Iran granted US visas for World Cup matches
Iran's national football team has been approved for US visas to play World Cup games on American soil, according to White House officials. The diplomatic clearance came after the players submitted their passports to the US embassy for processing. Multiple outlets including AP News and Al Jazeera confirmed the development, which resolves a key logistical hurdle ahead of the tournament. Arab News also reported the approval, citing a White House official.
England seized the initiative on day two of the first Test at Lord's against New Zealand, setting the visitors a target of 254 runs. Late wickets swung momentum back to the hosts after a crucial half-century proved pivotal in the match. Sky Sports and The Guardian both covered the dramatic shifts in play across a tense day of cricket. The match remains finely poised heading into day three.
Flavio Cobolli advanced to the French Open final after his opponent Matteo Arnaldi withdrew from their semi-final match due to a viral illness. The unexpected walkover sent Cobolli through to the championship match without playing a full contest. BBC, Al Jazeera, and The Independent all reported on the unusual circumstances. Tennis fans expressed disappointment at missing what promised to be a competitive semi-final.
Hong Kong basketball teams are preparing for major regional competitions, with the Chinese University of Hong Kong joining the Asian University Basketball League as one of six newcomers. Heep Yunn School has been invited to the NBA Rising Stars Invitational in Singapore, a prestigious youth tournament. SCMP covered both developments, highlighting the growing participation of Hong Kong schools in international basketball events. Students have vowed to play 'fast and smart' during the AUBL contest.