Good afternoon,

Today’s news: Globally, the BRICS bloc meets in Rio, massive floods in Texas, and Israel bombs Yemen. Locally, Karachi building collapse kills 27 amid negligence, Ashura processions conclude peacefully nationwide, and monsoon floods claim 72 lives with more rain expected.

☕ Grab your chaye, let’s go.

P.S. First time reading? Subscribe here for free.

Around The World

Throwing BRICS. The BRICS bloc of developing nations met on Sunday with notable absences of China’s Xi and Russia’s Putin in Rio. The bloc condemned the increase of global tariffs and attacks on Iran, but refrained from naming US President Trump. The group’s declaration also took aim at Israel’s military actions in the Middle East, but spared Russia from criticism and mentioned Ukraine just once.

Meanwhile, Trump has threatened new tariffs on nations supporting “anti-American” policies of the BRICS group of emerging economies, as he announced tariff letters would be sent to scores of countries from today, ahead of a key deadline. So far, the US has only struck trade agreements with the UK and Vietnam.

Here’s a great explainer on tariffs and what Trump wants to accomplish with them.

Floods in Texas. At least 82 people have died and dozens are still missing after devastating floods hit central Texas. In Kerr County, the hardest-hit area, at least 40 adults and 28 children have been killed. Rescuers are still searching for at least 41 people, including 10 girls and one counselor from Camp Mystic. Camp Mystic is an all-girls summer camp along the Guadalupe River that rose more than 20 feet in less than two hours during the peak of the flooding early on the Fourth of July.

Israel bombs Yemen. Israel’s military has bombed three ports and a power plant in Houthi-controlled areas of Yemen, prompting the rebel group to fire more missiles towards Israeli territory. The Israeli military struck the ports of Hodeidah, Ras-Isa, and as-Salif on the Red Sea coast as well as the Ras Kathib power plant. The Israeli attacks late on Sunday were the first in Yemen in almost a month and came after the military claimed that it intercepted a missile fired by the Houthis earlier in the day.

Pakistan

Just plain negligence. Rescue operations in Lyari concluded on Sunday after a five-storey residential building collapsed, killing 27 people, including children. The building, reportedly dilapidated, had shown structural tremors a day before it fell. Narrow streets, poor coordination among rescue teams, and residents refusing to evacuate complicated the three-day effort.

The Sindh government has suspended the Director General of the Sindh Building Control Authority (SBCA), and CM Murad Ali Shah ordered an FIR and strict action against those responsible. A fact-finding committee is due to report within two days. Authorities revealed that 588 buildings in Karachi have been declared dangerous, including 107 in Lyari. Opposition parties have condemned the incident as “criminal negligence.”

Peaceful observance. Ashura processions across the country concluded peacefully on Sunday, with no major security incidents reported. Large gatherings were held in Karachi, Lahore, Hyderabad, Multan, Islamabad, and Peshawar to mark the 10th of Muharram, commemorating the martyrdom of Imam Husain (RA). Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi shared that 4,836 processions and 5,480 majalis took place across Pakistan, all of which were reported to have concluded without incident.

So it flows. At least 72 people have died and 130 have been injured across Pakistan in under two weeks as monsoon rains and flash floods wreak havoc, with more heavy downpours expected until July 10. The highest casualties were reported in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (28), followed by Punjab (22), Sindh (15), and Balochistan (7). Over 160 houses have been damaged and 91 livestock have been lost. Rivers such as the Chenab, Indus, and Kabul may still overflow, raising flood risks nationwide. The NDMA urges the public to stay indoors and avoid flood-prone areas.

What Else Is Happening?

🇸🇷Suriname has elected Jennifer Geerlings-Simons as its first female president, with parliament backing the 71-year-old physician and lawmaker to lead the crisis-hit nation.

🤳Our Social media is full of quick-consumption, eye-catching media, activities, and foods that can cause dopamine to surge, severely impacting our mental health. Here’s how to tell if you have a ‘dopamine deficit’ and what you can do to reset.