{"id":4631,"date":"2026-06-25T12:21:29","date_gmt":"2026-06-25T12:21:29","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/usglobalnews.com\/2026\/06\/25\/powerful-earthquakes-rock-venezuela-as-death-toll-reaches-164-first-thing\/"},"modified":"2026-06-25T12:21:29","modified_gmt":"2026-06-25T12:21:29","slug":"powerful-earthquakes-rock-venezuela-as-death-toll-reaches-164-first-thing","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.usglobalnews.com\/?p=4631","title":{"rendered":"Powerful earthquakes rock Venezuela as death toll reaches 164 | First Thing"},"content":{"rendered":"<div data-gu-name=\"media\" class=\"dcr-14sl0e4\">\n<div class=\"dcr-17l77cs\">\n<figure id=\"41730726-9d14-4304-98bb-0238db77017c\" class=\"dcr-191xnya\">\n<div id=\"img-1\" class=\"dcr-1t7hdmw\"><img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" alt=\"A woman crouches with her head in her hand amid twisted metal and debris in a destroyed building\" src=\"https:\/\/i.guim.co.uk\/img\/media\/807dd95dd6bcafad980d1f6beff8ffc20daa5687\/456_0_4560_3648\/master\/4560.jpg?width=465&amp;dpr=1&amp;s=none&amp;crop=none\" width=\"465\" height=\"372\" loading=\"eager\" class=\"dcr-up96pv\"><span class=\"dcr-kogzpx\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"dcr-18mnkpm\">\n<div class=\"dcr-1294qmb\"><label for=\"the-checkbox\" class=\"dcr-4sl2vt\"><\/label> <\/p>\n<div id=\"the-caption\"><figcaption data-spacefinder-role=\"inline\" class=\"dcr-1mfxiaj\"><span class=\"dcr-13i4yc9\"><\/span><span class=\"dcr-1cipnsy\">Devastation in Caracas after twin quakes struck Venezuela on Wednesday.<\/span> Photograph: Ronald Pena R\/EPA<\/figcaption><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><\/span><a href=\"#img-1\" data-ignore=\"global-link-styling\" class=\"open-lightbox dcr-zwabc0\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><button data-element-id=\"41730726-9d14-4304-98bb-0238db77017c\" type=\"button\" class=\"open-lightbox dcr-1bitgpn\" aria-haspopup=\"dialog\"><span class=\"dcr-1shbixy\">View image in fullscreen<\/span><\/button><\/a><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"dcr-qda0hp\"><figcaption data-spacefinder-role=\"inline\" class=\"dcr-1e9iiy9\"><span class=\"dcr-13i4yc9\"><\/span><span class=\"dcr-1cipnsy\">Devastation in Caracas after twin quakes struck Venezuela on Wednesday.<\/span> Photograph: Ronald Pena R\/EPA<\/figcaption><\/span><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div data-gu-name=\"headline\" class=\"dcr-ql9l8l\">\n<div class=\"dcr-6mja0y\">\n<h1 class=\"dcr-l0wuod\">First Thing: Powerful earthquakes rock Venezuela as death toll reaches 164<\/h1>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div data-gu-name=\"standfirst\" class=\"dcr-1xpojbf\">\n<div class=\"dcr-1gm5ptv\">\n<p>Buildings collapse after twin 7.2- and 7.5-magnitude quakes. Plus, why apartment renters are facing a rising tide of fees<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/info\/2018\/sep\/17\/guardian-us-morning-briefing-sign-up-to-stay-informed\" data-link-name=\"in standfirst link\">Don\u2019t already get First Thing in your inbox? Sign up here<\/a><\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div data-gu-name=\"body\" class=\"dcr-x1al2c\">\n<div class=\"dcr-11gq2tx\">\n<div id=\"maincontent\" class=\"dcr-1w2vkyc\">\n<div class=\"article-body-commercial-selector article-body-viewer-selector dcr-ogvvui\">\n<p class=\"dcr-1s160rg\">Good morning.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-1s160rg\">Venezuela\u2019s interim leader, Delcy Rodr\u00edguez, has declared a state of emergency after the country was <a href=\"https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/world\/2026\/jun\/25\/earthquake-venezuela-caracas-tremors-aftershocks\" data-link-name=\"in body link\">struck by two powerful earthquakes<\/a>, causing dozens of buildings to collapse. At least 164 people were killed and a further 971 injured. Experts warned the death toll was likely to rise.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-1s160rg\">The quakes \u2013 among the largest in Venezuela\u2019s history \u2013 struck in quick succession and were felt across much of the country. The worst damage was in and around the capital, Caracas, where videos on social media showed panicked passengers running through the corridors of Sim\u00f3n Bol\u00edvar airport to escape falling debris.<\/p>\n<ul class=\"dcr-1s160rg\">\n<li class=\"dcr-1s160rg\">\n<p class=\"dcr-1s160rg\"><strong>What do we know<\/strong><strong>?<\/strong> The US Geological Survey said Venezuela had been hit by a magnitude 7.5 \u201cmainshock\u201d and a 7.2 \u201cforeshock\u201d 39 seconds earlier. \u201cHigh casualties and extensive damage \u2060are probable and the disaster is likely widespread,\u201d \u2060it.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"dcr-1s160rg\">\n<p class=\"dcr-1s160rg\"><strong>How does the damage look on the ground?<\/strong> Rodr\u00edguez, who confirmed the death toll, said the airport had been closed after sustaining \u201csevere damage\u201d and that metro and rail services had been suspended. A Guardian reporter saw at least three buildings that had collapsed in Altamira, an affluent district in Caracas that is home to many foreign embassies, after the quakes struck shortly after 6pm on Wednesday.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p class=\"dcr-1s160rg\"><strong>This is a developing story.<\/strong> Follow our <a href=\"https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/world\/live\/2026\/jun\/25\/venezuela-earthquake-live-updates-quake-aftershocks-terremoto-caracas-latest\" data-link-name=\"in body link\">live blog here<\/a>.<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"extremely-overwhelmed-apartment-renters-face-rising-tide-of-fees\" class=\"dcr-8418j6\"><strong>\u2018Extremely overwhelmed\u2019: apartment renters face rising tide of fees<\/strong><\/h2>\n<figure id=\"66ae5165-14b8-4c15-8b38-b493f96dd1bb\" data-spacefinder-role=\"inline\" data-spacefinder-type=\"model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.ImageBlockElement\" class=\"dcr-d9bay7\">\n<div id=\"img-2\" class=\"dcr-1t7hdmw\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Apartments with fee stickers overlaid. \" src=\"https:\/\/i.guim.co.uk\/img\/media\/b9b3fac97f163a423de83a6c92632f4287dd132d\/0_0_3000_2400\/master\/3000.jpg?width=445&amp;dpr=1&amp;s=none&amp;crop=none\" width=\"445\" height=\"356\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"dcr-up96pv\"><a href=\"#img-2\" data-ignore=\"global-link-styling\" class=\"open-lightbox dcr-zwabc0\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><button data-element-id=\"66ae5165-14b8-4c15-8b38-b493f96dd1bb\" type=\"button\" class=\"open-lightbox dcr-1bitgpn\" aria-haspopup=\"dialog\"><span class=\"dcr-1shbixy\">View image in fullscreen<\/span><\/button><\/a><\/div><figcaption data-spacefinder-role=\"inline\" class=\"dcr-174mzkf\"><span class=\"dcr-vyhg7z\"><\/span><span class=\"dcr-1cipnsy\">Renters at apartment buildings operated by Greystar say they have been deluged by \u2018unfair\u2019 and \u2018inflated\u2019 fees \u2013 which the company denies.<\/span> Composite: Rita Liu\/The Guardian\/Getty\/Greystar<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p class=\"dcr-1s160rg\">Tenants at apartment complexes operated by Greystar, the largest owner and manager of apartments in the US, do not only pay rent. They pay a mass of fees that most other renters have never heard of.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-1s160rg\">These add-ons include \u201cboiler management fees\u201d, \u201cvariable refrigerant flow fees\u201d, \u201csolar rebill\u201d fees, even \u201clifestyle fees\u201d. Tenants and lawsuits in several states claim many of these fees are inflated, illegal, predatory and overwhelming.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-1s160rg\">The Guardian counted at least 125 different named fees in leases, court documents and rental listings for apartments managed by Greystar. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/us-news\/ng-interactive\/2026\/jun\/24\/apartment-renters-rising-fees\" data-link-name=\"in body link\">See the full investigation here<\/a>.<\/p>\n<ul class=\"dcr-1s160rg\">\n<li class=\"dcr-1s160rg\">\n<p class=\"dcr-1s160rg\"><strong>This is what the company said:<\/strong> Greystar told the Guardian it disagreed with the allegations in the court actions and was \u201cactively defending\u201d the cases. In various court filings, the company has called tenants\u2019 legal complaints factually deficient, implausible and \u201cfutile\u201d.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"dcr-1s160rg\">\n<p class=\"dcr-1s160rg\"><strong>In other housing news:<\/strong> On Wednesday, Donald Trump <a href=\"https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/us-news\/2026\/jun\/24\/trump-housing-affordability-bill\" data-link-name=\"in body link\">abruptly cancelled his plan<\/a> to sign a bipartisan bill aimed at lowering the cost of housing, holding the bill \u2013 which passed the House and Senate \u2013 hostage until Congress passes the Save America Act, which would impose new identification requirements on voters and curtail mail-in voting.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2 id=\"israeli-former-leaders-and-security-chiefs-threaten-legal-action-over-jewish-terrorism\" class=\"dcr-8418j6\"><strong>Israeli former leaders and security chiefs threaten legal action over \u2018Jewish terrorism\u2019<\/strong><\/h2>\n<figure id=\"a15578ac-af18-453e-9f11-52fbdebf602b\" data-spacefinder-role=\"inline\" data-spacefinder-type=\"model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.ImageBlockElement\" class=\"dcr-d9bay7\">\n<div id=\"img-3\" class=\"dcr-1t7hdmw\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Three Israeli troops, one with raised weapon\" src=\"https:\/\/i.guim.co.uk\/img\/media\/fa0f1f2d30e980592e1c144a9094714ae181916a\/385_0_3919_3136\/master\/3919.jpg?width=445&amp;dpr=1&amp;s=none&amp;crop=none\" width=\"445\" height=\"356.0908394998724\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"dcr-up96pv\"><a href=\"#img-3\" data-ignore=\"global-link-styling\" class=\"open-lightbox dcr-zwabc0\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><button data-element-id=\"a15578ac-af18-453e-9f11-52fbdebf602b\" type=\"button\" class=\"open-lightbox dcr-1bitgpn\" aria-haspopup=\"dialog\"><span class=\"dcr-1shbixy\">View image in fullscreen<\/span><\/button><\/a><\/div><figcaption data-spacefinder-role=\"inline\" class=\"dcr-174mzkf\"><span class=\"dcr-vyhg7z\"><\/span><span class=\"dcr-1cipnsy\">Israeli troops in Nablus, Palestine, on Tuesday. <\/span> Photograph: Nasser Ishtayeh\/Sopa\/Shutterstock<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p class=\"dcr-1s160rg\">Dozens of Israelis from the security, political and cultural elite <a href=\"https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/world\/2026\/jun\/24\/israeli-former-leaders-security-chiefs-legal-action-jewish-terrorism-west-bank\" data-link-name=\"in body link\">have threatened legal action against their government<\/a> over support for Jewish terrorism and an \u201cideology of ethnic cleansing\u201d in the occupied West Bank, according to a leaked letter seen by the Guardian.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-1s160rg\">The letter demands immediate action to \u201ceradicate Jewish terrorism\u201d, cataloguing years of attacks including <a href=\"https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/world\/2026\/may\/02\/israeli-militants-attack-west-bank-schools-settler-violence\" data-link-name=\"in body link\">murder<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/world\/2026\/apr\/21\/israeli-soldiers-using-sexual-assault-to-force-palestinians-out-of-west-bank-report-says\" data-link-name=\"in body link\">sexual assault<\/a>, theft, arson and desecration of dead people, by civilian and military perpetrators who act with \u201calmost complete impunity\u201d.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-1s160rg\">Since 2020, Israeli soldiers and settlers have killed at least 1,100 Palestinian civilians in the occupied West Bank, at least a quarter of them children, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ochaopt.org\/data\/casualties\" data-link-name=\"in body link\">UN data<\/a> shows. No one has been charged over any of these deaths.<\/p>\n<ul class=\"dcr-1s160rg\">\n<li class=\"dcr-1s160rg\">\n<p class=\"dcr-1s160rg\"><strong>Who signed the letter? <\/strong>Two former prime ministers, former heads of all Israeli security services, former judges, a Nobel laureate and the country\u2019s most revered living novelist were among the signatories to a \u201cfinal warning\u201d over violence against Palestinians. The letter also drew parallels with historical attacks on Jewish communities in Europe. It said recent condemnations of violence by political and military leaders were not credible without action.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2 id=\"in-other-news\" class=\"dcr-8418j6\"><strong>In other news \u2026<\/strong><\/h2>\n<figure id=\"32ac31ba-c72e-4688-9f97-9625722b6c53\" data-spacefinder-role=\"inline\" data-spacefinder-type=\"model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.ImageBlockElement\" class=\"dcr-d9bay7\">\n<div id=\"img-4\" class=\"dcr-1t7hdmw\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Photos of the zines  \" src=\"https:\/\/i.guim.co.uk\/img\/media\/48031c84647aeb4d11af286aa168f69cd8deb82e\/237_0_2500_2000\/master\/2500.jpg?width=445&amp;dpr=1&amp;s=none&amp;crop=none\" width=\"445\" height=\"356\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"dcr-up96pv\"><a href=\"#img-4\" data-ignore=\"global-link-styling\" class=\"open-lightbox dcr-zwabc0\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><button data-element-id=\"32ac31ba-c72e-4688-9f97-9625722b6c53\" type=\"button\" class=\"open-lightbox dcr-1bitgpn\" aria-haspopup=\"dialog\"><span class=\"dcr-1shbixy\">View image in fullscreen<\/span><\/button><\/a><\/div><figcaption data-spacefinder-role=\"inline\" class=\"dcr-174mzkf\"><span class=\"dcr-vyhg7z\"><\/span><span class=\"dcr-1cipnsy\">Photos of the zines entered as evidence to convict protesters of terrorism charges.<\/span> Composite: Department of Justice via Kera<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<ul class=\"dcr-1s160rg\">\n<li class=\"dcr-1s160rg\">\n<p class=\"dcr-1s160rg\"><strong>Campaigners have sounded the alarm after leftist zines were <a href=\"https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/us-news\/ng-interactive\/2026\/jun\/24\/prairieland-texas-ice-protests-zines\" data-link-name=\"in body link\">used<\/a><\/strong><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/us-news\/ng-interactive\/2026\/jun\/24\/prairieland-texas-ice-protests-zines\" data-link-name=\"in body link\">to convict<\/a> anti-ICE protesters of terrorism charges,<\/strong> with the pamphlets helping to sentence protesters outside a Texas ICE facility to decades in prison.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"dcr-1s160rg\">\n<p class=\"dcr-1s160rg\"><strong>Oil prices have <a href=\"https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/business\/2026\/jun\/25\/oil-price-falls-pre-iran-war-levels-more-tankers-exit-strait-of-hormuz\" data-link-name=\"in body link\">fallen<\/a> below levels last seen before the Iran war started in late February,<\/strong> as more oil tankers exited the strait of Hormuz.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"dcr-1s160rg\">\n<p class=\"dcr-1s160rg\"><strong>France confirmed its <a href=\"https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/world\/2026\/jun\/24\/france-ebola-first-case-doctor-drc\" data-link-name=\"in body link\">first case<\/a> related to the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/world\/2026\/jun\/17\/lives-lost-ebola-bunia-workers-drc\" data-link-name=\"in body link\">Ebola outbreak<\/a> in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, <\/strong><strong>a doctor who <\/strong><strong>had returned from the area.<\/strong> French authorities said the risk to the European public was very low.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2 id=\"stat-of-the-day-more-than-60m-stars-light-up-largest-and-most-detailed-shot-of-milky-ways-centre\" class=\"dcr-8418j6\"><strong>Stat of the day: More than 60m stars light up largest and most detailed shot of Milky Way\u2019s centre<\/strong><\/h2>\n<figure id=\"0a005488-4853-4d3f-a52b-da318274a6f7\" data-spacefinder-role=\"inline\" data-spacefinder-type=\"model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.ImageBlockElement\" class=\"dcr-d9bay7\">\n<div id=\"img-5\" class=\"dcr-1t7hdmw\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"An area of stars in the galactic bulge.\" src=\"https:\/\/i.guim.co.uk\/img\/media\/92882d1169ede4ad02b687f83fe414329066327a\/343_0_2700_2160\/master\/2700.jpg?width=445&amp;dpr=1&amp;s=none&amp;crop=none\" width=\"445\" height=\"356\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"dcr-up96pv\"><a href=\"#img-5\" data-ignore=\"global-link-styling\" class=\"open-lightbox dcr-zwabc0\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><button data-element-id=\"0a005488-4853-4d3f-a52b-da318274a6f7\" type=\"button\" class=\"open-lightbox dcr-1bitgpn\" aria-haspopup=\"dialog\"><span class=\"dcr-1shbixy\">View image in fullscreen<\/span><\/button><\/a><\/div><figcaption data-spacefinder-role=\"inline\" class=\"dcr-174mzkf\"><span class=\"dcr-vyhg7z\"><\/span><span class=\"dcr-1cipnsy\">An area of stars in the galactic bulge.<\/span> Photograph: ESA\/Euclid Consortium\/Nasa, CFHT. Image processing by J-C Cuillandre and E Bertin (CEA Paris-Saclay)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p class=\"dcr-1s160rg\">Astronomers used the European Space Agency\u2019s Euclid telescope to capture more than 60m stars at the heart of Earth\u2019s galaxy, in <a href=\"https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/science\/2026\/jun\/24\/stars-galactic-bulge-milky-way-euclid-telescope\" data-link-name=\"in body link\">the largest and most detailed image<\/a> yet. \u201cThis data fires the starting pistol in a new age of exoplanet discovery,\u201d one astrophysicist said.<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"the-filter-recommends-the-guardian-tested-clothing-rental-services-heres-the-verdict\" class=\"dcr-8418j6\"><strong>The Filter Recommends: The Guardian tested clothing rental services. Here\u2019s the verdict<\/strong><\/h2>\n<figure id=\"f3e0cbc9-df8b-4dee-b87a-baf5078e4da5\" data-spacefinder-role=\"inline\" data-spacefinder-type=\"model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.ImageBlockElement\" class=\"dcr-d9bay7\">\n<div id=\"img-6\" class=\"dcr-1t7hdmw\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Photos from various clothing rental companies.\" src=\"https:\/\/i.guim.co.uk\/img\/media\/bd6295dd8fa598dcb9f06f3399cffade869282e3\/0_0_5000_3999\/master\/5000.jpg?width=445&amp;dpr=1&amp;s=none&amp;crop=none\" width=\"445\" height=\"355.911\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"dcr-up96pv\"><a href=\"#img-6\" data-ignore=\"global-link-styling\" class=\"open-lightbox dcr-zwabc0\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><button data-element-id=\"f3e0cbc9-df8b-4dee-b87a-baf5078e4da5\" type=\"button\" class=\"open-lightbox dcr-1bitgpn\" aria-haspopup=\"dialog\"><span class=\"dcr-1shbixy\">View image in fullscreen<\/span><\/button><\/a><\/div><figcaption data-spacefinder-role=\"inline\" class=\"dcr-174mzkf\"><span class=\"dcr-vyhg7z\"><\/span> Photograph: Tracy Allison\/the Guardian<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p class=\"dcr-1s160rg\">\u201cCan clothing rentals truly solve the dreaded realization that you have nothing to wear?\u201d <a href=\"https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/thefilter-us\/2026\/jun\/12\/best-clothing-rental-subscription\" data-link-name=\"in body link\">asks the Guardian\u2019s Filter US team<\/a>. They spent weeks testing different clothing rental services to rank the best companies, and found one with a \u201cnightmare\u201d returns process.<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"dont-miss-this-how-usmnts-magnificent-mess-became-its-strength\" class=\"dcr-8418j6\"><strong>Don\u2019t miss this: \u2018How USMNT\u2019s magnificent mess became its strength\u2019<\/strong><\/h2>\n<figure id=\"795ff43a-872b-4e3c-afa0-b5e3a0c57266\" data-spacefinder-role=\"inline\" data-spacefinder-type=\"model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.ImageBlockElement\" class=\"dcr-d9bay7\">\n<div id=\"img-7\" class=\"dcr-1t7hdmw\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Folarin Balogun, foreground, and Chris Richards celebrating in stadium\" src=\"https:\/\/i.guim.co.uk\/img\/media\/3d4d0a155d5bc8ea889d21bf9fedea6c6f5c8a25\/940_0_5685_4553\/master\/5685.jpg?width=445&amp;dpr=1&amp;s=none&amp;crop=none\" width=\"445\" height=\"356.391380826737\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"dcr-up96pv\"><a href=\"#img-7\" data-ignore=\"global-link-styling\" class=\"open-lightbox dcr-zwabc0\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><button data-element-id=\"795ff43a-872b-4e3c-afa0-b5e3a0c57266\" type=\"button\" class=\"open-lightbox dcr-1bitgpn\" aria-haspopup=\"dialog\"><span class=\"dcr-1shbixy\">View image in fullscreen<\/span><\/button><\/a><\/div><figcaption data-spacefinder-role=\"inline\" class=\"dcr-174mzkf\"><span class=\"dcr-vyhg7z\"><\/span><span class=\"dcr-1cipnsy\">Folarin Balogun, foreground, and Chris Richards, above, celebrate a goal against Paraguay at Los Angeles Stadium on 12 June.<\/span> Photograph: John Dorton\/USSF<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p class=\"dcr-1s160rg\">For years, USMNT sought a single soccer identity. Instead, at this year\u2019s World Cup, its best team appears to be emerging from a patchwork of backgrounds, cultures and development paths, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/football\/2026\/jun\/24\/usmnt-diverse-pathways-american-soccer-development-2026-world-cup\" data-link-name=\"in body link\">Leander Schaerlaeckens writes<\/a>. \u201cThe men\u2019s soccer team that represents this nation is defiantly diverse, in every way, and all the better for it,\u201d he writes.<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"climate-check-a-super-el-nino-threatens-disaster-trump-is-handling-it-recklessly\" class=\"dcr-8418j6\"><strong>Climate check: \u2018A super El Ni\u00f1o threatens disaster. Trump is handling it recklessly\u2019<\/strong><\/h2>\n<figure id=\"49fda85f-9b60-43f9-a8af-47a7c7c2e57d\" data-spacefinder-role=\"inline\" data-spacefinder-type=\"model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.ImageBlockElement\" class=\"dcr-d9bay7\">\n<div id=\"img-8\" class=\"dcr-1t7hdmw\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"A fruit vendor pushes her cart on the Brooklyn Bridge with cloth over her head\" src=\"https:\/\/i.guim.co.uk\/img\/media\/15a543d91a16e5d2aa8f4e98ac9523a87b994a6a\/0_0_2500_2000\/master\/2500.jpg?width=445&amp;dpr=1&amp;s=none&amp;crop=none\" width=\"445\" height=\"356\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"dcr-up96pv\"><a href=\"#img-8\" data-ignore=\"global-link-styling\" class=\"open-lightbox dcr-zwabc0\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><button data-element-id=\"49fda85f-9b60-43f9-a8af-47a7c7c2e57d\" type=\"button\" class=\"open-lightbox dcr-1bitgpn\" aria-haspopup=\"dialog\"><span class=\"dcr-1shbixy\">View image in fullscreen<\/span><\/button><\/a><\/div><figcaption data-spacefinder-role=\"inline\" class=\"dcr-174mzkf\"><span class=\"dcr-vyhg7z\"><\/span><span class=\"dcr-1cipnsy\">A fruit vendor pushes her cart on the Brooklyn Bridge during a heatwave last summer.<\/span> Photograph: Olga Fedorova\/AP<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p class=\"dcr-1s160rg\">The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration this month confirmed the formation of El Ni\u00f1o in the tropical Pacific. \u201cIn the face of this evolving threat, the Trump administration has sought to cripple our forecasting capabilities,\u201d Terry Garcia, Noaa\u2019s former deputy administrator, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/commentisfree\/2026\/jun\/23\/super-el-nino-extreme-weather-trump\" data-link-name=\"in body link\">writes<\/a>. \u201cBut turning off the alarm does not put out the fire.\u201d<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"last-thing-no-one-believed-it-how-a-youtube-video-accidentally-proved-libyas-sand-cat-really-exists\" class=\"dcr-8418j6\"><strong>Last Thing: \u2018No one believed it\u2019 \u2013 how a YouTube video accidentally proved Libya\u2019s sand cat really <\/strong><strong>exists<\/strong><\/h2>\n<div class=\"dcr-1symy40\">\n<figure class=\"video-container loop \" data-component=\"gu-video-loop\">\n<div class=\"dcr-gmup0n\">\n<div class=\"dcr-179wty7\"><video id=\"video-01222cf3-3731-4402-84f9-b7e95475b52f\" data-testid=\"self-hosted-video-player\" data-chromatic=\"ignore\" preload=\"none\" loop=\"\" muted=\"\" playsinline=\"\" class=\"dcr-9xh1ht\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Sand cat seen in Libya \u2013 loop\" src=\"https:\/\/i.guim.co.uk\/img\/uploads\/2026\/06\/24\/Sand_cat_seen_in_Libya___loop--01222cf3-3731-4402-84f9-b7e95475b52f-1.0.0000000.jpg?width=120&amp;dpr=1&amp;s=none&amp;crop=5%3A4\" loading=\"lazy\" data-chromatic=\"ignore\" class=\"dcr-11wzo8p\"><\/video><\/p>\n<div class=\"controls-container dcr-13cdgkt\"><button type=\"button\" class=\"play-pause-icon dcr-19641bk\" data-link-name=\"gu-video-loop-play-01222cf3-3731-4402-84f9-b7e95475b52f\" data-testid=\"play-icon\"><\/button><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption data-spacefinder-role=\"inline\" class=\"dcr-174mzkf\"><span class=\"dcr-1hnminq\"><\/span><span class=\"dcr-1cipnsy\">Sand cat seen in Libya \u2013 loop<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"dcr-1s160rg\">In 2017, the photographer Mohammed Almuntasir uploaded a video to YouTube of a small cat digging in the Libyan sand. Almuntasir\u2019s video was the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/environment\/2026\/jun\/24\/youtube-video-proved-libya-sand-cat-exist-aoe\" data-link-name=\"in body link\">first material evidence that the sand cat<\/a> existed in the country. Now there is increasing evidence that south-western Libya may represent a stronghold for the species.<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"sign-up\" class=\"dcr-8418j6\"><strong>Sign up<\/strong><\/h2>\n<figure id=\"7cd9b6f7-2902-4221-b071-5ea0795076e8\" data-spacefinder-role=\"inline\" data-spacefinder-type=\"model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.EmbedBlockElement\" class=\"dcr-d9bay7\">\n<div data-testid=\"embed-block\" class=\"dcr-bim5uz\">\n<div class=\"dcr-1uhxjbp\">Sign up for the US morning briefing<\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/figure>\n<p class=\"dcr-1s160rg\">First Thing is delivered to thousands of inboxes every weekday. If you\u2019re not already signed up, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/info\/2018\/sep\/17\/guardian-us-morning-briefing-sign-up-to-stay-informed\" data-link-name=\"in body link\">subscribe now<\/a>.<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"get-in-touch\" class=\"dcr-8418j6\"><strong>Get in touch<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p class=\"dcr-1s160rg\">If you have any questions or comments about any of our newsletters please email <a href=\"mailto:newsletters@theguardian.com\" data-link-name=\"in body link | mailto:newsletters@theguardian.com\">newsletters@theguardian.com<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div data-print-layout=\"hide\" class=\"dcr-swayiu\"><span class=\"dcr-1xhbmzr\">Explore more on these topics<\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"dcr-2c03t5\">\n<ul class=\"dcr-p7nd18\">\n<li class=\"dcr-r721ee\"><a href=\"\/us-news\/us-news\" class=\"dcr-856iwi\">US news<\/a><\/li>\n<li class=\"dcr-r721ee\"><a href=\"\/us-news\/series\/guardian-us-briefing\" class=\"dcr-856iwi\">First Thing newsletter<\/a><\/li>\n<li class=\"dcr-r721ee\"><a href=\"\/tone\/news\" class=\"dcr-856iwi\">news<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"dcr-313bdz\"><a href=\"mailto:?subject=Powerful%20earthquakes%20rock%20Venezuela%20as%20death%20toll%20reaches%20164%20%7C%20First%20Thing&amp;body=https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/us-news\/2026\/jun\/25\/first-thing-earthquakes-venezuela-death-toll?CMP=share_btn_url\" class=\"dcr-ncybeu\">Share<\/a><\/p>\n<div class=\"dcr-19bkree\"><a data-link-name=\"meta-syndication-article\" href=\"https:\/\/syndication.theguardian.com\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.theguardian.com%2Fus-news%2F2026%2Fjun%2F25%2Ffirst-thing-earthquakes-venezuela-death-toll&amp;type=article&amp;internalpagecode=us-news\/2026\/jun\/25\/first-thing-earthquakes-venezuela-death-toll\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer\" title=\"Reuse this content\" class=\"dcr-1c41onw\">Reuse this content<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div data-gu-name=\"right-column\" class=\"dcr-axwinp\"><span class=\"dcr-1ryr20k\"><\/span><\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Devastation in Caracas after twin quakes struck Venezuela on Wednesday. Photograph: Ronald Pena R\/EPA View image in fullscreen<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":0,"featured_media":4633,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[4],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-4631","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-world-news"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.usglobalnews.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4631","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.usglobalnews.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.usglobalnews.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.usglobalnews.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=4631"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.usglobalnews.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4631\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.usglobalnews.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/4633"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.usglobalnews.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=4631"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.usglobalnews.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=4631"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.usglobalnews.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=4631"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}