The search for survivors beneath the rubble of Colombia’s powerful earthquake is becoming increasingly desperate. Search teams are working against a crucial time threshold as they try to locate signs of life. The disaster is putting growing pressure on the country’s new government and on rescuers determined to find survivors before the opportunity is lost.
A 32-year-old woman in Colombia was rescued after spending 36 hours trapped beneath rubble. She was found following a magnitude 7.4 earthquake that struck the country. The rescue came after the disaster left people buried under collapsed debris.
The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington has been ordered to pay a musician more than $250,000 in legal fees. The musician canceled a Christmas Eve concert after the venue moved to add President Donald Trump’s name. The payment order stems from the dispute over that naming decision.
SpaceXAI has launched Grok Bot, an always-on AI agent service intended to function like an independent digital teammate. The bots operate through a shared cloud-based computer environment. They can log into the apps, tools and websites users already rely on, then carry out multi-step workplace assignments. Grok Bot is designed to handle the work on its own and return when the assigned task requires attention or has been completed.
Alexander Stepanov said the Pacific Fleet’s maneuvers highlighted Russia’s nuclear deterrence capabilities. He stressed that the fleet’s submarine forces include cruise-missile carriers, Bulava intercontinental ballistic missiles and the Poseidon system. According to Stepanov, these components are vital for preserving strategic stability in the region.
Novorossiysk has declared a state of emergency following a Ukrainian drone attack. The latest reports say that a secondary school, a sports school and a college were damaged in the assault.
Russian Air Force crews are being trained on simulators that incorporate scenarios from the special operation. Colonel General Sergey Kobylash says modern training tools can reduce the time needed for instruction. He also says they improve the quality of personnel training.
Russian Air Forcesimulator trainingmilitary training
ICE says a Russian citizen was detained in the US state of Louisiana. The person was allegedly carrying a large quantity of drugs. The investigation remains ongoing.
Zambia’s campaign period has ended ahead of August 13 general elections for president, parliament and local government, with about 8.8 million registered voters. Incumbent Hakainde Hichilema is seeking another five-year mandate, while the main opposition challenge comes from Tonse Alliance candidate Brian Mundubile. Cost of living, economic reforms, jobs and living conditions are central issues.
Russia is pressuring Ukraine with ballistic missiles while Kyiv faces a shortage of Patriot interceptors. Domestic production and European alternatives are available only over time. The central question is whether Ukraine can realistically reduce its reliance on the United States. The report focuses on the limits of Kyiv’s current air-defense options.
Russian forces launched overnight attacks on Ukraine on Aug. 12, according to the Ukrainian Air Force. The assault involved an Iskander-M ballistic missile, a Kh-31P anti-radiation missile, Kh-35 guided air-launched missiles and 138 Shahed-type drones. Across Ukraine, the attacks killed eight people and wounded 57 over the past day. A deadly strike also hit an oil tanker truck in Odesa Oblast.
Pakistan is set to hold free trade negotiations with the Eurasian Economic Union in January 2027, according to envoy Faisal Niaz Tirmizi. He said finalizing the project is expected to take approximately six months or longer. The timetable places the talks at the start of 2027, while the broader process may continue beyond that point.
More than half of Europe, including large parts of Germany, is expected to face the continent’s third extreme heat wave of the summer. The prolonged high temperatures have already substantially worsened wildfire and drought conditions across Europe.
A senior Iranian official said Iran and the United States have not held talks on extending their ceasefire. From Tehran’s perspective, the arrangement had no stated start date. The official therefore said there was nothing in the deal to extend.
Iran, US not discussing ceasefire extension, senior Iranian official says
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🇫🇷 French village hosts annual pig-squealing championship
The French village of Trie-sur-Baise celebrates the 43rd edition of its Pourcailhade festival, an unusual event famed for its pig-squealing championship.
🇫🇷 French village hosts annual pig-squealing championship
The French village of Trie-sur-Baise celebrates the 43rd edition of its Pourcailhade festival, an unusual event famed for its pig-squealing championship.
Scientists used an AI system called “Evo” to design complete viruses from scratch. The viruses infect bacteria rather than humans and could eventually offer an answer to growing drug resistance, but experts call AI-generated DNA that evades current screening an urgent biosecurity concern.
The International Energy Agency has lowered its forecast for global oil demand. It expects demand to fall by 1.6 million barrels per day in 2026. The report says global demand could return to growth by November if conditions continue to normalize. This outlook links the projected decline to an assumption of further normalization.
Indian electric bike rental startup Yulu said on Wednesday that it had secured $93 million through equity and debt financing. The company plans to use the funds to grow its fleet and move into additional cities. Yulu also aims to reach net profitability next year.
The International Energy Agency says Russia’s oil exports fell to 6.97 million barrels per day in July. Oil export revenues for the month declined to $13.76 billion. Compared with July 2025, Russia earned $720 million less from oil exports in July 2026. The figures indicate a year-on-year drop in both export volume and revenue.
Russiaoil exportsexport revenueInternational Energy Agency
Zhu Rongji has died at the age of 97. During 12 years serving as vice premier and premier, he led China’s economic development and pursued reforms across almost every part of the economy. His reform drive also drew public criticism because it left large numbers of state-owned enterprise workers unemployed. China subsequently moved substantially toward a market economy, ushering in its fastest period of development in history over the following two decades.
Former Chinese premier Zhu Rongji died of illness in Beijing on Wednesday morning at the age of 98. A joint obituary from China’s top party and state bodies praised him as an outstanding Party member, a tested and loyal communist fighter, and a prominent revolutionary, statesman and leader.
Former Chinese Premier Zhu Rongji died on Wednesday at the age of 97. He was associated with steering China’s economy toward the modern era. Zhu was also known for speaking plainly and avoiding euphemisms when expressing his views. His direct style became a defining feature of his public image.
Former Chinese Premier Zhu Rongji has died at the age of 97, state media reported. Known as an impatient and sharp-tongued reformer, he pushed state industry through wrenching changes during the 1990s. Those reforms helped ignite China’s explosive economic boom. Zhu also led the country into the World Trade Organization, marking another major step in its economic transformation.
Former Chinese Premier Zhu Rongji died of illness in Beijing on the 12th at the age of 97. China’s state-run Xinhua News Agency reported his death. Zhu worked on economic reforms during the 1990s and served as premier under former President Jiang Zemin. He was also known by the nickname “iron-fisted premier.”
Former Chinese Premier Zhu Rongji has died at the age of 98, state media reported. Known as an impatient and sharp-tongued reformer, he drove painful changes through China’s state-owned industries during the 1990s. Those efforts helped fuel the country’s explosive economic expansion. Zhu also led China into the World Trade Organization.
Former Chinese Premier Zhu Rongji has died in Beijing at the age of 98. His death was attributed to illness. He passed away at 11:06 a.m. on Wednesday.
President Donald Trump said the United States had “total control” of the Strait of Hormuz. His claim came as Washington and Tehran took tougher positions in negotiations over the critical waterway. The talks remain deadlocked, with neither side appearing to soften its stance. The development highlights the widening impasse between the US and Iran over Hormuz.
Iran has rejected Donald Trump’s claim that the Strait of Hormuz is under control. Tehran says the waterway will remain closed until the United States meets its demands and changes what it calls Washington’s “behaviour”. The statement comes as global energy prices rise, adding pressure to the talks between the two sides.
Only eight vessels were tracked in the Strait of Hormuz on Tuesday, the lowest count in a week, according to shipping data. Owners have been avoiding the vital waterway as hostilities continue in the Middle East. The reduced traffic reflects the disruption caused by the ongoing regional tensions.
Brent crude prices have climbed after renewed attacks weakened expectations that the Strait of Hormuz would reopen. The violence has also reduced hopes that energy markets will return to stability. Market sentiment remains focused on the strategic waterway and the risks its disruption poses to energy flows.
Iranian Supreme National Security Council Secretary Rezaei reiterated on the 11th that the Strait of Hormuz would not be opened unless the United States ended its maritime blockade and fighting. The US side has presented a different position. Washington and Tehran continue to make opposing claims over the strait, while the standoff remains unresolved.
US-Iran relationsStrait of Hormuzmaritime blockade
The US military said on Tuesday that it had struck a Panama-flagged vessel attempting to approach an Iranian port. Washington said the ship was violating its blockade of Iranian ports. President Donald Trump again claimed that the United States had “total control” of the Strait of Hormuz. The latest developments in the Middle East are being followed through a continuing live update.
The United States and Yemen’s Iran-aligned Houthis reported separate attacks on shipping as hopes for ending the months-old Iran war weakened. Iran said the Strait of Hormuz would stay closed unless Washington accepted its conditions. Four crew members and two Yemeni rescuers were reportedly killed in a suspected Houthi attack, while the US said it fired missiles to disable a Panama-flagged cargo ship accused of violating a blockade on Iranian ports.
Iran’s top security official says the Strait of Hormuz will remain closed unless the United States meets Iran’s conditions. The statement came as Pakistan’s Naqvi visited Tehran. Iran is therefore maintaining its position that reopening the strategic waterway depends on US compliance with its demands.
US President Donald Trump said the Strait of Hormuz is under complete US control. He warned that the United States would strike Iran if Tehran attempted to alter that situation.
Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents and officers may soon receive gloves capable of delivering electrical shocks. The manufacturer says the devices are intended to help de-escalate encounters with individuals. The report describes a possible addition to the agency’s equipment, while presenting the stated purpose as reducing tensions during confrontations.
Lawyer says American national Robert Gilman, released by Russia, can barely sit upright and requires medical treatment. Gilman was detained at Voronezh train station on January 19, 2022. The detention followed a drunken brawl on a train. The account links his current condition to the need for care, while identifying the earlier incident as the reason for his detention.
US President’s special envoy Steve Witkoff said he is meeting released American Robert Gilman in the United States. Witkoff thanked Russian President Vladimir Putin for granting the pardon. He also credited Putin with personal engagement throughout the process, according to the statement.
Russia has released former US marine Robert Gilman. He had been imprisoned since 2022 after being convicted of attacking a police officer. The report gives no further details about the terms or circumstances of his release.
Russia’s Defense Ministry says 36 military pilots involved in the special operation have been honored with the title of Hero of Russia. The recognition comes as August 12 marks the 114th anniversary of the Russian Air Force’s establishment. The honors link the pilots’ service to the anniversary commemorations. The ministry presented the announcement in a celebratory context.
Falling water levels in the Danube have exposed the remains of soldiers from the Second World War. Alongside the bodies, investigators found a motorcycle in remarkably good condition. Identification tags were also recovered at the site, offering clues to the soldiers’ identities. The discovery brings preserved wartime objects and human remains to the surface.
A 32-year-old woman was found alive beneath concrete slabs 36 hours after an earthquake in Colombia. Emergency workers carried out a 10-hour rescue operation before pulling her from the rubble. The operation ended with her being brought out alive after more than a day trapped beneath the debris.
The death toll from Monday’s 7.4-magnitude earthquake in western Colombia has climbed beyond 240. Rescuers are racing to locate survivors who may remain trapped beneath collapsed buildings. A 32-year-old woman was pulled alive from the rubble on Tuesday, while many others are still missing. The disaster presents the first major challenge for President Abelardo de la Espriella, inaugurated last Friday. France 24 also spoke with correspondent Maria Clara Calle in Cali, one of the affected cities.
Colombia is racing to locate survivors after a deadly earthquake. At least 254 people have been reported dead so far. Rescue workers are continuing to search through collapsed buildings as they look for people who may still be trapped. The recovery effort remains under way.
The Reserve Bank of India likely stepped into the foreign-exchange market on Wednesday, according to six traders cited by Reuters. Continuing anxiety linked to the Iran war has kept oil prices high. That pressure has weighed on the South Asian currency, prompting expectations that the central bank acted to support the rupee.
The FSB has released video footage about a thwarted terrorist attack in Krasnodar. The report says the plot had allegedly been prepared by Kiev over several months. After carrying out the attack, the perpetrator was supposed to leave for Georgia in the South Caucasus. The report presents the planned departure route as part of the alleged operation.
Customers in Beijing enjoy free access to AI tools at a bar that has become popular among developers, start-up founders, and investors through the Chinese social media platform WeChat.
🇨🇳 Beijing bar offers free AI tokens with beers
Customers in Beijing enjoy free access to AI tools at a bar that has become popular among developers, start-up founders, and investors through the Chinese social media platform WeChat.
Russian President Vladimir Putin says Moscow will respond in kind if European states seize vessels carrying Russian cargo. He says Russia would take such action “wherever necessary.” The warning frames any European seizure as likely to trigger reciprocal measures by Russia. No specific vessel or location is identified in the statement.
Russian Security Council Deputy Chairman Dmitry Medvedev said Russia has the right to attack any ships transporting cargo for the enemy. He stressed that Russian armed forces are capable of significantly expanding their operations. Their reach, he said, could extend beyond the borders of the Black Sea basin.
Russian President Vladimir Putin said Moscow would respond in kind if European Union countries seize Russian vessels. He made the remarks during a visit to Pacific Fleet exercises in Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk. Putin said Russia could seize European ships wherever Moscow considers it necessary. The warning frames any such action as retaliation for the seizure of Russian vessels by EU countries.
Pakistan’s ambassador to Russia says Islamabad hopes Vladimir Putin will attend the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation summit in 2027. Pakistan is due to assume the organisation’s chairmanship this year.
Mikhail Margelov questioned the idea that the United States is running out of weapons because of its conflict with Iran. He said Americans have consistently managed their weapons stockpiles in a businesslike and efficient manner. According to Margelov, they have given up very little from those reserves over the years.
United StatesIranweapons stockpilesmilitary conflict
Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps says Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei has avoided appearing in public because of security concerns. He has not been seen publicly since the United States and Israel began their military operation against Iran.
Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps says the conflict has revealed weaknesses in the US military. Brigadier General Mohammad Reza Naqdi said Iran had not yet reached its final objective, indicating that Tehran’s stated aims in the confrontation remain unfinished.
Meta Platforms is set to face a coalition of attorneys general from 29 states in a federal court trial in California beginning Wednesday. The case alleges that the company engineered Facebook and Instagram to be addictive to children. A ruling against Meta could expose it to massive damages and require sweeping changes to its platforms. The proceedings represent the largest test so far for litigation over the effects of social media on young users.
Four US states are seeking an enormous $1.4 trillion in fines from Meta. California, Colorado, Kentucky and New Jersey allege that the company founded by Mark Zuckerberg deliberately designed Instagram and Facebook to be addictive for minors. The accusations focus on how the platforms affect young users. Wassim Cornet reports from Los Angeles.
A major case described as social media’s “Big Tobacco moment” is opening today. Mark Zuckerberg’s company, Meta, is defending itself against allegations that it harmed children. The claims focus on addictive features allegedly designed for young users on Instagram and Facebook. France 24 journalist Delano D'Souza provides further insight into the proceedings.
Kalashnikov is developing a round in a new caliber, CEO Alan Lushnikov says. He explains that the project is linked not only to the ammunition’s effectiveness against body armor. Its range in direct combat is also part of the development goals. The statement presents the new caliber as addressing both penetration and battlefield reach.
Kalashnikovnew-caliber ammunitionbody armorweapons development
Taiwanese equities are attracting more interest from global investors than South Korean stocks after the sharp artificial-intelligence-related market selloff in July. Both markets are major AI indicators and are seeking to recover from that decline. The preference for Taiwan reflects expectations of steadier earnings compared with Korea. Investors are consequently reassessing their exposure to the two markets.
Taiwan stocksSouth Korea stocksAI selloffglobal investors
Breakthrough research by South African scientist Letodi Luki Mathulwe suggests that a soil fungus could help combat the devastating African armyworm. The pest advances through crops in a march-like pattern and threatens farmers across eastern and southern Africa. Mathulwe became intrigued after hearing reports of fields filled with caterpillars covered in a mysterious white substance. The substance was identified as a naturally occurring fungus that was killing the caterpillars.
China exported 1.043 million vehicles in July, exceeding one million for a second straight month and rising 81.3% year on year. NEV shipments reached 553,000, up 145.5% and accounting for more than half of exports. The China Association of Automobile Manufacturers says China’s integrated supply chain, cost and capacity advantages, and smart features are helping attract overseas buyers.
China car exportsnew energy vehiclesauto industryoverseas markets
A rare total solar eclipse is expected within hours. Parts of northern Spain will briefly fall from daylight into darkness as the Moon passes in front of the Sun. Millions of people elsewhere across Europe, Canada, the northern United States and northwest Africa will see a partial eclipse. Beyond the spectacle, eclipses give scientists valuable opportunities to study the Sun and gain insight into the wider universe.
A rare total solar eclipse is expected within hours. As the Moon fully covers the Sun, parts of northern Spain will briefly experience darkness during the day. Millions of people elsewhere in Europe, Canada, the northern United States and northwest Africa will see a partial eclipse. Coverage of the celestial event will continue throughout the day.
A total solar eclipse is set to cross northern Spain on August 12, marking one of Europe’s most eagerly awaited astronomical events of the decade. The Sun’s corona, animal behaviour and human emotions are among the phenomena that such rare eclipses can help scientists study. Observations of these celestial events have continued to yield insights for more than two thousand years since they were first recorded.
A rare total solar eclipse is due to take place within hours. As the Moon fully covers the Sun, parts of northern Spain will briefly be plunged from daylight into darkness. Millions of people elsewhere will see a partial eclipse across Europe, Canada, the northern United States and northwest Africa.
Thousands of people across Spain were swept up in excitement as they hurried toward locations offering the best view of Wednesday’s total solar eclipse. Trains filled to capacity, travellers arranged last-minute carpools, and social media users circulated suggestions for prime viewing points. France 24 spoke with several eclipse enthusiasts as they departed from Madrid to seek out the spectacle.
The last solar eclipse visible from mainland Europe occurred in 1999. This rare occasion offers a chance to witness another notable celestial event. Viewers can learn what to expect and make preparations before observing it.
The 2026 total solar eclipse has arrived. The guide explains what people need to know to watch this astronomical event. It focuses on when the eclipse can be seen and how to observe it, offering practical information for viewers preparing to follow the spectacle.
Spain and other parts of Europe are seeing a surge of visitors in quiet towns and villages as the continent prepares for its first total solar eclipse since 2006. Eclipse chasers have driven to these destinations, bringing a wave of tourism to communities that are usually sleepy. The celestial event has been billed as the “event of the century,” prompting travelers to make plans around the spectacle.
Millions of people in Spain and Iceland prepared to watch a total solar eclipse on Wednesday. They packed protective glasses and travelled toward locations where the rare astronomical spectacle could be seen in full. The event has generated widespread excitement across both countries.
Ukraine is seeking to deepen cooperation with South Korea. Earlier this week, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy accused North Korea of increasing its support for Russia. Ballistic missiles from Pyongyang were reportedly used in another deadly attack on Zaporizhzhia. France 24 correspondent Chloe Borgnon in South Korea provides more detail on the developing issue.
An exhibition in Arkhangelsk will present little-known stories connected with the Northern convoys. The exposition will feature more than 200 items. Many of the displayed objects are authentic artifacts from World War II. The event will bring these wartime materials and stories before visitors.
A Ukrainian drone strike damaged homes in Gelendzhik, prompting the evacuation of 12 people. The evacuees have been accommodated at guesthouses in the local area.
Russia and Kyrgyzstan have begun a joint military exercise, according to the Russian Defense Ministry. The participating military contingents will train to coordinate their actions. They will also practice command and control of a combined unit. The drill is focused on coordination within a joint force.
Donald Trump’s administration is preparing to spend at least $900 million on construction projects within the White House grounds, according to a Washington Post report published Wednesday. The newspaper said its account was based on records. The reported spending concerns multiple construction projects at the White House site.
Iran’s new Supreme Leader has not appeared in public since assuming power. His absence from public life has created a vacuum within the country’s political system. Disputes between hardliners and pragmatists have consequently become more visible, including tensions involving President Masoud Pezeshkian and his pragmatic camp.
Germany’s government has approved a draft law to remove many postwar restraints on its intelligence agencies. The move comes as two attacks in one month have exposed what are described as serious gaps in national security. Foreign and domestic intelligence services have long argued that Germany is behind both allies and adversaries. The proposed changes largely reflect the services’ combined wishlist, but parliament must still approve them.
Lebanon has ended executions, prompting a look at where capital punishment remains in 2026. Amnesty International says three-quarters of the world has abolished the death penalty either in law or in practice. The report examines the countries and jurisdictions that still retain it. Its focus is the continuing global divide over capital punishment.
Kalashnikov CEO Alan Lushnikov says Russia’s small arms industry has undergone a transformation during the special military operation. Companies producing high-precision rifles have increased output several times over. He says those manufacturers are concentrating on meeting the requirements of combat units.
Russian defense industrysmall armsspecial military operation
Kalashnikov CEO Alan Lushnikov says the Russian defense industry moved quickly to adapt to the special operation. Its top priority was to multiply output several times over. To do that, factories were shifted to a three-shift schedule. The arrangement was intended to keep production running virtually around the clock.
A document says Kyiv has asked NATO for underwater vehicles and remote detonation systems. Ukraine’s State Emergency Service made the request as it seeks to strengthen its capabilities for humanitarian demining. The requested assistance would also support the transportation of explosive ordnance. The document does not indicate whether NATO has responded.
At least 15 people have died after an overcrowded ferry overturned on Lake Kariba in Zimbabwe. Twenty-seven others are missing, prompting an operation to rescue those still unaccounted for. Zimbabwe’s civil protection unit said ticket sales indicated that the vessel carried 114 adult passengers and five crew members, despite having capacity for 90 people. The number of children aboard was not known.
A ferry has capsized in Zimbabwe, leaving at least 15 people dead and dozens missing. Zimbabwe’s Civil Protection Unit said the vessel was carrying more than 90 people. That number exceeded the ferry’s stated capacity. The account identifies overloading as a factor in the incident.
An overloaded ferry capsized on Zimbabwe’s Lake Kariba. At least 15 people were killed in the incident, while 27 others remain missing. The accident has left dozens dead or unaccounted for.
A ferry capsized in Zimbabwe, leaving 15 people dead. Another 75 people remain missing after the incident. Rescue teams have recovered 74 survivors. The search continues as authorities work to account for everyone who was aboard.
A BBC reporter visits China’s matchmaking market for rapid marriages. Some agencies are said to arrange weddings between men and women within only a few days. Several men describe losses they attribute to marriage scams, with one saying he lost his entire life savings.
The U.S. Travel Association says it is worried that the Trump administration may broaden its visa bond program. The scheme currently covers dozens of countries, but the association fears that more could be added. It says such an expansion would harm the travel industry and the wider economy.
Chinese automaker Chery has bought a Nissan plant in Africa. Chinese carmakers are increasingly moving beyond exporting vehicles to the continent and are beginning to assemble them locally. They are targeting Africa’s rapidly growing population, expanding middle class and rising demand for affordable electric vehicles. The shift points to EV production reaching new markets.
President Donald Trump has introduced an executive order intended to overhaul how children are vaccinated in the United States. In doing so, he revived the discredited notion that immunizations may be responsible for a rise in autism diagnoses. The claim traces back to a fraudulent study and has helped fuel an anti-vaccine movement. That movement has undermined progress against preventable diseases worldwide.
How Trump’s Vaccine Plan Puts More Children at Risk
FlashTranslated by Minutes
⛏️ Afghanistan's gold rush upends lives and landscapes
In Afghanistan's northeast Badakhshan province, dozens of excavators operate day and night to extract gold from the mountains where villagers and their livestock once roamed.
⛏️ Afghanistan's gold rush upends lives and landscapes
In Afghanistan's northeast Badakhshan province, dozens of excavators operate day and night to extract gold from the mountains where villagers and their livestock once roamed.
Expert Canan Tercan says Turkey could legally withdraw from the Montreux Convention. However, she considers such a move quite unlikely. Her assessment indicates that restrictions keeping military vessels out of the Black Sea are expected to remain in place. The issue concerns Turkey’s continued approach to the convention governing access to the waterway.
Ayten Elhaman spent the day watching television, yearning to be reunited with her son. Turkey’s parliament debated and approved a law this week that allows Kurdish militants to return home within a peace process. The initiative is intended to bring the country’s decades-long insurgency to an end. For mothers awaiting reunions, the measure offers hope, while veterans experience anguish over the development.
As war, loss and unimaginable suffering become part of everyday life, books can provide a form of lifeline. That is especially true of works by writers who have endured such experiences themselves and attempted to make sense of them. At the beginning of Russia’s full-scale war, some Ukrainians wondered whether established war literature could explain what they were living through. Ukrainian writers are now challenging those assumptions and reshaping the literature of war through their own experiences.
A Lebanese rescuer continues his work amid the war. His daughter was killed in an Israeli attack on the station where he served. That loss has shaped the way he carries out rescue work and remains central to his experience of the conflict. His mission is therefore marked not only by the demands of saving others, but also by the personal grief left by the attack.
A poll indicates that nearly half of Russians believe removing Russian apps from the App Store could encourage users to switch to Android. Experts warn that the effects may extend beyond the immediate user experience. They say the move could also influence the future of Apple’s ecosystem in Russia. The focus is therefore on both present access and Apple’s longer-term position in the country.
Forpost unmanned aerial vehicles are guiding Oniks missiles in strikes against simulated enemy ships during Pacific fleet drills. Naval groups operating in the Sea of Japan, the Sea of Okhotsk and the northwestern Pacific are taking part in the exercise. They are coordinating actively with the fleet’s unmanned systems. The drills are intended to develop crews’ skills and broaden the ways these systems are used.
Air Canada lowered its full-year earnings outlook on Tuesday. The airline is contending with a sharp increase in jet fuel prices. The surge followed the Iran war. Higher fuel expenses have made the company’s view of its annual earnings less optimistic.
The Powerball jackpot has grown to an estimated $1 billion after no ticket won the grand prize on Monday night. It is the first Powerball jackpot to reach the billion-dollar mark since an Arkansas player won $1.8 billion on Christmas Eve last year.
Russian press coverage on Wednesday highlights two economic developments. The European Union is preparing for a possible shortage of fuel during the winter. Gold prices, meanwhile, are expected to recover. The items are presented as leading stories in the Russian media review.
Centrist David Crowley is projected to defeat democratic socialist Francesca Hong in Wisconsin. The result breaks a recent nationwide pattern of victories for the Democratic Party’s left wing. It marks a setback for that faction in the state contest and interrupts its run of success across the country.
US politicsWisconsinDemocratic Partyprimary election
Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley narrowly defeated democratic socialist Francesca Hong in Wednesday’s Democratic primary for Wisconsin governor. His margin was less than one percentage point, making the result a strikingly close victory. The contest highlights a divide within the party between establishment candidates and an insurgent progressive movement. That split is emerging ahead of the 2026 US midterm elections.
Wisconsin Democrats chose Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley as their nominee for governor on Wednesday, according to US media reports. Crowley will represent the party in the race for Wisconsin’s state governorship. The selection followed the party’s primary process.
David Crowley has won the Democratic primary for governor in Wisconsin. Crowley reentered the race after receiving an endorsement from Gov. Tony Evers. He defeated democratic socialist Francesca Hong in the primary. The contest took place in the battleground state, a closely watched setting in US politics.
South Korea’s second special counsel indicted former President Yoon Suk-yeol on charges that he directed messages justifying his short-lived martial-law declaration to allies including the United States. Investigators said he abused his power by making the presidential national security office and foreign ministry perform duties beyond their legal mandates. Former national security adviser Shin Won-sik was also indicted without detention for alleged conspiracy.
South KoreaYoon Suk-yeolmartial lawspecial counsel
Tui, Europe’s largest travel company, says holidaymakers are delaying bookings and arranging trips at the last minute amid uncertainty over the continuing Iran war and the cost of living crisis. The company estimates that the war has cost it €60m so far. In the weeks after the conflict began at the end of February, demand from customers seeking holidays in Cyprus or Turkey temporarily declined. Tui described the period as a “volatile market”.
Iran wartravel industrycost of livinglast-minute bookings
Tencent Holdings posted an 11% increase in second-quarter revenue. Strong advertising sales provided the main boost, while gaming income remained steady. The Chinese technology company is also stepping up spending on artificial intelligence. Despite the revenue growth, its profit fell short of expectations.
A poll says 67% of people in Poland support deporting unemployed Ukrainian men. Around 79% of those giving a positive response identified as right-wing. The proposal also received strong backing from voters supporting the ruling liberal-left coalition.
The General Electricity Company of Libya said an attack struck the South Zawiya substation. The company reported a complete outage following the incident. Power supplies were lost across wide areas south of Zawiya city. The statement described a major disruption to electricity service in the area.
Iranian Revolutionary Guard Brigadier General Mohammad Reza Naqdi said all US bases would be seized if Washington used nuclear weapons against Iran. He did not specify whether Iranian forces would occupy the bases independently or with assistance from other forces. The statement links the threatened action directly to any US nuclear use against Iran.
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The Associated PressOriginal★★★☆☆2026-08-12 12:00
Woman rescued after 36 hours under rubble in Colombia
