# Sean's Daily News Digest — 2026-08-12 **AI-written** Written by Claude, an assistant that can make mistakes - verify anything important against the linked sources. Political leanings from [independent media assessors](https://news-digest.seanfloyd.dev/sources). ## Must Know ### Colombia quake death toll passes 200 as rescuers pull woman from rubble two days on Ongoing · day 2 The death toll has climbed above 240, with at least 195 people officially listed as missing by Colombian authorities, though civilian-run databases put the missing figure closer to 4,000. Cali, Colombia's third-most populous city, sustained the heaviest casualties, with a five-story apartment building called Torres del Limonar among the collapsed structures where rescue workers are still searching for survivors. Rescuers pulled a 32-year-old woman alive from the rubble of a collapsed building in Cali on Tuesday, sparking cheers among exhausted crews. **How reporting varies** **Clarin Mundo / France24:** Put the official death toll at more than 240, drawing on regional officials and local media; also cited more than 2,000 missing in civilian databases. **NPR / BBC / Reuters:** Used the official government figure of at least 181 confirmed dead, noting the aggregated total could be higher, and emphasised the missing-persons discrepancy. 15 sources · 7 left · 4 center · 4 right | Outlet | Leaning | Articles | | -------------------- | ---------- | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | | Der Spiegel | lean-left | [1](https://www.spiegel.de/ausland/kolumbien-video-zeigt-hauseinsturz-nach-erdbeben-a-12a89092-ac65-46eb-8f49-275ec1495651#ref=rss) | | Le Monde | lean-left | [1](https://www.lemonde.fr/international/article/2026/08/12/seisme-en-colombie-au-moins-216-morts-l-ue-debloque-2-millions-d-euros-d-aide_6744909_3210.html) | | AP · via NPR World | wire | [1](https://www.npr.org/2026/08/12/g-s1-138315/colombia-earthquake-updates) [2](https://www.npr.org/2026/08/11/nx-s1-5928036/the-death-toll-climbs-from-mondays-7-4-magnitude-earthquake-in-colombia) [3](https://www.npr.org/2026/08/11/g-s1-138174/up-first-newsletter-national-guard-primaries-wisconsin-colombia-earthquake-childhood-vaccines) | | NYT World | lean-left | [1](https://www.nytimes.com/2026/08/11/world/americas/colombia-earthquake-survivors-search.html) [2](https://www.nytimes.com/video/world/americas/100000011086264/a-rescue-effort-after-colombias-earthquake.html) [3](https://www.nytimes.com/video/world/americas/100000011085349/searching-for-survivors-after-colombias-earthquake.html) [4](https://www.nytimes.com/2026/08/10/world/americas/colombia-quake-maps.html) [5](https://www.nytimes.com/2026/08/10/world/americas/colombia-earthquake-photos.html) | | AFP · via SCMP World | wire | [1](https://www.scmp.com/news/world/americas/article/3363727/colombian-woman-pulled-alive-rubble-earthquake-death-toll-tops-200?utm_source=rss_feed) | | The Guardian | lean-left | [1](https://www.theguardian.com/world/2026/aug/11/colombia-earthquake-dead-amid-hunt-for-survivors) | | Washington Post | lean-left | [1](https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2026/08/11/colombia-rescuers-scramble-find-survivors-earthquake-death-toll-rises/) | | BBC World | center | [1](https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c20dqd9qwq4o?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss) [2](https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/czxerlglgw5o?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss) [3](https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/videos/ckge0e0g95no?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss) | | Financial Times | center | [1](https://www.ft.com/content/dfa69996-4427-4eef-8c60-a97a562debf5?syn-25a6b1a6=1) | | France 24 | center | [1](https://www.france24.com/en/colombia-quake-death-toll-surpasses-240) | | UPI | wire | [1](https://www.upi.com/Top_News/World-News/2026/08/11/latam-colombia-earthquake-rescuers/4891786459628/) | | Clarín | lean-right | [1](https://www.clarin.com/mundo/pereira-ciudad-zombie-devastada-terremoto-colombia_0_OeMqesxfFA.html) [2](https://www.clarin.com/mundo/clarin-terremoto-colombia-horas-drama-hospital-destruido-puede-recibir-heridos-busca-pacientes-escombros_0_uUb44qobE4.html) [3](https://www.clarin.com/mundo/terremoto-colombia-ciudades-alerta-roja-240-muertos-tareas-rescate-contrarreloj_0_8GV2kHqMg0.html) | | Globe and Mail | lean-right | [1](https://www.theglobeandmail.com/world/video-rescuers-search-through-rubble-for-colombia-quake-survivors/) | | Straits Times | lean-right | [1](https://www.straitstimes.com/world/two-killed-as-colombia-steps-up-airstrikes-against-rebels) [2](https://www.straitstimes.com/world/quake-rescuers-in-colombia-find-woman-alive-as-death-toll-passes-200) [3](https://www.straitstimes.com/world/waiting-for-any-sign-of-life-colombia-reels-after-earthquake) [4](https://www.straitstimes.com/world/pereira-the-zombie-city-devastated-by-colombias-earthquake) | | WSJ World | lean-right | [1](https://www.wsj.com/world/americas/rescue-teams-in-colombia-dig-through-rubble-to-pull-out-quake-victims-ca1f1211?mod=rss_worldnews) | ### Ukraine strikes Novorossiysk naval base and halts tanker attacks at US request as Zelenskyy submits peace proposals Ongoing · day 41 Ukraine launched a massive overnight drone attack on Russia's Black Sea port city of Novorossiysk, putting two of Russia's biggest grain terminals out of action and targeting a naval base, with the local mayor saying the city 'endured a horrific night' and reporting a child killed and dozens of buildings damaged. Russia says it intercepted 502 Ukrainian drones overnight and struck the port of Odesa in return. Zelensky accused Russia of using North Korean-supplied ballistic missiles in overnight attacks that killed at least 10 people and wounded dozens across Ukraine, including a deadly strike on Zaporizhzhia. **Why it matters** Ukraine accepting a US request to spare oil tankers at the very port it simultaneously struck with drones reveals the contradiction at the heart of American mediation: Washington is pressing Kyiv to limit economic warfare against Russia while US negotiators Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, who last visited Moscow in January, have still not visited Kyiv. 10 sources · 6 left · 2 center · 2 right | Outlet | Leaning | Articles | | -------------------- | ---------- | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ | | Al Jazeera | lean-left | [1](https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2026/8/12/ukraines-strikes-on-russias-wildberries-arent-about-the-front-line?traffic_source=rss) [2](https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2026/8/12/three-killed-in-overnight-attacks-on-russian-ukrainian-port?traffic_source=rss) [3](https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2026/8/12/zelenskyy-says-ukraine-has-sent-proposals-to-us-to-end-war-with-russia?traffic_source=rss) | | CBC News | lean-left | [1](https://www.cbc.ca/news/world/russia-ukraine-war-1630-9.7302823?cmp=rss) | | Der Spiegel | lean-left | [1](https://www.spiegel.de/ausland/russland-selenskyj-warnt-vor-neuer-mobilmachung-durch-putin-und-legt-neuen-friedensplan-vor-a-03b5b1cc-14af-4fd7-b027-462fd3459423#ref=rss) | | NYT World | lean-left | [1](https://www.nytimes.com/2026/08/11/world/europe/russia-ukraine-civilian-casualties.html) | | AFP · via SCMP World | wire | [1](https://www.scmp.com/news/world/russia-central-asia/article/3363705/ukraine-says-russia-fired-north-korean-missiles-deadly-attack?utm_source=rss_feed) | | The Guardian | lean-left | [1](https://www.theguardian.com/world/2026/aug/12/ukraine-war-briefing-north-korean-missiles-attack-zaporizhzhia) | | Financial Times | center | [1](https://www.ft.com/content/4b54db5c-c97f-477c-afec-b624c1b10fa5?syn-25a6b1a6=1) | | Reuters | wire | [1](https://www.reuters.com/world/russias-novorossiysk-grain-terminal-halts-operations-after-ukrainian-drone-2026-08-12/) [2](https://www.reuters.com/world/ukraine-halts-strikes-tankers-using-russian-port-us-request-ft-says-2026-08-12/) [3](https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/zelenskiy-ukraine-has-given-us-negotiators-proposals-ending-war-with-russia-2026-08-11/) [4](https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/russia-says-it-downs-502-ukrainian-drones-strikes-port-odesa-2026-08-12/) [5](https://www.reuters.com/business/energy/russias-sibur-petrochemical-plant-western-siberia-shut-after-drone-attack-2026-08-11/) | | Globe and Mail | lean-right | [1](https://www.theglobeandmail.com/world/article-russian-attacks-ukraine-zelensky/) | | Straits Times | lean-right | [1](https://www.straitstimes.com/world/europe/drones-hit-residential-buildings-in-russias-black-sea-port-of-novorossiysk-mayor-says) [2](https://www.straitstimes.com/world/europe/zelenskiy-ukraine-has-given-us-negotiators-proposals-for-ending-the-war-with-russia) | ### Zhu Rongji, architect of China's WTO entry and market reforms, dies aged 97 Zhu Rongji, who served as China's premier from 1998 to 2003 and spearheaded the country's entry into the World Trade Organisation, has died aged 97. He is remembered for tackling corruption, overhauling state-owned enterprises, and centralising fiscal policy to stabilise an economy battered by high inflation and mounting debt in the 1990s. His death comes as China prepares to mark the centenary of former leader Jiang Zemin: state broadcaster CCTV has launched a 12-episode documentary on Jiang, with President Xi Jinping expected to preside over a grand commemorative symposium at the Great Hall of the People. **Why it matters** Commemorating both Zhu and Jiang simultaneously gives Xi an opportunity to draw a line of reform legitimacy from earlier leaders through to his own era, while the contrast between Zhu's market-opening record and today's more state-directed model underscores how far China's economic orientation has shifted since the WTO accession Zhu engineered. 2 sources · 1 left · 1 center | Outlet | Leaning | Articles | | --------------- | --------- | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ | | SCMP China | lean-left | [1](https://www.scmp.com/news/china/politics/article/3363792/chinese-economic-reformer-zhu-rongji-dies-aged-97?utm_source=rss_feed) [2](https://www.scmp.com/news/china/politics/article/3363723/china-prepares-mark-jiang-zemin-centenary-full-commemorative-honours?utm_source=rss_feed) | | Financial Times | center | [1](https://www.ft.com/content/62198cc0-044a-42a0-91c5-3e5159f29465?syn-25a6b1a6=1) | ### China to hold first naval drill with Indonesia east of Taiwan as AI cyber attack on island is disclosed China's People's Liberation Army announced a joint naval exercise with Indonesia in waters east of Taiwan, scheduled for mid-August — an unusual pairing that Taiwan condemned as 'dangerous' given the drill's location. Separately, the Financial Times reported that China-linked hackers carried out what it described as an unprecedented 'autonomous' AI cyber attack on Taiwan, with AI agents simultaneously conducting reconnaissance and break-ins. Taiwanese authorities also arrested two mainland Chinese nationals who had landed on the island by inflatable boat six days earlier, raising concerns about coastal security during Taiwan's biggest annual military drills. **Why it matters** A naval drill flanking Taiwan from the east, an autonomous AI-driven cyber offensive, and an undetected beach landing during war games together suggest China is simultaneously probing Taiwan's military, digital and coastal defences across multiple domains — each individually deniable, but collectively amounting to a coordinated grey-zone pressure campaign. 7 sources · 2 left · 4 center · 1 right | Outlet | Leaning | Articles | | ----------------------- | ---------- | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | | Reuters · via Rappler | wire | [1](https://www.rappler.com/world/asia-pacific/taiwan-condemns-planned-china-navy-drill-indonesia/) | | SCMP China | lean-left | [1](https://www.scmp.com/news/china/military/article/3363775/pla-hold-first-joint-naval-drill-indonesia-waters-east-taiwan?utm_source=rss_feed) [2](https://www.scmp.com/news/china/politics/article/3363688/fishing-trip-mishap-or-grey-zone-test-taiwan-arrests-men-after-boat-slips-past-defences?utm_source=rss_feed) | | Economist International | center | [1](https://www.economist.com/international/2026/08/11/taking-taiwans-democracy-hostage) | | Financial Times | center | [1](https://www.ft.com/content/e0ca4cab-c8ba-47d6-9465-13e2d73285fc?syn-25a6b1a6=1) [2](https://www.ft.com/content/7d2ab3e0-9085-48f6-b38a-d90260d58795?syn-25a6b1a6=1) | | Reuters | wire | [1](https://www.reuters.com/world/china/taiwan-condemns-dangerous-planned-chinese-navy-drill-with-indonesia-its-east-2026-08-12/) | | The Diplomat | center | [1](https://thediplomat.com/2026/08/why-the-pacific-islands-forum-should-watch-taiwans-east-coast/) | | Nikkei Asia | lean-right | [1](https://asia.nikkei.com/politics/international-relations/taiwan-tensions/taiwan-condemns-dangerous-planned-chinese-navy-drill-with-indonesia) [2](https://asia.nikkei.com/politics/international-relations/china-and-indonesia-to-hold-naval-drill-east-of-taiwan) | ### Lebanon abolishes death penalty — first in the Middle East — as Hungary elects Orban-era critic as president Lebanon's parliament voted on Tuesday to abolish the death penalty and replace all existing death sentences with life imprisonment, making it the first country in the Middle East to formally end capital punishment after more than two decades without executions. Hezbollah's parliamentary bloc voted against; the law goes next to cabinet before the president signs it. In Hungary, parliament elected Andras Baka, 73 — a judge removed from the Supreme Court during Viktor Orban's tenure in 2011 — as head of state by 140 votes to 6, with Orban's Fidesz party boycotting the vote. **Why it matters** In Lebanon, abolition converts a precarious de facto moratorium into binding legal protection for more than 78 people who remained technically on death row despite no execution since 2004. In Hungary, installing a president who was personally targeted by Orban's judicial dismantling gives Prime Minister Peter Magyar a symbolic counterweight — while the method used to remove Orban's chosen president via constitutional amendment drew criticism from rights groups as echoing the very illiberal practices Magyar pledged to reverse. 8 sources · 5 left · 3 center | Outlet | Leaning | Articles | | ------------------------ | --------- | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | | Reuters · via Al-Monitor | wire | [1](https://www.al-monitor.com/originals/2026/08/lebanon-abolishes-death-penalty-first-region) | | Der Spiegel | lean-left | [1](https://www.spiegel.de/ausland/libanon-schafft-die-todesstrafe-ab-a-fc2c7b4f-7603-4f01-b1c2-81694f4ef127#ref=rss) | | Deutsche Welle | lean-left | [1](https://www.dw.com/en/hungary-s-parliament-elects-orban-critic-as-new-president/a-78325589?maca=en-rss-en-world-4025-rdf) | | AFP · via SCMP World | wire | [1](https://www.scmp.com/news/world/europe/article/3363690/hungary-parliament-approves-orban-critic-judge-president?utm_source=rss_feed) [2](https://www.scmp.com/news/world/middle-east/article/3363687/lebanon-becomes-first-arab-nation-abolish-death-penalty?utm_source=rss_feed) | | Washington Post | lean-left | [1](https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2026/08/12/trump-says-ceasefire-lebanon-is-working-residents-its-prison/) [2](https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2026/08/11/lebanon-takes-step-become-first-arab-country-abolish-death-penalty/) | | BBC World | center | [1](https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c8enj8p1xwgo?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss) [2](https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/clyed7rem5no?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss) | | Reuters | wire | [1](https://www.reuters.com/world/hungary-parliament-elects-former-supreme-court-head-andras-baka-president-2026-08-11/) | | UPI | wire | [1](https://www.upi.com/Top_News/World-News/2026/08/12/lebanon-abolish-death-penality/7381786514418/) | ## Should Know ### Houthis kill six on Red Sea cargo ship — first deaths on shipping since Iran war began — as US fires on blockade-runner in Gulf of Oman Ongoing · day 49 A U.S. military helicopter fired Hellfire missiles into the engine room of a Panama-flagged cargo vessel in the Gulf of Oman after its crew ignored repeated warnings and attempted to break the U.S. naval blockade of Iranian ports — the first known U.S. use of force directly against a civilian vessel to enforce the blockade. Iran-backed Houthis attacked a small cargo vessel in the Bab el-Mandeb strait, killing four crew members and two rescuers — the first fatalities in a Houthi strike on shipping since the Iran war began on February 28. Pakistan said the U.S. and Iran are close to 'some sort' of deal despite the ongoing attacks on shipping, positioning itself as a diplomatic voice even as both sides escalate. 8 sources · 2 left · 3 center · 3 right | Outlet | Leaning | Articles | | ------------------- | ---------- | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | | Der Spiegel | lean-left | [1](https://www.spiegel.de/ausland/iran-strasse-von-hormus-us-militaer-greift-frachtschiff-mit-raketen-an-a-fea3a6ad-8f57-479e-a177-974d93268b4d#ref=rss) | | AP · via SCMP World | wire | [1](https://www.scmp.com/news/world/middle-east/article/3363706/us-military-says-it-has-fired-ship-gulf-oman-enforce-blockade-iranian-ports?utm_source=rss_feed) | | Reuters | wire | [1](https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/pakistan-says-us-iran-close-some-sort-deal-despite-attacks-shipping-2026-08-11/) [2](https://www.reuters.com/business/dollar-subdued-markets-await-us-inflation-data-fed-clues-2026-08-12/) [3](https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/hormuz-strait-remain-closed-unless-us-meets-irans-conditions-iranian-security-2026-08-11/) [4](https://www.reuters.com/world/china/three-killed-attacks-ships-red-sea-gulf-sources-say-2026-08-11/) [5](https://www.reuters.com/world/americas/us-fired-panama-flagged-ship-that-tried-break-blockade-iranian-ports-wsj-reports-2026-08-11/) [6](https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/ukmto-reports-incident-involving-container-ship-military-forces-gulf-oman-2026-08-11/) [7](https://www.reuters.com/commentary/reuters-open-interest/global-markets-trading-day-graphic-2026-08-11/) | | BBC World | center | [1](https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cvg8lyyyjedo?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss) | | France 24 | center | [1](https://www.france24.com/en/middle-east/20260812-middle-east-live-us-military-strikes-ship-violating-blockade-of-iranian-ports) | | Globe and Mail | lean-right | [1](https://www.theglobeandmail.com/world/article-us-iran-war-red-sea-attacks-houthis/) | | Straits Times | lean-right | [1](https://www.straitstimes.com/world/middle-east/new-attacks-on-shipping-as-us-iran-war-talks-hit-fresh-impasse) [2](https://www.straitstimes.com/world/middle-east/us-helicopter-fired-on-ship-that-tried-to-break-iran-ports-blockade) | | WSJ World | lean-right | [1](https://www.wsj.com/world/middle-east/u-s-fires-on-ship-breaking-its-blockade-of-iran-d8b99456?mod=rss_worldnews) | ### North Korea fires second ballistic missile in under a week, ahead of US-South Korea drills set to begin 17 August North Korea launched a ballistic missile from its eastern Wonsan area on Wednesday morning, its second test in less than a week, South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff and Japan's Defence Ministry confirmed. The missile flew more than 700 kilometres and landed outside Japan's exclusive economic zone in the sea between the Korean Peninsula and Japan. The launch came two days after Seoul and Washington announced their annual Ulchi Freedom Shield joint military drills would begin on 17 August; North Korea views such exercises as invasion rehearsals. Japan's Defence Minister Shinjiro Koizumi called it a 'serious problem' affecting the safety of Japanese people. 7 sources · 2 left · 4 center · 1 right | Outlet | Leaning | Articles | | -------------- | ---------- | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | | Der Spiegel | lean-left | [1](https://www.spiegel.de/ausland/nordkorea-feuert-erneut-ballistische-rakete-ab-anrainer-warnen-vor-risiken-unangekuendigter-tests-a-5ba3adc2-79b8-4d39-b459-d9e1d4ad85b0#ref=rss) | | Deutsche Welle | lean-left | [1](https://www.dw.com/en/north-korea-tests-missile-ahead-of-us-south-korea-drills/a-78329244?maca=en-rss-en-world-4025-rdf) | | France 24 | center | [1](https://www.france24.com/en/asia-pacific/20260812-north-korea-conducts-second-ballistic-missile-test-in-less-than-a-week) | | Reuters | wire | [1](https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/south-korea-unveils-future-technology-projects-targets-moon-landing-by-2030-2026-08-12/) [2](https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/north-korea-fires-unidentified-projectile-media-says-2026-08-11/) | | The Diplomat | center | [1](https://thediplomat.com/2026/08/armistice-regime-peace-regime-or-time-for-a-different-mindset-on-the-korean-peninsula/) | | UPI | wire | [1](https://www.upi.com/Top_News/World-News/2026/08/12/North-Korea-unparalleled-retaliatory-capability-nuclear-submarine/7621786527355/) [2](https://www.upi.com/Top_News/World-News/2026/08/12/korea-KOSPI-Korea-Stock-Index-sharply-higher-chip-rally-third-day/9021786526540/) [3](https://www.upi.com/Voices/2026/08/12/perspective-north-korea-dictatorship-normalized/9671784901233/) [4](https://www.upi.com/Top_News/World-News/2026/08/12/North-Korea-launches-ballistic-missile-East-Sea-before-Ulchi-Freedom-Shield-military-exercise/5411786506078/) [5](https://www.upi.com/Top_News/World-News/2026/08/11/former-korea-policy-broadcasting-service-chief-lee-eun-woo/5071786492400/) [6](https://www.upi.com/Top_News/World-News/2026/08/11/democratic-party-platform-charter-revision/2831786494128/) [7](https://www.upi.com/Top_News/World-News/2026/08/11/politics-june-3-local-election-recount/6341786491158/) | | Globe and Mail | lean-right | [1](https://www.theglobeandmail.com/world/article-north-korea-launches-suspected-ballistic-missile-japans-defence/) | ### Typhoon Dolphin remnants drench Beijing; city warned of more than one-third of annual rainfall in 24 hours Ongoing · day 6 Typhoon Dolphin has hit Beijing directly, causing flooding in parts of the capital as the storm continues to sweep northward through China. Thousands of people have been evacuated from areas at risk of flooding and landslides in Beijing as Typhoon Dolphin brings torrential rain to the capital. Beijing's subway stations have been stocked with sandbags as authorities prepare for severe flooding from the storm's rainfall. 3 sources · 2 left · 1 center | Outlet | Leaning | Articles | | ------------ | --------- | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | | Der Spiegel | lean-left | [1](https://www.spiegel.de/ausland/china-taifun-dolphin-starkregen-und-die-folgen-des-klimawandels-a-19c44e1b-7eaf-4d91-9745-caa80c5f701a#ref=rss) | | The Guardian | lean-left | [1](https://www.theguardian.com/world/2026/aug/12/tyhpoon-dolphin-beijing-thousands-evacuated-flooding-rainfall) [2](https://www.theguardian.com/world/2026/aug/11/typhoon-dolphin-beijing-rainfall-flood-warnings-china) | | Reuters | wire | [1](https://www.reuters.com/business/environment/typhoon-dolphins-remnants-brings-torrential-rain-beijing-2026-08-12/) | ### Foxconn Q2 profit rises 35% on AI server demand, beating forecasts Taiwan's Foxconn reported a 35% rise in second-quarter net profit to NT$59.97 billion ($1.86 billion), beating analyst estimates, driven by surging orders for AI servers used in data centres. The world's largest contract electronics maker, which is Nvidia's biggest server manufacturer and Apple's top iPhone assembler, reaffirmed its forecast of 'strong' revenue growth for 2026 and is building AI server factories in Mexico and Texas. 3 sources · 1 left · 1 center · 1 right | Outlet | Leaning | Articles | | ----------- | ---------- | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | | Al Jazeera | lean-left | [1](https://www.aljazeera.com/economy/2026/8/12/taiwans-foxconn-reports-35-percent-rise-in-profit-on-ai-demand?traffic_source=rss) | | Reuters | wire | [1](https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/taiwans-foxconn-reports-35-rise-q2-profit-beats-forecasts-2026-08-12/) | | Nikkei Asia | lean-right | [1](https://asia.nikkei.com/business/technology/key-nvidia-supplier-foxconn-downplays-rising-competition-in-ai-servers) | ### Google Gemini and ChatGPT both reach 1 billion monthly users, ending ChatGPT's era of unchallenged dominance Google CEO Sundar Pichai announced that Gemini has reached 1 billion monthly active users — the 14th Google product to do so and, according to Google, its fastest-growing product ever. OpenAI's ChatGPT crossed the same mark earlier, with OpenAI disclosing on 6 August that it had passed 1 billion monthly users 'some time ago' and hit 1 billion weekly users in July. Gemini reportedly has more than 100 million active users on iOS, suggesting the vast majority of its 1 billion monthly users are on Android. 2 sources · 1 left · 1 center | Outlet | Leaning | Articles | | ------------ | --------- | --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | | The Verge | lean-left | [1](https://www.theverge.com/ai-artificial-intelligence/978113/chatgpt-gemini-1-billion-users) | | Ars Technica | center | [1](https://arstechnica.com/ai/2026/08/google-says-gemini-has-reached-1b-users-faster-than-any-other-google-product/) | ### UK prime minister chairs emergency Cobra meeting as wildfires and extreme heat grip England and Wales Prime Minister Andy Burnham convened an emergency Cobra meeting on Wednesday in response to wildfires and drought gripping parts of England and Wales, with the Met Office issuing an extreme heat warning and highs of 38°C forecast. Fire chiefs said they had responded to 966 wildfires across England and Wales in 2026; the government discussed a potential ban on disposable barbecues to reduce ignition risk. 4 sources · 1 left · 2 center · 1 right | Outlet | Leaning | Articles | | --------------- | ---------- | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ | | The Guardian | lean-left | [1](https://www.theguardian.com/environment/live/2026/aug/12/heatwave-extreme-heat-cobra-uk-wildfires-drought-latest-news-updates) [2](https://www.theguardian.com/business/2026/aug/12/heatwaves-uk-cost-economy-lost-output-thinktank) [3](https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2026/aug/11/will-andy-burnhams-everyday-fixes-be-enough-to-get-the-public-on-his-side) | | Financial Times | center | [1](https://www.ft.com/content/c9d5c256-0e93-4978-b312-354cb7bd7487?syn-25a6b1a6=1) [2](https://www.ft.com/content/c4c5cbb1-4b7c-4d29-b382-b38c494dcecc?syn-25a6b1a6=1) | | Reuters | wire | [1](https://www.reuters.com/business/environment/uk-pm-chair-emergency-meeting-heatwaves-drought-2026-08-12/) | | Straits Times | lean-right | [1](https://www.straitstimes.com/world/europe/british-pm-burnham-to-chair-emergency-meeting-on-heatwaves-drought) | ### Beijing tightens exit rules from 15 September to cover suspected technology export violators New Chinese regulations taking effect on 15 September will extend exit bans to individuals suspected of 'violating export control or technology trade rules in ways that may threaten industrial or technological security,' China Daily reported. The rules have alarmed ordinary citizens and foreign businesses; Beijing has already reportedly prevented senior AI engineers from travelling abroad. An analysis by human-rights group Safeguard Defenders found a tenfold increase in court-imposed exit bans over the past five years, with some 136,000 such verdicts issued last year alone. 1 source · 1 right | Outlet | Leaning | Articles | | -------------- | ---------- | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ | | Globe and Mail | lean-right | [1](https://www.theglobeandmail.com/world/article-china-exit-bans-new-rules-september-15/) | ### US bans Chinese humanoid robots on national security grounds The Federal Communications Commission banned humanoid robots from China, including the popular Unitree G1 model, on 28 July, citing national security concerns. 1 source · 1 left | Outlet | Leaning | Articles | | ------------ | --------- | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | | The Guardian | lean-left | [1](https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/video/2026/aug/11/why-the-us-government-is-trying-to-ban-this-chinese-dancing-robot-video-explainer) | ### Iran's hardliners demand Pezeshkian resign over peace talks as supreme leader stays out of public view Hardline factions in Tehran are publicly calling for President Masoud Pezeshkian's resignation over his support for a peace deal with the United States, deepening an open political rift over how to end the war. Pezeshkian revealed last week that he found it 'very difficult' to reach supreme leader Mojtaba Khamenei, who has not been seen in public since taking over as supreme leader in March after being wounded in the Israeli air strike that killed his father and predecessor on 28 February. Pezeshkian later said the two had met for seven or eight hours and that Khamenei was in 'perfect health,' but Khamenei's extended public absence has allowed factional disputes to become more pronounced and public. 1 source · 1 left | Outlet | Leaning | Articles | | -------------------------- | ------- | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | | Bloomberg · via SCMP World | wire | [1](https://www.scmp.com/news/world/middle-east/article/3363756/factions-iran-openly-fight-over-wars-direction-amid-khameneis-absence?utm_source=rss_feed) | ### Top German general says Russia is probing NATO defences with hybrid attacks as it prepares for wider conflict Germany's top general, Carsten Breuer, said Russia is using hybrid attacks to probe NATO defences and is preparing for a potential wider conflict with the West even as it continues fighting in Ukraine. 1 source · 1 right | Outlet | Leaning | Articles | | --------- | ---------- | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | | WSJ World | lean-right | [1](https://www.wsj.com/world/europe/top-german-general-says-russia-is-probing-nato-defenses-with-hybrid-attacks-18597d36?mod=rss_worldnews) |