Australia pulls out of Afghanistan cricket series over Taliban’s restrictions on women | CNN

Sydney CNN  —  Australia’s men’s cricket team has withdrawn from a series of upcoming matches against…

Iranian chess referee Shohreh Bayat fears ostracism over her activism as she challenges Russian chief of game’s governing body | CNN

CNN  —  Three years after fleeing Iran, chess referee Shohreh Bayat fears being further ostracized after…

Brazilian soccer star Dani Alves under investigation for alleged sexual assault | CNN

CNN  —  Brazilian football player Dani Alves is under investigation for an alleged sexual assault that…

Why Cristiano Ronaldo’s move to Saudi Arabia means so much for the Gulf monarchy’s sporting ambitions | CNN

Editor’s Note: A version of this story appears in today’s Meanwhile in the Middle East newsletter,…