The reason the coronavirus variant first identified in the UK is more transmissible than earlier versions of the virus may be that it spends more time inside infected people, giving them more time to spread the virus, according to a small study. Researchers measured viral loads daily in 65 patients with COVID-19, including seven who were infected with the UK …

Scientists are learning more about what might be making coronavirus variants identified in South Africa and Brazil less vulnerable to vaccines and current antibody therapies. Researchers already know that these variants carry a worrisome mutation called E484K. A new study found that after the spike on the virus breaks into receptors on cells, the variant has “more favorable electrostatic interactions,” …

Haider Ali and Shoaib Malik saved the day for Peshawar Zalmi as they beat Multan Sultans by six wickets in their Pakistan Super League (PSL) 6 fixture at the National Stadium in Karachi on Tuesday. Zalmi, who were chasing a 194-run target set by the Sultans — the highest so far in the tournament this year, finished the game at …

DHAKA: Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) president Nazmul Hassan said players will have to specify which formats they will be available for under a new clause in their contracts following Shakib Al Hasan’s decision to skip a home Test series to play in the Indian Premier League (IPL). Kolkata Knight Riders bought all-rounder Shakib for 32 million Indian rupees ($441,940) on …

AHMEDABAD: England captain Joe Root and India skipper Virat Kohli have both warned of the challenges of playing during the twilight zone in day-night Tests — when batting collapses can happen — ahead of their third Test clash starting on Wednesday. The match will be the first time that India and England — level at 1-1 in the four-match series …

COLOMBO: Sri Lanka have named a 20-member squad for six limited over matches against the West Indies delayed by Covid-19 infections. The cricket board said fast bowler Lahiru Kumara, 24, who tested positive on Monday was being replaced by 33-year-old Suranga Lakmal for the three One-day Internationals and the three T20 Internationals. The Twenty20s will be played on March 3, …

KARACHI: Chris Gayle’s parting words before he headed home a brief period for West Indies’ upcoming Twenty20 International series against Sri Lanka were that he had enjoyed coming to Pakistan after 15 years. The Universe Boss — as Gayle is known — top-scored for Quetta Gladiators in both their HBL Pakistan Super League 6 matches but his runs didn’t matter …

Pro-golfer Tiger Woods crashed his SUV on sweeping, downhill road in the Los Angeles suburbs Tuesday morning, and doctors tried to stabilise “significant” injuries to his right leg with rods and a combination of screws and pins. Woods was driving to a television shoot when his SUV crashed into a median, rolled over and ended up on its side near …

ISLAMABAD: An independent inquiry committee has found serious violations of safety and security protocols and severe deficiencies in the country’s power system operations starting from generation facilities both in public and private sector to the entire transmission network including the K-Electric (KE) that resulted in a prolonged power breakdown early last month. The 24-page inquiry report “Total Power System Collapse …

RAWALPINDI: A team of the International Civil Avia­tion Organisation (ICAO) will visit Pakistan to conduct its universal safety oversight audit of the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) in July. Sources said the team would arrive on July 5 and conduct the safety audit till 15th. The ICAO, a specialised agency of the United Nations that works to ensure safety in international …