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South American teams Bolivia and Venezuela secured notable wins, with Bolivia defeating Brazil 1-0 and Venezuela losing to Colombia 6-3. Portugal and Norway achieved important victories in European qualifiers, while Jamaica and Honduras lead their regional groups. The qualification race for the 2026 World Cup continues with key matches across continents.
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On September 9-10, 2025, two boats of the Global Sumud Flotilla, carrying humanitarian aid and activists including Greta Thunberg, were reportedly struck by drone attacks while docked off Tunisia’s coast near Sidi Bou Said. Tunisian authorities deny drone involvement, citing onboard fires possibly caused by cigarettes. The flotilla aims to break Israel’s naval blockade of Gaza amid ongoing conflict and humanitarian crisis.
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The Global Sumud Flotilla's boat, Alma, was reportedly attacked by a drone while docked in Tunisia, with no injuries. The group claims the attack is linked to increased Israeli aggression in Gaza. Tunisian authorities deny drone involvement, citing a fire in a life jacket. The flotilla aims to deliver aid to Gaza.
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African teams Morocco and Tunisia have secured their spots in the 2026 World Cup, while South Africa and Nigeria face critical qualification matches. In South America, Bolivia and Colombia are vying for playoff spots, with Venezuela's coaching overhaul following a defeat. Qualification races are intense across regions.
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Carrefour, once a leading hypermarket chain, is rapidly retreating from several Middle Eastern markets, including Bahrain, Kuwait, Jordan, and Oman, with its franchise partner Majid Al Futtaim replacing it with the local brand HyperMax. The closures follow regional political pressures and strategic shifts, while Carrefour continues to operate in some markets like the UAE and Egypt.
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The Global Sumud Flotilla, aiming to deliver aid to Gaza, reported multiple drone attacks, explosions, and communications jamming near Greece. Despite escalating threats, activists affirm their peaceful mission to break Israel's blockade. Israel denies allowing the vessels into Gaza, citing security concerns.
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A Tunisian court sentenced Saber Chouchane to death for online posts accused of inciting violence, marking the first such case under the 2022 cybercrime law. Critics warn this sets a dangerous precedent for free speech amid ongoing political repression since President Saied's 2021 power grab.
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Several African nations have secured qualification for the 2026 World Cup, with South Africa returning after 2010, Ghana qualifying automatically, and other countries like Algeria and Egypt also confirmed. Meanwhile, ongoing qualifiers in Asia and the Middle East continue to shape the final lineup for the expanded tournament.
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Tunisia has resumed voluntary repatriations of migrants, with about 7,200 returned in 2024, amid ongoing regional migration tragedies. Recent shipwrecks off Libya and Tunisia have resulted in over 58 deaths, highlighting the dangers of Mediterranean crossings. EU-Tunisia cooperation aims to curb migration, while Libya's chaos fuels deadly crossings.
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Morocco's U-20 team won their first-ever FIFA World Cup, defeating Argentina 2-0 in Chile. The victory marks a historic achievement for Arab and African football, with Morocco also hosting a refugee women's team supported by FIFA amid ongoing restrictions in Afghanistan.
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Following a US-brokered ceasefire, Israel released around 2,000 prisoners, including some convicted of terror attacks. Many are now staying at a luxury hotel in Cairo, where their treatment has sparked criticism after media exposés revealed their lavish conditions and public interactions, including celebrations and socializing with locals.
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Since President Kais Saied's 2021 power grab, Tunisian authorities have suspended multiple NGOs, including FTDES and ATFD, citing legal violations. Rights groups see these actions as part of a broader crackdown on civil liberties and independent activism, with ongoing investigations into foreign funding and increased audits.
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The FIFA Arab Cup 2025 begins in Qatar with 16 teams competing across six venues, including Lusail Stadium. Algeria defends their title, while Iraq and Tunisia aim for World Cup qualification. The tournament runs until December 18, with regional stars and qualifiers shaping the region's football landscape.
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Amnesty International has documented widespread human rights abuses against migrants in Tunisia, including torture, racial profiling, and forced expulsions. The report criticizes the Tunisian government and EU cooperation, highlighting increased xenophobia and restrictions on refugee aid amid political upheaval since President Kais Saied's 2021 power grab.
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On November 3, 2025, a rubber boat carrying 49 migrants from Libya capsized six hours after departure due to engine failure amid high waves. After drifting for six days, seven survivors were rescued near Libya’s Al Buri oil field; 42 remain missing and presumed dead. This tragedy adds to over 1,000 migrant deaths in the central Mediterranean this year, highlighting urgent needs for safer migration routes and improved rescue efforts.
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Several Tunisian opposition figures, including Ben Mbarek, Rached Ghannouchi, and Issam Chebbi, are protesting their detention through hunger strikes amid allegations of torture and political repression by authorities since President Kais Saied's power consolidation in 2021. The protests highlight ongoing civil liberties concerns.
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As of December 2025, Tunisia's government under President Kais Saied has sentenced around 40 opposition figures, journalists, and activists to prison terms ranging from two to 45 years on charges of terrorism and conspiracy. Critics and rights groups denounce these as politically motivated trials aimed at silencing dissent. Hunger strikes and protests continue amid international condemnation.
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Tunisian President Saied criticized the EU ambassador after a meeting with union leader Noureddine Taboubi, accusing the envoy of acting outside diplomatic norms. The EU acknowledged the message, amid ongoing tensions over Saied's crackdown on civil society and protests over economic and political issues.