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Last Updated:August 18, 2025, 09:15 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.
Bolivia Presidential Election Headed For First-Ever Runoff, Early Results Show
Early results from Bolivia’s presidential election indicate the country is heading for its first-ever runoff vote between the top centrist and right-wing candidates, AP says in a report. The preliminary outcome suggests that no single candidate has secured the necessary majority—either over 50% of the vote or 40% with a 10-point lead—to win outright in the first round. A potential runoff marks a significant political development for Bolivia, a country that has recently experienced significant political instability and has historically decided most presidential contests in the first round.
Putin Agrees To NATO-Style Security Guarantees For Ukraine, US Envoy Says
A US official claims that Russian President Vladimir Putin has agreed to a US proposal to offer Ukraine security guarantees similar to NATO’s collective defense mandate as part of a potential peace deal, according to a report in AP. The proposal was reportedly conveyed by US President Donald Trump’s envoy, Steve Witkoff, during discussions at a military base in Alaska. The potential framework for ending the conflict also includes the possibility of territorial concessions, referred to as “land swaps,” being part of the negotiations.
Bolivian Presidential Election Heads To Unprecedented Runoff
Bolivia’s presidential election is set for an unprecedented runoff after Sunday’s vote failed to produce an outright winner, signaling the end of more than two decades of left-wing political dominance, as per a report in AP. Centrist candidate Senator Rodrigo Paz emerged as a surprise front-runner, outperforming right-wing candidates, but did not secure enough votes to avoid a second round. The vote also signaled voters’ trepidation about a major shift to the political right.
Over 150 Missing In Pakistan Floods As Nationwide Death Toll Surpasses 300
Devastating flash floods in Pakistan have left at least 150 people missing in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, with the nationwide death toll rising to at least 344, France 24 says in a report. The disaster, which has caused widespread damage across multiple provinces including Balochistan and Sindh, has triggered a significant humanitarian crisis, displacing millions who are in urgent need of shelter, food, and medical aid. The economic impact is expected to be severe, with extensive damage to critical infrastructure and agriculture threatening to strain Pakistan’s economy and requiring massive reconstruction efforts. Ongoing rescue operations face major challenges due to the scale of the devastation and damaged infrastructure, highlighting the country’s vulnerability to climate change-related extreme weather events.
Death Toll From Pakistan Floods Rises to 337 as Government Defends Response
Severe flooding in Pakistan from torrential rains and cloudbursts has led to a preliminary death toll of at least 337, as per a report in Al Jazeera. The government is defending its emergency response efforts amid criticism from residents who allege they received inadequate evacuation warnings. The disaster poses significant economic threats, with widespread damage to agriculture and infrastructure expected to exacerbate food insecurity and inflation. Furthermore, the floods have created a public health emergency, increasing the risk of waterborne diseases like cholera and dengue for displaced populations.
Cloudbursts Cause Widespread Damage In India And Pakistan
Cloudbursts, defined as intense rainfall over a concentrated area, are causing significant chaos and damage across mountainous parts of India and Pakistan, as per a report in AP. These extreme weather events, which experts note are being fueled by climate change, are difficult to predict precisely but are common in the region due to the Himalayas forcing moisture-laden monsoon winds upward. The resulting flash floods and landslides have led to casualties, such as those recently reported in Pakistan’s Buner district, and inflict severe strain on disaster management agencies. The recurrent damage to critical infrastructure, including transportation and power grids, disrupts economic activity and diverts development funds toward reconstruction.
Thousands Defy Government Crackdown Threats In Serbian Protests
Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic announced a tough response to anti-government demonstrators after days of riots challenged his authority, as per a report in AP. Despite the threat, thousands of protesters gathered peacefully on Sunday in Belgrade and other Serbian towns, demanding the release of all individuals detained during the recent unrest. The demonstrations, which were reported to have no incidents, are a continuation of public discontent against what critics describe as Vucic’s increasingly autocratic rule, raising concerns about political stability and its potential impact on Serbia’s path toward EU integration.
Israeli Military Unit Accused Of Smearing Gaza Journalists As Hamas Fighters
An Israeli-Palestinian investigation has found that a special unit in Israel’s military was tasked with identifying reporters it could smear as undercover Hamas fighters, according to a report in The Guardian. The investigation by +972 Magazine and its Hebrew-language affiliate, Local Call, claims this “legitimisation cell” was established after the October 7, 2023, Hamas attack. The unit’s purpose was reportedly to target journalists and to mitigate global outrage over the killing of media personnel in the conflict.
Iraq Begins Excavation of Major Islamic State Mass Grave
Iraqi authorities have initiated the large-scale excavation of a mass grave at the al-Khafsa sinkhole south of Mosul, a notorious execution site from when the Islamic State controlled the area a decade ago, as per a report in AP. The operation involves multiple Iraqi governmental bodies, including the Martyrs’ Foundation and forensic teams, working to uncover and identify victims. This effort is a critical step in documenting the group’s atrocities, providing evidence for legal accountability against perpetrators, and offering closure to the families of the thousands believed to have been killed at the site.
Air Canada Suspends Operations Restart After Union Defies Return To Work Order
Air Canada has suspended its planned restart of operations scheduled for Sunday following the defiance of a return-to-work order by its flight attendant union, as per a report in AP. The move halts the airline’s attempt to resume services, indicating a significant labor dispute that creates immediate uncertainty for travelers and financial repercussions for the carrier.
Qatar Presents Draft Peace Deal To DR Congo And M23 Rebels
Qatari mediators have submitted a draft peace deal to both the government of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and the M23 rebel group, with a new round of negotiations set to be hosted in Doha, France 24 says in a report. This diplomatic intervention comes ahead of an August 18 deadline and follows previously stalled regional peace efforts. The conflict, centered in the DRC’s North Kivu province, has led to significant territorial gains by the M23 rebels and displaced over one million people, while also severely straining diplomatic relations between the DRC and neighboring Rwanda, whom UN experts have accused of backing the rebels. Qatar’s role represents a new high-level attempt to broker a lasting resolution where past initiatives have struggled, potentially de-escalating regional tensions and addressing a severe humanitarian crisis.
Hurricane Erin Weakens to Category 3 over Puerto Rico; EU Political Activity in Brussels
Hurricane Erin has weakened to a Category 3 storm after passing over Puerto Rico, while separate political developments are underway in Brussels, Belgium, involving European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, according to a report in AP. Forecasters are currently monitoring the hurricane for an expected northward turn, which will be crucial in determining its future path and potential impact on other Caribbean nations or the US mainland.
Hurricane Erin Weakens To Category 3 But Expands, Threatening New Islands
Hurricane Erin was downgraded to a Category 3 storm on Sunday, though its outer bands are still lashing the Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico with heavy rain and strong winds, as per a report in AP. Despite the decrease in maximum wind intensity, the hurricane’s overall size has significantly increased, leading forecasters to issue new tropical storm warnings for the Turks and Caicos Islands and the southeast Bahamas. This expansion is expected to cause disruptions to regional shipping and aviation. While a direct impact on the US East Coast is not anticipated, the storm’s growth could generate dangerous rip currents along the coastline as officials await a critical northward turn.
Air Canada Suspends Flight Restart After Union Defies Back-To-Work Order
Air Canada has suspended its plans to restart flight operations after the union representing its 10,000 flight attendants announced it would defy a government-mandated return-to-work order, AP said in a report. The Canada Industrial Relations Board had issued the back-to-work order following an intervention by the federal government to end the strike, which affects approximately 130,000 travelers daily. The airline, which had planned to resume flights Sunday evening, now states it will not restart operations until Monday evening due to the union’s defiance.
Israel Prepares For Displacement Of 1 Million In Gaza City
The Israeli military’s announcement of preparations to forcibly displace 1 million people from Gaza City has caused widespread fear and anxiety among Palestinians, according to a report in The Guardian. This plan is part of a new offensive aimed at seizing control of the territory’s largest urban center, a move that has already raised international alarm. The development comes after recent Israeli attacks in the Palestinian territory on Saturday, which Gaza’s health officials stated killed at least 40 people, including individuals in a tent and others seeking humanitarian aid.
US Secretary of State Calls for Concessions From Russia and Ukraine for Peace
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said on Sunday that a peace agreement to end the war in Ukraine requires concessions from both sides, according to a report in The Guardian. In a series of interviews, Rubio, the Trump administration’s top diplomat, asserted that without mutual compromise, the only alternative is surrender, which he believes neither party is willing to do. He also noted that recent talks between US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin had made some progress, although significant disagreements still exist.
Canada's Wildfire Epicentre Shifts From West To Prairie And Atlantic Regions
Canada’s 2024 wildfire season, its second-worst on record, saw a significant geographical shift, with the most severe blazes concentrated in the prairie and Atlantic provinces instead of the traditional western regions, according to a report in The Guardian. This change from the historical epicentre in western provinces upended the country’s emergency response strategies as it grappled with road closures, evacuations, and widespread travel chaos. The shift was attributed to persistent, bone-dry conditions in these new hotspots, highlighting a growing threat that is expected to intensify as the climate warms.
Ukrainian Evacuees Angered By Talk Of Ceding Land For Peace
Displaced Ukrainians living in shelters in eastern Ukraine have expressed anger and indignation over hypothetical discussions about a potential peace deal that would involve trading Ukrainian territory for an end to the war with Russia, The New York Times says in a report. The evacuees, who have fled Russia’s attacks, reacted strongly to the idea of a so-called “Alaska Summit,” a speculative concept rather than a formal event, where land that is internationally recognized as Ukrainian could be given away. This sentiment from those most affected by the conflict underscores the significant domestic opposition to any “land for peace” proposals and aligns with the Ukrainian government’s consistent stance that peace can only be negotiated after a full withdrawal of Russian forces from all occupied territories, including those annexed since 2014.
