Islamic Republic of Pakistan, a South Asian nation of 241+ million
Saudi air defences have intercepted and destroyed multiple ballistic missiles, cruise missiles and drones launched toward Riyadh, the Eastern Province, Makkah and other regions in fresh Houthi strikes. Falling debris has caused limited damage to an administrative Aramco building in Riyadh’s King Abdullah Financial District; officials have reported no injuries.
Iran's Revolutionary Guards have said two oil tankers struck naval mines in the southern Strait of Hormuz over the past hours, causing massive explosions and fires and reporting that a supertanker carrying more than two million barrels sank. Independent maritime authorities have offered limited confirmation; the UKMTO and Indian authorities have reported related incidents but damage and environmental impact remain unclear.
Hridoy's 242 not out headlines a record-setting innings as Bangladesh build a 30-run lead on the first innings, while West Indies fight back in the second test in Sylhet with a resilient 386. Rain and bad light interrupt play, leaving the result uncertain as Bangladesh eyes victory.
Arab and Gulf states strengthen security coordination amid regional tensions. Egypt pledges defensive support to Saudi Arabia, stressing that Saudi security is tied to Egyptian and wider Arab stability. Qatar moves toward defence autonomy, while Gulf states push to blunt Houthi attacks and secure maritime routes.
The United States and Israel have prepared for renewed strikes against Iran after the US midterm elections, while mediators pursue direct diplomacy. Netanyahu is pressing for action; Trump remains cautious. Qatar mediators are in Tehran pursuing a deal as regional tensions rise.
Gulf mediators have continued shuttle diplomacy after an eight-month war that began on Feb. 28. Qatar has led talks with Tehran and is hosting indirect consultations that aim to reopen the Strait of Hormuz. UAE and Gulf officials have said they hope for a diplomatic breakthrough while remaining prepared for renewed military escalation.
New Zealand has beaten India by 245 runs at Mount Maunganui after posting 333, with Will Young scoring 125 and Matt Henry taking 6-27 to bowl India out for 89. India has made several changes to its side ahead of upcoming Test call-ups; the result leaves India unable to lose the five-match series but New Zealand able to avoid defeat with a win in the final match on Sunday.
Iran warns it will retaliate against any renewed attacks as shipping disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz continue. Tehran says US-Israeli pressure has escalated tensions, while regional diplomacy seeks de-escalation amid talks with Mecca pact states and Mecca alliance discussions.
Pakistan’s army chief has visited Tehran twice this month with Saudi and Turkish officials. Spokesman Chaudhry says the trips signal cautious optimism in de‑escalation efforts amid a widening regional security dynamic following Mecca pact ties and ongoing Iran-US tensions.
Mediators report ongoing talks between Iran and the United States to end the war, with Tehran demanding immediate end to the Strait of Hormuz blockade and the US lifting sanctions. Qatar and other regional actors coordinate efforts, while potential drafts circulate. Diplomatic activity follows regional de-escalation talks and limited military actions in the Strait.
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UK mortgage costs rise with Bank of England base rate hikes anticipated amid inflation fears linked to the Middle East conflict. Analysts warn affordability will deteriorate as fixed-rate deals end, while lenders adjust pricing and market activity remains subdued.
The US Treasury has designated four individuals and 41 companies linked to the Prince Group for facilitating cybercrime and online scams. The sanctions aim to disrupt the network operating in Southeast Asia, Madagascar and other regions, with broader efforts to dismantle leadership, financial facilitators and affiliated entities.
Iran has warned that any new US or Israeli strikes will draw an immediate, geographically unrestricted response after senior commanders met the country’s supreme leader. Qatari mediators have been holding talks in Tehran, Tehran has received a letter from US Vice‑President J.D. Vance, and Washington says negotiation channels remain open ahead of the US midterms.
Syria and Saudi Arabia have signed a defence-cooperation agreement during Ahmed al-Sharaa’s visit to Riyadh, as Riyadh seeks allied backing amid ongoing Houthi attacks in Yemen. The pact adds to a network of security pacts and comes as Syria weighs entry into the Mecca alliance to bolster deterrence and regional stability.
The US has scheduled more than 150 Afghan immigrants for deportation from Louisiana detention facilities to Pakistan, with officials saying Pakistan will transfer some onward to Afghanistan. Advocacy groups and some lawmakers have warned the returns will expose former US allies and their relatives to Taliban retaliation and possible rights abuses.
Pakistan has clinched the tri-series final in Lahore, with Arafat Minhas and Fakhar Zaman delivering pivotal knocks as Sri Lanka’s Kamindu Mendis posted a record century but fell short. The hosts chase 326 and reach the target with two balls to spare, aided by a late surge from Minhas and a composed finish by Shaheen Afridi.
The UN has ended its 35-year MINURSO peacekeeping mission in Western Sahara after the Security Council failed to renew its mandate following rival US and Russian drafts. The UN has started a liquidation phase repatriating personnel, closing facilities and removing assets. Morocco has welcomed the decision; the Polisario Front and Algeria have expressed regret and concern.
Iran has proposed a two-day plan to reopen the Strait of Hormuz if Washington accepts its conditions, accelerating a timeline previously set at seven days. Tehran says security could be restored and negotiations resumed quickly if the United States lifts sanctions, unfreezes assets and agrees to its route for transit, with mediators continuing talks.
A drive-by attack in Mohmand, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, injures a police officer as officers guard vaccination teams local to a polio campaign; militants remain active in the region. Abductions of polio workers in Tank are also reported; government vows action as nationwide vaccination continues in parallel with security concerns.
Israel has seen its long-standing security partnership with the United States come under renewed scrutiny as the US midterm results shift political dynamics. Netanyahu’s government is facing pressure to realign policy following a wave of criticism over military aid and regional policy.
Palestine Action has been proscribed under UK terrorism laws, a move the government says targets a violent campaign and stems from high-profile incursions into defence facilities. Co-founder Huda Ammori is challenging the ban at the Supreme Court as thousands have been arrested in protests since the July 2025 designation.
Turkey unveils a $500 billion energy plan ahead of COP31, aiming to electrify its economy by 2040 and cut coal reliance, while keeping security of supply. The plan foresees a quadrupling of wind/solar and a shift toward nuclear, with steep investment and questions about a timely coal exit.
Iranian asylum seekers in ICE custody have been the focus of a court case alleging the Trump era shared confidential data with Tehran. Unsealed documents show plans to deport detainees via an unnamed third country, with authorities warning of advance notices and potential flights amid ongoing war in Iran.
The Axios report indicates the United States is weighing three paths in the Iran talks: pursuing a negotiated deal, resuming military action, or intensifying economic pressure. Qatari mediators have drafted a three-day sequence of confidence-building steps and are awaiting feedback from Washington and Tehran, while Iran signals hope for a diplomatic outcome.
Syria has joined intelligence and advisory efforts with Saudi Arabia over Yemen, with reports indicating Syrian fighters and advisers are being deployed within or near Saudi and Yemeni fronts. The cooperation follows a Mecca pact and defense accords, while Syrian officials have downplayed or rejected deployment claims.
The UN’s MINURSO mission has ended after 35 years, while new diplomatic developments move Western Sahara toward sovereignty for Morocco. The end leaves a fragile ceasefire uncertain and deepens divides between Morocco and Polisario Front, with families separated by the berm watching for the next move.
The State Department has offered up to $20 million and possible relocation for information on Iran's nuclear programme, citing lost IAEA continuity on centrifuge production. US Central Command has publicised the reward as President Donald Trump repeats claims that US strikes have largely destroyed Iran's nuclear capacity while diplomacy continues through Qatari mediation.
Pakistan is set to join China’s Shenzhou-24 mission under their space-cooperation deal. The Pakistani astronaut has been training in China, with a launch expected by year-end. Pakistan and China have outlined a broader program including Jinnah-1 lunar rover and joint short flights.
Delhi faces its worst pre-Diwali air quality in years as AQI readings soar to very poor and hazardous levels. Officials urge online classes, work-from-home, and masks as residents confront prolonged smog amid weather that traps pollutants. Authorities promise restrictions and long-term plans to curb emissions.
Prime minister Andy Burnham has appointed Dame Madeleine Alessandri as a special representative on climate security and will announce the post at COP31 in Antalya today. The role will task Alessandri with advising the government on national security risks from the climate crisis; Burnham will also back a 35% electrification target for 2035 and mobilise private finance for clean energy.
Secretary of State Rubio has said the Iran war has been necessary to prevent a nuclear threat, while opponents say it has hurt the economy. Trump backs the approach, while diplomacy continues with Qatar as talks resume.
Pakistan has steadied its first Test against Sri Lanka in Rawalpindi after a dramatic fifth day. Saud Shakeel defies the visitors with a patient 93, sharing a key stand with Ghazi Ghori to deny Sri Lanka a likely victory amid overcast conditions; Sri Lanka battles to turn the tide with Saqib Khan’s debut-tight bowling.
Qatar has intensified its mediation between Washington and Tehran ahead of a closed‑door White House meeting, as the US and Iran explore conditions for a potential ceasefire and a redefined nuclear framework. Tehran insists on several demands, including lifting sanctions and regional security guarantees, while Washington signals cautious engagement and the potential for targeted actions if talks stall.
An explosion has ripped through the HABAS steel plant in Aliaga, about 60km north of Izmir, killing at least 16 workers and injuring 13, officials have said. Authorities have said an overhead crane collapsed into an electric-arc furnace during maintenance; search-and-rescue teams are clearing rubble and investigations have been launched.
Jemima Goldsmith has said she supports Brand’s victims and has described her own 2014 incident with him. Russell Brand has been sentenced to 10.5 years in prison after being found guilty of rape and sexual assault, with related court statements highlighting his pattern of abusive behavior.
England’s One-Day International tour of Australia has been hit by Jacob Bethell’s knee setback, forcing him home for specialist review. England names James Coles and Eddie Jack as cover; Rashid shines in Perth warm-up as Bethell’s absence looms large ahead of a South Africa series and World Cup preparations.
Militants ambush police in Kohat, killing 10 officers as security forces pursue a gunbattle with the attackers; the Pakistani Taliban claim responsibility, amid escalating cross-border violence and renewed tensions with Afghanistan.
England’s all-time leading wicket-taker, Jimmy Anderson, has signed a new deal with Surrey after leaving Lancashire. He says he still has plenty to offer with both ball and mentoring younger players as he begins a fresh chapter at The Oval.
President Trump has directed Vice President JD Vance to redirect his attention from the Iran conflict to what he calls corruption and crime in Democratic-led cities and states. The move comes as Republicans face midterm losses and amid reports that Vance has weighed resuming talks with Iranian officials. Trump has stated there is no need for a new Iran deal and that the U.S. possesses leverage in the Strait of Hormuz.
Turkey and Qatar have signed a defence agreement aimed at strengthening collective defence and regional security, during the 12th meeting of their Supreme Strategic Committee in Istanbul. The pact expands joint exercises, defence industry cooperation and training, and includes consultations on security threats while avoiding explicit automatic mutual-defense commitments. The arrangement builds on a long-standing military partnership and comes as Gulf tensions and the Iran war reshape regional security.
Israel's new government talks are under way after Eisenkot is tapped to form a government. Netanyahu has urged unity to confront Iran, while Eisenkot is weighing a minority or coalition approach. Arab-led parties remain a flashpoint as negotiations proceed.
The United States and Israel estimate Iran possesses a large ballistic-missile arsenal, with figures ranging from 1,500 to 2,500 missiles. Tehran is rebuilding and rearming, while new underground sites are showcased. Attacks in the Gulf and strikes on US bases continue as Western officials assess Tehran’s capacity and intentions amid ongoing tensions.