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Last Updated:July 31, 2025, 08:46 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
News18
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
US Sanctions Iranian Shipping Network Linked To Top Official's Son
The United States has imposed new sanctions on a shipping network allegedly controlled by Mohammad Hossein Shamkhani, the son of a senior adviser to Iran’s supreme leader, according to a report in Al Jazeera. The sanctions target a web of companies and vessels accused of facilitating illicit shipments of oil and petrochemicals to fund Iran’s military and the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). The action targets the family of Ali Shamkhani, a key adviser who previously served as the Secretary of Iran’s Supreme Security Council until May 2023. The US Treasury Department stated the sanctions were imposed under executive orders targeting support for terrorism and proliferation of weapons of mass destruction.
Guatemala Mounts Major Security Operation After Mexico Border Incursion
The Guatemalan town of La Mesilla continues to struggle economically nearly two months after Mexican state police entered the town and engaged in a shootout, AP said in a report. The border town, which relies on both legal and illegal commerce, has not returned to normal since the June incident. In response to the ongoing instability, more than 600 Guatemalan police and soldiers conducted nearly two dozen raids in the surrounding area on Wednesday to reassert control and combat alleged criminal activity.
UN Expert Condemns US Sanctions Rollback On Myanmar Regime Allies
A United Nations expert has publicly condemned a decision by the United States to ease sanctions on allies of the military regime in Myanmar, Al Jazeera says in a report. The move to roll back the sanctions reportedly occurred after Myanmar’s military chief sent a letter to current US President Donald Trump, in which he praised Trump’s leadership. This development marks a significant shift in US policy toward Myanmar, which has been under military rule since a coup in February 2021 overthrew the democratically elected government.
US Senate Rejects Bid To Block Arms Sale To Israel Amid Growing Opposition
The US Senate rejected an effort led by Senator Bernie Sanders to block the sale of bombs and automatic rifles to Israel, AP says in a report. The proposed resolutions, which aimed to stop a $675 million bomb sale and a shipment of 20,000 automatic assault rifles, failed to pass. However, the vote highlighted a growing political divide, with 27 Democratic senators voting to block the sale, a significant increase reflecting rising concern over Israel’s military conduct and the humanitarian crisis in Gaza. This legislative challenge occurs amid consistent pressure from some lawmakers to place conditions on US military aid to Israel.
Trump Says Ukrainian Refugees Can Likely Stay In US
US President Donald Trump has stated that Ukrainian war refugees will likely be allowed to remain in the country for the duration of the conflict, according to a report in Fox News. This statement follows a period of uncertainty where the administration was reportedly considering the removal of protections for Ukrainians in the US. The new position suggests a policy shift, aiming to provide stability for refugees who have fled the war.
Judge Orders Trump Administration To Explain Voice Of America Disruptions
A US federal judge has ordered the Trump administration to explain by August 13 why it has not complied with previous orders to restore full operations for Voice of America, a key instrument of US public diplomacy, as per a report in AP. The order from US District Judge Royce Lamberth of the District of Columbia stems from accusations that the administration is ignoring judicial directives and failing to clarify its actions toward the government-funded international news outlet. This legal challenge highlights significant political implications for US soft power, as the judge’s order notes that VOA has been ‘largely dark’ since March 2025, hampering its global mission.
Mass Cabinet Resignation In Costa Rica Aims For Congressional Majority
Six Cabinet ministers and the vice president of Costa Rica resigned on Wednesday, the final day of eligibility, to compete in the 2026 general election, according to a report in AP. The mass exodus is a strategic maneuver by President Rodrigo Chaves’s administration, aimed at positioning these high-profile officials to run for legislative seats and secure a congressional majority for his party. President Chaves, whose administration currently operates without a legislative majority, dismissed speculation that he might also step down to run. The resignations trigger a significant Cabinet reshuffle and signal the start of intensive political campaigning for the 2026 electoral cycle.
Global Governments Failing to Act on UN Pledge to Triple Renewables
Most global governments have failed to implement the 2023 UN pledge to triple the world’s renewable energy capacity by 2030, according to a report in The Guardian. An analysis by a climate thinktank indicates that on current trajectories, the world will significantly miss its clean energy goals. This failure ensures continued reliance on fossil fuels, which is incompatible with the internationally agreed-upon target of limiting global heating to below 1.5°C and exposes national economies to continued energy price volatility.
Malta And Canada To Recognize State Of Palestine In September
Malta and Canada announced on Wednesday their intention to formally recognize the state of Palestine in September, a move aimed at increasing diplomatic pressure for a resolution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, according to a report in AP. The announcement from Canada was made by Prime Minister Mark Carney, while Malta’s decision was communicated by Christopher Cutajar, the permanent secretary at the Foreign Ministry. This development signals a potential shift in foreign policy for both nations. While the report mentions France and the UK, neither has formally committed to recognition, though both have indicated it remains a future possibility.
Taiwan Accelerates Homegrown Drone Program To Deter Chinese Invasion
Taiwan is significantly expanding its indigenous drone capabilities as a central element of its asymmetric warfare strategy to deter a potential Chinese invasion, according to a report in Al Jazeera. This strategic shift, influenced by the effective use of drones in the Ukraine conflict, is part of Taipei’s broader ‘porcupine strategy’ designed to make any attack by China’s People’s Liberation Army (PLA) prohibitively costly. The focus on homegrown production aims to bolster self-sufficiency, reduce dependence on foreign military sales, and stimulate the local high-tech defense sector. However, despite the push, some defense analysts have raised concerns that the current scope and pace of the drone program may not be sufficient to fully counter the scale of the threat from Beijing.
Arab Nations Pressure Hamas To Disarm And Cede Power In Gaza
In a significant diplomatic shift, several Arab nations are publicly calling for Hamas to disarm, end the war, and relinquish control of Gaza to the Palestinian Authority, according to a report in Fox News. This unified demand marks a notable change in regional dynamics, aligning with international efforts to establish a stable, post-Hamas governance structure in the Strip. The move supports broader US-led initiatives that advocate for a reformed Palestinian Authority to govern Gaza as a step toward a two-state solution, though Hamas has historically rejected disarmament and the PA faces its own challenges with legitimacy and capacity.
