Israel Calls Up 60,000 Reservists, Plans Major Gaza City Offense Amid Ceasefire Talks – 8/21/2025, 12:25:08 PM

The latest world news as of August 21, 2025, includes major developments in international conflict, weather events, politics, and economic policy.

• Israel approved a plan to conquer Gaza City and called up around 60,000 reservists, escalating its military campaign against Hamas as mediators continue to push for a ceasefire[1][4].
• Russia launched ‘massive’ strikes on Ukraine, and Ukraine continues to use advanced drones and cruise missiles to strike targets deep inside Russian territory[2][4].
• Hurricane Erin, a Category 2 storm, is threatening flooding from Florida up through New England, with forecasters warning that it could intensify further[2].
• China is considering the use of yuan-backed stablecoins to boost the global adoption of its currency, marking a potential major shift in its digital asset policy[2].
• Donald Trump’s White House launched an official TikTok account, despite ongoing debates over a potential ban of the app due to national security concerns[1].
• Afghanistan, China, and Pakistan held a trilateral meeting in Kabul to discuss regional cooperation and review previous agreements[1].
• Chinese President Xi Jinping visited Lhasa, Tibet, marking the 60th anniversary of Tibet’s status as an autonomous region[1].
• International legal and political developments: New Zealand sentenced a soldier to prison for attempted espionage; Norwegian royalty’s son charged with rape; German authorities charged a man with planning a potential embassy attack[4].
• Russia claims its oil trade with India will not be affected by U.S. tariffs imposed by the Trump administration[3].
• Ukraine’s cruise missile program advances, with the “Flamingo” missile making headlines for its role in recent strikes[2].
• Notable U.S. legal case: Lyle and Erik Menendez, convicted of killing their parents in the 1990s, are up for parole after more than 35 years in prison[2].
• In sports: Shreyas Iyer will replace Rohit Sharma as India’s ODI cricket captain[3].

These headlines represent a cross-section of significant global events as of August 21, 2025.