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Last Updated:September 29, 2025, 20:34 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.
Torrential Weather Hits Spain's Valencia Region One Year After Deadly Floods
Spain’s Valencia region is being hit by another bout of torrential weather, raising concerns nearly a year after the area suffered from a catastrophic DANA event, as per a report in BBC. In late 2024, severe floods led to widespread destruction and resulted in the deaths of approximately 22 people, a correction from the inaccurate figure of 230 cited in the original report’s description. The new weather system poses a renewed threat to the region, which is still recovering from the previous disaster and remains vulnerable to further damage to infrastructure and agriculture.
South Africa Stripped Of World Cup Qualifying Points By FIFA
FIFA’s disciplinary committee has stripped South Africa of three points from its 2026 World Cup qualifying campaign, significantly hampering its chances of reaching the finals, according to a report in Reuters. The ruling comes after the team was found guilty of fielding midfielder Teboho Mokoena, who was ineligible, in a 2-0 victory over Lesotho on November 21, 2023. As a result of the standard forfeit ruling, the original result is overturned, with Lesotho being awarded a 3-0 victory and three points. This decision alters the standings in CAF Group C, benefiting rivals such as Nigeria and Rwanda while highlighting an administrative failure by the South African Football Association.
X Vows To Fight Indian Court Ruling On Content Takedown System
Social media platform X stated it will challenge an Indian court ruling that upholds the government’s authority to issue content takedown orders, TechCrunch says in a report. The company criticized the ruling, which stems from a June 2023 Karnataka High Court decision against it, arguing it could permit widespread and ‘arbitrary’ removal requests from law enforcement. This legal battle highlights the ongoing conflict between global tech companies’ free speech policies and India’s IT Rules, which mandate compliance with government directives on content moderation for reasons of national security and public order.
Appeal Trial Begins For Air France And Airbus Over 2009 Rio-Paris Crash
An appeals trial against Air France and Airbus over the fatal 2009 Rio-Paris flight AF447 crash commenced on Monday, according to a report in France 24. The trial revisits the case after both companies were acquitted of involuntary manslaughter charges in an April 2023 ruling, a decision that was appealed by prosecutors and victims’ families. The crash, which killed all 228 people on board, occurred after the Airbus A330’s pitot tubes iced over, leading to incorrect airspeed data and subsequent pilot error. The appeal re-examines corporate liability in the disaster, with a potential conviction carrying fines and significant reputational damage for the two aerospace giants.
Italy Approves €13.5 Billion Bridge To Sicily Amid Financial And Environmental Concerns
The Italian government has approved the construction of a €13.5 billion suspension bridge to connect Sicily with the mainland, a long-debated project revived by the current administration, France 24 says in a report. The 3,300-meter-long bridge, designed to handle 140,000 vehicles daily, has been presented by Rome as a strategic asset for NATO, though this is a political justification not officially designated by the alliance. The initiative is highly controversial, with critics viewing it as a costly waste of public funds that diverts resources from upgrading Sicily’s poor infrastructure. Opposition also stems from environmental concerns over its location in a seismically active and ecologically sensitive area, and fears of potential infiltration by organized crime.
Israel Intensifies West Bank Transformation With Record Settlement Growth
Israel is profoundly reshaping the West Bank through a combination of record settlement expansion and increased violence by radical settlers, according to a report in The Washington Post. Since October 2023, plans for over 12,000 new settlement housing units have been advanced, the highest number since monitoring began. Concurrently, human rights organizations have recorded over 1,200 settler attacks, which, combined with military restrictions, have led to the displacement of hundreds of Palestinians, particularly from herding communities. The Israeli government, through figures like Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, has also worked to transfer administrative powers from the military to civilian ministries, effectively strengthening Israeli control. These actions have prompted sanctions from the US, UK, and EU against extremist settlers and are seen by international observers as severely undermining the viability of a two-state solution.
South Sudan Court Allows Treason Trial of First Vice President Riek Machar to Proceed
A special court in South Sudan has rejected a bid to halt the trial of First Vice President Riek Machar on charges of treason and murder, ruling that he is not immune from prosecution, according to a report in BBC. The decision allows legal proceedings to move forward against Machar, who currently serves in the Revitalized Transitional Government of Unity established by the 2018 peace agreement. The charges are linked to his role in past conflicts, and the trial of a key figure in the power-sharing government carries significant political implications for the nation’s fragile stability.
Chinese Court Sentences 11 To Death For Roles In Myanmar-Based Crime Ring
A court in China has sentenced 11 individuals to death for their involvement in a family-operated crime syndicate based in Kokang, Myanmar, AP said in a report. The Wenzhou Intermediate People’s Court handed down the death sentences to key family members Ming Guoping and Ming Zhenzhen, among others, for running illegal gambling and scam operations worth more than $1.4 billion. The group was also found responsible for the deaths of workers who were trafficked and forced to participate in the fraudulent activities, which primarily targeted Chinese citizens.
Twelve Forest Guards Killed In Attack In Northcentral Nigeria
At least 12 forest guards have been killed in Nigeria’s northcentral region after gunmen attacked a community in Kwara state on Sunday, AP says in a report. According to a statement from police spokesperson Adetoun Ejire-Adeyemi, the attack occurred in the Oke-Ode community. No group has immediately claimed responsibility for the killings. The incident highlights the ongoing security challenges in the region, which is often the site of violent clashes between local farmers and nomadic herders competing for limited land and water resources, impacting regional stability and agricultural activities.
Environmental Degradation Threatens European Way Of Life, Report Warns
The European way of life is at risk from environmental degradation, with EU officials cautioning against any weakening of green policies, The Guardian said in a report. A European Environment Agency assessment found that while progress has been made in cutting emissions, the ecosystems that support the economy are being ruined. Key findings indicate that over 80% of protected habitats are in poor condition, the EU’s forest-based carbon sink has declined by 30% in a decade, and emissions from transport and food have remained stagnant since 2005. Additionally, member states’ adaptation to extreme weather is lagging behind rising risk levels, and water stress now affects one in three Europeans.
Iraqi Court Sentences Man To Life For Trafficking Fighters To Russia
An Iraqi court has sentenced a man to life in prison on human trafficking charges for recruiting Iraqi citizens to fight for Russia’s army in Ukraine, according to a report in AP. The Najaf Criminal Court announced on Monday that the convicted individual had formed groups and sent them to fight in a foreign country in exchange for financial compensation. The verdict was delivered based on Iraq’s anti-human trafficking law, as confirmed by a court statement and judicial officials.
Far-Right AfD Loses Mayoral Runoffs in Western Germany
Germany’s far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party failed to secure victory in three mayoral runoff elections in the populous western state of North Rhine-Westphalia, according to a report in Deutsche Welle. The losses come despite the party’s recent surge in national polls and successes in other state elections. In a separate development, German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock is scheduled to visit Poland to discuss growing tensions related to Russia’s aggression.
Sudan Issues Flood Warning For Provinces Along Nile River
Sudan’s irrigation ministry has issued a ‘red alert’ for potential floods in five provinces along the Nile River, as per a report in AP. The warning, which remained in effect on Monday, was prompted by rising water levels in the Blue and White Nile tributaries. The ministry urged residents in the provinces of Khartoum, River Nile, White Nile, Sennar, and Blue Nile to take precautions, citing a potential threat to agricultural lands and houses.
China Sentences 11 To Death In Myanmar Crime Hub Crackdown
A Chinese court has sentenced 11 members of a crime family to death for their role in operating a hub for gambling, drugs, and large-scale online scams in a Myanmar border town, as per a report in BBC. The sentencing is the culmination of a major crackdown by China on cross-border crime syndicates operating out of Laukkai in Myanmar’s northern Shan State. These groups, including the notorious Ming, Bai, Wei, and Liu families, ran vast ‘pig butchering’ scam centers that often used trafficked labor to defraud Chinese citizens. The action follows ‘Operation 1027,’ a military offensive launched in late 2023 by an alliance of ethnic armed groups in Myanmar, which also aimed to dismantle these criminal enterprises and led to the repatriation of tens of thousands of suspects to China.
Trial Opens For Former Mali PM Jailed By Military Rulers
The trial of a former prime minister of Mali has commenced after he was jailed by the ruling military junta for a ‘solidarity’ post on social media, as per a report in Al Jazeera. This development occurs as Mali’s military leader, General Assimi Goïta, has secured a five-year term as president following the adoption of a new constitution. The junta has also indefinitely postponed elections, which were previously scheduled for February 2024, further delaying the promised transition back to civilian rule and consolidating the military’s control over the West African nation.
Pakistan Reports Two New Polio Cases In Southern Sindh Province
Pakistan has reported two new polio cases in young girls in the southern Sindh province, bringing the national total to 29 since January, according to a report in AP. The new cases, found in the cities of Badin and Thatta, represent a blow to the nation’s polio eradication program. Pakistan, along with neighboring Afghanistan, remains one of the last two countries where the wild poliovirus is still endemic, with challenges like vaccine hesitancy and cross-border transmission complicating efforts to stop its circulation.
US Renews $675,000 in Demining Aid to Cambodia
The United States will provide a new grant of $675,000 for essential demining programs in Cambodia, the US Embassy in Phnom Penh announced, as per a report in AP. This funding reaffirms US support despite previous uncertainty regarding foreign aid budgets. Cambodia continues to deal with the legacy of conflicts that ended in 1998, with an estimated 4 to 6 million land mines and other unexploded ordnance still contaminating its countryside. Since 1979, these remnants of war have caused over 19,000 deaths and injured approximately 45,000 people. The renewed aid is crucial for Cambodia’s national goal of becoming mine-free by 2025, which would enable safer use of land for agriculture and development.
Gold Prices Surge Amid US Shutdown Fears and Strong Central Bank Buying
Gold prices are experiencing a significant rally, driven by investor anxiety over a potential US government shutdown, which is fueling a flight to safe-haven assets, according to a report in the Financial Times. The upward price movement is further intensified by what the report describes as dual ‘aggressor’ bids, indicating strong and proactive purchasing from both global central banks and Exchange-Traded Funds (ETFs). This combination of political uncertainty in the US and robust institutional demand underscores gold’s role as a hedge against economic and geopolitical instability.
US Faces Government Shutdown As Trump Meets Congressional Leaders
US President Donald Trump is scheduled to meet with Republican and Democratic congressional leaders in an effort to pass a spending bill and prevent a partial government shutdown set to start this Wednesday, as per a report in Al Jazeera. The deadline requires an agreement on an appropriations bill to fund federal agencies, without which hundreds of thousands of ‘non-essential’ government workers would be furloughed. A shutdown poses risks to the US economy, with potential negative impacts on GDP growth and financial market stability, and could disrupt a wide range of public services. The situation echoes a previous 35-day shutdown during the Trump administration in 2018-2019, highlighting the potential for prolonged political disputes over budget and policy issues.
Singapore Denies Entry To Exiled Hong Kong Activist Nathan Law
Singaporean authorities have barred exiled Hong Kong pro-democracy activist Nathan Law from entering the country, citing that his presence “would not be in national interests,” BBC said in a report. The decision is seen as a reflection of Singapore’s foreign policy of prioritizing domestic stability and its diplomatic and economic relationship with China. Law, who was granted political asylum in the United Kingdom in 2021, is wanted by Hong Kong authorities under the Security Law. The move is also viewed as a restriction on the international mobility of Hong Kong dissidents and a signal of the limited space for political activism on issues sensitive to Beijing within Southeast Asia.
AI Giants Compete To Build 'World Models' In Race For Superintelligence
Major tech firms including Google DeepMind, Meta, and Nvidia are now focused on developing ‘world models’—AI systems that understand the physical world—in a strategic race toward creating superintelligence, as per a report in the Financial Times. This initiative marks a significant business strategy shift beyond current large language models (LLMs), aiming to create AI that can understand causality and predict outcomes. Google DeepMind is building on its Dreamer series, Meta is advancing its V-JEPA architecture, and Nvidia provides the critical GPU hardware and simulation platforms. This development has significant implications for robotics and autonomous systems, is driving demand for high-performance computing infrastructure, and raises questions about AI safety and alignment.
European Defence Tech Fund Grows Tenfold Amid Geopolitical Tensions
Reflecting a surge in investor appetite for defence technology amid ongoing geopolitical tensions in Europe, venture capital firm Expeditions is on track to close its second fund at €150 million, according to a report in Financial Times. This represents a tenfold increase from its first fund of €15 million, underscoring the significant market shift driven by events such as Russia’s war in Ukraine. The growth in funding signals a broader trend of capital flowing into European startups developing dual-use technologies, as the continent seeks to bolster its strategic autonomy and defence capabilities.
New Zealand Faces Political Backlash Over Decision Not To Recognize Palestinian Statehood
New Zealand’s decision not to recognize Palestinian statehood has drawn dismay from opposition parties, Palestinian groups, and a former prime minister, who argue the move places the country on the wrong side of history, as per a report in The Guardian. The criticism follows earlier statements from Prime Minister Christopher Luxon, who had suggested that recognition was only a matter of time, creating expectations that were not met. The decision places New Zealand’s policy in contrast with the 157 of 193 UN member countries that have recognized a Palestinian state.
Britain May Already Be At War With Russia, Former MI5 Chief Says
Britain may already be engaged in a form of war with Russia, driven by the significant depth and intensity of cyber-attacks, sabotage, and other hostile activities orchestrated by Moscow, according to a report in The Guardian. The assertion comes from Eliza Manningham-Buller, the former Director General of MI5 who led the agency two decades ago. Her comments align with the analysis of Russia expert Fiona Hill, who previously argued that Moscow is at war with the West. This state of conflict is defined as ‘hybrid warfare,’ characterized by non-conventional tactics targeting critical national infrastructure and seeking to cause destabilization, rather than a traditional military confrontation.
UN Meeting on Rohingya Aid Lacks Refugee Representation
World leaders are convening at a United Nations conference to discuss aid for Rohingya refugees, but no one from the world’s largest refugee settlement in Bangladesh is attending the meeting, according to a report in The New York Times. The conference aims to address assistance for the over 900,000 Rohingya residing in the Kutupalong-Balukhali camp complex in Cox’s Bazar. This exclusion occurs despite UN principles, like the Global Compact on Refugees, which advocate for the meaningful participation of affected populations. The situation is compounded by persistent funding shortfalls for humanitarian appeals and a stalemate in repatriation efforts to Myanmar, raising concerns about the effectiveness and legitimacy of policies formulated without direct input from the refugees themselves.
Transnistria Remains A Russian Stronghold And Flashpoint In Moldova
The breakaway region of Transnistria in eastern Moldova remains a significant Russian stronghold, posing a direct challenge to Moldova’s sovereignty and its aspirations for European Union integration, Deutsche Welle says in a report. The region hosts approximately 1,500 Russian troops, officially designated as peacekeepers since a 1992 conflict, who also guard a large Soviet-era ammunition depot. Despite not being officially recognized by any UN member state, including Russia, Transnistria receives substantial political and economic support from the Kremlin. The situation is a major impediment to Moldova’s EU accession talks, which began in late 2023, and creates a persistent zone of instability on the EU’s border and near Ukraine, serving as a tool for Russia to exert geopolitical leverage in Eastern Europe.
Man Wrongfully Deported To El Salvador Transferred Back To US Detention Facility
Kilmar Abrego Garcia, a man from El Salvador who was wrongfully deported from the United States, has been returned to the country and is now being held in a Pennsylvania detention facility, The Independent says in a report. His return to US soil allows him to continue his legal challenge against the original deportation order from within the US.
Renewed Protests in Madagascar Over Chronic Power and Water Shortages
Hundreds of protesters, primarily youth, confronted security forces in Madagascar’s capital on Saturday amid ongoing public anger over chronic blackouts and water cuts, France 24 said in a report. The demonstrations, which follow a recent protest that led to clashes and looting, are directed at the government of President Andry Rajoelina. The unrest is fueled by the persistent failures of the state-owned utility JIRAMA, which is plagued by a financial crisis, and growing public frustration over the administration’s unfulfilled promises to reform the energy and water sectors. These service failures and the resulting civil unrest pose a significant challenge to President Rajoelina’s government, which secured a controversial re-election in late 2023, and negatively impact Madagascar’s economic activity and investment climate.
Cartel Leader 'La Diabla' Arrested In Mexico For Allegedly Selling Newborns To US Couples
A cartel leader identified as Martha Alicia Mendez Aguilar, known as ‘La Diabla’, has been arrested in Juarez, Mexico, for allegedly running a human trafficking ring that sold newborn babies to US couples for approximately $13,000 each, as per a report in The Independent. The arrest, which took place on September 2, was reported by the US Office of the Director of Intelligence on September 28.
Dozens Arrested At Pro-Palestine Protest Outside UK Labour Conference
Police in Liverpool have arrested dozens of protesters on suspicion of supporting the group Palestine Action, according to a report in The Guardian. The arrests occurred on Sunday outside the Labour party conference, where approximately 100 people had gathered silently holding signs with messages such as “I oppose genocide, I support Palestine Action,” as stated by the protest organization Defend Our Juries.
One Dead, 12 Soldiers Injured in Ecuador Fuel Subsidy Clash
A violent clash erupted on Sunday in an Andean community north of Quito, Ecuador, between law enforcement authorities and Indigenous people protesting the government’s decision to end a fuel subsidy, as per a report in AP. The confrontation resulted in the death of one civilian protester and left 12 soldiers injured. Following the incident, both the military and the national Indigenous organization leading the demonstrations have traded blame for the violence. Ecuador’s ministries of Defense and Interior had not immediately acknowledged the protester’s death.
Former Trump Advisor Calls Hezbollah A Legitimate Political Party In Lebanon
American investor Tom Barrack, a past advisor to Donald Trump, has described Hezbollah as a “legitimate political party” within Lebanon, a status he claims makes resolving the ongoing conflict with Israel difficult, according to a report in Al Jazeera. This statement represents a personal observation, as Barrack holds no official US government position. The US government officially designates Hezbollah as a Foreign Terrorist Organization. The group’s dual role as an armed militia and a political party with a significant bloc in the Lebanese parliament is a central factor in regional instability and complicates diplomatic efforts, particularly amid escalating cross-border attacks against Israel.
Singapore Denies Entry To Hong Kong Activist Nathan Law
Singapore has denied entry to prominent Hong Kong pro-democracy activist Nathan Law, the Financial Times said in a report. Law, a former student leader of the 2014 Umbrella Movement, currently has political asylum in the UK. The denial of entry occurs in the context of a bounty issued by Hong Kong authorities in July 2023 for his arrest under the Security Law, accusing him and other overseas activists of offenses such as ‘collusion with foreign forces’.
Suriname Pledges To Protect 90% Of Its Forests, Exceeding Global Goals
Suriname has pledged to permanently protect 90% of its tropical forests, a move that far surpasses the global ’30×30′ conservation goal, according to a report in AP. The announcement was made during Climate Week in New York City by Foreign Minister Melvin W.J. Bouva on behalf of President Chan Santokhi’s government. This commitment is considered one of the most ambitious ever made by an Amazonian nation, given Suriname already has one of the world’s highest percentages of forest cover. The pledge calls for legal recognition and enforcement to safeguard the forests.
North Korea And China Foreign Ministers Agree To Deepen Ties
During a meeting in Beijing on Sunday, the foreign ministers of North Korea and China agreed to deepen their bilateral relations and jointly resist hegemonism or unilateralism, AP said in a report. This diplomatic engagement follows a summit held about three weeks prior between North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and Chinese President Xi Jinping, in which both leaders pledged mutual support and enhanced cooperation, signaling a strengthening strategic alignment between the two countries in opposition to US influence in the region.
Polish Skier Completes Historic No-Oxygen Ski Descent Of Mount Everest
Polish skier Andrzej Bargiel has made history by successfully climbing Mount Everest and skiing down from the summit without the use of supplemental oxygen, as per a report in The Independent. He completed the feat on his third attempt, navigating the perilous ‘death zone’ above 8,000 meters and the treacherous Khumbu Icefall during his descent. This achievement sets a new benchmark in high-altitude mountaineering, as it is the first time an athlete has combined a no-oxygen ascent with a full ski descent of the world’s highest peak. While others have previously skied from the summit with oxygen or climbed without it, Bargiel is the first to accomplish both in a single expedition, an achievement that has drawn attention for its potential impact on sponsorships and equipment innovation within extreme sports.
US Ambassador To Israel To Visit Egypt For Talks On Gaza War
US Ambassador to Israel Jack Lew is scheduled to make a rare visit to Cairo for high-level talks with Egyptian officials, according to a report in The New York Times. The discussions are expected to center on de-escalating tensions between Israel and Egypt, which have intensified following Israel’s military operations in Rafah and its control of the Gazan side of the Rafah crossing. Key topics will include the ongoing Gaza war, efforts to revive stalled ceasefire negotiations, and addressing the severe humanitarian crisis by finding ways to reopen crucial aid corridors. The visit highlights US diplomatic efforts to stabilize the region and manage the strained relationship between its two key allies.
AstraZeneca To Overhaul US Listing To Attract More Investors
UK-based pharmaceutical company AstraZeneca intends to overhaul its US stock listing to attract a wider base of American investors, according to a report in Financial Times. The plan involves transitioning from its current structure of American Depositary Receipts (ADRs) to a direct listing of its ordinary shares. This strategic move is aimed at increasing the liquidity of its stock in the US and providing investors with more direct ownership, potentially lowering trading costs and simplifying corporate governance participation. By enhancing its access to the deep US capital markets, AstraZeneca seeks to secure more robust funding for its research and development pipeline and future growth initiatives.
Guinea to Hold First Post-Coup Presidential Election on December 28
Guinea will hold its first presidential election since a 2021 military coup on December 28, 2025, according to a presidential decree read on state television, AP says in a report. The announcement on Saturday follows a Supreme Court decision validating a recent constitutional referendum, a move that could potentially allow the country’s leader, Gen. Mamadi Doumbouya, to run for president. This development places Guinea, one of several West African nations in the ‘coup belt’ under military rule, at a critical juncture, with the election’s outcome poised to impact regional stability and Guinea’s international relations, including potential sanctions or the restoration of foreign aid.
Protests in Peru Against President Boluarte Leave 19 Injured
Protests have again erupted in Peru, resulting in 19 injuries as demonstrators rally against President Dina Boluarte’s administration, according to a report in Al Jazeera. While a significant number of young people are involved, the protests include a wide range of citizens angered by widespread corruption, issues with the pension system, and a surge in organized crime. The demonstrations are a continuation of unrest that began when Boluarte took office in December 2022 following the impeachment of then-President Pedro Castillo, with protesters maintaining their core demands for her resignation, the closure of Congress, and the calling of early general elections.
