Afghanistan Earthquake Causes Widespread Devastation
A powerful magnitude-6.0 earthquake struck Afghanistan, resulting in the deaths of over 800 people. The toll from the earthquake in Jalalabad, Nangarhar province, continues to rise, with at least 2,800 others reported injured.
Political Upheaval in Southeast Asia
In Thailand, Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra was removed from office by the Constitutional Court due to misconduct allegations. Meanwhile, widespread protests have erupted in Indonesia, fueled by public discontent over increased benefits and salaries granted to parliament members. Mobs reportedly looted the houses of the Indonesian finance minister and a parliament member, leading President Prabowo to agree to revoke the allowance and impose moratoriums on foreign trips for parliament members.
Escalating Conflicts in the Middle East and Eastern Europe
Targeted strikes by the Israeli Air Force have killed several ministers of the Houthi-led government in Yemen, including Prime Minister Ahmed al-Rahawi. The ongoing Gaza conflict remains a critical humanitarian concern, with the International Association of Genocide Scholars declaring that Israel is committing genocide in Gaza. In Eastern Europe, the Russia-Ukraine war continues to see intense fighting. Russian forces shelled Bilozerka in Ukraine's Kherson region, killing a 73-year-old man, while a Russian drone attack in Horodnia injured two, including a 14-year-old girl. Russian forces also "intensively attacked" Ukraine's Sumy region, injuring seven people and damaging dozens of homes, also disrupting water and energy supplies in parts of the region.
Key Diplomatic Engagements and International Recognition
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping held bilateral talks at the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Summit 2025 in Tianjin, focusing on border peace and expanding cooperation. Additionally, India and Japan signed a Memorandum of Cooperation on Joint Crediting Mechanism under the Paris Agreement. The 15th India-Japan Annual Summit in Tokyo saw discussions on a target of 10 trillion yen investment in India over the next decade, with a focus on small and medium enterprises and startups. In other news, Educate Girls, an Indian organization, made history by becoming the first Indian organization to win the prestigious Ramon Magsaysay Award in 2025.