A suicide bomb blast killed 15 people and injured over 30 near a political rally in Quetta, Pakistan. The explosion occurred in the parking area of a stadium where the Balochistan National Party (BNP) held a rally on Tuesday night. Authorities said the bomber failed to reach the main venue due to tight security. The Islamic State group has claimed responsibility. The rally was held in memory of Ataullah Mengal, a former Balochistan chief minister. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif condemned the attack, calling it a plot to spread chaos. Survivors described scenes of panic, injuries, and screaming after the blast. (PC: BBC)

A powerful 6.0-magnitude earthquake has killed more than 2,200 people and injured nearly 4,000 in eastern Afghanistan, with Kunar province worst affected. Entire villages were destroyed as fragile mud and wood houses collapsed. Rescue operations are still underway, slowed by aftershocks and the region’s difficult terrain. Taliban authorities have deployed commandos to reach remote areas, while international aid is beginning to arrive. India has sent 21 tonnes of relief materials, including medicines, tents, and generators. Experts warn Afghanistan remains highly vulnerable to quakes due to its position on major tectonic plates, leaving already fragile communities at severe risk. (PC: AP)

Portugal is mourning after a deadly funicular crash in Lisbon killed 17 people and injured 21 others. Officials said the victims included seven men, eight women, and two more who died overnight. Their details are yet to be confirmed. Among the injured were tourists from at least 10 countries, including Germany, Spain, Korea, Canada, France, Italy, Switzerland, Morocco, and Cape Verde. Witnesses said the tram appeared to lose its brakes before derailing and crashing into a wall. Authorities confirmed workers had earlier reported brake issues. The Gloria funicular, a famous Lisbon landmark, has been closed as investigations continue. (PC: Sky News)

UK Defence Secretary John Healey said allies are ready to support Ukraine before and after a peace deal. Speaking in Kyiv, he promised help to secure skies, seas, and land once fighting ends. About 30 leaders will join a Paris summit to discuss security guarantees, with the US expected to act as the main backstop. Healey praised Donald Trump for keeping dialogue with Vladimir Putin open, despite criticism. Putin, speaking in China, said talks were possible but repeated demands on Ukraine. Meanwhile, the UK announced £1 billion from seized Russian assets will fund Ukraine’s military aid. (PC: BBC)

The GST Council has cut four tax slabs to two, keeping only 5% and 18%. A higher 40% tax will apply on luxury and sin goods. The government said the move will help the middle class, farmers, health, and education sectors. Congress, however, accused the government of twisting the slogan “one nation, one tax” into “one nation, 9 taxes.” Leaders like Mallikarjun Kharge and P Chidambaram said reforms were “eight years too late.” The DMK and Shiv Sena welcomed the change but warned of state revenue loss. The government called it a festive gift for citizens. (PC: NDTV)

Jasveen Sangha, known as the “Ketamine Queen,” has pleaded guilty in the drug case linked to actor Matthew Perry’s death. Perry, best known for Friends, died in October 2023 from a ketamine overdose at his Los Angeles home. Sangha admitted to five charges, including selling the drug that caused his death. She ran a “stash house” in North Hollywood, where police found ketamine, cocaine, meth, and Xanax. Sangha could face up to 65 years in prison when sentenced on December 10. Four others, including two doctors and Perry’s assistant, also pleaded guilty in the case. (PC: Reuters, Jasveen Sangha's social media)

A catastrophic derailment occurred on September 3, 2025, when Lisbon’s iconic Elevador da Glória funicular—a national monument and tourist favorite—veered off course, crashing into a building around 6 p.m. Fifteen people were killed, and eighteen were injured, with five in critical condition and a child among the casualties. Emergency crews extracted all victims within two hours. Preliminary reports point to a loose cable as the likely cause; the operator Carris affirmed that scheduled maintenance had been performed. The government declared a national day of mourning, and an investigation into the incident has been launched. (PC: AP)  

Russian President Vladimir Putin said on September 3, 2025, that he would be willing to meet Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy—but only if Zelenskyy travels to Moscow. Speaking in Beijing after a Victory Day parade, Putin stated he "never ruled out" such a meeting but questioned, "is there any point?" and insisted it be “well prepared” with concrete results. He stressed Ukraine must lift martial law, hold elections, and conduct a territorial referendum first. Ukraine’s foreign minister rejected Moscow as a venue, saying seven neutral countries have already offered locations. (PC: AFP)

Russian President Vladimir Putin said Russia will achieve its goals in Ukraine through military action if no deal is reached. Speaking in China after a military parade, Putin said he welcomed dialogue but stressed Russia would not give up Donbas. He repeated demands for Ukraine to drop NATO plans and end alleged discrimination against ethnic Russians. US President Donald Trump recently urged him to consider peace, but Putin rejected a ceasefire. UK Defence Secretary John Healey said allies will increase aid and pressure on Moscow. Russia launched 500 drones and 24 missiles on Ukraine overnight. (PC: BBC)

US President Donald Trump said the military struck a drug-carrying boat in the southern Caribbean, killing 11 alleged “narcoterrorists.” The vessel, linked to Venezuela’s Tren de Aragua gang, was reportedly transporting drugs to the US. Trump shared a video of the boat bursting into flames, though Venezuelan officials claimed it was fake. US officials confirmed no American troops were hurt. Trump warned others against smuggling drugs, saying, “Beware.” The strike follows rising US pressure on President Nicolás Maduro, including a $50 million reward for his arrest. Venezuela condemned the action, accusing Washington of aggression and threatening strong retaliation. (PC: BBC)