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CARACAS: Jun 30 -- The death toll from two earthquakes that struck Venezuela last Wednesday has risen to 1,719, with more than 5,000 people injured, Venezuelan National Assembly President Jorge Rodriguez said on Monday, Xinhua reported. Providing the latest information, Rodriguez said 1,719 people were confirmed dead while 5,034 others were injured and 15,866 people were affected by the disaster.   -- BERNAMA-XINHUA

Venezuela earthquake: Death toll rises to 1,719

CARACAS: Jun 30 — The death toll from two earthquakes that struck Venezuela last Wednesday has risen to 1,719, with more than 5,000 people injured, Venezuelan National Assembly President Jorge .... read more

HAMILTON (CANADA): United Nations (UN) Secretary-General Antonio Guterres expressed deep concern over the latest hostilities between Afghanistan and Pakistan that have resulted in civilian casualties, Anadolu Ajansi (AA) reported. His spokesman Stephane Dujarric said in a press conference that the UN chief "urged for an immediate cessation of hostilities and the protection of civilians." Urging Afghanistan and Pakistan to "resolve their differences through diplomacy", Dujarric said: "We continue to urge all parties to comply with their obligations under international humanitarian law and continue to insist that civilians and civilian infrastructure must be protected at all times." Dujarric also referred to a statement from the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) which confirmed that "many civilians were killed and injured in airstrikes launched by Pakistan in Paktya, Paktika and Kunar provinces, all of which took place last night." "Our humanitarian partners also reported that the latest attacks are believed to have triggered displacement, while humanitarian partners on the ground are assessing needs and preparing to deliver emergency assistance," Dujarric added. Pakistan on Monday said it was targeting hideouts of armed groups in Afghanistan following several "terrorist" incidents in its territory, while Kabul claimed the latest attacks had killed dozens of civilians. The attack came after a group of gunmen stormed a security facility in the southern Pakistani port city of Karachi on Saturday, killing three paramilitary personnel and three attackers. Another attacker was captured and injured. Relations between the two neighboring countries remain tense following a series of attacks by armed groups in Pakistan in recent years, which have sparked several clashes in the border area. Islamabad accuses Kabul of allowing its territory to be used by militant groups, but Afghanistan denies the allegations. -- BERNAMA-ANATOLIA

UN concerned about latest Afghan, Pakistan hostilities

HAMILTON (CANADA): United Nations (UN) Secretary-General Antonio Guterres expressed deep concern over the latest hostilities between Afghanistan and Pakistan that have resulted in civilian casualties, Anadolu Ajansi (AA) reported. His .... read more

CHENGDU, CHINA: A total of 13 people were slightly injured as of 3.30 am Monday after an earthquake measuring 5.5 on the Richter scale struck Gaoxian County in Yibin City, southwest China's Sichuan Province, Xinhua reported, citing local authorities. All the injured victims were sent to hospital for treatment, while another 196 residents were evacuated to a safe location. According to the Yibin earthquake relief operation headquarters, relief and recovery efforts are being carried out in an orderly manner. The earthquake occurred at 12.12 midnight Monday Beijing time. According to the China Earthquake Networks Center, the epicenter was detected at a position of 28.50 degrees north and 104.69 degrees east, with a depth of six kilometers. The China Earthquake Administration also activated a Level III emergency response following the incident. -- BERNAMA-XINHUA

13 injured in a 5.5 magnitude earthquake in Sichuan

CHENGDU, CHINA: A total of 13 people were slightly injured as of 3.30 am Monday after an earthquake measuring 5.5 on the Richter scale struck Gaoxian County in Yibin City, .... read more

NEW YORK, June 25 -- The United Nations (UN) is mobilising assistance and working closely with the government and aid partners in response to the Venezuela earthquake emergency, UN humanitarians said on Thursday, reported Xinhua. The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) said that it is orchestrating the deployment of urban search-and-rescue teams arriving from several countries. Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator Tom Fletcher said in a statement that the UN and its humanitarian partners are fully mobilised to support the people of Venezuela. UN agencies in Venezuela are mobilising assistance and will deliver support as quickly as possible, he said, adding that the UN team is in close contact with Venezuela's acting president Delcy Rodriguez and relevant national authorities. Fletcher said that even before the earthquakes, nearly eight million people in Venezuela were in need of humanitarian support. “This disaster risks deepening existing vulnerabilities.” Stephane Dujarric, chief spokesman for UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, said the Venezuelan government has declared a state of emergency, while international support is rapidly mobilising multiple offers of assistance from across the region and beyond. A central coordination hub has been established in Caracas, and the UN is supporting efforts to ensure that assistance reaches those most in need as quickly and effectively as possible, he said. The spokesman said that reports indicated significant destruction across several states, including in the capital Caracas, reportedly killing and injuring many people, while others remain trapped or are still missing. Critical infrastructure has been damaged, and basic services have been disrupted. The secretary-general welcomed the offers of solidarity and support from UN member states. “The secretary-general expresses his solidarity with the people and Government of Venezuela,” Dujarric said. The UN Office of the High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) said that the effects of the earthquake are likely to exacerbate existing protection risks, particularly for returnees, displaced people and communities already facing barriers to services. “These risks include heightened risks of gender-based violence and unsafe or inadequate housing, and reduced access to health care, water, education and livelihoods, among others,” UNHCR said. -- BERNAMA-XINHUA  

UN Mobilising, Coordinating Relief In Response To Venezuela Quakes

NEW YORK, June 26 — The United Nations (UN) is mobilising assistance and working closely with the government and aid partners in response to the Venezuela earthquake emergency, UN humanitarians .... read more

CARACAS, June 26 -- The death toll from two powerful earthquakes that struck northern Venezuela on Wednesday has risen to 188, with 1,520 injured, National Assembly President Jorge Rodriguez said on Thursday, reported Xinhua. Speaking on Venezuelan state television, Rodriguez said that the country is racing against time to save the injured and the trapped, adding that the figures will be updated in the coming hours. About 200 people were trapped under rubble and 157 others remained missing, he said. Venezuela had recorded 138 aftershocks as of Thursday noon, said Rodriguez. Because of continuing aftershocks, the Venezuelan government declared several areas, including La Guaira state, disaster zones. At least 346 buildings were damaged, including eight hospitals, some of which had been evacuated, he said. Rodriguez said international rescue teams from several countries had arrived in Venezuela to help with relief operations. He also called on the public to donate emergency supplies at collection points across the country. Rescue workers were still searching for survivors in collapsed buildings, while heavy machinery had begun arriving at disaster sites as rescue operations continued. Because of continuing aftershocks, many Venezuelans began spending the night in the streets or inside cars early Thursday. -- BERNAMA-XINHUA

Venezuela Earthquakes Leave 188 Dead, 1,520 Injured

CARACAS, June 26 — The death toll from two powerful earthquakes that struck northern Venezuela on Wednesday has risen to 188, with 1,520 injured, National Assembly President Jorge Rodriguez said .... read more

ISTANBUL,JUNE 25 -- About 20 million barrels of crude oil have left the Strait of Hormuz in the last 24 hours on 72 ships, US Energy Secretary Chris Wright said on Wednesday, Anadolu Agency reported . Washington will ensure oil flows through the key waterway even without a deal with Iran, Wright told the Reuters Global Energy Forum in New York. "We have normal flow today," Wright said, adding that the amount was similar to recent flow levels following the initial US-Iran deal to end the conflict. "Iran will not have the ability to close the Strait of Hormuz in the future. That is the important thing, that is their main advantage, and we are taking that leverage away from them," he said, adding that the Iranian military is gone. He said many ships exiting the strait avoid the main shipping lanes due to mine-related risks and instead sail near the Iranian coast or along the southern route near Oman with military escorts. The number of ships remains lower than usual, but most are larger vessels, helping to keep crude oil flows close to pre-war levels, he added. A full return to normal navigation will still take several weeks, Wright said, noting that mine clearance efforts are needed in the strait. Tanker movements across the strategic waterway have shown signs of recovery following the interim US-Iran peace deal, easing concerns about possible supply disruptions from the Persian Gulf. The Strait of Hormuz is one of the world's most important oil routes, with crude oil and liquefied natural gas exports from Gulf producers passing through the narrow waterway. Latest maritime data shows commercial and energy-related ship traffic through the strait remains active, while more tankers are entering the Persian Gulf to pick up cargo as exporters seek to restore flows. Oil prices fell this week as traffic in the strait improved, reducing the geopolitical risk premium that had pushed crude prices higher during the conflict. -- BERNAMA-ANADOLU

20 million barrels of crude oil passed through the Strait of Hormuz in 24 hours – US Energy Information Administration

ISTANBUL,JUNE 25 — About 20 million barrels of crude oil have left the Strait of Hormuz in the last 24 hours on 72 ships, US Energy Secretary Chris Wright said .... read more

MOSCOW, June 24 (Bernama-Sputnik/RIA Novosti) -- The UK Competition Appeal Tribunal has granted permission for consumer advocacy group Which? to sue US tech giant Apple for £3 billion (US$3.95 billion) in damages over its iCloud cloud storage service, the group said, reported Sputnik/RIA Novosti. "Which? believes that Apple has breached UK competition law by failing to provide consumers with a choice of cloud storage providers and steering customers towards its iCloud service by not clearly informing them of available alternatives and how they can be used on iOS devices. The court has granted Which? a Collective Proceedings Order," the organisation said in a statement on Tuesday. Which? initially announced the lawsuit in late 2024, but has only now received permission from the tribunal for the case to proceed. The group alleges that Apple stifled competition and overcharged millions of customers. It said users paid more for monthly iCloud subscriptions and received less free storage than users of other cloud storage providers. Which? estimates that the company may owe each customer an average of £77 pounds in compensation for the overpayments. -- BERNAMA-SPUTNIK/RIA NOVOSTI

UK Tribunal Allows £3 Billion Lawsuit Against Apple Over iCloud Storage

MOSCOW, June 24 — The UK Competition Appeal Tribunal has granted permission for consumer advocacy group Which? to sue US tech giant Apple for £3 billion (US$3.95 billion) in damages .... read more

HYDERABAD,JUNE 24 -- Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Tuesday strongly defended Iran's right to possess ballistic missiles, saying Tehran's missile program was never part of the peace deal between the United States (US) and Iran brokered by Islamabad. He argued that Iran should not be subjected to double standards regarding its missile capabilities. Speaking during talks with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian and his high-level delegation in Islamabad, Shehbaz said the issue of Iran's ballistic missiles was never part of the discussions that led to the memorandum of understanding (MoU) reached between Iran and the US on June 17. "There can be no double standard when some countries are allowed to have ballistic missiles while Iran is not." "This MoU does not mention anything about ballistic missiles. "It was never discussed and it was never on the agenda," the Pakistani Prime Minister said, adding that the Iranian side "never wanted to discuss" the missile issue. Shehbaz's action to defend Iran's missile program came at a time when Tehran considers its missile capabilities important to national security following the attacks launched by Israel and the US on Feb 28. Before helping in the mediation efforts that led to the US-Iran deal this month, Pakistan also facilitated a temporary ceasefire between the two sides in April. Shehbaz said he was grateful to Iran for the trust placed in Pakistan's mediation efforts, which also involved the active role of Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar and Pakistan Army Chief Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir. "I am deeply grateful to you and the Iranian leadership for placing continued trust in Pakistan's ability to mediate honestly and sincerely," he said. "I want to assure you that as brothers, we will not let you down," Shehbaz told the Iranian president, according to a statement posted on the prime minister's Facebook page. However, Shehbaz said there were certain parties trying to prevent the US and Iran from reaching an agreement. "There are troublemakers all over the world who want to derail this peace agreement," he said. Israel has emerged as the greatest obstacle to peace in West Asia, with its continued attacks causing death and destruction in Lebanon and occupied Palestine. US President Donald Trump recently acknowledged that Iran could possess ballistic missiles. "I said that if other countries have ballistic missiles, it would be a bit unfair if Iran wasn't allowed to have them," Trump told reporters in Paris on June 17. In a press conference with Shehbaz, Pezeshkian stressed that Iran's defense capabilities are non-negotiable. "If the missiles we have to defend the country did not exist, Israel and America would destroy Iran as they did in Gaza without showing mercy to the old or the young," Pezeshkian said. -- BERNAMA

Pakistan supports Iran’s right to possess ballistic missiles during Pezeshkian’s visit

HYDERABAD,JUNE 24 — Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Tuesday strongly defended Iran’s right to possess ballistic missiles, saying Tehran’s missile program was never part of the peace deal between .... read more

ISTANBUL, JUNE 24 -- Social media platforms and messaging apps owned by Meta, including Facebook, Instagram, Threads and WhatsApp, experienced outages on Tuesday, Anadolu Ajansi reported . According to outage tracker Downdetector, users are reporting problems involving the social media service and messaging app. Starting at 2030 GMT, thousands of users reported connection problems involving the platform's apps and websites. Downdetector collects data based on reports submitted by users, which means the actual number of affected users may be higher. -- BERNAMA-ANADOLU

The Meta-owned platform experienced a global outage, reports Downdetector

ISTANBUL, JUNE 24 — Social media platforms and messaging apps owned by Meta, including Facebook, Instagram, Threads and WhatsApp, experienced outages on Tuesday, Anadolu Ajansi reported . According to outage .... read more

KUALA LUMPUR, June 23 — Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has extended his warm congratulations to Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed and the Prosperity Party following their victory in Ethiopia’s general election. In a statement, Anwar expressed confidence in the continued leadership of Abiy and said Malaysia looked forward to further strengthening its partnership with Ethiopia, which he described as an important gateway for Malaysia’s engagement with Africa. The Prime Minister recalled his official visit to Addis Ababa last year, the first by a Malaysian prime minister to Ethiopia, describing it as a significant milestone in bilateral relations. “When I visited Addis Ababa last year, I was deeply touched by the warmth of the welcome extended to me and by the substance of our discussions,” Anwar said. He noted that both leaders shared similar perspectives on global developments and the importance of closer cooperation among countries of the Global South. “Prime Minister Abiy and I found that we read the world in much the same way, and that countries of the Global South stand to gain a great deal by working together as equals,” he said. Anwar added that several initiatives and areas of cooperation were set in motion during his visit, and expressed optimism about advancing those efforts in the years ahead. “There is much that we set in motion last year, and I look forward to carrying it forward together,” he said. The Prime Minister reiterated Malaysia’s commitment to deepening relations with Ethiopia across strategic sectors and strengthening cooperation with African nations through mutually beneficial partnerships based on respect, equality and shared development goals. -- MINUTESMY

PM Anwar Congratulates Ethiopia’s Abiy Ahmed, Reaffirms Commitment to Stronger Bilateral Ties

KUALA LUMPUR, June 23 — Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has extended his warm congratulations to Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed and the Prosperity Party following their victory in .... read more

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