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As rescue efforts intensify, the death toll from the Venezuela earthquake has risen to 1,400.
On Saturday, the death toll in Venezuela's twin earthquakes reached 1,400 as foreign rescue teams poured into Venezuela and authorities pressed on the search for survivors along the?most severely affected?coastal areas. Rescuers have been working across La Guaira, and in parts of Caracas for days, pulling bodies and survivors from the rubble. They often complain about the lack of heavy equipment, and of an official presence. Officials announced that more than 1,600 foreigners had arrived, and that other teams were on their way. This is part of a growing international response following the twin earthquakes that hit on Wednesday. They also unleashed hundreds aftershocks. Residents in?La Guaira - a popular beach state - said that the response to the disaster had been uneven. Some people were digging through collapsed building by hand, searching for missing relatives. Jorge Rodriguez, a top lawmaker in the country, told state television that 1,430 people had died. He stated that thousands of people had been injured and families were moved to shelters. Aid was also being distributed in the disaster zones, particularly La Guaira. He said that authorities are still monitoring the frequent aftershocks. This highlights the power of the twin earthquakes as well as the difficulties faced by rescue workers working in unstable conditions. The authorities continued to restrict the access to La Guaira, and maintained controls on the main road from Caracas. They said that traffic was slowing down emergency vehicles. Citizens who were not part of official rescue teams required credentials to pass the checkpoints. The power was slowly restored throughout the entire region. Venezuela's power system, which has been crippled for years by underinvestment and sanctions, is prone to problems that cause daily blackouts lasting hours in certain regions. 55,000 MISSING Despite the fact that the government claims hundreds of people are missing or trapped in the rubble, a website run by the opposition lists more than 55,000 as missing. The U.S. Geological Survey estimates that more than 10,000 people could have died from the magnitudes 7.2 and 7.4, which would make them the deadliest quakes in Latin America of the past century. The disaster may have political implications for Rodriguez who, despite serving as Nicolas Maduro's vice-president, was arrested and ousted by the U.S. last January. Pope Leo spoke in Rome on Saturday and offered prayers for the victims, their family members and those who are involved in relief efforts. He also expressed his hope that global solidarity would continue with Venezuela. In the wake of?the earthquakes, the U.S. sent aid to Venezuela. On Saturday, a senior U.S. official stated that the Trump administration has committed $150 million in addition to a $9-figure package that will be announced within the next few days. White House officials also said that the renewed push by Venezuelan opposition Maria Corina Machado to get U.S. assistance for her return home, after she?left Venezuela last year, is frustrating Washington senior officials, who say it's too soon following the disaster. Vivian Sequera reported from La Guaira; additional reporting was provided by Mayela Armes and Deisy buitrago in Caracas; Julia Symmes Cobb from Bogota; Eliana Raszewski from Buenos Aires, and Karen J. Brettell, in Washington. Julia Symmes Cobb wrote the article. Alexander Smith, Alistair Bell, and Chizu Nomiyama edited it.
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Rare light aircraft crash in Beijing kills pilot, injures 13 people
The local government reported that a light aircraft crashed into Beijing's tallest building, killing the pilot, and injuring?13 other people not on board. This was an unusual accident, especially for Beijing, where the airspace is severely restricted. In a statement released on Saturday, the district government of Chaoyang said that those injured were receiving medical attention and that authorities were investigating the incident. A single-engined, two-seater light sport aircraft collided into a highrise building near the East third ring road of Chaoyang at 5:55 pm (0955 GMT), according to a statement posted on social media. The statement did not give any further details about the cause of the crash. The damage to the skyscraper's facade appeared to be limited by a hole created by the loss two large glass panels. As of Saturday, the gap was temporarily boarded. The crash of the 528 metre high building known as CITIC Tower, or China Zun in Beijing's Central Business District was reported on?Friday. It is located about 6km (3.7miles) from the Forbidden city, which attracts thousands of tourists every day. The compound Zhongnanhai is home to the top Chinese political leaders' offices. Beijing has banned drones from being bought, rented or flown without prior authorization since May, citing public safety concerns. The 'last aircraft crash' in Beijing occurred in 2022 when a tourist helicopter crashed on a flight between Changping and Fangshan, killing both pilots. (Reporting and editing by Jacqueline Wong, Alexander Smith, and Ryan Woo)
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US Safety Agency Ends Power Steering Probe into 376,000 Tesla Electric Vehicles
U.S. safety officials said that they have 'closed' their investigation into Tesla vehicles over power steering problems, due to a re-call carried out by the company 'last year. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration said that the investigation was a technical analysis and covered 376 241 Model 3 or Model Y cars from the model year 2023. NHTSA opened a preliminary evaluation of Tesla Model 3 and Model Y reports on loss of steering control in July 2023 after some owners complained about an inability to move the steering wheel, or an increased effort required. The investigation was upgraded to an engineering analysis in early 2024 to investigate further the alleged defect. Tesla recalled 376,000 vehicles in the U.S. early in 2025 due to the failure of the power-steering assist feature. This could make vehicles 'harder to handle, especially at low speeds and increase the risk of a collision. It said that the recall did not follow up on an investigation by NHTSA, which was still pending at the time. The recall stated that Tesla released a software update over the air to prevent overvoltage and overstress on motor drive components of the printed circuit boards, which caused an increase in steering effort. The NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation announced that it would close its engineering analysis in light of Tesla's recall. (Reporting and editing by Alexander Smith in Bengaluru, Disha Mishra)
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Norway oil service lockout comes into effect and disrupts offshore drilling
Around 1,000 Norwegian oil workers were 'locked out' on Saturday morning, in an escalation of a labour dispute. This is expected to disrupt drilling on the Norwegian continental shelf and some production. Offshore Norway, a group of industry representatives, announced on Friday that the lockout was declared in response to a strike by hundreds of members of Safe. The lockout will affect SLB, Halliburton and Subsea 7, DOF Subsea and Weatherford. Offshore Norway, a group representing the oil and gas industry in Norway, said that due to the strike and lockout next week, oil and natural gas production could fall by 12,000 barrels equivalent per day (boepd). Offshore Norway reported that around 1,000 members of the Safe?union covered by well service agreements would be forced to stop work due to the lockout at 0700?CET (0500 GMT), Saturday morning, out of the 1,770 members covered under the wage agreement. The lockout excludes about 500 people in safety-critical positions. Safe said, however, that it would withdraw an additional 63 members of the 500 remaining members on July 1 in addition to the 378 members who are already on strike. Offshore Norway, a group that represents employers, said Friday that four mobile rigs and five fixed installations, as well as one intervention vessel, have completely stopped drilling operations and well operations because of the strike. If the strike continues after mid-July, the impact could be significant, with production losses exceeding 120,000 boepd. Norway is Europe's top pipeline gas supplier, and it produces about 2% global oil or 4 million boepd of total oil and gas. Safe began its strike on 15 June after failing to reach a wage deal, while Styrke accepted the offer. If it believes that a strike or lockout is detrimental to the vital economic interests of the country, then government intervention can be taken. "The threshold of intervention is high." Kjersti Stenseng, Labour Minister, said on Tuesday that compulsory wage arbitration should be a last option. (Reporting and editing by Louise Rasmussen, Jacqueline Wong, and Nerijus Adomiaitis)
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Saks Global emerges with a new name and lower debt
After nearly five months, luxury retailer Saks Global emerged from Chapter 11 bankruptcy on Friday. It now has a new ownership structure and corporate name as well as a smaller footprint of stores and less debt. After a restructuring that took place in the last few months, Saks has closed down most of its low-priced locations. The new company, Exemplar Luxury Group will be focusing on luxury retail. The reconstituted ELG board will consist of two representatives from each investment firm Pentwater Capital Management or Bracebridge Capital that worked with Saks in the restructuring process. Saks, which had been struggling with poor sales for over a year and accumulating debt, defaulted on vendor payments and filed for bankruptcy in January, sought protection from the courts. ELG announced on Friday that its debt was reduced by 75% in the restructuring. Richard Baker, a real estate tycoon, orchestrated the December 2024 merger of Neiman 'Marcus with the company. This caused inventory problems and cash shortages at?its stores. It also strained its relationship with key vendors like Chanel, LVMH, and Kering. Saks Global, with a $3.4 billion debt, filed for bankruptcy just a little over a year after its merger.
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Tanker seized from the shadow fleet near Marseille
Local authorities reported that an oil tanker believed to be part of Russia's shadow fleet was taken into the waters near Marseille, France, on Friday, just a day after it had been seized by France near Sicily. The Deliver is one of nine vessels that have been confiscated across Europe since the start of 2026. All are believed to have been used by Russia to evade Western sanction on its oil trade. The?Bouches du Rhone Prefecture reported that the boat was taken to Fos Gulf. It added that "it will be anchored at the disposal of the Marseille public prosecutor in order to investigate the alleged crime of sailing under false flag." According to TASS, the Russian embassy in France referred to the seizure as "another instance of piracy", and that it was "illegal and unacceptable" from the perspective of international law. According to a military source, the vessel was still flying under the 'Cameroonian flag' despite being formally removed from Cameroon registry weeks before. This meant that it was navigating without nationality, and in violation of 'international maritime law. The source claimed that this allowed France to board the ship and hold it. (Reporting and editing by Andrew Heavens; Dominique Vidalon)
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UN agency works to restart Hormuz Evacuations after Ship Attack
A top U.N. official announced on Friday that the United Nations was working with countries to resume the evacuating of hundreds of vessels and thousands of stranded seafarers in the Strait of Hormuz, after this effort had been halted earlier in the week. The U.N. International Maritime Organization announced on Thursday that it had "temporarily paused' its evacuation initiative following the attack on a container vessel operated by Taiwan-based Evergreen. IMO Secretary General Arsenio Dominguez said that 115 ships and around 2,500 seafarers were able to navigate through the strait, before evacuations ceased. Dominguez stated that he is working "vigilantly", and has been in contact with various parties, including Oman, Iran, the United States of America, "to find these assurances that were given at the beginning that vessels would not be targeted". He said that as soon as he received confirmation, they would be ready to resume the evacuation process. However, he did not specify a timeline for a restart. IMO CHIEF: EVACUATIONS TO COMPLETE WILL TAKE WEEKS Tehran reasserted on Friday its right to control the shipping in this critical waterway, and warned its Gulf neighbors against siding with Washington. Dominguez stated that his main contact in Iran is with the maritime authority and foreign minister. He said: "I must maintain the positive attitude that there is progress in this conflict, and at least ships are sailing safely through." He said that the IMO is investigating "the motives and reasons" of the attack. The evacuation plan included two "channels" for leaving the strait: either through Iranian waters to the north, or Omani waters to the south. The Traffic Separation Scheme adopted by the IMO in 1968 established routes through Iranian and Omani water?in this strait. The central section is not currently usable because of the presence, according to Dominguez, of around 80 explosive mines. He said that it would take "a few weeks" to evacuate the?just over 500 vessels still needing to be evacuated. The sooner we resume operations, the faster we can increase the number of people until the evacuation is completed. (Reporting and editing by Joe Bavier; Jonathan Saul)
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Iraq asks for a review of quotas as OPEC restores production allocations
Iraq's Oil -Ministry announced on Friday that OPEC had 'begun slowly restoring Iraq’s prewar production allocations'. This'move', it claimed, would'strengthen Iraq's output 'capacity' and support the recovery of its oil industry. Baghdad, according to a state-run news agency, supports a reevaluation of OPEC's production quotas in order to reflect the conditions of member?states, including Iraqi economic and security circumstances. The statement said that Iraq's Prime minister Ali?Faleh Al-Zaidi has not spoken about the possibility of Iraq quitting OPEC. Sources with knowledge said that Iraq, OPEC’s second largest producer - after Saudi Arabia - and one of the five founding'members', had considered 'leaving the group if it did not allow Baghdad a significant increase in oil production. This would be a major blow to the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC), which was already hit by the departure of the United Arab Emirates less than two months earlier. Oil is the main source of income for the country, but this has decreased since the Iran war effectively stopped exports through the Strait of Hormuz. Iraq's Oil Ministry?said later on Thursday that reports suggesting Baghdad might consider?ending its membership to OPEC didn't reflect the official position of the Iraqi Government. The quota set by Iraq for July is 4.38 million barrels per day, but the current production is well below that due to the disruption caused by Hormuz. Reporting by Muayad Haeed, Writing and Editing by Muhammad Al Gebaly
Fans of the World Cup in Los Angeles, a city dominated by cars, embrace buses and trains
On every World Cup matchday, tens and thousands of American and international fans throng Union Station, in downtown Los Angeles, to take special buses directly?to Inglewood Stadium, while thousands watch from the "Fan" Zone inside and outside of the ornate Art Deco Station.
When a soccer fan is lost, "ambassadors", who are there to guide them, will help them find the Fan Zone or buses. If they feel overwhelmed by heat or stress, "calming pods" or hydration centers can be used.
Armando Roma, manager of the civil rights, inclusion, and racial equity group at LA Metro, said that some people have come into the station and are overwhelmed by the noise and activity.
We've had people come in to breastfeed and pray.
LA Metro is not making a lot of money off the World Cup. The cost of a round-trip to the stadium is $3.50. Hundreds of extra staff are being hired, buses are being decorated in World Cup livery and traffic control and security surrounding the stadium make transport logistics more difficult than they already are.
LA Metro's strategy to "build the most ambitious transportation network in the United States" includes doubling down on World Cup opportunities.
For those who are familiar with the city's freeways and car culture it is not difficult to draw visiting football fans into the system.
Crystal Gristina from New Orleans said, "We didn't like to be stuck in traffic, and this was cheaper." She was traveling with her husband, children and friends to the U.S.-Turkey game on Thursday.
They also did not find it attractive to rent a car, and pay about $200 in parking fees near the stadium.
The train was fun
Brandon Luna, 29, from San Diego, and Brian Stanton 51, his uncle from Maryland, on the U.S. East Coast had just arrived by Amtrak train from San Diego. They were waiting in line for the World Cup bus.
Luna said, "On Amtrak, you chill out, you sit down, have a drink and watch the ocean pass by." "I saw the World Cup busses?around the country and said, 'Yup! That's what's going to happen.'"
Stanton was initially skeptical about taking public transportation in Southern California. He said "the train was enjoyable," and that some U.S. fans were dressed as historical figures like George Washington.
More than 20,000 people have taken the World Cup buses to every match, and thousands more took normal buses or trains to reach the stadium area.
More than 52,000 people used the transit system for the June 18 Switzerland-Bosnia and Herzegovina game, which is more than half of the stadium's total capacity. LA Metro reports that ridership has increased during the tournament.
In the Fan Zone of Union Station, thousands of Colombian and German fans cheered their teams.
Many fans would not be attending the match in the stadium, but instead had come downtown to share a fan experience.
"We wanted to feel the World Cup, the fan-fest and to just be part of it," said Jorge Yunda 45, an Ecuadorean American, who came to Union Station along with his wife and sons, a grandson and his sister-in law and her family. "We love it. "We love it. (Reporting and editing by Christian Radnedge; Ed White, Reporting)
(source: Reuters)