International

Summary The death toll from Venezuela’s devastating earthquake sequence has risen to at least 589, with many still missing. International rescue teams from multiple countries have arrived in the disaster zone. The rare “doublet” earthquake — two strong quakes in rapid succession — caused unprecedented destruction. Details The earthquake sequence began earlier this week in northwestern Venezuela. The death toll has climbed from an initial 75 to 235 and now to 589, with rescue operations hampered by collapsed buildings and destroyed roads. ...

A powerful 7.5 magnitude earthquake has struck Venezuela, causing buildings to collapse in the capital Caracas. Emergency rescue operations are underway across the affected regions.

The US government announced it will terminate funding for South Africa HIV prevention programs, citing disagreements over alleged Afrikaner persecution. The move could deprive millions of South Africans of critical treatment resources, triggering strong reactions from the global public health community.

The US State Department announced that Israel and Hezbollah have reached a ceasefire agreement, temporarily halting military operations in southern Lebanon. The deal follows 48 hours of intensified fighting that threatened the US-Iran peace process.

Core Summary Hezbollah has explicitly rejected a renewed ceasefire agreement reached between Israel and Lebanon, placing the emerging signs of de-escalation in the Middle East under severe test. The ceasefire arrangement previously announced by the United States failed to gain the endorsement of a key conflict participant, highlighting the complexity and fragility of the Middle East peace process. Event Details According to the BBC, the United States announced on Wednesday evening a renewed ceasefire arrangement agreed upon by Israel and Lebanon. However, Hezbollah immediately issued a statement rejecting the agreement, putting this diplomatic effort at risk of failure. ...

A luxury resort development in Albania backed by Jared Kushner has sparked local protests, according to the BBC. Demonstrators fear the project will damage protected natural environments along the Albanian coastline. Environmental groups have called on the government to reassess the project’s environmental impact before proceeding.

Iranian-French writer and filmmaker Marjane Satrapi has died at 56, according to NPR. Satrapi was renowned for her autobiographical graphic novel ‘Persepolis,’ later adapted into an animated film that won the Cannes Jury Prize. Her work profoundly depicted the impact of the Iranian Revolution on ordinary families, leaving a lasting global cultural legacy.