Colombia experienced its strongest earthquake ever on Monday, with a magnitude of 7.4. The new president, Abelardo de la Espriella, reported at least 181 people have died, and many more are missing.
Key Facts
The earthquake had a magnitude of 7.4, the strongest recorded in Colombia.
It occurred on a Monday.
President Abelardo de la Espriella is Colombia’s current leader.
At least 181 people have died because of the earthquake.
Hundreds of people are missing after the earthquake.
The earthquake caused widespread damage and fear.
News reporter Lilia Luciano covered the event from Colombia.
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Severe storms with strong winds and thunderstorms struck the Midwest, causing nearly 1 million people to lose electricity across Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, and Kentucky. The storms led to flight delays, at least one death, widespread damage to homes and trees, and the cancellation of local events.
Key Facts
Nearly 1 million customers lost power due to severe weather in four states: Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, and Kentucky.
Chicago airports stopped flights temporarily; nearly half of flights were delayed and 10% were canceled.
Tornado warning sirens sounded as two suspected tornadoes hit suburbs of south Chicago and northwest Indiana.
Wind gusts reached speeds of 80 mph or more in some areas, causing roofs to be damaged and power lines to fall.
A home explosion in Portage, Indiana, during the storm killed one person, though the exact cause was unclear.
Flooded roads blocked emergency responders in Roseville, Ohio, where a resident died during a health emergency.
Local fairs and events were canceled due to the weather and resulting damage.
Officials warned the storms were dangerous because of the "ring of fire" weather pattern bringing heavy rain and winds.
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Singer Sir Rod Stewart has canceled the rest of his "One Last Time" farewell tour after having a coronary stent procedure, a treatment to help heart blood flow. He is recovering well but will take four weeks to rest and regain his strength before performing again.
Key Facts
Rod Stewart postponed and canceled several concerts due to a medical issue.
He underwent a routine coronary stent procedure to improve blood flow to his heart.
Doctors are pleased with his recovery, and he is returning to normal activities.
On medical advice, he will rest for four weeks before returning to the stage.
Stewart canceled all remaining tour dates scheduled through September 3, including shows in Las Vegas and Mexico.
The singer expressed disappointment about missing performances and thanked medical staff for their care.
Stewart is 81 years old and is a highly successful and famous rock singer with hits like “Maggie May.”
He has been inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame twice.
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Powerful storms moved through the Midwest and mid-Atlantic regions on Tuesday night. The storms brought very strong winds, tornadoes, and sudden flooding.
Key Facts
Storms affected the Midwest and mid-Atlantic states.
Wind speeds reached up to 100 miles per hour, similar to hurricane force.
Tornadoes were reported during the storm outbreak.
Flash flooding occurred in some areas.
The event took place on a Tuesday night.
The storms caused dangerous weather conditions across multiple states.
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The UK will experience its largest solar eclipse since 1999 on Wednesday evening, with the Moon covering up to 96% of the Sun depending on the location. Northern Spain and other parts of Europe will see a total solar eclipse, attracting many visitors to witness this natural event.
Key Facts
The eclipse will be visible across the entire UK, with the highest coverage (94%-96%) in Devon, Cornwall, and parts of Wales.
Other parts of the UK will see between 90% and 94% of the Sun covered by the Moon.
Northern Spain, Russia, Greenland, Iceland, and Portugal will experience a total solar eclipse.
Hundreds of thousands of people are traveling to northern Spain to watch the full eclipse.
The peak time for the eclipse in the UK will be between 18:58 and 19:15 BST, varying by location.
Weather forecasts predict mostly clear skies in much of the UK, but cloud and rain may affect parts of northern England, Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland.
Special eclipse glasses are needed to safely watch the event; many have been sold out in UK stores.
The next similar partial eclipse visible in the UK will happen in 2081, and the next total eclipse in the UK in 2090.
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Heavy floods have affected Assam, a state in northeastern India, causing widespread damage and displacing many people. A 97-year-old woman was rescued on a raft made from banana tree trunks after floodwaters rose around her home in the village of Charing.
Key Facts
Floods in Assam have affected about 1.2 million people across 25 districts.
The floods have damaged over 19,000 houses and put more than 75,000 people in 252 relief camps.
The death toll from the floods has reached 100, with 10 districts and 456 villages affected.
Bornali Baruah and her family carried her 97-year-old mother on a banana trunk raft to safety due to the lack of boats or rescue teams.
Baruah’s home was submerged in water rising up to five feet inside the house.
The flooding was caused by rivers like the Jhanji, Dikhow, and Mitong overflowing after heavy rains.
Baruah, who runs a large livestock farm, lost most of her animals, farm equipment, furniture, vehicles, and books in the flood.
There is no insurance available for livestock in her area, making recovery harder for farmers like her.
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UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham has reversed his plan to allow early release of two killers of PC Andrew Harper. Police chiefs and unions have raised concerns about the early release scheme, warning it could risk public safety and cause mistakes in prisoner releases.
Key Facts
Prime Minister Burnham wants to stop early release of Jessie Cole and Albert Bowers, jailed for killing PC Andrew Harper.
The National Association of Probation Officers has voted for possible strike action over the early release plans.
All 43 chief police officers in England and Wales wrote to Burnham seeking extra safety measures for violent offenders.
Some unions warn that blocking early release in some cases may increase mistakes and risks for other inmates.
Burnham is confident he can find prison space for high-profile offenders who should stay behind bars.
Other news includes a major solar eclipse visible in the UK and Europe and a heatwave raising food prices.
The Financial Times reports on Syria sentencing Atif Najib and Bashar al-Assad to death for war crimes.
Actress Lucy Davis has publicly shared her terminal breast cancer diagnosis and her plan to live positively.
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Male redback spiders perform a unique "self-sacrificial somersault" during mating that causes females to eat them after sex. Scientists found this behavior is linked to a specific gene on the male spider’s X chromosome and studied how it differs from related spider species like the New Zealand katipō.
Key Facts
Male redback spiders often get eaten by females after mating through a behavior called a self-sacrificial somersault.
During mating, the male flips his body into the female’s mouth to help transfer sperm and increase reproductive success.
This sacrificial act is genetically linked to a specific part of the male spider’s X chromosome.
Redbacks are related to New Zealand’s katipō spiders, which do not show this cannibalistic behavior.
Researchers bred redbacks and katipō spiders together and found about half of the offspring showed the somersault behavior.
The katipō and redback species separated around 100,000 years ago, during which time katipō lost this behavior.
Interbreeding between invasive redbacks and native katipō in New Zealand is a concern because it could harm the native species.
Understanding this behavior and interbreeding helps scientists find ways to protect native katipō spiders.
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A strong earthquake hit parts of Colombia, killing over 180 people. Rescue teams are working urgently to find survivors as the search reaches an important stage nearly a day after the quake.
Key Facts
A powerful earthquake struck Colombia.
More than 180 people have died because of the quake.
Rescue operations continue 24 hours after the earthquake.
Authorities and rescue teams are searching for survivors.
There are still hopeful moments despite the devastation.
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Syrian President Bashar al-Assad has been sentenced to death without being present, for war crimes during the civil war. Meanwhile, missile attacks by Iran-backed Houthi rebels killed at least six people, and the Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo has caused over 2,000 deaths.
Key Facts
Bashar al-Assad, Syrian President, was sentenced to death in absentia for war crimes.
The sentence relates to actions during Syria’s civil war.
Iran-backed Houthi rebels fired ballistic missiles, killing at least six people on a vessel.
The missile attack is part of ongoing conflicts involving the Houthis.
The Democratic Republic of the Congo reports over 2,000 deaths from an Ebola outbreak.
The Ebola outbreak continues to be a significant health crisis in the region.
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Scientists say a strong El Niño weather pattern is growing and might become one of the strongest ever recorded. This weather event could change rain and snow in the Western United States, possibly helping with drought but also affecting wildfire chances and water supplies.
Key Facts
El Niño is a climate pattern where ocean temperatures rise in the central and eastern tropical Pacific.
Experts predict this El Niño will get stronger in fall and winter, possibly ranking among the strongest on record.
The biggest effects on Western U.S. weather usually happen in late fall and winter, changing rainfall, snow, and storm paths.
A strong El Niño often brings wetter and snowier winters to California and the Southwest.
This could help improve drought conditions and increase mountain snowpack that feeds rivers and water reservoirs.
Past strong El Niños occurred in 1982-83, 1997-98, and 2015-16.
Although El Niño can influence weather odds, it does not control exact daily weather.
A stronger El Niño could also change wildfire risks after winter.
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Mohammad Reza Naqdi, a key adviser to the leader of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), gave a rare interview in Tehran. The IRGC usually avoids interviews, especially with Western reporters.
Key Facts
The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) is responsible for Iran’s border and internal security.
Mohammad Reza Naqdi is a top adviser to the IRGC commander.
The IRGC rarely speaks to the media.
Interviews with Western journalists by IRGC members are almost never given.
The interview was conducted in Tehran by special correspondent Reza Sayah.
The interview comes during a tense, ongoing conflict involving Iran.
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President Donald Trump secretly left the NATO summit in July because of a threat from Iranian missiles. Meanwhile, severe storms affected the Midwest, and wildfires continued to burn in western U.S. states.
Key Facts
President Trump took a private flight away from the NATO summit in July.
The reason for his secret departure was a missile threat from Iran.
The Midwest region experienced strong storms recently.
Wildfires are still active in several western states.
The news was reported during the CBS Evening News on August 11.
These events involve both international security and U.S. weather emergencies.
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Andrew Tate and his brother Tristan are asking a US court to release them on bail while they face extradition to the UK for multiple charges. British prosecutors say the brothers are a flight risk and could intimidate witnesses, so they want them to stay in jail during the court process.
Key Facts
Andrew and Tristan Tate were arrested in Miami on July 19 and have been held since then.
The UK Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) brought 38 charges, which now total 59 including rape, sex trafficking, and child exploitation.
Both brothers are British-US dual citizens.
British prosecutors claim they might try to run away or interfere with witnesses if released.
Prosecutors highlighted the brothers’ wealth, social media influence, and past threats to complainants.
The Tate brothers deny all allegations.
The hearing in Florida will decide if they can be freed on bail while fighting extradition.
The brothers moved to Romania in 2016, where they faced other charges and travel restrictions, but these were lifted in early 2025.
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Edinburgh hosts many large cultural festivals every summer, attracting visitors from around the world. However, rising costs for accommodation, food, and event tickets have made attending these festivals more expensive for both tourists and locals.
Key Facts
Edinburgh holds several major festivals in August, including the Fringe, the International Festival, and the Military Tattoo.
The cost of living and attending the festivals has significantly increased in recent years.
Accommodation prices in Edinburgh during August have risen by about 300% over the last decade.
Hotel room rates in Edinburgh averaged over £260 per night in August 2025, higher than in Glasgow (£110) and Manchester (£81).
Self-catering rentals in Edinburgh cost around £205 per day for one or two people, more expensive than Glasgow and Manchester.
Festival venue costs have increased due to higher expenses for utilities, insurance, equipment, and transport.
Local people find it increasingly hard to afford attending many shows or fully experiencing the festivals due to these costs.
Some events, like a TV festival, moved from Edinburgh to Manchester because of affordability and accessibility issues.
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A search and rescue team in Michigan found two women and a 9-year-old boy who were missing for three days after a river tubing trip went wrong. The group survived by eating bark and flowers and drinking river water before rescuers located them about seven miles from where they started.
Key Facts
The missing group included two women, ages 28, and a 9-year-old boy.
Their river tubing tubes popped after hitting logs on the Muskegon River near Twin Lake, Michigan.
They survived three days by eating bark and flowers and drinking river water.
Rescue teams tracked them by following footprints and broken vegetation along the river.
The group was found wearing only their swimsuits, covered in cuts and bug bites.
Rescuers gave them medical gloves and shirts to protect against bugs and provided support for their injuries.
The search covered rugged terrain and dense vegetation, making it difficult to find them.
The group was found about 7 miles from where they began their tubing trip.
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North Korea fired what is suspected to be a ballistic missile into the sea, according to Japan's Defense Ministry. This launch follows another recent missile test and comes just before South Korea and the United States plan to start joint military drills.
Key Facts
Japan’s Defense Ministry reported North Korea launched a possible ballistic missile toward the sea.
South Korea’s military confirmed an unidentified projectile was fired off North Korea’s east coast.
This is North Korea’s second missile launch in less than a week.
The recent launches come ahead of the Ulchi Freedom Shield military drills by South Korea and the U.S.
North Korea often views these joint drills as practice for invasion and usually responds with weapons tests.
Last week, North Korea launched a short-range ballistic missile, the first such test since late June.
North Korea has not officially confirmed the recent missile launch yet.
The joint military drills aim to strengthen readiness against threats from North Korea.
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A ferry carrying more people than it should on Zimbabwe's Lake Kariba overturned, causing at least 15 deaths and leaving 27 people missing. Rescue teams saved 77 passengers, and the search for others is ongoing.
Key Facts
The ferry was overloaded, with 114 ticketed adults plus possibly children not counted.
The boat’s capacity is 90 people, but many more were onboard.
At least 15 people died, and 27 are still missing.
Seventy-seven people reached a small island safely and were rescued.
Rescue efforts included speedboats, a helicopter, and an underwater search team.
Lake Kariba is a large man-made lake on the border between Zimbabwe and Zambia.
The ferry trip from rural communities to the town of Kariba usually takes about five hours.
Authorities may officially declare the accident a disaster due to its severity.
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A strong 7.4 magnitude earthquake struck western Colombia, causing widespread damage and leaving thousands missing. Rescue teams and volunteers are searching for survivors amid collapsed buildings. Colombian President Abelardo de la Espriella, who just took office, is leading the emergency response.
Key Facts
The earthquake hit western Colombia with a magnitude of 7.4.
At least 181 people have died and about 2,595 were injured.
At least 195 people are officially reported missing; some sources say the number could be near 4,000.
The hardest-hit cities include Cali, Pereira, Manizales, and Quibdo.
More than 1,000 homes were destroyed, with many others damaged.
The quake occurred shortly after President Abelardo de la Espriella took office.
The disaster is a major challenge for the new president, who is mobilizing the military, rescue teams, engineers, and search dogs.
Aftershocks continue, with over 100 smaller tremors recorded since the main quake.
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