Category: English

The Trump administration has told Germany and France to draw down emergency diesel inventories ‌to help ease soaring global fuel prices or face a potential US diesel export ban, according to three people close to the discussions. The warning marks an escalation in pressure on Europe as US President Donald Trump considers a potential ban to help bring down US fuel prices ahead of November’s midterm elections. Europe’s relationship with Washington has soured under ​Trump due to tariff disputes and disagreements over military spending. For the EU, releasing more stocks…

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Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Thursday that Russia would consider using “all types of weapons” if its exclave of Kaliningrad was attacked, while insisting that Moscow had no intention of attacking anyone. His comments came as tensions mounted over Kaliningrad, Russia’s heavily militarised territory that borders Poland, Lithuania and the Baltic Sea. “If it comes to a direct attack on the Russian Federation… then, of course, the question of the Russian Federation deploying all types of weapons at our country’s disposal will inevitably and immediately be on the agenda.…

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The federal government and the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) have decided to hold talks with the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), which governs Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), on Friday and have formed a joint delegation for the purpose. The decision was taken at a meeting between Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and President Asif Ali Zardari at Aiwan-e-Sadr on Thursday, according to a statement issued by the Presidency. The two leaders reviewed the country’s overall political and security situation. Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi and Law Minister…

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President Vladimir Putin said on Thursday that Russia will not ​supply its diesel to global energy markets ‌until sanctions against Moscow are lifted. Speaking at the Valdai Forum of international Russian experts in Moscow, Putin said that ​Ukraine had “partially achieved its objectives” with strikes ​on Russian oil refineries that he said had ⁠cost Russia 1% of its gross domestic product, but ​Russia was now responding in kind. US ​President Donald Trump said last month that Ukrainian attacks on Russian production facilities were causing a global diesel shortage and ​pushing…

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The federal government on Thursday increased the price of petrol by Rs3.26 per litre while reducing the price of high-speed diesel (HSD) by Rs1.01 per litre, with the revised rates taking effect from October 2, 2026. According to the revised prices notified by the Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (OGRA), petrol will cost Rs390.66 per litre, up from Rs387.40. The price of HSD has been reduced to Rs399.34 per litre from Rs400.35. The Petroleum Division said the revision was made under the petroleum pricing mechanism notified by the federal government.…

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Global bonds were engulfed by heavy selling again on Thursday, sending borrowing costs from the US to ​France and Japan surging to levels not seen in decades in a warning to policymakers. Higher rates raise financing costs for companies and mortgage borrowers and force governments to ‌spend more on interest payments, with less left over for anything else. Bond yields, which rise when prices fall, have soared globally as soaring energy costs fan inflation. The boom in artificial intelligence and data-centre building have heightened competition for capital and raised expectations…

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The International Cricket Council (ICC) has announced the groups for the 2027 One-Day International (ODI) World Cup, placing arch-rivals Pakistan and India in the same group. The two sides are in Group A, which means they could meet three times in the tournament. The main round will feature two groups of six teams. Group A comprises defending champions Australia, Pakistan, India, Afghanistan, co-hosts Zimbabwe and one qualifier. Group B has co-hosts South Africa, England, New Zealand, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and the second qualifier. Pakistan and India could face each other…

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Pakistan on Thursday launched the National Mental Health Policy 2026-2035, aiming to expand mental health services and support for an estimated 32.4 million people in need of care across the country. The policy was launched during the two-day Global Mental Health Summit being held in Islamabad from October 1-2, bringing together around 800 participants, including mental health experts, policymakers, academics and representatives of national and international development partners. The initiative was launched under the leadership of the Ministry of National Health Services, Regulations and Coordination in partnership with the World…

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The opposition alliance has agreed to engage in talks with the government, while also deciding to proceed with its planned long march on October 4, opposition leaders said on Thursday. The decision was taken at a meeting of opposition leaders at Parliament House attended by PTI Chairman Barrister Gohar Khan, former National Assembly speaker Asad Qaiser, Pashtunkhwa Milli Awami Party chief Mahmood Khan Achakzai, Majlis Wahdat-e-Muslimeen chief Allama Raja Nasir Abbas and other leaders. The meeting discussed the proposed long march, government measures and the opposition’s response. Leaders also deliberated…

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The federal government has decided to respond firmly to the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government’s conduct and use constitutional and legal options if the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) proceeds with its planned long march towards Islamabad, according to sources. The decision was taken at a high-level meeting chaired by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to review the security, political and constitutional situation in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. According to sources, participants issued what they described as a final warning to the provincial government to change its conduct, saying failure to do so could have serious consequences.…

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