A former vocal AUKUS sceptic now serving as the Pentagon's third-highest ranking official says the nuclear submarine program is full steam ahead. Elbridge Colby, who authored the Trump administration's review of the pact, told an Asia-Pacific briefing he is very pleased with progress, calling the effort an historic endeavour while stressing both sides must meet clear realistic targets. The first Virginia-class submarine transfer to Australia remains scheduled for 2032. And in European news the DAX is trading near 26,454 while the FTSE is trading near 10,797. Oil is at $81.81. Gold hit $4,437 an ounce. Bitcoin traded near $63,701. In a human turn sailors and their families evacuated from US bases in the Middle East months ago say their lives remain on pause as they wait for the military to decide what will happen to the homes and futures they left behind. And finally — Search for Colombia earthquake survivors enters critical window.

Condor Studio News · 5:00 AM Central · Aug 13, 2026.

And in European and Asian news the UK economy grew 0.4% between April and June although experts are already warning of challenges ahead. Temperatures of 40C are forecast in Spain as an amber heat health warning remains in force across large parts of Britain with orange warnings also covering much of France. The continent is also taking in its best solar eclipse since 1999 with a total eclipse crossing Iceland and Spain. Europe's DAX is trading near 26,438. Gold is down 0.1% at $4,430 an ounce. Oil is unchanged at $81.86 a barrel. Bitcoin has slipped to $63,683. And finally an IT teacher has been struck off after he was caught red-handed altering his pupils' coursework in the middle of an exam.

Condor Studio News · 4:00 AM Central · Aug 13, 2026.

Bitcoin has moved to $63,797 as digital asset markets reflect caution amid broader risk sentiment. Oil has moved to $81.87 after a weaker demand outlook outweighed Middle East supply risks. In Asian markets the Hang Seng finished at 25,379. The DAX is trading near 26,414. Gold is up slightly at $4,436 an ounce. Lenovo's profits have soared past expectations driven by strong demand for its AI computers, servers and services. And finally an IT teacher has been struck off after being caught red-handed altering his pupils' coursework in the middle of an exam.

Condor Studio News · 3:00 AM Central · Aug 13, 2026.

The UK economy expanded by 0.4% in the second quarter, matching forecasts but slowing from the first quarter as higher energy prices linked to the Iran conflict weighed on business costs and confidence. Official figures show services grew 0.5% and construction 0.3% while industrial production was flat. Some firms in alcohol, retail, hospitality and media reported a late boost from the FIFA World Cup that began in June and a spell of hot weather. The Hang Seng is trading near 25,361 after shedding 0.4%. The DAX is trading near 26,331 and little changed so far in the European open. Oil is unchanged at $82.96. Gold is down 0.3% at $4,431 an ounce. Bitcoin traded near $63,843. And finally, acting pals Alan Cumming and Shirley Henderson have turned their 40-year friendship into a book, mirroring the television show that reunited them on screen.

Condor Studio News · 2:00 AM Central · Aug 13, 2026.

Japan is protesting Russian President Vladimir Putin's first visit to disputed islands also claimed by Tokyo. Crowds gathered in the Japanese capital as officials condemned the trip to the Northern Territories, known in Russia as the Kuril Islands, reigniting long-standing territorial tensions between the two nations. The Nikkei finished at 68,555 after a down -0.2% session. The Hang Seng is trading near 25,469. Oil sits at $83.00 a barrel. Gold hit $4,445 an ounce. Bitcoin has edged to $63,830. And finally, acting pals Alan Cumming and Shirley Henderson have put their forty-year friendship onto paper, mirroring the show the pair have been reunited on.

Condor Studio News · 1:00 AM Central · Aug 13, 2026.

And in Asian news South Korea's Kospi has staged a stunning comeback returning to bull market territory on renewed buying in semiconductor giants. The Nikkei finished near 68,709 while the Hang Seng is trading near 25,457. Oil is up six-tenths of one percent at $82.94. Gold is down two-tenths of one percent at $4,453 an ounce. Bitcoin sits at $63,668. And in Australian politics the Opposition Leader has told his staff to express only Coalition views after one of his aides berated a journalist for asking about the ICAC corruption inquiry. And finally the former head of Catholic Schools New South Wales says he did seek financial support from federal Opposition Leader Angus Taylor but denied it was for a right-wing Liberal factional group at the centre of a corruption probe.

Condor Studio News · 12:00 AM Central · Aug 13, 2026.

Twitch users can now block Amazon from using their livestream content to train artificial intelligence following backlash over the company's data practices. The new controls come after widespread user criticism of Amazon's AI training on Twitch streams. And in Asian markets the Nikkei finished near 68,747 while the Hang Seng is trading near 25,451. $1,886 is the biggest mover among major cryptos up 0.4%. Oil stood at $82.44 a barrel. Gold hit $4,464 an ounce. And finally rescuers in Colombia are in a race against time searching collapsed buildings for survivors after the country's strongest earthquake this century. The magnitude 7.4 quake has killed 265 people and injured more than 3,500 with nearly 500 still missing.

Condor Studio News · 11:00 PM Central · Aug 12, 2026.

Rescuers in Colombia are in a race against time as earthquake efforts enter their final phase. The magnitude 7.4 quake has killed 265 people, injured more than 3,500 others, and left nearly 500 still missing. In Asian markets the Nikkei has finished at 68,610 while the Hang Seng is trading near 25,413. Gold is down 0.3% at $4,466 an ounce. Oil is down 0.1% at $82.20 a barrel. Bitcoin has edged higher to $63,488. Iran is disputing claims the Strait of Hormuz remains blocked as shipping traffic through the waterway sinks to near three-month lows. South Korea's Kospi has swung from bear to bull market territory in just over a month on continued strength in the artificial intelligence trade. And finally, Colombian families wait at cordoned-off sites hoping for any word on loved ones as the death toll from the quake continues to rise.

Condor Studio News · 10:00 PM Central · Aug 12, 2026.

In Ukraine the frontline has become the droneline with Ukrainian forces now striking Russian targets from many miles away in a tactical revolution that could force Putin to sue for peace. South Korean stocks have entered bull market territory in just about a month as the AI trade roars back. Goldman Sachs says Japan's one trillion dollars of reserves leaves plenty of capacity for further yen interventions. Oil is unchanged at $82.31. Gold is down four tenths of one percent at $4,480 an ounce. Bitcoin is trading near $63,427. And finally rescuers in Colombia are in the final phase of searching collapsed buildings for survivors after the country's strongest earthquake this century which has killed 265 people injured more than 3,500 and left nearly 500 still missing.

Condor Studio News · 9:00 PM Central · Aug 12, 2026.

Japan's wholesale inflation eased slightly to 7.2%, undershooting forecasts and reducing near-term pressure on the Bank of Japan to accelerate rate hikes. The softer data helped push the Nikkei finished up 1.1% at 68,298. Sailors stuck aboard the USS Abraham Lincoln for nine months are attempting to jump from the ship as their deployment is extended indefinitely, with roughly 5,000 sailors and Marines now facing the strain of prolonged naval logistics in the Pacific. Oil is down 0.6% at $82.27. Gold is up 0.7% at $4,499 an ounce. Bitcoin is up 0.3% at $63,511. And finally, Australia's peak Jewish body is calling on the home affairs minister to grant permanent residency to an international student who helped multiple victims of the Bondi Beach terror attack.

Condor Studio News · 8:00 PM Central · Aug 12, 2026.