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Last Updated:September 22, 2025, 20:15 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.
Gabrielle Intensifies Into Category 3 Hurricane In The Atlantic, Staying Away From Land
Hurricane Gabrielle has rapidly intensified into a major Category 3 storm in the Atlantic Ocean with maximum sustained winds reaching 120 mph, but is forecast to remain away from land, AP said in a report. The storm, located approximately 195 miles southeast of Bermuda, is creating hazardous conditions that will necessitate significant rerouting for commercial shipping and transatlantic flights, potentially leading to logistical disruptions and increased operational costs. Although Gabrielle is not expected to make landfall, it can still generate dangerous swells and rip currents for distant coastlines, and its rapid intensification provides crucial data for scientists working to improve hurricane forecasting models.
US Investor Scott Bessent Proposes Financial Support Package For Argentina
American hedge fund manager Scott Bessent has proposed a financial support package to Argentina’s government, led by President Javier Milei, to address ongoing market volatility, according to a report in the Financial Times. The proposal from Bessent, founder of Key Square Capital Management, represents a private sector initiative originating from the US, rather than an official government aid package. The potential financial support comes as Milei’s administration implements drastic economic reforms to combat high inflation and a significant national debt.
UN Report Finds Russia Escalating Repression To Silence War Opposition
A new report presented by Mariana Katzarova, the UN Special Rapporteur on human rights in Russia, concludes that Russian authorities are escalating repression to silence opposition to the war in Ukraine, AP says in a report. The findings indicate an increased use of criminal prosecution, long-term imprisonment, torture, and ill-treatment against civilians, journalists, and even Ukrainian prisoners of war. This crackdown, which constitutes a severe violation of international human rights and humanitarian law, aims to quell any form of dissent, creating a climate of fear and further solidifying Russia’s international isolation.
Hurricane Gabrielle Intensifies To Category 3 In Atlantic, To Remain At Sea
Hurricane Gabrielle has rapidly intensified into a Category 3 storm in the Atlantic Ocean and is not expected to make landfall, as per a report in AP. A Category 3 storm is defined as a major hurricane with sustained winds of 111-129 mph, and while its current trajectory provides relief to coastal communities, it is creating hazardous conditions for maritime and shipping operations. Vessels in the region are expected to reroute to avoid the storm, likely leading to shipping delays and increased operational costs.
France Probes Possible Foreign Interference After Pig Heads Found At Nine Mosques
French authorities have launched an investigation after severed pig heads were found at nine mosques across the country, prompting an alert among French Muslim communities, as per a report in Al Jazeera. The probe is treating the incidents as hate crimes and is also examining the possibility of foreign interference. This line of inquiry explores whether foreign actors are attempting to inflame social tensions and destabilize the country, a concern that aligns with wider European intelligence reports on such activities and occurs amid a documented increase in anti-Muslim incidents in France.
Rights Group Alleges Mass Grave In Sinai Linked To Egyptian Military Killings
The Sinai Foundation for Human Rights has reportedly discovered a mass grave in Egypt’s Sinai province, which they allege contains hundreds of bodies of civilians unlawfully killed by the army, as per a report in The Guardian. The burial site, found near a military outpost, contained skeletons lying on the surface and others buried in shallow graves. The human rights group claims the discovery exposes the scale of unlawful killings of civilians by the Egyptian military in the region.
UN And Rights Groups Condemn China Over Jailed Covid Journalist
The United Nations, along with human rights and media freedom organizations, have issued condemnations regarding the jailing of Chinese citizen journalist Zhang Zhan, as per a report in The Guardian. The report notes recent outcry over her imprisonment, clarifying that Zhang was originally sentenced to a four-year term in December 2020 on charges of ‘picking quarrels and provoking trouble.’ This sentence followed her independent reporting from Wuhan during the initial stages of the Covid-19 pandemic. The case highlights ongoing international concerns over press freedom and the treatment of government critics in China.
Commonwealth Fusion Systems Signs Over $1B Power Deal For Future Fusion Reactor
US-based fusion startup Commonwealth Fusion Systems (CFS) has entered into a power purchase agreement worth more than $1 billion with Italian energy firm Eni, according to a report in TechCrunch. The deal is for the future output of CFS’s first commercial-scale fusion power plant, known as ARC, which is targeted for operation in the early 2030s. This agreement represents a significant commercial milestone for the fusion industry, establishing a tangible market value for fusion-generated electricity and providing commercial validation for CFS’s compact tokamak technology, which utilizes high-temperature superconducting magnets. The deal builds on Eni’s long-standing investment in CFS and signals growing confidence from major energy players in the commercial viability of fusion as a future source of carbon-free baseload power.
Italian Workers Strike In Solidarity With Gaza, Causing Widespread Disruptions
A 24-hour general strike by grassroots unions in Italy on Monday caused significant economic and logistical disruptions across the country, according to a report in AP. The strike, held in solidarity with Gaza, targeted key sectors including public transport, national rail, and ports, impacting supply chains and slowing the transit of goods. The action places domestic pressure on Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni’s government regarding its foreign policy stance on the Israel-Hamas conflict amidst growing public dissent.
Arc'teryx Apologizes For Himalayan Fireworks Display Amid Investigation
Outdoor apparel brand Arc’teryx has issued an apology and is facing an investigation from Chinese officials after a promotional fireworks display at Jade Dragon Snow Mountain in Yunnan province drew significant backlash for its environmental impact, according to a report in BBC. The event, which featured a ‘dragon’ made of fireworks, has been criticized for causing potential air, noise, and debris pollution in a protected and ecologically sensitive area. The incident has damaged the company’s reputation as an environmentally conscious brand and has raised questions about marketing practices within the outdoor industry, particularly in the lucrative Chinese market. The investigation could lead to stricter regulations for commercial activities in China’s protected natural zones.
Russia Bans Baccalaureate Programs From Schools
Russia has effectively banned the Baccalaureate (IB) program by revoking the accreditation of schools offering foreign curricula, forcing them to adopt the state-approved syllabus, as per a report in The New York Times. The measure, which impacts approximately 40 schools, is part of a wider Kremlin strategy to instill nationalism and militarism in education, further isolating Russia from Western standards. This policy shift is expected to narrow educational options, potentially accelerating an academic “brain drain” as families seek international education abroad. The move also diminishes Russia’s soft power and reinforces its ideological disengagement from global institutions, a trend that includes the recent introduction of mandatory military training and state-controlled history textbooks in schools.
Greece Deploys High-Tech Tax Authority To Bolster Financial Recovery
Greece has opened a new, high-tech headquarters for its tax authority in Athens as a cornerstone of its economic recovery and return to Europe’s financial mainstream, as per a report in AP. The ultramodern digital center, housed in a former shopping mall, utilizes advanced technology including drones, big data analytics, and live surveillance to track and penalize tax cheats. This initiative is central to improving the country’s fiscal health and follows its recent return to investment-grade credit status after more than a decade. While the enhanced tax collection aims to solidify Greece’s financial stability within the Eurozone, the report notes that the high cost of living continues to be a persistent challenge for its population.
Singapore Plans Execution Of Malaysian Man Amid Calls For Moratorium
Singapore is scheduled to execute Malaysian national Datchinamurthy Kataiah this Thursday for heroin trafficking, prompting renewed calls from activists for a moratorium on capital punishment, as per a report in AP. The Transformative Justice Collective, an anti-death penalty group, stated the family received the execution notice on Sunday. If the sentence is carried out, Kataiah would be the 16th person executed in the city-state since it resumed hangings in March 2022. The planned execution underscores a significant policy divergence with neighboring Malaysia, which abolished its mandatory death penalty in 2023, and it follows previous high-profile cases that have drawn condemnation from international human rights organizations.
South Sudan's Suspended Vice President Riek Machar Appears In Court On Treason Charges
The criminal trial of South Sudan’s suspended Vice President Riek Machar and seven co-defendants on treason charges began in the capital, Juba, as per a report in AP. Machar, who was seen in public for the first time since his March house arrest, appeared in a cage after being suspended by President Salva Kiir earlier this month. The charges relate to an alleged incident at a military garrison earlier in the year. This trial poses a significant threat to the nation’s political stability and the fragile 2020 R-ARCSS peace agreement, which had reinstated Machar as First Vice President. The development could exacerbate ethnic and political divisions, potentially impacting international aid and undermining the credibility of future elections, while raising concerns about the rule of law in the country.
Blast at Militant Compound in Northwest Pakistan Kills 24
An explosion of bomb-making material allegedly stored by Pakistani Taliban fighters at a compound in northwest Pakistan on Monday killed at least 24 people, AP said in a report. According to local police officer Zafar Khan, the dead include at least 14 militants and 10 civilians, among them women and children. The blast also destroyed several nearby homes, and Khan alleged that two local Pakistani Taliban commanders were among those killed.
High-Tech Greenhouse Brings Fresh Produce To Canadian Arctic Hamlet
A high-tech greenhouse has begun operations in Gjoa Haven, an Inuit community in the Canadian Arctic, providing residents with access to fresh produce in a region where such goods are typically scarce and expensive, according to a report in The New York Times. The project utilizes Controlled Environment Agriculture (CEA) technologies, such as hydroponics and specialized LED lighting, to overcome the extreme climate challenges, including permafrost and prolonged darkness. This initiative is a significant step towards enhancing local food security, improving health outcomes, and advancing Indigenous food sovereignty. The success of this facility could serve as a replicable model for other remote northern communities globally, potentially influencing government policy and investment in sustainable local food systems while reducing the carbon footprint associated with long-distance food transport.
British Art Dealer Sues Italian Firm Over £15M Banksy Murals
A significant legal dispute has emerged in the international art market, as British art dealer John Brandler has initiated legal proceedings against the Rome-based exhibitions company Metamorfosi, as per a report in The Guardian. The conflict centers on three large Banksy murals, insured for £15 million, which were loaned three years ago and have allegedly not been returned, alongside outstanding loan payments. Brandler, a specialist in the artist’s work, is seeking the return of the murals and settlement of the final payments, highlighting the financial risks and contractual complexities involved in high-value international art loans.
Botswana Declares Public Holiday After Historic Athletics Gold Medal Win
Botswana’s President, Mokgweetsi Masisi, has declared a national public holiday to celebrate the men’s 4x400m relay team winning a historic gold medal at the World Athletic Championships, as per a report in BBC. The President also congratulated the team for their achievement, which marks a significant win for the nation in global athletics.
UK Faces Renewed Scrutiny Over Illicit Asian Funds In London Property Market
The UK’s role as a destination for illicit wealth is under fresh scrutiny as anti-corruption investigators from Asian nations, including Malaysia and Bangladesh, probe fortunes of questionable origin invested in London’s property market, according to a report in the South China Morning Post. Malaysian authorities recently confirmed an investigation into the alleged London-based assets of a former prime minister, highlighting the ongoing challenge for the UK despite measures like the 2022 Economic Crime Act. Anti-corruption watchdogs are demanding more robust action, arguing that London’s real estate continues to serve as a sanctuary for kleptocrats, which undermines the UK’s financial reputation and complicates efforts by source countries to recover stolen assets.
HSBC Opens First Middle East Wealth Hub In Dubai To Target Booming UAE Market
HSBC has opened its first wealth management hub in the Middle East, a 24,000 sq ft center in Dubai, to capitalize on the growing investment appetite of affluent clients in the United Arab Emirates, according to a report in the South China Morning Post. This move represents the bank’s largest investment in its Premier banking business in two decades and will initially be staffed by 90 relationship managers. The new hub is a strategic effort to tap into the UAE’s booming market, which has become a significant destination for global wealth migration, thereby intensifying competition within the region’s financial services sector.
UK Fintech Tide's Growth Driven By Indian Small Business Market
UK-based financial technology company Tide now serves over 1.6 million micro and small enterprises (MSMEs) worldwide, with its Indian operations being a primary driver of this growth, according to a report in TechCrunch. Since its launch in India in late 2020, the company has acquired more than 800,000 customers in the country, representing over half of its global user base. This rapid market penetration, which underpins the company’s sustained unicorn valuation first achieved in 2021, highlights the significance of India’s large and digitizing small business sector for international fintech firms seeking to scale their operations globally.
Over 150 UK Aid Groups Report Threats From Far-Right Protesters
Over 150 lawyers, refugee NGOs, and human rights organizations in the UK are being ‘pressured into silence’ by far-right and anti-migrant protesters, with some receiving credible death and rape threats, The Guardian says in a report. The intimidation has forced at least two NGOs that support asylum seekers to close their offices over safety concerns. These groups have been assisting individuals facing removal to France under current government policies, with the threats coming amid a contentious political climate surrounding the Labour Party’s proposed ‘one in, one out’ asylum scheme.
Japan To Reject Palestinian State Recognition Amid US Concerns
Japan will not support the recognition of a Palestinian state at a United Nations meeting next week, citing concerns it could harm relations with the US, as per a report in the South China Morning Post. The decision from Tokyo diverges from the position of several other US allies, including the UK, Australia, Canada, and France, which have indicated they will back the move for formal recognition. Japan’s stance is reportedly influenced by a desire to avoid friction with the administration of US President Donald Trump and a belief that such a move could exacerbate the situation in the Middle East.
UK Explores Waiving Visa Fees For Top Global Talent
The UK government is considering a proposal to eliminate visa fees for highly skilled individuals who have graduated from top global universities. This initiative, being explored by the Prime Minister’s team, aims to bolster the UK’s competitiveness in the global race for talent by reducing financial and administrative barriers. The plan would likely build upon the existing High Potential Individual (HPI) visa route launched in 2022 and aligns with the UK’s broader post-Brexit strategy to attract specific skilled workers. This potential policy shift is notably different from current US immigration trends, which are characterized by high fees, strict visa caps, and long processing times, potentially making the UK a more attractive destination for top international professionals and innovators.
Thousands Evacuate in the Philippines as Super Typhoon Approaches
Thousands are evacuating in the northern Philippines as a super typhoon, with winds exceeding 185 km/h, approaches the region before an expected trajectory towards southern China, according to a report in BBC. Philippine disaster agencies have activated their highest alert levels, coordinating mass evacuations and prepositioning relief supplies in vulnerable northern provinces. The powerful storm poses a significant threat of catastrophic damage, including flash floods, landslides, and severe destruction to infrastructure and agriculture, which could impact the nation’s food supply. meteorological agencies are monitoring the typhoon, which is also expected to bring torrential rain and strong winds to southern China’s coastal regions later in the week, potentially disrupting major shipping lanes and industrial operations.
New World Screwworm Case Confirmed In Mexico Near US Border
Mexico’s national agricultural health service, SENASICA, confirmed a new case of New World screwworm in Sabinas Hidalgo, Nuevo Leon, a location less than 70 miles from the US-Mexico border, Reuters said in a report. The US Department of Agriculture (USDA) acknowledged the detection and stated it is analyzing the information to “pursue all options.” The re-emergence of this flesh-eating parasite, previously eradicated from North America, poses a significant economic threat to the US livestock industry and wildlife. The development is expected to trigger heightened biosecurity measures, including increased border inspections and potential trade restrictions on live animals from the affected regions in Mexico to prevent its spread into the United States.
Evenepoel Wins Third Straight World Time-Trial Title in Rwanda
Belgium’s Remco Evenepoel won his third successive individual time-trial title at the Road Cycling World Championships in Rwanda on Sunday, surging past Slovenia’s Tadej Pogacar in the final stretch, according to a report in France 24. This is Evenepoel’s third consecutive win in the discipline, following victories in 2022 and 2023. The event in Kigali was held ahead of the full UCI Road World Championships, which Rwanda is scheduled to host in 2025, marking the first time the event will take place on the African continent.
US Colleges Increasingly Recruit Elite Runners From Rural Kenya
US colleges are increasingly recruiting elite distance runners from rural Kenya, particularly from high-altitude regions in the Rift Valley, to strengthen their track and field and cross country teams, The Washington Post said in a report. This trend provides Kenyan athletes with significant opportunities for higher education and economic advancement for their families, though they often face challenges with cultural assimilation and complex visa processes. The recruitment surge, which involves a network of intermediaries, raises concerns in Kenya about a potential ‘brain drain’ of athletic talent. It also puts pressure on the NCAA to adapt its regulations, especially concerning international athletes and the complexities introduced by Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) compensation policies.
Kim Jong Un Urges US to Drop Denuclearization Demands, Recalls Trump Summits
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has stated he has “good memories” of US President Donald Trump and urged Washington to abandon its denuclearization demands as a prerequisite for resuming diplomacy, according to a report in AP. Speaking to North Korea’s parliament on Sunday, Kim also declared he has no intention of resuming dialogue with South Korea, a key US ally that had previously helped facilitate summits between Kim and Trump during the American president’s first term. This statement reaffirms Pyongyang’s position of not negotiating its nuclear arsenal while signaling a potential opening for talks contingent on a significant shift in US policy.
Rhino Poaching Slows In South Africa But One Still Killed Daily
South Africa marked World Rhino Day with reports of slowing rhino poaching rates, though the country still loses approximately one rhino every 24 hours to the illegal trade, as per a report in AP. While this is a decrease from peak years, the persistent threat necessitates costly and secretive security measures at game reserves, including high-tech tactics like AI surveillance and DNA forensics under initiatives like ‘Operation Rhino’. The continued poaching impacts South Africa’s vital wildlife tourism sector and requires extensive international cooperation to dismantle the transnational criminal networks fueled by demand for rhino horn, primarily in some Asian markets.
Tropical Storm Narda Forms In Pacific Waters South Of Mexico
Tropical Storm Narda has formed in the offshore waters south of Mexico, prompting advisories from meteorological agencies like the US Hurricane Center, AP says in a report. The storm, defined by sustained winds between 39-73 mph, is projected to bring heavy rainfall, which could cause flash floods and mudslides in coastal states. The formation of the storm poses an immediate risk to maritime and fishing industries in the region, requiring vessels to alter course or seek harbor. Additionally, the tourism sector in coastal destinations faces potential disruptions, while local and national emergency services in Mexico have been placed on high alert to coordinate preparedness and response efforts.
South Korean Opposition Leader Open To Nuclear Freeze Deal With North Korea
South Korean opposition leader Lee Jae Myung has indicated a willingness to accept a deal with North Korea to freeze its nuclear program, a departure from the current government’s policy, according to a report in BBC. Lee, the head of the main opposition Democratic Party, stated his desire is to restore trust with Pyongyang. His comments refer to a type of agreement similar to the one proposed during the failed 2019 Hanoi Summit between then-US President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un. This position contrasts with the current administration of President Yoon Suk-yeol, which prioritizes complete denuclearization before any significant engagement or sanctions relief.
Tulip Siddiq Fears 'Fake' Documents May Be Used In Bangladesh Corruption Trial
UK Labour MP Tulip Siddiq has voiced concerns that prosecutors in Bangladesh may use ‘fake’ documents to secure a conviction against her in an ongoing corruption trial, according to a report in The Guardian. Siddiq, who is being tried in absentia, made the statement after images of a Bangladeshi national identity card and passport, allegedly in her name, were published in both UK and Bangladeshi newspapers. The former City minister claims these documents are not hers and fears they will be tendered as evidence in the legal proceedings against her.
