Good afternoon,

Today’s news: Globally, Ukraine agrees to a ceasefire, Trump’s steel tariffs and Greenland’s parliamentary elections. Locally, the Balochistan train hijacking and other updates.

☕ Grab your chaye, let’s go.

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

Around The World

Live from KSA. Ukraine has agreed to a United States proposal for a 30-day ceasefire with Russia after high-level talks in Saudi Arabia, while the Kremlin says Russia is waiting for a briefing from the US on the proposal that calls for a halt to all the fighting on land, sea, and in the air. Meanwhile, the US lifted its suspension of military aid and intelligence sharing for Ukraine.

Heavy on metal. US President Donald Trump officially increased tariffs on all steel and aluminum imports to 25% on Wednesday, promising that it would help create US factory jobs amidst fears of an economic slowdown. The European Union says it will impose counter-measures on €26bn (£21.9bn, $28.3bn) worth of US goods. China says it will take all necessary measures to safeguard its rights and interests, while Canada's high commissioner to the UK criticized the “lawless trade world of Trump.” The UK did not announce any tariffs in response as it pushed for a wider economic agreement instead. Live updates here.

Bring it in. Greenland’s center-right opposition Demokraatit party has won a parliamentary election with 30% of votes, overshadowed by US President Trump’s pledge to take control of the Arctic island. Demokraatit is pro-business and favors a slow approach to independence from Denmark. Prime Minister Mute Bourup Egede had called the early vote in February, saying the country needed to be united during a serious time unlike anything Greenland has ever experienced.

Story Of The Day - The Balochistan Hijacking

What happened? The Jaffar Express, traveling from Quetta to Peshawar, was hijacked by Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) militants yesterday near Balochistan's Bolan district. Militants attacked the train near the Mashkaf Tunnel, around 157 km from Quetta, taking over 400 passengers hostage. 

What’s the latest? A rescue operation by security forces has entered its second day. So far, 190 passengers, including women and children, have been rescued, and 37 injured have received medical treatment. 10 people, including the train driver and 8 security personnel, have reportedly died in the gun battle, though the total casualties remain unconfirmed. 30 terrorists have been reportedly killed, with more assailants still engaged. 

Over 200 hostages, mostly security personnel, are still being held and the BLA has issued a 48-hour ultimatum for the release of Baloch political prisoners, forcibly disappeared persons, and national resistance activists. The condition of the remaining hostages is unclear, and the attackers are reportedly using women and children as human shields, preventing a full-scale offensive. 

Read updates, here. 

What’s the context? The hijacking of the Jaffar Express marks the first time Baloch separatist militants have seized an entire train, a significant escalation in the broader surge in violence in Balochistan. The BLA has increasingly targeted Pakistani military and security forces, particularly concerning the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), a project that is seen by many Baloch as exacerbating local issues.

Balochistan, rich in resources but underdeveloped, has been a long-standing conflict zone, with the BLA and other groups demanding independence. Over time, the BLA has shifted from small attacks to larger operations, fueled by a strengthening command structure and advanced weaponry. According to analysts, the state has struggled to curb the BLA's rise with military operations, widening the divide and failing to address local grievances.

Read more, here. 

Pakistan

Hot water. PPP Chairperson Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari has urged the Council of Common Interests (CCI) to decide the fate of Punjab’s controversial Indus canal project, echoing President Asif Ali Zardari’s concerns over the government's unilateral approach. Speaking in the National Assembly, he warned that bypassing provincial consensus could spark tensions. While endorsing the Green Pakistan initiative, which includes the canal project, he stressed the need for safeguards to prevent harm to any federating unit. Sindh’s PPP-led government, he added, has repeatedly called for a CCI meeting to address water distribution concerns.

All tangled up. The Public Accounts Committee (PAC) questioned the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) over awarding a Rs. 1.89 billion contract to the National Logistics Cell (NLC) without open bidding. Only military-affiliated firms were invited, and NLC won by default.

Gone with the wind. Auditors have uncovered significant delays in the revamping of 13 district headquarters hospitals in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, despite the provincial government paying Rs 1.08 billion to Punjab’s Infrastructure Development Authority (IDAP) over three years ago. IDAP refused to begin work, citing incomplete payments, leaving the allocated funds idle. The Auditor-General’s report has called for an investigation to determine responsibility and ensure accountability for the stalled project and financial mismanagement.

What else is happening?

💸 Google wallet has officially been launched in Pakistan, allowing users to make contactless payments and store digital items securely.

⚽After a thrilling clash at Anfield, PSG ousted Liverpool from Champions League on penalties yesterday to join Barcelona, Bayern and Inter in the quarterfinals.

🫀An Australian man lived for 100 days with an artificial titanium heart while he awaited a donor transplant, the longest period to date for someone living with the technology. This is an extremely positive sign that an artificial heart could potentially be a long-term option for people suffering heart failure.