Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi calls for regional security diplomacy

Saudi Arabia has pushed back the 10th edition of its Future Investment Initiative (FII) conference to 2027. The event was originally scheduled to take place from 26 to 29 October 2026.

Organizers cited the widening Middle East conflict and a series of deadly attacks as the primary reasons for the delay. Strikes on the international airport in Riyadh killed at least 18 people and injured hundreds of others this month.

Iran-aligned Houthis from Yemen targeted civilian, energy, and military infrastructure across the kingdom. The Houthi group also struck the headquarters of Aramco.

Private-equity firms and large banks expressed safety worries to Public Investment Fund Governor Yasir Al-Rumayyan. Expected attendees for the summit included David Solomon, Bill Winters, and Jane Fraser.

FII organizers had previously explored a hybrid format for the conference. Organizers will announce a new date for the conference very soon.

Authorities classified a warehouse fire near Metroville in the SITE area as a third-degree emergency on Monday. Firefighting operations at the SITE location remain ongoing as teams work to put out the flames.

The spokesperson stated that the operation will continue until the fire is fully extinguished. Rescue 1122 did not immediately provide details about the cause of either fire.

Firefighters controlled a shop blaze in North Nazimabad on Monday. The shop fire broke out near Farooq-e-Azam Mosque beneath a residential building.

The Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) suspended two Inland Revenue Service officers for violating conduct rules. Two other Inland Revenue Service officers were repatriated to the FBR headquarters.

The suspended individuals hold the ranks of BS-20 and BS-19. Both repatriated officials occupy BS-20 positions.

Authorities determined that the conduct of the suspended staff breached Rules 23 and 26 of the Civil Servants (Conduct) Rules, 2026. Such actions were classified as misconduct under Rule 34.

Disciplinary proceedings will begin under the Civil Servants (Efficiency and Discipline) Rules, 2020. The FBR also pushed back the deadline for filing tax returns to 31 October 2026.

The Punjab cabinet approved 1,500 electric buses under the leadership of Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif. Provincial Transport Minister Bilal Akbar Khan announced the move during a press conference.

Every tehsil will receive modern, cheap, and safe travel facilities as part of the new fleet expansion. Ongoing projects include modern metro systems in Faisalabad and Gujranwala.

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These measures focus on creating eco-friendly transport, ensuring safe travel for women, and lowering air pollution levels.

The Punjab government plans to deploy 1,100 electric buses across every district in the province. Passengers can use this modern travel facility for a fare of 20 Rupees.

Free travel is available for senior citizens, women, students, and special persons. Authorities will also provide necessary facilities, including dedicated bus stops.

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Investment in the transport sector has increased under the leadership of Maryam Nawaz Sharif.

B&H Photo is selling the Sony WF-1000XM6 in black for $238. This price point reflects a $92 reduction from the standard cost, which customers can claim at checkout.

No other retailers are currently providing a similar discount on the XM6 model. Sony enhanced the bone-conduction sensor and integrated AI-powered microphones into the new hardware.

The earbuds are compatible with the LDAC codec, and the Sound Connect app provides various customization features. A listening mode is included that replicates background sounds, such as those found in a cafe.

StarCharge and McDonald’s Pakistan have signed a memorandum of understanding to establish electric vehicle charging stations across the country. Charging facilities will be installed at McDonald’s locations that provide drive-through services.

Minister for National Food Security and Research Rana Tanveer Hussain stated that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif envisions 30 percent of vehicles in Pakistan becoming electric. Pakistan launched an electric vehicle initiative which included the distribution of electric motorcycles.

Rana Tanveer Hussain formulated and announced the electric vehicle policy during his previous tenure as Minister for Industries and Production. The government introduced measures to ensure that charging facilities are available at high-rise buildings and major shopping malls.

Approval requirements involving the Capital Development Authority (CDA) and the Lahore Development Authority (LDA) now make charging facilities mandatory. Hussain visited a StarCharge factory in China to oversee the development.

Gwyneth Paltrow will portray Evelyn Amspoker in a new drama series called “The Apology” for Netflix. The streaming platform has commissioned two seasons of the production.

Amspoker's son was killed 18 years ago, providing the central premise for the show. Netflix recently dismissed 6% of its staff members.

Bela Bajaria was removed from her position at the company last week. Peter Rice took over as the new Chief Content Officer to replace Bajaria.

Dan Lin departed the company on 19 October 2026. Paltrow previously appeared in five episodes of “Glee” as Holly Holiday.

The actress also held a supporting role in the series “The Politician”.

Ambassador Salman Sharif presented his Letters of Credence to Frank-Walter Steinmeier at the Office of the German President in Berlin. During the ceremony, Sharif delivered greetings from the people of Pakistan, the prime minister, and President Asif Ali Zardari.

The German President welcomed the new ambassador and expressed a desire to enhance multifaceted cooperation with Pakistan in the coming years. Steinmeier acknowledged the significant role Pakistan plays in regional peace efforts while noting the commitment of Pakistani leadership to bolster bilateral ties.

Both nations intend to broaden their partnership across trade, investment, technology, energy, and green transition initiatives. Frank-Walter Steinmeier expects to host President Asif Ali Zardari for an official visit later this week.

This upcoming visit by Zardari aligns with the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two countries.

The National Accountability Bureau (NAB) recovered government assets worth Rs 14.6 trillion so far in 2026. During the July-September period, the bureau reclaimed assets valued at Rs 9.18 trillion.

Since March 2023, the total value of these recoveries has reached Rs 26.1 trillion. Recoveries include 235,622 kanals of Pakistan Railways land, which are valued at Rs 6.78 trillion.

An additional Rs 2.395 trillion was recovered from 866,299 acres belonging to various provincial departments. Lieutenant General (retired) Nazir Ahmed Butt, the NAB Chairman, stated the agency is ready to challenge anti-state power plants.

The bureau has initiated federal-level cases concerning the power sector and completed preparatory work on these matters. Butt said the agency would not negotiate further on tariffs.

The Chairman did not publicly identify the specific power plants or the allegations against them.

Jon Stewart will remain the host of The Daily Show until 2028 after extending his contract with the Comedy Central series for two years. The agreement ensures Stewart continues to man the desk through the next presidential election.

Stewart's previous contract was scheduled to expire at the end of 2026, though he signed a one-year renewal in November 2025. The comedian first debuted as the host of the satirical news program in 1999.

Stewart departed the show in 2015, at which point Trevor Noah took his place as anchor. Noah stepped down in 2022 before Stewart returned to the program in February 2024.

Ratings increased following Stewart's return, and the show became the most-viewed cable program across social media in 2026.

Hunter Schafer underwent bottom surgery in December and completed her recovery in early 2026. The actress told GQ in 2024 that she loves the results of the procedure, describing the experience as amazing.

Schafer noted her physical limitations during the healing period were restricted to 150 steps per day. She explained that the surgery was necessary to avoid being labelled a 'Transsexual Actress' in every news report.

The performer is set to appear in the Amazon miniseries Blade Runner 2099.

Apple will host a 'Pro and tell' event in Los Angeles on 28 October to showcase new hardware. The company plans to reveal a MacBook Pro featuring a touch-screen, alongside the HomeView smart-home hub.

Other devices powered by Siri will also be presented during the presentation. Following the September launch of the Duo foldable iPhone, these new products mark a continued expansion of the hardware lineup.

Analysts say John Ternus is working to simplify the company structure and increase the speed of product development.

Actor Richard Riehle died of natural causes in Los Angeles on 15 October at the age of 78. Riehle appeared in more than 400 projects throughout his career.

The performer is known for his role as Tom Smykowski in Office Space and his portrayal of Carlson in Of Mice and Men. Other notable credits include playing the guard in The Fugitive and Principal Beasely in Jury Duty.

He also portrayed Santa Claus in eight different projects, which included five films, two television shows, and one television movie. Jane Latham, his wife, and four children survived him.

Marshall has released the final version of its Porta headphones, which weigh 40 grams. Constructed from a single piece of wire, the headphones are available for preorder at 80 dollars or 12,800 yen.

A 57mAh battery powers the device, providing up to 8 hours of use via Bluetooth 5.4 connectivity. Users can charge the headphones over USB-C and stream audio using AAC and SBC codecs.

The hardware carries an IPX4 rating but lacks active noise cancellation. Shipping for the new model is expected to begin on 23 October 2026.

In comparison, the Marshall Milton A.N.C. headphones weigh 200 grams.

The drama Last Weekend depicts a cross-border child custody battle involving Adrian, an undocumented Mexican migrant worker living in San Diego. Michael Rowe wrote the screenplay and has begun the editing process for the production.

Production teams filmed the movie in Southern California and Mexico, using a Mexico City soundstage for interior scenes. Exterior shots took place in San Ysidro and Barrio Logan, which are two suburbs located south of San Diego.

Fernando Cuatle portrays the father, while Rose Peraza Benítez plays the daughter in the film. Alejandra Cosío and Víctor Oliveira complete the primary cast.

Producer Cristina Velasco and director Rigoberto Perezcano founded Paloma Negra to develop the project. Velasco said, "This project resonated deeply with me, as I’m from Tijuana and have a firsthand understanding of the issues the film explores."

Rowe stated, "We’re still hoping to find more producing partners to help cover post-production costs."

Islamia University of Bahawalpur (IUB) prohibited the use of TikTok, SnackVideo, and other social media applications across its campus. The Directorate of Student Affairs stated the measure was intended to protect the dignity and privacy of female students.

This decision followed reports of individuals recording and sharing videos of female students without their permission. The university will refer these incidents to its disciplinary committee for formal review.

Officials said the committee will examine cases involving the production or distribution of inappropriate content. Anyone found breaching these restrictions will face disciplinary action according to university rules.

Christiane Amanpour will depart CNN, the network she served for 43 years, following a period of reflection. Amanpour will continue her reporting duties for the broadcaster until June 2027.

Her international interview program is set to move to a weekly format in January 2027 before concluding in May 2027. The program titled Amanpour & Company is scheduled to finish in December.

Amanpour will maintain her podcast, The Ex Files, which she co-hosts alongside Jamie Rubin. Mark Thompson described the journalist as "one of the most trusted and beloved journalists anywhere."

CNN is currently transitioning to new ownership under Skydance, a deal that will incorporate CBS, its news division, and the streamers HBO Max and Paramount.

Dolly Parton has died. A tribute concert for the late singer will take place in Los Angeles.

The Ritz-Carlton’s grand ballroom will host the musical event. Hundreds of flickering electric candles will surround the musicians during the performance.

Fever’s Candlelight series reimagines familiar catalogs through classical instrumentation. This concert is an independently organised tribute and is not affiliated with or endorsed by the singer’s estate.

Miley Cyrus performed “Jolene” at the Hollywood Bowl over the weekend.

Mona Zaki will participate in the 9th edition of the El Gouna Film Festival from 15 October to 23 October 2026. The actress began her career in theatre before transitioning into television and film roles.

Zaki previously appeared as a television host in the 2009 drama Scheherazade, Tell Me a Story (Ehky Ya Shahrazad). Wahid Hamed wrote the script for that drama, which Yousry Nasrallah directed.

Collaborating with an acting coach on every project, Zaki views her professional growth as a continuous effort. Zaki said, "It’s a relationship. You work on it like any other relationship in your life."

Regarding the internal emotions of her characters, she noted, "The whole internal emotions are the imagination of the writer and me." Marwan Hamed directed the biopic El Sett, which focuses on the life of Umm Kulthum.

Mona Zaki said, "It’s a relationship. You work on it like any other relationship in your life."

Mona Zaki

Netflix dismissed Dan Lin as its head of film as the streaming platform begins a significant creative restructuring. Lin held the position for nearly three years, having taken over the role in 2024.

The company also laid off Doug Belgrad and Sheroum Kim during the transition. Peter Rice joined the firm to replace Bajaria.

Before joining the streaming service, Lin worked as a producer at Rideback. Rideback is the production company responsible for the animated Lego film series.

The studio also produced the Sherlock Holmes movies and the adaptations of Stephen King’s It.