The Independent High Authority for Elections in Tunisia extended the nomination period for parliamentary candidates by three days beyond the usual eight, closing on October 27. Out of 1,427 candidate files submitted, only 1,058 were accepted, including 936 male and 122 female candidates. Concerns were raised about seats with no candidates, particularly overseas seats in Asia and Australia. The results of the appeals will be announced on November 22, with the number of candidates being low compared to the 2,870,521 votes cast in the 2019 legislative elections.

Civil society and student organizations in Tunisia have raised concerns about the increase in arbitrary arrests and police violence against sub-Saharan individuals, particularly in light of food shortages exacerbating socio-economic tensions. Christian Kwongang, President of AESAT, reported around 300 arrests of sub-Saharan people, including students, in the Ariana municipality since November.

Staff and students at the University of Derna in eastern Libya are working to rebuild after devastating floods in September 2023. The disaster caused significant loss of life and damage to university facilities. Despite challenges, the university has resumed operations and is actively involved in city rescue and rehabilitation efforts. Political divisions in Libya complicate reconstruction, with local authorities seeking support from regional leaders like Khalifa Haftar. The Derna Reconstruction Fund, managed by Haftar's son, is playing a crucial role in rebuilding efforts. The university community continues to cope with trauma and loss while striving to restore normalcy.

Adam, a 14-year-old from Sierra Leone, and his younger brother are stranded in Tunisia after their father was arrested in Algeria. They are among the many unaccompanied child migrants facing arbitrary detention, trafficking, and exploitation. The UNHCR reports a significant number of unaccompanied children seeking asylum in Tunisia, many fleeing conflict in countries like Sudan and Syria. Community leaders in makeshift camps highlight the abuse and separation of families by Tunisian police. Despite the harsh conditions, many children, including Adam, still hope to reach Europe.

In Hammamet, Tunisia, police culling of stray dogs to control rabies has sparked controversy. Officials justify the culls as necessary to combat rabies, which causes about six human deaths annually in Tunisia. However, animal rights activists argue that the culls are ineffective and advocate for a national vaccination and sterilization program, aligning with World Health Organisation guidelines.

The Pristini School of AI in Tunisia is addressing the AI skills gap by offering undergraduate and masters courses to 130 students, with plans to expand faculty and student enrollment. Located in the Novation City high-tech industrial park in Sousse, the school aims to create a digitally fluent workforce and foster a circular personnel economy between education and industry. It offers part-time study options for local businesses and is developing international collaborations for double-degree programs. Companies like Neapolis and Sagemcom are partnering with Pristini for work-study placements and training. The school's initiatives are seen as a step towards transforming the area into a 'Silicon Sahel' tech hub.

Kais Saied, Tunisia's president, is accused of extraditing Slimane Bouhafs, a Christian convert and member of the Amazigh ethnic minority, to Algeria where he faces potential charges. Bouhafs, who had UN refugee status in Tunisia, was forcibly disappeared and later found in an Algerian police station. The incident raises concerns about Saied's consolidation of power and potential return to authoritarian rule, compounded by recent police violence against protesters and journalists. Amnesty International and other organizations have expressed alarm over the situation.

Tunisia faces severe food shortages and rising prices as parliamentary elections approach. President Kais Saied is criticized for focusing on political changes rather than addressing economic issues. Supermarkets and markets across the country have empty shelves, and the disparity between rich and poor is growing. The state's low foreign currency reserves are impacting imports, exacerbating the crisis. The opposition plans to boycott the elections, deeming them illegitimate.

The West, including the US, France, and Britain, urges Tunisian President Kais Saied to restore parliamentary functions after he suspended parliament and sacked key ministers, citing constitutional grounds. The move has drawn criticism from various international actors, except Saudi Arabia and the UAE, who oppose the Muslim Brotherhood. The article highlights the cautious Western response to Saied's actions, influenced by his neutral image and conservative stance. It also discusses the political dynamics involving Ennahda and its leader Rached Ghannouchi, who urges non-confrontation despite the crisis.

The article discusses the suppression of satirical expression in Tunisia under President Kais Saied's authoritarian regime. It highlights the arrest and legal challenges faced by young satirists and prominent figures like Haythem El Mekki, who criticize the government. The piece underscores the decline of political humor and the increasing danger for those who dare to mock the authorities. Despite the oppressive environment, some satirists continue their work clandestinely, while others have gone into exile. The article also touches on the broader regional trend of criminalizing humor and free speech.