World News Live Updates: UN Expert Condemns US Sanctions Rollback On Myanmar Regime Allies

A growing number of musicians are cancelling performances at European festivals that have financial links to the private equity firm KKR, citing the firm’s investments in companies connected to Israel’s defense industry, Al Jazeera says in a report. This artist-led boycott is creating significant financial and reputational challenges for the affected festivals, forcing them to manage programming disruptions and re-evaluate sponsorship deals. The action places KKR under increased public and investor scrutiny, highlighting potential reputational risks associated with its investment portfolio, particularly in the defense and surveillance sectors. The boycotts are part of a broader trend of pro-Palestinian cultural activism, aligning with the objectives of the Boycott, Divestment, Sanctions (BDS) movement and intensifying pressure on corporations over their Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) responsibilities regarding investments in conflict-linked industries.

A 32-year-old Swedish man received a life sentence on Thursday for his role in the 2015 killing of Jordanian pilot 1st Lt. Mu’ath al-Kaseasbeh by the Islamic State militant group, AP said in a report. The conviction stems from the pilot’s capture after his F-16 fighter jet crashed near Raqqa, Syria, and his subsequent murder, which was used in IS propaganda. This legal outcome is part of a wider European trend of prosecuting citizens who traveled to join extremist groups, underscoring a long-term commitment to holding individuals accountable for terrorism and war crimes committed abroad.

Cuba has leased farmland to a foreign entity for the first time since all foreign-owned land was expropriated during the 1959 revolution, representing a significant policy change aimed at addressing chronic food shortages, Deutsche Welle says in a report. A Vietnamese company has secured the lease in a move intended to leverage foreign expertise to rescue the island’s struggling agricultural sector and reduce its heavy reliance on food imports. This development is a key step in Cuba’s broader, gradual economic liberalization and deepens the country’s strong economic ties with Vietnam, potentially serving as a model for future foreign investment in other critical areas of the Cuban economy.

A crucial energy deal for Germany, involving the annual supply of 2 million tons of liquefied natural gas (LNG) from Qatar for at least 15 years starting in 2026, is now under threat, according to a report in Deutsche Welle. The risk stems from the European Union’s new Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive (CSDDD), which mandates stringent human rights and environmental checks on supply chains. Critics of the directive argue that its implementation is excessively costly and bureaucratic. This development poses a significant challenge to Germany’s energy security, as the Qatari deal is a key component of its strategy to diversify away from Russian gas, and could lead Qatar to prioritize sales to less-regulated markets.

Foreign spies have a significant interest in the AUKUS submarine deal and are targeting Australian defence employees, including public servants and private contractors, who are working on the nation’s nuclear-powered submarine capabilities, The Guardian says in a report. Mike Burgess, the Director-General of the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation (ASIO), stated that his agency has disrupted 24 major espionage and foreign interference operations in the past three years. He highlighted that spies are exploiting vulnerabilities, such as employees posting sensitive career details on professional networking sites like LinkedIn, to steal government data and gain access to restricted information.

Meta is signaling a potential pivot in its artificial intelligence strategy, suggesting its future, most advanced ‘superintelligence’ models may remain proprietary, as per a report in TechCrunch. This marks a notable change from the company’s historical advocacy for open-sourcing its AI, such as the Llama model series, which significantly contributed to the open-source community. The move is viewed as a strategic decision to maintain control over the safety, development, and commercialization of its most powerful AI systems. This allows Meta to manage potential risks directly and secure a competitive advantage in the intensifying AI race, potentially altering the dynamics of the open-source ecosystem which has relied on access to such advanced models.

The 10th Kubuqi International Desert Forum is scheduled to take place in Ordos, China, from September 8-9, 2025, AP says in a report. Themed “Scientific Desertification Control, Green Development,” the event will serve as an international platform for desertification prevention and control. It is expected to host government officials and delegates from international bodies, including the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and the Secretariat of the UN Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD), to discuss strategies for ecological restoration and sustainable development.

Pope Francis has decided to declare the 19th-century Anglican convert Cardinal John Henry Newman a ‘doctor’ of the church, one of its highest honors, according to a report in AP. The Vatican confirmed the decision was made during an audience on Thursday with Cardinal Marcello Semeraro, the prefect of the Dicastery for the Causes of Saints. The title recognizes Newman’s profound theological contributions and is bestowed upon saints of particular significance. Newman, who was canonized as a saint in 2019, remains an influential and unifying figure for both the Catholic and Anglican churches.

A Delta jet traveling from Salt Lake City to Amsterdam was diverted to Minneapolis after hitting severe turbulence, resulting in injuries to dozens of passengers and crew, Deutsche Welle said in a report. Following the incident, some of those injured were transported to the hospital for medical treatment.

Myanmar’s military junta has announced the end of the country’s state of emergency in preparation for a planned election in December, The Guardian says in a report. The state of emergency had been in effect since the military deposed the civilian government of Aung San Suu Kyi in February 2021, an event that triggered a widespread civil war. The planned election has been widely criticized by international observers and is being boycotted by opposition groups, who have described it as a fraudulent attempt to legitimize military rule. This development occurs amid ongoing conflict where the junta has faced significant territorial losses to a coalition of ethnic armed groups and pro-democracy forces.

The United States and Pakistan have reached a trade agreement that will facilitate US assistance in developing Pakistan’s largely untapped oil reserves and lower tariffs for the South Asian country, AP said in a report. Officials from both nations confirmed the deal on Thursday but did not specify where the exploration would occur. Most of Pakistan’s oil reserves are believed to be in the southwestern province of Balochistan, a region historically impacted by insurgency and grievances over resource exploitation by the central government in Islamabad.

China and the US are engaging in a strategic competition for global AI leadership by pursuing divergent paths, as per a report in The Washington Post. Beijing is implementing its ‘AI+’ national strategy, which emphasizes integrating AI into traditional industries like manufacturing and healthcare to boost economic productivity and transformation. This application-focused approach contrasts with the US strategy, which has prioritized the development of advanced, cutting-edge foundational models, exemplified by the boom in generative AI from major American tech firms. The rivalry is underscored by US export controls on advanced semiconductors aimed at hindering China’s progress, which has in turn fueled China’s drive for technological self-sufficiency. These differing strategies could result in two distinct global AI ecosystems, carrying significant implications for economic leadership, national security, and the future of technology governance.

Tropical Storm Gil has formed in the eastern Pacific Ocean and is not expected to threaten land as it strengthens, AP says in a report. According to the US National Hurricane Center, the storm is located approximately 785 miles south-southwest of Mexico’s Baja California peninsula with maximum sustained winds of 45 mph, moving west at 15 mph. Gil is forecast to become a hurricane on Friday while remaining over open water, and no coastal watches or warnings are in effect.

US Senator Roger Wicker is reportedly planning a visit to Taiwan, a development that follows the cancellation of a Latin America trip by Taiwanese President William Lai Ching-te, Al Jazeera said in a report. The potential visit by Wicker, a ranking member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, is seen as a significant gesture of US congressional support for Taiwan. This comes amid reports suggesting a cooling of interest in Taiwan from the administration of US President Donald Trump, although this has not been confirmed as an official policy shift.

Thailand’s military announced it will repatriate 20 Cambodian soldiers detained after recent border clashes, Al Jazeera said in a report. The return is contingent on the completion of unspecified ‘legal procedures’ by Thai authorities. The incident is similar to a past event in December 2023, when Thai authorities detained 19 Cambodian soldiers in Sa Kaeo province following a border clash.

Police in Macau have arrested prominent pro-democracy figure and former legislator Au Kam San, accusing him of being in contact with an unnamed ‘anti-China organisation abroad’ since 2022, Al Jazeera said in a report. This development is viewed as an assertive application of Macau’s 2009 national security law and mirrors broader crackdowns on dissent seen in Hong Kong. The arrest of a long-standing democrat like Au Kam San is expected to stifle political activism in the city and has raised international concerns over the erosion of autonomy promised under the ‘One Country, Two Systems’ framework.

Germany’s development aid budget is expected to drop below €10 billion in 2024, marking the first time it has fallen to this level since 2018, Deutsche Welle said in a report. The reduction is a direct consequence of a November 2023 Constitutional Court ruling that created a significant budget shortfall, forcing widespread austerity measures. These cuts mean Germany will likely fall short of the international commitment to spend 0.7% of its Gross National Income on development assistance. Aid organizations have expressed alarm, warning that the reduced funding will negatively impact critical humanitarian projects globally and could diminish Germany’s international standing and influence.

UK-based energy major Shell reported a one-third plunge in profits, driven by weaker global oil and gas prices compared to the record highs of previous years, according to a report in the Financial Times. The company’s chief executive described the market as ‘challenging on all fronts,’ citing a combination of factors including slowing economic growth in key regions like China and Europe, which has tempered energy demand. The results highlight the impact of price volatility and moderated global demand on the profitability of major energy producers, even as they navigate large-scale investments into energy transition projects.

An overnight Russian missile and drone attack on Ukraine’s capital, Kyiv, has resulted in at least six deaths, including a child, and 52 injuries, AP says in a report. According to Tymur Tkachenko, head of the Kyiv City Military Administration, a nine-story residential building was struck, causing a large section to collapse. Rescue teams are currently searching for individuals who may be trapped under the rubble, and authorities have indicated that the number of casualties is likely to increase.

An LGBTQ+ cafe in Berlin, Das Hoven, has been subjected to a sustained campaign of hate crimes over the last year and a half, as per a report in AP. The cafe’s owner, Danjel Zarte, has reported a series of incidents that have led to 45 pending criminal investigations. The attacks range from verbal and physical assaults on staff and patrons to property damage, including broken windows, and being defaced with feces and swastika graffiti. These events reflect a broader trend of rising anti-LGBTQ+ violence in Germany, often linked to far-right extremism, and highlight the vulnerability of designated safe spaces for the community.

Iran has stipulated that the US must agree to compensation for economic damages resulting from its 2018 withdrawal from the nuclear deal before any new talks can commence, according to a report in the Financial Times. Former lead nuclear negotiator Abbas Araghchi stated that the “road to negotiation is narrow,” outlining the demand as a key condition for renewing diplomacy. This stance complicates efforts to revive the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), as Iran continues to expand its nuclear program with uranium enrichment far exceeding the 2015 deal’s limits. The demand for compensation is tied to the severe economic impact of the “maximum pressure” sanctions campaign, which remains largely in place and continues to strain Iran’s economy.

The US Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) has upgraded its legal attaché office in Wellington, New Zealand, to bolster its capacity to counter China’s regional influence and combat international crime, Al Jazeera said in a report. The enhanced office will expand the FBI’s operational scope to include oversight of several Pacific Island nations. This move is part of a broader US strategy to increase its diplomatic and security presence in the Indo-Pacific and strengthen law enforcement cooperation on transnational threats.

A group of former NATO insiders has leveled criticism against the alliance, alleging that its current restructuring efforts are being shaped to reflect the priorities of US President Donald Trump, according to a report in Deutsche Welle. These accusations suggest a shift in the alliance’s direction driven by US political influence rather than collective security needs. In response, current NATO officials have rejected these claims, insisting that the ongoing organizational changes are independent, long-planned, and necessary adaptations to the evolving global security environment.

At least six people, including a 6-year-old boy, were killed and 52 others were injured after Russia launched a missile and drone attack on Kyiv overnight, as per a report in AP. Ukrainian authorities stated that a nine-story residential building was struck, causing a large part of it to collapse. Kyiv City Military Administration head Tymur Tkachenko confirmed the casualty numbers and noted that rescue teams were on the scene searching for people trapped under the rubble.

Global strategies for earthquake preparedness demonstrate that while the geological events are natural, the scale of disaster can be significantly reduced through human action, according to a report in Deutsche Welle. Recent major earthquakes have provided starkly different outcomes; the 2024 quakes in Japan and Taiwan highlighted the life-saving efficacy of advanced early warning systems, strict building codes, and public preparedness drills. This contrasts with the devastating 2023 Turkey-Syria earthquakes, where failures in building code enforcement led to immense casualties. The global focus, underscored by frameworks like the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction, is shifting towards proactive measures, including investment in resilient infrastructure, AI-powered seismic sensors, and community-level preparedness to transform unavoidable natural hazards into manageable events.

More than 50 children undertook the perilous swim from Morocco to reach the Spanish autonomous city of Ceuta, a recent event that underscores the persistent migratory pressures on the European Union’s southern frontier, CNN says in a report. This incident places a significant strain on the reception facilities and social services within the Spanish enclave and reflects the broader diplomatic tensions between Spain and Morocco, where migration flows are often a point of political leverage. The dangerous crossing, part of a larger pattern of irregular migration, puts the children at severe humanitarian risk and recalls the major migratory crisis of May 2021, when thousands of migrants entered Ceuta over a few days.

An exhumation process has begun at a mass grave in Tuam, Ireland, on the site of a former mother and baby home run by the Bon Secours Sisters, an order of Catholic nuns, as per a report in AP. The site is believed to contain the remains of nearly 800 infants and young children, with some found in a defunct septic tank, a discovery that has highlighted a dark chapter in the nation’s history. This event is part of a broader national reckoning with the systemic neglect and high mortality rates that occurred in such church-run, state-funded institutions. The Irish government’s 2021 Commission of Investigation report confirmed widespread issues, leading to a formal state apology and the establishment of a redress scheme for survivors.

Following a major 8.8 magnitude earthquake off a Russian peninsula that triggered Pacific-wide tsunami warnings, false claims circulated on social media that Oprah Winfrey had blocked a private road in Maui, hindering evacuations, The Guardian said in a report. These reports, which spread on platforms like X and TikTok, contended Winfrey refused or was slow to open her road to the public. The claims have been confirmed as false, marking an instance of misinformation targeting a public figure during a crisis.

Chinese government and military scientists are developing a range of strategies to counter what Beijing views as a threat from Elon Musk’s Starlink satellite constellation, according to a report in AP. The research, which has significant implications for the global space economy and security, proposes various methods including theoretical concepts like using stealth submarines with space-shooting lasers, sabotaging the system’s supply chain, and deploying custom-built attack satellites. Beijing’s strategic concerns have been amplified by Starlink’s effective use in providing communications for Ukraine, highlighting the technology’s dual-use military capabilities and its potential to disrupt traditional defense and communication sectors, fueling a broader trend of space militarization among global powers.

Saudi Arabia has launched the Middle East’s first all-female sea ranger corps within the Prince Mohammed bin Salman Royal Reserve, as per a report in The Times of India. The new unit will be responsible for patrolling the Reserve’s Red Sea coastline to protect its diverse marine ecosystems. This initiative is a significant step under the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 framework, which aims to increase women’s participation in the workforce and advance national environmental goals. The creation of the corps highlights Saudi Arabia’s dual commitment to gender inclusion in non-traditional roles and the preservation of its natural heritage.

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 National 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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 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.

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.