NPR News: 06-27-2026 5PM EDT

A series of major earthquakes in northern Venezuela has killed more than 1,400 people, with rescue efforts entering a critical phase as the 72-hour window for finding survivors narrows. That is the dominant development in this NPR News Now update, which also covers renewed tensions between Israel and Hezbollah, severe flooding in Kentucky, a new ICE nomination, and a heat wave in Europe.

Earthquakes in Venezuela: Death Toll Rises Past 1,400

The death toll from two earthquakes that struck Venezuela this week has climbed above 1,400, and rescue operations are intensifying. The hardest-hit area is the coastal state of La Guayra, where roads remain congested with convoys of military trucks and civilians carrying aid workers, shovels, heavy machinery, and food supplies. Venezuela's interim president, Delcy Rodriguez, has militarized access to La Guayra in an effort to streamline the delivery of aid. Local authorities report that tens of thousands of people are still missing, making the coming hours decisive for rescue teams trying to find survivors.

Israel and Hezbollah: Tensions Over Withdrawal and Disarmament