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Last Updated:August 01, 2025, 09:08 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
News18
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
Gazan Teen Arrives In UK For Reconstructive Surgery After War Injury
A 15-year-old Gazan boy named Majd has been medically evacuated to the UK for complex reconstructive surgery, becoming the first to receive such treatment for war injuries in the country, BBC says in a report. Majd was critically wounded by an Israeli tank shell in February 2023, prior to the major escalation of the conflict. His arrival highlights the immense logistical and political challenges of arranging medical evacuations from the region, underscoring the severe humanitarian and healthcare crisis in Gaza where thousands of wounded civilians have limited access to necessary medical care.
Australia Exempted From New US Tariff Hikes, Imports Held At 10%
Australia will not face increased US tariffs in the latest trade adjustments by President Donald Trump’s administration, with most of its goods continuing to be subject to the baseline 10% rate, The Guardian says in a report. An executive order issued by Trump on Thursday confirmed new tariff deals for several trading partners but left Australian arrangements unchanged, effectively exempting the country from the hikes. A spokesperson for Australia’s trade minister commented on the favorable outcome, stating that “no country has reciprocal tariffs lower,” highlighting the strong economic relationship between the two nations.
French Court Dismisses Glyphosate Birth Defect Case Against Bayer
A French court has ruled a complaint against German chemicals company Bayer inadmissible in a landmark case alleging its glyphosate-based weedkiller caused birth defects, France 24 said in a report. This procedural victory for Bayer in France avoids liability in this specific high-profile case, which centered on prenatal exposure rather than the more common cancer-related claims. The court did not rule on the scientific merits of the case, dismissing it on procedural grounds, which means the core question of a link between glyphosate and birth defects remains legally untested in this jurisdiction. The ruling provides some relief for Bayer, which inherited the litigation when it acquired Monsanto in 2018, but does not impact the tens of thousands of other lawsuits it faces globally, primarily in the US.
Peruvian President Slams Court Move To Suspend Amnesty Law
Peruvian President Dina Boluarte has publicly criticized a court’s decision to suspend a newly passed amnesty law, as per a report in Al Jazeera. The legislation, approved by Peru’s Congress, is designed to shield members of the armed forces and police from accountability for human rights violations committed during the country’s internal armed conflict between 1980 and 2000. The court’s move to suspend the law has created a conflict between the executive and legislative branches on one side, and the judiciary on the other, over issues of justice and impunity for historical abuses.
NGO Uses Israeli Soldiers' Social Media For War Crimes Investigations
The Hind Rajab Foundation is utilizing social media footage posted by Israeli soldiers themselves as evidence for potential war crimes investigations, Al Jazeera says in a report. Named after a 6-year-old girl killed in Gaza in February 2024, the non-governmental organization leverages open-source intelligence (OSINT) by collecting and verifying videos and photos from soldiers’ personal accounts. This digital evidence is intended to support accountability processes and contribute to legal inquiries by international bodies scrutinizing the conflict, highlighting the growing role of OSINT in modern warfare and human rights investigations.
Study Finds Extremist Groups Using Gaming Platforms To Radicalize Youth
Far-right extremists are increasingly using livestream gaming platforms to target and radicalize vulnerable young players, particularly males, The Guardian says in a report. The new research, published in the peer-reviewed journal Frontiers in Psychology, reveals how various extremist groups exploit in-game live chats and streaming services to recruit individuals. This development places greater pressure on gaming companies to implement more effective content moderation and safety protocols, addressing the business and regulatory risks of their platforms being used for such activities. The report also advises parents to be vigilant regarding their children’s interactions in these online environments.
US Developer Steve Witkoff to Visit Gaza Aid Site Amid Hunger Crisis
The White House announced that prominent US real estate developer Steve Witkoff will visit a humanitarian aid site in Gaza on Friday to observe the hunger crisis firsthand, according to a report in The New York Times. This high-profile visit by a private citizen comes amid growing international pressure and anger directed at Israel over the severe humanitarian conditions in the territory. The announcement of the private visit by the White House highlights official US government attention on the crisis.
Apple Projects Tariff Costs To Hit $1.1 Billion Next Quarter
Apple has projected its tariff-related costs, stemming from the ongoing US-China trade dispute, will rise to $1.1 billion in the upcoming quarter, an increase from the $800 million reported in the previous quarter, according to a report in TechCrunch. These costs are primarily due to US Section 301 tariffs on goods manufactured in China. The significant and rising financial burden is expected to impact the company’s gross margins and adds pressure to its strategy of diversifying its supply chain to other countries to mitigate geopolitical trade risks. The increase in projected costs is attributed to a higher volume of tariff-affected products being imported rather than new tariff implementations.
US President Donald Trump Signs Order for New Tariffs on Global Trading Partners
US President Donald Trump signed an executive order on Thursday imposing new tariffs on a wide swath of trading partners, set to take effect on August 7, as per a report in AP. The action is described as the next step in his administration’s trade agenda and is expected to test the global economy and the sturdiness of long-standing American alliances.
Violent Protests Erupt In Kenyan Refugee Camp Over Aid Cuts
Violent protests have erupted at Kenya’s Kakuma refugee camp, one of the world’s largest, leading to at least one fatality and injuries to two police officers, as per a report in France 24. The unrest was triggered by steep cuts in food rations and aid from donors including the US, which are linked to a global humanitarian funding crisis. Due to funding shortfalls, the World Food Programme and other agencies have been forced to reduce support in numerous locations, which has exacerbated food insecurity for vulnerable populations.
Utility Workers In Peru Unearth 1,000-Year-Old Pre-Incan Tomb
A 1,000-year-old pre-Incan tomb was unearthed in Lima, Peru, by utility workers from the natural gas company Cálidda during excavation work, AP says in a report. The tomb contained the remains of one individual along with four clay vessels and three pumpkin shell artifacts. This discovery is part of a larger trend, as the company has reported over 2,200 archaeological finds in more than two decades of expanding its gas network. Such frequent discoveries highlight the operational and financial challenges for businesses conducting infrastructure projects in historically rich regions, requiring them to integrate archaeological preservation into their development strategies, which can impact project timelines and costs while simultaneously enriching Peru’s cultural heritage.
