Blog - Page 6 of 251

Poliovirus found in environmental samples from Karachi, Hyderabad

September 21, 2026 by Pakistan Desk

KARACHI: Poliovirus has been detected in environmental samples collected from four Karachi districts and Hyderabad in August, according to a report by Sindh’s Emergency Operations Centre.

The report said poliovirus was found in one environmental sample each from Karachi’s West and Korangi districts, while one sample each from the Central and South districts also tested positive.

Two environmental samples collected in Hyderabad also tested positive for poliovirus.

No poliovirus was detected in environmental samples from Karachi’s East, Keamari and Malir districts, the report said.

Samples collected from Ghotki, Sukkur, Jacobabad, Qambar, Larkana, Kashmore, Dadu, Badin, Jamshoro, Sujawal, Mirpurkhas and Sanghar also tested negative for the virus.

The Emergency Operations Centre said authorities would increase their focus on polio vaccination and other preventive measures in districts where positive environmental samples were detected.

Gmail introduces one-tap copy feature for 2FA codes

September 21, 2026 by Technology Desk

SAN FRANCISCO: Gmail has introduced a new feature designed to make it easier for users to access two-factor authentication codes when signing in to online accounts.

According to a report, the feature, called Copy Code, is being rolled out for Gmail users on Android and iOS devices.

Two-factor authentication, or 2FA, is widely used to add an extra layer of security to online accounts. However, users receiving verification codes through Gmail typically have to open the email, find the code and copy it before returning to the account they are trying to access.

The new feature is designed to simplify that process. With the Copy Code shortcut, a 2FA verification code can appear directly in the phone’s notification area, allowing users to copy it with a single tap and paste it into the relevant account.

The feature reportedly works with verification emails from multiple online services.

For now, the Copy Code feature is available on mobile devices and has not been introduced to Gmail’s web version, according to the report.

Ronaldo could represent Portugal alongside son at 2030 World Cup

September 21, 2026 by Sports Desk

LISBON: Cristiano Ronaldo could potentially represent Portugal alongside his son, Cristiano Ronaldo Jr., at the 2030 FIFA World Cup, although the prospect remains uncertain, former Manchester United midfielder Eric Djemba-Djemba has suggested.

Portugal will co-host the 2030 World Cup, and Ronaldo has indicated that he wants to continue playing international football beyond the 2026 tournament. He would be 45 years old in 2030.

Djemba-Djemba has previously said Ronaldo could continue playing until he is 44 or 45. He suggested that if the five-time Ballon d’Or winner remains active at that age, he should be considered for Portugal’s squad for the 2030 World Cup.

Ronaldo’s 15-year-old son, Cristiano Ronaldo Jr., is also beginning to make a name for himself in football. He recently scored both goals for Al Nassr Under-17 in a 2-1 victory over Al Ahli.

Djemba-Djemba said a World Cup appearance by Ronaldo and his son for Portugal at the same time would provide a memorable ending to the veteran forward’s international career and a significant moment for Portuguese football.

However, Ronaldo Jr. still has a long way to go before potentially reaching Portugal’s senior national team, making such a scenario difficult to predict at this stage.

Pakistan’s textile exports reach four-year high of $18 billion

September 21, 2026 by Business Desk

KARACHI: Pakistan’s textile and apparel exports rose 0.3% to $18 billion in fiscal year 2025-26, reaching their highest level in four years, according to the Pakistan Textile Council’s first annual Export Performance Report.

The increase came despite a 5.9% decline in Pakistan’s overall exports, which fell to $30.14 billion during the fiscal year. Textiles accounted for nearly 60% of the country’s total exports.

The report said the growth in textile exports was driven entirely by apparel and home textiles and made-ups. Exports under Chapters 61 to 63 rose 1.1% to $14.98 billion, accounting for 83.2% of total textile exports, compared with 77% in fiscal year 2021-22.

Exports of raw materials and intermediate textile products declined 3.4% to $3.03 billion, their lowest level in five years.

Non-knit apparel exports increased 3.9% to a record $4.295 billion. Exports of men’s cotton trousers rose 19%, while women’s cotton trousers increased 54%.

Home textiles and made-ups remained the largest single textile export category at $5.705 billion, although growth was limited to 0.6%. Knitwear exports declined 0.7% to $4.979 billion.

The European Union remained Pakistan’s largest textile export market at $7.103 billion, down from $7.248 billion previously. Textile exports to the United States reached $4.853 billion, while exports to the United Kingdom stood at $1.730 billion.

Exports to China increased to $644 million, while those to Bangladesh remained broadly stable at about $620 million. The report attributed the increase in exports to China and Bangladesh mainly to cotton yarn and fabric.

Pakistan Textile Council CEO Muhammad Hassan Shafqat said the modest growth in textile exports demonstrated the sector’s ability to remain globally competitive, but warned that the availability of raw materials, particularly cotton, remained a concern.

He said cotton production stood at just 5.5 million bales in the latest season, the lowest level in three decades, compared with a record 14.8 million bales in 2011-12. The shortfall is increasingly being met through imports, according to the report.

Textile and apparel exports stood at $1.27 billion in June 2026, down 17% from a year earlier and 23% from the previous month. The decline indicated weaker order flows at the start of fiscal year 2026-27, the report said.

The Pakistan Textile Council proposed 11 measures across six areas to improve the sector’s export competitiveness. The recommendations include reducing corporate income tax to 15%, automating and speeding up sales and income tax refunds, ensuring competitive and reliable energy supplies, improving access to financing and making credit more accessible to small and medium-sized enterprises.

The council also recommended facilitating indirect exporters, ensuring the long-term continuity of GSP+ benefits, pursuing free trade agreements with the United States and United Kingdom, securing competitive freight rates, reducing transit times and strengthening the capacity of Pakistan National Shipping Corp.

For the cotton sector, the council called for an integrated national strategy focused on quality seeds, farmer digitalization and traceability.

The council said the recommendations would form the basis of its policy advocacy agenda for fiscal year 2026-27.

KP CM Afridi warns of reaction to detentions by plainclothes personnel

September 21, 2026 by Pakistan Desk

PESHAWAR: Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi said Monday that there would be a reaction whenever people are detained by unidentified personnel in plain clothes, as tensions rise ahead of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf’s planned Sept. 27 protest.

Addressing the provincial assembly, Afridi said the party would hold what he described as a legal, constitutional and peaceful protest on Sept. 27.

“If anyone in plain clothes picks someone up, there will be a reaction,” Afridi said, without specifying who he was referring to.

Afridi alleged that the government was not respecting court orders and the law and questioned where the country was heading. He also referred to an alleged attack on Shakur Khan and claimed that PTI banners had been burned and protest camps dismantled.

He called for dialogue to resolve the situation and challenged the authorities to impose governor’s rule if they believed it was necessary.

Earlier, during a news conference in Peshawar, Afridi rejected allegations of “politics of chaos” and said the party had exhausted its constitutional and political options before announcing the long march.

PTI has announced a march on Islamabad for Sept. 27 and says it is seeking the release of its founding chairman, former Prime Minister Imran Khan. The party is currently finalizing its strategy for the planned protest.

The planned demonstration comes amid heightened political tensions and arrests of PTI-linked figures ahead of the protest. Imran Khan’s sisters Aleema Khan, Uzma Khan and Noreen Niazi have been detained in Lahore under the Maintenance of Public Order law, according to reports.

United Russia leads Russia’s parliamentary polls in preliminary results

September 21, 2026 by World Desk

MOSCOW, Russia: President Vladimir Putin’s United Russia party was leading Russia’s parliamentary election in preliminary results released Monday, with the party receiving 57.53% of the vote after 71.17% of ballots had been counted, according to the Central Election Commission.

United Russia candidates were also ahead in 208 of the 225 single-member constituencies, according to preliminary figures. The results put the ruling party on course to retain a constitutional majority in the 450-seat State Duma, which requires at least 301 seats.

The Communist Party of the Russian Federation was in second place with 14% of the party-list vote, followed by the Liberal Democratic Party of Russia with 8.73%, the New People party with 7.97% and A Just Russia with 5.03%.

The State Duma has 450 seats, with 225 allocated through party lists and the remaining 225 elected from single-member constituencies.

The three-day election, held from Sept. 18 to 20, was the first Russian parliamentary election since the country launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. Voting continued amid Ukrainian drone attacks, which Russian authorities said were intended to disrupt the election.

Later preliminary results showed United Russia with 57.83% of the vote after more than 95% of ballots had been counted, with the party set to win 355 of the 450 seats, according to the Central Election Commission.

Salman Khan defends Katrina Kaif without naming her

September 21, 2026 by Entertainment Desk

MUMBAI: Bollywood actor Salman Khan has come to the defense of actress Katrina Kaif without naming her, criticizing social media users for making inappropriate comments about a celebrity’s weight and appearance after becoming a mother.

During a recent episode of his reality show Bigg Boss 20, Khan criticized people who mock celebrities over their bodies, appearance and personal lives to generate social media engagement and income.

Khan said some people make money by targeting the personal lives and appearances of celebrities, adding that attempting to make money by humiliating others reflects the mindset and upbringing of those involved.

He said celebrities often face criticism over their body shape, weight, appearance, family, professional setbacks and personal milestones, including motherhood.

Khan said gaining weight after becoming a mother is a natural process and that an actress can get back in shape when she returns to films.

He questioned why people who are themselves dissatisfied with their appearance feel entitled to criticize the weight and looks of others.

Khan also said the actress should be allowed to spend time with her family.

During the discussion, Khan referred to the trolling he has faced on social media and said he also receives criticism as he gets older.

“I am 60 now, so I can’t always look like the hero from Maine Pyaar Kiya,” he said, referring to his 1989 film.

Katrina Kaif recently attended events hosted by Mukesh and Nita Ambani with her husband, actor Vicky Kaushal. Photos and videos from the events went viral on social media, with some users commenting on Kaif’s weight and appearance.

Khan did not name Kaif during his comments, but his remarks came amid the online criticism directed at the actress.

Pakistan’s Shahzaib Rind wins Miami tournament with three knockouts

September 19, 2026 by Sports Desk

MIAMI: Pakistan’s star fighter Shahzaib Rind won The HELL: 8-Man Tournament in Miami after securing three knockout victories in a single night.

Eight fighters competed in the 155-pound lightweight tournament held at Bonk Studios in Miami, Florida.

Rind defeated Nick Longoria in the quarterfinals before winning both the semifinal and final by knockout within a few hours to claim the championship.

Rind previously became Pakistan’s first world champion at the Karate Combat KC-49 championship in Singapore, where he defeated Brazil’s Bruno Roberto de Assis in the final.

During Karate Combat 44 in Mexico City, Rind knocked out Peru’s Marco Cubas with a flying knee in just 21 seconds. He has also recorded a knockout victory over former three-time world champion Edgars Skrivers and defeated Carlos Guevara by knockout in bare-knuckle MMA in 2023.

Rind is Pakistan’s No. 1-ranked Wushu fighter. His combined Wushu and kickboxing record stands at 75 wins and four losses.

Rind has said that he developed much of his fighting ability through self-training using YouTube videos.

Jennifer Winget celebrates traditional wedding in Goa with William Ashmeil

September 19, 2026 by Entertainment Desk

MUMBAI: New photos and videos from Indian television actor Jennifer Winget’s wedding celebrations are gaining attention on social media after she and Singapore-based businessman William Ashmeil held traditional wedding festivities in Goa.

Winget and Ashmeil had previously married in a Christian ceremony in West Wales, Britain, on July 16. The couple later held another set of wedding celebrations in Goa, incorporating Indian traditions and festivities.

Videos from the Goa celebrations have surfaced online, showing Winget enjoying the occasion with friends and family.

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In one video, Winget appears to teach her husband traditional Indian dance moves during a dance session. The couple later dance together.

Another video shows Winget meeting her close friend Genelia Deshmukh and warmly embracing her.

The wedding celebrations have prompted fans to send their good wishes to the couple on social media.

The Goa celebrations mark Winget’s second marriage. She was previously married to television actor Karan Singh Grover. The couple separated in November 2014, while their divorce was legally finalized in 2016.

Google’s Gemini AI model hacked three companies during cybersecurity test

September 19, 2026 by Technology Desk

SAN FRANCISCO: Google’s Gemini artificial intelligence model gained access to three websites by using publicly available information during a cybersecurity test, in what has been described as the first known instance of a Google AI system autonomously carrying out such activity.

The incident occurred in May during an assessment conducted by the independent cybersecurity firm Irregular, according to a report.

During the test, Gemini searched information available online and used credentials it had inferred to gain access to three websites that it determined were within the scope of the exercise.

Google Vice President of Security Engineering Heather Adkins said the three organizations had been notified of the incident and that changes had been made to the testing methodology in collaboration with the training partner.

Adkins said the incident highlighted the importance of training powerful AI models to operate responsibly.

An Irregular spokesperson said the issue was similar to problems encountered by other AI laboratories. The affected organizations were notified by the end of July, the spokesperson said.

According to Irregular, all of the issues it identified had been resolved several weeks ago.