World · Important news for 13 August 2026

World

US and Iran exchange opposing claims over Strait of Hormuz control

Al Jazeera

President Trump claimed the US has total control of the Strait of Hormuz, while Tehran maintains its defiant stance.

President Trump asserted total US control over the Strait of Hormuz.
Tehran insisted the US must meet its demands.

World

DR Congo Ebola outbreak risks becoming deadliest on record, WHO warns

Al Jazeera

World

WHO chief says current Ebola outbreak on track to be deadliest ever

BBC

World

Meta faces $1.4 trillion lawsuit over addictive platform design for children

France 24

World

Trump administration finalizes rule ending federal support for gender-affirming care

The Guardian

World

Russian attack damages Ukraine's Izmail port as drones strike Russian oil refinery

France 24

World

Israel vows to maintain troop presence in Lebanon, Gaza and Syria

Al Jazeera

World

Iraq reaffirms September 30 withdrawal deadline for US-led coalition

Al Jazeera

World

WHO warns Congo Ebola outbreak could become deadliest in history

The Independent

World

Trump executive order on vaccines sparks confusion while CDC guidance remains unchanged

The Guardian

World

UN reports July civilian deaths in Ukraine hit highest level since May 2022

Al Jazeera

World

Zambians head to the polls as President Hichilema seeks second term

BBC

World

Search for survivors enters critical window following powerful Colombia earthquake

France 24

World

Zambia Opens Polls for Presidential Election

Al Jazeera

World

Hegseth warns of potential ICC investigation into US boat strikes as Colombia joins coalition

Al Jazeera

World

German cabinet approves new spying and intelligence rules

Semafor

World

Australia passes law forcing tech giants to pay for news content

The Guardian

World

Syrian court sentences ousted former leader Bashar al-Assad to death in absentia

Al Jazeera

World

Former Mexican governor charged over disappearance of 43 students

The Guardian

World

Colombia declares national mourning following deadly magnitude 7.4 earthquake

Al Jazeera

World

Colombia declares three days of mourning following deadly 7.4-magnitude earthquake

France 24

World

WHO chief criticizes recent changes to U.S. children's immunization policy

The Hill

World

Former Chinese Premier Zhu Rongji dies at 97

BBC · NPR

World

Houthi Red Sea Attack Kills Six and Triggers US Retaliation

CNBC · Yahoo Finance

World

France and Spain Face Extreme Wildfire Risk Amid Severe European Heatwave

The Independent

World

UK defends seizing shadow fleet tanker following Putin threat

BBC

World

US ambassador Huckabee denounces West Bank settler siege as terror

France 24

World

Severe heatwave triggers warnings across Europe with temperatures exceeding 40C

France 24 · The Guardian

World

Hope fades as rescue efforts continue following 7.4 earthquake in Colombia

Al Jazeera

World

Colombia earthquake rescue operation enters final phase

Deutsche Welle · France 24

World

Lebanese PM calls Israeli strikes in south Lebanon a violation of international law

Al Jazeera

World

Putin can no longer claim victory in Ukraine, says Nobel winner Muratov

BBC

World

Colombia earthquake search enters final phase with toll at 265

Al Jazeera

World

Australia Faces Major Restructure of National Disability Insurance Scheme

BBC

World

German government approves expanded powers for intelligence agencies

Deutsche Welle

World

UK faces prison capacity crisis amid early release controversy

Al Jazeera

World

Gulf states seek Strait of Hormuz alternatives as Saudi Arabia redirects exports

Deutsche Welle

World

Save the Children Reports Millions of Malnourished Afghan Children

Al Jazeera

World

Ukraine attacks Russian grain export terminals in Black Sea

CNBC

World

Incheon airport becomes world's busiest for international traffic amid Middle East disruption

The Guardian

World

U.S. Ambassador Condemns West Bank Settler Siege as Horrific Terror

NPR

World

Pentagon official and former AUKUS sceptic says deal is full steam ahead

The Guardian

World

Australia introduces minimum $31 hourly wage for delivery workers

The Independent

World

Oil spill from grounded tanker reaches Oman's mainland beaches

France 24

World

Brazil orders Discord to suspend livestreaming following teen death

Deutsche Welle

World

Severe storm leaves 700,000 customers without power across the Midwest

The Independent

World

Russia Supreme Court bans anti-war Yabloko party from parliamentary elections

Deutsche Welle

World

Brazil orders Discord to suspend livestreams following teen's death

Al Jazeera

World

David Crowley wins Democratic primary for Wisconsin governor

The Guardian

World

Putin threatens retaliation and seizure of European ships over Western sanctions

France 24

World

Houthi attack on commercial vessel kills three Pakistanis

The Hill · UN News

World

Powerful Storms in US Midwest Leave Three Dead and 800,000 Without Power

The Guardian

World

Trump's proposed vaccine plan faces major logistical hurdles

The Independent

World

Efforts Underway to Prevent Major Oil Spill After Russian Ship Runs Aground Near Oman

The Independent

World

Tehran rejects Trump's claim of control over Strait of Hormuz

The Independent

World

Iran appoints IRGC founder Mohsen Rezaei as Supreme National Security Council secretary

The Hill

World

Major Russian grain export terminals hit in Ukraine Black Sea port attack

BBC

World

Gas prices hit record mid-August highs amid ongoing conflict with Iran

The Independent

World

Thousands missing following earthquake in Colombia as rescue operations continue

Al Jazeera · UN News

World

Putin visits disputed Kuril islands, prompting Japanese protest

France 24

World

Zambia holds elections amid political feud and legacy of past leader

The Guardian

World

Zambia holds general election with President Hichilema seeking second term

France 24

World

Pentagon review reveals 153 civilian deaths from US strikes in Yemen in 2025

Al Jazeera

World

David Crowley wins Wisconsin primary over progressive Francesca Hong

The Guardian

World

Trump administration pulls support for NOAA Arctic Report Card

The Guardian

World

Lebanon Passes Long-Sought Amnesty Law After Death Penalty Repeal

Al Jazeera

World

Vietnam seeks to curb falling birthrate amid aging population

France 24

World

UK Prime Minister Considers Disposable Barbecue Ban Amid Heatwave

The Guardian

World

Extreme heatwave places over 135 million people in Europe under high temperatures

Al Jazeera

World

US defense secretary compares drug cartel targeting to ISIS

Al Jazeera

World

Ministers weigh prison upgrades and prisoner diversions to combat UK overcrowding

The Guardian

World

Venezuela interim government and opposition reach agreements in talks

France 24

World

Paramount-Skydance mulls CNN sale amid state antitrust lawsuit

Al Jazeera

World

Thousands flee severe drought in Somalia amid aid shortages

Al Jazeera

World

Analysts Say Netanyahu's Rejection of US-Backed Gaza Plan Aids Hamas

France 24

World

Putin threatens retaliation if EU seizes shadow fleet vessels

The Independent

World

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt Steps Down

The Guardian · The Hill · The Independent

World

Mother of murdered sisters claims Metropolitan Police incapable of change

The Guardian

World

Japan strongly protests Vladimir Putin's visit to disputed islands

Deutsche Welle · The Independent

World

UK government to close 13 more hotels housing asylum seekers

The Guardian

World

Oil spill from stricken tanker reaches Oman's coast

Al Jazeera

World

Former Chinese Premier Zhu Rongji dies at 97

Semafor

World

Iraqi state employees face salary crunch amid Strait of Hormuz oil export blockage

Deutsche Welle

World

Trump's Justice Department arrests far-right expert Heidi Beirich in SPLC crackdown

The Guardian

World

Iraq Faces Financial Crisis Amid Iran War and Strait of Hormuz Blockage

Deutsche Welle

World

Ukraine strikes Russian naval base and claims battlefield gains

The Independent

World

Russian strike hits Ukraine port amid acute Patriot interceptor shortage

Al Jazeera

World

White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt to leave role

France 24

World

China Expands Softer Tools for Transnational Repression Against Uyghurs

Foreign Policy

World

Farm tied to deadly diarrhea outbreak uninspected for seven years

The Independent

World

North Korea launches missile and declares need for retaliatory strike capability

Al Jazeera · Sky News

World

Sydney airport faces heavy delays and investigates tarmac near-miss

The Guardian

World

New cases of parasitic screwworm confirmed as outbreak spreads

The Hill

World

Overloaded ferry capsizes on Zimbabwe's Lake Kariba, killing at least 44

The Independent

World

Australia and NSW to Announce $2.5B Bailout for Tomago Aluminium Smelter

The Guardian

World

Nigeria Introduces Tax Breaks to Target $50B Oil Investment

Semafor

World

U.S. Inflation Eases in July as ICE Plans Electric Shock Gloves for Officers

NPR

World

Dramatic drop in birth rates reported across the Maghreb region

France 24

World

Ski resorts use snow cannons to fight European wildfires

The Independent

World

Houthi Naval Blockade Threatens Saudi Arabian Shipping

Al Jazeera

World

Putin threatens to seize Western vessels amid European crackdown on Russian shadow fleet

Business Insider

World

Zimbabwe’s land reform policy opens new chapter of disputes over seized farms

Al Jazeera

World

Media groups sue Trump administration over paid access to presidential social media

Al Jazeera

World

Todd Blanche faces tough questions in first appearance as attorney general

The Independent

World

Morocco increases security to prevent potential border crossings surge at Ceuta and Melilla

Al Jazeera

World

Oil spill from distressed vessel reaches Oman mainland

The Independent

World

Voting concludes in US midwest primaries across six states

France 24

World

Russia faces economic pressures from widening deficits and strikes despite oil boost

Al Jazeera

World

Social Security Adds 14 Conditions to Disability Fast-Track List

The Independent

World

Live Facial Recognition Cameras Planned for London's Oxford Street

The Guardian

World

Trump Defends Secret Flight Swap and Use of Air Force One Decoy

The Hill · The Independent

World

Overcrowded Ferry Capsizes on Lake Kariba in Zimbabwe, Leaving at Least 44 Dead

The Guardian · The Independent

World

India's booming data centers face severe water shortages

Deutsche Welle

World

David Crowley Wins Democratic Primary for Wisconsin Governor

The Guardian · The Independent

World

Millions flock to Spain for country's first total solar eclipse in a century

France 24 · NASA · The Guardian

That's all the important news for now

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