Times of India

EU foreign ministers on Tuesday will discuss a raft of options for action against Israel over the war in Gaza -- but likely will not agree on any. "I'm sure not any of them will be adopted by the EU member states," said the foreign minister.

Pakistan is establishing a national paramilitary force, the Federal Constabulary, from its existing Frontier Constabulary. This move, intended to bolster internal security, riot control, and counter-terrorism efforts, has raised concerns among opposition parties and human rights groups. They fear it could be used for political repression, particularly in light of upcoming protests by Imran Khan's party.

An Israeli proposal to confine a significant portion of Gaza's population to a small, Israeli-controlled zone near the Egyptian border is jeopardizing truce negotiations with Hamas. This plan, initially proposed by the Israeli defense minister, involves restricting civilians from returning to their homes, raising concerns of ethnic cleansing.

A Chinese university sparked controversy by expelling a student for alleged "improper contact with a foreigner," citing damage to national dignity after videos surfaced online. This decision ignited a debate about sexism, privacy rights, and outdated moral standards, with some defending the expulsion and others criticizing the university's public shaming of the student.

Elmo's X account was hacked, with the perpetrator posting racist and antisemitic messages, prompting swift action from Sesame Workshop to remove the offensive content and regain control. This incident occurs amidst a backdrop of rising hate speech on the platform since Elon Musk's acquisition and a surge in antisemitic incidents across the U.S., as highlighted by the Anti-Defamation League.

Donald Trump has repeatedly claimed he averted a nuclear war between India and Pakistan, suggesting trade talks were leverage. However, this claim contrasts with the reality where tensions escalated after a terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir. India retaliated with military actions, prompting Pakistan to request a ceasefire, highlighting India's firm response to terrorism.

President Zelenskyy of Ukraine has initiated a significant government reshuffle, appointing Yulia Svyrydenko as the new prime minister, succeeding Denys Shmygal, who will now take on the role of defence minister. This strategic move comes at a crucial juncture in the ongoing conflict, with the aim of bolstering the nation's economy and scaling up weapons production.

A major immigration raid at Southern California marijuana farms led to over 360 arrests and one death, escalating tensions between federal authorities and local officials. The operation, targeting alleged child labor and human trafficking, sparked protests and legal challenges. Los Angeles is providing support to affected communities amid concerns over the raids' justification and transparency.

Heavy rainfall triggered flash flood warnings across New York City and prompted New Jersey to declare a state of emergency. The rising water levels disrupted roads, airports, and public transport services. Residents were urged to stay indoors as the slow-moving storm system is expected to move south, increasing the flood risk for regions from North Carolina to southern New Jersey.

US President Trump revealed that First Lady Melania played a crucial role in influencing his tougher stance against Putin regarding the Russia-Ukraine war. Melania questioned Trump's optimistic views after his calls with Putin, citing ongoing attacks.

The US government has imposed a 17% import duty on most fresh tomatoes from Mexico. This decision aims to protect the American tomato industry. Talks between US and Mexican officials failed to reach a new agreement. The duty took effect immediately. It is expected to raise tomato prices in the US. American growers are likely to benefit from this move.

Democrat Rep. Ro Khanna plans to introduce an amendment to the GENIUS Act, compelling Attorney General Pam Bondi to release Jeffrey Epstein's client list. This move comes amid growing pressure on the Trump administration regarding the Epstein case. Rep. Mark Veasey is also introducing a resolution demanding the files' release, hinting at a potential cover-up.

Andrew Cuomo, after his primary defeat to Zohran Mamdani, plans to run as an independent, pledging to withdraw if he isn't the strongest challenger by early September. He urges other independent candidates to do the same. Mamdani's campaign dismisses Cuomo's efforts, calling them backroom deals with billionaires and Republicans.

Ghislaine Maxwell, convicted of sex trafficking, reportedly desires to testify before Congress, claiming her innocence in the Epstein case. Sources reveal she was never approached despite her willingness. ​Maxwell is considered one of the few people who could reveal the secrets of Epstein. Like Epstein's brother Mark Epstein, Maxwell also believed that Epstein did not commit suicide and was murdered.

Somalian-American Minnesota state senator Omar Fateh faced racist attacks on social media as he laid out plans for his Minneapolis mayoral candidacy. Fateh, a Democrat, pledged to raise the minimum wage and limit police interaction with ICE. Critics questioned his citizenship, made hateful comments about his Somali heritage, and compared him unfavorably to Zohran Mamdani, accusing him of promoting a 'multi-cultural Marxist' agenda.

A year ago, Donald trumped death, defying the laws of space, time, physics, politics, and logic as he did something that had been done only once before in American history: return to the White House after a hiatus. And not just any break — a five-year, scandal-scarred interregnum that included two impeachments, a Capitol riot, multiple indictments, and that gloriously capitalist moment when Trump, now with his own mugshot, began selling it as an NFT and framed it in the White House like it was a Warhol.

A recent report indicates that Indian-Americans, particularly those born in the US, are increasingly embracing their Indian heritage, identifying strongly with both Indian and American identities. The survey reveals a growing connection to Indian culture through food, entertainment, and arts. The survey was conducted online over 1206 Indian-American adults by polling firm YouGov, including both US citizens and non-citizen respondents.