New Zealand's vibrant music festival scene is facing an unprecedented shutdown, with dozens of events ending due to economic hardship, dwindling funding, and the dominance of international promoters. Splore, a beloved festival, held its final event, highlighting a broader trend affecting local independent festivals.
Hualien's Huaren Junior High baseball team, invited to an international exchange in Japan, faced a NT$1.1 million funding gap. A community fundraising effort, including donations from local officials and businesses, successfully raised the necessary funds to help the young athletes realize their dream.
Jessica Fox wins her second World Cup gold in two days in Prague, claiming the women's C1 event after topping the K1 final 24 hours prior, marking a remarkable comeback after nine-month surgery absence.
Australian canoeist Jessica Fox wins gold in the women's K1 event at the ICF Canoe Slalom World Cup in Prague, Czechia, her first World Cup victory since returning to international competition after kidney surgery.
Premiership Women's Rugby (PWR) is exploring expansion, with several clubs expressing interest. Key discussions revolve around travel implications for non-professional players and the potential to strengthen international competition.
Afghan women's cricket team in exile seeks ICC recognition after FIFA allows Afghan women's football team to compete internationally, despite Taliban's ban on women's sports.
The Afghanistan women's refugee cricket team will tour England from June 22 for T20 matches and training, aiming for international recognition. The tour carries significant cultural and sporting importance, according to the ECB, which has no current plans for England to play Afghanistan bilaterally.
The Russian Ice Hockey Federation has appealed to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) after the IIHF refused to reinstate Russian players in international tournaments, following a previous refusal by the IIHF Disciplinary Committee.
The Russian national team secured first place in a recent competition, winning 13 gold, 3 silver, and 4 bronze medals. This marks a significant return to international sports after years of restrictions.
Russia's Paralympic Committee reports progress in international competition participation, with some federations allowing Russian teams to compete without flag or anthem, though 2028 Paralympic Games participation remains uncertain.
Iranian climber Ali Salimian spent five days traveling from Tehran to China to compete in the Asian Championships and World Cup, facing a fraught journey complicated by US sanctions on his country. The 26-year-old self-funded athlete endured a 15-hour car ride to the Turkish border, a 40-hour bus journey to Istanbul, multiple flights, and visa difficulties before reaching Chengdu. Without coaches or support staff, he had to arrange everything for his competition while dealing with a cold and exhaustion.
FIFA has approved Afghan women's return to international football after the Taliban banned women's sports in 2021. The amendment to FIFA's governance regulations, passed at a council meeting in Vancouver on Tuesday, allows national team registration under exceptional circumstances. Afghan Women United, a refugee team formed in May 2025, will now be recognized as the official national team, with matches expected in June and potential qualification for the 2028 Olympics.
FIFA has approved Afghan women's return to international competition after amending its governance regulations to recognize national teams under exceptional circumstances. The decision, made at a FIFA council meeting in Vancouver, allows Afghan female footballers - many of whom fled abroad after the Taliban's 2021 takeover - to represent their country with full recognition. Afghanistan has not played competitive internationals since December 2018, and the Taliban ban on women's sports forced many players to seek asylum. Regional selection camps are underway in England and Australia, with a training camp scheduled in New Zealand in June.
FIFA has approved an amendment allowing Afghan women's national team to return to international competition under exceptional circumstances. The decision, made at a FIFA council meeting in Vancouver, enables exiled Afghan players to represent their country despite the Taliban's ban on women's sports since 2021. Over 80 Afghan female footballers have sought asylum overseas, with regional selection camps underway in England and Australia ahead of a training camp in New Zealand in June.
Afghan women footballers will be able to showcase their skills to the world for the first time in five years after FIFA cleared the way for their return to international competition.
FIFA Council has approved eligibility for Afghanistan's women's refugee football team (Afghan Women United) to compete in official international competitions without requiring recognition from the Taliban-controlled Afghanistan Football Federation. The decision was made in Vancouver on Tuesday, marking a significant development five years after national team players fled Taliban rule following their return to power in August 2021.
Russia's women's water polo team defeated Canada 24-6 in the Division II World Cup semifinal in Malta. The victory advances Russia to Sunday's final against the winner of China vs Croatia, and secures qualification for the World Cup Superfinal in Sydney (July 22-26). This marks Russia's first international competition since their 2022 suspension, and the first Russian national team to compete under their flag since sanctions after World Aquatics lifted restrictions on April 13.
