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European leaders have rushed to Washington after President Donald Trump signalled a sharp change in his approach to the Ukraine war following talks with Vladimir Putin. Trump abandoned earlier demands for a ceasefire as a condition for peace talks and ruled out further sanctions on Russia, a move that European officials fear tilts US policy closer to Moscow, BBC reported.

France’s Emmanuel Macron, Italy’s Giorgia Meloni and other EU and NATO leaders quickly altered their schedules to urge Trump against backing a settlement that leaves Ukraine weakened or cedes the Donbas to Russia. They argue Ukraine’s security must be guaranteed through long-term military strength, allied funding and intelligence support, not vague assurances or demilitarisation.

According to BBC, the leaders’ immediate goal is to slow talk of land-for-peace deals and instead press for a ceasefire framework, broader security guarantees for Europe, and a potential trilateral summit involving Trump, Zelensky and Putin.

Hamas has accepted a ceasefire and hostage-release proposal brokered by Egypt and Qatar, according to Palestinian officials. The plan, based on a framework advanced by US envoy Steve Witkoff, includes a 60-day truce during which Hamas would free about half of the 50 remaining Israeli hostages. Talks on a permanent ceasefire and Israeli troop withdrawal would continue during this period, according to BBC.

Israel has not formally responded. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu recently said any deal must secure the release of all hostages at once. Meanwhile, Israel’s cabinet is expected to approve an expanded military offensive in Gaza, including plans to seize Gaza City.

The war began after Hamas’ October 7, 2023 attack on southern Israel, which killed around 1,200 people and saw 251 taken hostage. Since then, Gaza’s health ministry says more than 62,000 people have been killed in the territory, BBC reported.

Hurricane Erin has re-intensified into a Category 4 storm, bringing heavy rains to the southeastern Bahamas and Turks and Caicos of the United States though no direct landfall is expected. Puerto Rico saw widespread power outages, but most electricity has been restored.

Forecasters warn Erin will stay “large and dangerous” as it moves between Bermuda and the US East Coast this week. North Carolina’s Outer Banks have begun evacuations on Hatteras Island, while officials caution that life-threatening surf and rip currents could affect much of the eastern seaboard, BBC reported.

Amnesty International has accused Israel of using starvation as a weapon in Gaza, warning that famine is spreading as Israeli attacks intensify, Al Jazeera reported.

Based on testimonies from displaced Palestinians and medical workers, the rights group said Israel is deliberately destroying the health and social fabric of life in Gaza, calling it part of an “ongoing genocide.” Accounts include a pregnant women fearing for her baby’s survival and an elderly resident who feels she has become a burden on her family.

According to Al Jazeera, nearly 62,000 Palestinians have been killed since October 2023, while almost a million in Gaza City now face further displacement under escalating bombardment.

Palestinian families are fleeing eastern Gaza City amid heavy bombardment and fears of an Israeli ground offensive that could uproot hundreds of thousands. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has called Gaza City Hamas’ last stronghold, but Israeli officials warn an assault could endanger the 50 hostages still held and lead to prolonged urban warfare, according to Reuters.

The planned offensive has sparked mass protests in Israel demanding a ceasefire and hostage release. In Gaza, unions have called for demonstrations urging Hamas to push harder in negotiations.

Egyptian and Qatari mediators have intensified ceasefire talks in Cairo with Hamas and allied groups. While previous efforts collapsed in July, Hamas has indicated willingness to consider a US-proposed 60-day truce with partial hostage release as part of a wider deal to end the war, Reuters reported.

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi started a three-day visit to India on Monday, meeting External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, NSA Ajit Doval, and Prime Minister Narendra Modi. He and Doval will hold the 24th round of boundary talks, though no breakthrough is expected, Firstpost reported.

Recent steps like resuming the Kailash-Mansarovar yatra, visas, and flights have signaled easing, but experts caution these are tactical gestures, not a strategic thaw. Core issues—boundary disputes, trade gaps, and mistrust—persist, keeping ties far from normal despite speculation of closer alignment.

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) on Monday issued a red alert for Mumbai, warning of heavy to very heavy rainfall, thunderstorms, and gusty winds. The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) ordered all schools closed, including afternoon shifts, as waterlogging disrupted traffic and daily activities across several areas, Firstpost reported.

The red alert—the highest in IMD’s warning system—covered Borivali, Thane, Kalyan, Mulund, Powai, Santa Cruz, Chembur, Worli, Navi Mumbai, and Colaba. Authorities urged residents to stay indoors unless necessary and follow official safety guidelines.

The IMD also warned of a flash flood risk in Mumbai and its suburbs until early August 19, while other parts of Maharashtra remain under yellow and orange alerts, according to Firstpost.

White House trade adviser Peter Navarro has called on India to stop purchasing Russian crude, warning that these imports are funding Moscow’s war in Ukraine and weakening global sanctions. In an opinion piece in the Financial Times, he accused India of acting as a “clearinghouse” for Russian oil, converting embargoed crude into high-value exports that provide dollars to the Kremlin.

India, the world’s second-largest buyer of Russian oil after China, gets over 30 percent of its fuel from Moscow. Earlier this month, President Donald Trump imposed 50 percent tariffs on Indian goods over the issue. In response, Prime Minister Narendra Modi vowed on Independence Day to protect Indian farmers and stand firm against US trade pressure, Al Jazeera reported.