India reportedly alerted Pakistan about possible floods in the Tawi River in Jammu on Sunday. The Indian High Commission in Islamabad shared the warning, as the usual Indus Waters Treaty channels remain in abeyance after the Pahalgam terror attack in April. Pakistani authorities issued warnings based on India’s alert. The Indus Waters Treaty, suspended after the attack, normally governs water sharing between the countries. Monsoon rains have caused severe floods in Pakistan, killing at least 788 people and injuring over 1,000. Indian officials continue to monitor river levels closely. The move is seen as a goodwill gesture. (PC: NDTV)

Seventeen-year-old Zhang Jiayuan, also known as Rhea, has become the second Chinese student to perform Arangetram, the solo debut of Bharatanatyam, in Beijing. Her performance at a packed auditorium was attended by India’s Deputy Ambassador Abhishek Shukla and renowned Chinese Bharatanatyam exponent Jin Shan Shan. Rhea began learning the Indian classical dance at age 5 and trained under Jin for five years, practicing daily for hours to prepare. She performed with tears of joy and hugged her teacher after the show. Bharatanatyam is growing in popularity in China, with about 100 students currently training at Jin’s dance school. (PC: The Week)

In eastern Ukraine’s Donetsk, residents are fleeing as Russian forces press closer. Moscow already controls most of Luhansk and 70% of Donetsk, and fighting is intense near Dobropillia. Volunteers race to evacuate the sick, elderly, and children under constant drone and artillery attacks. Many towns lack water and power, while hospitals struggle with rising casualties. Ukraine has rushed extra troops to defend its “fortress belt,” but Russia continues slow advances. Locals are divided on whether to negotiate or fight on. With fortifications rising and casualties mounting, the fate of Donetsk remains uncertain as war grinds on. (PC: BBC)

Bangladesh’s interim government chief, Muhammad Yunus, renewed his push to revive Saarc during talks with Pakistan’s Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar in Dhaka on Sunday. This marked the first visit by a Pakistani foreign minister to Bangladesh in 13 years. Yunus said regional cooperation with Pakistan and other Saarc nations is a priority. Saarc has been inactive since the 2016 Uri terror attack, which led India and others to boycott the planned Islamabad summit. Though India later pushed Saarc’s Covid-19 fund in 2020, Pakistan’s repeated vetoes stalled trade protocols. Yunus urged leaders to restart cooperation for regional progress. (PC: India Today)

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov stated that President Vladimir Putin is open to meeting Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, but questioned Zelenskyy’s legitimacy. Lavrov told Russian state media that any future negotiations would require clarity on the authority of the person signing agreements, claiming Zelenskyy’s term ended in May per Ukraine’s constitution. Kyiv maintains Zelenskyy remains the legitimate leader under martial law provisions enacted during wartime. Moscow has repeatedly challenged his status. Lavrov’s remarks highlight ongoing diplomatic tensions and the complexities of initiating peace talks amid contested leadership. The statement adds another layer to the geopolitical standoff between Russia and Ukraine, with legitimacy now a central issue. (PC: France 24 & Reuters)

Israel launched missile strikes on Yemen’s capital Sanaa on Sunday, targeting a power plant, gas station, and areas near the presidential palace, according to Houthi officials. Videos showed thick smoke, explosions, and panic among residents. Locals described houses shaking and windows shattering from the blasts. These were the first reported Israeli strikes in Yemen since last week, when Tel Aviv claimed to have hit Houthi energy infrastructure. Israel has not confirmed Sunday’s attack. Houthis vowed to continue retaliation against Israel, saying they would not abandon Gaza. The strikes follow the rebels’ missile launch toward Israel earlier this week.

Russia accused Ukraine of drone strikes that caused a fire at a nuclear power plant in the Kursk region on Sunday, August 24, as Ukraine marked its 34th Independence Day. Officials said the fire was quickly controlled, with no injuries reported and radiation levels normal. Ukraine has not commented. Russia also reported drone debris causing a blaze at a fuel terminal in Leningrad. Moscow claimed it intercepted 95 Ukrainian drones overnight. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, in Kyiv, vowed Ukraine would secure “peace with strength.” Norway and Germany announced new air defense aid. Pope Leo XIV prayed for peace in Ukraine. (PC: NDTV)

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has dismissed the United Nations’ declaration of famine in Gaza, calling it a “modern blood libel” and “outright lie.” The UN-backed Integrated Food Security Classification (IPC) said half a million people are already in famine, and more than 6,40,000 could face catastrophic food insecurity by September. Gaza’s Health Ministry reported 281 deaths from hunger, including 114 children. Netanyahu said, “Israel has no policy of starvation. The only ones deliberately starved are Israeli hostages.” He accused Hamas of orchestrating a “starvation campaign” and claimed aid deliveries are often looted before reaching warehouses.

Israel carried out airstrikes on Yemen’s capital Sana’a on Sunday, targeting areas controlled by Houthi rebels. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said it struck military infrastructure, including fuel storage sites, power plants, and a military complex near the presidential palace. Loud explosions were heard across the city, and residents reported damage. The strikes came after Houthis fired newly equipped missiles, including cluster bombs, toward Israel. While no damage was reported in Israel, the IDF said the Houthis act with Iranian support. The group has also targeted ships in the Red Sea, disrupting trade worth nearly $1 trillion annually. (PC: HT)

At least five people, including an Indian national, were killed after a tour bus from Niagara Falls to New York City crashed near Buffalo. The accident happened on Interstate 90 in Pembroke on Friday afternoon. The victims include Shankar Kumar Jha, 65, from Bihar, and four others of Chinese origin living in the US. Police said the bus, carrying 54 passengers, lost control, went into the median, and overturned into a ditch. Most passengers were Indian, Chinese, or Filipino. Many were injured but not in life-threatening condition. Governor Kathy Hochul said her office is closely monitoring the response. (PC: India Today)