Web Desk

ISLAMABAD: Google Trends for the year 2025 provide insight into the evolving cultural and digital landscape both within Pakistan and across the world. Here is a look at Google Trends for this year in Pakistan and worldwide.&nbsp; Google Trends in Pakistan &nbsp;In 2025, Pakistanis&rsquo; online searches reflected a strong focus on cricket, local developments, emerging technology, and lifestyle interests, according to Google Trends data. Cricket dominates searchesCricket remained the nation&rsquo;s most popular online interest, with Pakistan&rsquo;s international fixtures drawing significant attention.&nbsp; Top searches included Pakistan vs South Africa, Pakistan Super League, Asia Cup, Pakistan vs India, and Pakistan vs New Zealand.&nbsp; The popularity of these events underscores cricket&rsquo;s continued cultural significance in the country. Rising athletes capture attention&nbsp;Searches for athletes highlighted a mix of established and emerging talent.&nbsp; Abhishek Sharma, Hassan Nawaz, Irfan Khan Niazi, Sahibzada Farhan, and Muhammad Abbas were among the most-searched sports figures, reflecting public curiosity about both domestic and international cricket stars. Local news trendsPakistanis also focused on pressing domestic issues. The top news searches included the Punjab Socio-Economic Registry, floods in Karachi, developments in Iran, the Asaan Karobar Card initiative, and the flood situation near the Chenab River.&nbsp; These trends suggest heightened awareness and concern over regional governance, natural disasters, and international relations. Technology and lifestyle interestsTech trends in Pakistan showed growing interest in innovation, with searches for platforms like Gemini, Tamasha, DeepSeek, myco, and On4t.&nbsp; Lifestyle and culinary interests were also evident, with searches for sandwich recipes, food fusion recipes, quinoa recipes, dough recipes, and sweet dish recipes. How-to searchesPractical &ldquo;how-to&rdquo; queries dominated everyday concerns.&nbsp; Leading searches included instructions on checking E-Challan in Karachi, viewing unsent Instagram messages, obtaining car insurance, and investing in crypto and the stock market. Global trends in 2025Worldwide, Google searches revealed a mix of sports, entertainment, and geopolitical interests. Top search terms included Gemini, India vs England, Charlie Kirk, the Club World Cup, and India vs Australia. Global news interest focused on the assassination of Charlie Kirk, ongoing developments in Iran, a US government shutdown, the selection of a new Pope, and the LA wildfires. Entertainment figures dominated global searches in the &ldquo;People&rdquo; category, with d4vd, Kendrick Lamar, Jimmy Kimmel, Tyler Robinson, and Pope Leo XIV trending online. In addition, public attention was drawn to the deaths of notable figures, including Charlie Kirk, Ozzy Osbourne, Hulk Hogan, Michelle Trachtenberg, and Diane Keaton.&nbsp;

Artificial Intelligence

The 2025 Google Trends data reveals Pakistanis’ engagement with cricket, local affairs, emerging technology, and lifestyle content, while global interests remain strongly influenced by sports, politics, and entertainment.

Google Trends 2025: Pakistan’s cricket craze and global interests revealed

ISLAMABAD: Field Marshal and Chief of Defense Forces (CDF) Syed Asim Munir on Thursday called on Field Marshal Khalifa Belqasim Haftar, Commander-in-Chief of the Libyan Arab Armed Forces, and Lieutenant General Saddam Khalifa Haftar, Deputy Commander-in-Chief.&nbsp;During the meeting, the two sides discussed avenues for strengthening bilateral defense ties, &nbsp;the Inter-Services Public Relations, the media wing of the Pakistani military, said in a statement.&nbsp;On arrival in Libya, Field Marshal Munir was received with a Guard of Honor by a smartly turned-out contingent of the Libyan Armed Forces, reflecting the ceremonial and strategic significance of the visit.&nbsp;During the meeting, both sides exchanged views on regional security dynamics, mutual defense interests, and opportunities to enhance military-to-military cooperation. Emphasis was placed on collaboration in training, capacity building, and counter-terrorism initiatives.&nbsp;Field Marshal Munir reaffirmed Pakistan&rsquo;s commitment to bolstering defense relations with Libya based on shared strategic interests, while Field Marshal Khalifa Haftar lauded the professionalism of the Pakistan Armed Forces and expressed his interest in further expanding defense cooperation between the two countries.&nbsp;The discussions underscore Pakistan&rsquo;s ongoing efforts to strengthen regional partnerships and enhance defense collaboration with friendly countries in North Africa and the Middle East.

Security

The two sides discuss avenues for strengthening bilateral defense ties, the military's media wing said in a statement.

Pakistan, Libya discuss enhancing defense cooperation during CDF visit

ISLAMABAD: &nbsp;The fourth T20 international between India and South Africa was abandoned without a ball being bowled on Wednesday due to smog in Lucknow, northern India.&nbsp;The toss, originally scheduled for 6:30 PM local time (1:00 GMT), never took place despite multiple pitch inspections at the Ekana Stadium. The umpires eventually called off the match at 9:30 PM, citing unsafe playing conditions. A statement said the game &ldquo;has been abandoned due to excessive fog, making playing conditions unsafe.&rdquo;&nbsp;T20 world champions India lead the five-match series 2-1 ahead of the final game, scheduled for Friday in Ahmedabad. The series serves as part of the build-up to the T20 World Cup, starting in February in India and Sri Lanka.&nbsp;Air quality concernsThe abandonment highlighted growing concerns over air pollution in northern India. Indian all-rounder Hardik Pandya was seen wearing a mask on the field, prompting social media discussions about deteriorating air quality.&nbsp;According to monitoring organisation IQAir, PM2.5 levels in parts of Lucknow reached 78 micrograms per cubic metre, more than five times the World Health Organization&rsquo;s recommended daily maximum, AFP reported.&nbsp;The agency noted that smog levels across northern India have worsened in recent days, with Delhi recording PM2.5 microparticles more than 20 times WHO limits during football star Lionel Messi&rsquo;s visit on Monday.&nbsp;Player and fan experiencePlayers initially performed drills on the pitch before moving indoors for most of the inspections, while disappointed fans left the stadium amid dense haze. The BCCI faced criticism for scheduling the match in Lucknow during a period prone to poor air quality, with visibility issues contributing to the multiple inspections and eventual cancellation.&nbsp;With Ahmedabad&rsquo;s Air Quality Index (AQI) currently at 160, classified as &lsquo;Unhealthy,&rsquo; the fifth and final T20I scheduled for Friday is under close scrutiny, with officials closely monitoring conditions to determine whether the match can proceed safely. With input from wires.

Cricket

With Ahmedabad’s Air Quality Index (AQI) currently at 160, classified as ‘Unhealthy,’ the fifth and final T20I scheduled for Friday is under close scrutiny

Fourth T20I between India and South Africa abandoned due to smog in Lucknow

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has sought clarification from India over an &ldquo;abrupt variation&rdquo; in the Chenab River&rsquo;s flow, with the Foreign Office saying its Indus water commissioner has formally written to his Indian counterpart under the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT) procedures. In a weekly press briefing broadcast live on the ministry&rsquo;s social media account on Thursday, Foreign Office (FO) spokesperson Tahir Hussain Andrabi talked about the &ldquo;abrupt variation&rdquo; in the flow of the Chenab River.<div class="fr-embed"><div class="twitter-tweet twitter-tweet-rendered" style="display: flex; max-width: 550px; width: 100%; margin-top: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px;"><iframe id="twitter-widget-0" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="true" title="X Post" src="https://platform.twitter.com/embed/Tweet.html?dnt=false&embedId=twitter-widget-0&features=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%3D%3D&frame=false&hideCard=false&hideThread=false&id=2001539859375362539&lang=en&origin=https%3A%2F%2Fmain.d1wrm1qseko1cp.amplifyapp.com%2Fsections%2F&sessionId=a1ed9f1a960b94e8ad9472a6e71dc4c5cf066845&theme=light&widgetsVersion=2615f7e52b7e0%3A1702314776716&width=550px" style="position: static; visibility: visible; width: 550px; height: 640px; display: block; flex-grow: 1;">&nbsp;</iframe></div></div>&ldquo;Pakistan views these variations with extreme concern and seriousness. They allude to unilateral release of water into the Chenab River by India, without any prior notification,&rdquo; FO spokesperson said. &ldquo;Our Indus water commissioner has written a letter to his Indian counterpart seeking clarification on the matters in accordance with the procedures enshrined in the Indus Waters Treaty.&rdquo; Lives on the line&nbsp;Andrabi said, &ldquo;Any manipulation of river flow by India, especially at a critical time of our agricultural cycle, directly threatens the lives and livelihoods as well as food and economic security of our citizens.&rdquo; &ldquo;We call upon India to respond to the queries raised by the Pakistani Indus water commissioner, refrain from any unilateral manipulation of river flows and fulfil its obligations in letter and spirit under the Indus Water Treaty provisions,&rdquo; he said. The FO spokesperson further said that the IWT was a &ldquo;binding international agreement,&rdquo; which had been &ldquo;an instrument of peace and security and stability in the region.&rdquo; Existential rights &nbsp;Andrabi said that violating the treaty threatened the &ldquo;inviolability of international treaties and compliance with international law&rdquo; and also posed a serious threat to &ldquo;regional peace, principles of good neighborliness, and norms governing interstate relations&rdquo;. &ldquo;The international community must take notice of India&rsquo;s continued disregard of a bilateral treaty, and counsel India to act responsibly and in accordance with international law and established norms as well as its own obligations.&rdquo; He said, &ldquo;Pakistan remains committed to the peaceful resolution of disputes and issues with India but will not compromise on the existential water rights of the people of our country.&rdquo; Incident in Bihar condemned &nbsp;On the issue of the incident where Chief Minister of the Indian state of Bihar Nitish Kumar pulled the veil of a Muslim woman, Andrabi said: &ldquo;The forcible removal of the Muslim woman&rsquo;s hijab by a senior political leader and subsequent public ridicule of this act are deeply disturbing and warrant strong condemnation&rdquo;. &ldquo;The action risks normalizing the humiliation of Muslim women in India. The conduct also demonstrates public disrespect of India&rsquo;s religious minorities, particularly its Muslim citizens,&rdquo; he said. &ldquo;Such conduct reflects a broader and troubling pattern associated with Hindutva-inspired politics, namely the alarming rise of religious intolerance and Islamophobia,&rdquo; Andrabi added. &ldquo;We urge all responsible stakeholders and the Indian government to recognize the seriousness of this incident and to reaffirm their commitment to the protection of minority rights, respect for religious freedom, and the preservation of human dignity,&rdquo; the spokesperson said.

Foreign Affairs

Says, ‘Our Indus water commissioner has written a letter to his Indian counterpart seeking clarification on the matter in accordance with the procedures enshrined in the Indus Waters Treaty.’

Clarification sought from India over ‘abrupt variation’ in Chenab water flows: Pakistan FO spox

NEW DELHI: India tops the rankings of global sports drug cheats for a third straight year, the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) said, marking a dubious hat-trick for the country. India&#39;s National Anti Doping Agency (NADA) collected 7,113 urine and blood samples out of which 260 tested positive in 2024, the international watchdog said in its annual report published late Tuesday. The findings are a major blow to India, which is preparing to host the 2030 Commonwealth Games, an event seen as a stepping stone for the country&#39;s ambition of hosting the 2036 Olympics. Athletics (76) had the highest number of doping cases last year followed by weightlifting (43) and wrestling (29). In July, under-23 wrestling champion and Paris Olympics quarter-finalist Reetika Hooda tested positive and was provisionally suspended. At India&#39;s University Games earlier this month, there were reports of just one athlete showing up for some track and field events after others fled because of the presence of anti-doping officials. India, the world&#39;s most populous country with 1.4 billion people, was also ranked number one doping offender in 2022 and 2023. French athletes accounted for the next highest number on the list in 2024 with 91 positive cases, while Italy were third with 85. Russia and the United States come next at 76 cases each followed by Germany (54) and China (43).NADA defended their fight against doping after the report. &quot;In recent years, India has witnessed a significant strengthening of its anti-doping framework,&quot; it said in a statement Wednesday. &quot;To tackle the menace of doping in sports, NADA India has not only increased the number of tests but also increased the emphasis on education and awareness.&quot; NADA added that up to December 16, the number of tests conducted this year had been 7,068 with 110 positive cases. The WADA report comes months after the International Olympic Committee (IOC) raised concerns about rampant use of performance-enhancing drugs in India and urged the country to set its house in order. The Indian Olympic Association in August formed a new anti-doping panel after the IOC flagged India&#39;s poor record. The government also passed a new national anti-doping bill to enhance enforcement, expand testing facilities and &quot;ensure the highest standards of integrity&quot; in sports.

Athletics

India's National Anti Doping Agency (NADA) collected 7,113 urine and blood samples out of which 260 tested positive in 2024.

WADA names India worst doping offender for third straight year

ISLAMABAD: A United Nations Security Council report released this month has dismissed the Afghan Taliban&rsquo;s claim that militant groups are not using Afghan territory for cross-border violence, calling the assertion &ldquo;not credible&rdquo; and warning that neighboring countries increasingly see Afghanistan as a source of regional insecurity due to ongoing operations by several armed groups based there.&nbsp;The findings are included in the 16th report of the United Nations Analytical Support and Sanctions Monitoring Team, submitted to the United Nations Security Council under resolution 2763.&nbsp;The report stated that the Afghan Taliban, who are the de facto rulers in Afghanistan, &ldquo;continue to maintain that no terrorist groups operate in, or from, its territory,&rdquo; but added that such claims &ldquo;are not credible.&rdquo;&nbsp;The Taliban promised under the 2020 Doha Agreement to prevent Afghan soil from being used to threaten other countries. While the report noted ongoing Taliban action against Islamic State Khorasan, it said their attitude toward other militant groups has been significantly different.&nbsp;According to the monitoring team, &ldquo;a wide range of Member States consistently report that ISIL-K, Tehreek-e Taliban Pakistan (TTP), Al-Qaida (QDe.004), the Eastern Turkistan Islamic Movement (QDe.088), also known as the Turkistan Islamic Party (ETIM/TIP), Jamaat Ansarullah (not listed), Ittihad-ul Mujahideen Pakistan (not listed), and others are present in Afghanistan. Some groups have used or are continuing to use Afghanistan to plan and execute external attacks. Regional Member States generally see Afghanistan as a source of insecurity.&rdquo;&nbsp;The monitoring team stated that TTP had conducted &ldquo;numerous high-profile attacks in Pakistan from Afghan soil,&rdquo; leading to cross-border tensions, casualties, and disruptions in bilateral trade.&nbsp;&ldquo;These attacks have led to cross-border military confrontations, causing casualties as well as disruptions to bilateral trade,&rdquo; the report stated.&nbsp;&ldquo;Taliban authorities continue to deny and deflect responsibility for failing to restrain TTP,&rdquo; the report said, noting that opinions within the Taliban range from viewing the group as a liability to maintaining sympathy and historical loyalty.&nbsp;The Monitoring Team reported that attacks by TTP increased throughout 2025, noting that while Pakistani security forces thwarted many, estimates indicate there have already been more than 600 attacks in Pakistan this year. Many incidents were described as &ldquo;complex in nature, involving multiple, coordinated attackers using methods such as vehicle-borne improvised explosive devices.&rdquo;&nbsp;The report estimated that &ldquo;TTP maintained a strength of around 6,000 fighters, with locations in the provinces of Khost, Kunar, Nangarhar, Paktika, and Paktiya.&rdquo; It also included &ldquo;more than a dozen subgroups or factions,&rdquo; with the group&rsquo;s leadership maintaining a presence in Kabul.&nbsp;These attacks, the report said, have led to cross-border military clashes and disruptions to bilateral trade, increasing tensions between Kabul and Islamabad.&nbsp;Despite the broader militant presence in the region, the report acknowledged counterterrorism progress by Pakistan, including several high-profile arrests linked to Islamic State Khorasan, which it said has helped weaken the group&rsquo;s operational&nbsp;ability.

Screengrab from a video showing Afghan Taliban fighters patrolling the Pakistan-Afghanistan border in Spin Boldak following fresh clashes between the two countries on October 15, 2025. (AFP)

Middle East

Americas

A United Nations Security Council report released this month has rejected the Afghan Taliban’s claim that militant groups are not using Afghan territory for cross-border violence, calling the assertion 'not credible' and warning that neighboring states increasingly view Afghanistan as a source of regional insecurity due to continued operations by several armed groups based there.

UNSC report questions Taliban claims of denying militant safe havens

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Wednesday said that the Pakistan Armed Forces had taught India a lesson for attacking Pakistan in May. He was addressing a ceremony under the Prime Minister&rsquo;s Laptop Scheme at the University of Haripur. Referring to an incident during his speech, the prime minister said he apologized after his gesture caused the microphone to switch off, adding that &ldquo;this very punch was also that of the Pakistan Armed Forces, which taught the Modi government a lesson they will never forget in their lifetime.&rdquo; During the address available on the Pakistan government&rsquo;s official X account, the prime minister announced the establishment of a Daanish School in Haripur, a separate campus for female students, and the construction of a bridge in response to a long-standing public demand.<div class="fr-embed"><div class="twitter-tweet twitter-tweet-rendered" style="display: flex; max-width: 550px; width: 100%; margin-top: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px;"><iframe id="twitter-widget-0" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="true" title="X Post" src="https://platform.twitter.com/embed/Tweet.html?dnt=false&embedId=twitter-widget-0&features=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%3D%3D&frame=false&hideCard=false&hideThread=false&id=2001363325385675082&lang=en&origin=https%3A%2F%2Fmain.d1wrm1qseko1cp.amplifyapp.com%2Fsections%2F&sessionId=9da9a22aca226e1317e9d4532fc77849d4a0c603&theme=light&widgetsVersion=2615f7e52b7e0%3A1702314776716&width=550px" style="position: static; visibility: visible; width: 550px; height: 622px; display: block; flex-grow: 1;">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</iframe></div></div>He said that plots would be allotted strictly to those entitled to them and that a committee would be formed to ensure transparent decision-making. Targeting growth &nbsp;Prime Minister Sharif said Pakistan&rsquo;s economy, which had been struggling, had, by the grace of Allah, emerged from crisis and was now stable at the macro level.&nbsp; He said the next goal was to spur economic growth, adding that Pakistan would achieve its rightful place in the world, just as it had militarily. He urged the nation to accept challenges collectively and move forward in unity. The prime minister said he did not believe in receiving a guard of honor for himself, stating that the police guard of honor presented at the event was in recognition of the hard work and capability of the people.&nbsp; He said fulfilling the responsibility entrusted to him by Allah would be his legacy. Speaking about beneficiaries of the laptop scheme, Prime Minister Sharif said the recipients included sons of martyrs who had sacrificed their lives to protect millions of the nation&rsquo;s children.&nbsp; He said honoring martyrs was a national duty and warned that those who mocked or insulted them would neither earn respect in this world nor forgiveness from Allah. He said the country faced challenges and that unity among the people would enable Pakistan to regain its lost global economic and social standing. Students to be sent abroad&nbsp;Highlighting the role of youth, the prime minister said Pakistan&rsquo;s progress and prosperity depended on the younger generation.&nbsp; He said that during his tenure as chief minister of Punjab, scholarships and laptops were provided to students across the country, not just in Punjab. He announced that students from across Pakistan, including Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, would be sent on merit to Europe and China for advanced training in artificial intelligence. &lsquo;Brave and courageous&rsquo;&nbsp;Prime Minister Sharif said that despite criticism of the laptop scheme, his conscience remained satisfied as 600,000 laptops were distributed transparently on merit.&nbsp; He said students continued their education during the COVID period through these laptops and that many were now earning income and contributing to Pakistan&rsquo;s exports. The prime minister also paid tribute to the people of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, describing them as brave, and said their sacrifices in the fight against terrorism had helped restore peace in the country.&nbsp; He said history would never forget their sacrifices.

Politics

Says the next goal is to bring growth into the economy, adding that Pakistan will achieve its rightful place in the world economically, just as it has done militarily; urges the nation to accept challenges collectively.

Prime Minister Sharif chides Indian counterpart for attacking Pakistan 

BRUSSELS: EU leaders gather in Brussels Thursday for a make-or-break summit on using frozen Russian assets for Ukraine -- with key player Belgium under pressure to drop its opposition. The 27-nation bloc is scrambling to strengthen Kyiv&#39;s hand as Russia&rsquo;s war drags towards the four-year mark and US President Donald Trump pushes for a quick deal to end the fighting. Officials have insisted the talks will last as long as it takes to hammer out an agreement, saying both Ukraine&#39;s survival and Europe&#39;s credibility are at stake. &ldquo;If we do not succeed in this, then the European Union&#39;s ability to act will be severely damaged for years,&rdquo; German Chancellor Friedrich Merz warned this week. &ldquo;We will show the world that we are incapable of standing together and acting at such a crucial moment in our history.&rdquo; Extra 135 billion eurosThe EU estimates that Ukraine, whose president, Volodymyr Zelensky, will join the meeting, needs an extra 135 billion euros ($159 billion) to stay afloat over the next two years, with the cash crunch set to start in April. In a bid to plug the yawning gap, the European Commission, the EU&#39;s executive, has put forward a plan to tap some 210 billion euros of Russian central bank assets frozen in the bloc. The scheme &mdash; which would initially provide Kyiv with 90 billion euros over two years &mdash; involves an untested financial switcheroo in which the funds are lent to the EU, which then loans them to Ukraine. Kyiv would then only pay back the &ldquo;reparations loan&rdquo; once the Kremlin coughs up for all the damage it has wrought. <h2 style="line-height: 2;">Belgium blocking&nbsp;</h2>Belgium, where the international deposit organization Euroclear holds the vast bulk of the funds, has been firmly opposed, citing fears it could face crippling financial and legal reprisals from Moscow. Russia has already fired a shot across the bows by announcing it was suing Euroclear. Belgium&rsquo;s outspoken prime minister Bart De Wever will be in the spotlight as his EU counterparts -- most of whom back the plan -- try to cajole him to accept. EU officials say they have gone out of their way to allay Belgian concerns and that multiple layers of protection, including guarantees from other member states, mean the risks are minimal. But so far Flemish nationalist De Wever has only dug in further, insisting that any guarantees must be unlimited and assets frozen in other countries should be used too. In theory, other EU countries could override Belgium and ram the initiative through with a weighted majority, but that would be a nuclear option that few see as likely for now. &ldquo;These are complex decisions that cannot be forced,&rdquo; said Italian premier Giorgia Meloni, who could offer key political cover for Belgium. <h2 style="line-height: 2;">Plan B? &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;</h2>The commission has floated a potential fallback plan of the EU raising the money itself to lend to Ukraine. But officials say that scheme has been shelved as it requires unanimous approval from the EU&rsquo;s 27 leaders, and Hungary has ruled it out. De Wever nonetheless looks set to try to revive that idea, and other countries may be open to his arguments. &ldquo;It is on the shelf, not in the bin,&rdquo; said one EU diplomat, speaking like others on condition of anonymity. &ldquo;But we are focused now on the reparations loan.&rdquo; Bubbling close to the surface of the EU&rsquo;s discussion are the US efforts to forge a deal to end the war. Ukraine has said Washington was &ldquo;pressuring&rdquo; the EU not to use the assets, as they view them as a vital bargaining chip in winning over Russia. But EU officials deny that and say that, if anything, the push for peace has spurred the efforts to tap the Russian funds. Given that Ukraine has only months before the shortfalls bite, diplomats and officials insist leaders will find a way to keep funds flowing -- even if this week yields only a loose deal with details to be hammered out later. &ldquo;We need to find a solution,&rdquo; said a second EU diplomat. &ldquo;I&rsquo;d be surprised if they break up on Saturday or Sunday without a decision.&rdquo;

Europe

The 27-nation bloc is scrambling to strengthen Kyiv's hand as Russia’s war drags toward the four-year mark and US President Donald Trump pushes for a quick deal to end the fighting.

EU holds crunch summit on Russian asset plan for Ukraine

WASHINGTON: US and Russian officials are meeting in Miami this weekend for new talks on President Donald Trump&#39;s plan for ending the Ukraine war, a White House official told AFP Wednesday.&nbsp;The talks come after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky hailed progress during two days of meetings in Berlin between Kyiv and Trump&#39;s envoys, while warning that Moscow was preparing for a &quot;new year of war.&quot;&nbsp;Trump&#39;s roving envoy, Steve Witkoff, and son-in-law Jared Kushner are expected to take part on the US side, while Putin&#39;s economic envoy, Kirill Dmitriev, is set to be in the Russian delegation, Politico reported.&nbsp;The White House official did not give details of the US and Russian teams.&nbsp;There has been a&nbsp;<a href="https://www.pakistantv.com/article/trump-says-ukraine-deal-close-europe-proposes-peace-force" target="_blank" style="color:#0073e6;" rel="noopener noreferrer">flurry of international diplomacy</a>&nbsp;in recent weeks to end the four-year war, with Witkoff and Kushner having met Putin in the Kremlin in November and the Ukrainians and European leaders in Berlin.&nbsp;But large differences remain all around.&nbsp;Ukraine and the United States say there has been progress on&nbsp;future security&nbsp;<a href="https://www.pakistantv.com/article/us-offers-natolike-security-to-ukraine-expects-russia-to-accept" target="_blank">guarantees for Kyiv</a>, but they disagree on which&nbsp;territory Ukraine would have to cede.&nbsp;Putin, meanwhile, said on Wednesday that Moscow would &quot;certainly&quot; achieve its objectives in the war, including seizing the territories it claims are its own.

The talks come after Ukrainian president hailed progress during two days of meetings in Berlin between Kyiv and Trump's envoys, while warning that Moscow was preparing for a 'new year of war.'

US, Russia to hold talks on Ukraine in Miami this weekend: White House

QUITO: Ecuadoran footballer Mario Pineida was shot and killed in the port city of Guayaquil on Wednesday, his team said. Guayaquil has become a hotspot for gang violence linked to drug trafficking and several football players in Ecuador have been targeted in recent months. Pineida, 33, was part of Ecuador&#39;s national team during the 2018 and 2022 World Cup games. He also played for Fluminense in 2022. In a post on X, his club, Barcelona SC, said it &quot;regrets to inform, with deep sorrow, that it has been officially notified of the death of our player Mario Pineida, an event that occurred following an attack against him&quot; in Guayaquil. Pineida&#39;s death was confirmed by the Interior Ministry, which said it has assigned a special police unit to the case. Digital news outlet Primicias reported Pineida was attacked by two people riding motorcycles, who opened fire on him, his mother and another woman. In September, three players from Ecuador&#39;s second division were killed, with one of them allegedly being linked to sports betting. A month later, local footballer Bryan Angula was wounded in a shooting. Ecuador, once one of Latin America&#39;s safest countries, has become a key cocaine transit hub between top producers Colombia and Peru, and consumers around the world. Car bombings, shootings and extortion have been on the rise in Guayaquil, which recorded 1,900 murders between January and September -- the highest toll in Ecuador.

Football

Ecuadoran footballer Mario Pineida was shot dead in gang-hit Guayaquil, highlighting rising violence targeting players as Ecuador grapples with drug trafficking and escalating insecurity nationwide

Ecuadorean footballer Mario Pineida shot and killed

Muhammad Usman Amin

PESHAWAR: The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government is considering a formal legal framework to regulate cannabis cultivation for industrial and medical purposes, according to official documents, as it explores new income streams for farmers and the wider economy. The initiative, which remains in the proposal stage, seeks to bring a long-stigmatized plant into a regulated system while assessing its benefits for local livelihoods, investment, and exports. A sub-committee of the Cannabis Regulatory Committee, chaired by Director General Excise Abdul Haleem Khan, met earlier this week to discuss licensing structures, documentation requirements, and excise duty proposals, according to minutes obtained by Pakistan TV Digital. Under the framework being considered, a license to cultivate medicinal cannabis on five acres of land is proposed at Rs600,000, while an industrial hemp cultivation license with less than 0.3% THC (tetrahydrocannabinol content) for the same area is suggested at Rs300,000. Licensing for cannabis processing could cost Rs1.5 million per tenure, and industrial hemp processing licenses are proposed at Rs700,000 per tenure. A combined license covering both cultivation and processing of cannabis or hemp could cost Rs2 million per tenure. The sub-committee also suggested that excise duties be levied only at the processing and finished-product stages, leaving cultivation and transport exempt to prevent high-end product prices. &ldquo;Hemp is widely used in the production of pharmaceuticals, CBD [cannabidiol, a compound] oil, and fibers,&rdquo; said Director General Khan. &ldquo;We are initially proposing it as an alternative cash crop in districts such as Orakzai and Khyber, where the plant grows naturally.&rdquo; Dr Khan Bahadur, former Peshawar vice chancellor of the University of Agriculture, told Pakistan TV Digital, &ldquo;Cannabis is a global commodity used in dozens of advanced economies. The plant is an incredible resource for manufacturing durable fabrics, sacks, rope, and a source for low-cost and sustainable paper.&rdquo; He also stressed the medical potential of cannabis, noting that refined extracts such as CBD oil are widely used to treat conditions like glaucoma. &ldquo;Pakistan must explore this industry with a scientific mindset and not shy away, as global demand continues to increase,&rdquo; Dr Bahadur added. Speaking to Pakistan TV Digital, an agricultural landowner from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Farman Ullah, said: &ldquo;This is a great step for farmers. It provides a much-needed alternative source of income, as the &lsquo;bhang&rsquo; (cannabis) plant is hardy and can grow just about anywhere.&rdquo; While the proposals remain under review and require provincial cabinet approval, officials anticipate that a regulated cannabis and hemp industry could generate significant economic activity, potentially adding up to $1 billion within the first few years through exports of raw hemp and high-value derivatives such as CBD oil and industrial textiles. Khyber Pakhtunkhwa&rsquo;s favorable climate and fertile soil make it particularly suited for industrial hemp and medicinal cannabis cultivation. By carefully developing a regulatory framework first, the government aims to ensure sustainable, phased development of the sector while balancing economic opportunity with regulatory oversight. At the federal level, Pakistan set up the Cannabis Control and Regulatory Authority, a regulatory body&nbsp;established in 2024 to manage industrial and medicinal cannabis.

Health

The provincial government is weighing a formal legal framework to regulate cannabis cultivation for industrial and medical purposes, official documents show, as it explores new income streams for farmers and the wider economy