Trump says Flydubai co-pilot may have been ‘terrorist’ or ‘whack-job’

US President Donald Trump said on Wednesday that he spoke at length with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu about an incident aboard a Flydubai passenger aircraft, adding that the co-pilot may have been either a terrorist or an individual acting irrationally. “I think it’s an incredible story,” he told reporters at the White House when asked about the incident. Trump said Netanyahu had briefed him on the events aboard the flight, which was travelling from Dubai to Tel Aviv. “I did speak to Bibi Netanyahu at length about this event,”…

Read More

Trump says US may ‘blow them up’ or make Iran deal

US President Donald Trump said on Wednesday that Washington faced a choice between further military action against Iran and reaching a deal with Tehran, warning that the confrontation would end “very soon” one way or the other. “We have to make that decision: We blow them up or make a deal,” Trump told reporters in the Oval Office. Asked how he could negotiate with Iranian officials he has described as “crazy”, Trump replied: “Maybe you blow them up.” Trump said military force remained an option alongside diplomacy, while also claiming…

Read More

Rubio orders Iranian delegation to leave New York after talks stall

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio ordered Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and his delegation to leave New York after negotiations between Washington and Tehran stalled, a US official confirmed on Wednesday. The US mission to the United Nations informed Iran’s UN mission on Monday evening that Araghchi’s delegation had to leave “immediately”, according to Axios, which first reported the development. A US official told Axios that the delegation had “overstayed their welcome” and that the UN General Assembly was over, so it was time for them to leave. Araghchi…

Read More

Petrol, diesel prices cut for third straight day

The federal government has reduced the price of petrol by 14 paise per litre and high-speed diesel (HSD) by Rs1.89 per litre for October 1, according to a notification issued by the Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (OGRA) on Wednesday. The price of petrol has been set at Rs387.40 per litre, down from Rs387.54, while diesel will now cost Rs400.35 per litre, compared with Rs402.24 previously. The Petroleum Division said OGRA determined the revised ex-depot prices under the petroleum pricing mechanism approved by the federal government. The division attributed the…

Read More

Russia sends nuclear warning to NATO as tensions rise in the Baltic

Russia has warned NATO it would be ready to resort to nuclear ​weapons if the Western alliance attempted to cut off Kaliningrad, a Russian exclave that borders the Baltic Sea. In a document sent to NATO ‌and seen by Reuters, Moscow accused the alliance of a “dangerous and reckless course” that entailed “high risks of the outbreak of a direct armed conflict”. The document said this included the possibility of “Russian strikes against decision-making centres in the alliance’s member states right from the outset”. “Russia will be ready to use…

Read More

Govt cuts petrol by 14 paise, diesel by Rs1.89 per litre

The federal government on Wednesday cut the price of petrol by Rs0.14 per litre and high-speed diesel (HSD) by Rs1.89 per litre for October 1, Petrol will now cost Rs387.40 per litre, down from Rs387.54, while HSD will be available at Rs400.35 per litre, compared with Rs402.24 previously. The revised prices will take effect from October 1, 2026 and remain applicable throughout the month. The Petroleum Division said the revised ex-depot prices were determined by the Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (OGRA) under the petroleum pricing mechanism approved by the…

Read More

FBR extends tax return filing deadline to October 15

The Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) on Wednesday extended the deadline for filing income tax returns for tax year 2026 from September 30 to October 15. The extension will provide taxpayers additional two weeks to submit their income tax returns. The previous deadline for filing returns was September 30.  “In exercise of the powers conferred under Section 214A of the Income Tax Ordinance, 2001, the Federal Board of Revenue is pleased to communicate that the date of filing of Income Tax Return for Tax Year 2026, for the persons who…

Read More

Russia unleashes heavy attack on Ukrainian energy grid as winter looms

Russia unleashed a widely anticipated air campaign against Ukraine’s energy grid on Wednesday, ​hitting power facilities and infrastructure around Kyiv and other regions in the heaviest combined attack on energy sites in months. The strikes, ‌in which Ukrainian officials said seven people were killed, followed days of intensifying drone barrages primarily on the capital, a prelude to what many Ukrainians expect to be a winter of attacks intended to plunge cities into cold and darkness when Ukraine is short of air defences. “Russia has escalated to massive strikes on energy…

Read More

Pakistan will not let India weaponise water, says Tarar

Information Minister Attaullah Tarar said Pakistan believes in peace but will not allow India to weaponise water. Speaking at the launch of a special report, “Weaponising Waters: Historical, Legal, and Strategic Dimensions of IWT Suspension”, at the Institute of Strategic Studies in Islamabad, he said the Indus Waters Treaty cannot be unilaterally altered, rescinded, revoked or held in abeyance. He said the court of arbitration had upheld Pakistan’s stance, strengthening its argument that no party can unilaterally change the treaty’s status. Tarar said Pakistan had pursued the matter diplomatically and…

Read More

Pakistan pledges inclusive SCO chairmanship, says Dar

Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Senator Ishaq Dar has pledged an open, inclusive and constructive Pakistani chairmanship of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO). He said the chairmanship would be guided by the ‘Shanghai Spirit’ of mutual trust, mutual benefit, equality, consultation and common development. Dar was addressing the first meeting of the Council of National Coordinators under Pakistan’s chairmanship at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Islamabad. National coordinators of member states and senior representatives of the SCO Secretariat and the SCO Regional Anti-Terrorist Structure attended. He outlined the…

Read More