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Last Updated:August 06, 2025, 08:59 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.
SoftBank Invests Billions In Nvidia And TSMC Amid AI Push
Reinforcing its strategic focus on foundational artificial intelligence hardware, SoftBank Group has significantly increased its investments in key semiconductor companies, according to a report in The Japan Times. The Japanese conglomerate raised its holdings in US-based AI chip designer Nvidia to about $3 billion and established a new position in Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC) worth around $330 million by the end of March. This move aligns with CEO Masayoshi Son’s strategy to concentrate on ‘AI gear,’ positioning SoftBank to capitalize on the AI sector beyond its ownership of chip designer Arm.
Bridgestone To Sell Mexican Carbon Black Business To US Firm Cabot
Japanese tire manufacturer Bridgestone will sell its carbon black business in Mexico to the US-based Cabot Corporation, The Japan Times said in a report. This move is part of Bridgestone’s ongoing global strategy to streamline its assets and focus on its core tire and mobility solutions businesses. The sale follows a similar divestment in July when Bridgestone sold its carbon black operations in Thailand to Japan’s Tokai Carbon. The transaction reflects a broader industry trend of tire makers outsourcing raw material production and consolidation among specialized chemical producers like Cabot, which will expand its production capacity and market presence in North America.
China's Record Renewables Growth Strained By Inadequate Grid Infrastructure
China is struggling to utilize its unprecedented build-out of renewable energy due to significant lags in grid development, according to a report in The Japan Times. The country’s largest solar and wind power hubs are located in its sparsely populated interior, thousands of kilometers from the major coastal cities where energy demand is highest. This geographical mismatch requires a robust network of ultra-high voltage (UHV) transmission lines and energy storage systems, but their construction is not keeping up with the rapid installation of new generation capacity. As a result, a substantial amount of clean energy is curtailed, or intentionally wasted, which impacts the financial viability of renewable projects and could hinder China’s progress toward its 2060 carbon neutrality goal.
Netherlands To Fund US Arms For Ukraine Under New NATO Plan
The Netherlands has committed €500 million to buy US military equipment for Ukraine, which includes critical Patriot missile system components, according to a report in Deutsche Welle. This move represents the first instance of funding under a new NATO mechanism designed to centralize and coordinate military aid for Ukraine. The initiative aims to create a more predictable, long-term support structure, shifting some responsibilities from the previous US-led Ukraine Defense Contact Group to a formal NATO framework, thereby increasing burden-sharing among European allies and ensuring a steady flow of essential defense supplies.
US President Trump to Host Armenian and Azerbaijani Leaders for Peace Talks
US President Donald Trump intends to host the leaders of Armenia and Azerbaijan for peace negotiations aimed at resolving their long-standing conflict, Al Jazeera said in a report. This development follows a recent meeting between Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan and Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev in the United Arab Emirates, which concluded without a significant breakthrough. The proposed talks in the US would address a comprehensive peace treaty, a primary focus since Azerbaijan’s military offensive in Nagorno-Karabakh in September 2023.
Pakistani Artists Use Folk And Rap To Highlight Climate Change Impact
In Pakistan’s climate-vulnerable Sindh province, local musicians are using traditional folk songs and modern rap to communicate the dangers of climate change to communities affected by poverty and illiteracy, according to a report in AP. This grassroots movement highlights a culturally resonant strategy for climate advocacy, with potential implications for national policy and international development funding. By giving voice to those directly impacted by extreme weather events, such as devastating floods, these artists are fostering local resilience and underscoring the need for targeted support for community-led adaptation initiatives.
Wife of Ousted South Korean President Questioned in Corruption Probe
Kim Keon Hee, the wife of South Korea’s ousted former President Yoon Suk-yeol, appeared for questioning by a special prosecutor on Wednesday over allegations of stock manipulation, bribery, and interference in party nominations, as per a report in AP. The probe is one of several launched by Seoul’s new liberal government targeting the former conservative administration. The investigations follow the impeachment and ousting of Yoon Suk-yeol, which occurred after his brief and controversial imposition of martial law in December.
UN Reports Nearly 60,000 Displaced By Heavy Fighting In Northern Mozambique
Nearly 60,000 people have been displaced by a recent escalation of fighting in Mozambique’s northern Cabo Delgado province, exacerbating a severe humanitarian crisis amid major cuts in international aid, Al Jazeera said in a report. The new wave of displacement is attributed to a resurgence in attacks by the Ahlu Sunnah Wa-Jama’a (ASWJ) insurgent group, also known as ISIS-Mozambique. This development comes despite the presence of Mozambican, Rwandan, and Southern African Development Community (SADC) forces, raising concerns about the security strategy’s long-term effectiveness. The situation poses significant risks to regional stability and could further delay major natural gas projects vital to Mozambique’s economy, while humanitarian organizations struggle to respond due to funding shortfalls.
US Coast Guard Report Calls Titan Submersible Disaster a 'Preventable Tragedy'
The US Coast Guard has officially described the 2023 Titan submersible implosion as a “preventable tragedy,” attributing the disaster to inadequate safety practices, deliberate efforts to avoid regulatory oversight, and a “toxic workplace culture,” The Guardian said in a report. The investigation’s findings pinpoint these failures as the cause of the catastrophic implosion during a commercial voyage to the Titanic wreck, which killed all five people aboard. The report is expected to intensify calls for stricter international regulations and mandatory safety certifications for the deep-sea tourism industry, addressing the legal loopholes that allowed the experimental vessel to operate without standard industry approval.
Egyptian President Accuses Israel Of Systematic Genocide In Gaza
Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi has accused Israel of carrying out a ‘systematic genocide’ in Gaza, marking a severe downturn in public diplomatic relations between the two nations, Al Jazeera said in a report. The accusation adds significant political weight to international pressure on Israel, which is already facing a genocide case at the Court of Justice (ICJ) brought by South Africa. Sisi’s statement, made against the backdrop of a severe humanitarian crisis in Gaza, is expected to influence the political environment surrounding the ICJ case and could complicate normalization efforts between Israel and other Arab states.
Experts Propose 'Healthocide' To Describe Rise In Attacks On Medical Services In Conflict
Academics are urging that deliberate attacks on medics and hospitals in conflict zones be termed ‘healthocide’ amid a rise in such incidents globally, according to a report in The Guardian. This trend of targeting healthcare, seen in Gaza, Ukraine, and Sudan, severely undermines the principle of medical neutrality and Humanitarian Law. The systematic destruction of health infrastructure not only creates immediate humanitarian crises but also threatens global health security by crippling disease surveillance and increasing the risk of cross-border health emergencies, which carry significant economic implications.
Organized Crime Suspected In Killing Of Top Mexican Federal Official
Mexican investigators are pointing to organized crime as responsible for the killing of Ernesto Vásquez Reyna, the Attorney General’s Office delegate for the state of Tamaulipas, according to a report in AP. Vásquez Reyna was fatally shot by gunmen in broad daylight on a major avenue in the border city of Reynosa on Monday. Authorities believe the assassination was likely retaliation for the government’s recent seizures of illegally tapped fuel, a significant revenue source for cartels in the region. The attack highlights the ongoing violence in Tamaulipas and the significant risks faced by officials engaged in combating organized crime’s illicit activities.
Lithuania Urges NATO to Boost Air Defences After Russian Drone Incident
Lithuania has called on NATO for urgent support to bolster its air defences after a Russian drone with explosives violated its airspace last week, France 24 said in a report. The drone was discovered in a military training area near the capital, Vilnius, and was successfully neutralised by authorities. The incident has raised concerns about escalating threats in the Baltic region amid the ongoing war in Ukraine and a pattern of Russian military activities near NATO borders.
US President Trump Says Gaza Occupation Decision Is Up To Israel
US President Donald Trump stated that the decision on whether to occupy all of Gaza is “up to Israel,” as per a report in Al Jazeera. This comment signals a potential policy shift from the previous administration of former President Joe Biden, which had publicly opposed a long-term Israeli re-occupation of the territory. The statement comes as international organizations continue to warn that an expanded Israeli military operation and potential full occupation would be “catastrophic” for the Palestinian population, citing the severe humanitarian crisis. Trump’s position is consistent with his historically pro-Israel foreign policy stance, which has often deferred to Israeli government decisions on regional security matters.
