Good afternoon,

Today’s news: Globally, updates from Gaza and Israel, Trump vs. Ramaphosa, and floods in Australia. Locally, Pakistan blames India for the Khuzdar bus attack terrorism,  Imran Khan denies a release deal, and Suparco predicts Eid-ul-Azha.

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Around The World

Updates from Gaza and Israel.

• At least 38 people have been killed in Israeli attacks across the Gaza Strip since dawn today.

• Chronic shortages of water in Gaza are worsening as Israel's expanding military offensive causes new waves of displacement, and desalination and hygiene plants are running out of fuel. The UN's humanitarian office has warned that, without immediate fuel deliveries, a full shutdown of water and sanitation facilities is possible by the end of the week.

• Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Israel has “probably” killed Mohammed Sinwar, Hamas’ elusive de facto leader in Gaza, and vowed that Israel would not stop its newly launched military operation in Gaza.

• More than a dozen governments condemned Israel after its forces fired in the direction of a diplomatic delegation near the Jenin refugee camp in the occupied West Bank. The foreign diplomats included representatives of the EU, the UK, Russia, and China.

• Two Israeli Embassy staff members were killed in a shooting outside the Capital Jewish Museum in Washington, DC, where the American Jewish Committee was hosting an event on Wednesday night. The sole suspect was identified as 30-year-old Elias Rodriguez from Chicago, who chanted “Free Free Palestine” while in custody, police said.

Show time. South African President Cyril Ramaphosa was the latest leader to face an Oval Office ambush Wednesday, as Trump lectured him on false claims that White South African farmers are the victims of a genocide. The South African president began the meeting by focusing heavily on trade and investments, highlighting the two countries’ years of cooperation.

Trump made unsubstantiated claims of systemic killings of white South Africans and put on a video purporting to show officials supporting it. Ramaphosa pushed back, referring to the white members of his delegation and saying, “If there was Afrikaner farmer genocide, I can bet you these three gentlemen would not be here.”

Floods in Australia. Two people have died and another two are missing after major flooding in New South Wales (NSW) left more than 50,000 people under evacuation warnings. The record rainfall, now declared a natural disaster, was caused by a slow-moving area of low pressure. By Friday, some areas are predicted to receive another 300mm (12 inches) of rain, and nearly 10,000 homes are at risk of flooding in the state's Mid North Coast.

Pakistan

Terror by proxy. Defense Minister Khawaja Asif has accused India of sponsoring terrorism through proxy groups like the Baloch Liberation Army and Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan, citing evidence linking them to the school bus bombing in Khuzdar, Balochistan, which killed three children and injured dozens. He vowed Pakistan would respond forcefully. ISPR also condemned India for using terrorism as state policy, warning that those responsible would be brought to justice. Meanwhile, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Wednesday proposed Saudi Arabia as a potential neutral venue for long-awaited talks between Pakistan and India, focusing on four key issues: Kashmir, water, trade, and terrorism. He expressed optimism that tensions were de-escalating, following recent contacts between the two countries' Directors General of Military Operations (DGMOs). 

Khan you not. Former Prime Minister Imran Khan has denied rumors of a deal for his release, reaffirming his willingness to hold talks with the establishment to address the country’s escalating security and economic crises. In a statement shared on X, Khan emphasized he sought nothing for himself and urged national unity amid rising terrorism, external threats, and economic instability. 

Eid spotting. Eid-ul-Azha is expected to be celebrated across Pakistan on June 7, 2025, according to the Space and Upper Atmosphere Research Commission (Suparco). Suparco stated that the new moon for Zilhaj will be born on May 27 at 8:02 pm PST, but due to its short visibility window and age at sunset, moon sighting on that day is highly unlikely. Consequently, the 1st of Zilhaj is anticipated to fall on May 29. However, the final decision rests with the Central Ruet-e-Hilal Committee.

What Else Is Happening?

🪙Bitcoin price has risen to a new all-time high above $111,000, breaking its previous record in January.

⚽️Tottenham Hotspur defeated Manchester United 1-0 to win the Europa League final on Wednesday in Bilbao, Spain. The victory secured the Spurs their first title in 17 years.

🎁The US has accepted a plane intended for the Air Force One fleet from Qatar, a gift that has sparked criticism, including from some of Trump's biggest supporters. The plane is estimated to be worth $400m and will be transferred to Trump's presidential library at the end of his term.