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Last Updated:September 04, 2025, 12:30 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.
Moroccan Feminist Activist Sentenced to 30 Months in Prison for Blasphemy
Feminist activist Ibtissame Lachgar has been sentenced to 30 months in prison by a Moroccan court for “offending Islam,” according to a report in France 24. The sentence, delivered on September 3, also includes a fine of $5,500 and stems from a T-shirt Lachgar wore with the Arabic word for “Allah” followed by “is lesbian.” Lachgar, a co-founder of the Mouvement Alternatif pour les Libertés Individuelles (MALI), and her defense team have announced their intention to appeal the verdict.
Chinese Public Holds Nuanced Views On US Rivalry, Survey Finds
A survey conducted by the Chicago Council on Global Affairs and The Carter Centre reveals that the Chinese public holds more nuanced and flexible views regarding the US rivalry and friendships with Russia and North Korea than commonly believed in America, the South China Morning Post said in a report. While a common perception in the US is that China aims to establish a new world order to displace American dominance, the survey depicts a Chinese public that, despite being optimistic about their nation’s future, economy, and military, may hold views that offer avenues to de-escalate bilateral tensions. Experts suggest these findings challenge the narrative of inevitable confrontation and could provide opportunities to reduce US-China friction.
Russia Says It Will Not Discuss Foreign Troops In Ukraine In 'Any Format'
Russia’s Foreign Ministry has declared it will not discuss the presence of foreign troops in Ukraine in ‘any format,’ calling the potential deployment of a post-conflict security force ‘fundamentally unacceptable,’ as per a report in Al Jazeera. The statement was made by Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova. This position is a direct response to ongoing discussions about Ukraine’s pursuit of international security guarantees and follows past remarks from some Western leaders, such as French President Emmanuel Macron in February 2024, regarding troop deployments. Russia’s rejection covers not only active combat troops but also non-combat peacekeeping or stabilization forces intended to monitor a potential ceasefire.
Israeli Military Data Shows Majority Of Gaza Detainees Are Civilians
Classified data from an Israeli military intelligence database indicates that only a quarter of the roughly 6,000 Palestinians detained from Gaza are identified as fighters, with civilians comprising the majority of those held, according to a report in The Guardian. The report states that many are held for extended periods without charge or trial under administrative detention. Those detained reportedly include a wide range of non-combatants such as medical workers, teachers, journalists, children, and sick or disabled individuals, including an elderly woman with Alzheimer’s disease.
Tanzanian 'Hero Rats' Deployed For Landmine And Tuberculosis Detection
A humanitarian program in Tanzania is using trained African Giant Pouched Rats to detect landmines and tuberculosis, providing a cost-effective method for addressing major global challenges, as per a report in AP. The organization APOPO has deployed these ‘hero rats,’ which can screen hundreds of tuberculosis samples in minutes, a rate that far exceeds the capacity of many traditional labs while meeting World Health Organization standards for accuracy. In post-conflict zones, the rats help speed up demining operations, clearing large areas of land to enable safe economic redevelopment. The program is also expanding, with current tests exploring the rats’ potential to locate survivors in simulated disaster zones.
War In Ukraine's Impact Reaches Russia's Far East City Of Vladivostok
Russia’s war in Ukraine is having a profound effect on the remote port city of Vladivostok, reshaping its economy and daily life, according to a report in BBC. As a result of extensive Western sanctions, Russia has accelerated its strategic ‘pivot to Asia,’ making Vladivostok, its largest Pacific port and headquarters of the Pacific Fleet, a critical hub for reorienting trade towards China and North Korea. The war’s impact is tangible for the local population through supply chain disruptions, shifts in available goods, ongoing military recruitment efforts, and a pervasive state media narrative about the conflict.
Climate Change Made Iberian Wildfire Conditions 40 Times More Likely, Study Finds
A new study finds that the extreme heat and dry conditions fueling devastating wildfires across the Iberian Peninsula were made 40 times more likely by climate change, according to a report in AP. The analysis by World Weather Attribution, released Thursday, also determined these weather patterns were roughly 30% more intense than they would have been in the preindustrial era. The findings place significant pressure on the governments of Spain and Portugal to accelerate climate adaptation and land management policies, as the increased frequency of such events threatens rural economies, public health, and vital ecosystems.
Scientists Develop Methods To Minimize Desalination's Environmental Impact
As global water scarcity intensifies, scientists are advancing methods to make seawater desalination more environmentally sustainable, according to a report in Deutsche Welle. The key environmental challenges—high energy consumption, harm to marine life at water intakes, and the discharge of toxic brine—are being addressed through a combination of strategic planning and technological innovation. These include the use of energy-efficient membranes, powering plants with renewable energy, and designing advanced intake and outfall systems. A significant economic shift involves ‘brine valorization’ or ‘brine mining,’ which seeks to extract valuable minerals like lithium and magnesium from the waste brine, creating new revenue streams and contributing to a circular economy. This push towards greener desalination is driven by both stricter environmental regulations and growing market demand for sustainable water security solutions.
Suicide Bombing at Pakistan Political Rally Kills 13, Wounds 30
A suicide bomber killed at least 13 people and wounded 30 others in an attack on supporters leaving a nationalist party rally in Quetta, the capital of Pakistan’s Balochistan province, according to a report in AP. Local police chief Majeed Qaisrani stated the blast occurred near a graveyard close to a stadium on the outskirts of the city. Qaisrani also confirmed that the body parts of the attacker were recovered from the scene.
White House Reverses Decision To Cut World Trade Organization Funding
The White House has reversed its decision to cut funding to the World Trade Organization (WTO) as part of a larger $4.9 billion reduction in foreign aid, according to a report in Reuters. The initial proposal, announced last Friday, prompted significant concern from US lawmakers, trade groups, and the head of the global trade body. Democratic lawmakers had challenged the legality of the administration’s unilateral move, and the subsequent pressure led to the WTO being quietly dropped from the list of cuts.
India Cuts Consumer Goods Taxes To Counter US Tariffs
India will cut taxes on a wide range of consumer products, from air conditioners to small cars, in a move to bolster its domestic economy, as per a report in AP. The decision, announced by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Wednesday, is a direct response to new tariffs imposed by US President Donald Trump’s administration last month. These US tariffs have threatened a significant portion of India’s exports to its largest market, prompting New Delhi to implement measures aimed at cushioning the economic impact by boosting local consumption.
New Datasets Aim To Bridge Africa's AI Language Gap
A collaborative effort is being made across Africa to close the continent’s AI language gap through the creation of new datasets for local languages, which is expected to improve digital access for millions, according to a report in BBC. This initiative is not a singular project but a widespread movement involving grassroots research communities, major technology companies, and philanthropic funders. The primary business implication is the potential for significant economic development and local innovation, as accessible AI tools can empower startups and tailor solutions for sectors like agriculture and finance. For the global market, incorporating diverse African languages helps create more robust and less biased AI models. However, challenges persist, including the continent’s vast linguistic diversity of over 2,000 languages and the need for investment in computational resources and talent beyond just data collection.
Chargers Coach Welcomes 'World Stage' For NFL's Brazil Debut
Los Angeles Chargers coach Jim Harbaugh expressed excitement for his team playing on a ‘world stage’ in São Paulo, Brazil, for the NFL’s first-ever regular-season game in South America, according to a report in AP. Speaking before a practice session on Wednesday, Harbaugh highlighted the honor of being selected for the game against the Kansas City Chiefs, noting its exclusive broadcast slot as the ‘only game on Friday night.’ The event, held at the Neo Química Arena, marks a significant step in the NFL’s global expansion strategy, representing the league’s strategic entry into the South American market to cultivate a new fanbase and explore new revenue streams.
Netanyahu Faces High-Level Opposition Over Gaza Truce Stance
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is encountering significant internal opposition from senior political and security figures regarding his stance on ending the war in Gaza, according to a report in The New York Times. The resistance centers on Netanyahu’s insistence on achieving a “comprehensive deal,” interpreted as the complete dismantling of Hamas, before accepting a ceasefire. This position conflicts with a multi-phase truce proposal, previously backed by the US, which allows for a cessation of hostilities before all of Israel’s war aims are met. The internal friction reportedly complicates negotiations for a hostage release and raises the prospect of a prolonged conflict.
EU Bans Key Chemicals in Gel Nail Polish Over Allergy Concerns
The European Union has implemented a ban on gel nail polishes that contain the key chemical ingredients Hydroxyethyl Methacrylate (HEMA) and Di-HEMA Trimethylhexyl Dicarbamate across its 27 member states, according to a report in The New York Times. The regulation, which took effect this week, is a direct response to a significant increase in reported cases of allergic contact dermatitis among both consumers and professional nail technicians. The EU’s Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety (SCCS) identified these ingredients as potent sensitizers. The ban does not apply to all gel polishes, only those containing the specified chemicals. This move forces cosmetic manufacturers to reformulate their products for the EU market, while nail salons and technicians must transition to compliant alternatives, impacting supply chains and inventory management within the bloc’s beauty industry.
Study Disputes Gaza Genocide Charges, Cites Flawed Data And Hamas Influence
A study from the Begin-Sadat Center for Strategic Studies finds that allegations of genocide against Israel are unsubstantiated, stemming from flawed data and a narrative driven by Hamas-linked sources, as per a report in Fox News. The research asserts that casualty figures and other information, often sourced from the Hamas-run Gaza Health Ministry, are unreliable. The study also attributes the widespread acceptance of these allegations to what it terms “humanitarian bias” and a general failure among international observers to properly account for the complexities of Israel’s military tactics when combating a terrorist organization embedded within a civilian population. This analysis directly challenges the evidentiary basis of the ongoing case at the Court of Justice (ICJ) initiated by South Africa.
Far-Right Israeli Minister Calls For West Bank Annexation
Israel’s Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, a leader of the far-right Religious Zionism party, has called for the country to annex most of the West Bank, The New York Times said in a report. Smotrich stated the move should be a response to increasing international moves to recognize a Palestinian state, such as recent actions by Spain, Ireland, and Norway. The West Bank, which Palestinians envision as the core of their future state, has been considered occupied territory under international law since Israel captured it in the 1967 Six-Day War. Smotrich’s call for applying Israeli sovereignty over the territory comes amid heightened tensions and an expansion of Israeli settlements in the area, a move that would directly contradict the internationally supported two-state solution.
US and Panama Propose 5,550-Member Force to Combat Haiti Gangs
The United States and Panama are urging the UN Security Council to authorize a 5,550-member force with the power to detain gang members to address escalating violence in Haiti, AP says in a report. This proposal, outlined in a draft resolution, would transform and significantly expand the existing Kenya-led Multinational Security Support (MSS) mission, whose first contingent arrived in June 2024. The new force would have a more direct interventionist role with law enforcement powers, a shift from the MSS mission’s original mandate of supporting the Haitian Police. This initiative comes amid a severe humanitarian crisis where gangs control large portions of the capital, and follows the establishment of a Transitional Presidential Council in Haiti in April 2024.
Peru's Ex-President Toledo Sentenced To 13 Years For Money Laundering
Former Peruvian President Alejandro Toledo was sentenced to 13 years and four months in prison for money laundering, marking his first conviction in Peru related to the sprawling Odebrecht corruption scandal, AP says in a report. A judge found him guilty in a case where authorities accused the former leader of accepting $35 million in bribes from the Brazilian construction conglomerate Odebrecht. The payment was allegedly in exchange for securing a public contract for a highway construction project in the South American nation.
