A powerful earthquake struck off Japan’s northern coast on Thursday, but the country’s meteorological agency said there was no danger of a tsunami, AP reported. 

Kyodo news agency reported that at least four people were injured.

The quake had a magnitude of 7.2 and occurred off the eastern coast of Iwate, upgraded from an initial reading of 6.9, the Japan Meteorological Agency said.

The quake had a depth of about 50 kilometers (30 miles), it said.

The rattling occurred in an area where strong earthquakes have repeatedly been reported in recent months, including one that triggered a weeklong mega-quake caution advisory in December.

The quake, which struck Japan’s northeastern region during Thursday’s morning rush hour, also mildly shook Tokyo, according to AP. 

The death toll in Venezuela’s back-to-back earthquakes has risen to at least 164 people, with 971 confirmed injured, acting Venezuelan President Delcy Rodríguez said in an update on Thursday, according to CNN.

However, the true death toll is feared to be much higher, given the number of collapsed and damaged buildings, as authorities continue search and rescue efforts.

At least 30 aftershocks have occurred since the main earthquakes, Rodríguez said.

In an interview with Venezuela’s state broadcaster, Rodríguez said she is coordinating with the United Nations to send rescuers and with the International Monetary Fund to establish an initial fund of $200 million for rebuilding the country.

Rodríguez also appealed to the private sector for assistance with heavy machinery to support rescue efforts.

The 7.5-magnitude quake struck just 40 seconds after a 7.2-magnitude foreshock.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said that he has been in touch with acting Venezuelan President Delcy Rodríguez and that the US has deployed “search and rescue teams.”

The two large earthquakes that struck Venezuela were followed by two smaller ones, according to data from the US Geological Survey (USGS).

A magnitude 4.5 earthquake hit near Caracas just 19 minutes after the two strong earthquakes struck the northern coast of the country. Another, at magnitude 4.4, was recorded about seven hours later, also near Caracas.

The tremors are likely to continue. The USGS said that, according to its forecast, there is a 94% chance of at least one magnitude 5 aftershock within the next week.

Aftershocks following the recent earthquakes in Venezuela could continue for several months to up to a year, William Barnhart, coordinator of the U.S. Geological Survey’s Earthquake Hazards Program, has said.

“Aftershocks following this earthquake will likely continue for several months to up to a year. Some of these aftershocks may be strong enough to produce significant shaking and even cause additional damage,” Barnhart said. He added that the frequency and intensity of the aftershocks are expected to decrease over time.

Venezuela was struck by two powerful earthquakes. According to the U.S. Geological Survey, the first measured magnitude 7.2 and the second magnitude 7.5. More than 30 aftershocks followed.

 Authorities said at least 164 people were killed and 971 others injured. Numerous homes were destroyed, infrastructure was damaged, and the country’s main airport was closed.

French President Emmanuel Macron said on Thursday that his country’s navy had intercepted an oil ‌tanker as it transited near the coast of Sicily, in what he called his country’s latest action against the ‘shadow fleet’ Russia uses to ship oil ⁠and gas and to skirt Western sanctions, Reuters reported.

“This new action against the shadow fleet, conducted days after a similar operation by Britain, shows Europeans’ determination,” Macron said in a post on social media, adding that the interception took place on Tuesday.

“We ‌will ⁠not let the shadow fleet evade sanctions and finance the Russian war effort,” Macron said.

Macron posted a video showing Marines descending ⁠from helicopters onto the Deliver.

France has intercepted at least five tankers it says are part of ⁠Russia’s shadow fleet, old vessels that Russia has relied on to ship oil ⁠and gas and to skirt Western sanctions, according to Reuters.

Moscow has called such actions illegal.

In a letter addressed to United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres, Cyprus’ Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Ambassador Maria Michael, lodged a protest over alleged violations by Türkiye of the Republic of Cyprus’ national airspace, territorial waters and international air traffic regulations, Euronews reported.

According to the document submitted to the United Nations, Türkiye allegedly violated Cypriot airspace a total of 520 times and territorial waters 23 times between March and May.

The Cypriot side also stressed that, in addition to the recorded incidents, Turkish forces allegedly violate the military status quo on the island on an almost daily basis while continuing to expand their military infrastructure in the occupied territories.

According to Ambassador Maria Michael, these actions constitute a continuing violation by Türkiye of the sovereignty, territorial integrity and independence of the Republic of Cyprus and are fully contrary to the UN Charter and international law.

Several suspects have been arrested in a criminal investigation into an alleged vote-buying scheme involving a representative of the Prosperous Armenia party.

The Anti-Corruption Committee said in a press release that a representative of the Prosperous Armenia party allegedly handed out bribes and other inducements in exchange for votes for their party ahead of the parliamentary elections held on June 7.

The law enforcement body did not disclose the identity of the suspects but released an audio recording it said was obtained during surveillance, allegedly capturing the suspects discussing the scheme.

Armenia’s Prosecutor General’s Office has submitted a motion to the Central Election Commission seeking consent to strip Prosperous Armenia Party leader Gagik Tsarukyan of immunity and initiate criminal proceedings against him, the CEC said.

On June 9, the Prosecutor General’s Office announced that public criminal prosecution had been initiated against businessman and Prosperous Armenia Party Chairman Gagik Tsarukyan on charges of tax evasion on an especially large scale.

A travel restriction prohibiting him from leaving his place of residence without authorization was imposed as a preventive measure.

Minister of Education, Science, Culture and Sports Zhanna Andreasyan visited the Tsitsernakaberd Armenian Genocide Memorial Complex to inspect the second phase of renovation and maintenance works, which has recently begun.

The first phase of the renovation was completed in April.

The minister toured the site with officials, architects, engineers, and the contractor to review the progress of the works, the ministry said in a statement.

Andreasyan stressed the importance of ensuring high-quality and timely completion of the renovation, noting that the restoration of the memorial complex requires special responsibility.

The works are expected to be completed by the end of the year, and the memorial will remain open to visitors during this period.

The first phase focused on restoring and strengthening key structures and included infrastructure upgrades.

The second phase will include the completion of maintenance works at the memorial, as well as the renovation of the museum section.

Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan on Thursday said Armenia is moving toward broader export diversification, which he believes will eventually lead to better results than before, despite potential short-term logistical issues.

Speaking at the Cabinet meeting, Mirzoyan said the search for new markets for Armenian agricultural products—particularly fruits, vegetables, berries, and flowers—has generated strong interest in several directions.

The minister noted that potential new export destinations for Armenian products under consideration include the European Union, Central Asian countries, Arab states (including Iraq), as well as Armenia’s immediate neighbors, including Türkiye, despite existing restrictions.

“In some cases, pilot shipments are already being made, and in others we will see developments in the coming weeks. I cannot hide the fact that logistical problems arise in certain directions, but we are addressing and managing them and trying to support businesses,” Mirzoyan said.

The Foreign Minister stressed that despite existing challenges, the situation has not turned into a serious crisis, as also reflected in the figures.

The current situation, he said, has created new opportunities for the diversification of Armenian exports.

“In essence, what is happening now is what we have long been discussing and planning—the diversification of Armenian production [destinations]. I believe that logistical and unfamiliarity-related obstacles will be overcome quickly, and we will achieve better results than before,” the minister said.

A high-level briefing organized by the Permanent Representation of Armenia to UNESCO was held at UNESCO headquarters in Paris and was dedicated to the 17th Conference of the Parties to the UN Convention on Biological Diversity (COP17), which will take place in Yerevan in 2026.

Deputy Foreign Minister Robert Abisoghomonyan delivered the keynote speech at the event, the Foreign Ministry said in a press release.

In his remarks, the Deputy Foreign Minister presented Armenia’s vision for its COP17 presidency, reaffirming the country’s commitment to ensuring inclusivity, transparency, and open dialogue throughout the organization of the conference.

He emphasized the key importance of COP17 in advancing the implementation of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, particularly in the context of the first global review of collective progress. He noted that the conference will provide an opportunity to assess achievements, existing gaps, and challenges, as well as to outline additional efforts needed to reach global targets set for 2030.

The preparations and organizational aspects of COP17 were also presented. The Deputy Foreign Minister highlighted the Leaders’ Summit and the High-Level Ministerial Segment that will take place within the framework of the conference, stressing the importance of ensuring high-level participation and achieving concrete results.

Deputy FM Abisoghomonyan also addressed UNESCO’s important role in biodiversity conservation and its sustainable and equitable use, highlighting the need to fully utilize the organization’s multidisciplinary potential in education, science, and culture.

He stressed UNESCO’s active involvement in promoting biodiversity education and in shaping key messages on the interconnection between nature and culture. In this context, he highlighted thematic events planned during COP17, including an “Education Day” and a “Nature and Culture” thematic summit.

Concluding his remarks, he reaffirmed that COP17 in Yerevan will be an important opportunity for the international community to move from commitments to implementation.

The briefing also featured speeches by Armenia’s Permanent Representative to UNESCO, Aram Hakobyan, and senior UNESCO officials. The event was attended by accredited permanent representatives and diplomats to UNESCO.