Karachi:

A speeding dumper plowing through the city claimed the life of another citizen and seriously injured two people.

According to Express News, a speeding dumper ran over pedestrians and a motorcyclist in front of the Edhi Center Tower, resulting in the death of a young man and the injury of three people, including an Edhi volunteer, one of whom is said to be in critical condition.

After the accident, angry people pelted stones and broke the windows of the dumper, while Edhi's volunteers shifted the body of the deceased to the Civil Hospital for post-mortem.

Rescue officials said that the deceased was identified as 25-year-old Basit Ali, while the injured Shafiq, 55, Junaid, 28, and Edhi's volunteer Roshan are being provided medical assistance.

According to a spokesperson for the Edhi Foundation, three ambulances at the scene were also partially damaged as a result of the dumper accident and further investigation is underway in this regard.

SHO Kharadar Pawan Kumar said that the driver responsible for the accident has been arrested. The accident involved a motorcycle rider and people standing in front of the Edhi Center, in which a young passerby was killed.

He said that the police reached the spot, brought the situation under control and shifted the dumper to the police station. More information is being obtained from the scene and the injured undergoing treatment in the hospital.

DOHA:

Qatar has expressed deep concern over the recent border tensions between Pakistan and Afghanistan, urging the two countries to find solutions to the problems through restraint, dialogue and diplomacy.

An official statement issued by the Qatari Foreign Ministry said that a reduction in tensions is essential for peace and stability in the region.

The statement added that Qatar considers the rising tensions between Pakistan and Afghanistan a threat to regional peace and security, and urges the two brotherly countries to find a peaceful solution to the problems through dialogue.

Riyadh:

Following the unprovoked firing by Afghan forces on the Pak-Afghan border and the effective response by Pakistani forces, Saudi Arabia has expressed deep concern over the border tensions and urged both countries to adopt the path of restraint and dialogue to resolve the dispute.

A statement issued by the Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs said that Saudi Arabia is deeply concerned about the recent clashes and tensions in the border areas between the Islamic Republic of Pakistan and Afghanistan.

Tehran:

Iran has categorically rejected US President Donald Trump's proposal to recognize Israel, calling it "fantasy."

According to a report by foreign news agency Reuters, Iran described US President Donald Trump's proposal that it could establish relations with Israel as "fantasies".

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi said in an interview with state television that Iran would never recognize an occupying government that engages in genocide and child murder.

Donald Trump had earlier referred to the Abraham Accords regarding establishing relations with four Muslim countries and said that no one knows, maybe Iran will join it.

Indonesia refuses visas to Israeli gymnasts in protest over the situation in Gaza.

According to the international news agency, the World Gymnastics Championships are going to be held in Indonesia next week, in which the Israeli team was also supposed to participate.

However, in the context of the ongoing Israeli aggression in Gaza and the global response to the atrocities against Palestinians, Indonesia refused to grant visas to Israeli athletes.

The president of the Indonesian Gymnastics Federation, Eita Yuliati, confirmed that the Israeli team will not participate in the World Artistic Gymnastics Championships in Jakarta from October 19 to 25, because they have not been issued visas to enter.

The country's senior minister for legal affairs, Yisrael Ahza Mahendra, said the decision was made after objections from religious councils and various social groups, as recognizing Israel is considered against the dignity of the Palestinian state.

The minister clarified that Indonesia remains committed to its policy that Israel will not be recognized until it accepts an independent and sovereign state of Palestine.

Pro-Palestinian sentiment has grown on Indonesian social media in recent weeks, and the Indonesian Gymnastics Federation's accounts received hundreds of protest messages after the announcement of the Israeli team's participation.

Meanwhile, UN experts have called on FIFA and the European Football Union to suspend Israel from international competitions.

However, Israel has been calling the measures to bar its athletes from international competitions unfair and based on accusations.

It should be noted that Indonesia is the country with the largest Muslim population in the world and does not have diplomatic relations with Israel.

Pakistani mountaineer Asad Ali Memon has achieved a historic feat by completing his journey to summit the highest peaks of all seven continents.

According to details, mountaineer Asad Ali Memon completed the world-famous Seven Summits Challenge by climbing the highest peak in Oceania.

Asad Ali Memon climbed Mount Elbrus in Europe in 2019 and Aconcagua in South America in 2020.

The Pakistani mountaineer climbed Africa’s Kilimanjaro in 2021 and North America’s Mount Denali in 2022.

In 2023, he climbed Mount Everest, the highest peak in Asia and the world, while earlier this year he also climbed Mount Vinson in Antarctica.

38-year-old left-arm spinner Asif Afridi will make his Test debut in the first Test match against South Africa.

According to media sources, the Pakistan team management has decided to field a possible seven batsmen, two regular fast bowlers and two spinners in the first Test.

Sources say that off-spinner Sajid Khan will not be able to join the playing XI due to viral fever, and Asif Afridi will be part of the team in his place.

Interim head coach Azhar Mahmood is also impressed with Asif Afridi's bowling and is in favor of his debut.

In the first Test against South Africa in Lahore, the 11 players of Pakistan will include Imam-ul-Haq, Abdullah Shafiq, Shan Masood (captain), Babar Azam, Saud Shakeel, Muhammad Rizwan (wicketkeeper), Salman Ali Agha, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Hassan Ali, Noman Ali and Asif Afridi.

It should be noted that the match between Pakistan and South Africa will start at 10 am tomorrow.

The captains of Pakistan and South Africa unveiled the Test series trophy.

According to details, national Test team captain Shan Masood and South African Test team captain Aiden Markram unveiled the trophy at the National Cricket Academy Lahore.

On this occasion, South African team captain Aiden Markram also visited the museum at the NCA.

Shan Masood told Aiden Markram about the trophies in the museum.

National cricket team captain Shan Masood says he will try to make a good start to the Test Championship.

During a press conference in Lahore, captain Shan Masood said that this time the PCB has done a lot of work for red ball cricket. Camps were organized for red ball, the players played county cricket.

Shan Masood said that South Africa is the champion team, they will improve their morale by playing well against them. To win Test matches, you have to take 20 wickets.

He said that home series are very important in the Test cycle. The results in the last Test Championship were not good but there are some positives. We will try our best to make a good start.

The Test captain said that if both teams score 600 runs on a flat track, it is of no use. For good results, one has to sacrifice one's runs. Runs are scored according to the conditions, a century is not necessary in every match.

Shan Masood further said that if there are new conditions at Gaddafi Stadium, they will try to understand the conditions quickly.

He said that Sajid Khan is our most important bowler in these conditions, unfortunately he had a viral flu, and that the team will be prepared by looking at the fitness of the players.

The Test captain said that it is very important to take advantage of home conditions, each team prepares the conditions according to its own. Earlier, in these conditions, they went with three spin bowlers and one fast bowler, but now they will decide after seeing the conditions. The element of reverse song has also been included in the team formation.

Pakistan Hockey Federation Secretary General Rana Mujahid Ali Khan has said that there is an urgent need to establish a Pakistan Hockey Board (PHB) for the revival and financial stability of the national sport in the country.

He said that the Pakistan Hockey Federation currently has no permanent source of income, which is why it faces difficulties in making payments to players and officials.

Rana Mujahid said that if the government hands over all hockey stadiums and facilities directly to the Pakistan Hockey Federation, the sport can be made self-sufficient by generating income from them.

He further said that by establishing the Pakistan Hockey Board or allocating a budget on an annual basis, the game can be run on a permanent basis and the federation will not have to depend on anyone for financial difficulties.

Rana Mujahid expressed his determination that the Hockey Federation is striving to keep the national game alive despite all the limited resources and hopes that the government and sponsors will play their role in this mission.

South African cricket team captain Aiden Markram has said that Babar Azam's wicket is always the most important.

According to details, the Test series between Pakistan and South Africa is starting tomorrow, for which the captains of both teams held a press conference today.

South African cricket team captain Aiden Markram, in response to a question, said that Babar Azam needs no introduction. His wicket is always the most important.

He added that the pitches here will be favorable for spinners, for which we are well prepared, and have focused on playing spinners.

Aiden Markram said that the last season of the World Test Championship was good and now we are very excited for the new season.

The South African captain said that Temba Bavuma is our leader, he will definitely be missed.

Captain Shubman Gill was found guilty of running out Yashasvi Jaiswal in the second Test match against the West Indies.

In the match being played in Delhi, India won the toss and decided to bat first and declared their innings after scoring 518 runs for the loss of five wickets.

Yashasvi Jaiswal was run out after scoring 175 runs while captain Shubman Gill remained unbeaten on 129 runs.

Former captain and commentator Sanjay Bangar blamed Shubman Gill for Jaiswal's run-out, saying that he should have completed the run on Jaiswal's call.

Sanjay Bangar said that Gill should not have come back if he had come out of the crease to take the first run.

Lahore:

The Pakistan Junior Hockey Team made a brilliant start to the Sultan of Johor Hockey Cup, proving their superiority over host Malaysia.

Pakistan defeated Malaysia by a huge margin of seven goals to two in the opening match.

Pakistan adopted an aggressive strategy against the host opponent from the start at the Taman Dia Hockey Stadium.

In the first quarter, Saifan Khan scored a goal to solidify the team's position, Ahmed Nadeem scored the second goal, while Saifan Khan scored the third goal to tie the game at three-one at halftime.

In the second half, Malaysia scored one goal while Pakistan scored four more goals to take the lead.

Sufyan Khan, who played a key role in Pakistan's victory by scoring three goals, was declared the Man of the Match, Ahmed Nadeem Khan scored two, and Hamza Fayyaz and Hanan Shahid scored one goal each.

Pakistan will play their second match against England on Sunday. In another match on the first day, India defeated England by three goals to two.

Afghanistan won the series by defeating Bangladesh by 81 runs in the second ODI.

In the match played in Abu Dhabi, the Bangladesh team was bowled out for 109 runs in the 29th over while chasing the target.

For Bangladesh, Tohid Hardoy was the top scorer with 24 runs. Saif Hassan 22, Zakir Ali 18, Noorul Hassan 15, Najmul Hossain Shanto 7, Rashad Hossain 5, captain Mehdi Hassan Miraz 4, Tanzeem Hassan Saqib 0, Tanzeed Hassan 0 and Tanveer Islam 0 were dismissed with individual scores.

Mustafizur Rahman returned to the pavilion after scoring 5 runs not out.

For Afghanistan, Rashid Khan took 5 wickets, Azmatullah Omarzai took 3 wickets and Nangyalia Kharote took 1 wicket.

Earlier, after winning the toss and electing to bat first, the Afghanistan team was bowled out for 190 runs in the 45th over.

Ibrahim Zadran was the standout batsman for Afghanistan with 95 runs. AM Ghazanfar 22, Mohammad Nabi 22, Nangyalia Kharote 13, Rahmanullah Garbaz 11, Rahmat Shah 9 (retired hurt), Siddiqullah Atul 8, captain Hashmatullah Shahidi 4, Rashid Khan 1 and Azmatullah Umarzai 0 were dismissed for individual scores.

For Bangladesh, Mehidy Hasan Miraz took 3 wickets, Rashad Hossain and Tanzeem Hasan Saqib took 2 wickets each, and Tanvir Islam took 1 wicket.

Pakistan’s first international paddle tournament, in collaboration with McDonald’s Pakistan, will be held at the Legends Arena in Karachi from October 30 to November 2.

According to the details, Asia's top players will participate in the APPT Grand Slam tournament to be held from October 30 to November 2, in which the winner will be given a prize money of $13,000.

A ceremony was held at McDonald's on Clifton Sea View regarding the tournament, which was attended by the great squash player and Chairman of Legends Arena, Jahangir Khan.

He expressed his gratitude to McDonald's Pakistan for organizing the tournament and said that the successful organization of the international paddle tournament, which has become increasingly popular in Pakistan in a short period of two years, will ensure its continued existence in the country.

He said that it is a pleasure to bring the Asia Pacific Paddle Tour Grand Slam to Karachi.

McDonald's Pakistan Managing Director Jamil Mughal said that McDonald's Pakistan is playing its role in promoting all social activities, including sports. Organizing the first international paddle tournament in Pakistan in collaboration with Legend Arena is also a link in this chain.

He said that the sport of paddle will also be promoted along with the great squash player Jahangir Khan, while continuing to fulfill their social responsibilities for positive activities including sports.

New Delhi:

There was strong criticism and anger expressed over the expulsion of a female journalist who had come to cover a ceremony held at the embassy during Afghanistan's interim Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi's visit to India.

According to a BBC report, Indian politicians and journalists have criticized the expulsion of a female reporter from a ceremony at the Afghan embassy in New Delhi, and the government is being criticized for failing to speak out in this regard.

The report stated that 16 male journalists were selected for Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi's ceremony at the Afghan embassy, ​​while female journalists and foreign media were kept away.

On the other hand, Zai Takeel, a spokesman for the Taliban government's Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Afghanistan and a member of the delegation, denied reports that any journalist had been excluded from covering the event and said that all journalists who came to the embassy were allowed to attend.

India's Ministry of External Affairs said it had no connection with the journalists' program at the Afghan embassy.

According to the report, Taliban government sources admitted that female journalists were not invited.

He said that the female BBC journalist was separated due to lack of regular communication and that if there is any further program in Delhi, she will be invited.

Indian opposition party leader Rahul Gandhi said that by allowing the program to continue, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has made it clear to every woman in India that you are weak.

He said that women in our country have equal rights to participate everywhere.

The Indian journalist condemned the blocking of the female reporter from the event, saying that whether the Indian Ministry of External Affairs was involved in the event or not, this discriminatory move was allowed and the event continued without any hindrance.

He demanded that the Indian government ensure that journalists have unhindered access to diplomatic events held in India.

Priyanka Gandhi sought an explanation from Narendra Modi, saying that the separation of the female journalist from the event should be explained.

He said that such disrespect was allowed to be shown to one of India's most capable female journalists in a country where women are its pride.

Other Indian political leaders expressed anger, saying that the male journalists invited to the event should have walked out in solidarity with the female journalist and why did our male journalists remain seated at the event?

Indian politician Mahua Moitra said in a statement on social media that the government has ridiculed all women in India by allowing the Taliban minister to keep a female journalist away from covering the event, and this is a shameful incident.

MEXICO CITY:

Heavy rains in Mexico have killed 30 people and left many missing, triggering landslides and power outages in several areas.

According to a report by the foreign news agency Reuters, rain in Mexico has caused water levels in streams and rivers to rise, and landslides have caused loss of life and property.

Local authorities said 16 people died in the state of Hidalgo, where 1,000 homes and hundreds of schools were affected.

Puebla state Governor Alejandro Armenta said nine people were killed and five were missing in the landslide, and officials said two people died in Veracruz state.

"We are making efforts to help citizens, open roads and restore electrical services," Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum said on the social networking website X.

He said that photos and videos should also be released on social media showing aid workers helping citizens.

The Mexican Ministry of Defense said that more than 5,400 personnel have been dispatched to oversee relief efforts, assist citizens, and restore affected areas.

Photo-sharing platform Instagram CEO Adam Mosseri has announced that Instagram is testing a new menu bar with a different layout of tabs. The new menu bar features dedicated tabs for two of the app's most popular features: Reels and DMs.

Users who have been selected for the trial will have their existing Instagram menu bar replaced with the new layout. In the new layout, the search tab will be replaced with Reels and Reels will be replaced with the search tab. While the tab dedicated to adding new posts will be replaced with the new DMs tab.

This Meta test includes an option to switch between the two tabs.

The announcement of this test makes it clear that it can take time to get used to these kinds of changes, so the new layout is currently being kept optional.

The zebra's white and black stripes have been an intriguing evolutionary puzzle in terms of biology.

According to today's scientific research, these stripes arose from a combination of several evolutionary factors, with the strongest evidence relating to the development of skin cells, temperature regulation, protection from mosquitoes and insects, and social identification.

1. Biological structure of stripes

The zebra's base color is actually black, and the white stripes are areas where melanin, the pigment-producing cells, is not produced.

During the embryo, the melanin-producing cells in the zebra's skin cells are activated or deactivated in specific ways. Where these cells are active, black stripes form. Where they are inactive, white stripes form.

All of this is determined by the interaction of genes and skin cells, specifically by a specific natural mechanism (similar to the stripes of a tiger or the spots of a leopard).

2. Evolutionary reasons

Scientists have put forward several theories, of which five stand out:

a) To repel insects and mosquitoes

Research has shown that tsetse flies and other blood-sucking mosquitoes are less likely to land on black-and-white striped bodies. These stripes change the polarization of light, which distracts the mosquitoes. This theory is considered the most widely accepted.

b) To control temperature

Black absorbs more heat, while white absorbs less. These subtle changes in temperature across the zebra's body create a gentle breeze that keeps the body cool. This is especially beneficial in hot African regions.

c) To confuse predators

When a herd of zebras is in motion, their stripes make it difficult for predators (lions, etc.) to judge distance and direction — this is called motion dazzle.

d) Social identity

Each zebra has a unique pattern of stripes, like human fingerprints. Through these stripes, zebras can recognize each other, mother and calf, or members of the herd.

e) Protection from parasites and infections

Some scientists believe that the stripes also protect against infection or insect eggs sticking to the skin.

3. Current scientific conclusion

According to various experimental evidence, zebra stripes are formed by a combination of several causes, but the strongest evidence favors "insect protection."