Two powerful earthquakes struck Venezuela within seconds, flattening buildings, cutting communications and forcing residents to sleep in streets and squares. More than 160 deaths have been reported by the BBC, while officials warned the toll could rise sharply as rescuers reach hard-hit areas.
News Mash
Oil tankers used a U.N.-recommended route near Oman to leave the Persian Gulf despite Iran’s warning that unauthorized crossings of the Strait of Hormuz are prohibited. The crossings come amid U.S.-Iran disputes over control, fees and traffic rules under a temporary reopening agreement.
IBM says its new NanoStack chip design could fit 100 billion transistors on a fingernail-sized chip and deliver up to 50% better performance or 70% greater energy efficiency. The technology is not yet ready for mass production, with IBM projecting a possible path to manufacturing within five years.
Donald Trump described Andy Burnham as “extremely liberal” and suggested he would resist new North Sea drilling if he becomes prime minister. Burnham, the new MP for Makerfield, is the only declared candidate to replace Keir Starmer as Labour leader.
The Senate rejected a measure to restrict President Trump’s authority to wage war against Iran after Sens. Bill Cassidy and Rand Paul shifted from earlier support. The vote followed a tense closed-door meeting between Trump and Senate Republicans.
Brent crude has fallen to levels last seen before the Iran war as shipping through the Strait of Hormuz gradually resumes. The rebound in traffic follows a U.S.-Iran memorandum setting up 60 days of negotiations, though disputes over fees and vessel authorization remain.
Two major earthquakes struck northern Venezuela seconds apart, collapsing buildings in Caracas and prompting a state of emergency. Officials reported deaths and hundreds of injuries as rescuers searched rubble and foreign governments offered aid.