Rooma News : Twin Earthquakes Devastate Venezuelan Coast — 32 Dead, Hundreds Injured

 

Vol. I · No. 1

Thursday, June 25, 2026

Islamabad, Pakistan

Rooma News

By Rooma Mehmood

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Islamabad

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Global & National Coverage

World

Pakistan

Politics

Economy

Security

Breaking News

Venezuela · Natural Disaster

Twin Earthquakes Devastate Venezuelan Coast — 32 Dead, Hundreds Injured

Back-to-back quakes of 7.1 and 7.5 magnitude strike near the coastal town of Morón, triggering blackouts, building collapses, and a formal state of emergency.

A catastrophic natural disaster struck Venezuela late Wednesday when two powerful earthquakes — measuring 7.1 and then 7.5 in magnitude — hit near Morón, a coastal town roughly 160 kilometres west of Caracas. The consecutive tremors caused widespread destruction, leaving entire neighbourhoods in darkness and cutting off water access across multiple regions.

Acting President Delcy Rodríguez confirmed in a national address that at least 32 lives have been lost and more than 700 people sustained injuries of varying severity. Emergency response teams were scrambled across affected provinces as rescue operations began in the rubble of damaged buildings.

A formal state of emergency has been declared. International aid organisations are monitoring the situation and assessing whether humanitarian assistance will be requested by Caracas. The full extent of structural damage remains under assessment.

Also in World News

Colombia Elects Right-Wing President de la Espriella

The National Electoral Council officially declared Abelardo de la Espriella president-elect for 2026–2030. Left-wing coalition leader Iván Cepeda conceded defeat.

European Powers Vow Deeper Defense Pacts

UK, France, Germany, Italy, and Poland jointly pledged significant scaling-up of defence industrial cooperation following a high-level NATO security briefing.

Gold Markets Dip on Iran Tension

Global gold prices fell sharply as geopolitical friction over Strait of Hormuz shipping lanes rattled investor confidence despite the recent U.S.-Iran MoU.

"Allowing tolls on international waterways would spread like a contagion and risk total global chaos."

— U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, speaking at the GCC meeting in Bahrain

World Affairs

Geopolitics · Middle East

Strait of Hormuz Standoff Rattles Global Shipping

Despite a recently signed U.S.-Iran peace memorandum of understanding, fresh tensions have erupted over the world's most vital oil transit route. Iran's Revolutionary Guards demanded all maritime traffic use Iranian-authorised routes or face consequences, while Tehran separately announced plans to impose maritime service fees — a move Washington firmly opposes.

At a Gulf Cooperation Council meeting in Bahrain, Secretary of State Marco Rubio delivered a stern warning against such fees, calling them a threat to global order. Back in Washington, U.S. Senate Republicans in a late-night vote rejected a War Powers resolution that would have blocked potential conflict with Iran, following direct pressure from President Trump.

Europe · Defence

Five European Powers Pledge Historic Defence Alliance

Leaders from the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Italy, and Poland issued a unified statement committing to substantially deepen defence industrial cooperation across the bloc. The announcement followed a high-level classified security briefing convened with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte.

Analysts view the accord as one of the most significant multilateral European security commitments in recent years, reflecting growing concern over the continent's strategic autonomy in an era of shifting global alliances.

Americas · Elections

Colombia Swings Right After Tight Presidential Race

Following Sunday's closely contested ballot counting, Colombia's National Electoral Council formally declared right-wing candidate Abelardo de la Espriella as president-elect for the 2026–2030 term. His left-wing rival, Iván Cepeda, publicly conceded defeat in a statement that called for national unity.

The result marks a significant political realignment in Latin America's third-largest economy, with de la Espriella expected to pivot Colombia's foreign and economic policies in a markedly different direction than his predecessor.

Pakistan

Security

Muharram 9 Observed Under Unprecedented Security Grid

Pakistan is observing Muharram 9 today with one of the most extensive security operations in recent memory. Major metropolitan hubs are seeing heavy traffic diversions, cellular suspensions in sensitive zones, and strict road closures. Security forces remain on high alert ahead of the primary Ashura processions taking place across June 25–26.

Diplomacy

Pakistan Hailed as Peacemaker; Pushes UNSC Resolution

Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar highlighted that global powers are openly recognising Pakistan's role as a quiet but critical diplomatic broker in facilitating the U.S.-Iran peace process. Simultaneously, Pakistan and China jointly organised a key United Nations Security Council meeting in New York aimed at establishing concrete implementation measures for long-standing unresolved UNSC resolutions.

Economy

Federal Audit Uncovers Billions in Irregularities at FBR

The Auditor General of Pakistan's latest report has sent ripples through Islamabad, detailing severe financial irregularities across multiple federal entities. The Federal Board of Revenue is under particular scrutiny after auditors found it failed to effectively collect billions in potential super tax revenue. The case has been forwarded to the Public Accounts Committee for urgent examination.

Balochistan

IED Blast in Ormara Claims Life; Shutdowns Spread

Security remains fragile across parts of Balochistan after a targeted improvised explosive device blast in Ormara tragically killed one person. The attack triggered localised strikes and forced the shuttering of businesses across several districts. Meanwhile, an Air India Airbus A321 flying from Delhi to Amritsar briefly drifted into Pakistani airspace before Lahore ATC issued a precautionary alert, prompting the aircraft to safely redirect back to Delhi.

Rooma News

By Rooma Mehmood · Islamabad · Thursday, June 25, 2026

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