Aug 13, 2026, 09:00 PM UTC

US President Donald Trump and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth have denied reports claiming American munitions stockpiles are critically low following military operations involving Iran. On Truth Social, Trump maintained that the military holds substantial reserves, while warning that individuals leaking or publishing classified information regarding defense inventories could face lengthy prison terms.

Meanwhile, Trump stated that diplomatic discussions with Tehran have resumed, describing them as a final opportunity for Iran to negotiate an agreement, despite previous denials from Iranian officials that talks were taking place. Domestically, the administration is confronting mounting pressure as multiple US states file legal challenges against newly enacted tariff policies, coinciding with recent polling pointing to declining approval ratings for Trump ahead of November's midterm elections.

Sources: Der Standard, Die Zeit, FAZ, ORF, Tagesschau

Emergency responders and military personnel across western Colombia are continuing search and rescue operations following a magnitude 7.4 earthquake centered near San José del Palmar. The tremor, which struck at a depth of approximately 107 kilometers and was felt in neighboring Ecuador, prompted the national government to declare a state of emergency to expedite humanitarian relief and coordinate shelter for displaced residents.

Casualty figures continue to vary as teams clear debris from collapsed buildings. Moldova1 reports that the death toll has reached at least 164, while Digi24 and Ziarul de Gardă cite at least 132 fatalities and more than 500 injuries. Earlier dispatches from Adevărul and HotNews documented lower numbers during initial assessments. Officials caution that the overall toll may rise further as trapped individuals remain unaccounted for.

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

Negotiations between Washington and Tehran remain deadlocked over the reopening of the vital Strait of Hormuz corridor. Iranian leadership insists the waterway will remain closed until the United States fully implements all conditions established in the June memorandum. Conversely, US President Donald Trump rejected concessions, asserting that American forces maintain control over the passage.

The diplomatic stalemate unfolds alongside rising military confrontations across Middle Eastern maritime routes. US forces engaged the container vessel Vela Nova in the Gulf of Oman for violating regional blockade restrictions. Concurrently, Houthi rebel strikes targeted Yemen's Al Makha port and hit a commercial vessel near the Bab el-Mandeb strait, resulting in four maritime fatalities and escalating global oil prices.

Tensions have been further compounded by diplomatic friction between Washington and Israel, following Israeli declarations refusing withdrawal from positions in southern Lebanon, Syria, and Gaza.

Sources: ANSA, Corriere della Sera, Il Messaggero, La Repubblica, Shipping Italy

Moroccan authorities have attributed the recent mass border surge into the Spanish enclave of Ceuta to viral disinformation across social media, while warning of renewed crossing attempts anticipated for 15 August. Security forces in Morocco have detained several individuals suspected of coordinating digital campaigns that incite irregular border crossings into Ceuta and Melilla.

The late July crossing attempt by tens of thousands resulted in numerous casualties, though fatality figures remain contested, with reports ranging from 72 to more than 100 drownings. Meanwhile, Ceuta continues to experience severe logistical strain. Hundreds of stranded migrants remain sheltered on local beaches under emergency provisions, as local residents voice frustration over the humanitarian situation and political fallout. Investigations indicate that distorted legal interpretations and fabricated promises on digital platforms triggered the initial influx.

Sources: Correctiv, Der Standard, FAZ, ORF, Tagesschau.

Former Italian Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte delivered extensive testimony before the parliamentary commission investigating the country's COVID-19 pandemic response, defending his administration's governance and emergency measures.

During hours of questioning over lockdown decrees and vaccine management, the Five Star Movement leader maintained that his government committed no unlawful acts. Conte revealed that he submitted an anonymous document to Rome prosecutors regarding a roughly 100-million-euro transaction with supplier JC Electronics, urging judicial authorities to examine potential irregularities involving counterfeit masks.

Rejecting criticisms from the ruling coalition, Conte warned lawmakers against conducting partisan attacks or transforming the investigative body into a political tribunal against the opposition.

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