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Last Updated:August 29, 2025, 09:30 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.
Thirty-Three Kidnapped Colombian Soldiers Freed After Three Days
Thirty-three Colombian soldiers have been released after being held captive for three days in the southeastern province of Guaviare, as per a report in AP. Colombia’s Ombudswoman’s office confirmed the release on Thursday. The soldiers were reportedly taken captive by villagers under the orders of a rebel group following a gunfight that resulted in the deaths of 10 of the group’s members. According to Colombia’s Defense Ministry, the captors had demanded the return of a slain rebel’s body.
TransUnion Confirms Data Breach Affecting 4.4 Million Customers
Credit reporting agency TransUnion has confirmed a data breach that exposed the personal information of 4.4 million customers, according to a report in TechCrunch. The company stated that unauthorized access occurred via a third-party application, leading to the theft of sensitive data, most notably Social Security numbers. This incident highlights the growing business risk of supply chain cyberattacks, where attackers target less secure vendors to compromise larger organizations, and places TransUnion at risk of significant regulatory scrutiny, potential lawsuits, and reputational damage, echoing the 2017 Equifax breach.
Hong Kong Stages Largest-Ever Counterterrorism Drill At Cruise Terminal
Hong Kong staged its largest-ever counterterrorism drill on Thursday at the Kai Tak cruise terminal, involving over 500 officers and 200 civilians, as per a report in the South China Morning Post. Chief Executive John Lee stated the exercise demonstrated the city is ‘on the right track’ and must remain highly prepared for potential terrorist threats. The drill, the first major cross-departmental exercise since a three-tier security mechanism was established, is seen as a significant move to reinforce the city’s security posture. By conducting the exercise at a key transport and tourism facility, authorities aim to project an image of safety and control, which has implications for international business confidence and Hong Kong’s status as a global financial center.
China Accelerates Rollout of Low-Orbit Satellite Internet to Rival Starlink
China is accelerating the rollout of its commercial low-orbit satellite internet services, aiming to establish a sovereign rival to SpaceX’s Starlink, according to a report in the South China Morning Post. A new guideline from the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology encourages operators of low-orbit constellations to begin commercial service trials and for telecom operators to integrate these satellite networks to expand internet coverage. This initiative is part of China’s broader strategy to build its ‘Guowang’ national satellite network, enhancing digital infrastructure, particularly in remote areas, and bolstering its strategic independence amid the ongoing technological competition with the US.
Bitcoin Asia Conference Kicks Off In Hong Kong Amid Crypto Hub Push
The Bitcoin Asia conference has commenced in Hong Kong, highlighting the city’s ambition to become a regulated global cryptocurrency hub, according to a report in the South China Morning Post. The event gathers experts to discuss Hong Kong’s potential to shape the international digital asset regulatory landscape. Key topics include leveraging corporate asset treasury holdings to build a wider crypto ecosystem and the need for global leadership in coordinating regulatory standards to mitigate financial risks while fostering innovation.
Nvidia In Talks With US To Sell Less Advanced Blackwell AI Chips To China
Nvidia is in discussions with the White House to secure permission for selling a modified, less powerful version of its next-generation Blackwell AI graphics processing unit (GPU) in China, the South China Morning Post said in a report. In a media interview on August 28, Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang confirmed that talks had commenced but stated they “will take a while.” This move comes as the company navigates stringent US export controls designed to prevent China from acquiring cutting-edge AI technology. The full-performance Blackwell chips are currently banned for sale to China under these regulations, forcing Nvidia to create compliant, de-tuned versions to maintain access to the significant Chinese market.
Chinese Victims Of Online Sexual Abuse Face Uphill Battle For Justice
An uproar over a large Telegram channel distributing non-consensual content of Chinese women, including revenge porn and hidden-camera videos, has exposed significant gaps in the country’s legal protections for victims of sexual abuse, according to a report in AP. Those affected face a difficult path to justice, hindered by ambiguous laws regarding ‘obscene materials’ which may not adequately address the non-consensual nature of the content. The situation is further complicated by a broader government crackdown on women’s rights activism in recent years, which has silenced advocates and created a climate of fear, making it harder for victims to seek help or for legal reforms to be pursued.
Famous Sikh Shrine Partially Submerged After Flooding In Pakistan
Heavy monsoon rains in Pakistan’s Punjab province have caused flooding that partially submerged a famous Sikh temple, according to a report in Al Jazeera. The event is part of a broader, severe monsoon season impacting the country, which has been exacerbated in recent years by climate change. This incident highlights the significant vulnerability of cultural and religious heritage sites to extreme weather, raising concerns for the global Sikh community and underscoring the ongoing challenges for Pakistan’s disaster management authorities in protecting both infrastructure and invaluable historical assets.
Nephew Of Equatorial Guinea's President Jailed For Embezzlement
A nephew of the president of Equatorial Guinea has been sentenced to eight years in prison on charges of embezzlement, BBC said in a report. The jailing of the high-profile official, who is part of the ruling family, follows his embroilment in a sex tape scandal. The conviction for embezzlement comes amid a backdrop of long-standing international scrutiny over corruption within the oil-rich nation’s leadership, which could impact foreign investment sentiment.
Tourist Filmed Pouring Beer On Elephant In Kenya Sparks Global Outrage And Investigation
Kenyan authorities have launched an investigation after a video showing a tourist pouring beer down an elephant’s trunk sparked widespread anger, according to a report in BBC. The footage, which was posted to Instagram and later deleted, drew immediate and strong condemnation from animal welfare organizations and the public. The Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) confirmed it is working to identify the individuals involved. The incident has raised concerns about the impact on Kenya’s reputation as an ethical wildlife tourism destination, and the perpetrator could face significant legal penalties, including heavy fines and imprisonment, under the country’s strict wildlife protection laws.
US Judge Rejects Saudi Arabia's Bid To Dismiss 9/11 Lawsuit
A US federal judge has rejected Saudi Arabia’s latest attempt to dismiss civil claims alleging the kingdom supported the hijackers in the September 11, 2001, attacks, AP said in a report. Judge George B. Daniels in New York ruled that while his decision was on jurisdictional grounds and not the merits of the case, the plaintiffs’ claims were legally sufficient to move forward. This development keeps the long-running lawsuit alive, potentially increasing diplomatic friction between the US and Saudi Arabia and exposing the kingdom to significant financial liability and reputational damage if the case proceeds through discovery and trial. The ruling reinforces the Justice Against Sponsors of Terrorism Act (JASTA), which allows such lawsuits against foreign states.
Commonwealth Fusion Systems Raises $863M From Nvidia, Google, And Bill Gates
Commonwealth Fusion Systems (CFS) has secured $863 million in a new funding round with participation from investors including Nvidia, Google, and Bill Gates’s Breakthrough Energy Ventures, according to a report in TechCrunch. This latest investment brings the company’s total capital raised to nearly $3 billion as it works to develop and commercialize a compact fusion power plant based on its proprietary high-temperature superconducting magnet technology. The funding is intended to accelerate the construction of its first commercial-scale reactor, named ARC, with the ambitious goal of beginning to supply electricity to the power grid in the early 2030s. The significant backing from major technology firms highlights growing private sector confidence in fusion as a viable, carbon-free energy source to meet future global power demands.
Microsoft Fires Two More Employees Over Protests Against Israeli Contracts
Microsoft has fired two more employees for their involvement in protests against the company’s cloud computing contracts with the Israeli government and military, The Verge says in a report. The employees, identified as Nisreen Jaradat and Julius Shan, were terminated in connection with demonstrations organized by the “No Azure for Apartheid” group at Microsoft’s headquarters. These firings follow the dismissal of two other employees after a protest inside the office of Microsoft President Brad Smith. The activist group has been protesting Microsoft’s involvement in Project Nimbus, a joint contract with Google for the Israeli government, throughout the year, leading to disruptions and arrests. Smith stated that Microsoft is investigating the use of its technology in Israel but condemned the protesters’ actions.
UNICEF Warns of Starvation and Violence for Children in Sudan's Al Fasher
Children in the besieged city of Al Fasher in Sudan’s North Darfur are confronting starvation and deadly violence, with UNICEF declaring the city an epicentre of child suffering, France 24 says in a report. After approximately 500 days since the broader conflict began, the intensified siege by the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) has trapped civilians and severely obstructed humanitarian aid. UNICEF’s Chief of Communication in Sudan, Eva Hinds, highlighted that daily life for children is marred by malnutrition, disease outbreaks, and violence. The crisis in Al Fasher is a critical flashpoint in Sudan’s civil war, which has created the world’s largest displacement crisis and pushed millions towards famine.
Former Entain Executives Charged In UK Bribery Probe
The UK’s Crown Prosecution Service has charged 11 individuals, including the former CEO and chairman of gambling group Entain, in connection with a bribery investigation linked to the company’s past activities in Turkey, as per a report in Financial Times. These charges follow Entain’s £585 million settlement in November 2023 through a Deferred Prosecution Agreement to resolve corporate liability for alleged bribery offenses at its former Turkish subsidiary, which was sold in 2017. The current legal action targets individuals, underscoring a focus by UK authorities on personal accountability for corporate misconduct.
