News Bulletin: Tuesday, September 2, 2025

Kabul, Afghanistan: Rescue operations continue after a 6.3-magnitude earthquake struck eastern Afghanistan on Monday, killing over 1,400 people and injuring thousands more. Entire villages were flattened by collapsing homes, and aid agencies warn that delayed deliveries of food and medicine could deepen the humanitarian crisis in the coming days.

Samarkand, Uzbekistan: At the annual Shanghai Cooperation Organisation summit, Russian President Vladimir Putin defended his invasion of Ukraine, blaming Western provocations for the conflict. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi declared that “no double standards on terrorism will be acceptable,” urging SCO member states to adopt a consistent global stance against all terrorist groups.

Washington, D.C.: The U.S. State Department announced a suspension of visa services for Palestinian passport holders, citing national security concerns. The decision drew criticism from human rights organizations, which argue it unfairly penalizes innocent civilians seeking travel for education or medical treatment.

Gaza Strip: Israeli military officials reported that Hamas spokesman Abu Obeida was killed in an airstrike overnight. Israel’s defense forces characterized the operation as a significant blow to Hamas’s command structure, while Palestinian authorities vowed to continue their resistance.

New Delhi, India: Domestic economic tensions surfaced as former U.S. President Donald Trump publicly criticized “one-sided” trade policies with India, claiming recent U.S. tariffs have turned bilateral commerce into a “disaster.” Indian trade officials have called for a resumption of negotiations to avert further deterioration of economic ties.

All times local.