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2026-08-15 — GEOPOLITICS
Conflict

Death toll hits 239 in Colombia quake

Rescue operations in Colombia have entered their final phase following a devastating earthquake that has killed at least 239 people. Thousands remain missing as teams work to clear debris in affected regions. The government has declared three days of national mourning.

8 days ago  ·  68 sourcesaljazeera.comColombia asks Trump to suspend tariffs as country reels from earthquakecnn.comColombia's earthquake tore apart this family with triplets. Only one survivedstraitstimes.comRace to reach trapped Colombia quake survivors offers hopejpost.comIsraeli search, rescue team arrives in Cali, Colombia to assist with quakefrance24.comRace to free trapped quake survivor offers hope in Colombiarte.ieHundreds missing after Colombia quake, rescue hopes fadeaa.com.trColombia quake death toll rises to 273nbcnews.comDeadly earthquakes expose stark divide between Colombia and Venezuela responsescbsnews.comColombia earthquake survivors are reliving a nightmare from 1999: "You feel a sense of powerlessness"nytimes.comTopos Azteca, a Mexican Volunteer Rescue Group, Helps With Rescue Efforts After Colombia Earthquakelatimes.comColombia's earthquake is déjà vu for Venezuelans. The government response is anything butdw.comColombia earthquake: Rescue operation enters 'final phase'scmp.comColombia quake death toll hits 265, as rescuers race against the clockarabnews.comSearch for Colombia earthquake survivors enters critical windowhindustantimes.comSearch for Colombia earthquake survivors enters critical windowbbc.co.ukWoman pulled alive from rubble 36 hours after Colombia quaketheglobeandmail.comColombian rescuers race against the clock to find survivors after devastating earthquakenpr.orgEarthquake response strains Colombia's new government and rescuersindependent.co.ukColombia's deadly earthquake tests new president as search for thousands of missing continueselpais.comColombia wakes up under a state of emergency after earthquake kills more than 200abc.net.auColombia quake death toll reaches 224 with more than 2,700 missingirishtimes.comColombia rescue efforts continue as earthquake death toll passes 160aawsat.comColombia Scrambles to Find Survivors as Quake Kills 132time.comWhat to Know About the Earthquake in Colombiasmh.com.auDeath toll rises after earthquake in Cali, Colombia: Dozens killed, trappedtheguardian.com7.4 magnitude earthquake shakes Colombia, causing serious damage – latest news+42 more outlets  ·  🇨🇴 Colombia, 🇨🇳 China
Conflict

Israeli airstrikes kill 11 in Lebanon

Israeli airstrikes in southern Lebanon resulted in 11 deaths, including three children, despite a ceasefire agreement. The Lebanese Health Ministry confirmed the casualties following the strikes. The escalation threatens the stability of the fragile truce and complicates ongoing peace negotiations between the involved parties.

Geopolitics

Trump pledges to claim Strait of Hormuz

President Trump announced plans to declare the Strait of Hormuz U.S. territory, sparking immediate regional pushback. The vital maritime corridor, which facilitates a significant portion of global oil transit, remains a flashpoint for international naval security. Iranian officials have dismissed the claim as provocative, with the move threatening to escalate tensions across the Middle East shipping lanes.

Geopolitics

Spain scrambles to manage Ceuta border

Thousands of migrants remain stranded in the Spanish enclave of Ceuta following a mass crossing from Morocco. Spanish officials and intelligence sources allege that Moroccan authorities intentionally relaxed border controls, triggering the crisis. EU ministers are now under pressure to bolster frontier security as thousands of people await asylum in overcrowded temporary centers.

8 days ago  ·  85 sourcesjpost.comMorocco arrests 111 attempting to cross into Spain's Ceutaaljazeera.comMoroccan Police Intercept Migrants Heading for Ceuta Enclaveirishtimes.comMorocco arrests more than 100 people attempting to enter Ceutabbc.co.ukMorocco detains dozens of migrants trying to cross into Ceutasmh.com.auMorocco arrests 111 migrants in second Ceuta migrant rushtheguardian.comMoroccan police arrest more than 100 people as they attempt to enter Ceutaarabnews.comMorocco arrests 111 migrants headed for Spain's Ceuta in security crackdownindependent.co.ukCeuta migrant arrests: 111 arrested by Morocco in latest border surgetheglobeandmail.comMorocco cracks down on security as they arrest 111 migrants who tried to enter Spain's Ceutafrance24.comCeuta: False social media posts fuel migration tensionsthehindu.comMorocco beefs up security at Ceuta and Melilla borders after online calls for new crossingsaa.com.trSpain warns migrants not to risk lives amid calls for new Ceuta crossingelpais.comThe hoaxes that fostered the migrant avalanche in Ceuta: 'The door is open' | Internationalnytimes.comSpain’s Complex Ties With Morocco Fuel Speculation Over Ceuta Migrant Surgeaawsat.comCeuta Leader Wants Migrant Detention Center after Influxforeignpolicy.comWhat Morocco Was Saying to Spain in Ceutanbcnews.comHow Spain's migration surge tested E.U. border policytheconversation.comDash for Ceuta adds heat to Europe's migration debatechannelnewsasia.comCommentary: After Ceuta, Europe is once again mired in migration chaos of its own makingcbc.caCeuta grapples with child migrants as Spain approves millions to deal with crisiscnn.comCeuta: The fallout from the border rush shows extreme, populist views are now mainstreamdw.comCeuta: EU calls borders a 'shared European responsibility'cbsnews.comMorocco blames Ceuta border surge on "exploitation of digital platforms," misleading infotheatlantic.comThe Far Right Is Distorting Ceutalatimes.comIn Ceuta, migrants cling to hopes of reaching mainland Spainscmp.comDeath toll from migrant rush into Spain's Ceuta rises to 72 | South China Morning Poststraitstimes.comDeath toll from Spain's Ceuta migrant rush rises to 72hindustantimes.comA migrant surge tests Spain's open policiesnpr.orgAfter Ceuta, Spain's leader Sánchez faces his biggest challenge : NPRrte.ieSpain says migrant crossings into Ceuta stopped overnightforbes.comTrump Alleges Ceuta Migration Crisis Would Happen In U.S. Under Democrats—Here's Why That's Unlikelyabc.net.auSpain says huge surge of migrants to Ceuta enclave largely reversed, as half return to Moroccotime.comWhy Thousands of Moroccan Migrants Crossed Into the Spanish Exclave Ceutaindianexpress.comWhy thousands of migrants suddenly crossed into Spain's Ceuta enclave as 18 killed+51 more outlets  ·  🇪🇸 Spain, 🇲🇦 Morocco
Conflict

US carrier deploys to Middle East

The US Navy is dispatching a replacement aircraft carrier to the Middle East to relieve the USS Abraham Lincoln. The rotation follows reports of operational issues aboard the long-deployed vessel. Simultaneously, the redeployment of the USS George Washington from the Pacific has raised concerns about a potential power vacuum in Asia amid shifting US military priorities under the current administration.

Geopolitics

Taliban marks five years in power

Five years after the Taliban returned to power in Afghanistan, international aid agencies are warning of a deepening humanitarian crisis. Women continue to face severe systemic repression as the de facto government struggles with international isolation. Western influence remains negligible as the regime solidifies its control over the country's social and political landscape.

Geopolitics

Trump threatens to declare Hormuz territory

President Trump has indicated he intends to designate the Strait of Hormuz as U.S. territory, sparking significant backlash from Tehran. Iranian officials have dismissed the threat, affirming they will maintain control over the waterway and refuse to bow to external pressure. The move comes amid a record-level buildup of U.S. naval assets in the region.

8 days ago  ·  50 sourcesforbes.comIran Accuses Trump Of 'Fanciful Delusions,' Says Strait Of Hormuz 'Cannot Be Seized By Tweet'hindustantimes.comTrump urges Americans to pay 'little bit more' for gas as Hormuz crisis with Iran deepensfrance24.comMiddle East live: Trump threatens US takeover of Hormuz as Iran vows to retain controlaljazeera.comTrump says he will declare Strait of Hormuz a US ‘territory’ amid Iran warscmp.comTrump says he'll soon declare Strait of Hormuz to be US territorycbc.caTrump suggests in speech that 'pretty soon I'll be declaring' Hormuz strait a U.S. territoryarabnews.comTrump says will 'soon' declare Hormuz strait US territoryindependent.co.ukTrump says record-setting Navy deployment to support Iran operations 'not nearly long enough'aawsat.comIran Rejects Trump Claims of US Control over Hormuz as 'Lies'cbsnews.comLive Updates: Tehran says Strait of Hormuz "under Iran's control" after Trump threatens U.S. might "keep it"jpost.comIran rejects Trump's claim of total control over Strait of Hormuzchannelnewsasia.comTrump says US will 'keep' Hormuz strait controlaa.com.trTrump claims US has 'total control' of Strait of Hormuz, says he does not trust Irancnbc.comCNBC Daily Open: Trump's Strait of Hormuz claim meets crude realitylatimes.comTrump eases off strikes on Iran, bets sanctions will reopen Strait of Hormuznbcnews.comLive updates: Trump shifts to pressuring Iran economy after signaling a deal to end war was closenytimes.comIran Insists Strait of Hormuz Will Stay Closed Until Trump Agrees to Demandstheglobeandmail.comDeal to reopen Strait of Hormuz could come within next two days, Trump sayshaaretz.comU.S., Iran Trade Conflicting Claims Over Talks as Hormuz Tensions Persistthehindu.comIran media denies Trump claim that Tehran asked U.S. not to strike+30 more outlets  ·  🇮🇷 Iran, 🇺🇸 United States
Conflict

Israeli settlers besiege Palestinian West Bank homes

Israeli settlers have surrounded multiple Palestinian homes in the West Bank, trapping families inside. Reports indicate that Israeli forces were deployed to the area following the escalation, while the U.S. has pressured Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to formally condemn the actions of the settlers. The incident marks a recurring tension in the region as local residents remain effectively under siege.

8 days ago  ·  32 sourcesarabnews.comIsraeli settlers attack crews restoring water and electricity to besieged Qusra homes; 4 workers detainedaljazeera.comIsraeli settlers besiege Palestinian families in occupied West Bankfrance24.comUS urges Netanyahu to condemn settlers besieging Palestinians in West Bankchannelnewsasia.comUS wants Netanyahu to condemn settler siege in Palestinian village, officials saynbcnews.comPalestinians trapped in West Bank settler siege fear 'catastrophe' if soldiers withdrawbbc.co.ukActivists try to deliver aid to Palestinians in homes besieged by Israeli settlersindependent.co.ukWhite House pressuring Netanyahu to condemn Israeli settler siege in West Bankrte.ieActivists try to get supplies to besieged Palestiniansaa.com.trPalestinians, foreign and Israeli activists protest in West Bank town, head to besieged homes by Israeli occupiersirishtimes.comIsraeli reinforcements sent to West Bank siege following international pressurenytimes.comIsraeli Settlers Resume West Bank Siege After Evictionabc.net.auPalestinian villagers under siege for days as Israeli settlers attack West Bank homesdw.comIsraeli military moves as settlers besiege 3 West Bank homescnn.comTrapped and cut off: Palestinian families under settler siege in the West Bankjpost.comPalestinian family vows not to leave West Bank town plagued by Jewish extremistsstraitstimes.comIsrael sends more troops to West Bank village besieged by Jewish settlersthehindu.comU.S. ambassador to Israel denounces settler siege on Palestinians as 'terror'aawsat.comIsraeli Settlers Keep Up Siege of Palestinian Homes Despite Army Intervention+14 more outlets  ·  🇮🇱 Israel
Conflict

Qatar denies detaining Iranian pilots

The Qatari Foreign Ministry has officially rejected claims by Tehran that Doha is holding three Iranian pilots who were allegedly shot down during regional fighting. The denial comes after Iranian officials pressured Qatar for the release of the pilots, who are claimed to be missing following the incident. Doha maintains the allegations are unfounded, highlighting rising tensions as regional powers exchange accusations over military escalations.

Conflict

Lawmakers probe conditions on USS Lincoln

Members of the House Armed Services Committee are demanding transparency regarding personnel conditions aboard the USS Abraham Lincoln. Reports of sailors attempting to abandon ship have sparked concerns among legislators, though the Trump administration has downplayed these accounts. The naval vessel is currently operating within the Middle East region.

Diplomacy

Kushner visits Israel for Gaza talks

Jared Kushner is scheduled to travel to Israel and Egypt to consult with Board of Peace officials regarding the status of the Gaza plan. This visit follows Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's recent rejection of a proposed Hamas disarmament initiative. The diplomatic mission aims to address growing instability and bridge significant gaps between stakeholders in the ongoing conflict.

Geopolitics

Netanyahu rejects Trump's Gaza peace plan

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has formally dismissed a 15-point peace proposal backed by Donald Trump. The rejection marks a significant policy rift between the Israeli leader and the U.S. administration. Palestinian officials stated the decision closes potential avenues for a negotiated resolution to the ongoing conflict in the Gaza Strip.