The number of people killed in two Venezuelan earthquakes jumps to at least 920, with 3,360 injured, according to officials

It comes as international rescue teams join the search for survivors, with 80 Swiss rescuers and a team of Mexican aid workers among those helping

Natacha Diaz, a mother of two missing women, tells the BBC her daughters « are all I have » – watch what else she says

Others are also trying to reach their relatives – Marianella tells BBC News Mundo « my heart tells me my brother is alive »

A doctor in La Guaira says the two main hospitals in the state are « completely overwhelmed », with a « critical lack » of medical supplies

The quakes, with magnitudes of 7.2 and 7.5, hit a minute apart on Wednesday night, and the second was the strongest to hit Venezuela since 1900 – here’s what else we know.

We’re seeing images showing military personnel guarding aid on a large lorry, presumably to help people affected by the earthquakes.

This comes after criticism that the government has not responded in time to the disaster.

The images show supplies on a lorry in La Guaira, one of the worst-impacted areas. Our colleague Vanessa Silva, who is there, reported earlier that she has yet to see international rescue teams deployed in the state.

More than 240 rescued from La Guaira, Rodríguez sayspublished at 19:4619:46

As well as the rising death toll – now at 920 people – 383 buildings have been damaged, including 13 hospitals and 25 shopping centres, lawmaker Jorge Rodríguez says on Venezuelan television.

At least 1,000 other infrastructure sites have sustained damage, he adds.

He also says 243 people have been rescued from La Guaira, one of the areas worst affected by the earthquakes.

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L’article Venezuelan woman searches for daughters as earthquakes death toll jumps to 920.. Video est apparu en premier sur World Opinion | Alternative Média.

Le commandement central de l’armée iranienne a annoncé samedi qu’il avait de nouveau fermé le stratégique détroit d’Ormuz, en réaction aux attaques d’Israël dans le sud du Liban violant selon lui le protocole d’accord conclu avec les États-Unis.

Alors que la Confédération annonçait vendredi le report des négociations sur l’accord entre les Etats-Unis et l’Iran, le travail préparatoire aurait déjà débuté au Bürgenstock (NW).

Selon des informations de la RTS, les délégations techniques des Etats-Unis et de l’Iran ainsi que celles des médiateurs qatari et pakistanais sont présentes et discutent depuis vendredi pour préparer l’arrivée des chefs de délégation américaine et iranienne.

L’émissaire américain Steve Witkoff est en route pour la Suisse, ont rapporté des médias américains. L’envoyé de Donald Trump, Jared Kushner, est également attendu. Côté iranien, rien n’est confirmé pour le moment.

Israël et le Hezbollah se sont mis d’accord sur un cessez-le-feu, a annoncé vendredi un responsable américain, après un regain de violences au Liban qui a mis en péril le nouvel accord entre les Etats-Unis et l’Iran.

Sept morts supplémentaires dans le sud du Liban

Une frappe israélienne sur un village proche de Saïda, dans le sud du Liban, a fait plusieurs morts, selon un média d’Etat.

La frappe sur Qannarit a tué « sept personnes et blessé 13 autres, selon un bilan préliminaire », a précisé l’Agence nationale d’information (ANI).

Le Hezbollah dit avoir attaqué des forces israéliennes

Le Hezbollah a annoncé samedi avoir « fait barrage » à une force israélienne qui « tentait de s’infiltrer » sur une hauteur stratégique surplombant la ville de Nabatiyé, dans le sud du Liban.

« Tout en étant engagé en faveur du cessez-le-feu, le Hezbollah ne fera preuve d’aucune tolérance face à toute tentative israélienne […] d’étendre son occupation », a affirmé le mouvement allié de l’Iran dans un communiqué.

Cinq morts dans des frappes à Gaza

Des sources médicales dans le bande de Gaza ont annoncé samedi la mort de cinq personnes, dont quatre membres d’une même famille, dans des frappes israéliennes, malgré le cessez-le-feu fragile en vigueur dans le territoire palestinien.

Douze personnes ont également été blessée.

Israël et le Hamas s’accusent presque quotidiennement de violer la trêve entrée en vigueur en octobre dernier, tandis que la bande de Gaza reste en proie aux violences, faute de progrès vers une fin durable de la guerre.

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L’article L’Iran dit « fermer » le détroit d’Ormuz en réaction aux attaques d’Israël au Liban est apparu en premier sur World Opinion | Alternative Média.

President Donald Trump says he has cancelled planned strikes and bombings against Iran after discussions were allegedly approved by the “highest level” of the Iranian leadership. There has been no confirmation from Iran.

Earlier, he has warned the US will be hitting Iran “very hard” tonight, adding that Washington will take over Iran’s Kharg ⁠island and ⁠other oil ⁠infrastructure points.

Iran’s Foreign Ministry has condemned the US strikes on the country, saying that it has rendered the ceasefire “practically meaningless”.

The Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) launched retaliatory strikes on US forces in the region, including in Kuwait, Bahrain and Jordan, according to Iranian news reports. Iran’s military also ordered the complete closure of the Strait of Hormuz to all vessels.

Trump says deal signing could take place this weekend in Europe

Continuing his remarks in the White House, the US president said the signing of a deal could take place somewhere in Europe as soon as this weekend.

Trump said he would not be able to attend, but VP JD Vance would be there.

Qatar says emir and Trump spoke about the deal

Qatar’s emir and Trump spoke about the deal and Trump “affirmed that the understandings reached had the approval of all concerned parties”, the Qatari emir’s office says.

“During the call, the two leaders discussed the close strategic relations between the two countries and ways to support and enhance them, in addition to the latest regional and international developments, particularly those related to diplomatic efforts for de-escalation in the region,” the statement said.

It added that Qatar welcomes the efforts made to reach a deal and supports “everything that would consolidate regional and international security and stability, and enhance opportunities for peace and cooperation among the countries of the region”.

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L’article Trump ‘cancels scheduled strikes’ against Iran est apparu en premier sur World Opinion | Alternative Média.

US President Donald Trump says he spoke to Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Hezbollah for the Lebanon ceasefire, adding that both sides agreed to stop their attacks.

Earlier, Netanyahu ordered Israeli attacks on the southern suburbs of Beirut.

Iran’s Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters warned residents of northern Israel to leave the area if Israel carries out threats to expand attacks on Beirut and its southern suburbs.

Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi says the ceasefire between Iran and the US “is unequivocally a ceasefire on all fronts, including in Lebanon. Its violation on one front is a violation of the ceasefire on all fronts”.

Iran has asked Pakistan to continue playing a diplomatic role in helping reduce regional tensions and support efforts to maintain the ceasefire in Lebanon, according to a statement issued from Islamabad.

Qatari source says officials working towards de-escalation in southern Lebanon

The US has informed Qatar that strikes threatened by Israel on Beirut’s southern suburbs have been cancelled following a call between Trump and Netanyahu, a Qatari diplomatic source has told Al Jazeera.

The official added that Qatar initiated contact with the US last Sunday to push for de-escalation in southern Lebanon, and since then, its officials have been engaged in mediation efforts to reinforce the ceasefire.

What is happening in the occupied West Bank?

The Israeli army and settlers have continued their attacks across the occupied West Bank.

Here is a round-up of what happened today, according to reports collected by the Wafa news agency:

Settlers carried out a series of attacks on agricultural land in the Nablus and Ramallah governorates, including setting fire to olive plantations and causing widespread damage through livestock grazing.

Settlers erected sheds and moved caravans onto previously bulldozed land in the town of Turmus Ayya, northeast of Ramallah, where olive trees had earlier been uprooted.

Israeli forces stormed the Kafr Aqab neighbourhood, north of occupied East Jerusalem, firing tear gas and stun grenades.

Israeli authorities issued a demolition order against a Palestinian’s home and commercial facility in the town of Jaba, north of Jerusalem. It houses two families of 13 people.

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L’article Trump says he spoke to Netanyahu, Hezbollah about Lebanon est apparu en premier sur World Opinion | Alternative Média.

Huge numbers of Muslims prayed on Mount Arafat at the most important ritual of the Hajj pilgrimage, as a punishing desert sun sent temperatures soaring towards 40 degrees Celsius (104 degrees Fahrenheit).

From daybreak on Tuesday, thousands of white-robed worshippers recited Quranic verses on the 70-metre (230-foot) rocky hill near Mecca, where the Prophet Muhammad is believed to have delivered his final sermon.

Volunteers lined the route, handing out bottles of water, parasols and food packages to the tens of thousands of pilgrims making their way towards the mount.

“It is an indescribable feeling,” said Ahmoud Abou Elezz, a 35-year-old Egyptian engineer, as he approached Mount Arafat for the first time.

More than 1.5 million people have joined the Hajj this year, even as a war pitting the United States and Israel against Iran casts a long shadow across the Middle East.

During the fighting, Tehran retaliated with waves of drone and ballistic missile strikes, hitting major infrastructure and energy installations across the Gulf, including in Saudi Arabia.

More than 30,000 Iranians have made the journey, about a third of the 86,000 originally expected. Iran’s IRNA state news agency said the “wartime situation” explained the drop.

Despite the conflict, Saudi officials said over the weekend that more pilgrims have travelled from abroad this year than in 2024.

The Hajj, one of the five pillars of Islam, is obligatory at least once in a lifetime for all Muslims who are physically and financially able to perform it.

With temperatures reaching 44C (111F) in Mecca in recent days, Saudi authorities have urged pilgrims to drink plenty of water and protect themselves from the sun during the mostly outdoor rituals, which can stretch over five days or more.

Because men are prohibited from wearing hats, many carry umbrellas to shield themselves from the blistering heat.

After the day on Mount Arafat, pilgrims will spend the night in Muzdalifah, where they collect pebbles for the symbolic “stoning of the devil” ritual in Mina, set to begin on Wednesday.

The Hajj is said to trace the route of the Prophet Muhammad’s final pilgrimage about 1,400 years ago, and has long been a crucial source of legitimacy for the Al Saud dynasty, whose monarch bears the title “Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques” in Mecca and Medina.

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L’article Hajj pilgrims gather at Mount Arafat under scorching desert sun.. Video est apparu en premier sur World Opinion | Alternative Média.

 La réponse de l’Iran au plan américain destiné à mettre fin à la guerre et à ouvrir des discussions de paix a été transmise à Washington, par l’intermédiaire du Pakistan, a indiqué dimanche l’agence de presse officielle Irna, sans fournir de détails. Cette réponse intervient dans un contexte de tensions persistantes et d’incidents dans le détroit d’Ormuz.

L’armée américaine a annoncé vendredi avoir « neutralisé », en leur tirant dessus, deux navires battant pavillon iranien qui tentaient de rejoindre un port iranien dans le golfe d’Oman, « en violation du blocus américain en cours ».

L’armée américaine avait annoncé jeudi avoir « ciblé des installations militaires iraniennes » après que trois de ses navires ont été attaqués en traversant le détroit d’Ormuz vers le Golfe.

Le commandement militaire iranien a accusé de son côté l’armée américaine d’avoir violé le cessez-le-feu en attaquant des navires à proximité du passage maritime. Les forces iraniennes « ont immédiatement riposté » en attaquant des navires américains, a-t-il affirmé.

-L’Iran a créé une nouvelle agence gouvernementale chargée d’approuver les passages dans le détroit d’Ormuz et d’en percevoir les droits pour la navigation, a rapporté vendredi le journal spécialisé Lloyd’s List. C’est « inacceptable », a réagi le chef de la diplomatie américaine Marco Rubio.

Donald Trump affirme que le cessez-le-feu est toujours en vigueur. Le président américain avait précédemment soufflé le chaud et le froid à propos du conflit. Il a jugé jeudi qu’un accord de paix était possible, tout en menaçant l’Iran d’une reprise des bombardements en cas d’échec des négociations.

L’Iran avertit d’une « réponse immédiate » en cas de déploiement français et britannique dans le détroit d’Ormuz

Le vice-ministre iranien des Affaires étrangères, Kazem Gharibabadi, a averti dimanche d’une « réponse décisive et immédiate » de l’armée en cas de déploiement français et britannique dans le détroit d’Ormuz, après l’annonce par Paris et Londres de l’envoi de bâtiments militaires dans la région.

« Nous leur rappelons qu’en temps de guerre comme en temps de paix, seule la République islamique d’Iran peut assurer la sécurité dans ce détroit et qu’elle n’autorisera aucun pays à s’ingérer dans ce domaine », a-t-il affirmé sur X.

Le Royaume-Uni et la France sont en première ligne pour mettre sur pied une coalition internationale visant à sécuriser le détroit d’Ormuz, une fois qu’un accord de paix entre les États-Unis et l’Iran aura été conclu.

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L’article L’Iran a envoyé sa réponse au plan américain visant à mettre fin à la guerre.. Vidéo est apparu en premier sur World Opinion | Alternative Média.

Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps says it set a 30-day deadline for the US military to end its blockade of ports, adding President Trump “must choose between an impossible military operation or a bad deal”.

Trump says he’ll review the plan Iran sent via Pakistan but does not think he can make a deal.

The comments come after Iran sent a 14-point plan to the US calling for guarantees of non-aggression, the lifting of a naval blockade, and an end to the war “on all fronts“, including in Lebanon.

 Prices are surging in Iran, and millions of jobs have been lost as the war with the US and Israel causes escalating economic damage.

Food and medicine, cars, electrical devices and petrochemical products are among the many items that cost more this Saturday, the first day of the working week, than a week ago.

A toxic mix of mismanagement, the bombardment of Iran’s infrastructure, US sanctions, and the naval blockade is pummelling the country of more than 90 million people. In addition, the government-imposed, near-total internet shutdown is into its third month.

On top of all that, the national currency, the rial, has sunk to a new all-time low of 1.84 million against the US dollar.

Israeli army intercepts Hezbollah rockets in southern Lebanon

The Israeli army has reported intercepting Hezbollah rockets after alerts were activated in the Menara area, northern Israel. The rockets were reportedly targeting Israeli soldiers now stationed in southern Lebanon.

The army said that its Air Force intercepted one launch, while other rockets fell in open areas, with no casualties. It added that it launched interceptors toward several suspected aerial targets identified in the area where Israeli forces are operating.

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L’article US options are ‘impossible’ military attack or a ‘bad deal’.. Video est apparu en premier sur World Opinion | Alternative Média.

An Iranian army spokesperson says Iran is still in a “war situation” as the Strait of Hormuz remains a major sticking point in negotiations.

As Gulf leaders meet in Saudi Arabia, Qatar says the critical waterway should not be used as a pressure card and warns against the possibility of a “frozen conflict”.

US President Donald Trump’s national security team is reviewing an Iranian plan to halt the war and open the Strait of Hormuz, while postponing talks on its nuclear programme.

Israel and Hezbollah continue to trade fire as the death toll from Israeli attacks on Lebanon since an April 17 “ceasefire” rises to at least 40 people.

US sanctions entities, individuals involved in Iran ‘shadow banking’

Amid deadlocked US-Iran negotiations, the US Treasury Department has announced it’s imposing sanctions on 35 Iranian entities and individuals playing a role in Iran’s “shadow banking” networks.

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said illicit funds – amounting to tens of billions of dollars funnelled by the designated entities and individuals – supported Iran’s “terrorist operations”.

Any firms making “toll payments” to Iran for passage through the blocked Strait of Hormuz face “significant sanctions”, its Office of Foreign Assets Control said.

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L’article Iranian army ‘still in war situation’; Gulf leaders meet.. Video est apparu en premier sur World Opinion | Alternative Média.

L’Iran a déclaré lundi que son armée devrait avoir autorité sur le détroit d’Ormuz, au terme d’une proposition de loi.

Au Liban, le président libanais Joseph Aoun a affirmé qu’il refuserait tout accord « humiliant » avec Israël, alors que des frappes israéliennes ont visé le sud et l’est du pays, malgré le cessez-le-feu en vigueur. Dans le même temps, Vladimir Poutine a reçu le chef de la diplomatie iranienne Abbas Araghchi à Moscou.

Le chef de l’armée israélienne dit que 2026 « pourrait encore être une année de combats » sur tous les fronts

Le chef d’état-major de l’armée israélienne, Eyal Zamir, a affirmé que 2026 « pourrait encore être une année de combats » sur tous les fronts, selon un communiqué militaire.

« Depuis le 7 octobre (2023, NDLR), l’armée est engagée dans une campagne continue sur plusieurs fronts. Nous demeurons prêts et en alerte face à la possibilité d’une reprise de combats intenses sur l’ensemble de ces fronts – l’année 2026 pourrait encore être une année de combats sur chacun d’entre eux », a déclaré le lieutenant-général Eyal Zamir lors d’une rencontre avec des officiers.

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L’article Poutine reçoit le chef de la diplomatie iranienne, Israël poursuit ses frappes au Liban est apparu en premier sur World Opinion | Alternative Média.

Senior Iranian officials have blamed Washington for stalled peace negotiations due to the United States naval blockade of the country’s ports, while Iran’s Revolutionary Guard says it captured two foreign vessels in the Strait of Hormuz and opened fire on a third ship for violating maritime regulations.

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said Tehran wants “dialogue and agreement” but “breach of commitments, blockade and threats are the main obstacles to genuine negotiations”.

White House spokesperson Karoline Leavitt said no deadline has been set by US President Donald Trump for the extension of his ceasefire on Iran, adding that it will be the president’s decision when the truce ends.

Lebanon has condemned Israel for the targeted killing of Lebanese newspaper correspondent Amal Khalil and the wounding of journalist colleague Zeinab Faraj, despite a negotiated ceasefire between both countries, which Israel has violated daily with deadly attacks and demolitions of Lebanese homes.

Lebanese president condemns killing of journalist Amal Khalil as ‘crime against humanity’

Lebanese President Joseph Aoun has expressed his condolences over the death of Al Akhbar journalist Amal Khalil, who was killed by an Israeli attack in the town of al-Tayri, and extended his wishes for the swift recovery of colleague Zeinab Faraj, who was seriously wounded in the same attack.

Aoun said in a post on X that Israel’s “deliberate and consistent targeting of journalists” was aimed at “concealing the truth of its aggressive acts against Lebanon”.

Such acts constitute “crimes against humanity punishable under international laws and conventions”, the president said, adding that the killing of Khalil should serve as “an incentive for the international community to intervene and put an end to them”.

The president also extended his condolences to Khalil’s family, to Al Akhbar newspaper, and to the broader Lebanese and Arab media community, describing the slain journalist as having “joined the caravan of martyred journalists who preceded her on the path of martyrdom in the land of the South”.

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L’article Israel kills Lebanese journalist; Tehran-US talks stalled.. Video est apparu en premier sur World Opinion | Alternative Média.