Israel bombs Gaza City, mothers of hostages oppose Netanyahu's proposed offensive

Today's headlines: India and China are ready to resume direct flights; Former South Korean first lady also in prison on various charges; Typhoon Podul hits Taiwan; World Food Programme reports rising hunger in Myanmar's Rakhine State.

GAZA – ISRAEL

Israeli planes and tanks continued to bomb eastern areas of Gaza City overnight, killing at least 11 people, while Hamas leader Khalil Al-Hayya arrived in Cairo for talks aimed at restoring a US-backed ceasefire plan. Meanwhile, the mothers of Israeli hostages held in Gaza yesterday once again expressed fears that an Israeli offensive could further endanger the lives of their children.

INDIA – CHINA

Delhi and Beijing are ready to restore direct air links by September, senior officials said, adding that the official announcement could be made during the next meeting of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation, scheduled to take place in China at the end of August. This news comes amid a gradual rift between the United States and India over the Trump administration's imposition of tariffs on Delhi.

SOUTH KOREA

The wife of former South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol, who is currently in prison, has been arrested on a series of charges, including corruption and stock manipulation. The former first lady, Kim Keon-hee, denied all charges during a four-hour hearing held yesterday in Seoul. Despite the long list of former presidents indicted in South Korea, this is the first time that both a former president and a former first lady have been imprisoned.

TAIWAN

Typhoon Podul reached the sparsely populated south-east coast of Taiwan today, causing the cancellation of hundreds of flights. Nine cities and counties, including the southern metropolises of Kaohsiung and Tainan, have announced the suspension of work and school activities for today. Authorities are also working to evacuate people whose homes were damaged by a previous typhoon, which brought record winds and damaged the power grid on the island's western coast, which is usually less frequently affected. So far, more than 5,500 people have been evacuated.

PHILIPPINES

The bishop of Bacolod, Particio Buzon, speaking in front of 2,000 Catholic faithful, denounced the controversial Supreme Court ruling and the Senate's decision to dismiss the impeachment case against Vice President Sara Duterte, saying that these actions undermine citizens' rights. ‘Corruption is so endemic that it has become the norm,’ the prelate said.

MYANMAR

The western Burmese state of Rakhine is experiencing a “dramatic increase in hunger”, partly as a result of US aid cuts promoted by President Donald Trump, according to the World Food Programme, which says that 57% of households are no longer able to meet their basic food needs, an increase of 24% compared to December last year. During their military offensive, Burmese soldiers shut down trade routes and restricted agricultural activities.

RUSSIA

The Russian Ministry of Digital Technology has tightened controls on smartphones with access to 5G satellite networks, with a scheme that requires mandatory passage through a ground access station to “filter signals from space”, obtain frequencies from the relevant state commission and connect “to avoid external threats”.

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