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Last Updated:August 08, 2025, 17:15 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.
Ukraine's Conscription Crisis Worsens Amid Allegations Of Abuse
Ukraine is grappling with a severe conscription crisis as it struggles to replenish its forces, with allegations of abusive and harsh methods by recruitment officials leading to public backlash, protests, and an increase in men attempting to flee the country, Al Jazeera says in a report. The intensified mobilization efforts, driven by a new law that lowered the conscription age to 25 and introduced stricter penalties for evasion, are a response to significant manpower shortages on the front lines. However, reports of officials forcibly detaining men on the street have fueled the crisis, creating significant social tension and human rights concerns that could impact military morale and Ukraine’s ability to sustain its defense effort.
Abidjan Converts Former Landfill Into Major Urban Park
Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire, is preparing to open the new Akouedo Park, which has transformed a large, hazardous landfill into a public green space, according to a report in France 24. This project addresses significant environmental and public health issues previously caused by the landfill, including pollution and contamination. The initiative is part of a broader global movement where cities are regenerating former industrial or waste sites into valuable community assets, reflecting a strategic shift towards sustainable urban development. The transformation turns a significant environmental liability into an economic asset, potentially boosting local property values and creating a model for attracting international investment for similar large-scale environmental remediation projects across Africa.
Japan Sets December Deadline For Apple To Open iPhone To Rival Browser Engines
Japanese regulators have set a December deadline for Apple to lift restrictions on third-party browser engines on iPhones, as per a report in The Verge. New guidelines related to Japan’s Smartphone Act explicitly prevent Apple from imposing ‘unreasonable technical restrictions’ or ‘excessive financial burdens’ on developers who choose to use alternatives to Apple’s WebKit engine. The move is designed to avoid a repeat of the situation in the European Union, where Apple’s implementation of the Digital Markets Act was criticized for effectively preventing competitors like Google’s Chrome with its Blink engine from launching on iOS. The Japanese rules also prohibit Apple from steering users away from software that uses alternative browser engines.
Jailed Australian Lawmaker Resigns To Avoid Expulsion From Parliament
Gareth Ward, an independent member of parliament in Australia’s New South Wales state, has resigned from his seat while in jail awaiting sentencing for sex crimes, as per a report in AP. The resignation occurred on Friday, just before the state parliament was scheduled to vote on his expulsion. Ward was convicted by a jury in July for sex crimes against two young men but had previously refused to step down, prompting his former colleagues to initiate the ouster proceedings. His resignation averts the formal expulsion vote and now triggers a by-election for his electorate of Kiama.
Flash Floods In Northwestern China Kill 10, 33 Missing
At least 10 people have been killed and 33 others are missing following severe flash floods in northwestern China, AP says in a report. The casualty figures were announced by Chinese state media, which reported on the natural disaster occurring in the country’s northwestern region.
Indonesia To Treat 2,000 Wounded Gazans On Galang Island
Indonesia plans to convert a medical facility on the currently uninhabited Galang island to treat about 2,000 wounded residents from Gaza, The Guardian says in a report. A presidential spokesperson, Hasan Nasbi, confirmed the plan in Jakarta, stating that the medical assistance is for “victims of war, those who are wounded, buried under debris.” The initiative is described as a temporary humanitarian measure, with the explicit intention that all patients will return to Gaza after receiving treatment.
China Warns Philippines Over Remarks On Taiwan Amid Rising Tensions
China has issued a stern warning to the Philippines, urging Manila to stop “playing with fire” on the Taiwan issue, as per a report in Al Jazeera. The warning from Beijing came in response to recent comments by Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., who stated that the Philippines would inevitably be “involved” in any potential conflict over Taiwan. Marcos cited the country’s geographical proximity and the presence of approximately 150,000 Filipino workers in Taiwan as reasons for the unavoidable spillover. The statement from China escalates diplomatic tensions amid ongoing friction in the South China Sea and increased defense cooperation between the Philippines and the US.
Heavy Rains and Landslides Hit Southern Japan
Heavy rainfall has struck Japan’s southern island of Kyushu, leading to significant flooding and multiple landslides, as per a report in AP. The country’s Fire and Disaster Management Agency has issued the highest-level warnings and evacuation advisories for more than 360,000 residents in Kagoshima prefecture and surrounding areas. In Aira city, a mudslide hit a house, burying two people who were subsequently rescued alive and transported to a hospital.
Tokyo's Nikkei Jumps Nearly 2% As US-Japan Tariff Discrepancy Is Resolved
Most Asian shares were lower on Friday, with the notable exception of Tokyo’s Nikkei 225, which spiked by nearly 2% after Japanese officials announced the resolution of a tariff issue with the US, according to a report in AP. The surge in the Japanese market followed confirmation from Japan’s main trade envoy that the US side had agreed to correct a discrepancy where newly applied tariffs on Japanese goods did not align with a previously agreed-upon 15% level. While the Nikkei 225 saw significant gains on the news, it later trimmed some of those gains.
US Vice President Vance to Meet UK Shadow Foreign Secretary Lammy
US Vice President J D Vance is scheduled to meet with UK Shadow Foreign Secretary David Lammy on Friday at Chevening, the official country residence of the UK’s foreign secretary, AP says in a report. The talks are set to take place before Vance begins a personal family vacation in the Cotswolds. The report notes that Vance and Lammy, who hold different political views, have established a personal connection rooted in their similar challenging childhoods.
Canada Murders Spark Calls To Label Bishnoi Gang A Terror Group
Recent murders in Canada have prompted calls to officially label the Bishnoi gang, a criminal syndicate from India, as a terrorist group, as per a report in Al Jazeera. The calls intensify as Canadian officials have accused the gang of working for the government of India, an allegation that comes amid already strained diplomatic relations. This tension dates back to 2023 allegations made by then-Prime Minister Justin Trudeau regarding the assassination of a Sikh leader. The Bishnoi gang has previously claimed responsibility for other killings in Canada, and designating it a terror group would grant Canadian law enforcement enhanced powers to disrupt its operations.
Ukrainian Woman Survives Nine-Story Fall After Russian Missile Hits Residential Building
The story of Veronika Osintseva, a Ukrainian woman who survived a nine-story fall after a Russian missile destroyed her apartment building, has gained national attention as a symbol of resilience, according to a report in The New York Times. The incident is part of a broader pattern of Russian forces targeting civilian infrastructure, which has significant economic implications due to widespread destruction. Such events often reinforce international arguments for sustained military and financial aid to Ukraine and contribute to the body of evidence for war crimes investigations. Stories of individual survival play a crucial role in maintaining morale among a Ukrainian population facing a prolonged conflict.
Indian Chess Prodigy Praggnanandhaa Targets Top World Ranking Amid Dominance
Indian chess prodigy Rameshbabu Praggnanandhaa, ranked among the world’s top players, has stated his ambition to become the world champion and achieve the number one ranking, AP says in a report. This goal underscores India’s emergence as a dominant force in international chess, with several players, including Praggnanandhaa and Arjun Erigaisi, in the elite ranks, and Gukesh D positioned as the official challenger for the World Championship title. Praggnanandhaa’s potential was previously highlighted by his notable victories in 2022 against Magnus Carlsen, who was the reigning world champion at the time. The collective success of these young grandmasters signals a significant shift in the global chess landscape, challenging the historical dominance of European and Russian players and boosting India’s international standing in the sport.
Japanese Warships Make Historic Visit To New Zealand After Nearly 90 Years
Two Japanese destroyers, the JS Ise and JS Suzunami, with over 500 crew members, arrived in Wellington, New Zealand, on Friday, marking the first such naval visit to the capital in nearly 90 years, AP said in a report. The visit, part of a broader Indo-Pacific deployment that included recent military exercises in Sydney, is a significant step in Tokyo’s efforts to strengthen strategic partnerships in the region. This aligns with Japan’s ‘Free and Open Indo-Pacific’ strategy, which aims to promote regional stability and build a network of security partnerships to address evolving geopolitical challenges, including China’s expanding influence in the South Pacific.
Myanmar Military Using European Anti-Jamming Technology For Drones, Report Finds
Myanmar’s military is equipping its drone fleet with advanced European-made anti-jamming technology to enhance its aerial campaigns, The Guardian says in a report. Research from Conflict Armament Research (CAR) indicates the junta obtained the critical technology through a Chinese company, circumventing existing international sanctions. This revelation has prompted calls to tighten sanctions and export controls on dual-use goods to prevent them from reaching the Myanmar military, which has been widely condemned for its attacks on civilians.
CAIR Urges US To Probe Death Of Palestinian Man In Israeli Settler Attack
The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) has called on the Trump administration to launch an investigation into the killing of a Palestinian father during an attack by an Israeli settler in the West Bank, as per a report in Al Jazeera. The US-based Muslim advocacy group is pointing to specific legal statutes that it says provide the authority for the US to probe the incident.
Cambodia Nominates Donald Trump for Nobel Peace Prize Citing Thai Border Truce
Cambodia has nominated US President Donald Trump for the Nobel Peace Prize, crediting him for brokering a border truce with neighboring Thailand, as per a report in Al Jazeera. The nomination was reportedly made to recognize what the Cambodian government described as Trump’s “visionary diplomacy” in mediating the agreement.
Heavy Rain Slams Southern Japan, Triggering Floods And Mudslides
Torrential rain on the southern Japanese island of Kyushu has triggered floods and landslides, prompting officials to issue the highest-level warnings and evacuation advisories for over 360,000 residents, according to a report in AP. A mudslide in Aira city, located in the Kagoshima prefecture, struck a house and buried two individuals who were subsequently rescued and hospitalized. Japan’s Fire and Disaster Management Agency issued the evacuation advisories for people in Kagoshima and neighboring areas as the heavy rain continues to pound the region.
US Doubles Reward To $50 Million For Arrest Of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro
The Trump administration has increased the reward for the arrest of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro to $50 million, accusing him of leading a narco-trafficking operation that floods the US with fentanyl-laced cocaine, as per a report in AP. The announcement was made in a video statement. The US government alleges Maduro works with cartels and has previously indicted him on narco-terrorism charges in a Manhattan federal court.
Outrage In South Africa After Accused In Pig Farm Murders Walks Free
Public outrage has erupted in South Africa after a man accused in the murder of two Black women was set free, according to a report in BBC. The accused, Adrian de Wet, claimed he was forced to throw the women’s bodies into a pig enclosure. The court’s decision has led to significant public dissatisfaction and has placed the South African justice system under intense scrutiny, raising concerns about the rule of law, racial tensions, and the handling of violent crime in the country.
World Cosplay Summit In Japan To Move From Summer Starting In 2027
Beginning in 2027, the annual World Cosplay Summit (WCS) in Nagoya will no longer be held during the summer to protect participants from extreme heat, The Japan Times said in a report. The international event, which attracts thousands of cosplayers from around the world in often elaborate costumes, is shifting its schedule as a proactive measure for participant safety. This move reflects a broader trend of major Japanese events adapting to rising temperatures and has significant logistical and economic implications for organizers, international attendees, and local businesses in Nagoya, who will need to adjust to a new event calendar.
Greece To Develop Domestic Drone Industry Under €30 Billion Defense Plan
Greece plans to mass-produce indigenous drone and anti-drone systems as part of a comprehensive €30 billion program aimed at modernizing its armed forces by 2036, The Japan Times said in a report. This strategic shift from being a defense importer to a producer is driven by geopolitical tensions in the Eastern Mediterranean and lessons from the war in Ukraine. The initiative is a key component of a wider, multi-year upgrade of Greece’s military capabilities and aligns with the European Union’s push for greater strategic autonomy and a stronger collective defense industry.
Satellite Images Reveal Surge in Rare Earth Mining in Rebel-Held Myanmar
Satellite imagery has identified a significant increase in rare earth mining operations in rebel-controlled areas of Myanmar, with at least 26 new or expanded mines located near the Chinese border and two near Thailand, according to a report in Al Jazeera. This surge is driven by high global demand for rare earths, which are crucial for high-tech industries. The unregulated mining operations are a major source of funding for armed groups involved in Myanmar’s ongoing civil war, which has intensified since the 2021 military coup. The activity raises significant concerns about severe environmental degradation, the displacement of local communities, and the ethical complexities of global mineral supply chains, particularly for China, a primary consumer of these resources.
US Imposes 15% Reciprocal Tariff On Most Japanese Goods
The United States has implemented a 15% ‘reciprocal’ tariff on most goods imported from Japan, The Japan Times says in a report. A key point of contention remains as the two countries have not yet agreed on the methodology for calculating the tariff, creating uncertainty for businesses and complicating compliance. While the specific goods covered under ‘most goods’ have not been fully detailed, the automotive sector has historically been a primary focus of US-Japan trade disputes.
