TEHRAN: A video of Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian riding a bicycle alongside senior government officials has gone viral on social media.
According to Iranian media reports, the footage was captured yesterday in the province of Isfahan, where President Pezeshkian participated in a casual cycling activity with several officials.
⚡️Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian promotes health by cycling in Isfahan, alongside other officials. pic.twitter.com/8TkWjPRoSs
In the viral clip, the president appears to be in a cheerful mood, pedaling through the streets surrounded by security personnel and fellow officials, who are also riding bicycles.
Several social media pages claimed that President Masoud Pezeshkian took the bicycle ride to promote healthy lifestyle initiatives, while users praised the Iranian president’s gesture, describing it as a positive and inspiring move.
MULTAN: Pakistan’s first Saraiki woman off-road driver, Alia Malik, recently appeared on a popular Saraiki-language podcast, where she shared her inspiring journey from a motorsport enthusiast to a national-level off-road rally champion.
In the exclusive podcast episode, Alia Malik discussed the challenges she faced in breaking gender barriers within a male-dominated sport and highlighted the pride she feels in representing the Saraiki belt on national platforms.
Speaking about her experience, Alia said that her participation in off-road rallies, where she secured second position — was both a personal and cultural milestone. “I wanted to show that Saraiki women are strong, skilled, and fearless. Our region has immense potential, and we only need opportunities to prove ourselves,” she remarked.
During the podcast, she reflected on her early struggles in training, vehicle preparation, and gaining recognition in motorsports. She emphasized the importance of community support and family encouragement, crediting her success to perseverance and faith.
The episode also focused on Alia’s initiative, “Saraiki Women on Wheels,” aimed at empowering young women through driving education, vehicle maintenance skills, and desert navigation training. She revealed plans to expand the project across South Punjab to help women gain mobility and confidence.
Listeners praised Alia Malik’s humility, courage, and commitment to social change, describing her as a new role model for the Saraiki youth. The podcast quickly gained traction on social media, sparking conversations about representation, regional identity, and women’s empowerment.
Hailing from Dera Ismail Khan, Alia’s journey from a small-town enthusiast to a recognized off-road driver reflects courage, determination, and passion for adventure sports — a field long dominated by men. Her entry into professional off-road racing marks not just a personal milestone but also a cultural breakthrough for the Saraiki belt, where women’s participation in motorsports has been almost nonexistent.
Alia Malik’s passion for driving began during her university days, where she often took part in motorbike and jeep trials organized by local adventure clubs. Encouraged by her family and mentors, she underwent technical training in vehicle handling, rally navigation, and terrain control — skills essential for off-road racing.
LONDON: More than 80,000 mobile phones were stolen or snatched across London last year, the Metropolitan Police said, revealing that much of the stolen haul was destined for overseas markets.
Investigators say the crimes are no longer limited to opportunistic street thefts but are part of a well-organised, international network. During a series of raids in north London last month, police recovered around 2,000 stolen phones and £200,000 in cash from dealers and middlemen believed to be involved in shipping the devices to markets such as Hong Kong, China and Algeria.
The network came to light after a woman used a phone-location app last December to track her stolen iPhone to a warehouse near Heathrow Airport. Officers subsequently uncovered 1,000 stolen iPhones packed in containers bound for Hong Kong.
Senior Detective Mark Gwynn said the operation was “industrial scale” rather than the work of lone opportunists, adding that stolen phones can fetch up to $5,000 in foreign markets. Police intelligence divides the criminal supply chain into three tiers: street-level thieves (often on e-bikes), middlemen and shop owners who buy and re-sell the phones, and export operators who ship the devices abroad.
Official figures show a worrying rise: 64,000 phones were reported stolen in 2023, rising to 80,000 in 2024, and over 100,000 phone thefts were reported between March 2024 and February 2025. Yet enforcement lags: only 495 people were charged during that period — roughly one prosecution per 200 reported thefts.
Recent enforcement has yielded progress: police say last month’s raids recovered £40,000 in cash and five stolen phones on site, and since December around 4,000 iPhones have been secured and stored at a police facility in southwest London.
Police describe the trade as highly profitable and relatively low risk for perpetrators. On average, a thief reportedly earns about £300 per phone — roughly three times the national minimum wage for a short time investment. The major policing challenge, officers say, is identifying and apprehending offenders: masked thieves on e-bikes carry out lightning-fast snatches and escape into busy streets, making pursuit dangerous for officers and civilians.
Professor Lawrence Sherman of Cambridge University warned of the broader social risk: “When a phone is worth a thousand pounds, carrying it in the street is the equivalent of waving a thousand-pound note in the air.”
LAHORE: Pakistan clinched a commanding 93-run victory over South Africa in the first Test at Gaddafi Stadium, taking a 1–0 lead in the two-match series.
Resuming on the fourth day with Ryan Rickelton and Tony de Zorzi at the crease, South Africa’s hopes of a chase were dashed early when de Zorzi fell to Shaheen Shah Afridi without adding to his overnight score.
Spinner Nauman Ali then dismissed Tristan Stubbs and David Bedingham in quick succession, while Sajid Khan removed set batter Ryan Rickelton for 45.
Afridi continued his fine form, accounting for Verreynne and Subrayen, before Sajid Khan wrapped up the innings by taking Muthusamy’s wicket, sealing Pakistan’s victory.
Earlier, South Africa were bowled out for 269 in their first innings before lunch on day three, replying to Pakistan’s 378. Pakistan then managed 167 in their second innings, setting the visitors a target of 277 runs.
By the close of the third day, South Africa had reached 51 for 2, with captain Aiden Markram (3) and Wiaan Mulder (0) already dismissed — paving the way for Pakistan’s bowlers to finish the job on day four.
UNITED NATIONS: Pakistani diplomat Asif Khan has sharply denounced the Indian government, accusing it of state-sponsored terrorism and deliberate disinformation campaigns aimed at tarnishing Pakistan’s global image.
Speaking at the Fourth Committee Meeting on Decolonisation Items, Asif Khan, representing Pakistan’s Permanent Mission to the United Nations, said that India continues to support banned terrorist groups such as the Baloch Liberation Army (BLA), Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), and the Majeed Brigade, revealing what he called the Modi administration’s “heinous face” before the world.
He said India’s repeated attempts to distort facts about the situation in Jammu and Kashmir have failed to hide the reality of its occupation and ongoing human rights abuses. “Jammu and Kashmir remains an internationally recognized disputed territory, and its resolution lies in a UN-supervised plebiscite as outlined in the Security Council resolutions,” he emphasized.
The Pakistani envoy reminded that India had itself taken the Kashmir issue to the UN Security Council, but now seeks to backtrack on its own commitments. He reaffirmed Pakistan’s unwavering support for the Kashmiri people’s legitimate and peaceful struggle for self-determination.
Asif Khan further warned that India’s irresponsible conduct poses a grave threat to regional peace and stability, accusing New Delhi of portraying itself as a victim to mask its state-sponsored terrorism.
Concluding his remarks, he said India’s claim of being the world’s largest democracy is hollow, calling it instead “the world’s largest deception.”
LAHORE: South Africa were dismissed for 269 in their first innings of the Lahore Test, giving Pakistan a commanding 109-run lead heading into the second innings.
Resuming on the third day at 216 for six in reply to Pakistan’s 378, the visitors lost their remaining wickets in the morning session.
Tony de Zorzi, who started the day unbeaten on 81, completed a well-made 104 before being caught by Shaheen Afridi off Nauman Ali. Senuran Muthusamy, who resumed on 6, added only five more runs before falling to Sajid Khan for 11.
Kagiso Rabada was dismissed without scoring, also by Sajid Khan. Pakistan’s spinners dominated the innings, with Nauman Ali claiming six wickets, Sajid Khan taking three, and Salman Ali Agha picking up one.
Earlier, Pakistan had posted 378 in their first innings, with key contributions from Imam-ul-Haq (93), Salman Ali Agha (93), Shan Masood (76), and Mohammad Rizwan (75).
RAWALPINDI: Pakistan Army team secured a gold medal at Exercise Cambrian Patrol 2025, held in Wales, United Kingdom, from October 3 to 13, marking the 66th edition of the world-renowned military competition.
The exercise has retained its demanding professional standards; patrols from all across the globe had to move tactically across inhospitable terrain, covering a distance of 60 kms within 48 hours, completing specialist tasks in a contested environment.
This year, 137 teams from 36 Countries participated in the exercise and out of all these teams, Pakistan Army’ Team lead by Captain Muhammad Saad showed Exceptional Performance in the exercise and awarded with the gold medal.
It is indeed a proud moment for the whole Nation and Pakistan Army which is known for its professionalism and highest standards of training. Pakistan Army has always held Country’s flag high and will keep endeavouring in future as well.
LAHORE: Despite a promising start from the middle order, Pakistan were bowled out for 378 in their first innings as South Africa fought back on the second day of the first Test in Lahore..
Resuming their overnight score of 313 for five, Pakistan began the day with Mohammad Rizwan unbeaten on 62 and Salman Ali Agha on 52. The pair added valuable runs before Rizwan was dismissed for 75 with the total at 362.
In the same over, Nauman Ali and Sajid Khan were both sent back to the pavilion without scoring, as Senuran Muthusamy claimed all three wickets in quick succession to restrict Pakistan’s lower order.
Salman Ali Agha naros fell to the nineties and was dismissed for 93 while Shaheen Shah Afridi was dismissed for 7 runs.
South Africa’s Senuran Muthusamytook six wickets while Prenelan Subrayen took two wickets. Kagiso Rabada and Simon Harmer took one wicket each.
WASHINGTON: U.S. President Donald Trump said on Friday that Nobel Prize winner Maria Corina Machado called him and said she accepted the prize in his honor, after the White House said earlier in the day that the Nobel Committee had chosen “politics over peace.”
The White House had criticized the Nobel Committee’s decision to grant the peace prize to the Venezuelan opposition leader instead of Trump, who aggressively lobbied for the award and touted his role in brokering international ceasefire deals.
The Norwegian Nobel Committee announced that Machado had been selected for the 2025 Nobel Peace Prize in recognition of her efforts to promote democracy and freedom in Venezuela.
During a White House press conference, when asked about the award, Trump said:
“The person who won the Nobel Peace Prize called me and said, ‘I’m dedicating this to you — you were the one who truly deserved it.’”
Trump has often asserted that his administration’s diplomatic achievements, particularly in the Middle East, made him more deserving of the prestigious peace award.
US President Donald Trump said he respects the Nobel Committee’s decision to award the Nobel Peace Prize to Venezuelan opposition leader Maria Corina Machado, adding that he never sought the award for himself.
“I respect the committee’s decision. I never said the Nobel Prize should be given to me,” Trump told reporters. “But I’m proud that during my tenure, I helped prevent eight potential wars — including between Pakistan and India — and saved billions of lives.”
Meanwhile, Maria Corina Machado said she was dedicating the award to the people of Venezuela who have endured years of suffering, as well as to President Trump for his “decisive support” of their cause for democracy and freedom.
LAHORE: Pakistan, under the leadership of Shan Masood, will take on defending champions South Africa in a two-match Test series as part of the fourth cycle of the ICC World Test Championship 2025–27.
The first Test begins on Sunday at Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore, where Pakistan is expected to field seven batters, two fast bowlers, and two spinners.
Right-arm spinner Sajid Khan has been ruled out due to viral fever and will be replaced by Asif Afridi, who earns a place in the playing XI. The 38-year-old left-arm spinner has taken 198 wickets in 57 first-class matches at an average of 25.49. Asif will partner with experienced spinner Nauman Ali in Pakistan’s bowling attack.
The 39-year-old Nauman Ali has claimed 83 wickets in 19 Tests at an average of 24.75. In fast bowling, Shaheen Shah Afridi makes his return to Test cricket after a year-long absence.
The left-arm pacer, who has taken 116 wickets in 31 Tests, will share the new ball with Hasan Ali. Hasan, a right-arm fast bowler with 80 wickets in 24 Tests, last played a Test in January 2024 against Australia in Sydney.
Pakistan’s opening pair will feature Imam-ul-Haq and Abdullah Shafique, while Babar Azam, Saud Shakeel, and Salman Ali Agha will strengthen the middle order. Mohammad Rizwan will keep wickets.
Pakistan’s Playing XI for the first Test:
Imam-ul-Haq, Abdullah Shafique, Shan Masood (captain), Babar Azam, Saud Shakeel, Mohammad Rizwan (wicketkeeper), Salman Ali Agha, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Hasan Ali, Nauman Ali, and Asif Afridi.
