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Twenty people were killed and dozens injured in central Gaza after four aid trucks overturned while crowds swarmed them, Hamas-run civil defense said.

The incident comes as a top UN official warns of “catastrophic consequences” if Israel expands its military operations. Reports say PM Netanyahu is pushing for full reoccupation of Gaza, a move opposed by military leaders and hostage families, according to BBC.

International media remain barred from freely reporting inside Gaza.

WhatsApp has removed 6.8m scam-linked accounts in the first half of the year, Meta confirmed. Many were tied to organized crime in Southeast Asia, often involving forced labor, according to BBC.

The move comes alongside new anti-scam features, like alerts when users are added to group chats by unknown contacts. Meta said most accounts were taken down before they could be used in scams.

In one case, WhatsApp and OpenAI helped stop a Cambodian group using AI to push a fake scooter rental scheme. Users are urged to stay alert and use tools like two-step verification for protection, BBC reported.

The Philippines has granted visa-free entry to Indian tourists for up to 14 days, while India will offer free e-visas to Filipino visitors. Direct flights between Delhi and Manila are also expected soon, according to Firstpost.

India’s PM Modi welcomed the move, calling it a step towards stronger ties. The MEA said the measures will boost tourism, trade, and cultural exchange.

With the Philippines added, Indian passport holders now enjoy visa-free access to 30 countries, including Thailand, Malaysia, Kenya, and Nepal. Another 28 countries, like Indonesia, Maldives, and Sri Lanka, offer visa-on-arrival, Firstpost reported.

India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi will visit China to attend the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Summit in Tianjin from August 31 to September 1, according to CNN.

This marks his first trip to China since ties between the two countries soured following the 2020 border standoff in Ladakh, which included the deadly Galwan Valley clash. Further updates are expected as the situation develops.

Thousands gathered in Hiroshima to mark 80 years since the US dropped the first wartime atomic bomb, killing over 78,000 people instantly. The ceremony, attended by survivors, officials, and representatives from 120 countries, focused on remembering the victims and calling for nuclear disarmament, Al Jazeera reported.

A moment of silence was held at Peace Memorial Park, the exact time the bomb struck. Hiroshima’s mayor warned of rising global militarism and urged leaders to visit the city and see the devastation firsthand.

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres sent a message urging peace, while survivors—now fewer than 100,000—voiced concern over today’s growing tensions, fearing history may repeat.

US special envoy Steve Witkoff met Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow on Wednesday, just days before a White House deadline for Russia to agree to a Ukraine ceasefire or face new sanctions, BBC reported.

The Kremlin gave no details of the meeting. Earlier, Witkoff also met Russian envoy Kirill Dmitriev, involved in past peace talks.

President Trump has warned of penalties, including possible tariffs on Russia’s trade partners, if no deal is reached. “Get a deal where people stop getting killed,” Trump told reporters.

Putin says he wants peace but insists Ukraine must cede territory and drop NATO plans. Kyiv demands an immediate ceasefire, according to BBC.

The Great Barrier Reef has suffered its most widespread coral bleaching since monitoring began in 1986, driven by record ocean heat in 2024, a new Australian government report has confirmed.

Scientists from the Australian Institute of Marine Science (AIMS) found severe bleaching across the reef, with coral cover in the southern region falling by nearly a third. The damage, largely caused by climate change, marks the biggest annual decline in nearly 40 years, according to Al Jazeera.

AIMS CEO Professor Selina Stead said bleaching events are becoming more frequent and severe, stressing the need for urgent emissions cuts and stronger reef management.

Despite global concerns, Australia continues to resist listing the reef as “in danger” while remaining a major fossil fuel exporter, Al Jazeera reported.

Russia and China will launch joint naval patrols in the Asia-Pacific, following recent drills in the Sea of Japan, Al Jazeera reported.

Warships from both navies will form a new task group after resupplying, focusing on coordinated patrol missions. The move follows live-fire and anti-submarine exercises involving key vessels from both sides.

Moscow said the drills are defensive. The patrols reflect deepening military ties as both nations counter growing US presence in the region, according to Al Jazeera.