The volcano Anak Krakatau, located in the Sunda Strait between Java and Sumatra, about 150 km/93 miles from Jakarta, began erupting late on 4 September 2026, producing a fountain of lava and booming sounds heard up to 700 kilometers away. On 5 September, schools in the affected area canceled outdoor activities, and fishing trips were called off. Authorities told the public to wear masks and eye protection and to stay indoors after residents reported eye irritation from falling ash. At around 4 a.m. local time on 6 September, a 30-second eruption sent an ash cloud toward Jakarta. The ash reached about 6,000 meters over Java and around 15,000 meters over Sumatra and Banten province. Two further eruptions were recorded later that same day. The ash cloud forced the closure of Soekarno-Hatta International Airport, the country's main airport, causing the cancellation and delay of 209 flights, including international ones. Indonesia's disaster mitigation agency said there was no imminent tsunami risk from the eruption. Volcanic ash remains a serious hazard to aircraft, since it can damage engines and reduce visibility. Anak Krakatau emerged in the 1920s from the caldera left by the 1883 Krakatoa eruption. It has a history of periodic activity, including a 2018 eruption that triggered a tsunami, killing more than 400 people. No casualties or evacuations were reported in this latest eruption.

Israel claimed to have captured the Ali al Taher ridge above Nabatieh, a roughly 600 meter high position that had served as a Hizballah logistics, command, and tunnel hub. Israeli forces captured the ridge on 2 September but did not take full control of the underground tunnel complex. The operation followed a four phase pattern also observed elsewhere in the Marjayoun corridor: isolation by fire from 28 to 31 August, incendiary and phosphorus munitions to force fighters underground from 29 to 31 August, surface contact from 2 to 3 September, and demolition alongside the announcement from 4 to 5 September. Fatality estimates remain irreconcilable, ranging from Israeli claims of "dozens" killed to reports of 15 Hizballah terrorists killed. Ahead of the eighth round of Rome talks between Israel and Lebanon, Israel announced the release of five Lebanese nationals it had captured, while linking its withdrawal from the ridge to Hizballah's disarmament. Iran separately threatened a large scale response against Israel if its assault on the ridge continued, amid reports that IRGC and Iranian advisers were trapped alongside Hizballah operatives in the underground tunnel network. The capture of the ridge gives the Israeli military control of the high ground above Nabatieh, a major Hizballah stronghold and strategic hub alongside the Amal Movement.

A Quezon City Regional Trial Court issued a warrant for the arrest of Vice President Sara Duterte over three counts of grave threats after finding probable cause to hold her for trial. The charges stem from an online press briefing in November 2024, during which Duterte allegedly said she had arranged for an assassin to kill President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., First Lady Liza Araneta Marcos and then House Speaker Martin Romualdez if she herself were killed. Duterte has denied that she threatened the three individuals and said she would pursue all available legal remedies. The court set bail at 120,000 pesos for each of the three charges, or 360,000 pesos in total, and rejected her lawyers’ request to defer or recall the arrest warrant. The criminal case will proceed separately from Duterte’s ongoing impeachment trial in the Senate.

German officials  said Russia was responsible for the 4 August drone attack at Leipzig's airport. The drone carrying an explosive device was discovered at Leipzig/Halle Airport in eastern Germany near Ukrainian cargo aircraft. The device failed to detonate, apparently because of a faulty detonator, while investigators suspect a second drone collided with a nearby cargo aircraft. A third drone was reportedly discovered near the airport on 14 August 2026. German authorities said technical examination of the equipment and intelligence findings indicated that Russia was responsible, describing the incident as consistent with Russia's established pattern of hybrid operations in Europe and warning that Germany could be targeted again. Russia has denied involvement. Germany subsequently announced diplomatic measures against Russia, including the closure of the Russian consulate in Bonn and termination of the contract for the Russian House in Berlin, which has been accused of being used for espionage and Russian propaganda. Germany also announced tighter entry controls for Russian nationals and increased pressure on Russia's shadow fleet of older tankers used to circumvent Western sanctions imposed following Russia's invasion of Ukraine. The Russian ambassador to Germany was summoned to the German Foreign Ministry and said it would respond with equivalent measures and accused Germany of supporting terrorism through its military and economic assistance to Ukraine.

According to local media, the kidnappers of mining businessman Jenns Marty Lara Tantaquilla contacted his family shortly after his kidnapping, demanding more than 2 million Peruvian soles (PEN) in exchange for his release. Lara’s family negotiated with the kidnappers and reportedly made an initial payment as part of the ransom negotiations. However, Lara’s father later denied that any ransom had been paid, creating conflicting accounts as to whether money was actually delivered to secure his release. According to the commander general of the National Police of Peru (PNP), Oscar Arriola, Lara Tantaquilla was abandoned unharmed near the Huanchaco area, north of the city of Trujillo. (elcomercio.pe, 1 September 2026)

Mining businessman Jens Marty Lara Tantaquilla was released by his kidnappers after more than 36 hours in captivity. Following his rescue, Lara was taken to his residence in the El Bosque urbanization in Trujillo. Police arrested four alleged perpetrators, including the suspected gunman, and a fifth suspect accused of coordinating the operation and supplying uniforms, weapons, and other equipment. Authorities are investigating possible links to the criminal organization Los Pulpos and estimate that about ten people and several vehicles may have been involved in the kidnapping. Speaking to reporters, Interior Minister César Astudillo said the investigation had not ruled out the possibility that police officers provided the uniforms used by the kidnappers and confirmed that investigators were examining images showing a police patrol vehicle near the scene. Astudillo confirmed that no police units participated in the release of the mining businessman, added that he could not confirm whether a ransom had been paid, and said the investigation was ongoing. (infobae.com/peru, 31 August 2026 & infobae.com/peru, 1 September 2026)

At around 3:00 am local time, 31-year-old mining businessman Jens Marty Lara Tantaquilla was kidnapped at the intersection of Avenida Húsares de Junín and Calle Isabel de Bobadilla, in the El Recreo area of Trujillo, La Libertad Region. Several armed men wearing balaclavas and clothing resembling uniforms of the Peruvian National Police intercepted the white Ford Bronco in which Lara Tantaquilla was traveling and staged what appeared to be a police operation. After confirming that Lara Tantaquilla was inside the vehicle, the attackers opened fire on his companions when they resisted his removal. Four people, two men and two women, were killed at the scene. The attackers then forced Lara Tantaquilla out of the vehicle and took him away in another vehicle to an unknown location. Investigators are examining a possible link to the "Los Pulpos" or "La Jauría" criminal organizations and note that Lara has previous ties to informal and suspended mining operations registered under Peru's mining formalization program, Reinfo. No ransom demand or payment has been reported, and as of 30 August, his whereabouts remained unknown. Police were investigating the incident as a kidnapping and an armed attack. Investigators were examining security camera footage and other evidence to identify the perpetrators. (elsiglo.com.pa, 30 August 2026 & noticiassin.com, 30 August 2026)