•Egypt's island trade: Activists arrested

CAIRO • Egyptian police have arrested dozens of activists in the face of opposition calls for protests yesterday after Parliament passed a controversial agreement to hand over two islands to Saudi Arabia.

A lawyer working to release the activists said about 50 had been arrested across Egypt since Parliament passed the treaty on Wednesday. Opponents of the government accuse it of trading the Red Sea islands, Tiran and Sanafir, for Saudi funding. AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE

Jurors on Cosby case continue to deliberate NORRISTOWN • Jurors deciding actor Bill Cosby's fate at his sexual assault trial resumed deliberations yesterday to try to break a deadlock on all three charges.

After the jury sent a note on Thursday morning saying it was unable to reach a unanimous verdict, Judge Steven O'Neill, in a state court in Norristown, Pennsylvania, told the panel to keep trying. The jurors had failed to come to an agreement after 40 hours of discussions as at Thursday night. REUTERS

McDonald's ends Olympics sponsorship

LAUSANNE • McDonald's has ended its long-time Olympic sponsorship dating back to 1976, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) said yesterday. The US fast food giant has supported the Olympics since the Montreal Games.

Although the split takes place with immediate effect, they will continue to be a sponsor at the 2018 Winter Games in Pyeongchang. The burger chain, which is cutting its Olympic ties with three years of its contract still to run, was one of the IOC's heavyweight partners along with the likes of Coca Cola, Visa and Omega. AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE