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A sign with Meta’s logo on it. SOURCE: REUTERS NEW YORK/SAN FRANCISCO: Meta executives proceeded with a plan to encrypt the messaging services connected to its Facebook and Instagram apps despite internal warnings that it would hinder the social media giant’s ability to flag child-exploitation cases to law enforcement, according to internal company documents filed in a New Mexico state court case. “We are about to do a bad thing as a company. This is so irresponsible,” wrote Monika Bickert, Meta’s head of content policy, in one internal chat exchange dated March 2019, as CEO Mark Zuckerberg’s public announcement of…

Says he is not right fit to replace Daniel Craig amid ongoing 007 casting speculationTaron Egerton as James Bond. Photo: file Taron Egerton has addressed ongoing speculation about him potentially taking over the role of James Bond, stating he does not believe he is the right fit to replace Daniel Craig as 007. Speaking during a red carpet interview with Variety AU/NZ at Tropfest 2026 in Sydney, Egerton said he has never seen himself as the iconic British spy. “I don’t think I’m right for James Bond,” he said, adding that while the franchise is a major cinematic institution, he…

Event gets underway; brings back glamour to Italy’s fashion capital that is already enveloped in Olympic fever MILAN: The fashion set return to Milan this week, bringing back glamour and runway revelry to Italy’s northern city that has been wrapped up in Olympics fever. Hundreds of buyers and media from around the world will descend on the fashion capital beginning Tuesday for Milan Fashion Week Fall/Winter 2026-2027 and its more than 50 catwalk shows from top Italian luxury names like Dolce & Gabbana, Prada and Giorgio Armani. The upcoming shows, which run through March 2, come during a “moment of…

Tiff ensues after latter suggests Fahad should consider working opposite women closer to his own ageFahad Mustafa and Atiqa Odho. Photo: file A public exchange has unfolded between Pakistani actors Fahad Mustafa and Atiqa Odho after the veteran star suggested that he should consider working opposite women closer to his own age. Odho made the comments during a television appearance in which she was shown photographs of various actors and asked to offer her views. When Mustafa’s image appeared, she remarked that “the time has come for him to work with girls of his own age I mean women,” implying…

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…