Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami has expressed deep sorrow and sympathy following the devastating twin earthquakes that struck Venezuela early Thursday local time, causing numerous deaths, injuries, and extensive damage. The party’s Secretary General, Mia Golam Porwar, conveyed condolences in a statement released to the media on Thursday.

In his message, Porwar prayed for the proper honor of the deceased and extended heartfelt sympathy to the families of the victims and the injured. He noted that the people of Venezuela are enduring a difficult time and urged both the Venezuelan government and the international community to provide necessary humanitarian assistance and strengthen rehabilitation efforts for those affected.

Porwar also expressed hope that the Venezuelan government and its citizens would soon overcome the severe disaster and recover from the crisis.

At least 164 people have been confirmed dead and 971 injured after two powerful earthquakes struck Venezuela on Wednesday evening. Acting President Delcy Rodríguez announced the updated figures on the country’s state television on Thursday. The quakes, measuring 7.2 and 7.5 in magnitude, were among the strongest to hit Venezuela in more than a century and were felt across the region.

Footage broadcast on state television showed rescuers pulling three dust-covered children alive from the rubble in La Guaira state, which suffered the most severe damage. Rodríguez declared La Guaira a disaster zone, noting that numerous buildings had collapsed and that rescue and relief operations were being intensified in the area.

Authorities have focused emergency efforts on search, rescue, and relief operations in the worst-affected zones as the country assesses the full extent of the destruction.

Israeli forces shot and killed an unarmed Palestinian man inside his bedroom during a raid in the occupied West Bank. The incident occurred on Tuesday in the village of Sarta, west of Salfit, according to local media reports. The victim, identified as Mustafa Taha Mustafa al-Khatib, was hit multiple times in the chest, head, and arm. His uncle, Yasin al-Khatib, said the soldiers broke into the house after Mustafa delayed opening the door because he had been asleep.

According to Yasin al-Khatib, Israeli troops entered the bedroom and opened fire as Mustafa was trying to get dressed. Local residents were prevented from providing first aid, and he died from his injuries before medical workers could reach him. After the soldiers withdrew, his body was taken to a hospital.

The report noted that such late-night raids by Israeli forces are frequent in the occupied West Bank, often resulting in deaths and arrests. Palestinian prisoner rights groups say around 9,300 Palestinians are currently held in Israeli prisons, nearly half without charge or trial.

U.S. President Donald Trump announced that the United States will provide assistance to Venezuela following two powerful earthquakes that struck the country. In a post on Truth Social on Wednesday, Trump said the U.S. is ready to offer all necessary support and has directed federal agencies to take swift action. According to Anadolu, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio also expressed condolences to the families of the victims and confirmed that search and rescue teams, medical supplies, and humanitarian aid are being sent immediately to Venezuela.

Venezuelan acting President Delcy Rodríguez expressed gratitude to the United States for its support during this difficult time, thanking the Trump administration for its solidarity with the Venezuelan people. The U.S. Geological Survey reported that the first quake, measuring 7.2 magnitude, was followed about 40 seconds later by a 7.5 magnitude quake, the strongest recorded in Venezuela in 125 years.

No official figures on casualties or damage have yet been released. The Venezuelan government has declared a state of emergency nationwide, and a tsunami warning has been issued across the Caribbean region.

Venezuelan interim president Delcy Rodríguez said that saving human lives is the government’s top priority following a powerful earthquake that struck the country. She confirmed that authorities are working to rescue people trapped under collapsed buildings and that international rescue teams from the United States, the Dominican Republic, Mexico, and El Salvador are expected to arrive within hours.

Rodríguez described La Guaira state, north of Caracas, as the most affected area, calling it a disaster zone and a true tragedy after dozens of buildings collapsed. She noted that at least 32 people have been killed and more than 700 injured, though the death toll does not yet include figures from La Guaira. The government has prepared hotels and shelters for those who lost their homes and suspended all nonessential public and educational activities.

The Venezuelan government also announced the closure of Simón Bolívar International Airport due to severe terminal damage, halting all operations until further notice.

At least five people, including two children, were killed in overnight Ukrainian drone attacks on Russia and the Russian-controlled Crimean Peninsula, according to local officials on June 25, 2026. The strikes also caused a fire at a large oil storage facility in southern Russia. Russia’s Defense Ministry claimed its forces shot down 269 Ukrainian drones over Russia and Crimea during the night.

Crimean leader Sergei Aksyonov reported two deaths, including a child, and two injuries in Crimea. In Russia’s Bryansk region, a 23-year-old driver and a 15-year-old girl were killed, while another person died in Belgorod. Officials in Krasnodar Krai said debris from a downed drone ignited a blaze at the Poltavskaya oil depot. Ukraine’s military stated that its operations targeted Russian military and energy infrastructure to reduce Moscow’s wartime fuel revenue.

Ukraine’s air force said Russia launched 90 drones and one Iskander missile overnight, of which 83 drones were intercepted. The Ukrainian railway authority reported one worker killed in a Russian strike on a train in Zaporizhzhia. The report noted that Ukraine has intensified drone attacks inside Russia in recent months as retaliation for frequent Russian strikes.

India has reopened tourist visa services for Bangladeshi citizens after almost two years of suspension. The announcement was made on June 25, 2026, by Dinesh Trivedi, India’s new High Commissioner in Dhaka, following his visit to the Indian Visa Application Centre in the city. Applications for tourist visas will be accepted starting June 28.

According to the report, India had halted the issuance of tourist visas to Bangladeshis since August 5, 2024, following the fall of the Awami League government. Earlier, on February 18 of this year, India’s Assistant High Commissioner in Sylhet, Aniruddha Das, stated that while medical and double-entry visas were active, tourist and other categories remained suspended but efforts were underway to resume them. The latest announcement confirms the restoration of the tourist visa category.

The reopening of tourist visa services is expected to normalize cross-border travel between Bangladesh and India, which had been limited to essential and medical purposes during the suspension period.

Brazilian journalist and geopolitical analyst Pepe Escobar has claimed that Pakistan’s military intelligence foiled an alleged Israeli plot to assassinate Pakistan’s army chief, Field Marshal Asim Munir, during a peace conference in Switzerland. Escobar made the claim in a discussion on social media platform X with Lebanese-Australian commentator Mario Nawfal, asserting that Israel’s intelligence agency Mossad was behind the plan targeting Munir and possibly other members of the Pakistani delegation.

According to Escobar, Pakistani intelligence acted after receiving what he described as highly reliable information about the plot. He said Pakistan then sent a direct warning to Israel through diplomatic channels, reportedly using Oman as an intermediary. Escobar linked the alleged plan to rising tensions between Israel and Pakistan, suggesting that the situation was more complex than publicly portrayed.

No officials from Israel, Pakistan, Switzerland, or the United States have confirmed the alleged assassination threat, and no public security alerts were issued during the conference. The event was attended by Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Asim Munir as part of peace discussions involving the United States and Iran.

Pakistan has expressed deep sorrow and solidarity following a powerful earthquake that struck Venezuela on Wednesday, killing at least 32 people and injuring more than a hundred. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif conveyed condolences to the Venezuelan government and people, particularly to the families of the victims, through a post on social media platform X.

Sharif stated that Pakistan stands with those affected during this difficult time and offered prayers for the injured. President Asif Ali Zardari also expressed grief over the loss of lives and destruction caused by the earthquake. In a statement issued by the presidential media office, he wished a speedy recovery for the injured.

The earthquake caused significant damage across Venezuela, prompting international responses and expressions of support from various countries, including Pakistan.

An Israeli soldier was killed and another injured during a military operation in southern Lebanon, the Israeli army confirmed on Thursday. The deceased, identified as Master Sergeant (Reserve) Basil Sweid, served as a driver in the 75th Battalion of the 7th Armored Brigade. According to the army, Sweid died at the scene when his fuel truck overturned during the operation. The injured soldier was taken to a hospital for treatment.

The Times of Israel reported that Sweid’s family has been notified of his death. The incident adds to a series of recent casualties involving Israeli forces in southern Lebanon. Earlier, a Hezbollah attack in the same region on Saturday killed one Israeli soldier and injured thirteen others, while another attack on Friday left four Israeli soldiers dead.

The repeated incidents highlight ongoing tensions and military activity in southern Lebanon, where clashes between Israeli forces and Hezbollah have continued in recent days.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio arrived in Bahrain on Thursday as part of a three-day regional tour aimed at securing Middle Eastern allies’ backing for the recent US-Iran agreement. His visit marks the final leg of the trip, during which he is presenting the terms of the deal to skeptical Gulf Arab partners and reassuring them of Washington’s commitment to their security interests.

Rubio acknowledged that introducing the peace agreement to Gulf leaders is a sensitive task. Many regional allies fear that excessive concessions to Tehran could strengthen Iran and disrupt the region’s security balance and oil flow. During his stay in Manama, Rubio is scheduled to meet with the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), a bloc of six Sunni monarchies including Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Oman, the United Arab Emirates, and Kuwait.

This mission represents the first high-level diplomatic engagement in the oil-rich Gulf region following last week’s US-Iran agreement, underscoring Washington’s effort to maintain regional stability and alliance confidence.

US Vice President JD Vance stated that Washington is reviewing the conditions for a possible sale of F-35 fighter jets to Turkey. He said the process involves verifying whether Turkey has met the necessary legal requirements under US law, and that he is working with the Pentagon to assess compliance before any transfer takes place.

Vance emphasized that the matter ultimately depends on the US Congress. He noted that Turkey must fully adhere to American legal standards before receiving the aircraft. The review aims to ensure that all statutory obligations are satisfied prior to any approval of the sale.

According to Vance, if Turkey meets the legal conditions, it will be eligible to obtain the F-35 jets. The statement reflects ongoing scrutiny of defense sales and the importance of congressional oversight in such transactions.

The United States is facing a critical test in Venezuela following a devastating earthquake that struck the country on Wednesday. According to a CNN report, the disaster comes after the Trump administration’s earlier pledge to rebuild Venezuela following the removal of President Nicolás Maduro. President Donald Trump had previously declared that the US would ‘manage’ the country and outlined a three-step plan involving stability, recovery, and transformation.

In the months since Maduro’s ouster, Trump has promoted the success of US involvement in Venezuela and his partnership with interim President Delcy Rodríguez. Just a day before the earthquake, Trump told a rally in Pennsylvania that Venezuela was ‘doing very well’ and that the US was profiting from the relationship. However, the situation on the ground remains dire, with 28 million Venezuelans struggling with inflation, low wages, censorship, and a deep humanitarian crisis.

Following the earthquake, Trump posted on Truth Social that the US government was ready to assist and had instructed all agencies to prepare for rapid action. It remains uncertain how far this commitment will extend and whether Washington can help Venezuela achieve the promised stability and economic growth.

U.S. President Donald Trump sharply criticized several European allies for what he described as inadequate support during the war against Iran. Speaking from the Oval Office alongside NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, Trump said the United States did not need any assistance but had expected stronger backing from European governments. He specifically mentioned disappointment with Italy, the United Kingdom, Spain, Germany, and France.

According to the report, Trump reiterated his earlier complaints that European allies had failed to provide sufficient support in the conflict with Iran. His remarks underscored ongoing tensions between Washington and key European partners over military cooperation and burden-sharing within the NATO alliance.

The comments, reported by Middle East Eye, reflect continued friction in transatlantic relations as the U.S. administration seeks greater alignment from European nations on its Middle East policies.

The United States has pledged emergency assistance to Venezuela after two powerful earthquakes struck the country’s northern coast on Wednesday evening. President Donald Trump announced that the U.S. government is ready, willing, and able to help, directing all agencies to prepare for rapid response. Acting Venezuelan President Delcy Rodríguez has declared a state of emergency following the disaster.

According to the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), the first quake, measuring 7.2 magnitude, hit near San Felipe, about 284 kilometers west of Caracas, followed 39 seconds later by a 7.5 magnitude quake near Yumar. The tremors caused widespread destruction across several states, including Trujillo, Carabobo, Miranda, and La Guaira. USGS estimated a 44 percent probability of fatalities reaching 10,000 and a 30 percent chance of exceeding 100,000 deaths due to the region’s vulnerable building structures.

U.S. Under Secretary for Foreign Assistance Jeremy Lewin said a disaster response team and task force have been mobilized to deliver search and rescue units, medical supplies, and humanitarian aid. Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau reaffirmed U.S. solidarity with the Venezuelan people and ongoing coordination with local authorities.