Aug 13, 2026, 09:00 AM UTC

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has formally rejected a 15-point US peace plan for Gaza, reiterating that Israeli forces will not withdraw until Hamas is fully disarmed. In televised remarks on Sunday, Netanyahu stated that "Israel rejects the 15-point document" and emphasized that the military "will not carry out any withdrawal until Hamas is genuinely disarmed".

The announcement underscores a growing diplomatic rift between Washington and Israel following US President Donald Trump's declaration of a breakthrough negotiation framework. While Hamas had previously accepted the proposal in late July, Netanyahu faces competing domestic pressures from far-right coalition partners ahead of Israel's scheduled October 27 national election. Despite the public stance, Israeli military attacks in the territory have largely halted under American pressure.

Sources: Cyprus Mail, France24, STV News, The Guardian, The Herald.

Search and rescue operations continue in western Colombia following a magnitude 7.4 earthquake centered near San José del Palmar. Authorities declared a state of emergency to expedite emergency aid and deploy military personnel.

Casualties continue to fluctuate across reporting as emergency crews clear rubble from destroyed structures. Moldova1 reported that the death toll has reached at least 164, whereas Digi24 and Ziarul de Gardă cited 132 fatalities alongside more than 500 injured. Earlier reports from Adevărul and HotNews initially listed lower figures ranging from 20 to dozens dead. Rescuers are maintaining search operations for survivors buried beneath collapsed buildings while authorities organize temporary shelter for displaced populations.

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

German security agencies have identified over 100 suspected state-sponsored incidents involving physical sabotage, unauthorized drone flights near critical infrastructure, and digital attacks. Investigators increasingly suspect Russian involvement in recent incidents, including an explosive drone discovered near Leipzig airport and damage to undersea cables.

Concurrently, authorities warn of an intensified Russian disinformation campaign targeting Germany's upcoming September state elections. Coordinated online operations and fake videos are discrediting candidates from mainstream parties—including the CDU, SPD, Greens, and FDP—while largely omitting the AfD. Officials assess that these hybrid tactics aim to destabilize democratic institutions and deepen public division.

Sources: Correctiv, Der Spiegel, Die Zeit, FAZ, Handelsblatt

Moritz Schularick, president of the Kiel Institute for the World Economy (IfW), has criticized German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius over the country's military procurement strategy through 2030. Schularick argued that the Defense Ministry is allocating a major portion of its available funds toward traditional technologies, such as tanks and frigates, rather than modern warfare systems.

The economist urged Germany to pivot its military modernization strategy toward next-generation defense capabilities instead of expanding conventional hardware portfolios. The critique comes amid ongoing public debates over spending priorities for the Bundeswehr's special fund and regular defense budget. German media outlets also reported on broader domestic political trends and arms industry oversight.

Sources: Der Spiegel, Die Zeit, DW, FAZ, Tagesschau