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Newsdesk

FIFA introduces $60 supporter tickets after fan backlash over prices

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FIFA introduces $

PARIS: World Cup organisers unveiled a new lower-priced ticket category for the 2026 FIFA World Cup following widespread criticism from fans over soaring ticket prices for the tournament to be hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico.

In a statement, football’s global governing body FIFA announced the introduction of a limited “Supporter Entry Tier,” priced at a fixed $60 for all 104 matches, including the final. FIFA said the initiative is aimed at supporting travelling fans who wish to follow their national teams throughout the competition.

According to FIFA, the $60 (€51) tickets will be reserved exclusively for supporters of teams that have qualified for the tournament and will account for 10 per cent of each national federation’s ticket allocation.

However, fan group Football Supporters Europe (FSE), which last week described ticket prices for the 2026 World Cup as “extortionate” and “astronomical,” said the move falls short of addressing the wider issue of affordability.

“While we welcome FIFA’s apparent recognition of the damage its original plans were likely to cause, the revisions do not go far enough,” FSE said in a statement.

FSE had earlier noted that ticket prices for 2026 are nearly five times higher than those at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, calling FIFA’s pricing strategy a “monumental betrayal of the tradition of the World Cup.” The group estimated that a fan following their team from the opening match to the final would need to spend at least $6,900, despite a 2018 bid document promising ticket prices starting from $21.

Reacting to Tuesday’s announcement, FSE described FIFA’s decision as an appeasement measure in response to global backlash, arguing that ticket pricing had been set hastily and without proper consultation.

 The group also warned that only a few hundred fans per match and team would realistically benefit from the $60 tickets, while most supporters would still face record-high prices. FSE further criticised the lack of provisions for supporters with disabilities and their companions.

Britain’s Prime Minister Keir Starmer echoed those concerns, saying FIFA should do more to ensure affordability. “I welcome FIFA’s announcement of some lower priced supporters tickets,” Starmer wrote on X, “but I encourage FIFA to go further so that the World Cup does not lose touch with the genuine supporters who make the game so special.”

FIFA said national federations have been asked to ensure the discounted tickets are allocated to loyal supporters closely connected to their national teams. It also announced that fans who purchase knockout-stage tickets but see their team eliminated earlier will have administrative fees waived when refunds are processed.

The governing body added that the announcement comes amid unprecedented global demand, with around 20 million ticket requests already submitted. The first-round draw for tickets across all price categories is scheduled to take place on Tuesday, January 13.

Trump administration expands travel ban to 20 more countries

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Trump administration

US President Donald Trump has announced new travel restrictions on citizens of 20 additional countries, with the policy set to take effect from January 1.

Under the expanded measures, students, family members of US citizens, and holders of Afghan Special Immigrant Visas (SIVs) from the affected countries will also fall under the scope of the restrictions.

According to US media reports, the new ban includes travelers from Syria, South Sudan, Niger, Mali, and Burkina Faso, as well as individuals whose travel documents are issued by the Palestinian Authority.

Several countries will face partial travel restrictions, including Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Benin, Ivory Coast, Dominica, Gabon, Gambia, Malawi, Mauritania, Niger, Senegal, Tanzania, Tonga, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.

Earlier,  President Trump had already imposed travel bans on citizens of 12 countries, including Afghanistan. Following a shooting incident involving an Afghan national and the National Guard outside the White House, Trump had also signaled a broader move to halt migration from what he described as “third-world countries.”

With the latest announcement, the total number of countries affected by US travel restrictions has risen to 35. The Trump administration is also reportedly considering imposing similar bans on citizens of 15 more countries, most of them in Africa.

A White House spokesperson said the measures are aimed at preventing the entry of foreign nationals deemed to pose security or stability risks to the United States.

Drama in Ashes: Steve Smith pulled out 20 minutes before toss

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Drama in Ashes

SYDNEY: Australia suffered a major blow ahead of the third Ashes Test after star batter Steve Smith was ruled out due to an ear-related issue.

Cricket Australia confirmed that Smith failed a fitness test after experiencing discomfort in his inner ear and was forced to withdraw just 20 minutes before the toss.

Following the late development, Usman Khawaja was recalled to the squad at the eleventh hour. Khawaja replaced Smith in the playing XI and batted at number four.

Speaking at the toss, Australian captain Pat Cummins said Smith had made an effort to play on the morning of the match but did not feel fit enough to take the field. Cummins added that the team was fortunate to have an experienced player like Khawaja available to step in at short notice.

Australia went on to announce their playing XI for the third Test of the Ashes series. At the Adelaide Test, the hosts won the toss and elected to bat first.

Usman Khawaja played a crucial innings, scoring 82 runs off 126 deliveries, including 10 boundaries. Australia were struggling at 94 for four when Khawaja stitched together a vital 91-run partnership for the fifth wicket with Alex Carey.

It is worth noting that Khawaja had suffered a back injury during the first Test and was not considered for selection in the second and third Tests initially.

Australia currently lead the five-match Ashes series 2-0.

Samina Baig achieves another historic milestone for Pakistan

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Samina Baig

KARACHI. Pakistan’s renowned female mountaineer Samina Baig has taken another major step toward completing the prestigious Explorer Grand Slam after successfully reaching the South Pole.

Hailing from Gilgit, Samina Baig traveled to the South Pole via the Union Glacier, undertaking the journey using a challenging skiing route. Her brother and fellow mountaineer, Mirza Ali, confirmed that the expedition involved demanding conditions, making the achievement even more significant.

Upon reaching the South Pole, Samina Baig proudly hoisted the Pakistani flag along with a community flag, marking the milestone with a powerful symbol of national pride.

Samina Baig is now just one step away from completing the Explorer Grand Slam, a rare achievement that requires climbers to scale the highest peaks of all seven continents—known as the Seven Summits—and reach both the South and North Poles. To complete the challenge, she now needs to successfully reach the North Pole.

It is worth noting that Samina Baig has already made history by becoming the first Pakistani woman to complete the Seven Summits, having conquered the highest peaks across all seven continents.

Eight working groups formed ahead of 11th NFC award

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NFC award

ISLAMABAD: Eight working groups have been formed by the federal government to draft recommendations for the 11th National Finance Commission (NFC) Award, according to sources.

A working group on provincial jurisdictional expenditures has been formed, headed by the Finance Minister of Punjab. Another group on resource-sharing ratios between the federal and provincial governments will be led by the Finance Minister of Balochistan.

Additional working groups include: national debt structure and utilization, improving tax-to-GDP ratio, led by the Finance Minister of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, direct transfer of resources to provinces, headed by the Finance Minister of Sindh, integration of former FATA and NFC shares and structure of the divisible pool, led by Finance Minister Mohammad Aurangzeb.

The first meeting on the 11th NFC award was held on December 4, during which the formation of these working groups was approved.

The second meeting is expected by mid-January, where each working group will present its recommendations within its area of focus.

These working groups aim to ensure a transparent and efficient resource distribution framework between the federation and the provinces.

Australian actress and activist Rachael Carpani passes away at 45

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Australian actress

Sydney: Australian actress and social activist Rachael Carpani has passed away at the age of 45 after a prolonged illness. The exact details of her illness and cause of death have not been disclosed.

Her family confirmed the news, with her sister Georgia Carpani posting on Instagram: “With profound sadness, we announce that our beautiful daughter and beloved actress Rachael Carpani has passed away after a long battle with illness.”

The family stated that Rachael Carpani’s funeral will be held on Friday, December 19, with only close family and friends in attendance. They have requested privacy during this difficult time and will not be issuing further statements.

Rachael Carpani enjoyed a long and successful career in Australian television, later gaining recognition in American productions as well.

Beyond her acting career, Carpani was a vocal social and political activist, advocating strongly for women’s rights and using her social media platforms to speak on global issues, including the Israel-Palestine conflict.

Bondi Beach shooter’s use of Indian passport confirmed by officials

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Bondi Beach shooter

CANBERRA: New details have emerged regarding the Bondi Beach attack in Sydney, revealing that one of the attackers, Sajid Akram, traveled to the Philippines using an Indian passport, while his son, 24-year-old Naveed Akram, entered the country as an Australian citizen, according to the BBC.

Reports indicate that both father and son arrived in the Philippines from Sydney on November 1, with their final destination listed as Davao in the southern province.

They later departed the Philippines on November 28. Australian police are investigating the purpose of their travel to the Philippines.

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese stated that the attackers were influenced by ISIS ideology, adding that the world continues to face the extremist and hateful ideologies promoted by the group.

New South Wales Police Commissioner confirmed that a homemade bomb and two ISIS flags were recovered from the attackers’ vehicle.

The attack, which occurred two days ago at Bondi Beach, saw two armed individuals open fire on civilians, resulting in 16 deaths and 40 injuries. One attacker was killed in a police response, while the other was apprehended injured.

Following the Sydney incident, India and Israel attempted to link Pakistan to the attack, but these claims were widely discredited. Sources familiar with Naveed Akram’s associates confirmed that Sajid Akram’s father is of Indian origin, while his mother is Italian.

Ex-tennis star Sania Mirza opens up about battling depression

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Ex-tennis star

Mumbai: Former Indian tennis star Sania Mirza has revealed that she struggled with depression at the height of her career due to personal life challenges.

Mirza shared her experiences in a recent interview, praising cricketer Jemimah Rodrigues for openly discussing her anxiety during the Women’s Cricket World Cup 2025 semi-final. Mirza said such candid conversations are vital to raising awareness about mental health issues.

“I realized the importance of mental health much later in life because I lacked awareness,” Mirza said. She added that over the past 8–10 years, society has begun to give mental health the attention it deserves, breaking previous misconceptions and stigma.

Mirza emphasized the responsibility of public figures to speak on topics often left unaddressed. “I am glad I spoke up. People like us, whose voices are more heard, have a duty to shed light on these issues,” she said.

Reflecting on her personal struggles, Mirza revealed, “There was a time when I was dealing with depression. Outside the tennis court, I faced numerous personal challenges, even at the peak of my career. Back then, I could not speak about it, but I am glad Jemimah has spoken openly.”

She noted that showing vulnerability while the world’s eyes are on you takes courage, especially during peak professional moments, and expressed empathy for Rodrigues.

Mirza hopes that Jemimah’s courage will encourage other athletes to understand that seeking help for mental health is not a weakness or a source of shame.

EU sounds alarm over worsening clean water crisis in Afghanistan

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Afghanistan

KABUL: The clean water crisis in Afghanistan has reached alarming levels, with the European Union warning that more than 20 million people lack access to safe drinking water.

According to reports, the EU has highlighted that contaminated water is contributing to a rise in waterborne diseases across the country. Afghan media outlet Khaama Press reported that over 212,000 children are currently affected by illnesses linked to unsafe water.

The World Health Organization (WHO) cited restrictions imposed by the Taliban and poor sanitation systems as key factors driving the surge in diseases.

 The statement also noted that by May 2025, 442 medical clinics had been forced to close, further exacerbating the public health crisis.

The EU urged urgent international support to address Afghanistan’s water and health challenges, emphasizing that immediate action is needed to prevent further loss of life.

PCB announces dates and format for 11th edition of PSL

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PCB announces

ISLAMABAD: The schedule and format for the 11th edition of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) have been revealed. PSL 2026 will be held from March 26 to May 3, 2026, across five cities in Pakistan, featuring a total of 44 matches.

Sources confirmed that the tournament will feature eight teams competing in a single-league format, with each team playing a minimum of 10 matches. The entire PSL 11 will be completed over 39 days.

According to the plan, the first phase of the tournament will consist of 28 matches. In the second phase, the eight teams will be divided into two groups of four, and each team will play four matches within their group.

The Super Four stage will see each team play three matches, totaling 12 matches. The top two teams from each group in the Super Four stage will advance to the playoffs, ultimately deciding the PSL 2026 champion.

This edition promises exciting cricket action, with fans looking forward to high-quality matches and competitive encounters among all eight franchises.