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The UN has warned that Gaza is running out of fuel, threatening critical services like hospitals, ambulances, and water supply. Amid Israel’s ongoing blockade, the UN urged immediate fuel entry and unimpeded humanitarian access.

The World Food Programme reports severe hunger, with one in three people going days without food. Civilians are being killed while trying to access aid, and displacement continues to rise, with over 700,000 forced to flee since March.

The UN called on Israel to open all crossings, allow aid delivery, and protect civilians under international law, according to UN News.

BRICS leaders on Monday dismissed US President Donald Trump’s claim that the bloc is “anti-American,” following his threat to impose fresh tariffs on member countries. Speaking at the conclusion of the BRICS summit in Rio de Janeiro, Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva stated, “The world doesn’t need an emperor,” and emphasized the bloc’s aim to reshape global trade dynamics, Firstpost reported.

Lula reiterated his stance against the overreliance on the US dollar in international trade, calling for responsible coordination between central banks to explore alternative systems. Trump had previously warned BRICS nations of potential 100 percent tariffs if efforts to weaken the dollar continued.

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa downplayed tensions, saying BRICS does not seek rivalry but cooperation. China also responded cautiously, with foreign ministry spokesperson Mao Ning stating that tariffs should not be used as pressure tools, and reaffirmed BRICS’ commitment to “win-win” collaboration, according to Firstpost.

US President Donald Trump announced Monday that 25% tariffs will be imposed on imports from Japan and South Korea starting August 1.

In letters posted on Truth Social and addressed to the leaders of both nations, Trump stated that the tariffs are designed to address trade imbalances and will be distinct from existing sector-specific tariffs. He warned that any retaliatory actions will be countered with equivalent US tariff increases, Xinhua reported.

Trump stated that companies from Japan or South Korea may avoid the tariffs by shifting manufacturing to the United States, offering expedited clearances for such moves.

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt confirmed that an executive order will extend the current pause on reciprocal tariffs until August 1. She added that similar notices would be sent to around a dozen other countries, according to Xinhua.

Sometimes everything seems to be fine but, deep down, something feels heavy and empty at the same time. Is it normal to feel empty even when everything seems fine?

Answered by Karmendra Prakash Shrestha, psychology student, intern at Happy Minds

Before answering the question, I would like to acknowledge your awareness of this feeling. Noticing that something doesn’t feel right even when everything appears fine on the outside is a meaningful and courageous step. It’s easy to ignore or dismiss these experiences, often brushing them aside in the rush of daily life. But recognizing them is the first step toward understanding and healing.

Emotions, regardless of whether they are positive or negative, are a normal part of life. Happiness, sorrow and their many different varieties, color our lives. So, it’s important to remind ourselves that feeling down, sad or any other negative emotions is okay and it’s actually important to allow ourselves to feel them. When emotions are suppressed or left unacknowledged, they often resurface in other, more complex ways. 

However, the moment the conversation changes is when such emotions persist for a long time and start affecting other parts of your life (social, personal, professional, love life). If everytime you feel heavy and empty when things are seemingly fine, then it might be an indication that an issue is present deep within you. Our emotions, experiences, and traumas don’t always come to the surface. Due to busy  lives, it’s perfectly possible not to know why we’re feeling certain emotions, difficulties or problems. Issues that come from one’s childhood can be especially difficult to identify and treat. They remain dormant, showing little to no indication of its existence, until something significant change and/or event occurs which causes the issue to emerge to the surface. 

It’s also worth exploring what ‘empty’ or ‘heavy’ truly means for you. These words can reflect a wide range of feelings. Emptiness can refer to loneliness, boredom, sadness, or a lack of meaning, while heaviness might come from guilt, shame, overwhelm, or mental/physical exhaustion. Being able to name what you’re feeling more specifically can bring clarity and direction. One useful tool for this is the ‘emotion wheel’, which is a visual guide that helps people identify and articulate their emotions more accurately and can be easily found through a simple google search. Often, just naming what we feel can reduce some of the confusion and offer a sense of relief.

If these feelings begin to interfere with your daily life, your relationships, or your sense of self, it might be time to seek support. The feeling of heaviness and emptiness while everything seems fine can be an indicator of the presence of some underlying issue. Speaking to a therapist can be a valuable way to understand what’s beneath the surface in a safe and supportive environment. Therapy isn’t only for moments of crisis, it’s a space for self-discovery, growth, and healing, even when things seem okay on the outside. 

Southern Europe and parts of the Middle East are facing a surge in wildfires as a severe heatwave grips the region, prompting evacuations and emergency measures.

Fires broke out Sunday in Greece, Turkey, France, and Syria, with other nations on alert as temperatures continue to climb. Authorities across Spain, Italy, and beyond have urged people to avoid travel and protect the vulnerable, Al Jazeera reported.

In Turkey’s Izmir province, strong winds spread wildfires that led to the evacuation of five neighborhoods. At least three people have died, and over 600 fires have been recorded nationwide in the past week. Ten suspects have been arrested in connection with the blazes.

Firefighting efforts continue in Hatay province, where a major fire remains active. Experts warn climate change is intensifying the frequency and severity of such extreme weather events, according to Al Jazeera.

Russia claimed Monday it downed 402 Ukrainian drones and seven guided bombs in 24 hours, with most intercepted over Belgorod, Kursk, and even near Moscow.

The drone war is heating up. Ukraine’s President Zelensky said Russia fired 101 drones overnight, part of a wave that saw over 1,200 drones and nearly 40 missiles launched in just a week, according to Xinhua.

A Seoul court will review on Wednesday whether to detain former South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol, who’s facing charges of abuse of power and obstructing justice.

Special prosecutors accuse Yoon of using presidential guards to block his arrest earlier this year. He was briefly jailed but released after 52 days due to legal technicalities, according to Reuters.

The investigation, launched under new President Lee Jae Myung, is also looking into insurrection charges tied to Yoon’s brief martial law move last December.

Prosecutors say he could flee or interfere with witnesses. Yoon’s lawyers strongly deny the claims, Reuters reported

Tanzania will host a high-level Pan-African summit on July 10 in Arusha, focusing on the future of social security across the continent. Officials from 15 African nations, including Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda, Zambia, and Cote d’Ivoire, are expected to attend.

Speaking in Dodoma, Tanzanian Minister Ridhiwani Kikwete said the summit aims to enhance dialogue on the role of social security in national development. A stakeholder forum on July 9 will precede the event, offering a platform to address emerging trends and challenges in the sector, Xinhua reported.