The death toll from two recent earthquakes in Venezuela has risen to 1,719 people, with over 5,000 injured and more than 15,000 left without homes. Rescue efforts continue amid challenges like aftershocks and limited heavy equipment, while many people remain missing or trapped in the rubble.
Key Facts
Two earthquakes with magnitudes 7.2 and 7.5 struck Venezuela recently.
At least 1,719 people have died, and more than 5,000 were injured.
Over 15,000 people lost their homes due to the disaster.
Rescue teams have saved some survivors, including children, but many remain trapped.
About 50,000 people were unaccounted for according to an opposition website.
Aftershocks are causing more damage and complicating rescue work.
Electricity in La Guaira has been restored to 75 percent.
Schools are closed for an additional week due to the disaster.
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The European Commission plans to introduce new rules next month that would require Google to allow other AI models on Android and share anonymized search data with competitors. Google warns these changes could cause privacy and security problems, including increased fraud and risks of user data being exposed.
Key Facts
The EU’s new rules aim to reduce Google’s strong control over AI services on Android devices.
Google’s AI, Gemini, currently has special access to user files and voice features on Android.
The EU wants Google to share anonymized search data, like search content and click rates, with rival companies.
Google says anonymized data can often be traced back to individuals using advanced techniques.
Google’s security staff claim they can link anonymized search data to users in about two hours.
Google fears that smaller European companies receiving this data may not protect it well, increasing security risks.
The rules are part of the EU’s Digital Markets Act, which targets major tech firms like Google and Amazon as market gatekeepers.
Google has opposed this law and wants it to be changed.
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Thousands of undocumented migrants in South Africa are leaving the country due to growing anti-immigrant protests and tension. Activist groups set a deadline of June 30 for these migrants to leave, increasing the urgency to depart.
Key Facts
Many undocumented migrants are fleeing South Africa.
The reason is rising protests against immigrants.
Tensions between locals and migrants have increased.
Activist groups gave a deadline of June 30 for migrants to leave.
The situation is causing fear among migrant communities.
Protests are happening in multiple areas, including Cape Town.
The migrants fear violence and discrimination if they stay.
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Andy Burnham, the leading candidate to become the United Kingdom’s next prime minister, has promised to give more power to regional governments and control public spending if he takes office. He supports a long-term plan to encourage economic growth across the UK, focusing on areas outside London and the south.
Key Facts
Andy Burnham is currently the frontrunner to replace Keir Starmer as UK prime minister.
Burnham wants to give more independence to local regions to improve growth and services.
He pledged to control government spending, including reducing welfare costs.
Burnham won a by-election on June 18 and was sworn into parliament on June 22.
Keir Starmer announced he will resign once a new leader is chosen.
Burnham is currently the only candidate in the Labour Party leadership race and could become prime minister by July 20 if unchallenged.
The UK faces challenges like a slow economy, public service issues, and higher costs of living.
Burnham refused to answer questions after his speech, drawing criticism from political opponents.
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Two recent earthquakes in Venezuela caused many buildings to collapse, making rescue efforts difficult. The country's ongoing political crisis and sanctions have worsened the situation, with international aid, including US forces, helping but facing challenges.
Key Facts
Two earthquakes hit Venezuela last Wednesday, collapsing 774 buildings.
Many Venezuelans blame the government for focusing on security over disaster relief.
The country has suffered from sanctions and years of declining infrastructure.
The interim president faced boos in Caracas amid the crisis.
The United States is assisting by airlifting supplies and coordinating relief efforts.
President Donald Trump claims that Venezuela is changing after removing Maduro and reopening oil exports.
First responders and citizens continue rescue work amid difficult conditions.
Experts discuss how the international community can best support Venezuela’s recovery.
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This article explains how people struggling with debt can negotiate with debt collectors to potentially pay less than they owe. It offers practical tips to help borrowers handle negotiations wisely and improve their chances of reaching a good settlement.
Key Facts
Many people face increasing debt due to high borrowing costs and inflation.
About half of surveyed people lose sleep because of money worries.
Debt collectors might accept less than the full amount to get paid sooner.
Before negotiating, you should confirm the debt is valid by requesting a written validation letter.
Knowing if the collector is the original creditor or a debt buyer affects negotiation tactics.
Debt collectors prefer a one-time lump-sum payment over installment plans.
Settlements often reduce the debt by 30% to 50%.
Staying calm and persistent during negotiations helps improve results.
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Rescue workers and local people continue searching for survivors after a strong earthquake hit near Caracas, Venezuela. The disaster has killed at least 1,450 people, and some are still being found alive under collapsed buildings days later.
Key Facts
A powerful earthquake struck near Caracas last week.
At least 1,450 people have died due to the earthquake.
Many buildings collapsed, trapping people underneath.
Rescue efforts are still ongoing to find survivors.
Local residents are helping by digging with their hands and simple tools.
Search and rescue teams are working alongside community volunteers.
The city of Catia la Mar is one of the hardest-hit areas.
The earthquake caused widespread damage in Venezuela.
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The Senate Ethics Committee dismissed a complaint against Senator Ruben Gallego from Representative Anna Paulina Luna. The complaint accused Gallego of inappropriate behavior and breaking campaign finance rules, but the committee found no evidence to support these claims.
Key Facts
Senator Ruben Gallego is from Arizona and a member of the Democratic Party.
Representative Anna Paulina Luna is from Florida and a member of the Republican Party.
Luna filed a complaint accusing Gallego of inappropriate advances toward women.
Luna also accused Gallego of violating campaign finance laws.
The Senate Ethics Committee investigated the complaint.
The committee found no evidence that Gallego violated any rules.
The complaint against Gallego was dismissed by the Ethics Committee.
Gallego was informed of the dismissal in a letter on Friday.
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Many people around the world do not have proper housing, and by 2030, trillions of dollars will be needed to build enough affordable homes. Governments in different regions are starting to take steps to address this problem.
Key Facts
Around 3.4 billion people worldwide lack adequate housing.
By 2030, $3 to $4 trillion will be needed for affordable and accessible housing.
The world needs to build about 96,000 new homes every day to meet demand.
The U.S. Senate recently passed a bipartisan housing bill.
The European Commission is introducing new rules to make housing more affordable in Europe.
The UK has passed laws that stop no-fault evictions, protecting renters.
African countries have agreed through the Nairobi Declaration to speed up affordable housing projects.
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A shooting at a youth welfare facility in Stade, northern Germany, killed six people and injured several others. Police arrested a main suspect and detained two more people for questioning, but have not shared the motive.
Key Facts
The shooting happened at a facility serving pregnant women and young mothers with children.
Five people died at the scene; a sixth died later in the hospital.
Among the dead were four women and two men, all adults.
Several others were hurt, some seriously, but exact details were not released.
Police arrested one main suspect and took two others in for investigation.
The facility is located on Dankersstrasse, south of Stade’s town center.
Stade is a town of about 50,000 people, near Hamburg in northern Germany.
Germany has strict gun laws, and mass shootings are rare in the country.
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Quantum computing startup QuEra announced plans to build a much more powerful quantum computer by 2028 with over 10,000 qubits, aiming to support 256 error-corrected logical qubits. They also plan a follow-up machine in 2029 that will double the qubits and improve error correction, but significant challenges remain in reducing hardware errors to meet these goals.
Key Facts
QuEra currently has quantum hardware with about 260 qubits that have significant error rates.
By 2028, QuEra plans to deliver a system with over 10,000 physical qubits to Amazon.
This system aims to support 256 error-corrected logical qubits with a 99.9999% error-free operation rate.
In 2029, QuEra promises a successor with twice the hardware qubits and over 1,000 logical qubits, targeting 99.9999999% error-free operation.
QuEra uses neutral atoms held by lasers to form qubits, allowing more qubits by increasing laser capacity.
Two academic labs that helped start QuEra have demonstrated a 3,000-qubit system and techniques to replace lost atoms during operations.
Error correction depends on the number of physical qubits per logical qubit and the error rate of the hardware qubits.
QuEra plans to reduce the number of hardware qubits per logical qubit from 40 in 2028 to 20 in 2029 while improving error rates, but it is not clear how they will achieve these improvements so quickly.
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The Senate Ethics Committee dismissed a complaint against Democratic Senator Ruben Gallego, finding no evidence he broke laws or Senate rules. The complaint, made by Republican Congresswoman Anna Paulina Luna, involved allegations of sexual misconduct and campaign finance violations, which Gallego denies.
Key Facts
The Senate Ethics Committee is bipartisan and investigated the complaint against Sen. Ruben Gallego.
The complaint was filed by GOP Rep. Anna Paulina Luna in April.
Luna accused Gallego of sexual misconduct and campaign finance violations.
The committee found no proof that Gallego violated federal law, Senate rules, or conduct standards.
Gallego fully cooperated with the investigation and denied any wrongdoing.
The committee reviewed testimony, federal election reports, and other documents during its review.
The committee can reopen the investigation if new evidence appears.
Gallego says Luna’s accusations are political conspiracies and calls for an apology.
The complaint came amid other sexual misconduct allegations against former Rep. Eric Swalwell, a former colleague of Gallego.
Swalwell resigned from Congress and stopped his California governor campaign after the allegations.
Gallego said he was unaware of Swalwell’s alleged misconduct and felt deceived by him.
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Washington, D.C., is preparing a large security operation for the 250th anniversary of American independence, with many visitors expected in the city. Thousands of law enforcement officers, National Guard troops, and military equipment will be deployed to protect events, especially those on July 4th, when there will be strict security measures including ID checks and possible flight restrictions.
Key Facts
The 250th anniversary celebration will bring hundreds of thousands of visitors to Washington, D.C.
Around 5,000 National Guard troops will be on duty alongside local and federal law enforcement.
The July 4 fireworks event is classified as a National Security Special Event, requiring the highest level of security coordination.
Visitors will face strict ID checks, security lines, and screening devices like those used at airports.
Snipers and armored vehicles, including SWAT BearCats and Mine-Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP) vehicles, may be deployed.
Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport will halt flights from noon on July 4 until the next day due to the celebrations.
Security planning has included months of preparation and rehearsals, with roles for military police in crowd and traffic control.
President Donald Trump has attended some events and plans to hold a rally on the National Mall during the celebrations.
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Resident doctors in England have accepted a new government deal on pay and jobs, ending strike actions that started in March 2023. The deal includes a pay increase of 6.6% fully paid by 2027 and 4,500 extra training places, with resident doctor pay set to be 35.2% higher than four years ago.
Key Facts
Resident doctors in England voted 53% in favor of the government's latest pay and job offer.
The deal includes a 6.6% average pay rise to be fully implemented by April 2027.
Resident doctor pay will be 35.2% higher compared to four years ago.
There will be 4,500 new specialty training places created over the next three years.
Strike action by resident doctors has cost the NHS £1 billion since last summer.
Residents had planned a 16th strike this month, which was called off after the deal.
Resident doctors walked out for 21 days in the last year, costing the NHS about £50 million per day.
NHS officials said the deal brings stability but more work to improve conditions will continue.
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Venezuela was hit by two strong earthquakes causing over 1,450 deaths and widespread damage including to hospitals. The country’s weak government response and ongoing political and economic problems have made the situation worse, while the US has offered some aid but faces questions about its commitment and ability to help.
Key Facts
Venezuela experienced two earthquakes of magnitude 7.2 and 7.5, its largest since 1900.
At least 1,450 people died, more than 3,000 were injured, and tens of thousands are missing.
Damage is estimated at $6.7 billion, about 6% of Venezuela’s economic output, including damage to 38 hospitals.
Many Venezuelans criticized the government’s slow and poor response to the crisis.
The government has focused spending more on security forces than on emergency services.
Venezuela faces severe economic challenges, with over 80% of the population living in poverty and inflation above 600%.
The US government, led by President Trump, seized Venezuela’s oil industry interests and pledged $300 million for quake relief.
Aid efforts include 2,400 international search and rescue workers, but long-term recovery aid is uncertain.
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Homeowners can use the value built up in their homes, called home equity, to pay off expensive credit card debt. Two main borrowing options are home equity loans, which have fixed payments, and home equity lines of credit (HELOCs), which work like credit cards with variable rates and flexible borrowing amounts.
Key Facts
Credit card interest rates are high, averaging over 21%, making balances hard to reduce.
Many homeowners have increased their home equity due to rising home prices in recent years.
A home equity loan gives a lump sum with a fixed rate and fixed monthly payments.
This loan is good if you want payment certainty and your debt amount is stable.
A HELOC works like a credit line, letting you borrow as needed with a variable interest rate.
HELOCs offer more borrowing flexibility and are better if your debt repayment plan may change.
Fixed rates from home equity loans protect against rising interest costs if rates go up in the future.
Using home equity borrowing can help consolidate credit card debt potentially at a lower interest rate.
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Kalshi, a large prediction market platform for sports bets, sued the state of Illinois to stop new laws that would tax and regulate it like a regular sports betting company. Kalshi argues that only the federal government, through the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC), has the authority to regulate its business nationwide.
Key Facts
Illinois passed a law imposing new taxes on sports bets made through prediction markets like Kalshi.
Starting July 1, Kalshi would owe 1.75% tax on the first $5 million in sports wagers annually, then 3.5% on additional wagers.
Illinois requires Kalshi to get a state license costing $15 million for the first four years and $1 million annually after.
Kalshi filed a lawsuit against Illinois officials, saying the regulations and taxes are too costly and burdensome.
Kalshi says Illinois is wrongly treating it like a traditional sports betting company, while it believes the CFTC has sole authority over prediction markets.
The company claims that following Illinois law would force it to restrict users in Illinois, conflicting with federal rules requiring equal access nationwide.
Illinois aims to regulate prediction markets more tightly after a record $1.5 billion in legal sports betting losses in 2025.
Meta is considering launching a similar sports betting platform, which increases Illinois’ urgency on regulation.
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Christopher Harborne, a crypto investor living in Thailand, has given millions of pounds to the UK political party Reform UK and registered to vote in the UK. New rules might limit donations from British voters living abroad, and simply registering to vote in the UK may not let Harborne avoid these restrictions.
Key Facts
Christopher Harborne is a billionaire crypto investor based in Thailand for over five years.
He has donated around £15 million to Reform UK in the past year and gifted £5 million to Nigel Farage, the party leader.
Harborne registered to vote in Hampshire, UK, possibly to continue donating large sums despite new donation limits.
A report recommends a cap of £100,000 to £300,000 a year on donations from British voters living abroad.
Election officials will decide if a voter is considered "normally resident" in the UK, not just based on voter registration.
If Harborne wants to avoid donation caps, he may need to live in the UK and pay taxes on his wealth.
These new rules aim to stop wealthy individuals living abroad from making unlimited political donations while avoiding UK taxes.
Nigel Farage is under investigation for not declaring the £5 million gift as required by parliamentary rules.
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Nancy Pelosi and the University of California, Berkeley, are starting a new institute in January called the Nancy Pelosi Institute for Representative Democracy. The institute will focus on protecting democracy and studying issues like climate change, inequality, and political leadership, with Pelosi helping to teach a course on Congress.
Key Facts
The Nancy Pelosi Institute for Representative Democracy will launch in January at UC Berkeley.
It aims to strengthen American democratic institutions and address social, economic, and environmental challenges.
The institute will focus on four areas: democracy, social and economic issues, human and civil rights, and diverse political leadership.
Pelosi will co-teach a course on Congress as part of the institute’s academic work.
The institute has received over $35 million in donations so far.
It will be part of UC Berkeley’s political science department and includes an exhibit about Pelosi’s career.
Pelosi represented San Francisco for nearly 40 years and served two terms as House Speaker.
The institute aims to prepare students to lead with integrity and engage in civil discourse.
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Thomas Pearce is a 19-year-old from Wales who was born with Pfeiffer Syndrome, a rare condition causing his skull to fuse too early, requiring 44 surgeries. Despite being bullied and facing many health challenges, he is now studying medicine at Cardiff University, inspired by the surgeons who treated him.
Key Facts
Thomas Pearce has Pfeiffer Syndrome Type 2, which affects skull growth from birth.
He underwent 44 specialized surgeries at Alder Hey Children’s Hospital in Liverpool.
He also has hydrocephalus, a condition where fluid builds up in the brain, and uses a shunt to drain it.
Pearce was bullied in primary school because of his condition and hospital absences, which affected his confidence.
Teachers at St David’s College helped him keep up with studies despite many absences.
He had a major 14-hour surgery to fix his underbite, after which he couldn’t chew food for two months and lost weight.
Pearce is now a medical student and recently thanked his teachers for their support.
His head teacher called him an inspirational young man who did not let his health problems limit him.
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