Average five-year fixed mortgage rate hits 6.00 percent, signalling rate increases for buyers

Remco Evenepoel secured the European championship title during a race held in Slovenia, outsprinting Giulio Ciccone in a photo finish. The race, which covered a distance of 196km, took place in the Alps, specifically in Ljubljana, Slovenia.

Evenepoel, who entered the event as the pre-race favourite, also achieved a European-worlds double. The race saw Red Bull-Bora hansgrohe launch Remco Evenepoel alongside Giulio Ciccone, with the pair remaining closely matched until the finish in Sencur.

Evenepoel managed to close the gap to Ciccone after the latter slid on the tarmac. Christian Scaroni finished in third place, trailing the winner by nearly a minute.

Evenepoel commented on the effort, stating, "It's a big relief to be back on a good level today and to complete my championship jerseys so it feels amazing."

Displaced Palestinians in the southern Gaza Strip appealed for tents, blankets, and basic supplies. Dozens of displaced residents staged a protest in the Fash Farsh area in Khan Younis.

Shelter shortages and dwindling humanitarian aid could leave thousands exposed to rain, cold and strong winds. Iyad Zomor stated that they need tarpaulins, tents, food and health supplies to withstand heavy rain and winds.

Furthermore, Iyad Al-Shaer urged humanitarian organisations to provide shelter materials before weather conditions worsen. Currently, 35 displacement camps in Fash Farsh shelter 6,000 families, which amounts to approximately 40,000 people.

Ahmed Hassan Al-Najjar reported that residents in Fash Farsh face shortages of tents, tarpaulins, food parcels and medical supplies. Palestinian figures indicate that Israel killed more than 74,000 Palestinians and injured over 175,000 in Gaza since October 2023.

These same Palestinian figures also claim that 90% of the infrastructure in Gaza has been destroyed.

Milorad Dodik declared victory for his party in an election in Bosnia. His ally, Željka Cvijanović, secured more than 55% of the votes required to claim one of the three seats on the country’s tripartite presidency.

The total number of votes cast across the election reached 1,432,269. Voters participated at a rate of 42%, which represents a decline of approximately 8% compared to Bosnia’s election in 2022.

Dodik stated to his supporters that Bosnia “is dead”. Furthermore, the conflict in the region began in 1992, resulting in the deaths of over 100,000 people.

In other electoral developments, Darijana Filipović maintained a strong lead for the Croat seat on the presidency. Denis Bećirović led his closest rival, Bakir Izetbegović, by a margin of less than three percentage points.

Rumours suggest the Fitbit Edge will serve as the successor to the midrange Charge line of wearables. This potential new device is expected to occupy a middle ground between the Pixel Watch and the Fitbit Air.

Sources anticipate the Fitbit Edge will deliver a battery life lasting up to seven days. Furthermore, the Edge is expected to incorporate built-in GPS functionality alongside an altimeter.

App support for the Fitbit Edge will reportedly be limited, covering only Google Maps and YouTube Music. The previous iteration of the Fitbit Charge line received its last update in 2023.

Estimates place the price bracket for the Fitbit Edge between $150 and $200. For comparison, the Fitbit Air currently retails for $99.99.

The Pixel Watch, conversely, begins its pricing at $399.99. The Charge 6 model was previously listed for $159.95.

The Conservative party pledges measures aimed at reducing new home prices by £50,000. Furthermore, the Tories plan to abolish both the Environment Agency and Natural England.

The party also intends to scrap rules governing affordable homes and community funding. Andrew Griffith stated that the party intends to “streamline regulations”.

Tories committed to replacing the existing section 106 agreements and community infrastructure levy with a single, unified levy. The party also pledged to scrap net zero regulations applicable to housebuilding, including the Future Homes Standard.

The functions of Natural England and the Environment Agency will move to Defra, according to the pledges. Katie Lam, the new shadow housing secretary, asserted that scrapping regulations means anti-growth ideologues cannot hold country hostage.

Griffith will also state that the government must accelerate the construction of a third runway at Heathrow.

The film Coyote vs. Acme achieved a global box-office total exceeding $100 million, marking a significant financial success for the movie. Ticket sales for Coyote vs. Acme amounted to $59.8 million within the domestic market and an additional $45 million from international screenings.

The movie initially launched in late August, generating $15.9 million from ticket sales within the United States alone. Warner Bros. shelved Coyote vs. Acme as a measure to claim a tax write-off.

David Zaslav, the chief of Warner Bros. Discovery, relegated the final decision regarding burying the film to the accountants. Zaslav stated that the studio was redirecting its focus back toward theatrical releases and felt the film did not align with the company's new creative direction.

Previously, in 2022, David Zaslav shelved the $90 million DC-centric Batgirl and the kid-friendly Scoob! Holiday Haunt for tax purposes.

Brazil defeated India by a score of 4-0 during a friendly match held on Saturday. Estevao netted the opening goal for the Brazilian side.

Following this, Estevao also provided the assist for Pedro's second goal. Samuel Lino scored two goals in the second half for Brazil.

The match saw the crowd at the Salt Lake Stadium reach a count of 51,000 people. India, currently ranked 138th globally, did not manage to score any consolation goals.

The EWCA Islamabad Chapter, IIUI, and Rotary Club Islamabad Metropolitan organised a tree plantation drive. During the event, a total of 100 plants were planted.

More than 150 students took part in the tree planting effort. Tayyaba Gul, Dr Asad Ghufran, and Faiz Paracha led the plantation drive.

Mian Shaukat Masood also participated by planting a tree. The Rotary Club Islamabad Metropolitan contributed 50 shade trees to the effort.

Syed Abu Ahmed Akif stated that tree planting and collective action are important for addressing climate change and environmental degradation.

The Houthis launched ballistic missiles and drones targeting Saudi Aramco facilities in Riyadh and the Khurais area of Saudi Arabia. The Houthis asserted that these attacks were a reaction to fifty Saudi-led air and missile strikes conducted against Yemen over the preceding twelve hours.

Rashad al-Alimi stated that the decision to commence the counteroffensive followed the depletion of all de-escalation opportunities. Military sources confirmed that the Houthis achieved advances against local and government forces on key hilltops near Taiz in the last forty-eight hours.

Furthermore, the Houthis successfully seized the vital Bab el-Mandeb Strait during a swift offensive. The World Food Programme reported that three out of four families across parts of Yemen currently face hunger.

J. Todd Anderson passed away at the age of 67. Anderson began his professional work as a storyboard artist during the late 1980s.

He worked with the Coen Brothers on several feature films. Anderson story-boarded movies such as Miller’s Crossing, Fargo, The Big Lebowski, The Ladykillers, True Grit, Hail, Caesar!, and The Ballad of Buster Scruggs.

Furthermore, he story-boarded solo works, including Drive-Away Dolls and Honey Don’t from Ethan, and The Tragedy of Macbeth from Joel. John Todd Anderson was born in Springfield, Ohio.

His education included attendance at Wright State University.

The Women Business Excellence Awards 2026 convened, organised by WCCIPD, to recognise achievements in the field of business. Qurat-ul-Ain, President WCCIPD, was present at the ceremony.

Muzzammil Aslam, Advisor to Chief Minister Khyber Pakhtunkhwa for Finance, also attended the function. The awards provided a platform highlighting the expanding role of women entrepreneurs in the economic development of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Pakistan.

John interrogates Sinestro on the planet decimated by the Manhunters. Sinestro created a new, yellow ring for Noah using fear-inducing gas from the planet.

Hal’s hologram stopped Sinestro from charging John’s depleted ring. Noah killed Hal and was responsible for the burning of Hal’s house.

Kerry shot and killed Hal when he tried to reason with her. John assures Kerry that he will not kill Noah and lets her continue raising him.

John names himself the Green Lantern of Earth in an "independent contractor" role. John drops off a bag of money as restitution to the waitress Maggie.

Pierre will reappear as John in next summer’s “Man of Tomorrow”. The date for this event is 9 July 2026.

The Bank of Khyber organised a financial literacy session in Chakdara on Monday. This session concentrated on improving women's grasp of financial issues, banking services, and the formal financial structure.

Furthermore, women business owners received briefings concerning financing options for small and medium enterprises and the agriculture sector. The Bank of Khyber stated it will continue efforts to bolster women's financial inclusion, support entrepreneurship, and raise female involvement in the formal financial system.

Victoria Monét’s album, 'Frequency of Love', topped this week’s new music poll, according to Billboard data. The album features a collection of 22 songs.

Monét is launching her own headlining Frequency of Love Tour beginning on 27 October 2026 in Raleigh, North Carolina, and continuing until mid-December. The poll results showed that the album secured 40% of the vote.

Other artists received smaller shares of the vote, with one artist garnering 29% of the vote, another receiving nearly 7% of the vote, and a third collecting almost 6% of the vote.

Solar power generation reached 36.3 TWh, surpassing nuclear output for the first time in Pakistan by summer 2025. In 2025, Pakistan's nuclear electricity production amounted to 22.5 terawatt-hours (TWh), marking a 3.7 per cent increase from the previous year.

Pakistan currently operates six nuclear reactors, providing a combined operating capacity of 3,262MW. The first concrete pour for the base slab of the reactor building occurred on 30 December 2024.

Furthermore, the C-5 reactor is scheduled for completion by the year 2030. Between 2017 and mid-2026, Pakistan imported over 58 GW of solar panels, with China supplying the majority of this equipment.

Of the total solar panels imported, 40 GW, representing 69 per cent, arrived between 2024 and mid-2026. This solar panel influx established Pakistan as the second-largest single-country import market for solar panels, trailing only the Netherlands.

In 2025, Pakistan was recorded as China’s primary customer for solar panels.

The KSE-100 Index shed over 800 points during trading on Monday, reaching 167,312.97 at 9:40am, representing a fall of 842.52 points or 0.50%. This decline follows a period where the PSX experienced a setback last week, having fallen 2,609.74 points or 1.5% to close at 168,155.48 points.

Global economic indicators contributed to the market's mood, as US job growth slowed more than anticipated in September. Furthermore, the nonfarm payrolls count saw a sharp downward revision for the two preceding months.

Market sentiment suggests investors currently price in a 22% probability of a Federal Reserve rate hike occurring this month. Conversely, Asian markets showed varied performance; Japan’s Nikkei rose 2% early in the session.

Australian stocks added 0.5% during trading. MSCI’s broadest index covering Asia-Pacific shares, excluding Japan, ticked up 0.15%.

PTV secured broadcasting rights for Pakistan’s home cricket matches for Rs 350 million. The agreement covers a total of 5 Tests, 14 One Day Internationals, and 6 Twenty20 Internationals.

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) had set a reserve price of Rs 600 million for the broadcasting package. Pakistan is scheduled to play three T20 Internationals against Sri Lanka during this month.

Furthermore, two Tests against Sri Lanka are slated for next month. Looking ahead, Pakistan is due to face Ireland in three T20Is in January 2027.

A separate one-off Test match against Ireland is also scheduled for February. Separately, there is unconfirmed information suggesting Zimbabwe might have declined a tour to Pakistan for commercial reasons.

An inquiry into alleged alterations to the Ring Road’s initial design commenced in July, following concerns about the project's scope. Additional Chief Secretary Ahmed Raza Sarwar sought the complete documentation pertaining to the project.

The Rawalpindi Ring Road project, which measures 38.3 kilometres, was initially awarded in March 2022. Sources within the Rawalpindi Development Authority (RDA) report that approximately 90 percent of the construction work is now finished.

The project's initial cost was estimated to exceed Rs. 53 billion. Furthermore, reports indicate that repeated revisions and delays have resulted in an additional expenditure of around Rs. 30 billion.

Questions regarding modifications to the Ring Road’s original blueprint first surfaced in 2022 during the tenure of the PTI government.

Flávio Bolsonaro and Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva are set to contest a runoff election for the presidency of Brazil on 25 October 2026. Neither Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva nor Jair Bolsonaro achieved a majority vote total during Sunday's presidential election.

Jair Bolsonaro secured just over 56 million votes in the contest. Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva gathered approximately 53.7 million votes.

Counting reached 99.8% of the votes cast for the upcoming presidential term. The nation of Brazil has a total population of 214 million people.

Augusto Cury received 3.4 million votes in the election. Ronaldo Caiado and Renan Santos combined to obtain about 5.3 million votes.

The remaining three principal candidates collectively hold roughly 8.73 million votes, representing 7.5% of the eligible votes.

The Andy Burnham government is currently dealing with questions surrounding its future relationship with the European Union. Jukka Salovaara stated that the UK remains the EU’s primary and foremost partner.

Salovaara sees his own role as that of a facilitator. The EU will be ready to engage once the country in question decides its desired path.

Trade figures show that nearly 60% of the UK’s food exports are directed to the EU market. Furthermore, 70% of the UK’s food imports originate from the EU.

EU officials previously confirmed that the UK initially proposed 50,000 places annually for the youth experience scheme. Conversely, Brussels is now advocating for a figure of 150,000 places for the youth experience scheme.

A first EU summit for Burnham is scheduled for November.

Liberty Tea Rooms and Community Hub in Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire, currently operates in an "extremely low cash position". The charity faces permanent closure unless it manages to raise £25,000 by the end of October.

Filming for the production titled Ludwig is currently taking place within Hemel Hempstead. The tea room itself has temporarily shut down its doors until 7 October.

A public inquiry has commenced its examination into the deaths of over 2,000 people who received care under Essex mental health services. Hearings for the inquiry are scheduled to begin on 5 October.

The investigation will hear evidence presented by NHS England, the Care Quality Commission, and the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency. Interim recommendations from the inquiry are anticipated to concentrate on improving safety within inpatient settings.

The inquiry is also looking into the Oxevision system. During the latest sessions at Chelmsford Civic Centre, families were invited to provide their views on potential recommendations during a virtual hearing on 20 October.

Tammy Smith stated, “It actually takes away human interaction. They are at their most vulnerable. "They need those conversations. They need someone to ask, 'Are you OK? Do you need anything?' We all need that."” The final report from the inquiry is not expected until 2028.

Russian drones and missiles struck Kyiv's Northern Bridge in Ukraine. Separately, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz visited Ukraine.

Iran's Deputy Foreign Minister stated that Washington replied to Tehran's proposal to end the conflict. However, the response to Tehran's proposal remains under internal review.

In Brazil, João Albuquerque analyzed the first round of the presidential election. Albuquerque noted that Jair Bolsonaro's son secured the highest number of votes in the first round election.

Furthermore, the son of Jair Bolsonaro defeated the sitting left-wing president Lula da Silva during the first round election.

France will face Belgium in the fourth and final nations league game. Previously, France defeated Belgium during matchday two on 28 September.

Portugal achieved a fourth consecutive victory, thereby qualifying for the Nations League quarter-finals. In separate sporting news, Novak Djokovic beat Alexander Zverev in Beijing.

Remco Evenepoel has been crowned the European road race champion. Max Verstappen claimed his first victory of the season in Formula 1.

Muhammad Hanif Abbasi ordered the immediate replacement of substandard benches at Lahore Railway Station. Furthermore, Muhammad Hanif Abbasi directed officials to remove substandard benches from platform 4 and supply better-quality seating.

Reviewing expansion work on platforms 2 and 4 at Lahore Railway Station, Muhammad Hanif Abbasi also instructed officials to relocate the divisional superintendent’s office to the station. He stated that providing passengers with comfortable, quality travel remains a top priority.

The National Bank of Pakistan (NBP) released its official currency rates today, setting the US Dollar selling rate at 278.84. The NBP also specified the US Dollar buying rate at 275.84.

For the British Pound, the selling rate stood at 367.91, while the buying rate was set at 363.58. The Euro saw a selling rate of 311.35 and a corresponding buying rate of 307.68.

Japanese Yen rates were published, showing a selling rate of 1.7636 and a buying rate of 1.7428. Saudi Riyal rates were established with a selling rate of 74.27 and a buying rate of 73.39.

Finally, the UAE Dirham was quoted with a selling rate of 75.92 and a buying rate of 75.02.

ATC Judge Tahir Abbas Sipra issued a direction ordering authorities to produce Imran Khan at the forthcoming hearing concerning the FJC attack case. Furthermore, the court declared former federal ministers Farrukh Habib, Hammad Azhar, Murad Saeed, and former senator Shibli Faraz as proclaimed offenders.

The court also mandated that authorities submit comprehensive details regarding the assets belonging to these proclaimed offenders. Additionally, non-bailable arrest warrants were issued for Wasiq Qayyum and Hassan Khan Niazi.

Proceedings were adjourned by the court until 5 November 2026. Separately, clashes between police and PTI workers took place on 18 March 2023.

Islamabad police alleged that party workers shelled the Judicial Complex and set fire to a police post during the incident. Conversely, PTI accused the police of shelling Imran Khan’s vehicle.

Lionel Messi will make his final appearance for Argentina on Tuesday during a farewell match against Benin at Buenos Aires’ Monumental stadium. The star player, who has amassed 125 goals in 207 games and recorded 68 assists, will participate in this final game.

Members of the Argentina squad that secured the 2022 World Cup title will join Messi for the fixture against Benin. Lionel Scaloni stated, “It’s going to be an unforgettable day for everyone. Everyone wants to be at this match, and now it’s just about enjoying it.”

Messi himself stated, “I gave it my all; I have nothing left to give, and besides, there are great young players coming up who deserve their chance.” Argentina recently secured victories, sweeping Bolivia 4-0 in Cordoba and defeating Burkina Faso 7-0 at the Monumental on Saturday.

The National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency established special units to prevent anti-state propaganda and fake news. Furthermore, the agency made cyber patrolling units functional across all regions to monitor cyberspace.

Director General Syed Ali Nasir Rizvi reviewed various measures during a five-day tour across Punjab circles. During his visit, Rizvi inspected reporting centres, police stations, and offices.

He also held direct meetings with over 500 complainants. The DG directed officials to make the complaints and verification system more people-friendly and to utilise all available resources to ensure prompt justice.

The Agency adopted a zero-tolerance policy against fake news and anti-state propaganda. Rizvi stressed the importance of transparent investigations, merit-based case handling, and timely justice for cybercrime victims.

Officials must maintain transparency and merit in all processes, according to the DG. Further instructions were issued by the DG to improve performance, complaint disposal, and record maintenance.

A flydubai co-pilot stabbed the captain in an alleged attempt to crash the aircraft into Ben Gurion airport near Tel Aviv. The co-pilot, identified as an Omani national named Hamam al-Hammami, reportedly intended to hijack and crash the plane on an earlier flight to Tel Aviv.

Authorities confirmed the co-pilot attacked the pilot using an axe. The pilot, Smit Machchhar, survived the attack.

The aircraft was carrying more than 170 passengers and crew members. A reserve flydubai pilot managed to land the aircraft at a regional airport in northwestern Saudi Arabia.

Saudi authorities subsequently detained the co-pilot. The two Israeli officials stated that the co-pilot told interrogators he had applied for a job at flydubai.

Furthermore, the Australian counterterrorism unit is investigating the co-pilot's potential links to Australia.

Super Typhoon Choi-Wan remains active to the south-east of Japan as of Sunday night. The typhoon developed on 30 September, sustaining winds of 150mph and gusts reaching up to 180mph.

Meanwhile, parts of Indonesia are currently undergoing an extreme wildfire season. Western Kalimantan (Borneo) and southern Sumatra have suffered significant damage from these wildfires.

Separately, extreme heat warnings have been issued for sections of southern California. Burbank recorded a temperature of 39C on Saturday, highlighting the intense heat across the region.

Manchester City defeated Arsenal with a score of 4-2 in the Women's Super League match. Following this victory, Manchester City maintained their position at the top of the league table.

Arsenal suffered a loss to Manchester City in the fixture. Currently, Arsenal occupy the tenth spot in the league standings, having accumulated five points from five games.

Chelsea secured a 3-0 victory over West Ham United. The win placed Chelsea in second place, trailing Manchester City by two points.

London City Lionesses beat Tottenham Hotspur with a scoreline of 6-1. This result propelled the London City Lionesses into third place, accumulating 12 points.

Brighton & Hove Albion defeated Charlton Athletic by a margin of 5-1. Everton beat Birmingham City with a score of 2-1.

Everton now sit in fifth position, having gathered nine points. Liverpool lost their match against Manchester United by a score of 1-0.

PTI Secretary General Salman Akram Raja addressed the media on Monday, stating that Imran Khan must be included in any future political dialogues. Raja further asserted that reconciliation between the party and the government remains impossible without the inclusion of Imran Khan.

Speaking to the press, Salman Akram Raja stated, “Only [Imran] has the capability to bridge the gulf that has developed between the state and the nation.”

Gold price per tola reached Rs436,336, according to reports from S003. This figure mirrors the price per tola reported by S002, which showed a fall of Rs4,300, settling at Rs436,336.

The international rate for gold saw a reduction of $43, reaching $4,138 per ounce, as noted by S003. Separately, the price of 10 grams of 24-karat gold decreased by Rs3,687, settling at Rs374,087, according to S002.

On the silver front, the price per tola decreased by Rs56, reaching Rs6,522, as reported by S003. Furthermore, S002 indicated that the price of silver per tola dropped by Rs56, reaching Rs6,522.

For 10-gram gold, S003 recorded a sale price of 374,087. The price of 22-karat gold declined by Rs3,380, settling at Rs342,925, according to S002.

Jorge Jesus stated that Cristiano Ronaldo will decide how he wants his time in the national team to end. Furthermore, Jesus confirmed that Ronaldo can return to the squad if he wishes.

The coach also noted that Ronaldo can be called up provided he plays at Al-Nassr. Ronaldo walked out of the squad on Wednesday.

Jesus previously replaced Roberto Martinez following the 2026 World Cup. Portugal secured a place in the quarter-finals despite Ronaldo's absence.

Lionel Messi will play his final match for Argentina against Benin in Buenos Aires on Tuesday.

England will contest a 50-over warm-up match against a Western Australia XI at the Waca in Perth on 7 November. This preparatory fixture takes place before the team contests its first one-day international at Perth's Optus Stadium.

Brendon McCullum hoped to arrange such fixtures to get players "up to speed" before next year's 50-over World Cup. The squad is scheduled to play three ODIs and five T20s in Australia between 13 November and 2 December.

Earlier this month, England will also participate in a 50-over tri-series in Pakistan against the hosts and Sri Lanka. During the third ODI against Sri Lanka, Joe Root was the sole player in England's eleven with more than 50 caps.

McCullum noted that England has a minimum of 20 official ODIs before next year's World Cup in southern Africa. Aside from Jos, Joe and Adil Rashid, McCullum observed that the side lacks considerable experience.

MCB Bank Limited partnered with TrendAI to strengthen its cybersecurity defenses, marking a significant step in the bank's digital transformation journey. TechnoBIZ is also supporting this cybersecurity initiative, combining its implementation skills with the existing expertise of MCB Bank and TrendAI's AI-powered security technologies.

Suman Siddiqui, Chief Information Security Officer (CISO), MCB Bank Limited, stated that cybersecurity today has become more proactive than reactive and must move beyond simply responding to incidents. Umair Sheikh, Country Manager – TrendAI Pakistan, noted that banks represent among the most targeted organisations globally, and the threat landscape grows more sophisticated daily.

Sheikh further commented that MCB Bank’s move to bolster its cybersecurity capabilities with TrendAI shows a clear commitment to proactive protection and resilience. The bank's deposits currently stand near 40 Trillion.

Karl Deisseroth, Peter Hegemann, and Georg Nagel received the 2026 Nobel prize in physiology or medicine for their work on techniques controlling genes with light, known as optogenetics. Thomas Perlmann, the Nobel committee secretary general, stated, "It's a really new era in neuroscience thanks to this methodology".

The trio's research built upon the discovery of a light-sensitive protein by Peter Hegemann and Georg Nagel during the 2000s. This key protein, which they identified, was named channel-rhodopsin.

Currently, Peter Hegemann resides at the Humboldt University of Berlin, Germany.

Attock Cement Pakistan Limited proposed changing its name to Falcon Cement Limited. The company's Board of Directors approved and recommended this proposed name change.

An Extraordinary General Meeting is scheduled for 10 a.m. on 20 October 2026 at the Jacaranda Family Club in DHA Phase-II, Islamabad. Kot Addu Power Company Limited and Fauji Cement Company Limited jointly acquired a 92.03 percent stake in Attock Cement.

This transaction, which secured the stake in Attock Cement, concluded on 24 April 2026. Consequently, Kot Addu Power and Fauji Cement now hold joint control of the company.

Canal+ Group may pull its €1 billion investment deal with the French film industry following changes in the proposed finance bill. Previously, the group had committed to investing approximately €1 billion in French and European films between 2028 and 2032.

The proposed finance bill contains several measures that affect public broadcasting funding. Specifically, funding for France’s public broadcasters, primarily France Télévisions, would see a reduction of €47 million, bringing the total to €3.82 billion.

France Télévisions faces a subsidy reduction of €47 million alongside a 20% drop in advertising revenues. Furthermore, the bill suggests halving the tax rebate currently applied to platforms such as YouTube and TikTok.

The proposed VAT change could cost Canal+ Group an estimated €200 million annually. Should Canal+ fail to meet its regulatory obligations, its annual contribution to cinema could fall to around €50 million.

Ultimately, the finance bill must still pass through the parliament.

The Pakistani rupee gained against the US dollar, closing at 277.06 against the dollar on Monday. The rupee had also appreciated by 0.03% against the US dollar during the preceding week. Meanwhile, Brent crude futures fell by 0.65% to $101.59 a barrel at 0240 GMT. Separately, the US dollar hovered near its 17-month high on Monday.

On Thursday, the US dollar held near its two-month high. The Euro was reported at $1.1330 against the US dollar during the early Asian session. Sterling was noted as being flat at $1.3264. Traders are currently pricing in a 78% probability that the US central bank will keep rates steady in October. At the open market, the rupee gained 9 paise for buying and 4 paise for selling against the USD.

Google confirmed that Intel-based Googlebooks might experience difficulties operating some Android applications. However, Google also stated that most Android applications operate smoothly on both Intel and Qualcomm Googlebooks straight from the box.

Running complex Android games or apps often requires developers to make specific adjustments for the best performance on Intel platforms. Currently, three of the five Googlebook laptops available for purchase use x86 Intel chips.

Conversely, the Dell and HP Googlebook models incorporate Qualcomm’s Arm-based Snapdragon processors.

The Balochistan government announced fully funded foreign PhD scholarships for students originating from the province. This program will support ten capable and deserving students annually.

Chief Minister Mir Sarfaraz Bugti described the initiative as a vital move to expand higher education and research chances for Balochistan’s youth. He added that the scholarships will assist local students in gaining entry to prominent universities overseas.

Furthermore, the government intends for students from Balochistan to build a more substantial presence within global academic and research bodies.

The KSE-100 Index of the Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) lost 2,288.17 points, finishing the trading session at 165,867.32 points. This decline represented a 1.36 percent fall for the index.

Ready market trading saw a volume of 441.898 million shares. Furthermore, the total ready market traded value reduced to Rs15.709 billion.

Market capitalisation decreased, settling at Rs18.464 trillion. In the ready market, 55 companies recorded gains, while 409 companies experienced losses.

F. Nat.Equities led the volume chart, handling 50.252 million shares. Dadex Eternit Limited surged by Rs13.14, closing its trading at Rs144.55.

Conversely, Unilever Pakistan Foods Limited dropped by Rs472.40, finishing at Rs25,016.00. PIA Holding Company LimitedB fell by Rs150.50, reaching a closing price of Rs15,000.00.

The Futures (DFC) market turnover amounted to 91.217 million shares. This futures market recorded a traded value of Rs4.552 billion.

Of the 296 companies traded within the DFC market, 281 saw a decline.

Mark Ruffalo spoke at a Hands Off Our Vote event, where he warned Donald Trump about restricting voting rights. During the gathering, Ruffalo also encouraged attendees to join the Free Speech for People initiative.

He stressed that election results must remain secure from any domestic or foreign interference. Furthermore, Ruffalo instructed the assembled crowd to cast their votes.

A person within the audience shouted "You tell ’em, Hulk!" directed at Ruffalo. Separately, the Paramount-Warner Bros. merger received approval.

Sources anticipate that the Paramount-Warner Bros. merger will conclude sometime this week.

The Israeli Embassy reposted the documentary on X to the U.S. on Saturday. The rebuttal video, titled “NAZA: The Real Story,” asserts that Hamas fought from within civilian areas, including homes, schools, mosques, and a hospital.

Furthermore, the video claims that the Israel Defence Forces (IDF) maintained strict rules when opening fire. Lt. Col. Roi Danino, Ariel Averbuch, and Hagai Gutman created the rebuttal video.

The website for “NAZA: The Real Story” states that more than 20 million viewers have seen the documentary. Creators of the rebuttal are utilising digital influencers and international networks to reach global policymakers and journalists.

The original film, “NAZA,” was produced by The Guardian alongside James Wilson (JW Films) and executive producer Jonathan Glazer.

Brazil's presidential race will proceed to a second round after Flávio Bolsonaro beat Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, though he did not achieve the outright majority needed to avoid a runoff. The second round of the election is set for 25 October.

In the election, Renan Santos secured 2.2% of the vote, while Ronaldo Caiado obtained 2.1%. Furthermore, Carlos Bolsonaro and Michelle Bolsonaro both won seats in the senate, and Jair Renan Bolsonaro was elected to the lower house of congress.

District Emergency Operation Center (DEOC) and an Integrated Service Delivery initiative commenced operations in Hyderabad, marking a significant step for local health management. The inauguration ceremony took place at the New Deputy Commissioner Complex in Hyderabad.

Sheheryar Gul Memon, Zain-ul-Abideen Memon, Dr. Pir Ghulam Hussain, and the UNICEF representative jointly inaugurated the initiative. During the event, polio drops were administered to children.

This new initiative intends to coordinate immunization activities within high-risk union councils, strengthen the emergency response system, and improve vaccination services. Joint efforts from the district administration, health department, development partners, and field teams ensure every eligible child can receive polio vaccination.

The KSE-100 Index closed at 165,867, marking a fall of 2,288 points or 1.36 percent on Monday, as the market faced heavy selling pressure. This sell-off occurred following the commencement of the opposition’s long march, after discussions between the government and opposition parties failed to reach any agreement.

Top Volumes UBL, ENGROH, HBL, HUBC, and PPL were among the major decliners, collectively causing the KSE-100 Index to drop by 705 points. Approximately 441 million shares changed hands, representing a total traded value of around Rs. 15.7 billion.

FNEL recorded the highest trading volume during the session, with roughly 50 million shares changing hands.

The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government announced a 15 percent increase in stipends for doctors who continued working during the recent protest in government hospitals. Furthermore, the government decided to raise the pay of doctors who did not take part in the strike.

PGMI requested lists detailing medical officers who remained at work throughout the strike period. Authorities also directed that Islamabad Medical teaching institutions must furnish trainee lists within two days.

This required list must specify the trainee’s name, department, training level, the date their duty began, and the supervisor who monitored them during the strike. Relevant department chairs must verify the attendance and duty particulars for all trainees.

Only trainees who performed duty during the strike will qualify for the 15 percent additional stipend. The additional stipend for trainees who did not report for duty will remain pending until the dispute is resolved.

The open-source tool RemoveMacAI deletes Apple Intelligence data when used on macOS, according to reports. The utility deactivates several features, including Siri, Writing Tools, Genmoji, Image Playground, the ChatGPT extension, and all summary functions, while also deleting the underlying models.

Developers suggest that the modifications implemented by RemoveMacAI remain active even after subsequent macOS updates. Furthermore, users can reactivate the AI models using a specific 'removemacai revert' command.

Regarding storage, developers estimate that foundation models occupy approximately 12 GB of space. Conversely, Apple Intelligence is reported to consume about 35.05 GB of storage space on a MacBook Air.

The Apple Intelligence features are distributed across various settings panes within macOS 27.

OpenAI will start testing a novel advertisement format within the United States later this month. This new visual ad style will showcase images related to sponsored products and services.

The visual advertisement format will stay distinct from the images generated by ChatGPT and will not alter the answers provided by the chatbot. Furthermore, subscribers to ChatGPT’s Plus, Pro, or Enterprise plans will not see these advertisements.

OpenAI has established guardrails to judge if a conversation is suitable for advertising, intending to keep out contexts that are sensitive, emotionally vulnerable, or otherwise inappropriate. Currently, OpenAI is running tests of these visual ads with a select group of advertisers.

Karoline Leavitt is joining Fox News, with her new role commencing on 1 November 2026. Leavitt previously held the position of the 36th press secretary, serving from 1 January 2025 to 31 August 2026.

She achieved the distinction of being the youngest person in American history to occupy the press secretary post. Furthermore, Leavitt acted as the national press secretary for Donald Trump’s 2024 presidential campaign.

Prior to this, the communications director role for Representative Elise Stefanik was held by Leavitt. In 2022, Leavitt stood as the Republican candidate for congress in New Hampshire’s 1st Congressional District.

Her professional background also includes work within Trump’s initial administration, where she functioned as a presidential writer and assistant press secretary.

The Children’s Hospital in North Karachi is set for revival, with a new administration scheduled to take over the facility today. CEO Dr Shahid Raza arrived to chair the meeting concerning the handover.

Administrator Arif Niaz also joined the discussions regarding the new management assuming charge of the facility. Furthermore, officials planned to discuss the future employment status of approximately 400 to 450 hospital employees.

Daniil Medvedev was disqualified from his China Open semi-final match against Novak Djokovic after hitting a rebounding ball into the crowd, striking a spectator in the eye. The incident occurred during a match where Medvedev was world number five.

Prior to the disqualification, Medvedev was leading the contest, having been up 7-5 5-3 on Monday. Djokovic expressed shock following the event, stating, "I was shocked, to be honest… I hope that person is not badly injured."

Djokovic previously faced similar disqualification circumstances at the US Open in 2020. Separately, Hubert Hurkacz withdrew from play earlier on Monday due to an adductor injury.

In another fixture, Alex de Minaur led the first semi with a score of 6-4 3-2. De Minaur's Polish opponent subsequently retired from the match.

Artificial intelligence generated a 17-set Venn diagram exhibiting rotational symmetry. The AI models located this complex diagram between Tuesday and Thursday.

Chris Dzoba utilised two AI models, Anthropic's Claude Fable and OpenAI's GPT-6 Astra, to devise an algorithm for the 17-set diagram. This development builds upon earlier findings, as an 11-set Venn diagram meeting specified criteria was first discovered in 2012.

Furthermore, a 13-set Venn diagram was previously identified in 2014. The AI models also found a 19-set diagram by Sunday.

Dzoba stated that AI is essential for his current work. He further claimed that computers are significantly faster now.

Stan Wagon called the results "spectacular".

The film 'Digger' faced difficulties recovering from its box office showing, according to reports. Warner Bros. has planned several large-scale cinematic ventures, including 'Joker: Folie à Deux' slated for 2024, 'Mickey 17' in 2025, and 'The Bride!' in 2026.

The studio previously marketed 'Digger' using Instagram and X advertisements, urging audiences to "decide for yourself." In contrast, the film 'Sinners' managed to collect $371 million, significantly exceeding its $90 million production cost.

Alejandro G. Iñárritu directed notable films such as 'Birdman' in 2014 and 'The Revenant' in 2015. Cruise promoted his film by appearing on the "New Heights" podcast with Travis and Jason Kelce.

Early promotional trailers for 'Digger' featured a three-minute compilation showcasing Cruise's forty-six-year career.

The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) requested that the Punjab Police nominate four officers for specialised training concerning human trafficking and migrant smuggling. This training programme is scheduled to take place in Lahore.

The programme intends to enhance frontline officers' capability to spot, stop, and react to crimes involving trafficking and migrant smuggling. A UNODC representative confirmed that the organisation assists law enforcement bodies in building capacity against these specific crimes.

Furthermore, UNODC has collaborated with Pakistani law enforcement agencies and government bodies to improve investigations and support coordination against transnational organised crime.

Laboratory tests confirmed the presence of creosote during a pollution investigation at Blyth Beach. Consequently, people were advised against bathing at Blyth South Beach in Northumberland during August.

The pollution is suggested to originate from an ex-timber treatment works that operated on land next to the affected zone until approximately 1980. Authorities including Northumberland County Council, the Environment Agency (EA), and the Port of Blyth are currently managing the ongoing pollution incident.

The contamination is currently restricted to a section of the beach near the Hole in the Wall, where it seeps into the sand via polluted groundwater. Restrictions on the land situated between Blyth West Pier and the Dave Stephens Centre remain in place.

Officials have stated that the potential risk to public health remains low.

Nvidia increased the cost of the Shield TV Pro by $100, setting the new price at $299.99. Furthermore, the company has ceased production of the standard Shield TV model.

The Pro model, which first appeared in 2019, features a Tegra X1+ processor, 3GB of RAM, and 16GB of storage. Previously, the Shield TV Pro was available for $199.99.

For a more budget-friendly option, the updated entry-level Shield TV now offers 2GB of RAM and 8GB of storage. This updated, lower-spec unit is priced at $149.99.

Competitors offer significantly cheaper streaming boxes, such as the $149 Google TV Streamer.

Getz Pharma conducted health screening camps across 19 cities throughout Pakistan, checking blood pressure for over 10,000 adults. The screening efforts revealed that hypertension affects 42 percent of Pakistani adults.

Globally, high blood pressure affects one in three adults. Detecting high blood pressure and high cholesterol can prevent heart attacks or strokes.

Major preventable risk factors include smoking, obesity, physical inactivity, unhealthy food, high cholesterol, high blood pressure, and diabetes. In addition to the camps, Getz Pharma is training more than 450 general practitioners nationwide.

WME literary media department marked its tenth anniversary recently. The division announced key signings, including Danielle Steel, Mick Herron, and John Boyne.

Furthermore, the department confirmed 24 additional series and film greenlights, alongside other projects currently in production. The HBO show also secured seven wins at the Emmys.

David Harbour was featured at 'DTF St. Louis' at the Emmys. Regarding market trends, Hilary Zaitz Michael stated that buyers are currently being disciplined in the market.

She also advised that the level of involvement for authors must be tailored to each client. Separately, the ABC series “Will Trent” adapted Karin Slaughter's books.

Abdul Samad donated his corneas to two individuals, according to a spokesperson from SIUT. The donation followed Samad's battle with kidney failure, which stemmed from a genetically inherited family kidney ailment.

A spokesperson for SIUT confirmed that Abdul Samad had been receiving dialysis treatment at the facility since April 2025. The medical history of the family shows a pattern of kidney issues; Samad's maternal uncle received a kidney transplant at SIUT back in 1986.

Furthermore, Samad's elder brother has been a dialysis patient at SIUT since 2016. Pervin, Samad's mother, works at SIUT as a technologist within the Pathology Department.

The nephrologists who attended the two brothers stated that they supported each other during the treatment. SIUT also stressed the necessity for increased public knowledge concerning deceased organ donation.

Sri Lanka U19 secured a victory over Bangladesh U19 by four wickets at the Iqbal Stadium Faisalabad on Monday. Bangladesh Women U19 posted a total of 119 runs for the loss of seven wickets after twenty overs.

Sadia Islam contributed 39 runs from just 22 balls for the Bangladeshi team. Chasing the required 120 runs in twenty overs, the Sri Lanka U19 successfully achieved the target.

Vimoksha Balasuriya provided 21 runs for Sri Lanka, hitting those runs off 26 balls. Sanjana Kavindi De Silva received the Player of the Match award for her key batting performance that guided Sri Lanka to the win in the close contest.

Ben Samek was named the Chief Executive Officer of Banijay America, and Banijay Entertainment has merged with All3Media. The combined Banijay America will incorporate Turnkey Studio Services into its operations.

Justin Medeiros will manage Turnkey Studio Services in the capacity of executive vice president of production. Jacob Cohen-Holmes will take charge of current programming for Turnkey Studio Services.

Previously, Ben Samek held the role of CEO of Banijay Americas starting in February 2023. Since 2018, Ben Samek also served as president and chief operating officer of Banijay Americas.

Marco Bassetti currently serves as the CEO of Banijay America.

Sahibzada Farhan replaced Agha Salman as Pakistan's T20I team skipper following the announcement of the squad for the home series against Sri Lanka. The T20I series against Sri Lanka will commence at Pindi Stadium in Rawalpindi starting this Friday.

The opening match of the T20I series is scheduled for 9 October 2026. Subsequent T20I fixtures are set for 11 October 2026 and 13 October 2026, respectively.

Following the T20I matches, Pakistan will participate in a seven-match ODI tri-series alongside England and Sri Lanka. The Sri Lankan team has arrived in Islamabad.

While Agha Salman was dropped from the T20I squad, he remains included in the ODI squad. Historically, Pakistan has secured 18 victories out of 31 T20I encounters against Sri Lanka.

Sebastian Stan and Cristian Mungiu attended a Q&A session following the screening of the film “Fjord”. Previously, Stan and his mother attended the New York Film Festival premiere for Cristian Mungiu’s 2016 film, “Graduation”.

Stan was born in Romania and moved to the United States when he was twelve years old. During the event, Stan told his mother that he wished to return to Romania and collaborate with Cristian Mungiu on a film using his native language.

The government increased the petrol price by Re0.88 per litre on Monday, setting the new retail cost at Rs393.64 per litre. Concurrently, the government reduced the high-speed diesel rate by Rs1.88 per litre, meaning HSD will retail at Rs397.76 per litre.

These revised prices will apply starting on 6 October 2026, which is a Tuesday. Previously, the high-speed diesel price had fallen from a high of Rs520.35 recorded on 3 April 2026.

The petroleum sector's pricing mechanism saw the Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (OGRA) take responsibility for setting fuel prices daily, based on international market trends. Petrol fuels private transport, small vehicles, rickshaws, and two-wheelers primarily.

Both petrol and high-speed diesel account for monthly sales volumes between 700,000 and 800,000 tonnes.

David Berson will assume responsibility for the broader sports operations at Skydance, following the company's completion of its acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery. Luis Silberwasser will exit the company as part of these changes.

The combined sports assets are expected to grant Skydance greater influence with both major leagues and smaller sporting bodies. Previously, both CBS and Warner controlled modest sports portfolios.

David Berson previously supervised CBS Sports' arrangements with the streaming platform Paramount+. Furthermore, David Berson was involved in negotiations concerning the rights for the PGA Tour Golf.

Warner has shown an entrepreneurial approach recently, integrating sports with reality-based competitions. The company also invested in the Unrivaled women's sports league.

Warner worked to build a new collection of sports properties to compensate for the absence of the NBA.

The series “Tulsa King” has been confirmed for a fifth season, which will relocate the story to New York City. Filming in New York presents itself as a location that offers cost-friendly shooting opportunities.

The fourth season of the show is scheduled to premiere on 16 October 2026. The cast includes Sylvester Stallone, Martin Starr, Gretchen Mol, and Terence Winter.

The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) government formally launched the e-Fard portal and a Digital Public Feedback System. Shahab Ali Shah chaired a weekly review meeting concerning these digital initiatives.

Access to the e-Fard portal is available through three distinct channels. Downloading the e-Fard document requires the user to possess a biometrically verified identity from NADRA.

Payment for the service must be made electronically via 1Link or Easypaisa. A QR code printed on the document permits online verification against the central land records.

Furthermore, the system allows for feedback collection via telephone contact for revenue service users. Complaints lodged by dissatisfied citizens will appear directly on the Deputy Commissioner’s dashboard.

This collected feedback will assist in monitoring district performance and gauging citizen satisfaction levels. Digital reforms are anticipated to reduce the number of land-related complaints across the region.

RAYE charted two songs, “Escapism” and “Where Is My Husband!”, on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. Furthermore, the album This Music May Contain Hope reached the number 11 spot on the Billboard 200 and secured the number 1 position on the U.K. charts.

The artist has also seen success with other tracks, including “Born Again,” which reached number 68 on the Billboard Hot 100 in February 2025. Regarding streaming milestones, RAYE possesses three songs that have surpassed ten digits in streaming counts.

In separate industry news, Billboard reaffirmed its commitment to transparently marking artificially generated songs on its charts in August. Luminate also announced plans to label any content created using artificial intelligence on its platform.

Meanwhile, musical AI companies, such as Suno, have faced copyright lawsuits.