Aug 12, 2026, 12:30 AM UTC

Omani-led diplomatic negotiations regarding maritime traffic through the Strait of Hormuz remain ongoing, though a final deal between international parties has yet to be finalized. U.S. President Donald Trump offered contrasting assessments of the situation, suggesting an agreement could be reached imminently while downplaying urgency by describing the talks as "a chess game." Iranian officials reiterated that reopening the strategic waterway remains contingent on significant U.S. concessions, including sanction relief, war reparations, and an end to military threats.

Concurrently, Israel and Lebanon initiated a seventh round of talks in Rome while an estimated 800,000 displaced Lebanese citizens began returning to the south. In separate maritime security developments, an Indian commercial vessel was reportedly struck and sunk off the Yemeni coast.

Sources: Avaz, CDM, Dan, Klix, Vijesti

Rescue teams and military personnel in western Colombia are continuing search operations following a magnitude 7.4 earthquake that struck on August 10 near San José del Palmar. The death toll has reached at least 164, with more than 500 people injured, though authorities warn casualties may rise further as clearance efforts proceed.

A national state of emergency remains active while emergency crews search through collapsed buildings for survivors. The deep-focus earthquake, which occurred at a depth of approximately 107 kilometers, caused significant structural damage across multiple cities and was felt in neighboring Ecuador.

Initial reports from media outlets reflected evolving casualty estimates ranging from 20 to 132 fatalities before local authorities updated the official count.

Sources: Adevărul, Digi24, HotNews, Moldova1, Ziarul de Gardă.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy concluded a two-day diplomatic visit to Belgrade, engaging in high-level talks with Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić. Both leaders affirmed mutual respect for territorial integrity and pledged not to block each other's European Union accession efforts. Vučić explicitly clarified that military cooperation was not discussed, expressing hope for a swift end to hostilities.

The visit highlighted complex geopolitical dynamics. Regional observers noted that while Vučić avoided direct condemnation of Moscow, the meeting signaled an attempt to reassure Western allies. Meanwhile, Russian media interpreted the summit as a tactical attempt by Belgrade to secure Western backing ahead of upcoming domestic elections amid deep political divisions within Serbia.

Sources: Beta, Danas, HRT Vijesti, Klix, N1.

With three months remaining until the November 3 midterm elections, US politics is focusing on a vote that will test President Donald Trump's standing and determine control of Congress for the remainder of his second term. Voters will decide 435 House seats, 35 Senate seats, and 36 governorships. Meanwhile, former Vice President Kamala Harris is positioning herself for a political return while criticizing former President Joe Biden's prior approach to Republicans.

Concurrently, the Trump administration announced the closure of five overseas diplomatic posts—including locations in Canada, Japan, Indonesia, Cameroon, and Grenada—as part of a State Department reorganization. Furthermore, internal guidelines reveal that foreign journalists applying for US visas must now make their public social media accounts available for official screening.

Sources: Avaz, CDM (Cafe del Montenegro), HRT Vijesti, Index, Klix.

Russian officials have announced that at least 12 people died following an attack on domestic oil industry infrastructure. Emergency service teams were deployed to the affected site to handle casualties and mitigate structural damage caused by the incident. Detailed information regarding the precise facility targeted, the extent of operational disruption, and the specific weaponry used in the assault has not been fully disclosed by authorities.

The strike aligns with a sustained pattern in the Russia-Ukraine conflict, where energy assets, fuel storage facilities, and logistical supply chains on both sides face repeated bombardments to weaken strategic capacity. Neither Russian nor Ukrainian military representatives have released further operational details regarding the assault.

Sources: Svenska Dagbladet.