North Korean leader Kim Jong Un traveled to China via bulletproof train for Beijing's World War II commemoration parade, marking his first foreign trip since visiting Russia in 2023 and first China visit since January 2019. Accompanied by Foreign Minister Choe Son-hui, Kim will attend the 80th anniversary ceremony alongside Presidents Xi Jinping and Putin. The visit highlights strengthening trilateral cooperation challenging US-led international norms while elevating North Korea's diplomatic standing. Before departure, Kim inspected a missile factory and unveiled intercontinental ballistic missile development plans, demonstrating advancing weapons capabilities. China remains North Korea's primary economic lifeline amid sanctions, while Kim has increasingly aligned with Russia, reportedly supplying weapons and troops for Ukraine conflict. (PC: X)

Belgium will officially recognise the State of Palestine at the UN General Assembly this month, Foreign Minister Maxime Prevot said. He announced “firm sanctions” on Israel, including banning imports from West Bank settlements and possible legal actions. Belgium joins the UK, France, Canada, and Australia in supporting Palestinian statehood. The Israeli foreign ministry has not yet responded, but earlier called such moves a “reward for Hamas.” The UN session starts on 9 September, where more countries may back recognition. Currently, 147 UN member states recognise Palestine. The decision comes as Gaza’s war continues with rising deaths and starvation. (PC: AP)

US President Donald Trump will address a rare White House press conference at 2 p.m. Tuesday, sparking intense speculation about his health and future. The 79-year-old leader was recently diagnosed with chronic venous insufficiency (CVI), fueling rumors of illness and even resignation. While the White House insists Trump is in “excellent health,” his weeks-long absence from media appearances has raised questions. Photos of Trump golfing with his grandchildren failed to silence online chatter. The upcoming Oval Office announcement has left the internet buzzing, with many wondering whether he will address health concerns—or make a bigger political move. (PC: AP)

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Monday said his party will soon reveal a “hydrogen bomb” of evidence on alleged voter list fraud. Speaking at the end of the INDIA bloc’s Voter Adhikar Yatra in Patna, Gandhi claimed that Prime Minister Narendra Modi will not be able to face the people after the revelations. He said the slogan “vote chor, gaddi chhod” is now echoed even outside India. The BJP dismissed the remarks, calling Gandhi’s “bombs” duds. BJP MP Ravi Shankar Prasad accused Gandhi of being irresponsible and asked why he has not filed an affidavit before the Election Commission. (PC: India Today)

Max Evans-Browning, a six-year-old from Neyland, Pembrokeshire, UK, has become Britain’s youngest zookeeper. Known for his love of Sir David Attenborough, Max earlier drew 99 animals to celebrate Attenborough’s 99th birthday, which even earned a reply from the legend himself. This summer, Max joined Chessington World of Adventures in Surrey, working with the zoo team. His duties include cleaning enclosures, preparing food, checking animal health, and giving care. Max said it was a “dream come true” and loved spending time with giraffes and monkeys. Zoo staff praised his knowledge, calling him an excellent addition to the team during his summer role. (PC: BBC)

A powerful 6.0-magnitude earthquake hit eastern Afghanistan on August 30, killing more than 800 people and injuring over 2,800. The epicenter was near Jalalabad in Nangarhar Province, close to the Pakistan border, at a shallow depth of 8–10 km. The tremor destroyed mud and stone homes in Kunar and Nangarhar, while landslides buried villages. Rescue work has been slow due to poor infrastructure and difficult terrain. Experts say the region lies where the Indian and Eurasian plates collide, making it prone to deadly quakes. This disaster is among the deadliest in Afghanistan’s recent history, leaving survivors in urgent need. (PC: India Today)

Russian President Vladimir Putin said he reached “understandings” with US President Donald Trump on ending the Ukraine war. The two leaders met last month in Alaska. Putin, however, did not confirm if he will join peace talks with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. Trump had set a deadline for Putin’s reply, later extending it by weeks. US envoy Steve Witkoff claimed Putin agreed to security guarantees for Ukraine, though Moscow has not confirmed. Speaking at the SCO summit in Tianjin, China, Putin again blamed the West for the war. Meanwhile, Russia continues air attacks on Ukraine, killing civilians. (PC: BBC)

Former vice president Jagdeep Dhankhar has left the Vice President’s Enclave in Delhi after resigning on July 21, citing health reasons. On Monday, he moved to an estate in Chhatarpur owned by INLD president Abhay Singh Chautala. Officials said he thanked the staff before leaving and will stay there until his government bungalow is ready in 15–30 days. Dhankhar, the first vice president to live in the new Vice President’s Enclave near Parliament, stepped down suddenly during the monsoon session. The Opposition claims he resigned under pressure after admitting a notice against a high court judge. (PC: HT)

A plane carrying European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen was reportedly targeted by suspected Russian GPS jamming, prompting an official investigation. The incident occurred during her recent diplomatic travel, raising serious concerns over aviation safety and geopolitical tensions. Authorities are probing whether the interference was deliberate and linked to broader electronic warfare tactics. The European Union has not yet issued a formal statement, but security experts warn that GPS jamming poses significant risks to civilian and state aircraft. This development adds to growing unease over Russia’s use of disruptive technologies amid strained relations with the West. (PC: India Today)

At the 25th SCO summit in China, a viral clip captured Pakistan PM Shehbaz Sharif rushing to greet Chinese President Xi Jinping, only to be seemingly ignored as Xi walked alongside Russian President Vladimir Putin. The moment sparked a wave of online trolling, with users mocking Sharif as “a kid in men’s world” and “ignored like a non-living object.” Critics called the gesture desperate and embarrassing, especially given Pakistan’s financial dependence on China. Meanwhile, PM Modi and Xi held bilateral talks to restore ties post-Ladakh standoff. The SCO declaration may also include condemnation of cross-border terrorism, potentially targeting Pakistan.