360LiveNews Noontime News: Venezuela quake toll climbs as Iran tensions ripple through diplomacy and shipping

Rescue teams in Venezuela are still searching collapsed buildings after twin quakes hit the west of the country, with the death toll now reported at least 164 and emergency crews working near Caracas and other affected areas. Earlier reports had put the toll far lower, but officials and local media say the scale of the destruction is becoming clearer as rubble is cleared and injured people are treated.

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In the Middle East, the biggest security concern remains the Strait of Hormuz. Iran's Revolutionary Guards warned vessels against crossing without authorisation, saying ships that do not comply Strait of Hormuz rules will be dealt with, while US Secretary of State Marco Rubio warned in Bahrain that any tolls on shipping could spread like contagion to other waterways and create wider disruption.

Washington is also wrestling with the legal and political limits of any conflict with Tehran. The US Senate rejected a fresh resolution to curb President Donald Trump's authority over military action against Iran after two Republican senators switched sides, even as NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte met Trump at the White House in an effort to ease tensions over the alliance's response to the crisis ahead of the Ankara summit.

On the battlefield, Ukraine said its Security Service struck Russian air defence systems and military airfields in occupied Crimea, including sites tied to logistics and air cover. The operation is part of a broader effort to increase pressure on Russian supply lines and military infrastructure on the peninsula.

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There was also a rare border incident on the Korean peninsula, where South Korea said it had taken custody of a North Korean soldier who crossed the demilitarised zone into its territory. Officials described it as an unusual defection or crossing in one of the world's most heavily fortified frontiers.

At the International Criminal Court, three judges have filed a lawsuit in Manhattan federal court challenging sanctions imposed on them by the Trump administration. The case adds a new legal front to the dispute between Washington and the court over accountability and the reach of US penalties.

In Europe, Emmanuel Macron is hosting Giorgia Meloni in Antibes for the first bilateral summit between the French and Italian leaders. The talks on the French Riviera are expected to cover bilateral ties and wider European issues, with both governments seeking closer coordination despite past political differences.

Separate reports on Venezuela's disaster response said at least 32 people were initially confirmed dead and about 700 injured after the two powerful earthquakes struck western parts of the country, underlining how quickly the casualty figures have risen as rescue work continues.

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