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.

Iran maintains that the Strait of Hormuz will remain closed until the U.S. meets specific conditions, including ending military campaigns and releasing frozen assets, despite reports of advanced Oman-Iran talks

A Syrian court has sentenced former President Bashar al-Assad and his brother Maher to death in absentia for war crimes and crimes against humanity. Former security official Atef Najib was also sentenced to die

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.

President Trump claims total U.S. control over the Strait of Hormuz, while Iran maintains the waterway remains blocked until U.S. demands are met, causing significant disruptions to global oil transit.

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.

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.

An Ebola outbreak in the DR Congo, driven by the Bundibugyo strain, has killed over 2,000 people. The WHO aims to reverse the rapid spread within three months despite challenges from conflict and weak healths.

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.

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.

Oil prices are rising amid maritime disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz and a diplomatic impasse between the U.S. and Iran. U.S. strategic petroleum reserves have hit their lowest level since 1983.

Meta faces a major federal trial in California as a coalition of US states alleges the company designed its platforms to be addictive to children and illegally collected their data.

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

Turkey's Parliament passed a landmark law to facilitate the disbandment of the PKK, establishing a framework for weapon surrender, militant reintegration, and potential calls for return from Abdullah Öcalan.

The US-led military conflict with Iran has escalated after a ceasefire collapsed, causing regional instability, oil trade disruptions, and massive US munitions expenditures exceeding eleven billion dollars.

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.

Taiwan was targeted by a first-of-its-kind autonomous AI cyberattack. Using up to eight AI agents, hackers breached 21 government systems, stole 2,500 personnel records, and hit energy and nuclear agencies.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

Lionel Messi has cast doubt on his professional football future following the death of his father, Jorge Messi. He shared an emotional tribute reflecting on their bond and the 2026 World Cup.

Spider‑Man: Brand New Day set a new domestic $500 M record in 7 days, earned $1.155 B worldwide in its first week, and hit Rs 336 cr net in India, aided by a BMW partnership and multiple premium formats.

Donald Trump confirmed he used a catering truck and a decoy Air Force One to secretly flee Turkey in July following an Iranian assassination threat.

Former Guerrero governor Ángel Aguirre Rivero has been arrested for allegedly ordering the destruction of evidence related to the 2014 disappearance of 43 Ayotzinapa students.

A drone carrying Semtex explosives targeted a Ukrainian cargo plane at Leipzig/Halle Airport. US officials suspect Russian involvement, prompting Germany to expand its Federal Police anti-drone units.

Josh Kushner and Bob Iger have agreed to purchase the Los Angeles Lakers for a record $12.5 billion, marking the franchise's second ownership change in a year. The deal awaits NBA approval.

Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and Pakistan signed the Mecca Joint Defence Agreement, a trilateral pact featuring a mutual defense clause similar to NATO's Article 5 to enhance regional deterrence.

A deadly Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, caused by the Bundibugyo strain, has surpassed 4,000 cases and 1,800 deaths, with a lethality rate of approximately 45% mirroring the fastest-foc

Vladimir Putin has threatened to seize European merchant ships in retaliation for EU sanctions targeting Russia's “shadow fleet,” calling the seizure of Russian cargo “piracy and robbery.”

President Zelenskyy warns that up to 50,000 North Korean troops may join Russia, while accusing Putin of planning a massive military mobilization following September's Russian elections.

Iran has rejected negotiations with the Trump administration, vowing to wait until 2029. The standoff involves massive compensation disputes and threatens the Strait of Hormuz, impacting global oil prices.

Houthi rebels have escalated attacks in Yemen, killing three Pakistani citizens in a Red Sea freighter strike and threatening the 2022 truce as regional tensions involving Iran and the U.S. rise.

Operation Mondragón, a joint Spain‑Ecuador‑Europol raid, seized 21 tonnes of cocaine, €1 million cash and arrested eight suspects, exposing a network that moved drugs via legitimate firms and Albanian financing

Mount Etna's eruption has paralyzed air traffic at Catania airport, affecting hundreds of flights and causing millions in tourism losses. Ash clouds also impact Malta and Libya as activity continues.

Spider‑Man: Brand New Day posted a $360 M domestic opening, the biggest ever, and reached $1 B worldwide in six days, becoming the second‑fastest film to do so while setting records in dozens of markets.

Nvidia is partnering with six major Wall Street firms to launch financing platforms aiming to mobilize $500 billion for AI infrastructure, treating computing power as a new investable asset class.

Ukraine launched a massive drone and missile strike on Russia's Novorossiysk naval base and grain terminals, killing a child and damaging warships, while pausing tanker attacks at U.S. request.

Speculation mounts over the health of Iran's Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei following reports of critical injuries. Iran released an undated video of him to counter claims of his incapacitation.

ICE plans to spend up to $20 million on G.L.O.V.E. electric shock gloves for agents by March 2027, sparking intense criticism from civil rights advocates over potential misuse and civil liberties concerns.