Associated Press

A 7.7-magnitude earthquake struck off Flores at a depth of 10 kilometers shortly before 6 a.m. Saturday, killing at least 68 people, injuring at least 213, and damaging at least 4,500 homes along with 252 schools, 122 health facilities, and 84 places of worship. More than 19,000 residents sheltered in tents and evacuation centers as of Tuesday amid over 2,100 aftershocks, with tsunami warnings issued and later lifted.

U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer met Canadian officials in Washington on August 17, 2026, as Canada seeks to avert 50% tariffs scheduled for 12:01 a.m. Wednesday on $20 billion of its exports. The 5,525-mile border sees 330,000 daily crossings and $2 billion in goods, with additional context including 800,000 Canadians residing in the U.S. and a petition against U.S. Ambassador Pete Hoekstra that collected nearly 218,000 signatures. Analyses differ on whether the tariffs represent protectionism, reciprocity, or state coercion.

A Polish-registered bus crashed on Hungary's M3 motorway early on August 16, 2026, resulting in 12 deaths and multiple injuries. Police attributed the incident to the driver falling asleep, and the driver was taken into custody. Hungarian and Polish officials issued statements of condolence.

Thieves stole four artworks attributed to Antonello da Messina from the MuMe regional museum during the Ferragosto holiday, including three panels from the San Gregorio Polyptych and one double-sided panel. The theft involved bypassing alarms and removing one piece from an armored case. Reporting from Associated Press, The Guardian, and CBS News agrees on core details while disputing the exact date and one prior purchase.

Associated Press reports confirm 13 Russian strikes on Naftogaz Group facilities over the past week, part of nearly 300 attacks since January, causing damage to equipment but no employee injuries. Ukrainian long-range strikes killed seven people in Russia, while four Ukrainian civilians died from Russian attacks during the same period. The 1,250-kilometer front line remains active amid mutual infrastructure targeting.

Joshua Báez hit home runs in each of his first three major league plate appearances, driving in five runs as the St. Louis Cardinals defeated the Chicago Cubs 8-4 on August 15, 2026, at Wrigley Field. All three home runs came against Cubs starter Matthew Boyd. The 23-year-old was called up from Triple-A Memphis the same day.

Princess Eugenie gave birth to a daughter named Adelaide Elizabeth Annina Brooksbank on August 3 in Lisbon, Portugal. The child, weighing 6 pounds 9 ounces, is the couple's third and is 15th in line to the British throne without the style of Royal Highness. Official statements from Buckingham Palace and reporting from Associated Press and BBC News confirm the details of the birth and family background.

Alaska voters participate in an all-party primary Tuesday to select the top four candidates for the U.S. Senate general election under ranked-choice voting rules adopted in 2020. Incumbent Republican Dan Sullivan seeks a third term against Democrat Mary Peltola and 14 other candidates. Verified records confirm Sullivan's 2014 election and the structural features of the state's electoral system.

The Democratic Republic of Congo is experiencing its 17th Ebola outbreak, with 2,325 deaths and 4,945 cases recorded according to Associated Press data. Most new cases and deaths occur outside monitored populations, and water access issues in areas like Mongbwalu are noted by Africa News. Ongoing vaccine trials target the Bundibugyo strain, for which no approved treatments exist.

Ukrainian forces conducted strikes on the Progress Center in Samara and the Savasleyka air base on Saturday, with reports confirming localized damage to industrial infrastructure approximately 700-900 kilometers from the front lines. President Zelenskyy stated that peace requires concrete damage to Russian facilities. Sources include Associated Press and France 24.

Australian swimmer Lani Pallister won the women's 800-meter freestyle at the Pan Pacific Championships in Irvine, California, finishing in 8:06.10 to defeat Katie Ledecky. Ledecky placed second in 8:07.26, marking her first international loss in the event since 2010 according to some reports. Kate Douglass also set a world record in the 50-meter freestyle during the meet.

The Dodgers lost to the Milwaukee Brewers 6-2 on August 16, 2026, and dropped the four-game series 3-1. Manager Dave Roberts cited below-average offensive production and defensive issues over recent weeks. The Brewers hold a three-game lead and head-to-head tiebreaker advantage in the National League standings.

LIV Golf announced it will not hold its scheduled team championship in Michigan and will instead crown the champion at the Indianapolis event. The league has completed 12 events in 2026, with Jon Rahm securing the individual title for the third consecutive year. Funding from Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund ends after 2026, and the league has secured a new lead investor for 2027.

Jared Kushner met Hamas chief Khalil al-Hayya and officials from Egypt, Qatar, and Turkey in Cairo on Sunday. He is scheduled to meet Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Monday. The meetings occur alongside a U.S.-backed 15-point Gaza plan that Netanyahu rejected on August 9.

Five victims were killed and a 13-year-old girl was wounded in shootings at two residences in Missaukee County, Michigan, on Friday. Chad Hickman, 39, was found dead alongside one victim in a wooded area. All deaths resulted from gunshot wounds according to available reports.

Bonnie Tyler, born Gaynor Hopkins, died at age 75 in a Portuguese hospital in July 2026 following intestinal surgery. Her funeral took place at Swansea Minster with specific musical selections and a white-rose-covered coffin. The event drew mourners from Wales, Germany, and Austria and was attended by her husband of 53 years.

The Indiana Fever defeated the Atlanta Dream 95-91 in overtime on August 16, 2026, securing their fourth consecutive win and maintaining a half-game lead for fourth place in the WNBA standings. Four Fever players scored 18 or more points, with Caitlin Clark recording 26 points and nine assists. All reported details originate from a single left-center source.

Joshua Báez hit a home run in each of his first three major league at-bats on August 15, 2026, becoming the first player to achieve the feat according to available reports. The St. Louis Cardinals defeated the Chicago Cubs 8-4 at Wrigley Field after Báez was called up from Triple-A Memphis. Thirty family members, including his mother, attended the game.

The WNBA stated that fans at the August 16, 2026, Atlanta Dream versus Indiana Fever game should not have been directed by security to cover shirts addressing transgender participation in women's sports. Supported reports confirm at least three fans were approached, two wearing messages restricting competition to those assigned female at birth and one supporting transgender participation, with no transgender women having played in the league. The league's collective bargaining agreement limits eligibility to women without further gender-identity specifications.

The USS George Washington is departing the Pacific to replace the USS Abraham Lincoln in the Middle East, where the Lincoln's deployment has been extended past its original May return date to support operations against Iran. The USS Gerald R. Ford departed Souda Naval Base in Greece on Feb. 26, 2026. The Abraham Lincoln has been at sea for 266 days.

Home Depot posted revenue of $47.86 billion for the quarter ended Aug. 2, up from $45.28 billion a year earlier and above the $47.24 billion consensus estimate. U.S. comparable-store sales rose 1.3 percent while net income reached $4.77 billion. The company reaffirmed its full-year guidance amid a housing market slump that began in 2022.

A 7.7-magnitude earthquake struck 68 km north-northwest of Ende on Flores island at a depth of about 10 km on August 15, 2026. It killed at least 47 people, injured more than 100, destroyed over 900 homes, and displaced thousands across multiple regencies. An initial tsunami warning was issued and later lifted.

The Associated Press released its 2025 preseason Top 25 poll on Monday, compiled from 69 voters. Ohio State received the top ranking with 40 first-place votes, followed by Oregon, Georgia, and Notre Dame. The poll projects the top four College Football Playoff seeds and shows heavy representation from the SEC and Big Ten.