Current Final

Author: News Desk

  • ‘Out of this world’: Internet reacts to 59-meter goal in Arab Cup final

    ‘Out of this world’: Internet reacts to 59-meter goal in Arab Cup final

    Oussama Tannane produced a moment of magic that sent social media into meltdown as Morocco claimed their second FIFA Arab Cup title with a dramatic 3-2 extra-time victory over Jordan in Doha.

    The Qatar-based midfielder on Thursday stunned a packed Lusail Stadium in the fourth minute when he spotted Jordanian goalkeeper Yazeed Abulaila off his line and unleashed an audacious strike from 59 meters. 

    The ball sailed over the backpedaling keeper, who desperately scrambled back and collided with the post in a failed attempt to keep it out.

    The collision forced a four-minute stoppage as medical staff attended to Abulaila before he received clearance to continue.

    Football fans worldwide flooded social media with praise for the spectacular opener. 

    “OUT OF THIS WORLD,” one user wrote, while another declared it “Goal of the season.” One viewer demanded, “Give him Puskas award right now,” referring to FIFA’s annual award for the best goal.

    However, not everyone shared the enthusiasm. “The keeper was totally complicit there,” one skeptical user commented, suggesting Abulaila’s positioning made the goal possible.

    Despite Tannane’s remarkable start, the final transformed into a rollercoaster affair. 

    Jordan, runners-up at the 2025 AFC Asian Cup, fought back when Ali Oliwan headed home from close range three minutes into the second half following a well-worked corner.

    Oliwan then converted a penalty in the 68th minute after Mahmoud Almardi’s shot struck Achraf El Mahdioui’s raised hand inside the box, giving Jordan the lead for the first time.

    Morocco substitute Abderrazak Hamdallah salvaged extra time by tapping in from the goal line in the 88th minute after a scramble from a corner. Oliwan nearly sealed victory and his hat-trick with virtually the final kick of regulation, but the keeper denied his one-on-one chance.

    Extra time brought more controversy when Video Assistant Referee (VAR) disallowed Mohannad Abutaha’s spectacular left-footed volley for handball. 

    Hamdallah then scored the winner, tapping in his second after Marwane Saadane’s bicycle kick from set piece fell into his path.

    Morocco previously won the Arab Cup in 2012 with a final victory over Libya in Saudi Arabia.

  • India leads world in sports ‘doping violations’ for third consecutive year

    India leads world in sports ‘doping violations’ for third consecutive year

    India has topped the global rankings for doping violations in sports for the third year running, the World Anti-Doping Agency’s (WADA) annual report, released on Tuesday has shown. 

    India’s National Anti Doping Agency (NADA) collected 7,113 urine and blood samples in 2024, with 260 testing positive, WADA reported. 

    The findings deliver a significant setback to India as it prepares to host the 2030 Commonwealth Games and pursues its ambition to host the 2036 Olympics.

    Athletics recorded the highest number of violations with 76 cases, followed by weightlifting with 43 and wrestling with 29. Among those suspended was under-23 wrestling champion and Paris Olympics quarter-finalist Reetika Hooda, who tested positive in July.

    At India’s University Games earlier this month, only one athlete appeared for some track and field events after others reportedly fled when anti-doping officials arrived.

    With a population of 1.4 billion, India has held the unwanted distinction of leading global doping statistics since 2022. 

    France recorded the second-highest number of positive cases in 2024 with 91, followed by Italy with 85. Russia and the United States each reported 76 cases, while Germany had 54 and China had 43.

    NADA defended its anti-doping efforts following the report’s release. “In recent years, India has witnessed a significant strengthening of its anti-doping framework,” the agency said in a Wednesday statement. 

    “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.”

    The agency added that it had conducted 7,068 tests through December 16 this year, resulting in 110 positive cases.

    The WADA report arrives months after the International Olympic Committee raised concerns about widespread performance-enhancing drug use in India and called on the country to address the problem. 

    The Indian Olympic Association responded in August by forming a new anti-doping panel.

    Indian government has also passed new national anti-doping legislation in August this year, to strengthen enforcement, expand testing facilities and ensure the highest standards of integrity in sports.

  • Social media turns Dhurandhar into hilarious content reels

    Social media turns Dhurandhar into hilarious content reels

    The release of Dhurandhar’s teaser has led to a wave of humorous content on Pakistani social media, with users turning the film’s spy storyline into parody-driven reels.

    Since the teaser surfaced online, Instagram and TikTok creators have been posting short videos centred on the idea of a character operating as a spy in Pakistan. The content focuses on exaggerated scenarios, mock intelligence setups, and everyday situations framed as “covert missions.”

    Several reels reference the film’s depiction of Karachi and Lyari, using humour to play off familiar Bollywood tropes. Instead of engaging with the plot seriously, creators have leaned into satire, turning the premise into punchlines and visual gags.

    The trend has gained traction across timelines, with users sharing clips, tagging friends, and remixing audio from the teaser to fit local contexts.

    Here are some of our favourite content videos that capture how social media is having fun with Dhurandhar’s spy narrative.

    Instagram Post
  • Fashion, food and coaching: Top 2026 trends predicted

    Fashion, food and coaching: Top 2026 trends predicted

    Early trend indicators heading into 2026 point to shifts in consumer behaviour across fashion, food, sports and wellness, with Google search data showing rising interest in quality apparel, niche food ingredients and specialised coaching services.

    Search interest in natural fibres increased by more than 55% over the past year with cotton emerging as the most searched natural material.

    The most popular material-related apparel search was “100% cotton clothing”, and queries on synthetic textiles also experienced a significant increase.

    According to data, “is polyester bad” hit a record high while “is polyester high quality” emerged as the most often searched term in questions concerning clothing quality.

    Overall, searches for “quality” clothing reached an all-time high, narrowing the gap with “cheap” apparel searches.

    Meanwhile, food-related trends showed a notable rise in interest around black sesame.

    In 2025, the volume of searches for “black sesame” reached its highest level to date, rising by almost 30%.

    Hair loss was the most often searched topic along with “black sesame for hair” ranking as the top related query. 

    Additionally, searches for “black sesame latte”, “black sesame recipes” and “black sesame benefits” reached an all-time high. Chinese black sesame soup, paste, rolls, cakes and black sesame aioli were among the most popular black sesame foods.

    In sports, data suggests a decline in pickleball’s momentum for the first time since 2020. Search interest in pickleball dropped nearly 10% over the past year while padel reached an all-time high in 2025. 

    Searches for pickleball and tennis courts declined whereas searches for padel courts increased by approximately 30%. Interest in pickleball-related terms also fell, including “pickleball rules”, “pickleball set” and “pickleball lessons”.

    Search trends further indicated growth in demand for specialised coaching services. Queries such as “ADHD coach” reached an all-time high, while “autism coach” recorded its highest level in more than 15 years. 

    Several niche coaching categories emerged as breakout searches, including “backflip coach”, “energy coach” and “screen time coach.” Searches for “birth coach”, “grief coach”, “learning coach” and “reading coach” also reached record or multi-year highs.

  • Ex-fiancé accused as woman found murdered in Karachi

    Ex-fiancé accused as woman found murdered in Karachi

    A man suspected of killing his former fiancé is on the run after the woman’s assaulted body was found inside a house in Karachi’s Surjani Town. 

    The victim, identified as 25-year-old Komal, was found murdered inside a house in the area on Wednesday. Police have named her former fiancé as the prime suspect, who escaped after the killing.

    Komal was discovered dead inside a house in Surjani Town’s Sector 50-E, according to the police.

    Investigators said that she suffered fatal injuries after being struck in the head by an iron wrench.

    Rashid, Komal’s ex-fiance, was identified by the police as the culprit. He is accused of attacking Komal and leaving the scene right away.

    Officers said the house where the murder took place had been rented by Rashid just 12 days earlier.


    Investigators said Komal had previously been engaged to Rashid, who left for Dubai for employment shortly after the engagement. During his absence, Komal married another man. Police said she had also filed a case in court seeking khula from her new husband.

    Komal had been staying with Rashid for the last three days, according to the police. They said the murder was carried out as an act of revenge, with the suspect striking her on the head before escaping.

    Komal’s parents were visiting relatives at the time of the incident. Police said efforts are under way to arrest the accused, who remains at large.

  • After PSL feud, Ali Tareen proposes premier football league

    After PSL feud, Ali Tareen proposes premier football league

    Ali Tareen has emerged as a surprise contender in the bidding war to establish a new football league in Pakistan, entering the race against two franchise league merchants who have long attempted to launch such an event.

    The former owner of Pakistan Super League (PSL) cricket franchise Multan Sultans confirmed on Wednesday, the deadline for submissions, that he had sent a proposal to the Pakistan Football Federation.

    Last month, the PFF invited expressions of interest from individuals and companies looking to organize a league in a bid to revive the domestic structure of football in the country.

    “I have proposed a season (six-month) long league for Pakistan football, not a flashy, one-month cash-grab tournament,” Ali wrote on X.

    Pakistan has not hosted a functioning football league since the last edition of the Pakistan Premier Football League in 2019. That competition featured a mix of departmental teams and a handful of clubs.

    Two other proposals have come from entities seeking to launch franchise football leagues in Pakistan on similar lines to the PSL.

    Global Soccer Ventures (GSV) held a launch event for its proposed Pakistan Football League in Lahore in June last year, featuring England striker Michael Owen. The company claims it has already sold five of its eight franchises and stands ready to launch.

    The third expression of interest comes from Zabe Khan, who formerly worked with GSV as K-Electric sports head but left the company following the launch event amid claims that GSV had not honored its contracts. Khan proposes a franchise league that will run for about a month to 45 days. 

    Sources indicate that another entity with long-standing ambitions of setting up a franchise league backs his proposal.

    The three bidders will give detailed presentations to the Mohsen Gilani-led PFF on December 29, after which the country’s football governing body will make a formal decision on which entity to partner with.

    PFF president Mohsen Gilani told reporters at a Lahore event last week that the federation received an encouraging number of proposals from groups determined to deliver a new and improved league system.

    He stressed that the fresh leadership aims to build something stronger and more sustainable, and the league will not be rushed but will be done the right way.

    Tareen’s football league proposal comes just weeks after he announced his departure from Multan Sultans on November 25, 2025. 

    The Pakistan Cricket Board did not extend him a renewal offer while all five other PSL franchises renewed their agreements for the next 10 years. 

    Tareen had been locked in a year-long dispute with the PCB over governance and transparency issues, which escalated after he publicly criticised the league’s management. 

    The PCB sent him a legal notice demanding a retraction and public apology, to which Tareen responded with a sarcastic video where he tore up the notice. 

    In his farewell message, Tareen said he would “rather lose the team standing on my feet than run it from my knees,” marking an end to his seven-year association with one of the PSL’s most successful franchises.

  • Oscars to move telecast from TV to YouTube

    Oscars to move telecast from TV to YouTube

    The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences has entered into a multi-year agreement that provides YouTube with exclusive global streaming rights for the Oscars starting in 2029. The arrangement will commence with the 101st Academy Awards and continue until 2033. ABC, which has been the ceremony’s broadcaster for many years, will still air the Oscars through 2028.

    With this agreement in place, the Oscars will be available live and for free on YouTube globally. This coverage will encompass the red carpet, behind-the-scenes features, and the Governors Ball. Additionally, the ceremony will be available for streaming on YouTube TV for U.S. subscribers. According to sources knowledgeable about the deal, commercials will still be included in the broadcast on YouTube.

    Those involved in the agreement state that the initiative aims to improve global access with features such as closed captioning and multiple audio language options.

    “We are excited to embark on a dynamic global partnership with YouTube, which will become the future home of the Oscars and our year-round Academy programming,” said Academy CEO Bill Kramer and Academy President Lynette Howell Taylor in a joint statement. “As an international organization, the Academy seeks to broaden access to our work to reach the largest worldwide audience possible a benefit for our members and the film community.”

    They continued, “This partnership will leverage YouTube’s extensive reach and enhance the Oscars and other Academy programming with opportunities for audience engagement while preserving our history. We will celebrate cinema, inspire upcoming generations of filmmakers, and provide global access to our film heritage.”

    YouTube CEO Neal Mohan commented that the partnership with the Academy fits well with the platform’s global audience. “The Oscars are one of our key cultural institutions,” he noted. “Collaborating with the Academy to present this artistic and entertainment celebration to viewers worldwide will motivate a new generation of creativity and film enthusiasts while honoring the legacy of the Oscars.”

    The Academy had been seeking a new broadcast licensing deal throughout much of 2025. Among the potential bidders were NBCUniversal and Netflix. Sources revealed that YouTube outbid its competitors with an offer exceeding nine figures, surpassing high eight-figure bids from Disney/ABC.

    Under the previous agreement, Disney reportedly paid around $100 million each year for the rights to broadcast the Oscars. However, sources indicate that Disney and ABC had been trying to lower license fees due to a decrease in viewership for the ceremony.

    Executives at Disney were said to be surprised by YouTube winning the bid, considering that it functions as a standalone streaming platform rather than a combined linear and streaming broadcaster. 

    Concerns have also been raised regarding YouTube’s absence of a traditional live event production infrastructure. While YouTube has three years to develop a production operation, insiders mentioned that the Academy may maintain full control over the telecast’s production.

    The Academy and Disney had previously disagreed on various aspects of the show, such as its duration, award categories, and hosting choices. On YouTube, there are no imposed time constraints for the broadcast.


    Several issues remain to be addressed, including how the Academy’s existing international distribution agreements will be impacted and whether the YouTube license fee will substitute for revenue generated from global broadcast deals. It is also uncertain how viewership will be measured, as YouTube does not adhere to the same reporting standards as traditional television.

  • Instagram goes big: Watch reels on your TV

    Instagram goes big: Watch reels on your TV

    Instagram is introducing its short-form video platform to televisions with the debut of Instagram for TV, an application designed for users to browse reels on larger screens.

    The app, which is currently being launched in the U.S. on Amazon Fire TV devices, seeks to revolutionize how audiences consume social media content at home.

     By transferring reels from mobile devices to TV screens, Instagram is positioning itself to compete directly with established services like YouTube, which has long held a monopoly on smart TV viewership.

    Instagram for TV categorizes reels into curated categories such as music, comedy, sports, and travel. 

    The videos are presented in a horizontal carousel that plays continuously, creating a “lean-back” viewing experience similar to traditional television.

     Users can connect up to five household accounts to the same device, enabling family members to easily switch between personalised feeds.

    Initially, the app is accessible only on specific Fire TV devices, including the Fire TV Stick HD and Fire TV Stick 4K, with intentions to broaden availability based on user feedback. 

    The pilot rollout aims to gauge audience reception and tailor content for the living-room environment, where social media is now meeting shared, family-friendly viewing.

    Tech experts say the move reflects Instagram’s ambition to dominate not just mobile screens but home entertainment spaces. 

    “This is a significant step for Meta, as it blurs the line between social media and television. It’s about making Reels a household experience, not just a personal one,” said a media analyst familiar with the rollout.

    For users, this transition offers greater chances for shared content consumption: scrolling, enjoying, or exploring trends together without relying on smartphones. Critics, however, caution that the shift could exacerbate screen time habits, especially for younger viewers, and further embed social media into family leisure time.

    By moving reels from phones to televisions, Instagram is betting on a future where social media is not confined to pockets but thrives in communal living areas a strategy that has the potential to transform how millions of households engage with video content.

  • Imran Khan’s sisters, PTI leaders booked in terrorism case after protest outside Adiala Jail

    Imran Khan’s sisters, PTI leaders booked in terrorism case after protest outside Adiala Jail

    The case was filed on Wednesday at the Saddar Bairuni police station after PTI backers and Imran Khan’s family members rallied outside the prison on Tuesday. The sit-in was organized after authorities prevented Khan’s sisters and legal representatives from meeting him, despite a court ruling allowing those visits.

    The initial report states that the case involves Sections 7 and 21(i) of the Anti-Terrorism Act of 1997, along with several provisions of the Pakistan Penal Code. Those implicated include Aleema Khan, Dr. Uzma Khan, and Noreen Niazi, as well as PTI leaders Salman Akram Raja, Aliya Hamza, and Qasim Khan. The FIR also includes 35 named suspects and around 400 unnamed individuals.

    According to police, the protesters held the sit-in on Kacheri Road near Adiala Jail despite imposed restrictions under Section 144. The FIR, lodged on the complaint of Sub-Inspector Muhammad Imran, claims that protesters assaulted police officers, vandalized a police vehicle, and threw stones and petrol bombs intending to harm officers. It also asserts that batons were used during the clash and that a fire was ignited on the road.

    The FIR indicates that protestors obstructed the road, yelled slogans, and created disturbances for the public. Police officials stated they tried to negotiate with the crowd and requested them to vacate the premises. When instructed to disperse, the protesters reportedly resisted and attacked police personnel. The report notes that approximately 200 individuals managed to escape during the chaos but could be identified later.

    Law enforcement said that 14 suspects mentioned in the FIR were apprehended at the site and presented before an anti-terrorism court. The court approved a three-day physical remand, allowing police to continue their investigation. Authorities mentioned that more arrests are anticipated once the remaining suspects are identified.

    On Wednesday, police cleared protestors near the Factory Checkpost and outside Adiala Jail. Anti-riot units were summoned, and water cannons were employed to clear the crowd. Police indicated that confrontations erupted when protesters refused to leave.

    PTI, however, rejected the police version and condemned the use of force against protesters. In a statement, the party accused the Punjab police of using water cannons containing chemical irritants during the operation, saying women and senior party leaders were present at the sit-in.

    The party’s Central Media Department criticised the registration of terrorism charges against protesters and alleged that the use of force was aimed at preventing court-ordered meetings between Imran Khan and his family and lawyers. PTI said Tuesdays were reserved for such meetings under court orders, but Khan’s sisters and legal counsel were again stopped outside the jail.

    PTI also alleged that the authorities were acting in violation of Islamabad High Court directives by repeatedly denying access to Khan, calling it a breach of constitutional and legal obligations.

    Amnesty International expressed apprehension about the situation, calling on authorities to facilitate Imran Khan’s access to his family and legal representation in accordance with international human rights law. The organization noted that water cannons were deployed to disperse the sit-in in cold weather and mentioned accusations that chemical irritants were mixed with the water.

  • European Investment Bank returns to Pakistan with €60m loan for clean drinking water in Karachi

    European Investment Bank returns to Pakistan with €60m loan for clean drinking water in Karachi

    Pakistan and the European Investment Bank (EIB) have signed a €60 million loan agreement, the first such financing deal between the two sides in a decade, aimed at improving access to clean drinking water in Karachi.

    The agreement, which was signed on the sidelines of the 15th Pakistan-European Union (EU) Joint Commission in Brussels, would provide funding for the Karachi Water Infrastructure Framework, an EIB-approved initiative aimed at constructing and renovating water treatment facilities throughout the port city.

    The project, according to officials, is intended to increase the availability of clean drinking water and improve water security in Karachi, a city of more than 20 million people that has long suffered with unreliable and unsafe water access.

    The EU announced the news on social media platform X, stating that the loan signified a new phase of cooperation with Pakistan.

    “Today, the EIB signed its first loan agreement with Pakistan in a decade: a €60 million loan supporting the delivery of clean drinking water for Karachi,” it said.

    The deal, according to state broadcaster Radio Pakistan, underscores Pakistan’s efforts to invest in climate-resilient infrastructure and modernise essential urban services.

    It added that the deal underlined “continued momentum” in Pakistan-EU relations, particularly in areas of sustainable development, public service delivery and environmental resilience.

    The funding comes against the backdrop of Karachi’s deepening water crisis.

    According to a 2023 study conducted by the Karachi Water and Sewerage Corporation (KWSC), 90% of water samples taken from various locations of the city were polluted with E. coli, coliform bacteria and other harmful pathogens making them hazardous to drink. 

    As a result, millions of residents are forced to rely on drilled motor-operated wells, locally known as bores, despite groundwater in the coastal city being largely saline and unsuitable for human consumption. 

    Others depend on private water tanker operators sourcing water from a mix of legal and illegal hydrants or purchase water from reverse osmosis plants, either by filling containers themselves or through home deliveries.

    Beyond immediate infrastructure needs, the agreement also carries broader implications for Pakistan-EU engagement.

    The EU currently provides Pakistan with around €100 million annually in development grants, supporting initiatives ranging from green and inclusive growth to education, governance reforms, human rights and the sustainable management of natural resources.