Inflation Eases; Social Security Benefits Rise | JQJO

Inflation cooled slightly in September, with consumer prices up 3.0% year over year and 0.3% on the month, undershooting forecasts, the Bureau of Labor Statistics reported Friday. The release arrived nine days late due to the government shutdown, which has sidelined most economic reports and left the Federal Reserve missing key data. Even so, the softer figures strengthen expectations for another quarter-point rate cut later this month. The report—released by recalled BLS staff—also set Social Security’s cost-of-living increase: benefits will rise 2.8% next year, about $56 a month.

Islamabad has remained under tight security for nearly a week as Pakistan prepares to host a second phase of peace talks between the United States and Iran, although there is currently no indication the two sides will meet. On April 24, 2026, authorities continued to seal key roads into the capital and maintain a strict cordon around the Red Zone administrative district. In the nearby Blue Area, markets and bus terminals are largely shut, leaving cafes short of supplies and commuters stranded. Officials say the lockdown will remain in place in case any delegation, including former U.S. President Donald Trump, arrives.

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Pakistan’s army chief, Field Marshal Asim Munir, has become a central figure in efforts to mediate an end to the ongoing war between the United States and Iran. After 21 hours of unsuccessful talks in Islamabad involving US vice-president JD Vance, Munir flew urgently to Tehran on Wednesday, where he was greeted by Iranian foreign minister and chief negotiator Abbas Araghchi. Munir delivered a new US proposal outlining a framework for fresh talks in Islamabad next week. Despite imposing a naval blockade on the Strait of Hormuz, US President Donald Trump publicly praised Munir’s role, as Pakistan coordinates shuttle diplomacy largely from Rawalpindi.

United States — On the inaugural day of a U.S.-Iran blockade, no ships passed through the affected waters, initial reports said today. The reports indicate the blockade entered its first full day of enforcement, but officials did not provide specific details on the geographic scope, the identity of the enforcing parties or the operational rules governing passage. Independent verification of vessel movements and official statements remained pending at the time of reporting.

United States reporters said the immediate operational impact on scheduled commercial sailings and regional maritime services was unclear. Journalists and maritime monitors were seeking further details and confirmations from authorities and from ship-tracking services. Authorities and independent maritime trackers had not yet released consolidated data on vessel departures, transits or delays, leaving the scale of disruption unconfirmed at the time of reporting.

The JQJO article reports that the Al-Aqsa Mosque has reopened and that the reopening drew more than 100,000 worshippers, presenting the attendance figure as the primary fact in its headline. The published content does not provide additional specifics such as exact timing of the reopening, the organizers, or any named sources for the attendance estimate.

JQJO's coverage, as presented, is confined to the reported reopening and the single attendance claim; it does not include eyewitness accounts, quotations from officials, photographic or video evidence, or a described methodology for how the attendance was estimated. Because those supporting details are absent from the article, the headline figure remains uncorroborated within the piece itself.

On a weekend of upsets, the Bills beat the Chiefs for a fifth straight regular season, 28-21, then climbed to No. 1 in The Post’s Week 10 NFL power rankings — even while sitting second in their division via tiebreaker. Josh Allen was nearly flawless and Maxwell Hairston sealed it late. The Colts tumbled after a turnover-riddled loss, while the Rams and Seahawks cruised. The Patriots and Broncos extended winning streaks; the Lions and Packers stumbled. Chiefs fell to 12, and the bottom remains grim for the Saints and Titans at 1-8.

Tanzania faced mounting concern as the opposition Chadema alleged security forces secretly dumped bodies of hundreds killed during and after election protests. Demonstrations flared after Wednesday’s vote, met with live fire, tear gas and a curfew. President Samia Suluhu Hassan was declared winner with over 97% despite low turnout reported by foreign observers; rivals were barred, with Tundu Lissu jailed. Human Rights Watch condemned the crackdown. Death tolls remain unverified: Chadema claims 1,000-plus, the Catholic Church cites hundreds, and the U.K., Norway and Canada noted credible reports. Authorities warned against sharing images as internet returned and shops reopened.

Yum Brands said it will review strategic options for Pizza Hut, citing lagging results that may be better realized outside the company. No deadline was set; possibilities include a divestiture, joint venture or selling a stake. The chain’s same-store sales fell 1% in the third quarter, including a 6% drop in its home market, while Taco Bell rose 7% and KFC 3%. After a pandemic surge, Pizza Hut’s shift from dine-in to delivery has stalled amid pizza fatigue and tighter dining-out habits, shrinking its U.S. market share from 22.6% in 2019 to 18.7% in 2024, Barclays said.

Daniel Day-Lewis pushed back at Brian Cox for pulling him into a dispute over method acting, saying he was “inadvertently” caught up in the Succession star’s criticism of Jeremy Strong. Praising both actors, Day-Lewis said he never interfered with Cox’s process and feels no responsibility for Strong’s approach. He defended method acting as a simple tool for spontaneity, not the extreme details often highlighted, and bristled at the “full method” stereotype. The actor said he stays immersed between takes and added Cox can speak with him directly.

Despite Jacoby Brissett's strong run in relief, including a 21-of-31, 261-yard, two-touchdown, no-interception showing in the Cardinals' 27-17 win over the Cowboys, head coach Jonathan Gannon reiterated that Kyler Murray will reclaim the job once cleared. Gannon cut off follow-up questions, saying nothing had changed. ESPN's Troy Aikman said on the broadcast that Brissett should stay the starter, a view shared by others. Still, Gannon said if Murray's injured foot allows him to play Sunday against the Seahawks, Murray will start.