Strong Earthquake Strikes Panama, Damages Buildings and Disrupts Flights

A powerful 7.7-magnitude earthquake struck southern Panama on Friday, October 9, 2026, damaging buildings, disrupting electricity supplies and forcing the suspension of flights at the country's main international airport.

According to the United States Geological Survey (USGS), the earthquake occurred at a depth of 12.6 kilometres near La Pitaloza, a rural community in Herrera province, close to the Pacific coastline.

The earthquake triggered more than a dozen aftershocks, sending frightened residents into the streets as buildings shook and cracks appeared in homes. Authorities warned that casualties were possible, although the full extent of the damage was not immediately clear.

Electricity Outages and Flight Disruptions

Electricity provider Naturgy reported power outages across six provinces following the earthquake.

Tocumen International Airport, a major regional aviation hub, suspended flights as authorities assessed the situation. Public transportation was also disrupted, with Panama City's Metro service temporarily halted.

Schools across the country suspended classes, while several offices released employees early amid concerns about structural damage to buildings.

In the capital, Panama City, residents reported prolonged shaking, with some experiencing vibrations lasting approximately 40 seconds.

Ricardo Brown, a 74-year-old resident of Herrera province, said his home had developed cracks during the earthquake, leaving him and his elderly companion afraid that the building might collapse.

Buildings Damaged as Tremors Spread

The earthquake's epicentre was located in a sparsely populated area of Herrera province, but its effects were felt across much of Panama and as far as San José, the capital of neighbouring Costa Rica.

Videos verified by Reuters showed a damaged church and collapsed buildings in Penonomé, a city located between the epicentre and Panama City.

Panama's civil protection agency also reported impacts in Chitré, the capital of Herrera province, and along the coast in Los Santos province.

The country's geosciences institute director, Nestor Luque, attributed the earthquake to the Azuero-Soná Fault System, explaining that accumulated pressure along the active faults had been released.

He said seismic waves travelled throughout the country, explaining why the earthquake was widely felt.

Tsunami Threat Ends

Following the earthquake, authorities issued a tsunami threat for areas off Panama's coast. However, the US Tsunami Warning System later confirmed that the threat had passed and no further tsunami danger remained.

Despite the widespread disruption, the Panama Canal continued operating normally.

The canal, a critical international shipping route, is located approximately 203 kilometres from the earthquake's epicentre. Monitoring data showed that about 90 vessels, including oil tankers, bulk carriers and container ships, were waiting at both ends of the waterway to transit or dock.

Economic Impact Feared

The US Geological Survey estimated that economic losses could range from 1 per cent to 10 per cent of Panama's gross domestic product, although a comprehensive assessment was still pending.

Major earthquakes are relatively rare in Panama, raising concerns about the potential consequences for buildings, infrastructure and economic activities.

The country was scheduled to conduct a nationwide evacuation drill the following Monday to test its emergency response capabilities, including preparedness for earthquakes.

Authorities continued monitoring the situation as residents dealt with damaged homes, aftershocks and disruptions to daily life.

Appeal Court Rejects El-Rufai’s Plea for Release from ICPC Custody

The Court of Appeal in Kaduna has dismissed an appeal filed by former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, challenging the refusal of his fresh bail application by the Kaduna State High Court.

The three-member appellate panel unanimously ruled that El-Rufai failed to present fresh facts or special circumstances sufficient to justify overturning the lower court’s decision to deny him bail.

The lead judgment, delivered by Justice Onyekachi Aja Otisi, affirmed the Kaduna State High Court’s ruling of June 10, 2026, which rejected the former governor’s second bail application.

El-Rufai, who governed Kaduna State from 2015 to 2023, is being prosecuted by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) over alleged financial offences linked to his administration. He has denied any wrongdoing.

The appellate court held that the trial court acted within its judicial discretion in refusing bail, based on the affidavit evidence presented by both the prosecution and the defence.

The prosecution had argued that some of El-Rufai’s public statements, including comments made during a televised interview, raised concerns about possible interference with the course of justice.

It also alleged that the former governor admitted during an Arise Television interview on April 26, 2026, to wiretapping the telephone line of the National Security Adviser. According to the judgment, El-Rufai acknowledged participating in the interview and facing a separate case related to the matter.

However, the court emphasised that the decision to deny bail did not amount to a finding of guilt, stressing that El-Rufai remained presumed innocent until proven guilty.

The former governor had also argued that his return to custody after attending his late mother's burial demonstrated that he was not a flight risk and should be granted bail.

However, the prosecution maintained that security agents accompanied and closely monitored him during the burial.

The appellate court further noted that photographs allegedly showing El-Rufai attending funeral prayers at the National Mosque in Abuja were referenced in his affidavit but were not attached to the bail application before the trial court.

Justice Otisi stated that courts could not rely on speculation or conjecture when making judicial decisions.

Consequently, the appellate court upheld the lower court’s conclusion that El-Rufai had not established sufficient grounds to warrant a different bail decision.

The court also affirmed the order for an accelerated hearing of his criminal trial, directing that proceedings should be conducted daily, as far as practicable, while he remained in ICPC custody.

The panel noted that there was no evidence that the prosecution had failed to pursue the case diligently. It added that El-Rufai could return to the trial court to seek another consideration of his bail application if the prosecution failed to prosecute the case diligently.

In a concurring judgment, Justice Abimbola Obaseki-Adejumo agreed that the former governor had not presented fresh and compelling evidence to justify a different outcome.

Justice Lateef Ganiyu also concurred, noting that the failure to attach documents relied upon in the bail application weakened El-Rufai’s case.

Despite the dismissal of the appeal, the court reiterated that the former governor remained entitled to the constitutional presumption of innocence pending the determination of the charges against him.

Katie Zacharia Offered Position as White House Press Secretary

Conservative commentator Katie Zacharia has reportedly been offered the position of White House press secretary under United States President Donald Trump.

A White House source confirmed to Al Jazeera on Friday, October 9, 2026, that the position had been offered to Zacharia.

The role has remained vacant since August, when former press secretary Karoline Leavitt stepped down to spend more time with her family.

According to her LinkedIn profile, Zacharia currently serves as a senior communications adviser to Trump Media and Technology Group, the company that operates the president's social media platform, Truth Social.

Before joining the Trump administration in February 2026, she worked as a conservative media commentator for outlets including Newsmax and Fox News. She subsequently held an official position at the United States Department of Homeland Security.

Zacharia began her career in Washington, DC, in 2006, serving as an intern at the Republican National Committee and the White House during the administration of former President George W. Bush.

If confirmed, her appointment would fill the position left vacant by Leavitt's departure in August.

Flydubai Co-Pilot Planned to Hijack Aircraft, Crash Into Israeli Airport — UAE

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has accused an Omani co-pilot working for Flydubai of attempting to hijack a passenger aircraft and crash it into a terminal at Israel’s Ben Gurion International Airport in a planned suicide attack.

According to a statement by UAE Attorney General Hamad Saif Al Shamsi on Friday, the incident occurred on September 30, 2026, aboard a flight travelling from Dubai to Tel Aviv.

Investigators believe the suspect was inspired by the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks in the United States and had deliberately prepared for the operation.

The UAE prosecutor said the suspect had previously travelled on two flights to Tel Aviv to familiarise himself with the route and the airport.

Co-Pilot Attacked Captain With Crash Axe

The incident occurred while the aircraft was flying through Saudi Arabian airspace, when the suspect allegedly attacked the captain with a crash axe kept in the cockpit for emergencies.

The attack caused the aircraft to plunge approximately 16,000 feet (4,900 metres) in just 30 seconds, creating a dangerous situation for passengers and crew members.

However, the suspect was eventually overpowered, while two other pilots aboard the aircraft managed to land it safely in Saudi Arabia.

The suspect was subsequently transferred to the UAE, where Flydubai is based.

Investigation Finds No Warning Signs During Recruitment

Al Shamsi said investigators reviewed Flydubai’s recruitment and security procedures and found that the suspect had met all professional and security requirements.

The co-pilot reportedly possessed the necessary pilot's licence and had submitted a certificate of good conduct.

However, the attorney general said the recruitment process had revealed no indications of the suspect's alleged extremist views or plans to carry out a terrorist attack.

The 29-year-old suspect had previously worked for airlines in several countries, including Oman Air, before joining Flydubai in January 2026.

Investigators reportedly traced signs of his alleged movement towards extremism and terrorism to 2017, when he was studying in Australia.

Suspect Allegedly Prepared for Attack

According to the UAE attorney general, the suspect told investigators that he had prepared physically and psychologically for the attack by watching materials promoting terrorism and taking boxing lessons.

Royal Air Maroc previously confirmed that the suspect underwent three months of training with the airline in 2025, but his subsequent application for employment was rejected.

Although UAE authorities have not officially disclosed the suspect’s identity, a person familiar with the investigation told Reuters that he had been identified as Hammam al-Hammami, an Omani national.

Meanwhile, Saudi Arabia has launched a separate aviation safety investigation into the September 30 incident involving Flydubai flight FZ1073.

The UAE investigation remains focused on establishing the circumstances surrounding the alleged plot and the suspect's actions aboard the aircraft.

US Says 1.25 Billion Barrels of Oil Have Passed Through Hormuz Under Its Protection

The United States Central Command (CENTCOM) says American forces have supported the passage of more than 1.25 billion barrels of oil through the Strait of Hormuz in recent months, while Iran's crude oil exports have reportedly ground to a halt following a US naval blockade.

In a statement released on Thursday, October 8, CENTCOM said oil shipments from other Persian Gulf countries continued to move through the strategic waterway under American military protection, despite restrictions preventing Iran from exporting crude oil through its ports.

The development comes as Washington intensifies efforts to restrict Tehran's oil revenues amid the ongoing conflict.

According to Reuters, Persian Gulf countries, excluding Iran, exported an average of 19.2 million barrels of crude oil, gas condensate and refined petroleum products per day in September. This represented more than 81 per cent of the volume recorded before the war began on February 28.

Saudi Arabia reportedly played a significant role in increasing regional oil exports to help maintain supplies and stabilise energy flows.

Earlier reports by the Financial Times indicated that oil tanker loading operations at Kharg Island, Iran's main crude oil export terminal, came to a complete halt following the reinstatement of the US naval blockade in mid-July.

Satellite imagery and vessel-tracking data reportedly showed a sharp decline in tanker movements around the facility.

However, available shipping data suggests that the blockade has not completely stopped all Iranian petroleum shipments.

In August, United Against Nuclear Iran (UANI) reported that although no tankers carrying Iranian crude oil had breached the blockade, three vessels transporting Iranian liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) had successfully departed through the Sea of Oman.

This indicates that the reported suspension of crude oil exports does not necessarily mean that every category of Iranian petroleum product has stopped reaching international markets.

The Strait of Hormuz remains one of the world's most important maritime routes for energy supplies, connecting the Persian Gulf with international shipping lanes. Any disruption to traffic through the waterway can affect global oil supplies, energy prices and shipping costs.

The contrasting situations facing Iran and its neighbouring oil-producing countries highlight how the ongoing conflict and US maritime restrictions are reshaping regional energy exports.

While other Gulf producers have increased shipments under American protection, Iran continues to face significant obstacles to exporting its crude oil.

Trump Announces Russian Diesel Deal to Lower US Fuel Prices Ahead of Midterm Elections

US President Donald Trump has announced an agreement with Russian President Vladimir Putin to supply diesel fuel to the United States, marking a significant shift in Washington's policy towards Moscow amid efforts to reduce rising fuel prices ahead of the November midterm elections.

Trump announced the deal on Friday, October 9, following a telephone conversation with Putin. The call was reportedly expected to focus on a suspected plague case in Russia, but Trump instead revealed plans for Russia to supply large quantities of diesel to the United States.

According to Trump, Russia will immediately deliver more than 300,000 tonnes of diesel, followed by another 500,000 tonnes in November and one million tonnes shortly afterwards. He added that a further three million tonnes would be supplied within a short period.

Trump said lowering fuel prices for Americans, particularly farmers, ranchers and truck drivers, remained his top priority.

The announcement comes despite Trump's signing of a sweeping Russia sanctions law last month aimed at restricting Moscow's energy revenues, which help finance its ongoing war against Ukraine.

The agreement has also raised questions about whether the US administration will impose additional sanctions on Russia this month. A bipartisan law passed by Congress directs the administration to target major importers of Russian oil and gas.

However, the White House has not clarified who will pay for the diesel shipments or when the fuel will become available in the United States. It also remains unclear whether the supplies scheduled for November will arrive before the November 3 midterm elections.

Meanwhile, Russian presidential envoy Kirill Dmitriev welcomed the development, saying cooperation between Russia and the United States in diesel and energy would benefit the world.

The agreement represents a notable development in US-Russia energy relations as the Trump administration seeks to address domestic fuel costs while maintaining pressure on Moscow over its war against Ukraine.