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On December 5, 2025, the 2026 FIFA World Cup draw will take place at Washington's Kennedy Center, attended by US President Donald Trump. The expanded 48-team tournament, hosted by the US, Canada, and Mexico, will feature 12 groups of four teams. Scotland, having qualified after 28 years, awaits its group opponents and fixture details, with the tournament running June 11 to July 19, 2026.
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The 2026 FIFA World Cup draw has been finalized, revealing group placements for 48 teams across North America. Key details include host country allocations, seedings, and match schedules, with the tournament set to begin on June 11, 2026, in Canada, Mexico, and the US. The draw determines group compositions and knockout matchups.
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Belarus faces ongoing political repression, with recent prisoner deaths and arrests highlighting the regime's brutal tactics. President Lukashenko has pardoned some prisoners but continues to detain nearly 1,200 political prisoners amid protests and international criticism. The story underscores Belarus's persistent authoritarianism.
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Serbian authorities have detained a group linked to incidents in France and Germany, including pig head deposits near mosques and vandalism targeting Jewish sites. The suspects, trained in Serbia, are believed to act on instructions from an unidentified foreign intelligence agency. The incidents aim to incite hatred and unrest across Europe.
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Three Croatian climbers died after an avalanche on Tosc Mountain in Slovenia. The rescue operation, hampered by bad weather, recovered all bodies. The climbers had gone despite weather warnings amid recent snow and cold conditions in the Alps. Authorities advise against mountain trips in such conditions.
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Croatia's parliament approved a return to conscription, reinstating two months of military training for 18-year-olds, citing increased regional threats and the need to bolster national security. The move follows heightened European tensions due to Russia's Ukraine invasion and Balkan military buildup. The policy will start next year, with exemptions for women and conscientious objectors.
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Two aircraft crashes occurred in Europe and Russia. A Russian fighter jet crashed during training near Lake Lososinskoe, with no injuries reported. In Croatia, a fire destroyed a Turkish forestry plane, with the pilot's body recovered. Both incidents highlight ongoing aviation risks.
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A fire erupted near the top of Zagreb's Vjesnik tower late Monday, spreading downward and causing total damage. No casualties were reported, and the fire was largely extinguished by Tuesday midday. The building, largely vacant, suffered extensive structural damage, prompting plans for renovation.
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Twenty years after the Dayton peace accords, Bosnia remains divided and politically unstable. Despite progress toward EU membership, corruption, ethnic tensions, and economic stagnation persist. Many young Bosnians, including Sola's son, have left seeking better prospects, highlighting ongoing challenges to stability and development.
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Croatia has seen a resurgence of far-right activity, including protests and incidents targeting ethnic Serbs and symbols linked to WWII fascism. Demonstrations in Zagreb and other cities oppose the spread of neo-fascist ideologies, amid concerns over government inaction and the influence of nationalist figures.