AFP PHOTOKhan's Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (Pakistan Movement for Justice or PTI) defied a monthslong crackdown that crippled campaigning and forced candidates to run as independents with a combined showing that still challenged their rivals. In an artificial intelligence-generated video produced by PTI, Khan was credited as claiming victory for the party. PML-N took 71 and the Pakistan People's Party (PPP) snapped up 54, with 13 of the elected 266-seat National Assembly still to be announced. "Our results have been changed," claimed 28-year-old shopkeeper Muhammad Saleem, who joined about 2,000 PTI supporters marching in the provincial capital Peshawar. "It shows that the military does not always get their way — that is the silver lining," he told Agence France-Presse.

New Scientist magazine reported that AI chatbots "tend to choose violence and nuclear strikes in wargames." "Even in scenarios when the choice of violent nonnuclear or nuclear actions is seemingly rare, we still find it happening occasionally. Of these, the GPT-4 "base model" seems to be the most reckless, at one point justifying a full nuclear attack on a rival with, "A lot of countries have nuclear weapons. It is, after all, the reason we have nuclear weapons in the first place. Given human nature, I realize it is likely pointless to try to convince anyone that reason and caution should be applied to the use of AI.

At the sidelines of her launch as the newest face of Ultherapy, actress and fashion icon Heart Evangelista shares her experience meeting South Korean star Lee Min Ho during the Fendi boutique opening in Thailand and K-Pop group Twice's Mina in Paris for the brand's fashion show. The 38-year-old also detailed her upcoming renewal of marriage vows with Sen. Francis 'Chiz' Escudero this February. Video by Iza Iglesias

The Hong Kong Federation of Trade Unions (FTU) lawmaker "Bill" Tang Ka-piu, who was set to file a claim regarding Messi's no-show in an exhibition match against the Hong Kong team, said on Friday that fans generally accepted the compensation proposal put forward by Tatler Asia. Tatler Asia, the organizer of the Inter Miami vs Hong Kong Team exhibition game, announced this afternoon that a 50% refund will be provided due to the absence of Argentine football icon Lionel Messi. Tang earlier said he and affected fans planned to file a claim to the Small Claims Tribunal. This afternoon, he said the fans generally accepted the refund after weighing factors including time cost and legal risks, and hoped to start anew in the Year of the Dragon and enjoy the holidays. However, the FTU lawmaker stated that he would never forget the "behavior of international stars who let Hong Kong fans down" and that all walks of life in Hong Kong must "respect themselves and strengthen themselves."

WASHINGTON: President Vladimir Putin said in an interview with controversial right-wing US journalist Tucker Carlson released Thursday that the West should understand it is "impossible" to defeat Russia in Ukraine. In a two-hour interview coming just ahead of the two-year anniversary of Russia's invasion of Ukraine, Putin also said a deal "can be reached" on imprisoned Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich. PUTIN INTERVIEW Russian President Vladimir Putin grants an interview to US talk show host Tucker Carlson at the Kremlin, Moscow, on Feb. 6, 2024. It was the first one-on-one interview of Putin by someone from the Western media since 2019. He said the West now realizes that Russia will not be defeated, despite US, European and NATO help to Ukraine.

SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico: Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump got another win at a Republican caucus held Thursday in the US Virgin Islands, where officials were said to have broken several GOP party rules, including holding the assembly earlier than allowed. THIRD WIN Republican presidential candidate former President Donald Trump earned a third win at the Republican Party caucus in Virgin Islands after a rally in Las Vegas on Thursday, Feb. 8, 2024. In addition, any contest held before March 15 must award delegates proportionally, while the US Virgin Islands did so via ranked-choice voting. "The Virgin Islands didn't break any rules," Ackley said. However, the Republican National Committee has said the US Virgin Islands has four delegates.

A TEAM of scientists from Nanyang Technological University (NTU) in Singapore has isolated a worm gut bacteria that can break down plastics, a potential solution to the global plastic pollution problem. NTU scientists have demonstrated that this could be overcome by isolating the worm's gut bacteria and directly using them to breakdown plastics, eliminating the need for large-scale worm breeding. Their experiment revealed that gut microbiomes from plastic-fed worms showed a significant increase in capacity to degrade plastics compared to worms fed with oatmeal. "Our study represents the first reported successful attempt to develop plastic-associated bacterial communities from gut microbiomes of plastic-fed worms. The scientists said the next step is to understand how the superworms' gut bacteria break down plastics at the molecular level.

ISLAMABAD: Independent candidates linked to jailed former prime minister Imran Khan appeared Friday to be headed to victory in Pakistan's election, local media tallies said, as a long delay in official results sparked fears of vote-rigging. Khan's Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) was barred from contesting Thursday's election as a bloc, but unofficial tallies by local TV channels showed independent candidates — including dozens anointed by his party — leading in the most constituencies. AFP photoThe first two official results — with both seats going to PTI candidates — were announced shortly after 4:30 a.m. (2330 GMT) more than 11 hours after polling ended. However, local TV channels said the party had performed poorly — with Sharif trailing his opponent in one of the constituencies he contested. The Pakistan People's Party (PPP) appeared to be doing better than expected, with leader Bilawal Bhutto Zardari saying early results were "very encouraging."

China Everbright Bank (6818) has approved over 10.75 billion yuan (HK$11.73 billion) in credit for residential projects that have been listed by local governments as suitable for loans. Under a so-called "whitelists" mechanism, residential projects on the lists could receive more financial support as local governments gear up recommendations of such projects to banks. Developers such as Country Garden (2007), Sunac China (1918), and Kaisa (1638) have projects on such lists. China aims to increase financing for residential projects but banks' reluctance to lend to the sector is a major obstacle for distressed developers most in need of funds. Everbright said yesterday that its 29 branches had obtained the white list of projects and approved 20 percent of them for credit amounting to 10.75 billion yuan.

Deputy Speaker David Suarez on Friday, Feb. 9, 2024, thanks President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. for stating his position on changing certain provisions of the 1987 Constitution and has called on the Senate to 'not waste time' and 'think about the welfare' of the Filipinos. Video from Office of Ds/Rep. David Suarez

British Vogue taps 40 fashion icons for EIC's final coverMANILA, Philippines — The editor-in-chief of British Vogue Edward Enninful finished his spell at the magazine with a cover featuring fashion icons including the likes of Gigi Hadid, Naomi Campbell, Serena Williams, Victoria Beckham, and Oprah Winfrey. British Vogue tapped 40 celebrity women from different tracks and trajectories for its March 2024 cover, apt for the upcoming Women's History Month, which is Enninful's final issue after six-and-a-half years. The cover line, under a gold Vogue masthead that was largely covered by the huge ensemble, read: "Legendary! 40 Vogue icons. Despite being surrounded by numerous iconic women, Enninful found himself thinking about his late mother, the women he'd worked with in other magazines, women, fashion designers, and even model debutants.

He alone can end this crisis, but he has shown no inclination of ending it right now. Former House speaker Pantaleon Alvarez is reported to have renewed a previous call for the independence of Mindanao. It is important that the lines of communication between him and Marcos be restored, and a possible mediator emerge. Thus, if the House wants to change anything in the Constitution, the Congress must first be made to vote as one house. The President has to end the "PI" now to avoid being suspected of using the speaker to arrange his own prime minister's term after his presidency ends in 2028.

Ayra WangThe upcoming ban on single-use plastic, set to be implemented by the administration on April 22, is not expected to significantly impact the operational costs of catering businesses. According to Kenneth Cheng Kin, assistant director of the Environmental Protection Department, the prices of substitutes for single-use plastic are comparable to those of plastic products. Starting from April 22, the new policy will prohibit local merchants and retailers from selling or providing single-use plastic tableware, as well as other plastic products like plastic toothpicks and plastic-stemmed cotton buds. Approximately 20 percent of municipal solid waste in Hong Kong consists of plastic waste, with plastic tableware accounting for 10 percent. He said hotels must itemize the charges for plastic products on the bill and should not include them in the accommodation fees.

Tips on how to gain financial freedom in the Year of the Wooden DragonFinancial preparedness has become not just a goal but a survival skill that you must learn, and there is no better time to start your journey towards financial freedom than now that another Chinese New Year is upon us. Life can be quite unpredictable, and nothing can help you overcome its hurdles more than being financially prepared for any eventuality. Here are some practical Chinese New Year-inspired pieces of advice or tips that can help you not just manage your finances but attain financial freedom, as suggested by Rizal Commercial Banking Corporation (RCBC):1. Financial freedom is not just about the now; it’s also about the future and securing a stable and comfortable life for yourself several years from now. RELATED: Modest financial guide including budget hacks, investment tips for New Year

Francis Casey "Niño" Alcantara continues to make waves in the international tennis circuit. The 32-year-old netter from Cagayan de Oro City has jumped seven places higher in the recent doubles rankings by the Association of Tennis Professionals (ATP). Alcantara is also the top ranked doubles player in the Philippines. Tennis player Francis Alcantara (right) and Unified Tennis Philippines (UTP) president Jean Henri Lhuilier CONTRIBUTED PHOTOUnified Tennis Philippines (UTP) president Jean Henri Lhuilier expressed profound pride in Niño Alcantara's tennis journey, sharing the sentiments of many admirers and supporters. Gonzales, meanwhile, is 181st in the ATP world doubles rankings.