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Last Updated:September 30, 2025, 14:47 IST
From geopolitics to climate, tech to social change, News18 World live blog delivers real-time updates on what is the latest from around the globe
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Stay informed with our World News Live Blog — your real-time window into global events. From major geopolitical developments and scientific breakthroughs to royal family updates and cultural milestones, we bring you fast, factual, and curated updates as they happen. Whether it’s unfolding conflicts, diplomatic shifts, climate alerts, or key moments in international politics, our live blog keeps you ahead of the news curve. Designed for readers who want both speed and substance, this is your go-to source for staying connected with the world — minute by minute, headline by headline.
Asian Markets Mixed Amid US Shutdown Fears And Weak China Data
Asian shares showed mixed results on Tuesday as investor sentiment was dampened by the possibility of a US government shutdown and new data indicating persistent economic weakness in China, according to a report in AP. Japan’s Nikkei 225 registered a decline, while markets in Hong Kong and Shanghai posted gains. The market caution was driven by concerns over a potential US government shutdown, which was later temporarily averted, and was compounded by lackluster factory activity data from China for September, reflecting the impact of ongoing trade tensions with the US on the world’s second-largest economy.
Israeli Soldiers Detain Palestinian Children In West Bank On Spying Allegations
Israeli soldiers were filmed detaining two Palestinian children in the occupied West Bank city of Hebron on accusations of spying, as per a report in Al Jazeera. The incident, captured on video, highlights what human rights organizations describe as a pattern of detentions of Palestinian minors in the region. The city of Hebron is noted as a frequent flashpoint, and such events often lead to international scrutiny over the treatment of minors under military occupation and adherence to international law.
Aide To German MEP Convicted Of Spying For China
A German court has convicted Jian Guo, a former aide to a prominent far-right Member of the European Parliament, on charges of spying for China, AP says in a report. Guo, a German citizen, was found to have passed sensitive information regarding negotiations and decisions within the EU Parliament to Chinese intelligence services over a period spanning from September 2019 until his arrest in April 2024. The conviction highlights existing concerns across Europe about Chinese espionage targeting political institutions and adds to diplomatic tensions between Germany and China.
Former US Official's Gun Gifts To New Zealand Violated Local Laws
During a visit to New Zealand, former Trump administration official Kash Patel gave the country’s police and intelligence chiefs gifts of 3D-printed replica pistols that were illegal to possess under local laws, as per a report in AP. The inoperable plastic pistols, which were part of display stands, were surrendered by the officials and destroyed. The incident highlights New Zealand’s strict gun control regime, which was significantly strengthened following the 2019 Christchurch shootings. The original report, which incorrectly identified Patel as the FBI Director, also noted that he caused discomfort with separate remarks about China.
Journalist Lally Weymouth Of The Washington Post's Graham Family Dies At 82
Lally Weymouth, a senior associate editor at The Washington Post and daughter of the paper’s late publisher Katharine Graham, has died at 82 in her Manhattan home from pancreatic cancer, AP said in a report. Weymouth carved out her own journalistic career, becoming known for securing interviews with prominent and often controversial world leaders, including Iraq’s Saddam Hussein and Libya’s Muammar Gaddafi. Her passing represents a significant moment for The Washington Post, marking the loss of a direct link to its historic leadership under the Graham family, and for foreign policy journalism, where her style of gaining direct access to isolated global figures was a hallmark of a distinct era in reporting.
Thailand Appeals Court Upholds Royal Defamation Sentence For Lawmaker
An appeals court in Thailand on Tuesday upheld a prison sentence for royal defamation against Chonthicha Jangrew, a lawmaker from the progressive Move Forward Party, for a speech delivered four years ago, according to a report in AP. The court granted Jangrew bail set at 150,000 baht ($4,600), allowing her to retain her parliamentary seat for now as she plans to appeal the ruling to the Supreme Court. If bail had been denied, she would have been immediately removed from her position as a Member of Parliament.
Paraguay's Transgender Women Face Displacement Amid Lack Of Legal Rights
In Paraguay, one of Latin America’s most conservative countries, transgender women face systemic discrimination, harassment, and violence that compel them to leave their hometowns for safety, as per a report in AP. The exclusion is reinforced by political and religious conservatism, resulting in an absence of legal protections such as a gender identity law. Consequently, violence against the community often goes unrecorded, and many individuals are pushed into precarious situations, with shelters run by advocacy groups offering one of the few sources of safety.
Colombian Foreign Minister Renounces US Visa as Tensions Escalate
Colombia’s Foreign Minister, Rosa Villavicencio, has renounced her US visa to protest an unspecified decision by the US State Department, according to a report in AP. The move on Monday highlights escalating diplomatic tensions between the US and Colombia, with the war in Gaza cited as a key point of friction. The Colombian Foreign Affairs Ministry confirmed the renunciation but did not specify the type of visa Villavicencio held, stating only that it was not interested in diplomatic visas.
Women in Gaza Report Sexual Exploitation in Exchange for Survival Necessities
Amid the catastrophic humanitarian crisis in Gaza, women are reporting instances of sexual exploitation where they are promised food, money, or work in exchange for sexual interactions, according to a report in AP. This form of exploitation, often termed ‘survival sex,’ is reportedly on the rise as the ongoing conflict has dismantled economic and social support systems, leaving women and children exceptionally vulnerable. Aid organizations on the ground warn that reported cases represent only ‘the tip of the iceberg’ due to intense social stigma and the challenges of reporting in a conflict zone. The situation presents significant political and operational implications, undermining the integrity of humanitarian aid delivery and increasing pressure on international donors to implement more stringent oversight and gender-based violence prevention programs.
China's Factory Activity Shrinks For Sixth Consecutive Month
China’s official factory activity showed a contraction for the sixth straight month in September, the longest such slump since 2019, according to a report in AP. The official manufacturing Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI) improved slightly to 49.8, but remained below the 50-point threshold that separates contraction from expansion, reflecting the impact of ongoing trade tensions. In contrast, a private sector PMI survey from the firm RatingDog indicated expansion, with its index rising to 51.2 from 50.5 in August.
Pro-Russians Allege Fraud in Past Moldova Election with Disputed Footage
In the aftermath of Moldova’s November 2023 local elections, where the ruling pro-Western Party of Action and Solidarity (PAS) secured a significant victory, pro-Russian actors are now circulating footage online allegedly proving voter fraud, according to a report in France 24. The report notes that an analysis of the video reveals multiple elements that cast significant doubt on its authenticity. This disinformation effort is seen as part of a broader campaign to undermine Moldova’s democratic institutions and its pro-European trajectory, which was reinforced by the election results.
China Acted As Both Peace Broker And Arms Supplier In Past Cambodia-Thailand Conflict
While publicly calling for an end to the Cambodia-Thailand border war in July of a peak conflict year, China had secretly supplied rockets and artillery shells to Cambodia just weeks earlier, according to a report in The New York Times citing Thai intelligence documents. The report details China’s dual role during the deadly conflict over the Preah Vihear temple, which saw significant clashes between 2008 and 2011. The article highlights the apparent contradiction between China’s role as a public peace broker and its actions as a clandestine arms supplier to one side of the dispute.
Mauricio Hoyos Seriously Injured in Shark Attack off Costa Rica
Mauricio Hoyos sustained serious injuries to his head, face, and arms after being attacked by a shark near Costa Rica’s remote Cocos Island on Saturday, according to a report in AP. Costa Rica’s Fire Department rescued Hoyos and undertook a 36-hour journey to transport him from the island, which is located about 340 miles (550 kilometers) off the Pacific coast. He was successfully transferred to a hospital in the capital, San Jose, on Monday for medical treatment.
Australia Eases Heritage Protections For Woodside Gas Project Extension
The Australian government agreed to weaken proposed protections for Indigenous rock art of world heritage significance from Woodside’s North West Shelf gas development, according to a report in The Guardian. The decision came after the energy company argued that the original, stricter conditions could force a shutdown of the major gas export plant. According to a government document, the change was approved by Environment Minister Murray Watt, allowing the extension of one of the world’s largest gas developments to continue its operating life until 2070.
Eleven Arrested In Serbia Over Hate Crimes In France And Germany
Serbian police have arrested 11 nationals accused of inciting hatred in France and Germany through acts targeting religious sites, including placing pigs’ heads near mosques and defacing Jewish sites, The Guardian said in a report. The arrests come as French prosecutors investigate probable foreign interference behind a recent series of provocative acts targeting both Jewish and Muslim locations amid heightened tensions over the war in Gaza. French officials have previously stated they were investigating Russia’s role in destabilization operations aimed at stoking social division in France.
Nvidia To Invest $500 Million In Armenian AI Factory
Nvidia is planning a $500 million investment to build an artificial intelligence “factory” in Armenia, which will function as a large-scale data center for intensive AI computation, as per a report in Deutsche Welle. The project is positioned as a significant economic boost for Armenia, expected to create high-value jobs, attract further investment, and solidify its reputation as a regional tech hub. This move addresses global concerns about a growing digital divide, where advanced AI capabilities are concentrated in a few wealthy nations. The investment is also anticipated to drive demand for specialized AI and data science skills within Armenia, fostering development in the local education system and providing new career opportunities for its technology talent pool.
Nepal Defeats West Indies Academy To Secure Historic T20 Series Win
Nepal’s cricket team defeated the West Indies Academy by a record 90 runs in Sharjah to clinch their Twenty20 series with one match remaining, AP says in a report. The victory on Monday follows another historic win for Nepal in the first match of the series. Career-best scores in the 60s from Aasif Sheikh and Sundeep Jora propelled Nepal to a total of 173-6. In response, the West Indies Academy was bowled out for 83 runs in 17.1 overs, securing a landmark series win for the associate nation against the development squad of a top-tier cricketing country.
UK Blogger Arrested Over Anti-Hamas Post, Released Without Charge
A blogger in the UK, Pete North, was detained and questioned for several hours by North Yorkshire Police for posting an anti-Hamas meme, as per a report in Fox News. He was subsequently released without any charges being filed. North claimed that the arresting officers seemed unaware of the details of the October 7th Hamas attacks on Israel. The incident highlights the ongoing debate in the UK surrounding free speech, online content laws, and the police’s approach to social media posts concerning international conflicts.
Ukrainian Hospital Delivers Advanced Neurosurgery for War Injuries
Mechnikov Hospital in Dnipro, Ukraine, a facility with a history of treating wounded soldiers dating back to the Crimean War of the 1850s, is now playing a crucial role in the ongoing conflict with Russia, according to a report in NPR. The hospital’s neurosurgeons are on the front line of medical care, treating a high volume of complex brain and spinal injuries resulting from shrapnel and blast trauma. Located in a strategic city that serves as a primary medical hub for those evacuated from active combat zones, the hospital’s advanced capabilities are vital for saving lives and reducing long-term disability for both military personnel and civilians, showcasing the resilience and adaptation of Ukraine’s healthcare system under wartime pressure.
Trump Administration Bans 'Climate Change' Term At Energy Department
The administration of US President Donald Trump has issued a directive to employees at the Department of Energy’s Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE), forbidding the use of terms like ‘climate change’ and ‘green’ in official communications, as per a report in TechCrunch. The instruction, sent via email last week by a political appointee, also reportedly included a longer list of discouraged phrases such as ’emissions reduction’ and ‘decarbonization’. This move reflects a broader policy to downplay climate change and is consistent with similar actions taken during Trump’s first presidential term (2017-2020). The directive raises concerns about its impact on the scientific integrity and communication of the agency, which is tasked with advancing renewable energy and efficiency solutions.
Trump Considering Supplying Ukraine With Long-Range Missiles, Says Vice President Vance
US Vice President J D Vance has stated that President Donald Trump is considering supplying Ukraine with long-range missiles, a move that comes as a Ukrainian defense official suggests more Western weapons could compel Moscow to enter peace talks, according to a report in BBC. The discussion of providing additional long-range capabilities, such as more ATACMS missiles, follows previous US provisions of the weapon system to Ukraine, which is currently facing intense Russian pressure.
