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Saudi, Egyptian Boxing Federations Sign Cooperation Protocol

The two federations agreed, within the framework of the protocol, to hold joint training camps, organize friendly tournaments, and exchange expertise. Asharq Al-Awsat
The two federations agreed, within the framework of the protocol, to hold joint training camps, organize friendly tournaments, and exchange expertise. Asharq Al-Awsat
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Saudi, Egyptian Boxing Federations Sign Cooperation Protocol

The two federations agreed, within the framework of the protocol, to hold joint training camps, organize friendly tournaments, and exchange expertise. Asharq Al-Awsat
The two federations agreed, within the framework of the protocol, to hold joint training camps, organize friendly tournaments, and exchange expertise. Asharq Al-Awsat

The Saudi and Egyptian boxing federations have signed a cooperation protocol in Cairo in the presence of Saudi Arabia’s General Entertainment Authority (GEA) Chairman, Turki Alalshikh.

Alalshikh is also President of the Saudi Boxing Federation, which was represented by board member Faisal bin Saeed Bafrat, while the Egyptian Boxing Federation was represented by its president Magdy El-Lozy.

The two federations agreed, within the framework of the protocol, to hold joint training camps, organize friendly tournaments, and exchange expertise.

This protocol is an extension of the Saudi Boxing Federation's growing role in enhancing the sport's regional and international presence and in building strategic partnerships that contribute to the development of the sport and the creation of a new generation of champions.

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World Cup Transit Fares to New Jersey Stadium Cut Again After Backlash

General view of the MetLife stadium during the Club World Cup semifinal soccer match between Fluminense and Chelsea in East Rutherford, NJ, Tuesday, July 8, 2025. (AP)
General view of the MetLife stadium during the Club World Cup semifinal soccer match between Fluminense and Chelsea in East Rutherford, NJ, Tuesday, July 8, 2025. (AP)
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World Cup Transit Fares to New Jersey Stadium Cut Again After Backlash

General view of the MetLife stadium during the Club World Cup semifinal soccer match between Fluminense and Chelsea in East Rutherford, NJ, Tuesday, July 8, 2025. (AP)
General view of the MetLife stadium during the Club World Cup semifinal soccer match between Fluminense and Chelsea in East Rutherford, NJ, Tuesday, July 8, 2025. (AP)

Officials have once again lowered the ticket price for trains and buses from New York to MetLife Stadium in New Jersey for World Cup matches, after an outcry over sky-high fare hikes for the tournament.

New Jersey Governor Mikie Sherrill said late Tuesday that a roundtrip train ticket will now cost $98 -- down from an initially announced $150, but still well above the typical $12.90 fare.

The stadium, home to the NFL's New York Giants and Jets, is located about 10 miles (16 kilometers) west of Manhattan.

Sherrill wrote on X that corporate sponsors had helped subsidize the cost, and that no New Jersey taxpayer cash would be used.

Meanwhile, New York Governor Kathy Hochul announced a 75 percent cut in roundtrip bus prices to MetLife -- from $80 to $20. She added that 20 percent of tickets will be reserved for New Yorkers.

"Hosting the World Cup is a once-in-a-generation opportunity for New Yorkers, and we are making this world class event as affordable and accessible as possible," Hochul said in a statement.

Officials will enlist classic American yellow school buses to help transport fans -- boosting the number of bus seats for fans from 10,000 to 18,000 on five gamedays, including the World Cup final.

For three other matches at MetLife Stadium, there will be 12,000 bus seats available as they occur on school days.

Public transit will be crucial during the World Cup, as parking spaces at the MetLife have been almost entirely cut due to security and space requirements.

The United States is co-hosting the World Cup with Canada and Mexico. The tournament kicks off on June 11.

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45-Year-Old Venus Williams to Play in French Open Women’s Doubles with Hailey Baptiste

Venus Williams, of the United States, plays a backhand return to Olga Danilovic, of Serbia, during their first round match at the Australian Open tennis championship in Melbourne, Australia, Jan. 18, 2026. (AP)
Venus Williams, of the United States, plays a backhand return to Olga Danilovic, of Serbia, during their first round match at the Australian Open tennis championship in Melbourne, Australia, Jan. 18, 2026. (AP)
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45-Year-Old Venus Williams to Play in French Open Women’s Doubles with Hailey Baptiste

Venus Williams, of the United States, plays a backhand return to Olga Danilovic, of Serbia, during their first round match at the Australian Open tennis championship in Melbourne, Australia, Jan. 18, 2026. (AP)
Venus Williams, of the United States, plays a backhand return to Olga Danilovic, of Serbia, during their first round match at the Australian Open tennis championship in Melbourne, Australia, Jan. 18, 2026. (AP)

Venus Williams will play in the women's doubles at the French Open this month together with Hailey Baptiste, who is 21 years her junior.

The American pair were among the entrants confirmed on Wednesday by organizers for the clay-court tournament at Roland-Garros, which begins on May 24 in western Paris.

The 45-year-old Williams will not play in the women's singles.

Williams was a wild-card entry at the Australian Open, where she lost in the first round and became the oldest woman to compete in an Australian Open singles main draw.

A seven-time major winner in singles, Williams previously held the No. 1 ranking in both singles and doubles.

Williams lost the French Open singles final to her younger sister Serena in 2002 and they twice won the French Open doubles together, in 1999 and 2010.

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Magic Johnson Urges Fans to Make Los Angeles their World Cup Destination

Earvin “Magic” Johnson, Los Angeles World Cup 2026 Community Ambassador, speaks during the 30 Days to FIFA World Cup 2026 media event at SoFI Stadium before the pitch installation and temporary renaming to Los Angeles Stadium in Inglewood, California on May 12, 2026. (Photo by Patrick T. Fallon / AFP)
Earvin “Magic” Johnson, Los Angeles World Cup 2026 Community Ambassador, speaks during the 30 Days to FIFA World Cup 2026 media event at SoFI Stadium before the pitch installation and temporary renaming to Los Angeles Stadium in Inglewood, California on May 12, 2026. (Photo by Patrick T. Fallon / AFP)
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Magic Johnson Urges Fans to Make Los Angeles their World Cup Destination

Earvin “Magic” Johnson, Los Angeles World Cup 2026 Community Ambassador, speaks during the 30 Days to FIFA World Cup 2026 media event at SoFI Stadium before the pitch installation and temporary renaming to Los Angeles Stadium in Inglewood, California on May 12, 2026. (Photo by Patrick T. Fallon / AFP)
Earvin “Magic” Johnson, Los Angeles World Cup 2026 Community Ambassador, speaks during the 30 Days to FIFA World Cup 2026 media event at SoFI Stadium before the pitch installation and temporary renaming to Los Angeles Stadium in Inglewood, California on May 12, 2026. (Photo by Patrick T. Fallon / AFP)

Los Angeles sports royalty and former NBA great Earvin "Magic" Johnson on Tuesday urged fans from around the world to make Los Angeles their World Cup destination, calling the city the "sports capital of the world."

A '30 Days to FIFA World Cup 2026' event at SoFi Stadium highlighted the sprawling city's desire to ensure visitors experience more than an in-and-out soccer stop, Reuters reported.

"The world game is coming to the greatest city in the world," Johnson said, beaming, at the event designed to entice travelers not only for the tournament but also for the city’s attractions and its role as a global sports hub.

Johnson, a five-time National Basketball Association champion and three-time Most Valuable Player, said this was the time to be in Los Angeles ⁠because "great events are ⁠coming to our city," including the World Cup, the NFL Super Bowl, and the 2028 Olympics.

Los Angeles hosts eight World Cup matches, featuring the national teams of the United States, Paraguay, Iran, New Zealand, Switzerland, Bosnia, Belgium and Türkiye.

The expanded tournament will be played across North America, with matches in 16 host cities in Mexico, the United States and Canada. It will feature 48 national ⁠teams, up from the usual 32.

Local and visiting fans will be able to enjoy a "giant soccer carnival" across the city, said Kathryn Schloessman, President and CEO of Los Angeles Sports and Entertainment Commission and host committee CEO.

The city's commitment to affordable transportation options was also underlined, with $1.75 tickets to the stadium standing in stark contrast to some of the prices that have drawn controversy on the East Coast.

The World Cup's local impact has been debated for months. Critics have raised concerns about regional homelessness, poverty and the cost to taxpayers, warning that the most vulnerable could be hit by price increases, housing ⁠pressures linked to ⁠the event and disruption to urban services.

Los Angeles is also hosting the tournament's US opening ceremony on June 12, featuring pop star Katy Perry. The show follows an opening ceremony in Mexico City the day before and another in Toronto earlier on June 12, underscoring the tournament’s three-country footprint.

While best known for US sports powerhouses such as the Lakers, Dodgers, Rams and Chargers, Los Angeles has also attracted high-profile soccer stars late in their careers, including David Beckham, Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Steven Gerrard, all of whom played for the LA Galaxy.

The city's World Cup committee has taken advantage of its proximity to Hollywood's famous residents by involving Snoop Dogg, Eva Longoria, Will Ferrell and other celebrities as "community ambassadors."