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Last Updated:August 12, 2025, 10:04 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.
FIFA's New Human Rights Protocol For World Cup Meets With Skepticism
FIFA is implementing a new human rights protocol for World Cup host cities, but the strategy is facing skepticism from advocates who find it lacks enforceability, according to a report in AP. In response to human rights issues that have impacted past tournaments, FIFA now requires all host committees for the upcoming 2026 World Cup to create specific action plans to protect human rights. However, human rights groups have criticized the new measures, arguing that FIFA weakened a more robust proposal and that the current protocol lacks clear, enforceable standards and sufficient direction for local officials to effectively implement them.
US Military Acts To Reduce Reliance On Chinese Rare Earths
The US military’s reliance on rare earth elements processed in China poses a significant national security vulnerability, impacting the production of advanced weaponry and defense systems, according to a report in Foreign Policy. China’s dominance lies not in mining but in its near-monopoly on the complex and environmentally intensive processing stages, a chokehold it has previously signaled a willingness to leverage through export controls on other critical minerals. In response, the US Department of Defense is actively implementing strategies, including direct investment in domestic and allied mining and processing facilities, to establish a resilient supply chain independent of China. This move is part of a broader global trend, with allies like the European Union and Australia also taking steps to secure their own critical raw material sources, highlighting a worldwide push to de-risk from geopolitical supply chain disruptions.
Video Emerges Showing Fatal Shooting Of Palestinian Activist By Israeli Settler
Israeli human rights organization B’Tselem has released new video footage appearing to show the fatal shooting of a Palestinian activist by an Israeli settler during a confrontation last month in the occupied West Bank, according to a report in AP. The video, obtained from the family of the victim, Awdah Hamayel, shows a settler firing a gun toward the person filming. The footage then cuts, but the camera continues to record sounds of the person moaning in pain. The incident reportedly occurred during a confrontation between the settler and unarmed Palestinians, amid a documented rise in settler violence in the region since late 2023.
Trump Claims He Could Assess Ukraine Peace Deal Viability Within Minutes Of Meeting Putin
US President Donald Trump stated on Monday that he believes he could determine the viability of a peace deal for Ukraine within the first two minutes of a potential meeting with Russian leader Vladimir Putin, according to a report in AP. Trump noted that such prospective talks would not initially include Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. The statement comes as European leaders are reportedly preparing to hold a virtual meeting this week to discuss the situation in Ukraine.
Russian Strikes Kill Six in Ukraine, Injuring 20 at Bus Station
Recent Russian strikes across Ukraine have killed at least six people and injured 20, particularly in an attack on a bus station in Zaporizhzhia, according to a report in France 24. Local authorities reported fatalities from drones and artillery fire in the eastern Donetsk region and the southern regions of Zaporizhzhia and Kherson. The attack in Zaporizhzhia involved a Russian glide bomb hitting a central bus station, resulting in 20 injuries. These events occur amid a pattern of reciprocal attacks, with Ukraine also targeting Russian territory, including Moscow, with drones.
Dengue Fever Outbreaks Surge Across Pacific Islands Posing Economic Risks
A sharp rise in dengue fever cases is impacting Pacific Island nations, with 16,502 confirmed infections and 17 deaths reported since the start of 2025, the highest level since 2016, according to a report in The Guardian. The World Health Organization (WHO) and regional surveillance systems note that countries including Fiji, Samoa, and Tonga are among the worst affected, with several declaring emergencies. Experts attribute the surge to the climate crisis, which is creating more favorable conditions for mosquito-borne diseases. The outbreaks are placing immense pressure on public health infrastructure and pose a significant economic threat to the region’s tourism-dependent economies.
German Police Arrest Demonstrators At Berlin Protest For Slain Journalists
Police in Berlin arrested several demonstrators at a protest concerning Al Jazeera journalists killed in Gaza, as per a report in Al Jazeera. The demonstration highlighted accusations from protestors and the media network that the journalists were deliberately targeted by Israeli forces, a claim Israel denies. The arrests occurred within the context of ongoing international concern from press freedom organizations about the high number of media workers killed in the conflict and Germany’s strict enforcement of public order laws during protests related to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
US Lawmakers Urge Trump to Maintain AUKUS Security Pact
Bipartisan US lawmakers are pressing the Trump administration to maintain the AUKUS security agreement with Australia and the UK, which aims to supply Australia with nuclear-powered submarines, as per a report in AP. The plea coincides with a Pentagon review of the four-year-old pact, a process that has highlighted concerns about the US defense industrial base’s capacity to build submarines for both its own navy and for Australia. The review raises significant business and economic questions for the American shipbuilding industry, which is central to the pact’s success.
Canada's 2025 Wildfire Season Becomes Second-Worst On Record
Canada’s 2025 wildfire season has already become the second-most destructive in the nation’s history, with over 470 fires currently classified as ‘out of control’ across the country, The Guardian says in a report. Scientists attribute the prolonged and exacerbated burning to the effects of climate change, which is creating what experts are calling a “new reality” of more frequent and intense fire seasons. The widespread blazes are causing significant destruction, forcing numerous community evacuations, and leading to poor air quality from smoke plumes that also affect the US. The situation has significant economic implications, disrupting key industries like forestry and tourism, and has necessitated ongoing international firefighting assistance.
Global Law Enforcement Seizes $1M From Russian Ransomware Gang
A global law enforcement coalition has seized $1 million from the Russian-based ransomware group responsible for the Royal and BlackSuit strains, as per a report in TechCrunch. The operation targeted the group’s infrastructure, which is allegedly responsible for extorting approximately $370 million from victims since 2022. This seizure is part of a broader international strategy focused on disrupting the financial operations of major cybercriminal enterprises, following similar actions against other prominent groups like LockBit and ALPHV/BlackCat. While the seized amount is a fraction of the group’s total alleged earnings, the action aims to cripple their operational capabilities and financial incentives.
Sudan's RSF Kills 40 in Attack on North Darfur Displacement Camp
Sudan’s Rapid Support Forces (RSF) reportedly killed 40 people during an attack on the Abu Shouk displacement camp in North Darfur on Monday, according to a report in AP. The local rights group, Emergency Response Rooms, stated that RSF fighters raided the camp, located outside El Fasher, targeting civilians in their homes. This attack occurs amid an intensified siege by the RSF on El Fasher, the last major city in the region not under its full control and a critical humanitarian hub. The violence further destabilizes a region already facing a severe famine and what the UN has described as the world’s largest humanitarian crisis, stemming from the conflict that began in April 2023.
Scientists In Mexico Search For Endangered Axolotl DNA In Canals
Scientists from Mexico’s Autonomous University are filtering water in the Xochimilco canals to find genetic traces of the critically endangered axolotl salamander, as per a report in AP. The species, once plentiful in its native habitat, is now nearly impossible to find in the wild due to severe water pollution, habitat destruction, and predation by invasive fish. This non-invasive eDNA monitoring provides crucial data to assess any remaining wild populations, guiding conservation and potential reintroduction efforts for the scientifically valuable creature, which is renowned for its unique regenerative abilities.
US Teen Influencer Stranded In Chilean Antarctic After Illegal Landing
American teen influencer Ethan Guo has been stranded in the Chilean Antarctic since June after illegally landing his small plane during a record-setting attempt, AP says in a report. Chilean authorities have opened an investigation into the incident, alleging Guo provided a falsified flight plan and landed without authorization. The unauthorized landing occurred while Guo was attempting to become the youngest person to fly solo to all seven continents.
South Korea's Military Shrinks By 20% Amid Demographic Crisis
South Korea’s military has contracted by 20% in the last six years, a direct consequence of the country’s severe demographic crisis and the world’s lowest birthrate, The Guardian says in a report. A defence ministry report highlights a shortfall of 50,000 troops needed to maintain defense readiness and also notes a decline in the number of available officers, which could lead to operational difficulties. This personnel shortage, occurring amid persistent military threats from North Korea, is forcing Seoul to accelerate investment in advanced military technology, including artificial intelligence and robotic systems, to compensate for reduced manpower and address significant national security implications.
Iraq Suffers Nationwide Blackout As Heatwave Strains Power Grid
Iraq was hit by a nationwide blackout on Monday after its power grid failed under the strain of a severe heatwave and surging electricity demand, according to a report in France 24. Temperatures approaching 50°C (122°F) combined with increased power consumption for a major Shiite pilgrimage pushed the fragile infrastructure past its breaking point. The widespread outage exacerbates Iraq’s long-standing electricity crisis, which severely impacts daily life and hampers economic activity, forcing businesses and residents to rely on costly private generators.
Two Arrested In The Gambia Over Infant's Death From FGM Amid Repeal Debate
Two women, including the infant’s mother and the alleged practitioner, have been arrested in The Gambia in connection with the death of a baby from Female Genital M mutilation (FGM), BBC says in a report. The incident has fueled widespread outrage and intensified protests from human rights organizations. The arrests come at a critical time, as The Gambia’s Assembly is debating a controversial bill to repeal the 2015 law that criminalized the practice. Activists and international observers warn that repealing the ban would represent a major setback for human rights and could jeopardize The Gambia’s international standing and access to foreign aid.
