World News | June 25, 2026 Venezuela Hit by Back-to-Back 7+ Magnitude Earthquakes, At Least 32 Dead

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📰 Venezuela Struck by Two Major Earthquakes, At Least 32 Killed

Two powerful earthquakes struck western Venezuela on the afternoon of June 24 — a magnitude 7.2 foreshock followed less than a minute later by a 7.5 mainshock, according to the U.S. Geological Survey. The epicenter was near San Felipe in Yaracuy state, making this the country's strongest seismic event in more than a century.

Venezuela's acting president confirmed at least 32 people dead and over 700 injured, with dozens of buildings collapsed and the main international airport in Caracas severely damaged. A yellow tsunami alert was initially issued but later rescinded, with the U.S. Tsunami Warning System confirming "the tsunami threat from this earthquake has passed."

Rescue workers continue to search for survivors in the rubble of collapsed structures, while multiple nations have offered condolences and aid. The World Health Organization warned that the actual death toll could rise significantly due to the extent of infrastructure damage.

— CBS News

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📰 UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer Resigns, Andy Burnham Set to Succeed

Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced his resignation in a televised address from 10 Downing Street on June 22, becoming the sixth British premier to step down since Brexit — the UK's seventh prime minister in just a decade. The decision followed mounting internal party pressure after Labour's disastrous defeat in the Makerfield by-election.

Former Defence Secretary John Healey also resigned in protest over what he called inadequate defence spending plans. Andy Burnham, the Mayor of Greater Manchester and Labour's most popular politician, has declared his candidacy for party leader and secured key endorsements, positioning him as the likely successor.

The government announced that no major new policies or spending decisions would be made during the transition period. Starmer pledged an orderly transfer of power and full support for his successor. The political upheaval unfolds as Britain simultaneously grapples with record-breaking heat and economic challenges.

— NBC News

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📰 IAEA Confirms Iran Nuclear Inspections Will Proceed, Tehran Pushes Back

IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi signaled on June 24 in Tokyo that inspectors would visit Iran's uranium enrichment sites as part of the interim U.S.-Iran agreement, declaring inspections "are going to happen" — a key component in ending the U.S.-Iran war.

However, Tehran immediately countered that any inspection visits would only occur after a final deal is signed. This public disagreement underscores the deep mistrust between the two sides. The memorandum of understanding signed last week does not set a specific timeframe for renewed IAEA access to Iranian nuclear facilities.

The interim deal requires Iran to permanently halt high-level uranium enrichment, restore IAEA inspections, and implement the Additional Protocol allowing surprise inspections at undeclared sites. Analysts warn that the dispute over the inspection timeline could become a significant obstacle in negotiating a final agreement.

— NPR

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📰 White House Requests $87.6 Billion for Iran War Costs, Farm Aid, and Ebola Response

The Trump administration formally submitted an $87.6 billion supplemental funding request to Congress on June 24, with the bulk designated to replenish Pentagon stockpiles following the war against Iran. The request arrives at a politically fraught moment, as majorities in both chambers have already voted against further military action.

The package also includes aid for American farmers, renovations in Washington D.C., and funding to combat the Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Senator Patty Murray, the top Democrat on the Senate Appropriations Committee, blasted the request: "President Trump launched a reckless and costly war with Iran — without authorization from Congress or the support of the American people."

House Appropriations Committee Ranking Member Rosa DeLauro declared that Democrats "will not support tens of billions of dollars for Trump's aimless war." The fate of this funding request in Congress will serve as a crucial test of bipartisan consensus on Iran policy going forward.

— Al Jazeera

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📰 Record-Breaking Heatwave Scorches Europe, UK and France Shatter Temperature Records

An extreme heatwave sweeping across Western Europe reached its peak on June 24. The UK recorded 35.8°C in West Sussex, breaking the June temperature record that had stood since 1976. France experienced its hottest day ever for the second consecutive day, with parts of the country exceeding 40°C.

At least 40 people have drowned in France amid the heat, and widespread power outages have been reported. The World Health Organization warned that the heatwave is putting the health of tens of millions of Europeans at risk. Red heat alerts were in effect across 72 of France's 96 mainland departments, with emergency warnings also issued in Italy, Spain, and Portugal.

Meteorologists noted that this heatwave began nearly a week earlier than the 2025 European heatwaves, with global warming accelerating both the frequency and intensity of extreme weather events. The UN Secretary-General remarked during a visit to London: "London is cooking."

— BBC News

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📰 Asian Stocks Surge as Micron and Qualcomm Earnings Ease AI Valuation Fears

Asian equities rallied across the board on June 25, with tech-heavy markets in Japan and South Korea leading gains. Strong earnings and upbeat forecasts from chip giants Micron and Qualcomm helped alleviate investor concerns over stretched valuations in the artificial intelligence sector.

Micron disclosed that customers have committed $22 billion for its memory chips, while Qualcomm projected $15 billion in sales from its data center business by 2029 — both figures significantly exceeding market expectations and triggering a fresh wave of semiconductor buying.

Analysts view the rally as a sign of sustained confidence in long-term AI infrastructure demand. However, some caution that upcoming U.S. PCE inflation data and the final Q1 GDP estimate could still inject volatility into markets. Falling oil prices have also helped ease inflation concerns.

— Reuters

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📰 Gold Plunges Below $4,000, Bitcoin and Crude Oil Join Broad Sell-Off

Global commodity markets suffered a severe rout on June 24. Spot gold fell below the $4,000 per ounce threshold for the first time since November 2025, trading at $3,972 — representing a roughly 28% decline from its January 2025 all-time peak of $5,600. Silver fared even worse, plunging more than 50% from its record high.

Bitcoin tumbled below $60,000, hitting approximately $59,750 and reaching a new low for the year. WTI crude oil futures slid to around $70 per barrel, retreating to levels not seen since before the U.S.-Iran war began. Market analysts characterized the synchronized sell-off as a mass unwinding of the so-called "debasement trade."

Analysts attributed the rout to the U.S. dollar index reaching 2026 highs, rising Treasury yields, and a broader rotation into risk assets. Bitcoin partially rebounded in after-hours trading following Micron's strong earnings report.

— CoinDesk

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📰 U.S. Secretary of State Rubio Tours Gulf Allies to Reassure on Iran Deal

Secretary of State Marco Rubio visited the UAE, Kuwait, and Bahrain from June 23 to 25, seeking to reassure Gulf allies about the interim U.S.-Iran ceasefire agreement. All three nations were struck by Iranian missiles during the war and remain deeply skeptical of any deal with Tehran.

On June 24, Rubio met with the UAE president in Abu Dhabi, reaffirming Washington's commitment to regional security. He then traveled to Kuwait for talks with the country's leadership on the details of the agreement. Rubio assured all parties that any final deal would prioritize the security interests of Gulf allies.

The trip is viewed as a critical diplomatic effort by the Trump administration to repair relations with Gulf partners. Both the UAE and Kuwait host strategic U.S. military bases and both suffered civilian casualties from Iranian missile attacks. Analysts note that the Gulf states' long-standing distrust of Iran poses significant challenges to regional implementation of any U.S.-Iran agreement.

— Al Jazeera

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📰 Congo Ebola Outbreak Surpasses 1,000 Cases, France Confirms First Imported Case

The Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo continues to worsen, with over 1,000 confirmed cases and at least 250 deaths as of June 22. The World Health Organization warns that the outbreak is spreading faster than aid efforts can keep pace. Caused by the Bundibugyo virus strain, this is the first outbreak to surpass 1,000 cases since the 2018-2020 epidemic.

The outbreak was initially detected in the gold-mining town of Mongbwalu in Ituri Province before spreading to Bunia, North Kivu, South Kivu, and neighboring Uganda. On June 24, France's health ministry confirmed the country's first Ebola case — a doctor who had returned from a humanitarian mission in the affected region.

The U.S. CDC stated that no Ebola cases linked to this outbreak have been reported in the United States, assessing the risk to the general public as low. However, experts warn that there is currently no approved vaccine for the Bundibugyo virus strain, presenting a major challenge for containment efforts.

— Forbes

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📰 Ukraine Destroys Strategic Crimean Railway Bridge, Moscow Refinery Shut Until Year-End

Ukraine's military announced on June 24 that its special forces, working with the Crimean resistance movement, destroyed a strategic railway bridge over the North Crimean Canal near the village of Rozdolne. Drone footage released by Ukrainian forces showed the bridge — described as a key logistics route used by Russian forces — being hit in a precision strike.

Meanwhile, Reuters reported that Russia's Kapotnya oil refinery in Moscow, struck by Ukrainian drones on June 16 and 18, has been forced to halt operations until the end of 2026, requiring at least six months of repair work. President Zelensky threatened further pre-emptive strikes on Russian facilities linked to the war effort.

Russia's foreign ministry summoned the Romanian ambassador on June 25 to protest Bucharest's closure of the Russian consulate in Constanta. Analysts note that Ukraine is systematically raising the cost of war for Russia, targeting energy and logistics infrastructure to undermine Moscow's military capacity.

— Al Jazeera

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