Good afternoon,

Today’s news: Globally, Thailand-Cambodia clashes, agencies warn of starvation in Gaza, and updates from Ukraine. Locally, PTI leaders sentenced, BYD to launch an EV plant in Pakistan, and MPs question Disco privatization plans.

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Around The World

Clashes. At least 12 Thais were killed as Thai and Cambodian troops clashed in a disputed border area. Cambodia has been accused of firing rockets into a Thai village and attacking a hospital, while Thailand has carried out air strikes on Cambodian military targets. Thailand has also closed its entire border with Cambodia after telling all its nationals there to leave. 

Both countries issued statements accusing the other of instigating the fighting. Thailand’s military said Cambodia had deployed a surveillance drone before sending troops to the area, who they said had opened fire with heavy weapons, forcing Thai soldiers to retaliate.

Gaza starves. At least 100 international aid organisations and human rights groups are warning of mass starvation in Gaza. Another 10 Palestinians died from malnutrition in the last 24 hours, bringing the number of deaths from malnutrition to 43. Israel says 150 food trucks were collected by the UN and other agencies inside Gaza on Wednesday, but the UN warns the amount of aid reaching Palestinians is a "trickle".

The Palestinian Foreign Ministry condemned the Israeli parliament’s vote on the non-binding motion to impose sovereignty on the occupied West Bank, calling it colonial and racist. The ministry said there is now little possibility that Israel would pull back from its plans to expand its occupation and implement a two-state solution.

Crime and Punishment. The Ukrainian government is facing backlash after President Zelenskyy signed a law limiting the independence of two anti-corruption agencies. The controversial bill grants control of the National Anti-Corruption Bureau and Specialised Anti-Corruption Prosecutor's Office to the Prosecutor General. As protestors gathered for the second night on Wednesday, Zelenskyy said he would submit a new bill to parliament in response to the criticism, although he offered no details about what it would contain.

Pakistan

Working late. An anti-terrorism court has sentenced eight senior members of former PM Imran Khan’s PTI to 10 years in prison over their alleged roles in the May 9 riots targeting military sites, following Khan’s arrest in 2023. Six others were acquitted despite facing similar charges. Those sentenced include Yasmin Rashid, Ejaz Chaudhry, Mehmoodur Rashid, and Umar Cheema. PTI Vice Chairman Shah Mehmood Qureshi was acquitted but remains in custody in other cases.

Meanwhile, Imran Khan’s sons, Sulaiman and Kasim, have launched a campaign in the US for their father’s release, meeting with Trump aide Richard Grenell and USCIRF official Dr. Asif Mahmood. While praised abroad for their advocacy, the brothers may face legal hurdles if they try to join political activities in Pakistan, with government officials warning that such actions could violate visa conditions.

Hi, tech. Chinese EV giant BYD plans to roll out its first locally assembled vehicle in Pakistan by July or August 2026 through a plant near Karachi, built in partnership with Mega Motor Company. Initially capable of producing 25,000 units annually, the plant will assemble imported parts with limited local production and may later export to nearby right-hand drive markets. BYD, which began delivering imported EVs in Pakistan in March, has already exceeded initial sales targets and expects the EV and plug-in hybrid market to grow 3–4 times in 2025.

Time to DISCO. The National Assembly’s Standing Committee on Economic Affairs has voiced concern over the proposed privatisation of profitable power distribution companies, questioning why low-loss Discos were being targeted, while also highlighting the financial strain caused by Pakistan’s surplus electricity generation of 7,000–8,000MW. Lawmakers noted the country’s continued reliance on fossil fuels (54%) over clean energy.

What Else Is Happening?

💻The Trump administration has unveiled a comprehensive AI Action Plan, pledging to boost US innovation and promising to build data center infrastructure while stripping away bureaucratic red tape and ideological bias.

👂Amazon is acquiring Bee, a startup that makes a $50 AI-powered wristband that continuously records conversations for daily summaries, insights, and reminders. Hello, 1984!