Crude benchmarks declined Friday following reports of diplomatic efforts to ease US-Iran tensions, though Middle East shipping risks continue to weigh on the market.

Forty people were killed and eight injured after an overcrowded bus plunged into a rocky ravine in southwestern Pakistan.

At least 14 children died after the roof of a private tutoring centre collapsed in a suburb of Lahore. Local authorities have detained two people as they investigate poor construction standards.

A roof collapse at an unregistered tutoring centre in Lahore has killed at least 14 children and injured several others.

Pakistani forces conducted operations in Bajaur and eastern Afghanistan targeting Jamaat-ul-Ahrar and Fitna al-Khwarij following an attack in Karachi.