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They thrashed UAE by six wicket in just 13.2 overs AFP February 18, 2026 1 min read NEW DEHLI: South Africa sent a T20 World Cup warning to co-hosts India after romping to a six-wicket win over the United Arab Emirates in New Delhi on Wednesday.After restricting the Emiratis to 122-6 on a pitch enlivened by morning rain, South Africa raced to 123-4 in just 13.2 overs to complete a perfect group phase with four wins out of four.Next up for Aiden Markram’s side is a repeat of the 2024 final against India in Ahmedabad on Sunday in their first…

Development comes even as its board reaffirms its support for previously announced buyout deal with Netflix NEW YORK: Warner Bros. Discovery said Tuesday it has received a revised acquisition proposal from Paramount Skydance, even as the US media giant’s board reaffirmed its support for a previously announced buyout deal with Netflix. “We received a revised (Paramount) proposal to acquire WBD, which we are reviewing in consultation with our financial and legal advisors,” the WBD board said, adding it would update shareholders once the review was complete. Terms of Paramount’s new offer were not disclosed, and the Warner Bros. board was…

London to regain status as fashion’s hottest destination with 10pc increase in participation over last year LONDON: As the British capital attempts to regain its status as the hottest destination for talented designers, both established names and rising stars have been showcasing their autumn and winter looks. Highlights so far have included Paul Costelloe’s perfectly tailored looks in neutral and brown tones and AGRO Studio’s grungy but glam collection. And at a time where minimalism has become one of fashion’s biggest trends, Tolu Coker and Annie’s shows will have delighted those who prefer their clothes to make more of a…

Demi Lovato bravely admits she is ‘not ashamed’ of having bipolar disorder  Demi Lovato has been one of the most vocal celebrities about living with mental illness, particularly Bipolar disorder. She was diagnosed at the age of 18 after seeking treatment, following years of struggling with emotional instability, eating disorders, and substance use. Lovato has consistently emphasized the importance of understanding and accepting her diagnosis. In interviews, she has said, “I’m not ashamed of it. I think having bipolar disorder has been a big part of my life.” Also emphasizing on the importance of treatment, “When I took control of…

Rising threshold highlights widening poverty even as faith finance could ease inequality KARACHI: The government has raised the Zakat Nisab, the minimum savings threshold above which Zakat is deducted from bank accounts or donated voluntarily, to Rs503,529 for the Zakat year 1446-47 AH, reflecting a sharp rise in precious metal prices and underscoring deeper economic pressures on households already grappling with inflation and currency depreciation. Under a notification issued by the Ministry of Poverty Alleviation and Social Safety, no Zakat will be deducted from savings, profit-and-loss sharing or similar accounts with balances below the revised Nisab level. The change carries…

KARACHI: Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah, chairing a provincial cabinet meeting, approved a Rs33.7 billion package to modernise the province’s firefighting and emergency response system and introduce a new ‘Early Warning Public Alert System’. The cabinet also decided to allow equal wages to women agricultural workers, regulated working hours, maternity benefits, access to healthcare and child nutrition, protection from workplace harassment, written contracts, and the right to association. The meeting, held at the CM House, was attended by provincial ministers, advisors, special assistants, chief secretary, chairman of Planning & Development (P&D), principal secretary to the CM, and other…

Pulses, traditionally considered an affordable source of protein for low-income families, also became significantly more expensive. PHOTO: FILE FAISALABAD: Agricultural experts have raised alarm over the continuous decline in Pakistan’s pulse production, warning that the country is spending nearly $980 million each year on imports to meet domestic demand. Rana Muhammad Tayyib, President of the Punjab Pulses Importers Association and Chairman of the Grain Market, said that until 1998, Pakistan was a leading exporter of pulses. However, the export ban imposed during the Musharraf era disappointed farmers as pulses became a low-earning crop. He added that Pakistan’s annual domestic demand…

LAHORE: The Lahore High Court (LHC) has disposed of a petition challenging solar net metering after the petitioner opted not to pursue the matter further, directing that existing regulations will remain in force until new rules are implemented in 2026. Justice Abid Hussain Chattha issued a two-page written order on a petition filed by Syed Azhar Hussain. During the proceedings, the National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (NEPRA) informed the court that the Ministry of Energy had directed consumers to continue being billed under the NEPRA Regulations 2015. The ministry also instructed all distribution companies, including Lahore Electric Supply Company (LESCO),…

Ramazan Bazaar. PHOTO: RIAZ AHMAD/EXPRESS LAHORE: Despite official claims of sharp price reductions during Ramazan, a market survey across Lahore found that most essential commodities continued to be sold well above government-notified rates, raising questions about the effectiveness of price control measures. At a special meeting chaired by Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif, officials claimed that prices of essential commodities had dropped by more than 50 per cent for the first time in Punjab’s history during Ramazan. According to a handout, the chief minister reviewed prices of fruits, vegetables, flour, chicken and other items across the province and lauded the…

Hyderabad Water and Sewerage Corporation holding pay, pensions for over 17 months HYDERABAD: The Mehran Workers Union of Hyderabad Water and Sewerage Corporation has threatened to suspend the city’s water supply and drainage system from the 20th of Ramadan if pending salaries and pensions are not released. If this happens, it will be quite an Eid with no early morning showers for Eid prayers and overflowing sewers in the streets. Union General Secretary Mujtaba Aslam Abbasi, along with other office-bearers, said in a statement that employees have been deprived of salaries and pensions for 17 months. With Ramazan underway and…