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After earthquakes struck Venezuela, rescue teams are working hard to find people trapped under the rubble. The search and rescue efforts have been ongoing for at least five days.
Key Facts
Venezuela experienced earthquakes that caused damage and trapped people in debris.
Rescue crews are actively searching for survivors.
The rescue operations have continued for several days.
Katie Susman, head of the International Rescue Committee for Latin America, is involved in the response.
The situation has drawn international attention and coverage.
The rescue efforts are urgent and ongoing to save lives.
The article includes live stream updates from ABC News about the rescue work.
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British comedian John Oliver will appear as a guest star in two popular soap operas, "General Hospital" and "Days of Our Lives." He previously expressed his wish to be in a soap opera and will appear in multiple episodes of both shows this summer.
Key Facts
John Oliver hosts HBO’s "Last Week Tonight."
He publicly said he wanted to act in a soap opera in March 2024.
Oliver will appear in three episodes of "General Hospital" airing July 2, 3, and 6.
He has already filmed a week of episodes for "Days of Our Lives" which will air August 11, 12, and 14.
"General Hospital" executive producer Frank Valentini praised Oliver's professionalism and humor.
Oliver described being on "General Hospital" as an honor and a fun experience.
He joked about the uniqueness of being in two soap operas at once.
Oliver said soap opera acting is not a backup career plan for him.
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Two strong earthquakes hit Venezuela, killing over 1,700 people and causing many buildings to collapse. In hard-hit cities like La Guaira, locals have been doing most of the rescue work themselves, as government help has been limited and slow.
Key Facts
Two earthquakes with magnitudes 7.2 and 7.5 struck Venezuela’s northern state of La Guaira within 39 seconds of each other.
Over 1,700 people have died, making it the deadliest natural disaster in Venezuela’s history.
Almost 800 buildings collapsed due to the earthquakes.
Many survivors and victims’ families are digging through rubble by hand, using simple tools like crowbars and pickaxes.
An aftershock on Monday measured 4.6 in magnitude but caused no additional damage.
Government rescue efforts have been criticized for being slow and lacking proper equipment.
More than 25,000 emergency workers, police, and soldiers have been deployed to help, according to Interim President Delcy Rodríguez.
A damage assessment commission will use a color-coded system to decide who can return home safely.
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France is facing a severe heatwave that has caused hospitals and funeral homes to become overwhelmed. The heat has led to at least 1,000 more deaths than usual since June 24, mostly affecting older people, and more heatwaves are expected soon.
Key Facts
Since June 24, France recorded 1,000 more deaths than expected due to extreme heat.
Around 85% of those who died were people aged 65 and older.
At least 40 deaths were from drowning as people sought relief in rivers and canals.
Funeral homes are more than 66% full, much higher than the normal 30-45%.
Two funeral homes in central Paris have been at full capacity since Friday.
French Prime Minister Sébastian Lecornu said the government’s measures have so far "held up well."
Cities like Paris get hotter due to the "urban heat island" effect caused by buildings and pavement.
Many hospitals in France lack air conditioning, which could reduce heat-related deaths by 40%.
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Andy Burnham, expected to soon become the UK prime minister, has shared his plan to improve life for people and restore trust in politics by changing how the country is governed. His ideas include more public control over essential services, building more council homes, and reforming education to value both academic and technical skills equally.
Key Facts
Andy Burnham plans a major shift in British government to improve living standards and rebuild trust.
He wants more public control of services like water, housing, energy, and transport to reduce living costs.
Burnham will create a “No 10 North” hub to help spread power and resources across the UK, based in Manchester.
He aims for the biggest council housing building program since after World War II.
Burnham wants to reform business rates to support high street shops and encourage growth.
His education plan will give equal value to academic and technical courses, not just university paths.
He promises to follow fiscal rules set by Rachel Reeves and maintain sound public finances.
Burnham hinted at early cost-of-living help for people struggling with bills soon after taking office.
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Andy Burnham, a UK politician, wants to give more power to local areas across the UK, including cities in England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland. He believes this change will help all parts of the UK grow economically. Experts have found that past devolution has not clearly increased economic growth, but it might have prevented decline.
Key Facts
Andy Burnham plans to shift power from the UK central government to local regions like Greater Manchester and others in the UK.
Devolution means giving local governments control over areas like health, education, transport, and taxation.
Scotland has broad devolved powers, including health, education, police, and some tax control.
Wales and Northern Ireland have significant but more limited powers compared to Scotland.
English city regions, like Greater Manchester, have gained some powers since 2009, mainly in transport and housing.
Studies show no clear evidence that devolution has increased economic growth in Scotland, Wales, or Northern Ireland since 1998.
Economic performance in these nations remains below the UK average, with Scotland at 93%, Northern Ireland 83%, and Wales 74%.
Burnham believes Greater Manchester’s experience with devolution shows it can help local economies grow.
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After twin earthquakes hit Venezuela, many false videos spread online. Some videos show old events from Venezuela, others show disasters from different countries, and some are made using artificial intelligence (AI). These videos cause confusion about the true impact of the earthquakes.
Key Facts
Venezuela experienced twin earthquakes causing serious damage and deaths.
Social media is full of misleading videos about the disaster.
Some videos are from past events in Venezuela but shared as if they are new.
Other videos come from different countries like Turkey, Thailand, and Myanmar.
One viral video of a building collapse was from a controlled demolition in Turkey in 2023.
AI-created videos show fake scenes of buildings collapsing in Venezuela.
These fake videos often have unrealistic effects, like buildings bending like rubber.
Fact-checkers use tools like reverse image searches to find the original sources of misleading videos.
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A severe heatwave is affecting Italy and the Balkans, causing many deaths, wildfires, and disruptions. Temperatures are much higher than usual, and the heat is expected to continue, impacting several European countries.
Key Facts
Italy has 22 cities under red heat warnings, from north to south.
Croatia issued red alerts for multiple regions, including Zagreb, Split, and Dubrovnik.
Wildfires are active, especially near Split in Croatia and in southern Albania.
Temperatures in parts of the Balkans are above 35°C (95°F).
The heatwave began on June 20 and has caused over 1,300 extra deaths in Europe, with 1,000 reported in France.
Scientists link the extreme heat to human-caused climate change, which makes these events much more likely.
The World Health Organization says Europe is warming twice as fast as the global average.
The heatwave has stressed hospitals, damaged infrastructure, and disrupted power supply.
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U.S. military leaders are questioning the future of large, fixed U.S. bases in the Persian Gulf due to ongoing attacks by Iran. A former U.S. Central Command leader suggests moving bases further west and using more mobile strategies to better protect U.S. forces and equipment.
Key Facts
Iran has extensively targeted U.S. bases in the Persian Gulf during a conflict lasting over four months.
General Kenneth F. McKenzie, Jr., former head of U.S. Central Command, advises changing U.S. military deployments near Iran.
McKenzie recommends spreading U.S. bases farther west to make targeting by Iran harder.
He describes current large bases as outdated because modern warfare demands mobility and secrecy.
McKenzie highlights the need to manage electronic signals to hide base locations from satellites and commercial imaging.
Israel is suggested as a key location to hold valuable U.S. military equipment due to its strong defense systems.
Some presence would remain in the Persian Gulf, focusing on missile and drone defense and infrastructure protection.
The existing U.S. base structure in the region was designed during Cold War and post-9/11 conflicts, not for current threats from Iran.
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Iran held its first meeting with Oman to discuss managing the Strait of Hormuz after signing a preliminary deal to end conflict with the United States. An expert said that while the U.S. wants to keep old navigation rules in the strait, Iran says there are new rules now.
Key Facts
Iran and Oman met for the first time to talk about controlling the Strait of Hormuz.
This meeting followed a preliminary agreement aiming to end the Middle East war involving the U.S. and Iran.
The Strait of Hormuz is a key waterway for global oil shipping in the Middle East.
The United States wants to keep established maritime rules in the strait.
Iran has announced that it has introduced new rules for the strait’s use.
The situation reflects ongoing tensions and attempts at diplomacy in the region.
Recent related events include attacks between the U.S., Iran, Israel, and Lebanon, threatening fragile ceasefires.
Oman emphasizes peaceful de-escalation and stability in the region.
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South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has urged people protesting against migrants to avoid violence and threats, ahead of an unofficial deadline for undocumented foreigners to leave the country. Thousands of migrants, mainly from other African countries, have already left or are waiting to be processed as tensions and xenophobic protests continue.
Key Facts
President Ramaphosa called for peaceful protests without intimidation or violence.
Over three million documented foreign nationals live in South Africa.
Many undocumented migrants, mainly from Malawi and other African countries, fear violence and are leaving South Africa.
Thousands of migrants are waiting in temporary camps for processing before returning home.
Protests against migrants have been authorized in major cities like Durban and Johannesburg.
Authorities have deported or helped repatriate more than 12,000 immigrants since early 2026.
Some migrants face xenophobic slurs and discrimination during the protests.
Neighboring countries like Ghana, Malawi, Mozambique, Nigeria, and Zimbabwe have organized repatriation flights and buses for their citizens.
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Andy Burnham has shared his plan if he becomes Prime Minister, including creating a ‘No10 North’ office in Manchester. He wants to move some powers from London’s Westminster to the regions and increase self-government in Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland. He also plans a large program to build new council houses.
Key Facts
Andy Burnham is a candidate for Prime Minister.
He proposes setting up a government office called ‘No10 North’ in Manchester.
He wants to transfer some government powers away from Westminster to regional areas.
Burnham supports extending self-government (devolution) in Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland.
He promises the biggest council house building program since after World War II.
The plan aims to give more control to local governments and regions.
The information came from a BBC Newscast episode.
The Newscast was presented by James Cook and included analysis by several BBC staff members.
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Israeli military attacks have killed several Palestinians, including four men and an eight-year-old boy in Gaza, and a 15-year-old boy in the West Bank. The violence has resulted in hundreds of deaths among Palestinian children since October 7, 2023, according to local health authorities and human rights groups.
Key Facts
An Israeli drone strike hit the Wadi al-Salqa bridge in central Gaza, killing an eight-year-old boy named Malik Wael Abu Shaweesh and two men.
Another Israeli airstrike on a beach in southern Gaza killed two people and injured 27 more.
A 15-year-old Palestinian boy named Ahmad Jawad Jaber died after being shot during an Israeli raid in the West Bank near Ramallah.
Human rights group B’Tselem reports that Israeli forces have killed 241 Palestinian children and teenagers in the West Bank since October 7, 2023.
Israeli authorities have refused to return some bodies of Palestinian children to their families.
At least 1,085 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli forces or settlers in the West Bank since October 7, 2023.
Over 73,000 Palestinians have died in Gaza during the same period, according to the Gaza health ministry.
Violence continues despite concerns expressed by Palestinian officials and human rights organizations.
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Ranch dressing is very popular with visitors to the United States. Because many people were trying to bring bottles of ranch dressing in their carry-on luggage, the U.S. Transportation Security Administration (TSA) issued a public notice asking travelers not to do this.
Key Facts
Ranch dressing is a type of salad dressing that started in the U.S.
It has become popular with people visiting the U.S. from other countries.
Many travelers tried to bring bottles of ranch dressing home in their carry-on bags.
The TSA, which controls airport security, made a public announcement about this issue.
The TSA reminded travelers not to bring ranch dressing bottles in carry-on luggage to avoid security problems.
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A new study from MIT examined whether ozone layer damage could have been detected earlier than previously thought, using today’s scientific methods applied to past data. The study shows ozone loss started before the wide use of CFCs, with other chemicals contributing, and it suggests ozone depletion could have been spotted as early as the late 1950s.
Key Facts
Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs), linked to ozone damage, were discovered to harm ozone in 1974.
The ozone hole over Antarctica was found in 1985, leading to a global ban on CFCs in 1987.
Before CFCs, carbon tetrachloride, an older industrial solvent, contributed to ozone depletion.
Ice core data confirms carbon tetrachloride was present in the atmosphere at higher levels than early CFCs in 1950.
Ozone forms in the atmosphere through sunlight and oxygen, and natural factors like solar cycles and volcanic eruptions cause variability.
Researchers used modern climate models with historical data to simulate ozone levels starting from 1850.
The model suggests ozone depletion could have been detected in the upper stratosphere over the tropics by 1957.
Detection over Antarctica’s ozone hole area might have been possible by 1976, much earlier than when it was officially discovered.
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A JetBlue pilot reported hitting a drone while landing at New York’s JFK Airport. The pilot of Flight 948 was flying from Las Vegas when the incident happened at about 3,000 feet in the sky.
Key Facts
The incident involved JetBlue Flight 948 coming from Harry Reid International Airport in Las Vegas.
The pilot reported striking the drone while descending to land at JFK Airport in New York.
The drone was contacted at approximately 3,000 feet altitude.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) confirmed the report.
No information about damage or injuries has been released yet.
The event took place on Monday morning.
Authorities are likely investigating the incident.
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Pakistani military strikes targeted Taliban-allied fighters in Afghanistan, killing at least 36 civilians and injuring 163. Pakistan said the strikes were precise actions against fighters and were done in response to recent attacks on Pakistan by armed groups.
Key Facts
Pakistani strikes hit areas in Afghanistan where Taliban-allied fighters were located.
At least 36 Afghan civilians died in the strikes.
Around 163 people were wounded during the attacks.
Pakistani officials said the strikes killed 29 fighters linked to Taliban allies.
Pakistan described the strikes as "precision strikes," meaning they aimed to hit specific targets.
The strikes were in response to multiple recent attacks inside Pakistan by armed groups.
Afghan villagers examined the damage to their homes after the strikes.
Islamabad is the capital city of Pakistan, from where the military statements were made.
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Israeli forces fired artillery and flares at a village in southern Syria overnight. The attack caused panic and led some families to leave their homes for nearby towns.
Key Facts
Israeli forces attacked a village in southern Syria.
They used artillery (large guns) and illumination flares (bright lights to see at night).
The attack happened during the night.
Syrian state media reported that residents were scared by the attack.
Families fled the village to find safety in other towns close by.
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A 21-year-old man named Aaron Levi Cantillo was rescued alive from a collapsed apartment building in La Guaira, Venezuela. This happened 106 hours after two earthquakes hit the area, with rescue teams from Venezuela, Mexico, and El Salvador involved.
Key Facts
Two earthquakes struck La Guaira, Venezuela.
Aaron Levi Cantillo was trapped in rubble for 106 hours (over four days).
Rescue teams from Venezuela, Mexico, and El Salvador worked together.
The rescue took place in a collapsed apartment building.
Salvadoran President Nayib Bukele called the rescue a “miracle.”
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Three firefighters died and two were injured while fighting wildfires along the Colorado-Utah border. The fires are part of a larger pattern of severe wildfires across the western United States, fueled by dry weather and low winter snow.
Key Facts
The three firefighters were part of a special helicopter crew that quickly responds to new fires in remote areas.
They died after using emergency shelters to protect themselves from fast-moving flames.
Wildfires have spread across the western U.S. due to dry weather and a record low snowpack this winter.
More than two dozen large fires are burning in the U.S., with about half in Alaska.
Nearly 8,000 firefighters and many helicopters are working to control the fires.
The national wildfire preparedness level was raised to 4 out of 5, indicating resources are strained.
Fire dangers are high in Colorado, Wyoming, South Dakota, and the High Plains because of strong winds.
The wildfire deaths happened nearly 13 years after a similar tragedy in Arizona, where 19 firefighters died under similar circumstances.
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