Iran, Niger, World Cup and NBA: the nightly news

The Ayatollah approves the agreement with the United States. Mojtaba Khamenei, Iran’s supreme leader, explained in a written message on Thursday that the memorandum of understanding did not initially suit him. Despite his reservations, he accepted it “after receiving assurances from the Iranian leadership that the country’s interests would be protected†, reports Al-Jazeera. Traffic is gradually resuming in the Strait of Hormuz, but the continuation of negotiations, which were to take place this Friday in Switzerland, is delayed. J. D. Vance, the American vice president, has not yet left the United States. Both camps have a period of sixty days – renewable – to clarify all the details of a final agreement. Knowing that the current terms of the deal concluded with Tehran do not seem to suit some of the Republicans. Louisiana Senator Bill Cassidy – who will not run again after losing his primary against a candidate supported by Donald Trump – believes that “Iran emerges stronger and we weaker†, underlines CNN. Israel also does not seem seduced by the result of the negotiations. But in front of the press, J. D. Vance advised members of Benyamin Netanyahu’s government to “not attack the only powerful ally he [leur] remains throughout the world…

An attack on Niamey airport leaves at least 35 dead. Two civilians and 11 soldiers were among those killed. The other 22 are attackers. The police also arrested 20 people. This is the second attack on the airport of the Nigerien capital in five months, recalls the BBC. The Support Group for Islam and Muslims (JNIM), affiliated with Al-Qaeda, claimed responsibility for the attack. A witness, who lives near the airport, told the BBC that he had heard, after the morning prayer, a “loud bang, like something had exploded, a tire maybe. [Il] understood a little later what was happening… Islamist terrorists have been plaguing the country for a decade, contributing to Niger’s political instability. The National Council for the Safeguarding of the Fatherland, a military junta, took power in a coup in July 2023.

World Cup: Mexico is in the round of 16. “The Mexican selection won more than three points against South Korea (1-0)†, résume Informer. This victory guarantees them first place in Group A with the certainty of playing the round of 16 in their Mexico stadium. “The first objective is fulfilled… welcomes the daily. Canada, another organizing country of the tournament, experienced a historic moment by winning its very first match in a World Cup on Thursday, a great success, 6-0 against Qatar in Vancouver. “A score without a false note, darkened by the serious injury suffered by midfielder Ismaël Koné†, nuance however Radio-Canada. In the other two matches of the day, South Africa snatched a point with a late equalizer from the penalty spot against the Czech Republic (1-1) while Switzerland scored four goals in the last twenty minutes to dominate Bosnia-Herzegovina (4-1). To be continued this Friday: United States – Australia, Scotland-Morocco, Brazil-Haiti and Türkiye-Paraguay.

The Knicks parade in front of their audience. “Les rois de New York!” it ignites New York Post while the city’s basketball team celebrated with its fans the NBA title won, after fifty-three years of waiting, against Victor Wembanyama’s Spurs. It would be the largest parade in the city’s history, according to the tabloid. Around 2 million people took part in the celebration, with some supporters taking to the streets of Manhattan several hours before the procession passed. Sean Dolan, 28, arrived at 2 a.m. “It’s one of the greatest moments of my life, honestly… he confided to Post. The metros were so crowded that supporters took thirty minutes to reach the street from the platform, the newspaper says. The party ended in front of the town hall. The players have received the keys to the city. Alicia Keys sang her hit Empire State of Mind, and the mayor, Zohran Mamdani, gave a remarkable speech, celebrating the team and the city.