Google introduces advanced AI feature in Maps
Google has added a new and powerful artificial intelligence feature to its popular navigation service Maps. This feature, based on Gemini AI, was first introduced in November 2025, with the aim of providing users with hands-free navigation while driving. Google has stated in a blog post that this feature is being introduced in a phased manner around the world. Where the Gemini AI model is available, Google Maps users will be able to take advantage of this feature. However, this feature will not be available on the web version but will be limited to Android and iOS devices only.
Source:The Patriot
February 02, 2026 15:40 UTC
Cricket rivals Pakistan and India will clash
Cricket rivals Pakistan and India will clash on February 15. On the other hand, Pakistan and India will compete in the group match of the ACC Women’s Asia Cup Rising Stars in Bangkok, Thailand on the same day. At the end of the camp, the Pakistan Women’s A team will leave for Thailand on February 10. Pakistan is included in Group A along with India, UAE and Nepal, while Group B will consist of Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Malaysia and host Thailand. Four countries will field their national women’s teams while four A teams will field.
Source:The Patriot
February 02, 2026 15:40 UTC
Fake FBR and PSQCA teams raid shops exposed
ISLAMABAD: It has been revealed that fake joint teams consisting of fake officers of the FBR and Pakistan Standard Quality Control Authority and police officials have been conducting fake raids on business centers and harassing traders. According to the affected shopkeepers in Karachi’s famous business center Jodia Bazaar have written a letter to the Chairman Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) requesting an inquiry into the matter. When pressed, they presented themselves as officers of FBR and PSQCA, but when asked for their official cards, instead of showing them, they started threatening me. Moreover, they displayed extremely unprofessional behavior and harassed me using the names of two big institutions, FBR and PSQCA, and threatened to take action against me. On the other hand, FBR and PSQCA officials have denied any kind of joint team operations and PSQCA has also started investigating the matter.
Source:The Patriot
February 02, 2026 15:40 UTC
Major progress towards local vaccine
Health Minister Mustafa Kamal has held three meetings with his Saudi counterpart so far. In which detailed discussions were held on key issues such as local vaccine production, investment and technical cooperation. Regarding local vaccine production, Health Minister Mustafa Kamal has held a meeting with the Minister of Industry of Saudi Arabia. Mustafa Kamal said that they are committed to the local production of vaccines. Local production of vaccines will meet the needs of the country.
Source:The Patriot
February 02, 2026 15:40 UTC
Nadia Khan mocks Behroze Sabzwari's
Pakistan’s famous host and actress Nadia Khan has gained attention by sarcastically speaking about senior artist Behrooz Sabzwari’s statement made in the past regarding women’s clothing. Recently, during a private TV show, Nadia Khan raised this topic, which also made other participants in the studio smile. In this regard, she also praised Nadia Khan’s dress and opined that the dresses should be a little more fitted. On this occasion, Nadia immediately responded and said that Behrooz Sabzwari does not like such tight clothes, that’s why she has to be careful. Nadia Khan’s comment was actually a reference to Behrooz Sabzwari’s previous interview in which she had expressed her disapproval of women’s tight clothing.
Source:The Patriot
February 02, 2026 15:40 UTC
Australian visas not yet issued
Pakistan hockey team’s departure for Australia today has been postponed. The team was scheduled to depart from Lahore today for the Pro Hockey League. According to sources, Australian visas have not yet been issued to the national players. The Pakistan hockey team has now booked a flight for February 5. According to sources, the players who came to Lahore were informed on the way after the team’s departure plan was changed.
Source:The Patriot
February 02, 2026 15:40 UTC
Iranian government's big admission
The office of Iranian President Masoud Peshmerga has released the names and identities of 2,985 people killed during last month’s protests. The presidential palace said the names of those killed had been published in various national newspapers across the country. The presidential office said a total of 3,117 people had been killed in the recent unrest, but 131 bodies had not yet been identified, which is why their names were not included in the list. According to a BBC Persian report, human rights activists claim that many names are still missing from the list.
Source:The Patriot
February 02, 2026 15:40 UTC
CM Maryam announces Basant holiday across Punjab
LAHORE: Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz on Sunday announced extended weekly holidays for the people of the province, giving residents an opportunity to enjoy a long break to celebrate Basant. In a statement shared on social media platform X, the chief minister said that people across Punjab would be able to benefit from extended holidays in the coming days. The chief minister expressed the hope that the people of Punjab would use this time to relax, rejuvenate, and spend the break in a positive and enjoyable manner. The announcement has been welcomed by citizens, who are expected to make the most of the extended holidays across the province. Meanwhile, the preparations for Basant have begun in Lahore, with the sale of kites and string officially starting from today.
Source:The Patriot
February 02, 2026 15:40 UTC
Bilawal Bhutto Zardari's message on World Wetlands Day,
Karachi: Pakistan People’s Party Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, in his message on the occasion of World Wetlands Day, called wetlands the lifeblood of the environment, food security and climate stability and called for urgent collective action to protect them. Bilawal Bhutto Zardari said that when wetlands are destroyed, the voice of nature is silenced and the heaviest price of their destruction is always borne by the poor and vulnerable segments of society. Bilawal Bhutto Zardari said that the protection of wetlands and mangroves is not only an environmental necessity but also a demand of social justice. He appealed to governments, communities and youth to become guardians of wetlands and ensure the protection of natural resources so that sustainable development is possible for future generations. Bilawal Bhutto Zardari said that harmony between man and nature is the path to a safe, green and hopeful future.
Source:The Patriot
February 02, 2026 15:40 UTC
Provincial government will have to increase efforts
In the meeting, the Prime Minister stressed the need for cooperation between the federal and provincial governments for the development and prosperity of the people of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. The Prime Minister called the cooperation of the federal and provincial governments indispensable for peace and order in the province. The Prime Minister said that there is a need to further increase the efforts of the provincial government to establish peace and order, and the provincial government should strengthen provincial institutions to counter terrorism. Shahbaz Sharif said that the federal and provincial governments will continue joint efforts to completely eradicate terrorism, and the provincial government should fulfill its constitutional responsibility for the establishment of peace and order in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and public welfare. The Chief Minister of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa apprised the Prime Minister of the concerns related to terrorism.
Source:The Patriot
February 02, 2026 15:40 UTC
CPSC Monitor (February 2, 2026)
Pakistan, China launch e-mining platform https://www.brecorder.com/news/404045336. China, Pakistan launch joint push on education, agriculture and industry at Islamabad symposium https://profit.pakistantoday.com.pk/2026/02/01/china-pakistan-launch-joint-push-on-education-agriculture-and-industry-at-islamabad-symposium/7. Pakistan, China to Enhance Quality Technical Education Through TVET Partnership https://thediplomaticinsight.com/pak-china-quality-tech-ed-tvet-partnership/10. Chinese premier urges integrity, anti-corruption efforts in government work http://english.scio.gov.cn/topnews/2026-01/28/content_118303566.html18. China’s plan to internationalise yuan quietly takes a step forward as Zambia gets on board https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3341799/chinas-plan-internationalise-yuan-quietly-takes-step-forward-zambia-gets-board?module=top_story&pgtype=section31.
Source:The Express Tribune
February 02, 2026 14:43 UTC
KP CM Sohail Afridi to discuss provincial matters with PM Shehbaz
PESHAWAR : Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi said on Sunday that he had received an invitation from Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and would present the province’s concerns during the meeting. Addressing the Khyber Aman Jirga, Afridi condemned recent terrorist incidents in Balochistan and expressed solidarity with the victims and their families. Afridi said his government was committed to providing up to Rs100 billion to support those impacted by conflict and displacement. The chief minister said he would consult tribal districts before deciding on a possible protest in Islamabad to seek broader support for provincial demands. Afridi also claimed there were efforts to impose governor’s rule in the province and alleged attempts to disqualify him through legal means or remove him from office.
Source:The Patriot
February 02, 2026 07:42 UTC
Senate, National Assembly sessions
ISLAMABAD : The secretariats of the Senate and National Assembly have issued agendas for their respective sessions scheduled for today, featuring key legislative business and national issues. Additionally, three bills already passed by the National Assembly – the Zakat and Ushr Amendment Bill, the Elections Amendment Bill, and the Al-Biruni International University Islamabad Bill – will be presented for Senate approval. Meanwhile, the National Assembly session will begin at 5:00 pm with a 13-point agenda. The agenda also includes the PEMRA Amendment Bill 2025, amendments to APP Corporation laws, and changes to newspaper employees’ service conditions. Separately, Speaker National Assembly Sardar Ayaz Sadiq has convened a meeting of the Business Advisory Committee at 4:00 pm, one hour before the session, to discuss the agenda for the 24th parliamentary session.
Source:The Patriot
February 02, 2026 07:42 UTC
When seeds become a strategic risk
Shift towards imported hybrid seeds is shrinking Basmati acreage, weakening export capacityBasmati. Pakistan's Basmati export surplus is shrinking – not because international demand has weakened, but because domestic production is no longer keeping pace. Unlike open-pollinated varieties, hybrid seeds cannot be saved and replanted. If, for geopolitical, maritime or logistical reasons, the Malacca Straits were disrupted, Pakistan's hybrid seed supply would cease immediately. Allowing hybrids to cannibalise basmati lands, ignoring strategic seed vulnerability, and compensating the fallout through rebates reflect not policy coherence but policy drift.
Source:The Express Tribune
February 02, 2026 04:15 UTC
Industry bodies welcome Union Budget 2026-27, see major boost for Assam & NE
He stated that this enhanced funding will play a crucial role in strengthening infrastructure, social development, and economic capacity across the Northeast. "The push towards expanding national inland waterways and promoting multimodal logistics is extremely important for the Northeast, partiularly Assam," he said. Larsing Sawyan, co-chairman, FICCI Northeast State Council, said the focus on tourism, sports, skilling and agriculture will help create livelihood opportunities at the grassroots level. The Federation of Industry & Commerce of North Eastern Region (FINER) welcomed the government's "persistence on reform over rhetoric and its maintaining fiscal discipline bedrock". Assam Chamber of Commerce chairman Rupam Goswami said the Budget strengthens the growth path for Northeast.
Source:The Express Tribune
February 02, 2026 03:30 UTC