Five Iranianwomen’s national team players were granted humanitarian visas in Australiaamid fears of persecution back home.

“Australians have been moved by the plight of these brave women,” Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said at a press conference on Tuesday.

“They’re safe here, and they should feel at home here,” he added.

According to Albanese, all other members of Iran’s squad are welcome to receive help, but it was up to them to accept the offer.

Australian police took the five Iran squad members from their hotel in Gold Coast, moving them to a “safe location” after their asylum requests.

Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke, who met the five players upon the completion of their humanitarian visas, said they were “excited” about their future lives in Australia.

“I don’t want to begin to imagine how difficult that decision is for each of the individual women, but certainly last night it was joy, it was relief,” Burke said.

Trump calls for players to be granted asylum

This came after US President Donald Trump said he had spoken to Albanese about the players. Trump also posted on his Truth Social account that Australia should give the players asylum and that the US would take them in if Canberra wouldn’t.

Trump added they’d be killed should they return back home.

The reason for the call was the fact that Iran’s players received attention for not singing their country’s national anthem ahead of their first Asian Cup game against South Korea.

Many believed the move was in criticism of the Iranian regime amidst the US-Israel war on the country.

Back in Iran, the Iranian national team faced criticism, with some accusing them of being “wartime traitors,” sparking worries over the players’ safety.

The following game, against hosts Australia, the Iran players sang the anthem while saluting, a move many critics of Iran’s Islamic regime believed they had been forced to carry out.

After Iran’s elimination from the Asia Cup due to the loss to the Philippines, calls around the world grew to make sure the footballers would be granted asylum in Australia, preventing them from facing the potential backlash and sanctions back in Tehran.

Edited by: Dmytro Hubenko

Following Sass Appeal’s three successive victories at Flemington, trainer Danny O’Brien will forego Sydney options.

Sass Appeal notched the Group 2 Kewney Stakes (1600m) on Saturday via Jordan Childs’ expert handling.

Childs guided the filly from a wide draw to settle behind Pillow Fight, striking decisively at the 300m mark.

With 200m to go, Sass Appeal, sent out at $2.35, drew clear by 2-¾ lengths from $14 shot Pillow Fight, as Salty Pearl ($2.60) trailed by another 1-¾ lengths for third.

Defending Kewney winner Treasurethe Moment headed north to Sydney, prevailing in the Vinery Stud Stakes and Australian Oaks, before a spring return victory in Caulfield’s Memsie Stakes.

The filly has triumphed in all four of her debut-season starts, leading O’Brien to favour a rest before spring engagements.

“Often with the three-year-old fillies you want to make hay while the sun shines against their own age, and sex, and make the best of what you’ve got before they turn four,” O’Brien said.

“But I think this horse will measure up to the older horses. With that in mind, she’s had a five start prep and I’m keen to give her a break and see her back here in the spring.”

O’Brien highlighted the Group 1 Empire Rose Stakes (1600m) at Flemington amid Melbourne Cup week as attractive.

“The handicap races like the Sir Rupert Clarke and the Toorak Handicap are good options for her on the way through as well,” he said.

Sass Appeal’s racing profile frustrates competitors, O’Brien explained, given her record when crossing the lead.

“She makes it look easy when she’s got that tactical speed early and you get that good position in running,” O’Brien said.

“It’s a lot easier to watch than horses back in the field.

“Once they took positions today and I looked wherever everything else was, there hasn’t been a horse come from behind her and finish in front of her.

“The only horse she ultimately had to get past was the leader, and she did that and put a space on them.”

For the best racing betting markets, check sites offering odds on Sass Appeal’s spring targets like the Empire Rose Stakes.

Milwaukee Bucks forward Kyle Kuzma has been in a relationship with model Winnie Harlow since 2020, and they got engaged in February 2025. NBA fans were quick to react and comment on Harlow’s recent head-turning post on social media.

In an Instagram post, Harlow celebrated International Women’s Day with her co-stars from the show, “The CEO Club.” She was joined by tennis legend Serena Williams, motivational speaker Loren Ridinger, designer Dee Ocleppo, Latin pop star Thalia, heiress Hannah Bronfman and model Isabela Rangel Grutman.

“Happy International Women’s Day 🥂 can believe we’re finally celebrating our show The CEO Club, a show about inspiring, empowering, uplifting and learning from amazing women. And right by Womens day alignment! A big shout out to the women Behind the scenes who brought this show to life! Here’s to hopefully a season two,” Harlow wrote.

Winnie Harlow pulled up wearing a braless see-through red sleeveless sando, which caught the attention of her followers. She also had a crimson leather jacket and pants, with red shoes and a handbag.

However, fans cannot believe that she wore something that exposed herself. Here are some of the comments on Instagram.

“I think you’re beautiful and have followed you for years, but I don’t understand the purposeful exposure. It lessens my respect towards you, to be honest,” a fan wrote.

“Girl not hating but, wasn’t there anything else to wear?” one fan asked.

“The way no one sees nothing wrong with this is disturbing,” another fan commented.

“We love you but……save this for your man. Let’s leave something to the imagination,” a fan replied.

“We like u but this is straight up ridiculous….,” one fan responded.

“Kuz shouldn’t be letting her do this respectfully,” another fan said.

When is Kyle Kuzma and Winnie Harlow’s wedding?

Speaking on “The Jennifer Hudson Show” in January, Kyle Kuzma was asked about his engagement with Winnie Harlow. Kuzma was happy with how supportive Harlow is of his NBA career. He also teased that their wedding is coming pretty soon.

“That’s confidential,” Kuzma said. “It’s coming soon. It’s coming. I think it’s a blessing to be engaged and also to enjoy that time and space. ‘Cause it’s the only time you’re ever going to have it ever again in your life.”

Kuzma is in his first full season with the Milwaukee Bucks, and he’s averaging 13.1 points, 4.7 rebounds and 2.6 assists per game.