A ferry carrying too many people capsized on Lake Kariba in Zimbabwe. At least 15 people died, 27 are missing, and 77 were rescued and reached a nearby island.
Key Facts
The ferry was overloaded with passengers.
The accident happened on Lake Kariba, located in Zimbabwe.
At least 15 people died in the capsizing.
Twenty-seven people are still missing after the incident.
Seventy-seven people were rescued and made it safely to a small island.
Rescue teams continue searching for the missing passengers.
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Iran insists it will not reopen the Strait of Hormuz until the United States ends its military actions, lifts its naval blockade, releases frozen Iranian funds, and agrees to a regional ceasefire. Pakistan’s interior minister visited Tehran to discuss stronger ties and mediation efforts amid ongoing conflicts involving the US, Iran, and Yemen’s Houthis, who have recently attacked ships in the Gulf and Red Sea.
Key Facts
Iran’s Supreme National Security Council head stated the Strait of Hormuz will remain closed until US demands are met.
Iran requires the US to stop its military campaign, end the naval blockade, free frozen Iranian assets, and accept a ceasefire including Gaza and Lebanon.
Pakistan’s interior minister visited Tehran to strengthen bilateral ties and mediate in the conflict.
Qatar also is mediating, with talks between Iran and Oman on shipping routes in the Strait of Hormuz progressing.
The US Navy disabled a Panama-flagged cargo ship that ignored a blockade near the Strait of Hormuz.
Yemen’s Iran-aligned Houthi forces attacked a cargo ship in the Red Sea, killing four crew members and two rescuers.
Houthis claimed to have attacked a Saudi military ship in the Bab al-Mandeb strait, though details remain unclear.
President Donald Trump has varied between threats and hopes for a peace deal with Iran while negotiating.
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People in Idlib, Syria, celebrated after a court sentenced former President Bashar al-Assad and several other officials to death for crimes during the Syrian civil war. Idlib played a key role in the fight that ended the Assad family's 53-year rule.
Key Facts
A court sentenced Bashar al-Assad and other former officials to death.
The sentences are for crimes committed during the Syrian civil war.
Syrians in Idlib gathered to celebrate the court's decision.
Idlib was an important area in the conflict against Assad’s government.
The Assad family ruled Syria for 53 years before being ousted.
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North Korea fired a ballistic missile on August 12, its second launch in less than a week, seen as a protest against upcoming joint military drills by South Korea and the United States. The missile flew over 700 kilometers and landed in waters near Japan. The South Korean and Japanese governments condemned the launch and expressed readiness to respond to any threats.
Key Facts
North Korea launched a ballistic missile from the Wonsan area on its east coast.
The missile flew about 700 kilometers (435 miles) before landing in waters between Korea and Japan.
This is North Korea’s second missile test within a week.
South Korea and the US are preparing to start annual large-scale military drills on August 17.
North Korea views these drills as rehearsals for an invasion and often responds with weapons tests.
Japan protested the missile launch, citing it as a serious safety concern.
UN Security Council resolutions ban North Korea from missile launches, but the country has continued testing.
North Korea is expanding its missile and nuclear weapons despite past diplomatic talks with the US ending in 2019.
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Ahmed al-Ahmed, who stopped a gunman during the Bondi beach terror attack, has had assault charges against him dropped. Although the assault case was dismissed, a domestic violence order protecting his father will stay in place for 12 months.
Key Facts
Ahmed al-Ahmed was accused of putting his father in a headlock and intimidation, but he pleaded not guilty.
Prosecutors withdrew the assault and intimidation charges against him.
A domestic violence order protecting his father remains for one year.
Ahmed al-Ahmed became known worldwide for disarming a gunman during the Bondi beach attack.
He was shot multiple times during the attack and later visited by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese.
Ahmed’s lawyer called him a hero and said the family situation was difficult.
Ahmed claimed his brothers tried to extort money from him after $2.5 million was raised for him.
His brothers were charged with using communication services to harass and try to extort $200,000 from Ahmed.
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China’s Comac C919 passenger jet will make its first international flight from Beijing to Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, marking a step in China’s attempt to compete with Boeing and Airbus in commercial aviation. The plane has operated domestically in China since 2023 but still relies on many parts made outside China and faces challenges in matching global leaders.
Key Facts
The C919 is a Chinese-made passenger jet similar in size to the Boeing 737.
Its first international flight is scheduled from Beijing to Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia.
The jet has been used on domestic Chinese flights since 2023.
Comac, the maker of the C919, is a state-owned Chinese company.
More than half of the parts for the C919 come from suppliers in the United States and other countries.
The U.S. has restricted exports of certain components to Comac amid ongoing trade tensions.
China aims to develop its own large commercial aircraft as a matter of national security.
In 2023, Comac delivered only 15 C919 jets, below its target of 75.
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A strong earthquake hit Cali, Colombia, causing severe damage and many deaths. Thousands of volunteers are helping to search for survivors in the rubble of collapsed buildings.
Key Facts
Cali is the third-largest city in Colombia.
A powerful earthquake struck the city on Monday.
Many buildings, including apartments, have collapsed.
The number of deaths is increasing as rescue efforts continue.
Thousands of volunteers are assisting with the search for survivors.
Rescue workers are digging through rubble to find people trapped inside.
The situation is described as desperate and urgent by reporters at the scene.
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Count Binface, a British comedian who wears a rubbish bin on his head, is running in the Clacton by-election against politician Nigel Farage. Known for mixing humor with political satire, Binface aims to highlight issues in UK politics and encourage voter participation despite being seen as a joke candidate.
Key Facts
The Clacton by-election was triggered when Nigel Farage resigned as MP but he is running again.
Mainstream UK political parties are not fielding candidates in this election.
Count Binface is the alter ego of Jon Harvey, a comedian and writer with a background in classical studies.
Binface has been participating in UK elections since 2017, previously as Lord Buckethead.
He uses humor and satire to bring attention to political frustrations and to support democracy.
In the 2021 and 2024 London mayoral elections, Binface received about 1% of the vote each time.
His manifesto includes comedic promises like capping croissant prices and improving WiFi on trains.
Binface’s campaign encourages people to vote even if the outcome seems predictable.
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New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon said he won a leadership vote within his own National Party less than three months before the national election. He confirmed he has full support from his party members and that they are united and focused on winning the upcoming election.
Key Facts
The vote took place privately at a meeting of National Party lawmakers in Wellington.
Luxon did not reveal the exact vote count, and such votes are usually secret.
This was the second leadership vote Luxon called since April 2026.
The April vote happened after a drop in National Party polling numbers.
The recent vote followed some public comments by Luxon that caused concern within his party.
Luxon publicly acknowledged the leadership challenge on social media before the vote.
He emphasized that division in the party too close to the election is a distraction.
National Party leads a right-wing coalition government since the 2023 election.
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Thailand has stopped issuing new gun licenses after a 14-year-old boy killed his grandparents and six others at his school before taking his own life. The victims were cremated as the country mourned, and officials are investigating the shooter’s motives while calling for stronger gun control.
Key Facts
A 14-year-old boy shot and killed his grandparents at their home in Nonthaburi, north of Bangkok.
He then went to his school and killed six people, including five teachers and staff.
The boy died by suicide after the shooting.
Authorities have suspended new gun licenses to buy, own, or carry firearms across Thailand.
Investigators found the boy had watched violent videos and brought an air gun to school before.
Some believe mental health issues and bullying may have contributed to the shooting.
The father of the shooter expressed grief and confusion over his son’s actions.
Thailand has a high rate of gun ownership, and past efforts to tighten gun laws have not stopped shootings.
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Zambia will hold general elections on August 13, with about 8.79 million voters registered. The vote is seen as a test of whether recent economic reforms have improved life for ordinary citizens amid ongoing challenges like high food and fuel costs.
Key Facts
Fourteen candidates are running for president, including the current leader Hakainde Hichilema and opposition candidate Brian Mundubile.
The government highlights progress in debt restructuring and completion of an IMF support program.
Inflation dropped to 6.8% in April, but many people still face high costs for food, fuel, and electricity.
Many citizens question if economic reforms have improved their living conditions and household incomes.
Economic hardship and unemployment remain major concerns for voters.
Zambia depends heavily on copper mining, which makes up about 70% of export earnings and more than 10% of GDP.
The government wants to increase copper production to 3 million tonnes annually.
There is debate on how much mining revenue actually benefits the wider population.
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Tropical storm Chan-hom hit the Tokyo area, causing power outages and knocking down trees before moving west across Japan. The storm caused minor injuries to five people and disrupted flights and travel during a holiday week.
Key Facts
Tropical storm Chan-hom made landfall near the Tokyo region late Tuesday.
The storm caused more than 3,000 homes in Ibaraki and Tochigi prefectures to lose electricity.
Five people had minor injuries in Ibaraki and Iwate prefectures.
About 60 flights at Tokyo’s Haneda airport were canceled due to the storm.
Trees fell in Tokyo, including the Omotesando shopping area, but no serious injuries were reported.
Chan-hom brought sustained winds around 64 km/h (40 mph) as it moved toward the coast in central Japan.
This was the first tropical storm or typhoon to make landfall in Ibaraki since 1951.
The storm arrived shortly after Typhoon Dolphin caused damage and deaths in the Philippines and flooding in China.
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Tropical Storm Chan-hom hit the Tokyo area, causing power outages and minor injuries before moving west toward Japan’s north-central coast. The storm weakened after making landfall in Ibaraki prefecture but brought heavy rain and wind, affecting many travelers and leading to flight cancellations.
Key Facts
Tropical Storm Chan-hom made landfall near Tokyo, especially southern Ibaraki, late Tuesday.
The storm caused over 3,000 homes in Ibaraki and Tochigi prefectures to lose power.
Five people had minor injuries in Ibaraki and Iwate prefectures.
Chan-hom was moving west with winds of about 64 km/h (40 mph) early Wednesday.
Around 60 flights at Tokyo’s Haneda airport were canceled due to the storm.
Trees were knocked down in Tokyo, including in the shopping area of Omotesando, with no injuries reported there.
The storm followed Typhoon Dolphin, which recently caused deaths and flooding in the Philippines and China.
This was the first time a storm or typhoon made landfall in Ibaraki since records began in 1951.
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More than 20 states in the U.S. will see a partial solar eclipse on Wednesday when the moon moves in front of the sun. The best views in the U.S. will be in Alaska, while people wanting to see the full eclipse are traveling to other countries.
Key Facts
Over 20 U.S. states will experience a partial solar eclipse.
The eclipse happens when the moon passes between the Earth and the sun.
Alaska is expected to have the clearest and best viewing conditions.
The full solar eclipse is visible only in certain places outside the U.S.
Many people are traveling overseas to watch the total eclipse.
Andrew Fraknoi, an astronomy professor, shared tips on eclipse viewing.
The event will happen on Wednesday.
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Europe will see a total solar eclipse on Wednesday, where the moon completely blocks the sun. At the same time, 25 U.S. states will experience a partial solar eclipse, meaning the moon will cover only part of the sun.
Key Facts
A total solar eclipse will occur over parts of Europe on Wednesday.
During a total solar eclipse, the moon fully covers the sun, making it dark for a short time.
In the United States, 25 states will see a partial solar eclipse on the same day.
In a partial eclipse, the moon covers only a part of the sun's surface.
Derrick Pitts, chief astronomer at the Franklin Institute in Philadelphia, explained what to expect from the eclipse.
The event can be watched live on CBS News and through the CBS News app.
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North Korea fired a ballistic missile into the Sea of Japan, marking its second test in less than a week. This launch happened just before South Korea and the United States start their annual joint military drills, known as Ulchi Freedom Shield.
Key Facts
North Korea launched a ballistic missile from the Wonsan area toward the East Sea (Sea of Japan).
The missile flew more than 700 kilometers (435 miles).
South Korea and the US plan to hold their Ulchi Freedom Shield military drills starting August 17, lasting 11 days.
About 18,000 South Korean soldiers will participate in these joint exercises with the US.
North Korea often responds to these drills with missile tests and critical statements.
Japan reported the missile launch and said the missile had fallen into the sea.
North Korea has criticized Japan’s defense policies in recent months.
Ukrainian President Zelenskyy claimed Russia used a North Korean missile in an attack on a steel plant in Ukraine.
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The Cook Islands are holding a general election amid debates over deep-sea mining, diplomatic tensions with New Zealand, and new foreign partnerships, especially with China. Prime Minister Mark Brown defended his decisions, saying the country works with other nations on its own terms, but the new China agreements caused concern and economic challenges.
Key Facts
The Cook Islands has about 17,000 people and faces important choices in its general election.
Prime Minister Mark Brown has led the country since 2020 and signed partnership deals with China in 2025.
These deals caused tension with New Zealand, a longtime ally that temporarily stopped aid due to concerns about transparency.
A new Defense and Security Agreement with New Zealand was signed to improve relations.
The opposition leader, Teariki Heather, opposes the China partnership and values close ties with New Zealand.
The Cook Islands economy suffered during the Covid-19 pandemic mainly because tourism makes up about 70% of its income.
The government worked to cut debt and grow the economy by more than 10% per year after 2022.
Rising fuel prices due to conflict in the Middle East affected the islands, leading the government to create a fund to stabilize energy costs.
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The mayor of Bay Head, New Jersey, is concerned that a social media trend of attracting sharks near shore with bait is increasing the risk of shark attacks on swimmers. People are sharing videos of pulling sharks close to the beach to take photos, which the mayor says lures dangerous sharks into swimming areas.
Key Facts
Bay Head’s mayor, Bill Curtis, is worried about a social media trend attracting sharks near shore.
People are using bait near the beach to draw in sharks, then taking photos with them.
One video shows an 8-foot bull shark being pulled onto the beach.
Shark fishermen often fish about 100 yards from shore in 15-foot-deep water.
Captain John Schaible says participants are not harming sharks, just taking pictures and releasing them.
The mayor believes baiting sharks near swimmers is unsafe and urges caution and common sense.
It is legal to fish for sharks in the area, but the practice is causing concern due to public safety.
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An Egyptian cargo ship caught fire in the Bab al-Mandeb strait after a suspected attack by Yemen’s Iran-backed Houthi fighters. Four crew members died, which would be the first deaths caused by a Houthi strike on shipping since the war involving Iran began in February.
Key Facts
The cargo ship is owned by Egypt.
It caught fire in the Bab al-Mandeb strait.
The fire followed a suspected attack by Houthi forces from Yemen.
The Houthis are supported by Iran.
Four crew members were killed in the attack.
This is the first reported death from a Houthi strike on shipping since the conflict with Iran started in February.
The incident was captured on video showing the ship in flames.
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The Pentagon informed Congress that U.S. airstrikes in Yemen last year caused the deaths of 153 civilians and injured 243 others. These airstrikes were authorized by President Donald Trump in March after attacks by Houthi rebels on commercial ships in the Red Sea.
Key Facts
The U.S. military conducted airstrikes against Houthi militants in Yemen last year.
The Pentagon reported to Congress that 153 civilians were killed due to these strikes.
An additional 243 civilians were injured in the airstrikes.
The airstrikes followed Houthi attacks on commercial shipping vessels in the Red Sea.
President Donald Trump authorized the airstrikes in March of the previous year.
The Houthi group is a rebel movement involved in the conflict in Yemen.
These events are part of ongoing conflict and instability in Yemen.
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