Two strong earthquakes struck Venezuela’s capital, causing buildings to collapse and trapping people under the debris. Rescue teams are working to help survivors, and the government has declared a state of emergency. At least 32 people have died so far.
Key Facts
Two powerful earthquakes hit Venezuela’s capital.
Many buildings were destroyed or heavily damaged.
People are trapped under the rubble.
A large search-and-rescue operation is in progress.
The Venezuelan government declared a state of emergency.
At least 32 fatalities have been reported.
Authorities continue to assess the situation and rescue survivors.
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The price of oil has dropped to the lowest level since before the Iran war started, as more ships have begun passing through the Strait of Hormuz again. This change follows recent peace talks and an agreement between the US and Iran to ease tensions and allow safer passage for commercial ships.
Key Facts
Brent crude oil price briefly fell below $72.48 a barrel, the same price before US and Israel attacks on Iran in February.
Energy prices have been falling since the US and Iran signed an agreement on June 17 to start negotiations on Iran’s nuclear program and ending the war.
The number of vessels crossing the Strait of Hormuz has increased after the agreement, including ships carrying oil, natural gas, and other goods.
The US and Iran set up a communication line to prevent misunderstandings and ensure safer travel for ships through the strait.
About 80 ships have crossed the strait since peace talks began in Switzerland last weekend, compared to over 100 ships daily before the war.
Some ships use a northern route with Iranian permission, while others use a safer southern route guided by the US navy.
Despite the increase, many ships still remain waiting in the Gulf region.
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French President Emmanuel Macron will host Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni for talks on the French Riviera to strengthen cooperation between France and Italy. The meeting comes after Meloni distanced herself from US President Donald Trump and aims to improve ties in areas like defense, nuclear energy, and space.
Key Facts
Macron and Meloni will meet in Antibes, France, for a bilateral summit.
This is their first formal meeting since a strategic alliance treaty between the two countries began in 2021.
The summit will focus on cooperation in defense, nuclear energy, and space.
Meloni had a recent fallout with President Trump over his remarks at a G7 summit.
Macron and Meloni have different views on some issues, like migration policy and military support to Ukraine.
The meeting will include signing agreements on a French-Italian air defense system and a European satellite project.
Macron and Meloni have worked to ease tensions despite past disagreements.
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Congress members from both parties are criticizing the NFL for increasing the cost to watch football games due to streaming services. However, experts and reports say professional football is more affordable and accessible now than before because many games are available for free on local broadcast TV or through cheaper streaming options.
Key Facts
Bipartisan critics in Congress blame the NFL for higher costs linked to streaming football games.
The NFL’s deals with broadcast TV channels are locked in until 2033, keeping local games available for free over the air.
Most football games are offered both on traditional TV networks and streaming platforms simultaneously.
Streaming services like ESPN+, Paramount+, and Peacock allow people who have cut cable to watch games at lower costs.
Some exclusive games still air on local broadcast TV in the teams’ home markets, including the upcoming Christmas Day games on Netflix.
Research shows the total cost to watch all games in a season via streaming and free broadcasts is less than $220, much lower than the $1,000 figure cited by critics.
Federal agencies like the FCC and Justice Department are also examining the NFL’s broadcasting practices for potential legal issues.
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The U.S. Park Police released video and photos of a person near the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool as part of an investigation into damage to government property. They are asking the public to help identify the individual seen in footage from June 19.
Key Facts
The video shows a person kneeling and reaching into the reflecting pool on June 19 around 3:30 p.m.
The Park Police have not named the person or confirmed if they are a suspect.
The investigation relates to possible damage or destruction of government property at the pool.
Officials have asked anyone with information to contact the U.S. Park Police tip line.
The request for help follows claims by President Donald Trump that the recently fixed pool was vandalized.
The Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool is a well-known landmark located in Washington, D.C.
The case is ongoing, and updates are expected as new information comes in.
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Congressional Democrats are calling for investigations into the $16 million renovation of the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool. Problems with the project include peeling paint, vandalism claims by President Trump, and contracts awarded without competition to companies linked to Trump.
Key Facts
The Reflecting Pool renovation costs $16 million and has encountered multiple issues such as peeling paint.
President Donald Trump has blamed unidentified vandals for the damage and reported six arrests without details.
A local wildlife group performed examinations on dead ducks found near the pool.
Lawmakers are concerned about no-bid contracts given to companies connected to Trump.
Connecticut Senator Richard Blumenthal criticized the project for corruption and poor management.
Two main contracts were awarded: $1.7 million to Ohio’s Green Water Solutions for water purification and $14.7 million to Virginia’s Atlantic Industrial Coatings for painting and waterproofing.
The renovation included draining the pool and painting the bottom "American flag blue" as requested by President Trump.
The site is expected to be without water for upcoming America’s 250th birthday celebrations.
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Many Americans face daily attempts by scammers trying to steal money or personal information. New surveys show that although about 3 in 10 people have lost money or data to these scams, few report the incidents because they doubt it will help recover their losses.
Key Facts
Over half of U.S. adults receive daily suspicious texts, calls, emails, or online messages that may be scams.
Around 3 in 10 Americans say they have lost money or personal information to scams.
About 1 in 10 U.S. adults reported someone in their household was tricked into losing money or giving access to their financial accounts in the past year.
Nearly half of those who lost money said the amount was more than $500.
Most scam victims do not report the crime to the government or police.
Many victims believe reporting the scam will not help them get their money back.
Older adults (60+) receive more scam attempts daily than younger people under 30.
Common scam methods include fake package delivery alerts and fraudulent banking messages, often sent through Facebook, WhatsApp, or other social media platforms.
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A Liberian oil tanker called the Stoic Warrior passed through the Strait of Hormuz, despite warnings from Iran’s Revolutionary Guard. The ship followed a new route near Oman’s coast promoted by a United Nations maritime agency, as tensions rise between Iran and the United States over a recent agreement.
Key Facts
The Stoic Warrior tanker navigated the Strait of Hormuz using a new route close to Oman.
This route was developed by Oman and the International Maritime Organization (IMO), a UN agency managing sea shipping.
The Strait of Hormuz is a crucial passage used for about 20% of the world’s oil and natural gas transport.
Iran’s Revolutionary Guard warned ships and said it mined the strait during recent conflicts starting in February 2026.
The U.S. and Iran signed a temporary deal with a 60-day period to finalize terms, amid public and private talks.
Violence between Israel and Iranian-backed Hezbollah in Lebanon threatens regional stability and the agreement.
Israel conducted its first airstrike in Lebanon since a ceasefire started, increasing tensions.
The tanker traveled close to the shores of the United Arab Emirates and Oman’s Musandam Peninsula to avoid the guarded central shipping lane.
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Kenya’s lawmakers have passed a new set of financial measures two years after protests against a previous tax bill turned deadly. The government says the new bill will help raise $770 million needed before the 2027 elections.
Key Facts
Kenya passed a new controversial financial bill recently.
The bill comes two years after protests against an earlier tax bill.
The earlier protests involved mostly young people from Generation Z and led to deaths.
The government under President William Ruto supports the new bill.
The bill aims to raise $770 million in revenue.
The money is needed ahead of Kenya’s 2027 elections.
Lawmakers approved the bill despite public concerns.
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A historic heatwave in Paris is making life very hard for people living in top-floor attic apartments under the city’s zinc roofs. These small, cramped spaces get extremely hot and are hard to cool down, which can be dangerous for residents’ health.
Key Facts
Paris is experiencing a historic heatwave with record-high temperatures.
Many people live in top-floor attic apartments under zinc roofs, which absorb and hold heat.
Zinc roofs give Paris its famous gray look but make the attic spaces very hot and hard to ventilate.
Living in attic rooms under these roofs increases the risk of heat-related health problems, based on studies including one from 2003 that showed a high death risk.
Paris has the highest risk of heat-related deaths compared to other European capitals.
These attic apartments are often small and expensive, mostly rented by young people like students or recent graduates.
The apartments usually have few windows and no way to get cool air flowing through at night.
People who live in these spaces wish they could afford housing that is safer and cooler during heatwaves.
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An article by senior Ethiopian officials argues that Ethiopia is not being forced into war by outsiders, but this view is challenged by critics who say Ethiopia's government is responsible for internal conflicts and tensions with Eritrea. The conflict in northern Ethiopia from 2020 to 2022 stemmed mainly from internal ethnic and political divisions, not external forces, and Eritrea entered the war to defend itself at Ethiopia’s request.
Key Facts
Ethiopian officials claim Ethiopia is reluctantly involved in conflict due to external pressure.
Critics say this claim hides the ruling Prosperity Party’s role in domestic problems.
The war in northern Ethiopia started in November 2020 and ended with a ceasefire in November 2022.
The war was caused mainly by internal ethnic and political conflicts in Ethiopia.
Eritrea joined the conflict after being invited by the Ethiopian government to defend itself.
Ethiopian leaders previously thanked Eritrea for its role, contradicting recent claims that Eritrea was hostile.
The story that peace talks in Pretoria were nearly violent but then peaceful is disputed as exaggerated.
The peace agreement was the result of ongoing confidential discussions before formal talks began.
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Two toddlers, Preston Davey and Damion Russell, were abused and killed by their fathers after being placed with them following foster care. An independent review is examining how hospitals and other agencies handled their cases, and there are calls to include both deaths in a wider investigation to improve child protection.
Key Facts
Preston Davey, 13 months old, was abused and killed by his adoptive father Jamie Varley in July 2023.
Varley was a Blackpool high school teacher convicted of murder and received a whole life prison sentence.
Damion Russell, 2 years old, was killed by his father Daniel Hardcastle in August 2023 after Hardcastle was granted sole custody.
Medics at Blackpool Victoria Hospital saw a bruise on Damion but did not ask his father about it, which broke safeguarding rules.
Varley misled medics by showing an old video to explain Preston’s bruises, but the bruises were recent and unexplained.
Both boys had recently been moved from foster care to live with their biological or adoptive fathers, who later harmed them.
Local MPs and others are calling for a public inquiry into possible failures by state agencies to protect these children.
The hospital trust is working to improve its practices following the cases and reviews.
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Thousands of people attended the Great American State Fair held at the National Mall in Washington, D.C. The event included a flyover of fighter jets and stealth bombers, military bands, and a speech by President Donald Trump as part of celebrations for America's 250th year of independence.
Key Facts
The Great American State Fair took place at the National Mall in the nation's capital.
Thousands of people gathered for the event.
The celebration is part of events marking America’s 250th anniversary of independence.
Fighter jets and stealth bombers flew over the event.
Military bands performed at the fair.
President Donald Trump gave a speech during the event.
The fair is one of several planned events by President Trump for the independence celebration.
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Members of the U.S. House of Representatives welcomed Han Kuo-yu, head of Taiwan’s Legislative Yuan, to Washington and expressed strong support for Taiwan. This visit comes as the Trump administration reviews a $14 billion arms sale to Taiwan, which has already received preliminary approval from Congress.
Key Facts
Han Kuo-yu leads an eight-person Taiwanese parliamentary delegation visiting Washington.
Over 30 U.S. House members from both parties attended a reception to show support for Taiwan.
Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi and other lawmakers emphasized bipartisan support for Taiwan’s peace and commerce.
The Trump administration is considering a $14 billion arms sales package to Taiwan.
Taiwanese delegation also met several Democratic senators who urged quick approval of the arms sale.
Taiwan is a key player in advanced chip production through Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. (TSMC), important to the U.S. economy.
China claims Taiwan as part of its territory and has threatened to use force to take control.
The U.S. lawmakers reaffirmed their commitment to Taiwan’s self-defense and opposing Chinese pressure.
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Senate Republicans voted late Wednesday to reject a war powers resolution related to the conflict in Iran, after President Donald Trump criticized them for supporting earlier measures to block the war. The vote followed heated meetings between Trump and GOP senators, including Senator Bill Cassidy, who later voted against the resolution after a White House briefing.
Key Facts
Senate Republicans held a vote to reject a war powers resolution concerning the conflict in Iran.
This vote came after a similar resolution passed the day before.
President Trump criticized Republican senators for opposing his war in Iran during a meeting.
Senator Bill Cassidy, who had voted with Democrats earlier, was called harsh names by Trump but later voted against the resolution after a briefing at the White House.
Vice President JD Vance and envoy Steve Witkoff briefed Cassidy on the war situation.
Senator Rand Paul voted "present" to give the President more room to negotiate peace.
The resolution failed by a vote of 47 against, 50 in favor, and 1 present just before midnight.
The Senate then went on a two-week break after the vote.
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A severe heat wave in Paris and across Europe has made living in attic apartments under zinc roofs dangerous due to extreme heat. Research shows that these rooftops absorb heat, increasing health risks, especially for those who cannot afford cooler, lower-floor apartments.
Key Facts
Paris and many parts of Europe are experiencing a historic and intense heat wave.
Zinc roofs cover about three-quarters of Paris rooftops and absorb a lot of heat.
Attic apartments directly under these roofs become very hot and can harm health.
A 2003 heat wave study found that living in attic rooms under roofs increased death risk by over four times.
Paris had the highest risk of heat-related deaths among 30 European capitals studied.
Many attic residents are students or low-income people who pay high prices for small rooms.
Zinc roofs are valued culturally and listed as a heritage by UNESCO but contribute to heat problems.
The heat wave has caused more deaths and serious health threats across Europe.
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Asian stock markets rose mainly because technology companies in Japan and South Korea did well after U.S. chipmakers Qualcomm and Micron reported strong earnings. Oil prices fell by more than $1, moving closer to pre-war levels with Iran.
Key Facts
Japan’s Nikkei 225 index rose 4.1%, led by tech stocks.
South Korea’s Kospi index reached a record high, climbing 5.9%.
Qualcomm’s shares jumped 12% after raising its revenue forecast to $40 billion and announcing a new data center chip.
Micron Technology’s shares rose nearly 16% after beating analyst expectations and raising its forecast.
Tokyo Electron and Advantest, both chip-related companies, saw big stock gains of 7.1% and 13.4%.
Samsung Electronics gained 5.4%, and SK Hynix increased 11.6%.
Oil prices dropped more than $1 towards levels seen before the conflict with Iran began.
Other Asian markets showed smaller gains or losses, with Hong Kong’s Hang Seng falling 1.4%.
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A UK hybrid school called London Park School (LPS) Hybrid offers students a mix of online and in-person learning. This approach has helped some students, like Ellie Ball and Ahlam De Chausay, improve their school experience and confidence. The school has been recognized for its mental health support and ability to help students who struggle with traditional schooling.
Key Facts
Ellie Ball, 16, attends LPS Hybrid four days a week online and once a week in person.
Ellie struggled to attend her old local school but now enjoys school and plans to take four A-levels.
LPS Hybrid is part of Dukes Education and was shortlisted for national and international education awards.
The school uses technology and screen time as part of learning, which some students find helpful.
The UK government plans to ban social media for young people but says this will not affect educational platforms.
Ellie’s father fears the ban may limit access to important online learning resources for many students.
Another student, Ahlam De Chausay, said hybrid learning helped her become more confident and independent.
The school emphasizes a balance of screen time and independent, offline study to build students’ skills.
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EU officials held talks with the Taliban in Brussels to discuss increasing deportations of Afghan migrants. The meeting caused strong anger among Afghan women and human rights groups, who see it as giving legitimacy to a regime that severely restricts women's rights.
Key Facts
The talks focused on deporting Afghans without legal residence permits in the EU.
Many Afghan women feel the meeting is a betrayal because the Taliban restricts their rights, such as banning schooling past age 11 and excluding them from work and public life.
The European Parliament has condemned the persecution of Afghan women and girls in recent resolutions.
The European Commission said deportations would focus on those seen as security threats, but the invitation to the Taliban mentioned all Afghans without legal status.
There were protests and criticism from human rights groups against the EU for engaging with the Taliban.
The rise of right-wing politicians in the European Parliament is linked to tougher migration policies and has influenced this approach.
The Taliban regained control in Afghanistan in 2021 after the withdrawal of US and NATO forces, leading to worsening conditions for women.
The EU received about 1 million asylum claims from member states in recent years, including many from Afghans.
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The UK set a new June temperature record of 36.1°C in Gosport, Hampshire, on Wednesday. This record may be broken again on Thursday as temperatures could reach up to 37 or 38°C in central southern England, with hot weather continuing into Friday before cooling down over the weekend.
Key Facts
A new June temperature record of 36.1°C was set in Gosport, Hampshire, on Wednesday.
Temperatures on Thursday might rise to 37 or 38°C, breaking the record again.
Red and amber heat warnings are in place due to extreme heat risks like transport disruption and heat illnesses.
The hottest areas on Thursday include central southern England, the Midlands, and parts of Wales.
Scotland and Northern Ireland will be cooler, with highs between 15-30°C depending on the region.
Thunderstorms and heavy showers are expected in southwest England on Thursday evening, with risks of flash flooding.
The heatwave will begin to ease from Friday, with temperatures dropping to normal levels by Sunday.
Heat warnings will remain active in some areas through Friday and Saturday.
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