France and Germany lead downbeat EU response to US trade deal
Leaders from Europe's two largest economies have led a chorus of gloomy reactions to the trade deal struck between EU chief Ursula von der Leyen and US President Donald Trump, BBC reported.
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said the agreement would "substantially damage" his nation's finances, while French Prime Minister Francois Bayrou said it was tantamount to "submission".
The reaction has been downbeat across the bloc - though several capitals acknowledged signing an uneven deal was worth it in order to avert an all-out trade war.
It will see a 15% tariff on most EU exports to the US - half the rate threatened by Trump - in return for Europe buying more American energy and slashing taxes on some imports, according to BBC.
Gaza experiencing 'real starvation', Trump says
There is "real starvation" in Gaza, Donald Trump has said, after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu insisted there was no such thing, BBC reported.
Asked if he agreed with Netanyahu that it was a "bold-faced lie" to say Israel was fuelling hunger in Gaza, the US president replied: "I don't know... those children look very hungry... that's real starvation stuff."
Speaking during a meeting with UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer in Scotland, Trump said: "Nobody's done anything great over there. The whole place is a mess... I told Israel maybe they have to do it a different way."
His comments came after the UN's humanitarian chief said "vast amounts" of food were needed to stave off starvation, according to BBC.
Heavy rains and flooding kill at least 30 in Beijing
At least 30 people have lost their lives in Beijing as relentless rainfall triggers severe flooding across northern China, BBC reported.
Authorities have evacuated around 80,000 residents from high-risk areas, with rain expected to continue through today.
President Xi Jinping has ordered urgent search and rescue operations to minimize further casualties.
Beijing is prone to extreme summer weather, with the worst flooding in recent years recorded in July 2012, when 79 people died, according to BBC.
Five dead, including officer, in New York Office building shooting
Five people, including a New York City police officer and the suspected gunman, were killed in a shooting Monday evening at a Midtown Manhattan office building.
The gunman, believed to have died by suicide, opened fire inside the Park Avenue building, which houses firms like Blackstone and the NFL, according to Firstpost.
One civilian is in critical condition, while another and the injured officer—shot in the back—are expected to survive.
New York City Mayor Eric Adams of the United States urged people nearby to stay indoors as the FBI and NYPD continue their investigation, Firstpost reported.
