Tunisia: 21 killed as police fire at riot youths

Tunis was hit by a wave of violent unrest that officials said killed 21 civilians yesterday, as police fired into the air to disperse a crowd ransacking buildings in the Tunisian capital. Hundreds of youths threw stones at police before smashing shops and setting fire to a bank, a local government office, and vehicles.

The current unrest is the worst in decades. People taking part in the weeks of clashes say they want jobs and better living conditions. The authorities said the victims were killed when police fired in self-defence.