UNITED KINGDOM

Diplomat resigns over arms sales to Israel

A British diplomat based in Ireland resigned over arms sales to Israel with his email circulated online saying the UK's foreign office "may be complicit in war crimes", it emerged on Monday. Images of his resignation email sent to colleagues were posted online, with Mark Smith, who was based in the British embassy in Dublin, writing there was "no justification for the UK's continued arms sales to Israel". The UK has issued 42 military licenses to Israel between Oct 7, the date of Hamas' attack on Israel, and the end of May, according to government data.

PAKISTAN

215 killed in monsoon rains: Disaster authority

At least 215 were killed in rain-triggered accidents and floods in Pakistan so far in the monsoon season, including 20 deaths in the last 24 hours, the National Disaster Management Authority, or NDMA, reported on Monday. A total of 43 people were reported to have suffered injuries in the last 24 hours, while the number of injured in the monsoon season starting from July went up to 405, the NDMA said in a report. All through the season, the dead included 108 children and 32 women, according to the report.

BELGIUM

Talks to form coalition government extended

Bart De Wever, leader of the New Flemish Alliance party, met with Belgium's King Philippe on Monday to review his progress in forming a new federal government, with their next meeting set for Thursday evening, according to a statement from the Royal Palace. De Wever was tasked by the king on July 10 to establish a coalition government. His efforts are focused on bringing together five key political parties. De Wever's mandate was initially extended until Aug 19, following a report he presented to King Philippe in late July.