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.

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.

Donald 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 a sharp drop in vessel transit and rising oil prices.

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.

President Trump signed an executive order reducing recommended childhood vaccines from 18 to 11 and calling for the separation of the MMR shot into three doses, drawing sharp criticism from the WHO and medical<

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.

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 disarmament and the reintegration of militants as part of a national peace process.

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.

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.

A magnitude 7.4 earthquake in Colombia has caused hundreds of deaths and thousands of missing persons, while the Puracé volcano remains under orange alert following recent ash and gas emissions.

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.

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.

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

A total solar eclipse crossed parts of Europe, including Iceland and Spain, on August 12, 2026. Millions observed the event amidst extreme summer heat and high forest fire risks.

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.

Lionel Messi has cast doubt on his football future following the death of his father, Jorge Messi. The Argentine star expressed deep emotional exhaustion and uncertainty about his career in a public tribute.

Donald Trump confirmed he used a secret military aircraft and a catering truck to flee Turkey in July, following an Iranian assassination threat that prompted a decoy flight for Air Force One.

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.

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

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.

Diplomatic efforts to resolve the Iran-U.S. conflict over the Strait of Hormuz show mixed signals, with reports of advanced Oman-Iran talks alongside renewed maritime attacks and strict Iranian demands.

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.

Vladimir Putin has threatened to seize European ships in retaliation for EU plans to sell cargo seized from Russia’s “shadow fleet,” calling the sanctions “piracy and robbery.”

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

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.

Mount Etna's ongoing eruption has paralyzed air traffic at Catania airport, causing hundreds of flight cancellations and reroutes due to volcanic ash. Tourism and local communities face significant disruption.

A 7.4 magnitude earthquake in western Colombia has killed at least 265 people and injured 3,500. President Abelardo de la Espriella declared an economic emergency as rescue efforts continue.

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.

President Donald Trump signed an executive order reducing recommended childhood vaccines from 18 to 11 and calling for the separation of combined MMR shots into individual doses, despite warnings from health-ex