Brandon Clarke died from heroin, cocaine effects, examiner rules

Pakistan’s veteran tennis stars Aisam-ul-Haq Qureshi and Aqeel Khan produced a dramatic comeback to reach the men’s 45+ doubles semifinals at the ITF Masters World Championship. The Pakistani pair defeated Spain’s Francisco Xavier Martinez Vina and Pedro Nieto Oriana in a thrilling quarterfinal that went down to a deciding match tiebreak. After losing the opening set 6-7, Aisam and Aqeel refused to let the match slip away. They raised their intensity in the second set, saving two match points before forcing the contest into a tiebreak. The Pakistanis held their nerve when it mattered most, winning the second-set tiebreak 7-6 to level the contest and set up a decisive match tiebreak. They then produced their best tennis of the match, racing to a commanding 10-2 victory in the deciding breaker to complete an impressive turnaround. The result sends the experienced Pakistani duo into the semifinals, where they will face a Ukrainian pair for a place in the final. The success also adds to an already impressive campaign for both players. Aisam and Aqeel have reached the semifinals in mixed doubles as well, although they are competing with different partners. Aqeel has advanced alongside Germany’s Eline Aranas Roth, while Aisam has reached the mixed doubles semifinals with Austria’s Nina Hermann. For Aisam, the tournament continues to underline his remarkable longevity in international tennis. The former Pakistan Davis Cup star remains a major presence in the Masters circuit, while Aqeel’s performances have further strengthened Pakistan’s challenge in Lisbon. Their latest comeback will give the pair considerable confidence heading into the semifinals. After surviving two match points and overturning a first-set defeat, Aisam and Aqeel now stand just one victory away from reaching the championship final. Pakistan will be hoping the experienced duo can carry their momentum into the next round and add another major achievement to their impressive Masters campaign.

DARWIN: Bangladesh’s historic nine-wicket victory over Australia on home soil has been labelled one of the biggest upsets in Australian Test cricket, leaving former players and the country’s media questioning the future of the team. Former Australia batter Mark Waugh described the defeat as a massive upset and warned that selectors may need to make difficult decisions after another disappointing batting performance. “When the batting keeps failing, selectors have to make big calls,” Waugh said, stressing that Australia had entered the match with a full-strength squad. The defeat, he suggested, was therefore even more concerning. Former opener David Warner also raised serious questions about Australia’s batting line-up ahead of the team’s upcoming tour of South Africa. Warner questioned whether Australia could approach such a challenging tour with confidence given the current state of its batting. He pointed out that South Africa possess an experienced bowling attack and said selectors would need to seriously consider changes. Australian media outlets have also intensified scrutiny following the unexpected defeat. Questions have emerged over Jack Wetherald’s future, while doubts have been raised about whether Travis Head can succeed as an opener. However, the concerns are not limited to batting. Analysts have also questioned Australia’s bowling combination and suggested that the squad needs fresh faces. With many members of the current team aged over 30, Australian cricket faces an important transition period. Bangladesh’s victory has therefore done more than rewrite a piece of cricket history—it has exposed vulnerabilities in a team accustomed to dominating at home. The selectors now face pressure to respond before Australia’s next major Test challenge.

Borussia Dortmund have officially confirmed the signing of Konstantinos Karetsas. The young Greek forward joins from Belgian side Genk. He has put pen to paper on a five-year contract. The transfer news broke on Monday. Reports peg the fee at around 30 million euros. That translates to roughly $34 million. Additional bonuses are also included in the package. Karetsas is only 18 years old. But his numbers already speak volumes. He has scored three goals in ten appearances for Greece’s national team. His club form last season was just as impressive. He delivered 11 assists in the Belgian top flight. Dortmund had a clear gap to fill. The club recently lost Julian Brandt. The experienced playmaker left on a free transfer after years of service. His departure left a creative void in midfield. Karetsas now steps in as the man tasked with filling it. The teenager didn’t hold back his excitement after signing. He called Borussia Dortmund a special club. He said he feels proud to wear the black and yellow jersey. Club officials are equally thrilled. Dortmund’s sporting director praised the young forward’s game. He highlighted Karetsas’s technical skill and sharp footballing brain. According to him, the youngster has a real talent for finding quick solutions under pressure. That skill becomes especially valuable in tight spaces near goal. This transfer likely won’t be Dortmund’s last this summer. The club has also shown interest in another rising star. Cologne’s young German international, Said El Mala, is reportedly on their radar too. Context matters here. Dortmund finished last season as runners-up. Bayern Munich once again claimed the title. That gap is clearly on the club’s mind this transfer window. Signing proven young talent like Karetsas suggests a plan to close it. For Karetsas, this move marks a major step in his career. Moving from Belgian football to one of Europe’s most storied clubs is no small leap. Expectations will be high given his price tag and reputation. Dortmund fans will now watch closely to see how quickly he adapts. If his club and international form are any indication, he could become a key piece in Dortmund’s push to reclaim the title next season.

PESHAWAR: A nine-member mountaineering team has successfully climbed the 6,050-metre Thalo Zom peak in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa. The achievement is being seen as an important milestone for mountaineering and adventure tourism in the province. The team completed the difficult expedition after spending eight days on challenging mountain routes. The Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Tourism Authority said Thalo Zom is one of the most difficult and less frequently climbed peaks in the Hindu Kush mountain range. Its difficult terrain makes the climb demanding even for experienced mountaineers. The expedition started on July 9. The team continued its journey through difficult mountainous terrain before reaching the summit on July 17. After reaching the top, the mountaineers raised the national flag. The moment marked the successful completion of a challenging expedition in one of the region’s difficult mountain areas. The climbers had to pass through difficult routes in Kumrat and Chitral during the expedition. The journey involved steep and rugged terrain. The team also crossed glaciers and areas containing deep cracks in the ice. Glacial crevasses can make high-altitude expeditions particularly dangerous. Mountaineers must carefully choose their routes while crossing such areas. The difficult conditions required careful planning and sustained effort from the team. The eight-day expedition tested the climbers as they moved through remote and challenging parts of the Hindu Kush. The successful ascent also highlights the potential of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa for adventure tourism. The province is home to several high-altitude mountains and remote valleys. The region’s mountainous landscape attracts climbers and adventure enthusiasts. However, many peaks remain difficult to access because of their rugged terrain and limited routes. The Tourism Authority said Thalo Zom has a notable history in international mountaineering. Australian climbers first reached the summit in 1971. The peak was climbed again in 2019 by Italian mountaineers. The latest expedition adds another successful ascent to the mountain’s history. The achievement also draws attention to the broader tourism potential of Kumrat and Chitral. Both areas are known for their mountainous landscapes and challenging terrain. Successful mountaineering expeditions can help promote lesser-known destinations among domestic and international adventure tourists. They can also bring greater attention to the natural attractions of the province. The latest climb demonstrates the determination and endurance required to reach high-altitude peaks. The team had to overcome glaciers, steep routes and dangerous ice formations during the journey. The successful ascent of Thalo Zom is therefore more than a mountaineering achievement. It also showcases the natural beauty and adventure tourism potential of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa.