A tragic derailment of Lisbon’s historic Glória funicular railway has left 16 dead and 21 injured, after a carriage broke free and crashed into a hotel. The popular railway, dating back to 1885 and carrying around three million passengers annually, has been at the center of debate about overtourism. Residents say it has shifted from serving locals to functioning primarily as a tourist attraction, placing heavy strain on the system. Investigators believe a snapped haulage cable caused the accident, though union leaders had previously raised concerns about braking difficulties. Maintenance protocols were reportedly in place, but questions are mounting as the outsourced maintenance contract had expired just days before the crash. The incident prompted national mourning, suspension of other funiculars in the city, and renewed scrutiny over balancing heritage preservation, safety, and the pressures of mass tourism in Portugal’s capital.

A powerful 6.0 magnitude earthquake has devastated Afghanistan’s eastern Nangarhar and Kunar provinces, killing 1,400 and injuring at least 3,000. Striking late at night near Jalalabad, the quake was felt as far away as Kabul and neighbouring Pakistan. Entire villages collapsed under the force, with fragile mud and timber homes burying families beneath rubble. Rescue efforts have been severely hampered by landslides, blocked roads, and the region’s mountainous terrain, leaving many unreachable for hours. Helicopters are being used to transport survivors, while international aid organisations and neighbouring countries have offered assistance. The timing of the disaster compounds Afghanistan’s hardships, already strained by recent flash floods, ongoing humanitarian needs, and a collapsed healthcare system under Taliban rule. Hospitals near the epicentre, especially in Jalalabad, are overwhelmed. With infrastructure destroyed and communications cut, the death toll is expected to rise further. Rebuilding will take years.

Irish lay missionary Gena Heraty, who has served in Haiti for three decades, has been freed after nearly a month of captivity. She and several others, including a three-year-old child with a disability, were kidnapped during an armed gang attack on an orphanage outside Port-au-Prince. The NGO with which Heraty works, expressed profound gratitude for the release, saying the hostages are safe, receiving medical and psychological care, and reunited with their families. Heraty’s family issued a heartfelt statement thanking everyone, locally and internationally, who helped secure her freedom, and they requested privacy as she recovers. The case underscores Haiti’s worsening security crisis, with gangs now controlling an estimated 85% of the capital. Kidnappings remain rampant, with the UN reporting nearly 350 abductions in just the first half of 2025.

Beijing has hosted a grand military parade marking eighty years since the end of WW2, with Xi Jinping standing alongside Vladimir Putin and Kim Jong Un in a rare joint appearance. Xi framed the event as a moment for nations to choose between ‘peace and war’, as China unveiled an extensive array of modern weaponry, including huge nuclear-capable underwater drones, and futuristic defence systems. With more than 50,000 chosen  spectators present, the spectacle highlighted China’s military ambitions and global positioning. The gathering drew leaders from Iran, Pakistan, Vietnam, Zimbabwe, and others, though most Western leaders declined invitations. Xi emphasized unity and prosperity in his toast, urging nations to reject ‘the law of the jungle’. After the parade, at bilateral talks, Putin praised Pyongyang for contributing troops to fight in Ukraine; it is estimated that there are now 15,000 North Korean troops there.

Donald Trump has announced plans to deploy National Guard troops to Chicago, describing the city as a ‘hellhole’ plagued by violent crime. He hinted Baltimore could be next, insisting his actions are not politically motivated despite targeting Democratic-led cities. Illinois governor JB Pritzker and Chicago’s mayor strongly opposed the move; Pritzker called it an ‘invasion’, stating that murders have fallen nearly 50 percent in four years. There have already been protests in Chicago expressing opposition, as residents fear further unrest. The announcement follows Trump’s controversial use of troops in Washington and Los Angeles, where a federal judge has recently ruled he overstepped legal boundaries.  The  judge said that Trump appears intent on ‘creating a national police force with the President as its chief’. He has barred National Guard troops or marines from performing police functions: however, this will come into effect only on 12 September, potentially leaving an opening for the conservative-dominated supreme court to rule on the case.

Catastrophic flooding has displaced nearly half a million people in Pakistan’s Punjab province after days of torrential monsoon rain swelled three major rivers. More than 2,300 villages have been inundated, affecting over 1.5 million residents, including parts of Lahore. In what authorities describe as the largest rescue effort in Punjab’s history, 481,000 people and 405,000 livestock have been evacuated using more than 800 boats and 1,300 rescue personnel. Over five hundred relief camps have been established to provide shelter and care for displaced families. The floods have killed at least thirty people, adding to the hundreds of lives lost during this year’s unusually heavy monsoon season. But with the rains continuing, authorities have warned that the crisis is far from over.

Peru is reeling after the shocking assassination of Indonesian diplomat Zetro Leonardo Purba, who was fatally shot three times in Lima. The government expressed deep condolences and condemned the killing as a ‘heinous act’, pledging full cooperation with Indonesian authorities and enhanced protection for embassy staff. While the national police chief suggested the incident might have been a targeted attack by foreign assailants, Indonesian officials expressed doubt, noting Purba had not received prior threats. Some attributed the tragedy to rising violent crime in the capital, where homicides and extortion have surged under president Dina Boluarte. Purba, who had been serving in Lima for only five months, leaves behind a wife and children. His death comes just weeks after Peru and Indonesia marked fifty years of diplomatic relations with a free-trade agreement.

Actor Gavin Casalegno, best known for his role in ‘The Summer I Turned Pretty’, is gaining recognition not just for his acting but for boldly sharing his Christian faith. The 25-year-old regularly posts on TikTok, speaking openly about prayer, repentance, and living wholly for God in Hollywood. He warns against complacency, saying, 'God wants all of you, not just the Sunday version’, and testifies that real strength comes from relying on God, not self. Casalegno has spoken vulnerably of repentance as a turning point, describing how admitting his need brought a clear experience of God’s love. Raised in a Christian family, he says stepping back from social media to focus on God and family keeps his perspective healthy. Last year he married nurse Cheyanne King, who also celebrates her faith publicly, bringing Christ’s light into healthcare. Together, they launched a clothing line inspired by biblical truths, designed to spark meaningful conversations. Casalegno joins other Hollywood figures unashamedly professing Christ, demonstrating that faith is becoming more visible in mainstream culture.

Matt Williams of Tennessee was heartbroken when his Bible case, filled with family photos and treasured memories, was stolen from his vehicle. In that moment, he turned to God in prayer, surrendering the situation: 'Not my will but yours’. Astonishingly, his Bible was later discovered inside another stolen car, placed alongside a second copy of the Scriptures. The chain of events that led to its recovery seemed providential: the mother of the woman whose car had been stolen posted online about finding the Bible, and Williams recognised it as his. The unexpected return of his precious Bible reminded him of God’s intimate care: 'Not even a sparrow falls without His notice. Apparently not even a Bible gets stolen without His response.' This showed Williams that God is attentive to the details of His children’s lives and answers prayer in personal, unexpected ways. His testimony is a reminder that God values His people deeply and delights to show His faithfulness.

Reform UK leader Nigel Farage has defended his hardline immigration plan, ‘Operation Restoring Justice’, which would see all illegal Channel crossings - including those by women and children - met with deportation if his party won power. He argued that the proposals align with Britain’s Judeo-Christian heritage, despite opposition from Church leaders, whom he accused of being 'out of touch' with ordinary believers. Farage suggested that criticism from bishops and 'The Establishment' was inevitable, but insisted meaningful change often comes through struggle. His plan includes withdrawing from the European Convention on Human Rights, scrapping the Human Rights Act, and suspending treaties used by courts to block deportations. Labour dismissed the proposals as an 'unworkable gimmick,' while Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch accused Reform of copying Tory policies. The announcement follows rising protests near asylum seeker accommodation and record asylum claims in 2024. Reform UK claims it could deport up to 600,000 people in its first term. See