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Last Updated:August 30, 2025, 16:12 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.
Afghanistan Grapples With Severe Economic Crisis Amid Aid Cuts And Mass Deportations
Four years after the Taliban retook power, Afghanistan is confronting a severe economic crisis fueled by a combination of deep international aid cuts and the influx of approximately two million Afghans forcibly deported from neighboring Iran and Pakistan, according to a report in The New York Times. This mass return of refugees has placed an immense strain on the nation’s already crippled resources and humanitarian aid systems. The crisis is compounded by persistent shortfalls in international assistance, which are linked to concerns over the Taliban’s human rights policies, resulting in widespread poverty, high unemployment, and acute food insecurity for millions of people.
EU Nations Divided On Sanctioning Israel Over Gaza Conflict As Foreign Ministers Meet
Amid deep divisions, European Union foreign ministers are meeting to discuss potential sanctions against Israel in response to its military actions in Gaza, Al Jazeera says in a report. A key proposal under consideration is the suspension of EU funding to Israeli start-ups, a measure that would likely impact Israel’s access to major research and innovation programs like ‘Horizon Europe’. This debate highlights the EU’s internal discord, with member states such as Ireland and Spain advocating for stronger action, while others like Germany and Hungary remain cautious or supportive of Israel. The discussions are taking place against a backdrop of increasing international pressure, including provisional measures ordered by the Court of Justice (ICJ). Any punitive action could significantly strain EU-Israel diplomatic and economic relations and affect Israel’s globally integrated tech sector.
Russian Attack On Zaporizhzhia Injures Dozens; Putin, Kim To Join Xi In Beijing
A Russian attack on a five-story residential building in Zaporizhzhia, Ukraine, has resulted in at least one death and dozens of injuries, including children, as per a report in The Guardian. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy confirmed the casualties from the strike. In a separate geopolitical development, Russian President Vladimir Putin and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un are scheduled to join Chinese President Xi Jinping for a military parade in Beijing next week, an event viewed as a demonstration of unity against Western pressure.
Top Microbiome Scientist Wang Leyao Leaves US NIH For China
Epidemiologist and human microbiome scientist Wang Leyao has departed from her role at the US Institutes of Health (NIH) to accept a senior research position in China, a move attributed to research funding cuts, according to a report in the South China Morning Post. Wang has joined the Shenzhen Medical Academy of Research and Translation (Smart) as a senior research fellow at the Institute of Human Immunology. The development occurs amid intensified scientific competition and strategic talent recruitment efforts by China.
Chinese Wine Exports To North Korea More Than Double In 2025
Despite being one of the world’s most sanctioned nations, North Korea has significantly increased its wine imports from China, the South China Morning Post said in a report. In the first seven months of 2025, North Korea purchased 157,393 litres of wine from China, a volume more than double the amount imported during the same period in the previous year. This surge in imports has positioned North Korea as the second-largest destination for Chinese bottled wine exports this year, surpassed only by Hong Kong, highlighting the continued trade relationship and North Korea’s limited options for sourcing alcoholic beverages amid international economic pressure.
Morocco Deploys Floating Solar Panels To Conserve Water And Power Key Port
Grappling with its most severe drought in decades, Morocco has initiated a pilot project using thousands of floating solar panels, or “floatovoltaics,” on a major reservoir near the northern city of Tangier, as per a report in the South China Morning Post. The project aims to address two critical issues by covering the water’s surface to reduce evaporation and absorbing sunlight to generate electricity. Authorities plan to use the green energy produced to power the vital Tanger Med port complex, a major African trade and industrial hub. This initiative is part of Morocco’s broader strategy to enhance water security and achieve its national goal of sourcing 52% of its electricity from renewables by 2030.
Oceania Football Confederation To Launch New Professional League
The Oceania Football Confederation (OFC) announced its first-ever professional soccer league, with eight preferred clubs from the western Pacific slated to participate in the inaugural competition in January, AP said in a report. This strategic initiative is designed to enhance the level of competition within the region, create a more viable economic and career path for players, and improve the performance of Pacific nations on the global stage. The league, which includes two clubs from regional power New Zealand, aims to overcome historical financial and logistical challenges by providing a platform for greater commercial growth and long-term sustainability for participating clubs.
Russia Attacks Ukraine’s Zaporizhia As Kyiv Strikes Russian Oil Refineries
A recent Russian attack on the Ukrainian city of Zaporizhia has killed at least one person and wounded 24 others, including two children, Al Jazeera said in a report. The strike targeted the city, which remains under Ukrainian control, even as parts of the wider Zaporizhia region are occupied by Russia. In response to ongoing Russian assaults, Ukraine has escalated its own military operations, successfully targeting Russian oil refineries deep within Russian territory. These retaliatory strikes are a strategic effort to disrupt Russia’s fuel supply for its military and negatively impact its war economy by reducing crucial export revenues.
US Aid Cut Forces Nigerian School For Conflict Victims To Dismiss Hundreds
The termination of a US aid program has led to the dismissal of up to 700 students and 20 teachers from a school in Maiduguri, Nigeria, that serves children victimized by extremists, as per a report in AP. This development occurs in a region already facing a severe humanitarian crisis and conflict with groups like Boko Haram and the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP), which are ideologically opposed to Western education. The funding cut directly impacts educational access for vulnerable children and increases the burden on local authorities to provide essential services, potentially affecting long-term regional stability and counter-extremism initiatives.
Australia Faces Criticism Over $400M Deal To Deport Detainees To Nauru
Australia and Nauru have signed a memorandum of understanding worth nearly half a billion dollars to facilitate the deportation of around 280 non-citizens, as per a report in The Guardian. The agreement, signed by Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke, targets the ‘NZYQ cohort’—individuals released into the community after a High Court ruling deemed indefinite immigration detention unlawful. The deal has been condemned as ‘discriminatory’ and ‘disgraceful’ by human rights lawyers, refugee advocates, and the Greens, who criticize the Albanese government for the substantial cost and the policy’s human impact.
Pro-Palestine Protestors Disrupt Melbourne Symphony Orchestra Performance in London
A performance by the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra (MSO) at the BBC Proms in London was interrupted by pro-Palestine protestors on Friday night, highlighting the increasing intersection of cultural events and geopolitical activism, as per a report in The Guardian. The group, identifying as Jewish Artists for Palestine, disrupted the concert at the Royal Albert Hall for over 10 minutes. This action brings to the forefront the challenges cultural institutions face, with protestors shouting from the upper stalls and accusing the MSO’s management of ‘silencing artists’ and ‘silencing protest’ in relation to criticism of Israel’s conduct in Gaza.
Three Scottish Brothers Set New World Record For Fastest Pacific Row
Three Scottish brothers have set a new world record for completing the fastest unsupported row across the full Pacific Ocean, arriving in Cairns, Australia, on Saturday, according to a report in AP. Jamie, Ewan, and Lachlan Maclean completed the more than 9,000-mile non-stop journey from Peru in 139 days. This achievement makes them the first team to ever complete the full crossing from South America to mainland Australia. During their voyage, the trio from Edinburgh faced numerous challenges, including severe storms, seasickness, and injuries, with one incident involving a brother being swept overboard.
Russia and China Condemn US Missile System Deployment in Japan
Russia and China have issued a strong condemnation of Japan’s decision to allow the temporary deployment of the US ‘Typhon’ Weapon System on its territory, Al Jazeera said in a report. Moscow and Beijing view the move as a provocative and destabilizing act that heightens regional tensions and could fuel an arms race in East Asia. The deployment, which involves a ground-based launcher capable of firing Tomahawk and SM-6 missiles, is part of a broader US strategy to enhance deterrence in the Indo-Pacific. The joint criticism from Russia and China highlights their deepening strategic alignment against what they perceive as US-led military expansion in the region.
Putin Denounces Financial 'Neo-Colonialism' Ahead Of China Visit
Russian President Vladimir Putin has denounced financial ‘neo-colonialism’ and called for the reform of global financial institutions like the World Bank and the Monetary Fund, as per a report in Al Jazeera. The statement was made ahead of his visit to Beijing to meet with Chinese President Xi Jinping at the Belt and Road Forum. Putin’s rhetoric aligns with a broader push by nations like Russia and China to challenge the dominance of Western-led financial structures and create a more multipolar world order, a sentiment amplified since extensive Western sanctions were placed on Russia. The visit is seen as a move to further solidify the Russia-China strategic partnership, focusing on economic cooperation and developing alternative financial systems that bypass Western influence.
Bolivian High Court Annuls Criminal Case Against Former Leader Áñez
Bolivia’s highest court has annulled criminal charges against former interim leader Jeanine Áñez concerning her alleged role in the 2019 killings of protesters, according to a report in AP. The late-Friday ruling dismisses the existing ‘Massacre II’ case and mandates that it be restarted under a special legal process reserved for former heads of state. The decision is a procedural annulment and not an acquittal of the charges against Áñez.
New Barrier Encircles Besieged Sudanese City of El-Fasher, Satellite Images Show
A new earthen barrier is being built around the besieged city of El-Fasher in Sudan, satellite imagery has revealed, as per a report in BBC. According to research from Yale University, the barrier is an offensive tactic intended to trap the city’s population of approximately 1.5 million people, many of whom are internally displaced. The construction is attributed to the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), which have been besieging El-Fasher, the last major stronghold of the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) in the Darfur region. This development severely escalates the humanitarian crisis by blocking escape routes and hindering the delivery of critical aid, amplifying international warnings of a potential catastrophe and mass atrocities.
US Universities Cut China Ties Despite Trump's Welcome To Students
A conflict is emerging between the White House and members of the Republican Party regarding academic ties with China, according to a report in South China Morning Post. While US President Donald Trump recently announced the US would welcome 600,000 students from China, some American universities are moving to dismantle these partnerships under political pressure. In a direct example of this trend, Temple University in Philadelphia announced it was terminating its partnership with the China Scholarship Council, the primary government body in China that funds overseas study, on the same day as Trump’s welcoming remarks.
Hong Kong and Saudi Arabia Sign Deal to Boost Investment and Infrastructure Ties
Hong Kong and Saudi Arabia have signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to enhance infrastructure information exchange and facilitate market access for the city’s professional services, according to a report in South China Morning Post. The agreement was formalized in the presence of Hong Kong’s Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu and Saudi Investment Minister Khalid Al-Falih. The deal, signed by Hong Kong’s Commissioner for Belt and Road Nicholas Ho Lik-chi and Saudi Assistant Deputy for the Services Sector Fahad Alhashem, aims to strengthen economic ties and aligns with Saudi Arabia’s ‘Vision 2030’ diversification plan and Hong Kong’s strategy to attract new global partnerships.
Shanghai School With 22 Pupils Highlights China's Demographic Crisis
The dramatic impact of China’s plunging birth rate on its education system is underscored by a primary school in Shanghai’s Pudong New Area, which has enrolled only 22 pupils for the current year, as per a report in South China Morning Post. The Sanqiao Primary School now has more full-time staff, with 23 teachers, than students. This situation in one of China’s most significant urban centers is indicative of a nationwide trend that is forcing school closures and mergers. The enrollment crisis is a direct consequence of China’s first population decline in six decades, recorded in 2022, and poses long-term challenges to the country’s labor force, economic growth, and social welfare systems.
China Restructures Hong Kong Labs To Serve Tech Strategy
Hong Kong’s network of state-backed research labs is being systematically transformed to serve Beijing’s national strategic goals, particularly in the ongoing tech competition with the US, according to a report in the South China Morning Post. This overhaul involves dismantling underperforming facilities, rebranding existing institutions, and launching new, highly focused labs dedicated to critical areas like quantum materials and climate resilience. The move is part of a broader, nationwide effort by China to centralize its scientific apparatus, increase technological self-reliance, and ensure that research outcomes are directly aligned with the central government’s strategic priorities.
China Unveils 'All-Frequency' 6G Chip With 100Gbps Speeds
Chinese scientists have developed the world’s first ‘all-frequency’ 6G chip, capable of delivering speeds over 100 gigabits per second (Gbps) across the full wireless spectrum, South China Morning Post said in a report. The breakthrough, published in the peer-reviewed journal Nature, represents a significant step in the global race for 6G dominance and could help bridge the digital divide by providing high-speed internet to remote areas. While the chip is a laboratory prototype and not yet commercially viable, its development positions China to influence future global telecommunications standards and could enable advanced applications like holographic communication and large-scale AI services.
YC-Backed Neobank Munify Secures $3M For Egyptian Diaspora Services
YC-backed neobank Munify has raised $3 million to develop financial services tailored for the Egyptian diaspora, as per a report in TechCrunch. Founded by Khalid Ashmawy, a former employee of Microsoft and Uber, the startup aims to address the high fees and complexities associated with sending money to Egypt. The funding will support the launch of Munify’s digital-first banking platform, which seeks to provide more efficient and lower-cost remittance channels. This development occurs as the global remittance market expands, with Egypt being a top recipient, and as investment in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) fintech ecosystem continues to surge.
Volkswagen Ordered To Pay Record $30 Million For Historical Labor Abuses In Brazil
Volkswagen has been ordered by a Brazilian labor court to pay 165 million reais (approximately $30 million) in collective moral damages for historical labor abuses, as per a report in AP. The ruling addresses slave-like conditions that workers endured at a company-owned farm in the Amazon during the 1970s and 1980s. Prosecutors have noted this is the largest reparation of its kind in Brazil’s history. The legal action stems from an investigation launched in 2019, which was prompted by extensive documentation collected over decades by a local priest.
Protests Erupt In Mexico City Over Tourism-Driven Gentrification
Residents in Mexico City are protesting against the rising cost of living and displacement from central neighborhoods, which they attribute to an influx of foreign tourists and remote workers, as per a report in BBC. The demonstrations highlight growing social friction as a surge in “digital nomads” and the proliferation of unregulated short-term rentals have significantly driven up housing prices. This gentrification is pricing out long-term residents and altering the cultural fabric of traditional areas, creating significant political pressure on the city’s government to implement effective regulations on the rental market and develop affordable housing policies to address the crisis.
Kim Jong Un Consoles Families of North Korean Soldiers Reportedly Killed in Ukraine
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has reportedly expressed “grief” for failing to save the “precious lives” of his troops who were killed fighting for Russia against Ukraine, according to a report in Al Jazeera. This development, if confirmed, would mark a significant escalation in North Korea’s involvement in the conflict, moving beyond previously reported arms and ammunition supplies to the direct deployment of combat personnel. Such an action would constitute a violation of multiple UN Security Council resolutions and signals a deepening military alliance between Pyongyang and Moscow, potentially providing North Korean forces with combat experience while highlighting Russia’s need for additional manpower.
Mexico Reports Rise in Flesh-Eating Screwworm Cases Affecting Humans and Livestock
Mexico is reporting a growing number of cases involving the flesh-eating New World screwworm, a parasite that infests the open wounds of warm-blooded animals and feeds on living tissue, as per a report in BBC. The resurgence, which follows decades of successful eradication in the country by 1984, poses a significant economic threat to Mexico’s livestock industry through animal deaths and potential trade restrictions. The outbreak has also raised public health concerns, with dozens of human infestations reported, and has prompted heightened monitoring from international bodies like the US Department of Agriculture due to the risk of it spreading to neighboring countries.
Israeli Travelers Report Increased Hostility In Europe Amid Gaza Conflict
Against the backdrop of the protracted conflict and severe humanitarian crisis in Gaza, Israeli citizens traveling abroad in Europe are reportedly experiencing a hostile reception, according to a report in The New York Times. These incidents range from verbal harassment to being publicly accosted, with some individuals being targeted simply for speaking Hebrew. This trend reflects a broader global rise in tensions and pro-Palestinian activism, creating significant personal safety concerns for Israeli travelers. The situation also presents a political challenge for European governments, which are now under increased pressure to manage social discord and address acts of discrimination and hate.
UNICEF Reports Widespread Famine Conditions In Gaza City
Humanitarian aid workers are observing ‘signs of famine everywhere’ at a children’s aid site in Gaza City, which UNICEF states is being ‘absolutely ravaged’ by famine, Al Jazeera says in a report. The report highlights that conditions in northern Gaza are rapidly approaching the technical criteria for a famine declaration, as previously projected by the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC). The crisis is exacerbated by severe and persistent restrictions on humanitarian aid access, widespread displacement of over 1.7 million people, and extensive damage to critical infrastructure. This escalating humanitarian catastrophe intensifies diplomatic pressure for a ceasefire and raises critical questions regarding the enforcement of international humanitarian law, including provisional measures ordered by the Court of Justice (ICJ) to ensure the provision of basic services.
