U.S. Diverts 55 Ships, Deploys 20 Warships for Iranian Port Blockade
On August 9, 2026, U.S. forces diverted 55 commercial vessels and deployed over 20 warships to enforce a naval blockade on Iranian ports, as tensions over … Read more
World
Diplomacy, conflict, climate and global culture covered from on-the-ground correspondents across five continents.
Russia Launches Massive Missile and Drone Attack on Kyiv
Russia launched a massive missile and drone attack on Kyiv, killing at least 12 people and injuring 60, according to local officials, as Ukrainian President Volodymyr … Read more
M23 Rebels Receive 15 Congolese Prisoners
Congolese authorities transferred 15 prisoners to M23 rebels on August 7, 2026, marking the first known implementation of a 2025 peace deal to end eastern DRC … Read more
UNICEF Under Fire
Ukrainian acting Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiha criticized UNICEF for a statement on children’s deaths in Russia and Ukraine, accusing the agency of omitting Russia’s role as … Read more
Daniel Kinahan extradited from UAE to Ireland on organized crime charges
Daniel Kinahan, an alleged leader of a transnational crime syndicate, was extradited from the UAE to Ireland and charged with directing a criminal organization. Daniel Kinahan, … Read more
Canada Wildfires: BC Premier Declares State of Emergency Over 9,500-Hectare Blaze
British Columbia declared a state of emergency as the Bald Range wildfire, now 9,500 hectares, forced over 20,000 people to evacuate, with Premier David Eby describing … Read more
British Columbia Wildfires: Over 20,000 Evacuated Amid Bald Range Blaze
British Columbia declared a state of emergency as the Bald Range wildfire, doubling in size overnight, forced over 20,000 people to evacuate, with officials describing flames … Read more
Iran Nears Oman Deal on Strait But Reopening Stalls
Iran announced on Saturday that a deal with Oman regarding control of the Strait of Hormuz is nearing finalization, though officials stressed it will not automatically … Read more
Colombia’s Abelardo de la Espriella Sworn In as US Pledges $1bn in Aid
Conservative outsider Abelardo de la Espriella was sworn in as Colombia’s president on August 7, 2026, choosing the volatile city of Cali over the capital to … Read more
Danube Drought Exposes WWII Nazi Warships and Threatens Trade
Record-low water levels on the Danube River, Europe’s second-longest waterway, have exposed dozens of World War II German warships, ancient woolly mammoth bones, and historical relics … Read more
Abelardo de la Espriella Inaugurated as Colombia’s President in Cali
Abelardo de la Espriella took office as the President of Colombia on Friday, August 7, 2026, during an official ceremony held at the Arena of the … Read more
US Pledges $1B in Security Aid as Colombia’s New President Takes Office
The US state department announced that the administration of President Donald Trump plans to provide $1 billion in security assistance to the government of Colombia. According … Read more