1/ A powerful magnitude 7.4 earthquake struck western Colombia on August 10 (epicenter near San José del Palmar in Chocó). The death toll has climbed to around 273–287, with thousands injured and hundreds still missing. Search-and-rescue efforts have entered a critical final phase amid widespread destruction of homes, schools, and infrastructure in cities like Cali, Pereira, and Manizales. efe.com 2/ Europe is battling intense heatwaves. Romania shut down its only nuclear power plant (Cernavodă) after drought dropped Danube River levels too low for cooling. The UK saw wildfires on its hottest day of the year so far (notably around Stourbridge), plus a train derailment near Lewes that injured at least 20 people. en.wikipedia.org 3/ The Russia-Ukraine war continues with active fighting. Ukraine has conducted drone and other strikes challenging Russian control in Crimea and hitting Black Sea targets (including near Novorossiysk). A Russian military officer was reportedly killed by an explosive in Sevastopol. Poland also said it foiled a Russian-linked assassination plot on its soil. en.wikipedia.org 4/ In the Middle East and related conflicts: • Israel’s IDF and Shin Bet reported killing a senior Hamas commander (and Gaza District Police chief) in Gaza City, plus another in Khan Yunis. • Sudan’s civil war sees the Sudanese Armed Forces repelling Rapid Support Forces assaults in North Kordofan, with ongoing RSF drone attacks on Khartoum. • Broader Iran-related tensions persist around the Strait of Hormuz (with U.S. claims of control), Lebanon dynamics, and Houthi activity in Yemen/Red Sea. en.wikipedia.org 5/ Politics and diplomacy: • Zambians voted on August 13 in general elections (presidential + parliamentary). Incumbent President Hakainde Hichilema seeks a second term amid economic debates; results are still being tallied/counted. • Russian President Vladimir Putin visited disputed Kuril Islands (Japan’s Northern Territories) for the first time in office, drawing strong protests from Tokyo. • Taiwan ran defense drills that temporarily slowed mobile internet to text-only speeds. en.wikipedia.org 6/ Other notable items: Heavy rains and flooding in Japan killed at least four and caused landslides/power issues. A total solar eclipse on August 12 was visible across parts of Europe (including Spain and Iceland)—the first for mainland Europe in decades. China’s courts have been addressing AI-driven job displacement as the country pushes rapid AI adoption. A U.S. report accused dozens of countries of helping China evade tariffs. bbc.com