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Last Updated:August 08, 2025, 12:01 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.
Ukrainian Woman Survives Nine-Story Fall After Russian Missile Hits Residential Building
The story of Veronika Osintseva, a Ukrainian woman who survived a nine-story fall after a Russian missile destroyed her apartment building, has gained national attention as a symbol of resilience, according to a report in The New York Times. The incident is part of a broader pattern of Russian forces targeting civilian infrastructure, which has significant economic implications due to widespread destruction. Such events often reinforce international arguments for sustained military and financial aid to Ukraine and contribute to the body of evidence for war crimes investigations. Stories of individual survival play a crucial role in maintaining morale among a Ukrainian population facing a prolonged conflict.
Indian Chess Prodigy Praggnanandhaa Targets Top World Ranking Amid Dominance
Indian chess prodigy Rameshbabu Praggnanandhaa, ranked among the world’s top players, has stated his ambition to become the world champion and achieve the number one ranking, AP says in a report. This goal underscores India’s emergence as a dominant force in international chess, with several players, including Praggnanandhaa and Arjun Erigaisi, in the elite ranks, and Gukesh D positioned as the official challenger for the World Championship title. Praggnanandhaa’s potential was previously highlighted by his notable victories in 2022 against Magnus Carlsen, who was the reigning world champion at the time. The collective success of these young grandmasters signals a significant shift in the global chess landscape, challenging the historical dominance of European and Russian players and boosting India’s international standing in the sport.
Japanese Warships Make Historic Visit To New Zealand After Nearly 90 Years
Two Japanese destroyers, the JS Ise and JS Suzunami, with over 500 crew members, arrived in Wellington, New Zealand, on Friday, marking the first such naval visit to the capital in nearly 90 years, AP said in a report. The visit, part of a broader Indo-Pacific deployment that included recent military exercises in Sydney, is a significant step in Tokyo’s efforts to strengthen strategic partnerships in the region. This aligns with Japan’s ‘Free and Open Indo-Pacific’ strategy, which aims to promote regional stability and build a network of security partnerships to address evolving geopolitical challenges, including China’s expanding influence in the South Pacific.
Myanmar Military Using European Anti-Jamming Technology For Drones, Report Finds
Myanmar’s military is equipping its drone fleet with advanced European-made anti-jamming technology to enhance its aerial campaigns, The Guardian says in a report. Research from Conflict Armament Research (CAR) indicates the junta obtained the critical technology through a Chinese company, circumventing existing international sanctions. This revelation has prompted calls to tighten sanctions and export controls on dual-use goods to prevent them from reaching the Myanmar military, which has been widely condemned for its attacks on civilians.
CAIR Urges US To Probe Death Of Palestinian Man In Israeli Settler Attack
The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) has called on the Trump administration to launch an investigation into the killing of a Palestinian father during an attack by an Israeli settler in the West Bank, as per a report in Al Jazeera. The US-based Muslim advocacy group is pointing to specific legal statutes that it says provide the authority for the US to probe the incident.
Cambodia Nominates Donald Trump for Nobel Peace Prize Citing Thai Border Truce
Cambodia has nominated US President Donald Trump for the Nobel Peace Prize, crediting him for brokering a border truce with neighboring Thailand, as per a report in Al Jazeera. The nomination was reportedly made to recognize what the Cambodian government described as Trump’s “visionary diplomacy” in mediating the agreement.
Heavy Rain Slams Southern Japan, Triggering Floods And Mudslides
Torrential rain on the southern Japanese island of Kyushu has triggered floods and landslides, prompting officials to issue the highest-level warnings and evacuation advisories for over 360,000 residents, according to a report in AP. A mudslide in Aira city, located in the Kagoshima prefecture, struck a house and buried two individuals who were subsequently rescued and hospitalized. Japan’s Fire and Disaster Management Agency issued the evacuation advisories for people in Kagoshima and neighboring areas as the heavy rain continues to pound the region.
US Doubles Reward To $50 Million For Arrest Of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro
The Trump administration has increased the reward for the arrest of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro to $50 million, accusing him of leading a narco-trafficking operation that floods the US with fentanyl-laced cocaine, as per a report in AP. The announcement was made in a video statement. The US government alleges Maduro works with cartels and has previously indicted him on narco-terrorism charges in a Manhattan federal court.
Outrage In South Africa After Accused In Pig Farm Murders Walks Free
Public outrage has erupted in South Africa after a man accused in the murder of two Black women was set free, according to a report in BBC. The accused, Adrian de Wet, claimed he was forced to throw the women’s bodies into a pig enclosure. The court’s decision has led to significant public dissatisfaction and has placed the South African justice system under intense scrutiny, raising concerns about the rule of law, racial tensions, and the handling of violent crime in the country.
World Cosplay Summit In Japan To Move From Summer Starting In 2027
Beginning in 2027, the annual World Cosplay Summit (WCS) in Nagoya will no longer be held during the summer to protect participants from extreme heat, The Japan Times said in a report. The international event, which attracts thousands of cosplayers from around the world in often elaborate costumes, is shifting its schedule as a proactive measure for participant safety. This move reflects a broader trend of major Japanese events adapting to rising temperatures and has significant logistical and economic implications for organizers, international attendees, and local businesses in Nagoya, who will need to adjust to a new event calendar.
Greece To Develop Domestic Drone Industry Under €30 Billion Defense Plan
Greece plans to mass-produce indigenous drone and anti-drone systems as part of a comprehensive €30 billion program aimed at modernizing its armed forces by 2036, The Japan Times said in a report. This strategic shift from being a defense importer to a producer is driven by geopolitical tensions in the Eastern Mediterranean and lessons from the war in Ukraine. The initiative is a key component of a wider, multi-year upgrade of Greece’s military capabilities and aligns with the European Union’s push for greater strategic autonomy and a stronger collective defense industry.
Satellite Images Reveal Surge in Rare Earth Mining in Rebel-Held Myanmar
Satellite imagery has identified a significant increase in rare earth mining operations in rebel-controlled areas of Myanmar, with at least 26 new or expanded mines located near the Chinese border and two near Thailand, according to a report in Al Jazeera. This surge is driven by high global demand for rare earths, which are crucial for high-tech industries. The unregulated mining operations are a major source of funding for armed groups involved in Myanmar’s ongoing civil war, which has intensified since the 2021 military coup. The activity raises significant concerns about severe environmental degradation, the displacement of local communities, and the ethical complexities of global mineral supply chains, particularly for China, a primary consumer of these resources.
US Imposes 15% Reciprocal Tariff On Most Japanese Goods
The United States has implemented a 15% ‘reciprocal’ tariff on most goods imported from Japan, The Japan Times says in a report. A key point of contention remains as the two countries have not yet agreed on the methodology for calculating the tariff, creating uncertainty for businesses and complicating compliance. While the specific goods covered under ‘most goods’ have not been fully detailed, the automotive sector has historically been a primary focus of US-Japan trade disputes.
