A powerful 7.7-magnitude earthquake struck off Indonesia’s Flores Island early Saturday, August 15, causing buildings and homes to shake, crack and collapse. The shallow quake occurred about 68 kilometres north-northwest of Ende in East Nusa Tenggara, according to the US Geological Survey. At least two deaths were initially reported, with later updates putting the toll higher as authorities assessed the damage. Several strong aftershocks followed the main tremor. A tsunami warning was issued for nearby coastal areas, prompting residents to evacuate to higher ground, but the alert was later lifted. Hospitals also moved patients outdoors amid safety concerns. 

US President Donald Trump has threatened to declare the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz a US territory after claiming Iran is being defeated. The remarks come amid the ongoing US-Israel conflict with Iran and a prolonged disruption of shipping through the crucial waterway, through which roughly one-fifth of global oil and gas normally passes. Iran strongly rejected Trump’s proposal, asserting that the status of the strait cannot be determined by US declarations. The escalating rhetoric has heightened geopolitical tensions and raised concerns over global energy supplies, maritime security and international stability as Washington and Tehran remain locked in confrontation. (PC: AP)

A second passenger train derailed in southeast England within 24 hours when the rear carriages of a Greater Anglia service came off the tracks near Wickford, Essex, on Friday. The train was travelling from Southend to London Liverpool Street with around 40 people aboard. It left Rayleigh at 2:06 PM but failed to reach Wickford as scheduled. The carriages remained upright and no injuries were reported, while British Transport Police, paramedics and firefighters attended. The incident followed a more serious derailment near Lewes in East Sussex less than a day earlier, which left two people seriously injured and 18 with minor injuries. Authorities have not confirmed whether the ongoing heatwave contributed to either derailment.

US military families and active-duty personnel have alleged deteriorating conditions aboard multiple ships deployed in the Middle East amid the Iran conflict, including shortages of food, water, soap and supplies, broken plumbing and exhausting schedules. Accounts reported by MeidasTouch, which have not been independently verified, extend concerns beyond the USS Abraham Lincoln. A parent alleged the Lincoln suffered water-system failures, rationed showers and overflowing toilets, with human waste covering restroom floors. A family member linked to USS George H.W. Bush claimed the carrier had spent 136 days at sea with inadequate food, water and soap. The US Navy has acknowledged supply challenges, while Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth called reports of poor conditions “completely misrepresented.” (PC: AFP)

Yemen’s Houthi rebels claimed a fresh drone strike on a Saudi Aramco facility in Najran on Friday, escalating tensions with Saudi Arabia. The Houthi-controlled Saba news agency said the attack targeted the facility in response to what the group described as Saudi violations of Yemen’s airspace and sovereignty in Saada and Hajjah provinces. The claim came a day after the Houthis said they struck an Aramco refinery in Jazan with two drones, marking the second reported attack on the facility in less than a week. Saudi authorities and Aramco had not immediately commented on either claim. The developments add to growing security concerns surrounding Saudi energy infrastructure amid continuing regional tensions and the Houthis’ threats against Saudi oil flows.

Two oil tankers operated by Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) were attacked by drones while transiting the Strait of Hormuz on Thursday evening, escalating concerns over commercial shipping through the crucial energy route. The UK Maritime Trade Operations centre said two vessels suffered minor damage, while ADNOC confirmed no injuries and said the situation was under control. The United Arab Emirates blamed Iran for the attacks, although Tehran did not immediately respond. Separately, the United States said it could maintain its naval blockade of Iran indefinitely and announced plans to intensify economic pressure on Tehran. The incidents have heightened concerns over shipping safety and regional tensions surrounding the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz. (PC: Reuters)

Brazilian police have recovered eight stolen artworks by French artist Henri Matisse. The works are worth an estimated $200,000. Police found them on Thursday at a house in São Bernardo do Campo, near São Paulo. A 44-year-old man was arrested at the scene. The artworks were stolen from the Biblioteca Mário de Andrade in December last year. Two thieves reportedly overpowered a security guard and visitors before escaping with the works. Three other people have already been arrested in the case. Five engravings by Brazilian artist Candido Portinari remain missing. Police suspect they may have been sold. (PC: Secretariat of Public Security of the State of São Paulo)

NATO jets shot down a drone after it entered Latvian airspace on Friday, raising fresh concerns along NATO’s eastern border. NATO said two Italian fighter jets and two Turkish F-16s were sent to respond. An Italian jet destroyed the drone, but its origin is still unknown. Latvia said the drone may have entered its airspace because of Russian electronic warfare. A separate drone crashed in Romania near the Ukrainian border, with no damage reported. Meanwhile, Ukraine confirmed a drone attack on Russia’s Ust-Luga port, causing a fire and damage to two processing units. Russia also reported major drone attacks overnight.

At least 8 people have died after record rainfall hit eastern Japan, causing floods and landslides. Authorities called the rain “unprecedented”. Chiba prefecture recorded more than 100mm of rain per hour, the highest rainfall ever recorded in the country. More than 20,000 homes lost power. Over 100,000 households were asked to evacuate as the rain triggered flooding and landslides. Thousands of passengers were stranded overnight at Tokyo’s Narita Airport after transport services were disrupted. Several trains and major highways remain closed. Japan’s Meteorological Agency said heavy rain could continue through Friday, while authorities warned of further floods and landslides. (PC: Reuters)

Bangladesh has tightened electricity-saving measures as severe natural-gas shortages reduce power generation and cause prolonged outages of up to 12 hours in some areas. The government has ordered shopping malls, markets and retail shops to close by 8 PM, an hour earlier than the previous deadline. Trade fairs and cultural events must also end by 8 PM, while illuminated billboards must be switched off by 7 PM and decorative lighting has been banned. Hospitals, pharmacies and food-related businesses are exempt. The worsening crisis has also been linked to global energy-market disruptions caused by the ongoing Iran conflict, increasing pressure on Bangladesh’s LNG supplies. (PC: AP)