At least 81 people, including 28 children, have died and 41 remain missing after devastating flash floods hit central Texas, with Kerr County the worst affected. The Guadalupe River rose 26 feet in 45 minutes early Friday, swamping Camp Mystic, a girls’ summer camp. Among the dead is the camp’s longtime director. Rescue operations, hindered by debris and venomous snakes, have turned toward recovery as more storms loom. President Donald Trump has declared a federal emergency, and Governor Greg Abbott vowed relentless efforts to locate the missing. Pope Leo XIV also offered prayers for grieving families during a Sunday address in Rome. (PC: BBC)

Israel confirmed airstrikes on multiple Houthi-controlled ports in Yemen early Monday, targeting sites linked to Iran and militant operations. The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) struck Al-Hudaydah, Ras Isa, Al-Salif, and the Ras Qantib power plant, claiming the Houthis were behind ongoing drone and missile attacks on Israel and posed a threat to Red Sea shipping lanes. A major target included the seized merchant ship “Galaxy Leader,” allegedly outfitted with radar for maritime surveillance. Israel stated the power plant was used to support military activities. The strikes signal escalating regional tensions involving Iran-backed forces across the Middle East. (PC: X)

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu met US President Donald Trump in Washington as pressure mounts to finalize a Gaza ceasefire. Trump, calling his stance “very firm,” said he expects a deal this week. Talks resumed in Qatar over a proposed 60-day ceasefire and hostage release. Netanyahu expressed optimism, but key differences remain. Israeli families of hostages urged an agreement, while Gazans voiced skepticism. Netanyahu, boosted by public support after Israeli-Iran clashes, may now overcome far-right resistance. Hamas, weakened by Iran’s setbacks, could concede. Trump seeks to shift focus to broader regional goals, including Israel-Saudi ties and Israel-Syria border talks. (PC: BBC)

Erin Patterson, 50, has been found guilty of murdering three relatives with a beef wellington laced with deadly death cap mushrooms in Leongatha, Australia. Her in-laws, Don and Gail Patterson, both 70, and Gail’s sister Heather Wilkinson, 66, died shortly after the July 2023 lunch. A fourth guest, Ian Wilkinson, survived after weeks in a coma. Prosecutors accused Erin of knowingly using the toxic mushrooms and trying to destroy evidence. The jury rejected her claim that it was an accident. Sentencing is pending, and Patterson has 28 days to appeal. The high-profile trial drew global attention to the small town of Morwell. (PC: BBC)

Melania Trump is facing sharp criticism over her social media post on the devastating Texas floods that killed at least 67 people, including 21 children. Offering “thoughts and prayers,” she wrote, “My heart goes out to the parents in Texas.” Critics on X blasted her response as inadequate, citing Trump-era cuts to disaster preparedness and forecasting. Some users accused her of offering sympathy after enabling the crisis. Democratic Congressman Joaquin Castro said reduced weather service staff “could lead to tragedy.” FEMA has now been activated and Coast Guard teams are assisting in search operations after Donald Trump’s disaster declaration. (PC: NDTV)

US President Donald Trump harshly criticised Elon Musk’s plan to launch a new political party, calling it “ridiculous” and branding Musk a “train wreck off the rails.” In a Truth Social post, Trump said third parties only create “chaos and disruption” and have never succeeded in the US system. He also attacked Musk’s support for electric vehicle mandates, which Trump claims he scrapped through a major bill. Trump further objected to Musk’s ally Jared Isaacman’s earlier NASA nomination, citing conflicts of interest. “My job is to protect the American public,” Trump said, reiterating support for the Republican Party’s dominance.

At least 82 people have died in devastating floods in Texas, with Kerr County worst hit, where 28 children perished. Governor Greg Abbott said 41 people remain unaccounted for, including 10 girls from Camp Mystic. Survivors described a “pitch black wall of death” and criticised delayed flood alerts. President Donald Trump signed a disaster declaration and said he may visit the area Friday. A massive search continues, including for Joyce Bandon, whose last text said she was “being washed away.” Authorities face growing scrutiny over emergency preparedness and slow warnings to camps along the Guadalupe River during the July 4 weekend. (PC: HT)

US President Donald Trump on Monday threatened an additional 10% tariff on countries aligning with what he called the “anti-American policies” of Brics. His post on Truth Social followed the release of the Brics Rio Declaration, which criticised rising US tariffs without naming him. Trump said there would be “no exceptions.” Brics, now expanded to 11 nations including India, China, and Russia, condemned “indiscriminate rising of tariffs” as a threat to global trade. The bloc reaffirmed support for a WTO-based multilateral system. Brics nations currently represent 49.5% of the world’s population, 40% of global GDP, and 26% of world trade. (PC: India Today)

A senior Hamas security officer told the BBC that the group has lost 80% of its control in Gaza, with command structures shattered by months of Israeli strikes. "There's barely anything left of the security structure," he said, describing total lawlessness and the rise of armed clans. Looting and violence are rampant, with no functioning police. Rival leader Yasser Abu Shabab, reportedly armed by Israel, is gaining support and may unite Hamas’s enemies. Hamas fears he could trigger its downfall. With Gaza under Israeli pressure and internal fragmentation, the militant group faces its most serious internal threat in 17 years. (PC: BBC)

Israel will send negotiators to Qatar for indirect talks with Hamas over a proposed Gaza ceasefire and hostage deal, despite Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu calling Hamas’s latest demands “unacceptable.” Hamas claims it gave a “positive response” to the US-backed plan for a 60-day truce and wants guarantees against resumed hostilities. Israel insists negotiations continue based on the original Qatari proposal. Over 57,000 people have died in Gaza since Israel’s military campaign began following the 7 October 2023 attack. US President Trump, who meets Netanyahu Monday, is pushing for a breakthrough and hopes for a major deal announcement next week. (PC: BBC)