Algeria announced on Thursday that it has decided to cut diplomatic relations with the United Arab Emirates following a series of provocative actions. The Algerian foreign ministry stated that these measures were taken after repeated warnings and that all means to preserve bilateral relations had been exhausted. The UAE ambassador was summoned to the ministry, informed of the decision, and given 48 hours to comply.
England secured an eight-wicket victory in the third Test at Edgbaston, finishing their three-match series with a 3-0 win over Pakistan. Joe Root remained not out on 62 runs as his team chased down a target of 130. This result marks England's first Test series victory in 19 months.
Punjab Senior Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb defended Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz against criticism regarding her use of a government jet for a private London trip and comments on regional security threats. Aurangzeb stated that the controversy stems from Nawaz's performance and popularity rather than the aircraft or her statements, noting she personally covered the travel expenses. She further urged those using her remarks to incite inter-provincial hatred to apologize to the public.
Parramatta Eels player Josh Addo-Carr is under investigation following an alleged positive preliminary drug wipe for cocaine obtained during a random roadside stop in Sydney. Police confirmed he passed the initial alcohol breath test but provided an oral fluid sample that returned a positive indication for cocaine. The club has notified the NRL Integrity Unit and stated it will not comment further until forensic analysis results are finalized.
Pakistan scored 449 in their second innings during the third Test against England at Edgbaston. Debutant Razaullah contributed significantly with a high-scoring individual innings alongside half-centuries from Shan Masood and Babar Azam. The home side now requires 130 runs to secure a 3-0 series victory on Saturday.
Saudi Pro League teams, including Cristiano Ronaldo's Al-Nassr and Al-Ahli, are participating in the AFC Champions Elite tournament. Reports indicate that these clubs have collectively spent over US$2 billion on foreign players since 2023. The competition begins next week with Saudi teams aiming to secure titles.
The Pitt Rivers Museum in Oxford has announced plans to return 39 pieces of human remains belonging to the Naga people to their ancestral homeland. These items, which include skulls and bones, were displayed at the institution for over a century before being removed from public view in 2020. A formal decision by the University of Oxford Council confirms the repatriation following six years of negotiations between the community and the museum.
Manchester United defeated Sabah with a score of 4-0 to mark their return to the competition. In another match, Bayern Munich secured a 5-0 victory over Bodo/Glimt. Cesc Fabregas's Como also made their European debut in the tournament.
The National Assembly Standing Committee on Information Technology and Telecommunication expressed concern over deteriorating mobile and internet services in Pakistan. The committee directed the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority to submit details of fines imposed on operators during the last six months. Representatives from telecom companies were summoned to explain measures taken to improve network quality and infrastructure.
Mauricio Pochettino, former Tottenham Hotspur manager, stated that his club deserves the 2016-17 Premier League championship. He argues this because Chelsea admitted to breaking competition rules regarding third-party payments and received a record fine. The former coach believes the existing penalty was insufficient and that the title should be retrospectively awarded to the second-placed team.
