Good afternoon,

Today’s news: Globally, a terror attack in Kashmir, Trump’s U-turn, and gold prices rise globally. Locally, the Foreign Office responds to the attack in Kashmir, protests over canal projects paralyze trade routes, and the Supreme Court rules on dowry.

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Around The World

Terror attack in Kashmir. Security has been beefed up across Indian-controlled Kashmir a day after an attack killed at least 26 people, most of them tourists, as Indian forces launched a manhunt for the perpetrators. Many shops and businesses in Kashmir also closed to protest the killings following a call from the region’s religious and political parties. 

The Police have called it a “terror attack” and blamed militants fighting against Indian rule. A little-known group, the Kashmir Resistance, claimed responsibility for the attack in a social media message, expressing discontent that more than 85,000 “outsiders” had been settled in the region, spurring a demographic change. A section of Indian media and the Indian public immediately blamed Islamabad for directing such attacks. Live updates here.

Cluck cluck. US President Donald Trump has signaled a potential U-turn on his trade war with China amid continued market volatility, saying the high tariffs on Chinese goods will “come down substantially, but it won’t be zero.” Trump’s remarks signal a rhetorical climbdown after weeks of tough posturing and tit-for-tat retaliation.  Trump’s shift in tone also went viral on the Chinese internet as the hashtag “Trump chickened out” was trending on Weibo, with more than 150 million views.

Goldilocked. The going price for New York spot gold hit a record $3,424.24 per troy ounce as of close Monday, about $1,097 higher than a year ago. Gold futures also reached a record early Tuesday, briefly surpassing the $3,500 mark for the first time. Globally, gold prices are also steadily increasing.

The price of spot gold is up more than 30% since the start of 2025. By contrast, the stock market has tumbled, and the benchmark S&P 500 is down over 12% this year. Gold sales and prices can rise sharply when anxious investors seek “safe havens” for parking their money. If trends continue, analysts say the price of gold could continue to climb into unprecedented territory.

Pakistan

Troubled waters. The Foreign Office voiced concern over the loss of tourist lives in the Pahalgam attack, extending condolences to victims’ families and wishing the injured a swift recovery. Former ministers Sherry Rehman and Khawaja Saad Rafique criticised the Indian media’s rush to blame Pakistan without evidence, calling it irresponsible and counterproductive. 

Roadblocked. Widespread protests in northern Sindh over the Indus River canal project have brought trade and fuel transport to a standstill, prompting urgent appeals from businesses and oil companies for government intervention. With key arteries like the National Highway blocked for over a week (particularly in Sukkur, Khairpur, and Larkana), hundreds of oil tankers and goods-laden trucks are stranded, disrupting the flow of essential supplies between Sindh and Punjab. The Oil Companies Advisory Council has warned of imminent fuel shortages across Sindh and northern Pakistan, despite sufficient stocks, due to a lack of safe alternative routes. Transporters report millions in stranded goods, including hazardous materials, compounding disruption from last week’s goods transport strike. Business leaders urge urgent government action to restore key routes and prevent further economic fallout.

Keep it simple. The Supreme Court has ruled that dowry must be entirely voluntary and free from coercion or societal pressure. Justice Mansoor Ali Shah, heading a two-judge bench, emphasized that dowry given under pressure perpetuates inequality and exploitation, contradicting both constitutional values and Islamic principles. The court clarified that any property or gifts received by the bride remain solely hers and cannot be claimed by the groom or his family. It also stressed that Mehr, not dowry, is the only obligatory marital gift in Islam. The judgment called on society to shift toward simpler, more equitable marriages based on dignity and mutual respect.

What Else Is Happening?

🪸Harmful bleaching of the world’s coral due to prolonged heat has impacted about 84% of the ocean’s reefs in the most intense event in history. It’s the fourth global bleaching event since 1998 and may have caused irreversible damage to the corals, which are key to seafood production, biodiversity, and protecting coastlines from erosion and storms.

🧑‍⚖️The UAE has unveiled plans to become the first nation to integrate AI directly into its lawmaking process, establishing a new government unit to oversee the transformation of how laws are written, reviewed, and updated.