KARACHI: The Securi­ties and Exchange Commi­ssion of Pakistan (SECP) on Wednesday said it issued licences to three new Housing Finance Companies (HFCs) during FY21, with the aim of revitalising the sector. The companies include the Pakistan Housing Finance Company Limited, Trellis Housing Finance Company Limited and Asaan Ghar Finance Limited, the SECP said in a statement, adding that the HFCs …

TOKYO: Surging Covid-19 cases in Tokyo have hit a two-month high that almost guarantees the Japanese government will declare a new state of emergency to start next week and continue for the duration of the Tokyo Olympics. The pandemic-delayed Olympics open in just over two weeks on July 23. IOC President Thomas Bach is scheduled to arrive in Tokyo on …

LONDON: Roger Federer’s hopes of winning a record-equalling ninth Wimbledon title ended in the quarter-finals following a 6-3, 7-6 (7-4), 6-0 defeat by Poland’s Hubert Hurkacz on Wednesday, potentially bringing down the curtain on the Swiss legend’s All England Club career. It was only the eight-time Wimbledon champion’s 14th defeat at the tournament in 119 matches and his first straight …

Pakistan captain Babar Azam said on Wednesday there was no thought of abandoning the team’s white-ball tour of England after learning of a major coronavirus outbreak within the home squad. Two days before the one-day series was scheduled to begin, England announced that seven of its personnel — three players and four members of the backroom staff — had tested positive for …

Middle-order batsman Haris Sohail has been ruled out of the England tour due to a hamstring injury, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) announced on Thursday. In a statement, the cricket board said that an MRI conducted on Wednesday showed a “grade three tear injury” which Haris had sustained during a training session in Derby last week. “The PCB medical panel …

England fed off the energy of a passionate Wembley crowd to beat Denmark 2-1 in extra time in the Euro 2020 semi-finals on Wednesday and now stand just 90 minutes away from ending their 55-year trophy drought. Gareth Southgate’s men will face Italy on Sunday — again on home turf — infused with belief they can win a first major …

LAHORE: As the delayed monsoon is set to begin in the country early next week, the planners and growers believe it will have a positive impact on the crops, especially if it follows the pattern predicted by meteorological officials. The Met officials had earlier forecast the start of monsoon by the end of June, which has been delayed by two …

Music sensation Jennifer Lopez shared her new stunning photos in skimpy outfit to show off her true beauty amid romance with beau Ben Affleck. Lopez posted several gorgeous photos to her Instagram account on Wednesday to plug the release of her new single Cambia El Paso. The 51-year-old songbird was seen showcasing her true beauty as she posed in a …

Britney Spears is elated to see members of her team resigning one after the other after she delivered a passionate testimony in court. In the midst of her conservatorship drama, Spears’ manager Larry Rudolph, and attorney Samuel Ingham announced they are stepping down. “She’s finally feeling hopeful about the future,” an insider told E!News. “She thinks people are resigning because they know …

ISMAILIA: The megaship MV Ever Given which blocked the Suez Canal for six days in March headed out of the waterway on Wednesday as Egypt and the vessel’s Japanese owners signed a final compensation deal. The ship weighed anchor and began sailing north from near the central canal city of Ismailia towards the Mediterranean Sea, shortly after 11:30am local time. …