5 million tons of garbage collected each year is dumped in landfills without being treated or incinerated, while only a small amount is recycled.

According to a recent report by the World Bank, only 61 percent of waste is collected in the capital, Tunis, and most end up in open space.

After the 2011 revolution, the country was trying to get rid of a lot of chaotic rubbish, and municipal councils were elected, but lacked resources.

At the government level, different ministries accept responsibility for the file, which leads to conflicting capabilities, and this also happens to local authorities, for example, who refuse to collect hazardous and contaminated hospital waste.

In 2020, Tunisia saw corruption in the shipping of hundreds of waste containers from Italy on the pretext of carrying plastic scraps for industrial recycling, and their load was found to be domestic waste, which is banned from importing under Tunisian law.

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70 percent.. comments on the Kremlin’s huge increase in defense spending

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70 percent.. comments on the Kremlin’s huge increase in defense spending

The Kremlin said on Thursday that a massive increase in defense spending planned for next year was “absolutely necessary” after a Russian Finance Ministry document released on Thursday said Moscow would increase its defense budget by about 70 percent by 2024. to pour more resources into its war on Ukraine.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said: “Since we are in a state of hybrid warfare, continuing a special military operation, it is clear that such an escalation is necessary and very necessary,” referring to Moscow’s extensive invasion of Ukraine. , “I refer to the hybrid war launched against us.” “.

Defense spending is expected to increase by more than 68 percent year-on-year to reach 10.8 trillion rubles ($111.15 billion), which is 6 percent of GDP and more than allocated spending. Social policy.

Agence France-Presse calculated that by 2024, defense spending is expected to be three times higher than spending on education, environmental protection and health care.

“The focus of economic policy is shifting from an anti-crisis agenda to promoting national development goals,” the finance ministry said in the document.

The increase in defense spending comes as the central bank warned that economic growth will slow in the second half of 2023, with inflation rising above the bank’s target of 4 percent.

It is a newspaperLe MondeAccording to the working sessions on the budget of the Russian Federation next year, Moscow is working to strengthen its financial resources, as the French previously indicated that next year’s Russian defense budget will reach 107 billion euros (over 112 billion dollars). or 6 percent. in gross domestic product.

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The newspaper described the nearly 70 percent increase as “astounding.”

“War of priority.” 36 Trillion Ruble Budget Exposes Putin’s Plans

Russia plans to increase government spending by more than 25 percent in the next fiscal year over the current year, amid expectations that the Kremlin will raise more money to support an invasion of Ukraine by Kremlin forces, according to a report in the British newspaper “Financial Times.”

The newspaper confirmed that defense spending in the war budget for 2023 was 63 billion euros ($66 billion), or 3.9 percent of Russia’s GDP, while military spending was the same in 2021, based on figures from the Bloomberg agency. 2.7 percent of GDP.

It is a newspaperFinancial TimesA British newspaper reported last week that Russia plans to increase government spending by more than 25 percent in the next fiscal year over the current year.

The 36.6 trillion ruble ($383 billion) budget presented by Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin lists “strengthening the country’s defense capabilities” as a top priority, as well as supporting the “unification of new territories” illegally annexed last time from Ukraine. year.

The plans also highlight “social support for the most vulnerable groups,” a sign that the Kremlin wants to boost spending on pensions and social security ahead of presidential elections next March.

According to experts, Vladimir Putin, who has ruled Russia for 24 years as president or prime minister, is trying to win these elections to extend his rule until at least 2030.

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Trump addresses striking auto workers, criticizes Biden and companies

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Trump addresses striking auto workers, criticizes Biden and companies

Former President Donald Trump criticized US President Joe Biden, Democrats and three major automakers over electric cars in a speech to striking automakers in suburban Detroit, Michigan on Wednesday evening.

The speech came as his Republican opponents prepared to take the stage in California for the second Republican presidential debate, according to the network.CBS News“.

Trump said it doesn’t matter whether striking auto workers get a good deal in negotiations with major automakers, because the switch to electric cars will change things.Reuters“.

Trump spoke at Drake Enterprises, a non-union auto parts manufacturer and supplier in Clinton Charter Township, Michigan, but spent considerable time outside the hall addressing another audience: members of the United Auto Workers (UAW) union. According to CBS News, who went on strike in 20 states.

Trump’s speech and his personal demonstration of support for striking workers came a day after US President Joe Biden’s “historic visit” to the union picket line.

The former president praised the work of auto workers, saying they don’t get the recognition they deserve, while some attendees waved “unions for Trump” signs, CBS News reported.

“You will build this country,” Trump told his audience. He said he stands with American auto workers who want to “make America great again” and build cars that will “go even further into the future.”

According to CBS News, he also complained that automakers were “too stupid or too gutless” to invest in electric vehicle development.

A day after Biden visited the picket line, Trump criticized Biden’s record on auto manufacturing and labor.

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“Biden came right after I announced that I would be here,” Trump said, adding that the US president only spoke for “a few seconds”.

According to CBS News, Trump announced his visit to the Detroit area before Biden arrived.

He added, “Biden’s order is not a government regulation. It’s a government assassination of your jobs and your industry.”

“The auto industry is being slaughtered,” he explained. “I don’t care what you get, I don’t care what you get in the next two, three weeks, five weeks. They’re going to close. ‘Going out there. Build those cars in China and other places. It’s a successful business in Michigan and Detroit.” “But it’s not sustainable.”

Trump stressed: “I want a future that protects American workers, not foreign workers,” reported “Reuters”.

“It doesn’t make a big difference what you get, because in two years, you’re all going to be out of a job,” Trump told the workers.

Trump gestured to the non-union crowd, “I hope the UAW and other union leaders support me,” while they tend to support Democrats, according to CBS.

Trump addressed the Auto Workers Union and its leaders and said, “Sean, I support Trump,” according to the network, turning his point toward Auto Workers Union President Sean Fine.

Trump decided to skip the second televised debate for the 2024 Republican presidential candidates, preferring to travel to Michigan to work on winning over blue-collar voters during the auto workers’ strike. According to Reuters, the enemy is Biden.

The network reported,CNN“Despite being an anti-union president, Trump has more support among union members than many Republican presidential candidates.

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According to National Public Radio, Trump spent 30 minutes in his speech before addressing a second Republican debate that began at the same time as his speech in California.e.g“.

He pointed to his lead in the polls and mocked his Republican rivals, saying they were vying for jobs in his future administration.

In his speech, Trump disparaged the seven Republican presidential candidates participating in the debate, saying they were “all candidates for jobs,” according to Reuters.

Trump added, “Does anyone in the group see the vice president? I don’t think so.”

Other GOP contenders “want to be secretary of something,” the former president said. Amid cheers, he added: “They don’t have a crowd like we do,” the newspaper reported.Wall Street Journal“.

According to Reuters, Trump supporters gathered outside the Reagan Library before the presidential debate.

On Tuesday, US President Joe Biden joined auto workers’ protesters in the state of Michigan to show his support for their demands for higher wages. According to the White House, the nation.

“The truth of the matter is, you saved the auto industry in 2008 and before,” Biden said, wearing a UAW (short for United Auto Workers) hat.

“You’ve made a lot of sacrifices, companies were in trouble, but now they’re in incredibly good shape, and guess what, you should be in a similar situation. .”

Attendance at the sit-in was seen as the US administration’s strongest show of support so far for union members striking against General Motors, Ford and Stellandis.

Trump’s visit, which comes a day after Biden visited Michigan, where he joined auto workers’ union pickets, indicates the former president is focusing on his former and perhaps future adversary, Biden. NPR and Reuters polls trailed him.

Michigan voters helped both Trump and Biden win the White House, Trump in 2016 and Biden in 2020, as union voters decided both won the previous elections, according to “NPR”.

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What happened to the newlyweds in the Hamdania wedding fire? | news

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What happened to the newlyweds in the Hamdania wedding fire?  |  news

A wedding hall in al-Hamdania district in northern Iraq’s Nineveh governorate turned tragic after a sudden fire left behind the harrowing stories of hundreds of victims and widespread global solidarity.

Many on social media are wondering what will happen to the newlyweds?

Many sources in Al-Hamdaniyya (Qaraqosh) say that the newlyweds survived the fire, and one of the wedding guests said in his report that the bride and groom, Haneen and Raven, are safe and sound, but their psychological condition is not good and devastated by the wedding tragedy.

Preliminary official figures indicate that 94 people died and 101 suffered burns and suffocation in the fire.

Interior Minister Abdul Amir Al-Shammari said the fire broke out at a large event hall in Al-Hamdania after fireworks were lit during a ceremony, causing the roof to burst onto the roof and collapse on the occupants.

Saath Mann, director of information and public relations at the Ministry of Home Affairs, confirmed that “nine people working at the hall have been arrested as a precautionary measure and arrest warrants have been issued against four owners of the hall”. As a result of this incident.

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Khalid al-Muhanna, the spokesman for the Iraqi Ministry of Interior, explained the reasons for the increase in the number of victims, and said that they were a lack of security measures, the use of fireworks and an excessive presence. A thousand people in the event hall. He pointed out that preliminary investigations have confirmed the lack of adequate corridors and emergency exits, apart from the construction materials failing to meet the correct specifications.

Today, Wednesday, the Security Council of Iraq’s Kurdistan Region announced that it would arrest the owner of the burning hall and hand him over to the Iraqi Ministry of Interior.

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