Good afternoon,

Today’s news: Globally, updates from Gaza, Thai-Cambodian ceasefire talks amid clashes, and the US-EU trade deal. Locally, a monetary policy meeting on July 30th, the Tirah protest turns deadly, and the NDMA issues a cross-country flood warning.

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Around The World

Updates from Gaza. Israel has announced “tactical pauses” in parts of Gaza for humanitarian reasons, from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily to enable more aid to reach people, amid growing international outrage over starvation in the territory. The pause will also see the military open up corridors to facilitate aid delivery by the UN and other agencies. The UN says Israel has allowed 100 truckloads of aid to be collected, but warns the amount is not enough to “stave off famine”. 

However, at least 63 Palestinians were killed in Israeli attacks on Sunday, and six more died from starvation. Israeli forces also seized the Freedom Flotilla’s Handala ship and detained its 21 crew members as they attempted to break the Gaza blockade. Live updates here.

Here and there. Peace talks have started between Thai and Cambodian leaders in Malaysia as border clashes continue into their fifth day. Cambodian PM Hun Manet called for an "immediate ceasefire" hours before the talks, while his Thai counterpart, Phumtham Wechayachai, said that Cambodia must show "genuine intent" to de-escalate. Both sides have accused the other of starting the latest border flare-up, and traded blame for the ongoing fighting. At least 33 people have been killed and thousands displaced since the fighting started on 24 July.

Art of the deal. The US and the European Union agreed to a trade framework setting a 15% tariff on most goods, staving off far higher import duties on both sides that might have sent shock waves through economies around the globe. Trump has claimed this as another win for his campaign, but he questions over his handling of the Epstein case still dog his steps, with public theorizing that the EU trade deal is set to be a distraction from the Epstein files and his past friendship with the accused sex trafficker, who died in prison in 2019 while awaiting trial.

Pakistan

Rate expectations. With inflation down to 3.2% and GDP growth lagging at 2.1%, the business community is calling for a 500-basis-point cut in the 11% policy rate ahead of the Monetary Policy Committee meeting on July 30. Industry leaders argue the high rate is stifling investment, exports, and job creation. They’re urging the State Bank to adopt a pro-growth stance, warning that inaction could worsen unemployment and fiscal stress, especially for SMEs and underbanked regions like Balochistan.

Crosshairs. Protesters demonstrating against counter-terror operations in KP’s Tirah Valley came under fire near a Frontier Corps compound on July 27, with reports of fatalities and injuries. While a provincial official claimed banned TTP militants were behind the shooting, some protesters blamed security forces. The protest followed the death of two children in a mortar attack in Tank district in the previous week, prompting widespread outrage. PM Shehbaz Sharif condemned the attack, and a jirga involving military officials and tribal elders pledged an inquiry, compensation (Rs1.5 million per deceased, Rs. 250,000 per injured), and an end to drone and mortar strikes on civilians.

Weather alert. An intense monsoon spell is forecast from Monday, with heavy rains expected across Punjab, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Balochistan, Gilgit-Baltistan, and Azad Kashmir, raising the risk of flash floods and landslides. Since June 26, monsoon rains have killed at least 279 people and injured 676. The NDMA has issued alerts for flood-prone regions, including Gilgit, Skardu, Neelum Valley, and Chitral, urging local authorities to take preventive measures. 

Meanwhile, Pakistan is set to launch its latest remote sensing satellite on July 31 from China’s Xichang Satellite Launch Centre, aiming to strengthen disaster management, agricultural monitoring, and urban planning. Developed by Suparco, the satellite will provide early warnings for floods, earthquakes, and landslides, marking a major step in Pakistan’s space and scientific progress.

What Else Is Happening?

⚽England has been crowned champion of Europe for the second successive time after defeating Spain 3-1 on penalties in the Women’s Euro 2025 final.

💃Real or not? In the August print edition of Vogue, a Guess advertisement features a flawless AI-generated blonde model, marking the first time an AI-generated person has appeared in the magazine. This has drawn controversy and questions about what this means for real models, as well as raising concerns about beauty standards.