Sam's News — world — 2026-08-11¶
Natural Disaster¶
10 7.4 magnitude earthquake strikes Colombia, kills at least 111¶
A 7.4-magnitude earthquake struck western Colombia on August 10, 2026, killing at least 111 people and damaging over 1,600 buildings, marking the country's strongest quake in a decade.
- 7.4-magnitude earthquake, highest in Colombia in 10 years
- At least 111 killed, 87 injured; toll expected to rise
- Epicenter near San José del Palmar, Chocó region, ~250 miles west of Bogotá
- Over 1,600 buildings damaged; dozens collapsed across Cali, Pereira, Manizales, Quibdó
- Two aftershocks of 2.8 and 4.8 magnitude followed
- Multiple airports suspended flights; no tsunami threat
- Chocó region is rural and poorest in Colombia, accessible mainly by boat or plane
Sources: Al Jazeera AI Web Searched, NBC News AI Web Searched, CNN RSS
World¶
10 President of the United States took secret flight from Turkey amid Iranian threat¶
The president of the United States secretly departed Turkey during a NATO summit aboard an older military aircraft via an elaborate security ruse after receiving credible Iranian assassination threats, contradicting public statements that he was aboard Air Force One.
- Credible Iranian assassination threat prompted departure
- White House stated president was on Air Force One; he instead flew in older military aircraft via catering truck
- Newer Air Force One, donated by Qatar, used as decoy
- Aircraft switched at RAF Mildenhall in England
- Newer Air Force One sent for security upgrades following Iranian threat
Sources: The Washington Post AI Web Searched, The New York Times AI Web Searched, CBS News AI Web Searched
10 Russia using North Korean missiles to attack Ukraine, Zelensky reports¶
Ukrainian President Zelensky reported that Russia deployed North Korean ballistic missiles in overnight attacks on August 11, killing at least nine civilians, and warned that Russia is preparing to deploy up to 50,000 North Korean soldiers with additional missile quantities signaling military escalation.
- Russia deployed North Korean ballistic missiles in attacks August 11, 2026
- Strikes killed 9 civilians: 6 in Zaporizhzhia, 3 in Dnipropetrovsk
- Russia preparing to deploy up to 50,000 North Korean soldiers, increase from 30,000 announced July
- North Korean missile unit equipped with 120 ballistic missiles and 6 launchers deployed to western Russia
- Attacks damaged infectious disease hospital in Kyiv, caused power outages, hit shopping center in Pavlohrad
Sources: Arise News AI Web Searched, NewsCord AI Web Searched, BBC RSS
10 Colombia earthquake leaves over 200 dead with ongoing rescue efforts¶
A magnitude 7.4 earthquake struck western Colombia on August 10, 2026, killing at least 224 people with over 2,700 still reported missing as rescue efforts continue.
- Worst-hit cities: Cali (35 deaths) and Pereira in Risaralda region (at least 40 deaths)
- Other deaths: Choco 9, Caldas 2, Antioquia 1
- About 1,600 buildings damaged or destroyed, including a historic cathedral in Manizales
- Top floors of a Cali pediatric hospital collapsed, forcing ~600 patients onto rubble-strewn streets
- New far-right President Abelardo de la Espriella, sworn in Friday, declared a state of emergency
- Later report put injuries at 700 in Valle del Cauca alone
Sources: Al Jazeera AI Web Searched, Financial Post AI Web Searched, CNN RSS
8 Ukraine expands air war deep into Russia, increasing civilian deaths¶
Ukrainian drone strikes penetrating deep into Russian territory are causing rapidly increasing civilian casualties in Russia.
Sources: The New York Times RSS
8 Trump-Netanyahu rift widens amid election pressures over Gaza plan¶
Tensions between the president of the United States and Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu have widened as they diverge on Gaza policy due to election considerations.
Sources: The Washington Post RSS
8 Syria sentences former president al-Assad to death in absentia¶
A Syrian court sentenced former president Bashar al-Assad to death in absentia on August 11, 2026, marking his first conviction for war crimes and crimes against humanity from the country's 14-year civil war.
- Syria's civil war killed an estimated 500,000 people
- Al-Assad fled to Moscow after his regime fell in December 2024
- His brother Maher and six other officials, including ex-defense minister Fahd al-Freij, also sentenced to death in absentia
- Cousin Atef Najib convicted for torture tied to 2011 protests that sparked the uprising
- Syria's interim government says it will pursue international avenues to prosecute al-Assad; Russia has previously refused extradition
Sources: BBC News AI Web Searched, The Guardian AI Web Searched, The New York Times RSS, AP News RSS
8 Houthis kill four crew in deadly Red Sea attack; Iran situation affecting markets¶
Iranian-backed Houthis carried out a deadly missile attack on a vessel in the Bab el-Mandeb Strait on August 11, 2026, killing at least six people amid escalating regional tensions.
- Yemen's Transportation Ministry: four crew and two National Resistance Forces members killed
- Attack comes amid renewed Houthi strikes on government-held Yemeni areas
- Raises fears of civil war reigniting and further Red Sea shipping threats
- Comes as Strait of Hormuz remains effectively closed by Iran
Sources: 2news.com AI Web Searched, Reuters RSS, CNBC RSS
Geopolitics¶
8 U.S. and Iran reported close to peace deal agreement according to Pakistan¶
Pakistan's Defense Minister signals the United States and Iran are nearing a peace agreement, with Pakistan serving as mediator following earlier historic talks in Islamabad and a June accord.
- Pakistan Defense Minister: US and Iran close to 'some sort of an arrangement'
- President of the United States demanded Iranian compensation for citizens killed in IRGC attacks
- Pakistan Interior Minister in Tehran August 11 for talks with Iranian officials
- Earlier breakthrough: April 2026 Islamabad talks; June 18 'Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding' signed
- Conflict began February 28 with US and Israeli strikes on Iran
Sources: The Jerusalem Post AI Web Searched, The Tribune AI Web Searched, cbsnews.com RSS
Security¶
8 UK discovers Chinese-made component in military drones sent data to China¶
The UK found Chinese-made components in Royal Navy surveillance drone cameras that were sending signals to a Chinese internet address, prompting concerns over defence supply chain security.
- Affected: K3 Scout drones, purchased via contractor Kraken Technology Group
- 20 drones used by UK special forces since March under Operation Beehive
- Discovered during a routine cyber vulnerability assessment
- MoD says only heartbeat signals were sent, no evidence of data compromise
- Drones disconnected from internet access after discovery