england stun india
|

England stun India with 4-2 Hockey World Cup comeback

ByJustpaste.in

AMSTELVEEN: England produced a stunning second-half comeback to defeat India 4-2 in a thrilling Pool D encounter at the FIH Hockey World Cup 2026 at the Wagener Stadium on Monday.

India appeared to be in control for much of the opening half and went into the interval with a 2-1 advantage. However, England completely changed the momentum after the break, scoring three unanswered goals across the third and fourth quarters to secure a memorable victory.

The result extended England’s perfect start to the tournament. They now have two wins from two matches and sit at the top of Pool D, strengthening their position as one of the teams to watch in the competition.

For India, the defeat continued a long wait for a World Cup victory against England. Their last win over the English side at the global tournament came back in 1994.

India had started their campaign confidently, beating Wales 3-1. Captain Harmanpreet Singh converted two penalty corners, while Sanjay added another goal from a set-piece to give his side an encouraging opening victory.

England, meanwhile, began the World Cup with an impressive 4-1 victory over Pakistan before carrying that momentum into Monday’s clash.

India remain second in Pool D with three points. Their next match will be a highly anticipated encounter against arch-rivals Pakistan, while England will meet Wales in their next group fixture.

India’s hockey team are still searching for a second World Cup title, having last lifted the trophy in 1975. They endured a disappointing campaign in the 2023 edition on home soil, finishing ninth.

Elsewhere, France and Malaysia played out an entertaining 3-3 draw in Pool B. France’s Timothée Clement scored late in the final quarter to rescue a point.

In the women’s tournament, Argentina defeated Germany 3-2, while the Netherlands beat Australia 4-2.

Similar Posts

  • | |

    50,000 cusecs surge through Ravi River

    ByJustpaste.in

    A low-level flood has been recorded in the Ravi River near Kamalia after water levels increased at the Mil Fatyana point. Authorities have stepped up monitoring and emergency preparations as floodwater continues to move downstream. According to the Sub-Divisional Officer (SDO) Irrigation, around 50,000 cusecs of water is flowing through the Mil Fatyana section of the Ravi River. Officials are closely monitoring the river to assess any further rise in water levels and to ensure timely action if conditions worsen. The district administration has established flood relief camps in several vulnerable areas. The camps have been set up in Mil Fatyana, Kot Pathana, Adda Kalaira, Mauza Tara, Haveli Mai Safuran, Kot Karam Shah and Dedi. These facilities are intended to provide temporary shelter, food and emergency assistance to residents if evacuations become necessary. As part of efforts to improve disaster preparedness, Punjab has launched drone-based flood monitoring for the first time. The technology is being used to monitor river conditions, identify vulnerable locations and issue early warnings before floodwaters reach populated areas. Officials believe the system will help improve response times and reduce the impact of flooding. The rising water has already affected nearby agricultural land. Standing crops in Mil Fatyana, Khan Da Chak, Jhalar Sigla, Shahabal Shah, Basti Peepal Wala and Mauza Darsana have been submerged, raising concerns about crop losses and the financial impact on local farmers. The Irrigation Department has urged people living along the river belt to remain alert and cooperate with local authorities. Residents in low-lying areas have been advised to move to safer locations as a precaution against any further increase in water levels. Officials said surveillance of the Ravi River will continue around the clock. Rescue teams and local administration remain on standby to respond quickly if the flood situation intensifies. Authorities have also appealed to the public to follow official advisories and avoid unnecessary movement near the river until conditions become safe.

  • | |

    Australia defends social media ban for under-16s

    ByJustpaste.in

    The Australian government has defended its ban on social media use by children under the age of 16, despite new data showing that most teenagers continue to access restricted platforms months after the law came into effect. The legislation, introduced in December, was designed to protect children from the harmful effects of social media on their mental and physical health. The policy attracted international attention, with Australia becoming the first country to implement such a nationwide restriction on underage social media users. A recent report by Australia’s online safety regulator found that more than eight in ten teenagers under the age of 16 were still using social media platforms three months after the restrictions became operational. The findings have highlighted the challenges governments face in enforcing digital regulations. Despite the report, Australian authorities insisted that the policy remains an important step toward creating a safer online environment for children. Officials said the law has already influenced public discussion about online safety and encouraged greater awareness among parents, educators and technology companies. Assistant Minister for Productivity, Competition, Charities and Treasury Andrew Leigh said the government never expected complete compliance immediately after the law came into force. He explained that many public safety laws require time before they achieve widespread compliance. Leigh said the government considers the legislation successful because it has changed the national conversation about children’s use of social media and encouraged stronger action to protect young users from harmful online content. He noted that millions of social media accounts had already been closed or restricted since the implementation of the law. According to the minister, this demonstrates that the legislation is already having an impact, even if some teenagers continue to access online platforms. The government also stressed that technology companies have a major responsibility to ensure compliance with the new rules. Officials said digital platforms must strengthen age verification systems and take effective measures to prevent underage users from creating or maintaining accounts. Regulatory authorities are continuing to assess how well social media companies are implementing the restrictions. They are also examining additional measures that could improve enforcement and ensure technology firms meet their legal obligations. Experts say the latest findings illustrate the complexity of regulating online platforms, particularly as social media has become deeply integrated into the daily lives of young people. They note that effective enforcement will require cooperation between governments, parents, schools and technology companies.

  • |

    EU to end automatic GSP+ extension from 2027, Pakistan told to submit fresh action plan

    ByJustpaste.in

    ISLAMABAD: The European Union (EU) is set to introduce a revised mechanism for extending its Generalised Scheme of Preferences Plus (GSP+) trade facility from January 2027, under which beneficiary countries will no longer receive an automatic extension. The Commerce Ministry informed the National Assembly Standing Committee on Commerce on Wednesday that Pakistan would have to formally seek continuation of the GSP+ facility and submit an action plan covering its commitments under 32 United Nations conventions. Commerce Secretary Jawad Paul briefed the committee that the new GSP+ framework would come into force in January 2027, followed by a two-year transition period. During this period, countries benefiting from the scheme will be required to prepare and submit their respective plans, which will subsequently be assessed by the European Union. According to the secretary, the EU’s assessment of Pakistan contains both positive observations and areas of concern. Among the issues highlighted by the European bloc is the human rights situation in Pakistan, along with security and climate-related challenges. The briefing was given during a meeting of the National Assembly Standing Committee on Commerce chaired by Jawad Hanif. Members including Asad Alam Khan Niazi, Khurshid Ahmed Junejo, Shaista Pervaiz, Dr Ramesh Kumar Vankwani, Tahira Aurangzeb, Mir Amir Magsi, Dr Mirza Ikhtiar Baig and Kiran Haider attended the meeting. EU concerns discussed The committee asked the Commerce Ministry to explain the concerns raised by the European Union in its latest assessment of Pakistan and their possible implications for the country’s trade interests. Jawad Paul said the EU report had acknowledged the difficult circumstances Pakistan was facing, particularly in terms of security challenges, economic pressures and climate-related disasters, including floods. These factors, he said, had affected the country’s capacity to fully implement various commitments. He urged members of parliament to present Pakistan’s perspective during their engagements with European Parliamentarians and other EU representatives. The secretary maintained that Pakistan’s circumstances should be taken into account while evaluating the country’s performance under the GSP+ framework. He said the government needed to undertake fundamental measures to address the challenges identified by the EU while also ensuring that Pakistan’s position was effectively communicated to European stakeholders. The committee also expressed concern over the repeated absence of the Commerce Minister from its meetings and conveyed its displeasure over the matter. Tariff reforms aimed at boosting exports The meeting also reviewed the government’s tariff reforms and their impact on industrial competitiveness and exports. Committee members questioned whether exporters would be required to commit to specific export targets in return for government support. The committee chairman clarified that the measures being introduced should not be viewed simply as incentives for exporters, arguing that reductions in duties and taxes were intended to lower production costs and improve Pakistan’s competitiveness in international markets. Officials from the Commerce Ministry said the government had been pursuing a policy of reducing tariff protection and lowering the cost of imported raw materials. The objective, they said, was to enable domestic industries to become more competitive and increase their presence in international markets. As part of the reforms, tariffs on around 2,000 tariff lines were reduced last year to make raw materials and other industrial inputs available at lower prices. The secretary said tariff reforms were being implemented under the National Tariff Policy and that the government had provided an estimated Rs160 billion benefit to industry and exporters during the previous year. For fiscal year 2026-27, another Rs120 billion has been earmarked under the relevant support measures. According to the Commerce Ministry, the previous Rs120 billion package was associated with a $1.27 billion increase in exports during 2025-26. Jawad Paul acknowledged that the tariff changes could initially result in higher imports as industries gained access to cheaper inputs and machinery. However, he argued that the trade imbalance could gradually improve as increased industrial production translated into stronger exports. Committee seeks review of Pakistan-China trade agreement The standing committee also raised concerns over Pakistan’s trade deficit with China and identified the China-Pakistan Free Trade Agreement (CPFTA) as an issue requiring closer examination. Members asked the Commerce Ministry to provide a detailed presentation on the agreement’s impact on Pakistan’s exports, imports and overall trade balance. The committee also sought an update on the latest trade discussions between Pakistan and the United States. The Commerce Secretary assured members that a detailed briefing on the matter would be provided in an in-camera session. Export Development Fund restructuring reviewed The committee separately examined the restructuring of the Export Development Fund (EDF). Officials told the meeting that the management and decision-making structure of the fund had been moved towards greater private-sector participation, with leading exporters being given a more significant role in determining spending priorities. The committee welcomed the shift towards projects that have a direct and measurable connection with export growth rather than conventional infrastructure-focused initiatives. Members also reviewed the allocation of 40% of the Export Finance Scheme (EFS) portfolio for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). They stressed that smaller businesses should have fair and sufficient access to export financing so that they can participate more effectively in international trade. Pakistan Reinsurance Company performance discussed The committee also reviewed the performance and investment strategy of Pakistan Reinsurance Company Limited (PRCL). Members were informed that the company retained nearly 30% of its risk domestically, while approximately 70% was placed in international reinsurance markets, including London, Dubai and Singapore. The committee chairman called for careful management of the company’s financial resources and urged officials to explore opportunities to improve returns without compromising risk-management standards. Proposed amendments for Karachi Chamber examined The committee considered the Trade Organizations (Third Amendment) Bill, 2026, a Private Member’s Bill seeking amendments to the Trade Organizations Act in relation to the Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI). During the discussion, members examined the special status of KCCI and proposed exemptions from certain district-related provisions. The chairman directed that the proposed amendments be drafted in appropriate legal language in consultation with the Ministry of Commerce and the Ministry of Law and Justice

  • | |

    Pakistani hostages make desperate appeal after 100…

    ByJustpaste.in

    Pakistani crew members held by Somali pirates have made another emotional appeal for government help. The hostages have been in captivity for more than 100 days. They are seeking urgent action for their release. The crew members are aboard the MT Honour 25. The Palau-flagged oil tanker was hijacked by armed pirates off the coast of Puntland, Somalia, on April 21. The vessel was carrying between 17 and 19 crew members. Ten of them are Pakistani nationals. Seven Indonesians, an Indian and a Sri Lankan are also among those being held. In newly released video messages, several hostages appeared weak and unwell. They appealed to the Pakistani government to intervene. Yasir Khan, one of the Pakistani hostages, said several crew members had fallen ill. He said they were facing difficulties in obtaining medicines. Khan urged Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to take immediate action. He also appealed to Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar and Maritime Affairs Minister Junaid Anwar Chaudhry. He asked the authorities to secure their release before their health situation became more serious. Khan also appealed to Jamaat-i-Islami chief Hafiz Naeemur Rehman. He requested him to continue efforts for the hostages. Another hostage, Hussain Yousuf, said more than 100 days had passed since their capture. He said the crew still had no clear information about when they would be released. Yousuf appealed to the prime minister and Chief of Defence Forces and Army Chief Field Marshal Asim Munir to intervene. He warned that further delays could lead to serious consequences. The crew has released several messages since the hijacking. In previous appeals, the hostages reported shortages of food, clean water and medicines. Their deteriorating condition has increased concerns among their families. The pirates have reportedly demanded a ransom of around $3 million. However, no confirmed breakthrough has been reported in negotiations. Pakistan’s Foreign Office said the government was closely monitoring the situation. Foreign Office spokesperson Tahir Andrabi said several government departments were involved in efforts to secure the crew’s release. The process includes the Ministry of Human Rights, the Ministry of Maritime Affairs and other relevant agencies. Andrabi said the case was particularly difficult because the hostages were being held in an autonomous region of Somalia. He said local tribal structures and influential figures had also complicated negotiations with the pirates. Pakistan, he added, remained in contact with the Somali government and relevant authorities. It was also coordinating with international organisations involved in the matter. The Foreign Office expressed sympathy with the families of the hostages. It said their concerns were understood and that the case remained a priority. The government said all possible efforts were being made to secure the crew’s release and bring them home safely. The case has also been complicated by uncertainty surrounding the ownership of the tanker. Questions remain over who legally owns the vessel. The person previously believed to be its owner was later reportedly identified as a middleman who had helped hire the crew. Meanwhile, the latest distress messages have renewed pressure for urgent action.

  • |

    Amaal Malik breaks silence on Awarapan 2 song controversy

    ByJustpaste.in

    Music composer Amaal Malik has responded to the criticism surrounding one of the newly released songs from the upcoming film Awarapan 2, claiming that a coordinated campaign is being carried out against both the movie and its soundtrack. The sequel stars Emraan Hashmi and follows the 2007 cult classic Awarapan, a film remembered for its emotional storyline as well as its memorable soundtrack. The original movie featured several popular songs, including Toh Phir Aao, Maula Maula, and Tera Mera Rishta, which became fan favorites over the years. For Awarapan 2, Amaal Malik has been entrusted with composing the film’s music. As part of the soundtrack, he recently introduced a fresh version of Toh Phir Aao, originally performed by Pakistani singer Mustafa Zahid. The recreated track received attention from listeners, with many comparing it to the much-loved original. The discussion intensified after the release of another song from the film, Ye Awarapan. Soon after it was released, the track sparked mixed reactions across social media. While some listeners praised the composition and vocals, others criticized the new version, leading to an online debate among music fans. Breaking his silence on the criticism, Amaal Malik shared a statement on X, where he suggested that the backlash was not entirely organic. According to the composer, there is a well-organized public relations campaign being carried out by certain rivals within the film industry who do not want either the film or its music to succeed. Without naming any individuals or organizations, Malik alleged that paid efforts were being used to influence public opinion against the soundtrack. He argued that such campaigns were unnecessary and advised those behind them to focus their resources elsewhere instead of targeting his work. In his message, the composer also remarked that people should save their funds for their own future film projects rather than spending money on attempts to damage someone else’s release. His comments appeared to be a subtle response to critics while expressing confidence in the music and the film’s reception. The statement quickly gained attention online, with fans reacting on both sides of the debate. Supporters defended Malik, saying that online criticism can sometimes be amplified by organized campaigns, while others maintained that audiences are entitled to express genuine opinions about new music. The discussion has continued across various social media platforms since his remarks. One of the highlights of Ye Awarapan is its vocals by renowned playback singer Arijit Singh. The song marks another notable addition to his extensive catalog and has attracted significant interest from fans eager to hear his latest work. His performance has been widely appreciated by many listeners despite the controversy surrounding the release. With Awarapan 2 preparing for its theatrical release, the conversation around its soundtrack continues to generate buzz. Whether the debate ultimately affects the film’s success remains to be seen, but the latest exchange has ensured that the movie and its music remain firmly in the spotlight.

  • | |

    15.91% spike exposes federal spending challenge

    ByJustpaste.in

    Controlling the rise in federal government administrative expenses has become a major challenge. Despite repeated claims of reducing expenditure and implementing austerity measures, the cost of running federal government affairs has increased by 15.91 per cent. The rise has raised concerns over the government’s efforts to control its administrative spending. The increase comes despite measures announced by the government to reduce unnecessary expenditure and promote financial discipline. According to the available details, spending on running government affairs has exceeded both the official target and the revised estimates. This means that actual administrative expenditure has remained higher than the levels projected by the government. The increase in spending also highlights the difficulties faced by the federal government in keeping its administrative costs under control. The government has been under pressure to reduce non-development expenditure and improve the efficiency of public spending. Authorities have introduced various austerity measures in an attempt to limit government expenditure. These measures were aimed at reducing unnecessary costs and ensuring better management of public resources. However, the latest increase indicates that controlling administrative spending remains a significant challenge. The higher-than-target expenditure could also put additional pressure on the government’s overall fiscal position. The development comes at a time when the federal government is seeking to maintain fiscal discipline and reduce unnecessary spending. Higher administrative costs could make it more difficult to achieve these objectives. The government is expected to face continued pressure to review its spending patterns and identify areas where expenditure can be reduced

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *