Russia released Robert Gilman, a 32-year-old former US Marine from Massachusetts who had been detained there since 2022. US officials said President Vladimir Putin approved a pardon on humanitarian grounds because Gilman was seriously ill; President Donald Trump said no prisoner exchange or other concession had been involved. Gilman had been convicted in Russia over an alleged assault on a police officer, while his family, advocates and US officials described his detention and treatment as wrongful and abusive. He was expected to receive medical and psychological care after returning to the United States.

Meanwhile, Colombia continued rescue operations after a magnitude 7.4 earthquake struck its western region on 10 August. At the time of the report, President Abelardo de la Espriella said at least 181 people had died, 2,595 had been injured and 195 were officially missing, although civilian-run lists recorded many more people unaccounted for. Buildings and infrastructure were damaged across cities including Cali, Pereira, Manizales and Quibdó, while rescuers and volunteers searched collapsed structures during the critical early period for finding survivors. The figures were preliminary and expected to change as information arrived from affected areas.