Austerity Under Pressure: Pakistan’s PM Shehbaz Sharif approved a nationwide fuel-and-spending austerity drive, cutting fuel for government vehicles by 50% for three months, banning new vehicle purchases, freezing non-IT durable procurement, and restricting foreign travel as Middle East-linked oil price spikes feed inflation. Fuel Price Relief: South Korea extended fuel tax cuts through end-November and plans a Chuseok discount at highway stations, while officials said they’ll keep a maximum oil-price ceiling under review as global volatility persists. Energy Cost Politics: Senegal’s new energy ministry says it will lean harder on domestically produced natural gas and shift from broad subsidies to targeted support to cut electricity costs by up to 30%. Red Sea Shock: Saudi Arabia and Yemen’s Houthis traded strikes as Yemenis fled by boat, raising fresh concerns about Red Sea shipping and Hormuz bottlenecks. Defense & Regional Security: The US State Department approved a potential $24.3B F-35 sale to Saudi Arabia (48 jets), with debate in Washington over how it fits broader regional security and Israel’s qualitative edge. Diplomacy at the UN: The US approved visas for senior Iranian leaders to attend the UN General Assembly, while again denying Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas. NGO Rights Claim: B’Tselem released a report alleging Israel is dismantling Palestinian collective life in the West Bank, which Israel rejects as baseless. Cyber & Finance Sanctions: The US sanctioned Iran-linked crypto exchange BitBank under an economic pressure campaign tied to IRGC-linked transfers.