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South Korean Opposition Leader Proposes Restoring 2018 Military Pact with North Korea
South Korea’s opposition leader has proposed reviving the 2018 military agreement with North Korea to reduce tensions and promote dialogue. The Comprehensive Military Agreement, signed during a period of détente, aimed to prevent military clashes along the border and included measures like halting military drills near the demilitarized zone. The proposal comes amid stalled inter-Korean relations and increasing North Korean provocations, with the opposition arguing that restoring the pact could pave the way for renewed diplomacy. However, the current South Korean government has expressed skepticism, citing North Korea’s recent missile tests and lack of commitment to past agreements.
[](https://www.news18.com/world/world-news-update-18-08-2025-alpha-liveblog-9511035.html) -
Pakistan Floods Leave Over 150 Missing, Death Toll Surpasses 300
Devastating flash floods in Pakistan, particularly in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, have left at least 150 people missing, with the nationwide death toll exceeding 344. Triggered by torrential rains, the floods have caused widespread destruction, damaging infrastructure and agriculture across multiple provinces, including Balochistan and Sindh. The disaster has displaced millions, creating a humanitarian crisis with urgent needs for shelter, food, and medical aid. Rescue operations face significant challenges due to damaged infrastructure, and the economic impact is expected to exacerbate food insecurity and inflation, highlighting Pakistan’s vulnerability to climate change-driven extreme weather.
[](https://www.news18.com/world/world-news-update-18-08-2025-alpha-liveblog-9511035.html) -
Serbian Protests Defy Government Crackdown Threats
Thousands of protesters gathered peacefully in Belgrade and other Serbian cities, defying President Aleksandar Vucic’s threats of a crackdown following days of anti-government riots. The demonstrations demand the release of those detained during recent unrest and reflect growing public discontent with Vucic’s increasingly autocratic rule. Critics argue that his policies threaten democratic freedoms and Serbia’s EU integration path. The protests, reported to be incident-free, signal ongoing political instability, raising concerns about Serbia’s governance and its relations with the European Union.
[](https://www.news18.com/world/world-news-update-18-08-2025-alpha-liveblog-9511035.html) -
Israeli Military Unit Accused of Smearing Gaza Journalists
An Israeli-Palestinian investigation alleges that a special Israeli military unit, established post the October 7, 2023, Hamas attack, has been targeting Gaza journalists by labeling them as Hamas fighters to justify attacks on media personnel. The “legitimisation cell,” as uncovered by +972 Magazine and Local Call, aims to mitigate global outrage over journalist killings in the conflict. This revelation has sparked international concern about press freedom and the safety of journalists in conflict zones, with calls for accountability and protection for media workers.
[](https://www.news18.com/world/world-news-update-18-08-2025-alpha-liveblog-9511035.html) -
Iraq Excavates Islamic State Mass Grave
Iraqi authorities have begun excavating a mass grave at the al-Khafsa sinkhole south of Mosul, a site used by the Islamic State for executions during their control a decade ago. The operation, involving forensic teams and the Martyrs’ Foundation, aims to identify victims and document IS atrocities for legal accountability. This effort is a significant step toward providing closure to families of the thousands believed to have been killed and addressing the legacy of IS violence in Iraq.
[](https://www.news18.com/world/world-news-update-18-08-2025-alpha-liveblog-9511035.html) -
Air Canada Suspends Operations Amid Union Dispute
Air Canada has halted its planned restart of operations after its flight attendant union defied a government-mandated return-to-work order. The labor dispute, affecting 10,000 flight attendants, has disrupted travel for approximately 130,000 passengers daily. The Canada Industrial Relations Board’s intervention failed to resolve the standoff, with the airline now delaying operations until Monday evening. This conflict underscores ongoing tensions in the aviation sector and poses financial and logistical challenges for Canada’s largest carrier.
[](https://www.news18.com/world/world-news-update-18-08-2025-alpha-liveblog-9511035.html) -
Qatar Mediates Peace Talks Between DR Congo and M23 Rebels
Qatari mediators have presented a draft peace deal to the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and the M23 rebel group, with negotiations set to continue in Doha. The conflict in North Kivu has displaced over one million people and strained DRC-Rwanda relations, with UN experts accusing Rwanda of backing M23. Qatar’s involvement marks a high-level attempt to resolve a crisis where previous regional peace efforts have faltered, aiming to de-escalate tensions and address the humanitarian crisis.
[](https://www.news18.com/world/world-news-update-18-08-2025-alpha-liveblog-9511035.html) -
Hurricane Erin Weakens to Category 3, Threatens Caribbean Islands
Hurricane Erin, downgraded to a Category 3 storm, continues to impact the Caribbean, lashing Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands with heavy rain and strong winds. Its expanded size has prompted tropical storm warnings for the Turks and Caicos Islands and the southeast Bahamas. While a direct hit on the US East Coast is unlikely, the storm’s growth could cause dangerous rip currents. Forecasters are monitoring its northward turn, which will determine its future path and potential impacts.
[](https://x.com/AP/status/1957305332146798717)[](https://www.news18.com/world/world-news-update-18-08-2025-alpha-liveblog-9511035.html) -
Israel Prepares to Displace 1 Million in Gaza City
The Israeli military’s plan to forcibly displace 1 million people from Gaza City as part of a new offensive has raised international alarm and caused widespread fear among Palestinians. The operation aims to seize control of Gaza’s largest urban center, following recent attacks that killed at least 40 people, including those in humanitarian aid zones. The move has drawn criticism as a potential violation of international law, with concerns about the humanitarian impact on an already beleaguered population.
[](https://www.news18.com/world/world-news-update-18-08-2025-alpha-liveblog-9511035.html) -
US Pushes for Ukraine-Russia Peace Concessions
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has called for concessions from both Russia and Ukraine to achieve a peace agreement, emphasizing that surrender is not an option for either side. This follows a summit in Alaska between Presidents Trump and Putin, which yielded little progress. European leaders and Ukrainian President Zelensky are set to meet Trump in Washington to discuss security guarantees for Ukraine, amid ongoing Russian territorial demands and escalating violence, including a recent attack in Kharkiv that killed three, including a toddler.
[](https://www.news18.com/world/world-news-update-18-08-2025-alpha-liveblog-9511035.html)[](https://www.fdd.org/overnight-brief/august-18-2025/)[](https://indianexpress.com/article/india/latest-news-today-live-updates-world-india-cities-news-delhi-mumbai-bengaluru-08-18-2025-news-headlines-10195482/)