Pakistan signals cautious shift on US sanctions regarding Iran

Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif held a meeting with President Asif Ali Zardari to discuss the security situation in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. During the meeting, President Zardari and PM Shehbaz stressed the need to strengthen national resolve against terrorism and ensure cooperation among various institutions.

A joint delegation from the federal government and the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) is scheduled to meet with PTI leadership on Friday. The attendees at the meeting included Mohammad Ishaq Dar, Mohsin Naqvi, Azam Nazeer Tarar, Rana Sanaullah, Mansoor Usman Awan, Dr. Tauqir Shah, Sherry Rehman, Saleem Mandviwalla, Sharjeel Inam Memon, and Syed Nasir Hussain Shah.

Representing the PPP were Mohsin Naqvi, Rana Sanaullah, and Amir Muqam, alongside Sherry Rehman, Syed Naveed Qamar, and Aijaz Jakhrani. Separately, petrol increased by Rs3.26, while the price of diesel saw a reduction of Rs1.01 per litre.

Manchester City faces allegations involving more than 100 charges concerning financial reporting, contracts, and alleged breaches. The club's ownership is closely associated with Abu Dhabi.

Manchester City maintains it possesses irrefutable evidence to support its defence. Furthermore, the proceedings involving Manchester City remain subject to appeal.

Separately, Bordeaux previously experienced a financial shortfall amounting to around 9 million Euro. This follows Bordeaux's victory in the French championship back in 2009.

A federal judge dismissed antitrust lawsuits against Google in the United States, ruling against Chegg and Penske Media Corporation. The US District Judge Amit Mehta ruled against Chegg and Penske Media Corporation, who had accused Google of abusing monopoly power.

Plaintiffs had only pleaded an ‘expectation’ that Google would direct them search traffic if they offered their content freely, according to Mehta. Currently, Google pays approximately 100 publishers.

Apple made the AirPods 5 slightly easier to repair, according to reports. The company returned to using pronged battery contacts for the AirPods 5.

iFixit assigned the AirPods 5 a repairability score of 2 out of 10. This score contrasts sharply with iFixit's rating of previous AirPods models, which received 0 out of 10 over the last ten years.

Repairing the AirPods 5 still involves clamping the earbud and applying hot air to soften the adhesive. Furthermore, the left and right AirPods utilize batteries with opposing polarities.

NLE Choppa named Drake as the artist he wishes to collaborate with for a future project. Furthermore, the rapper stated that SpongeBob SquarePants constitutes his most favoured television programme.

Regarding his musical preferences, NLE Choppa selected his 2019 track, "Walk Em Down" featuring Roddy Ricch, as his favourite song. His most recent album release was titled Picasso: Sluffin SZN x Slut SZN.

Lucky Motor Corporation (LMC) launched the all-new Kia Stonic 1.0L Turbo and opened bookings for the vehicle. The new model features a 1.0-litre engine paired with a 7-speed dual-clutch transmission.

Bookings for the vehicle commence on 1 October 2026. The starting price for the Kia Stonic is set at Rs5,499,000.

Customers can secure the vehicle for Rs5,899,000. The initial booking deposit required amounts to Rs400,000.

Ten MDCAT students approached the Sindh High Court (SHC) to seek an injunction against the final merit list and medical college admissions processes. Advocate Muhammad Nawaz Dahri filed the petition on behalf of the students.

The legal action names six parties in total. Furthermore, the petitioners requested that the court direct the authorities to upload the MDCAT question paper and corresponding answer keys within a three-day timeframe.

The MDCAT examination took place on September 20. Advocate Dahri stated that students cannot accurately verify the answer keys without access to the original examination questions.

A mere difference of a few marks, he added, possesses the power to alter a student's standing on the merit list.

The State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) conducted an Open Market Operation on 1 October, injecting a total of Rs 729.3 billion into the market. This total injection comprised Rs 579.3 billion through a Reverse Repo Purchase, which carried a one-day tenor.

Furthermore, the SBP added Rs 150 billion using a Shariah Compliant Mudarabah based OMO. Eleven bids were received for the Reverse Repo Purchase, and the SBP accepted the full amount from these eleven quotes at a 11.54% rate of return.

Miami Beach authorities arrested rapper Rick Ross on charges of battery, including battery by strangulation, on Thursday. The rapper was booked into the Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center at 6:10 a.m. ET on Thursday.

He now faces one felony count of battery by strangulation alongside a misdemeanor count of battery. Jazzma Kendrick, the rapper's ex-girlfriend, publicly accused him of domestic violence.

Kendrick claimed the alleged incident took place on 28 August, after the victim reported the matter on Tuesday, 29 September. According to the allegations, the rapper slapped her when she denied his accusations and choked her until she could not breathe.

The arraignment for Mr. Ross is scheduled for 22 October.

Jazzma Kendrick stated, “If a man hits you one time, he will do it again. Don’t give him the opportunity. Value your life and leave.”

Jazzma Kendrick

Guided Vision is launching within Gemini Live on compatible Android devices, providing new accessibility features for users. The AI capability will deliver real-time audio descriptions of anything pointed at by the phone’s camera.

This tool can assist users with reading small text, describing surroundings, locating, or identifying objects, and detailing specific items. Furthermore, Guided Vision is already accessible within Google TalkBack.

Users can establish an accessibility shortcut for Guided Vision within the Settings app on devices running Android 9 or newer. Google advises users against depending on Guided Vision for safe-travel guidance, navigation, or obstacle detection.

Gold price per tola reached Rs438,636 following a fall of Rs3,000, according to reports from S001. Separately, the international rate for gold saw a decrease of $30, settling at $4,161 per ounce, as noted in S001.

Silver also experienced a dip, with its price falling by Rs50 to reach Rs6,528 per tola, according to S001. On Wednesday, gold price per tola had previously reached Rs441,636 after gaining Rs4,300, as reported by S003.

Furthermore, 10-gram gold was sold at Rs378,631, marking an accumulation of Rs3,686, according to S003. On Tuesday, the gold price per tola stood at Rs437,336, having declined by Rs800, as detailed in S003.

The international gold rate, meanwhile, increased by $43, reaching $4,191 per ounce, according to S003. The price of silver also rose by Rs20, reaching Rs6,578 per tola, according to S003's data.

Spain defeated Croatia by a score of 4-1 during the UEFA Nations League match held in Seville on Tuesday. Lamine Yamal scored two goals for the Spanish side during the contest.

This match at the Estadio Ramon Sanchez-Pizjuan marked Spain's first home game since they secured the World Cup title in New York in July. Following the win, Spain now leads Group A3 with six points from two matches.

Croatia currently occupies third place within Group A3, holding three points. England secured a win against the Czech Republic in the Czech Republic.

Thomas Tuchel stated, "We played very professional, second half we stepped up... Deserved victory." The fixture schedule confirms that England will travel to Rijeka to face Croatia on Saturday.

Furthermore, Spain is scheduled to host the Czech Republic in Oviedo.

The Rawalpindi Cantonment Board plans to construct a new slaughterhouse at Bhatta Chowk in Rawalpindi Cantonment. The Board has already initiated detailed planning for this development.

The proposed site for the facility covers an area of 16 kanals. Furthermore, the estimated cost for the project stands at Rs140 million.

Project implementation will commence only after the completion of the technical planning and design stage.

Senator Muhammad Aurangzeb addressed members and stakeholders of the Overseas Investors Chamber of Commerce and Industry (OICCI) regarding Pakistan's economic trajectory. He asserted that the private sector must spearhead Pakistan's sustainable growth and investment efforts.

The Senator stated that the government's role involves furnishing a supportive business environment, a clear policy framework, and an investment ecosystem. Muhammad Aurangzeb further clarified that the private sector bears the responsibility for leading the economic expansion.

Driving economic expansion requires productivity, investment, job creation, and exports, according to the Senator. The government, he noted, has identified six key economic priorities for the nation.

In other developments, major Pakistani business groups reportedly mobilised close to US$1.2 billion for the Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) transaction. Regarding tax compliance, the number of tax filers has surpassed 5.7 million.

Furthermore, Rs60 billion was financed for the Apna Ghar Programme.

French investigative outlet Mediapart authenticated antisemitic messages allegedly sent by far-right politician Jordan Bardella in 2013. Mediapart published screenshots of these antisemitic messages, which were reportedly sent via Facebook's Messenger chat platform in 2013.

The publication further claimed that biographical details within the conversations prove the messages originated from the actual Jordan Bardella. Jordan Bardella, however, denied sending the messages, stating that he intends to sue for defamation and forgery.

When addressing the claims, Jordan Bardella denounced the messages as "crude fabrications, obscure and easily manipulated screenshots, repeating revolting remarks that I obviously never made." Edouard Philippe stated that the new evidence provided by Mediapart established that Bardella made remarks of an obviously and scandalously antisemitic nature.

Meanwhile, Marine Le Pen voiced her "total confidence" in Bardella and denounced what she termed a "total war" against her party.

Pakistan advanced to the men’s team squash final after defeating Hong Kong, China 2-1 in the semi-final match on Thursday. The semi-final contest saw Muhammad Ashab Irfan secure a 3-0 victory against Leung C. Ashab.

Nasir Iqbal completed the team win by defeating Hong Kong’s Lai 3-1 in the third and final match. Earlier in the tournament, Hong Kong's Lau defeated Pakistan's Noor Zaman 3-1 during the opening match.

The gold medal match is scheduled for Friday, pitting Pakistan against the winner of the semi-final between India and Malaysia.

Punjab Police will introduce a new response system for Police Emergency Helpline 15 calls concerning women and children. The initiative will first operate as a pilot project within the Model Town Division. Upon receiving a relevant call on Helpline 15, female police officers and personnel will immediately arrive at the location. At the scene, the female police officers will take an application from the affected woman and issue a diary number instantly. Officials stated the system aims to make case registration simpler for women, ensuring a prompt response to domestic violence complaints, and providing legal guidance through female police officers at the scene. Furthermore, the system is designed to reduce the need for affected women and children to make repeated visits to police stations for case registration. This measure will help minimise unnecessary travel after a case has been officially registered.

Commercial banks will operate until 10:00 P.M. on Wednesday, September 30, 2026, according to the State Bank of Pakistan. This extension aims to help taxpayers settle government duties and taxes.

The State Bank of Pakistan confirmed that the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) requested this action. Furthermore, the State Bank of Pakistan mandated that banks must maintain uninterrupted access to all online payment channels, including internet banking, mobile applications, and ATMs.

Banks are also required to keep relevant branches open on September 30, 2026, specifically for the Special Clearing process for government transactions managed by NIFT.

BTS released a behind-the-scenes look at their ARIRANG World Tour across Europe. The European segment of the ARIRANG World Tour ran from Spain and finished in France.

The ARIRANG trek initially commenced in South Korea during April. The group is set to resume performances in Colombia on 2 October 2026.

For the tour, ARIRANG generated $171.7 million from 801,000 tickets sold across 12 shows in August. In comparison, Beyoncé earned $179.3 million during August 2023.

Billy Joel provided a health update on his SiriusXM channel, confirming he underwent brain surgery. The singer revealed that he received a diagnosis of normal pressure hydrocephalus in 2025.

Specifically, Joel was diagnosed with normal pressure hydrocephalus in May 2025. This condition, normal pressure hydrocephalus, involves an accumulation of cerebrospinal fluid within the skull, which puts pressure on the brain.

Previously, Joel had cancelled several concerts due to his health issues. Despite the surgery, Joel returned to perform two songs with a tribute band in January of this year.

Nathan Fielder and Lance Oppenheim’s documentary, “You Can See Everything,” screened at the New York Film Festival. The film previously garnered positive reviews and Oscar buzz following its surprise premiere at the Telluride Film Festival.

During the documentary, Fielder stated that when he met Elizabeth Holmes, she appeared genuine, yet he suspected she was a liar. Holmes and Evans subsequently consented to allow Fielder and Oppenheim to film them.

When questioned, Holmes stated, “I don’t have anything to deceive you on. Of course I’m not deceiving you. I’m engaging with you as a human being. Why would I deceive you? There’s no reason for me to do that.” For the trailer production, Fielder relocated to live with Holmes and Evans around the clock.

Fielder’s feature directorial debut is this film, “You Can See Everything.” The film is scheduled to reach cinemas on 16 October 2026.

The government of Punjab is working to incorporate artificial intelligence (AI) into the daily routines of farmers. Osama Leghari spoke at the Pakistan Agricultural Coalition's Agri Connections Conference and Expo on Thursday.

Leghari stated, "I hope that during the remaining two and a half years of our tenure, we will successfully lay the foundation through which our farmers will have access to AI and will be able to forecast their yields and productivity." Furthermore, Leghari mentioned that the government declared the current year as the Year of the Value Chain.

Caldwell and Telsey will receive the festival’s Special Achievement in Casting Award. Guitarricadelafuente secured the International Spotlight Award.

McDonagh earned the Director Spotlight Award for his work on “Wild Horse Nine”. Bird received the Spotlight Animation Award for Netflix’s “Ray Gunn”.

Rogen was presented with the MFF Artistic Achievement Award. Eleazar claimed the Breakthrough Actor Award for A24’s “Misty Green”.

On 18 October 2026, Billie Jean King will hold a one-on-one post-screening conversation with festival founder and board chair Sheila Johnson. Julianne Moore collected the Golden Icon Award at the Zurich Film Festival.

Anne Hathaway and Dakota Johnson feature together in the film “Verity”. Tom Cruise stars in Alejandro González Iñárritu’s new satire titled “Digger”.

Out of Home advertising revenue climbed 3.6% in 2025, reaching a total of $9.46 billion, according to the Out of Home Advertising Association of America. Stenmark noted that services may see increased demand from advertisers who communicate with potential customers almost constantly, such as large consumer-products companies and restaurants.

Stenmark stated, "The best brands for us at the current moment are brands that are always on, brands that need to be showing up consistently with relevance." Movie studios typically do not sponsor live events often, but this pattern often results from their need to launch new films within a very short timeframe, potentially lacking resources for long-term planning.

A sports team could implement a six-week rotation at a stadium or sports facility, which could enable a new field to appear with minimal difficulty.

The ICC issued a statement on Thursday confirming that batters may face a five-run penalty if they waste time three or more times during play. Furthermore, the governing body announced tighter regulations concerning the dimensions and mass of the cricket balls.

Warnings issued to players will reset either at the conclusion of an innings or after the completion of 80 overs. Additionally, the ICC confirmed that teams can mutually agree to trial pink balls during daytime tests.

The Turkish Football Federation (TFF) provisionally suspended 448 current and former club officials. The suspension stems from allegations that the officials placed bets while holding positions within the federation over the last five years.

Following the action, all 448 suspended officials were referred to the federation’s disciplinary committee. Media reports indicate that the number of suspended officials totals 171 individuals.

Trabzonspor President Ertugrul Dogan addressed the situation, stating, “These companies sponsored clubs and held launch events. Nobody thought this would cause problems… if we made a mistake, we apologise, but we have done nothing wrong”. Separately, the TFF also suspended approximately 149 referees and 1,024 players.

Furthermore, Turkish authorities detained the head and six members of the main soccer referee board.

MIDC Sialkot organised an orientation session for the fifth batch of students on 1 October 2026. The fifth Batch of CBTA and regular courses commenced following the session.

Project Director, Principal, and faculty members attended the event. Newly started courses encompass CAD, Machinist, Surgical Instruments Manufacturing Technician, Welder, Advanced Health Safety Environment & Fire Safety Officer, Import Export & E-Commerce, IT Fundamental and Applications.

England named Adil Rashid and Sam Curran in a 16-man squad for a one-day tri-series in Pakistan. The squad selection also saw the return of Rashid and Curran after they recovered from injuries.

Furthermore, three uncapped players—Mason Crane, Henry Crocombe, and James Coles—secured their initial ODI call-ups. Mason Crane, aged 29, earned a call-up eight years after his last appearance for England.

Harry Brook will captain the England side for the tournament. Jos Buttler was excluded from the squad due to a hamstring injury.

Jofra Archer has been rested to manage his workload during the series. The tri-series is scheduled to take place across Lahore and Rawalpindi from 18 October to 31 October.

During the competition, England will compete against Pakistan and Sri Lanka. The final match will feature the top two teams at Lahore’s Gaddafi Stadium.

Kaspersky warned Pakistanis about increasing online dangers for children after examining digital interests and activity across the META region, including Pakistan, during the first eight months of 2026. YouTube emerged as the most frequently used mobile application among Pakistani children during the first eight months of 2026, accounting for 31.2 percent of usage.

Instagram followed, securing the second spot for popularity with 18.8 percent usage among the demographic. WhatsApp registered as the third most popular mobile application for children in Pakistan, recording 17.4 percent usage.

Facebook usage among children in Pakistan reached 10.8 percent. TikTok ranked fifth among the popular mobile applications for Pakistani children, showing 5.7 percent usage.

Multiplayer games constituted among the top ten most visited online resources within Pakistan. Specifically, Roblox and Discord proved to be popular titles or platforms accessed by children in Pakistan.

The Punjab Safe Cities Authority (PSCA) launched a First Aid Guidance Service through Emergency Helpline 15. Trained representatives will guide callers through essential first aid measures.

PSCA stated that timely first aid guidance may help save lives. Furthermore, callers can receive a link to access first aid guidance via video.

The Authority intends to make effective use of the time before rescue or medical assistance reaches the affected person.

A federal judge ordered the White House to restore access to journalists from CNN, MS NOW, and Politico. This judicial action follows instances where the White House previously banned CNN and MS NOW from the White House two weeks ago.

Furthermore, the White House had previously removed CNN from the press pool during a trip to Texas and Oklahoma on Thursday. Rep. Jamie Raskin (D-Md.) alleged that certain advertisements promoting Trump violate the Hatch Act.

In response, the White House stated that the announcements in question do not constitute campaign advertisements.

The National Bank of Pakistan (NBP) set the selling rate for the US Dollar at 278.89 and the buying rate at 275.89 on 1 October 2026. For the British Pound, the NBP established the selling rate at 369.81 and the buying rate at 365.45 for 1 October 2026.

The Euro saw a selling rate of 316.00 and a buying rate of 312.27, according to the NBP on 1 October 2026. On 1 October 2026, the NBP set the selling rate for the Japanese Yen at 1.7634 and the buying rate at 1.7425.

The Saudi Riyal received a selling rate of 74.24 and a buying rate of 73.37 from the NBP on 1 October 2026. Finally, the NBP issued a selling rate for the UAE Dirham at 75.94 and a buying rate at 75.04 for 1 October 2026.

Zohran Mamdani became the first Muslim and South Asian mayor of New York City in 2025. The new mayor intends to restore the Big Apple to its former status as a rap capital.

Mamdani recently met with Nas to discuss the current condition of NYC hip-hop for a documentary. Hip-hop music originated in the Bronx in 1973.

The Bronx School of Hip-Hop incorporates hip-hop as the core subject of its curriculum.

Stella Lefty's song "Boston" reached No. 2 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart, according to Billboard records. The same track achieved the top spot on Billboard’s Country Airplay chart.

Furthermore, Lefty's debut album, Long Way Home, peaked at the No. 11 position on the Billboard 200 albums chart. An SNL cast member, Slowikowska, portrayed Lefty opposite Colin Jost during the Weekend Update desk segment.

India defeated Pakistan with a final score of 4-3 in the men’s hockey semi-final at the Asian Games 2026. Abhishek scored the decisive goal during the final minute of play.

India initially established a two-goal lead during the first quarter of the contest. The Pakistani team was awarded a total of four penalty corners throughout the match.

India later extended their lead to a three-goal advantage in the 23rd minute. Pakistan managed to cut the gap to a three-to-one deficit in the final minute of the second quarter.

Hannan Shahid scored a field goal during the 45th minute of the game. Rana Waheed Ashraf scored in the 49th minute, which brought the score level at three goals apiece.

Pakistan is scheduled to play either Malaysia or South Korea in the bronze-medal match.

WSSC DIKhan disposed of 4,297 tonnes of solid waste during its monthly operations. The sanitation teams collected and disposed of between 160 to 170 tonnes of waste each day.

Furthermore, sweeping operations covered a total of 315 kilometres of roads and streets. Additionally, the organisation desilted 88 kilometres of drains.

The company achieved an 84 per cent waste collection efficiency. Syed Muhammad Arslan stated that the company is making concerted efforts for a cleaner, healthier and more sustainable urban environment.

Samsung SDI is accelerating its focus on the artificial intelligence (AI) data center battery market, according to reports. The company unveiled a cylindrical lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery that incorporates its own proprietary structural design.

This development reflects a wider trend, as artificial intelligence is reshaping battery markets beyond just electric vehicles. Separately, Tesla is reportedly considering Chinese manufacturing options to aid the supply chain ramp-up for its Optimus humanoid robot.

The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government issued a directive instructing both public and private institutions to guarantee safe, convenient, and barrier-free access to buildings and necessary services for persons with disabilities. The Department of Social Welfare, Special Education and Women Empowerment issued this directive.

All administrative secretaries, commissioners, and deputy commissioners received instructions to ensure government offices, public areas, and other vital facilities offer independent access to persons with disabilities. Institutions must install accessible ramps and appropriate slopes, provide handrails, and design entrances and doors to facilitate wheelchair users.

Malik Liaqat Ali Khan stated that persons with disabilities form a vital segment of society, and that equal, safe, and dignified access to public facilities is crucial for fostering their independence and inclusion.

The Prime Minister welcomed the improvement in key economic indicators, noting the positive trends across several sectors. During July and August, remittances rose from $6.3 billion to $7.3 billion.

This increase in remittances represented a 16.5% rise compared to the same period last year. The Prime Minister stated that overseas Pakistanis are a valuable asset, because they send their hard-earned money back home.

Exports saw a 4% increase during the period. Furthermore, total foreign investment grew by 80.2% across July and August.

Pakistan’s foreign exchange reserves currently stand at $26.8 billion. In July, large-scale manufacturing output increased by 3.03%.

Company registrations reached 10,199 in July, marking a 38.8% rise.

The Deputy Commissioner (DC) visited the Central Eidgah to review preparations for the annual Khatm-e-Nabuwwat Conference, which is scheduled for Thursday evening. During the inspection, the DC directed various departments to ensure the provision of optimal facilities for all scholars, guests, and participants attending the event.

The DC also instructed that thorough cleaning must take place at the Central Eidgah and along the routes leading to the venue. Furthermore, the DC mandated the provision of adequate lighting and designated parking areas at the Eidgah premises.

The DC inspected the existing waste collection services and the general cleanliness standards. Staff members received directives from the DC to enhance door-to-door waste collection methods and to resolve outstanding complaints.

Expressing dissatisfaction with the Mini Stadium's current inactive state, the DC directed the PHA to restore the facility within a three-day timeframe.

Peacock has greenlit a new scripted television series drawing from the Fast & Furious franchise. Universal Television serves as the studio responsible for the series production.

The streaming platform anticipates the series will debut sometime before 2028. Previously, Netflix aired the animated series "Fast & Furious Spy Racers" across six seasons between 2019 and 2021.

Regarding the franchise's cinematic output, the film installment "Fast Forever" is scheduled for release in cinemas on 17 March 2028.

Spain’s film “La Bola Negra” secured the TIFF People’s Choice Award at the Toronto International Film Festival. The drama, which is directed by Javier Calvo and Javier Ambrossi, also claimed the Audience Award at the San Sebastián Film Festival.

Furthermore, the film earned the best director award at Cannes for Javier Calvo and Javier Ambrossi. Milo Quife portrays Carlos, a young man who faced rejection from a members-only social club in Granada in 1932 because he was gay.

The film’s narrative explores this personal struggle through the lens of an epic drama. Separately, Guitarricadelafuente will receive the Discovery Award at the SCAD Savannah Film Festival.

The Savannah College of Art and Design festival will run from 24 October to 31 October.

Families of Pakistani seafarers demanded the immediate repatriation of the victims’ bodies. Jamaat-e-Islami Karachi also called for compensation for the bereaved families.

Monem Zafar Khan visited the residence of Mehmood Ansari. During the visit, Khan called on the government to ensure the safe return of injured and other seafarers.

Furthermore, Khan urged authorities to facilitate the early repatriation of the mortal remains. Khan stated, “There is no substitute for human life, but it is the responsibility of the government to compensate the families of the martyrs.”

Masood Ansari reported that several days have passed since his brother's death, yet the body has not returned to Pakistan. The family staged a peaceful protest, but the Sindh government responded with a baton charge.

Muzammil Ansari thanked Jamaat-e-Islami for raising a voice regarding recovery and repatriation.

Oil prices jumped following reports that China suspended its exports of oil products beyond Hong Kong and Macau. The December Brent crude futures contract settled at $102.31 a barrel, marking an increase of 4.37 per cent or $4.28.

Meanwhile, US West Texas Intermediate crude futures concluded trading at $92.87 a barrel, showing a rise of 2.71 per cent, or $2.45. The United States is reportedly sending troops and carriers to the Middle East.

Furthermore, the US is sending a third aircraft carrier and up to 10,000 additional troops to the Middle East. President Donald Trump weighed the possibility of resuming strikes against Iran.

Early trading saw oil prices fall by 1 per cent. Diesel and other refined products reportedly remain in a state of short supply.

Latin Mafia released the album 9 Months & 50 Hours in 2026, with the record dropping on 31 July. The album achieved a No. 1 debut on the Top Latin Pop Albums chart.

Furthermore, the track “Te estoy correteando” reached the top spot on the Hot Latin Pop Songs chart, accumulating 1.5 million official streams within its initial week. Milton stated that the group intended for people to observe that the entire creative process is exhausting, slow and complicated.

The group is also scheduled to return to the Camp Flog Gnaw festival at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles.

South Africa currently leads the three-match ODI series against Australia by two wickets to zero. The three-match ODI series will finish in Potchefstroom on Wednesday.

Keshav Maharaj, Bjorn Fortuin, and Aiden Markram drove South Africa's success during the initial two ODIs. Looking ahead, a three-test series commences at Keshav Maharaj's home ground in Durban on 9 October 2026.

Furthermore, South Africa will share World Cup hosting duties with Namibia and Zimbabwe next year.

Europe recorded its third warmest summer, according to recent reports. Western Europe experienced its hottest summer.

Samantha Burgess, climate lead at the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF), noted that "One of the things that stands out for 2026 is that the heat was not only remarkable for its intensity, but also for its geographical extent." Furthermore, four of Europe's top ten heatwaves occurred during the past summer.

Fifty-two percent of Europe faced "very strong" heat stress, defined as temperatures feeling hotter than 38 degrees Celsius. On a record forty-one days, approximately eighty percent of the continent endured "strong" heat stress, meaning feel-like temperatures exceeded 32 degrees Celsius.

The summer also brought dry conditions, resulting in the lowest river flows since records commenced in 1992. By the close of August, drought conditions impacted nearly half of Europe.

Samantha Burgess, climate lead at the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF), stated: "One of the things that stands out for 2026 is that the heat was not only remarkable for its intensity, but also for its geographical extent."

Samantha Burgess, climate lead at the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF)

Muhammad Aurangzeb visited the Pakistan Stock Exchange in Karachi, where he stated that measures are being implemented to attract international investment to Pakistan. During his visit, Aurangzeb noted that Turkish investors expressed interest in privatising electricity distribution companies.

He further asserted that Pakistan's economy is moving from a period of contraction and stabilisation towards growth. The finance minister stressed that the private sector must spearhead economic expansion, requiring the government to establish a business-friendly and enabling environment.

Regarding economic indicators, the number of tax filers has surpassed 5.7 million. Major Pakistani business groups mobilised nearly $1.2 billion in the Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) transaction.

Additionally, Rs60 billion was financed for the Prime Minister’s Apna Ghar Programme.

HALCALI announced their return following a fourteen-year absence, releasing the new track "Guin Guin Guin" on 2 September. The song "Otsukare SUMMER" gained traction outside Japan, twenty-two years after its initial release.

The hip-hop environment when HALCALI first appeared was more male-focused than it is currently. Furthermore, the phrase "female rapper" suggests that male-centric standards are considered the norm.

Experts suggest that a major restructuring of the social system is necessary for female artists to achieve greater visibility.

Shaikh Imtiaz Hussain was appointed Chairman of the Pakistan–USA Business Council of the Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce & Industry (FPCCI). The Pakistan-USA Business Council will concentrate on advancing bilateral trade, investment, joint ventures, technology cooperation, market access, and business-to-business connectivity.

Hussain stated that Pakistan’s leadership remains committed to fostering regional peace, stability, constructive bilateral cooperation, and economic development. He added that Pakistan–USA economic relations hold vast potential, and the goal must be to convert this into real chances for businesses, investors, exporters, and entrepreneurs in both nations.

Furthermore, the Chairman noted that Pakistan’s private sector possesses considerable capacity to grow its footprint in the U.S. market across sectors like agriculture, horticulture, food processing, IT, manufacturing, textiles, services, and emerging fields. Concluding his remarks, Hussain expressed that the vision is to elevate Pakistan–USA business ties and build stronger, sustainable, and mutually beneficial economic partnerships.

Lionel Messi completed the acquisition of the Spanish second-tier side CD Eldense on 2 October 2026, becoming the majority owner of the club in Spain. The club, established in 1921, currently occupies the 19th position within the Segunda Division.

Messi agreed to purchase all shares of Eldense previously held by a Colombian investment group during the last month. Eldense announced the acquisition, stating that the move marks the start of a new and exciting chapter for the club, which has a history spanning over a hundred years.

The team has recorded four defeats across its seven matches played so far.

An attack at a secondary school in Mexico’s northern Coahuila state killed a vice principal and injured three people. The incident occurred at Secondary School No. 13, located in the La Union area of the city of Torreon.

Two alleged attackers, identified as 18-year-old brothers, reportedly carried out the attack. The federal Security Cabinet confirmed that the three injured individuals received medical attention.

Federico Fernandez reported that the school’s vice principal lost her life during the attack. Two alleged attackers entered the school carrying machetes and rudimentary explosive devices.

Drake released the 'FOMO' four-pack as the 'HABIBTI' deluxe edition, which includes Don Toliver's contributions. Previously, Drake's 'ICEMAN', 'HABIBTI', and 'MAID OF HONOUR' tracks secured spots in the top three of the Billboard 200 chart during May.

Furthermore, Drake previewed potential collaborations with PARTYNEXTDOOR and Don Toliver, alongside a "Choosin' Texas" interpolation. On Thursday, 1 October, Drake announced that a collection of songs from his 'FOMO' short film will appear on streaming services.

The 'FOMO' short film itself debuted on YouTube on 15 September. Additionally, the artist revealed details concerning approximately ten unreleased tracks.

Afghan refugees arrived at the zero point border crossing between Afghanistan and Pakistan in Spin Boldak district of Kandahar, Afghanistan on 19 October 2026. The border crossing is situated in the Spin Boldak district of Kandahar, Afghanistan.

Historically, repeated British invasions kept Afghanistan in a state of conflict until the close of the nineteenth century. The Soviet invasion of Afghanistan took place in 1979.

Following the Soviet withdrawal in 1989, Pakistan became a key supporter of the Mujahideen's logistics and training infrastructure. Subsequently, Pakistan joined the US-led ‘war on terror’ in a supportive capacity.

Afghan Presidents Hamid Karzai and Ashraf Ghani repeatedly urged Pakistan to engage in military action against the Taliban.

Novak Djokovic defeated Nuno Borges in his match. This win extended Djokovic's flawless record to thirty victories. Following the match, 39-year-old Djokovic stated, "In the second set when he started to play better, I struggled a little bit to stay fresh… played out a great tiebreak to close it out in two, so very happy for that".

Looking ahead, Djokovic aims for a record-extending seventh title. His next opponent is set to be Yunchaokete Bu. Separately, Yunchaokete Bu defeated Juan Manuel Cerundolo with scores of 6-2, 5-7, and 6-4.

Mayors of cities excluded from state electric vehicle cluster development collaborated with local entrepreneurs to advance the sector's growth. The central government did not intervene to stop these local efforts from undermining state-owned enterprises.

Private firms, such as BYD and NIO, operated without receiving any state grants. These private competitors have significantly outperformed state-run SOEs in the electric vehicle market.

One county reportedly incurred a loss of 6.6 billion yuan supporting a car manufacturer. China's governance structure is arguably the most decentralized system globally.

The state reportedly permits 'creative destruction' within its economic framework. Attaining a high-ranking party position in China can be achieved through strong performance at the local level.

China's economic transformation commenced with Deng Xiaoping’s reforms in 1978. The 'modern enterprise system' received party approval in November 1993.

The economy has struggled to exit a stagflationary period since 2022.

PTI and Jamaat-i-Islami announced plans for long marches in Islamabad, but both parties subsequently postponed these planned demonstrations. The PTI indicated that it would commence its protest activities over the coming weekend.

Historically, the PTI secured 120 seats during the 2018 elections. Furthermore, the TLP registered itself as a political party in 2016.

In the 2018 elections, the TLP garnered 2.2 million votes. The PTI's 2014 sit-ins reportedly lasted for 126 days.

The finance minister stated that every single day of protest could cause an economic loss of around 120 billion Rupees to Pakistan’s economy. The 2014 dharna and the 2016 ‘lockdown’ agitation by the PTI reportedly established a foundation for electoral expansion in 2018.

Federal ministers were nominated by the prime minister of the time to interact with protest leaders. From 2012 to 2017, the state apparatus attempted to ease tensions through mediated settlements or concessions.

Australian shares rose on Friday, with the S&P/ASX 200 index reaching 8,647.8 points, marking a 0.4% increase as of 0007 GMT. However, the index recorded a 0.2% decline over the course of the week.

Investors noted that the benchmark index had closed 2% lower on Thursday. Yield movements showed the benchmark 10-year yield eased to 5.36%, while the three-year yield settled at 4.88%.

Sector performance saw Financials advance by as much as 0.6%. Furthermore, all 'Big Four' banks posted gains ranging between 0.2% and 0.8%.

Energy stocks advanced by 1.8%, with Santos specifically adding 2.2%. Miners climbed 0.7%, and BHP added 0.7% to its value.

Technology stocks experienced a notable rise of up to 3.8%. Consumer staples added 1%, while the healthcare sub-index slipped 0.5%.

Real estate stocks shed 0.6% of their value. In contrast, New Zealand’s benchmark S&P/NZX 50 index fell 0.7% to 13,715.99 points.

Amazon is looking to transfer approximately $8 billion worth of advanced Nvidia chips to investors. The cloud giant held discussions with investors to assess interest in this potential transaction.

This arrangement requires moving thousands of Grace Blackwell chips into a special-purpose vehicle. Following the transfer, Amazon will lease the advanced AI chips back from the special-purpose vehicle.

Furthermore, Amazon intends to provide an equity stake of up to 10% in the vehicle. These chips are currently installed across more than a dozen US data centres spanning five states, including Nevada and Virginia.

AMD agreed to purchase World Labs in an acquisition deal valued at US$8.2 billion. The technology firm AMD intends to use the startup's model expertise to guide the development of its future hardware, software, and systems.

This move suggests that AMD is evolving past its previous position as solely Intel's competitor within the central processing unit market. The transaction involves AMD, which is the acquiring entity, and World Labs, the startup being acquired.

Fei-Fei Li is associated with the development work at World Labs, which is located in San Francisco.

Tesla cut memory specifications for its AI5 and AI6 chips to secure memory for Optimus mass production. These reductions in memory specifications are specifically intended to support the scaling up of Optimus production.

Separately, reports indicate that Tesla is reportedly shifting its manufacturing focus towards China. This move suggests Tesla is utilising Chinese manufacturing capabilities to bolster the supply chain for its Optimus humanoid robot.

The company, Tesla, is reportedly engaging with China to facilitate this manufacturing support.

Benchmark three-month copper on the London Metal Exchange reached $14,289 a metric ton, marking a 0.32% increase by 0300 GMT today. Conversely, copper output in Chile recorded a 12.8% year-on-year fall for August.

Supervisors at Chile’s Escondida copper mine rejected a collective contract offer. Daniel Hynes, senior commodity strategist at ANZ, stated that this rejection 'adds to an overall slump in output, as the industry struggles to maintain aging infrastructure amid difficult operating conditions.'

Other metals saw varied movements across the board. Aluminium dipped by 0.18%, while Zinc added 0.15% and Lead rose by 0.03%.

Nickel experienced a slight dip of 0.19%. Separately, the US dollar reached a 17-month high.

The Shanghai Futures Exchange (SHFE) is scheduled to reopen on October 8.

Maeda secured victory in the quarter-final bout in Nagoya after Tang Jing received disqualification for an alleged bite. The incident occurred when Tang appeared to bite Maeda just above the wrist while the pair were clinched on the ground.

Following a review of the footage, the judges disqualified Tang. Maki Tsukada noted that the bite marks remained visible even though Maeda wore protective tape on that section of her arm.

Tsukada stated, "Still, the teeth marks were clearly and firmly there". The victory marked a first for her in her extensive career in the sport, according to Tsukada.

Maeda subsequently won gold by defeating Kazakhstan's Azhar Askhat in the final match. A 21-year-old athlete stated, "I entered this tournament with a strong determination to win gold".

The executive board of the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) approved reshaping the calendar for future Games. The OCA's decision means that if the Games are reshaped, the Doha Games would take place in 2031, preceding the 2032 Brisbane Olympics.

Currently, Doha is slated to host the Asian Games in 2030. Ahmad Abdulla Al-Buenain stated that the local organising committee (LOC) must prepare for any potential date change.

Furthermore, Al-Buenain asserted that the final call on any date alteration rests with both the OCA and the IOC. Regarding the 2030 Asian Games, Ahmad Abdulla Al-Buenain confirmed that the organising committee views the year as 2030.

Qatar possesses all necessary venues for the Asian Games. Al-Buenain also stated that Qatar is prepared to host major sporting events.

The infrastructure supports more than 17,000 athletes and officials.

Balochistan Chief Minister Mir Sarfraz Bugti stated that providing quality healthcare constitutes a top government priority. Bugti, who was accompanied by National Party chief Dr Abdul Malik Baloch, visited the Civil Sandeman Provincial Hospital.

At the hospital, Mir Rahmat Saleh Baloch, an MPA and former provincial health minister, underwent a successful angioplasty in the cardiology department. Mir Rahmat Saleh Baloch noted that the hospital's availability of quality healthcare saves people the hardship and extra cost of travelling to other cities for treatment.

The primary goal of current health-sector reforms, Bugti stated, is to lessen the requirement for residents to seek medical treatment outside the province. The government is working to equip major hospitals with specialized medical centres and facilities capable of treating complex illnesses locally.

Furthermore, efforts are underway to restore public trust in government hospitals and ensure citizens access timely, quality medical care within the province.

Production has commenced on Landman Season 3, with filming taking place in Fort Worth, Texas. Colm Feore, Mustafa Speaks, Bobbi Salvor Menuez, and Francesca Xuereb received promotion to series regular status for the upcoming season.

Previously, the series achieved an average viewership exceeding 14 million viewers per episode during the first five weeks of 2026, according to Nielsen multiplatform data. The narrative saw Cami dismiss Tommy from his role as head of M-Tex following the conclusion of the second season.

The United Nations is pressing forward with help and support for Palestinians in war-shattered Gaza, according to Acting UN Special Coordinator Ramiz Alakbarov. UN agencies and humanitarian partners are working to address urgent needs, including shelter, healthcare, water, and sanitation.

However, significant obstacles remain, notably Israel-imposed restrictions affecting humanitarian access and the entry of materials needed for reconstruction. UN agencies, including the UN relief agency for Palestine refugees (UNRWA), continue their operations on the ground.

Addressing the situation in the occupied West Bank, Alakbarov noted that tensions are rising amid settler violence, economic pressures, and restrictions impacting Palestinian communities. He further underscored continued international backing for a two-State solution, where Israel and Palestine can coexist in peace and security.

The Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) launched the Pakistan Hockey League (PHL). The PHF awarded the league rights to Mediacast.

Organisers plan for the inaugural season of the PHL to take place in 2027. The league is anticipated to comprise between six and eight franchise teams.

Furthermore, the PHL is expected to incorporate international players into its roster. Private-sector participation is also anticipated to draw support for the league.

Abbas Kamel, Egypt's intelligence chief, visited Israel and issued a warning regarding the dangerous situation in Gaza. During his visit, Kamel spent about 67 minutes in Israel and met with senior Israeli national security officials.

The UAE's leader also cautioned Netanyahu about the peril emanating from Gaza. Israeli military inquiries admitted shortcomings in assessing Hamas's intentions and capabilities, and in grasping the scale and immediacy of the danger.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defence Minister Israel Katz stated that the Israeli military targeted and killed Izz al-Din Al-Beik. Medics and sources from Hamas confirmed Al-Beik's death following the Israeli strike on an apartment building in Gaza City’s Nasr neighbourhood near dawn.

Furthermore, Israeli surveillance, intelligence, and military personnel had detected unusual Hamas activity within Gaza prior to 7 October.

Micron confirmed it employs an externally manufactured base die within its NVHBM technology. Separately, Netlist initiated legal action against Micron, Nvidia, Broadcom, and Google.

Furthermore, Micron unveiled the Micron Ventures Paradigm Fund. This new fund involves a commitment of US$250 million.

The investment vehicle aims to participate in a broader market valued at US$25 billion. Overall, the fund's scope touches upon the massive US$250 billion semiconductor market.

The WTA confirmed it will reduce the number of required tournaments for top-ranked players in 2027. For the 2027 season, the WTA mandates that players ranked in the top 50 must compete in four WTA 500 tournaments.

Furthermore, the WTA allows players to substitute points earned from WTA 1000 events with points from WTA 500 or WTA 250 tournaments. Separately, the ATP announced a reduction in mandatory 500-level tournaments for the top 30 players, decreasing the requirement from five to four starting this season.

Additionally, the WTA confirmed that the prize money for 'combined' WTA 1000 tournaments will now align with the corresponding men's ATP events.

foodpanda organised appreciation events for delivery riders, featuring local restaurant partners Burger Lab and Greeno, to acknowledge their efforts. During these gatherings, the delivery riders received official Appreciation Certificates.

Furthermore, the management from the partner restaurants hosted a sit-down meal to honour the riders' crucial function. Khawaja Shariq Mustafa, Commercial Director, foodpanda Pakistan, stated that delivery riders function as the link connecting local businesses directly to customer doorsteps.

Mustafa also asserted that true ecosystem growth depends upon mutual respect.

Pakistan lost the final ASEAN Cup match to Vietnam with a score of 4-2 at the Gelora Bung Karno Stadium in Jakarta on Friday. Mohibullah scored the opening goal for Pakistan during the first half of the contest.

Vietnam established a three-to-one lead through goals from Long Hai Nguyen, Duc Hoang Nguyen, and Bac Dinh Nguyen. The Vietnamese side extended their advantage when Hoang Minh Williams scored in stoppage time, restoring a two-goal lead.

Vietnam ultimately secured second place in Division I Group ‘B’, trailing behind Thailand. Pakistan secured only one point across its three matches in this maiden FIFA competition.

Previously, Pakistan managed a 2-2 draw against the Philippines in their Division I Group ‘B’ fixture.

The Prime Minister's Youth Programme (PMYP) will establish a dedicated office at the Islamabad Chamber of Commerce & Industry (ICCI) to connect young people with employment, internships, training, and other opportunities. The initiative also involves a commitment of Rs 262.5 billion in financing.

Furthermore, the government intends to increase women's share in total lending from 11–12 percent to a minimum of 25 percent. Mohammad Zikria Akbar Zia, President of the ICCI, welcomed the programme and guaranteed full cooperation.