The Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) will discuss the crises in Afghanistan and Sudan, along with developments in Yemen and Israeli attacks on Syria, at its 52nd Council of Foreign Ministers meeting in Baghdad on October 17–18.

In a statement, the organization said the agenda would also cover the situation of Muslim minorities and communities worldwide, as well as its 2025 report on Islamophobia. The two-day meeting will bring foreign ministers from OIC member states together to discuss political, security and humanitarian challenges affecting the Muslim world.

Afghanistan is expected to be a key issue following a recent visit by the OIC secretary-general’s special envoy, Ambassador Tarig Ali Bakheet, to Kabul. During the visit, he met Taliban officials and international partners to discuss humanitarian assistance, health, education, livelihoods and development needs.

The envoy also briefed OIC ambassadors and heads of mission in Kabul on the outcomes of his meetings, emphasizing the need for continued coordination among member states to support the Afghan people and address humanitarian and development challenges.

The meeting will also consider the conflict in Sudan, the situation in Yemen and Israeli military actions in Syria. The OIC’s annual work on Islamophobia includes monitoring discrimination and hostility directed at Muslims and reporting developments to its member states.

The Baghdad session comes as the organization continues diplomatic engagement on regional conflicts and humanitarian needs across its member states.

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U.S. President Donald Trump has again predicted that the war with Iran will end soon, despite an increase in attacks on commercial shipping near the Strait of Hormuz and renewed concerns over the security of a vital global energy route.

Speaking at a rally in Bullhead City, Arizona, Trump said Wednesday that the conflict would not continue much longer. He also claimed that Iran had lost its navy, air force, radar systems and air defenses following U.S. strikes.

Trump described the killing of Iranian leaders across successive levels of command, saying that leaders in the first, second and third tiers had been targeted. He added that Iranian officials had asked him to stop further attacks on their remaining leadership, and said he had agreed.

“Maybe I went a little too far,” Trump said, according to Al Jazeera’s account of his remarks, adding that he no longer knew exactly whom Washington was dealing with in Tehran. His comments appeared to acknowledge that the attacks had complicated efforts to negotiate with Iran.

The remarks came as maritime security deteriorated around the Strait of Hormuz. Reuters reported that two commercial vessels sank near the waterway after being hit by projectiles in separate incidents, amid a broader rise in attacks on shipping since the conflict began in February. The incidents have intensified concerns about risks to seafarers and the movement of oil and other goods.

The Strait of Hormuz is a critical passage for global energy supplies. Disruptions there can affect oil exports, shipping costs and energy prices worldwide. Despite Trump’s repeated claims that the United States has strong control over the waterway, commercial shipping remains exposed to security risks.

Trump has made similar predictions about a near-term end to the war in recent weeks. However, the continued attacks and unresolved disputes over maritime access have left the prospects for a lasting settlement uncertain.

The conflict began on February 28, 2026, with U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iran, followed by Iranian retaliation and escalating threats across the region. Further military action could deepen the security crisis and increase pressure on global energy markets.

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U.S. President Donald Trump has criticized the disclosure of classified details about a U.S. military operation against Iran, claiming that information about the departure and arrival times of American B-2 stealth bombers forced him to reconsider the timing of the mission.

Speaking at a campaign rally in Arizona on Wednesday, Trump accused unnamed sources of leaking operational details to The New York Times and CNN before the June 2025 strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities, known as Operation Midnight Hammer.

Trump said the bombers had been scheduled to depart Missouri at 12:07 a.m. but that the disclosure alerted Iran to the operation. He said he contacted General Dan Caine, then chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, before deciding to delay the mission. Trump added that U.S. forces carried out the operation two days later, using the same planned timing.

The president called for severe punishment of those responsible, saying that people who disclose sensitive military information “should be shot.” His remarks renewed concerns over his calls for harsh penalties against individuals accused of leaking classified information.

Operation Midnight Hammer took place in June 2025 and targeted Iranian nuclear facilities using B-2 stealth bombers and other U.S. military assets. The Trump administration said the strikes severely damaged Iran’s nuclear program, while questions remained about the full extent of the damage and the status of Iran’s nuclear material.

Trump’s comments were made during a campaign rally ahead of the November midterm elections. His account of the alleged leak and its effect on the operation was based on his own remarks; the reports reviewed did not independently establish that the disclosure caused Iran to anticipate the attack or forced the United States to change its plans.

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Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf said a negotiated agreement with the United States would not, by itself, prevent Washington from launching further attacks on Iran, arguing that Tehran must combine diplomacy with military preparedness to deter future conflict.

Iran’s Tasnim news agency reported late Wednesday that Qalibaf called for pursuing negotiations and military action in parallel to protect Iran’s interests. He questioned whether a signed agreement with Washington could guarantee that the United States would not attack again, saying such a document alone would not deter an adversary.

“Even if we negotiate with the Americans, reach an agreement and sign a document in which they make commitments, will they no longer attack Iran?” Qalibaf said, according to Tasnim. He answered his own question in the negative, arguing that neither an agreement alone nor continued fighting would be sufficient to prevent renewed hostilities.

Qalibaf also described the Islamabad memorandum as an opportunity for Iran to strengthen its military capabilities and support for Hezbollah in Lebanon. He argued that Iran needed to build what he called “sustainable deterrence” by combining military readiness with negotiations.

The parliament speaker further alleged that the United States sought to dominate or “swallow” Iran. He also warned that prolonged fighting and escalating tensions would not, on their own, guarantee protection against another attack. His remarks reflect Tehran’s stated position that any diplomatic settlement must be backed by military strength and enforceable commitments.

Indirect contacts between Iran and the United States have so far failed to produce a lasting settlement to the conflict that began on February 28, 2026, with US and Israeli strikes on Iran. The fighting has widened regional instability and disrupted shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, a major route for global energy supplies. Recent diplomatic efforts have remained deadlocked over the conditions for ending hostilities and reopening the waterway.

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North Korea said Thursday it had test-fired two types of submarine-launched strategic cruise missiles off its east coast, describing the tests as part of efforts to strengthen naval capabilities and improve the reliability of its military deterrent.

The launches took place on Wednesday in waters off North Korea’s eastern coast, according to the state-run Korean Central News Agency (KCNA). The agency said the tests were intended to assess the readiness of underwater combat systems and improve the navy’s ability to carry out strategic missions. Senior military officials observed the launches, Reuters reported.

South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff said its military had monitored and tracked the launches using multiple surveillance assets, from before launch through the missiles’ cruise and terminal flight phases. A South Korean military spokesperson said one missile was launched from a vertical launch system, while the other was fired through a torpedo tube.

KCNA claimed the tests had no adverse impact on the security of neighbouring countries. However, the North Korean report provided few technical details about the missiles or the tests. South Korean analysts said photographs released by North Korea suggested the launches may have involved the modified diesel-powered submarine Kim Kun Ok Hero, which Pyongyang unveiled in 2023.

The tests highlight North Korea’s continued efforts to develop submarine-based weapons and strengthen its ability to launch strikes from the sea. Such systems could complicate regional defence planning by making missile launches more difficult to detect and respond to.

However, analysts have cautioned that North Korea has yet to demonstrate the full operational capabilities of a modern missile submarine, including sustained submerged operations and long-range patrols. The extent to which the latest tests bring Pyongyang closer to deploying a reliable sea-based nuclear deterrent remains unclear.

The launches also follow a series of recent North Korean weapons tests, including tactical ballistic missile launches earlier this week. Pyongyang has continued to expand its missile programmes amid stalled diplomatic efforts and persistent tensions with South Korea and the United States.

North Korea’s missile and nuclear programmes remain a major security concern for South Korea, Japan and Washington, which have repeatedly criticised the country’s weapons development. Pyongyang, in turn, says its military deterrent is necessary to protect the country against external threats.

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United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres has proposed allocating an additional $3.2 million in 2027 to strengthen the Independent Investigative Mechanism for Afghanistan, while also proposing the elimination of 60 positions at the UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA).

The proposals were presented to the UN General Assembly’s Fifth Committee, which handles administrative and budgetary matters, as part of the organisation’s proposed programme budget for 2027. The funding would support the investigative mechanism’s expansion, including additional staffing and operational resources.

The Independent Investigative Mechanism for Afghanistan was established to collect, preserve and analyse evidence of serious human rights violations and crimes under international law committed in Afghanistan. Its work is intended to support future accountability efforts, including investigations into abuses affecting women and girls.

The proposed funding follows the mechanism’s initial establishment phase in 2026. The additional resources are intended to strengthen its capacity to gather and manage evidence, recruit personnel and provide the operational support required to carry out its mandate.

At the same time, Guterres has proposed cutting 60 posts at UNAMA as part of wider efforts to streamline operations, improve efficiency and align staffing with the UN’s mandates. The proposed changes come amid broader budget adjustments across the organisation.

The UN’s proposed 2027 programme budget totals approximately $3.3 billion, around 1.2 percent below the approved level for 2026. Guterres has said the organisation is seeking savings and structural reforms while continuing to carry out its core responsibilities.

Neither the proposed allocation for the Afghanistan investigative mechanism nor the planned UNAMA staffing reductions have received final approval. The proposals will be considered through the General Assembly’s budgetary process before any final decisions are made.

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Bollywood actor Salman Khan has ruled out a biopic about his life, saying he intends to keep his personal story private and that a film about his life “will never be made.”

Khan made the remarks during the opening episode of Karan Johar’s chat show Koffee With Karan 9, where actress Karisma Kapoor asked him which filmmaker he would choose to direct a film based on his life.

During the rapid-fire segment, Kapoor offered four choices: Kabir Khan, David Dhawan, Sooraj Barjatya and Sanjay Leela Bhansali. Salman discussed how each director might approach different aspects of his life before making clear that he would not approve a biopic.

“Depending, if you want to make a comedy on my life, then David Dhawan,” he said, adding that Bhansali would be suited to a tragic love story, while Barjatya could direct a romantic story. He associated Kabir Khan with an action-oriented love story.

“But a biopic of my life will never be made. My life will go to my grave,” Salman said.

The actor also discussed his approach to relationships and why he prefers not to speak publicly about his dating life. Referring to an earlier appearance on the show, when he had described himself as a virgin, Salman said he had used the remark to avoid discussing private matters.

He explained that publicly identifying someone as a romantic partner could be inappropriate when the relationship’s future remained uncertain. He said he preferred to keep such matters away from public discussion.

Salman also indicated that he had no immediate plans to retire from films. He is expected to appear in Maatrubhumi, scheduled for release later this year, and in filmmaker Vamshi Paidipally’s upcoming project SVC63, which also features Nayanthara.

His comments on Koffee With Karan 9 offered a glimpse into his views on fame and privacy, while making clear that he does not intend to turn his personal life into a biographical film.

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The number of Palestinians reported killed in Israeli attacks since the October 2025 ceasefire in Gaza has risen to 1,501, according to the territory’s Health Ministry, after three additional deaths were recorded.

Al Jazeera reported Thursday that two Palestinians recently died from wounds sustained in earlier Israeli attacks. The latest figures also showed 17 people injured over the previous 24 hours, bringing the reported number of wounded since the ceasefire to 5,323.

Gaza’s Health Ministry said the bodies of approximately 840 people had also been recovered from beneath rubble or other locations during the same period. Rescue and recovery operations remain difficult in areas where buildings have been destroyed and emergency teams face access challenges.

The latest figures come nearly a year after the ceasefire between Israel and Hamas took effect in October 2025. Although the agreement was intended to halt the war and facilitate recovery, Israeli attacks have continued, with Palestinian health officials reporting a rising number of deaths and injuries.

A year after the agreement began, broader efforts to implement its provisions have made limited progress. Reuters reported continued Israeli military activity, stalled reconstruction and persistent humanitarian needs across the Gaza Strip.

The reported casualty figures are based on data released by Gaza’s Health Ministry and cited by media outlets. The figures have not been independently verified in every individual case.

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Missile and drone attacks claimed by Yemen’s Iran-aligned Houthi movement have disrupted air travel in Saudi Arabia, including journeys by Muslim pilgrims, as renewed fighting between the Houthis and Saudi-backed forces raises concerns about a wider regional escalation.

Yemen’s army said the Houthis launched 14 ballistic missiles and several drones at populated areas along Saudi Arabia’s western coast, including locations in Taiz and Hodeidah provinces. The army also claimed it intercepted and destroyed several drones over the western coast and the Taiz front.

The escalation follows a deadly missile strike on King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh on Saturday, October 10, which Saudi authorities said killed 13 people and injured more than 300. Footage released after the attack showed passengers wearing the white garments associated with Muslim pilgrims travelling to Mecca. A Bangladeshi imam leading a group of pilgrims was among those killed, according to media reports.

The Houthis have warned airlines, airport workers and travellers to avoid Saudi airports and airspace, while saying the airports serving Mecca and Medina would be excluded from their campaign. The group has described its attacks as retaliation for Saudi military operations against Houthi positions in Yemen. The warning has heightened anxiety among pilgrims and prompted some travellers to change or delay their plans.

A further attack struck Riyadh’s airport on Sunday, killing one person and injuring 11 others, according to Saudi authorities. Flight operations were disrupted as officials assessed the damage. The repeated strikes have also affected other travel and commercial activities, while some foreign governments have advised their citizens to exercise caution when travelling through Saudi airports.

Saudi Arabia has responded with airstrikes against Houthi-held sites in Yemen. On Tuesday, Saudi strikes targeted oil depots and facilities near Sanaa and at Ras Isa port, while the Houthis launched missiles towards Dhahran, home to Saudi Aramco’s headquarters, according to reports. Saudi air defences intercepted some incoming threats, although the exchange has increased concerns about attacks on critical infrastructure.

The renewed violence is also affecting pilgrims travelling for Umrah, which can be performed throughout the year, unlike the annual Hajj pilgrimage. Some travellers have sought alternative routes through Jeddah or neighbouring countries, including Qatar and the United Arab Emirates. A transport representative told Reuters that fares from Riyadh to Doha and Dubai had doubled amid increased demand for overland travel.

Saudi officials have sought to reassure visitors that the country remains safe and that protecting pilgrims and travellers is a priority. However, continued attacks on airports and energy infrastructure have raised fresh questions about the kingdom’s air defences and the risk of further disruption to regional aviation and energy markets.

The latest exchanges mark a sharp escalation in the conflict involving the Houthis and Saudi-backed Yemeni forces. With the Houthis threatening further attacks and Saudi Arabia carrying out retaliatory strikes, the risk of a broader confrontation remains a concern for civilians, international travellers and regional security.

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At least 13 children died after a boat carrying passengers to a religious gathering capsized on the Ganges River in India’s eastern Bihar state, prompting a search-and-rescue operation, officials said.

The incident occurred at around 8:30 p.m. on Tuesday near Rampur Shyamchand village in Vaishali district’s Raghopur area. The passengers were reportedly travelling to a feast in a nearby village when the boat overturned midstream.

Vaishali District Magistrate Varsha Singh said the confirmed death toll stood at 13, with all the victims aged under 15. Officials said six people had been rescued, while other reports put the number rescued at seven. Search operations continued to establish whether anyone remained missing.

Local residents were among the first to respond, searching the water and helping pull passengers to safety. A team from the State Disaster Response Force and local divers joined the operation. The damaged boat was later retrieved, according to officials cited by the Press Trust of India.

Witness accounts and local media reports raised concerns about the boat’s condition and possible overcrowding. India Today reported that investigators found a large hole in the vessel and that it was reportedly old and in poor condition. Authorities had not announced a final finding on the cause of the accident.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed condolences to the victims’ families and announced financial assistance of 200,000 rupees for each deceased person’s family. Bihar Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary announced compensation of 400,000 rupees per family and directed officials to expedite rescue work and ensure medical care for survivors.

The accident has renewed concerns about passenger safety on inland waterways, particularly where small boats are used for local transport. The investigation is expected to examine the vessel’s condition, passenger load and compliance with safety requirements.

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The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) has urged authorities to immediately and unconditionally restore the BBC World Service’s FM radio broadcasts across Afghanistan, warning that the suspension further restricts access to independent news and information.

In a statement published on Wednesday, October 14, CPJ expressed concern over the suspension of the BBC’s Dari, Pashto and English-language radio programmes on FM frequencies nationwide. The organization called on the Taliban to end what it described as a devastating crackdown on independent media and explain the legal basis for the decision.

“By forcing BBC off Afghanistan’s FM broadcasts, the Taliban are further shrinking an already devastated space for independent journalism in the country,” said Waliullah Rahmani, CPJ’s representative for Afghanistan and Pakistan. He urged the authorities to reverse the suspension and stop obstructing Afghans’ access to independent information.

The BBC confirmed on October 13 that authorities had suspended its transmissions from FM radio sites across the country. A BBC spokesperson said millions of Afghans rely on the broadcaster for news and information and that it was working with the authorities to resolve the issue.

The BBC said its services for Afghan audiences in Dari, Pashto and English remain available through shortwave and medium-wave radio, satellite and online platforms.

Khubaib Ghufran, spokesperson for the Taliban-controlled Ministry of Information and Culture, said the BBC’s activities had been suspended temporarily because of what he called “repeated violations.” He did not specify the alleged violations or provide a timetable for restoring FM broadcasts.

The suspension has removed an important means of accessing the BBC’s reporting in Afghanistan. The broadcaster says it reaches approximately 5.4 million people in the country, representing more than one-fifth of the adult population.

The move follows earlier restrictions on international broadcasting. In 2022, Taliban authorities ordered Afghanistan television stations to stop carrying local-language programming from the BBC, Voice of America and Germany’s Deutsche Welle. Later that year, Voice of America and Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty were also removed from Afghanistan’s domestic radio networks.

Afghanistan’s media sector has faced mounting restrictions since the Taliban returned to power in August 2021, including closures of media outlets, restrictions on reporting and the detention of journalists. CPJ and other press-freedom organizations have repeatedly called on the authorities to protect independent journalism and uphold freedom of expression.

The BBC suspension affects its FM transmissions rather than all its services in Afghanistan. However, the loss of a widely used broadcast channel could make independent news harder to access, particularly for people with limited internet connectivity or access to other information sources.

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Shahabuddin Delawar, head of the Afghan Red Crescent Society (ARCS) under Taliban control, met with Richard Lindsay, the United Kingdom’s Special Representative for Afghanistan, to discuss humanitarian needs and ways to expand assistance and healthcare services in the country.

In a statement issued Wednesday, October 14, the Afghan Red Crescent Society said the meeting focused on support for people affected by natural disasters, Afghan migrants returning from neighbouring countries and other vulnerable communities.

Delawar said returning migrants and vulnerable families urgently need shelter, food, non-food supplies and medical services. He called for broader humanitarian support, noting that many households continue to face serious difficulties after years of hardship and recurring crises.

The Afghan Red Crescent also outlined its healthcare programs, including treatment for children with congenital heart conditions at its cardiac hospital, mental healthcare services and vocational training for vulnerable women and children across seven regional zones. The organization said it also provides assistance to communities affected by natural disasters.

Lindsay praised the organization’s humanitarian work and said he would seek to facilitate effective cooperation with the Afghan Red Crescent in the healthcare sector. The two sides agreed on the importance of continued coordination to assist returnees, disaster survivors and other people in need.

The meeting comes as Afghanistan continues to face humanitarian and healthcare challenges, including pressure on services from returning migrants, recurring natural disasters and limited resources. A UK Home Office country report has documented persistent gaps in healthcare access, particularly in rural and underserved communities.

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Small, low-cost fixed-wing suicide drones reportedly powered by commercially available DLE55 engines are emerging as a new challenge for Pakistan’s military, with experts warning that the aircraft can be difficult to detect and may force Islamabad to spend heavily on countering relatively inexpensive weapons.

Pakistan said it intercepted 23 suicide drones that entered its airspace from Afghanistan during September. However, the origin of the aircraft, their launch locations and the number that may have reached their intended targets remain unclear, according to a report by France 24.

An examination of photographs and videos of drones intercepted by Pakistani forces suggests that at least some were built using commercial components and relatively simple technology. Drone expert Mark Grozel told France 24 that an engine visible in the images appeared to be a DLE55, a 55cc model available commercially, including through online marketplaces.

The aircraft examined were approximately two metres long and could carry between 500 grams and one kilogram of explosives, Grozel said. The available images, however, do not establish where the drones were manufactured or who assembled them.

Pakistan’s military said on September 23 that it had shot down eight fixed-wing drones in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, including four near the Torkham border crossing and four in areas near Kohat. Pakistani officials described the incidents as incursions from Afghanistan, but the claims have not been independently verified in full.

Cheap drones, costly defence

Experts say the drones’ small size and low-altitude flight can make them difficult to detect. Once identified, they may be relatively easy to shoot down, but repeated incursions can still place military bases, border posts and sensitive infrastructure under sustained pressure.

The cost imbalance is a central concern for Pakistan. Using sophisticated air-defence systems against low-cost drones can require significant resources, while even unsuccessful attacks may force the military to maintain heightened surveillance and readiness across a wide area.

The threat does not necessarily mean that the Taliban can match Pakistan’s air force or change the overall military balance. The drones have limited explosive capacity, and their range, targeting accuracy and operational reliability remain uncertain.

Conflict between former allies

The reported drone incursions come amid escalating conflict between Pakistan and the Afghan Taliban, who were once close partners. Relations deteriorated after Pakistan began striking what it described as militant positions inside Afghanistan, particularly those linked to Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP).

Islamabad accuses the Afghan Taliban of sheltering or supporting militants responsible for attacks inside Pakistan. The Taliban have rejected Pakistan’s accusations and said the TTP issue is an internal Pakistani matter.

The dispute has increasingly involved cross-border attacks, drone incidents and Pakistani strikes inside Afghanistan, raising concerns about further escalation and civilian harm.

Although inexpensive drones could give armed groups a way to threaten targets without a conventional air force, available evidence remains insufficient to determine the scale of the Taliban’s drone capability or its longer-term effect on the military balance.

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Social media platform X has suspended more than 13,000 accounts linked to three suspected foreign influence operations involving Iran, Russia and China that targeted political discussions in the United States ahead of the 2026 midterm elections, the company said.

In a statement published Wednesday, October 14, X’s Global Government Affairs team said the accounts were identified through proactive monitoring and investigations. The networks allegedly used inauthentic accounts to publish and amplify political content targeting candidates and public figures across the political spectrum.

X did not disclose how many accounts were associated with each country or provide detailed evidence about the suspected operations. The figure of more than 13,000 represents the combined total suspended across all three networks, rather than a separate count for each country.

The company said its safety team uses multiple detection methods to identify activity that violates platform rules, including coordinated inauthentic behavior and spam networks. It described its authenticity policy as a key tool for detecting and disrupting attempts to manipulate conversations on the platform.

X also highlighted its Civic Integrity policy, which covers misleading content that could affect participation in elections or other civic processes. This includes posts that mislead people about when, where or how to vote, or seek to discourage them from participating.

The platform said it uses Community Notes to add context and credible sources to posts. Users can report potentially misleading election-related content through the platform’s reporting system, while X may also apply civic-integrity labels to posts requiring additional attention. The company said its efforts would continue through Election Day and beyond.

The announcement comes ahead of the November 3 U.S. midterm elections, when voters will decide control of Congress. Foreign influence campaigns and coordinated online manipulation have remained concerns for technology companies and election officials, although X’s statement did not specify the political messages used by the suspended accounts or establish that they had changed voter behavior.

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The family of a 23-year-old British man killed by a tiger at Yorkshire Wildlife Park has urged people to stop sharing footage related to his death, saying the circulation of “deeply offensive” online content is causing them severe distress after U.S. President Donald Trump posted videos linked to the incident.

William Chapman died on Saturday, October 10, after entering a tiger enclosure at the wildlife park near Doncaster in northern England. He was pronounced dead at the scene, according to reports by British media.

Trump shared footage of the attack on his Truth Social platform on Tuesday, accompanied by the caption, “Don’t ever mess with nature! President DJT.” The clip showed the tiger attacking Chapman but did not show his death. Trump later posted an apparently AI-generated video depicting himself wrestling with a tiger before playing with and embracing the animal. The second video appeared to mimic elements of the real incident.

In a statement, Chapman’s family said they were struggling to come to terms with their loss and asked the public to stop circulating the material. They described him as a “bright, warm and engaging young man” whom they loved deeply.

The family also said Chapman had experienced significant mental health difficulties for several years and had been prescribed strong medication. They stressed that it was for the coroner to determine whether his medical history played a role in his death and asked people to respect that process.

The posts prompted criticism from public figures and wildlife advocates. South Yorkshire Mayor Oliver Coppard condemned Trump’s AI-generated video, saying the family had contacted his office to explain the pain caused by the online circulation of images and footage connected to Chapman’s death.

Yorkshire Wildlife Park said the tiger involved, an endangered Amur tiger named Altai, would not be euthanised. Local authorities have launched a health and safety investigation into the incident, and the park remained closed following the attack.

Chapman’s family said they hoped the authorities would establish the circumstances that led him to enter the enclosure. They renewed their appeal for people not to share the distressing material while they grieve.

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Pakistan is not balancing between Saudi Arabia and Iran in the present West Asian war, and the distinction matters because balancing implies an even-handedness Islamabad abandoned long ago.

What the Pakistan Army runs is an arbitrage operation, selling collective defence guarantees to Riyadh, sanctions-resistant logistics to Tehran and mediation services to Washington, collecting from each buyer while disclosing to none of them the terms offered to the others. The arrangement has held because all three parties had reasons to tolerate it, but it will not hold indefinitely, and the first cracks have appeared in Tehran, where Pakistan is now described in parliamentary language as an intervenor rather than a mediator. Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir built this structure for short-term institutional and financial gain, and should dismantle it before the bill arrives.

Last year, Pakistan committed to a Strategic Mutual Defence Agreement (SMDA) to Saudi Arabia, followed in August 2026 by the Mecca Joint Defence Agreement with Saudi Arabia and Turkey, under which an attack on any signatory constitutes an attack on all three. Pakistan deployed roughly 8000 troops, fighter aircraft and air defence systems to the kingdom in early April 2026, with sixteen JF-17s pre-positioned before the pact was signed. On 5 October, an emergency meeting of the alliance’s Strategic Political and Defence Committee in Riyadh agreed to immediate implementation of collective defence and rapid deployment of agreed forces, appointing a retired Pakistani lieutenant general as first secretary-general. Pakistan now holds the senior administrative post in a military alliance whose immediate adversary is an Iranian proxy.

Consider next what Islamabad was simultaneously delivering to Tehran, in the same weeks and through the same chain of command. In April, the Ministry of Commerce issued the Transit of Goods through the Territory of Pakistan Order 2026, legalising movement of third-country cargo from Gwadar, Karachi and Port Qasim through six overland corridors to the Iranian crossings at Gabd and Taftan. It took effect immediately, relieving more than 3000 Iran-bound containers stranded at Karachi by the Hormuz disruption and the American naval blockade. It was issued while Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi was in Islamabad meeting Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Munir himself. The effect was an overland bypass around a blockade imposed by the same United States whose goodwill Pakistan was courting, and whose Treasury it has since approached for a $10 billion stabilisation facility.

Assessing the trilateral pact, one report observed that Islamabad had helped Iran circumvent the American naval blockade through rerouted land corridors as well as Pakistan’s deployment of troops, aircraft and air defences to Saudi Arabia. Far from moderating after the Mecca pact, the Iranian track accelerated. In August, Iran and Pakistan agreed to keep border crossings open around the clock, harmonise customs procedures and press ahead with free trade negotiations, reaffirming a target of lifting bilateral trade from $3 billion to $10 billion. In September, two weeks after Houthi forces launched a major drone and missile barrage at Saudi infrastructure, Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi travelled to Tehran and agreed to open a new crossing at Kohak-Chedgi and advance a direct rail link. Both sides have explored barter mechanisms precisely because banking restrictions make conventional settlement impossible, meaning Pakistan is building payment channels designed to work around the sanctions architecture its principal creditor maintains.

More importantly, Pakistan’s mediation role exists to be monetised rather than to produce peace in the West Asia region. Pakistan hosted the Islamabad Talks in April 2026 as the indispensable channel between Washington and Tehran, and the returns followed through trade concessions, an oil reserves pact, a critical minerals arrangement and the stabilisation facility request now with the US Treasury. An intermediary like Pakistan committed to de-escalation does not join a military alliance aimed at one disputant’s closest regional partner while operating that disputant’s commercial lifeline. Islamabad has done both, because each position generates separate rents.

Tehran has begun saying so publicly, and the hardening of Iranian language over the past month is the most telling development yet. Iranian criticism sharpened once the Mecca pact entered its operational phase, with the lawmaker Ahmad Naderi stating that Pakistan’s entry alongside Saudi Arabia against the people of Yemen meant Islamabad should no longer be regarded as a mediator but as a regional intervenor. Araghchi has called on neighbouring states to pursue self-reliance and genuine brotherhood, language that in Iranian diplomatic usage signals withdrawn confidence. One report has questioned whether Tehran’s trust in Islamabad was ever as solid as outsiders assumed, the more serious possibility, since it suggests Pakistan has been trading on a reputation it never possessed.

Riyadh has its own grounds for scepticism, and they are accumulating faster than Islamabad appears to recognise. Defence Minister Khawaja Asif has publicly characterised the Pakistani and Turkish contribution as supportive, confined to reconnaissance and presence in theatre, while confirming only Saudi troops are in combat. While the Information Ministry dismissed reports of Pakistani aircraft being used against the Houthis in Yemen, many analysts believe that Islamabad wants to hide real facts to avoid any retaliation from Houthis. Pakistan’s public admission of denying its involvement during an active conflict in Saudi Arabia signals the clear limits of the Mecca pact’s commitment in real time. Saudi planners remember 2015, when Pakistan’s parliament declined to join the earlier Yemen campaign despite decades of subsidy, and the current denials will be read against that record.

Munir’s calculation is transparent enough, and it is short-sighted in a way whose consequences will outlast his own tenure as Pakistan’s Chief of Defence Forces (CDF). Saudi deposits, an American facility, Iranian transit revenue and the primacy of being the state’s only functioning interlocutor all accrue to the Pakistan Army. The costs land later and elsewhere, in a Tehran that now questions Munir’s so-called ‘good faith’ openly, a Riyadh that will eventually measure commitment by deployments rather than communiqués, and a Washington whose silence on the transit corridor is contingent rather than permanent. Credible mediation requires transparency about interests, the one commodity Islamabad refuses to supply. Because of its duplicitous role, Pakistan will soon find it has exhausted its credit with all the stakeholders in the West Asian region, and that the short-term financial and military benefits will lead to long-term failures.

DISCLAIMER – The opinions expressed in this publication are those of the authors. They do not purport to reflect the opinions or views of The Khaama Press News Agency. We welcome opinions and submissions to Khaama Press Opinions– Please email them to info@khaama.com.

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United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres has proposed cutting 60 posts at the UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) while allocating an additional $3.2 million to the Independent Investigative Mechanism for Afghanistan under the UN’s proposed 2027 programme budget.

The proposals were presented to the General Assembly’s Fifth Committee, which considers administrative and budgetary matters. The proposed staffing reduction forms part of wider adjustments to the UN’s special political missions, aimed at improving efficiency and aligning resources with the organization’s mandates.

The additional funding would support the investigative mechanism following its initial establishment phase in 2026. The resources are intended to help expand its work, including hiring additional personnel and meeting operational requirements.

The mechanism was established to collect, consolidate, preserve and analyse evidence of international crimes and serious violations of international law committed in Afghanistan, including crimes and abuses against women and girls. It is also mandated to prepare case files to support fair and independent criminal proceedings in courts with jurisdiction.

UNAMA, established in 2002, is a UN special political mission tasked with supporting the people of Afghanistan. Its mandate was extended by the Security Council in June 2026 for another year, until June 17, 2027.

The proposals come as the UN pursues broader budget and organizational reforms amid financial pressures and efforts to streamline its operations. The proposed staffing cuts and additional funding for the investigative mechanism remain part of the 2027 budget process and should not be treated as final decisions.

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Saudi Arabia’s air defences intercepted a ballistic missile launched by Yemen’s Houthi movement toward Riyadh on Wednesday, shortly after air-raid warning alerts were activated in the capital and nearby Al-Kharj, the Saudi-led military coalition said.

Saudi Civil Defense said the national early-warning system issued alerts for Riyadh and Al-Kharj, southeast of the capital, warning residents of potential danger. Subsequent notifications said the threat had passed. Witnesses reported hearing several explosions in Riyadh, according to Anadolu Agency.

The coalition’s spokesperson, Major General Turki al-Maliki, said the missile had been intercepted and destroyed. Authorities did not immediately provide further details about the latest incident or report casualties linked to that missile.

The latest alert followed an earlier interception in Riyadh in which falling debris from two cruise missiles injured four people and caused minor damage to 15 residential homes, Saudi authorities said. Separately, a missile attack on an administrative building at state-owned oil company Saudi Aramco in Dhahran sparked a small fire, according to the Saudi Energy Ministry.

The incidents come amid a sharp escalation in fighting between Saudi-backed Yemeni government forces and the Iran-aligned Houthis. The group has launched repeated missile and drone attacks against Saudi territory in recent days, targeting airports and other infrastructure, while the Saudi-led coalition has carried out strikes against Houthi-held areas in Yemen.

The renewed attacks have heightened concerns about civilian safety, regional stability and the security of Saudi Arabia’s aviation and energy infrastructure. Authorities have not released a complete assessment of the damage from the latest wave of attacks.

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Bank of America, the second-largest bank in the United States, faces more than $1.21 billion in federal penalties after regulators found serious failures in its efforts to detect and report suspicious financial transactions, the U.S. Treasury Department said Tuesday.

The Treasury said the bank failed to report more than $5 billion in suspicious transactions to the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) in a timely manner. More than $1 billion of that activity involved national security concerns and other high-priority illicit finance risks, including transactions indicative of Chinese money-laundering networks, fraud and possible trade-based money laundering linked to the U.S. southwest border.

According to the department, the bank relied too heavily on law-enforcement inquiries, referrals from other financial institutions and other outside warnings instead of using its own internal monitoring systems to identify potentially suspicious activity. Regulators also said the bank allowed some suspicious transactions to remain uninvestigated for extended periods.

As part of the settlement, Bank of America admitted to willful violations of the Bank Secrecy Act, including failures to maintain an adequate anti-money-laundering program, conduct required due diligence on certain foreign correspondent accounts and file suspicious activity reports. The agreement requires the bank to work with an independent third party to review past transactions and identify activity that may have gone unreported.

The Office of the Comptroller of the Currency separately imposed a $750 million civil penalty, the largest in the agency’s history, citing deficiencies in the bank’s anti-money-laundering compliance program. The regulator said serious problems persisted despite a December 2024 order requiring the bank to address longstanding weaknesses.

The Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control also reached an $11.6 million settlement with the bank over 475 apparent violations of U.S. sanctions programs involving countries and activities including Russia, Iran, narcotics and global terrorism. The sanctions settlement is separate from the main FinCEN and OCC actions.

Bank of America said it had devoted substantial financial and personnel resources to addressing regulators’ concerns and improving its compliance systems. The bank said the penalty would be recorded in its third-quarter financial results and would significantly reduce its net income.

The enforcement action follows years of regulatory scrutiny over the bank’s anti-money-laundering controls. U.S. officials said effective monitoring and timely reporting by financial institutions are essential to preventing money laundering, sanctions evasion and the financing of other illicit activities.

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Reporter: Maryam Sediqi

In one corner of a guesthouse room, a few basic tools and second-hand components are arranged in place of a fully equipped workshop. Here, Adibullah spends his days building robots. A confident young man, he is trying to turn his knowledge into practical innovations through a series of inventions while continuing his university studies.

Adibullah Eshan-zada is an electrical engineering student at Kabul Polytechnic University. Originally from Andkhoy district in Faryab province, he has been involved in construction and fabrication for around eight years. Over the past four years, he has focused specifically on robotics and smart devices.

His first experiments date back to his school years, when he developed an interest in making simple, handmade devices. Gradually, that interest became a serious pursuit and an important part of his life.

Adibullah says his family has consistently supported his work, including by providing the financial resources he needs.

Alongside his university studies, he spends long hours building and testing his inventions, sometimes working five to six hours a day. However, the lack of a proper workshop, limited access to advanced equipment and difficulty obtaining essential components remain among his biggest challenges.

First Major Invention: Smart Glasses to Help Keep Drivers Alert

An increase in road accidents in Afghanistan prompted Adibullah to think more deeply about possible solutions. He says he wanted to develop a device that could help prevent accidents involving drivers travelling long distances, particularly at night.

“I always thought about building something for drivers on long journeys and night trips that could help prevent road accidents,” he says.

After considerable effort, he developed smart glasses designed to detect signs of drowsiness and warn drivers.

“The purpose of these glasses is not to prevent sleep directly, but to detect the early signs of drowsiness and alert the driver,” he explains.

The system monitors the driver’s eyes. If they remain closed for a specified period, it identifies this as a possible sign of drowsiness and activates an audible warning.

The prototype uses a compact electronic system, an eye-state sensor, a control circuit, an audio-alert system and a portable power source. Adibullah has tried to make the components as small, lightweight and energy-efficient as possible so they can be fitted into a pair of glasses.

He says the prototype has detected eye closure during testing and activated an audible warning when the condition continued. However, further testing under a wider range of real-world driving conditions is needed before the device can become a finished product.

His next goals are to improve detection accuracy, reduce the size of the system, lower its power consumption and refine the glasses’ design. Ultimately, he hopes to develop a practical product that could also be manufactured in Afghanistan.

Second Invention: Using Technology to Reduce Water Waste

Adibullah spent several months developing his second invention, a device designed to monitor water levels and help prevent waste.

“Water levels in our country are declining day by day. This problem pushed me to spend months working on this device,” he says. “I often saw water being wasted when storage tanks overflowed or water was used improperly. I wanted to build something that could help prevent the loss of this vital resource.”

To address the problem, he designed a system that continuously monitors the water level in storage tanks and detects changes.

If the level rises too high or falls too low, the system can identify the abnormal condition and issue an alert. According to Adibullah, the aim is to monitor the amount of water in a tank continuously and identify potential problems before they lead to further waste.

The device could be used in homes, schools, offices, residential buildings and other places that rely on water-storage tanks.

The smart glasses and water-monitoring device are not his only projects. Over the years, Adibullah has also worked on smart locks, intelligent door alarms, solar-powered helmets and smart glasses designed for people who are blind. These projects represent other stages of his ongoing efforts to develop practical inventions.

Adibullah hopes to take his work beyond the confines of the small room where he currently operates.

“I first want to bring these two projects, which I have worked on for months and even years, to completion. If funding and investment become available, I hope to move them into production,” he says.

A Workshop in the Corner of a Room

Behind his inventions lies a major obstacle: the lack of suitable facilities.

Adibullah does not have access to a properly equipped workshop. A small corner of a guesthouse room has become his workplace, where he designs projects, assembles components and tests devices using the limited equipment available to him.

The shortage of essential parts makes his work even more difficult. Some components are expensive because they are scarce, forcing him to rely at times on second-hand equipment or substitutes that may not perform as effectively as the original parts.

These difficulties have also delayed several of his other projects.

“My inventions and experience have not been lost, but I am waiting for the time when suitable facilities and the necessary financial support become available to build them,” he says.

Dreaming of Research Centres in Afghanistan

Despite these challenges, Adibullah has not abandoned his ambitions. His vision extends far beyond building a few devices in a small room.

“My biggest dream is to establish major research centres and specialised facilities in Afghanistan to promote innovation and invention,” he says. “These centres could support young innovators and create opportunities for international events and competitions at the regional level.”

He has a simple message for young people interested in innovation and invention: do not give up. Circumstances may not always develop as people hope, but he believes persistent effort can eventually help turn ambitions into reality.

He hopes Afghanistan’s innovation and robotics sectors will one day grow significantly, giving creative young people access to well-equipped workshops and research facilities instead of forcing them to work in small spaces with limited resources.

Between university responsibilities, inadequate facilities and financial constraints, Adibullah continues to build and experiment. He has neither a large workshop nor access to advanced equipment, but from one corner of a small room, he continues to work towards a much bigger vision for the future.

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BrainCo, a neurotechnology company based in the eastern Chinese city of Hangzhou, is developing smart prosthetic devices designed to help people with disabilities perform everyday tasks and regain greater independence, according to The Economist.

At the company’s exhibition, a person with an amputated hand demonstrated an artificial arm by playing the piano before removing the device, which can be attached without surgery. Another demonstration featured a person with a prosthetic leg walking and challenging visitors to identify which limb was artificial.

BrainCo’s prosthetic technology uses non-invasive sensors to detect muscle and nerve signals from a user’s residual limb. Artificial intelligence algorithms interpret those signals and translate the user’s intended movements into commands that control the prosthetic hand. The system is designed to support tasks requiring greater precision than conventional prosthetics can often provide.

The company is also exploring technology beyond artificial limbs. One device demonstrated at the exhibition delivers low-intensity electrical currents to the forehead, with its developers suggesting that it may promote relaxation. However, the effectiveness of such a device should not be treated as established without adequate independent scientific evidence.

These developments form part of the broader field of brain-computer interfaces (BCIs), which connect signals from the brain or nervous system to external devices. Researchers are exploring how the technology could help people with severe disabilities communicate, control computers and operate assistive equipment.

One of the best-known companies in this field is Neuralink, founded by Elon Musk in 2016. It is developing implantable brain-computer interfaces intended to allow people with severe paralysis to control computers and other digital devices using neural signals. Unlike Neuralink’s implanted systems, BrainCo’s showcased prosthetic technology is designed to operate without brain surgery, using signals detected through sensors on the body.

Despite their potential, brain-computer interfaces and advanced prosthetics face significant challenges, including affordability, long-term safety, reliability, clinical validation and the protection of sensitive neural data. Devices that claim to affect brain function also require rigorous testing to establish their benefits and possible risks.

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Kyrgyzstan has rejected a proposal reportedly made by several European countries to offer employment opportunities to skilled Kyrgyz workers in exchange for the Central Asian country accepting migrants from Afghanistan and African nations, Foreign Minister Jeenbek Kulubaev said.

Kulubaev announced the position during a meeting of the parliamentary committee on international affairs, defense, security and migration, saying Bishkek was not prepared to negotiate under the proposed conditions.

“Let our citizens go and work if there is such an opportunity. But we will not conduct targeted negotiations on these terms,” Kulubaev said, according to Kyrgyz media reports.

The proposal reportedly links access to European labor markets for qualified Kyrgyz citizens with an agreement for Kyrgyzstan to receive migrants from Afghanistan and African countries. The European governments involved and the number of migrants concerned have not been disclosed publicly.

Kulubaev said Kyrgyzstan’s labor migration patterns were changing, with increasing numbers of its citizens seeking employment in Turkey and the United States. South Korea and Japan also continue to show demand for Kyrgyz workers, particularly in elderly care and healthcare facilities.

He added that Kyrgyzstan itself faces labor shortages and has reduced organized recruitment programs for permanent employment abroad while continuing to support seasonal work opportunities. The government says it wants citizens working overseas to have better employment conditions.

According to Kyrgyzstan’s Ministry of Labor, Social Security and Migration, 736,600 Kyrgyz citizens were working abroad in 2026, compared with 798,400 in 2025. Russia remains the main destination, followed by Kazakhstan, the United States, Turkey and Germany.

The reported proposal comes amid broader European efforts to strengthen migration cooperation with countries outside the European Union, including discussions on returning people whose asylum claims have been rejected. Such arrangements have raised questions about responsibility-sharing, migrant protection and compliance with international human rights obligations.

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Global oil prices rose on Wednesday as traders assessed the risk of supply disruptions from renewed fighting between Yemen’s Iran-aligned Houthi movement and Saudi Arabia, alongside expectations of increased Russian diesel exports.

Brent crude futures rose by 89 cents, or 0.8 percent, to $106.58 per barrel, while U.S. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude gained 80 cents, or 0.9 percent, to $94.94 per barrel, Reuters reported.

The gains followed mixed trading on Tuesday, when Brent fell 0.9 percent to settle at $105.69 per barrel, while WTI rose 0.4 percent to $94.14. The latest movement reflects concerns over possible supply disruptions, balanced against the prospect of additional diesel supplies from Russia.

Renewed Houthi attacks on Saudi targets have heightened concerns about the security of energy infrastructure and shipping routes across the Gulf region. Saudi Arabia’s Energy Ministry said a Houthi attack struck an administrative building belonging to state-owned oil company Saudi Aramco in Dhahran, causing a limited fire.

At the same time, expectations of increased Russian diesel exports have offered a potential counterweight to supply concerns. However, analysts have questioned how much additional fuel Russia can deliver, given constraints affecting its refining sector and energy infrastructure.

The competing pressures come amid wider instability in the Middle East and continued concerns about the Strait of Hormuz, a critical route for global oil shipments. Further escalation could increase energy prices and shipping costs, while additional fuel supplies could help ease some pressure on international markets.

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Russian ballistic missile strikes on Ukraine’s capital, Kyiv, killed two people, injured 21 others and damaged a thermal power plant, Ukrainian officials said Wednesday, as President Volodymyr Zelenskyy accused Western allies of failing to provide advance warning of the attack.

Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko said the strike on a nine-storey residential building killed two people and injured 21. Sixteen of the injured were receiving hospital treatment, including four in serious condition. Emergency crews battled fires in the building and evacuated residents from the affected area.

Zelenskyy said the main target was energy infrastructure, particularly Kyiv’s CHP-4 thermal power plant. He described the lack of advance warning from Ukraine’s partners as unfair and said intelligence indicated that Russia was preparing further ballistic missile launches. The attack was the second reported strike on Kyiv within 24 hours.

The Ukrainian president also linked the strikes to U.S. President Donald Trump’s announcement of an energy ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine over the weekend. Zelenskyy said the latest attacks showed that Moscow did not consider itself bound by Trump’s statement. Trump, meanwhile, said Washington was continuing to share intelligence with Ukraine, despite reports of tensions over U.S. support.

Ukraine relies heavily on Western intelligence, particularly information from the United States, to detect incoming Russian missile attacks and issue warnings to civilians. Ukrainian officials said the absence of advance warning was under scrutiny, while reports indicated that the speed and detection challenges associated with ballistic missiles may have contributed to the problem.

The latest strike comes as Russia continues attacks on Ukrainian infrastructure ahead of winter, raising concerns about electricity supplies and civilian safety. Kyiv has faced repeated missile and drone attacks since Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.

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A pregnant woman travelled for more than four hours on a donkey to reach a health facility supported by Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) in Bamyan province, highlighting the challenges faced by residents of remote Afghan communities in accessing medical care.

MSF said Tuesday that the woman travelled to its supported clinic in Baghak village to give birth. After delivery, she also faces the same lengthy journey by donkey to return home, the medical charity said in a post on X.

For many people in remote parts of Bamyan, limited access to vehicles and difficult mountain routes make donkeys one of the few available means of reaching healthcare facilities. Long journeys can be particularly challenging for pregnant women and patients who need urgent medical attention.

MSF has been working to improve access to basic healthcare in the mountainous province. In 2022, the organization established eight health centres across the districts of Yakawalang, Saighan and Shibar, providing free basic medical services to an estimated 22,000 people. The centres offer outpatient consultations, maternal and child healthcare, and routine vaccinations. Travel remains difficult in isolated areas, particularly during winter, when snowfall and poorly maintained roads can further restrict access.

The case also reflects wider pressures on Afghanistan’s healthcare system. MSF has reported that funding cuts in 2025 forced more than 400 health facilities across the country to close, increasing pressure on remaining services and contributing to delays in patients seeking care. The organization said demand at its own facilities rose sharply, particularly for maternal and paediatric services.

Women’s access to healthcare has also been affected by restrictions imposed by the Taliban, including measures limiting women’s education and employment and restricting the training of future female healthcare workers. The shortage of qualified female medical professionals presents an additional challenge in maternity care, where women often need access to female midwives and doctors.

MSF continues to provide medical assistance in Afghanistan, with a particular focus on women and children. However, the journey faced by the pregnant woman in Bamyan illustrates how distance, difficult terrain and limited healthcare infrastructure can leave people in remote communities facing substantial obstacles before they can receive essential treatment.

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Iran is using new tactics to target vessels navigating the Strait of Hormuz in an effort to keep global oil prices high and increase pressure on the United States ahead of November’s midterm elections, two senior Iranian officials told Reuters on Wednesday.

According to Reuters, Tehran began changing the type and pace of its attacks about 10 days ago against vessels it considers to be violating its restrictions on passage through the strategic waterway. The officials said the new approach was approved at the highest levels of Iran’s leadership and coordinated across the country’s governing system.

One Iranian official said the objective was to frustrate U.S. and allied efforts to reduce global oil prices. The officials declined to provide further details of the strategy, but said Iran intended to increase economic pressure on Washington before the November vote.

A U.S. military official told Reuters that Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps had begun using unarmed observers in small boats to identify potential targets, including U.S. naval vessels, after American strikes damaged much of Iran’s radar capability.

Maritime security data cited by Reuters indicated that attacks on commercial shipping had intensified, with at least five incidents involving tankers and other commercial vessels reported around the Strait of Hormuz within 48 hours. The incidents included drone attacks and other reported threats to shipping.

Iran is also extending the geographical scope of its operations beyond the strait into the Gulf of Oman and nearby waters, according to the Iranian officials. Maritime security reporting has indicated that vessels in waters off Qatar and the United Arab Emirates have also faced attacks or threats in recent days.

The Strait of Hormuz is a critical international energy route. Before the war, it carried roughly one-fifth of global oil and liquefied natural gas trade. Iranian restrictions and attacks have sharply reduced shipping traffic, increased risks for commercial operators and contributed to pressure on energy markets.

The U.S. Navy-led Joint Maritime Information Center has continued to assess the threat to merchant shipping in the strait as severe. Iran’s latest approach raises further concerns about the safety of commercial vessels and the possibility of wider disruption to energy shipments across the Gulf.

The developments come amid the continuing conflict that began with U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iran on February 28. Tehran has sought to use its influence over the strait as leverage against Washington, while the United States has taken measures to counter threats to maritime traffic.

The Iranian officials said Tehran was moving toward preventing vessels it considers to be violating its restrictions from passing through the waterway. One official warned that a complete closure could follow, raising the prospect of further disruption to global shipping and energy supplies.

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Afghan artist and entrepreneur Robaba Mohammadi has been named Artist of the Year at Canada’s 2026 MAX Awards, receiving the honor at the organization’s 10th annual gala in Toronto on October 10.

The awards are organized by Muslims Achieving Excellence (MAX), which recognizes professional achievements, leadership and contributions to the wider community. The Artist of the Year category honors individuals who have demonstrated significant achievement in the creative arts, according to the organization’s official website.

SMILE Canada congratulated Mohammadi on the award, describing her as an Afghan artist and entrepreneur participating in its OpenShop program, which supports creative entrepreneurship. The organization said the recognition celebrated her talent and creativity.

Mohammadi was selected through a process that began with approximately 200 nominees and included public voting followed by a final assessment by a panel of judges, according to reports.

Born in Afghanistan’s Ghazni province, Mohammadi began painting professionally in 2015. Her artwork often explores the experiences, aspirations and challenges of Afghan women, bringing their lives and perspectives into focus through visual expression.

She established an art and cultural center in Kabul, where she worked with aspiring artists, including young women and people with disabilities. Her work later gained international recognition through her association with the Association of Mouth and Foot Painting Artists, which represents artists who create paintings using their mouths or feet.

Mohammadi left Afghanistan after the Taliban returned to power in August 2021 and later settled in Canada. Since her arrival, she has continued her artistic work while developing her creative business through initiatives including SMILE Canada’s OpenShop entrepreneurship program.

The MAX award adds to Mohammadi’s international recognition and highlights the continuation of her artistic career beyond Afghanistan.

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Four people were injured and 15 homes sustained damage in Riyadh after debris from two intercepted Houthi cruise missiles fell on residential areas, Saudi authorities said Wednesday, as fighting between Saudi Arabia and Yemen’s Houthi movement intensified.

The injured included two women, a man and a child, according to Saudi Civil Defense. The agency said air defenses intercepted and destroyed the missiles before they reached their intended targets, but falling fragments damaged homes. Emergency teams were dispatched to the affected areas.

Separately, Saudi Arabia’s Energy Ministry said an administrative building at state-owned oil giant Saudi Aramco’s complex in Dhahran, in the kingdom’s Eastern Province, was attacked late Tuesday, causing a limited fire. The ministry reported no casualties. A company source told Reuters that a ballistic missile struck the headquarters complex, damaging the top three floors of an office tower.

The incidents come amid escalating hostilities between Saudi Arabia and the Iran-aligned Houthis. The Saudi-led coalition has resumed strikes against Houthi-held areas in Yemen, including near the capital, Sanaa. The coalition had warned civilians to stay away from an oil facility in the area before the reported strikes. Yemen’s state oil company said the targeted facility held no fuel reserves at the time and that the attack had not disrupted fuel supplies, according to the information provided in the report.

The latest attacks have raised concerns about the security of Saudi residential areas and energy infrastructure. Aramco operates an extensive network of oil fields, pipelines, refineries and export terminals, making the security of its facilities important to Saudi Arabia’s energy sector. Reuters reported that the Dhahran attack occurred as the conflict between the Houthis and the Saudi-led coalition widened.

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman has held talks with U.S. President Donald Trump and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan amid the escalation, according to the report. Erdoğan expressed support for Saudi Arabia, while Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said Tehran was prepared to mediate between Riyadh and the Houthis. The extent to which these contacts may lead to de-escalation remains unclear.

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Pope Leo XIV has been diagnosed with lung cancer after undergoing surgery to remove the lower lobe of his right lung at a hospital in Rome, the Vatican said, adding that the operation was successful and ended without complications.

The 71-year-old pontiff has lung adenocarcinoma, a common type of lung cancer, according to a Vatican medical bulletin released on Tuesday. Tissue tests conducted during the operation confirmed the diagnosis, which doctors had suspected after identifying a growth during recent medical examinations.

The surgery took place at Rome’s Gemelli Hospital, where Pope Leo was admitted on Tuesday. Professor Stefano Margaritora, head of thoracic surgery at the hospital, said doctors removed the lower lobe of the pope’s right lung using a video-assisted surgical technique.

The procedure itself lasted approximately 90 minutes and was completed without complications, the Vatican said. The pope regained consciousness normally after the operation and was resting in his hospital room.

The Vatican expects Pope Leo to remain in hospital for about a week to recover. All his public engagements have been cancelled through October 20, while the potential impact of his condition on his planned November visit to South America remains uncertain.

The Vatican has not disclosed the tumour’s size, whether the cancer has spread to nearby lymph nodes or what further treatment may be required. Those details are important in determining the stage of the disease and whether additional treatment will be necessary, according to medical experts cited by Reuters.

Pope Leo, whose birth name is Robert Francis Prevost, was elected leader of the Roman Catholic Church in May 2025 following the death of Pope Francis. Born in Chicago in 1955, he became the first American pope and previously spent many years serving as a priest and bishop in Peru.

His diagnosis marks a significant health development during his papacy. Before his election, he was not widely known to have experienced major health problems, although he was hospitalised with typhoid fever while serving in Peru in 1985.

Pope Francis, his predecessor, experienced several hospitalisations during the final years of his life and died in April 2025 at the age of 88.

The pope leads the Roman Catholic Church, which has approximately 1.4 billion members worldwide. Although Vatican administrative operations continue during his hospitalisation, decisions requiring the pope’s personal approval may be postponed.

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A member of Human Rights Watch has warned France against returning Afghan asylum seekers to Afghanistan, citing concerns over the risks they could face in the country.

Fereshta Abbasi, an Afghanistan researcher at Human Rights Watch, said France’s confirmation of a “technical dialogue” with the Taliban over forced returns marked a dangerous shift in its migration policy and could conflict with the country’s international human rights obligations.

The French Foreign Ministry said the discussions aim to facilitate the removal of Afghan nationals who lack regular residency status and are considered a national security risk. French officials have described the talks as technical and limited in scope, but have not publicly outlined safeguards for people who could face particular risks if returned, including women and girls.

Abbasi said there was documented evidence that Taliban forces had detained and tortured people forcibly returned to Afghanistan. Since regaining power in August 2021, the Taliban have imposed sweeping restrictions on women and girls and continued to suppress fundamental freedoms, according to Human Rights Watch.

She urged France to suspend plans for forced returns, arguing that governments should not cooperate with Taliban authorities on migration while serious human rights violations continue. The warning follows wider European efforts to negotiate returns with the Taliban, including talks between Taliban representatives and European Union officials in Brussels in June.

Germany has also resumed deportations of Afghan nationals, including people convicted of crimes, while several European governments have explored ways to return Afghans whose asylum claims have been rejected or who are considered security threats. Human rights organisations warn that such returns could violate the principle of non-refoulement, which prohibits sending people to places where they face a real risk of persecution, torture or other serious harm.

France has not formally recognised the Taliban authorities since they returned to power in 2021. The talks have renewed debate over how European governments can enforce immigration rules while meeting their obligations to protect refugees and people at risk of serious abuse.

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NASA’s Perseverance rover has set a new record for the longest distance driven by any vehicle on the surface of another world, travelling 45.22 kilometres on Mars since landing in February 2021.

The six-wheeled rover reached the milestone on October 11, its 2,006th Martian day, or sol, surpassing the previous record of 45.16 kilometres set by NASA’s Opportunity rover, which operated on Mars from 2004 until 2018. Perseverance covered the distance in about five and a half years, compared with nearly 15 years for its predecessor.

NASA said the rover broke the record while travelling through an area known as Lac de Charmes, near the western rim of Jezero Crater, toward a region called Idubi. Scientists are examining some of the oldest terrain explored in the solar system to learn more about Mars’ geological history and whether the planet once supported microbial life.

Much of Perseverance’s progress has been made possible by its autonomous navigation system, known as AutoNav. The system uses images of the terrain to build three-dimensional maps, identify hazards and select safe routes between waypoints planned by engineers on Earth. NASA says more than 90 percent of the rover’s total driving distance has been completed using this autonomous capability.

Steven Lee, a project manager for NASA’s Mars rovers at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory in California, said the rover’s mobility systems remain fully operational and are performing well. The original mission plan called for approximately 20 kilometres of driving, but the rover has already travelled more than twice that distance. NASA expects it to continue adding to the record for years to come.

Perseverance is exploring Jezero Crater, which scientists believe once contained a lake fed by a river. The rover is searching for evidence of ancient microbial life and has collected 29 rock and regolith samples from the crater floor, an ancient river delta and the crater rim. A sample collected from a rock nicknamed Cheyava Falls has shown a potential biosignature, evidence that may be consistent with past microbial activity, but which does not confirm that life existed on Mars.

NASA has extended the rover’s mission to explore the crater rim through approximately the end of 2028. Scientists hope the area will reveal more about ancient hydrothermal systems, where warm water may once have circulated through rocks and potentially created conditions suitable for life.

The new record marks another milestone in NASA’s nearly three decades of robotic exploration of Mars. Beyond the distance itself, longer and more autonomous drives allow Perseverance to examine a wider range of geological formations and bring scientists closer to understanding whether Mars once had environments capable of supporting life.

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Apple has unveiled a new range of smart home products, led by a $299 device called HomeView, as the company seeks to expand its presence in the connected-home market with an upgraded artificial intelligence-powered Siri assistant.

The HomeView features a seven-inch touchscreen and facial recognition, allowing up to six household members to access personalised content and control compatible smart home devices, including doorbells, locks and thermostats. It can be placed on a table or mounted on a wall and is designed to combine home management, entertainment and video calls in a single device. Apple said orders opened on Tuesday, with availability beginning November 13.

The launch also includes updated HomePod smart speakers and an Apple TV 4K device, alongside a collection of smart home accessories developed with LG and Schneider Electric. The accessories include security cameras, video doorbells, smart locks and thermostats, extending Apple’s efforts beyond software into a wider range of connected household hardware.

Apple is seeking to compete more directly with Amazon and Google, whose Echo Show and Nest Hub devices already offer smart displays and voice-controlled home management. At $299, HomeView is priced above Amazon’s Echo Show 8, which costs about $200, and Google’s Nest Hub, priced at around $100. Apple’s new Apple TV 4K is also priced at $299, more than twice the price of its predecessor, according to Reuters.

The products place greater emphasis on Siri, which Apple upgraded this year with assistance from Google. However, analysts have questioned whether the assistant’s improved capabilities will be enough to persuade consumers to buy additional devices in a market where affordability, compatibility and reliability remain important factors.

“AI alone will not be enough to convince households to invest in more devices,” Paolo Pescatore, an analyst at PP Foresight, told Reuters, adding that reliability, trust and ease of use would be crucial to consumer adoption. Apple has faced challenges in expanding its smart home business since launching its Home app in 2016 and the HomePod speaker in 2018, including limitations in Siri’s responses and compatibility with third-party devices.

Apple said HomeView would not be sold in the European Union because Siri AI is not currently available there under the applicable regulatory conditions. The launch also comes amid wider concerns about the security of internet-connected household devices, which researchers and analysts warn may be vulnerable to cyberattacks.

Apple shares rose 1.6% in early trading on Tuesday, while the company’s stock had gained 25% since the start of 2026, compared with a 21% rise in the Nasdaq 100 index, Reuters reported.

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At least 30 members of the Fatemiyoun militia were killed or wounded in two separate armed attacks in Iran’s southeastern Sistan and Baluchestan province on Tuesday, according to the Haalvsh human rights group.

Haalvsh reported that more than 20 Fatemiyoun members were killed or wounded in an ambush in the Chah Ahmad area of Taftan County. The group said the fighters had been sent into the mountainous area, where armed men opened fire on them. IranWire also reported Haalvsh’s account of the Taftan clashes, which lasted for more than seven hours, according to the rights group.

In a separate incident, Haalvsh said a Toyota Hilux pickup truck and a motorcycle carrying Fatemiyoun members came under gunfire in the Ramin area of Chabahar County on Tuesday afternoon. The attack reportedly left 10 people dead or wounded.

Haalvsh also reported that the fighters had been based at a facility in Ahmad village and were attacked after leaving the compound. The identities of the gunmen and their possible affiliation were not immediately clear.

The reported attacks come amid a series of armed confrontations in Sistan and Baluchestan in recent weeks. Iranian media has reported previous attacks on Fatemiyoun members in the province, including an October 2 incident near Zahedan in which at least five members were reported killed, according to Haalvsh.

Iranian authorities had not publicly commented on the two reported attacks involving Fatemiyoun members at the time of publication. The Fatemiyoun Division is a militia composed largely of Afghan fighters and operating under the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps’ Quds Force.

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Reform UK has threatened visa restrictions, trade tariffs and other sanctions against Afghanistan, Pakistan, Somalia, Eritrea, Syria and Sudan if the countries refuse to accept people deported from Britain, as part of a proposed immigration crackdown if the party wins the next general election in 2029.

The party, led by Nigel Farage, outlined the measures as part of a broader plan announced on Monday to suspend the UK asylum system for five years, reject pending asylum applications and deport people whose claims are unsuccessful or no longer accepted under its proposed rules. Reuters reported that the plan would also involve restrictions on countries that refuse to cooperate with deportations.

Reform UK has also pledged to end legal refugee resettlement routes, including schemes for Afghans who did not directly assist British military forces. The party says it would retain arrangements for Ukrainians who fled Russia’s full-scale invasion. The proposals could affect Afghan refugees and others who rely on humanitarian protection or resettlement pathways.

The party has further proposed reviewing asylum and humanitarian protection decisions made in recent years, with some people potentially losing their status if their countries of origin are deemed safe. It has also promised to identify people living in Britain unlawfully through a nationwide review using official records. Reform UK says around 10,000 foreign nationals convicted of crimes are currently held in British prisons.

The proposals have drawn criticism from refugee advocates and political opponents, who warn that suspending asylum procedures and accelerating deportations could put vulnerable people at risk, including those who may face persecution if returned to their home countries. The measures remain political proposals and would require implementation through government policy and potentially face legal challenges.

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Iran has rejected reports that it plans to hand over 110 hectares of territory at the port of Chabahar to Afghanistan, describing the claims as a misunderstanding of remarks made by an Iranian lawmaker. Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei said on Monday that transferring Iranian territory to another country was not possible and that the proposal had not been formally presented.

Baghaei said the issue of leasing land to Afghanistan had been raised informally on the sidelines of an official meeting during an Iranian minister’s visit to Afghanistan. Tehran had said it would examine the matter, he added, rejecting claims that Iran had agreed to transfer its territory or sovereignty.

The clarification followed remarks by Mohsen Zanganeh, head of the Iranian parliament’s Special Commission for Supporting Production, who said last week that a preliminary understanding had been reached with Afghanistan’s Taliban-run administration to allocate land at Chabahar for Afghan commercial and investment activities. He described a proposed allocation of about 10 hectares along the port’s coast and more than 100 hectares within its special economic zone. The arrangement, he said, was intended to help Afghanistan develop trade infrastructure and improve access to international waters.

Zanganeh’s initial comments sparked criticism in Iran, with some interpreting the proposed arrangement as a transfer of Iranian territory. He later clarified that the plan concerned investment and the development of facilities such as a dry port, not the transfer of ownership or sovereignty. No final agreement had been reached, according to his subsequent explanation.

Chabahar, Iran’s only oceanic port, is an important potential trade route for landlocked Afghanistan, offering an alternative to routes through Pakistan. Tehran and Kabul have discussed expanding industrial cooperation and increasing bilateral trade, while the proposed land arrangement has highlighted the distinction between granting space for commercial investment and transferring territorial sovereignty.

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The BBC said on Tuesday that its FM radio broadcasts had been suspended across Afghanistan.

The BBC said it was working with the authorities to resolve the suspension, adding that millions of people across Afghanistan rely on its reporting for news and information. The Taliban-run Information and Culture Ministry’s spokesperson, Khubaib Ghufran, told Reuters that the broadcasts had been suspended over what he described as “repeated violations” by the broadcaster. He did not provide details of the alleged violations.

Although the FM broadcasts have been halted, BBC Dari and Pashto programmes remain available through other channels, including shortwave and medium-wave radio, as well as digital platforms. The BBC said it was continuing to serve Afghan audiences while seeking a resolution with the authorities.

The suspension comes amid continuing restrictions on independent media since the Taliban returned to power in August 2021. Media organisations and journalists have faced tighter controls on reporting, access to information and the content they can broadcast. The Afghanistan Journalists Center has documented repeated restrictions on radio stations, including closures, suspensions and limits affecting journalists and broadcasters.

Radio remains an important source of news for people across Afghanistan, particularly in areas where access to digital media may be limited. The BBC has provided news and current-affairs programming in Dari and Pashto for many years. The duration of the FM suspension and the prospects for restoring broadcasts were not immediately clear.

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France was preparing for another round of nationwide student demonstrations on Tuesday as high school pupils continued protesting against teacher shortages, overcrowded classrooms and deteriorating school facilities. The movement, which began in late September, has spread across the country, drawing support from labour unions and the left-wing France Unbowed party while raising concerns over clashes between protesters and police.

According to Agence France-Presse (AFP), demonstrators planned to march in Paris from midday GMT, with rallies also expected in other cities. The protests have disrupted classes at hundreds of schools, while demonstrations in recent days have involved confrontations with security forces. Last week, tens of thousands of people took part in nationwide rallies, although turnout figures have varied across demonstrations.

Students say persistent teacher vacancies, overloaded timetables, overcrowded classes and poorly maintained buildings are undermining their education. Some have also raised concerns about classrooms struggling to cope with high temperatures. The protests have at times escalated into clashes, with police using tear gas and crowd-control weapons to disperse demonstrators. Students and rights groups have accused officers of using excessive force, while authorities have condemned violence and damage during some demonstrations. Police have opened investigations into 24 allegations of violence against protesters, according to France’s Justice Ministry.

The government has pledged to deploy about 3,000 substitute teachers to address staff shortages at 114 of the most affected high schools. The national students’ union has dismissed the measure as insufficient and called for an additional €10 billion in funding for high schools. Meanwhile, the Education Ministry has reported a decline in the number of schools affected by blockades, although disruptions and concerns over school safety continue. More than 6,800 people, most of them minors, have been taken into police custody during the protests, according to the Justice Ministry.

The demonstrations have also raised concerns among parents and students about missed lessons and the impact of prolonged school disruptions. President Emmanuel Macron has urged restraint, saying the grievances require time, consultation and dialogue. The government is under pressure to respond to demands for better school conditions while restoring normal teaching. Further demonstrations over the cost of living are also expected to add to France’s broader climate of social discontent.

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Anti-drug activist Parvinder Singh Jhota was shot dead during a confrontation with a medical store owner in Mansa, in the northern Indian state of Punjab, after questioning him over the alleged sale of intoxicating substances. The shooting was captured during a Facebook Live broadcast, according to Indian media reports.

Jhota, who had campaigned against drug abuse and alleged illegal sales of addictive medicines through chemist shops, was recording the confrontation when an argument broke out outside the store. Footage described by Indian media shows him challenging the shop owner and asking to see the shop’s CCTV recordings before shots were fired. The store owner allegedly opened fire and fled the scene. Police have launched an investigation and are searching for the suspect.

Jhota had gained a following on social media through videos documenting his efforts to expose the alleged illegal sale of intoxicating substances. He first attracted wider attention in 2023 following a dispute involving a medical store owner. He was arrested that July on allegations including assault, trespass and rioting, and was released about two months later, according to the report provided by NDTV.

The killing has also triggered a political dispute over Punjab’s efforts to tackle drug abuse. Leaders from the opposition Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Congress and Shiromani Akali Dal criticised the state government led by the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), questioning its law-and-order record and the effectiveness of its anti-drug campaign, Yudh Nashian Virudh.

BJP leader Sunil Jakhar said the killing raised questions about the government’s campaign and the responsibility of drug inspectors to prevent the illegal sale of medicines. Congress leader Amarinder Singh Raja Warring blamed what he described as failures in law enforcement and the anti-drug campaign, while Shiromani Akali Dal leader Bikram Singh Majithia questioned the authorities’ enforcement efforts. No immediate response from AAP leaders was reported in the source material.

The shooting has renewed attention on drug abuse and the alleged illicit distribution of intoxicating medicines in Punjab, where political parties have made the issue a major point of debate ahead of the next state election. The allegations against the medical store owner and the circumstances surrounding the shooting remain subject to the police investigation.

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North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has visited a newly opened defence museum displaying the country’s Hwasong-20 intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM), which is presented as capable of reaching the United States, as Washington signals the possibility of renewed talks with Pyongyang.

State media KCNA released photographs of Kim’s visit on Tuesday, October 13, showing him at the Defence Revolution Museum alongside his wife, Ri Sol Ju, and daughter, Ju Ae. The museum, inaugurated on Sunday, displays weapons developed under Kim’s leadership, including drones and ballistic missiles. The Hwasong-20 has not been publicly demonstrated in a confirmed operational test, and its capabilities remain difficult to independently verify.

A display near the Hwasong-20 launcher appeared to depict a multiple-warhead configuration and a world map showing potential missile ranges extending beyond the continental United States to regions including the Middle East, Australia and South America, according to Shin Jong-woo of the Korea Defence and Security Forum, who spoke to Reuters. Analysts said the exhibition appeared designed to highlight North Korea’s weapons development and reinforce Kim’s military legacy.

The opening comes after US President Donald Trump said he might meet Kim during his planned trip to Asia in mid-November for the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit in China. The two leaders met three times during Trump’s first presidency, but efforts to reach an agreement on North Korea’s nuclear programme stalled after their 2019 Hanoi summit ended without a deal. The possibility of a new meeting has not been confirmed.

Separately, North Korea said it tested a tactical ballistic missile on Monday, October 12, claiming the launch verified an upgrade to a key component. The announcement followed South Korea’s military report that Pyongyang had fired multiple ballistic missiles towards waters off its eastern coast. Reuters reported that the launch was North Korea’s fourth missile test in a month, following South Korea’s recent test of a hypersonic missile.

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The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has sharply downgraded its 2026 economic outlook for the Middle East and Central Asia, projecting a 0.3 percent contraction as the war involving the United States, Israel and Iran disrupts energy production and shipping through the Strait of Hormuz.

In its latest World Economic Outlook, released on Tuesday, October 13, the IMF forecast that the regional economy would shrink this year, reversing its earlier growth expectations. The prolonged disruption to the Strait of Hormuz, a critical route for global oil and gas shipments, has intensified pressure on energy exports and regional economic activity.

The economic impact is expected to vary across the region. The IMF projects that Iran’s economy will contract by 7.6 percent in 2026, while Iraq, Kuwait and Qatar are forecast to experience contractions of 16 percent, 16.7 percent and 15.6 percent, respectively. Saudi Arabia’s economy is projected to shrink by 3.3 percent, while the United Arab Emirates is expected to contract by 3.9 percent.

Oman is expected to perform better than other Gulf economies, with its economy forecast to grow by 2.4 percent this year. Its relative resilience reflects, in part, its access to export routes outside the Strait of Hormuz, which has left it less exposed to the shipping disruption.

The IMF expects a significant regional recovery in 2027 if the Strait of Hormuz reopens and shipping and energy exports gradually return to normal. It projects regional growth of 6.3 percent next year, although the outlook remains dependent on the course of the conflict and the restoration of trade flows. The Fund has warned that prolonged hostilities and continued energy-market disruption could further weaken economic prospects.

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Russia has warned that the return of US military infrastructure to Afghanistan would pose a direct threat to regional security.

Alexander Venidiktov, deputy secretary of Russia’s Security Council, said Washington was not concealing its plans to restore a military presence in Afghanistan. “The emergence of such a foothold would directly threaten all countries in the region,” he said in remarks published by Russian news agency Interfax on Monday, October 12.

Venidiktov said Moscow’s security dialogue with Kabul also aimed to prevent countries outside the region from re-establishing a military presence in Afghanistan. He described cooperation with the Taliban authorities as consistent with Russia’s national security interests and its stated goal of maintaining a stable and peaceful Eurasian region.

The warning follows broader regional opposition to a possible US return to Bagram Air Base, north of Kabul. In October 2025, 10 countries participating in the Moscow Format talks, including Russia, China, Iran, India and Pakistan, opposed the deployment of foreign military infrastructure in Afghanistan and neighbouring countries. The statement did not name the United States or Bagram directly, but came amid US President Donald Trump’s calls to regain control of the former American military base.

Moscow has also expanded its engagement with the Taliban since Russia formally recognised the Taliban-led government in July 2025, becoming the first country to do so. Cooperation has extended to security and military-technical matters, while the two sides have pursued closer trade and economic ties.

Venidiktov said Russian and Afghan officials, foreign ministries and business representatives were involved in expanding bilateral cooperation. He pointed to a joint economic and trade working group and efforts to strengthen the legal framework governing relations, adding that transport and energy projects were among Moscow’s priorities.

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Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has formed an 11-member committee led by Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar to oversee governance and security in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, following the imposition of emergency and governor’s rule in the northwestern province.

The committee will monitor administrative and security developments daily and report to Sharif, according to a report published by Dawn on Tuesday, October 13. A source close to the prime minister said the committee had been established informally and no separate official notification had been issued. Its members include several federal ministers and political representatives.

The move follows President Asif Ali Zardari’s approval of emergency measures on October 11, which suspended the provincial government led by Imran Khan’s Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI). The federal government has cited deteriorating security and accused the provincial administration of failing to cooperate adequately in counterterrorism efforts. It has also established a separate advisory council to assist Governor Faisal Karim Kundi in running provincial affairs.

The political crisis has intensified amid protests by PTI supporters demanding the release of Khan, who has been imprisoned since 2023. The party has rejected the federal government’s allegations concerning its handling of militancy and criticised the emergency measures as an attack on provincial autonomy. The latest developments came ahead of a planned march by Khan’s supporters to Islamabad.

The federal government’s intervention has heightened tensions between Islamabad and the PTI, which had governed Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. The emergency measures and transfer of provincial authority to federal oversight have raised further questions about political stability, provincial autonomy and the government’s response to rising militancy in the region.

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U.S. President Donald Trump has suggested that Washington may have gone too far in targeting Iranian leaders, saying the United States is struggling to identify Iranian officials with whom it can negotiate as the conflict with Iran continues.

Speaking at a rally in Ohio on Tuesday, October 13, Trump said the United States no longer knew whom to approach for negotiations. “Perhaps we went too far in terms of the leadership, because we no longer know who we are dealing with,” he said, referring to the targeting of Iranian leaders.

Trump also reiterated his claim that Iran had lost its air force and all 159 of its ships, saying the vessels were now at the bottom of the sea. These military claims were not independently verified in the reports reviewed.

His remarks come as the conflict continues to disrupt commercial shipping across the Persian Gulf and the Strait of Hormuz, a critical route for global energy supplies. The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) has issued repeated alerts about attacks on commercial vessels, including incidents involving tankers in the Strait of Hormuz and the Gulf of Oman.

Reuters reported that at least 12 incidents involving attacks, attempted attacks or harassment of tankers were recorded between September 28 and October 5, marking the busiest week for such incidents since the war began in February. The incidents have heightened concerns over maritime security and the movement of oil through the region.

The latest developments underscore the challenges facing efforts to end the conflict. Negotiations between Washington and Tehran over maritime security and the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz have reached an impasse, with both sides maintaining competing demands over the sequence of security and nuclear-related discussions.

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Yemen’s Houthi movement has claimed that it shot down a Saudi-operated Wing Loong II drone over Saada province in northern Yemen, amid escalating clashes and a series of Houthi missile and drone attacks on Saudi territory.

Yahya Saree, the group’s military spokesperson, announced the alleged shootdown on Tuesday, October 13, saying the aircraft had been targeted while carrying out what he described as “hostile missions.” He said Houthi forces used an “appropriate weapon” to bring it down.

The announcement comes amid a sharp escalation in Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia. In recent days, the group has claimed missile and drone strikes against King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh, Abha International Airport and Khamis Mushait Air Base, as well as Saudi military installations and facilities operated by state-owned oil company Saudi Aramco.

Saudi authorities have reported casualties and damage from attacks on Riyadh’s airport, while the Saudi military has said its air defences intercepted incoming missiles.

The attacks have prompted Saudi Arabia to suspend operations at King Khalid International Airport and announce a response to the strikes. The latest escalation has also raised concerns about civilian safety, air travel and the security of critical infrastructure in the kingdom.

The confrontation is unfolding alongside intensified fighting in Yemen, where government forces backed by Saudi Arabia have launched operations against Houthi positions in several areas, including Al-Jawf, Taiz and the western coastal region.

The Houthis have also reported Saudi-led airstrikes in Yemeni territory. The renewed fighting threatens to widen the conflict and further destabilise regional security.

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A 20-year-old Pakistani physics graduate and gold medallist has died after allegedly losing 9.3 million Pakistani rupees (about $33,000) in a fraudulent overseas education scheme involving promises of admission, a scholarship and a visa to Harvard University in the United States.

Laiba Ijaz, a graduate of the International Islamic University Islamabad, was found dead in Islamabad on October 9. Her family alleges that a man posing as an education consultant supplied fake university and scholarship documents after taking money intended to finance her studies abroad. Police are investigating the circumstances of her death alongside the alleged fraud.

The case has drawn national attention, with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif directing Islamabad police officials to arrest those accused and ensure action under the law. As of Monday, police had arrested the main suspect and two female accomplices, according to Dawn. The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) is conducting a separate investigation into the alleged education and visa fraud.

Family Sold Land and Pawned Jewellery

Ijaz, from Sargodha in Punjab province, had hoped to continue her education in the United States and pursue a career in science. Her family said they made major financial sacrifices to support her ambition, including selling a plot of land intended for a family home and pawning her mother’s jewellery.

Her father, who has sold milk and yoghurt in Islamabad for years, made his daughter’s education a priority despite the family’s limited resources, relatives told The Media Line. The family said Ijaz had also received an opportunity to study in Saudi Arabia but remained determined to pursue her goal of studying in the United States.

According to the family’s allegations, the main suspect, identified as Muhammad Nauman, claimed he could arrange admission to Harvard, a scholarship and a U.S. visa. The documents he allegedly provided could not be verified, and the purported admission and financial records were reportedly found to be fraudulent.

FIA Investigates Alleged Millions Fraud

The FIA said the alleged scheme involved 9.3 million Pakistani rupees (approximately US$33,000). Its preliminary account indicated that 2.9 million rupees (about US$10,300) was transferred through Ijaz’s bank account, while the remainder was paid in cash. Investigators are examining alleged forged admission letters, scholarship awards and university fee receipts.

Police and the FIA have registered cases under Pakistani laws relating to fraud and related offences. Authorities have also said they are investigating whether other people were involved and whether the suspects targeted additional victims. The allegations have not yet been tested in court.

Pakistan’s Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi has pledged to pursue the case, while the government has called for those responsible to face legal consequences. The investigation is continuing as Ijaz’s family seeks justice and the recovery of the money allegedly taken from them.

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Universities across the United Kingdom are withdrawing admission offers, suspending recruitment or introducing stricter screening for applicants from Bangladesh, Pakistan, Nigeria and India amid tougher student visa compliance rules that could put their sponsorship licences at risk.

According to The Business Standard, the restrictions follow a sharp increase in withdrawn UK study visa applications and growing concerns among universities that visa refusals could push them beyond the limits set by the Home Office. The measures vary by institution and do not constitute a blanket ban on students from the four countries.

A Financial Times analysis of Home Office data found that 10.5 percent of UK study visa applications were withdrawn in the first half of 2026, compared with 2.3 percent during the same period in 2025 and 0.4 percent in 2023. The reported withdrawal rates were 40.9 percent for applicants from Pakistan, 23.5 percent for Bangladesh, 22.7 percent for Nigeria and 5.2 percent for India. These figures concern withdrawals, not visa refusals, and should not be interpreted as rejection rates.

The restrictions follow changes to the Home Office’s Basic Compliance Assessment, which took effect on June 1, 2026. Under the revised rules, universities must keep their student visa refusal rate below 5 percent, ensure that at least 95 percent of sponsored students enrol, and maintain a course-completion rate of at least 85 percent. The completion threshold is scheduled to rise to 90 percent for assessments from June 2027.

Institutions that fail to meet the requirements can face compliance action and, in serious cases, lose their licences to sponsor international students. Such a loss would prevent them from sponsoring new applicants under the student visa route. The revised assessment system also introduced red, amber and green ratings to indicate institutions’ compliance performance.

The UK government says the tougher requirements are intended to strengthen recruitment standards and prevent misuse of student visas, including by people seeking asylum or illegal employment. Universities, however, face pressure to protect their sponsorship status while continuing to recruit international students, whose tuition fees provide an important source of income for the higher education sector.

Some universities have taken preventive measures, including pausing recruitment from particular countries or adding further checks before issuing admission offers and sponsorship documents. The restrictions differ by institution, course and intake, so applicants’ eligibility depends on the policies of their chosen university rather than nationality alone.

Students planning to study in the UK are advised to check directly with universities whether applications are being accepted, whether sponsorship is available for their intended intake, and what documentation is required. The current measures create a more uncertain admissions environment for prospective international students, particularly those applying from countries with high reported withdrawal rates.

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Pakistani authorities have detained Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi, several provincial cabinet members and hundreds of supporters of former Prime Minister Imran Khan’s Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party, escalating a political confrontation following the suspension of the provincial government under emergency rule.

President Asif Ali Zardari declared a state of emergency in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa on Sunday, October 11, effectively suspending the PTI-led administration. The federal government said the measure was necessary because provincial authorities had failed to adequately address Islamist militancy in the northwestern province, which borders Afghanistan.

Federal junior Interior Minister Talal Chaudhry confirmed that Afridi and some cabinet members had been taken into preventive custody on Sunday in Peshawar. He said those facing criminal cases would be charged and tried, while others would be released. The government has not announced a complete list of those detained.

The detentions followed days of PTI-led demonstrations demanding Khan’s release from prison and access to medical treatment. Khan’s supporters have been preparing to march to Islamabad to pressure the federal government, while authorities have tightened security and placed barriers along routes leading to the capital.

PTI rejected the emergency declaration, accusing the federal government of using security concerns as a pretext to suppress the opposition and prevent the planned march. Party figures condemned the arrests and demanded the immediate release of detained leaders. Khan’s sisters and hundreds of his supporters were also detained, according to reports.

Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar said a provincial governor would assume responsibility for administering Khyber Pakhtunkhwa with an advisory council. The arrangement is expected to remain in place initially for six months. Pakistan’s constitution allows the federal government to assume provincial functions under specified emergency conditions.

The federal government and military accuse PTI’s provincial leadership of failing to curb militant violence, an allegation the party denies. PTI has argued that inadequate federal funding and support have hampered its ability to address security challenges.

The latest developments mark a sharp escalation in the dispute between Khan’s party and Pakistan’s powerful military establishment. Khan, a former international cricket star who served as prime minister from 2018 to 2022, has been imprisoned since 2023 and remains a central figure in the country’s opposition politics.

The confrontation also raises concerns about political stability and provincial autonomy in Pakistan, as the government prepares to prevent PTI supporters from reaching the capital and the party continues to demand Khan’s release.

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At least 72 civilian gold miners were killed in airstrikes on a mining site in northern Sudan near the Egyptian border, according to the Sudanese rights group Emergency Lawyers, which accused the Egyptian air force of carrying out the attack.

The strikes took place on Saturday in the Jabal al-Uqaydat area, a remote, mountainous region known for informal gold mining. Emergency Lawyers said the reported death toll was preliminary and that efforts to document and verify the casualties were continuing.

Survivors told Agence France-Presse that an aircraft appeared over the mining area in the morning and carried out repeated strikes. One miner, Abdelaziz Youssef, said the aircraft attacked five times, killing people at the site. He said workers fled toward the surrounding mountains, fearing further bombardment.

Another survivor, Sharaf Ali, said thousands of people had been working at the mine when the attack occurred. He said miners scattered in different directions afterward, making it difficult to determine the exact number of people killed. Some workers were feared trapped beneath the rubble, while the site’s remote location complicated access and rescue efforts.

The incident is the second reported deadly airstrike this year at an informal gold-mining site in the area. In June, 23 workers were reportedly killed in a similar attack. At the time, the Egyptian military said it had conducted a large-scale operation against illegal gold mining within Egyptian territory, but it did not claim responsibility for the latest strikes.

The border region lies near the disputed Halaib Triangle, which both Sudan and Egypt claim. Emergency Lawyers said the latest attack occurred inside Sudanese territory and argued that repeated strikes on resource-rich border areas raised concerns about Sudan’s sovereignty and control over its mineral resources.

Informal gold mining has expanded as Sudan’s war, which began in April 2023 between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF), has disrupted livelihoods and weakened economic activity. Gold has become an important source of income and financing amid the conflict, while smuggling and other illicit trade have complicated efforts to regulate mining in remote areas.

Emergency Lawyers condemned the reported attack and warned against violence targeting civilians in mineral-rich border regions. The full circumstances of the strike, the final casualty toll and responsibility for the attack remain unclear.

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American economists Robert E. Hall and Michael Woodford won the 2026 Nobel Memorial Prize in Economic Sciences on Monday for their research on the microeconomic foundations of macroeconomic stabilization, which has helped shape how governments and central banks respond to economic shocks.

The Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences announced the award, recognizing research that strengthened the theoretical basis of economic models used to understand fluctuations in economic activity and assess the effects of monetary and fiscal policies. These models help policymakers examine how households and businesses respond to changes in interest rates, prices and economic conditions.

The research has contributed to the development of frameworks used to assess how central banks and governments can reduce harmful economic fluctuations, including those caused by energy price shocks and sudden changes in household consumption. By incorporating individual economic decisions into broader models, the work has helped strengthen the analysis underpinning modern macroeconomic policy.

John Hassler, chairman of the Economic Sciences Prize Committee, said the laureates’ contributions had provided a strong theoretical foundation for models now widely used in economic policymaking around the world. Hall is associated with Stanford University, while Woodford is a professor at Columbia University.

The award carries a prize of 12 million Swedish kronor, equivalent to approximately $1.2 million. The laureates are scheduled to receive the prize at the award ceremony on December 10, the anniversary of Alfred Nobel’s death.

The economics award is formally known as the Sveriges Riksbank Prize in Economic Sciences in Memory of Alfred Nobel. It was established by Sweden’s central bank in 1968 and first awarded in 1969, making it distinct from the five original Nobel Prizes established under Alfred Nobel’s will. It is nevertheless presented alongside the other Nobel awards each year.

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Zabihullah Mujahid has urged Pakistani officials to address what he described as their “failed policies” rather than accuse Afghanistan’s Taliban authorities of allowing militant groups to operate, as tensions between Kabul and Islamabad continue.

Mujahid made the remarks on Monday, October 12, dismissing allegations by Pakistani officials as baseless and saying such statements would not help resolve the two countries’ security problems. He warned that repeated accusations could undermine ongoing negotiations between the sides.

He also said Pakistan’s political, security, social and economic challenges were concerning and could have negative consequences across the region. Mujahid called on senior Pakistani officials to focus on addressing domestic problems instead of conducting what he described as propaganda against the Taliban authorities.

The remarks followed comments by Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif at a federal cabinet meeting on Sunday. Sharif urged Afghanistan’s Taliban authorities to prevent what he called terrorist elements from operating against Pakistan, saying Islamabad had repeatedly raised the issue with Kabul without obtaining the results it sought. He also expressed concern over civilian deaths, including those of children and women, as well as casualties among security personnel in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan.

The exchange comes amid continuing tensions over cross-border militancy and Pakistan’s accusations that armed groups use Afghanistan territory to launch attacks. Taliban officials have repeatedly rejected allegations that Afghanistan allows foreign militant groups to operate from its soil against neighboring countries.

Relations between Afghanistan and Pakistan have deteriorated amid disputes over militant activity, border security and responsibility for attacks inside Pakistan. The latest exchange highlights the continuing gap between Islamabad’s demands for action against armed groups and the Taliban authorities’ rejection of Pakistani accusations.

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North Korea fired multiple ballistic missiles toward the sea off its eastern coast on Monday, South Korea’s military said, in Pyongyang’s fourth missile launch in a month amid rising tensions on the Korean Peninsula.

South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff said the missiles were launched from the Pyongyang area at around 9:20 a.m. local time. At least one type of missile travelled more than 900 kilometers, while military officials continued analyzing the weapons’ specifications.

Japan’s Coast Guard also reported detecting two unidentified projectiles believed to be ballistic missiles, saying they appeared to have fallen into the sea. Japanese authorities were assessing the launches and monitoring potential risks to vessels and aircraft.

The launches came days after South Korean President Lee Jae Myung oversaw the country’s first test-firing of a domestically developed hypersonic missile. South Korean military officials described Pyongyang’s latest action as an apparent show of force following the test, although the exact characteristics of the missiles remained under investigation.

South Korea condemned the launches as violations of United Nations Security Council resolutions and urged Pyongyang to halt such activities. North Korea remains subject to international sanctions over its nuclear weapons and ballistic missile programs.

Tensions have also increased following a landmine incident along the Demilitarized Zone in September that injured three South Korean soldiers. Seoul blamed North Korea for planting the mines and demanded an apology, while Pyongyang rejected the accusation and accused South Korea of provocation.

North Korea last launched a ballistic missile on October 3 and has conducted more than 10 missile tests this year, according to South Korean media reports. The latest launches underscore continuing military competition between the two Koreas as diplomatic efforts to ease tensions remain stalled.

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The purchasing power of Afghanistan’s unskilled laborers has fallen 25% from a year ago, as limited work opportunities, lower wages and increased food prices continue to strain household access to food, the World Food Program (WFP) said in a new report.

In its latest market report, released Monday, October 12, the WFP said unskilled workers found employment for an average of just two days per week. Work availability was 14 percent lower than a year earlier and 21 percent below the three-year average.

Average wages for unskilled workers also declined by 5 percent compared with the same period last year, further reducing the income available to families dependent on daily labor.

The report also highlighted weakening purchasing power among livestock-dependent households. Selling a one-year-old female sheep could buy approximately 260 kilograms of low-priced wheat flour, down 12 percent from a year earlier and 7 percent below the three-year average.

The WFP said declining incomes and higher prices were making it increasingly difficult for vulnerable households to afford sufficient food. Rising fuel and fertilizer costs have also increased transportation and agricultural production expenses, putting additional pressure on supply chains and market prices.

Wheat grain and low-priced wheat flour each cost 10 percent more than a year earlier, while high-priced wheat flour rose by 6 percent, according to the report.

Some food prices eased during the first week of October. Palawi rice fell by 1.9 percent and Sholae rice by 1.7 percent over the week. However, their prices remained 17 percent and 31 percent higher, respectively, than a year earlier.

Other essential goods also recorded annual increases. Cooking oil prices rose by 12 percent, sugar by 10 percent and salt by 4 percent. By contrast, pulses fell by 12 percent and bread by 3 percent compared with the previous year. Potato prices declined by 4.1 percent during the first week of October, onions by 3.1 percent and tomatoes by 0.2 percent.

The findings reflect wider economic pressures facing Afghan households, particularly those without stable employment or alternative sources of income. In its broader Afghanistan emergency assessment, the WFP says 17.4 million people are projected to face severe food insecurity in 2026, while 4.9 million mothers and children are expected to experience malnutrition.

The WFP has warned that unemployment, poverty, recurrent natural disasters and reduced humanitarian funding continue to deepen Afghanistan’s hunger crisis. For families relying on daily wages, fewer days of work combined with higher living costs leave less money available for food and other basic needs.

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Yemen’s Houthi movement has warned airlines, passengers and airport personnel to avoid Saudi Arabian airports and airspace, a day after a deadly attack on Riyadh’s King Khalid International Airport killed at least 12 people and injured more than 300, according to reports.

In a statement published on X on Sunday, October 11, the group said Saudi airports and airspace were vulnerable to further attacks and had become operational areas for its forces. It exempted airports in the holy cities of Mecca and Medina from the warning.

The Houthis urged airlines, aviation specialists, airport employees and travellers to take the warning seriously. The group also said Saudi Arabia would bear responsibility for any failure to intercept future attacks, according to Reuters.

The Houthi foreign ministry separately warned that further Saudi military action in Yemen would trigger a stronger response, describing the group’s actions as retaliation. In a statement broadcast by the Houthi-run Al-Masirah television network, the ministry said the situation would worsen if Riyadh continued what it described as aggression and interference in Yemen.

The warning followed Saturday’s attack on King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh, which caused heavy casualties and disrupted airport operations. Saudi authorities reported 309 people injured, while the dead included Saudi and foreign nationals. The Houthis had warned commercial airlines earlier in the week about operating in Saudi airspace.

The situation escalated further on Sunday when another projectile struck the airport’s Terminal 4, killing one person and injuring 11 others, Reuters reported. Saudi authorities also reported intercepting a cruise missile near the airport and a drone in the Eastern Province.

The attacks come amid intensified fighting between the Houthis, who are aligned with Iran, and forces supporting Yemen’s internationally recognised government. Saudi Arabia has backed the Yemeni government and carried out strikes against Houthi-held areas as fighting has intensified following the collapse of a ceasefire in July.

The renewed threats have raised concerns about civilian safety, regional security and disruptions to air travel. Several airlines have suspended or cancelled flights to Riyadh, while international governments have issued travel warnings as the security situation deteriorates.

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Saudi Foreign Minister Faisal bin Farhan held a telephone conversation with his Iranian counterpart, Abbas Araghchi, to discuss escalating tensions in the Middle East and diplomatic efforts to contain the crisis, Saudi media reported.

According to the Saudi Press Agency, the two officials reviewed recent regional developments and ongoing efforts to address the situation. The call came amid intensifying attacks by Yemen’s Iran-aligned Houthi movement against Saudi Arabia, including strikes targeting Riyadh’s King Khalid International Airport.

Araghchi said that prioritizing military action over political solutions would further complicate the crisis. He stressed that the region’s conflicts had no military solution and said Iran was prepared to help facilitate dialogue between Saudi Arabia and Yemen to support a political settlement, according to Iranian state media.

The diplomatic contact followed deadly Houthi attacks on Saudi airports. Reuters reported that a strike on Riyadh’s international airport on Saturday killed people and injured hundreds, while a subsequent attack on Sunday killed one person and wounded 11 others. The attacks prompted heightened security concerns and international condemnation.

The latest exchange highlights the importance of diplomatic channels between Riyadh and Tehran as the conflict threatens regional security, civilian aviation and energy infrastructure. Saudi Arabia has faced repeated Houthi missile and drone attacks, while the broader regional confrontation has increased concerns over disruptions to oil supplies and maritime trade.

Neither side announced a concrete agreement or a timetable for negotiations following the call. The extent to which the diplomatic contacts can help contain the escalation remains uncertain.

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The administration of U.S. President Donald Trump has threatened to suspend weapons procurement and intelligence sharing with Ukraine unless Kyiv halts attacks on Russian oil refineries and other energy infrastructure, the Financial Times reported Sunday, citing European officials.

According to the newspaper, U.S. officials contacted Kyiv and European capitals on Saturday and Sunday to press Ukraine to stop the strikes. The reported warning included a possible suspension of the Prioritised Ukraine Requirements List (PURL), a mechanism through which NATO allies finance purchases of U.S. weapons for Ukraine.

The report came after Trump announced what he described as an immediate “energy ceasefire” between Russia and Ukraine. In a social media post Sunday, he said both sides had agreed to stop attacks on energy facilities and warned them not to violate the arrangement. However, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Kyiv was still waiting for details from Washington.

Zelenskyy said Ukraine was prepared to halt strikes on Russian oil refineries if Moscow also stopped attacking Ukraine’s energy infrastructure. He stressed that any de-escalation must be mutual and backed by credible guarantees.

Meanwhile, Russian attacks on Ukrainian infrastructure continued. Ukrainian officials reported strikes on energy facilities, including a power plant in Kharkiv, raising doubts about whether a reciprocal ceasefire had been agreed or implemented.

The dispute comes as Washington seeks to reduce pressure on global fuel markets and push both sides toward a halt in attacks on energy infrastructure. Trump has blamed Ukrainian strikes on Russian refineries for contributing to higher diesel prices in the United States, while Zelenskyy has pointed to the impact of the wider conflict in the Middle East.

The reported U.S. warning highlights a growing tension between Washington’s efforts to broker a ceasefire and Kyiv’s insistence that any suspension of attacks must apply equally to Russia and Ukraine. Whether the proposed energy truce will be formalized and monitored remains unclear.

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A man died after entering a tiger enclosure at Yorkshire Wildlife Park in northern England, prompting a police investigation and the temporary closure of the attraction. The park has confirmed that the tiger involved, named Altai, will not be euthanised.

South Yorkshire Police said emergency services were called to the park near Doncaster at about 1:35 p.m. on Saturday, October 10, after reports that a man had entered the enclosure and been attacked by a tiger. Despite efforts by emergency medical personnel, he was pronounced dead at the scene. His family has been informed and is receiving support from specialist officers.

The circumstances surrounding the incident remain under investigation, including how the man entered the restricted area. Police have not publicly identified the victim or established his motive. The park was evacuated following the incident, and investigators remained at the scene to examine what happened.

In a statement on Sunday, Yorkshire Wildlife Park said Altai was “safe and well” and would not be put down as a result of the incident. The park also said staff members had been deeply affected by the events and would receive specialist support. Authorities have urged the public not to share distressing footage of the attack circulating online.

Altai is an endangered Amur tiger, also known as a Siberian tiger. He arrived at the park in March 2025 and lives in its Land of the Tigers reserve, which was designed to provide a managed habitat for the animals while allowing visitors to observe them from a raised walkway.

The incident has renewed attention on visitor safety at wildlife attractions and the safeguards intended to keep people separated from dangerous animals. The park is cooperating with police as investigators seek to establish how the man entered the enclosure and whether any further safety measures are needed.

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Internet monitoring group NetBlocks reported widespread connectivity disruptions in parts of Pakistan’s northwestern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province following the declaration of a state of emergency and the suspension of the provincial government led by former Prime Minister Imran Khan’s Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party.

In a post on X on Sunday night, NetBlocks said network data showed significant internet disruptions in parts of the province as President Asif Ali Zardari approved emergency measures recommended by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s federal cabinet.

The emergency was declared on October 11 amid rising political tensions and a dispute between the federal government and the PTI-led provincial administration over security and counterterrorism responsibilities. The measures effectively suspended the elected provincial government and placed the province under federal oversight.

The internet disruption has also complicated efforts by PTI officials to communicate with party leaders and supporters. Pakistan’s Dawn newspaper reported on Monday that the party said it had been unable to contact some of its leaders following reports of detentions, citing internet suspensions in several areas as a major obstacle.

PTI representatives claimed that Chief Minister Sohail Afridi and provincial party president Junaid Akbar had been taken into custody after the emergency was announced. However, the circumstances and status of their detention remained disputed. Federal Information Minister Attaullah Tarar later said Afridi was in protective custody and had not been arrested, according to Pakistani media reports.

The emergency followed weeks of political confrontation over a PTI-led march towards Islamabad demanding the release of Imran Khan, who has been imprisoned since 2023. The federal government has cited deteriorating security conditions and alleged shortcomings in the provincial administration’s response to militancy, while PTI has condemned the move as an attempt to undermine its electoral mandate.

NetBlocks’ report concerns disruptions in parts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa; it does not establish that internet access was completely shut down across the entire province. Pakistani authorities had not publicly provided a comprehensive explanation for the reported disruptions at the time of reporting.

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One person was killed and 11 others were injured in a fresh attack on King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on Sunday, according to Saudi authorities, a day after a Houthi-claimed strike on the airport killed 13 people and injured more than 300.

Saudi Arabia’s General Authority of Civil Aviation said the person killed in Sunday’s incident was a Pakistani national. The injured were transferred to hospitals for treatment, while authorities began assessing damage to airport facilities. The Saudi-led coalition fighting the Houthis in Yemen said an unidentified projectile struck Terminal 4, causing a fire. The latest attack has not been independently attributed to the Houthis.

The incident followed Saturday’s deadly attack, for which Yemen’s Iran-aligned Houthi movement claimed responsibility. Saudi authorities initially reported 12 deaths and more than 300 injuries. The death toll later rose to 13 after an Indian national injured in the strike died in hospital, according to reports citing the Indian Embassy in Saudi Arabia.

Saudi-led coalition forces also reported intercepting a cruise missile near King Khalid International Airport. Separately, Saudi authorities said a drone was intercepted over the Eastern Province and a ballistic missile targeting Khamis Mushait was intercepted. The airport’s operations were suspended following Saturday’s attack as officials assessed the damage and reviewed safety conditions.

The attacks come amid an escalation in fighting between the Houthis and forces aligned with Yemen’s internationally recognized government, which is backed by Saudi Arabia. Riyadh has increased its military campaign against the group following Houthi advances along parts of Yemen’s Red Sea coast, while supporting government forces seeking to regain territory.

U.S. President Donald Trump said on Saturday that Washington was considering joining Saudi-led strikes against the Houthis. The latest attacks have heightened concerns about the security of Saudi infrastructure, regional stability and the risk of a broader escalation in the Middle East.

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An Indian national who was injured in an attack on King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh has died, raising the death toll from Saturday’s strike to 13, the Indian Embassy in Saudi Arabia said.

In an update posted on X on Sunday night, October 11, the embassy said three other Indian nationals remained in intensive care, while two were receiving treatment in regular hospital wards. The remaining injured Indians had been discharged, according to the statement.

The embassy expressed condolences to the deceased’s family and said it was coordinating with local authorities and hospital officials to monitor the condition of injured Indian nationals. It also pledged assistance to the family in arranging the early repatriation of the deceased’s remains to India.

The October 10 attack killed 12 people and injured more than 300, according to Saudi authorities. The victims included nationals of several countries. The strike marked a major escalation in attacks on Saudi aviation infrastructure amid renewed regional hostilities.

A separate projectile struck the airport’s passenger terminal on Sunday, killing a Pakistani national and injuring 11 others, according to Saudi aviation authorities. The second incident was distinct from Saturday’s attack, which caused the death of the Indian national reported by the embassy.

The Iran-backed Houthi movement in Yemen claimed responsibility for the airport attacks, according to international media reports. The repeated strikes have raised concerns about civilian safety, airport operations and the risk of a wider regional escalation.

India has condemned attacks targeting civilian infrastructure in Saudi Arabia and expressed solidarity with the kingdom. The Indian Embassy said it would continue coordinating with Saudi authorities to assist affected Indian nationals and their families.

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UNESCO and Aga Khan Cultural Services are expanding efforts to preserve Afghanistan’s 12th-century Minaret of Jam through structural monitoring, flood-risk reduction and improved access for emergency response teams.

The initiative, supported by the International Alliance for the Protection of Heritage in Conflict Areas (ALIPH), includes regular assessments of data collected by monitoring equipment installed at the monument. The information helps specialists track structural changes, assess potential risks and plan measures to protect the minaret over the long term.

A newly completed suspension bridge over the Hari Rud River is another important step in the conservation effort. Developed through cooperation involving national and international expertise, the bridge is intended to provide safer, more reliable access to the remote site, allowing emergency teams to respond more effectively while improving connections for nearby communities.

Flooding remains one of the main threats to the monument. Repeated high-water events have damaged river defences, while erosion, sediment accumulation and climate-related pressures have increased concerns about the site’s stability. UNESCO has called for further hydraulic studies and a long-term prevention strategy to guide protective measures along the rivers.

The Minaret of Jam stands at the confluence of the Hari Rud and Jam Rud rivers in Ghor Province. Dating to the 12th century, it is one of Afghanistan’s most significant historical landmarks and an important example of Islamic architecture.

UNESCO added the Minaret and Archaeological Remains of Jam to its World Heritage List in 2002 and placed the site on its List of World Heritage in Danger the same year because of concerns over its preservation. Its remote location, structural vulnerabilities and exposure to flooding continue to complicate conservation work.

UNESCO and Aga Khan Cultural Services, with support from ALIPH, are combining technical assessments, structural stabilisation measures and improved access to address these challenges. The work also recognises the safety and access needs of communities living near the monument.

Despite the recent progress, the site remains on UNESCO’s List of World Heritage in Danger. Continued monitoring, flood protection and international assistance will be important to safeguarding the minaret and preserving Afghanistan’s cultural heritage for future generations.

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Pakistan’s President Asif Ali Zardari has approved emergency rule in northwestern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, effectively suspending the provincial government led by jailed former Prime Minister Imran Khan’s Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party.

The President’s Office announced the decision on Sunday, October 11, saying Zardari had signed the federal government’s recommendation following a cabinet decision and advice from Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif. The measures were invoked under Articles 232 and 234 of Pakistan’s Constitution, which address emergency powers and governor’s rule.

The federal government justified the intervention by citing a deteriorating security situation, an increase in militant attacks and what it described as the provincial administration’s failure to take effective action against terrorism. Officials also pointed to unsuccessful negotiations between federal representatives and the provincial leadership.

The move comes amid escalating tensions between Sharif’s government and the PTI. The party has been organizing protests demanding Khan’s release and has threatened further demonstrations and a march towards Islamabad. Khan has remained in prison since 2023 and continues to be a central figure in Pakistan’s political opposition.

PTI has condemned the suspension of its provincial government, describing the federal intervention as an attack on its electoral mandate and democratic governance. The move places the province under greater federal influence at a time of heightened political and security tensions.

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, which borders Afghanistan, has faced persistent militant violence, including attacks on security personnel and government facilities. The federal government says stronger measures are needed to address the security threat, while the dispute with PTI has intensified concerns about the relationship between Islamabad and the province’s elected leadership.

The decision marks a major escalation in Pakistan’s political confrontation and could further deepen tensions between the federal government and Khan’s party. Further details about the administration of the province under governor’s rule have not been fully outlined in the initial announcement.

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Pakistan’s military said 12 militants were killed in a clash along the Pakistan-Afghanistan border in Kurram district after security forces intercepted a group allegedly attempting to enter Pakistan from Afghanistan.

In a statement issued Sunday, October 11, the military’s media wing, Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), said security forces detected the group near the international border on Saturday. It alleged that Afghan Taliban border posts opened fire to support the attempted crossing, triggering an exchange of fire.

The military said Pakistani forces killed 12 members of the group, identified by Islamabad as militants affiliated with Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), along with Afghan Taliban personnel. The statement did not provide a breakdown of the reported deaths between the two groups.

Pakistan’s military also reported that Naib Subedar Hidayat Aman, a 40-year-old soldier from Ghizer district, was killed during the exchange of fire. It said a clearance operation was underway to search for any remaining militants in the area.

The clash comes amid worsening relations between Islamabad and the Afghan Taliban authorities over Pakistan’s allegations that the TTP operates from Afghanistan. The Afghan Taliban have rejected Pakistan’s accusations and have called for disputes between the two sides to be resolved through diplomacy.

Border tensions have also been accompanied by Pakistani airstrikes inside Afghanistan. Reuters reported this month that strikes in Kunar and Helmand provinces resulted in conflicting accounts of casualties: the Afghan Taliban authorities reported civilian deaths, while Pakistan said it had targeted militant positions. The United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan reported civilian deaths in the strikes.

The latest reported clash underscores the continuing security tensions along the border, where allegations of cross-border militancy and military operations have strained relations between the neighbouring countries. Afghan Taliban authorities had not publicly responded to Pakistan’s account of the Kurram incident in the reports reviewed.

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A crude oil supertanker caught fire after allegedly striking a naval mine while attempting to leave the Strait of Hormuz through an unauthorised route, Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) said, warning that vessels violating its maritime restrictions would face further action.

In a statement carried by Iranian state broadcaster Press TV on Saturday, the IRGC Navy said the vessel had switched off its navigation and positioning systems before entering what it described as a dangerous route. The reported explosion triggered a major fire that was visible to people living along the nearby coast.

The IRGC said its response to vessels using unauthorised routes would no longer be limited to the Strait of Hormuz, warning that such ships could be pursued and “punished” across the wider region. The force also warned that tankers disregarding its restrictions risked being engulfed in flames.

However, the circumstances of the reported incident have not been independently established. The vessel’s identity, the condition of its crew and the extent of any environmental damage were not immediately confirmed in the reports reviewed. The United States has previously disputed Iranian claims involving tankers and naval mines in the waterway.

The incident comes amid continuing restrictions on commercial shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, a strategic passage linking the Persian Gulf with international markets. Vessel movements have fallen sharply during the conflict, disrupting energy shipments and increasing concerns about maritime security and global oil supplies.

Iranian authorities have said the country will not fully reopen the waterway until Washington addresses Tehran’s demands and takes steps to restore trust. The IRGC has repeatedly warned vessels against using routes it considers unauthorised.

Separately, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian told Russian President Vladimir Putin during a meeting in Turkmenistan on Thursday that Tehran would continue pursuing negotiations with Washington despite repeated U.S. attacks during earlier rounds of talks.

“We are negotiating. However, whenever we engage in dialogue with the United States, they attack again. Nevertheless, we will not abandon the negotiating table and dialogue,” Pezeshkian said, according to statement. He said Iran remained open to dialogue even as the conflict continued.

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Pakistan’s army chief, Field Marshal Asim Munir, is reportedly considering a major restructuring of the country’s administrative map that could divide its four provinces into as many as 12 to 15 smaller provinces, or potentially 160 administrative units, raising concerns about provincial autonomy and the military’s growing influence over civilian politics.

In 1971, political exclusion, military repression and Bengali nationalism culminated in Bangladesh’s independence after a devastating war. Pakistan now faces renewed questions over federal unity and military dominance.

Pashtun-majority Khyber Pakhtunkhwa faces militant violence, security operations and public anger over insecurity. Unlike Bangladesh in 1971, separatism is not the province’s defining political demand.

Balochistan’s insurgency stems from longstanding grievances over autonomy, resource control, enforced disappearances and military operations. Separatist groups seek independence, making tensions distinct from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s broader security crisis.

Asim Munir, Pakistan’s army chief, is reportedly considering a major restructuring of the country’s administrative map that could divide its four provinces into as many as 12 to 15 smaller provinces, raising concerns about provincial autonomy and the military’s growing influence over civilian politics.

The proposal was reported by The Economist on October 8. Although supporters of administrative reform argue that smaller units could improve governance and service delivery, critics warn that the plan could weaken established political power centres and make local leaders more dependent on the military establishment.

Pakistan’s four provinces, Punjab, Sindh, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan, have remained central to the country’s political structure since its creation in 1947. Punjab, the most populous province, is a stronghold of the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), while the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) has traditionally dominated Sindh. Critics say dividing these provinces could weaken the influence of both parties and reduce the provinces’ ability to act as counterweights to the federal centre.

According to The Economist, Munir has argued that the existing provinces are too large to be governed effectively. However, the publication questioned whether the proposed restructuring would genuinely improve public administration or instead consolidate authority around the military chief, who has emerged as Pakistan’s most powerful political figure.

The report comes amid mounting concerns about Pakistan’s civil-military balance. Munir’s influence has expanded beyond military affairs, while civilian leaders have faced criticism over their limited ability to challenge the armed forces. Opposition leader and former prime minister Imran Khan remains imprisoned, and his Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party continues to challenge the federal government.

Recent developments have intensified concerns over provincial autonomy. On October 11, President Asif Ali Zardari imposed emergency rule in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and suspended the provincial government led by Khan’s party, following a recommendation from Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s federal cabinet. The federal government cited security concerns, while PTI representatives condemned the move as illegitimate. The decision has added to tensions between Islamabad and a province governed by the opposition.

The reported restructuring proposal also faces significant constitutional and political obstacles. Changes to provincial boundaries would require constitutional amendments and substantial parliamentary support, including approval by the affected provincial assemblies. Sindh has historically resisted proposals to divide the province, making any nationwide reorganisation politically contentious.

The debate has prompted wider questions about whether Pakistan is entering a period of deeper political instability. Some observers may draw comparisons with Bangladesh’s recent political upheaval, but the two countries have different political histories and circumstances. The comparison is therefore best understood as a warning about the possible consequences of weakened civilian institutions, rather than evidence that Pakistan is destined to experience the same outcome.

Pakistan’s military has long played a decisive role in national politics, including periods of direct military rule. Critics argue that a further weakening of provincial political institutions could deepen centralisation and intensify existing regional grievances, particularly in Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, where security operations and separatist or militant violence remain major challenges.

For now, the province-splitting proposal remains a reported plan rather than an implemented policy. Its eventual direction will depend on political negotiations, constitutional requirements and the response of provincial leaders. The central question is whether restructuring would improve governance and representation or further concentrate power in an already dominant military establishment.

Pakistan’s crises share concerns over representation, state force and trust, but Bangladesh’s 1971 outcome is not inevitable. Today’s trajectories depend on political choices, rights protections and federal negotiations.

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Bollywood veteran Amitabh Bachchan turned 84 on October 11, continuing his long career while maintaining a disciplined daily routine that has drawn public interest in his food and fitness habits.

The actor, who has been a vegetarian since 2000, has spoken about making changes to his diet over the years, including giving up non-vegetarian food, sweets and rice. On the television quiz show Kaun Banega Crorepati, Bachchan said he no longer eats rice or traditional kheer, although his wife, Jaya Bachchan, recently prepared mango kheer for him.

According to reports by NDTV Food and Pinkvilla, his reported diet includes fresh fruit, vegetables, whole grains, nuts, dates and amla juice. Bachchan has also described his morning routine on his personal blog, mentioning tulsi leaves, a protein drink, almonds, porridge, coconut water, amla juice and fruit.

His meals are reportedly simple. A chef at a Lucknow hotel told The Times of India that Bachchan typically has milk and scrambled eggs without chillies for breakfast. Lunch may include two or three rotis, plain dal and green vegetables, while soup is sometimes his choice for dinner, particularly when a busy shooting schedule keeps him working late.

Bachchan has previously written about leaving behind foods he enjoyed when he was younger. His dietary choices have changed over time, though the actor has not presented them as a universal plan for maintaining health at an older age.

Professionally, Bachchan remains active in television and film. He is hosting the 18th season of Kaun Banega Crorepati and is expected to reprise his role as Ashwatthama in the sequel to Kalki 2898 AD.

His continued public appearances and work at 84 have kept audiences interested in the routines he follows alongside his demanding professional schedule.

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Pakistan’s President Asif Ali Zardari has approved the imposition of emergency and governor’s rule in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, effectively suspending the provincial government led by former Prime Minister Imran Khan’s Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party, according to official statements.

The decision followed an emergency meeting of the federal cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Sunday. The cabinet reviewed the security situation in the northwestern province and recommended invoking constitutional powers, citing what the federal government described as the provincial administration’s disengagement from efforts to combat terrorism.

The measures were approved under Articles 232 and 234 of Pakistan’s Constitution, which provide for the declaration of an emergency and the imposition of governor’s rule when constitutional governance in a province is deemed to have failed. The President’s House confirmed the constitutional basis for the decision, while the Prime Minister’s Office said the cabinet had reviewed concerns over law and order and counterterrorism efforts.

Following the approval, the federal government appointed Dr Muhammad Fakhr Alam Irfan as Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s chief secretary, according to an official notification reported by Dawn. The appointment took immediate effect and will remain in force until further orders.

The move comes amid escalating tensions between the federal government and the PTI-led provincial administration. Khan, who remains in prison, continues to command significant political support in the province. His party has been involved in a confrontation with the federal government over political demands and counterterrorism policy.

The latest developments also coincide with a protest march led by PTI supporters from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa towards Islamabad, demanding Khan’s release. The march and the breakdown of negotiations between the federal government and opposition representatives have added to political tensions, while authorities have tightened security around the capital.

Under Pakistan’s Constitution, emergency powers can expand the federal government’s authority in a province. Article 232 addresses the proclamation of an emergency, while Article 234 concerns governor’s rule in the event of a failure of constitutional machinery. The Constitution also sets procedures and time limits for parliamentary approval of these measures.

The decision is expected to intensify political disputes between Islamabad and the PTI, while raising questions about provincial autonomy, constitutional procedure and the federal government’s approach to security in a region bordering Afghanistan.

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Governments and international officials have condemned a missile attack on King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh that killed 12 people and injured 309 others, as Saudi Arabia blamed Yemen’s Iran-backed Houthi movement and vowed a response.

Saudi Arabia’s General Authority of Civil Aviation said the attack on Saturday, October 10, killed four Saudi citizens, two Bangladeshi nationals and one citizen each from the United States, Egypt, Jordan, Syria, Palestine and Sudan. Several of the injured were reported to be in critical condition. The attack also damaged airport facilities and disrupted flight operations.

The Saudi-led coalition fighting the Houthis in Yemen blamed the group for targeting a passenger terminal and described the attack as a war crime. Coalition spokesperson Turki al-Maliki said the command would respond firmly while acting in accordance with international humanitarian law. The Houthis also claimed responsibility for the attack, according to international media reports.

U.S. President Donald Trump described the attack as “terrible” and said Washington was considering whether to join Saudi military operations against the Houthis. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio condemned the attack, noting that an American citizen was among those killed, and expressed condolences to the victims’ families.

Hans Grundberg, the United Nations special envoy for Yemen, called the attack a grave escalation, warning that strikes against civilian infrastructure threaten regional security and further complicate efforts to achieve peace in Yemen. He urged the Houthis, also known as AnsaruAllah, to stop attacks and called for respect for international humanitarian law, including the protection of civilians and civilian objects.

Pakistan also strongly condemned the attack. Its Foreign Office said targeting a civilian airport was a serious violation of international law and a threat to regional peace and security. Islamabad reaffirmed its commitment to Saudi Arabia’s sovereignty and security under the Makkah Joint Defence Agreement, which also involves Türkiye.

India, Türkiye, Canada, New Zealand, Bangladesh, Malaysia, Egypt, Qatar, Jordan and Palestinian officials were among those who condemned the attack or expressed solidarity with Saudi Arabia. India called repeated attacks on civilians and civilian infrastructure “completely unacceptable,” while Qatar described the strikes as a threat to Saudi sovereignty, regional security and civil aviation. Malaysia’s Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim said attacks on civilians and civilian infrastructure could not be justified.

The attack was the third reported assault on Riyadh’s airport within a week, following other strikes that caused casualties and damage. The Houthis have also warned airlines and travellers against using Saudi airports, raising concerns over civilian aviation and further disruption to regional travel.

The latest violence comes amid renewed fighting in Yemen after the collapse of a ceasefire in July. The escalation has raised fears that the conflict could widen further, drawing in additional regional and international actors and complicating efforts to restore stability.

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U.S. Representative Brian Fitzpatrick, a Republican from Pennsylvania, says he will seek to force a House vote on legislation to block purchases of Russian oil, challenging President Donald Trump’s agreement with Russian President Vladimir Putin to supply diesel to U.S. and global markets.

Fitzpatrick, co-chair of the Congressional Ukraine Caucus, announced the proposed “Ronald Reagan Peace Through Strength Act” on Saturday. He said he would use a discharge petition, a congressional procedure that can bring legislation to the House floor without approval from the chamber’s leadership if it secures enough signatures.

“We will be introducing bipartisan legislation to block any and all purchases of Russian oil,” Fitzpatrick wrote on X, adding that the measure would be brought to the floor through a discharge petition and would pass by a wide margin. Republican Representative Don Bacon of Nebraska has also indicated support for the proposal.

The move follows Trump’s announcement on Friday that Russia had agreed to supply more than 300,000 tonnes of diesel immediately, with additional shipments planned for November and subsequent months. Trump said the agreement was intended to increase fuel supplies and bring down prices in the United States and internationally.

The agreement has drawn criticism from Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, who warned that easing restrictions on Russian energy exports could provide Moscow with additional revenue to support its war against Ukraine. The deal also raises questions about the administration’s approach to sanctions imposed over Russia’s 2022 invasion.

The U.S. Treasury Department announced a temporary general licence allowing certain Russian diesel supplies, while lawmakers opposing the deal argue that purchases of Russian energy should remain restricted.

Fitzpatrick’s proposal faces a limited legislative window, with the current Congress scheduled to end in January. Even if the measure advances in the House, it would still need to pass the Senate and overcome any presidential opposition to become law.

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International Day of the Girl Child is being marked on October 11 as millions of girls in Afghanistan remain excluded from secondary education under Taliban rule, while concerns over child marriage and other risks facing girls continue.

UNESCO estimates that 2.4 million girls in Afghanistan are currently barred from secondary education. UNICEF reported in August that more than 2.6 million girls have been denied access to secondary schooling since the Taliban authorities returned to power in 2021. Afghanistan remains the only country where girls and women are effectively barred from secondary and higher education.

The restrictions have also heightened concerns about child marriage, as girls kept out of school face increased risks of early marriage, child labour, abuse and gender-based violence. A 2021 United Nations report cited in earlier coverage estimated that around 30 percent of girls in Afghanistan married before turning 18.

This year’s International Day of the Girl Child focuses on ending child marriage and investing in girls’ rights. The United Nations says more than 12 million girls worldwide marry before the age of 18 each year, roughly one every three seconds. UN Women Executive Director Sima Bahous has called on governments, international organizations and civil society to strengthen efforts to end the practice.

The UN says child marriage can interrupt education and undermine girls’ health, safety and opportunities to make decisions about their futures. Poverty, conflict and displacement can increase the risk, making access to education and stronger legal and social protections important parts of prevention.

In Afghanistan, the continued closure of secondary schools and universities to girls has sharply restricted their opportunities to study and pursue professional careers. UNESCO has warned that the education ban is reversing years of progress and could have lasting consequences for the country’s social and economic development.

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Pakistan has said it does not seek an arms race with India but will maintain its nuclear deterrence policy and military capability to defend itself against perceived security threats.

Tahir Andrabi, Pakistan’s permanent representative to the United Nations in Geneva, made the remarks during the United Nations General Assembly’s First Committee debate on disarmament and international security on October 9. He said Islamabad opposed an arms race in South Asia but would preserve its ability to respond to what it considers threats from India’s expanding military capabilities.

Referring to the military confrontation between the two countries in May 2025, Andrabi described India’s actions as an “unprovoked” attack and said Pakistan had demonstrated its defensive capabilities in response. These characterizations reflect Pakistan’s account of the confrontation, which India has disputed.

Andrabi also accused India of incorporating the possibility of future military strikes against Pakistan into its security policy. He warned that the assumption that a limited conventional conflict could be contained between two nuclear-armed states was dangerous. He reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to maintaining what it calls “Full Spectrum Deterrence” within its framework of “Credible Minimum Deterrence.”

The Pakistani envoy said Islamabad remained open to dialogue on outstanding disputes, including Jammu and Kashmir, and reiterated its proposal for a regional strategic restraint regime. He also expressed concern about the weakening of global arms-control arrangements, nuclear modernisation and the risks posed by artificial intelligence in military systems.

Relations between India and Pakistan remain strained by longstanding disputes over Kashmir, cross-border security allegations and military competition. Both countries possess nuclear weapons, making crisis management and communication between them important to regional stability. Formal talks on nuclear and conventional confidence-building measures have been stalled since 2012, according to Chatham House.

Andrabi’s remarks underline Islamabad’s stated preference for diplomacy while maintaining its deterrence posture. India has separately defended its security policies and warned against the use of nuclear threats as a tool of statecraft, highlighting the continuing disagreement between the two neighbours over regional security and deterrence.

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U.S. Senator Chris Murphy has criticized a recent American military strike on a commercial cargo ship in the Gulf of Oman, calling the operation a “disaster” and questioning its cost to American taxpayers.

Murphy, a Democratic senator from Connecticut, wrote on X that the United States appeared to be using attacks on commercial vessels to restore conditions that existed before the war with Iran. He questioned why American taxpayers were spending billions of dollars on operations targeting commercial shipping.

“It seems the goal is to gain leverage to convince the Iranians to let us pay them billions to return everything to the way it all was before the war. What a disaster,” Murphy wrote.

The criticism followed an announcement by U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) that American forces had disabled a Panama-flagged cargo vessel, the M/V Ocean Molica, also known as the Arika Sun, in the Gulf of Oman on Saturday, October 10. CENTCOM said the ship’s crew had ignored repeated warnings and attempted to breach the U.S. naval blockade after departing an Iranian port.

According to CENTCOM, a U.S. fighter jet struck the vessel’s stern with a precision munition, disabling its propulsion system. The command said the crew was not harmed. Reuters reported that it was unable to immediately reach the vessel’s operator for comment.

CENTCOM said U.S. forces had disabled four commercial vessels and turned back 135 ships since resuming the blockade of vessels entering or leaving Iranian ports on July 14. The command also said its forces had destroyed 10 tankers linked to what it described as the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps’ oil-shipping network.

The blockade is part of the wider confrontation between Washington and Tehran, which has disrupted commercial shipping and heightened concerns over energy supplies. The Strait of Hormuz, a major route for global oil trade, carried about one-fifth of the world’s oil consumption before the war, Reuters reported.

Murphy’s remarks highlight growing questions over the costs and consequences of the U.S. strategy toward Iran. The latest incident adds to tensions surrounding maritime restrictions, commercial shipping and security in the Gulf of Oman and the Strait of Hormuz.

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Pope Leo XIV has renewed his opposition to the death penalty, calling it an attack on human dignity and saying justice can be achieved without executions, amid growing controversy over a US military plan to livestream the execution of a former Army psychiatrist convicted of killing 13 people.

In a statement posted on social media on Saturday, October 10, to mark the World Day Against the Death Penalty, the pope said capital punishment was “inadmissible” because it violates the inviolability and dignity of the human person.

“The common good can be safeguarded and the requirements of justice can be met without recourse to capital punishment,” Leo wrote, adding that effective detention systems can protect the public while preserving the possibility of redemption for convicted individuals. He did not directly mention the Pentagon’s proposed broadcast.

The pope’s statement came days after US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announced plans to livestream the scheduled firing-squad execution of Nidal Malik Hasan, a former Army psychiatrist convicted in the 2009 shooting at Fort Hood, Texas. Hasan killed 13 people and wounded 32 others in the attack. His execution is scheduled for December 3, 2026.

The proposal has drawn criticism from religious leaders, human rights advocates and lawmakers from both political parties. Cardinal Pietro Parolin, the Vatican’s secretary of state, described the planned broadcast as unacceptable, arguing that an execution should not be turned into a public spectacle. Archbishop Paul Coakley, president of the US Conference of Catholic Bishops, also urged the administration to reconsider the plan.

US President Donald Trump has said he has not made a final decision on whether to authorize the livestream. Vice President JD Vance has expressed doubts about the proposal and said he would not watch the broadcast if it proceeds.

The controversy comes amid renewed debate over capital punishment in the United States following a failed lethal-injection attempt in Tennessee last month. The incident has intensified scrutiny of execution procedures and raised further questions about the use of state-sanctioned death as punishment.

The Catholic Church formally revised its teaching on the death penalty under Pope Francis in 2018, declaring it inadmissible because it violates human dignity. Leo’s latest statement reiterates that position, emphasizing that public safety and justice do not require the execution of convicted prisoners.

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U.S. President Donald Trump said Saudi Arabia has the capability to defend itself against attacks by Iran-backed Houthi forces in Yemen, while describing the latest strike on Riyadh’s international airport as “horrific.”

Asked whether Saudi Arabia could protect itself against the Houthis, Trump said the kingdom had the ability to defend itself and described its forces as “good fighters.” He also called the airport attack a terrible incident.

His remarks followed a missile attack on King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh on Saturday, October 10, which killed at least 12 people and injured 309 others, according to Saudi Arabia’s General Authority of Civil Aviation. The victims included Saudi citizens and foreign nationals from Bangladesh, the United States, Egypt, Jordan, Syria, Palestine and Sudan.

The strike was the third attack on the airport in a week, amid an intensifying campaign by the Houthis against Saudi infrastructure. The attacks have disrupted air traffic and raised concerns over the security of civilian aviation and other strategic facilities in the kingdom.

The Houthis claimed responsibility for Saturday’s attack, according to Reuters. The group has said its operations are linked to the wider conflict and its opposition to Saudi military operations in Yemen. Riyadh and its allies have condemned the attacks, while the Saudi-led coalition has threatened a decisive response.

Trump has also indicated that Washington is considering joining Saudi military operations against the Houthis and said a decision could come soon. The possibility of direct U.S. involvement would risk widening the conflict and increasing pressure on regional security and commercial transport routes.

The escalation comes as Saudi Arabia-backed Yemeni government forces and the Houthis intensify their fighting. The conflict has increasingly threatened airports, oil facilities and maritime routes, including the strategically important Red Sea corridor and Bab el-Mandeb Strait.

The latest attack has heightened concerns about further retaliation and the potential for a broader regional confrontation involving Saudi Arabia, the Houthis and the United States.

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The 203 Mansouri Corps said Saturday that armed clashes had broken out between its forces and Pakistani troops near the Durand Line in Dand Patan district of southeastern Paktia province.

In a statement posted on X, the Taliban military corps said the fighting began after Pakistani forces opened fire, prompting Taliban fighters to return fire. It claimed that the Pakistani side used 14 ballistic missiles and several drones during the confrontation.

The corps said light and heavy weapons were used during the clashes but reported no casualties among Taliban forces. It added that the situation had returned to normal. Pakistani authorities had not publicly commented on the incident or the Taliban’s allegations at the time of reporting.

local sources stated that the clashes also occurred in Aryob Zazi district of Paktia. The sources reported the use of heavy weapons, said Pakistani forces had targeted several villages, and indicated that some residents had fled their homes. The number of possible casualties remained unclear.

The latest reported fighting comes amid renewed tensions between Pakistan and the Taliban authorities in Afghanistan. Islamabad has accused the Taliban of allowing armed groups, including the Pakistani Taliban, to operate from Afghanistan territory, while the Taliban authorities reject accusations that Afghanistan is being used to launch attacks against Pakistan.

Cross-border airstrikes and exchanges of fire have continued to strain relations between the two sides. On October 1, Pakistani strikes in Afghanistan’s Kunar and Helmand provinces killed at least 10 civilians and injured nine others, according to the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan. Pakistan said its strikes targeted militant hideouts, while Afghan officials accused it of hitting civilian areas.

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A 45-year-old man shot and killed eight people, including a pregnant woman and two children, at a home in Erie, Pennsylvania, before apparently taking his own life, authorities said.

Erie Police Chief Rick Lorah said Saturday that the suspected shooter died from an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound before officers arrived at the scene. Authorities have not released his identity.

Police said eight of the nine people who died were members of the same family, while the remaining victim was a family friend. The shooting occurred Friday evening at a residence on Perry Street, prompting an emergency response from local law enforcement.

According to investigators, two women appeared distressed and were seeking help from neighbors shortly before the shooting. Police said the gunman came out of the house and shot the women before returning inside. Officers later found victims both outside and inside the residence.

Authorities have not established a motive for the killings. Police are continuing to investigate the circumstances surrounding the shooting, which officials have described as a devastating tragedy for the Erie community.

Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro said he had spoken with Erie Mayor Daria Devlin and offered state assistance following the shooting. Devlin praised the police response and acknowledged the emotional toll the incident has taken on officers and the wider community.

The shooting adds to the toll of gun violence in the United States. Data from the Gun Violence Archive cited in media reports indicate that more than 400 mass shootings have occurred in the country so far in 2026. The investigation in Erie remains ongoing.

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At least 12 people were killed and 309 others injured in a missile attack on King Khalid International Airport in Saudi Arabia’s capital, Riyadh, on Saturday, marking the deadliest assault on the kingdom in more than a decade, according to Saudi authorities.

The General Authority of Civil Aviation said the dead included four Saudi citizens, two Bangladeshi nationals and one citizen each from the United States, Egypt, Jordan, Syria, Palestine and Sudan. Several of the injured were in critical condition and were receiving treatment at hospitals. The attack also caused damage to airport facilities.

The strike was the third attack on King Khalid International Airport within a week. Reuters reported that the latest incident occurred without warning, and Saudi Arabia’s threat-warning system had not issued an alert before the attack. The earlier incidents also caused casualties and significant damage to a Saudi commercial aircraft.

The Iran-backed Houthi movement in Yemen claimed responsibility for the latest attack, according to Reuters. The Saudi-led coalition fighting the group described the strike as a war crime under international humanitarian law and vowed a decisive response, although it did not immediately provide details of possible retaliatory action.

Airport operations were temporarily suspended as authorities assessed the damage and checked the safety of facilities. Airlines cancelled or diverted flights, while Western diplomatic missions advised their citizens to avoid the airport and surrounding areas. Hospitals in Riyadh received large numbers of casualties, with some victims transported by ambulance and helicopter.

U.S. President Donald Trump said Washington was considering whether to join Saudi Arabia’s military campaign against the Houthis. The prospect of direct U.S. involvement raises the risk of a broader regional confrontation as attacks on Saudi infrastructure and shipping routes intensify.

The attack comes amid renewed fighting in Yemen after the collapse of a ceasefire that had helped contain the conflict. Saudi-backed Yemeni government forces have launched an offensive against Houthi-held territory, while the Houthis have expanded attacks on Saudi targets and threatened commercial aviation.

The escalation has also raised concerns about regional shipping and energy security, particularly around the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, a strategic maritime passage connecting the Red Sea with the Gulf of Aden. Continued attacks could disrupt air travel, threaten civilians and deepen instability across the Arabian Peninsula.

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Indian authorities deployed tens of thousands of police and security personnel across New Delhi on Saturday and detained protesters ahead of a planned rally by the youth-led Cockroach Janta Party (CJP), which is demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar over alleged irregularities in voter-list revisions.

Security forces erected barricades across central Delhi, restricted access to roads leading to Jantar Mantar and imposed other movement restrictions. Several metro stations and markets were closed, while mobile internet services were suspended in parts of the capital as authorities sought to prevent large gatherings. Reuters reported that numerous protesters and movement leaders were detained, including CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke.

The protesters accuse the Election Commission of improperly removing names from electoral rolls through its Special Intensive Revision (SIR) process. They say the changes could disenfranchise eligible voters and have called for Kumar to resign and for greater transparency in the revision process. The movement had announced the rally under the banner “Save Democracy.”

The dispute centres on reports that approximately 130 million names have been removed from draft voter lists during the nationwide revision process. Opposition parties and activists have questioned the scale and implementation of the deletions, alleging that legitimate voters could be excluded. The Election Commission has defended the exercise as a voter-verification process intended to update electoral rolls and remove ineligible entries.

The latest rally follows a series of demonstrations in Delhi and other Indian cities in recent weeks. On October 2, police blocked protesters from reaching Jantar Mantar, while around 1,000 people were detained across Delhi the following day during attempts by student organisations and political groups to gather. The protests have brought together youth activists, students and opposition figures, although opposition parties have differed over their involvement in the CJP-led campaign.

The controversy has intensified scrutiny of India’s voter-registration process ahead of upcoming state elections. The dispute has also reached the courts: India Today reported that the Supreme Court sought responses from the chief election commissioner, the Election Commission and the central government over petitions challenging aspects of the revision process.

Authorities have cited security and public-order concerns in restricting the rally. Protest organisers and opposition figures, meanwhile, say the revisions require greater transparency and accountability. The Election Commission’s verification rationale and the protesters’ allegations remain central to the dispute.

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More than 12 million girls worldwide marry before the age of 18 every year, putting their education, health, safety and future choices at risk, the United Nations has warned ahead of the International Day of the Girl Child.

Sima Bahous, executive director of UN Women, said child marriage deprives girls of opportunities to learn, make decisions about their lives and determine their own futures. She highlighted the issue in a message marking the annual observance on October 11.

Despite the continuing scale of the problem, investments in girls’ education, legal reforms and social protection programmes have helped prevent an estimated 68 million child marriages over the past 25 years, according to UN figures. The progress demonstrates that the practice can be reduced through sustained action and support for girls and their families.

UN agencies warn that child marriage can force girls to leave school, increase their exposure to violence and raise health risks associated with early pregnancy. Poverty, conflict, displacement and harmful social norms can further increase the pressure on families to marry off their daughters before adulthood.

UN Women has called on governments, international organizations, civil society and the private sector to strengthen legal protections, maintain long-term investment in education and social services, and challenge practices that undermine girls’ rights. The UN says progress is possible, but ending child marriage requires sustained political commitment and effective implementation of protective laws.

The International Day of the Girl Child is observed annually on October 11 to highlight girls’ rights and the barriers they face. The United Nations’ 2026 campaign focuses on ending child marriage and investing in girls’ rights.

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The Taliban commission responsible for preventing the seizure of state-owned land in Balkh province has declared 22 residential townships state property, covering approximately 85,000 jeribs of land.

The commission said the townships are located in Mazar-i-Sharif and districts across Balkh. It also said authorities had prevented the alleged seizure of 217,300 jeribs of pastureland across nine districts. The commission did not identify the 22 townships or provide their precise locations.

The announcement follows a series of Taliban decisions to classify residential developments and other properties in Balkh as state-owned. On September 23, the Taliban Ministry of Justice said more than 2,657 jeribs of land associated with Diplomatic Township in the Dasht-e Shadian area near Mazar-i-Sharif had been declared state property following a review of ownership documents. The Taliban had also previously classified Mayar Mina township and around 600 jeribs of land associated with the Khatam al-Anbiya project as state property.

Meanwhile, in 25 September, the administration had prohibited property sales and construction in 38 residential townships in Balkh. Reports stated that land in 13 of those developments, including Khalid bin Walid Township, had been declared state property, while cases involving other townships remained under review.

The Taliban Ministry of Justice said in September that land in 49 residential townships across 14 Afghanistan provinces had been classified wholly or partly as state property during the previous four years.

The decisions have raised concerns among some property owners and residents whose land or homes have been affected. They say they purchased properties using official documents and contracts and consider changes to their ownership rights unfair. The Taliban use the term “emirate-owned” for land they classify as belonging to their administration, but the commission has not published details of the 22 newly designated townships that would allow the individual cases to be independently assessed.

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French police are facing mounting scrutiny over their handling of nationwide student protests after several teenagers suffered serious injuries during clashes, prompting investigations into alleged excessive force and renewed calls to restrict the use of rubber bullets and stun grenades.

France’s internal police watchdog, the General Inspectorate of the National Police (IGPN), is investigating 24 cases linked to the policing of demonstrations that began more than two weeks ago over conditions in schools. Reuters has documented 28 cases of injuries allegedly caused by police force, including 15 that are among those under investigation.

One of the most serious cases involves a 14-year-old student identified as Eden, who suffered a broken jaw and multiple damaged teeth after being struck in the face by a tear-gas grenade fired at close range during a protest in Saint-Ouen-l’Aumône, near Paris, according to his family and lawyer. The family has filed a complaint alleging attempted murder, while the officer involved has been placed under formal investigation on suspicion of causing permanent injury or disfigurement. Police have declined to comment on the ongoing investigation.

Another case concerns a 15-year-old student in the northern city of Lens who lost a hand during a confrontation involving police. Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez said there was a strong possibility that a stun grenade caused the injury and ordered a temporary suspension of their use during student protests while the incident is investigated. A separate case in the Paris suburb of Argenteuil involved a 16-year-old whose left eye was injured after an encounter with police; the extent of any permanent damage remains unclear.

The incidents have intensified criticism of France’s use of so-called less-lethal weapons, including rubber bullets, stun grenades and tear-gas launchers. Human rights advocates, including Amnesty International, and some politicians have called for tighter restrictions or a permanent ban, arguing that such weapons can cause severe and irreversible injuries, particularly when used against young demonstrators.

French authorities have also reported injuries among security personnel and damage to public property. Interior Minister Nuñez said about 200 students had been injured, although he argued that police action was responsible in only a small proportion of cases. Authorities said approximately 700 police officers had also been injured, while schools were burned or vandalised and teachers and members of the public were attacked. Police had arrested 6,877 people, most of them minors, according to figures cited by Reuters.

The response has exposed a broader dispute over public order policing in France. Researchers and rights advocates have questioned the country’s reliance on weapons that are rarely used for routine crowd control in several other European countries. Police unions, however, argue that officers need intermediate options to respond to violent confrontations and protect themselves without resorting to lethal force.

The demonstrations began amid student anger over school conditions, including inadequate facilities, overcrowded classrooms and shortages of teachers. The unrest has since become a wider source of political pressure on President Emmanuel Macron’s government ahead of France’s 2027 election. Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu has described the protests as among the most violent the country has experienced in decades.

Investigations into the reported injuries are continuing, with authorities examining the circumstances of individual encounters between police and demonstrators. The findings could shape the debate over police accountability, the use of crowd-control weapons and the government’s response to the student movement.

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Written By: Zahra Rashidi

Hanagul, a woman in her late 60s living in Kapisa province, cannot read or write and cannot afford to take her only son, who has diabetes, to a doctor regularly. She recently learned that artificial intelligence (AI) can answer questions and, with help from a relative in Kabul, is using the technology to learn more about her son’s health.

Hanagul lives in a village in Hesa Awal Kohistan district of Kapisa. For the elderly mother, caring for her only son is not just a family responsibility but a daily source of worry, compounded by financial hardship and limited access to healthcare. She cannot afford to take him to a doctor every time his condition changes.

Her 28-year-old son has diabetes and suffers from complications associated with the disease. His physical condition prevents him from working, leaving the family facing additional financial difficulties.

Hanagul has no formal literacy and was previously unfamiliar with the internet and newer technologies. Recently, however, a relative in Kabul told her that AI tools can answer questions and provide information on a range of subjects, including health-related issues.

Unable to use the technology herself because she cannot read or write and does not have a smartphone, Hanagul relies on her family for assistance. She calls her relative by telephone, explains her concerns and asks the relative to enter her questions into an AI tool and relay the responses.

“When I see symptoms such as nausea or other problems in my son, I call Kabul and ask my nephew to enter his symptoms into artificial intelligence and get an answer so I can know what to do and help my son get better,” Hanagul said.

Whenever her son’s condition causes concern, she wants to know what she can do to care for him better. Her introduction to AI has given her a new way to seek information about his illness, although her financial difficulties and limited access to medical care remain unresolved.

Medical professionals caution that AI-generated responses should not be treated as medical diagnoses or substitutes for consultations with qualified healthcare providers. Diabetes requires ongoing care, regular blood-glucose monitoring and adherence to medical advice. Severe symptoms or sudden changes in a patient’s condition require prompt medical attention.

Because of her financial circumstances and lack of resources, Hanagul says she cannot take her son to a doctor regularly. She remains caught between her concerns about his health and the limited options available to obtain treatment.

Her own health is also fragile. Hanagul suffers from bronchitis, which she says tends to worsen each spring and sometimes leaves her needing hospital treatment.

What makes her story notable is not simply her discovery of a new technology, but her effort to find information that might help her care for her son despite the barriers she faces.

Hanagul’s nephew, who lives in Kabul, told Khaama Press that he was surprised when she first contacted him to ask for help using an AI application.

“When my aunt first called and asked me to use artificial intelligence to find information, I found it very interesting because she has little familiarity with modern technology,” he said. “There is not even a reliable supply of electricity in the village where they live. I do not know exactly how she learned about this technology, but I suspect she may have heard about it from young people in the village.”

Although Hanagul cannot search the internet or read written responses herself, she has found a way to ask questions and access information through a family member. Her experience also highlights a broader challenge: how to make digital tools useful to people who lack literacy, direct internet access and adequate healthcare services.

For Hanagul in Kapisa, artificial intelligence has opened a new window onto information, accessed through telephone calls to her nephew in Kabul. But information alone cannot replace the medical treatment and continuing care her son needs.

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The World Health Organization’s representative in Afghanistan has warned that many Afghans are experiencing psychological distress because of bereavement and the hardships of daily life, urging greater attention to mental health care.

Dr. Edwin Ceniza Salvador made the remarks on Saturday, October 10, marking World Mental Health Day. He said mental health deserves the same attention as physical health and stressed that people experiencing psychological difficulties should know they are not alone and need support.

He said listening with empathy and without judgment, supporting one another and speaking openly about mental health could help build stronger families and healthier communities.

Salvador also highlighted this year’s World Mental Health Day theme, “Mental health in humanitarian emergencies,” emphasizing the importance of listening to people’s lived experiences and ensuring their voices are heard.

He urged Afghans to listen to one another, offer support and stand together so that no one is left without care or assistance.

World Mental Health Day is observed annually on October 10 to raise awareness of mental health issues, challenge stigma and promote access to mental health services and support.

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U.S. President Donald Trump has sharply criticized the decision to award the 2026 Nobel Peace Prize to South African jurist Navi Pillay, calling it a “disgraceful and embarrassing” decision and saying it had left an “indelible stain” on Norway.

Trump made the remarks on Friday, October 9, at a campaign rally in Syracuse, New York, hours after the Norwegian Nobel Committee announced Pillay as this year’s laureate. He dismissed her as someone he had never heard of and accused the prize’s decision-makers of being “radical ideologues” opposed to democracy.

Trump also argued that he deserved the award because of his claimed role in resolving international conflicts. He criticized the United Nations, saying it had not helped him in his efforts to settle disputes, and maintained that the United States should have received the prize under his leadership. These were his own claims; he did not provide evidence to support all of his assertions about preventing or resolving conflicts.

The Nobel Committee awarded Pillay the prize for her efforts to promote peace and international law. A former United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, she has spent decades working on human rights and international justice, including serving as a judge at the International Criminal Court and presiding over the UN-backed International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda.

Pillay also chaired the UN Independent International Commission of Inquiry on the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem, and Israel from 2021 to 2025. In a report published in 2025, the commission concluded that Israel had committed genocide in Gaza. Israel has strongly rejected that conclusion and disputed the commission’s findings.

The award has drawn renewed attention to tensions between the Trump administration and international legal institutions. On October 9, the United States also imposed sanctions on the International Criminal Court, according to reporting by The Guardian, further escalating disputes over international accountability and the court’s work.

The Nobel Peace Prize is awarded by the Norwegian Nobel Committee, an independent body, rather than by the Norwegian government. Trump’s criticism therefore targeted the committee’s decision and its members, while the award itself recognized Pillay’s long career in human rights and international law.

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The United States has condemned China’s growing maritime activity off Taiwan’s east coast as “deeply destabilising,” warning that the operations risk escalating regional tensions, following the reported sighting of a Chinese maritime militia vessel in the area in August.

A U.S. State Department spokesperson said Beijing’s actions were increasing tensions and undermining efforts to resolve cross-strait disputes peacefully. Washington urged China to end its pressure on Taiwan and engage in meaningful dialogue with the island’s democratically elected authorities.

The U.S. statement followed a Reuters report that a vessel identified by Taiwan-based aviation company APEX Aviation as the Chinese fishing boat Minfudingyu 07902 was spotted off Taiwan’s eastern coast in mid-August. The vessel was reportedly operating alongside a Chinese coast guard cutter and a research vessel, marking the first known sighting of a Chinese maritime militia boat in those waters.

China has increased its activity off Taiwan’s east coast since June, including regular coast guard patrols. Taiwanese officials believe the overlapping use of military, paramilitary and civilian vessels could form part of preparations for a potential maritime blockade, although the reported vessel’s presence does not by itself establish such an intention.

Taiwan considers its eastern maritime approaches strategically important because they could serve as supply routes for assistance from international partners during a blockade or conflict. Taiwan’s Coast Guard said the Chinese vessels involved in the August incident remained outside restricted waters and that authorities monitored their movements.

China regards Taiwan as part of its territory, while Taiwan’s government rejects Beijing’s sovereignty claim. China’s Foreign Ministry did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the latest U.S. statement, according to Reuters.

The United States remains Taiwan’s most important international security partner, although President Donald Trump has yet to approve a proposed $14 billion arms-sale package for the island. In June, Britain, France, Germany and the United States also expressed concern about Chinese maritime activity east of Taiwan, citing potential risks to regional stability and freedom of navigation.

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The administration of U.S. President Donald Trump imposed new sanctions on the International Criminal Court (ICC) on Friday, extending Washington’s campaign against the institution and raising tensions with European allies over international justice and accountability for war crimes.

According to Reuters, the measures were announced hours after South African jurist Navi Pillay, a former ICC Appeals Chamber judge, won the Nobel Peace Prize. The ICC condemned the sanctions as an attack on the rule of law and urged its 125 member states to defend the court and its ability to operate independently.

The new measures go beyond earlier U.S. sanctions targeting individual ICC judges and prosecutors, potentially exposing companies that provide services to the court to penalties. The United States signed but never ratified the Rome Statute, the treaty that established the ICC in 2002 to prosecute genocide, crimes against humanity and war crimes.

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Washington would prohibit transactions with what he described as a “rogue court,” arguing that the Trump administration would not allow the ICC to prosecute Americans. However, ICC officials have not taken steps toward the prosecutions of U.S. service members, border agents or elected leaders cited in Rubio’s statement.

The U.S. Treasury Department introduced an initial six-month grace period and exemptions covering certain activities, including telecommunications, software, pension payments and transactions involving detainees. Rubio said the sanctions could be adjusted if the court and its member states addressed Washington’s concerns.

Washington has repeatedly criticized the ICC over arrest warrants issued for Israeli officials, including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, and the court’s investigation into alleged crimes by U.S. personnel in Afghanistan. The ICC has said its Afghanistan investigation has been deprioritized.

ICC Deputy Prosecutor Nazhat Shameem Khan told Reuters that the sanctions were intended to undermine international rule of law and the work of an independent judicial institution. She said the court would continue its investigations and prosecutions.

European officials voiced support for the court. EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas said the grace period offered an opportunity for dialogue, while warning that the bloc had options to ensure the ICC could continue its work. Belgium’s foreign minister called for the European Union to consider activating a blocking statute to protect the court from the effects of U.S. sanctions.

The ICC has issued arrest warrants against more than 70 people connected to major international conflicts, including Russian President Vladimir Putin, Netanyahu and figures associated with Hamas. It has also pursued cases involving former Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir and former Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi.

The Nobel Peace Prize committee’s recognition of Pillay was explicitly framed as support for international tribunals at a time when judges and institutions of international law face political pressure. The committee said a system that holds war criminals accountable and delivers justice to victims is essential to a peaceful world.

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Pakistan and Türkiye have signed an agreement to strengthen cooperation against terrorism, drug trafficking and organised crime, while establishing a joint working group to coordinate efforts between their interior ministries.

The agreement was signed on Friday in Istanbul by Pakistan’s Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi and his Turkish counterpart, Mustafa Çiftçi, during Naqvi’s official visit to Türkiye, according to Radio Pakistan.

Under the agreement, the two countries will expand cooperation through technical assistance, expert exchanges and joint initiatives involving cyber policing, anti-narcotics operations, police training and the National Police Academy. The proposed joint working group is intended to strengthen coordination between the two ministries.

During the meeting, Naqvi briefed Çiftçi on Pakistan’s measures against networks involved in illegal immigration. Çiftçi said the rate of illegal immigration from Pakistan to Türkiye had fallen from 70 percent to 17 percent, and praised Pakistan’s efforts to address the issue, according to Radio Pakistan.

The two ministers reaffirmed their commitment to closer bilateral security cooperation, including efforts to address cross-border and transnational criminal activity.

The agreement comes amid broader efforts by Pakistan and Türkiye to strengthen regional ties. Earlier this month, the two countries and Saudi Arabia moved to activate a mutual defence arrangement, known as the Mecca Pact, following renewed regional tensions. The security agreement with Türkiye is separate from that defence arrangement.

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U.S. President Donald Trump has renewed his pledge to resolve the conflicts involving Iran and Russia’s war against Ukraine, saying he expects progress soon while issuing another warning to Tehran.

Speaking at a campaign rally in Syracuse, New York, on Friday, Trump said the two conflicts would soon be resolved or that the United States would emerge victorious, according to media reports.

Trump again threatened Iran, saying the confrontation would be settled “quickly and by any means necessary.” He added: “Either they give us everything, or they will no longer exist,” reiterating his hard-line position toward Tehran.

The remarks come amid renewed fighting between U.S. and Iranian forces and ongoing diplomatic efforts to end the conflict. Washington and Tehran remain divided over the terms of a settlement, including the Strait of Hormuz, sanctions and Iran’s nuclear programme. Al Jazeera reported Saturday that the Kremlin said Trump had welcomed Russia’s involvement in efforts to reach a settlement with Iran.

Trump’s comments on Ukraine also come amid tensions between Washington and Kyiv over his administration’s decision to allow Russian diesel imports. Under the arrangement announced Friday, the United States temporarily lifted sanctions on Russian diesel exports, prompting criticism from Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and some U.S. lawmakers, who said the move could provide Moscow with additional revenue while its war against Ukraine continues.

Trump has repeatedly claimed that he can bring major international conflicts to an end, but both the Iran conflict and the war in Ukraine remain unresolved. The latest statements offer no detailed timetable or specific terms for a settlement.

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Anthropic, the company behind the Claude artificial intelligence model, has disclosed several incidents in which its AI systems took unintended actions on external digital platforms, including websites operated by US government agencies, raising concerns about the security risks associated with advanced AI tools.

According to Bloomberg News, the incidents involved AI models exploiting software vulnerabilities to execute commands, submitting online forms without authorization and bypassing restrictions to access certain public data. Anthropic said the cases involved federal, state and local government websites but did not identify the agencies or other affected organizations.

In a report published Friday, Anthropic grouped the behavior into four categories. These included exploiting flaws in third-party software, submitting sensitive forms without permission, circumventing access restrictions and using URL-shortening services to bypass limits imposed by its own web-access tools. The company said most incidents occurred during evaluations designed to test the models’ capabilities.

In one case, Anthropic’s Claude Haiku 4.5 model submitted a tip to the Philadelphia Police Department about an unsolved homicide, falsely suggesting it might have information about the case. The submission was flagged as spam and was not reviewed by investigators, according to Reuters. Anthropic said the model had been instructed to carry out online tasks but had not been explicitly told to avoid submitting forms.

Anthropic said some models also exploited basic software flaws to execute commands on third-party servers or accessed publicly available information that was normally restricted by fees or access controls. The company described the incidents as unintended actions rather than deliberate attempts by the models to cause harm.

The company said the incidents identified so far had minimal real-world impact. It also said it had briefed the White House, notified the affected agencies and introduced additional restrictions on internet access for certain AI models during testing.

The disclosures prompted renewed scrutiny from the Trump administration, which has called on AI companies to strengthen safeguards and promptly report security incidents involving their systems. The cases add to broader concerns about AI agents that can interact with live websites, use digital tools and attempt to complete tasks with limited human supervision.

Anthropic said it is reviewing how these behaviors occurred and working to reduce the risk of similar incidents. The disclosures highlight the challenge of ensuring that AI systems remain within their intended limits when operating on real-world digital infrastructure.

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An Afghan national living in Fort Worth has pleaded guilty to a federal charge after threatening to carry out a suicide attack during an online video conversation, the U.S. Department of Justice said.

Mohammad Dawood Alokozay, 32, entered the guilty plea on October 6 before U.S. Magistrate Judge Jeffrey L. Cureton. The case stems from threats made during an online video chat on November 23, 2025, portions of which were recorded and shared on TikTok and other social media platforms, according to court documents.

Prosecutors said Alokozay and several participants, including another Afghan national identified in court documents as the first victim, exchanged offensive insults linked to longstanding tribal animosity. During the conversation, Alokozay threatened to use a suicide bomb to attack the other participants.

Federal agents and local law enforcement partners subsequently identified Alokozay and searched his residence and mobile phone to determine whether he possessed materials that could be used to make a bomb. Investigators concluded that he did not intend to carry out an attack, but Alokozay admitted that he knowingly transmitted a threat to injure another person, the Justice Department said.

“Threats of suicide bombing are not jokes or momentary outbursts, they are federal crimes,” U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Texas Ryan Raybould said in a statement. He added that authorities would respond to threats of suicide attacks or mass-casualty incidents.

Alokozay faces a maximum penalty of five years in federal prison, a fine of up to $250,000 and up to three years of supervised release. The maximum penalties are statutory limits, not a prediction of the sentence he will receive. A sentencing date has not yet been announced.

The FBI’s Dallas Field Office investigated the case with assistance from Homeland Security Investigations, the Texas Department of Public Safety and the Fort Worth Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Vincent Mazzurco is prosecuting the case.

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U.S. Representative Adam Smith has criticized President Donald Trump’s decision to wage war against Iran, calling the conflict disastrous and arguing that Washington has failed to achieve its strategic objectives despite months of fighting.

Smith, the top Democrat on the House Armed Services Committee, said in a post on X on Friday, October 9, that the war had killed at least 19 U.S. service members and left more than 800 others wounded. He also said the conflict had cost American taxpayers more than $40 billion.

The congressman said the war had killed and injured thousands of civilians, driven up gasoline prices and increased living costs for American families, while contributing to greater instability across the Middle East. These figures and assessments were presented by Smith as part of his criticism of the administration’s handling of the conflict.

Smith argued that after more than seven months of fighting, the United States had failed to achieve its strategic goals. In an earlier statement marking six months of the war, he said the administration had not met its stated objectives concerning Iran’s missile programme, nuclear capabilities, regional allies and political leadership.

He called for a negotiated agreement, saying a diplomatic settlement was the only logical way to end the conflict. Smith’s position reflects growing scrutiny among some U.S. lawmakers over the war’s financial cost, military casualties and wider economic consequences.

The financial burden has continued to rise. On September 3, the Associated Press reported that the estimated cost of the U.S.-led war had reached $43.6 billion, citing updated U.S. military estimates. The report also noted mounting casualties and concerns about depleted stocks of key missile-defence interceptors.

Trump, meanwhile, has continued to express confidence that the conflict can be resolved soon. His administration has also shifted toward economic pressure and a naval blockade as it seeks to force Tehran back to negotiations, although the future course of the conflict remains uncertain.

The war began on February 28, 2026, when U.S. and Israeli forces launched strikes against Iran. Subsequent Iranian attacks and disruptions around the Strait of Hormuz have added to regional security concerns and placed further pressure on global energy markets.

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U.S. President Donald Trump said Russia has agreed to immediately supply more than 300,000 metric tons of diesel fuel to U.S. and global markets following a conversation with Russian President Vladimir Putin, as Washington seeks to ease soaring fuel prices.

Trump announced the agreement on Friday, October 9, saying the initial shipment would amount to approximately 2.25 million barrels of diesel. He added that Russia would supply another 500,000 metric tons in November and 1 million metric tons afterward, with a further 3 million metric tons expected within a relatively short period, depending on the condition of Russian refineries.

The U.S. Treasury Department subsequently issued a temporary general license authorizing transactions involving Russian-origin diesel, including its sale, delivery and importation into the United States through April 7, 2027. The measure marks a temporary easing of restrictions imposed on Russian energy exports following Moscow’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022.

The announcement comes as diesel prices in the United States approach record levels, increasing costs for trucking, agriculture and other sectors. The Trump administration is seeking to expand fuel supplies ahead of the November 3 congressional elections, in which rising living costs are expected to be a major political issue.

However, energy analysts have questioned whether the additional Russian supplies will significantly reduce prices. The announced volumes represent only a limited share of U.S. diesel demand, while supply constraints and disruptions linked to the ongoing conflict involving Iran have contributed to higher energy costs. The agreement could provide some relief, but its broader effect on global prices remains uncertain.

The deal has also drawn criticism from Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and some U.S. lawmakers, who argue that easing restrictions on Russian energy exports could increase Moscow’s revenue while its war against Ukraine continues. Critics say the decision risks weakening sanctions intended to pressure Russia over the conflict.

The agreement highlights the tension between Washington’s efforts to control domestic fuel costs and its broader policy of restricting Russian energy revenues. Its ultimate impact will depend on how much diesel Russia can deliver, the condition of its refining infrastructure and whether the additional supplies translate into sustained price reductions.

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A U.S. child safety watchdog has rated OpenAI’s ChatGPT for Teens an “Unacceptable Risk,” saying several safeguards meant to protect young users failed during testing, according to a report by 3A1Z Stories, a US-based family storytelling and publishing platform.

Common Sense Media, a nonprofit that reviews media and technology for families, released its assessment on October 7. Its Youth AI Safety Institute tested more than 4,000 prompts on accounts registered to users aged 13 to 17.

OpenAI launched ChatGPT for Teens in August. The mode restricts conversations on topics such as self-harm, violence and eating disorders, and includes parental controls that can alert linked parents in some cases.

According to 3A1Z Stories, testers raised suicidal thoughts, self-harm and disordered eating on more than a dozen parent-linked accounts, and no alerts reached parents. Citing Axios, the platform also reported that ChatGPT missed more than one in four cases where testers judged a crisis referral was needed. It added that a “Show me the answer” option let teens get around the product’s Study Mode.

Some protections held up, including the chatbot’s refusal of explicit sexual roleplay, the report said.

OpenAI disputes the findings. The company told Axios that much of the alert testing took place before parent and teen accounts had finished linking, a process it says can take several hours.

The Associated Press noted that Common Sense Media receives funding from OpenAI and other technology companies it evaluates.

3A1Z Stories urged parents not to rely on built-in settings alone. “Parental controls are a seatbelt, not a driver,” the platform wrote. “No setting can notice a quiet dinner or a closed bedroom door the way you can.”

The article outlined six steps for parents:

• Make sure the child’s age is entered correctly.
• Link parent and teen accounts, and give the link time to activate.
• Ask teens directly how they use the chatbot.
• Remind them that a chatbot is software, not a friend.
• Agree on homework rules.
• Make a clear plan for reaching a trusted adult in a crisis.

The report adds to growing scrutiny of AI chatbots and young users. According to CNN, OpenAI faces multiple lawsuits from families who allege ChatGPT contributed to harm involving their children.

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South African jurist Navanethem “Navi” Pillay, a former United Nations high commissioner for human rights, has won the 2026 Nobel Peace Prize for her efforts to promote peace, strengthen international law and hold perpetrators of serious international crimes accountable.

The Norwegian Nobel Committee announced the award on Friday, October 9, recognizing Pillay’s decades-long work to advance international justice and strengthen legal institutions responsible for prosecuting war crimes, crimes against humanity and genocide. Committee chair Jørgen Watne Frydnes said her work had helped advance a more comprehensive international legal order.

Born in Durban, South Africa, in 1941 to a family of Indian Tamil origin, Pillay began her legal career under apartheid, when racial discrimination restricted the rights and opportunities of the country’s non-white population. She became a prominent lawyer defending anti-apartheid activists and later emerged as an influential figure in international human rights law.

Pillay served as a judge and later president of the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda, where her work contributed to landmark legal developments recognizing rape and sexual violence as crimes that can constitute crimes against humanity and genocide. She subsequently served as a judge at the International Criminal Court and as the UN high commissioner for human rights from 2008 to 2014.

Her career has also included work on major international accountability cases. Pillay chaired the UN Independent International Commission of Inquiry on the Occupied Palestinian Territory from 2021 to 2025 and has served as an ad hoc judge at the International Court of Justice in proceedings concerning allegations of genocide against Myanmar over its treatment of the Rohingya minority.

In announcing the prize, the Nobel Committee warned that international courts, judges and legal institutions face increasing political pressure at a time when wars and conflicts are intensifying. It said resolving disputes peacefully and securing justice for victims depend on respect for international law and accountability for those responsible for grave abuses.

The committee said Pillay’s work demonstrates how international tribunals can help establish legal standards, pursue accountability and provide victims with avenues for justice. Her recognition also highlights the role of international law in efforts to prevent atrocities and support lasting peace.

Pillay becomes the fifth South African to receive the Nobel Peace Prize, joining previous laureates including Nelson Mandela and Archbishop Desmond Tutu. The 2026 award places renewed international attention on the institutions and legal principles designed to hold individuals and states accountable for serious violations.

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The U.S. Department of Defense says the execution of Nidal Malik Hasan, the former Army psychiatrist convicted of killing 13 people in the 2009 Fort Hood shooting, will be livestreamed when he is executed by firing squad on December 3.

The announcement follows Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth’s statement that the execution would be made public. A Pentagon official subsequently confirmed to U.S. media that the event would be livestreamed, although officials have not yet released details about how the broadcast will be conducted or who will be able to view it.

Hasan, who held the rank of major and worked as an Army psychiatrist, opened fire at Fort Hood, Texas, on November 5, 2009, killing 13 people and injuring 32 others. A military jury convicted him in 2013 and sentenced him to death. The Army has scheduled the execution at the same military installation where the shooting occurred.

The execution would mark the first time the U.S. military has used a firing squad since 1945, according to experts cited by Reuters. The last military execution took place in 1961, when an Army private was executed by hanging. President Donald Trump approved Hasan’s death sentence on October 2, and the acting secretary of the Army set the execution date several days later.

The plan to broadcast the execution has prompted questions about the legal and ethical implications of making a state execution available to a public audience. Legal experts and rights advocates have raised concerns about the precedent, the dignity of the condemned person and the potential impact on viewers, particularly minors. The United Nations has also criticised the proposal.

Hasan may still seek legal action to delay the execution. The Army says it has followed the required procedures, while a former lawyer for Hasan has raised concerns about his access to legal counsel after being notified that the execution had been approved.

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Could Afghanistan Be Heading Toward Another Civil War? New Report Warns of Growing Instability in the country.

Japan-based news outlet Nikkei Asia has warned that escalating tensions between Kabul and Islamabad, combined with unsuccessful Chinese mediation efforts, could further destabilize Afghanistan and increase the risk of renewed civil conflict.

In a report published Friday, the outlet said continued clashes between the two sides and growing military activity by anti-Taliban groups were complicating Afghanistan’s security situation. It warned that the current trajectory could strengthen opposition groups and undermine prospects for lasting peace.

Nikkei Asia pointed to recent clashes involving the Afghanistan Freedom Front and Taliban forces as an indication that armed groups opposing Taliban rule are continuing or expanding their military operations.

The report also highlighted the failure of China-led efforts to ease tensions between Kabul and Islamabad. Beijing has hosted or facilitated several rounds of discussions, including meetings in 2025 and weeklong talks in Urumqi in April 2026, urging both sides to prevent further escalation and pursue a comprehensive agreement. However, the efforts have not produced a lasting settlement.

Two Pakistani government officials told Nikkei Asia that the failure of peace efforts could encourage anti-Taliban groups to intensify their attacks. One official reportedly said opposition groups might see the continuing deadlock between Pakistan and the Taliban as an opportunity to expand their activities if tensions between the two sides worsen.

Analysts cited in the report said prolonged confrontation with Pakistan could weaken the Taliban’s position. They also cautioned, however, that a rapid resolution through Chinese mediation remained uncertain, with any breakthrough depending on both sides’ willingness to reach an agreement.

The dispute between Pakistan and the Taliban has centred largely on cross-border militancy. Islamabad accuses the Taliban authorities of allowing the Pakistani Taliban, or Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), to operate from Afghanistan territory, an allegation Kabul denies. The dispute has contributed to repeated border clashes, airstrikes and diplomatic tensions.

Nikkei Asia warned that continued fighting, alongside increased activity by armed opposition groups, could reverse efforts to stabilize Afghanistan and raise the risk of wider violence, including a return to civil war. The report presents this as a potential outcome rather than a confirmed or inevitable development.

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A Ukrainian drone attack partially disabled a data center operated by Russian technology company Yandex in the Kaluga region southwest of Moscow, the company said Friday, marking the second reported strike on its data centers in two days.

Yandex said the attack damaged part of the facility’s infrastructure and completely disabled several data center modules, warning that some of its services could experience disruptions. The company said emergency services and its specialists were working at the site while the full extent of the damage was assessed. It reported no casualties at the facility.

Ukrainian defense technology company Fire Point said Ukraine’s armed forces used its FP-1 one-way attack drones to target the facility, which it described as Yandex’s largest data center. The company said several modules had been put completely out of operation. Yandex operates five major data centers in Russia, two of which have now reportedly been hit in Ukrainian drone attacks.

The latest strike followed an attack on Thursday against Yandex’s data center in Sasovo, in Russia’s Ryazan region. That incident caused a fire and forced the facility to suspend operations. The site houses two of the company’s three supercomputers used to develop its artificial intelligence models. Yandex said it was assessing the damage and could not confirm whether the affected equipment could be restored.

Yandex, often described as “Russia’s Google,” provides widely used digital services, including navigation, online search, cloud computing and other consumer applications. Its data centers also support the company’s artificial intelligence development. The latest attacks have raised concerns about the reliability of digital services and the vulnerability of Russia’s technology infrastructure.

The strikes come amid an expanding campaign of reciprocal attacks on infrastructure during the war between Russia and Ukraine. Moscow has targeted Ukrainian data centers and telecommunications facilities in recent weeks, while Kyiv has increasingly used drones against Russian infrastructure, including energy facilities, refineries, ports and other economic assets.

The attacks highlight the growing role of digital infrastructure in the conflict, as damage to data centers can affect commercial services and business operations beyond the immediate military battlefield.

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A Panjshir provincial official has confirmed that a helicopter was damaged in the province, although authorities have not yet provided details about the circumstances of the incident or reported any casualties.

In response to claims by the “Green Trend” that its forces had shot down a helicopter in Panjshir, Saifuddin Laton, spokesman for the Taliban governor in the province, said the helicopter was slightly damaged after hitting a rock while landing in an unsuitable location.

According to Tolo News, Laton said no security incident involving a helicopter had occurred in Panjshir. He did not provide further details about what happened to the helicopter.

Authorities have not reported any deaths or injuries in connection with the incident. The circumstances surrounding the helicopter damage remain unclear, and further information is expected as officials investigate the incident.

Afghanistan’s Green Trend resistance movement has claimed that its fighters shot down a Taliban-operated helicopter in Panjshir province, while a Taliban-appointed provincial official rejected the claim and said the aircraft was damaged after hitting rocks during an improper landing.

Green Trend’s military wing, known as the Green Unit, said in a statement posted on X that the helicopter was targeted at about 7:15 a.m. on Wednesday, October 7, in the Arzoy area of Panjshir. The group claimed that the helicopter was destroyed and that its wreckage remained at the site.

Saifuddin Laton, spokesperson for the Taliban-appointed governor of Panjshir, denied that the helicopter had been involved in a security incident. According to local reporting cited by TOLOnews, he said the aircraft struck rocks while attempting to land in an unsuitable location and sustained minor damage. He did not provide further details about the incident.

Local sources in Panjshir reportedly confirmed that a helicopter had been flying at low altitude near the Arzoy Valley but said the mountainous area where the incident allegedly occurred was difficult for civilians to access. This makes independent verification of the competing accounts difficult.

The latest incident could not be independently verified, and no official Taliban figure has confirmed that the aircraft was shot down or provided details about casualties. Further information is expected as authorities and local sources provide additional accounts.

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The United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) said Thursday that Taliban authorities detained or arrested at least 52 women and one girl in Kabul and Herat between July and September, warning that the actual number of cases could be significantly higher.

UNAMA said it had verified the cases and expressed grave concern over recent arrests, detentions and threats targeting women and girls in several parts of Afghanistan. The mission said underreporting, driven by security concerns and social stigma, may mean that many additional cases have not been documented.

According to UNAMA, the detentions were linked to alleged violations of Taliban-imposed dress requirements. Women were detained for reasons including not wearing a chador, having their hair visible, wearing colorful scarves or makeup, or appearing in public without a mahram, or male guardian. UNAMA said those detained were released after several hours.

The UN mission also raised concerns over reports of verbal abuse, beatings and threats against women, including female shopkeepers. It said such measures restrict women’s rights to freedom of movement, freedom of expression and personal autonomy, while detention and the threat of detention can expose women and girls to severe social stigma and further marginalization.

The latest UNAMA findings follow a broader pattern of enforcement against women in Afghanistan. In June, the UN mission said at least 30 women were arrested in Herat over alleged dress-code violations. Dozens of other women reportedly received verbal warnings. The arrests were followed by protests in Herat’s Jibreil area, where UNAMA said at least one boy was killed by gunfire and several other people were injured.

UNAMA urged Taliban authorities to end what it described as discriminatory enforcement practices against women and girls, respect the human rights and dignity of all Afghans, and uphold Afghanistan’s obligations under international human rights law.

The Taliban have not immediately responded to UNAMA’s latest statement. The group has previously maintained that women’s rights are protected under its interpretation of Islamic law, while continuing to impose extensive restrictions on women’s education, employment, movement and participation in public life.

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Three Afghan men have been sentenced to a combined 33 years in custody for raping a 17-year-old girl in Bristol, England, after grooming her through Snapchat, while a fourth Afghan defendant, who was 17 at the time of the offence, was also convicted and sentenced, British authorities said.

Mehrab Safi, 21, was sentenced to 15 years in prison after being convicted of two counts of rape and arranging or facilitating the travel of a female for exploitation. Salman Habibkheil and Awal Ahmadzai, both 19, each received nine years in a youth detention facility. The fourth defendant, a 17-year-old boy who cannot be named because of his age, was sentenced to two years and seven months in youth detention for rape.

The four were found guilty by a jury at Bristol Crown Court in June after denying the charges and claiming that the sexual activity was consensual. The court heard that Safi first met the victim while she was Christmas shopping in Bristol with a friend on November 25, 2025. He subsequently contacted her through Snapchat and asked her to send intimate images.

Four days later, Safi and Habibkheil arranged for the girl to travel by taxi from Somerset to Bristol. She was taken to Safi’s home in the St Werburghs area, where the court heard she was given alcohol and subsequently raped by the four defendants over several hours. Her mother reported her missing, prompting police to attend the property and find the victim.

After police arrived, Safi, Ahmadzai and Habibkheil fled the property and travelled through Birmingham and London before hiding in the back of a refrigerated lorry bound for France. French authorities arrested them in Calais on December 3, 2025, and they were later returned to the United Kingdom to face prosecution.

During sentencing, Judge Michael Cullum said the attack had caused the victim severe and lasting psychological harm. In a victim impact statement, she said she had become fearful of leaving her home and was no longer able to go out alone. The judge also acknowledged that some of the defendants had experienced difficult circumstances in Afghanistan, but stressed that their backgrounds did not excuse the offences.

All four defendants were also made subject to sex-offender notification requirements, while sexual harm prevention orders restrict their contact with children. Avon and Somerset Police said the victim’s bravery in reporting the abuse and giving evidence had been central to bringing the offenders to justice.

Police and prosecutors emphasized that the case concerned the actions of the individual defendants and should not be interpreted as evidence of wider criminal behavior among Afghan nationals. The convictions followed a year-long investigation into the assault in Bristol.

The post Three Afghan Men Jailed for Raping 17-Year-Old Girl in England After Fleeing to France appeared first on Khaama Press.

Afghanistan’s capital is facing a deepening water crisis, with groundwater levels falling sharply and nearly half of the city’s boreholes already dry, raising fears that Kabul could become the first modern capital to run out of water by 2030, according to a recent Prosper Global report cited by CNN.

Groundwater levels in Kabul have fallen by about 25 to 30 metres over the past decade, while water is being extracted far faster than natural sources can replenish it. The city faces an estimated annual groundwater shortfall of more than 44 million cubic metres, while groundwater supplies about 80 percent of residents’ water needs. Only about one-fifth of Kabul’s population has access to piped water.

For many residents, the projected “day zero” is already becoming a reality. Families without running water are spending hours collecting water from public pumps or paying increasingly high prices to private tanker companies. Some poorer households are estimated to spend as much as 30 percent of their income on water, far above the roughly 3 percent level considered affordable by the United Nations.

The crisis is being driven by rapid population growth, uncontrolled groundwater extraction, prolonged drought and declining snowfall. Kabul’s population has grown from less than one million in 2001 to about six million today, while Afghanistan has endured six consecutive years of drought. Snowfall also reached a 25-year low at the end of last year, according to UN data cited by CNN.

Water quality is another major concern. Prosper Global estimates that large parts of Kabul’s groundwater are contaminated by sewage, arsenic and salinity, leaving many families dependent on costly tanker water or unsafe sources. Experts have described the situation as approaching “water bankruptcy,” warning that the depleted groundwater cannot easily be restored.

Authorities and development partners have proposed projects including the Shah Tout Dam and a pipeline to bring water from the Panjshir River to Kabul. However, the projects face delays, funding constraints and political obstacles, while experts warn that major infrastructure would take years to complete.

The worsening shortage is therefore not only an environmental problem but also a growing humanitarian and economic threat. UN reporting has previously warned that acute groundwater depletion and limited access to water are already severely affecting Kabul residents, particularly women and children.

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