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Tunisia Distributes Masks ahead of Easing Restrictions on Monday

A woman wearing a mask buys pineapple from a fruit vendor in Tunis on March 17, 2020. (AP)
A woman wearing a mask buys pineapple from a fruit vendor in Tunis on March 17, 2020. (AP)
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Tunisia Distributes Masks ahead of Easing Restrictions on Monday

A woman wearing a mask buys pineapple from a fruit vendor in Tunis on March 17, 2020. (AP)
A woman wearing a mask buys pineapple from a fruit vendor in Tunis on March 17, 2020. (AP)

The mayor of Tunis announced on Saturday the free distribution of thousands of face masks to citizens ahead of lifting the quarantine in the capital starting Monday.

Souad Abderrahim said: “We have already distributed 10,000 face masks in the local markets. This is part of a campaign to enourage citizens to wear the masks to be protected and also to protect others.”

The campaign is being held in cooperation with civil society organizations and the Tunisian Red Crescent, reported the German news agency (dpa).

“We will return to normal life. However, we should respect a new behavior,” she said.

Tunisian authorities had decided to gradually ease the general health lockdown, which was imposed as a preventive measure against coronavirus.

On Monday, the country will witness the reopening of health, nutrition, services and artisans businesses.

On Saturday, the Health Ministry said 11 new cases of infection with COVID-19 were recorded, bringing the overall cases to 1,009.

The Ministry said 323 patients have recovered, 644 are still carrying the virus and are still under observation and 42 have died.

It said 25 patients are currently in intensive care and 59 others are hospitalized.

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Business

Oil Prices Set for Swings Next Week as US-Israel Strikes Raise Supply Uncertainty

Markets are anticipating movements in oil prices after the American-Israeli attack on Iran (Reuters)
Markets are anticipating movements in oil prices after the American-Israeli attack on Iran (Reuters)
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Oil Prices Set for Swings Next Week as US-Israel Strikes Raise Supply Uncertainty

Markets are anticipating movements in oil prices after the American-Israeli attack on Iran (Reuters)
Markets are anticipating movements in oil prices after the American-Israeli attack on Iran (Reuters)

Oil markets currently closed for the weekend are set to see price swings next week as the impact from the US and Israeli strikes on oil supplies from the Middle East remains unclear.

Scenarios before the latest conflict with Iran foresaw a quick price spike that fades if the attacks didn't affect oil shipping and infrastructure such as Iranian pipelines and its Kharg island terminal. However, there would be a bigger price spike and longer-lasting impact if oil infrastructure or supplies were interrupted, for instance because of disruption of tanker traffic through the Strait of Hormuz.

Oil prices have already risen on war fears. International benchmark Brent crude closed at a seven-month high of $72.87 on Friday, Reuters reported.

Iran exports some 1.6 million barrels of oil a day, most of it going to China, where privately owned refineries are less concerned about the US sanctions that prevent Iran from selling its oil elsewhere. If that supply is disrupted, Chinese customers would look elsewhere for oil on the global market, potentially driving up prices.

Another question is around the Strait of Hormuz, through which 20% of global oil supply pass through each day. Middle East exporters Saudi Arabia, Iraq and the United Arab Emirates send most of their exports through the strait. However analysts say Iran has no incentive to try to close the strait because it would cut off its own exports and hurt its only big customer, China.

Limited strikes on Iran’s nuclear program and the Revolutionary Guard that avoid regime change or all-out war could see prices jump $5-$10 based on fear alone, according to Rystad Energy in a prewar scenario.

A wider war involving Iranian disruption of tanker traffic could see crude push past $90 per barrel and US gas prices “well above” $3 per gallon, according to another prewar scenario from Clayton Seigle at the Center for Strategic & International Studies. US gas prices averaged $2.98 per gallon last week according to US motoring club AAA.

Business

Israel Shuts Down Gas Fields After US-Israel Strikes on Iran

The gas platform for Leviathan, Israel's largest gas field is seen from a helicopter near Haifa bay, northern Israel, August 1, 2023. REUTERS/Ari Rabinovitch
The gas platform for Leviathan, Israel's largest gas field is seen from a helicopter near Haifa bay, northern Israel, August 1, 2023. REUTERS/Ari Rabinovitch
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Israel Shuts Down Gas Fields After US-Israel Strikes on Iran

The gas platform for Leviathan, Israel's largest gas field is seen from a helicopter near Haifa bay, northern Israel, August 1, 2023. REUTERS/Ari Rabinovitch
The gas platform for Leviathan, Israel's largest gas field is seen from a helicopter near Haifa bay, northern Israel, August 1, 2023. REUTERS/Ari Rabinovitch

The Israeli Energy Ministry has ordered the temporary shutdown of parts of the country's natural gas reservoirs after Israel and the United States launched strikes on Iran on Saturday.

The Leviathan gas field offshore Israel, operated by Chevron has been shut down, three sources told Reuters. Energean’s production vessel that serves several Israeli fields has also been shut down, the company said in a statement.

Israel’s ministry said the decision was based on “the current situation and in accordance with security assessments”, Reuters reported.

It said country’s energy needs would be met through alternative sources and that the electricity sector was prepared to operate power stations using alternative fuels if necessary.

Business

Emirati Firm Suspends Supplies from Major Iraq Gas Complex

Smoke rises following an Iranian drone attack on Erbil airport in Erbil, Iraq, 28 February 2026.EPA/GAILAN HAJI
Smoke rises following an Iranian drone attack on Erbil airport in Erbil, Iraq, 28 February 2026.EPA/GAILAN HAJI
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Emirati Firm Suspends Supplies from Major Iraq Gas Complex

Smoke rises following an Iranian drone attack on Erbil airport in Erbil, Iraq, 28 February 2026.EPA/GAILAN HAJI
Smoke rises following an Iranian drone attack on Erbil airport in Erbil, Iraq, 28 February 2026.EPA/GAILAN HAJI

Emirati company Dana Gas has suspended natural gas supplies from a major gas complex in northern Iraq amid the regional escalation, said authorities in Iraq's autonomous Kurdistan region.

Kurdistan's electricity and natural resources ministries said in a statement that "due to the extraordinary circumstances and ongoing events in the region, and to protect employees at the Khor Mor field, Dana Gas has suspended natural gas exports to power plants".

The Khor Mor complex, which supplies most of Kurdistan's power stations, has been hit several times in recent years in attacks blamed on pro-Iran Iraqi groups.