New opposition group plans protest in Tunisia after extreme heat-driven power and water cuts

Tunisians are facing water and electricity shortages amid extreme heat, fueling anger at the country's leadershipTUNIS, Tunisia -- A summer of extreme heat has left many Tunisians short of water and electricity — and full of anger at the country's leadership. A protest is expected in the capital Tunis on Thursday by a new opposition collective tapping into the growing frustration.The protest has been called by the Nafas movement, which seeks to bring together political parties and independent figures beyond the North African country's traditional opposition to President Kais Saied.The umbrella initiative, launched in May, has been calling for an end to what it describes as government failure and injustice in the country that was the birthplace of the Arab Spring pro-democracy uprisings. Among grievances are repeated cuts to Tunisia's utility supplies, chronic shortages of essential medicines, rising living costs and unemployment.The protest comes amid a summer of extreme heat, with temperatures reaching up to 50 degrees C (122 F) in some parts of Tunisia. The heat wave pushed electricity demand to record levels and led state-owned utility STEG to introduce rationing measures in sev...