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Story of the day: Aftermath of the Pahalgam attack. Globally, updates from Gaza and Ukraine. Locally, rising India-Pakistan tensions impact the stock market, concerns over water security, and a heatwave in Punjab.

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Around The World

Update from Gaza. Latest Israeli attacks in Gaza have killed at least 45 and injured more than 100 on Wednesday, and the death toll continues to mount from overnight and predawn strikes on the enclave.

Meanwhile, Israel’s far-right National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir has said that his country is merely defending itself and that US Republican Party lawmakers support his position on the need to bomb “food and aid depots” in Gaza.

Update from Ukraine. Russia launched a wave of deadly attacks against Kyiv early Thursday, firing 70 missiles and 145 drones toward Ukraine, mainly targeting Kyiv. At least nine people were killed and more than 77 wounded in the attacks, which struck residential buildings and civilian infrastructure. Following the attacks, Zelensky announced he cut short his visit to South Africa, where he landed late on Wednesday, to return to Ukraine. 

The attack came after weeks of peace negotiations appeared to be concluding without an agreement. US President Donald Trump lashed out at Zelenskyy on Wednesday, accusing him of prolonging the “killing field” by refusing to surrender the Russia-occupied Crimea Peninsula as part of a possible deal.

Story Of The Day - The Pahalgam Attack

The latest from Kashmir. Tuesday's attack in Pahalgam, where 26 tourists were killed, marks the deadliest militant attack in Indian-administered Kashmir since 2019. On Wednesday night, India accused Islamabad of supporting “cross-border terrorism” and imposed diplomatic measures, including downgrading diplomatic ties, suspending the key water-sharing Indus treaty, and closing the main land border crossing with Pakistan.

Meanwhile, Police in Indian-administered Kashmir say they identified three suspects, two of whom are reportedly Pakistani. India has summoned Pakistan’s top diplomat in New Delhi as India’s defence minister pledged a swift response to the attack, and a manhunt is underway for the gunmen. An Indian military response against targets in Pakistan now feels inevitable. 

How will the IWS suspension affect us? For over six decades, the Indus Water treaty has survived wars and diplomatic breakdowns. While India lacks the infrastructure to immediately block flows, the suspension erodes a system built on predictability over key rivers (Indus, Jhelum, Chenab). Now, even small changes in flow timing could disrupt crops, energy, and inter-provincial politics. This is the first time a country has stepped outside the treaty, threatening a fragile water-sharing framework amid growing climate and geopolitical stress.

Pakistan’s response so far.  Following a National Security Committee (NSC) meeting led by PM Shehbaz, the Wagah Border has now been closed. The NSC deliberated on India’s aggressive actions and the impact of the attack, which has been labeled a “false flag operation” by Pakistani authorities. The government has strongly denied any involvement in the attack and expressed condolences for the loss of lives.

The situation is developing, and we will keep you posted with updates.

Pakistan

She’s worried. Amid rising India-Pakistan tensions, the Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) saw significant selling pressure, with the KSE-100 Index dropping over 2,200 points during intra-day trading, a decline of 1.89%. Global market uncertainties, including concerns over U.S. tariffs and Federal Reserve leadership, also contributed to the market's volatility.

Drying right up. The National Assembly’s Standing Committee on National Food Security expressed concerns over declining water availability, population growth, and climate change, which threaten Pakistan’s food security. The committee urged the Ministry of National Food Security to present a 20-year roadmap with clear targets and strategies. They criticized poor crop yields, especially in wheat, cotton, and rice, and pointed to ineffective seed research. The committee also addressed issues like counterfeit seeds, recommending legal action against fraudulent companies and stricter regulations.

The hot and furious. A heatwave continues in Punjab, with temperatures expected to reach 45°C by the end of the month, particularly affecting districts like Bahawalnagar, Rahim Yar Khan, and Multan. The Punjab Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) has issued precautionary measures, urging citizens to avoid outdoor exertion, stay hydrated, and protect vulnerable groups such as children and the elderly. Schools have been advised to alter working hours or close early in response to the heat. The government is ensuring water supply in affected districts and providing heatstroke medications in hospitals.

What Else Is Happening?

💸The EU has fined Apple and Meta a combined 700 million euros for breaching the bloc’s landmark Digital Markets Act (DMA). Apple was hit with a 500-million-euro penalty for restricting how app developers communicate with users about alternative sales and offers. Meta was fined 200 million euros for its controversial “pay or consent” model, which forces users in the EU to either pay for ad-free access to Facebook and Instagram or consent to targeted advertising.

🤖Anthropic's Chief Information Security Officer just predicted that AI-powered virtual employees will begin operating on corporate networks within the next year, bringing major new challenges in security management.