Defying international pressure, Israel continues its assault on Gaza, killing at least 100 Palestinians in indiscriminate airstrikes in a single day. Heavy bombardment flattened hundreds of buildings in the Zaytoun neighborhood alone over the past three days. Meanwhile, starvation and malnutrition have claimed the lives of eight more people, including three children, bringing the famine-related death toll to 235—of whom 106 are children. Israeli forces also opened fire on Palestinians gathering for aid, killing 37.

The Alaska meeting between Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin has stirred cautious optimism in Russia, with some citizens hoping for renewed diplomacy and potential sanctions relief. Analysts, however, view the summit as largely symbolic, given the deep divide over Ukraine’s territories. While Trump hints at a peace deal with possible territorial swaps, Zelensky will not attend. The talks aim to halt Russia-Ukraine hostilities, but real compromise remains uncertain amid ongoing geopolitical tension and disputes over occupied regions.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has firmly rejected any Russian proposal to give up the Donbas region in exchange for a ceasefire, warning it could be exploited for future attacks. Speaking ahead of the Russia–U.S. meeting in Alaska, he emphasized Ukraine will not surrender territory, citing constitutional requirements for a referendum on land exchanges. Despite recent Russian advances, Zelensky stressed Kyiv will defend against attackers. The announcement comes amid global concern over possible territorial negotiations following Trump’s comments on peace deals.

World-renowned pop star Madonna has called on Pope Leo to visit Gaza and bring relief to children affected by the ongoing conflict. Posting on Instagram, she emphasized the urgency, saying the Pope is uniquely positioned to enter Gaza and spread hope before it’s too late. Madonna, a vocal supporter of Palestinians, highlighted the suffering of children and stressed that all children of the world deserve protection amid Israel’s military operations, which have killed over 61,500 people and created severe food shortages.

A month after Israel’s ‘Rising Lion’ operation against Iran, a Maccabi Healthcare survey finds that half of Israelis are struggling with insomnia, fatigue, fear, and anxiety. Around 16% report severe fatigue, while 30% feel they need mental health support. Children are also affected, with 25% of parents noting behavioral changes. Experts warn that prolonged stress and poor sleep are impacting daily life and physical health, emphasizing the need for monitoring, early intervention, and mental resilience measures.

Yemen’s Houthi armed group has claimed attacks on four major Israeli locations—Haifa Port, Negev, Umm al-Rashrash (Eilat), and Beersheba—citing retaliation for Israel’s military operations and civilian casualties in Gaza. Six drones reportedly hit all intended targets. The Houthis warned their strikes will continue until Israel halts aggression and lifts the blockade. Meanwhile, Gaza’s Health Ministry reports at least 73 killed in the last 24 hours and rising deaths from starvation, including children. The Haifa Port strike is one of the most significant claimed attacks so far.

Israeli forces have killed 73 more Palestinians in Gaza in the past 24 hours, despite condemnations from 26 countries, including the UK, EU, and Canada. Among the dead are two people who died of starvation—one a six-year-old child—and 19 who were shot while attempting to collect food aid.
Since October 7, 2023, Israel’s offensive has killed 61,599 Palestinians and injured 154,088, according to Gaza health authorities. Survivors describe catastrophic conditions as food shortages and relentless attacks devastate the enclave.

Eight Arab nations in the Middle East, including Egypt, Iraq, Jordan, Syria, Lebanon, Bahrain, Qatar, and Kuwait, are grappling with an intense heatwave causing temperatures to soar up to 51°C. The extreme heat and high humidity have disrupted daily life and increased wildfire risks in forests and farmlands. Meteorologists link this to climate change and abnormal atmospheric pressure. Authorities urge people to stay hydrated, avoid direct sunlight, and enhance fire safety measures to mitigate health and environmental hazards.

England is facing its driest conditions since 1976, prompting the Environment Agency to declare a nationally significant water crisis. Five regions are in drought, with six more at risk of reduced water supply and crop damage. Reservoirs are below average, and hosepipe bans are in effect in parts of Yorkshire. The government is coordinating with farmers and water suppliers to manage the crisis and plans new reservoirs. Climate change is intensifying extreme weather, worsening droughts and heatwaves.

Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky has accused Russian President Vladimir Putin of preparing a new military offensive instead of seeking a ceasefire. Speaking on August 11, Zelensky highlighted intelligence reports indicating Russia’s intent to continue pressure on Ukraine and dismissed any signs of Russia preparing for peace. He emphasized troop redeployments signal further attacks. Meanwhile, U.S. President Donald Trump announced a planned meeting with Putin on August 15 in Alaska, aiming to discuss the escalating conflict.

The killing of five Al Jazeera journalists in an Israeli airstrike outside Gaza’s Al-Shifa Hospital has triggered worldwide protests and mourning. The attack also killed two other Palestinians, raising the death toll to seven. Since late 2023, at least 238 journalists have died amid the conflict. Demonstrations demanding justice took place in cities including Ramallah, Tunis, Berlin, Washington DC, and London. Protesters accused major media outlets of biased reporting that enabled the massacre, calling for truthful coverage of the Gaza crisis.

Israeli airstrikes killed 69 Palestinians in Gaza within 24 hours, wounding 362 more, according to the enclave’s health ministry. Since October 2023, at least 61,499 Palestinians have been killed.
The ministry said many victims remain trapped under rubble as rescue teams cannot reach them. In the last day alone, 29 Palestinians were killed and 127 injured while trying to collect humanitarian aid—bringing the total aid-related deaths to 1,807.
Five more people, including one child, died from starvation and malnutrition in the past 24 hours, pushing famine-related deaths to 222, including 101 children.

In the last 24 hours, Israeli airstrikes in Gaza have killed 61 Palestinians and injured at least 363 others, according to the Palestinian Ministry of Health. Since October 2023, more than 61,430 Palestinians have been killed in what is described as a genocidal campaign by Israel. Rescue efforts are severely hampered as many victims remain trapped under rubble or stranded on roads. Tragically, 35 Palestinians lost their lives while attempting to receive humanitarian aid, with over 304 more wounded in such incidents—bringing the total deaths from aid-related attacks to 1,778 and injuries to over 12,894 since May 27. Additionally, famine and malnutrition claimed five lives, including two children, in the past day, raising the death toll from starvation to 217, of whom 100 were children.

Russia’s air defense shot down a modern Ukrainian Su-27 fighter jet over the Zaporizhzhia region. The Russian Ministry of Defense also reported destroying multiple Ukrainian drones, guided bombs, and rockets from the US-made HIMARS system. Meanwhile, Ukraine repelled a Russian cruise missile attack and downed 31 Russian drones. Over 70% of Zaporizhzhia remains under Russian control. Former US President Donald Trump plans to meet Vladimir Putin on August 15 to discuss a possible peace deal, though Ukraine’s President Zelensky insists no territory will be ceded.

A new low-pressure system is likely to develop around August 13 over the Bay of Bengal and nearby areas, bringing widespread heavy rainfall and storms across coastal and other regions of Bangladesh. The Bangladesh Meteorological Department forecasts intermittent rain and thunderstorms with gusty winds from August 10 to 13, with moderate to very heavy downpours in parts of northern and northeastern divisions. Temperatures are expected to fluctuate slightly, and rain intensity may increase if the low-pressure system forms.