Aug 12, 2026, 07:30 PM UTC

Emergency operations remain underway in Greece as hundreds of firefighters, military personnel, and aircraft battle destructive wildfires west of Athens near Megara and Mount Cithaeron.

In Malta, court proceedings continued in the trial of businessman Yorgen Fenech, who is accused of ordering the 2017 car bombing that killed investigative journalist Daphne Caruana Galizia. Testimonies detailed her probe into high-level political corruption involving Fenech before her death.

In Croatia, the opposition Social Democratic Party launched a no-confidence motion against the governing coalition following a hazardous waste scandal in Gospić. The political fallout follows a Reuters Institute study indicating that 63 percent of Croatians frequently avoid news.

Sources: HRT Vijesti, Index, Klix, Poslovni dnevnik

Diplomatic efforts mediated by Oman to restore maritime transit through the Strait of Hormuz remain stalled as Tehran insists on major American concessions. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi reaffirmed that reopening the vital passage requires sanctions relief, compensation for war damages, and explicit security guarantees.

U.S. President Donald Trump offered contrasting signals regarding the negotiations, stating a resolution could be reached shortly while simultaneously downplaying its urgency and describing the diplomatic situation as "a chess game." American officials acknowledged progress in the Omani-led talks, though Washington warned of severe consequences if traffic remains obstructed.

In concurrent regional developments, approximately 800,000 displaced citizens have begun returning to southern Lebanon as Lebanese and Israeli delegations met in Rome for a seventh round of talks. Off Yemen's coast, an Indian commercial ship was reportedly struck and sunk.

Sources: Avaz, CDM, Dan, Klix, Vijesti

Emergency crews in Colombia are continuing rescue operations following a magnitude 7.4 earthquake that struck near San José del Palmar on August 10. The death toll has continued to rise as search efforts proceed, with Moldova1 reporting at least 164 fatalities, while other outlets previously cited 132 deaths and over 500 injuries.

The Colombian government declared a state of emergency to mobilize military personnel and first responders. The seismic event occurred at a depth of approximately 107 kilometers near the Pacific coast and was felt in neighboring Ecuador. Authorities warned casualty figures may rise further as workers navigate rubble looking for survivors.

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

With three months remaining until the US midterm elections on November 3, voters will decide all 435 House seats, 35 Senate seats, and 36 governorships in a key test for President Donald Trump’s second term.

Concurrently, former Vice President Kamala Harris is positioning herself for a political return, offering criticism of former President Joe Biden’s handling of congressional Republicans.

At the executive level, the State Department is closing five diplomatic outposts across Canada, Japan, Indonesia, Cameroon, and Grenada to streamline operations. In addition, new visa policies will require foreign journalists seeking entry into the United States to make their social media accounts public for government review.

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

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy visited Belgrade for bilateral talks with Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić, focusing on European integration and mutual territorial integrity.

Following the signing of a bilateral memorandum, Vučić stated that Serbia supports the UN Charter and Ukraine's territorial integrity, while Zelenskyy expressed gratitude for Belgrade's support. Vučić clarified that the meeting did not address military cooperation. Both leaders affirmed that neither nation would obstruct the other's progress toward European Union accession.

Regional media noted differing perspectives on the encounter. While official communications emphasized European ambitions, analysts observed that Vučić avoided direct condemnation of Russia. Meanwhile, Russian media coverage framed the summit as a strategic move by Vučić to secure Western backing ahead of domestic elections.

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