Authorities address fresh Arab Spring threat

Tunisia's Prime Minister has vowed to crack down on rioters after violent protests over price hikes left one person dead and raised fears of broader unrest in the country that was the birthplace of the Arab Spring. During clashes in several regions over the past week, a 45-year-old protester died while dozens were arrested and several police officers were injured. A report on the News24 site notes that banks, stores and police stations were targets of vandalism and looting, while roads have been blocked by blazing tyres and protesters hurling petrol bombs at police. Prime Minister Youssef Chahed said the demonstrations had descended into ‘acts of vandalism, looting and violence against citizens, and this is unacceptable’, the report states.