TOKYO: The governor of Japan’s Osaka prefecture has called for the cancellation of the Olympic torch relay in its largest city amid a sharp rise in Covid-19 cases, presenting an early test to organisers as they plan for the Games during the pandemic. Osaka Governor Hirofumi Yoshimura said on Thursday the torch relay in the city should be cancelled and …

JOHANNESBURG: South Africa’s health regulator has approved Johnson & Johnson’s COVID-19 vaccine, paving the way for large-scale deliveries of the shot the government has put at the heart of its immunisation plans. The conditional approval by the South African Health Products Regulatory Authority (SAHPRA) comes less than four months after it started a “rolling review” of the J&J vaccine, which …

CENTURION: South Africa return to One-day International cricket for the first time in a year against Pakistan from Friday with a history-making new captain at the helm and their sights set on the 2023 World Cup. The Proteas have not played an ODI since completing a 3-0 home series win against Australia in March 2020. Following that series, South Africa …

KARACHI: Pakistan all-format captain Babar Azam on Thursday promised his charges would play with a fearless approach to improve their stature in white-ball cricket with the 50-over World Cup just over two years away. Addressing a virtual media conference on the eve of Friday’s first One-day International against South Africa at the SuperSport Park in Centurion, Babar conceded Pakistan lag …

Kylie Jenner stunned fans with her incredible physique in orange crop top and matching sweat bottoms as she posted new snaps from her private jet. The 23-year-old  makeup mogul mesmerised her admirers with  amazing looks as she  rocked her natural short hair – forgoing her signature long extensions. The ‘Keeping Up With The Kardashians’ Kylie Jenner was back to rocking …

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan and China are expected to sign a bilateral framework agreement on industrial cooperation under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) even though Islamabad has declined negotiated divestment of Pakistan Steel Mills (PSM) to Chinese firms. Informed sources said a Chinese delegation has been engaging with Pakistan authorities for a government-to-government (G2G) deal on the country’s largest industrial complex which …

LAHORE: The International Cricket Council (ICC) is yet to receive the assurance from its Indian chapter regarding the exemption of the tax and issuance of the visas to all the participating countries for the T20 World Cup to be staged in India during October-November this year. It may be mentioned here that the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) in February this …

Indian cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar was admitted to a hospital on Friday as a precautionary measure after testing positive for the novel coronavirus. Tendulkar, 47, who initially quarantined at home for six days, is one of the most high-profile cases of a new pandemic surge in India. “As a matter of abundant precaution under medical advice, I have been hospitalised,” the …

Pakistan won the toss and sent South Africa in to bat in the first one-day international at SuperSport Park in Centurion on Friday. Pakistan captain Babar Azam said the presence of some moisture in the pitch influenced his decision to bowl first. Pakistan gave a first cap to batsman Danish Aziz. Temba Bavuma, captaining South Africa for the first time, …