SOMALI WORLD CUP REFEREE DENIED ENTRY TO UNITED STATES. (PHOTO).

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 Somali World Cup Referee Denied Entry to United States Award-winning Somali referee, Omar Artan, has been denied entry into the United States despite holding a valid visa, according to a senior official in Somalia’s sports ministry. Artan, who is set to become the first Somali referee to officiate at the FIFA World Cup finals, was stopped at Miami International Airport and subsequently returned to Istanbul, where he had been residing. The reason for the denial was not immediately disclosed. However, Somalia is among the countries affected by a travel ban introduced by the administration of Donald Trump. Reacting to the development, Ciise Aden Abshir, a senior adviser to Somalia’s Ministry of Youth and Sports and a former national team captain, described Artan as one of Africa’s most respected referees. “Omar Artan is among Africa’s most respected referees and deserves the support of the entire football community,” Abshir told AFP on Monday. He added that preventing the referee fro...

ISRAEL LAUNCHES STRIKES ON GAZA IN FIRST MAJOR CEASE-FIRE TEST. (PHOTO).


 Israel launches strikes on Gaza in first major cease-fire test

Israel’s military carried out air and artillery strikes on multiple targets in Gaza on Sunday, after reporting that Hamas militants fired at Israeli troops in areas still under Israeli control. The incident marked the first major test of the ceasefire agreed over a week ago. No injuries were reported. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu met with security officials and instructed the military to respond strongly to any violations, but did not threaten to resume full-scale war. Hamas denied involvement in the Rafah clashes.

The strikes coincided with Israel identifying the remains of two hostages released by Hamas overnight: Ronen Engel, a father of three from Kibbutz Nir Oz, and Sonthaya Oakkharasri, a Thai worker killed at Kibbutz Be’eri during the Oct. 7, 2023, attack. Israel has handed over 150 Palestinian bodies, while Hamas has returned 13 deceased hostages so far. Reopening the Rafah border crossing with Egypt, closed since May 2024, remains tied to Hamas returning all hostage remains.

Hamas confirmed that talks to start the second phase of ceasefire negotiations have begun, focusing on disarming the group and forming an internationally backed authority to govern Gaza. The group emphasized it will not be part of the new governing body, instead proposing a Community Support Committee of Palestinian technocrats to handle daily administration.

Tensions remain high, with both sides accusing each other of ceasefire violations. The U.S. State Department issued a warning of a potential planned attack by Hamas on Gaza civilians, which the group denied, calling it a “false allegation” and accusing Israel of supporting armed groups operating in Israeli-controlled areas. Meanwhile, Hamas security forces have clashed with armed gangs in eastern Gaza, executing suspects in public for looting and collaboration, while attempting to restore order in areas vacated by Israeli forces.

The ongoing conflict has killed more than 68,000 Palestinians, with thousands missing, and left the region facing humanitarian challenges as negotiations for the ceasefire’s next stages continue.


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