Pakistan signs 20 agreements to bolster Maldives healthcare and education

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.

Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar met with Maldivian President Dr Mohamed Muizzu in Islamabad on 22 October. Dar reaffirmed Pakistan's dedication to its enduring fraternal ties with the Maldives during the discussions.

The Foreign Minister highlighted the necessity of broadening bilateral partnerships in tourism, education, investment, trade, and climate change. A business delegation from the Maldives took part in the Maldives-Pakistan Business Forum.

Dar expressed his hope that these business-to-business interactions would produce tangible opportunities for trade and investment. Greetings from President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif were conveyed by Dar to Dr Mohamed Muizzu.

Dr Mohamed Muizzu stated that the Maldives wants to intensify its close relationship with Pakistan. The Maldivian President also voiced a desire to investigate fresh paths for mutually beneficial cooperation.

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.

John Anderson died at the age of 71, according to an announcement from his family on 21 October. His family stated, "It is with the heaviest of hearts that we share the passing of our beloved husband, father, grandfather, and best friend."

Born in Orlando on 13 December 1954, Anderson spent his youth in Apopka, Florida. The singer signed with Warner Bros. Records in 1976 and debuted his first album, titled "John Anderson", in 1980.

Throughout his career, Anderson produced 22 studio albums, including the 2020 release "Years". He achieved five number-one hits and 20 top ten country records during his musical journey.

Anderson received the Academy of Country Music Career Achievement Award in 1993. He was inducted into the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2014 and later joined the Country Music Hall of Fame in 2024.

His family said, "It is with the heaviest of hearts that we share the passing of our beloved husband, father, grandfather, and best friend."

his family

The Bank of Korea kept its benchmark seven-day repurchase rate at 3.00 percent during a monetary policy meeting. A seven-member monetary policy board voted to freeze the rate, marking a pause after the central bank raised it in July and August.

South Korean shares fell by nearly 3 percent following the announcement. Reuters surveyed 34 analysts to forecast the outcome of the rate decision.

Governor Shin Hyun Song will hold a news conference at 0210 GMT to discuss the move.

Pakistan received its second liquefied natural gas (LNG) cargo from Qatar in October 2026. Sources from the Ministry of Energy confirmed that gas from this second shipment is currently being injected into the national system.

The vessel Al-Areesh berthed at Engro’s LNG terminal on 14 October 2026 to deliver the first cargo of the month. Regasification on that day restored approximately 150 million cubic feet per day of supply to the national gas network.

Ministry of Energy sources stated that LNG imported under the existing agreement with Qatar costs between $14 and $15 per MMBtu. QatarEnergy declared force majeure in March 2026 after the regional conflict caused damage to its Ras Laffan facility.

The Country Music Association celebrated the life of Dolly Parton on 21 October. Parton passed away in August at 80 years old after a short struggle with cancer.

More than 20 performers took to the stage to honor the singer's career. Tributes were paid by various stars including Sabrina Carpenter, Julia Roberts, Oprah, Bono, and Goldie Hawn.

The special aired live on ABC and Disney+ on 21 October. Viewers can stream the production on Hulu starting 22 October.

The evening’s official logline described the event as a "joyful, emotional celebration of the artist, songwriter, entertainer, humanitarian and entrepreneur whose music and generosity carried her from the mountains of East Tennessee into the hearts of generations around the world, told through performances, archival footage and personal stories that trace her extraordinary journey to becoming one of the most beloved entertainers and philanthropists in American history."

The Arts Council of Pakistan, Karachi will host the third edition of the World Culture Festival from 29 October to 22 November 2026. Burns Garden will serve as the venue for the festival's opening ceremony.

Mayor Murtaza Wahab visited Burns Garden and Baradari (Polo Ground) on 22 October to inspect the preparations. The mayor also urged residents to focus on celebrating the city and its upcoming art, offering his congratulations to the council and visiting artists.

Arts Council President Ahmed Shah noted that his team worked with the Karachi Metropolitan Corporation for one month to coordinate the event. Shah described Wahab as a dynamic mayor and noted that the Sindh province has taken ownership of the festival, which he called the biggest in the world.

Chris Pratt confirmed that his character Star-Lord will return to the Marvel Cinematic Universe. The studio has taken "hard action" to facilitate this return for the franchise.

Pratt has portrayed the character across six different films to date. Star-Lord first appeared in Guardians of the Galaxy and subsequently featured in Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2.

The character also appeared in Avengers: Infinity War, Avengers: Endgame, and Thor: Love and Thunder. Following a role in Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3, the character's future was teased in the film's credits scene text.

Avengers: Doomsday is scheduled to arrive in theaters on 18 December 2026.

Interloop Holdings plans to invest $55 million, equivalent to Rs15 billion, to establish a new dairy processing facility in Pakistan. The company will develop the plant through its subsidiary, IL Foods Limited.

Türkiye’s Rella Gida will partner with the Pakistani firm on the project. Musadaq Zulqarnain stated the facility will manufacture cheese, butter, and high-value whey protein concentrate.

Specifically, the plant is set to produce Whey Protein Concentrate 80 (WPC80). A portion of the output is intended for export markets.

Once the facility is commissioned, Zulqarnain said Interloop’s total annual milk processing capacity will reach 180 million litres. Founded in Faisalabad in 1992, Interloop Limited has grown into one of the world’s largest hosiery manufacturers.

Disney+ and Hulu announced on 21 October that the musical series Glee will return as a reboot. "It’s official, Glee is returning," the platforms stated.

The original production first premiered on Fox in 2009 and continued for six seasons until 2015. Set in Lima, Ohio, the show earned Golden Globe Awards for Best Series, Comedy or Musical in both 2010 and 2011.

The series faced significant losses following the deaths of cast members Cory Monteith in 2013, Mark Salling in 2018, and Naya Rivera in 2020.

The World Bank plans to assist Pakistan in drawing private investment into innovative businesses and startups. A proposed $50 million fund will be created to increase the availability of venture capital for high-growth companies.

The Pakistan Entrepreneurship and Private Investment Catalyst Project is scheduled for consideration by the World Bank’s Executive Board in early 2027. This project will support the government in establishing and providing capital for a Fund of Funds.

Professionally managed venture capital funds will receive investment from the Fund of Funds to provide early-stage and growth financing. The initiative covers a national scope without a specific geographic focus at the concept stage.

Bitunix increased its Care Fund from $30 million to $50 million USDC to provide a safety net for users. The cryptocurrency exchange launched the initial $30 million USDC fund in 2025.

Bitunix stated that the new $50 million USDC reserve covers the entire value of the platform's hot wallets. To manage assets, the company employs third-party custody providers Fireblocks and Cobo.

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Both Fireblocks and Cobo utilise multi-party computation (MPC) technology to secure the holdings. The Care Fund is intended to facilitate compensation for unforeseen events that necessitate a response at the exchange level.

A new on-chain address for the fund has been identified by Bitunix. Users can validate the Care Fund address on Etherscan.

Spot gold fell 1.1% to reach $4,094.90 per ounce on Thursday. This price represents the lowest valuation for the metal since 14 October.

US gold futures for December delivery declined 0.9% to $4,111.40. Oil prices climbed on Thursday amid reports that Houthis launched additional attacks in Saudi Arabia.

The United States ordered several diplomats and their family members to evacuate missions within the Kingdom. CME’s FedWatch Tool indicates that traders see just a 16% chance of a rate hike at the policy meeting on 27-28 October.

The same tool shows a 90% likelihood of an increase in December. Silver prices dropped 2.6% to $56.44 per ounce.

Platinum slid 2.1% to $1,594.25, while palladium fell 2.6% to $1,059.05. The International Monetary Fund projects a 1.3% contraction in Pakistan, the Middle East, and North Africa in 2026.

The History Boys returns to London’s West End after a 20-year absence. Nicholas Hytner will direct the production, marking his return to the play he first staged in 2004.

Brian and Dayna Lee are producing the show through their company, AF Creative Media. The Lees previously produced Giant, which won the Olivier for best new play and earned four Tony nominations on Broadway featuring John Lithgow.

Other works by AF Creative Media include Company, Moulin Rouge! The Musical, and Angels in America. The production is also being produced by Len Blavatnik and Danny Cohen for Access Entertainment, with Mark Rubinstein serving as executive producer.

The Lees also hold a multi-year first-look deal with London’s Royal Court Theatre. The History Boys previously won six Tony Awards on Broadway and three Olivier Awards.

Asif Hasan received the Pride of Britain Lifetime Achievement Award for his contributions to medicine. Hasan retired following a 30-year tenure as the head of Paediatric Cardiac Surgery at Newcastle’s Freeman Hospital.

During his career, the surgeon performed approximately 400 heart transplants. Newcastle’s ‘bridge to transplant’ programme, which Hasan co-led, incorporated the Berlin Heart into its procedures.

He also developed the ‘bootlace closure’ technique to close the sternum after surgery. Patients Max Johnson and Cecilia Adamou were saved under his medical care.

“One of my abiding resolves was that when I stopped work, nobody would miss me. It’s the art of becoming redundant. I wanted to train people so that they are not only competent, but better than me, and that’s what I have achieved. That is my proudest achievement.”

Wateen conducted breast health awareness sessions in classrooms and communities across Lahore to reach approximately 500 school-going girls. The Kaavish Foundation served as the outreach partner for Wateen to facilitate access to these educational spaces.

Medical specialists from Shalamar Hospital provided the necessary expertise as the knowledge partner for the program. Government Girls High School, Wafaqi Colony, and Government Girls Kinnaird High School hosted the awareness sessions.

Sessions also took place at the Begum Inayat Welfare Home and for women within the Wateen organisation. Organisers designed the initiative around a combination of medical care and community trust.

South Australia has secured the MotoGP race for a six-year period beginning in 2027, marking the end of Phillip Island as a host venue. The Phillip Island circuit has remained a staple on the racing calendar since 1997.

Marc Marquez, who has won four races at the track, currently sits two points behind Jorge Martin in the championship standings. Francesco Bagnaia finished in second place during the 2023 race at the venue after taking third in 2022.

Marco Bezzecchi trails Marquez by 44 points but maintains a 50-point lead over Ai Ogura. Martin expressed confidence that his team would provide the circuit with a proper send-off.

Raul Fernandez, who secured his first MotoGP victory at Phillip Island, admitted he will cry a little bit during the final event. Injuries forced both Marquez and Martin to miss the 2025 Australian race.

Cricket Australia suspended 33-year-old bowler Megan Schutt for two matches on 22 October 2026. The sanction follows Schutt's failure to comply with requirements regarding the use of prescription medication.

Schutt will be absent from the third and final Twenty20 match against New Zealand at North Sydney Oval on 22 October 2026. Australia stated, "This (breach) relates to a single incidence which occurred while out of competition and was not for performance enhancing purposes."

The player accepted the disciplinary sanction and apologised for failing to meet the required standards.

The Indus River System Authority (IRSA) released 78,800 cusecs of water into the irrigation network. Water inflow into the system reached 67,900 cusecs.

Tarbela Dam recorded an inflow of 32,100 cusecs while the outflow measured 40,000 cusecs. The Jhelum River water level at Mangla Dam was 1197.95 feet, exceeding the dead level of 1,050 feet.

Mangla Dam saw an inflow of 13,000 cusecs and an outflow of 16,000 cusecs. Water releases from various points included 61,000 cusecs at Kalabagh, 51,600 cusecs at Taunsa, and 45,100 cusecs at Guddu.

Sukkur released 15,900 cusecs, while the River Kabul at Nowshera discharged 12,700 cusecs. The River Chenab at Marala released 4,300 cusecs.

The Supreme Court of Pakistan set aside a Federal Service Tribunal judgment regarding the seniority of Pakistan Railways officers. The tribunal had previously annulled the railway department's seniority lists in a ruling dated 19 September 2025.

Pakistan Railways issued a revised seniority list on 27 August 2014, followed by provisional lists on 29 June 2022 and 20 March 2023. The court ruled that the railway's attempt to revise old seniority lists and apply those changes retrospectively was unlawful.

Seniority determined by departmental practice and CSS examination merit cannot be disturbed retrospectively. Service rules of 1990 apply only to the initial probationary period of employment.

The tribunal had directed the Pakistan Railways to prepare fresh seniority lists under the 1990 service rules.

Sajidha Mohamed visited the Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan (DRAP) on 22 October to discuss bilateral health initiatives. Mohamed praised the leadership and the commitment of the professionals working at the regulatory body.

The official expressed confidence in deepening the partnership between Pakistan and the Maldives regarding public health and pharmaceutical oversight. Opportunities for joint efforts to enhance healthcare systems and regulatory practices were identified during the visit.

Collaboration to ensure medicine safety remains a primary focus of the engagement.

Qaiser Ahmed Sheikh called for a simplified regulatory framework and stronger regional trade ties during a CEO summit. Sheikh stated that Pakistan must improve its investment environment by streamlining procedures for businesses.

Around 70 per cent of global trade occurs within Southeast Asia, according to the official. Pakistan's exports have remained steady at approximately 30 billion dollars.

Small and medium enterprises along with the agriculture sector currently receive only about 7 per cent of total bank lending. High interest rates of 40 to 50 per cent force small businesses to rely on informal borrowing sources.

Sheikh noted that Pakistanis residing abroad possess significant financial resources and investment potential. Sustainable growth requires effective economic planning, technology transfer, education, and human resource development.

The official also highlighted joint ventures with South Korean companies as a key development.

Extreme heat during pregnancy is linked to higher risks for babies, including preterm birth and stillbirth. Exposure to intense temperatures also correlates with low birth weight in newborns.

Pregnant women may face a higher risk of developing high blood pressure when subjected to extreme heat. The World Health Organization, World Meteorological Organization, UNICEF, and UNFPA have identified key indicators to help countries spot these risks.

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These metrics include monitoring deaths, clinic visits, and school attendance. Preterm births serve as another primary indicator for identifying heat-related hazards.

Authorities use these indicators alongside data on heat exposure to track the impact.

The federal government initiated a free hepatitis C testing and treatment campaign in Islamabad to combat the virus. Authorities will cover treatment expenses for patients, which typically range between Rs34,000 and Rs68,000.

The Prime Minister’s National Programme for the Elimination of Hepatitis C seeks to reduce the disease burden and stop its spread. Officials plan to extend the campaign to Gilgit-Baltistan and Azad Jammu and Kashmir before rolling it out nationwide.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif chaired a high-level Apex Committee meeting on 22 October to assess the security status of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Governor Faisal Karim Kundi joined the Prime Minister at the Governor House for the session.

Federal and provincial ministers, alongside senior military leadership, participated in the discussions regarding the province's safety. Officials reviewed specific measures intended to combat terrorism across the region.

The federal government has imposed an emergency in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa following a recommendation from the federal cabinet. President Asif Ali Zardari approved the move under Articles 232 and 234 of the Constitution, according to the President’s Office.

Zoya Nasir questioned the online enthusiasm regarding a video featuring Sacha Baron Cohen giving a shoutout to Pakistan. The actor appeared in the footage dressed as his character for the upcoming movie Ali G: Who Iz I.

Haris Waheed shared a clip on 20 October showing his interaction with Cohen, who said, "Yo, big up the Pakistan, man." Nasir stated, "I’m sorry but the sheer lack of awareness is staggering. Sacha Baron Cohen has been openly hostile towards Muslims. Majority of his movies back that up."

She added that the exchange was not a positive interaction in any way, shape or form, and asked, "Why are we excited about that again?"

Syed Mustafa Kamal met with a delegation from the Asian Development Bank (ADB) to explore technical cooperation for strengthening Pakistan’s healthcare system. The meeting prioritised local vaccine manufacturing, pharmaceutical regulation, and building institutional capacity.

Specific topics included the Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan (DRAP), the National Institute of Health (NIH), and the Islamabad Healthcare Regulatory Authority (IHRA). Kamal and the ADB representatives discussed 13 vaccines and the implementation of a Universal Medical Record.

Modernising the healthcare system remains a core objective, alongside improving pharmaceutical quality standards and regulatory effectiveness. The proposed collaboration seeks to support healthcare reforms and improve the nation's ability to manage emerging health challenges.

Government teaching hospitals in Pakistan have eliminated permanent employment opportunities for doctors. Authorities decided to hire Senior Registrars on a contract basis rather than offering permanent positions through the Public Service Commission.

Medical specialists in surgery, medicine, and other departments will now be recruited under three-year contracts. Bureaucrats have reportedly moved to phase out permanent jobs for physicians in government hospitals.

The removal of permanent job security has caused doctors to lose interest in working within the government health sector.

Measles can be fatal to infected individuals according to the World Health Organization. Symptoms of the disease include a fever, a cough, and red and watery eyes.

Patients often develop small white spots inside the cheeks and a rash that begins on the face before spreading across the body. The health body advises people to seek medical care if they suspect a child or themselves has contracted the virus.

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South African bowler Dale Steyn described Marco Jansen as the best player in the world during the ongoing three-match Test series against Australia. The Proteas are currently pursuing a victory in the second Test to level the series score.

Jansen pledged to fight hard on the final day of the match. Australia expects Steve Smith to take to the crease on the last day of the second Test.

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Two police personnel were killed when an Elite Force Jhelum vehicle crashed near the Qureshi Interchange on the Sheikhupura Motorway. Constable driver Asghar Ali and Elite Constable Naveed Afzal were among the deceased in the collision.

Four other personnel sustained injuries during the accident. Inspector General of Police Punjab Abdul Karim expressed deep grief and sorrow over the martyrdom of the officers.

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Abdul Karim requested a report from the Additional Inspector General of the Elite Force regarding the crash. The IG Punjab directed authorities to provide the best medical facilities to the injured police personnel.

Senior police officers visited the wounded individuals while they were under treatment at Mayo Hospital.

South Korean authorities reinforced barriers on 22 October to prevent a dusky shark nicknamed Bukangi from returning to a Busan canal. The shark swam back into the waterway on 22 October after breaking through a previous barrier.

Rescue workers spent more than 8 hours on 21 October attempting to guide the 3-metre-long (10ft) shark toward open water using a net. Two earlier attempts to move the shark out of the canal with nets failed before this week's operation.

Bukangi was first spotted swimming in the canal last month. More than 1.6 million visitors came to see the shark during the month it remained in the canal.

The shark appeared to be injured and was not eating. Unusually warm waters and a high volume of fish might have drawn the shark into the canal.

A government official said rescuers have concluded their operations to free the shark.

Iran state TV reported that seven oil tankers sustained damage in the Strait of Hormuz on Wednesday night. The Strait of Hormuz serves as one of the world's most active maritime corridors for global trade.

Maritime security has deteriorated recently with a rising frequency of attacks targeting ships in the area. Vessels in the region have been struck by both mines and drones during the ongoing Middle East conflict.

Justice Amin-ud-Din Khan is conducting an official visit to Azerbaijan from 19 October to 24 October. The Federal Constitutional Court of Pakistan gained observer status in the Conference of Constitutional Jurisdictions of the Turkic World (TÜRK-AY) in July 2026.

Judicial dignitaries from Pakistan, Türkiye, Azerbaijan, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan and Cyprus took part in programmes on 20 and 21 October. Delegations toured the Heydar Aliyev Centre in Baku on 20 October.

The group also visited the Museum Restaurant and the historic Palace of the Shirvanshahs on 20 October. On 21 October, the delegations visited the Azerbaijan National Museum of Art.

Qasim Mohiuddin hosted a dinner to honour the chief justice on the evening of 21 October. Justice Amin-ud-Din Khan entered his remarks into the visitors’ book at the embassy.

Babies require two doses of the measles vaccine to achieve full protection against the disease. In regions where measles is widespread, the initial injection should occur when a child is approximately 9 months old.

Other countries should administer the first dose between 12 and 15 months of age. A second dose must be provided later during childhood to complete the vaccination cycle.

https://x.com/WHO/status/2113012526266859867

Infants may receive the vaccine as early as 6 months of age if a local outbreak occurs.

Pakistan's poverty rate has increased to 29 percent as the country faces significant economic hurdles. One in six people in Pakistan has remained unemployed since 2018.

Every year, 3.6 million young people enter the national job market. The International Monetary Fund forecasts a 1.3 percent economic contraction across Pakistan, the Middle East, and North Africa.

To achieve an annual economic growth rate of 6 percent, Pakistan requires accelerated structural reforms. The World Bank has stressed the necessity of making the private sector a more powerful driver of job creation.

Reforms that generate private sector-led growth and create more employment opportunities across the economy have been called for by the World Bank. Meezan Bank announced a profit of Rs. 74 billion for the first nine months of the year.

The government announced the provision of 500,000 Chromebooks for students.

Glamorgan has signed fast bowling all-rounder Ben Mike as its first incoming signing for the 2027 season. The 28-year-old Nottingham native developed through the Leicestershire academy before making his county debut in 2018.

Mike previously spent time with Yorkshire and played on loan for Warwickshire. He has taken 125 first-class wickets at an average of 37 and recorded a top score of 99 not out.

"I'm really excited to be joining Glamorgan and starting this new chapter in my career," Mike said. Mike noted that Glamorgan is in an exciting place based on his initial conversations with the club and director of cricket Mark Wallace.

He described the club as having a proud history while highlighting that its recent achievements and direction are very exciting.

Pakistan and the European Union held their annual counter-terrorism dialogue in Islamabad on 22 October. Representatives from both sides reviewed their current bilateral and multilateral cooperation regarding the fight against terrorism.

The participants agreed to maintain their joint commitment to oppose terrorism in every form. Exchanging best practices served as a primary focus of the discussions.

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New avenues for partnership were explored to counter emerging trends in global terrorism. Terrorists exploiting cyberspace was a key topic of the meeting.

The dialogue also addressed how states exploit water and energy resources, alongside cyber threats.

Punjab Police officers paid tribute to martyrs who sacrificed their lives for the country and nation today. The tribute sequence followed specific orders from Inspector General of Police Punjab Abdul Karim.

Personnel visited the graves of those who attained martyrdom today to offer respects and pray for their high ranks. Police martyrs are described as the pride of the force, with their eternal sacrifice noted as a permanent chapter in history.

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Officers from the National Police Academy, National Accountability Bureau (NAB), and Intelligence Bureau (IB) Academy received practical training on conducting press briefings on 22 October. The Information Service Academy (ISA) hosted the workshop, which was titled “Holding Press Briefings by Public/Police Officials”.

Ms. Samina Farzin, the Executive Director General, attended the session to oversee the training. Mehrin Liaqat, Director of the ISA, briefed the participants on the operations of the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting.

Mr. Adnan Akram Bajwa, Deputy Director, delivered a presentation regarding effective media management. Participants engaged in a mock press conference exercise conducted in three rounds.

Roy Zia ur Rehman, Usman Zia, Tabassum Gul and Urooj Maryam facilitated the practical exercises. The workshop sought to improve the communication skills of the officers involved.

The production of Oh, Mary! begins on 7 December 2026 at London’s Trafalgar Theatre. Sam Pinkleton directs the West End show, which features a six-week run concluding on 16 January 2027.

Kevin McCollum and Lucas McMahon serve as the producers for the play. Lolly Adefope takes on the role of Mary in the London production, supported by Lucy Frederick as Mary’s Chaperone.

Syrus Lowe portrays Mary’s Husband, while J.R. Ballantyne plays Mary’s Husband’s Assistant. Vinnie Heaven appears as Mary’s Teacher in the cast.

The play follows a history of various performances, including an eight-week original Broadway run and a subsequent 12-week run by Jane Krakowski. Bowen Yang currently performs as Mary on Broadway, while Escola reprised the role for a filmed version of Oh, Mary! set to air on HBO next year.

The National University of Medical Sciences (NUMS) held a breast cancer awareness event titled “From Awareness to Action” in Islamabad on 22 October. Organised by the NUMS Scientific Society (BioCluster), the gathering united healthcare professionals and students.

EVEE Electric Bike Company featured its “Women on the Move” initiative during the proceedings. Representatives from the company provided students with practical advice on road safety and operating electric bikes.

Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah chaired a cabinet meeting where officials approved reforms to the Sindh Public Service Commission. The provincial government raised the maximum age for the Combined Competitive Examination from 30 to 33 years.

Candidates can now make five attempts at the examination, up from the previous limit of three. A lower passing threshold of 33 percent was set for the 2026 CCE, replacing the 40 percent requirement.

Computer-based testing will be used for examinations that consist of only one paper.

A defamation tribunal accepted a lawsuit filed by Punjab Information Minister Azma Bokhari and ordered Moeenud Din Riaz Qureshi to pay her Rs3 million in damages. Bokhari originally sought Rs840 million in compensation for the legal action.

The legal dispute arose from remarks Qureshi made after Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi visited the Punjab Assembly on 26 December. During a television programme, Qureshi claimed that journalists who questioned Afridi were actually paid employees of the provincial information minister.

These accusations were broadcast on television and shared via the official social media account of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI). The tribunal found that Qureshi made fabricated and baseless accusations against Bokhari.

Qureshi failed to provide any evidence to support his claims during the proceedings. Lawyers for Qureshi were unable to establish the validity of the claims during their arguments in court.

Ethiopian Ambassador to Pakistan Dr Oumer Hussien Oba met with Minister of State and Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Digital Media Fahd Haroon on 22 October. The discussion occurred at the Islamabad office of Haroon.

Both officials exchanged views regarding the current state of Pakistan-Ethiopia relations. The pair explored potential areas for collaboration in public communication and digital media.

Oba and Haroon emphasised the necessity of ongoing dialogue to bolster the bond between the two nations.

Ufone and Telenor Pakistan partnered with the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) to host an executive knowledge-sharing workshop at the headquarters. The event, titled “Zero Trust in a Hyperconnected Telecom Environment,” gathered cybersecurity professionals, academia, technical stakeholders, and telecom industry leaders.

Mukarram Khan, DG PTA Cyber Vigilance, delivered the opening remarks for the session. Tauseef Aslam provided a keynote address to the assembled regulator representatives and industry experts.

Participants engaged in an interactive knowledge quiz and a question-and-answer session to deepen their understanding of the topic.

Comcast reported third-quarter results showing that revenue from its Peacock streaming service jumped 33 percent year over year to $1.82 billion. The streaming platform generated a pre-tax profit of $261 million, a sharp turnaround from the $217 million loss recorded in the year-earlier period.

Paid subscribers for Peacock held steady at 48 million compared to the second quarter, though the total count rose 17 percent over the previous year. Revenue from Peacock fell sequentially from $1.90 billion in the second quarter.

U.S. advertising sales increased by 14.6 percent, driven by the World Cup. Operations involving TV, film, and theme parks saw revenue climb 6.5 percent to $10.54 billion.

Theme park revenue experienced a 4.4 percent decline during the quarter. Comcast plans to spin off its TV, film, and theme park operations into a standalone NBCUniversal entity.

Dr Mohamed Muizzu and Sajidha Mohamed visited the Lok Virsa Museum on 22 October. Muhammad Waqas Saleem and other officials welcomed the visiting dignitaries to the site.

Muhammad Junaid Anwar Chaudhry and Wajiha Qamar were also present during the tour. The museum serves as a national repository of Pakistan’s folk culture.

Muizzu is currently on a three-day official visit to Pakistan. The pair also toured the Pakistan Monument and Faisal Mosque in Islamabad.

The United Arab Emirates government issues approximately 30,000 visas to Pakistani nationals every month. Around 2.2 million Pakistanis currently work in the UAE.

Trade between Pakistan and the UAE remains at roughly $8 billion. Salem Mohammed Al Zaabi serves as the new UAE ambassador.

The UAE was established in 1971. Approximately 3,500 Pakistanis were deported from the UAE over recent months.

Authorities deported these individuals for offences linked to regional war and aggression against the UAE. The UAE government did not try these deported Pakistanis in courts or send them to prison.

No Pakistani has been forced to leave the UAE in recent weeks.

The TV Foundation will host the TV Festival in Manchester for the first time next year. The event will span four days and occur later in the month than in previous years.

Versa Studios Manchester, which formerly housed the iconic Granada Studios, will serve as a primary venue. Aviva Studios, the home of Factory International and the Manchester International Festival, will also host the festival.

Wayne Garvie, the president of international production at Sony Pictures Television, will serve as the advisory chair for the upcoming edition. The TV Foundation stated that moving the festival to Manchester will make the event more accessible to the television community.

The Lahore High Court ruled that the division of inherited property will attract a fixed stamp duty of Rs500. Justice Tanveer Ahmad Sheikh accepted a writ petition filed by Muhammad Sajjad to deliver this verdict.

A five-page written judgment was issued by the judge to clarify the legal requirements for property partition. The court set aside the 2025 decisions made by the civil judge and the additional sessions judge.

Under the Stamp Act 1899, the duty on inheritance partition is fixed at Rs500. The court observed that a percentage-based financial burden cannot be imposed without legal authority.

The court also noted that making other co-owners parties to the case does not change the nature of the suit. The ruling rejected a 2 percent levy on inherited property partition.

Googlebook laptops feature hardware from HP, Acer, Lenovo, Dell, and Asus. The cheapest model in the lineup is priced at $900.

Every Googlebook laptop includes at least 16GB of RAM. The Acer Googlebook 14 functions as a 2-in-1 convertible.

A 2880 x 1800 / 120Hz OLED touchscreen with stylus support defines the Acer Googlebook 14. Googlebook OS does not support portrait orientation.

Eight to nine hours of light-to-mixed usage is the battery life for the Acer Googlebook 14. An Acer representative stated the $900 launch price for the Acer Googlebook 14 is available for a limited time.

Weighing 2.2 pounds, the Dell XPS Googlebook features a 13.4-inch screen. The Dell XPS Googlebook starts at $999 and contains a Qualcomm chip.

Google is adding the ability to run any website as an app.

Murad Ali Mohmand, Director (Headquarters) of the National Book Foundation, met with Osman, a representative of a Turkish publishing house, to discuss new cooperation opportunities. The meeting took place on the sidelines of the Baku International Book Fair 2026 at the Baku Expo Center in Azerbaijan.

Both parties examined ways to promote children's literature and translate selected publications. The representatives also explored the exchange of publishing rights and the potential for joint publishing ventures.

During the talks, the two sides considered arrangements regarding copyright, book selection, and other related matters while exchanging books. Mohmand reaffirmed the National Book Foundation’s commitment to ensuring access to quality literature and cultivating reading habits among young people.

He also stated the foundation remains dedicated to promoting Pakistani literary works on an international level.

Mariam Naoum identified a shortage of buyers for Arab television projects while noting that creative talent remains plentiful in the region. Naoum, who selected projects for the CineGouna Series, consulted various platforms regarding their specific needs before making her final choices.

Six projects were ultimately chosen for the series based on a balance of artistic and practical considerations. "We were looking for projects that are producible, so it wasn’t only a creative approach," Naoum said.

Haitham Dabbour, the founder of the regional content development platform and collaborative writers’ room Irth, argues that a small number of owners reduces competition. Dabbour, who also serves as a producer, screenwriter, and author of "The Tale of Daye’s Family," believes this market structure leaves less room for taking risks.

"We were looking for projects that are producible, so it wasn’t only a creative approach," said Mariam Naoum.

Mariam Naoum

The Government of Punjab has established a digital hub at the PC Head Office to oversee the province's healthcare infrastructure. Officials use this platform to monitor and diagnose diseases through integrated data systems.

Every mobile hospital, clinic, and bike is tracked via a real-time dashboard and dedicated portal. These resources provide laborers with modern, free medical facilities delivered directly to their doorsteps.

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Quick response teams remain active at all times to manage and resolve field emergencies.

Silicon Valley has defined the global perception of entrepreneurship and what it means to be a successful founder. Success within this narrative is measured by the speed at which a company can expand.

Founders face expectations to pursue venture capital, embrace uncertainty, and treat relentless scaling as the primary objective. In this environment, physical exhaustion is often viewed as a sign of high ambition.

Sleep serves as the essential biological process for clearing metabolic waste, consolidating memory, and restoring the brain's capacity for judgement. Chronic sleep deprivation harms emotional regulation, attention, working memory, and the ability to assess risk.

Sustained stress further impacts performance by narrowing cognitive flexibility and reducing creativity. Social connection remains one of the most significant predictors of longevity and overall well-being.

Invisible labour continues to fall largely on women in Pakistan and across the globe.

Atari will close its VCS software store on 1 February 2027. Users of the console have until 31 January 2027 to download software from the digital marketplace.

Applications and games previously acquired by owners will continue to function after the store ceases operations. Atari plans to release an Atari Home Brew app to support the community.

The company intends to "make an OS update available that allows you to migrate all functionality to your local machine, removing any dependencies on Atari infrastructure for authentication and software." The Atari VCS is a mini PC powered by AMD hardware and running a Linux-based operating system.

It emulates a variety of classic Atari titles that come pre-loaded on the device. The software store also provided users with access to Nvidia GeForce Now and Xbox Cloud Gaming.

Atari said they will "make an OS update available that allows you to migrate all functionality to your local machine, removing any dependencies on Atari infrastructure for authentication and software."

Atari

Nishat Group and LUXEED signed a strategic cooperation agreement in Wuhu to introduce the electric vehicle brand to Pakistan. The LUXEED brand operates under the Harmony Intelligent Mobility Alliance of Huawei and is produced through a joint venture with Chery.

Huawei provides the digital drive technology, Qiankun ADS driver assistance, and the HarmonyOS smart cockpit for the vehicles. A global brand launch event for LUXEED took place in Wuhu on 21 October.

Chery Group, which handles the engineering and manufacturing for LUXEED, has recorded cumulative global sales exceeding 20 million units. The company has also held the top position in China’s brand passenger-vehicle exports for 23 years in a row.

Nishat Group previously invested USD 100 million to bring OMODA and JAECOO to the Pakistani market in August 2025. Over 15,000 customers received deliveries of OMODA and JAECOO models during their first year of operation.

The National Bank of Pakistan and Habib University Foundation signed a Memorandum of Understanding to support the four-year academic journey of 13 female students from across Pakistan. The signing ceremony took place at the Habib University campus in Karachi.

Priority for the scholarship will be given to students originating from rural and underserved areas. Mr. Mohammad Tariq Rafi, Chairman of the Resource Development Committee at Habib University Foundation, and Mirza Muhammad Asim Baig, Group Chief of the Human Resource Management Group at NBP, formally signed the agreement.

Mirza Muhammad Asim Baig said, "NBP has a strong history of creating opportunities for women, both within the Bank and through initiatives that promote access to education and empowerment."

North Korea warned South Korea of the "most horrible and distressing situation" following a land mine explosion in the Demilitarised Zone on 21 September. Three South Korean soldiers were injured in the blast, with two of them suffering serious wounds.

Seoul accused Pyongyang of intentionally placing the mines in the area. Pyongyang rejected these allegations as "blame-shifting" and claimed the South was trying to damage its international reputation.

Kim Yo Jong announced that Korea would increase its alert status across the entire southern border. The North Korean official stated that anti-South Korean loudspeakers would be ready for deployment along the border within days.

New countermeasures were also announced along the heavily militarised border.

Samsung has launched certified renewed phones on Amazon featuring new batteries and a one-year warranty. The Galaxy S24 FE with 128GB of storage is priced from $489 on the platform.

This price represents a reduction from the $649 launch cost of the device. In comparison, the current-generation S26 FE begins at $699.

Back Market lists a used 128GB Galaxy S24 FE for $329. Apple and Google also provide discounted used phones through their respective online stores.

The Galaxy S24 FE includes five years of operating system updates.

Inde Navarrette appeared on The Kyle Buchanan Show to discuss the commercial performance of the film Obsession. The movie earned a global haul of $522 million after Focus Features released it.

Produced for less than $1 million, the production maintained box office earnings for four consecutive weekends. A Fandango study identified Generation Z as the most active demographic for moviegoing.

Data shows 87% of Generation Zers visited a cinema at least once during the year, averaging seven visits. Millennials also averaged seven annual visits, with 82% of the group seeing at least one film theatrically.

Generation X and baby boomers saw lower engagement, with 70% and 58% of those groups visiting a theatre at least once annually. Older generations averaged 6.1 visits for Generation X and 5.7 visits for baby boomers.

Generation Z spends more per visit on concessions and premium format screens like Imax.

Coolpad has launched preorders for the Cool X Wide on the Chinese e-commerce platform JD.com. Customers can secure the device for 999 Chinese Yuan, which converts to approximately $150.

The smartphone is scheduled to arrive on 8 November. A 6.38-inch display with a 16:10 aspect ratio and a 90Hz refresh rate defines the front of the phone.

The screen offers a resolution of 1,158x720. Inside, the hardware includes a MediaTek Helio G99 processor and 8GB of RAM.

Storage capacity reaches 128GB. The device runs on Android 16 and supports 4G networks.

Photography features include a 50-megapixel main camera. Power is provided by a 4,600mAh battery.

Alternative configurations offer 12GB of RAM for $209, while a different model costs $180. Dimensions for the unit include a 3.72-inch width and a 2.83-inch height.

The Pakistan Meteorological Department issued a rain alert for heavy rainfall, thunderstorms, and hailstorms across Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Kashmir, Gilgit Baltistan, Punjab, and Sindh. Conditions in Gilgit Baltistan and Kashmir will remain hot and humid with dry weather persisting.

A weekly weather outlook covers the period from 22 October to 28 October 2026. Updates for the next 24 hours were released on 22 October 2026.

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Meteorologists provided specific weather updates for Islamabad, Punjab, Sindh, Balochistan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Kashmir, and Gilgit Baltistan.

President Asif Ali Zardari visited the Saudi Pakistan Real Estate Expo (SPREX) at Lake City, Lahore, on 22 October. Sardar Saleem Haider Khan, the Governor of Punjab, received the President during the visit.

Dr Gohar Ejaz, who serves as the CEO of Lake City and a member of the Saudi-Pakistan Business Council, also met with the President. Prince Mansour bin Mohammed Al Saud, Chairman of the Saudi-Pakistan Business Council, participated in the expo alongside Vice Chairman Abdul Aziz Al-Ashrafi.

Several firms, including Safa Investment, Knowledge Economic City, Sumou Investment, Al-Majidiya, Ulo Real Estate, Al-Diyar Al-Arabiya, Bin Daood Investment, and International Gate Investment, took part in the event. The participating companies showcased various projects located in Makkah and Madinah.

President Zardari stated that Saudi Arabia has always stood firmly alongside Pakistan through difficult times. New uniforms for Pakistan International Airlines crew were also displayed at the venue.

Thousands of devotees reached the Hinglaj Mata Temple in Balochistan for the Navratri and Durga Ashtami celebrations in October. Nearly 300,000 pilgrims attended the festival held in April 2026.

State-provided security and relief supplies supported the April 2026 festival. Senator Danesh Kumar extended gratitude to Balochistan Chief Minister Sarfraz Bugti and the provincial government for their role in the events.

Kumar also recognised Jam Kamal for his continued support. Kashish Chaudhary served as the focal person and supervised the arrangements as Balochistan’s first Hindu woman assistant commissioner.

In India, 861 Muslim religious sites were demolished over a three-year period. This figure includes 57 mosques, 563 mazars, 6 dargahs, 226 madrasas, 6 Eidgahs, and 1 graveyard.

The Babri Masjid was demolished in 1992.

Sam Heughan and Viola Davis will lead the cast of the Paramount+ thriller series Ascent. Paramount Television Studios is producing the project, which focuses on damage control during a worldwide corporate crisis.

John Logan created the series and will serve as its showrunner and executive producer. Michael Aguilar also joins the production team as an executive producer.

Filming for the show is slated to commence in Los Angeles in 2027. Heughan previously appeared in 101 episodes of Outlander alongside Caitriona Balfe.

Last year, the actor performed as Macbeth for the Royal Shakespeare Company. Heughan has also authored three books that reached the New York Times bestsellers list.

Donald Trump renamed the Gulf of Mexico and Lake Ontario on Google Maps in the United States. The former President expressed a desire to rename the Atlantic Ocean as well.

Sundar Pichai pushed back against the proposal to change the Atlantic Ocean's name during a phone call with Trump. Trump stated he "seriously looked at" the possibility of the change but noted it would "probably pass."

Google Maps currently includes recognizable names in parentheses within its search results.

The Federal Government Employees Housing Authority (FGEHA) distributed awards and acceptance letters to successful investors during a special conference on 22 October. Tanveer Haider Khokhar, Director Administration, welcomed the attendees to the event.

The Chairman of the Auction Committee offered congratulations to the individuals who secured investment opportunities. Capt. (Retd.) Zafar Iqbal, Director General of the FGEHA, delivered an address to the gathered participants.

Iqbal said, "You are not merely investors for us; you are our business partners. You have chosen FGEHA by placing your trust in us, and through our performance and practical measures, we will demonstrate that your decision was the right one." To support these partners, Capt. Iqbal stated that the FGEHA will appoint a specific focal officer or concerned officer for every investor.

A dedicated session for questions and answers took place during the proceedings.

Maryam Nawaz Sharif ordered the provision of facilities to ensure the protection of women and the safety of children. A Virtual Women Police Station now offers immediate legal assistance and protection for female citizens.

Authorities also launched a Women Safety App to provide additional security measures. For minors, the Mera Pyara Virtual Center for Child Safety serves as a dedicated protection hub.

https://x.com/GovtofPunjabPK/status/2113276434852778348

Punjab Dhee Rani and the Sahar program operate as initiatives to promote social and economic autonomy for women.

One hundred and seven agricultural professionals from Sindh will undergo training at the Northwest Agriculture and Forestry University in China. This group is part of a broader Prime Minister’s Initiative designed to provide short-term training for 1,000 Pakistani agricultural experts.

Dr. Nasir Mahmood Khan, a member of the Higher Education Commission, briefed the participants during an orientation session. The Prime Minister personally intervened to ensure that the quota allocated for Sindh remained intact.

Before departing, the trainees completed a preparatory crash course at Sindh Agriculture University in Tandojam. The orientation focused on practical knowledge, modern technologies, and hands-on training applications.

Exposure to China’s advanced agricultural practices aims to foster innovation and increase productivity in Pakistan. The itinerary includes tours of laboratories and university campuses to review training facilities.

These tours also serve to explore potential capacity building and technology transfer for the Pakistani agricultural sector.

Syed Mustafa Kamal chaired a primary meeting with representatives from three companies to evaluate progress on agreements from the Pakistan-China Pharmaceutical and Healthcare B2B Investment Conference 2026. The participants discussed the future course of action and the implementation of bilateral cooperation agreements.

Reviewing the medicine track-and-trace system, the group examined the introduction of 2D barcodes designed to improve transparency and monitoring within the pharmaceutical supply chain. A decision was reached for the Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan (DRAP) Management Information System (MIS) team to deliver a practical demonstration and briefing on the system.

From 18 October to 22 October 2026, the meeting addressed the ongoing visit of AJ Vaccines to Islamabad. AJ Vaccines visited the capital to investigate possibilities for manufacturing and local production of vaccines.

Leah Nelson directed Tangles, which received the Grand Jury Prize at the 9th annual Animation Is Film Festival. The 2-D animated production depicts a family navigating the challenges of their mother's battle with dementia.

Other titles in the 2026 feature competition lineup included Cherry and Virgin, Ghost — End of Night, Iron Boy, Jim Queen, Julián, O Filho Da Puta (Son of a Bitch), The Violinist, and Viva Carmen! The shorts competition featured a diverse range of works, such as Acid City, Because Today is a Saturday, Blessed, Core Dump, Daughters of the Late Colonel, God is Shy, Hag, It’s Not a Phase Mom, Living With a Visionary, Paper Trail, Paradaïz, Please, Saba, Tuna Tartare, Ultra Strong, What We Leave Behind, With Tapes and Toasts in the Car, and Winter in March.