More than 600 people are feared dead after a powerful magnitude 6.0 earthquake struck eastern Afghanistan, the Taliban interior ministry said. Officials reported that dozens of houses are “under rubble” and entire villages have been destroyed. “The situation is catastrophic,” a Taliban spokesperson added, warning that casualty figures could rise. The quake, at a shallow depth of 8km, shook buildings from Kabul to Pakistan’s capital Islamabad. Locals said landslides cut off areas near the epicentre, making rescue difficult. “We heard screams under collapsed roofs,” one resident told BBC. Hospitals are overwhelmed as the injured are rushed in. (PC: BBC)

Prime Minister Narendra Modi held bilateral discussions with Russian President Vladimir Putin at the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Summit in Tianjin, China. Modi emphasized India-Russia partnership, stating both nations "have always stood shoulder to shoulder even in difficult situations." Their cooperation remains crucial for global peace, stability, and prosperity. Modi addressed the ongoing Ukraine conflict, welcoming recent peace efforts and urging all parties to move forward constructively to establish lasting peace quickly, calling it "humanity's call." Separately, Putin revealed he would share details from his Alaska meeting with US President Trump during bilateral sessions, claiming the Ukraine crisis resulted from a Western-supported coup in Kyiv rather than invasion, suggesting Trump summit understandings could enable Ukrainian peace. (PC: X & India TV News)

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Russian President Vladimir Putin, and Chinese President Xi Jinping shared warm handshakes and smiles at the SCO Summit in Tianjin, China. Modi and Putin also exchanged a hug, highlighting friendly ties despite global tensions. Modi wrote on X that it is “always a delight to meet” Putin and shared pictures of their interaction. The three leaders were later seen conversing together, echoing scenes from the 2018 BRICS Summit. This comes as Modi held bilateral talks with Xi to resolve border differences and with Putin to strengthen India-Russia ties. Over 20 leaders attended the Summit. (PC: X)

At the 2025 SCO Summit in Tianjin, China, India secured a major diplomatic win as all member states issued a unified condemnation of the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack in Jammu & Kashmir. The Tianjin Declaration expressed deep condolences to the victims’ families and emphasized the need to hold the perpetrators, organizers, and sponsors accountable. This strong language marks a significant shift in regional consensus on terrorism, aligning with India’s long-standing demand for collective action. The declaration reinforces India’s position within the SCO and signals growing support for its counterterrorism stance. The summit outcome is seen as a strategic boost for India’s global narrative on security and sovereignty.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi met Russian President Vladimir Putin on Monday at the SCO Summit in Tianjin, China, stressing that “the time has come for peace in Ukraine.” Modi said India and Russia “have always stood together, even in difficult times,” emphasizing their cooperation is essential for global stability. He added, “The world is looking at us with hope.” Putin praised the “special trust” between the two nations, noting their partnership extends beyond politics. Both leaders reaffirmed economic and strategic ties, with Modi inviting Putin to visit India in December to deepen cooperation. (PC: News18)

A 6.3 magnitude earthquake struck Afghanistan’s Nangarhar province on Monday, killing at least 250 people and injuring over 400. The epicentre was near Jalalabad, where buildings collapsed and entire villages were damaged. Rescue teams are searching for survivors under the rubble, but officials warn the toll may rise. Health ministry spokesperson Sharafat Zaman said, “The number of casualties is high, and our teams are still on site.” After the main quake, a 4.7 magnitude aftershock followed. Tremors were also felt in Pakistan. This is the deadliest earthquake since 2023, highlighting Afghanistan’s vulnerability to disasters in the Hindu Kush mountains. (PC: HT)

The West Bengal Urdu Academy has cancelled its four-day literary festival after protests from Islamist groups against poet-lyricist Javed Akhtar. Akhtar, invited as chief guest for a mushaira in Kolkata, was accused of “speaking against religion and God” by Jamiat Ulema-e-Hind and Wahyahin Foundation. Both groups threatened protests if the invitation was not withdrawn. Officials cited “unavoidable circumstances” for cancellation, but sources said the government feared unrest before the 2026 Assembly elections. Activists called the decision a blow to free speech. Akhtar, who identifies as an atheist and cultural Muslim, was to headline discussions on Urdu in Indian cinema. (PC: India Today)

At the 25th SCO Summit in Tianjin, China, Russian President Vladimir Putin defended Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, blaming the West and NATO for provoking the conflict. He cited the 2013–2014 Ukrainian revolution and NATO’s push to include Ukraine as key triggers. Putin rejected ceasefire calls and reiterated demands for Ukraine to cede territory and abandon Western alliances. He praised peace efforts by India, China, and other strategic partners, while calling for a new global system beyond Eurocentric models. Despite pressure from leaders like Donald Trump, peace talks remain stalled. Putin’s remarks underscore deepening geopolitical divides and Russia’s pivot toward Asian-led alliances like the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation.

A devastating 6.0 magnitude earthquake struck northeastern Afghanistan’s Kunar province near the Pakistan border at 11:47 PM local time on Sunday, according to the German Research Centre for Geosciences. Early reports suggest hundreds are feared dead, with 30 fatalities confirmed in a single village. Rescue operations are underway in remote mountainous districts, but access remains difficult. Health ministry spokesperson Sharafat Zaman stated that casualty numbers are expected to rise, with hundreds injured already hospitalized. The quake’s epicenter was near Jalalabad, just 119 km from Kabul, at a depth of 14 km. Two additional tremors of 4.5 and 5.2 magnitude followed shortly after, intensifying fears in a region still recovering from the deadly 2023 quake. (PC: Sky News & Reuters)

In a controversial interview with Fox News, former Trump trade advisor Peter Navarro accused sections of Indian society, specifically Brahmins of profiteering from discounted Russian oil, allegedly at the expense of ordinary citizens. Navarro questioned Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s engagement with Russia and China, despite leading “the biggest democracy in the world.” He claimed India’s oil imports from Russia surged post-Ukraine invasion, with refined crude being re-exported to Africa, Europe, and Asia. Navarro argued this trade “fuels Russia’s war machine” and criticized India’s tariff policies, calling the country the “Maharaja of tariff.” His remarks sparked backlash for their communal undertone and raised concerns over politicizing India’s energy strategy amid global tensions. (PC: CNN)