Top news clusters today

A 7.4-magnitude earthquake struck western Colombia, centered in Chocó. The disaster has caused hundreds of deaths and injuries, widespread building collapses, and prompted a national state of emergency.

The Strait of Hormuz remains a flashpoint as the U.S. claims full control while Iran maintains a blockade. Recent maritime attacks and reduced shipping traffic have driven up global oil prices.

The UAE accused Iran of attacking two ADNOC vessels in the Strait of Hormuz on August 13. No injuries were reported, but the incident has heightened regional tensions and disrupted vital shipping traffic.

A Syrian court has sentenced former President Bashar al-Assad to death in absentia for crimes against humanity and war crimes. His brother Maher and cousin Atef Najib also received death sentences.

The US is threatening unprecedented economic isolation and an indefinite naval blockade of Iranian ports, causing significant volatility in global oil markets and concerns over energy supply stability.

Iran refuses to reopen the Strait of Hormuz without the lifting of sanctions and war reparations, prompting President Trump to demand compensation for decades of Iranian-linked damages and casualties.

NOAA and other agencies warn that the current El Niño could be the strongest since 1950, with a 69% chance of historic intensity and a high probability of extreme weather through 2026 and 2027.

The Ebola outbreak in the DR Congo, caused by the rare Bundibugyo strain, is spreading at record speeds, with over 2,000 deaths and 4,400 cases reported as it threatens to become the deadliest in history.

The U.S. and Iran are engaged in a heated dispute over control of the Strait of Hormuz, with President Trump claiming total U.S. dominance while Iranian military leaders reject the claims as lies.

Turkey's Parliament has passed a landmark law aimed at achieving a 'Terror-free Turkey' by allowing potential sentence suspensions for certain PKK members if the group disarms and dissolves.

A major cyberattack on medical software provider MyDr has leaked sensitive data of nearly 19 million Poles, including PESEL numbers and medical records, prompting urgent government warnings to freeze PESEL IDs.

Benjamin Netanyahu has rejected Donald Trump’s 15-point Gaza peace plan, insisting that the Israeli military will not withdraw until Hamas is genuinely and completely disarmed.

Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and Pakistan signed the Mecca Joint Defence Agreement on August 7, 2026, establishing a collective defense pact where an attack on one is an attack on all.

Turkey's Parliament passed a landmark law to facilitate the disbandment of the PKK, establishing a framework for weapon surrender and militant reintegration aimed at achieving a ‘Terror-free Turkey’.

Copernicus reports record-breaking July 2026 temperatures, with extra-polar ocean temperatures hitting 20.96°C and Western Europe experiencing its warmest June-July period ever.

The Ebola outbreak in the DRC has spread to a sixth province, Bas-Uele, with over 2,100 deaths reported. The fast-moving Bundibugyo strain faces containment challenges from conflict and unpaid health workers.

Colombia faces a dual crisis as a 7.4 magnitude earthquake leaves 285 dead and 45,523 families affected, while forest fires impact 340 municipalities amid El Niño conditions.

Saudi Arabia, Turkiye, and Pakistan signed the Mecca Joint Defence Agreement on August 7, 2026, establishing a mutual defense pact where an attack on one member is considered an attack on all.

President Zelenskyy warns that Russia is relying on North Korean troops and ballistic missiles to escalate the war, while also preparing for a mass mobilization following its September elections.

Iran has set six major conditions for reopening the Strait of Hormuz, including lifting U.S. sanctions, releasing frozen assets, and paying war reparations, complicating ongoing talks with Oman.

A magnitude 7.4 earthquake and Puracé volcanic activity have caused widespread devastation in Colombia, leaving hundreds dead, thousands missing, and triggering regional emergency alerts.

July 2026 was the second warmest July globally and the hottest on record for the contiguous US, marked by extreme heat, record ocean temperatures, and widespread drought across the Northern Hemisphere.

President Trump is pivoting toward economic warfare against Iran, citing 300% inflation and financial collapse. He also intends to demand war reparations during future peace negotiations.

President Zelenskyy warns that 30,000–50,000 North Korean troops are being deployed to Russia, while also reporting North Korean missile use in Ukraine and a successful $12.2 billion Ukrainian logistics strike.

The DRC is battling a record-breaking Ebola outbreak caused by the Bundibugyo virus, with over 2,000 deaths. The WHO warns the virus began in February, outpacing response efforts amid regional conflict.

President Zelenskyy warns of up to 50,000 North Korean troops joining Russia and urges the US to provide Patriot missiles to counter escalating ballistic attacks and prepare for winter.

Vladimir Putin has reportedly ordered a strategy to destabilize NATO and the EU by 2026, with Moldova identified as a key target for Russian political control and hybrid warfare operations.

Iran released a video of Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei to counter reports that he is in critical condition following injuries sustained in February military strikes.

The Pentagon has ordered defense contractors to accelerate weapons production following severe depletion of Patriot and THAAD missile stockpiles during the conflict with Iran.

NATO fighter jets shot down a foreign drone in Latvian airspace early Friday. The incident, attributed to Russian electronic warfare, triggered air alerts in several Latvian municipalities and maritime limits.

The TSE has restored Flávio Bolsonaro's affiliation with the Liberal Party after a fraudulent registration with the Missão party was detected. An investigation into the misuse of party credentials is underway.

Former Guerrero Governor Ángel Aguirre Rivero has been formally charged with forced disappearance in the Ayotzinapa case, accused of ordering the destruction of security footage from 2014.

Houthi rebels have escalated attacks in Yemen, striking a Saudi cargo ship and an Aramco refinery. The Red Sea strikes killed several people, including three Pakistanis, as the UN warns of a return to full-war.

The death toll from Venezuela's June 24 earthquakes has reached 6,301. Authorities are assessing thousands of homes, while engineers call for updated seismic building codes to aid reconstruction.

New Mexico judge orders Meta to pay $567 M for child‑safety harms, adds $420 M for treatment and mandates extensive youth‑protection measures; Meta will appeal.

A devastating wildfire near Omis, Croatia, has killed at least one person, injured dozens, and forced the evacuation of over 1,000 residents and tourists as flames destroyed homes and vehicles.

Reports of poor living conditions and mental health crises aboard the USS Abraham Lincoln have prompted calls for investigations by U.S. lawmakers, despite denials from Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth.

Mount Etna's eruption has caused major flight cancellations and airport closures in Sicily, with economic losses for tourism estimated up to 24 million euros as ash clouds disrupt regional travel.

President Trump signed a proclamation imposing tariffs of up to 100% on certain imported drones and components to address national security risks and boost domestic manufacturing.

The UN reports systematic torture of Ukrainian prisoners and over 16,000 civilians held by Russia, with detainees reporting sexual violence, beatings, and electric shocks during an informal Security Council's.

A massive forest fire in Hürtgenwald, Germany, has forced the evacuation of 1,800 people. Firefighters face challenges from unexploded WWII munitions, while a separate fire rages in Omiš, Croatia.

US priorities in the Iran war have shifted toward maintaining low oil prices, while retaliatory strikes have caused over $13 billion in US military damages and significant logistical strain on naval assets.

Ceuta faces a major crisis after 72,000 migrants crossed the border in July. Tensions rise between Spain and Morocco over sovereignty and the management of 1,898 unaccompanied minors remaining in the enclave.

Russia launched massive missile strikes on Ukraine, using North Korean and Zircon missiles to hit Zaporizhzhia and Kyiv. Ukraine seeks domestic Patriot missile production to counter increasing Russian missile's

Luigi Mangione pleaded guilty to federal stalking charges in the December 2024 killing of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson, citing healthcare system frustrations as motivation.

Josh Kushner and Bob Iger have agreed to buy the Los Angeles Lakers for a record $12.5 billion from Mark Walter, pending NBA approval.

Lionel Messi has cast doubt on his professional future following the death of his father, Jorge Messi. The Argentine star expressed deep uncertainty about continuing football in a heartfelt social media tribute

An NTSB report reveals that an engine fan blade failure on a Ryanair flight shattered a window, partially sucking a passenger out during a July 10 flight from Greece. Bird remains were found in the engine.

Donald Trump confirmed he used a catering truck and a decoy aircraft to secretly flee Turkey in July following an Iranian assassination threat involving potential shoulder-fired missiles.