Sunday, October 11, 2026
World Brief Now

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6 AM CT update·Sunday, October 11, 2026

Morning Brief: Riyadh airport strike kills 12 including an American as Trump weighs hitting Houthis; U.S. disables Iran blockade runner

Also: Panama quake emergency, Trump's Ukraine diesel fight, and the Supreme Court returns Tuesday.

World3 stories

Update: Houthi missile on Riyadh airport kills 12, including an American; Trump says U.S. "may" join strikes on Houthis

Saudi Arabia's civil aviation body said Sunday that 12 people were killed and 309 wounded when a missile struck a terminal at Riyadh's King Khalid International Airport on Saturday, the third strike on the airport this week; a senior Houthi official wrote, "We shut down Riyadh international airport." Secretary of State Marco Rubio confirmed a U.S. citizen was among the dead. Asked whether the U.S. would join Saudi strikes on the Iran-backed Houthis, President Trump said, "We may. We're going to look at it," and said he plans to speak with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.

U.S. jet disables cargo ship trying to run the Iran blockade in the Gulf of Oman, CENTCOM says

U.S. Central Command said a U.S. fighter jet struck the stern of the Panama-flagged M/V Ocean Molica, also known as the Arika Sun, on Saturday after its crew ignored repeated warnings, disabling its propulsion without harming the crew. CENTCOM said that since the blockade on ships entering or leaving Iranian ports resumed July 14 it has disabled four commercial vessels, turned around 135 ships and destroyed 10 tankers tied to the IRGC's shadow network. Separately, the IRGC said it struck an LPG carrier in the Strait of Hormuz, and UKMTO reported an outbound tanker hit by an unknown projectile, with crew reported safe.

Panama declares state of emergency after 7.7 and 6.6 quakes; no deaths reported, U.S. pledges $5 million

Panama's government declared a state of emergency Saturday after Friday's magnitude 7.7 and 6.6 earthquakes and more than 100 aftershocks, with officials attributing no deaths but reporting damage in all 10 provinces and 27 people injured. Civil Protection tallied roughly 420 damaged homes and about as many schools, and the Panama Canal Authority said canal operations were continuing normally. The State Department mobilized a disaster response team and pledged $5 million in humanitarian aid, and U.S. Southern Command helicopters delivered 2,000 pounds of food.

White House / President1 story

Update: Trump defends Russian diesel deal, says Ukraine should "get a new leader"; Putin "would like to see a settlement, strongly"

President Trump defended his deal allowing more Russian diesel onto world markets after Volodymyr Zelensky called it a "weak decision," saying, "I suggest they get a new leader who can make a deal," and that Zelensky should hold an election. Trump said Zelensky had disobeyed orders not to strike Russian refineries and "better damn well stop," while EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas said easing diesel sanctions would sustain Russia's war. The row came as a Russian glide bomb attack on Zaporizhzhia killed 20 people, including three children, according to Ukraine's rescue service.

Sources

Supreme Court1 story

Supreme Court back on the bench Tuesday, Oct. 13, with Beaird v. United States; Salazar v. Paramount Global follows Wednesday

The Supreme Court's hearing list marks Monday, Oct. 12, as a legal holiday and sets argument Tuesday, Oct. 13, in Beaird v. United States, a case from the Fifth Circuit. On Wednesday, Oct. 14, the justices hear Salazar v. Paramount Global, with Paul D. Clement arguing for the respondent.

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