Good afternoon,

Today’s news: Globally, updates from Gaza, Iran, and India. Locally, flash flooding across Pakistan, security forces kill two militants in an intelligence-based operation in Balochistan’s Duki district, and inflation cools to 3–4%.

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Around The World

Updates from Gaza. Israel has launched at least 50 aerial attacks across Gaza with a particular focus on the eastern part of Gaza City after the military issued forced evacuation threats, raising fears of an intensified assault. Israeli forces killed at least 68 Palestinians in Gaza on Sunday.

Meanwhile, US President Donald Trump said he was hopeful a ceasefire could be agreed in the next week. Egypt’s foreign minister says his country is working on a new Gaza deal that includes a 60-day ceasefire in exchange for the release of some Israeli captives.

Eat your greens. Iran on Monday criticized US President Trump's shifting stance on whether to lift economic sanctions against Tehran as "games" that were not aimed at solving the problems between the two countries. Iran also demanded that the US must rule out any further strikes on Iran if it wants to resume diplomatic talks.

Stampede in India. Three people were killed and more than a dozen were hospitalized Sunday following a sudden crowd surge and stampede at a popular festival in eastern India. The festival is one of Hinduism’s most revered events, and draws hundreds of thousands of devotees annually to catch a glimpse of the deities onboard three chariots during the “Rath Yatra” at the famous Jagannatha Temple.

Pakistan

Fatal floods. At least 45 people, including 23 children, have died and 68 others have been injured across Pakistan since June 26 due to heavy monsoon rains causing flash floods, electrocutions, and other incidents, with Khyber Pakhtunkhwa reporting the highest fatalities. 

The NDMA has issued weather alerts predicting continued rain and urged authorities to remain on high alert, while advising citizens in high-risk areas to take precautions. The rains have severely impacted KP, Punjab, Sindh, and Balochistan, raising river levels and triggering floods in several cities. 

Time-out. Pakistan’s security forces killed two militants and arrested two others during an intelligence-based operation in Balochistan’s Duki district, recovering weapons and explosives from what the military described as Indian-sponsored terrorists. The operation followed a deadly suicide bombing in North Waziristan that killed 13 soldiers, for which Pakistan also blamed India. 

Staying stable. Inflation is projected to remain between 3-4% in June 2025, following a 3.5% year-on-year rise in May, according to the Finance Division's Monthly Economic Update. The report highlights positive trends in large-scale manufacturing, rising private sector credit, and a current account surplus driven by higher remittances and exports.

In FY2025, the economy grew by 2.68%, inflation eased, and the primary surplus reached 3.2% of GDP. The government aims to boost cotton cultivation in the 2025–26 Kharif season, supported by improved farm inputs, including higher offtake of urea and DAP, reflecting enhanced agricultural support measures.

What Else Is Happening?

📱⚡The Pakistani federal government has launched the "Apna Meter, Apni Reading" mobile app, enabling electricity consumers to upload their own meter readings to enhance billing transparency, reduce overbilling, and retain subsidies.

🔥Turkiye has evacuated four villages and two neighbourhoods in Izmir as firefighters battle wildfires for the second day. The first fire broke out on Sunday in Izmir, spreading swiftly due to winds of up to 117 kmph (75mph).

🦿Four teams of humanoid robots faced off in 3-on-3 soccer matches powered entirely by AI in Beijing, a first in China and a preview for the upcoming World Humanoid Robot Games. All the participating robots operated fully autonomously without any human intervention or supervision.