Good afternoon,

Today’s news: Globally, updates from the Middle East and US-Iran nuclear talks. Locally, ISPR blames India for the Khuzdar attack in a joint presser, FinMin deepens World Bank ties, and SHC pushes for Sindh’s seat in IRSA.

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Around The World

Updates from the Middle East.

• More than 50 Palestinians were killed or remain missing after an Israeli air strike on a residential building in northern Gaza. Meanwhile, Gaza’s Health Ministry says 29 children and elderly people who died in recent days in Gaza have been registered as “starvation-related deaths”, and thousands more are at risk of starving.

• More than 90 lorry loads of humanitarian aid, including flour, baby food, and medical equipment, have been collected by UN teams inside the Gaza Strip, three days after Israel eased an 11-week-long blockade.

• Israel has bombed towns in southern and eastern Lebanon, killing at least one person, in what has been described as some of the heaviest attacks since a ceasefire with Hezbollah was reached in November.

• Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu launched a blistering attack on UK PM Starmer and the leaders of France and Canada, saying that they had "effectively said they want Hamas to remain in power.” He also accused them of siding with "mass murderers, rapists, baby killers and kidnappers.”

Roman holiday.  Iran and the United States are set to begin a fifth round of high-stakes nuclear talks in Rome today amid growing skepticism in Tehran about the chances of a deal as Washington hardens its position. The Trump administration has demanded that Iran stop all uranium enrichment activity, which enables weaponization. 

Tehran, which has raised its enrichment to about 60%, well above civilian needs but below the 90% needed for weaponization, has rejected that “red line”. Iran maintains that its nuclear program is peaceful and says it is willing to commit not to enrich uranium to weapons-grade as part of an agreement.

Pakistan

Terror ties. ISPR Director General Lt Gen Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry, in a press conference alongside the interior secretary, strongly condemned the May 21 terrorist attack on a school bus in Khuzdar, Balochistan, that killed 6 children and injured 31, calling it an assault on Pakistan’s values and society. He blamed the attack on India-sponsored terrorism, specifically linking it to the Indian intelligence agency RAW and the group "Fitna al Hindustan." He highlighted a pattern of Indian involvement in past terror incidents, including the Kulbushan Jadhav case and UN-submitted dossiers, asserting that recent violence reflects India's failed strategies and desperation. 

A green flag. A high-level meeting between Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb and a World Bank delegation led by Anna Bjerde focused on strengthening bilateral cooperation and accelerating the implementation of the newly-launched 10-year Country Partnership Framework (CPF). Discussions emphasized key CPF priorities, particularly climate resilience and population management. Bjerde praised Pakistan’s reform efforts and climate initiatives, while Aurangzeb reaffirmed the government's commitment to aligning development with sustainability. The World Bank pledged full support, particularly in areas like taxation, energy, social protection, girls’ education, and women’s empowerment.

IRSA problem. The Sindh High Court has directed the federal government to appoint a federal member to the Indus River System Authority (IRSA) from Sindh within three weeks, expressing frustration over delays despite earlier orders. A petition challenges the appointment of the current member and the issuance of a water availability certificate for canals in Cholistan, both allegedly in violation of legal and policy frameworks.

The SHC had already suspended the certificate and stressed that IRSA’s composition must reflect Sindh’s representation, as affirmed in a 2017 ruling. The court also instructed federal and provincial law officers to provide updates at the next hearing on proposed amendments to the IRSA Act. The court noted that these amendments should address water allocation, lower riparian rights, and national cohesion.

What Else Is Happening?

⛰️ Pakistani mountaineer Naila Kiani made history on Friday by successfully summiting Mount Kanchenjunga (8,586m) in Nepal, becoming the only Pakistani woman to climb 12 of the world’s 14 highest peaks above 8,000 meters. 

🏫The Trump administration has moved to end Harvard's ability to enroll international students, delivering a sharp punishment for refusing to bow to the administration’s policy demands. Harvard has called the move "unlawful". Live updates here.

👴🏻Denmark is set to have the highest retirement age in Europe after its parliament adopted a law raising it to 70 by 2040.