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☆ The beautiful African paradise islands that most tourists don’t know about
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-10 | by ( Joe Yogerst | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +9 min

CNN —A couple of African paradise islands have been on the radar of avid world travelers for some time. Shellfish Bay on the island’s windward side shelters one of East Africa’s most spectacular beaches, a crescent of white sand framed by 100-meter dunes. Bazaruto Island Resort, the island’s top digs, can arrange scuba diving and snorkeling, sailing on traditional dhow boats, guided 4x4 wildlife safaris, sandboarding on the dunes and other outdoor activities. Lamu’s best beaches are on the island’s windward side, around a 30–40-minute walk via Shela village. — and an ancient stone nilometer for measuring the river’s water level — reflect the island’s importance during pharaonic times.

Persons: São Filipe, Denis, Ponta, Ariadne Van Zandbergen, Dar es Organizations: CNN, Ethiopian Airways, oneworld, Getty, UNESCO, Heritage, Cabo Verde Airlines, Overseas, Paris Orly, Animalia Museum, Egypt, Vogue, Reserve, Dar es Salam Locations: Mauritius, Seychelles, Canary, Africa, Madagascar, Addis Ababa, Bazaruto, Mozambique, East, sandboarding, Johannesburg, Vilanculos, Lamu, Kenya, Manda, Malindi, Nairobi, JamboJet, Fogo, Cape Verde, Cabo Verde, West Africa, Pico, Verde’s, Praia, Overseas Territory, Réunion, French Caribbean, L’Hermitage, Saint, Paris, Antananarivo, Elephantine, Egypt, Aswan, Bissagos, Guinea, Bissau, Bubaque, Pemba, Tanzania, Zanzibar, Tanga, Dar, FlightLink

UNITED NATIONS (AP) — The U.N. Security Council is expected to vote Tuesday on an Arab-backed resolution demanding an immediate humanitarian ceasefire in Gaza, which the United States announced it will veto. Algeria, the Arab representative on the council, put the draft resolution in a final form that can be voted on. Council diplomats, speaking on condition of anonymity because they weren’t authorized to speak publicly, said the vote will take place Tuesday morning. “For that reason, the United States does not support action on this draft resolution. The Security Council has adopted two resolutions on Gaza, with the U.S., Israel’s closest ally, abstaining on both.

Persons: Israel, “, Linda Thomas, Greenfield, Joe Biden, Benjamin Netanyahu, ”, Tunisia’s U.N, Tarek Ladeb, U.N, Netanyahu, Israel hasn’t, Israel’s Organizations: UNITED NATIONS, . Security, The Associated Press, Qatar, United Nations, Gaza Health Ministry, Arab, Security, U.S Locations: Gaza, United States, Algeria, Israel, Gaza . U.S, Egypt, Qatar, Rafah

MARRAKECH, Morocco (AP) — International movie stars arrive in Morocco on Friday to kick off one of the Arab world's largest film festivals amid a shadow cast by Israel’s latest war with Hamas and protests that have swept the region for almost two months. The Marrakech International Film Festival, along with Saudi Arabia’s Red Sea Film Festival that is scheduled to open next week, are taking place despite war in Gaza. That’s in contrast to the Cairo International Film Festival and Tunisia’s Carthage Film Festival, both of which were canceled due to the war. Scorsese will preside over the festival's Atlas Workshops — an initiative designed to screen films or films in progress by emerging Arab and Moroccan filmmakers. The festival is scheduled to run through Dec. 2.

Persons: Israel’s, Martin Scorsese, Richard Linklater, Jessica Chastain, Mads Mikkelsen, Prince Moulay Rachid, ”, Michel Franco's, Chastain, Matteo Garrone's, Mikkelsen, Faouzi Bensaïdi, Scorsese Organizations: —, Saudi, Cairo, Film Locations: MARRAKECH, Morocco, Marrakech, Gaza, Carthage, “, Moroccan

☆ Morocco win but other heavyweights humbled in World Cup qualifiers
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-21 | by ( Mark Gleeson | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

CAPE TOWN, Nov 21 (Reuters) - Ghana and South Africa both suffered embarrassing defeats in World Cup qualification on Tuesday while top contenders Cameroon, Guinea, Senegal and Zambia also found it tough on the road as they all dropped points. On a busy day of 15 matches across the continent, there were also wins for Burkina Faso, the Cape Verde Islands, Morocco, Namibia, Tunisia and Uganda. But it was the Comoros, with a population of around a million, and Rwanda, ranked 140 in world football, who tore up the form book in beating Ghana and South Africa respectively. It was Rwanda’s first victory in their last 11 home matches and took them top of Group C, where they lead not only South Africa but also Nigeria and Zimbabwe. The next round of African qualifiers will be played in June, with the continent now turning its focus to January’s Cup of Nations finals in the Ivory Coast.

Persons: Moroni, Myziane Maolida, Innocent Nshuti, Gilbert Mugisha, Patson Daka, Hakim Ziyech, Bertrand Traore, Dango Ouattara, Tunisia’s, Youssef Msakni, Mark Gleeson, Toby Davis Organizations: Cameroon, Burkina, Ocean, African, Nations, Rogers Mato, Cape Verde Islands, Niger, Ethiopia, Malawi, Sao Tome, Thomson Locations: CAPE, Ghana, South Africa, Guinea, Senegal, Zambia, Burkina Faso, Cape Verde Islands, Morocco, Namibia, Tunisia, Uganda, Comoros, Rwanda, Cameroon, Africa, Butare, Nigeria, Zimbabwe, Togo, Botswana, Somalia, Libya, Mauritius, Angola, Cape, Eswatini, Qatar, Tanzania, Dar, Lilongwe, Sao Tome e Principe, Ivory Coast, Cape Town

☆ Jabeur relieved to get past ailing Bouzkova at US Open
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-03 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

I know that's not cool, but I wanted to win," said Jabeur, who overcame her own early struggles due to flu and prevailed 5-7 7-6(5) 6-3 after nearly three hours. "I was trying to observe her a lot, try to see where she was hurt," Jabeur said. Jabeur, seeking her first Grand Slam title, said she will need to work on her serve ahead of a fourth-round meeting with China's Zheng Qinwen. "I think that's going to be very important playing a talented young player," Jabeur said. That's really important for me."

Persons: Colombia's Camila Osorio, Mike Segar, Marie Bouzkova, opponent's, Bouzkova, Jabeur, It's, China's Zheng Qinwen, We'll, That's, Shrivathsa Sridhar, William Mallard Organizations: U.S, Thomson Locations: Flushing Meadows , New York, United States, Czech, Tunisian, Bengaluru

☆ Jabeur holds off Bouzkova to reach U.S. Open fourth round
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-03 | by ( Amy Tennery | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

She will next play China's Zheng Qinwen, who beat Italian Lucia Bronzetti 6-3 4-6 6-4, in the round of 16. "It's a very tough match from both of us," said Jabeur, last year's runner-up. The Tunisian broke back with a nice backhand slice in the ninth game but handed Bouzkova another break with a double fault on set point. Jabeur said she expects a big challenge from fourth-round foe Zheng, against whom she retired in their last meeting in Toronto in 2022. Reporting by Amy Tennery in New York; Editing by Lincoln Feast and Edwina GibbsOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Colombia's Camila Osorio, Mike Segar, Czech Marie Bouzkova, Arthur Ashe, China's Zheng Qinwen, Italian Lucia Bronzetti, Bouzkova, Jabeur, nodded, Zheng, Amy Tennery, Lincoln, Edwina Gibbs Organizations: Tunisian, Wimbledon, ESPN, Thomson Locations: Flushing Meadows , New York, United States, Czech, U.S, Tunisian, Italian, Cincinnati, Toronto, New York

☆ US Open: Jessica Pegula and Madison Keys reach fourth round as Americans continue to shine
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-03 | by ( Issy Ronald | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

CNN —Jessica Pegula advanced to the fourth round of the US Open with a hard fought 6-4 4-6 6-2 victory over Ukraine’s Elina Svitolina, continuing the impressive performances of American players at their home tournament. 3 seed will now face her compatriot Madison Keys for a place in the quarterfinals after Keys completed a 5-7 6-2 6-2 victory over Russia’s Liudmila Samsonova in her own third-round match. She really picked up her level and forced me to go after that third set.”Remarkably, Pegula has also reached the fourth round in both the doubles and mixed doubles at Flushing Meadows. Robert Prange/Getty ImagesPeyton Stearns will also join her compatriots in the fourth round after she defeated Britain’s Katie Boulter to reach this stage of a grand slam for the first time in her career. But with Pegula, Keys, Stearns and Coco Gauff all reaching the fourth round and with Taylor Fritz, Frances Tiafoe, Tommy Paul and Ben Shelton all still in contention in the men’s draw, American tennis seems to be flourishing again.

Persons: Jessica Pegula, Ukraine’s Elina Svitolina, Madison Keys, Keys, Svitolina, Pegula didn’t, Pegula’s, “, ” Pegula, “ She’s, Pegula, ”, Robert Prange, Peyton Stearns, Britain’s Katie Boulter, Marketa, Pete Sampras, Serena Williams, Stearns, Coco Gauff, Taylor Fritz, Frances Tiafoe, Tommy Paul, Ben Shelton, Marie Bouzkova, Carlos Alcaraz, Britain’s Dan Evans Organizations: CNN, Wimbledon, WTA, Flushing, Madison, NCAA Locations: Flushing Meadows, USA, Keys, Czech

☆ 'Zombie' Jabeur refuses to let illness defeat her at US Open
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-01 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

"I'm a zombie because I have a flu," said Jabeur, adding that she had taken a break in July following her Wimbledon final defeat to stay fresh for the rest of the season. Jabeur said she had been struggling for about a week with the illness and was "taking a lot of medicine". Jabeur meets Czech Marie Bouzkova in the next round and is determined to continue her run. Reuters has reached out to U.S. Open officials about the illnesses and they said they were looking into it. ESPN said earlier this week that John McEnroe was absent from his analyst duties at the U.S. Open after testing positive for COVID.

Persons: Colombia's Camila Osorio, Mike Segar, Linda Noskova, Jabeur, they've, Czech Marie Bouzkova, Dominic Thiem, Chris Eubanks, Hubert Hurkacz, John McEnroe, Shrivathsa Sridhar, Peter Rutherford Organizations: Tennis, U.S, Noskova, Wimbledon, Reuters, U.S ., ESPN, Thomson Locations: Flushing Meadows , New York, United States, Czech, New York, U.S, Bengaluru

☆ Jabeur overcomes physical struggles to reach U.S. Open second round
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-29 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

"It wasn't an easy match, she plays unbelievable and I'm not feeling my best today," Jabeur said in her on-court interview before the crowd sang "Happy Birthday" to her. While serving with a 4-3 lead Jabeur told the chair umpire she was having trouble breathing and then went on to lose the game as Osorio broke to get the match back on serve. A determined Jabeur dug deep and won three consecutive games to wrap up the opening frame in 59 minutes before leaving the Louis Armstrong Stadium court. Both players struggled to defend their serve in the second set where Jabeur broke for a 4-3 lead and, with the finish line in sight, turned aside two break points to hold for a 5-3 advantage. Reporting by Frank Pingue in Toronto Editing by Toby DavisOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Colombia's Camila Osorio, Mike Segar, Jabeur, Osorio, Louis Armstrong, Czech Linda Noskova, Frank Pingue, Toby Davis Organizations: Tennis, U.S, Wimbledon, Louis Armstrong, Tunisian, Louis, Colombian, Thomson Locations: Flushing Meadows , New York, United States, Czech, Toronto

☆ Stranded in a Strange Land, and Waiting for Death
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-20 | by ( Vivian Yee | More About Vivian Yee | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

For nearly three weeks now, more than 1,000 men, women and children from Africa have been clinging to survival in the no-man’s lands at Tunisia’s borders. A few scrubby trees offer fitful shade, videos taken by migrants show, and border guards from neighboring Libya and Tunisian aid workers occasionally drop off water and a bit of bread. Over and over, they sent pleas for help from the dwindling number of phones they managed to keep charged:“Please help us. We are dying,” one wrote to The New York Times on Saturday. If there’s any way you can help us …”By Sunday, the text messages had stopped.

Persons: ” Organizations: The New York Times Locations: Africa, Tunisia’s, Libya, Sfax, Europe, North Africa

☆ Tunisia’s president is accused of racism and dictatorship. He’s now getting a billion euros from Europe
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-19 | by ( Ivana Kottasová | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +9 min

“Since 2011, the European Union has been supporting Tunisia’s journey of democracy,” said European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen after signing the agreement. But these difficulties can be overcome.”Several European lawmakers and human rights organizations have warned that any agreement that doesn’t include human rights assurances would be seen as an endorsement of Saied’s anti-democratic policies. Values lose.”Saied rose to power in 2019 after the death of Tunisia’s first democratically elected president Beji Caid Essebsi. The EU is cooperating with Tunisia on migration despite serious allegations of human rights abuses against migrants on Tunisia’s part. It brokered a similar agreement with Libya in 2017 despite documented human rights violations there.

Persons: Kais Saied, ”, Ursula von der Leyen, Sophie, Veld, ” Camille Le Coz, Tunisia’s, Beji Caid, Saied, von der Leyen, Georgia Meloni, Mark Rutte, Tunisia “, ” Max Gallien, ” Le Coz, ’ Gallien, Gallien Organizations: CNN, European Union, Civil Liberties, Justice, Home Affairs, Migration, Dutch, European Commission, EU, UN Refugee Agency, UN, Institute of Development Studies, University of Sussex, European Council, Commission, Libya Locations: Tunisia, Europe, ‘, Brussels, Italian, Tunis, Italy, Hungary, Poland, Netherlands, France, Germany, EU, Africa, Libya

☆ Unseeded Vondrousova stuns Jabeur to win Wimbledon title
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-15 | by ( Martyn Herman | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

The 24-year-old left-hander, who a year ago needed wrist surgery, proved too steady for the error-strewn Jabeur who ended up as runner-up as she did in 2022. "Today is going to be a tough day for me but I'm not going to give up and I am going to come back stronger. "It's been a tough journey but I promise I will come back and one day win this tournament." The unassuming Vondrousova had managed to win only one match in her previous four visits to Wimbledon and last year came with her wrist in a plaster cast to support a friend and go shopping. It looked as though Jabeur was getting on top as she won three games in a row, but Vondrousova never panicked.

Persons: Marketa Vondrousova, Andrew Couldridge, Vondrousova, Jabeur, Elena Rybakina, Iga Swiatek, I'm, It's, Jessica Pegula, Elina Svitolina, Stepan Simek, Frankie, Wales, Martina Navratilova, Jana Novotna, Petra Kvitova, Martyn Herman, Ed Osmond Organizations: Lawn Tennis, Croquet Club, REUTERS, Wimbledon, Thomson Locations: London, Britain, Czech, Prague

☆ Most painful defeat ever, says heart-broken Wimbledon runner-up Jabeur
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-15 | by ( Martyn Herman | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

"It will be tough to speak because this is very tough," the sixth seed, her eyes wet with tears, said on court after losing in the Wimbledon final for the second year in a row. Jabeur was also the favourite last year but lost the final to big-hitting Elena Rybakina. But despite winning the first two games, she produced a nervous, mistake-strewn display that was painful to watch at times as her dream faded. "It's going to be a tough day for me today. I promise I will come back one day and win this tournament," she told the crowd.

Persons: Marketa Vondrousova, Dylan Martinez, that's, Jabeur, Elena Rybakina, Marketa, I'm, It's, Martyn Herman, Clare Fallon Organizations: Lawn Tennis, Croquet Club, Czech, Marketa Vondrousova REUTERS, Dylan Martinez LONDON, Wimbledon, Thomson Locations: London, Britain, Tunisia, Africa

☆ Vondrousova writes her own happy ending at Wimbledon to leave Jabeur in tears
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-15 | by ( Pritha Sarkar | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +5 min

Instead, a distraught Jabeur was left with tears streaming down her face as her Wimbledon dream was wrecked in the final for the second year running with a 6-4 6-4 drubbing. I am going to have a beer as it's been an exhausting two weeks," said Vondrousova. I am going to look ugly for those photos," the 28-year-old Jabeur told the crowd through tears. It's been a tough journey but I promise I will come back and one day win this tournament." Jabeur knows she could have won the first set 6-0, having had game points in each of the opening six games.

Persons: Marketa Vondrousova, Dylan Martinez, Vondrousova, Jabeur, Billie Jean King, Martina Navratilova, Stepan Simek, Wales, I'm, It's, Iga Swiatek, Navratilova, Jana Novotna, Petra Kvitova, Pritha Sarkar, Clare Fallon Organizations: Lawn Tennis, Croquet Club, REUTERS, Dylan Martinez LONDON, Wimbledon, All England, Thomson Locations: London, Britain, Czech, Prague, tennis, Vondrousova, bask

☆ Markéta Vondroušová books a cat sitter after earning an unlikely spot in her first Wimbledon final
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-14 | by ( George Ramsay | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

CNN —What do you do immediately after reaching your first Wimbledon final? The unusual priority means the Czech tennis star’s husband and sister, both back home looking after Frankie the Sphynx cat, can attend Saturday’s final, which will see the unseeded Vondroušová take on Tunisia’s Ons Jabeur. 42 in the world, Vondroušová has had a tough run to the final, defeating fourth-seeded American Jessica Pegula in the final eight. And there’s not only a first grand slam title on the line for both players. “If I win a grand slam, he’s going to get one, so I hope I will.”And as Vondroušová said herself on Thursday: “Anything can happen in tennis.”

Persons: you’re, Frankie, Vondroušová, Ukraine’s Elina Svitolina, ”, that’s, “, Jessica Pegula Organizations: CNN, Wimbledon, Nike, ” Locations: Czech, SW19

☆ Tunisia's 'Minister of Happiness' chases her dream
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-14 | by ( Latifa Guesmi | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

"Ons made Tunisians happy being our champion and Minister of Happiness. We are proud of her, so I tell her play comfortably and avoid pressure," Tunisia's Minister of sports Kamal Daqish told Radio Mosaique. "My joy was doubled with Ons Jabeur reaching the final and me passing the baccalaureate exams," Mohamed Hedi, 19, told Reuters. "She can fulfill our dream, and she will remain distinguished in a sport that is new to Tunisians," he said. Before Jabeur, Tunisians followed the fortunes of Malek Jaziri, who was ranked 42nd in the world in 2019, but never got past the third round of a Grand Slam.

Persons: Belarus ’ Aryna Sabalenka, Andrew Couldridge TUNIS, Bianca Andreescu, Petra Kvitova, Elena Rybakina, Sabalenka, Vondrousova, Kamal Daqish, Mohamed Hedi, Jabeur, Ben Rehouma, Tunisians, Malek Jaziri, Jaziri, Shady Amir, Ed Osmond Organizations: Lawn Tennis, Croquet Club, Jabeur, Belarus ’, Belarus ’ Aryna Sabalenka REUTERS, Wimbledon, All England Club, U.S, Radio Mosaique, Sabalenka, Reuters, Indian Wells, Thomson Locations: London, Britain, Czech, French, Indian

☆ Jabeur ready to make it third time lucky after reaching Wimbledon final
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-13 | by ( Martyn Herman | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

"Last year was my first final of a Grand Slam. I'm going to learn a lot from not only Wimbledon's final but also the U.S. Open final and give it my best. She plays very good," Jabeur said. I'm not sure how she's going to play her second Grand Slam final. Jabeur, who will have the Arab world rooting for her on Saturday, has certainly earned her place in the final.

Persons: Belarus ’ Aryna Sabalenka, Toby Melville LONDON, Czech Marketa, Jabeur, Sabalenka, it's, Vondrousova, Petra Kvitova, Elena Rybakina, Martyn Herman, Ken Ferris Organizations: Lawn Tennis, Croquet Club, Belarus ’, Wimbledon, Czech, U.S ., U.S, Sabalenka, Thomson Locations: London, Britain, French

☆ Tunisians Mourn a Hard-Fought Freedom Rapidly Slipping Away
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-16 | by ( Vivian Yee | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

Mosaïque FM, Tunisia’s most popular radio station, comes to life each morning around 5:30 a.m. with the martial strains of the national anthem. The show’s host, Hajer Tlili, says she specializes in catching politicians out in their inconsistencies and hypocrisies. But lately, it has been Ms. Tlili who has had to consider what she says. One of its reporters has been sentenced to five years in prison; two more have been interrogated over criticizing the government. “Every day I’ve thought, ‘I could be next,’” said Ms. Tlili, 36.

Persons: Hajer Tlili, Tlili, ‘, ’ ”, I’ve, ” Locations: “

☆ Meet the mystery species that buried their dead long before humans
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-10 | by ( Ashley Strickland | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +6 min

And Homo naledi was added to the family tree in 2013 after cave explorers tipped off researchers that there might be something promising within the dangerous depths of the Rising Star cave system. Mark Thiessen/National GeographicA team of explorers has uncovered evidence that Homo naledi buried their dead and carved symbols on cave walls at least 100,000 years before modern humans. Across the universeAstronomers using the Webb telescope discovered complex organic molecules in a galaxy located over 12 billion light-years away. Doyle/NASA/ESA/CSAThe James Webb Space Telescope peered into a galaxy located more than 12 billion light-years away and spied the most distant organic molecules ever detected. — A bright new supernova appeared in the Pinwheel Galaxy, and a telescope in Hawaii captured a dazzling image of the stellar explosion.

Persons: Matthew Berger, —, Homo, paleoartist John Gurche, Mark Thiessen, naledi, Webb, Doyle, James Webb, Einstein, Dino, dino, Iani smithi, Janus, Ashley Strickland, Katie Hunt Organizations: CNN, UNESCO, Geographic, Cincinnati Zoo, Botanical, NASA, ESA, Parker, Probe, Drassm, Tunisia’s Skerki Bank, Sonar, CNN Space, Science Locations: South Africa, Johannesburg, Spain, Utah, North America, Tunisia, Italy’s, Tunisia’s, Costa Rican, Great Britain, Hawaii

☆ What’s Happening to Tunisia Is a Tragedy - The New York Times
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-17 | by ( Nadia Marzouki | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +3 min

Many of my friends and family were among the nearly three million people who voted for Mr. Saied. Yet from the outset, I found Mr. Saied’s project terrifying. Mr. Saied’s goal is to purify society from corrupt influence: Social hygiene, not social justice, is the point. In April the children of numerous political prisoners, speaking from Geneva, called on the European Union to impose sanctions on Mr. Saied’s regime. The goal is not simply to crush dissent but also to dehumanize political prisoners and their families.

CNN —At least three people were killed and nine others wounded in an attack near a synagogue on the Tunisian island of Djerba on Tuesday, according to the Tunisian Interior Ministry. Tunisia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said on Wednesday that a 30-year-old Tunisian and a 42-year-old French national were among those killed. The attack came amid an annual pilgrimage to the island of Djerba that draws hundreds of Jews from Europe and Israel, Reuters reported. La Ghriba is Africa’s oldest synagogue, a revered and iconic location at the heart of the island, according to Reuters. One of the most well-known attacks is the 2002 truck bombing by al Qaeda militants, which killed 21 Western tourists – prompting high security at the synagogue in the following years.

☆ Tunisia Arrests a Leading Opposition Figure
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-18 | by ( Vivian Yee | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

That unpopularity has made Ennahda a convenient target of Mr. Saied’s campaign against political rivals, with Mr. al-Ghannouchi the most prominent opponent to be targeted so far. Ennahda said about 100 plainclothes police officers raided and searched Mr. al-Ghannouchi’s home in the capital, Tunis, taking him and another party member to a military barracks. The authorities then raided Ennahda’s Tunis headquarters, arresting two other prominent party officials, and searched the home of Mr. al-Ghannouchi’s daughter, according to Ennahda and Tunisian prosecutors. “The Ennahda movement condemns this very dangerous development and demands the immediate release” of Mr. al-Ghannouchi, the party said in a statement posted on the leader’s Facebook page. “It also calls on all liberals to stand together in the face of these oppressive practices.”

☆ Tunisia to cut off public water supplies overnight due to drought
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-31 | by ( Tarek Amara | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

TUNIS, March 31 (Reuters) - Tunisia will cut off water supplies to citizens for seven hours a night in response to the country's worst drought on record, state water distribution company SONEDE said in a statement on Friday. The country's agriculture ministry earlier introduced a quota system for potable water and banned its use in agriculture until Sept. 30, as the country battles with a drought that is now in its fourth year. SONEDE said in a statement that the water will be cut off daily from 9 p.m until 4 a.m, with immediate effect. Tunisia recorded a drop in its dam capacity to around 1 billion cubic meters, or 30% of the maximum, senior agriculture ministry official Hamadi Habib said. The agriculture ministry has also banned the use of potable water to wash cars, water green areas and clean streets and public places.

☆ IMF, World Bank Pause Loans to Tunisia Amid Crackdown on Migrants
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-09 | by ( Chao Deng | ) www.wsj.com time to read: 1 min

Migrants at Tunis-Carthage International Airport prepare to leave Tunisia on a repatriation flight. A crackdown on political opponents and Black African migrants in Tunisia is complicating the country’s efforts to secure billions of dollars in critical loans and grants from the International Monetary Fund and World Bank. The IMF reached an agreement last October to lend $1.9 billion to Tunisian authorities but has delayed final approval as President Kais Saied has moved to consolidate power and detained political opponents. After Mr. Saied in February denounced immigration in a speech and said without providing evidence that a “criminal plot” to change Tunisia’s demographic makeup was under way, hundreds of sub-Saharan African migrants in the country were arrested and others were attacked by mobs.

☆ Tunisian President Targets Sub-Saharan African Migrants, Mob Violence Follows
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-05 | by ( Chao Deng | ) www.wsj.com time to read: 1 min

Protests erupted in the Tunisian capital after President Kais Saied ordered security forces to expel all migrants who had entered the country illegally. Tunisian authorities have arrested hundreds of sub-Saharan African migrants after President Kais Saied denounced immigration last month and said there was a “criminal plot” to change Tunisia’s demographic makeup. Following the speech, groups of Tunisian men attacked dark-skinned migrants, assaulting some and chasing many from their homes. More than 100 migrants have fled to the United Nations’ International Organization for Migration building in Tunis, the country’s capital.

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