A magnitude 7.7 earthquake struck off the coast of Indonesia's Flores Island on Saturday, killing at least 47 people and damaging buildings across East Nusa Tenggara province. The quake hit at 5:58 a.m. local time about 68 kilometers from the city of Ende, at a depth of 10 kilometers. Authorities issued a tsunami warning for four provinces before lifting it hours later. At least ten aftershocks followed. Rescue teams are searching for survivors in damaged towns including Ruteng. The tremor is one of the strongest recorded anywhere in the world this year, striking along the Pacific Ring of Fire.
Ukraine launched 637 drones toward Moscow in one of the largest aerial attacks of the war, striking a Wildberries logistics facility and forcing airspace closures. Russian air defenses intercepted many of the drones, but debris fell across several districts and a major e-commerce warehouse caught fire. Ukrainian officials said the strikes responded to Russian bombardment that killed at least 10 people overnight. The attack came as global attention focused on US-Iran ceasefire talks, but the war in Ukraine remains active. Analysts say long-range drone strikes aim to disrupt Russian logistics and pressure the capital. Both sides show little sign of returning to negotiations, and observers warn that attacks on civilian infrastructure raise the risk of further escalation.
Health officials say the Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo has become the deadliest in the country's history. The outbreak is caused by a rare strain of the virus called Bundibugyo, and it is also the fastest growing on record. Medical teams are working to contain the spread as cases climb across affected provinces. The response includes vaccination campaigns, contact tracing and community outreach, but remote areas and limited resources are slowing the effort. Several villages are reachable only by foot or helicopter, and some communities remain wary of outside workers after past outbreaks. The World Health Organization has called the situation serious and is helping coordinate cross-border screening in neighboring countries. Experts warn the outbreak could spread further without stronger international support.
Russian forces launched a fresh wave of aerial attacks across Ukraine overnight, killing at least five people, Ukrainian officials said Monday. President Volodymyr Zelensky accused Moscow of targeting civilian infrastructure, while Russian authorities reported that a warehouse was hit in one region. The strikes hit several cities, damaging residential buildings and power facilities. Emergency crews worked through the night to rescue residents trapped under rubble. The attacks come as both sides continue exchanging drone and missile strikes, with Ukraine reporting new advances in the Dnipropetrovsk region. Moscow said its air defenses shot down multiple Ukrainian drones. The overnight bombardment has renewed international calls for de-escalation, though no ceasefire talks are scheduled.
A magnitude 7.7 earthquake struck off Indonesia's Flores Island early Saturday, killing at least 38 people and toppling buildings across East Nusa Tenggara province. The quake hit at 5:58 a.m. local time about 68 kilometers north-northwest of Ende at a depth of 10 kilometers, the USGS reported. Authorities issued a tsunami warning and urged coastal residents to move inland. Rescuers cleared debris in Maumere, and hospitals evacuated patients outdoors as a precaution. The quake is among the strongest recorded worldwide this year, and the region sits on the Pacific Ring of Fire. Officials warned the death toll could rise as teams reach remote villages.
Record rainfall in Japan's Chiba prefecture and neighboring areas has killed at least eight people, cut power to more than 20,000 households, and left about 7,000 travelers stranded at Tokyo's Narita airport. The storm dumped what meteorologists called unprecedented amounts of water in a short period, flooding homes and roads. Rescue crews used boats to reach people trapped in submerged neighborhoods. Officials warned of further landslides as the slow-moving system kept dumping rain on the Kanto region. The disaster has renewed debate about how Japan adapts to increasingly intense rainstorms and whether existing flood defenses are enough.
The world is drawing down its oil reserves at the fastest pace in years as the Iran war disrupts shipping routes through key waterways. Energy trackers report that stockpiles in major consuming countries have fallen for several consecutive weeks. Governments have tapped strategic reserves, while tanker operators face higher insurance costs and long detours around conflict zones. Fuel prices are climbing for consumers, and airlines and trucking firms warn that higher energy costs will push up prices. Analysts say the safety margin that once protected markets from supply shocks has shrunk, and they expect prices to stay elevated until shipping lanes reopen. Traders are watching storage data closely, and diplomats are pushing for a ceasefire that could ease the pressure.
The US military said its forces disabled a cargo vessel that was trying to break the blockade of Iranian ports near the Strait of Hormuz. A Navy MH-60 helicopter fired two Hellfire missiles into the ship's engine, leaving it unable to move. The strike is a sharp escalation on one of the world's busiest shipping lanes. Iran's military adviser warned that Tehran could prolong the war until President Trump leaves office. US embassies across the Middle East are preparing for an extended period with reduced staff as security worsens. Oil prices rose in early trading, and insurers raised rates for vessels in the Gulf. The Pentagon has not said how long the blockade will last.
Chinese shipping firms are launching the first regular container services through the Arctic, connecting ports in China with the United Kingdom and other European destinations. The weekly route between Ningbo and Felixstowe can cut sailing time from roughly 40 days to about 18 to 20 days. The service follows a record summer for Arctic transits and reflects growing interest in the Northern Sea Route as an alternative to traditional shipping lanes. Shipping companies say the route avoids geopolitical flashpoints such as the Strait of Hormuz and the Bab el-Mandeb. Environmental groups warn that more traffic in the region brings risks, including spills, noise and disruption to Arctic wildlife. China describes the effort as part of its Polar Silk Road initiative.
A 7.4-magnitude earthquake struck western Colombia early on Tuesday, killing more than 100 people and trapping dozens in collapsed buildings. The quake hit at night while most residents were asleep, and rescue teams are still digging through rubble in towns near the Pacific coast. Hospitals report more than 1,200 injuries, and aftershocks and landslides are slowing relief work. President Gustavo Petro has declared a state of emergency and asked for international help. The United States, Mexico, and Chile have offered rescue teams. Power and phone networks are down across a wide area, making it hard for officials to reach isolated villages. Seismologists say the quake is one of the strongest to hit Colombia in decades, and they warn that aftershocks could continue for weeks.