Pakistan and Maldives seek to expand trade and investment cooperation

Lahore Traffic Police began a new training programme for women to learn how to drive rickshaws. Chief Minister Punjab Maryam Nawaz Sharif issued special instructions to initiate this specific training.

Authorities previously offered training for women to operate scooters and cars. This initiative intends to equip women with practical skills and increase dignified employment opportunities.

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The project aims to make women economically independent.

Meta suspended the conversation-sharing feature in Muse AI after security researchers at Claroc discovered that public DNS records could expose thousands of shared chat links. Approximately 6,800 shared Muse conversations were identified by the researchers during their investigation.

Sensitive information within these links included bank fraud alerts and meeting details involving a major AI laboratory. The company confirmed it paused the feature while reviewing the report.

"We are glad to see it closed this quickly," a representative from Claroc said. Meta spokesperson Andy Stone rejected the claim that Muse accessed private messages on a Mac without permission.

Shares of Meta closed at $694.25 on Tuesday before rising 0.11% to $695 in after-hours trading. The firm is scheduled to report third-quarter financial results after the market closes on Wednesday.

Shay Boloor of Truist estimates Muse could generate around $29 billion in revenue by 2030.

Governor Gavin Newsom led the initiative to increase California's film and TV incentive from $330 million to $750 million per year. The expanded state tax credit took effect on 1 July 2025.

Production levels fell by 3.7% during the third quarter. Data shows that 40.2% of scripted shows filmed in the last quarter utilised the state tax credit.

TV comedy shows received the credit in 62% of cases. The share of the credit for TV dramas rose from 21% to 49%.

Reality TV recorded 630 shoot days, which was 66% below the five-year average. TV dramas recorded 494 shoot days, while TV comedy recorded 192 shoot days.

Location shoots remain well below the five-year average. Bass said, "These gains show that incentives work, but we must do more," while noting "encouraging signs of progress."

Nithya Raman faulted Bass for not doing more to help the industry.

A New Mexico state judge ordered Meta to pay $25 billion following a legal battle over consumer protection violations. Last month, a jury found the company liable for deceiving users regarding content moderation policies and Facebook's data privacy.

Meta's stock price increased by approximately 2% after the court issued the decision. The state will direct the funds collected from these violations into its education fund.

In August, the company reached an $18 billion settlement with 52 state attorneys general. Allegations against the firm include intentionally misleading the public about platform safety and designing Instagram with addictive features.

The company also knowingly exposed young users to serious mental harms, according to the claims.

The American Film Institute has chosen Tom Cruise to receive the 52nd AFI Life Achievement Award. A gala tribute for the actor will take place at the Dolby Theater in Hollywood on 24 April 2027.

The AFI Board of Trustees selects the honoree, following the recognition of Eddie Murphy last year. Cruise has maintained a professional career for more than 50 years, with his films grossing almost $13 billion worldwide.

Past accolades for the performer include best actor nominations for Jerry Maguire and Born On The Fourth of July, as well as a supporting actor nod for Magnolia. He also received a nomination as a producer for Top Gun: Maverick, which was named for best picture.

Currently, the actor is appearing in Digger. Future projects include a 2028 release for the next chapter of Days of Thunder, where he will perform alongside Anne Hathaway.

Skydance plans to reduce its expenses by $6 billion over the next three years to manage a net debt of approximately $80 billion. John Malone stated that Larry Ellison contributed roughly $1 billion toward Elon Musk's $44 billion acquisition of Twitter in 2022.

Ellison also reportedly used Tesla shares to raise a portion of the capital required for the Paramount-WBD deal, according to Malone. A spokesperson for Skydance declined to provide a comment on these financial developments.

French Prime Minister Sebastien Lecornu pledged a "massive" police presence to manage demonstrations scheduled for the coming weekend. Lecornu faced public criticism regarding the government's management of recent street violence.

On Saturday, the eurozone's second-largest economy experienced some of its most intense rioting in recent years. Voters will go to the polls in six months to choose a successor to President Emmanuel Macron.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif directed the restructuring of the Livestock and Dairy Development Board to improve the sector's operations. The board, which was first established in 2007, must now incorporate experts from the private sector.

Within one week, Sharif ordered the preparation of a strategy to build a livestock vaccine production plant at the National Agricultural Research Centre (NARC). The federal government intends to use its own resources to create a national-level facility for producing modern and effective vaccines.

Authorities are taking steps to facilitate the domestic production of purified vaccines. Imported livestock will be housed in dedicated bonded warehouses where they will undergo value-addition processes to create meat and dairy products for export.

Third-party audits of slaughterhouses have already commenced. Rana Tanveer Hussain, Ahsan Iqbal, and Azam Nazeer Tarar attended the meeting alongside Dr Musadik Masood Malik, Ahad Khan Cheema, Jam Kamal Khan, and Bilal Azhar Kayani.

The Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP) will host a talk series titled REITs Explained to discuss Real Estate Investment Trusts. The event will examine the structure of these trusts, potential returns for participants, and essential considerations for investors.

Industry experts are scheduled to speak during the proceedings to provide professional insights. Interested parties can register for in-person attendance by sending an email to [email protected].

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A live stream of the session will be available on the official Facebook and YouTube channels of the SECP.

Farrukh Majeed Bala won the presidency of the Sui Northern Executive Officers Association during elections held on 16 October. Waqas Ullah Khan secured the position of Vice President while Kashif Minhas was chosen as General Secretary.

The Election Commission of SNGPL oversaw the entire voting procedure for the 2026–28 term. Waheeb Iftikhar and Zia Ur Rehman were elected as Joint Secretary and Social Secretary, respectively.

Madiha Asad and Nazia Rasheed took on the roles of Finance Secretary and Information Secretary. Eight individuals were selected to serve on the Executive Committee.

Amazon is selling the PlayStation 5 physical edition of Star Wars Zero Company for $47.99. The Xbox Series S/X physical version of the same game costs $49.99 on the same platform.

These prices represent a reduction from the usual $59.99 retail price for the title. Set within the Star Wars universe, Star Wars Zero Company is a turn-based strategy game.

Players can navigate branching story missions where their choices lead to specific consequences. Higher difficulty modes are available for those seeking a more challenging experience.

A character creator allows users to select unlockable accessories and outfits. The game also features classic alien races from various cartoons and movies.

Samar Haroon Bilour, the Adviser to the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government on Information, held a public day at Lahori Gate on 21 October. Local residents gathered to meet Bilour and present various civic concerns regarding the city's infrastructure.

The dialogue centred on enhancing sanitation, strengthening the drainage network, and ensuring that waste is collected on time. Participants also discussed methods to curb environmental pollution across Peshawar.

Bilour stressed that municipal services require coordinated efforts from all relevant departments to achieve significant improvements. The adviser called for the restoration of the city's traditional beauty through regular cleaning of markets, streets, and drains.

He highlighted the necessity of effective rainwater disposal to mitigate issues caused by poor drainage systems. Protecting green spaces and increasing plantation efforts were also identified as priorities for the city.

Peshawar is historically recognised as the City of Flowers.

McDonald’s Pakistan and StarCharge China formalised a partnership in Islamabad on 19 October to develop electric vehicle charging points. Jamil Mughal, the Managing Director of McDonald’s Pakistan, joined Global CEO Li Hongqing and Pakistan CEO Omar Malik to lead the charging business.

The companies will jointly evaluate potential sites across the country based on commercial viability, infrastructure needs, and technical feasibility. This initiative intends to bolster Pakistan’s green infrastructure by providing charging options at suitable restaurant locations.

Customers will be able to charge their electric vehicles while they eat at the participating outlets.

Pakistani actor, model and fashion designer Aijaz Aslam posted a message on Instagram regarding the way society is normalising sin. Aslam identified specific terms like "Drink," "Date," "Chai Pani," "Interest," "Fashion" and "Friendship" as part of this trend.

The actor also shared an update concerning the final moments of Pehlī Baarish. In a separate Instagram post, he appeared with co-star Faiza Hassan.

"So true," Aslam wrote in response to the sentiment.

HBO is developing a television series based on the Poison Ivy character. Lauren LeFranc serves as a producer for the upcoming production.

The DC Universe will introduce "Clayface" this weekend, a project highlighting the shape-shifting Batman antagonist. This new entry remains independent of the cinematic world featuring Robert Pattinson and Reeves.

Production on "The Batman Part 2" is scheduled to continue in 2028.

HESCO monitoring teams disconnected the electricity supply to six bungalows in the Gulshan-e-Sahar area after detecting tampering in 3-phase meters. Fines were issued to the owners in line with current regulations.

Aftab Ahmed Dahani, the SDO of Citizen Colony, submitted a formal request to the police station to register a case against the consumers involved in the theft. The utility company is maintaining 24/7 inspections on feeders that are exempt from loadshedding to comply with directives from HESCO Chief Executive Officer Faizullah Dahri.

HESCO is currently enforcing a zero-tolerance policy against the theft of electricity.

An individual used artificial intelligence to vibe code a private Goodreads application intended to replace the official version of the service. Amazon owns the Goodreads platform.

Meta blocked a protest account on Instagram after identifying activity originating from a Claude AI tool. JPMorgan Chase and Amazon also blocked Meta's Muse.

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Spotify removed 50 million AI-generated tracks from its recommendations to prioritise "human artistry first." Approximately 30 per cent of internet users currently block advertisements.

In the United States, 57 per cent of people believe AI is bad for society, while 42 per cent say it is good. The National Security Agency (NSA) selected five mathematical objects known as elliptic curves for a cryptography standard during the 1990s.

Microsoft prevented Opera from accessing its MSN website in 2003.

Nishat (Chunian) Limited proposed a buyback of up to 21 percent of its issued and paid up shares on 21 October. The board recommended purchasing a maximum of 50.42 million ordinary shares, each carrying a face value of Rs. 10.

A special resolution regarding the plan will be presented at an Extraordinary General Meeting on 20 November. The company intends to conduct the purchase through the exchange at prevailing market prices between 28 November and 19 May.

Funding for the acquisition will come from distributable profits in compliance with the Companies Act, 2017. Nishat Chunian stated the buyback could improve earnings per share by reducing the number of outstanding shares, as the firm plans to cancel the acquired units.

The South African rand traded at 16.4075 against the US dollar. Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana is scheduled to present the Medium-Term Budget Policy Statement at approximately 1200 GMT.

The currency depreciated by more than 2% against the dollar during September. Benchmark 2035 government bond yields reached 8.735%.

Statistics South Africa will publish retail sales and consumer inflation figures on 21 October. Economists polled by Reuters anticipate headline inflation will rise to 4.7% in September.

Forecasts from Investec place inflation at 4.6%, while Nedbank expects a reading of 4.8%. Local government elections are set to take place on 4 November.

European regulators are investigating whether Booking.com is taking sufficient action to eliminate phishing scams and fraudulent listings from its platform. The probe follows a preliminary analysis of risk assessment reports provided by the company for the years 2023, 2024, 2025, and 2026.

The inquiry also covers impersonation fraud, non-compliant accommodation offers, and paid-for boosted listings that are not clearly marked as advertisements. Under the Digital Services Act, large online platforms are required to combat illegal and harmful content.

Booking.com, which is a subsidiary of Booking Holdings, faces potential fines of as much as 6% of its global annual turnover for non-compliance. Henna Virkkunen stated, "The Digital Services Act sets clear responsibilities on platforms to address these risks, and we must ensure that the leading booking platform in Europe takes those responsibilities seriously."

Virkkunen added that Europeans should be able to book their holidays without fear of being scammed.

Paris police ordered a new curfew for parts of the city for Tuesday overnight. The restriction applies specifically to the Republique public square in the city's central east.

From 2100 GMT Tuesday to 0400 GMT Wednesday, residents and visitors must adhere to the new rules. Authorities stated that a previous night curfew successfully restored calm after weekend riots and looting occurred.

Electronic Arts plans to dismiss 400 employees as part of a workforce reduction affecting 3% of its staff. The US video game publisher will also shut down its BioWare studio, which was established in 1995.

Fifty workers at BioWare are included in the planned layoffs. Electronic Arts acquired BioWare in 2007.

The company will cancel the next game in the Mass Effect series and a planned title in The Sims franchise known as Project Lotus. Staff numbers for the skateboarding game Skate will also be reduced.

Investment will continue for sports games, Apex Legends, Battlefield, and upcoming Marvel and Star Wars titles. A Saudi-led buyout of $55 billion took Electronic Arts private in August.

The transaction added $18 billion in debt to the company.

Essex have secured wicketkeeper George Bell from Lancashire on a permanent two-year contract. The 24-year-old spent the conclusion of the 2026 season on loan with the club.

Bell made three appearances for Essex during that campaign, scoring a half-century in every innings. He finished in the 60s in all three of those outings.

Bell has played 37 first-class matches since making his debut for Lancashire in 2022. The wicketkeeper has accumulated over 1,400 runs, including nine half-centuries and a high score of 99.

He previously represented England at the under-21 level. Bell said, "I believe this is an environment that will help me to develop my game further and hopefully contribute to Essex wins and trophies."

Serato DJ for iOS brings the company’s professional-grade DJ suite to the iPhone and iPad. Users can move their music libraries directly from Serato DJ 5.0 on a laptop to an iOS device.

This transfer process works via wireless connections or USB-C cables. The mobile application features stem separation alongside standard tools like EQ, BPM matching, key sync, cue points, and recording capabilities.

Over 120 hardware controllers are compatible with the new iOS software. Digital Vinyl Systems (DVS) are also supported on the mobile platform.

A feature-limited version of the app is available for download from the App Store. Purchasing a license for Serato DJ for iOS requires a payment of $149.

Alternatively, a monthly subscription of $14.99 provides a bundle that includes Serato DJ Pro, Serato Studio, and every expansion.

The National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA) clarified that parents can obtain a Child Registration Certificate, commonly known as a B-Form, without a mother's physical Computerised National Identity Card (CNIC). Syed Shabahat Ali stated that identity verification remains possible through a mother's CNIC number or biometric data if her card is issued but physically unavailable.

However, the process becomes more complicated if the mother has never been issued a CNIC. Applicants may request a replacement B-Form using the Pak ID mobile application.

Fees for these replacements cost Rs50 under the normal category or Rs500 for the executive category.

The Faisalabad Development Authority (FDA) testing laboratory performed over 400 construction material tests during the current fiscal year. Approximately Rs.1 million in revenue was generated by the laboratory during this period.

Director General FDA Muhammad Asif Chaudhry chaired a briefing session to evaluate the laboratory's performance. Italian-imported machinery has been used to modernise the facility, which now serves as a preferred site for analysis by Japanese and other foreign engineers working in Faisalabad.

Materials from private housing schemes are also being tested at the site. Chaudhry instructed officers to maintain technical accuracy, transparency, and the highest quality standards.

The Director General ordered the adoption of innovative measures to boost operational capacity. He further emphasised expanding services, improving performance, increasing revenue, and ensuring reports are delivered on time.

Nvidia is releasing a new GPU driver, version 621.01, which enables Microsoft’s Advanced Shader Delivery technology. Advanced Shader Delivery accelerates game launches by removing the need for "just-in-time" shader compilation during gameplay.

The system reduces CPU spikes and stuttering by offloading shader compilation for various hardware combinations to the cloud. Games such as Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4 and Gears of War: E-Day already support this new delivery method.

Users must download games through the Xbox PC app to access Advanced Shader Delivery, which allows players to skip the shader compilation screen in Call of Duty. Burnes noted, "This system is storefront-agnostic, meaning you benefit even when playing games purchased on Steam, as long as the Xbox PC app is installed on your PC."

The technology also works on AMD GPUs running Adrenalin 26.6.1 or higher and Qualcomm’s Snapdragon X2 series with driver version 2026.08.3 or higher.

Andrew Burnes said, "This system is storefront-agnostic, meaning you benefit even when playing games purchased on Steam, as long as the Xbox PC app is installed on your PC."

Andrew Burnes

Microsoft announced that users can access Xbox Cloud Gaming without a Game Pass subscription beginning in November. Pay-as-you-go bundles for the service will start at $3.99 for 10 hours of playtime.

Xbox Insiders are eligible to purchase these cloud playtime packs immediately. Additional options for Insiders include 25 hours for $7.99 or 50 hours for $11.99.

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These purchased hours remain valid until they are exhausted. Cloud hours provide benefits such as higher-quality streaming, shorter wait times, and an ad-free experience.

The company is also testing a free, ad-supported cloud gaming option for Xbox Insiders. Free sessions are capped at one hour and are restricted to games the user already owns.

Microsoft has secured the streaming rights for Grand Theft Auto VI.

Apple's new foldable iPhone Duo incorporates a 7.6-inch inner screen treated with a nano-texture finish. A glossy cover screen provides a contrast to the matte interior, which is designed to reduce reflections from open windows.

While the texture offers a more subtle aesthetic than the paperlike finish on TCL Nxtpaper devices, it might obscure some details in dark or shadowy scenes.

Samsung is selling the 55-inch Frame TV for $897.99, marking a price drop of $402.00. The 98-inch version of the television is available for $3,749.99, which represents a reduction of $1,252.00 from its previous cost.

A matte, canvas-like display defines the screen, while a built-in motion sensor detects user presence. The 2026 model includes integrated ports and supports a refresh rate of up to 144Hz.

Technical specifications for the device include variable refresh rate support, HDR10 Plus, and Dolby Atmos. Included in the box are a black bezel and a wall mount.

Users can access the Samsung Art Store, which provides more than 5,000 works and 30 new free rotating artworks every month. A full subscription to the Art Store costs $49.99 per year.

Supernatural is launching an Early Access preview within the Meta Horizon Store to introduce its updated fitness platform. Thousands of remastered and new workouts will become available in the application starting 21 October.

Weekly updates will provide users with new workouts beginning next week. The service requires a subscription fee of $20 per month or $200 annually.

Developers stated, "More back-catalog favorites will return in the weeks and months ahead, with new music, higher-definition destinations and new features on the way." A rebuilt version of Supernatural Together is returning to the platform.

The company is also introducing a mobile companion app to allow users to "Track progress and heart rate and stay connected beyond the headset." Customers can migrate points, streaks, badges, favorites, and start dates to the new version until 3 December.

Founding members will receive rewards, including a custom bat, to mark the relaunch.

Apple introduced a new identity for Apple Music on 21 October. The rebranding features a new logo and an updated wordmark.

A new sound composed by Fred Again and Nest Acoustics accompanies the visual changes. Apple stated it "wanted sound to create the visuals" for the new branding.

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Wallpaper reports that the new look is expected to appear across platforms this week. A redesigned wordmark was showcased in a video, while an updated app icon appeared in an iOS 27.2 beta.

A release candidate version of the iOS 27.2 update launched this week.

Pakistan will host Cybersecurity Awareness Week 2026 from 17 October to 23 October. Authorities warn that disinformation is intentionally manufactured to deceive the public, while misinformation can lead to general confusion.

Online fraud often stems from social engineering and phishing tactics used by malicious actors. Personal and financial data are at risk when individuals interact with fraudulent messages, unexpected phone calls, or suspicious links.

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Users are advised never to disclose passwords, one-time passwords (OTP), or any other private details to third parties.

Iron Maiden will launch the third and final stage of its 50th-anniversary “Run for Your Lives” tour in April. The musical group plans to finish these performances in May.

Two festival headlining appearances at Sonic Temple and Boardwalk Rock will mark the end of this specific tour leg. The band joined the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame class of 2026 this April.

A formal induction ceremony is scheduled for 14 November 2026 at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles.

The JI Overseas Forum conducted its two-day annual convention, Jazb-e-Baham 2026, at Mansoorah in Lahore on 22 October. Razi Muhammad Wali chaired the proceedings, which focused on the theme Shared Vision, United Purpose, Strong Connections.

Hafiz Naeem ur Rehman addressed the gathering and urged overseas Pakistanis to utilise their international networks and professional expertise. The speaker stated, "We must work together for Pakistan’s development, prosperity and a brighter future."

Dr Ataur Rehman, the JI Vice Emir, attended the event alongside Acting Secretary General Nazir Ahmad Janjua.

Hafiz Naeem ur Rehman said, "We must work together for Pakistan’s development, prosperity and a brighter future."

Hafiz Naeem

179 electric buses from Yingkou, China, arrived at the Karachi Gateway Terminal Multipurpose Limited on 22 October. The cargo reached the port aboard the vessel MV RUINING 6.

Karachi Port Trust (KPT) managed the ship's entry and the unloading of the vehicles. Margalla Heavy Industries Limited in Taxila Cantt will receive the consignment.

The Karachi Port Trust (KPT) stated the shipment reflects the port's role in handling modern transport imports and supporting Pakistan’s shift toward cleaner mobility.

The Federal Government Employees Housing Authority (FGEHA) and Federal Development Housing Limited (FDHL) signed a Memorandum of Understanding on 22 October to develop a housing scheme in Rawalpindi District. Approximately 2,000 kanals of land within the Capital Smart City limits in Tehsil and District Rawalpindi will host the development.

Chief Engineer Syed Muhammad Hassan signed the agreement for FGEHA, while Executive Director Brigadier Muhammad Nadeem Aslam (Retd) signed for FDHL. The project will follow a Land Sharing Model to create a residential area featuring parks, mosques, sports facilities, healthcare services, and commercial zones.

Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah met with Thomas E. Schultze at CM House in Karachi on 22 October to discuss industrial and environmental cooperation. Shah expressed a specific interest in employing German technology to treat and clean the water in Manchar Lake.

Thomas E. Schultze assured the Chief Minister of German cooperation in investigating technological solutions for the restoration of the lake. The meeting included a review of programmes managed by GIZ and a discussion on improving canal lining to stop the loss of irrigation water.

Schultze stated that Germany was interested in exploring cooperation with Sindh. Shah directed Chief Minister Syed Qasim Naveed to initiate formal discussions with German institutions regarding these projects.

Syed Qasim Naveed, Asif Jameel, and other officials attended the session. The Sindh Chief Minister is scheduled to accompany President Asif Ali Zardari on an upcoming visit to Germany.

Dr Muhammad Irshad met with a delegation from a Chinese state-owned company in Peshawar on 22 October to explore investment opportunities. Irshad, who serves as the Member of the Advisory Council of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa on Industries, Commerce and Technical Education, hosted the talks.

The chairman of H-MAK Group and senior officials from the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Board of Investment and Trade attended the session. Specific interests discussed during the meeting included the real estate, tourism, and mines and minerals sectors.

Provincial authorities assured the delegation of full support and facilitation to promote investment and strengthen economic ties. The government reiterated its commitment to helping Chinese investors establish mutually beneficial business partnerships.

Azam Minhas called for an immediate reduction in the prices of LPG and petroleum products to ease the burden on the public. Rising costs for LPG will increase difficulties for commercial and domestic consumers alike.

Higher petrol prices are expected to cause a staggering surge in the cost of food items. Emergency measures are required to curb staggering inflation, according to the activist.

Public prosperity must be prioritised over the acquisition of expensive vehicles and aircraft, Minhas demanded. The activist also urged the government to prioritise the public over granting lavish privileges to the elite.

Two people were killed after a drone was intercepted near the Saudi Aramco Shaybah oilfield. One Pakistani was among the injured in the incident.