First US Zika virus transmission reported.

AUSTIN, Texas: The first known case of Zika virus transmission in the United States was reported in Texas on Tuesday by local health officials, who said it likely was contracted through sex and not a mosquito bite, a day after the World Health Organization declared an international public health emergency.

The virus, linked to severe birth defects in thousands of babies in Brazil, is spreading rapidly in the Americas, and WHO officials on Tuesday expressed concern that it could hit Africa and Asia as well. Zika had been thought to be spread by the bite of mosquitoes of the Aedes genus, so sexual contact as a mode of transmission would be a potentially alarming development.

HRCP voices concern over killing of PIA staffer

ISLAMABAD: The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) has voiced grave concern over the killing of a Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) staff member and injuries to four other persons.

In a statement issued on Tuesday, the Commission said: “HRCP condemns the killing of a PIA worker and injuries to four others in a firing incident. Television footage from earlier in the day showed police and Rangers personnel using batons, water cannon and tear gas against protesters when they began to move towards the airport.

Two babies among nine migrants who drowned off Turkey

ISTANBUL: The Turkish coastguard on Tuesday recovered the bodies of nine migrants, including two babies after their boat sank off the west coast while trying to reach Europe.

The coastguard said it discovered the boat half capsized just 25 meters (yards) from the coastline after it set off from the town of Seferihisar in Izmir province in an apparent bid to reach Greece.

The search was continuing in the Aegean, the coast guard said in a statement, adding that two survivors had been rescued.

Supermodel Cindy Crawford

NEW YORK: Supermodel Cindy Crawford on Monday denied reports that she planned to retire from modeling this month, saying she had made no final statements and that she “retirement” was a running joke in her family.

Crawford appeared to suggest in an interview with United Airlines magazine, Hemispheres last week that she would quit modeling when she turns 50 on February 20.

But on Monday she wrote on her Instagram page that “not all headlines tell the whole story.”

University student expelled over Facebook post

University student expelled over Facebook post

FAISALABAD: In a rare incident, the University of Agriculture of Faislabad expelled one of its gold medalist students who criticized a musical event organized by the university in his Facebook post.  

Syed Kashan Haider Gilani, a PhD student, received university notice stating that he is being expelled for “defaming the university image” through an act of “indiscipline and misconduct.”

Imran Khan - Model Town tragedy repeated in Karachi

Model Town tragedy repeated in Karachi

ISLAMABAD: Calling for nationwide protests against privatization and tax policies, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan described Karachi situation as a repeat of Model Town tragedy.

“We will hold protests on February 6 in all districts against privatization and anti-masses tax policies of the government,” Khan announced.

“I'm participating myself in the protest because this democratic dictatorship is crushing the common man,” he said.

Khan strongly condemned the use of force against protesting PTI workers.

Buffett, Schwarzenegger reunite 

LOS ANGELES: Billionaire investor Warren Buffett has signed on as an advisor on the eighth season of NBC’s “The Celebrity Apprentice,” more than a decade after advising new host Arnold Schwarzenegger during his successful 2003 run to become California’s governor.

Buffett will join Jessica Alba, Tyra Banks, Los Angeles Clippers owner and former Microsoft Corp chief Steve Ballmer, and Patrick Knapp Schwarzenegger, an entertainment lawyer and Arnold Schwarzenegger’s nephew, to offer guidance to the 16 contenders in the reality competition.