Hundreds dead in Venezuela earthquakes

Nearly 1,000 people are confirmed dead in Venezuela and many still missing

Venezuela's government has promised that aid will reach affected areas- but already criticism of their response is growing. We speak with a professor of politics in Caracas to find out what she thinks of the response. A crucial World Cup match between Egypt and Iran in Seattle later today will unfold against the backdrop of the city’s annual Pride celebrations, Homosexuality and any symbols of pride are criminalized in both Iran and Egypt. We take you there to hear what it sounds like. And movie music instead of Bach? Symphony orchestras across the United States - and in Europe - are increasingly offering film score performances. We speak with a conductor at the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra on what he thinks about it. (Photo: A view of the donations received from locals in Caracas, Venezuela, June 26, 2026. Credit: REUTERS/Fausto Torrealba)

Hundreds dead in Venezuela earthquakes

With many believed to still be buried beneath rubble, Venezuela’s interim president, Delcy Rodriguez, has said UN-certified rescuers would be joining the search for survivors. The United States is deploying two warships, along with transport planes and helicopters. Specialists from Turkey, Spain, France, Germany, the Netherlands and the UK will also be involved. Also on the programme: a World Cup match between Iran and Egypt in Seattle causes friction as it coincides with the city’s Pride celebrations; the discovery that Mars once had Earth-like magma systems beneath its surface raises the possibility of life on the red planet. (Photo: People inspect the rubble of a collapsed building in La Guaira, Venezuela, 25 June, 2026. Credit: Gaby Oraa/Reuters)

Rescuers search for thousands trapped after Venezuela quake

At least 180 people are now confirmed to have died in northern Venezuela after two powerful back-to-back earthquakes. Thousands are still unaccounted for. We hear from two people whose homes have been destroyed. Also in the programme; the owners of Hong Kong's last independent bookshop are arrested; and how scientists have managed to read ancient papyrus scrolls burned to a cinder when Vesuvius erupted in 79 AD. Photo: People on motorbikes drive past damaged buildings following the twin earthquakes that struck Venezuela Credit: RONALD PENA R/EPA/Shutterstock

Two powerful earthquakes in Venezuela

A huge rescue and recovery operation is underway across northern Venezuela after two back-to-back earthquakes struck overnight. At least 164 people have died, but experts say the number could well rise to thousands as the extent of the damage becomes clear. Also in the programme: The French government's response to the heatwave; and how Canadian football fans are trying to be cheerful about moving to the US. (Photo: A firefighter looks for his sister and nephew in the earthquake rubble of a building in La Guaira, Venezuela. Credit: Reuters/Gaby Oraa)

Europe heatwave: UK breaks June temperature record

The UK today broke its June temperature record as a heatwave continues to engulf Europe. In Finistere in north-west France, 68, 000 people are without power, after the heat knocked out generating equipment We hear how the heat is affecting people across Europe - and how it compares with the most recent major heatwave in August 2003. Also on the programme: US officials say America has supplied doses of an experimental antibody to help fight the growing outbreak of Ebola in the Democratic Republic of Congo; and why astronomers are excited about new images of the Milky Way. (Photo: A young man jumps from a bridge to cool off in the Canal Saint-Martin, in Paris, France, 20 June 2026. Credit: Yoan Valat/EPA/Shutterstock)