Australia confirms first H5N1 bird flu case on Macquarie Island

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.

Kevin Roose and Casey Newton will launch a show titled Machine Gods next week. Roose also authored a book called The AGI Chronicles.

The author currently uses an iPhone 15 Pro. New hardware releases include a $299 Apple HomeView home hub and a $60 Siri Remote.

Fairphone released the Fairbuds 2, which is a smaller, lighter, and cheaper alternative to AirPods with longer battery life. Microsoft introduced the Xbox Nano Controller, a pocket-sized gaming device.

The Fitbit Edge now features biometric tracking and workout monitoring. CMF released the Speaker S as a Bluetooth audio device.

A new version of the color E Ink Kaleido 4 panel has entered the market. The documentary The Drop You Can See Everything features Nathan Fielder and Elizabeth Holmes.

Josh Johnson has prepared an hourlong set focused on Elizabeth Holmes. Nancy, an agent for Muse, has lost $41 on the Kalshi platform to date.

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.

United States diplomats visited a Christian Palestinian village in the Israeli-occupied West Bank on Sunday. Riley Barnes, the assistant secretary of state for democracy, human rights and labor, and Brian Burch, the US ambassador to the Holy See, arrived at the Latin Convent church.

The officials were scheduled to hold meetings with members of the Christian community in Taybeh. This diplomatic trip occurred after militant Israeli settlers attacked an American photojournalist and European diplomats over the previous two days.

The National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA) warned the public against fraudulent websites claiming to issue civilian arms licences. Scammers targeted residents in Punjab by using these fake platforms to solicit exorbitant fees from applicants.

Sensitive personal information provided by victims remains at risk of misuse by these unauthorized operators. NADRA officials stated applicants must strictly verify the official website address prior to submitting applications or making payments.

The agency advised citizens to confirm web addresses before sharing any identity details or funds. The public is urged to rely exclusively on verified official platforms for all transactions related to licences.

Authorities requested that people report any fraudulent online activities to the relevant law enforcement agencies.

Punjab Police officers and personnel remained on high alert as Christian prayer services were held at churches across the province, including in Lahore. Law enforcement personnel performed security duties during the religious gatherings to ensure public safety.

Inspector General of Police Punjab Abdul Kareem issued directives to Regional Police Officers, District Police Officers, and senior police officers to further enhance security at churches. The IG Punjab ordered supervisory officers to personally inspect security arrangements at churches and other important and sensitive locations.

Additional police personnel and snipers should be deployed at sensitive churches to provide extra protection. Teams from the Dolphin Squad, Police Response Unit (PRU), and Elite Force were tasked with ensuring effective patrolling around the churches.

Abdul Kareem directed that all deployed police officers and personnel should remain highly vigilant and keep a close watch on miscreant elements.

Taylor Swift holds the number one position on the Billboard 200 chart. The Life of a Showgirl marks its 15th non-consecutive week at the top of the rankings.

Olivia Rodrigo occupies the number two slot with You Seem Pretty Sad for a Girl So in Love. Morgan Wallen follows in third place with I’m the Problem.

Ella Langley sits at number four with Dandelion. Noah Kahan holds the number five position with The Great Divide.

Drake appears at number six with Habibti. Olivia Dean ranks seventh with The Art of Loving.

Stick Season by Noah Kahan reaches number eight. Greta Van Fleet occupies the number nine spot with Palace for the People.

Drake also features at number 10 with Iceman.

The Saudi-led coalition and Iran-backed Houthis traded strikes in a series of military actions. Repeated air raids by the Saudi-led coalition targeted Houthi-controlled areas within Yemen.

At least nine people died and 16 others were injured during a Saudi airstrike in the Saada governorate, according to the Saba news agency. Two pilots lost their lives when a helicopter crashed in Najran, the Saudi-led coalition confirmed.

Riyadh experienced two drone interceptions during the period of heightened activity. The Houthis claimed they downed an Apache helicopter belonging to the Saudi enemy.

Kingdom Centre skyscraper management ordered office tenants to engage in mandatory remote working.

SAFWCO celebrated its 40th anniversary and World Rural Women’s Day during a joint ceremony at the HID Hall, located within the SAFCO Group head office in Hyderabad. The organisation began its journey in 1986, eventually leading to the creation of the SAFCO Support Foundation in 2009.

Since 2022, the SAFCO Microfinance Company Limited (SMCL) has been providing microfinance services to the public. Suleman G. Abro stated that women must be given a stronger and more meaningful role in society.

Abro added that sustainable and inclusive development requires collective effort, commitment, hard work and investment in people’s capabilities. Staff members should be provided with professional freedom, necessary facilities and trust, Abro said.

Syed Sajjad Ali Shah observed that digital technology, climate change and economic challenges are reshaping the microfinance sector. Shah argued that transforming SAFCO Microfinance into a stronger financial institution requires digital systems, effective management, cooperation and strategic partnerships.

Auckland journalist David Farrier released a documentary titled Mister Organ, which examines the predatory practices of a local antique shop. Bashford Antiques, located in Ponsonby, demanded fees reaching $760 from owners to release vehicles from its lot.

Farrier's reporting for The Spinoff prompted the government to introduce new legislation aimed at outlawing extreme clamping fees. Michael Organ, who was hired to police the shop's lot, faced charges for attempting to steal a yacht.

Organ claimed to be a prince and admitted to possessing a key to Farrier's residence. Farrier fled the country to ensure his own safety from Organ.

Viewers can stream the documentary on YouTube, Kanopy, and Hoopla.

Jesse Eisenberg received a Razzie Award for his performance in Batman v Superman. The film generated $424.1 million at the global box office upon its release.

Overall, Batman v Superman secured four Razzies, including a win for worst screenplay. The production also earned a Razzie for worst screen combo, specifically citing Henry Cavill and Ben Affleck.

Eisenberg previously earned an Oscar nomination for best actor for his portrayal of Mark Zuckerberg in The Social Network. David Fincher directed The Social Network, which featured a script written by Aaron Sorkin.

In 2024, Eisenberg released A Real Pain, a project that earned him a nomination for best screenplay. Kieran Culkin won the Oscar for best supporting actor for his work in A Real Pain last year.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky met with European Union leaders in Brussels on 15 October. During a press conference, Zelensky offered a knowing smile and remained silent when questioned about whether Donald Trump was scapegoating him for political troubles in the United States.

The Ukrainian leader was also asked if the former US president was lashing out at him to deflect from his own political strife ahead of midterm elections scheduled for next month. Donald Trump previously stated that he found it easier to deal with Russian President Vladimir Putin than with Zelensky.

Zelensky responded to the narrative by saying, "Yesterday was a thousand drones in Ukraine, a thousand, but the American side said that it is difficult to speak with Zelensky, it’s less difficult to manage with Putin." The Ukrainian president added, "This is my answer."

Zelensky said, "Yesterday was a thousand drones in Ukraine, a thousand, but the American side said that it is difficult to speak with Zelensky, it’s less difficult to manage with Putin."

Zelensky

The Sindh Government’s Department of Sports & Youth Affairs organised the Pinktober Sports Gala in Clifton, District South Karachi, to promote breast cancer awareness among women. Munawar Mahesar attended the opening ceremony as the chief guest.

Parliamentary Secretary Saima Agha joined the event alongside Director Sports Asad Ishaq. Syed Habibullah and DSO Fareed Ali were also in attendance at Sporton in Clifton.

Women’s throwball competitions served as a primary feature of the sports programme. The gala took place on 18 October.

Additional Sessions Judge Yalmaz Ghani requested arguments from the legal team representing Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Tuesday. The proceedings addressed a miscellaneous application within a Rs10 billion defamation lawsuit filed by Sharif against Imran Khan.

Sharif maintains that Khan made untrue accusations against him regarding the Panama Papers scandal. Muhammad Hussain Chotya delivered arguments concerning the specific application before the court.

Judge Ghani then asked the lawyers for the Prime Minister to provide their own submissions.

Xreal released the Xreal 1 Pro+ today, a spatial computing headset starting at $599. The device utilizes 0.55-inch Sony Micro-OLED panels that provide a resolution of 1,920 × 1,200 pixels.

Brightness levels reach 1,200 nits on the new model, a significant increase from the 700 nits offered by the standard Xreal 1 Pro. Performance is driven by the X1 spatial computing chip, which achieves a motion-to-photon latency of 3ms.

Users can access virtual displays ranging from 34 inches to 556 inches while maintaining a 57-degree field of view. The hardware supports 60fps conversion and includes native 3DoF support.

Xreal added a new AI HDR feature to the software suite. Physical adjustments include a redesigned nose pad with a broader contact area for improved comfort.

Connectivity is handled through USB-C, requiring devices that support DisplayPort Alt Mode.

Bob Greenblatt led NBC Entertainment starting in January 2011, following Comcast's acquisition of a majority stake in the network that same month. The network produced four additional live tuners during his tenure, including the 2013 premiere of Sound of Music Live.

Sound of Music Live reached more than 18 million viewers, surpassing the internal goal of at least 10 million. Six Emmy nominations and one win were earned by the production.

Other notable projects under his oversight included 9 to 5: The Musical with Dolly Parton in 2009 and Jesus Christ Superstar Live featuring John Legend on 1 April 2018. Hairspray Live was filmed at the Universal lot in North Hollywood, while a planned 2017 production of Bye Bye Birdie with Jennifer Lopez never happened.

Greenblatt's leadership role at NBC concluded in the fall of 2018.

Elon Musk settled two lawsuits in Austin, Texas, regarding a pledge to award $1 million daily to a randomly selected registered voter in a 2024 swing state. Two residents of Arizona filed the legal actions, alleging that Musk's lottery was a fraud.

The plaintiffs argued that Musk falsely stated the prizes would be distributed randomly. Philadelphia’s District Attorney also sued to halt the giveaway, claiming Musk was operating an illegal lottery.

Chris Gober, a representative for Musk’s America PAC, stated, "The $1 million recipients are not chosen by chance … We know exactly who will be announced as the $1 million recipient today and tomorrow." Accusations also surfaced that Musk and America PAC used the giveaway as a tactic to gather user information.

The petition for the giveaway contained no restrictions on how America PAC could use or sell the personal data it collected.

Chris Gober, a representative for Musk’s America PAC, stated, "The $1 million recipients are not chosen by chance … We know exactly who will be announced as the $1 million recipient today and tomorrow."

Chris Gober, a representative for Musk’s America PAC

The film Split grossed a worldwide total of $278.45 million. Domestic earnings reached $138.29 million, while the movie generated $140.16 million in international markets.

Production costs for the project totalled $6 million. James McAvoy, Anya Taylor-Joy, Haley Lu Richardson, and Jessica Sula all appeared in the production.

The plot follows a man with 23 distinct personalities who kidnaps three girls. According to the film’s official description, "They must try to escape before the apparent emergence of a frightful new 24th."

Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi stated his presidency will end in 2030. The 71-year-old leader, who was reelected in December 2023, has held the office since 2014.

Sisi took power in 2014 after toppling Mohamed Morsi. Constitutional changes from a 2019 referendum increased the presidential term from four years to six years.

The Egyptian Military Academy will conduct a 30-month training programme to prepare potential future leaders. This initiative will target individuals holding PhDs from both domestic and international universities.

A committee led by the speaker of parliament will establish the criteria for selecting these candidates. Regarding the transition, Abdel Fattah al-Sisi described it as "a matter that has been completely settled and will not be discussed."

Abdel Fattah al-Sisi said the transition is "a matter that has been completely settled and will not be discussed."

Abdel Fattah al-Sisi

Chinese artificial intelligence supply chain companies are expected to maintain their listings in Hong Kong. Simon Yuan noted that companies planning to list in the territory benefit from a nearly equal split between international and domestic Chinese demand.

Local liquidity provides a foundation of support for the market. Capital flowing south from the Chinese mainland is becoming a primary buying force, according to Yuan.

Many hardware players from China have created manufacturing bases outside of the mainland. Global demand for AI infrastructure has enabled Chinese hardware suppliers to achieve higher unit prices and increased sales volumes.

Next year, the focus of Hong Kong's equity capital markets is projected to move toward developers of Chinese AI models and applications. Yuan, who attended IMF meetings in Bangkok, observed that recent valuation drops for data centre companies mostly began in the US market.

The Department of Agriculture Extension in Khyber District launched an agricultural initiative in 2021 to expand local farming. Authorities planted 3,500 olive trees across roughly 58 acres in the Kam Shilman and Loay Shilman areas.

This past year, the project produced more than 80 million tons of olives. Farmers in Shilman now manufacture olive oil and pickles for distribution to Mansehra, Lahore, and Peshawar.

More than 340 Palestinian children have died in Gaza since a cessation of hostilities was announced over a year ago. Hundreds of other children have sustained wounds during the ongoing conflict.

UNICEF reports that nearly half of the children killed since the truce began died in areas near the Yellow Line. This boundary demarcates the military presence of Israel.

Continued military aggression by Israel has turned the ceasefire into a diplomatic facade. Repeated invocations of security concerns by Israel cannot justify the killing of children.

Israel must be compelled to stop unlawful attacks and allow the unrestricted delivery of essential humanitarian aid.