Jude Bellingham put England ahead, striking twice in the space of a minute, finishing a Bukayo Saka cross before tapping in Harry Kane’s pass to stun the home crowd.

Mexico’s Julian Quinones pulled one back before halftime, reacting quickest to a loose ball in the box to fire into the roof of the net and revive the co-hosts’ hopes.

England were reduced to 10 men in the second half after Jarrell Quansah was sent off following a VAR review, but Harry Kane restored England’s two-goal lead with a penalty after goalkeeper Raul Rangel fouled Anthony Gordon.

Mexico’s Raul Jimenez reduced the deficit with another penalty after a VAR review confirmed a foul from Kane on Brian Gutierrez.

The match was delayed by one hour due to adverse weather conditions around the Azteca Stadium.

England will face Norway in the last eight in Miami on Saturday.

“Christian villages in Lebanon, some of them have actually asked to be annexed to Israel, because we protect them against the Hezbollah, Hezbollah fanatics who want to kill them, and we do the same things with Christians everywhere,” Netanyahu told Fox News’s show, The Sunday Briefing.

Netanyahu did not name the Christian villages he said had made such a request.

Christian villages in the Marjeyoun area of southern Lebanon on Friday denied some media reports suggesting they had sought annexation, saying in a statement they had “no power nor the legal right” to make decisions of such magnitude.

The villages reaffirmed their determination to stay on their land, stressing their “loyalty to their national identity” and their “attachment to their Lebanese flag”.

Since the war began, some Christian villages in southern Lebanon have endured Israeli shelling, airstrikes, displacement, and infrastructure damage.

Most have remained inhabited despite Israeli evacuation orders, with residents choosing to stay to protect their homes, churches and farmland, though some villages were partially or fully evacuated.

During the war, the Israeli military has warned several Christian-majority villages — through phone calls to mayors and local officials — not to allow “strangers” in, referring to Hezbollah fighters.

‘Who the boss is’

In a separate speech at a state ceremony on Sunday, Netanyahu reiterated that Israel’s military would maintain its presence in southern Lebanon “as long as necessary in order to protect the residents of the north and all the citizens of Israel.” Meanwhile, Israel’s military chief, Lieutenant General Eyal Zamir, visited troops stationed near Beaufort Castle in southern Lebanon on Sunday, vowing that the army would “continue to operate decisively to remove threats from Lebanese territory.”

Israeli forces have continued to clash with Hezbollah fighters despite a US-brokered agreement between Israel and Lebanon intended to pave the way toward a lasting end to hostilities.

During his interview with Fox News, Netanyahu also addressed reported disagreements with US President Donald Trump over the deal that halted the war with Iran.

“Let me say that we have an excellent relationship, which is defined, as I said, between allies,” Netanyahu said. “Ninety-nine percent of the time, we see eye-to-eye, but as any, in any family, in any close friendship, there are sometimes differences of opinion, and we discuss them openly,” Netanyahu said.

“I can tell you, in a free spirit, and usually we resolve them too.” Netanyahu’s remarks came a day after Trump told the news outlet Axios that Netanyahu “knows who the boss is”.

In recent weeks, Trump has repeatedly criticised the Israeli premier amid negotiations over the Iran deal, accusing him of ingratitude and even calling him “crazy” over Israel’s escalation in Lebanon. In his interview with Axios, Trump added that Netanyahu was expected to visit Washington in the coming days.

Published in Dawn, July 6th, 2026

Red, white, and blue lit up the night sky last night as the iconic Pakistan Monument and historic Lahore Fort glowed in tribute to the 250th U.S. Independence Day. A stunning visual celebration of nearly 80 years of friendship between our nations. #Freedom250 #USAinPakistan… pic.twitter.com/oXuNqQ4XNJ

— U.S. Embassy Islamabad (@usembislamabad) July 5, 2026

The illumination, which ran from July 1 through July 5, was coordinated by the U.S. Embassy in Islamabad and the U.S. Consulate General in Lahore, in partnership with Pakistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Capital Development Authority . The symbolic gesture was part of a global "Freedom 250" campaign commemorating the United States' Declaration of Independence signed on July 4, 1776 .

A Symbol of Enduring Partnership

The visual tribute highlighted the deep-rooted ties between the two countries. The U.S. Embassy statement noted that the illuminations celebrated "nearly 80 years of Pakistan-US partnership, founded on shared interests, prosperity and cooperation in regional security" .

Chargé d’Affaires Natalie Baker emphasized the significance of the anniversary, stating: "America's 250th anniversary is a moment of renewal. It is a chance to strengthen our institutions, reaffirm our leadership, and build partnerships rooted in mutual respect and reciprocity" . She added that with Pakistan, the U.S. is "building on sovereignty, strength, and shared prosperity" .

Official Ceremonies and Recognition

A special Independence Day ceremony was held at the Lahore Fort, where Punjab Senior Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb extended greetings to the American government and people on behalf of the Punjab government . She described Pakistan-US ties as "rooted in mutual trust and shared commitment to peace" .

The US Consul General credited Pakistan's leadership—specifically Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Field Marshal Asim Munir—for their constructive role in promoting peace and advancing diplomatic efforts, including Pakistan's mediation in the US-Iran peace process .

Growing Bilateral Cooperation

The celebrations coincided with expanding cooperation between the two nations across multiple sectors, including technology, investment, climate change, tourism, and diplomacy . The U.S. Mission to Pakistan noted that cooperation in critical minerals, trade, and economic development continues to strengthen the bilateral relationship .

Global Recognition

The Pakistan Monument and Lahore Fort joined other prominent landmarks around the world that were illuminated as part of the global "Freedom 250" initiative, showcasing the international celebration of American independence and the enduring friendship between the United States and Pakistan .

The diplomatic achievement has sparked discussion in the country about the economic benefits Pakistan might gain. Certainly, economic opportunities that could open from these developments merit serious thinking and exploring. Also, if the war had not come to a negotiated end there would have been enormous pressure on Pakistan’s fragile economy from higher oil prices, disruption in energy supplies and uncertain remittances. This could have derailed its economic stabilisation efforts.

But there has also been a fair amount of wishful thinking about the economic dividends from Pakistan’s diplomacy. Some even compared the present moment to the situation after 9/11, when Pakistan became a front-line state in the war on terror and recipient of significant US financial and military assistance. This is a false parallel. There is no economic largesse on its way from Washington. Nor is there a rationale for one.

Yet old habits die hard. There is a long history of the country’s ruling elites seeking and earning geopolitical rents from its international alignments. This helped them keep the economy afloat while avoiding domestic economic reform and taxing themselves and their political base. It also encouraged an attitude that looked outside rather than within to address the country’s economic weaknesses. And it created an official mindset of relying on pay-offs, bailouts and other people’s money. This persists.

Pakistan’s destiny will be shaped by choices made at home, not by its external engagements.

Among exuberant statements from government officials, one that exemplifies unrealistic expectations is this. An official claimed “advancing stability abroad” had made Pakistan a “credible destination” for foreign investment. He didn’t explain why this was so when conditions in the country hadn’t changed. Another top minister declared that with diplomatic success the “sun of progress and prosperity” will soon rise over Pakistan. Trying to talk up confidence is one thing. But such hyperbolic statements are misplaced and misleading.

Instead of wishful talk about economic windfalls from diplomacy, energy is best spent on addressing the country’s political, economic and security challenges and fixing its structural problems. If the government can be a peacemaker abroad it should also make peace at home.

A peaceful political environment requires a truce between the government and opposition. Stability is not possible in a divided and polarised country. The principal opposition party represents a large section of society, governs a strategically important province and remains the most popular party in the country. Given Pakistan’s federal structure, inclusive governance is necessary. That means working with and not against opposition-run provinces. Repression, jailing opponents and handing down long prison sentences can neither eliminate the opposition nor create stability. Authoritarianism as a model for the hybrid government undermines democracy and impedes the country’s progress.

The internal security situation poses a serious threat despite sustained efforts by the army and law-enforcement personnel. The rise in militant violence across KP and Balochistan has not been contained. Last year was the deadliest in a decade for security forces. This demands a review of the government’s counter-insurgency strategy which still relies primarily on kinetic actions.

Balochistan presents a special case as the underlying sources of long-standing public disaffection have yet to be tackled. Insurgents must be isolated and the trust of the local community won. But in conflating terrorists with Baloch nationalists, branding every dissident group and leader as traitors and handing life sentences to dissidents, state policy contradicts the core principle of fighting militancy. That is not to multiply the number of adversaries. Law enforcement must be accompanied by efforts to win hearts and minds, not lose them. Seeking foreign investment becomes a fool’s errand when two provinces are insurgency-afflicted and the border with Afghanistan remains perpetually hot.

The most urgent task is the country’s economic recovery and revival. Without this, all else is in vain. IMF-backed stabilisation remains fragile. Stabilisation has also not transitioned to growth and investment. The country remains mired in a low-growth, low-investment, high-debt equilibrium trap. There is no escape from this unless structural issues are addressed. This means bold, wide-ranging reforms to deal with the sources of chronic internal and external financial imbalances, which trigger recurrent balance-of-payments crises and force Pakistan to become a serial borrower from the Fund. This is Pakistan’s 24th IMF programme.

Yet reforms to address the economy’s structural problems in the taxation system, expenditure outlays and energy sector are still not in place. Instead, the government continues to rely on bailouts and loan rollovers for economic management. That only meets debt liabilities. There are no net capital inflows.

Investment, including FDI, remains stagnant. The investment-to-GDP ratio is now lower than in previous years. Economic growth is stalled. Pakistan’s growth model isn’t working. Even the State Bank governor acknowledged this not long ago. The various stakeholders need to put their heads together to frame an economic plan to tackle, not postpone structural problems and evolve a new growth model.

What remains officially ignored are critical dimensions of human development and human welfare, whose indicators have deteriorated in recent years. The dismal state of literacy, education and healthcare as well as the rising level of poverty present a grim picture. That over 23 million school-age children have no access to school is a national scandal. The learning poverty rate is staggering at almost 80 per cent. This means children in school cannot read a simple sentence at age 10.

The prime minister has twice declared an education emergency but then done nothing. Literacy is stagnant with 37pc of our population still illiterate. No country can predicate economic progress on an illiterate base. The level of poverty at 30pc remains troubling. As do economic disparities, with real incomes of the bottom 70pc of people in steady decline since 2018.

Pakistan’s future hinges on fixing these econo­m­­ic and social issues. As well as its politics. The do­­­­m­estic agenda must take priority. The country’s destiny will be determined by choices made at home, not external factors or praise from abroad.

The writer is a former ambassador to the US, UK and UN.

Published in Dawn, July 6th, 2026

Hassan, a labourer and resident of the same run-down street where the roof-collapse occurred on June 30, lost his youngest son, five-year-old Arkam.

“We have forgiven the teacher for the death of our son,” he said, while sitting outside her home.

Anila, the teacher, taught children from the locality aged between five and 14. She and her daughter were also injured in the roof collapse.

Bereaved parents say they have ‘forgiven the teacher’; blame unsafe housing conditions for the disaster that claimed their children’s lives

Their small home is located in the Basti Eid Gah locality, referred to locally as the Aluwali Gali on Katchwana Road, off Ferozepur Road.

Four days after the incident, when I visited on Saturday, the house was empty as some of the male members of the home had been arrested while other women of the house had left after the incident.

Life in the slums

The whole locality comprises half-built homes, similar to the one that housed the ill-fated tuition centre. The narrow, winding street leads to a wider road that leads to the Katchwana village in Kahna.

“Most people here are very poor and build their homes slowly whenever they get some money to afford it,” said a local resident.

Other residents added that the Katchwana Road was supposed to be a 50-foot-wide road linking up to Ferozepur Road.

“This might not be the last tragedy in this area as many people have occupied the sewage drain and built houses on top of it,” said the resident.

Locals said that most houses were built here over the past two decades, and many residents have large families living together in small homes. “Some construct extensions to their homes when they get a chance,” a local said, adding that the home of the teacher where the incident occurred was no different.

“We are trying to just survive,” the local added.

Remembering his son, Hassan said that he wanted to study and was yet to join a school.

“To prepare him for the school, we sent him to the tuition in the neighbourhood. My other children are not interested in studying and Arkam’s older brother does not go to school as he is training to be a tailor. He [Arkam] wanted to become a police officer,” he said.

Hassan told me that before this tragedy, a child had been injured by a falling tile, and the mason working on the house, as well as other children, had asked the teacher to send them home.

“She did not listen to them and we lost our children,” he regretted, saying the family was doing the construction work on their own and there was only one labourer involved.

Official action

On Friday, Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz visited the locality and offered condolences to the families. She also met the bereaved parents and said that the grief she felt upon receiving news of the children’s deaths was beyond words.

After the incident, various government departments sprang into action, with Lahore police taking two persons, including the owner of the property, into custody. DIG Operations Faisal Kamran said the contractor who constructed the house was also among those detained.

On Saturday, Punjab Education Minister Rana Sikandar Hayat announced that unregistered academies and schools would be shut down. He said the district education authority had begun issuing notices to unregistered schools and tuition centres.

However, many question how the government plans to register hundreds of thousands of home-based tuition centres and academies.

Talking to Dawn, All Pakistan Private School Management Association President Kashif Adeeb Jawadani said that most home-based academies were run by female teachers in each and every neighbourhood of the province.

“Due to socio-economic reasons of both — the teachers and parents — such tuition centres and academies are the only option for the poor,” he said, adding that instead of threatening people with fines and cases, the government should have taken a more measured approach.

“I believe the government should have opted for a grace period, free registration and in the long-term, access to loans and financial support for such educationalists… If such educational institutions along with low-fee private schools are shut down, what alternative is being provided by the government?” he said.

Published in Dawn, July 6th, 2026