India’s winning run in the Asia Cup 2025 ended after a 2-2 draw against defending champions South Korea in Rajgir. Hardik Singh scored a fine solo goal early, but Korea equalised through Jihun Yang, who later struck again to give his side the lead. India pushed hard but wasted several chances before Mandeep Singh scored late in the final quarter to secure a point. Heavy rain delayed the match, adding to India’s struggles. Earlier, Malaysia beat China 2-0 while Japan defeated Chinese Taipei 2-0. India will face Malaysia next in the Super 4s stage. (PC: India Today)

Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Wednesday that India’s new GST reforms have no link to the tariffs imposed by the United States. He said the Centre had been working on the plan for 1.5 years. The new GST structure will start on September 22 with a two-tier rate of 5% and 18%, and 40% on luxury and sin goods. Modi said the reforms aim to make life easier for the common man, farmers, MSMEs, women and youth. Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said MSMEs will benefit as compliance becomes simpler and rates on daily use items drop. (PC: HT)

The GST Council, chaired by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, has approved a new GST regime effective September 22. The 12% and 28% slabs are abolished, leaving 5% and 18% as the main rates. A new 40% slab will apply to sin and luxury goods, including tobacco, aerated drinks, yachts, and motorcycles above 350 cc. Items of daily use like bread, paneer, and milk will be cheaper, with some moving to nil tax. Life-saving drugs will also be exempt. Nearly 90% of goods under 28% will now shift to 18%. The government said the reforms support common people and growth sectors. (PC: India Today)

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)

US President Donald Trump again attacked India over trade, calling it the “most tariffed nation” in the world. Speaking on a radio show, Trump said India, like China and Brazil, “kills” the US with tariffs. He claimed India offered him a “no tariff” deal only because of his tough stance. India has rejected his repeated criticism, stressing it makes trade and oil decisions based on market needs. Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal said talks with Washington are still on, while PM Modi has assured India will not compromise on farmers’ interests. Tensions over Russian oil purchases remain. (PC: India Today)

A day after being suspended from the Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) on September 2, 2025 for alleged anti-party activities, K. Kavitha — daughter of former Telangana Chief Minister K. Chandrashekar Rao — tendered her resignation from both the party and her position as an MLC on September 3, 2025 . Her ousting followed public criticism of senior party leader and cousin, T. Harish Rao, viewed by the party as a refusal to reconcile, which led to her suspension . She has alleged a conspiracy within the BRS and expressed disappointment over a lack of support from party leadership . This dramatic exit highlights growing factionalism within the BRS and may impact its leadership dynamics and electoral prospects in Telangana. (PC: The Hindu)

At Beijing’s military parade on September 3, 2025, marking the 80th anniversary of WWII’s end, China unveiled four-legged, gun-toting “robot wolves” capable of maneuvering rough terrain, coordinating in packs, climbing stairs, and delivering precise strikes up to 100 m . The contingent marched alongside tanks, as global leaders, including Russia’s Putin, North Korea’s Kim Jong Un, and Pakistan’s Shehbaz Sharif, looked on . The robots symbolize a push toward more automated, high-tech warfare to inspire national pride and send deterrent signals internationally, marking China's growing edge in battlefield robotics.

Punjab has declared all 23 districts flood-hit after heavy rains and swollen rivers caused massive destruction. At least 30 people have died, and more than 3.5 lakh residents are affected. Gurdaspur is the worst-hit, with 324 villages submerged. Crops on nearly 1.5 lakh hectares are damaged. Pathankot recorded the highest deaths, while three people remain missing. The government has set up 174 relief camps, and over 19,000 people have been rescued. The Army, Navy, Air Force, and NDRF are carrying out relief operations with helicopters and boats. Schools and colleges will remain closed until September 7.

Russian President Vladimir Putin said the Ukraine conflict could end if Kyiv and the West act with “common sense.” He added he has not ruled out meeting Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy but questioned if talks would be meaningful. Putin argued Ukraine’s leadership is “illegitimate” under martial law and constitutional limits. He insisted Russia is fighting for cultural and linguistic rights, not land. Putin also repeated his opposition to Ukraine joining NATO, calling it a security threat. Meanwhile, US President Donald Trump said he was “very disappointed” in Putin and promised steps to reduce Ukraine’s suffering. (PC: News18)

India has issued its second official flood warning to Pakistan in as many weeks, this time alerting Islamabad—via New Delhi’s High Commission—of a potentially dangerous surge in the Sutlej River due to heavy monsoon rains and upstream dam releases . Earlier releases from Indian reservoirs had already triggered widespread flooding in Pakistan’s Punjab, displacing over a million people and affecting some 2.45 million . The deluge has taken a deadly toll in northern India, prompting closures of schools and offices, while rivers like Delhi’s Yamuna have breached danger levels . The escalating crisis underscores mounting climate pressures and challenges in regional disaster management.