Major Earthquake Hits Afghanistan, US-Russia Tensions Rise, and Global Leaders Convene in China Summit – 9/2/2025, 4:24:27 PM

The latest world news as of September 2, 2025, includes a major earthquake in Afghanistan, escalating tensions between the United States and Russia, a high-profile summit in China with leaders from Russia, China, and India, and ongoing humanitarian and political developments worldwide.

Key headlines:

• Devastating 6.0 magnitude earthquake in Afghanistan: Rescue efforts are ongoing as thousands remain trapped, with significant loss of life reported near Jalalabad, close to the Pakistan border[2][3][4].
• US-Russia tensions: President Trump has criticized Vladimir Putin for not honoring commitments made during previous meetings, particularly regarding recent Russian attacks on Ukraine. The US is considering various responses[1].
• Alleged Russian cyberattack: The European Union accuses Russia of jamming the GPS systems of a plane carrying European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, though the plane landed safely in Bulgaria[1].
• Putin, Xi, and Modi meet in China: The leaders of Russia, China, and India displayed unity at a Shanghai Cooperation Organization summit in Tianjin, China. This summit was also attended by leaders from Iran, Pakistan, Turkey, Belarus, and Central Asian and Caucasus states[4][5].
• North Korea’s Kim Jong-un travels to China: Kim is arriving for the summit and a major military parade in Beijing[4].
• Brazil’s Bolsonaro on trial: The verdict and sentencing phase of a “historic” election conspiracy trial involving former President Jair Bolsonaro has begun[3].
• Thailand’s Prime Minister removed: Paetongtarn Shinawatra has been ousted by the Constitutional Court for ethical breaches involving a leaked conversation with Cambodia’s former leader[5].
• Israel-Gaza crisis: The world’s leading association of genocide scholars has declared that Israel is committing genocide in Gaza, according to a newly passed resolution[5].
• Major drug bust in Australia: Three Sydney dockworkers have been charged over a massive cocaine shipment[3].
• Sports: Footballer Alexander Isak has made a record transfer to Liverpool and expressed ambitions to make history at the club[4].

Other notable developments include diplomatic souring between Trump and Modi following disagreements over the India-Pakistan ceasefire and Nobel Peace Prize nominations, and consideration of Pierre Yared for a top post at the International Monetary Fund[5].