Countries including the US, Cuba, Iran, and several others have pledged help after two strong earthquakes hit Venezuela on 24 June. The quakes caused deaths, injuries, and big damage, while Venezuela struggles with ongoing economic and health problems.
Key Facts
Two earthquakes measuring 7.2 and 7.5 hit Venezuela on 24 June, causing at least 164 deaths and about 1,000 injuries.
The earthquakes severely damaged Caracas and northern parts of the country.
Venezuela already faces economic crisis, flooding, and health challenges, making disaster response harder.
The US announced a fast, large government response, including help from the Department of Defense.
Latin American countries like Mexico, Brazil, Ecuador, and Cuba offered aid; Cuba sent health workers already on site.
European countries such as the Netherlands, Spain, France, Germany, and Switzerland are sending rescue teams and equipment.
Iran and China expressed readiness to help with relief and rescue efforts.
The UN and humanitarian groups stressed the urgent need for international support as many Venezuelans already need aid before the earthquakes.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
Two strong earthquakes hit Venezuela, killing at least 164 people and injuring over 1,000. Many buildings collapsed, trapping people under rubble, and world leaders have offered help and expressed support.
Key Facts
Two earthquakes, measuring 7.2 and 7.5 in magnitude, struck Venezuela on the evening of June 24, 2026.
These were some of the strongest earthquakes to hit Venezuela in over 100 years.
At least 164 people died and more than 1,000 were injured.
Rescue efforts were underway to find people trapped under collapsed buildings.
The U.S. is sending search and rescue teams, medical help, and humanitarian aid by order of President Trump.
France is sending a team of 85 rescue workers to help with search and clearance.
Mexico and Brazil are also preparing to send rescue teams and evaluate further assistance.
China acknowledged the situation and extended its support to Venezuela.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
A federal judge blocked President Donald Trump’s executive order that aimed to create a federal list of eligible voters and limit who could get mail-in ballots. The judge ruled that the order violated the U.S. Constitution because only states and Congress have the power to set election rules.
Key Facts
The judge who blocked the order was U.S. District Court Judge Indira Talwani, appointed by President Barack Obama.
The ruling applies to the 2026 midterm elections.
Nearly two dozen states challenged the order in federal court, saying it was unconstitutional.
The court said the order broke the separation of powers by giving the president control over election rules.
This was the second recent court decision against President Trump’s election-related orders.
One previous ruling stopped a Trump order requiring voters to prove citizenship when registering.
President Trump’s order wanted the U.S. government to make a list of voters and limit mail ballots to those people.
States and election officials said the order could cause problems and be abused.
Voting by noncitizens is very rare and already illegal under current laws.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
The U.S. Supreme Court ruled 7-2 that Bayer, which owns Roundup, cannot be sued in state courts over cancer warnings because federal law controls pesticide labeling. Justices Ketanji Brown Jackson and Neil Gorsuch disagreed, saying the ruling wrongly blocks people from seeking justice in state courts.
Key Facts
The case involved Bayer’s Roundup weedkiller and cancer warning lawsuits.
The court decided Bayer must follow federal pesticide labeling rules, not state laws.
The ruling prevents many state lawsuits claiming Bayer failed to warn about cancer risks.
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has not found that glyphosate, Roundup’s main chemical, causes cancer.
Justice Brett Kavanaugh wrote the majority opinion supporting Bayer.
Justices Jackson (liberal) and Gorsuch (conservative) wrote a joint dissent, disagreeing with the majority.
The case started with John Durnell suing Bayer after he developed cancer allegedly from using Roundup.
The ruling interprets the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA) as blocking state law claims that conflict with federal rules.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
Fox News host Sean Hannity responded to viewers' concerns about his health after they noticed changes in his appearance on TV. He explained in a social media post that he developed pain while training and has already talked about it on his radio show.
Key Facts
Sean Hannity is a host on Fox News.
Viewers noticed changes in his appearance during recent broadcasts.
Fans expressed worry about his health online.
Hannity posted on social media to address these concerns.
He mentioned he developed pain while training.
This topic was previously discussed on his radio show.
Hannity thanked viewers for checking on him.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
Two strong earthquakes with magnitudes of 7.2 and 7.5 struck near Morón, Venezuela, causing many buildings to collapse and resulting in hundreds of deaths and thousands of injuries. The worst damage was seen in Caracas and coastal areas like La Guaira and Catia La Mar, where rescue operations are ongoing.
Key Facts
Two earthquakes hit Venezuela 39 seconds apart, with magnitudes 7.2 and 7.5.
The earthquakes caused hundreds of deaths and thousands of injuries.
Caracas, the capital about 100 miles east of the epicenter, suffered significant damage.
The coastal areas of La Guaira and Catia La Mar were heavily affected, with many buildings collapsing.
Maiquetía airport near La Guaira was severely damaged and closed after roof sections collapsed.
The neighborhoods of Altamira, Los Palos Grandes, Baruta, and Chacao in Caracas saw collapsed buildings and casualties.
Rescue workers are carrying out intensive operations to find survivors under the rubble.
The epicenter was near Morón, in the Carabobo state countryside.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
Dozens of oil tankers passed through the Strait of Hormuz on Thursday using a route near Oman’s coast. This route is supported by a United Nations maritime group to keep oil shipments safe despite threats from Iran.
Key Facts
The number of tankers crossing the Strait of Hormuz on Thursday doubled compared to the day before.
Data from the company Kpler showed 70 confirmed crossings on Thursday.
The route used runs along the coast of Oman.
This route is promoted by a United Nations maritime agency.
The passage aims to protect commercial vessels from tensions in the area.
Iran has made threats against shipping in the Strait of Hormuz.
The Strait of Hormuz is a key waterway for global oil transport.
Anna Kohl, a mother of a child with Down syndrome, supports abortion rights even though she chose to keep her daughter. She criticizes how some people, like content creator Jesse Ridgway, describe Down syndrome negatively when explaining their decision to end pregnancies. Kohl highlights the need for better support for families of children with disabilities.
Key Facts
Anna Kohl is 33 years old and lives in Oregon.
Her daughter Addy, who has Down syndrome, is now 4 years old.
Kohl supports the right to abortion but finds parenting a child with disabilities challenging without enough support.
Jesse Ridgway and his wife ended a pregnancy due to a high chance of Down syndrome, sharing their decision online.
Ridgway described Down syndrome in negative terms, which Kohl called unfair and harmful.
Trisomy 21 (Down syndrome) happens in about 1 in 1,000 births worldwide.
People with Down syndrome can live full lives with the right care and assistance.
Kohl emphasizes that supporting abortion rights does not mean promoting negative views of people with disabilities.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
In France, traditional summer banquets are causing concern after reports of racist comments and Nazi salutes at some events. These gatherings, along with other parties and raves, are being closely watched amid worries they may be used for political purposes. Despite this, France continues to celebrate its strong party culture.
Key Facts
French summer banquets are popular traditional events.
Some banquets have seen incidents of racist slurs and Nazi salutes.
Other types of parties, like free parties and raves, are also under government and public scrutiny.
There are concerns these events might be used for political reasons.
France has a long-standing reputation for loving to party, known as "faire la fête."
The debate reflects deeper tensions in French society about culture and politics.
Reports mentioned far-right influences and links to French presidential elections in 2027.
Cultural diversity and political issues are part of the ongoing discussions around these events.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences invited 529 new members to join its Class of 2026. This group includes well-known actors and filmmakers and is one of the most diverse and global classes in the Academy's history.
Key Facts
529 people have been invited to join the Academy for 2026.
The new members include actors like Jacob Elordi, Teyana Taylor, Julia Garner, and Josh O’Connor.
Filmmakers Benny and Josh Safdie are also invited.
The list contains 95 Oscar nominees and 21 winners.
Compared to last year’s 534 invites, this year’s list is slightly smaller.
Women make up 42% of the new members.
56% of the invitees come from underrepresented communities.
53% are based outside the United States.
If all accept, the Academy will have over 11,300 members, with more than 10,000 eligible to vote for Oscars.
The Academy has recently added new award categories, including Best Casting and a future award for Stunt Design.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
The new DC Universe movie "Supergirl," directed by James Gunn, received mixed reviews from critics and currently has a 58% score on Rotten Tomatoes. This rating is lower than other recent DC projects and has sparked discussions about the future of Gunn’s DC film series.
Key Facts
"Supergirl" stars Milly Alcock and is part of the DC Universe led by James Gunn.
The film has a 58% critic score on Rotten Tomatoes based on 136 reviews.
This is the lowest score for a DC Universe project so far, below "Creature Commandos" (95%) and "Superman" (83%).
Critics praised Alcock’s acting and the addition of the character Lobo, played by Jason Momoa.
"Supergirl" is compared to other lower-rated DC movies like "Wonder Woman 84" (57%) and "The Flash" (63%).
The film will be released in theaters on June 26, 2026.
Audience opinions and box office results will be important for the movie’s overall success.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
The "Suspicious Minds" podcast, created by Sean King O'Grady, explores the risks and dangers of artificial intelligence (AI). It discusses how AI can affect mental health and society, especially as AI grows quickly without enough safety rules.
Key Facts
The podcast "Suspicious Minds" is based on a book by Doctors Joel and Ian Gold.
Season 1 focused on AI causing mental health issues like delusions and psychosis.
Season 2 looks at the broader impact of AI on society, even for those not using AI tools.
Sean King O'Grady is a filmmaker and the podcast host.
The podcast uses interviews to explain AI’s risks and how it affects people.
AI technology is spreading fast but is currently unregulated and may have safety problems.
The future impact of AI is uncertain and could change quickly.
The podcast is available on YouTube, Spotify, and other platforms.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
A limited number of special quarters with a July 4th theme are being released into circulation. Only 250,000 of these coins will be available for people to use or collect.
Key Facts
The coins are quarters, meaning they are worth 25 cents each.
They have a special design related to July 4th, the U.S. Independence Day.
Only 250,000 of these coins are being made.
These coins will enter everyday use, not just kept for collection.
People may need to check their change to find these rare quarters.
This release is part of a special coin program by the U.S. Mint.
The limited quantity makes these coins rare and possibly more valuable to collectors.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
A federal judge stopped President Donald Trump’s order that aimed to create a national voter list and restrict who could get mail-in ballots. The judge’s decision applies to this year's midterm elections and came after several states challenged the order.
Key Facts
President Donald Trump issued an executive order to make a federal voter list.
The order also sought to limit who can receive mail-in ballots.
U.S. District Court Judge Indira Talwani blocked this order.
The judge was nominated by President Barack Obama.
Nearly two dozen states joined to challenge the order.
The judge granted a summary judgment, meaning the case was decided quickly.
The ruling affects the 2024 midterm election cycle.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
Kim Murstein and her grandmother Gail Gudnick started the podcast "Excuse My Grandma" during the pandemic. They said the podcast helped improve their relationship and taught them new things about each other.
Key Facts
The podcast "Excuse My Grandma" is hosted by Kim Murstein and her grandma Gail Gudnick.
They began the podcast during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The hosts shared their experience on CBS News' "CBS Mornings."
The podcast helped strengthen their bond as family members.
They learned new perspectives from each other through the podcast.
The show has become popular among listeners.
The pandemic was a key factor in launching their podcast.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
New York prosecutors have decided not to continue with a rape charge against Harvey Weinstein. This comes after three previous trials on the same charge, and follows discussions with the accuser, Jessica Mann, who chose not to face another trial.
Key Facts
Prosecutors dropped a rape charge against Harvey Weinstein for the fourth time.
Weinstein’s previous trials on this charge included one overturned conviction and two hung juries (where jurors could not agree).
Weinstein still has other sexual felony convictions in New York and California.
The decision followed discussions with the accuser, Jessica Mann, who is a hairstylist and actor.
The accuser did not want to go through another trial.
Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg Jr stated that they believe Ms. Mann’s story and find her a credible witness.
The case is part of ongoing legal issues linked to Weinstein’s past sexual misconduct allegations.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
Northern Venezuela was hit by two strong earthquakes, causing buildings to collapse and killing at least 164 people. Rescue teams and local people are searching through the rubble to find survivors, but many more deaths are feared.
Key Facts
Two powerful earthquakes struck northern Venezuela.
At least 164 people have been confirmed dead.
Many more people are feared to have died.
Buildings collapsed in the affected areas.
Rescue teams are working to find survivors under the debris.
Local residents are also helping in the search efforts.
The situation is ongoing, with rescue operations continuing.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
A group of 10 farmers in western France formed a cooperative that grows only organic vegetables. They sell their produce to schools, supermarkets, and restaurants while matching the crop yields of traditional farming methods. They want to show that organic farming can produce enough food to feed an entire country without using chemicals.
Key Facts
The cooperative is located in the Vendée region in western France.
All farming done by the co-op is 100% organic, meaning no synthetic chemicals or pesticides are used.
Their vegetables are supplied to local schools, supermarkets, and restaurants.
Their crop yields are similar to those from conventional, chemical-based farming.
The farmers aim to prove organic farming can be productive on a large scale.
The initiative challenges the common belief that organic farming is too expensive or cannot produce enough food.
The co-op focuses on local production and sales within the region.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
Joe Rogan, a podcaster and emcee for the UFC Freedom 250 event at the White House, said the organizers should not have invited a fighter who made a rude comment about Michelle Obama. Rogan supports President Donald Trump in the 2024 election.
Key Facts
Joe Rogan hosted the UFC Freedom 250 fight night at the White House.
The event took place earlier in the current month.
One fighter at the event insulted Michelle Obama.
Rogan said that fighter probably should not have been invited.
Rogan is supporting President Donald Trump in the 2024 election.
The event was connected to President Trump’s administration.
Rogan expressed his opinion in a public statement about the fighter’s comment.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
Fake USB sticks linked to China infected Japan’s army computers with malware for nearly a year before detection. The malware spread through counterfeit flash drives used during disaster relief operations and affected both secure and classified military systems.
Key Facts
Fake USB drives carrying malware were given to Japan’s Ground Self-Defense Force in March 2024.
The infection was found in February 2025 after a soldier noticed slow computer performance.
The malware activates immediately when the infected USB is inserted into a computer.
Six of eight USB drives tested contained the malware, and over 50 computers were connected to them.
Nearly half of the infected computers processed classified military information.
Japan’s military has both open and closed computer networks, with external data transferred via USB drives.
The fake USB sticks are counterfeit Chinese products sold cheaper than originals.
Similar infections have been reported in factories and research institutes with closed systems.
U.S. intelligence has warned about China-linked hackers using malware to pre-position attacks on critical infrastructure.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
