Venezuela has declared a state of emergency after two powerful, back-to-back earthquakes struck the country, with the largest quake since 1900 collapsing buildings in the capital Caracas and several people feared dead. Videos showed buildings crumbling and residents fleeing onto the streets as the scale of destruction became clear. In an unrelated development, a third earthquake, this time of magnitude 7, hit Japan, jolting Hashikami Town in Aomori Prefecture, with its epicentre off the coast of Iwate Prefecture.
A chargesheet filed by the NIA reveals that the Pahalgam terror plot was already in motion a week before the attack, with an app used to log coordinates and data analysis of two cellphones uncovering photos of the terrorists and chats with a Pakistan-based handler.
The UPSC has rejected 569 applications for the Civil Services Exam 2026 at the Prelims stage, using AI-based screening to flag multiple entries and attempts beyond the permitted maximum.
The Ram Mandir donation controversy continued to escalate as the VHP said there were enough grounds to file an FIR in the donation case, adding pressure on authorities following the Express investigation into the trust’s record-keeping lapses.
Vinicius showed he is Brazil’s figurehead with minimalism, speed and a string of sharp touches against Scotland, as Neymar made his much-awaited return to the tournament, while Morocco survived a scare and Messi celebrated his birthday at the World Cup.
The Delhi government has executed a major bureaucratic reshuffle, transferring over 50 IAS and DANICS officers across various departments in response to ongoing concerns regarding administrative integrity and public safety. The shake-up in the Health Department, which includes the reassignment of cabinet ministers’ secretaries, is largely driven by investigations into alleged irregularities within the Central Procurement Agency (CPA) and a Rs 350-crore fraud case involving medical procurement. Additionally, leadership changes have been implemented in the Delhi Fire Services following a series of fatal fire incidents and criticisms from Lieutenant Governor Taranjit Singh Sandhu regarding the department’s failure to enforce mandatory fire safety compliance.
Kiran Parashar from Bengaluru reports that the Enforcement Directorate (ED) has launched searches across six locations in Karnataka, including Belagavi, Bengaluru, and Mysuru, targeting Belagavi Additional Excise Commissioner Y Manjunath in connection with an alleged money laundering and disproportionate assets case. Manjunath, who is the son of former Ballari MP Y Devendrappa and son-in-law of Karnataka PWD Minister Satish Jarkiholi, is being investigated for suspected benami transactions involving agricultural land and business investments, as well as potential illicit fund transfers abroad. While Jarkiholi has stated he will comment only after the ED operations conclude, this is not Manjunath’s first encounter with investigators; he was previously arrested in 2012 following a Lokayukta raid regarding bribery allegations, though that FIR was later quashed by the Karnataka High Court.
The Supreme Court on Thursday permitted Bollywood actor Jacqueline Fernandez to withdraw her plea that challenged a Delhi court order to frame charges against her. The underlying legal matter involves a Rs 200 crore money laundering case, and the withdrawal leaves the lower court’s decision to proceed with the charges intact.
News agency PTI reported that fire broke out on ninth floor of commercial building in Greater Noida. The blaze has been extinguished and no casualties have been reported in the incident.
“At around 9. 40 AM, we received information through the control room about a fire on the ninth floor of a commercial building, the Golden I Office Tower, located in Tech Zone 4. Upon receiving the information, we immediately dispatched five fire tenders to the spot. Since the fire was reported to be in its initial stages, a hydraulic platform was also sent as a precautionary measure. When our teams arrived, they found that the office was closed and filled with smoke,” said Chief Fire Officer Pradeep Kumar.
“The firefighters entered the building and began firefighting operations. With the help of five fire tenders, the fire was brought completely under control and extinguished. The individual who had reported the incident was safely outside the building. There were no injuries or casualties reported in the incident,” Kumar said.
Chandan Haygunde from Pune reported that a special court in the city convicted a 65-year-old man for the rape and murder of a three-year-old girl that took place on May 1, 2026. The conviction followed critical evidence, including CCTV footage of the accused with the victim and DNA reports confirming sexual assault, contradicting the accused’s claims of an accidental fall. The prosecution, arguing that the accused is beyond reformation due to his criminal history, has sought the death penalty, while the defense has requested life imprisonment. The court is scheduled to pronounce the sentencing on June 29.
Mohamed Thaver reports from Mumbai that police registered an FIR against a Chembur shop owner, Sanjay Shah, for allegedly selling Pakistani beauty creams in violation of government orders that have prohibited imports from Pakistan since May 2, 2025. Following a tip-off, the crime branch raided the shop located on Central Avenue Road and seized five tubes of ‘Goree beauty cream’ worth Rs 2,500, which the owner claimed to have procured from Crawford Market. Consequently, Shah faces charges for disobeying orders from a public servant and violating sections of the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940.
Atiya Firdos from Bengaluru reports that a tragic temple pilgrimage to Karnataka’s Mandya district ended in the deaths of five people on Wednesday evening after they drowned in the Cauvery River near Muthathi. The victims—four women from a Bengaluru-based family and their driver—ventured into the water to take photos, underestimating the depth and the strength of the current. The tragedy unfolded when one family member slipped into a deep section, and the others were swept away while attempting to rescue her. Although one family member survived the incident, emergency responders recovered all five bodies that evening, and local police have since opened an investigation into the matter.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah called on President Droupadi Murmu at the Rashtrapati Bhavan on Thursday, amid growing political speculations over the upcoming reshuffle of the union council of ministers.
The president’s office, in a post on X, said, “Union Minister for Home Affairs and Cooperation Shri Amit Shah called on President Droupadi Murmu at Rashtrapati Bhavan.”
Two powerful back-to-back earthquakes, measuring 7.2 and 7.5 magnitude, rocked Venezuela on Wednesday. This caused widespread damage in the country, with building collapses reported across Caracas and coastal areas. The quakes killed at least 32 people and injured at least 700.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said that Washington “immediately deploying search and rescue teams, medical resources, and humanitarian assistance to Venezuela,” as two powerful earthquakes hit the country on Wednesday killing at least 32 people and injured at least 700.
“The United States extends our deepest condolences to the people of Venezuela following the devastating earthquakes. Our hearts are with all those who have lost loved ones, those injured, and the courageous rescue workers working tirelessly in the aftermath. America stands with the Venezuelan people during this difficult time and at the direction of President Trump, the State Department is immediately deploying search and rescue teams, medical resources, and humanitarian assistance to Venezuela,” Rubio said in a post on X.
Incessant heavy rainfall triggered a flash flood in the Yachuli area of the Keyi Panyor district in Arunachal Pradesh, killing one person and leaving four people missing.
News agency PTI reports that the Delhi Development Authority (DDA) carried out a demolition drive to clear encroachments in the Yamuna Bazar area. The action was taken just one day after the DDA issued a fresh notice warning residents of the ghats to vacate the area voluntarily or face forced eviction and demolition.
Alok Singh from Delhi reports that following a devastating fire in Malviya Nagar, which claimed 23 lives, Delhi authorities red-flagged 450 commercial buildings, including hospitals, hotels, and restaurants, for severe fire safety violations. These establishments were identified during a city-wide inspection conducted by newly formed district and subdivision-level committees, primarily for lacking mandatory No-Objection Certificates (NOCs) or failing to adhere to building by-laws. The Fire Department has served notices to all affected owners and is currently reviewing structural layouts; establishments must prove compliance with safety regulations to maintain or obtain valid certification, as the department warned that existing certificates may be cancelled if current layouts do not align with previously submitted plans.
West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari, sharing an update on the Taratala warehouse collapse in the state assembly, said that the rescue operations were ongoing and 29 people have been rescued so far.
He announced Rs 10 lakh compensation for the family of the victims and Rs 1 lakh for the injured.
Kamal Saiyed reports from Surat that a 15-year-old student at an ashram school in Ambach village, Tapi district, was apprehended for allegedly attacking her classmate with a knife following a dispute over a pickle bottle during dinner on Wednesday evening. According to Valod police, the accused followed the victim into a school bathroom, attempted to strangle her, and then attacked her with a knife retrieved from the dining area. The victim was treated at a private hospital in Surat, where her condition is reported to be stable. Following the incident, school authorities lodged a complaint of attempted murder, and the accused has been sent to a children’s remand home in Vadodara.
Mustafa Plumber from Bengaluru reports that the Karnataka High Court recently dismissed a petition by the SNN Raj Serenity Apartment Owners Association seeking a police FIR against four residents for allegedly uprooting a banyan sapling and causing a disturbance, emphasising that disputes between neighbours should be resolved through civil forums rather than criminal complaints. Justice Suraj Govindaraj ruled that apartment living requires community harmony and stated that such inter-se conflicts are essentially civil matters that cannot be reframed as criminal disputes. The association had alleged criminal mischief, intimidation, and hurt to religious sentiments related to the removal of the tree, following an earlier conflict over the unauthorised construction of a temple in the complex’s common area. By dismissing the plea, the court advised the petitioners to pursue their grievances through appropriate civil legal channels instead of involving law enforcement.
Arun Sharma from Jammu reports that an FIR has been filed in Kishtwar district against Commanding Officer Colonel N. Arun Gandhi, Major Vikas Sharma, and other personnel from the 17 Rashtriya Rifles for allegedly orchestrating a premeditated assault on police officials and damaging government property at Atholi police station. The incident reportedly followed a dispute regarding the obstruction of a narrow road during the passage of the Kishtwar Deputy Commissioner’s convoy. According to the FIR, a group of 30-40 armed soldiers trespassed into the station and physically assaulted the SHO, the SDPO, the ARTO, and other personnel, causing severe injuries and vandalising official vehicles. The investigation, which involves charges including attempted murder, rioting, and assault on public servants, is currently being led by Probationary Sub Inspector Adarsh Kant.
Following two massive and devastating earthquakes in Venezuela, US President Donald Trump announced on Truth Social that the United States is prepared to provide immediate assistance. Expressing concern over early reports of a high death toll, Trump stated he has instructed all federal agencies to prepare for a rapid response. He extended a strong message of support, emphasising that Washington stands ready, willing, and able to help those affected, whom he referred to as America’s “new and great friends.”
“The two major earthquakes that just hit the great people of Venezuela are both massive in scale and have left a devastating number of deaths. The U.S.A. stands ready, willing, and able to help! I have instructed all agencies of our government to get ready to move quickly. We will be there for our new and great friends. Early reports are not good,” the US president said in a post on X.
The Air Suvidha Portal has been activated for passengers arriving from or transiting through Ebola-affected countries, allowing travellers to submit their mandatory Self-Declaration Form (SDF) online before deboarding. This digital transition replaces a previous paper-based system and aims to streamline passenger facilitation while boosting health surveillance at points of entry., news agency ANI reported, citing sources.
The requirement follows the World Health Organization’s declaration of Ebola as a Public Health Emergency of International Concern, ensuring more efficient screening and monitoring of incoming travellers.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed deep sadness and solidarity as two powerful earthquakes hit Venezuela. He extended heartfelt condolences to the Venezuelan government, its citizens, and the grieving families, while offering prayers for the swift recovery of those injured. Emphasising India’s support during this difficult time, PM Modi also stated that India stands ready to provide all possible assistance to aid the affected nation.
“Deeply saddened by the devastation caused by the severe earthquakes in Venezuela. On behalf of the people of India, I extend our heartfelt condolences to the Government and people of Venezuela, especially to the families who have lost their loved ones. We pray for the speedy recovery of those injured and stand in solidarity with all those affected during this difficult time. India stands ready to extend all possible assistance,” he said in a post on X.
Sweety Kumari from Kolkata reports that following the collapse of an under-construction warehouse on P2 Transport Depot Road in Taratala, Kolkata, which resulted in five confirmed deaths and multiple injuries, Kolkata Police have arrested five individuals, including a structural engineer, a supervisor, and a land lessee, while launching a probe into alleged construction flaws such as the improper use of tin sheets under the rooftop concrete. A Special Investigation Team (SIT) has been constituted to investigate the case, which was transferred to the Detective Department. As rescue operations continue amid fears that up to 50 people could remain trapped, West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari has ordered a suspension of all under-construction work across the city until July 31.
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Venezuela’s president, Delcy Rodríguez, declared a state of emergency after two powerful earthquakes caused widespread damage in the country. The first quake was of a magnitude of 7.1, and its epicentre was west of the community of Moron, about 168 km west of Caracas, at a depth of 13 km, the US Geological Survey (USGS) said. An even larger 7.5-magnitude earthquake took place just minutes later. The second was situated at a depth of 10 km, and its epicentre was 16 km southwest of Moron.
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