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Search operations for victims of the devastating Texas floods were set to resume Monday after being temporarily suspended due to more heavy rain. The catastrophic flooding, which began on July 4, has already claimed at least 132 lives. Search efforts along the Guadalupe River were halted on Sunday as new storms triggered high water rescues and raised fears of further flooding. It marked the first weather-related suspension of the search since the disaster began. Authorities believe over 160 people remain missing in Kerr County, with 10 more unaccounted for in nearby areas. In Kerrville, where officials face criticism over whether timely warnings were issued, authorities went door-to-door early Sunday to alert residents of renewed flood risks and sent phone alerts across the area. Trump to visit Texas flood zone amid FEMA phase During the suspension, Ingram Fire Department ordered crews to evacuate the Guadalupe River corridor due to high flash flood risks. Later on Sunday, the Kerr County Sheriff’s Office announced that teams in the county’s western areas could resume operations. The Ingram Fire Department planned to restart search efforts Monday, said spokesman Brian Lochte. The National Weather Service has kept the region under a flood watch until 9 p.m. Monday, with up to 5 inches of rainfall expected. The saturated soil across the Hill Country raises concerns of increased runoff. Governor Greg Abbott said dozens of rescues took place in San Saba, Lampasas, and Schleicher counties. Around 100 homes were damaged, and widespread rural infrastructure, including cattle fencing, was destroyed, according to Ashley Johnson, CEO of the Hill Country Community Action Association. Camp Mystic, a historic girls’ summer camp along the Guadalupe River, lost at least 27 campers and counselors. Experts said the flood far exceeded FEMA’s 100-year projections and struck in the dead of night, catching many off guard.

Despite support from both the Biden and Trump administrations, U.S. manufacturing remains stuck in a prolonged slump. Ex-President Joe Biden’s administration rolled out subsidies for chipmakers and clean energy firms, spurring a surge in factory construction from 2021 to 2024. Meanwhile, President Donald Trump imposed high tariffs on foreign goods to protect American manufacturers and encourage domestic production. Still, factory jobs are declining. The U.S. Labor Department reported a loss of 7,000 manufacturing jobs in June, the second monthly drop in a row. Manufacturing employment is expected to fall for the third straight year. “Manufacturing production will continue to flatline,” said Mark Zandi, chief economist at Moody’s Analytics. “If production is flat, that suggests manufacturing employment will continue to slide.” Trump plans to hike tariffs on Canadian goods to 35% Industry insiders echo concerns. “The past three years have been a real slog for manufacturing,” said Eric Hagopian, CEO of Pilot Precision Products. Trump’s tariffs offer some relief for U.S. firms by making imported goods more expensive. “When you throw the tariff on, it gets us closer,” said Chris Zuzick of Waukesha Metal Products. But tariffs also raise the cost of imported materials used by American factories, like steel and aluminum, reducing global competitiveness. Frequent changes to tariff policies have added to industry uncertainty. “Customers do not want to make commitments in the wake of massive tariff uncertainty,” one company said in a recent ISM survey. “Everyone is kind of just waiting for the new normal,” Zuzick added.

U.S. President Donald Trump’s special envoy for Ukraine and Russia, retired Lt. Gen. Keith Kellogg, arrived in Kyiv on Monday, a senior Ukrainian official confirmed, amid growing anticipation of a potential shift in Washington’s approach to the war. Trump recently promised a “major statement” on Russia, expressing frustration with President Vladimir Putin’s continued attacks. Though Trump once praised Putin as a willing negotiator, he has since condemned Moscow’s intensifying strikes on civilians. “I am very disappointed with President Putin, I thought he was somebody that meant what he said," Trump said Sunday. "He’ll talk so beautifully and then he’ll bomb people at night. We don’t like that.” Trump also confirmed the U.S. is sending Patriot air defense missiles to Ukraine, with the European Union covering the cost. However, the EU cannot directly purchase weapons under its treaties, so member countries are funding them through the European Peace Facility. Russian drone and missile attacks kill at least 2 in Ukraine Ukraine continues to face relentless Russian drone and missile strikes, with June recording the highest civilian casualties in three years—232 killed and 1,343 injured, according to the UN. Republican Senator Lindsey Graham said the war is reaching an “inflection point” as Trump shows renewed commitment. “One of the biggest miscalculations Putin has made is to play Trump,” Graham said. Talks in Kyiv will focus on defense, weapons, and cooperation, said Andrii Yermak, head of Ukraine’s presidential office. Meanwhile, NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte is set to meet Trump and top U.S. officials in Washington. Russia launched fresh strikes early Monday, killing two in Sumy region, while Ukraine intercepted dozens of drones overnight.

At least 32 people, including six children, were killed by Israeli airstrikes in Gaza on Sunday, according to local health officials. The ongoing conflict, now in its 21st month, has brought the total Palestinian death toll to over 58,000. Despite recent indirect negotiations aimed at securing a truce and the release of Israeli hostages, no progress has been made following Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s visit to Washington. A key point of contention remains the presence of Israeli troops during any potential ceasefire. Israel has stated it will only end the war if Hamas disarms, surrenders, and goes into exile—demands Hamas rejects. Hamas has offered to release all remaining hostages, about 50 in total, including around 20 believed to still be alive, in exchange for a complete end to the war and the withdrawal of Israeli forces. On Sunday evening, families of Israeli hostages held a demonstration outside Netanyahu’s office. “Most of the Israeli public wants a deal, even if it means ending the war. And they want it now,” said Jon Polin, whose son, Hersh Goldberg-Polin, was killed in captivity. The violence has also intensified in the Israeli-occupied West Bank. Funerals were held Sunday for two Palestinians, including Palestinian-American Sayfollah Musallet, reportedly killed by Israeli settlers. Children Among Victims in Gaza Strikes In central Gaza, Al-Awda Hospital reported receiving 10 bodies after an Israeli airstrike hit a water collection site in Nuseirat, killing six children. Witness Ramadan Nassar said around 20 children and 14 adults were waiting for water at the site, which many walk over a kilometer to reach. The Israeli military claimed the strike targeted a militant, but a technical error caused the munitions to miss by several dozen meters. Elsewhere, an Israeli strike in central Gaza City killed 11 civilians and injured about 30. Among the dead was Dr. Ahmed Qandil, a surgeon on his way to Al-Ahli Arab Baptist Hospital, according to Gaza’s Health Ministry. In Zawaida, another central town, a strike on a home killed nine people—including women and children—while a separate strike later killed two others nearby. The Israeli military claimed it was unaware of the home strike but said it had hit over 150 targets in the past 24 hours, including weapons depots and missile sites. It blames Hamas for civilian casualties, alleging that the group operates within densely populated areas. Gaza’s Health Ministry, run by Hamas, reports that women and children make up over half of the 58,000 fatalities. While the ministry does not separate civilian and militant deaths, the U.N. and other agencies generally accept its data as the most reliable. The war began after a Hamas-led attack on October 7, 2023, which killed about 1,200 people and led to the abduction of 251. Meanwhile, Israeli Energy Minister Eli Cohen stated that Israel will not assist in rebuilding Gaza’s infrastructure, declaring, “Gaza should remain an island of ruins for decades.” West Bank Mourns Palestinian-American Killed by Settlers In the West Bank, violence continues to escalate. Funerals were held Sunday for Palestinian-American Sayfollah Musallet and his friend Mohammed al-Shalabi. Musallet’s family said he was beaten by Israeli settlers on his family’s land; al-Shalabi was reportedly shot in the chest. The Israeli military claimed Palestinians had thrown rocks, injuring two people and triggering a confrontation. Mourners carried their bodies through the streets, chanting “God is great” and waving Palestinian flags. Musallet's relatives are urging the U.S. State Department to investigate his death and hold those responsible accountable. The State Department has so far declined to comment, citing respect for the family.  

Australia has launched its largest-ever edition of the Talisman Sabre war games, a massive multinational military exercise that is expected to draw attention from Chinese surveillance vessels. Held biennially since 2005, the joint U.S.-Australia-led drills have expanded significantly over the years. This year’s edition involves over 35,000 military personnel from 19 countries, including Canada, Fiji, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Japan, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Papua New Guinea, the Philippines, South Korea, Singapore, Thailand, Tonga, and the United Kingdom, according to a statement from Australia’s defense department on Sunday. Malaysia and Vietnam are attending the three-week exercise as observers. For the first time, elements of the exercise are also being conducted in neighboring Papua New Guinea, marking a shift beyond Australia’s borders. Australian Defense Industry Minister Pat Conroy said Chinese surveillance ships have monitored the last four Talisman Sabre exercises and are expected to observe again this year. “It would be unusual if they didn’t,” Conroy told ABC. “We’ll adjust accordingly. We will monitor their activities and adapt the exercise as needed.” China Stages military drills near Taiwan in response to US and Taiwan remarks As of Sunday, Chinese vessels had not yet begun shadowing any participating ships, he noted. The drills were officially launched Sunday with a ceremony in Sydney, attended by U.S. Army Pacific Deputy Commanding General Lt. Gen. J.B. Vowell and Australia’s Chief of Joint Operations Vice Admiral Justin Jones. The exercise comes just as Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese begins a six-day visit to China. He is scheduled to meet Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing on Tuesday for their fourth face-to-face discussion. Albanese said the expected Chinese surveillance of Talisman Sabre would not be a topic during his talks with Xi. “That would be nothing unusual. That has happened in the past,” he told reporters in Shanghai on Monday. “I’ll continue to assert Australia’s national interest, as I do.” North Korea fires several ballistic missiles after the US and South Korea began military drills While the prime minister noted that he has made five official visits to the United States during his tenure, this is only his second visit to China. He has also faced criticism at home for not yet securing a direct meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump. “I look forward to a constructive engagement with President Trump,” Albanese said, adding that they have had three “constructive” phone conversations so far. Source: Agency 

With strong tides of innovation and a deepening drive for sustainability, China's marine economy is surging forward as a fast-growing engine of "blue" growth. Now a more than 10-trillion-yuan (about 1.4 trillion U.S. dollars) powerhouse accounting for around 7.8 percent of China's GDP, the marine economy expanded by 5.9 percent year-on-year in 2024, outpacing overall economic growth, and is increasingly serving as a testbed for technological innovation and sustainable development. Building on this momentum, China has placed the marine economy firmly on the national agenda. At a high-level meeting in early July, Chinese leadership stressed that advancing Chinese modernization requires "promoting the marine economy's high-quality development" alongside a "Chinese path of leveraging marine resources to achieve strength." Policymakers highlighted five areas of focus: innovation-driven growth, efficient coordination, industrial renewal, harmony between human and the sea, and win-win cooperation. These strategic directions align with the country's sustained efforts to pursue a smarter, cleaner growth model, which delivers high-value output, sustains livelihoods, and supports climate action. WAVES OF INNOVATION From biopharma to offshore energy, innovation is powering China's high-quality development of the marine economy. In China's eastern port city of Qingdao, researchers at the Marine Biomedical Research Institute of Qingdao are accelerating the development of drugs from ocean-derived compounds. A new anti-tumor drug, BG136, has entered Phase II clinical trials. According to Guan Huashi, an academician with the Chinese Academy of Engineering and honorary director of the institute, local authorities are actively supporting innovation teams and promoting the "blue medicine bank" initiative, which aims to build a full-chain R&D and commercialization system for marine pharmaceuticals. According to the 2025 China marine economy development index, value-added output of emerging marine industries grew 7.2 percent year on year in 2024, with sectors such as marine medicine, bioproducts, and high-end offshore equipment manufacturing gaining strong momentum this year. From the lab bench to the power grid, technology is reshaping how the country taps its ocean resources. On the shores of the Beibu Gulf, over 80 offshore wind turbines now rise from the waves, capturing steady sea breezes to generate clean electricity. In December last year, Guangxi's first offshore wind power plant, the Fangchenggang demonstration site, was fully connected to the grid. Intelligent systems have improved inspection efficiency and are driving a shift toward unmanned, intelligent operations, said Xie Hailong, a maintenance manager. GREEN TIDES, GLOBAL TIES Hand-in-hand with its tech boom, China's marine economy is undergoing a green transformation, as reflected in sectors such as shipbuilding, which remains a vital pillar of maritime development. In June, Guangzhou Shipyard International commenced construction of a 230-meter-long LNG dual-fuel car carrier for a client in the Republic of Korea. Among the world's largest of its kind, the vessel will run on both fuel oil and natural gas. According to General Manager Zhou Xuhui, 80 percent of the company's over 90-vessel order book consists of high-tech, high-value-added green ships, with deliveries scheduled through 2028. Nationwide, the trend is gaining traction. A marine economy bulletin released in February by the Ministry of Natural Resources noted significant progress in the shift toward smarter and greener shipbuilding, with newly secured orders for green vessels last year accounting for 78.5 percent of the global market share. The transformation underway in shipyards is mirrored along the coast, where cities are adopting digital technologies to monitor and protect marine ecosystems. In Dongying, Shandong Province, authorities have established a digital registry for all 629 coastal discharge outlets, utilizing aerial mapping, remote sensing, and real-time inspections. In Shenzhen's Dapeng Bay, drone-based spectral imaging enables water quality monitoring. In Xiamen, AI-powered video systems track floating marine debris, making clean-up more timely and targeted. These efforts are showing results. According to the Ministry of Ecology and Environment, 83.7 percent of China's coastal waters met the good water quality standard in 2024. At the community level, the "Blue Circle" marine plastic recycling program, launched in Zhejiang in 2020, offers a tech-enabled model for marine plastic recovery. Utilizing blockchain and the Internet of Things, the program tracks plastics from collection to resale, having recovered over 19,200 tonnes of waste. With support from more than 60,000 participants, the project won the UN's Champions of the Earth award in 2023. On the global stage, China is expanding its role in marine cooperation. At the UN Ocean Conference held in Nice, France, this June, the country's marine conservation efforts drew praise for advancing international collaboration and sharing environmental expertise. Jack Hurd, executive director of the Tropical Forest Alliance at the World Economic Forum, called China's efforts "fantastic," citing its progress in marine protected areas, wetland conservation, coastal patrols, and investment in ecological restoration and sustainable practices. "So I think it's fantastic what the Chinese government has done over the years, not only in the ocean, but also on the land," he said.

The European Union has decided to suspend retaliatory tariffs on U.S. goods that were set to take effect Monday, in a bid to reach a trade agreement with the Trump administration by the end of the month. “This is now the time for negotiations,” European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen told reporters in Brussels on Sunday, following a letter from President Donald Trump announcing new U.S. tariffs of 30% on goods from the EU and Mexico, effective August 1. The EU, the United States’ largest trading partner and the world’s biggest trading bloc, had planned to implement “countermeasures” starting Monday at midnight Brussels time (6 p.m. EDT). Trade negotiations on behalf of the EU’s 27 member states are handled by the European Commission. Von der Leyen said the EU would delay implementing those measures until August 1, noting that Trump's letter “shows that we have until the first of August” to strike a deal. European leaders have been urging both sides to allow more time for negotiations. Trump plans to hike tariffs on Canadian goods to 35% “We have always been clear that we prefer a negotiated solution,” she said. “If no deal is reached, we will continue to prepare countermeasures so we are fully prepared.” Speaking alongside Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto, von der Leyen also emphasized the need to diversify the EU’s trade relationships, citing ongoing tensions with the U.S. Trump has argued that global tariffs are essential to address a U.S. trade deficit he considers a national security threat. The EU-U.S. trade relationship was valued at €1.7 trillion ($2 trillion) in 2024, according to Eurostat, with major European exports including pharmaceuticals, cars, aircraft, chemicals, medical instruments, and wine and spirits. EU trade ministers are set to meet Monday to review trade ties with the U.S. and China.

An 11-year-old Indonesian boy has captured global attention with a viral video of him dancing on the front of a traditional boat, sparking an international trend known as “aura farming.” The boy, Rayyan Arkhan Dikha—known online as Dika—was filmed performing calm, rhythmic movements in a traditional black outfit and sunglasses during a local boat race called pacu jalur in Riau province. The event, which dates back to the 1600s, is held every August to mark Indonesian Independence Day and has been recognized as part of Indonesia’s Intangible Cultural Heritage since 2015. “Aura farming,” a term made popular in 2024, refers to consistently exuding coolness, often associated with anime characters or celebrities. Social media users have dubbed Dika “the ultimate aura farmer” as his poised performance on the bow of a narrow canoe has inspired countless recreations across TikTok and Instagram. Indonesia's Mount Lewotobi Laki Laki volcano erupts, sends searing-hot ash miles high Initially shared on TikTok in January by a user named Lensa Rams, the video has recently gone viral, with athletes and celebrities—like Paris Saint-Germain, NFL star Travis Kelce, and U.S. soccer player Diego Luna—mimicking Dika’s signature moves. In recognition of his influence, Riau Governor Abdul Wahid named Dika a provincial tourism ambassador and awarded him a 20 million rupiah (about $1,200) scholarship. “The world is now seeing the rich culture of Riau, especially pacu jalur,” Wahid said. Dika, who has been participating in the races since age nine, will return for this year’s competition in August. Speaking after meeting with Indonesia’s Culture Minister Fadli Zon, he said: “I’m happy that I’ve gone viral globally.” Source: Arab News

President Donald Trump on Sunday will attend the FIFA Club World Cup final, a match that will offer Trump a preview of the globe’s premier soccer tournament that North America will host next year. Trump and first lady Melania Trump will travel from their golf club in Bedminster, New Jersey, to East Rutherford 40 miles (64 kilometers) away to watch the final match of the U.S.-hosted tournament between Paris Saint-Germain and Chelsea at MetLife Stadium. Trump’s trip Sunday falls on the first anniversary of the assassination attempt he survived in Butler, Pennsylvania, while campaigning for president. Trump administration sanctions UN investigator probing Gaza abuses The president did not have any public plans to mark the date beyond participating in a taped Fox News Channel interview with his daughter-in-law Lara Trump that aired Saturday night. Sporting events have made up the bulk of Trump’s trips in the U.S. since taking office this year. In addition to his visit this weekend to the soccer tournament, he’s attended the Super Bowl in New Orleans, the Daytona 500 in Florida, UFC fights in Miami and Newark, New Jersey, and the NCAA wrestling championships in Philadelphia. The president, who has a warm relationship with FIFA President Gianni Infantino, has said he plans to attend multiple matches of the World Cup tournament next year.

At least ten Palestinians, including six children, were killed in an Israeli airstrike in central Gaza on Sunday while waiting to collect water, according to emergency service officials. Their bodies were taken to al-Awda Hospital in Nuseirat, which also treated 16 injured people, including seven children, a hospital doctor confirmed. Witnesses reported that a drone launched a missile at a group gathered with empty containers beside a water tanker in the al-Nuseirat refugee camp. The Israeli military has been approached for comment. Meanwhile, the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) said its field hospital in Rafah, southern Gaza, had handled more mass casualty cases in the past six weeks than in the previous year. Footage shared online, which has not been independently verified, showed graphic scenes of bloodied children and bodies lying motionless, amid frantic cries and chaos. Locals rushed to help the injured, using private cars and donkey carts for transport. The strike occurred amid intensified Israeli aerial assaults throughout the Gaza Strip. Gaza’s Civil Defence Agency reported 19 more deaths on Sunday from three separate strikes targeting residential buildings in central Gaza and Gaza City. Taka gains strength as dollar rate falls by nearly Tk 3 The ICRC said its Rafah facility received 132 patients with weapon-related injuries on Saturday, 31 of whom died. Most patients had gunshot wounds, and those who could speak said they had been trying to reach food distribution points. Since new food distribution sites opened on 27 May, the hospital has treated over 3,400 weapon-wounded individuals and recorded more than 250 deaths—surpassing all mass casualty cases seen there in the previous year. "The alarming frequency and scale of these mass casualty incidents underscore the horrific conditions civilians in Gaza are enduring," the ICRC stated. On Friday, the UN human rights office reported 789 aid-related deaths. Among them, 615 occurred near sites operated by the US- and Israeli-supported Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF), which began functioning on 27 May inside military zones in southern and central Gaza. Another 183 deaths were recorded near UN and other aid convoys. The Israeli military acknowledged that civilian casualties have occurred and said it is working to minimise "possible friction between the population and the [Israeli] forces as much as possible". In response, the GHF accused the UN of citing "false and misleading" data from Gaza’s Hamas-run health ministry. GHF leader Johnnie Moore previously told the BBC he did not deny deaths near their aid locations but insisted, “100% of those casualties are being attributed to close proximity to GHF and that is not true.” On Saturday, Nasser Hospital in southern Gaza reported 24 deaths near a food distribution point. Witnesses claimed Israeli troops had fired on civilians trying to collect food. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said there were “no known injured individuals” from IDF fire, though a military official stated warning shots were used to disperse people perceived as threats. International news outlets, including the BBC, are not permitted to enter Gaza by Israel. Israel launched its ongoing military offensive following Hamas's attack on 7 October 2023, in which around 1,200 Israelis were killed and 251 taken hostage. According to Gaza’s Hamas-run health ministry, at least 57,882 people have been killed in the territory since then. Most of the population has been displaced multiple times, with over 90% of homes believed to be damaged or destroyed. Gaza's basic infrastructure has collapsed, leading to severe shortages of food, fuel, medicine, and shelter. The UN said 75,000 litres of fuel were delivered this week for the first time in 130 days—"far from enough to meet the daily needs of the population and vital civilian aid operations". On Saturday, nine UN agencies warned that the fuel shortage in Gaza had reached "critical levels", threatening the operation of hospitals, water and sanitation systems, and bakeries. "Hospitals are already going dark, maternity, neonatal and intensive care units are failing, and ambulances can no longer move," the UN said. Source: With input from BBC