Turkey’s Disaster and Emergency Management Authority (AFAD) announced that two military transport aircraft are being sent to Venezuela to support rescue and humanitarian operations following recent earthquakes. Coordinating with the Turkish Armed Forces, one A-400M aircraft has been prepared to carry a 38-member search, rescue, and humanitarian team from Istanbul, Izmir, and Denizli. The flight will also include a five-member national medical rescue team, two Turkish Red Crescent personnel, two search dogs, and three fully equipped rescue vehicles.

The Turkish Ministry of National Defense has decided to send another A-400M aircraft carrying a 22-member Humanitarian Aid Brigade team and necessary equipment. AFAD stated that both aircraft will depart from Istanbul Atatürk Airport at 11:15 a.m. local time on Friday for Venezuela.

The aid mission follows two powerful earthquakes that struck Caracas and surrounding areas on Thursday, causing extensive damage and killing at least 235 people, with hundreds more trapped or missing.

Japan has announced a $15 million emergency humanitarian aid package for people in Iran, Lebanon, and the occupied West Bank. According to a statement from Japan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the assistance will be delivered through international organizations, including the International Committee of the Red Cross and the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies.

The funds will support urgent humanitarian activities such as healthcare, food supply, shelter, safe water access, and sanitation. In addition, Tokyo will provide an extra $640,000 through the Japan Platform to strengthen the relief operations of non-governmental organizations in Lebanon.

The Japanese government stated that the humanitarian support will be carried out in coordination with international partners to address the urgent needs of people affected by conflict and instability in these regions.

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has offered humanitarian and medical assistance to Venezuela following a devastating earthquake. In a message sent on Thursday to Venezuela’s interim president Delcy Rodríguez, Pezeshkian expressed condolences and sympathy over the casualties caused by the powerful tremors. He said the Islamic Republic stands by the Venezuelan government and people during this difficult time.

The Iranian president stated that Iran is ready to provide emergency relief, medical support, and humanitarian aid to help reduce the suffering of those affected and to assist in ongoing rescue and recovery operations. He described the earthquake as a tragic incident and expressed hope that the Venezuelan people would soon overcome the disaster.

According to reports, two strong earthquakes struck Venezuela on Wednesday night, leaving at least 235 people dead. The offer of assistance underscores Iran’s willingness to support Venezuela in its post-disaster recovery efforts.

Hezbollah Secretary-General Naim Qassem has warned that Israel must withdraw from Lebanon without any conditions. Speaking in a live broadcast on Friday, he said Israel’s presence in Lebanon was not due to missile threats but to occupy and control the country. Qassem emphasized that Hezbollah’s restraint was a deliberate strategy of patience, describing endurance as the only path to victory.

He declared that Hezbollah would not disarm north of the Litani River and that any discussion on weapons would occur only after Israel’s complete and unconditional withdrawal. Qassem claimed Israel’s aggression aimed to eliminate Hezbollah but said the group had successfully resisted. He urged Lebanese authorities to unite against the enemy and reject external interference, particularly from the United States and Israel.

Qassem also commented on a memorandum of understanding between Iran and the United States, calling it a formal declaration of defeat for both the U.S. and Israel, asserting that Iran’s steadfastness led to the agreement.

The United States is reassessing its military presence in the Middle East following Iranian attacks on bases in Gulf countries. According to a Wall Street Journal report, US officials are considering reducing their presence in Kuwait and Saudi Arabia while planning to rebuild the heavily damaged naval base in Bahrain. The Pentagon has not yet disclosed the extent of the damage.

The report adds that Washington is also weighing the possibility of relocating some bases and operations to Israel. Citing current and former US military personnel, satellite imagery, and social media footage, the report notes that Iran’s strikes caused significant damage to the US command headquarters and at least a dozen other buildings.

These developments have prompted a reassessment of the risks faced by US bases that remain within range of Iranian missiles and drones, as officials evaluate future deployment and security strategies in the region.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has expressed deep sorrow and sympathy over the loss of lives and extensive damage caused by a devastating earthquake in Venezuela. In a condolence message issued on Friday, he said he was deeply saddened by the large number of casualties and widespread destruction resulting from the disaster.

On behalf of the people of Bangladesh, the Prime Minister conveyed heartfelt condolences to the families of the victims and wished a speedy recovery for the injured. He also stated that the people of Bangladesh stand in solidarity with the people of Venezuela during this difficult time.

Tarique Rahman reaffirmed Bangladesh’s full support for the affected population and wished the Venezuelan government and citizens strength, courage, and a swift recovery from the crisis.

Iran launched a drone attack on a cargo ship in the Strait of Hormuz on Thursday, days after signing a peace agreement with the United States. The strike forced the United Nations to suspend its rescue operation for thousands of stranded sailors and hundreds of ships in the Persian Gulf. A US official confirmed the attack to CNN, while Iran has not officially claimed responsibility. The incident occurred shortly after Iran’s Revolutionary Guards warned against using unauthorized routes through the waterway.

The International Maritime Organization (IMO) said it paused its evacuation mission, which had been underway to relocate over 11,000 sailors since the war began. IMO Secretary-General Arsenio Domingo stated that safety must come first and the mission will remain suspended until conditions are clarified. The attacked vessel was not part of the IMO’s rescue framework. The strike also pushed global oil prices up by 2 percent to $74 per barrel.

The attack has cast uncertainty over the recently signed 60-day tariff-free maritime agreement between Washington and Tehran, which aimed to reopen the strait and ease economic sanctions while deferring nuclear discussions to later technical talks.

An Air India pilot has been dismissed after a passenger aircraft from Delhi to Amritsar accidentally entered Pakistan’s airspace on June 22, according to India’s civil aviation regulator DGCA. The Airbus A321 was instructed by air traffic control to hold in the air due to a bird strike inspection at Amritsar airport. During this holding pattern, at 10:08 p.m., the aircraft briefly crossed into Pakistani airspace before returning safely to Delhi.

DGCA stated that the aircraft entered Pakistani airspace for a short time while attempting to land under radar vectoring and that coordination was made with Pakistan’s air traffic control. The incident was not immediately reported, leading to disciplinary action against the pilot and an Amritsar air traffic controller. Air India confirmed the airspace violation and said an internal investigation is underway.

Airport officials said the incident occurred when Amritsar’s approach surveillance service was offline. After returning from Pakistani airspace, the flight diverted to Delhi due to low fuel and later completed its journey successfully.

Shipping through the Strait of Hormuz has surged by 105 percent after months of disruption caused by conflict and regional tensions. According to maritime intelligence firm Kepler, a record 70 vessels passed through the strait on June 24, including 53 commercial ships now considered lower risk. The increase follows U.S.-Iran agreements, the end of a U.S. naval blockade, and the use of a safer route cleared of mines with Omani assistance.

Oman recently announced a new shipping corridor in coordination with the International Maritime Organization, but Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) objected, saying the route was declared without consultation and posed security risks. Oman defended the corridor as compliant with international rules and confirmed that no transit fees would be charged.

Amid these developments, a cargo ship was struck by a projectile on June 25 while using a UN-approved route, though no casualties occurred. The U.S. and Iran continue talks to finalize a peace deal within 60 days, while oil prices have temporarily fallen below $73 per barrel as shipping activity recovers.

Two powerful earthquakes struck Venezuela’s capital Caracas and surrounding regions on Wednesday evening, causing widespread destruction and killing at least 235 people, according to the Health Ministry. Hundreds remain trapped under debris, and more than 46,000 people are listed as missing. The quakes, measuring 7.2 and 7.5 in magnitude, hit near San Felipe and Yumar within 39 seconds of each other, marking the strongest seismic event in the country since 1900.

Authorities reported over 1,520 injuries and the destruction of more than 250 buildings, including hospitals, the Red Cross headquarters, and the French Embassy. The coastal state of La Guaira, home to Caracas’s main airport, was declared a disaster zone by Acting President Delcy Rodríguez. Power outages and aftershocks have hampered rescue efforts, while residents complain of delayed government aid.

International assistance is mobilizing rapidly. The United States, Russia, and several European and Asian nations have pledged rescue teams and financial support. The UN is coordinating global relief efforts, emphasizing the scale of the humanitarian crisis in a country already struggling with economic collapse.

At least 11,000 people have been reported missing in Venezuela following a powerful earthquake, according to a report by Al Jazeera. The figure is not yet official, but the situation has left residents in deep uncertainty and fear. Many are said to be psychologically distressed as buildings collapsed and large cracks appeared on roads during the quake, which struck during a long holiday weekend when most people were at home.

Rescue operations are ongoing in the capital, Caracas. An opposition political coalition has launched an online link for citizens to report missing relatives, and so far around 11,000 names have been registered. However, this number only includes those with internet access who could submit information to the authorities.

Officials fear the actual number of missing people could be significantly higher, as many affected individuals may not have been able to report their cases due to connectivity or logistical challenges.

Four European countries—France, Spain, the Netherlands, and Switzerland—have announced the deployment of rescue teams, search dogs, and heavy equipment to Venezuela following a devastating earthquake. According to the report, French President Emmanuel Macron said an 85-member expert team would be sent immediately and expressed solidarity with Venezuela’s interim president Delcy Rodríguez. Spain’s defense ministry confirmed that a 54-member military emergency unit, equipped with trained dogs and modern rescue tools such as cameras and geophones, is ready for deployment.

The Netherlands announced both the dispatch of a rescue team and an allocation of about two million euros for personnel, dogs, and equipment. Switzerland stated that under its “Swiss Rescue Chain” program, an 80-member team, eight search dogs, and 18 tons of rescue materials would be sent as soon as possible.

Television footage on Thursday showed rescuers using electric machinery to clear debris from collapsed buildings in Caracas, where frightened residents fled their homes after the quake.

Russian President Vladimir Putin has expressed solidarity with Venezuela following devastating earthquakes that struck the country. According to a Kremlin statement cited by Al Jazeera, Putin conveyed deep sympathy and support to the people of Venezuela during what he described as a difficult time.

The twin earthquakes, which occurred on Thursday, caused severe destruction in several regions of Venezuela. Rescue operations have been intensified in the worst-affected areas as authorities continue to search for survivors. Official reports indicate that at least 164 people have been killed and nearly one thousand others injured, while many remain trapped under debris.

The Kremlin’s message underscores Russia’s expression of friendship and support for Venezuela as the country grapples with the aftermath of the disaster.

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.