*) Death toll expected to rise after explosion in Lebanon
Lebanese rescue workers are digging through rubble looking for survivors of a powerful explosion at a warehouse in the capital, Beirut.
At least 100 people were killed and nearly 4,000 injured, with officials expecting the death toll to rise.
Lebanon’s government has called for an urgent meeting to find out why 2,750 tonnes of ammonium nitrate had been stored for six years at a port warehouse without any safety measures.
*) Kashmir under strict lockdown on anniversary of lost autonomy
Today marks one year since India revoked Kashmir's autonomy.
New Delhi imposed a strict two-day curfew ahead of the one-year anniversary, which locals have called to be marked as a #BlackDay.
Kashmir is technically split between India and Pakistan, but both countries claim the entirety of the Himalayan region as their own.
*) Anti-govt protests continue in Zimbabwe despite crackdown
Anti-government protests in Zimbabwe continue despite a crackdown.
Several high-profile people have been arrested during protests, including a member of the opposition party, an award-winning writer and several prominent journalists.
Tensions have been rising over Zimbabwe's 700 percent inflation rate, which has made it impossible for people to meet their basic needs.
*) Storm Isaias pounds US East Coast
Tropical Storm Isaias continues to bring high-speed winds and torrential rain as it moves up the US East Coast.
The storm has killed at least six people and knocked out power to hundreds of thousands people from New York to North Carolina.
Isaias slammed into the coast of North Carolina on Monday with hurricane strength, before being downgraded to a tropical storm.
And finally,
*) SpaceX completes test flight of Mars rocket prototype
SpaceX has successfully completed a test flight for its future Mars rocket ship.
The so-called hop test lasted for under a minute and claimed a distance of 150 metres before landing.
Previously, several prototypes had exploded during testing.
SpaceX founder Elon Musk said after the test that journeys to Mars were now looking real.