Jude Bellingham scored twice, including the extra-time winner, as England ground out a 2-1 victory over a battling Norway side at Miami Stadium on Sunday to reach the World Cup semi-finals for the fourth time.

The teams were locked up ​1-1 at the end of regulation time after Andreas Schjelderup had opened the scoring for Norway with a wonder strike in the 36th minute and Bellingham skipped ‌into the area to equalise just before halftime.

Three minutes into extra time, though, Morgan Rogers fired a long-range shot at the Norwegian goal that Orjan Nyland could only parry and Bellingham stole in to bury the rebound, delighting the white-shirted fans in the crowd of 64,478.

England will face Argentina or Switzerland in Atlanta on Wednesday in their fourth semi-final in their last five major championships, looking to stay on course for a repeat of their sole World ​Cup triumph of 1966.

“The result is fantastic. We’re in the last four. It’s amazing, but I’m not happy with the performance,” England coach Thomas Tuchel said.

“We made life very, very ​difficult for ourselves in the way we played. Sloppy, a lot of technical mistakes, not fast enough, not repetitive enough. We were lucky today.”

Norway will ⁠feel they deserved more out of the game, even if England kept Erling Haaland scoreless for the first time in his last 16 matches for his country, and will exit their first ​World Cup in 28 years with heads held high.

“It is a bit bitter, but it has been an adventure,” said Norway skipper Martin Odegaard. “We must be proud. We are here for the first time ​in a long time, and we are making our mark. The whole world is talking about us.”

Cagey first half

Perhaps because of the stifling heat, the first half was a cagey affair but Norway exploded into life when Julian Ryerson crossed for Haaland to head the ball at goalkeeper Jordan Pickford in the 35th minute.

A minute later, Patrick Berg stripped Harry Kane of possession near halfway and released Schjelderup down the left, the winger turning makeshift England full ​back Ezri Konsa inside out before crashing a shot-cum-cross into the net.

England were rattled and Norway took full advantage with Alexander Sorloth hitting a rising drive over the bar and Martin Odegaard ​drilling in a low shot that Pickford parried away.

They should have doubled their lead in the 44th minute when they briefly had a two-on-one inside the England half but Sorloth decided not to pass to Haaland and ‌the defenders ⁠recovered their ground to snuff out the danger.

Norway would regret their profligacy in stoppage time at the end of the half when Bellingham conjured up an equaliser of real quality from Anthony Gordon’s clever ball across the edge of the box.

Bellingham took one touch to steer the ball into the area, another to take him past a defender, before turning to whip it across goalkeeper Nyland into the far corner of the goal.

The remainder of the half was all England with Kane getting the ball into the net again only to be adjudged offside, a decision confirmed by VAR.

VAR rules out Norway goal

VAR was again called upon 10 minutes into ​the second half when Torbjorn Heggem thought ⁠he had put Norway in front from a corner, his goal scratched off for a shove by Haaland on Elliot Anderson.

Norway’s introduction of pacey winger Oscar Bobb in the 67th minute triggered another period of dominance with England fortunate not to concede when David Moller Wolfe headed the ball over ​Pickford and on to the bar.

England’s right-wing substitute Bukayo Saka came close to helping his team take the lead with a dangerous cross that ​flashed across goal in the ⁠78th minute and he carved out another great chance when he got to the byline and fired a low cross across the box that none of his teammates were able to get to.

England substitute Djed Spence caught Nyland napping in possession towards the end of normal time but the second half was destined to finish goalless.

VAR was to intervene once more after Bellingham’s second goal to rule out an extra-time penalty ⁠awarded to ​England for a foul on Spence.

Haaland, unable to add to his tournament tally of seven goals, was substituted at halftime ​of the extra period and although Norway poured forward looking for an equaliser, England held on to match their progress to the last four at the 1966, 1990 and 2018 World Cups.

“I feel sorry for the lads, but this is top ​level sports at its best or its most gruesome,” said tearful Norway coach Stale Solbakken. “We played fantastic football against a super team, but we didn’t make it.”

GWADAR: Gwadar Port has conducted its first commercial bunkering (ship refuelling) operation as part of efforts to expand its maritime operations.

The operation was conducted between July 9 and 11 through a collaborative effort involving the Gwadar Port Authority (GPA), National Logistics Cell (NLC), Gwadar International Terminals Limited (GITL) and global energy giant Vitol Asia.

During the operation, the LNG carrier Enugu — jointly owned by world-renowned companies QatarEnergy, Abu Dhabi National Oil Company and Vitol — was supplied with 2,500 metric tonnes of very low sulphur fuel oil (VLSFO) at Gwadar Port.

The refuelling of the 285.4-metre-long vessel was carried out by the bunker barge Marine Ista.

Pakistan Customs, port authorities, and local shipping agent Pak Traders Gwadar were involved in ensuring the safe and efficient completion of the operation.

The operation expands the range of services available at Gwadar Port, which can now provide bunkering and other marine services to international vessels in addition to cargo handling.

Boosting the blue economy

According to experts, the development could create new opportunities for foreign exchange earnings and revenue generation. They said it could also enhance Gwadar Port’s ability to attract international shipping services.

This achievement directly aligns with the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) vision to transform Gwadar into a key regional trade and energy hub.

Port authorities stated that this marks the formal launch of commercial bunkering services in Gwadar. In the future, more international vessels are expected to refuel at the port, which is anticipated to significantly boost Pakistan’s blue economy, logistics, marine services, and local employment opportunities.

• Restores headmistress’ penalty for negligence in protecting female teachers
• Orders strict anti-harassment mechanisms, law enforcement

ISLAMABAD: The Supreme Court on Friday restored a severe penalty imposed on a government school headmistress for gross negligence in failing to prevent the sexual harassment of female teachers under her supervision.

A two-judge SC bench, headed by Justice Muha­mmad Ali Mazhar and comprising Justice Musarrat Hilali, also issued wide-ran­ging guidelines to all educational institutions, requiring strict enforcement of workplace harassment laws.

In a 12-page judgement auth­ored by Justice Mazhar, the court observed that the sexual harassment of female teachers by male colleagues in any educational institution was “a grave transgression, illegal behaviour and a violation of law, ethics, workplace dignity and self-respect”.

The judgement explained that unsolicited comments, remarks, jokes or messages of a sexual nature, catcalling and other inappropriate behaviour, pressure for illicit favours in exchange for job benefits, attempts at unsolicited physical contact, and the creation of a hostile or unsafe work environment not only violate a person’s dignity and safety but also undermine the environment of the entire institution. Such conduct, it said, creates an insecure workplace for female teachers and hampers their ability to impart education effectively with proper application of mind and professional skills.

The court also set aside the Dec 8, 2023, order of the Punjab Service Tribunal, Lahore, which had reduced the punishment awarded to headmistress Shazia Iqbal. The tribunal had modified the penalty from forfeiture of five years of past service to forfeiture of one year.

While serving as principal/headmistress (BS-17) at the Government Special Education Centre, Lyalpur Town, Faisalabad, Shazia Iqbal was issued a show-cause notice under the Punjab Employees Effici­ency, Disci­pline and Accountability Act, 2006.

According to the allegations, the headmistress committed grave neg­ligence by overlooking the fact that special therapist (BS-17) Kam­ran Khan was illegally residing on the premises of the Govern­ment Special Education Centre. He was allegedly in the habit of molesting female teachers by blackmailing them, forcing them into illicit relations and threatening them with dire consequences, thereby seriously affecting the institution’s atmosphere and rendering it unconducive to education.

Justice Mazhar observed that educational institutions were regarded as an alma mater (nourishing mother) — revered centres of learning and knowledge that shape a person’s career, intellectual development, professional identity and personality. Such institutions, he said, deserve lifelong reverence from every pupil and alumnus for nurturing their personal and academic growth.

In its guidelines, the SC stressed the need to ensure a foolproof and healthy workplace environment in all educational institutions employing both male and female teachers.

The judgement called for every institution to adopt a clear internal harassment policy and establish an effective reporting mechanism involving senior management, including the head of the institution, so that complaints could be fairly investigated. Where allegations are proved through due process, disciplinary action should be taken against those found involved in such immoral and unlawful conduct.

The court ruled that departmental inquiries should be conducted independently and should not necessarily await decisions by the Federal Ombudsperson or provincial ombudsmen for protection against harassment of women at the workplace.

Justice Mazhar observed that the head of every educational institution bears an onerous responsibility to foster a workplace environment that clearly conveys zero tolerance for sexual harassment, while promoting professionalism and dedication as the institutional standard.

Considering the seriousness and sensitivity of the issue, the court directed its office to send copies of the judgement to the federal education secretary, chief secretaries, secretaries of school and higher education of all provinces, the Federal Ombudsperson and provincial ombudsmen.

The authorities were directed to ensure the elimination of sexual harassment at the grassroots level in all public and private educational institutions through meaningful measures and strict enforcement of the Code of Conduct for Protection against Harassment of Women at Workplace, framed under Sections 2(c) and 11 of the Protection against Harassment of Women at Workplace Act, 2010.

The court directed the federal and provincial education ministries to issue office orders or circulars requiring all heads of government and private educational institutions to prominently display the Code of Conduct for Protection against Harassment of Women at the Workplace in English as well as vernacular languages.

It also ordered every government and private educational institution to constitute an in-house inquiry committee, as required under the law, to deal with harassment complaints so that an aggrieved female teacher could submit her complaint directly to the committee instead of relying solely on the head of the institution to take action.

Published in Dawn, July 11th, 2026

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Friday called on Iran and all other parties involved in the Middle East conflict to exercise restraint and not jeopardise the “hard-earned peace gains” achieved over the past few months following an escalation in tensions between Washington and Tehran.

Efforts to end the Middle East war have suffered a setback following an escalation in hostilities after Iranian attacks on ships in the strategic Strait of Hormuz. Iran struck at least three ships in recent days, prompting extensive US strikes on Iranian targets on Tuesday and Wednesday, which were followed by retaliatory attacks by Iran on Gulf countries.

According to the Prime Minister’s Office, the premier issued the call during a telephone conversation with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, during which he expressed “deep concern” over the escalation and “underscored the urgent need to restore regional peace and stability”.

“He called on Iran and all other parties to exercise restraint and refrain from any action that could jeopardise the hard-earned peace gains achieved over the past few months,” the statement added.

The prime minister further stressed the importance of upholding the commitments made under the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), describing it as an enduring framework for promoting mutual understanding, respect and shared prosperity in the region and beyond.

Reaffirming Pakistan’s commitment to regional peace, PM Shehbaz assured Pezeshkian of Islamabad’s readiness to continue playing an “honest and sincere role” in facilitating dialogue and supporting all peace efforts between Washington and Tehran.

During the call, the Iranian president thanked the premier, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, Chief of Defence Forces and Chief of Army Staff Field Marshal Asim Munir and other senior Pakistani leaders for attending the funeral ceremony of late supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

“He also reaffirmed Iran’s commitment to peace and appreciated Pakistan’s constructive support and sincere efforts for regional stability,” the statement said.

The PMO added that both leaders also reviewed the implementation of decisions made during Pezeshkian’s visit to Islamabad last month and agreed to expedite follow-up actions.

During the call, PM Shehbaz also conveyed his regards and best wishes to current supreme leader Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei, while both leaders agreed to “remain in close contact and continue consultations on matters of mutual interest and regional peace”.

Earlier this week, Pakistan expressed deep concern over escalating tensions in the Middle East and called on the US and Iran to exercise restraint following mutual overnight strikes.

In a statement, the Foreign Office noted that “a renewed conflict is in no one’s interest”.

“Pakistan calls on all parties to exercise restraint and refrain from any actions that may further undermine regional peace and stability. There is no alternative to continued engagement, dialogue and diplomacy to achieve [a] shared goal of peace in the region,” the statement added.

This is not the first time the US and Iran have exchanged strikes despite a ceasefire being in place since April.

Last month, the US carried out attacks in Iran in response to what US President Donald Trump said was the downing of a US Apache helicopter. In retaliation, Iran said it attacked bases and other targets in the Gulf.

Over a week after the strikes, the Islamabad MoU was signed, which gave both sides 60 days to negotiate a comprehensive agreement on Iran’s nuclear programme and related issues. It also mandates a complete halt to military operations on all fronts.

However, at the Nato summit in Ankara on Wednesday, Trump said that the ceasefire was “over”, adding, “It’s just a waste of time dealing with them. I’ll let our wonderful negotiators keep talking if they want, but I don’t see it. I don’t like these people.”

He further warned that the US would hit Iran “hard” that night, and Washington and Tehran traded strikes for a second consecutive day.

US forces said the latest attacks against Iran were aimed at “their ability to threaten the freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz”, citing recent strikes against commerical ships in the waterway.

LAHORE: The Lahore High Court (LHC) has ruled that a citizen’s computerised national identity card (CNIC) could not be blocked to enforce a maintenance decree, holding that such a measure had no sanction under the law and violated due process.

Justice Muzamil Akhtar Shabir passed a judgement allowing a petition filed by Nasir Ali Ranjha, setting aside an executing court’s 2017 order directing the National Database and Registration Authority (Nadra) to block his CNIC for non-payment of maintenance to his wife and children.

The petitioner had challenged the order passed by the executing court in Gujrat under Section 51(e) of the Code of Civil Procedure (CPC), as well as subsequent orders refusing to recall the direction.

The executing court had ordered the petitioner’s CNIC to be blocked after observing that he was residing abroad and had deliberately avoided complying with the maintenance decree.

Observes blocking identity card without express legal authority violates due process, fundamental rights

The court had also initiated proceedings for the auction of his property.

Before the high court, his wife and other respondents argued that the petitioner had persistently evaded execution proceedings, making the blocking of his CNIC necessary to compel his appearance and ensure compliance with the decree.

Justice Shabir, however, observed that the executing court had exceeded its legal authority.

Relying on recent judgements by the Supreme Court and the LHC, the judge observed that Section 51(e) of the CPC, which allowed execution of decrees “in such other manner as the nature of the relief may require”, could not be interpreted to authorise the blocking of a CNIC.

The judge observed that although courts were expected to adopt effective measures for enforcing decrees, such powers could not be exercised in a manner that deprived a person of an essential identity document without express legal authority.

‘Indispensable’

Justice Shabir noted that a CNIC was no longer a mere statutory document but had become indispensable for leading an ordinary life.

“It is required for obtaining a passport, opening bank accounts, securing employment, accessing utility services, travelling, appearing before courts and availing numerous public and private services,” he added.

The judge observed that deprivation of a CNIC directly affected the enjoyment of several fundamental rights guaranteed under the Constitution.

Therefore, he added, its blockade could not be ordered except in accordance with the procedure prescribed by law.

The judge further held that under the Nadra Ordinance, a CNIC “may only be cancelled, impounded or confiscated in the limited circumstances specified by law, such as fraud, forgery or ineligibility”, and not to compel compliance with a civil decree.

The judge observed that the impugned orders passed by the lower courts dismissing the petitioner’s application for restoration of his CNIC on technical grounds were sketchy, as the petitioner had been directed to place the relevant document on record instead of having his plea rejected outright.

Allowing the petition, the judge declared the 2017 order blocking the petitioner’s CNIC to be without lawful authority and directed that his identity card be restored forthwith.

However, Justice Shabir clarified that the restoration of the CNIC would not affect the ongoing execution proceedings for the recovery of maintenance, which shall continue strictly in accordance with the law.

Published in Dawn, July 10th, 2026

The El Nino weather pattern picked up strength over the past month and is highly likely to “rank among the largest” ever recorded when it peaks between October and December, US forecasters said Thursday.

El Nino warms surface temperatures in the central and eastern equatorial Pacific Ocean, triggering worldwide changes in winds, atmospheric pressure and rainfall patterns, and pushing warmer overall global temperatures.

In its latest update, the US Climate Prediction Centre (CPC) said there is an 81 per cent chance of a “very strong” El Nino between October and December that would rank among the largest such events in the historic record going back to 1950.

“Very strong” is defined as being 2.0 degrees Celsius (3.6 degrees Fahrenheit) or more above an index value. The CPC also put the odds at 97pc that the event will persist through early spring 2027.

That adds to a prediction made by Tim Stockdale, an El Nino expert of the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts, who said this week it would be “a very, very big surprise” if the event failed to be a record-breaker.

El Nino typically has knock-on effects globally, including drier conditions and drought in Australia, along with wetter winters in East Africa and the southern United States.

Isla Simpson, a climate scientist at the US National Centre for Atmospheric Research, told AFP that “there’s quite a lot of evidence from our models that global warming increases the variance of El Nino, so you get bigger El Nino events and also bigger La Nina events.” La Nina is the cooling phase of the El Nino-Southern Oscillation cycle.

Within the United States, El Nino events are typically “drought-busting” over some regions, including California but drying in others.

The connections to Europe are smaller and less certain, but there is some evidence that El Nino can increase the likelihood of cold conditions later in the winter in Northern Europe, said Simpson.

“Most likely, what we’ll see are the canonical El Nino teleconnections,” she said, “but in any given event, things can deviate from that just because we have all of these random uncertainties. There’s weather that happens on top of these longer-timescale predictable signals.” Sea surface temperatures are now 1.2C (2.2F) above average in a defined stretch of the equatorial Pacific known as the Nino 3.4 region, the CPC said.

Combined with warming waters below the surface and shifting wind and pressure patterns, the “ocean-atmosphere system reflected a strengthening El Nino.” While El Nino usually peaks between November and February, the resulting spike in temperatures typically comes later.

Compounded with human-induced climate change, the last El Nino contributed to making 2023 the second-hottest year on record and 2024 the all-time high.

• Summons agency’s chief for briefing on online portal, enforcement timelines
• Senators seek briefing on revised mechanism for registration of blasphemy FIRs

ISLAMABAD: The Senate Functional Committee on Human Rights expressed concern over the delay in processing of complaints by the National Cybercrime Investigation Agency (NCCIA) and the technical issues with its online complaint portal.

In its meeting chaired by Senator Samina Mumtaz Zehri, the body reviewed the NCCIA performance, delays in cybercrime complaint redressal, the procedure being followed in blasphemy-related cases and progress in the murder case of Lahore resident Ahmed Javed.

Senator Quratulain Marri informed the meeting that a sustained online campaign had been launched against her and her family on social media, and that no effective action had been taken despite the filing of a formal complaint through legal counsel.

The NCCIA officials told the committee that technical and operational constraints had affected the online complaint system. They said written complaints could also be submitted through legal representatives for immediate processing while remedial work on the portal was underway. The committee was also informed that action regarding blocking or restricting objectionable online content was generally completed within 15 days.

Senator Zehri expressed dissatisfaction over the delay, questioning that whether complainant should be left helpless due to technical excuses. Senator Rana Mahmoodul Hassan, too, echoed the same sentiments.

In view of these concerns, the committee decided to summon the NCCIA director general in its July 17 meeting for a briefing on status of the online complaint portal, delays in complaint processing, enforcement timelines, response protocols, and measures being taken to improve the performance.

Blasphemy cases

The committee also received a briefing from the Punjab home secretary on blasphemy cases. The meeting was apprised that a special committee constituted to examine such cases had met twice. The secretary said an inter-agency coordination mechanism had also been established to strengthen prosecution, improve coordination and streamline legal proceedings.

The committee was told that online blasphemy-related content was being monitored through a dedicated monitoring centre and actionable reports were forwarded to the PTA for action.

Senator Zehri sought a detailed briefing on the revised mechanism for registration of FIRs in blasphemy cases.

Published in Dawn, July 9th, 2026