News for August 13, 2026
Rescuers call for silence around earthquake rubble as window for survival narrows in Colombia
CALI, Colombia (AP) — With arms raised and fists clenched, rescuers in Colombia called for silence as they listened for signs of life in the rubble left by a deadly earthquake. The disaster has killed more than 270 people and left hundreds more missing. The call for quiet on Thursday was part of last-ditch efforts to find survivors in the aftermath of the 7.4 magnitude quake that struck the South American country Monday. Aid agencies consider the first two to three days after a quake to be the prime window for retrieving survivors. But that time frame can be extended if those trapped have access to food and water.
FACT FOCUS: Conspiracy theories falsely blame Colombia earthquake on Alaska research program
An enduring conspiracy theory has resurfaced on social media after a 7.4 magnitude earthquake hit western Colombia on Monday, with users blaming a research program in Alaska for the disaster. Posts falsely claim that the earthquake, which has killed at least 270 people and left widespread damage in its wake, was caused by the High-frequency Active Auroral Research Program, or HAARP, which studies the properties and behavior of the upper atmosphere. But the earthquake was actually caused by natural movements in the Earth’s crust. Experts say it had nothing to do with human activities.
Luigi Mangione expected to plead guilty in federal case in UnitedHealthcare killing, AP source says
NEW YORK (AP) — Luigi Mangione is expected to plead guilty as early as Friday in the federal case accusing him of stalking and killing UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson, a stunning development in a case that rattled business leaders while galvanizing their critics, according to a person familiar with the matter. The person was not authorized to talk publicly about the case and spoke to The Associated Press on the condition of anonymity. The person cautioned that Mangione could change his mind. Mangione is accused of stalking Thompson, 50, then shooting him outside a New York City hotel on Dec. 4, 2024, as the executive walked to UnitedHealth Group’s annual investor conference. Mangione is due in court on Friday for a hastily scheduled hearing in the federal case. Mangione’s lawyers declined to comment.
Israeli settlers’ siege of Palestinian homes draws a sharp US rebuke
QUSRA, West Bank (AP) — Israeli settlers have besieged three homes in the occupied West Bank, including one owned by a Palestinian American, for several days. U.S. Ambassador Mike Huckabee on Thursday referred to the settlers as “terrorists.” It was an unusually sharp rebuke from the Trump administration, which has signaled broad acceptance of Israeli settlements over the years while condemning violence. Mounting criticism of Israel from the United States could pose a challenge for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. He is trying to maintain good relations with his country’s closest ally as he mobilizes ultranationalist voters ahead of a tough battle for reelection in October.
Tennessee and Oklahoma put men to death as US states schedule 3 executions for the same day
Tennessee and Oklahoma have put inmates to death within 30 minutes of each other as U.S. states scheduled three lethal injection executions in one day. If all proceed, it will be the first time in nearly 16 years that three executions occur on the same day in the U.S. Tennessee executed Anthony Darrell Hines on Thursday for the murder of Catherine Jean Jenkins. In Oklahoma, Carlos Cuesta-Rodriguez was executed for the killing of his girlfriend. Alabama plans to execute Jeremy Williams for the 2021 rape and murder of a 5-year-old girl. The last time three executions occurred on the same day was in 2010.
Broken engine parts shattered the Ryanair plane window that a passenger’s head got sucked into: NTSB
Investigators say broken engine parts shattered a window on a Ryanair plane shortly after takeoff in Greece last month, causing a man’s head to be sucked into the hole in the fuselage before his fellow passengers pulled him to safety. The National Transportation Safety Board says in its report released Thursday that the parts that flew out of the engine after a fan blade broke the window and damaged the fuselage in several other places. It says it found bird remains inside the engine, which suggests the plane may have struck birds as it took off. The 61-year-old man who was nearly sucked out of the plane suffered neck and shoulder injuries and friction burns.
US stocks rise to a record as oil prices drop and inflation gets less bad
NEW YORK (AP) — The U.S. stock market rose to a record following the latest sign that inflation is getting less bad. Stocks also got a lift Thursday from easing oil prices in their latest yo-yo move. The S&P 500 climbed 0.7% and topped its prior all-time high set last week. The Dow Jones Industrial Average added 0.1%, and the Nasdaq composite gained 0.8%. Treasury yields eased in the bond market after a report showed that inflation at the U.S. wholesale level was not as bad in July as it was in June or as economists expected. Brent crude oil’s price fell 2.1%.
Forbes editor out; report says he took $6M from founder of firm that does business with magazine
The top editor of Forbes has left his job after reportedly being fired for accepting $6 million from the founder of a firm that works with the magazine. The New York Times reported this week that the payment came from RJ Shook, whose company, Shook Research, has collaborated with Forbes since 2016. An internal email confirmed that chief content officer Randall Lane no longer worked for the company. Lane, who had been with Forbes for nearly 16 years, admitted he made a mistake by not disclosing the payment. The incident raises questions about ethics and trust in journalism.
