Good afternoon,

Today’s news: Globally, Updates from Gaza, Thai and Cambodian forces accuse each other of ceasefire violation, and at least 30 killed from floods in Beijing. Locally, IT exports hit a record high, Khan’s bail delayed, and stranded pilgrims in Quetta protest travel ban.

☕ Grab your chaye, let’s go.

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Around The World

Updates from Gaza. The Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC), a global hunger monitoring system, has warned that the “worst-case scenario of famine” is now unfolding in Gaza, as Israel continues to severely restrict aid entering the Strip. It says data indicates that famine thresholds have been reached for food consumption in most of Gaza and for acute malnutrition in Gaza strip.  Since early morning on Tuesday, Israeli forces killed at least 62 Palestinians across Gaza, including 19 aid seekers, despite “pauses” in fighting to deliver essential humanitarian aid.

Sounds familiar. Thailand has accused Cambodia of "deliberately" violating a ceasefire the two countries agreed on Monday to end border clashes that have killed at least 33 people and displaced thousands. The Thai military says it stopped firing after midnight, but that it continued to receive gunfire from the Cambodian side "at multiple locations" up until this morning but Cambodia's defence ministry said that there had been "no armed clashes" between the two sides since the ceasefire began at midnight. 

Despite the accusations, meetings between local commanders from both sides took place earlier on Tuesday as part of the ceasefire agreement. They agreed to stop shooting and halt the movement of troops on the frontline and to allow each other to collect their dead.

Flooding in Beijing. At least 30 people have died in Beijing as days of heavy rain and flooding sweep across northern China. According to the official Xinhua news agency, the fatalities occurred in the city’s mountainous northern districts, with 28 deaths reported in Miyun and two in Yanqing. In neighboring Hebei province, eight more deaths have been confirmed. Torrential rains began over the weekend and intensified around Beijing on Monday, with rainfall reaching up to 543mm. President Xi Jinping has called for "all-out" search and rescue efforts to prevent further loss of life. Authorities have relocated over 80,000 residents from the worst-hit areas, where floods have damaged roads and cut power to 136 villages.

Pakistan

IT’s a record. Pakistan’s IT and ICT exports hit a record $3.8 billion in FY25—an 18% rise from last year, though falling short of the $4 billion target and slower than FY24’s 24% growth. The surge was led by computer services, while telecom exports stagnated and information services saw modest gains. Despite this milestone, structural challenges e.g talent shortages, rising costs, connectivity issues, and delayed reforms continue to hinder the industry’s full potential. Policy support like increased foreign retention limits and global outreach has helped, but reaching the $10 billion target by FY29 will require faster infrastructure development, talent cultivation, and regulatory easing.

Vanishing act. The Supreme Court adjourned PTI founder Imran Khan’s bail pleas in eight May 9-related cases until August 12 without issuing notices, despite a request from his lawyer, Salman Akram Raja. Imran is challenging the Lahore High Court’s June 24 rejection of his bail, following an earlier denial by a Lahore anti-terrorism court in cases linked to the 2023 riots, including an attack on the Lahore corps commander’s house. 

His appeal argues that he was in NAB custody during the alleged violence, making his involvement impossible, and claims the LHC relied on fabricated evidence. However, the LHC cited testimony from police witnesses who alleged that Imran instructed party leaders to target military sites if arrested.

Open the gates. Hundreds of pilgrims are stranded in Quetta after the federal government imposed a ban on land travel to Iran and Iraq, sparking protests at Shuhada Chowk on Alamdar Road. The demonstrators, many of whom had arrived in five passenger coaches for the upcoming Arbaeen pilgrimage in Karbala starting August 14, demanded the immediate lifting of the ban, arguing that the alternative of air travel is unaffordable for most.

What Else Is Happening?

🏥 Boston Health AI, founded by Pakistani American trauma surgeon Dr. Adil Haider, has launched "Hami," the world’s first AI-powered physician assistant designed to streamline patient care by listening, transcribing, and generating structured medical notes in real time.

🍼 In a desperate attempt to combat falling birth rates, China has introduced its first nationwide child subsidy, offering families 3,600 yuan ($500) annually per child under three. In January, official figures showed that China's population fell for a third year in a row in 2024.

Today In History - 29th July

🚀 In 1958, President Dwight D. Eisenhower signed the National Aeronautics and Space Act, which formally established NASA. This act established NASA and absorbed the National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics (NACA).

💍 On 29th July 1981, the wedding of Prince Charles (later King Charles III) and Lady Diana Spencer took place at St Paul's Cathedral in London, England.