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- Venezuelan authorities confirm death toll exceeds 1,400 following quakes
- Iraq security forces arrest multiple officials in anticorruption operation
- Edmonton man shot dead by police after alleged assaults and hit-and-runs
- U.S. forces conduct further strikes in response to Iranian actions near Strait of Hormuz
- BT Tower in London set to become luxury hotel following £275 million sale
- British doctor arrested in Ecuador over murder of Colombian model found in suitcase
- EU mobilises rescue teams to assist Venezuela after deadly earthquakes
- Governor Spencer Cox restricts Utah fireworks amid worsening wildfire threat
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Venezuelan authorities confirm death toll exceeds 1,400 following quakes
12:02 pm
Venezuelan authorities confirm death toll exceeds 1,400 following quakes
The recent twin earthquakes in Venezuela have claimed over 1,400 lives, with thousands more injured and many missing. The Venezuelan government has mobilised search and rescue teams to the affected areas, particularly in La Guaira, where many families continue to search for loved ones trapped beneath rubble. Emergency services and humanitarian organisations are coordinating aid efforts, while President Nicolás Maduro has vowed to support recovery initiatives. For more on the unfolding humanitarian crisis, visit our global news coverage.
The unprecedented scale of the disaster is expected to exacerbate Venezuela’s already staggering economic crisis, disrupting supply chains and further straining public services. The international community is closely monitoring the situation, with calls for assistance becoming increasingly urgent. What to watch next will be the upcoming international aid negotiations as the Venezuelan government seeks external support for recovery and rebuilding efforts.
Key developments across the world
Venezuela earthquakes: death toll rises again to more than 1,400
GLOBAL SECURITY — Venezuela has experienced devastating earthquakes, with over 1,400 confirmed dead. Rescue efforts continue but the country’s long-standing socio-economic crisis worsens the impact and response capabilities.
The earthquakes struck near La Guaira, causing extensive damage and prompting international aid discussions. The situation remains critical as survivors face difficulties in accessing essential resources amid ongoing political turmoil.
Civilian aircraft crashes in France, authorities responding
GLOBAL SECURITY — A civilian aircraft has crashed in northeastern France, resulting in 11 fatalities. The French authorities are currently investigating the cause of the accident.
The incident occurred during a training flight, as officials confirmed that emergency services were promptly deployed to the crash site. Investigations will aim to uncover details surrounding the flight’s circumstances and prevent future tragedies.
Australia toughens kids’ social media ban, doubles potential penalties for tech firms
DIPLOMACY — Australia has enacted stricter regulations on children’s access to social media, increasing penalties for non-compliance. The maximum fines for tech firms have been doubled.
This policy aims to combat issues related to child safety on online platforms, reflecting growing international concern about the influence of social media on minors. Experts suggest that it serves as a significant step towards greater accountability for technology companies.
Beijing police say pilot who crashed into China’s Citic Tower was killed
GLOBAL SECURITY — A plane crash in Beijing’s Citic Tower resulted in the death of the pilot and injuries to several others. Authorities are now investigating the circumstances surrounding the incident.
The crash raised concerns about aviation safety and aviation governance in urban areas. The incident highlights challenges cities face when managing air traffic near tall buildings.
What to watch — Monitoring the aftermath of the Venezuela earthquakes and global responses will be crucial for humanitarian efforts.
Further reading from global news sources
BBC News
I hear my son crying beneath the rubble, says Venezuela earthquake survivor
The Guardian
Venezuela earthquakes: death toll rises again to more than 1,400
Al Jazeera
At least 11 dead in civilian plane crash in eastern France: Authorities
Reuters
Australia toughens kids’ social media ban, doubles potential penalties for tech firms
Iraq security forces arrest multiple officials in anticorruption operation
11:00 am
Get you up to speed: Iraq security forces arrest several officials in anticorruption crackdown
Several Iraqi politicians, lawmakers, and officials were arrested on corruption charges during a large-scale operation carried out by elite Iraqi security forces in Baghdad’s Green Zone and surrounding neighbourhoods. The arrests were based on statements from Adnan al-Jumaili, the deputy oil minister, and included five members of parliament, with no immediate official statement provided by the Iraqi government.
The arrests were executed by the Counter Terrorism Service based on testimonies given by Adnan al-Jumaili, the recently detained deputy oil minister. Authorities reported seizing approximately $86 million in cash linked to the corruption allegations against al-Jumaili earlier this month.
Iraq’s new Prime Minister, Ali al-Zaidi, has reiterated his commitment to combat corruption, underscoring a wider governmental effort following the recent arrests of several officials, including members of parliament, related to ongoing investigations. Meanwhile, authorities have confiscated approximately $86 million linked to corruption allegations against former deputy oil minister Adnan al-Jumaili, indicating further measures are likely in the government’s anti-corruption campaign.
What remains unclear — The identity of the individuals arrested during the operation has not been disclosed by authorities.
Iraq security forces arrest multiple officials in anticorruption operation
News|CorruptionIraq security forces arrest several officials in anticorruption crackdown
Elite security personnel carry out a large-scale operation at dawn in the Green Zone and several neighbourhoods in Baghdad, security source says.
Published On 28 Jun 202628 Jun 2026
Several Iraqi politicians, lawmakers and officials have been arrested on corruption charges, Iraqi state-run media report.
Several people, including members of parliament “whose immunity had been lifted and officials whose names appeared in … confessions”, were arrested early on Sunday in the capital, Baghdad, the Iraqi News Agency reported, quoting a security source.
It was not immediately clear who had been arrested. There was no immediate official statement on the arrests from the Iraqi government or security forces.
A security source told WTX News that elite Iraqi security forces carried out a large-scale arrest operation at dawn in the fortified International Zone (Green Zone) and several neighbourhoods in Baghdad.
The source said the arrests were carried out by the Counter Terrorism Service and were based on statements provided by Adnan al-Jumaili, deputy oil minister, after his arrest last month on corruption charges.
Iraq’s new prime minister, Ali al-Zaidi, has pledged to fight corruption and mismanagement that have plagued Iraq for decades.
Authorities seized about $86m in cash this month that was allegedly part of the corruption case against al-Jumaili.
The Associated Press news agency reported that seven people were arrested on Sunday, including five members of parliament. It cited a security agency report it obtained. The AP said some of those arrested were from the political bloc of former Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani.
During November’s parliamentary elections, al-Sudani’s bloc won the largest share of seats, but he did not return as prime minister. He stepped aside amid a deadlock in the Coordination Framework, a group of Shia parties allied with Iran that brought al-Sudani to power. They disagreed for months over their preferred candidate for the post.
Edmonton man shot dead by police after alleged assaults and hit-and-runs
9:00 am
Get you up to speed: Edmonton police shoot man dead after alleged assaults during hit-and-runs
A 59-year-old man died following an officer-involved shooting in Edmonton after allegedly assaulting emergency workers and fleeing the scene. Edmonton police confirmed the incident but did not provide further details on the circumstances leading to the shooting.
The investigation is being conducted by the Alberta Serious Incident Response Team, which is standard protocol in officer-involved shootings. Authorities have not disclosed the identity of the deceased or the specific timeline of events leading up to the incident.
Edmonton police confirmed that an investigation is underway into the officer-involved shooting, with a focus on the events leading up to the incident. The Alberta Serious Incident Response Team (ASIRT) is reviewing the case, and officials have indicated that further public updates will be provided as the investigation progresses.
What remains unclear — The circumstances leading up to the man’s alleged assault on emergency workers are not detailed.
Edmonton man shot dead by police after alleged assaults and hit-and-runs
A 59-year-old man is dead after Edmonton police say he allegedly assaulted emergency workers and fled before an officer-involved shooting.
U.S. forces conduct further strikes in response to Iranian actions near Strait of Hormuz
7:00 am
Get you up to speed: New volley of strikes between U.S. and Iran
U.S. forces have targeted additional sites near the Strait of Hormuz following an earlier Iranian strike on a ship in the area. U.S. Central Command confirmed the developments, which involved an attack aimed at a U.S. ally.
U.S. Central Command has not specified the number or nature of the additional targets struck near the Strait of Hormuz. The timing and details of any ongoing investigations into the prior incidents involving Iranian actions have yet to be disclosed.
U.S. Central Command confirmed that U.S. forces have targeted strategic sites near the Strait of Hormuz following recent Iranian aggression against a ship and a U.S. ally. Aaron Navarro indicated that the White House is closely monitoring the situation, with potential for further military measures if provocations continue.
What remains unclear — It is not specified how many targets were struck by U.S. forces or the extent of damage incurred.
U.S. forces conduct further strikes in response to Iranian actions near Strait of Hormuz
U.S. forces have struck additional targets near the Strait of Hormuz, U.S. Central Command said. Earlier on Saturday, Iran struck another ship in the strait and took aim at a U.S. ally. Aaron Navarro reports from the White House.
BT Tower in London set to become luxury hotel following £275 million sale
6:00 am
Get you up to speed: London’s BT Tower is transforming into a luxury hotel after £275,000,000 sale | News UK
The BT Tower in London is undergoing a major transformation to become a hotel, being developed by MCR. The landmark, which has been closed to the public for over half a century, is currently being stripped out and revamped.
MCR’s plans for the BT Tower include a range of new amenities, such as hotel rooms, shops, and a rooftop pool. The company expects to apply for planning permission in September, with construction anticipated to begin in 2029 and an expected completion in 2033.
The transformation of the BT Tower into a hotel is set to commence after MCR, the third-largest hotel operator in the United States, finalises its acquisition from BT Group in 2029, with planning permission expected to be sought in September. MCR anticipates that the renovation will provide significant economic benefits, including new jobs for the local community, and aims to complete the project by 2033.
What remains unclear — The timeline for the hotel’s opening after the completion of construction in 2033 has not been specified.
BT Tower in London set to become luxury hotel following £275 million sale
The iconic BT Tower landmark is about to undergo a major transformation which will see it turned into a hotel.
The iconic 620ft landmark, located close to Tottenham Court Road, is being stripped out and undergoing a major revamp, after more than half a century of being closed off to the public.
The tower, which sits in the middle of Fitzrovia, was the tallest structure in the capital when it was built in 1964 – until it was surpassed by the NatWest Tower in 1980.
It was first opened in 1965 by then-Prime Minister Harold Wilson and opened to the public a year later, with a rotating restaurant on the 34th floor that offered complete views of the capital.
It’s now undergoing a major upgrade, and you can learn all about it here.
Why is the BT Tower turning into a hotel?
The site’s Top of the Tower restaurant was closed following a bomb explosion in the men’s toilets, prompting the closure of the whole tower to the public in the 1980s.
It was then left derelict for a number of years.
The tower’s restaurant re-opened in 2015 for two weeks to celebrate the BT Tower’s 50th anniversary before shutting down again.
Last year, however, MCR – the third-largest hotel operator in the United States – bought the tower for £275,000,000 under plans to re-open the landmark to the public for the first time in almost 50 years.
How will the BT Tower change?
Latest London news
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MCR’s proposals for the building were released earlier this year as part of a wider public consultation process, which ran throughout May.
The proposal includes being able to spend a night in ‘the Stick’, located on levels seven to 23, a part of the tower that has always been off-limits to the public.
The top of the tower will see the installation of an observation deck that will ‘tell the rich story of the BT Tower and telecommunications’, while also offering 360-degree panoramic views of London.
For the restored Podium and Howland buildings, which sit at the base of the tower, plans include several hotel rooms, as well as an amenity space, a publicly accessible square, and new retail, food and beverage shops.
New pedestrian walkways will also be created to give the public a chance to look up at the tower from below for the first time.
MCR promises that said all new retail and food shopfronts will ‘reflect the scale and rhythm of Fitzrovia’s historic streets’ with outdoor seating and display windows that will ‘bring back life to currently blank facades’.
A swimming pool, available to the public, will be built on the roof of the Podium building.
According to the BT Tower consultation website, the revamp will provide public access to the Top of the Tower and its podium buildings for the first time in nearly half a century.
It will also provide ‘new construction jobs and full-time jobs for the local community’ as well as a ‘significant economic boost for the neighbourhood’.
However, MCR states that the changes will complement Fitzrovia’s historic character and celebrate the BT Tower’s rich heritage.
Speaking about the landmark’s iconic design, Anne Archer, an archivist at the tower, told WTX: ‘Because of its function, the building had to be erected at a considerable height and have nothing obstructing it so as not to interrupt communication waves.
‘So it offers this stunning panoramic view. No matter what, the history of this building will always be preserved – there is no other building like this.’
She added: ‘But the new owners may be able to make the most of it more now. If a restaurant opens up inside the new hotel, more people will be able to come again.’
When will the hotel open?
According to Spabusiness.com, BT is still in the process of moving out of the building. It will hand over the site to MCR in 2029, when the hotel chain expects to begin construction.
MCR will apply for planning permission in September, and believes that the upgrade will be completed in 2033, with the hotel opening some time after.
WTX’s final look inside the BT Tower
WTX was treated to a final look at the building back in May. Inside was a time capsule of technology from the 60s and 70s, covered in a thick layer of dust.
Work had already begun to remove ageing wires, telephones and switchboards, all made redundant by technological advancement.
Brent Mathews, Property Director at BT Group, said: ‘The BT Tower sits at the heart of London and we’ve been immensely proud to be the owners of this important landmark since 1984.
‘It’s played a vital role in carrying the nation’s calls, messages and TV signals, but increasingly we’re delivering content and communication via other means.’
British doctor arrested in Ecuador over murder of Colombian model found in suitcase
5:00 am
Get you up to speed: Brit doctor arrested over murder of model, 36, found dead inside suitcase | News World
Matthew Foster-Smith, a 46-year-old British national, has been arrested in Ecuador for the alleged murder of Colombian model Natalia Villalba Angarita, whose body was discovered in a suitcase in her Bogotá apartment. Colombian authorities confirmed his arrest following an Interpol Red Notice and are pursuing charges of aggravated femicide and evidence concealment.
Colombian authorities are coordinating with the Attorney General’s Office to ensure Matthew Foster-Smith is extradited to face charges related to the murder of Natalia Villalba Angarita, which is classified as aggravated femicide. Investigators have confirmed his alleged involvement based on evidence collected, including CCTV footage and phone records, following the discovery of Angarita’s body on June 22, with significant focus on the timeline of events leading up to her death on June 18.
Colombian prosecutors confirmed the arrest of Matthew Foster-Smith in Ecuador, stating he is alleged to have committed aggravated femicide against Natalia Villalba Angarita and that actions are underway to have him extradited for prosecution. Justice advocacy group Justicia Para Todos has called for a thorough investigation into the case, underscoring the need for prompt action by authorities to address gender-based violence.
What remains unclear — No motive has been confirmed for the murder of Natalia Villalba Angarita.
British doctor arrested in Ecuador over murder of Colombian model found in suitcase
Matthew Foster-Smith has been arrested following the murder of Natalia Villalba Angarita (Picture: BluRadio Colombia/JamPress)
A British medic wanted over the murder of a Colombian model found stuffed inside a suitcase has been arrested in Ecuador.
The body of Natalia Villalba Angarita, a 36-year-old model from Cúcuta, in northern Colombia, was found by cleaning staff when they entered her seventh-floor apartment in the capital, Bogotá, after the rental period ended on June 22.
With the shower still running, a grey suitcase was discovered in the bathroom, containing the model’s remains.
Matthew Foster-Smith had been named locally as the man police and prosecutors wanted to question over Angarita’s violent death.
The 46-year-old from Poole, Dorset, previously jailed twice in the UK for stalking and banned from practising as a doctor in Britain, insisted he was innocent hours before he was detained, using the World Cup as an alibi.
He told The Sun after leaving Colombia a day before her body was found on Monday: ‘I was watching England versus Croatia on a big screen in an Irish bar, so it wasn’t me.’
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The former doctor was wanted by police following the model’s violent death (Picture: DorsetPolice/BNPS)
Angarita, 36, was discovered by cleaners who entered her rented apartment (Picture: JamPress)
Foster-Smith claimed that, after the match, he went to the shopping centre for a ‘mooch about’ before buying an ice cream and going back to the bar later to watch another game.
‘I didn’t leave with anyone and went to bed myself at about 11pm local time.’
Overnight, Colombian prosecutors confirmed his arrest as they claimed he had beaten his victim to death before trying to conceal his alleged horrific crime, saying: ‘Pursuant to an arrest warrant obtained by a prosecutor from the Bogotá Sectional Office, and following the issue of an Interpol Red Notice, Ecuador’s National Police apprehended a British citizen at Quito International Airport.
‘He is alleged to be responsible for the death of a 36-year-old woman on June 18 in an apartment located in the Chico neighbourhood of northern Bogota.
‘Evidence obtained by the Technical Investigation Corps (CTI) indicates that he allegedly entered the apartment where the victim was alone, physically assaulted her until she died, and manipulated the body to place it inside a suitcase.
‘He then carried out various actions aimed at concealing what had happened, altering the crime scene, and fleeing the location.’
He was detained in Ecuador after his phone activity enabled authorities to track his location (Picture: BluRadio Colombia)
Their statement added that ‘the Office of the Attorney General of Colombia will carry out the necessary procedures to ensure that the foreign national is placed at its disposal and prosecuted in Colombia for the crimes of aggravated femicide and concealment, alteration, or destruction of material evidence’.
‘His location was made possible thanks to the joint efforts of the Attorney General’s Office, @MigracionCol, @SeguridadBOG, Interpol Colombia, and the authorities of Ecuador,’ it concluded, with one well-placed source telling Colombian press that Foster-Smith’s phone calls were traced as he tried to buy a ticket to Europe.
Prosecutors named the arrested man (who was pictured wearing shorts and a baseball cap when he was held at Quito International Airport) as Foster Martinson in their statement for reasons that were not immediately clear this morning.
Angarita’s grieving mother, Claudia, said earlier this week that she became concerned after her daughter stopped taking her calls last Thursday, the same day Foster-Smith was reportedly seen leaving the apartment block after entering hers the previous day.
CCTV cameras reportedly recorded Foster-Smith taking bedsheets to a laundry room in the building before exiting.
‘My daughter had been living in Bogota for 17 years,’ said Claudia, adding that they spoke ‘all the time’, but her phone is now still missing.
Angarita’s remains were stuffed inside a suitcase and placed in the shower, which was left running (Picture: JamPress)
‘Natalia told me she had a company and worked doing that. I don’t know what it was exactly, and I’m waiting to talk to one of her best friends, so she gives me more information about what she was doing work-wise.’
Angarita’s body has not yet been released to her family.
‘All we want is for the truth to come out.’
Investigators say Angarita initially checked into her apartment between June 3 and 7 with a man from Texas before subsequently extending her stay for another fortnight until June 21.
Foster-Smith left Colombia on Sunday, June 21, via the Rumichaca International Bridge, which is a bustling border crossing between Colombia and Ecuador.
In 2020, the murder suspect was jailed for 18 months in the UK after stalking an ex and posting revenge porn online. He denied all the allegations against him when he was arrested in June that year, but later pleaded guilty.
‘I was watching England versus Croatia on a big screen in an Irish bar, so it wasn’t me,’ said Foster-Smith (Picture: Chris Brunskill/Fantasista/Getty Images)
After his release, he began stalking another woman in her 40s by hanging around outside her workplace and engineering ‘chance’ meetings with her in public.
Dorset Police publicly warned people not to approach Foster-Smith and to call 999 if they saw him after he was charged with stalking in September 2024 but skipped bail and went on the run for a month.
The search was called off in October 2024 after he was tracked down to London and re-arrested.
In October last year, Foster-Smith was handed a new prison sentence at Bournemouth Crown Court of two years and two months.
Detective Constable Thomas Norman said at the time that his second victim ‘continued to live in fear’ and her life had been ‘destroyed’ by her convicted stalker’s behaviour.
Now, if convicted of the murder of Angarita, he is likely to face a charge of aggravated femicide, which carries a prison sentence in Colombia of between 40 and 50 years.
A Colombian foundation assisting the families of femicide victims called Justicia Para Todos, which in English translates to Justice For All, said before Foster-Smith was arrested: ‘We reject the violent death of Natalia Villalba, found on June 22 in an apartment in northern Bogota.
‘Behind every statistic there is a life, a story, and a family that today demands answers.
‘We call on the Office of the Attorney General of the Nation to conduct a thorough, prompt investigation with a gender perspective.’
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