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)

Amit Kshatriya, a seasoned 20-year NASA veteran, has been named Associate Administrator—NASA’s top civil-service role—by Acting Administrator Sean P. Duffy on September 3, 2025 . Previously deputy head of the Moon-to-Mars Program in the Exploration Systems Development Mission Directorate, he played a central role in planning and executing Artemis missions toward lunar and Mars expeditions . A Caltech and University of Texas alumnus, Kshatriya is among just ~100 individuals ever to serve as a mission control flight director. His accolades include the NASA Outstanding Leadership Medal and the Silver Snoopy, both recognizing leadership and flight safety excellence. (PC: NASA)

A new report by the Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR) shows that nearly half of India’s ministers face criminal cases, including serious charges like murder and crimes against women. The study analysed 643 affidavits filed between 2020 and 2025. It found that 47% of ministers have declared criminal cases, while 27% face serious charges. The report also highlights political wealth, with ministers collectively declaring assets worth ₹23,929 crore. Thirty-six ministers are billionaires, led by TDP’s Dr. Chandra Sekhar Pemmasani with ₹5,705 crore. Meanwhile, only 10% of ministers are women, showing gender imbalance in India’s power structure. (PC: PTI)

US President Donald Trump has asked the Supreme Court to uphold his tariffs on India, calling them “a crucial aspect of our push for peace” in Ukraine. His administration argued that penalties on India’s Russian oil imports support efforts to end the war. In August, tariffs were doubled to 50%, half linked to Russian trade and half under Trump’s “America First” policy. A federal appeals court had earlier ruled many tariffs illegal but allowed them to remain for now. Trump said tariffs make America strong and vowed to fight on with Supreme Court backing. (PC: AFP)

The GST Council meeting on Wednesday stretched beyond 7 pm as states resisted reforms. Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman stressed that relief for the poor and middle class could not be delayed. Opposition-ruled states demanded more talks, leading to a deadlock. Finally, a vote was called, breaking the stalemate. The council cleared key tax decisions, including relief on daily-use goods. Officials said the new rules will ease the burden on families while protecting state revenues. The breakthrough ended months of delay and marked a crucial step in India’s tax system reforms. (PC: India Today)

Dasgupta and Co., Kolkata’s oldest surviving bookshop, has opened a free library at its historic College Street premises. Founded in 1886, the heritage store now offers a reading room on its second floor for students and book lovers who cannot afford books. The library attracts 30-40 visitors daily, including foreigners. Nobel laureate Amartya Sen congratulated the owners and took a virtual tour. A generous donor also gifted 500 rare books to the collection. Owned by the Dasgupta family for generations, the bookshop continues to support education and culture, with plans to launch an online library soon. (PC: The Hindu)

A devastating landslide struck the congested Inner Akhara Bazaar in Kullu, Himachal Pradesh early on September 4, 2025, burying two to three houses while residents slept. Rescue teams recovered one body and rushed three critically injured individuals to Kullu’s regional hospital. However, five people—including three Kashmiri laborers and a woman—remain missing amid difficult conditions of treacherous terrain and continuous rain. An earlier landslide in the same area had already trapped two others, and an NDRF team member rescued after 24 hours remains in critical condition. Authorities have urged vulnerable residents to stay alert and avoid high-risk zones. (PC: PTI)  

India has cut Goods and Services Tax (GST) rates on hundreds of items to boost demand and reduce the impact of steep US tariffs. Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said GST will now have two slabs—5% and 18%—replacing the earlier four-tier system. Everyday goods like ACs, tea, school supplies and insurance will get cheaper, while luxury cars and imported liquor will cost more. The changes take effect on 22 September, ahead of the festive season. Analysts say the move will boost consumption, which drives 60% of India’s GDP, though states fear revenue losses of up to $6bn. (PC: Getty Images)

SpaceX’s Dragon spacecraft, docked at the International Space Station (ISS), performed a groundbreaking five-minute trunk burn using newly added Draco engines, successfully raising the station’s altitude by roughly one mile (1.6 kilometers). This mission, part of the CRS-33 resupply flight launched on August 24, 2025, includes a purpose-built “boost kit”—complete with independent propellant tanks and thrusters—to assist in regular orbital maintenance through the fall. The boost kit's first in-orbit operation marks its transition from test to operational use, helping ease reliance on traditional Russian or Cygnus reboosts. (PC: Space X)

Singapore Prime Minister Lawrence Wong called ties with India “important” in a world of “great uncertainty and turbulence.” Speaking in New Delhi with PM Narendra Modi, Wong stressed that the partnership is built on “shared values, mutual respect and trust.” He noted Singapore is India’s largest foreign investor, accounting for nearly a quarter of FDI inflows. Wong also pointed to future growth in frontier areas like space. “We can draw strength from our shared history and friendship,” he said. More than 20 Singapore-made satellites have already been launched by India, showing strong collaboration that will continue to expand. (PC: X/@MEAIndia)