Submit your Article

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.

Singapore is tightening enforcement against vaping on its public transport network, the Land Transport Authority (LTA) said on Monday. Station staff have begun active patrols, with offenders to be removed and reported to authorities. Police may also be called if individuals are found intoxicated, according to Xinhua.

Transport operator SMRT separately urged commuters to report vaping incidents. Vaping is banned in Singapore, and violators face fines of up to 2,000 Singapore dollars (about 1,559 US dollars).

Myanmar will begin its first general election since the 2021 coup on December 28, Reuters reported.

Authorities said the vote will take place in multiple phases through December and January due to security concerns.

No additional details were provided on the initial phase.