A by-the-numbers look at a year of Oscar diversity, firsts
10 โ Nominations for โMank," the most of any film this year, with nods for best picture, best director for Fincher, best actor for Gary Oldman and best supporting actress for Seyfried. In the best supporting actor category, Heath Ledger and Ralph Richardson were nominated, with Ledger winning for โThe Dark Knightโ in 2009. 5 โ African nations that have received nominations for best international feature, now that Tunisia has its first nominee, โThe Man Who Sold His Skin." 4 โ Nominations received by โNomadlandโ director Chloรฉ Zhao, a record for a woman in a record year for women. 1 โ Man nominated for both best actor and best original song.
Tunisia receives first batch of coronavirus vaccines
Boxes loaded with the Russian Sputnik V COVID-19 vaccine arrive at Tunis airport, Tuesday, March 9, 2021. Tunisia is also awaiting the arrival of the first lot of the Chinese vaccine Sinovac as well as the Pfizer and Astrozeneca vaccines (AP Photo/Hassene Dridi)TUNIS โ Tunisia received its first batch of coronavirus vaccines on Tuesday โ 30,000 doses of Russiaโs Sputnik V โ and will start inoculations on Saturday. The Chinese vaccines include 200,000 donated doses, Louzir said, while the Pfizer and AstraZeneca vaccines are coming via the global COVAX program aimed at supplying vaccines to developing countries that might otherwise struggle to afford them. Despite the delays, Tunisia is hoping to vaccinate 50% of its population of 12 million by the end of the year. Tunisia has reported more than 238,000 virus cases and 8,225 lives lost, one of the highest official virus death tolls in Africa.
Libyan interior minister survives attack on motorcade
FILE - In this Dec. 26, 2019 file photo, Libyan Interior Minister Fathi Bashagha speaks during a news conference in Tunis, Tunisia. The motorcade of the interior minister of Libyas U.N.-backed government came under attack on Sunday, Feb. 21, 2021, in the capital, Tripoli, a government spokesman said. Bashagha survived the attack. He said the minister survived the attack and his guards chased the assailants, killing one and detaining two others. The forum also picked Mohammad Younes Menfi, a Libyan diplomat from the countryโs east, to lead the Presidential Council.
Libya's future in balance in UN-backed leadership vote
The voting process is taking place under the mediation of the U.N. secretary-generalโs acting special representative for Libya, Stephanie Williams. The prime minister is to be chosen by the candidate winning 70% of votes. Twenty-four candidates are running for the presidential council posts. Libyaโs top judge, Mohammed al-Hafi's candidacy for the presidential council has stirred up controversy. The country's Judgesโ Association decried the move, saying he should have retired before running,AdTwenty-one candidates are running for prime minister, including Fathi Bashaga, the powerful interior minister in Tripoli, and Ahmed Meitig, deputy prime minister of the U.N.-supported government.
AP PHOTOS: Tunisia revolution victims plea for recognition
All these men were injured in Tunisiaโs democratic uprising 10 years ago, and they are begging the government to recognize them as official victims of the revolution. But now, instead of El Arbi supporting his family, theyโre now supporting him. El Arbi was 20 when he was shot in the neck during a protest and had to undergo three complex operations. Families have pushed for years for official recognition of those who lost lives or limbs fighting for democracy, and for government financial support. They hope for an official government list to be published on Thursday, the anniversary of the revolution, to guarantee the rights of victims.
The Latest: Coronavirus cases keep rising in South Korea
(AP Photo/Lee Jin-man)SEOUL, South Korea โ South Korea has added 1,092 new coronavirus cases in a resurgence that is erasing hard-won epidemiological gains and eroding public confidence in the governmentโs ability to handle the outbreak. It would deliver long-sought cash to businesses and individuals and resources to vaccinate a nation confronting a frightening surge in COVID-19 cases and deaths. Preliminary data on U.S. deaths show the coronavirus pandemic contributing to a 15% or more increase in deaths over last year. ___MEXICO CITY โ Mexican officials have reported a new daily high in confirmed coronavirus cases as the country awaits its first shipment of vaccine. ___WINDOW ROCK, Ariz. โ The Navajo Nation is reporting 151 new coronavirus cases and seven more deaths related to COVID-19.
WHO warns of deadly second wave of virus across Middle East
Worst off in the region has been Iran, where infections have soared in recent months, filling up hospitals and driving up the death toll. Iran shattered its single-day death toll six times in the last two weeks, bringing the total count of fatalities past 43,400 โ the highest in the Middle East. From Pakistan, Faisal Sultan, special assistant to the prime minister for national health services, told reporters the winter surge had arrived. Tunisia is another country that thought its worst virus days were in the past, only to see cases soar in recent weeks. โWe cannot โ and should not โ wait until a safe and effective vaccine becomes readily available for all," he said.
Tunisia bans full-face coverings in public institutions after bombings
Photo by Michele Mossop/Getty Images(CNN) - Tunisia has banned people from wearing the niqab -- a full-face veil -- in public institutions, citing security concerns. Prime Minister Youssef Chahed signed a government order Friday that prohibits anyone wearing a niqab, which covers everything but the eyes, from accessing public offices, according to official news agency TAP. On June 27, twin suicide bombings in the capital, Tunis, targeted Tunisia's security forces and killed at least one person and injured several others. There have been reports that terrorists have been using niqab to disguise themselves, TAP said. The niqab and hijab, or headscarf, were banned under secular governments until the ouster of longtime President Zine El Abidine Ben Ali's regime in 2011, Reuters reports.