Aug 11, 2026, 07:30 AM UTC

Greek emergency crews deployed aircraft on Sunday morning to combat a major wildfire raging along Mount Cithaeron near Megara, west of Athens, following overnight operations by hundreds of firefighters, military personnel, and volunteers using heavy machinery.

In Malta, court proceedings continued in the trial of businessman Yorgen Fenech, accused of ordering the 2017 car bomb assassination of investigative journalist Daphne Caruana Galizia. Jurors heard testimony from her son concerning her investigations into alleged corruption involving Fenech and government officials.

Meanwhile, data from the Reuters Institute's Digital News Report 2026 showed that 63 percent of Croatians occasionally or frequently avoid news, reflecting a two percent increase from 2025 and placing Croatia alongside Bulgaria, Greece, and Turkey with top news avoidance rates.

Sources: HRT Vijesti, Index, Poslovni dnevnik

Washington is reorienting its foreign apparatus through several diplomatic and security decisions. The US Senate approved retired Marine General Ronald Johnson as the new ambassador to Bosnia and Herzegovina, with Sarajevo currently reviewing his credentials. Meanwhile, the State Department notified Congress of plans to close five diplomatic posts across Asia, Africa, North America, and the Caribbean to cut costs, raising concerns among critics regarding expanding Chinese influence.

In counter-intelligence developments, FBI Director Kash Patel highlighted law enforcement cooperation with China and Russia, labeling them "non-traditional partners." The collaboration includes officer exchanges, joint investigations, and intelligence sharing. In response to separate American commercial restrictions, Beijing's Commerce Ministry imposed sanctions on seven US entities and tightened export controls on drone technology.

Sources: Avaz, CDM, Index, Klix, Vijesti.

Search and rescue operations are ongoing in western Colombia following a magnitude 7.4 earthquake centered near San José del Palmar in the Chocó region. The quake struck at a depth between 82 and 107 kilometers, triggering strong tremors across major population centers, including Bogotá, Medellín, and Cali.

In Cali, municipal authorities reported the collapse of at least 20 buildings, trapping numerous residents beneath the debris. Casualty figures remain fluid as emergency response teams continue to clear affected sites. Media outlets have published varying fatality counts as information develops, ranging from at least 47 to over 80 deaths, alongside dozens of injured individuals.

Sources: Avaz, CDM, HRT Vijesti, Index, Klix

Iran continues to enforce its blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, demanding that the United States fulfill all terms of a June memorandum, including sanctions relief, unfreezing foreign assets, and compensating Tehran for war damages. Meanwhile, Iranian authorities dismissed reports regarding the failing health of Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei, maintaining he recently met with President Masoud Pezeshkian and military leaders.

In Yemen, Houthi forces launched fresh strikes against the Red Sea port of Mokha. Concurrently, international envoy Nickolay Mladenov urged support for the U.S.-backed Gaza peace roadmap following initial reservations from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, as Israeli forces reportedly began adjusting troop positions.

Sources: ANSA, Corriere della Sera, Il Messaggero, La Repubblica.

Oil prices surged on Monday, with Brent crude rising over six percent to $87.60 per barrel as negotiations between Iran and Oman regarding the Strait of Hormuz stalled. The sharp rise in crude prices boosted energy stocks, lifting the Oslo Børs following mixed trading in Asia and previous gains on Wall Street driven by strong U.S. employment data.

Despite the broader market gain, domestic inflation figures put pressure on banking shares such as DNB. Tech companies, including Nordic Semiconductor, posted gains, while analysts offered mixed views on seafood stocks despite seeing significant upside potential in select equities.

Sources: Finansavisen, VG, Dagens Næringsliv, Dagens Industri, E24