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A magnitude 6.1 earthquake struck off Indonesia’s North Sumatra province on Tuesday, shaking communities across parts of Sumatra. The earthquake occurred at 1:02:23 p.m. western Indonesian time, or 06:02:23 UTC. Official data placed the epicenter in the sea, 147 kilometers southeast of South Nias Regency. The earthquake had a depth of 29 kilometers, with its source beneath waters west of Sumatra.Residents across other parts of Sumatra also reported shaking after the magnitude 6.1 earthquake. The National Disaster Mitigation Agency, or BNPB, said the earthquake had no potential to generate a tsunami. Residents in South Nias felt weak shaking for about three to five seconds. Local disaster offices began monitoring affected areas after the tremor, while the initial national bulletin provided no confirmed casualty or damage figures.
The Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo has become the deadliest in the country’s history, with 4,945 confirmed cases and 2,325 deaths as of Aug. 16. Health officials recorded 101 new confirmed cases during the previous 24 hours, surpassing the 2,299 fatalities recorded during the country’s 2018 to 2020 outbreak. The epidemic has reached 54 health zones across six provinces, with Ituri remaining the center of the outbreak. The outbreak has also affected health workers, with at least 155 infections and 45 deaths reported among them.
On August 12, 2026, a total solar eclipse crossed the Russian Arctic. It then swept into the North Atlantic and continued toward Europe. State Space Corporation Roscosmos said the eclipse began over Russia’s remote northern regions at about 17:00 GMT. The Moon’s shadow moved across Greenland and Iceland before reaching Spain and northeastern Portugal near sunset. Totality appeared only inside a narrow corridor. Surrounding regions across Europe, North America and Africa experienced a partial solar eclipse.
The UN said economic uncertainty, digital inclusion and climate change rank among major challenges facing younger generations across borders. These pressures often reach beyond national boundaries and require coordinated responses, according to the Secretary-General’s message. Guterres also pointed to the creativity, dynamism and leadership of young people. He described youth as organizers and innovators who already contribute to communities and public life. The message linked youth participation with wider efforts to advance sustainable development.
Thousands of lawsuits accusing major social media companies of fueling harmful and addictive use among young people can continue in federal court. The 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals rejected an early appeal from Meta Platforms and TikTok on Aug. 10. The ruling leaves more than 3,000 consolidated federal cases before U.S. District Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers in Oakland. Plaintiffs allege that platform design features encouraged compulsive use and contributed to mental health problems among children and teenagers.
Typhoon Dolphin forced the evacuation of about 167,900 people in Fujian Province as heavy rain and flooding spread across eastern China. The Fujian figure covered residents moved from vulnerable land and coastal areas by 7 a.m. Monday. Shanghai had separately evacuated about 215,600 people from areas considered at risk by late Sunday. Dolphin made two landfalls in neighboring Zhejiang Province on Sunday before moving inland and steadily losing strength.
More than 20,000 people fled communities around Okanagan Lake after the Bald Range wildfire surged through southern British Columbia over the weekend. Provincial authorities declared a state of emergency Saturday as flames advanced toward Summerland and areas near Peachland. The fire grew beyond 10,300 hectares by Saturday night. It destroyed homes and damaged other property along its path. Emergency crews used helicopters to reach dozens of residents cut off by the fire. Evacuation orders remained in force across several communities and rural areas Sunday.
A magnitude 5.0 earthquake struck southeast of Atka in Alaska’s Aleutian Islands late Saturday. The Alaska Earthquake Center recorded the quake at 7:36 p.m. Alaska Daylight Time on August 8. That corresponded to 03:36 UTC on August 9. The epicenter was about 48 miles, or 77 kilometers, southeast of Atka. Seismologists placed the earthquake at a depth of about 10.6 miles, or 17 kilometers.
A magnitude 4.9 earthquake hits southwestern China on Friday, striking Gao County in Yibin City within Sichuan province. According to official measurements published by the China Earthquake Networks Center, the seismic event occurred at 1:08 p.m. local time at a shallow focal depth of six kilometers. State broadcaster CCTV confirmed that one person was killed after being struck by a collapsing exterior wall while attempting to seek safety during the tremors.
China announced new countermeasures against the United States on Wednesday, including tighter controls on drone-related exports. It also restricted dealings with seven American entities. The measures took effect on August 5 after recent U.S. technology and import restrictions. China’s Ministry of Commerce said controlled drones, key components and related technologies will face stricter U.S.-bound export reviews. The rules apply to items already covered by China’s dual-use export control system. They do not create a blanket ban on all Chinese drone shipments to the American market.