Aug 18, 2026, 07:00 AM UTC

Negotiations between Iran and Oman regarding navigation in the Strait of Hormuz have continued, with discussions focusing on establishing safe maritime corridors while Tehran seeks regulatory oversight over commercial traffic.

United States President Donald Trump indicated that an agreement could materialize swiftly, though he warned of severe consequences if passage remains blocked and downplayed immediate pressure on Washington. Meanwhile, Iranian officials reiterated that normal transit depends on key American concessions, including economic sanctions relief and compensation for damages.

Concurrently, representatives from Lebanon and Israel met in Rome for a seventh round of bilateral talks, while displaced Lebanese civilians continued returning to southern regions.

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

Emergency responders and military units in Colombia continue search and rescue operations following a magnitude 7.4 earthquake that struck the country's western Pacific region near San José del Palmar.

The confirmed death toll has risen sharply as teams reach collapsed structures, with reported fatalities climbing from early counts of 20 to at least 164, while hundreds of people have been injured. The tremor, which originated at a depth of roughly 107 kilometres, caused extensive structural damage across multiple municipalities and was felt across the border in neighbouring Ecuador.

A national state of emergency remains active as authorities work to secure emergency accommodation for displaced families and locate survivors believed to be trapped beneath debris. Officials caution that casualty numbers may continue to increase as clearing operations proceed.

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

Russian President Vladimir Putin issued a warning of potential retaliatory measures against Western governments following the seizure of Russian commercial vessels, describing the confiscations as "piracy." Putin delivered the remarks during an inspection of a naval vessel participating in military maneuvers.

Meanwhile, Ukrainian military intelligence representative Andrii Cherniak stated that approximately 90 North Korean military personnel are deploying to Russia's western Voronezh region. Cherniak indicated that the contingent is expected to manage six launch platforms equipped with an estimated 120 ballistic missiles targeted at Ukraine.

Separately, investigative reporter Andrei Soldatov reported that Russia's Federal Security Service (FSB) has accumulated substantial domestic control since the 2022 invasion. Soldatov noted that the Kremlin has become progressively dependent on security structures to manage information flows, oversee the public, and secure political stability.

Sources: BalkanWeb, Gazeta Tema, Koha