Moscow (AFP) – Russian President Vladimir Putin acknowledges that his country is suffering from “a certain shortage” of fuel in an interview published by the Kremlin, after repeated Ukrainian strikes in their four-year war. “Of course, these attacks on our infrastructure facilities are causing problems, that’s obvious,” says Putin. “We are currently seeing a certain shortage, but it is not critical.”
Caracas (AFP) – Rescuers search a collapsed building in Caracas for survivors and bodies after Venezuela was hit by two powerful earthquakes that killed almost 1,500. IMAGES
La Guaira (Venezuela) (AFP) – Search and rescue teams in La Guaira break down rubble of collapsed buildings to try to find trapped people as the death toll from the quakes, that struck within a minute of each other, had reached 920, with the United Nations’ aid chief Tom Fletcher warning AFP the figure could rocket. IMAGES
Caracas (AFP) – People discharge water supplies from a truck in Caracas while people queue to receive a drink after deadly twin earthquakes in Venezuela may have affected almost seven million people, the UN says, as almost 1,000 people have died and rescuers race to locate survivors and victims under the rubble. IMAGES
Rom (AFP) – With summer temperature soaring around Europe, including in Italy, Rome’s Bioparco zookeepers are providing ice pops and frozen foods to animals, from giraffes to seals to capybaras, to help them cope with the heat. At least 150 million people in Europe are expected to experience temperatures above 35C, according to AFP calculations based on forecasts.
Caracas (AFP) – The death toll from Venezuela’s twin earthquakes has more than doubled to 589, interim President Delcy Rodriguez says, as rescuers race to find survivors beneath collapsed buildings. “Regrettably, we now have 589 people who died,” Rodriguez says during a televised meeting with military and civilian officials.
Yangon (AFP) – Myanmar authorities torch seized drugs they say are worth an estimated $525 million, including 31 different classes, to mark the UN’s International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking. Analysts say crumbling governance since a military putsch in 2021 triggered a civil war has allowed all sides in Myanmar to profit from the illicit drug trade.
(AFP) – Hezbollah leader Naim Qassem says Israel has “no option” but to unconditionally withdraw from the Lebanese areas it occupies. His televised speech is made as Shia Muslims across the country mark Ashura, a day of mourning for the death of Hussein, a key figure in Shia Islam. Hezbollah drew Lebanon into the war in the Middle East on March 2 with rocket fire at Israel to avenge the killing of Iran’s supreme leader in US-Israeli strikes. Israel responded with airstrikes and an invasion that Lebanon says have killed more than 4,200 people.
Margate (AFP) – A passing van offers armed police an impromptu lift as they chase down a fleeing suspect in the Thanet area of Kent, in bodycam footage shared by police from June 2026. Armed police were responding to reports of a serious assault when the suspect fled.
Peking (AFP) – China says it is ready to provide “what help it can” to Venezuela after two massive earthquakes killed at least 32 people and injured hundreds. “China is willing to provide what help it can in an appropriate manner according to the needs of the Venezuelan side,” foreign ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun tells a news briefing.
Schukowski (AFP) – President Vladimir Putin boards three passenger plane models being developed by Russia. After the inspection in a hangar of an aviation research institute in Moscow region, Putin meets with officials and says all three models were of “solid” quality. Aviation in Russia was one of the worst-hit industries when manufacturers left Russia following the start of Moscow’s offensive on Ukraine in 2022 and the introduction of economic sanctions by Western countries in retaliation.
