Hurricane threatens US East Coast with life-threatening waves

Hurricane Erin has re-intensified into a Category 4 storm, bringing heavy rains to the southeastern Bahamas and Turks and Caicos of the United States though no direct landfall is expected. Puerto Rico saw widespread power outages, but most electricity has been restored.

Forecasters warn Erin will stay “large and dangerous” as it moves between Bermuda and the US East Coast this week. North Carolina’s Outer Banks have begun evacuations on Hatteras Island, while officials caution that life-threatening surf and rip currents could affect much of the eastern seaboard, BBC reported.

Amnesty slams Israel for ‘deliberately starving’ Palestinians in Gaza

Amnesty International has accused Israel of using starvation as a weapon in Gaza, warning that famine is spreading as Israeli attacks intensify, Al Jazeera reported.

Based on testimonies from displaced Palestinians and medical workers, the rights group said Israel is deliberately destroying the health and social fabric of life in Gaza, calling it part of an “ongoing genocide.” Accounts include a pregnant women fearing for her baby’s survival and an elderly resident who feels she has become a burden on her family.

According to Al Jazeera, nearly 62,000 Palestinians have been killed since October 2023, while almost a million in Gaza City now face further displacement under escalating bombardment.

Some Palestinians already leaving Gaza City ahead of Israeli offensive

Palestinian families are fleeing eastern Gaza City amid heavy bombardment and fears of an Israeli ground offensive that could uproot hundreds of thousands. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has called Gaza City Hamas’ last stronghold, but Israeli officials warn an assault could endanger the 50 hostages still held and lead to prolonged urban warfare, according to Reuters.

The planned offensive has sparked mass protests in Israel demanding a ceasefire and hostage release. In Gaza, unions have called for demonstrations urging Hamas to push harder in negotiations.

Egyptian and Qatari mediators have intensified ceasefire talks in Cairo with Hamas and allied groups. While previous efforts collapsed in July, Hamas has indicated willingness to consider a US-proposed 60-day truce with partial hostage release as part of a wider deal to end the war, Reuters reported.

Wang Yi in Delhi for talks on border and bilateral issues

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi started a three-day visit to India on Monday, meeting External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, NSA Ajit Doval, and Prime Minister Narendra Modi. He and Doval will hold the 24th round of boundary talks, though no breakthrough is expected, Firstpost reported.

Recent steps like resuming the Kailash-Mansarovar yatra, visas, and flights have signaled easing, but experts caution these are tactical gestures, not a strategic thaw. Core issues—boundary disputes, trade gaps, and mistrust—persist, keeping ties far from normal despite speculation of closer alignment.