Good afternoon,

Today’s news: Globally, updates from Gaza, Ukraine, and India. Locally, Sindh braces for floods as the army intensifies relief ops, dengue cases surge in the twin cities, and Imran Khan’s nephew sent to judicial remand.

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Around The World

Update from Gaza. Israeli and US officials met Wednesday in Washington to discuss post-war Gaza, as Israel’s military called the evacuation of Gaza City “inevitable” ahead of a new offensive, with no sign of a ceasefire in sight. The meeting took place amid outrage over this week’s Israeli strike on a Gaza hospital that killed journalists, emergency responders, and others. 

Meanwhile, Pope Leo XIV demanded that Israel stop the forced displacement of Palestinians in Gaza as he pleaded for an immediate and permanent ceasefire.

Additionally, Gaza’s Ministry of Health has recorded four deaths due to famine and malnutrition over the past 24 hours, bringing the total number of hunger-related deaths in the enclave to 317, while at least 11 people have been killed in Israeli attacks across Gaza overnight and this morning.

Update from Ukraine. Russia bombarded the Ukrainian capital with drones and missiles early Thursday, including a strike in the city center, killing at least 14 people and wounding 48. It was the first major Russian attack on Kyiv in weeks. Russia launched 598 strike drones and decoys and 31 missiles of different types across the country, making it one of the war’s biggest air attacks.

Meanwhile, Russia’s Ministry of Defense said it shot down 102 Ukrainian drones overnight. Ukrainian drones have repeatedly struck refineries and oil infrastructures in recent weeks in an attempt to weaken Russia’s war economy.

Big moves. India announced that it had successfully test-fired Agni-V, its intermediate-range ballistic missile, from a test range in Odisha on its eastern Bay of Bengal coast. Capable of travelling more than 5,000km at hypersonic speeds of nearly 30,000km per hour, it is among the fastest ballistic missiles in the world. The Agni test came as experts say the latest test might be a message less for Pakistan and more for China, a neighbor New Delhi is cautiously warming up to again. 

The Agni’s range puts most of Asia, including China’s northern regions, and parts of Europe within reach. This was the missile’s 10th test since 2012 and its first this year, but its timing was significant, analysts say.

Pakistan

Floods update. Sindh is bracing for a very high flood of 650,000–700,000 cusecs at Guddu Barrage between Sept 1–3 as swollen eastern rivers flow downstream from Punjab, prompting the Indus River System Authority to reduce outflows from Tarbela and retain water at Chashma to ease pressure.

Additionally, at least two soldiers were martyred during flood relief efforts, as the army and NDMA intensified operations across Punjab, KP, AJK, and GB. Around 28,000 people were rescued and 210,000 evacuated, with authorities bracing for fresh rainfall between Aug 29 and Sept 9. The military established 29 medical camps, which treated over 20,700 people, distributed 225 tonnes of rations, repaired three key bridges, and cleared 104 roads.

Viral surge. A total of 122 dengue cases have been reported in Islamabad so far, with 27 new cases in the past 24 hours, officials told Minister of State for Health Mukhtar Bharath. The minister stressed stronger surveillance, timely data sharing, and cooperation to curb the outbreak, which has worsened from heavy rains. 88 cases have also been recorded in Rawalpindi.

Side business. A Lahore anti-terrorism court sent PTI founder Imran Khan’s nephew, Shershah Khan, to judicial remand in connection with the May 9 Jinnah House attack, rejecting the police’s request for a 30-day physical remand. Shershah was presented after a five-day remand during which a baton was recovered and a photogrammetry test conducted, but the court ruled further custody unnecessary, directing the charge sheet by September 11. His brother Shahrez remains in police custody, while both arrests have drawn criticism as politically motivated.

What Else Is Happening?

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🔠Google has introduced AI upgrades to Google Translate, including real-time on-screen translations for 70+ languages and interactive language learning tools.