Month: October 2026

Indonesia’s president railed on Wednesday against “countries that like to insult” his nation over wildfires that have razed vast areas, spewing toxic haze into neighbouring countries. The Southeast Asian giant has for months struggled to contain fires that Nusantara Atlas, an independent monitor analysing satellite data, said have consumed more than 1.9 million hectares in the nine months to September. The haze has sent air pollution levels surging to dangerous levels not only at home, but also in Malaysia, Singapore and East Timor, prompting the ASEAN regional bloc to call…

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The El Nino weather phenomenon gripping the planet could be off the charts, the United Nations warned Wednesday, saying countries should take urgent action to prepare for the worst. “The current El Nino event could be unprecedented in strength. Literally off the monitoring charts that we have used for the past four decades,” Celeste Saulo, head of the UN’s World Meteorological Organisation, told a press conference in Geneva. “El Nino will peak towards the end of 2026, but its impacts will be felt long after that.” She said the WMO’s…

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Turkiye, Qatar, Pakistan, and Indonesia signed an agreement on Wednesday ​to boost defence cooperation and strengthen defensive capabilities, ‌the Turkish Defence Ministry said. In a statement, the ministry said the countries signed the “Badr Memorandum of Understanding” in Doha ​as a sign of their desire to further ​deepen cooperation and develop partnerships. “The agreement holds substantial ⁠economic importance,” it said, adding the accord sought ​to foster cooperation in military production, boost military capabilities, ​and help collaboration in technical military training, research and development. “By leveraging the unique military production capabilities…

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At least 11 people were killed and more than 30 others injured when a speeding passenger bus hit a road divider and overturned in Rajanpur district of Punjab on Wednesday, an official said. The bus was travelling from Karachi to Dera Ghazi Khan when the accident occurred on a section of the highway where construction work was underway, according to a spokesperson for Rescue 1122. Citing eyewitnesses, the spokesperson said overspeeding was suspected to have caused the crash. “Eight passengers died on the spot while three others succumbed to their…

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The prices of gold continued their downward trend in the local market on Wednesday, with the price of 24-karat gold per tola falling by Rs900 to Rs434,536, according to rates issued by the All Pakistan Sarafa Gems and Jewellers Association. Similarly, the price of 10 grams of 24-karat gold decreased by Rs772 to Rs372,544, while the price of 10 grams of 22-karat gold declined by Rs707 to Rs341,511. In the international market, the price of gold fell by $9 to $4,120 per ounce, the association reported. Meanwhile, the price of…

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A tanker was struck by an unidentified projectile off Oman early Wednesday, sparking a fire that was later extinguished, the UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) agency said. The incident occurred at 0145 GMT, about 11 nautical miles west of Bukha, Oman, according to a UKMTO warning. Local authorities reported that the projectile hit the tanker and caused a fire, which was subsequently put out. The vessel is now at anchor, the agency said. All crew members were reported safe, with no environmental impact reported at the time of the warning.…

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England captain Harry Brook admitted that his side failed to build enough partnerships and put Pakistan’s bowlers under pressure after suffering an 87-run defeat in the second match of the ODI tri-series at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium on Tuesday. Chasing a target of 303, England were bowled out for 215 in 38.4 overs, handing Pakistan a convincing victory after the hosts posted 302 for nine in their 50 overs. Speaking during the post-match press conference, Brook said England were satisfied with their bowling performance in the first innings, believing they had…

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