Punjab Police urge residents to curb pollution sources amid rising smog

Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar met with UK Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband in Istanbul on Friday. The discussion occurred during the R4 and E3 foreign ministers’ meeting hosted by Türkiye.

Foreign ministers from Pakistan, Türkiye, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, the UK, France, Germany, and Italy attended the gathering. Dar held individual meetings with his counterparts from Germany, France, Saudi Arabia, Türkiye, and Egypt.

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Both nations agreed to enhance bilateral cooperation and discussed international developments, according to an official statement. Miliband praised the role of Pakistan in promoting peace within the region.

Defence Minister Khawaja Asif posted on X on Saturday regarding formal etiquette. Asif noted, "Etiquette dictates that the soles of your shoes should not be visible to the people sitting around you, especially when you are in a formal setting."

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

Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro signed the Artificial Intelligence Deceptive Advertising Act into law to regulate synthetic media in marketing. State Senator Nick Pisciottano introduced the bill to the legislature.

Advertisers must now provide clear disclosures whenever they use AI-generated content in advertisements. These labels are required to match the format of the advertisement itself.

The mandate covers all ads, irrespective of the location where the content was produced. Provisions in the law exempt content that is evidently fictional, as well as parody, satire, commentary, or criticism.

The legislation specifically targets synthetic content used to create a false consumer perception regarding a product or service.

Muhammad Hanif Abbasi told a private TV channel that internal differences have emerged within Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI). Members of the party hold conflicting views regarding the current political landscape and their intended future actions.

The PTI lacks a coherent strategy or planning to navigate these internal disagreements and determine a path forward. Abbasi criticized the provincial government for alleged corruption across multiple sectors, including health and education.

Frustration is mounting among the people of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa due to persistent security threats and a lack of public relief measures from the PTI-led administration. While the government aims to eliminate terrorism from the province, the security situation is evolving and providing KP police with more confidence to combat militants.

The International Monetary Fund published its Regional Economic Outlook for the Western Hemisphere on 16 October. External tailwinds are currently supporting growth across the region.

Trade uncertainty and pressures on energy prices remain present in the economic landscape. Policymakers should use this window to reduce debt and preserve price stability.

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Renewed efforts are required to lower deficits and debt levels. The region needs a stronger push for reforms to increase productivity and attract investment.

Cautious monetary easing is necessary for the region.

The Directorate General of Customs Valuation Karachi increased the customs values for 10 different types of raw materials used in stationery items on 23 October. Valuation ruling number 2117 of 2026 was issued to align with the Federal Board of Revenue policy of updating outdated valuation rules.

The previous determination for these stationery raw materials dated back to 2017. Authorities initiated the proceedings to establish these values under Section 25A of the Customs Act, 1969.

Global tensions between the US and Iran have driven up international prices for petroleum products, commodities, and freight costs. The ruling determined the new customs values by using the most reliable and appropriate information available on record.

Local manufacturers claim that the Pakistan Customs Tariff for fountain pen cartridge ink is currently incorrect. Manufacturers also stated that plastic parts for gel pens and ball pens are not covered by any existing valuation ruling.

Chief Minister Punjab Maryam Nawaz Sharif issued a special message on World Development Information Day to advocate for public awareness. She stated that an informed population serves as a primary hallmark of progress.

The occasion underscored the necessity of increasing public knowledge regarding digital literacy. Providing the public with accurate information about development projects is vital for eliminating corruption.

Data from the Punjab Socio-Economic Registry is currently assisting in the removal of poverty and deprivation. The government has also established state-of-the-art Maryam Nawaz Health Clinics.

Low-cost development schemes, including Apni Chhat and Apna Ghar, have gained international recognition. The Information Department continues to provide services aimed at raising awareness about these development initiatives.

Cynthia Erivo and Ayoade Bamgboye perform a comedic sketch featuring a version of the Oscar-nominated musical. Erivo appears in a pink velour tracksuit and a blonde wig while Bamgboye portrays the character Elphaba.

The characters travel to meet the Wizard of LagOz. Bamgboye asks, "The wizard?" and adds, "But I’m a virgin!" during the scene.

Erivo responds as Glinda, saying, "When we go to the wizard, it will all pay off." Glinda and Elphaba eventually discover that the Wizard is broke, leading Erivo to remark, "That’s a nolex."

An explosion effect covers the screen after the two characters lean in for a kiss.

Erivo as Glinda said, "When we go to the wizard, it will all pay off."

Erivo as Glinda

Christy Carlson Romano disclosed that Shia LaBeouf frequently disparaged the competing Disney Channel series Lizzie McGuire. LaBeouf was reportedly involved in a conflict with the show's lead actress, Hilary Duff.

Romano noted that she and LaBeouf were like oil and water while appearing together on a podcast. At the time of their respective careers, Romano was 14 years old and LaBeouf was 12.

The two actors previously worked together on the sitcom Even Stevens. Romano shared these memories in her memoir, Once Upon a Trainwreck: The Fall and Rise of a Child Star.

The SAG-AFTRA board voted to extend the contract of Duncan Crabtree-Ireland, who will now serve as the organisation's CEO. Crabtree-Ireland's tenure was lengthened by four years, pushing his contract expiration date to 20 June 2032.

The previous agreement was scheduled to conclude in 2028. A weighted vote saw 98.34% of the board members support the extension.

For the 2026 fiscal year, Crabtree-Ireland received a payment of $1.1 million. Sean Astin, the President, issued a statement praising Crabtree-Ireland following the board's decision.

The Deputy Prime Minister reviewed the progress of preparations for the summit, which Pakistan is scheduled to host in 2027. Dar examined various accommodation options and instructed all relevant authorities to guarantee the smooth and seamless conduct of the upcoming event.

Senior officials from all relevant ministries and organizations attended the session alongside the Foreign Secretary and the Interior Secretary. Other attendees included the Chairman of the Capital Development Authority (CDA), Pakistan’s National Coordinator for SCO, and Special Assistant to the Prime Minister Tariq Bajwa.

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Social media platforms use reels and advertisements to facilitate recreational shopping for users. Algorithms learn from specific user behaviours to provide more of the same content.

Repeated exposure to various products can cause unfamiliar items to feel like necessities. Limited-time discounts and countdown clocks create a sense of urgency for shoppers.

Boredom shopping becomes a habit as the brain remembers the easy route to excitement. Unnecessary purchases can lead to a growing pile of possessions and feelings of guilt.

Reducing shopping impulses can be achieved by unfollowing accounts that tempt users to buy things. A cooling-off period of 24 hours for small items and a week for expensive ones is suggested.

Removing saved card details can make the checkout process require more effort.

Pakistan society is currently undergoing a reverse renaissance. Power is becoming the new truth in the country.

No wrong is currently left undone in society. Religion has become a source of worldly riches and impunity.

The third and largest group in the country engages in all evils while attempting to remain in the good books. Members of this dominant group wish to democratically autocratise.

A second group, though in the minority, holds a high say in the country. This second group includes electables, parasitic pirs, and feudal or tribal warlords.

Democrats turn on democracy. Journalists are on truth, while protectors are on security.

The clergy are on piety, judges are on justice, and civil society is on the oppressed.