Upcoming

• South Korea coach Hong Myung-bo named a 26-man squad on Saturday, with Son Heung-min set for his fourth World Cup appearance as the team’s leading star. • ESPN reported that the veteran forward will again anchor South Korea’s attack, underlining his central role in the national side’s tournament plans. • The squad announcement matters because South Korea are expected to rely heavily on experienced players as they prepare for the global showpiece.

• Benjamin Netanyahu, Israel's longest-serving prime minister, has led the right-wing Likud party to dominate politics, shaping the landscape for Arab citizens. • Palestinians in Israel face heightened marginalization under Netanyahu's leadership as Knesset elections approach. • The dominance of Likud raises concerns over policy impacts on minority representation and rights.

• The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) hopes to keep politics separate from sports when women's clubs from North and South Korea face off in the AFC Women's Champions League semifinals on May 20 at Suwon Stadium, 30 km south of Seoul. • The match is scheduled for 7 p.m. local time, pitting the two Korean teams against each other in a high-stakes encounter. • AFC officials emphasized maintaining focus on football amid historical tensions between the divided nations.

Former One Direction member cancelled US shows after recent hospitalization for an unspecified illnessZayn Malik, the musician formerly in One Direction, has cancelled all US dates for his upcoming tour following hospitalization for an unspecified illness.Malik wrote in an Instagram story: “To my fans: Thank you so much for all the support and love you’ve shown me on the album release and more importantly your love, prayers, and well wishes for my health. I’ve felt it, and it’s meant the world. I’ve been at home recovering and I’m doing well and will be better and stronger than before.” Continue reading...