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The death toll from the Israeli aggression on the Gaza Strip since October 7, 2023 has risen to 72,073 martyrs, in addition to 171,749 injured.The Ministry of Health in Gaza stated today that hospitals across the Strip received, over the past 24 hours, one martyr and 8 injured individuals, while a number of victims remain under the rubble and on the roads, as ambulance and civil defense crews are still unable to reach them up to this moment.The ministry further reported that the total number of casualties since the ceasefire last October has risen to 615 martyrs and 1,651 injured, while 726 bodies have been recovered Source link
A FIFA seminar for elite referees shortlisted to officiate at the 2026 FIFA World Cup kicked off on Monday and will run through February 27.The seminar brings together 21 referees from three continents, including 10 from Asia, among them Qatari referees Abdulrahman Al Jassim and Salman Falahi, as well as 10 referees from Africa and one from Oceania.Deputy Chair of FIFA’s Referees Committee, Hani Taleb Ballan, said the seminar is the second in a series of preparatory workshops for officials nominated for the 2026 World Cup. The first was held in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, for South American referees. While, the final seminar, for 16 European referees, will take place in Dubai in March, completing the gathering of all shortlisted officials.He noted that the seminar represents a key stage in the evaluation process, featuring fitness tests, medical examinations and discussion sessions aimed at reinforcing modern football concepts. Ballan emphasized that officiating at a World Cup is a major incentive for referees and requires sustained effort and continuous development. He added that selection is based on precise criteria and comprehensive assessment, with ongoing monitoring of referees’ performances in various competitions.For his part, Director of Refereeing at FIFA, Massimo Busacca, reaffirmed the governing body’s commitment to supporting referees and preparing them to meet the demands of the 2026 tournament.The seminar program includes a series of technical, physical and medical tests to assess readiness, alongside an intensive training schedule featuring video review and analysis of real match situations. Practical sessions are recorded and evaluated by international instructors to provide detailed technical feedback, ensuring referees reach peak preparedness ahead of the upcoming World Cup. Source link
A winter storm that struck the US East Coast disrupted air travel and forced school closures, with the National Weather Service warning of heavy snowfall and strong winds.New York City Mayor Zahran Mamdani announced at a press conference yesterday, “We expect between 33 and 43 centimeters of snow,” warning that the snow could reach “50 centimeters or more,” and urging all city residents to stay home.US authorities stated that parts of the Northeast could see up to two feet of snow and winds reaching 70 miles per hour, increasing the risk of downed trees and power outages.Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey declared a state of emergency and ordered state employees to stay home. (QNA)A violent winter storm hit the region in late January, killing more than 100 people. Source link
The United Arab Emirates has reaffirmed its full and unwavering solidarity with the State of Kuwait in all measures it undertakes to safeguard its legitimate rights and interests, reiterating its support for Kuwait against any infringement on its sovereignty or national interests. The UAE also expressed its deep concern regarding the list of coordinates and the map submitted by Iraq to the United Nations, and the potential implications for Kuwait’s rights over its maritime areas and waters, including Fisht Al-Eid and Fisht Al-Eij. In a statement, UAE’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs underscored the importance of the Republic of Iraq taking into consideration the fraternal and historic ties that bind the two countries and their peoples.The Ministry called for this matter to be addressed with a spirit of responsibility and seriousness. The UAE’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs also called for any related matters to be addressed through constructive dialogue and diplomatic channels, in a manner that enhances regional security and stability. Source link
Lusail International Circuit (LIC) hosted the final round of the 2026 F4 Middle East and Formula Regional Middle East championships earlier this month. The 5.419km circuit welcomed an international field as both titles were decided at the conclusion of the winter season. The F4 Middle East Championship, launched in 2025 as the successor to the Formula 4 UAE Championship, is organised by the Emirates Motorsport Organisation (EMSO) and Top Speed.The FIA-certified series runs across the winter months and uses the Tatuus F4-T421 chassis powered by Abarth engines. The 2026 season included events in the United Arab Emirates, Qatar and Saudi Arabia, reinforcing its position as a regional development platform for young drivers. In Formula Regional Middle East (FRME), Mumbai Falcons Racing’s Kean Nakamura-Berta secured the title after entering the weekend at LIC 24 points behind Mercedes F1 junior Rashid al-Dhaheri. Nakamura-Berta took two pole positions and two race victories, while al-Dhaheri finished sixth and seventh in the decisive races. Nakamura-Berta claimed the championship by 12 points, with Alexander Abkhazava third overall. He also sealed the Rookie title, and Mumbai Falcons Racing Limited won the Teams’ championship. In the UAE4 Series, Oleksandr Bondarev secured the title for Mumbai Falcons Racing after a close battle with R-ace GP’s Andy Consani. A red-flag result in race two left Bondarev just short of confirming the title, but a fifth-place finish in the final race ensured he secured the championship by eight points over Consani. Kenzo Craigie finished third overall and won the Rookie classification. R-ace GP claimed the Teams’ title. The round at LIC concluded the 2026 winter season, with both championships decided in the final round at Lusail. The event further underlined Lusail International Circuit’s continued growth as a global motorsport venue, hosting a diverse range of international and regional championships across two- and four-wheel competition, and strengthening its role in the international racingcalendar. Source link
Somaliland is willing to give the United States access to its minerals and military bases, a minister has told AFP, as the breakaway region of Somalia seeks international recognition. The government in Mogadishu still considers Somaliland an integral part of Somalia even though the territory has run its own affairs since 1991, with its own passports, currency, army and police force. “We are willing to give exclusive (access to our minerals) to the United States. Also, we are open to offer military bases to the United States,” Khadar Hussein Abdi, minister of the presidency, told AFP in an interview on Saturday. “We believe that we will agree on something with the United States.” Source link
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said that his country is committed to peace and stability in the region and that recent Iranian-US nuclear negotiations yielded encouraging signals.”Iran is committed to peace and stability in the region. Recent negotiations involved the exchange of practical proposals and yielded encouraging signals. However, we continue to closely monitor US actions and have made all necessary preparations for any potential scenario,” the Iranian president said on X on Saturday.On Sunday, Iran’s Foreign Ministerآ Abbas Araghchiآ said that he would likely meet US Special Envoy Steve Witkoff on Thursday in Geneva, Switzerland, for a new round of negotiations, according to (IRNA) news agency. On Tuesday, Geneva hosted the second round of talks between Iran and the US on Iran’s nuclear program, following a previous round in the Omani capital, Muscat, on Feb. 6 Source link
Desire Doue and Bradley Barcola scored in the first half as Paris St Germain (PSG) returned to the top of Ligue 1 with a 3-0 home victory over bottom side Metz following a slip-up by title rivals Lens at home to Monaco on Saturday. PSG have 54 points from 23 games, two more than second-placed Lens, who let a two-goal lead slip as they lost 3-2 to Monaco. PSG took the lead inside three minutes against Metz and it was far too easy. Warren Zaire-Emery played Doue in on goal as the visitors held a high defensive line and the latter finished unopposed for his ninth goal of the season. The Parisian club added a second in first half added time when Metz failed to clear a corner and Goncalo Ramos steered the ball back across goal, allowing Barcola to head into the net. PSG had to wait until the 77th minute for their third goal as they won possession on the edge of the Metz box and Goncalo Ramos rifled in a shot from a tight angle. Ansu Fati scored the winner as Monaco came from behind to defeat Lens at the Stade Bollaert-Delelis. Lens were ahead thanks to a spectacular volley from Odsonne Edouard inside three minutes and extended their advantage after 56 minutes as Florian Thauvin reacted quickest to a rebound to score. But Monaco hit back six minutes later when Folarin Balogun took a pass from Mamadou Coulibaly and fired low into the net. Source link
Iranian officials held out hope for progress towards a deal to head off renewed conflict when talks with US negotiators resume on Thursday, despite a huge build-up of American military might in the Middle East. Speaking to CBS News yesterday, Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said that details of a possible deal were being drawn up ahead of the renewed talks on Tehran’s nuclear programme, as Washington’s envoy Steve Witkoff pondered why Tehran had not yet “capitulated”. Badr Albusaidi, foreign minister of regional mediator Oman, said that talks would resume on Thursday in Geneva “with a positive push to go the extra mile towards finalising the deal”.US threats of military action have multiplied since a nationwide protest movement in Iran sparked a crackdown.“If the US attacks us, then we have every right to defend ourselves,” Araghchi said, alluding to American interests in the region as potential targets. Still, he said, “there is a good chance to have a diplomatic solution”.In a social media post, Iran’s President Masoud Pezeshkian likewise said that previous talks “yielded encouraging signals”. After a recent round of discussions in Geneva, Iran said it was preparing a draft proposal for an agreement that would avert military action.“I believe that when we meet, probably this Thursday in Geneva again, we can work on those elements and prepare a good text and come to a fast deal,” Araghchi told CBS. Axios had earlier reported, citing an unnamed senior US official, that if Iran submitted its proposal in the next 48 hours, Washington was ready to meet again later in the week “to start detailed negotiations”.The US has sent two aircraft carriers to the Middle East in recent weeks, along with other jets and ships, and has also shored up its air defences in the region to back up its threats of military intervention. US President Donald Trump’s chief Middle East negotiator Witkoff said on Saturday in a Fox News interview that the president was questioning why Iran had not yet given in to the pressure.“He’s curious as to why they haven’t… I don’t want to use the word ‘capitulated’, but why they haven’t capitulated,” he said. “Why haven’t they come to us and said, ‘We profess we don’t want a weapon, so here’s what we’re prepared to do’?” Western governments fear Iran’s nuclear programme is aimed at developing a bomb, which Tehran has long denied, though it insists on its right to enrich uranium for civilian purposes. On the subject of uranium enrichment, Araghchi said yesterday that Iran had “every right to decide for ourselves”. A previous round of diplomacy last year was interrupted by Israel’s bombing campaign against the Islamic republic.That sparked a 12-day conflict in June that the US briefly joined with strikes on Iran’s nuclear facilities. Despite the recent Oman-mediated talks, Iranians’ fears of a new conflict have grown.“I don’t sleep well at night even while taking pills,” Tehran resident Hamid said. IT technician Mina Ahmadvand, 46, believes that “at this stage, war between Iran and the US as well as Israel is inevitable”.“I don’t want war to happen, but one should not fool around with the realities on the ground.”The concerns have prompted several foreign countries to urge their citizens to leave Iran, including Sweden, Serbia, Poland and Australia.Iran has previously said that quickly striking a deal is in its interests if it means relief from sanctions that have hamstrung its economy, which contributed to protests late last year over the high cost of living. Source link
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi and his Omani counterpart Badr bin Hamad Al Busaidi discussed the latest developments in the indirect nuclear talks with the United States in a phone call on Monday. The two sides discussed arrangements for the next round of nuclear talks. Al Busaidi had previously confirmed that a round of negotiations between the United States and Iran would be held next Thursday in Geneva, Switzerland. He said that the US-Iranian negotiations would be driven by positive efforts to finalize an agreement between the two sides Source link