Maria Sharapova and Simona Halep withdrew from the Brisbane International event due to injuries, just weeks before the first Grand Slam of the tennis calendar. Defending champion Sharapova is suffering from an arm injury and has to stand down as a precautionary measure before the Melbourne Open, due to start on the 18th January. Romanian top seed Halep is nursing and inflammation in her left Achilles, an injury that hampered her 2015 campaign.
Injured Djokovic to miss Madrid Open
Novak Djokovic is still working through the injury problems that forced him to miss recent tournaments in Miami and Monte Carlo and said on Friday that he will not feature at next week's Madrid Open, one of the last stops before the French Open.
Mumbai's IPL campaign fizzles amid Bumrah's barren run
Mumbai Indians head coach Mahela Jayawardene has defended Jasprit Bumrah after the struggling pace spearhead went a fifth Indian Premier League match without a wicket in Thursday's seven-wicket defeat by Punjab Kings.
Iran women soccer players thank Australian government for protection
Iranian women's soccer players Fatemeh Pasandideh and Atefeh Ramezanisadeh thanked the Australian government on Friday for offering a "safe haven" and said they wished to resume their sporting careers after rebuilding their lives.
Villa's Watkins looking to make late push for England World Cup squad
Ollie Watkins still has hope of making England's World Cup squad despite being dropped for last month's friendlies against Uruguay and Japan, with the Aston Villa forward saying all he can do in the last few weeks of the season is score goals.
Former Arsenal, Juventus goalkeeper Manninger dies in road accident
Former Austria goalkeeper Alex Manninger, who played for Arsenal and a string of Italian clubs, died in a road accident on Thursday aged 48, the Austrian Football Association (OEFB) said.
A number of drivers in Dubai are facing legal action for reckless driving stunts during the recent rains.
The United Arab Emirates has welcomed the agreement of a ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon, commending the diplomatic efforts of United States President Donald Trump.
UAE President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan received the credentials of a number of newly appointed ambassadors to the United Arab Emirates.
