8News August 22, 2026

World

7.7 magnitude earthquake hits Indonesia, tsunami warning issued

A powerful 7.7 magnitude earthquake struck Indonesia, prompting authorities to issue a tsunami warning. The quake hit at a shallow depth and was felt across several islands. Officials urged coastal residents to move inland and to higher ground while they assessed the risk of waves. Sirens sounded in towns along the shoreline, and fishermen brought boats ashore. Indonesia sits on the Pacific Ring of Fire, a zone of heavy seismic activity. Emergency teams began checking for damage in affected areas, and hospitals reported treating people for minor injuries. Authorities later reviewed the warning as sea level readings came in. The event is among the strongest to hit the country in recent months, and more aftershocks were expected.

CNN

Politics

Trump and Michael Cohen bury the hatchet in public reunion

President Donald Trump and his former personal lawyer Michael Cohen publicly reunited on Cohen's radio show, ending years of bitter feuding. Cohen once called Trump a 'Cheeto-dusted cartoon villain' and testified against him in court and before Congress. The two traded insults for years after Cohen turned on his former boss. The reunion surprised many in political circles. Both men described the meeting as friendly and productive. Cohen served prison time for crimes related to his work for Trump. Political observers noted the timing, as Trump prepares for the 2026 midterm elections. The reconciliation closes one of the most unusual chapters in modern American politics.

NBC News

Business

China sentences Evergrande founder Hui Ka Yan to life in prison

A Chinese court sentenced Hui Ka Yan, founder of property giant China Evergrande, to life in prison on charges of fraud and bribery. The court also fined Evergrande more than $2.3 billion for inflating assets and hiding massive debts. Hui was once one of China's richest men. His company became the world's most indebted property developer before collapsing under its debts. Evergrande's default in 2021 was the largest debt crisis in China's corporate history, sending shockwaves through global markets. The case is a warning to China's real estate sector, which has struggled since the crisis began. The sentence is among the harshest handed down in China's property industry crackdown.

Fox Business

Technology

OpenAI launches a safer ChatGPT experience for teens

OpenAI has launched a new 'ChatGPT for Teens' experience designed to give young users a safer and more positive experience on the platform. The rollout comes years after teenagers began using ChatGPT on their own. The new experience includes stricter content filters, clearer guidance, and features aimed at education and wellbeing. OpenAI said the changes reflect feedback from educators, parents, and young users. The launch is part of a broader push by AI companies to address concerns about children using chatbots. Critics have long warned that AI chatbots can expose minors to inappropriate content. The new version is rolling out to users in the coming weeks.

TechCrunch

Science

Newly found star could reveal the spin of the Milky Way's black hole

Astronomers have found a faint star whipping around Sagittarius A*, the supermassive black hole at the center of the Milky Way, on the tightest orbit ever recorded. The star, named S301, passes closer to the black hole than any other known star. The discovery was made with the GRAVITY instrument at the Very Large Telescope Interferometer in Chile. The star's extreme orbit could allow scientists to measure the spin of the black hole for the first time. A spinning black hole drags space around with it, and measuring that effect reveals how the black hole formed and grew. The findings were reported by the European Southern Observatory team.

Sci.News

Sports

Kelsey Mitchell sets WNBA record with 21 straight 20-point games

Indiana Fever guard Kelsey Mitchell extended her historic scoring streak to 21 games, setting a new WNBA standard. Mitchell surpassed the previous record of 20 consecutive games with at least 20 points, set by A'ja Wilson. The Fever guard has been the league's most consistent scorer this season. Her streak has helped lift Indiana into playoff contention. Mitchell's run has drawn attention across the league. Teammates and coaches praised her focus and preparation. The record is another milestone in a breakout season for the veteran guard. Mitchell said she is focused on helping her team win rather than on personal marks.

USA Today

Health

Only three of 1,357 FDA-cleared AI devices were tested on patient outcomes

A new analysis found that only three of 1,357 AI-enabled medical devices cleared by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration have been tested for their effect on patient outcomes. Hundreds of AI tools are entering clinical care, but the study traced how quickly the evidence thins when focus shifts from regulatory approval to trials that measure what actually happens to patients. Researchers said most devices are cleared based on technical performance rather than proof they improve health. The findings raise questions about how AI is adopted in hospitals. Experts called for stronger evidence requirements before AI tools reach patients.

News-Medical

Environment

Utah gets more power from solar than any other source for the first time

Utah generated more electricity from solar power than from any other source for the first time, according to new grid data. The milestone marks a turning point for a state long associated with coal and oil. Solar now leads the state's power mix, helped by falling costs and new large-scale projects. The shift reflects a broader trend across the American West, where solar and wind are growing quickly. Utah still relies on fossil fuels for part of its power, and grid planners are working to manage the change. Analysts say the trend is likely to continue as more projects come online.

Grist

Date Index

8 Categories