Daily News Summary – 2026-08-18 – en

The 7.4 magnitude quake killed 294, injured 4,100, and destroyed nearly 27,000 homes. President De la Espriella announced the damage estimate as Shakira visited Chocó and promised to rebuild at least 10 schools.

A single Salmonella Enteritidis strain traced to imported eggs has sickened 207 across the UK, with one death. Over a third required hospitalization, and officials urge strict food hygiene.

Roughly 500 evacuated residents of Sourbrodt were allowed to return home Monday evening after a wildfire in the High Fens nature reserve scorched over 3,000 hectares. The fire, the largest in Belgium's modern history, is not yet under control, with containment hoped by Wednesday.

A BBC investigation found at least 30 children, mostly British, were conceived with mismatched sperm or egg donors at North Cyprus clinics. Half of cases link to Dogus IVF Centre, which denies systematic issues.

CBP Commissioner Rodney Scott halted all border security construction inside Big Bend National Park following protests. The pause affects patrol roads and vehicle barriers, with environmental groups and tribes challenging the project in court.

Section 188 of the Criminal Code, which makes insulting politicians a crime, faces overhaul after citizens were investigated for mocking Chancellor Merz. While AfD and Die Linke demand abolition, the CDU proposes revisions.

Construction workers found gold bars, coins, and nuggets worth €9 million in a cellar wall in Sint-Gillis-Dendermonde. Claimants worldwide, one citing a past life, have emailed police, who are only investigating possible criminal links.

Pennsylvania authorities charged 14 people, including 13 current or former students, in a cocaine trafficking ring operating from two fraternities. Leaders face corrupt organizations and conspiracy charges.

Guo Degang changed lyrics of 'Playing My Beloved Pipa' to reference the Forbidden City during a Peking opera performance. Wuhan authorities are investigating possible violations, and several tour stops have been cancelled.

The Suore di Carità di Santa Maria in Spotorno face losing their 50-metre beach under EU concession rules. Mayor Mattia Fiorini says the nuns must bid like others; the sisters fear closure of their school.

Alexander Cromie and Marie Ebert died with their pilot when a Bell 206 crashed near Exambela, Sifnos. Authorities suspect mechanical failure and have grounded all Bell 206s in Greece.

The U.S.-led FORGE alliance has grown to 54 members following the Strait of Hormuz closure, which exposed critical mineral vulnerabilities beyond oil. The bloc is mobilizing $30 billion and price floors to counter China's rare earth dominance.

The EU and US signed a Memorandum of Understanding and Action Plan to coordinate mining, processing, and recycling, with border-adjusted price floors under exploration. The pact builds on the FORGE alliance and aims to secure defense and EV supply chains.

With China's suspension of export controls on gallium, germanium, and antimony set to expire November 27, Western AI data centers face bottlenecks. Demand for copper and rare earths is surging, prompting FORGE and Project Vault countermeasures.

High-risk AI obligations under the EU AI Act were deferred to 2027-2028, but transparency and GPAI rules took effect August 2, 2026. The Act's extraterritorial reach is reshaping AI governance globally.