Breaking news of Wednesday, 12 August 2026
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12 checks · 19 flash
- 23:30
Taiwan protests joint China-Indonesia naval exercises off the island
Taipei has asked the Indonesian government for an explanation after the announcement of a joint naval exercise with China, planned in the coming weeks off Taiwan’s eastern coast. Taiwanese authorities have described the initiative as dangerous. The news currently comes from a single source, official statements by the Taiwanese government reported by Sicurezza Internazionale and Pravda Italia; no independent confirmation from Beijing or Jakarta is currently available.
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- 22:00
Gaza, two Israeli attacks wound four people after a week without similar incidents
Four Palestinians were wounded on Wednesday in two Israeli attacks in northern and southern Gaza, the first such incident in over a week, Anadolu Agency reports. A medical source at Al-Shifa Hospital reported that an Israeli drone struck a tuk-tuk near the western roundabout of Beit Lahia. According to Radio Bullets, citing Gaza’s Ministry of Health, a Palestinian died in the past 24 hours from wounds sustained in a previous attack; since the October 11 ceasefire took effect, Israeli attacks have killed at least 1,259 Palestinians in total. Sources: Anadolu Agency, Radio Bullets.
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- 22:00
Derecho and 'catastrophic' flooding in US Midwest: deaths and over a million without power
A violent derecho followed by torrential rain has struck Indiana, Ohio, Kentucky and neighboring states. CNN reports at least one victim and over a million utilities without power. According to the Associated Press, at least three people have died, including a minor killed by a tree that fell on their home. In Cambridge City, Indiana, authorities described a “catastrophic” flooding situation, with over 20 centimeters of rain in some areas. About 700,000 utilities remained without power on Wednesday afternoon according to PowerOutage.us, while flash flood warnings covering 16 million people are in effect as new storms approach. Sources: CNN, NBC News, Associated Press.
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- 20:30
Football transfer market, Lukaku and Vlahovic moves made official
A day in the football transfer market with two moves made official. Romelu Lukaku leaves Napoli for Fenerbahçe on a permanent deal. Dusan Vlahovic, released by Juventus, signs with Besiktas: in Turkey he will earn 12 million euros over the next three seasons. On the Italian front, other negotiations are progressing: Inter has finalised the arrival of Spence from Tottenham for 31.5 million euros, while Roma is working on Mora and Luis Henrique and Fiorentina is negotiating for Pellegrino with Parma. Sources: Sky Sport, Virgilio Sport.
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- 19:00
Zimbabwe, death toll from Lake Kariba shipwreck rises to 44
Zimbabwe police have updated the death toll to 44 in the capsizing of the government ferry on Lake Kariba, a day after the disaster, according to laRegione.ch. Seventy-seven people have been rescued, while an unspecified number remain missing. The vessel, operated by the Rural Infrastructure Development Agency and with a maximum capacity of 90 people, was carrying 114 adult passengers, five crew members and some children, Il Fatto Quotidiano reports.
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- 19:00
Earthquake in Colombia, death toll rises to 240
The death toll from the magnitude 7.4 earthquake that hit western Colombia has risen to 240 dead, over 1,300 injured and around two thousand missing, according to TgCom24. In Pereira, a 36-year-old woman was pulled alive from the rubble after 36 hours. Authorities have reported the collapse of around a hundred buildings and Colombia’s Civil Aeronautics Authority has reopened six of the country’s seven airports, reports Milenio. President Abelardo de la Espriella has declared three days of national mourning.
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- 19:00
Russia frees former US marine Gilman after four years
While Zelensky stated that he had “sent our proposals to the American side” to end the war, Trump announced that Russia has released former US marine Robert Gilman after four years of detention, on humanitarian grounds and without a prisoner exchange. Gilman, 32, had been arrested in Russia in January 2022 following an alleged altercation with a police officer and was described by Washington as “wrongfully detained,” according to Al Jazeera. The report currently stems from a single source; no independent confirmation is available at this time.
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- 17:00
No update.
Last check: 17:00 — no news from the past few hours meets the threshold set out in the charter.
- 14:00
Strait of Hormuz, Pakistan mediates between Washington and Tehran
A senior Pakistani Defense official told Bloomberg, as reported by CBS News, that the United States and Iran are said to be close to a deal on reopening the Strait of Hormuz, following talks in Tehran between Pakistan’s interior minister and his Iranian counterpart: “Things are moving again toward a peace agreement or an understanding.” Oil nonetheless remains at highs, with Brent at $89.67 a barrel according to Euronews, while gasoline in the United States rose to $4.01 a gallon.
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- 13:00
Zimbabwe, ferry capsizes: official toll at 15 dead, 27 missing
Zimbabwean authorities have confirmed an initial toll from the sinking of the overloaded ferry on Lake Kariba: 15 confirmed dead and 27 missing. Seventy-seven people have been rescued and taken to a small island on the lake, with boats sent to bring them ashore. The vessel’s captain died in the sinking. Authorities fear that among the missing there may also be minors not registered on the tickets. The search, suspended overnight due to lack of lighting, resumed the following morning. A civil protection official spoke of a tragedy of great proportions, according to PBS/AP and Zimbabwe Situation.
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- 13:00
Ukraine, Zelensky sends peace proposals to Washington
Ukrainian President Zelensky has stated that Kyiv has transmitted proposals to the United States to end the war with Russia, according to Al Jazeera. Zelensky also warned that Moscow is preparing for a new mobilization of hundreds of thousands of soldiers after its elections. Meanwhile Ukraine has suspended its campaign of drone strikes against tankers using the Caspian Pipeline Consortium terminal in Novorossiysk, following a request from US Vice President JD Vance, reports Sky TG24 citing the Financial Times. The individual statements currently come from sources that have not been cross-checked against one another.
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- 11:00
Zimbabwe, ferry with 95 people capsizes on Lake Kariba
A vessel carrying 90 passengers and 5 crew members capsized on Lake Kariba, on the border with Zambia, after being hit by strong waves. Zimbabwe police confirmed the incident, asking not to speculate on the number of victims pending official data. The ferry connected the town of Kariba with islands and fishing villages, a route that normally takes about five hours. A national park provided a helicopter for the search, supported by boats, local divers and the army. Sources: Arab News, RTHK.
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- 11:00
A total solar eclipse crosses the Northern Hemisphere today
The only total solar eclipse of 2026 crosses the Northern Hemisphere today, with the path of totality over Greenland, Iceland and northern Spain. About 15 million people are within the path of totality, while nearly one billion will be able to observe at least the partial eclipse. According to NASA, the event coincides with the peak visibility of the Perseid meteor shower. Sources: Al Jazeera, CBS News.
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- 11:00
Trump confirms secret plane switch in Turkey after Iranian threat
The US president confirmed he was secretly taken off Air Force One during the NATO summit in Ankara in July, following an assassination threat attributed to Iran. According to the account revealed by the Washington Post, Trump reportedly hid in a catering container to board a smaller government aircraft bound for the United Kingdom, before returning unnoticed to the presidential plane donated by Qatar. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer has requested an official briefing on the threats and the measures taken. Sources: South China Morning Post, NBC News.
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- 10:00
Earthquake in western Colombia, over 100 dead
A violent earthquake, described as the strongest in the region in a century, has struck western Colombia, causing over 100 deaths. The Colombian president has indicated the rescue of people still trapped under rubble as a priority. The news currently comes from a single source (international news agencies picked up by Taiwan News); no independent confirmation available at this time. Source: Taiwan News.
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- 10:00
Gulf of Oman, US forces disable cargo ship bound for Iran
US Central Command struck with missiles a cargo ship, the M/V Vela Nova, which attempted to cross the Gulf of Oman in violation of the blockade imposed on Iran; the crew reportedly ignored repeated warnings. Traffic through the Strait of Hormuz remains at minimum levels: according to the company Kpler, on Monday only eight ships crossed the strait, against a pre-war average of 120. Meanwhile, Trump has demanded financial compensation from Iran for American casualties of the conflict. Sources: Al Jazeera, CNN.
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- 08:30
Earthquake in Colombia, at least 111 dead
A magnitude 7.4 earthquake has struck western Colombia, causing at least 111 deaths. Newly elected president Abelardo de la Espriella, who took office only days ago, announced he would personally lead rescue efforts in the areas affected around Bogotà. The report currently comes from a single source (Al Jazeera); no independent confirmation available at the time of publication.
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- 08:30
Strait of Hormuz remains blocked, tension on oil and stock markets
Negotiations between the United States and Iran over the Strait of Hormuz remain at a standstill. Iranian general Mohsen Rezaei stated: “The Strait of Hormuz will remain closed until all conditions are met”, also linking the reopening to Gaza and Lebanon. A US Navy helicopter struck the Panamanian cargo ship M/V Vela Nova with Hellfire missiles as it attempted to force the blockade of Iranian ports. Crude oil has risen more than 10% over the past week and US stocks fell on Tuesday amid fears over the impasse, ahead of inflation data. Sources: ABC News, Yahoo Finance.
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- 05:00
No update.
The material gathered — US-Iran tensions in the Strait of Hormuz, Russian attacks in Ukraine, the death toll from the earthquake in Colombia, the solar eclipse, Asian markets — describes situations that have already been ongoing for days, not sudden events from the last few hours. With the regular edition due out in ninety minutes, these developments will find adequate space and context there; a flash now would be an early repetition, not more timely information for the reader.
- 02:00
Earthquake in Colombia: death toll rises to 132
The magnitude 7.4 earthquake that struck western Colombia on Monday, with its epicenter in Chocó, has caused at least 132 deaths according to the Colombian Geological Service, with hundreds still missing. In Cali, the pediatric and neonatal wards of a hospital collapsed; the mayor counted 32 buildings collapsed in the city. President Abelardo De la Espriella declared a national emergency, pledging: “you are not alone”. At least 21 aftershocks were recorded. Sources: Al Jazeera, CNN, Time.
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- 02:00
Houthis strike cargo ship in Red Sea: six dead
Houthi ballistic missiles struck the cargo ship Tihamah, carrying food, in the Bab al-Mandab Strait on Tuesday. Four crew members, three Pakistanis and one Indonesian, died in the fire on board. According to the Yemeni coast guard, two more servicemen were killed during the rescue operation, which was hit by a second missile. It is the first deadly attack by the Yemeni group since the war between Iran, the United States and Israel began. The Houthis claim to have struck a ship carrying Saudi military equipment. Sources: UPI, Cyprus Mail.
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