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Last Updated:August 23, 2025, 08:19 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.
Asian Shares Mixed After Wall Street's Fifth Consecutive Loss
Asian stock markets showed mixed results on Friday following a fifth consecutive day of losses on Wall Street, driven by concerns over future US interest rate policy, as per a report in AP. Traders are adopting a cautious stance ahead of a key meeting of central bankers in Jackson Hole, Wyoming, where US Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell is scheduled to speak. In Japan, the Nikkei 225 index slipped 0.1% after initially gaining, following the release of data showing the country’s core inflation rate slowed to 3.1% in July from 3.3% in June.
Israel Warns Gaza City Could Be Destroyed Amid Plans For Major Offensive
Israel’s Defense Minister Israel Katz has warned that Gaza City could be destroyed if Hamas does not comply with Israel’s terms, as the country’s military prepares for an expanded offensive, AP says in a report. The warning follows a statement from Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu authorizing a major operation to seize the city, which Israel identifies as a primary Hamas stronghold. Katz warned that Gaza City could face a fate similar to areas like Beit Hanoun, which were heavily damaged earlier in the conflict. An expanded ground invasion into the densely populated urban area is expected to significantly worsen the severe humanitarian crisis and has prompted increasing international calls for the protection of civilians and unimpeded humanitarian access.
Historic Swedish Church Completes Move To Escape Mine Subsidence
The Kiruna Church, an iconic wooden structure in Sweden consecrated in 1912, has been successfully moved in a complex two-day operation to save it from ground subsidence, according to a report in BBC. The ground instability is a direct result of the expansion of the world’s largest underground iron ore mine, operated by the state-owned company LKAB. This relocation is a significant milestone in the broader, multi-decade urban transformation project which involves moving the entire city of Kiruna several kilometers to accommodate the growing mine, presenting a major case study in the economic and logistical challenges of balancing industrial needs with cultural heritage preservation.
Hegseth Reportedly Fires General Over Iran Intel Assessment That Angered Trump
An official identified as Hegseth has fired a general following an initial intelligence assessment from the general’s agency regarding damage to Iranian nuclear facilities that reportedly angered President Donald Trump, as per a report in AP. The report, which cites unnamed sources, connects the dismissal directly to the President’s reaction to the intelligence concerning Iran’s nuclear program.
Global Markets Await Fed Policy Amid US-China Tech And Resource Tensions
World financial markets are showing mixed results as investors await signals on US monetary policy from Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell’s upcoming speech at the Jackson Hole symposium, as per a report in AP. Concurrently, geopolitical and trade tensions are in focus, with Nvidia’s CEO confirming the company is in talks with the current Trump administration to develop a new chip for the Chinese market amidst ongoing technology export restrictions. Adding to global supply chain concerns, China has also introduced new regulations on rare earths, a critical sector where it maintains global dominance.
IPC Declares Famine In Gaza City, Warns Of Further Spread
The Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC), the leading global authority on food crises, has officially declared that famine is occurring in Gaza City, according to a report in AP. The declaration, which confirms prior expert warnings, is made when at least 20% of households face extreme food shortages, 30% of children suffer from acute malnutrition, and at least two people per 10,000 die daily from starvation. The IPC also warned that without an immediate ceasefire, the famine is highly likely to spread to the southern cities of Khan Younis and Deir al-Balah, significantly increasing pressure for unimpeded humanitarian aid and intensifying diplomatic efforts.
Niger Army Says It Killed Senior Boko Haram Leader In Airstrike
Niger’s army announced on state television that a targeted airstrike on August 15 in the Lake Chad region killed senior Boko Haram leader Ibrahim Bakoura, AP says in a report. The army claimed the strike also killed dozens of other militants and that Bakoura had been tracked for several weeks. The announcement of the operation was made by the military junta that took power in the country in a July 2023 coup.
Philippines Condemns China's 'Swarm' Tactics At Disputed Shoal
The Philippine defense chief has condemned China’s deployment of a swarm of armed coast guard forces, supported by a helicopter and a drone, near the Philippines’ military outpost at the fiercely disputed Second Thomas Shoal in the South China Sea, AP says in a report. In response to the latest tense faceoff, the Philippine military has vowed to defend its offshore territory. China has countered the accusation, claiming the incident was a “staged provocation” by the Philippines. The event is the latest in a series of confrontations at the shoal, a significant flashpoint in the region.
Wall Street Rallies As Dow Soars On Hopes For Lower Interest Rates
US stock markets saw a major rally on Friday, driven by hopes for lower interest rates, as per a report in AP. The Dow Jones Industrial Average soared 716 points (1.6%), and was on track to surpass its December all-time high, while the S&P 500 jumped 1.4%, erasing all of its losses for the week. The investor optimism followed comments from the head of the Federal Reserve suggesting potential rate cuts, a policy move that has been publicly encouraged by President Donald Trump. However, the Fed gave no clear indication of when such cuts might occur.
Israel Warns of Gaza City Destruction as Famine Is Declared
Israel’s defense minister issued a warning that Gaza City could be destroyed if Hamas does not comply with Israel’s conditions, as an impending major ground offensive, authorized by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, could launch within days, as per a report in AP. This development, which carries significant political and regional stability implications, coincides with a formal famine declaration for the city by the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC). The IPC, a leading global authority, attributes the widespread starvation to the ongoing conflict and a comprehensive Israeli blockade that has severely restricted humanitarian aid and crippled the local economy. In advance of the broader operation, Israeli airstrikes have already targeted areas in Gaza City, intensifying the severe humanitarian crisis and increasing pressure on international aid organizations.
President Trump Announces Kennedy Center As FIFA 2026 World Cup Draw Venue
US President Donald Trump announced on Friday that the official draw for the 2026 FIFA World Cup will take place at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington D.C. this December, as per a report in AP. The 2026 tournament is being co-hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico. The selection of the prominent national cultural center for the draw marks a key milestone for the global football competition ahead of the event.
Israeli Military Data Reveals Inflated Militant Death Toll, Lack Of Post-War Strategy
A joint investigation has found that Israel’s military and political leadership have been using a “war dashboard” focused on militant kill counts as a primary objective, while lacking a clear strategy for Gaza’s post-war governance, according to a report in The Guardian. The investigation, which cites a classified military intelligence database from May 2025, revealed that out of 47,653 listed Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad fighters, 8,900 were marked as killed. Sources from Israel’s elite Unit 8200 indicated this quantitative focus on militant deaths overshadowed the need for a viable plan for how Gaza would be governed after the conflict, suggesting a strategic failure despite the reported tactical numbers.
