Gazans, enduring nearly two years of war that has left Gaza in ruins and over 57,000 Palestinians dead, have overwhelmingly rejected President Trump's proposal endorsed by Israel’s Netanyahu to displace Gaza’s 2.3 million residents to neighboring countries. Egypt and Jordan swiftly dismissed the plan, which rights groups and Palestinians denounce as ethnic cleansing. While nearly half of Gazans say they would leave if given the chance amid relentless bombardment, most refuse to abandon their land. A leaked aid-backed proposal for “Humanitarian Transit Areas” met firm resistance from locals, who cite historical trauma dating to the 1948 Nakba. Gazans insist: “This is our country, we’re staying.” (PC: CNN & Fox News)

Israeli Defence Minister Yoav Gallant has proposed relocating Gaza’s entire 2.1 million population to a “humanitarian city” in Rafah, beginning with 600,000 people, after security screening. Critics, including Israeli human rights lawyer Michael Sfard, denounced the move as a “crime against humanity” and “population transfer.” The UN warned forced displacement of civilians violates international law and amounts to ethnic cleansing. Prime Minister Netanyahu supported Donald Trump’s plan to permanently resettle Palestinians abroad. Arab states and the Palestinian Authority rejected such proposals, backing an Egyptian-led $53 billion reconstruction plan to keep Gazans in place. Over 57,500 people have been killed in Gaza since October 2023. (PC: BBC)

In Texas, over 100 people have died in catastrophic floods, including 27 at Camp Mystic. Rescuers on horseback and with dogs are combing through riverbanks and debris in Kerr County, especially along the Guadalupe River. Volunteers like Michael Duncan, riding his horse Ranger, say horseback access helps cover remote terrain. Dog teams, like Tom Olson’s Belgian Malinois, Abby, aid in locating bodies. Searchers have found items like children's goggles and a football. Emotional strain is high, but volunteers stress the importance of closure. Power restoration work is ongoing. “It’s inspiring to see so many helping for free,” said Duncan. (PC: NDTV)

Donald Trump has announced new tariffs on 14 countries, with the highest rates of 40% imposed on Myanmar and Laos, and 35% on Bangladesh and Serbia. The move follows earlier tariffs on Japan and South Korea and begins August 1. Posting the news on Truth Social, Trump warned of retaliatory hikes and claimed the measures correct “unfair trade deficits” threatening US security. Other affected nations include Cambodia, Thailand, Indonesia, South Africa, Malaysia, and Tunisia. Only the UK and Vietnam have reached tariff agreements. The announcement triggered a sharp fall in US share indexes, signalling market concerns over Trump’s aggressive trade stance. (PC: The Indian Express)

The 17th BRICS Summit in Brazil focused on global conflicts and economic pressure points. The bloc condemned Israel-US strikes on Iran and expressed grave concern over the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, rejecting starvation as a weapon of war and reaffirming support for Palestinian statehood. BRICS members also slammed unilateral sanctions and labelled Trump’s tariff threats as a challenge to sovereignty. The Pahalgam attack in Kashmir, which killed 26 civilians, was strongly condemned, though Pakistan was not named. The summit criticised Ukraine’s strikes on Russian infrastructure while calling for a peaceful resolution. Notably absent were Xi Jinping and Vladimir Putin. (PC: News18)

Virat Kohli faced online backlash after attending Novak Djokovic’s fourth-round Wimbledon match with wife Anushka Sharma. Some fans questioned his presence at Centre Court, suggesting the 36-year-old should still be playing for India. Kohli recently retired from Test cricket, citing a lack of intensity, despite BCCI’s persuasion to continue. Critics linked his Wimbledon visit to perceived complacency, contrasting him with Djokovic, still competing at 38. Supporters argue Kohli has earned his peace after 17 years at the top. “Let Kohli watch, without being watched,” many urged, highlighting the relentless scrutiny surrounding the cricket legend’s every move—even off the field. (PC: India Today)

The Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) has submitted its preliminary report on the tragic Air India 171 crash to the Ministry of Civil Aviation. The June 12 flight from Ahmedabad to London crashed just 32 seconds after takeoff, killing 240 of 241 on board, including ex-Gujarat CM Vijay Rupani. The report, based on early findings, will be released publicly later this week. Investigators are examining whether fuel switch errors or a dual-engine flame-out caused the crash. Training pilots tried replicating the scenario but failed. Black box data and trim sheet analysis are central to understanding what went wrong. (PC: X)

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu nominated Donald Trump for the Nobel Peace Prize during a White House dinner on Monday, praising Trump’s ongoing efforts to forge peace in the Middle East, including pushing for an end to the 21-month war in Gaza. Trump welcomed the gesture, calling it “very meaningful.” Negotiators from Israel and Hamas are currently in Qatar discussing a 60-day truce, while Trump’s envoy Steve Witkoff is set to join talks. Netanyahu’s visit follows joint military action against Iran. Trump, eyeing a legacy of conflict resolution, said, “I’m stopping wars. I hate to see people killed.” (PC: X)

Roman Starovoit, recently dismissed as Russia’s transport minister by President Vladimir Putin, was found dead from a suspected self-inflicted gunshot wound. His body was discovered hours after his dismissal on Monday. Starovoit had earlier served as governor of the Kursk region, parts of which were seized by Ukrainian forces in 2024. Moscow only recently reclaimed most of the territory, though Kyiv says it still holds ground. Russian outlet Kommersant reported Starovoit was facing charges linked to border fortification fund embezzlement. His successor, Aleksey Smirnov, was previously arrested in the same case. Investigations into the death are ongoing. (PC: BBC)

Prime Minister Narendra Modi received a grand welcome in Brasilia as Indian and Brazilian performers blended the Shiva Tandava Stotram with vibrant Samba beats. The unique cultural fusion featured Amazonian chants and highlighted spiritual ties between India and Brazil. Padma Shri Jonas Masetti called the moment “deeply moving,” while ICCR director Jyoti Kiran Shukla noted the linguistic and spiritual links. Modi, moved by the warm reception, praised the Indian diaspora’s passion. The welcome followed his productive visit to Rio for the 17th BRICS Summit. Modi is scheduled to meet Brazilian President Lula da Silva to discuss bilateral ties. (PC: NDTV)