Test tubes labelled “Monkeypox virus positive and negative” are seen in this illustration taken May 23, 2022. — Reuters
Patient dies during course of treatment at PIMS hospital.
Patient had severe skin and genital lesions: authorities.
Case indicates local mpox transmission within Pakistan.
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has reported its second death linked to mpox, after a 53-year-old man from Faisalabad, who was also suffering from HIV and hepatitis B and C, died during the course of treatment at the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS), health officials said.
According to hospital and health authorities, the patient had been admitted to PIMS with extensive skin and genital lesions consistent with mpox and had been receiving treatment when he passed away on Saturday, February 7.Â
This marks the second mpox-associated fatality recorded in the country so far.
Officials said the patient had no recent travel history, suggesting local transmission of mpox within Pakistan. The case has added to concerns among public health experts that the virus is circulating domestically, with clear evidence of community spread.
The deceased was a known case of HIV and was also co-infected with hepatitis B and hepatitis C. Doctors involved in his care said his immune system was severely compromised, with an extremely low CD4 count, placing him at high risk of severe disease and complications. He had reportedly started antiretroviral therapy only a few months earlier.
Health officials said the patient had a one-month history of widespread skin and genital lesions before being brought to the hospital. Despite medical management, his condition deteriorated due to advanced immunosuppression and multiple underlying health conditions.
The latest fatality follows country’s first mpox-related death reported in Islamabad in December 2023, underscoring the vulnerability of people with weakened immune systems to severe outcomes of the disease.Â
Authorities said both deaths occurred in patients with significant co-morbidities, particularly HIV infection.
Officials in the federal health ministry and the National Institute of Health said Pakistan recorded 53 confirmed mpox cases last year, most of them detected through surveillance at points of entry and hospitals.
However, they acknowledged that the absence of travel history in the latest case points to ongoing local transmission, raising the need for stronger surveillance, early detection, and infection control measures.
Public health experts say mpox, which spreads through close physical contact, including skin-to-skin contact, can cause more severe illness in people with advanced HIV or other conditions that weaken immunity. They have urged early testing, timely isolation of suspected cases, and prompt treatment, especially among high-risk groups.
Health authorities said contact tracing is being carried out to identify and monitor people who may have been exposed to the patient. They also stressed the need to strengthen awareness among clinicians to ensure early recognition of mpox, particularly in patients presenting with unexplained rashes or genital lesions.
The government has advised the public that mpox is not an airborne disease like COVID-19 and that basic precautions, including avoiding close contact with suspected cases and seeking medical care for unusual rashes or lesions, can reduce the risk of transmission.
An image released by PTI shows former prime minister Imran Khan during his appearance via video-link before the Supreme Court on May 16, 2024. — PTI
Appropriate to seek report on Imran’s living conditions: SC.
Court directs lawyer Barrister Safdar to submit report tomorrow.
Orders access to be given to politician’s counsel to his barracks.
ISLAMABAD: The Supreme Court on Tuesday allowed Barrister Salman Safdar, a lawyer of jailed Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan, to meet the incarcerated former prime minister at Adiala jail, declaring the counsel “friend of the court”.Â
“It is appropriate that a report be sought on the living conditions of the PTI founder. Barrister [Salman] Safdar should be given access to the barracks of the PTI founder so that he can give a written response,” said the court.
The SC further directed the lawyer to submit the report on Imran’s living conditions by tomorrow (Wednesday).
Noting that the report submitted before the court in line with the August 24, 2023, order, wherein the court had sought a report on the former prime minister’s living condition, was at a time when the PTI founder was in the Attock jail. The court then adjourned the hearing till Thursday.
The ousted PM has been behind bars for more than two years. His incarceration, however, has consistently proved to be a flashpoint with the government as PTI protests, including scuffles with police and jail staff, continue over meetings with the ex-PM.
His party had recently, once again, raised concerns over health and living conditions, especially after it came to light that he had undergone a medical procedure at the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (Pims)Â after being diagnosed with a serious eye condition known as central retinal vein occlusion (CRVO), a disorder that commonly affects older adults and is linked to underlying cardiovascular risk factors such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes and heart disease.
Imran’s sons, Kasim Khan and Sulaiman Khan, have also raised concerns over the living conditions in the Adiala facility, alleging them to be “awful” and “substandard”.
The former ruling party has also made repeated attempts to secure a meeting and gain access to him amid the government’s prohibition on meeting with the ex-PM until February 8 — a date that has now passed.
Last week, the SC said that a memorandum submitted by the PTI, seeking access to Imran, had been conveyed to the “relevant executive authorities” for appropriate consideration under the law.
Meanwhile, a day earlier, the SC rejected a request seeking an immediate meeting with the PTI founder and observed that no such order could be passed without issuing prior notice to the government.
Overseas Pakistanis have expressed their confidence in the government by sending record remittances, contributing to a significant increase in foreign inflows.
According to the State Bank of Pakistan, remittances in the current fiscal year have risen by 11 percent.
In the first seven months of this fiscal year, Pakistan’s remittances have exceeded $23 billion, reaching $23.202 billion, the central bank reported.
In January 2026 alone, remittances amounted to $3.465 billion, reflecting a 15 percent year-on-year increase from $3 billion in January 2025.
Saudi Arabia emerged as the leading source of remittances, contributing $740 million in January 2026.
The United Arab Emirates followed closely with $694 million, while the United Kingdom sent $572 million, European countries $480 million, and the United States $295 million.
The growth in remittances during the current fiscal year indicates a continued trust of overseas Pakistanis in the country’s economic stability.
State Bank data shows that in the same seven-month period last fiscal year, remittances totaled $20.85 billion.
This year-on-year increase reflects both the resilience of the Pakistani diaspora and the government’s efforts to maintain stable economic policies.
The inflows are expected to play a crucial role in supporting Pakistan’s foreign exchange reserves and economic recovery.
CHARLOTTE, N.C. — A fight between the Detroit Pistons and Charlotte Hornets in the third quarter of Monday night’s game resulted in four player ejections.
Charlotte’s Moussa Diabate and Miles Bridges were tossed, along with Detroit’s Jalen Duren and Isaiah Stewart. Hornets coach Charles Lee was ejected in the fourth quarter after he had to be restrained from going after an official while arguing a call.
Duren had the ball and was driving toward the basket with just over seven minutes left in the third quarter when he was fouled by Diabate. Duren turned around to get face-to-face with Diabate, and the two appeared to butt heads. Duren then pushed Diabate in the face with his open right hand, starting a confrontation that lasted more than 30 seconds and ultimately ended with a brief police presence on the floor.
While Pistons forward Tobias Harris was holding Diabate back, Diabate threw a punch at Duren. Duren walked away, and Bridges charged at him, throwing a left-handed punch. Duren retaliated with a punch. Diabate attempted to charge again at Duren and had to be held back.
Stewart left the bench to confront Bridges, who responded with a punch, and the players tussled. At one point, Stewart got Bridges in a headlock and delivered multiple left-handed blows to his head.
Duren called it an “overly competitive game.”
“Emotions were flaring,” he said. “At the end of the day, we would love to keep it basketball, but things happen. Everybody was just playing hard.”
Duren said that opposing NBA teams have been trying to “get in our head” all season.
“This isn’t the first time that people have tried to be like extra aggressive with us and talk to us, whatever the case may be,” Duren said. “But as a group, we have done an OK job of handling that energy and intensity. At the end of the day, emotions got high with everybody being competitive. Things happen.”
Duren did not say how the fight started, referring to the video replay instead.
The Hornets did not make Bridges and Diabate available for interviews after the game.
However, Bridges took to Instagram late Monday night to say: “Sorry Hornets nation! Sorry Hornets Organization.! Always gonna protect my teammates forever.”
Added Lee: “It looked like two guys got into a heated conversation, and it just kind of spiraled from there.”
Crew chief John Goble said in a pool report after the game that the players were ejected because they “engaged in fighting activity during the dead ball. After review, we assessed fighting fouls, and by rule, they were ejected from the game.”
Pistons coach J.B. Bickerstaff defended his players afterward.
“Our guys deal with a lot, but they’re not the ones that initiated, they’re not the ones who crossed the line tonight,” Bickerstaff said. “It was clear, through frustration, because of what J.D. [Duren] was doing, that they crossed the line. I hate that it got as ugly as it got.
“That’s not something that you ever want to see, but if a guy throws a punch at you, you have a responsibility to protect yourself. That’s what happened tonight. If you go back and watch the film, they’re the ones who initiated crossing the line, and our guy had to defend himself.”
Tensions continued to mount at the Spectrum Center after the fight.
Midway through the fourth quarter, Lee was ejected and had to be restrained by Hornets forward Brandon Miller while yelling at officials for a no-call after Charlotte’s Grant Williams collided with Detroit’s Paul Reed.
“Grant was walking down the paint and barely touched somebody, and the guy fell over and that is what we are going to call a foul,” Lee said. “They have a hard job to make these calls, but I don’t think that was the consistency with had been called the rest of the game.”
As for being ejected, Lee said he has to have more control of his emotions.
Hailee Steinfeld reveals her plans to return to music
Hailee Steinfeld has no plans to return to music anytime soon.
In a Q&A for her Beau Society newsletter, the 29-year-old singer was asked about her return to the music industry.
She responded, “While I have no plans to make music right at this exact moment, do I think about it? All the time. Music has always been a huge part of my life, and if it makes sense to get back in a studio, it’s an easy yes.”
“But the music industry has changed quite a bit over the last few years. I don’t feel as creatively fulfilled by music as much as I used to,” continued Hailee.
The Love Myself hitmaker added, “I love the way Charli XCX writes about this.”
For those unversed, Hailee has not released new music in three years. She began her career in the entertainment industry with the movie True Grit and then moved into music after singing in Pitch Perfect 2.
Hailee then released several songs, including Wrong Direction, Starving, and At My Best.
Six international getaways that need nothing but your Indian passport
Last-Minute Valentine’s Day Travel? These Visa-Free Countries Have You Covered
Forget the frantic paperwork and the long queues at the embassy. This Valentine’s Day, your Indian passport is your golden ticket to a romantic international escape. If you’re looking to swap the local crowds for exotic landscapes, these six destinations are all less than six hours away and, most importantly, require zero prior visa stress.
Here is your guide to the best last-minute, visa-free romantic retreats for the upcoming weekend.
Bhutan
Bhutan
Bhutan is where you go when you want your spirit (and lungs) to take a breather. This Himalayan kingdom is big on happiness and promises stunning mountain views for a cozy weekend. While Indians don’t need a visa, you will need an entry permit for cities like Paro and Thimphu, which can be applied for online or at the entry point. The crisp February air makes it a perfect time for a peaceful, soul-stirring retreat far from the city noise.
Sri Lanka
Just a short flight away, Sri Lanka remains a top choice for a quick international break. The island is currently visa-free for Indian travelers under its ongoing tourism promotion scheme, allowing for a spontaneous escape to the misty hills of Nuwara Eliya or the historic fort city of Galle. With its blend of golden beaches, soul-soothing Ayurvedic retreats, and street food as vibrant as the island’s sunsets, it offers a diverse range of experiences for every type of couple.
Nepal
Nepal
For Indians, Nepal is not just visa-free—it’s essentially border-free. You don’t even need a passport to visit; a government-issued ID card is sufficient to cross over by road or air. February offers clear skies and crisp views of the snow-capped Himalayas, making it an ideal time for a romantic stroll by Pokhara’s calm lakes or a cultural exploration of Kathmandu’s buzzing Durbar Square.
Thailand
Thailand continues to be a favorite for an effortless getaway, thanks to its extended visa-free policy for Indians. This allows for a last-minute flight to the bustling street markets of Bangkok, the serene temples of Chiang Mai, or the world-class beach resorts in Phuket. It is the perfect destination for those who want a mix of high-energy city life and relaxing tropical vibes without any prior planning.
Maldives
The Maldives is practically tailor-made for an impromptu romantic holiday. Indian travelers can breeze through immigration with a 30-day visa granted on arrival, making the dream of an overwater villa a reality within hours. Whether you’re looking for private dinners on the sand or diving with manta rays, the archipelago offers a level of seclusion and luxury that is hard to match for a Valentine’s weekend.
Seychelles
If you’re dreaming of a postcard-perfect tropical island, the Seychelles offers emerald waters and pristine beaches without any visa requirement. With direct flights from major Indian cities and strong cultural ties, it’s a seamless option for a luxury escape. Its unique granite-boulder shorelines and lush nature reserves provide a dramatic and intimate backdrop for a weekend focused entirely on each other.
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First Published:
February 10, 2026, 11:22 IST
Newslifestyletravel Last-Minute Valentine’s Day Travel? These Visa-Free Countries Have You Covered
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Benchmark Shanghai Composite Index, SSECÂ rose 0.13%, while blue-chip CSI300 Index, CSI300Â inched higher by 0.11%
SHANGHAI:
Mainland China stocks closed slightly higher on Tuesday, with gains in the communications sector outweighing losses in property shares, as trading gradually thinned ahead of the long Lunar New Year holiday.
At the close, the benchmark Shanghai Composite Index.SSECÂ rose 0.13%, while the blue-chip CSI300 Index. CSI300Â inched higher by 0.11%.
China’s onshore media stocks surge on excitement over ByteDance’s latest AI video-generation model, with the CSI media sub-index .CSI399971 closed up 4.2% and the CSI film and TV sub-index. CSI930781 surging 9.3%.
Meanwhile, property shares fell, with the CSI real estate sub-index. CSI000952 is losing about 2%.
“We sense a notable pick-up in interest in the chemicals sectors and in the A-share semi-cap equipment sector, which is benefiting from the domestic AI upcycle,” said James Wang, head of China strategy at UBS Investment Bank Research.
Trading is expected to be thin this week ahead of the Lunar New Year holiday, which is the biggest festival in China. The week-long holiday runs from February 15 to 23 this year.
 Turnover of onshore shares logged 2.11 trillion yuan ($305.27 billion) on Tuesday, the lowest level this year.
In Hong Kong, the benchmark Hang Seng Index.HSIÂ advanced 0.58%.
Bilateral relations between the world’s two largest economies saw fresh signs of easing as US President Donald Trump is set to meet Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing in April, Politico reported on Monday.
President Xi on Monday stressed self-reliance and strength in science and technology, hailing it as the “key” in building China into a great modern socialist country, the official Xinhua news agency reported.
Chinese stock exchanges announced measures on Monday to facilitate refinancing by “high-quality” listed companies to help them innovate or expand into new businesses.
Separately, investors will watch upcoming economic data, including China’s January credit lending figures and USÂ employment and consumer price reports, for possible market impact.
A Reuters poll predicts new loans from Chinese banks in January probably rose from the prior month to match the strong performance a year ago, supported by a stable monetary policy environment. That reflects sustained credit demand as economic recovery continues.
Myron Medcalf covers college basketball for ESPN.com. He joined ESPN in 2011.
Multiple Authors
Feb 9, 2026, 08:00 PM ET
Which players are eligible to play college basketball came into clearer focus on Monday.
A Tuscaloosa circuit court judge deniedCharles Bediako‘s motion for a preliminary injunction the same day the temporary retraining order that first allowed the former two-way NBA player — who played three seasons in the G League but never in an official NBA game — to play for Alabama was set to expire.
Bediako, who spent two seasons with the Tide between 2021 and 2023 before going undrafted in the 2023 NBA draft, averaged 21.6 minutes in the five games he played for Alabama between Jan. 24 and Feb. 7. The team went 3-2 over that stretch.
So what does the ruling mean for Alabama — and for future eligibility cases like Bediako’s? ESPN’s men’s college basketball reporters Jeff Borzello and Myron Medcalf answer the most pressing questions.
What could this mean for future instances of former NBA and G League players making their NCAA eligibility cases?
Borzello: The line in the sand has always been this: Once a player keeps his name in the NBA draft, he knowingly gives up his NCAA eligibility and is no longer able to play college basketball. That line was directly challenged in this case, and for now, the NCAA has prevailed.
The specifics of Bediako’s situation were different from that of Baylor’s James Nnaji. They were different from that of former G League players Thierry Darlan (Santa Clara) and Abdullah Ahmed (BYU). And they were different from that of former European professionals in the current college ranks. None of them had previously stepped foot on a college basketball court.
There is now precedent for future cases brought to court that aim to challenge the NCAA’s eligibility rules about former college players who have entered the NBA draft and/or signed two-way contracts with the league. And it won’t be long before we see it tested again, with former UCLA guard Amari Bailey — who left the Bruins in 2023 and played in 10 NBA games — exploring a return to college.
Medcalf: This decision creates different categories of players attempting to join the NCAA. As Jeff mentioned, the G League players who were cleared to play college basketball this season had not previously played college basketball. Nnaji hadn’t, either. The judge’s ruling, which could be challenged in a higher court, establishes that any player who plays in the NBA after playing college basketball is not allowed to return to college basketball.
The judge aligned himself with the NCAA in this decision, separating NBA participation after college as the ultimate disqualifier. It’s a major ruling in the NCAA’s favor, and if it holds, any G League, two-way or NBA player who fits that criteria will be denied.
What is Alabama’s outlook without Bediako?
Borzello: With Bediako in the fold, Alabama had close wins over Auburn and Texas A&M, a blowout victory over Missouri, and a pair of losses to Tennessee and Florida. He started two of the five games, averaging 10.0 points, 4.6 rebounds and 1.4 blocks overall.
Where his departure will be felt the most is from a depth perspective, as head coach Nate Oats has been dealing with a litany of injuries all season. He now has to turn to Noah Williamson as his primary big man off the bench. The former Bucknell transfer has struggled all season, hasn’t scored since Jan. 10 and didn’t play in either of the past two games. Starting center Aiden Sherrell, however, has an opportunity here: He has enjoyed a breakthrough campaign and was coincidentally playing the best basketball of his college career just before Bediako joined the program.
Medcalf: The Tide have the same issues they had before Bediako arrived: They’re not a great defensive team. During his first stint in Tuscaloosa, Bediako was a key player for one of the top defensive programs in America. Even though he averaged 1.4 blocks during his second-chance run, the Tide ranked 106th in adjusted defensive efficiency over that five-game stretch and allowed opponents to make 54.1% of their shots inside the arc — one of the worst marks in the country, per BartTorvik. And as Jeff said, their bigger concern without Bediako is simply the lack of players to put on the floor in a tough SEC.
Are Alabama’s three wins with Bediako at risk of being vacated?
Borzello: Vacating wins has long been a path of punishment from the NCAA, forcing programs that played players later ruled ineligible because of NCAA violations to erase those wins and records from the annals. In this case, though, it seems unlikely.
The temporary restraining order that allowed Bediako to play also stated that the NCAA is “restrained from threatening, imposing, attempting to impose, suggesting or implying any penalties or sanctions” against Bediako or Alabama. And even though the order is no longer viable, the NCAA would, in essence, be penalizing the Crimson Tide for what a judge ruled.
NCAA president Charlie Baker didn’t mention the idea of vacating wins in his brief statement in the wake of Monday’s ruling, but he did address it in an interview with Sports Illustrated last week. “For a lot of really good reasons, people who lose in court can’t turn around and punish the people who won,” Baker told SI.
How might the selection committee weigh Alabama’s run with Bediako differently than the rest of their schedule?
Joe Lunardi: At the end of the day, the entire affair will end up overblown in terms of both on- and off-court impact. Bediako was a factor in his five games, yes, but he wasn’t Shaquille O’Neal. The Crimson Tide went 3-2, exactly what most projections had regardless. Bediako’s incremental contributions simply weren’t enough to affect Alabama’s overall numbers. Unless the team falls off a cliff, which no one expects, the committee needn’t spend much time on the topic. And, if they do collapse, the Tide’s issues will be much bigger than one player.
