Kevin Roose and Casey Newton launch Machine Gods show next week

Wasim Akram shared a message advising people aged over 50 on mobile phone and social media use. Akram stated that this is special for 50+ that they should use WhatsApp, social media and their phones the correct way.

The former cricketer noted that individuals should not feel obliged to send good morning messages to everyone daily. Akram suggested that shorter clips of around 2 minutes are more suitable for many viewers than 30-minute-long videos.

Users are urged not to remain available on WhatsApp around the clock. Replying to a message 5 minutes later is acceptable, according to the advice.

Akram stated he still checks and forwards messages but prefers to keep things under control.

The Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan (DRAP) has started consultations to create the nation's inaugural Medical Devices Policy. These discussions align with the National Regulatory System Strategic Plan 2026-30.

The Pakistan Nuclear Regulatory Authority (PNRA) joined the consultation process alongside Connectech. Industry groups, including the Pakistan Engineering and Medical Devices Association (PEMDA) and the Health Devices Association of Pakistan (HDAP), also took part in the talks.

Local contract research organisations (CROs) and medical device manufacturers contributed their input during the sessions. Official sources stated the policy seeks to improve access to essential medical technologies while strengthening regulations and promoting domestic production.

The initiative supports a 'Made in Pakistan' vision by encouraging local manufacturing to decrease the country's dependence on foreign products. DRAP intends to build a regulatory framework that fosters healthcare innovation and ensures patients can access reliable medical technologies nationwide, according to official sources.

Walmart is selling the digital version of Pikmin 4 for the Nintendo Switch at a discounted price of $39.88. This offer reduces the cost of the game by $20.11 compared to its standard retail price.

The current Switch title features a dog companion that assists the player. Nintendo announced that a version of Pikmin 4 for the Switch 2 will debut on 12 November 2026.

Polished visuals define the upcoming Switch 2 release, which also introduces a new mode titled Dandori Academy. Voice commands for the dog companion are included in the next-generation version.

The Switch 2 Edition of Pikmin 4 will retail for $69.99. Players have the option to upgrade to the Switch 2 version for a fee of $10.

Taylor Swift performed a four-song set with a full band on 17 October at the Academy Museum 6th Annual Gala. The singer performed "I Knew It, I Knew You," a track from the Pixar film Toy Story 5.

This specific song is in contention for the 2027 Oscars and several Grammy categories, including song of the year, film soundtrack, and country. Swift previously performed the song live at the Grammy Museum and during a private Ross House FYC showcase.

A backing crew of four singers, two sax players, one guitarist, one bassist, one keyboard player, and one drummer accompanied her. Notable attendees at the gala included Sabrina Carpenter, Cara Delevingne, Charlize Theron, and Elle Fanning.

Other guests present at the event were Conan O’Brian, Colman Domingo, Joan Cusack, Eli Roth, John Carpenter, Hannah Waddingham, and Dakota.

Foreign investors injected $188 million into Pakistan’s domestic bonds during the first nine days of October. Treasury bills drew $78 million of this capital, while Pakistan Investment Bonds (PIBs) attracted $110 million.

The United Arab Emirates contributed $50 million to T-bills and $80 million to PIBs during the period. Bahrain also participated by investing $10 million in T-bills and $30 million in PIBs.

Outflows from foreign investors reached $38.16 million over the same nine-day window. Since the start of the current fiscal year, total foreign investment in domestic government securities has reached $656 million.

Cumulative investment in PIBs has reached $404 million, while T-bills have seen $252 million in total funding since the fiscal year began. Analysts suggest that Pakistanis residing and operating businesses in the Gulf might be moving a portion of their liquid assets into the country.

Jad Abumrad created and hosted Dolly Parton’s America, which won a Peabody Award alongside his other production, Fela Kuti: Fear No Man. Abumrad also founded Radiolab before retiring from the show in 2022.

Latif Nasser and Lulu Miller assumed leadership of the podcast following his departure. Vanderbilt University now employs Abumrad as a distinguished research professor.

The creator manages his daily schedule using the Fantastical calendar app and the Alfred app. Digital habits for Abumrad include keeping 14 tabs open at once.

His personal collection features a butterfly knife and a 1997 Motorola flip phone. Abumrad recently purchased an original pressing of John Coltrane’s Blue Train with his son about one month ago.

He once played Donkey Kong at a Kroger store.

Rajab Butt appeared on Ahmed Ali Butt's podcast on 15 October and made disparaging comments regarding Durefishan Saleem. During the appearance, Butt referred to the actress as "ras malai" and "gol matol".

The content creator, who maintains over 9,000,000 YouTube subscribers and 3,000,000 Instagram followers, also claimed his vlogs attract more viewers than the dramas of Sehar Khan. Sehar Khan publicly called out Butt for his remarks.

Last month, Butt faced criticism for making an inappropriate joke about child sexual abuse during a TikTok Live session with Zaid Ali. He subsequently apologised for those TikTok Live comments following a wave of backlash on social media.

Legal issues have previously targeted Butt for promoting online gambling applications, hurting religious sentiments, and the unlawful custody of a lion cub.

Dancing With the Stars is benching Val Chmerkovskiy after the professional dancer made a joke about judge Carrie Ann Inaba. The social media post was deleted following the incident.

Carrie Ann Inaba commented on her own Instagram regarding the situation. Inaba faced constant booing and criticism from the ballroom audience during Season 34, while Derek Hough and Bruno Tonioli did not receive similar treatment.

Jenna Dewan will still perform during dedication week despite the changes. Dewan will be paired with Alan Bersten for the performance.

Bersten was previously eliminated in week 3 of the competition. The duo will perform a Viennese waltz to the song “Unchained Melody.”

This specific dance is dedicated to the mother of Jenna Dewan.

The National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA) established 43 citizen facilitation centres across 11 districts in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. This initiative, known as the K-P Citizen-Centred Service Delivery Project, operates within the social policy sector.

A $46 million grant from the World Bank provides the funding for the project. Implementation of the project has reached 72 percent completion.

Work is scheduled to finish by 31 December 2026.

TikTok permanently suspended the "Musk" advertisement account on 16 October. The platform took action just before the wide release of a documentary about the billionaire.

The film has a total runtime of 3 hours and 45 minutes. Legal threats from the SpaceX founder created uncertainty for audiences about an international debut.

Producer Gibney said, "Were they concerned that in this political environment, a film about the world’s richest man was problematic? Maybe, but you have to ask them."

Google might withdraw access to its Pro AI models from Google AI Plus subscribers on 13 November 2026. MovilZona reported that the deadline for this potential restriction is 9 October.

Flash and Flash-Lite models will stay available for those on the AI Plus subscription. Users can still select Pro models if they subscribe to Google AI Pro.

Existing conversations that used a Pro model previously may continue using a different model. The Google AI Plus plan costs $4.99 per month and provides 400 GB of storage along with 200 Google Flow Credits.

Switching to Google AI Pro would increase the monthly fee by $15, bringing the total cost to $19.99. The Pro tier includes 5 TB of storage and 1,000 Google Flow Credits.

Wahaj Ali portrays Baala, who transforms into Baala Gujrati following the death of his brother Aslam (Achi) in a railway crossing shootout. Episodes 7 and 8 of the drama Mitti De Baway aired on 15 October and 16 October respectively.

Baala Gujrati is tied to the gangster Phajja, a role played by Sohail Ahmed. Mahira Khan portrays Bilqees Bano, also known as Billo, who was kicked out of her home by her father-in-law.

The expulsion occurred because Billo fell for Baala as a teenager. Amar Khan portrays Zarina in the series.

Syed Wajahat Hussain directed the production, which was written by Faiza Iftikhar.

Grace Snell will serve as the costume designer for a new film adaptation of Jane Austen’s 1811 novel Sense and Sensibility. Daisy Edgar-Jones portrays Elinor Dashwood, while Esmé Creed-Miles takes on the role of Marianne Dashwood.

At the start of the story, Marianne is 19 years old, Elinor is 16, and Margaret is 13. The Dashwood sisters share clothing throughout the narrative.

Snell drew inspiration from runway looks of the 1980s and 1990s for the production. Shades of black define the film's colors to represent a period of mourning.

In London, Elinor and Edward appear in shades of blue to signify disappointment. “I tried to not be intimidated by the fact that we were making a Jane Austen and how big a deal that was,” Snell said.

French President Emmanuel Macron called for calm and order during a national television address from the Élysée Palace in Paris. Approximately 550,000 demonstrators took to the streets to protest deteriorating public services, the cost of living, and increasing fuel prices.

Macron warned that the riots must not escalate, stating that "we all feel anger and shame" but "nothing justifies" the violence. Widespread looting occurred across Lille, Marseille, and Paris over the weekend.

Police arrested about 2,400 people as riot police used batons, tear gas, and water cannons against crowds in several locations. France's interior ministry reported that about 1,000 police officers were injured on Saturday, with 7 of those sustaining serious injuries.

The president pledged full transparency while stating that local mayors and prefects will collaborate to protect buildings and shops.