Ben G M

God, Universe & Nature.

[Antifa_Ultras @ultras_antifaa]

What has happened at the #2026WorldCup over the last 48 hours:

• Swiss footballer Embolo's visa was put under review and he was only able to join his team days later.

• Iraqi national team player Aymen Hussein was held for questioning for nearly 7 hours upon entering the United States.

• The Iranian national team spent days dealing with visa procedures at the U.S. Consulate in Türkiye. The U.S. only allowed them entry on match days. Fifteen members of the delegation were denied visas.

• Omar Abdulkadir Artan, named CAF's Best African Referee of 2025, was denied a visa. Despite travelling to the U.S. with a diplomatic passport, he was refused entry and sent back. FIFA announced that he will not be able to officiate at the tournament.

• The South African national team arrived in the United States much later than planned because part of the delegation was not granted visas.

• Members of the Senegal national team staff were forced to remove their shoes and subjected to lengthy searches, sparking accusations of racism.

• The Uzbekistan national team was searched with bomb-sniffing dogs and the footage went viral in international media.

• Some Scottish supporters, despite being eligible to enter the U.S. visa-free under the ESTA programme, had their travel authorisations revoked just days before departure.

• Many supporters who had already bought tickets and booked accommodation had their visa applications rejected, resulting in financial losses.

[Barack Obama @BarackObama]

As President, I would read 10 letters a day sent to me by ordinary Americans. At the Obama Presidential Center, we’ll have some of the letters I read — and responded to — every night. I still get emotional reading them, and it’s one of my favorite exhibits.

[Amunet @freakoutsideofx]

The Barack and Michelle Obama statue at the new Barack Obama Presidential Center opening soon.

[The Obama Foundation @ObamaFoundation]

During his presidency, President Obama read 10 letters a day from Americans who’d taken the time to write to him about their worries, hopes, and, often, their requests for help.

These letters were hand-picked from the thousands of emails and handwritten notes that the White House received daily, and were representative of the day’s mail. The President read the 10 letters at night, and later often visited letter writers in their hometowns and spoke about how these messages inspired him and his policies.

As President Obama toured the exhibits with Obama Foundation CEO Valerie Jarrett, he reflected on those letters and how they’re brought to life in the Museum today. The letters are paired with a deeply moving film created by Chicago’s own Manual Cinema, which beautifully illustrates the stories of letter writers as diverse as a worried veteran, a hopeful refugee and a joyful adoptee.

The Obama Presidential Center opens June 19.

[Marco Foster @MarcoFoster_]

President Obama on Iran: “We pulled it off without firing a missile. We got 97% of their enriched uranium out. There’s no dispute that it worked and we didn’t have to kill a whole bunch of people or shut down the Strait of Hormuz”

[The Africa Report @TheAfricaReport]

Professionalising through private equity and leadership overhauls, Kenya’s top retailers Naivas and Quickmart are trading family control for corporate scale to dominate the East African market.

[Barack Obama @BarackObama]

Today’s Supreme Court decision effectively guts a key pillar of the Voting Rights Act, freeing state legislatures to gerrymander legislative districts to systematically dilute and weaken the voting power of racial minorities - so long as they do it under the guise of “partisanship” rather than explicit “racial bias.” And it serves as just one more example of how a majority of the current Court seems intent on abandoning its vital role in ensuring equal participation in our democracy and protecting the rights of minority groups against majority overreach.

The good news is that such setbacks can be overcome. But that will only happen if citizens across the country who cherish our democratic ideals continue to mobilize and vote in record numbers - not just in the upcoming midterms or in high profile races, but in every election and every level.

[Barack Obama @BarackObama]

What the Artemis II astronauts did over the last 10 days was a testament to their bravery. And the fact that they traveled farther from Earth than anyone ever has, re-entered our atmosphere at more than 24,000 mph, and splashed down safely was a testament to human ingenuity. Thanks to everyone at @NASA for making this mission possible, and for taking us along for the ride.

[Christina H Koch @Astro_Christina]

20 years ago, I was studying abroad at the @UnivofGh. Like spaceflight, it was a positive, life-changing, perspective-deepening experience. Seeing the beauty of Ghana from space reminds me of the amazing people I met there and how in exploring the world, we learn about ourselves.

[Barack Obama @BarackObama]

Michelle and I were deeply saddened to hear about the passing of a true giant, the Reverend Jesse Jackson. We will always be grateful for Jesse's lifetime of service, and the friendship our families share. We stood on his shoulders. We send our deepest condolences to the Jackson family and everyone in Chicago and beyond who knew and loved him.

[Ben G M @BenjaminManyara]

@AdamSchefter @SethWickersham @DVNJr @Belichick_B
Belichick poured into a game, and the game reciprocated that love. The premier institution for that game shunned him. What's the life lesson? Love the game, and leverage the institution to spread that love.

[Adam Schefter @AdamSchefter]

Bill Belichick, the 8-time Super Bowl-winning HC, is not a first-ballot Hall of Famer, per @SethWickersham and @DVNJr. Belichick fell short of the 40 out of 50 votes needed for induction to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in his first year of eligibility.

https://t.co/ooJutI0C0Q

[Adam Schefter @AdamSchefter]

Bill Belichick, the 8-time Super Bowl-winning HC, is not a first-ballot Hall of Famer, per @SethWickersham and @DVNJr. Belichick fell short of the 40 out of 50 votes needed for induction to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in his first year of eligibility.

https://t.co/ooJutI0C0Q

[Ben G M @BenjaminManyara]

Something isn't right about this

[Adam Schefter @AdamSchefter]

Bill Belichick, the 8-time Super Bowl-winning HC, is not a first-ballot Hall of Famer, per @SethWickersham and @DVNJr. Belichick fell short of the 40 out of 50 votes needed for induction to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in his first year of eligibility.

https://t.co/ooJutI0C0Q

[New England Patriots @Patriots]

SUPER BOWL BOUND!!!!!!!!

[Yuie @YusufYuie]

Amazing breakdown of the creative behind Kendrick Lamar Super Bowl halftime performance.

What a win for core hip hop and what it was built on. Message, imagery and skill.

[Chamath Palihapitiya @chamath]

This is so MADDENING.

I need to do something about this.

I’m going to hire a lab to produce and bottle water that we will get third party tested to prove it has the lowest microplastics content possible —> 0.

If you want to buy it lmk and we can figure out a way to make it available to you as well.

😡

[Ben G M @BenjaminManyara]

R.i.p to a legendary musician. Unbelievable talent with an elite discography. Gone way too soon. 🙏🏾🕊️

[Ben G M @BenjaminManyara]

@chamath Count me in as a customer @chamath

[Ben G M @BenjaminManyara]

It was an honor to work alongside amazing volunteers distributing food. Many thanks to @CTFoodshare and Church of the Good Shepherd for the opportunity.

[Ben G M @BenjaminManyara]

This game is taking place today @NBA

[Ben G M @BenjaminManyara]

@X Your ads embedded with dates info are showing stale data. @elonmusk