ISRAEL-LEBANON SIGNING CEREMONY IMMINENT IN WASHINGTON AS US SECRETARY OF STATE RUBIO JOINS EFFORT

A signing ceremony for an Israel-Lebanon agreement is expected imminently in Washington, but deep divisions remain over the scope of any Israeli withdrawal from southern Lebanon.

Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz has said the military will not pull back from its security zone, while Hezbollah's leader Naim Kassam has demanded a complete and unconditional Israeli departure from Lebanese territory.

The Lebanese Health Ministry says more than four thousand people have been killed since the Israeli military operation began in March.

From Tel Aviv, Blake Sifton has more.

IN: “Israeli officials, including...”
OUT: “...have been destroyed.”
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BURNHAM ON COURSE TO BECOME BRITAIN'S NEXT PRIME MINISTER UNOPPOSED AS NOMINATIONS SET TO OPEN IN JULY

Andy Burnham is on course to become Britain's next prime minister — possibly without a contest — after securing the support of more than 200 Labour lawmakers, well above the threshold needed to get on the ballot.  Nominations are due to open on the ninth of July.

British Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer announced his resignation last Monday but remains in office until a successor is chosen.

Olly Barratt reports from London.

IN: “If we get...”
OUT: “...UK Prime Minister.”
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(ALT)

Olly Barratt, reporting from London, says Burnham could be on the steps of Downing Street by mid-July if no challenger emerges to force a full leadership ballot.

IN: “Andy Burnham at...”
OUT: “...form a government.”
DUR: 38 seconds
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(ALT)

Olly Barratt in London says opposition parties have accused Labour of running a lame-duck administration while the party waits for a new leader — and whoever wins will face immediate challenges on immigration, the economy, and several international crises.

IN: “He would have...”
OUT: “...to be appointed.”
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BRITISH LAWMAKERS CHALLENGE MINISTER OVER ASYLUM SITE PLANS AS BACKLOG FALLS SEVENTY-THREE PER CENT FROM PEAK

Members of the British parliament have challenged Border Security and Asylum Minister Alex Norris over the government's plans to house asylum seekers on military sites, with local councils telling the Home Affairs Committee the locations are not suitable.

The scrutiny comes as fresh data shows the number of asylum cases awaiting an initial decision has fallen seventy-three per cent from its 2023 peak — but London remains a stark outlier, with nearly six in ten asylum seekers in the capital still living in hotels.

The government says its approach has saved taxpayers close to a billion pounds (approximately 1.3 billion dollars), while opposition parties say ministers have not proved the plans are viable.

Olly Barratt reports from London.

IN: “They are controversial...”
OUT: “...out this morning.”
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(ALT)

Reporter Olly Barratt in London says critics argue housing asylum seekers on military sites may actually cost the taxpayer more than using hotels.

IN: “One of the...”
OUT: “...caused in communities.”
DUR: 27 seconds
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VENEZUELA EARTHQUAKE DEATH TOLL EXPECTED TO RISE AS HUNDREDS REMAIN TRAPPED UNDER RUBBLE

At least 188 people have been killed and more than 1,500 injured after twin earthquakes struck Venezuela on Wednesday evening — a magnitude 7.2 tremor followed just 40 seconds later by a 7.5 quake, the most powerful to hit the country in more than a century.

More than 200 people are still believed to be trapped under the rubble of some 250 collapsed or damaged buildings, and the death toll is expected to rise significantly.

Schools across the affected areas have been closed and turned into emergency shelters, while hospitals are overwhelmed with the injured.

Freelance reporter Catherine Ellis has been talking to people in Caracas from the Colombian border with Venezuela.

IN: “He slept in...”
OUT: “...aftershocks as well.”
DUR: 20 seconds
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(ALT)

Catherine Ellis, on the Colombian border, says Venezuelans had been feeling cautiously optimistic about their country's future before the disaster struck.

IN: “People are just...”
OUT: “...dark, black cloud.”
DUR: 21 seconds
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(ALT)

Catherine Ellis, on the Colombian border, says the financial burden of rebuilding will compound the hardship already facing ordinary Venezuelans.

IN: “We don't know...”
OUT: “...all of them.”
DUR: 39 seconds
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UN MARITIME AGENCY PAUSES EVACUATION OF 11,000 STRANDED SAILORS AFTER IRAN'S REVOLUTIONARY GUARD STRIKES CARGO SHIP IN STRAIT OF HORMUZ

The United Nations' maritime agency has halted its evacuation of eleven thousand stranded sailors from the Strait of Hormuz after Iran's Revolutionary Guard struck a Singapore-flagged cargo ship near the Omani coast.

The attack has raised questions about how the White House will respond, with US crude for August delivery dropping more than one per cent on Thursday and Brent crude falling below seventy-two dollars and fifty-one cents a barrel.

Iran had warned it would deal with any vessel using a new route through the strait that Tehran called unacceptable.

Mitch Mccann has the story from New York.

IN: “Another consideration here...”
OUT: “...he strikes back.”
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DOW HITS ALL-TIME INTRADAY RECORD AS MICRON SURGES BUT NASDAQ FALLS ON TECH SELL-OFF

The Dow Jones Industrial Average has hit an all-time intraday record on Thursday, touching 52,655, even as the tech-heavy Nasdaq fell amid a sell-off in major technology stocks including Apple.

The split came on a day when memory chip maker Micron Technology saw its shares surge after reporting quarterly revenue that quadrupled compared with a year ago, smashing analyst expectations.

The company's market capitalisation briefly surpassed that of Meta Platforms and Tesla.

Mitch Mccann reports from New York.

IN: “The memory chip...”
OUT: “...coming for Micron.”
DUR: 34 seconds
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(ALT)

Mitch Mccann in New York says Micron is shifting its business model by signing longer-term agreements with customers, which could keep the company's profit margins high.

IN: “Micron's chief executive...”
OUT: “...lot more confidence.”
DUR: 35 seconds
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US DEPLOYS SEARCH AND RESCUE TEAMS TO VENEZUELA AS EARTHQUAKE DEATH TOLL RISES

The United States is deploying search and rescue teams to Venezuela after back-to-back earthquakes killed at least 164 people and injured around a thousand on Wednesday night, with the US Geological Survey warning the final death toll could be far higher.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio confirmed the deployment after speaking directly with Venezuela's acting president Delcy Rodriguez, saying collapsed buildings are the most immediate concern and that military assets will be used to get aid in because Caracas airport has been badly damaged.

The earthquakes struck about 100 miles (160 kilometres) west of Caracas, with the second and larger quake measuring magnitude 7.5.

Allister Dsouza reports from Washington.

IN: “Very quickly, U.S...”
OUT: “...go to Venezuela.”
DUR: 35 seconds
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(ALT)

Allister Dsouza in Washington says the rapid American response reflects a diplomatic realignment between Washington and Caracas, but that ordinary Venezuelans are pressing for more to be done.

IN: “Help from the...”
OUT: “...these rescue efforts.”
DUR: 38 seconds
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UK CHARITY SERVE ON PREPARES TO FLY VOLUNTEER RESCUE TEAM TO EARTHQUAKE-HIT VENEZUELA

At least 164 people have been killed and nearly a thousand injured after two major earthquakes struck northern Venezuela on Wednesday evening, with the United States Geological Survey warning the true death toll could run into the thousands.

International rescue teams are now racing to reach the country, with the first few days seen as critical for finding survivors trapped under rubble.

Jay McNeil is a volunteer with the British rapid-response charity Serve On, which is preparing to deploy to Venezuela.

IN: “I think that's...”
OUT: “...hundreds of thousands.”
DUR: 26 seconds
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(ALT)

Jay McNeil of the British charity Serve On says the scale of infrastructure damage means international teams must be entirely self-sufficient.

IN: “The logistical challenges...”
OUT: “...when we deploy.”
DUR: 22 seconds
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RUBIO SAYS ISRAEL-LEBANON TALKS NEAR 'COMMITMENT OF INTENT' BUT BOTH SIDES DENY ANY IDF WITHDRAWAL

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has warned that allowing any country to impose fees on ships passing through the Strait of Hormuz could create chaos across global shipping lanes, as tensions over the key waterway escalate.

The warning came during a visit to Bahrain, where Rubio met Saudi Foreign Minister Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud to discuss the conflict with Iran.

Oman's top diplomat has separately declared that no transit fees will be imposed in the strait, though Tehran has pushed back against any alternative shipping arrangements.

Blake Sifton reports from Tel Aviv.

IN: “The IRGC said...”
OUT: “...by the war.”
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(ALT)

Blake Sifton in Tel Aviv says the current round of Israel-Lebanon talks in Washington is reported to be the least productive so far, with Israeli negotiators reluctant to agree to any troop withdrawals from southern Lebanon.

IN: “Israeli officials are...”
OUT: “...willing to accept.”
DUR: 36 seconds
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VENEZUELA EARTHQUAKE DEATH TOLL EXPECTED TO RISE AS US DEPLOYS RESCUE TEAMS

At least 32 people have been killed and 700 injured after two powerful earthquakes struck Venezuela on Wednesday evening, with acting President Delcy Rodriguez warning the death toll is expected to rise significantly.

The twin quakes — magnitude 7.2 and 7.5 — struck within seconds of each other near the town of San Felipe, roughly 100 miles (160 kilometres) west of Caracas, toppling dozens of buildings in the capital and shutting the country's main international airport.

The United States says it is deploying search and rescue teams and humanitarian assistance, with teams from several other countries also heading to Venezuela.

Catherine Ellis reports from Bogota.

IN: “I don't know...”
OUT: “...on social media.”
DUR: 36 seconds
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(ALT)

Catherine Ellis in Bogota says she is trying to reach Venezuela by land because the country's main international airport has been destroyed.

IN: “It's a devastating...”
OUT: “...is completely damaged.”
DUR: 18 seconds
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UN WARNS SUDAN'S NEW CHOLERA OUTBREAK WORSENING AS DRONE STRIKES SHUT DOWN MEDICAL FACILITIES AND WATER STATIONS IN KORDOFAN

The United Nations says a new cholera outbreak in Sudan's Kordofan region is worsening, with drone strikes on the city of El Obeid forcing the closure of medical facilities and water stations.

The outbreak was officially declared last Tuesday, barely three months after the previous epidemic — which infected more than 124,000 people and killed over 3,500 — was declared over.

The disease has now spread beyond West Kordofan into neighbouring North Kordofan state.

Naba Mohiedeen reports from Port Sudan.

IN: “The authorities, local...”
OUT: “...deaths. since mid-May.”
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(ALT)

Naba Mohiedeen in Port Sudan says conditions in El Obeid are deteriorating rapidly, with civilians facing daily drone attacks targeting essential infrastructure.

IN: “The situation in...”
OUT: “...electricity, fuel depots.”
DUR: 25 seconds
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(ALT)

Naba Mohiedeen, reporting from Port Sudan, says the World Health Organization is working to bolster the cholera response by establishing treatment facilities and delivering medical supplies to the affected region.

IN: “The WHO said...”
OUT: “...rapid test supplies.”
DUR: 15 seconds
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RUBIO MEETS GULF COOPERATION COUNCIL IN BAHRAIN TO SELL US-IRAN DEAL TO WARY ALLIES

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio is meeting Gulf Cooperation Council representatives in Bahrain on Thursday, the last leg of a three-nation tour to build support for the memorandum of understanding Washington signed with Tehran.

Before leaving Kuwait, Rubio defended the decision to lift sanctions on Iran, calling it a temporary sixty-day measure and warning that US President Donald Trump has options if Tehran fails to honour its commitments.

Fiona Mee has the story from Dubai.

IN: “There's been consistent...”
OUT: “...missiles intercepted here.”
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US DEPLOYS SEARCH AND RESCUE TEAMS TO VENEZUELA AS EARTHQUAKE DEATH TOLL EXPECTED TO RISE

The United States is deploying search-and-rescue teams, medical resources and humanitarian aid to Venezuela at the direction of US President Donald Trump, after two powerful earthquakes killed at least 32 people and injured 700 on Wednesday.

Teams from Mexico, El Salvador, the Dominican Republic and Qatar are also heading to the country, while China, Brazil and Caribbean nations have offered assistance.

The quakes struck within seconds of each other roughly 100 miles (160 kilometres) west of Caracas and are among the strongest to hit Venezuela in more than a century.

Matthew Blackett, Associate Professor of Natural Hazards and Earthquakes at Coventry University, says the capital's ageing infrastructure leaves it especially vulnerable.

IN: “Caracas is a...”
OUT: “...that we're seeing.”
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(ALT)

Matthew Blackett, Associate Professor of Natural Hazards and Earthquakes at Coventry University, says rescue crews may have only a day or two to reach survivors trapped in collapsed buildings while the threat of aftershocks persists.

IN: “This is the...”
OUT: “...lives at risk.”
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VENEZUELA DECLARES STATE OF EMERGENCY AFTER BACK-TO-BACK EARTHQUAKES KILL AT LEAST 32

Venezuela has declared a state of emergency after two earthquakes of magnitudes 7.2 and 7.5 struck the country's northern coast, killing at least 32 people and injuring hundreds more.

The quakes hit just 40 seconds apart while many Venezuelans were at home celebrating a public holiday — the strongest to strike the country in more than 125 years.

Simon Bolivar International Airport, which serves the capital Caracas, has been shut down, and a large waterfront hotel in the coastal city of Macuto has collapsed.

Jon Bonfiglio, a reporter based in Mexico City, describes the emerging picture.

IN: “We expect high...”
OUT: “...to serious damage.”
DUR: 26 seconds
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(ALT)

Jon Bonfiglio, a reporter based in Mexico City, says Caracas sits in a steep valley with a high water table, and decades of poor building practice have left it ill-prepared for a major earthquake.

IN: “One of the...”
OUT: “...an ongoing problem.”
DUR: 29 seconds
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AT LEAST 32 DEAD AND HUNDREDS INJURED AS TWIN EARTHQUAKES ROCK VENEZUELA

At least thirty-two people have been killed and seven hundred injured after two powerful earthquakes struck Venezuela on Wednesday, with the death toll expected to rise.

The US Geological Survey recorded a magnitude 7.2 quake followed just thirty-nine seconds later by a magnitude 7.5 tremor — the largest to hit the country in more than a century. Caracas's main international airport has been shut because of heavy damage.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has expressed his condolences, while US President Donald Trump has said Washington stands ready to provide assistance.

From New Delhi, Neha Poonia reports.

IN: “The government in...”
OUT: “...in neighboring Colombia.”
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(ALT)

Neha Poonia, reporting from New Delhi, says the White House has signalled it is preparing to deploy assistance to Venezuela.

IN: “US President Donald...”
OUT: “...and humanitarian supplies.”
DUR: 20 seconds
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WHITE HOUSE ASKS CONGRESS FOR 87.6 BILLION DOLLARS IN SUPPLEMENTAL SPENDING FOR IRAN WAR, FARM AID AND EBOLA RESPONSE

The White House has asked Congress for 87.6 billion dollars in emergency spending, with the bulk of the money earmarked for the war in Iran.

Democrats have dismissed the request, with Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer calling it an attempt to paper over the damage of what he called a reckless war. Connecticut Senator Chris Murphy said the package appeared designed not to pass.

The request comes a day after both chambers of Congress voted to rebuke US President Donald Trump over the conflict.

Mitch Mccann reports from New York.

IN: “For Democrats and...”
OUT: “...elections, of course.”
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(ALT)

Mitch Mccann in New York says the housing bill had been hailed as one of the most significant housing policy packages considered by Congress in decades.

IN: “This was a...”
OUT: “...the last minute.”
DUR: 38 seconds
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WALL STREET REBOUNDS AS OIL PRICES PLUNGE TO LOWEST LEVELS SINCE START OF US-IRAN WAR

Wall Street has bounced back on Wednesday after a bruising start to the week for technology stocks, with the Dow Jones, the S&P 500 and the Nasdaq all moving higher.

The recovery comes as oil prices have tumbled to their lowest levels since the start of the US-Iran war, with Brent crude falling around four per cent to roughly 73 dollars a barrel as tankers begin navigating the Strait of Hormuz once more.

The drop in crude is welcome news for consumers but has dragged down shares in major energy firms.

Mitch Mccann reports from New York.

IN: “In fact, a...”
OUT: “...started in February.”
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(ALT)

Mitch Mccann in New York says investors are also watching for the results of the Federal Reserve's annual stress test of major American banks, due out on Wednesday afternoon.

IN: “Now the results...”
OUT: “...out this afternoon.”
DUR: 23 seconds
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(ALT)

Mitch Mccann in New York says Nvidia shareholders meeting on Wednesday will be watching closely for any signs of supply chain trouble with the company's flagship Blackwell chip platform.

IN: “At this meeting...”
OUT: “...next short while.”
DUR: 33 seconds
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FRANCE'S ALL-TIME HEAT RECORD EXPECTED TO BE SMASHED AGAIN AS PARIS HITS 40 DEGREES AND LANDMARKS SHUT

France is bracing for its all-time temperature record to be broken for the second day running, with forecasters predicting a national average of nearly 31 degrees Celsius — almost a full degree above the record set only on Tuesday.

The Eiffel Tower and the Louvre are closing early for a second consecutive day, while three nuclear reactors have been forced to cut output as river temperatures climb too high for safe cooling.

More than 68-thousand homes in the northwest lost power on Tuesday evening after a heat-related transformer failure.

Ross Cullen reports from Paris.

IN: “This morning in...”
OUT: “...several days now.”
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(ALT)

Ross Cullen, reporting from Paris, says the transport network is buckling under the strain, with train cancellations and few passengers willing to brave the underground metro system.

IN: “Train services are...”
OUT: “...France on Thursday.”
DUR: 14 seconds
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NINETEEN EU STATES PUSH TO FAST-TRACK OFFSHORE DEPORTATION HUBS AS FRANCE LEADS OPPOSITION

Nineteen EU member states are pushing to accelerate plans for offshore deportation hubs in third countries, after the European Parliament backed the bloc's new Return Regulation last week.

Eight countries, including France and Germany, oppose the scheme, with French President Emmanuel Macron saying the concept is incompatible with European values.

The regulation still requires formal sign-off from the Council before it can take effect.

William Denselow reports from Brussels.

IN: “It's a policy...”
OUT: “...into legal trouble.”
DUR: 17 seconds
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(ALT)

William Denselow in Brussels says the plans have drawn sharp criticism from both within the bloc and from international bodies.

IN: “There has been...”
OUT: “...work in practice.”
DUR: 16 seconds
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ISRAEL'S FM SAAR SAYS HEZBOLLAH HAS FIRED MORE THAN 7,000 ROCKETS AT ISRAEL SINCE MARCH AS DAY TWO OF US-MEDIATED TALKS BEGINS

Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar said on Wednesday that Hezbollah has fired more than seven thousand rockets, missiles and drones at Israel since March, as the second day of US-mediated diplomatic talks between Israel and Lebanon got under way at the State Department in Washington.

The talks come as the fragile ceasefire in southern Lebanon is already under strain — Hezbollah has accused Israel of violating the truce after Israeli forces killed several people in the south, while the Israeli military says those targeted were armed militants.

Lebanese President Joseph Aoun has said Beirut will accept nothing less than a full Israeli withdrawal from the south.

Blake Sifton reports from Tel Aviv.

IN: “The violence...”
OUT: “...of the ceasefire.”
DUR: 28 seconds
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(ALT)

Blake Sifton, reporting from Tel Aviv, says a pilot programme is being discussed that would see Israeli forces hand over some occupied areas to the Lebanese army — but Hezbollah is not at the negotiating table.

IN: “In direct talks...”
OUT: “...from the south.”
DUR: 26 seconds
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(ALT)

Blake Sifton in Tel Aviv says a new monitoring body for the Lebanon ceasefire has drawn fierce criticism in Israel because it would not include Israeli representatives.

IN: “Separately, Qatar and...”
OUT: “...in southern Lebanon.”
DUR: 25 seconds
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