CARACAS, Venezuela (AP) — Back-to-back powerful earthquakes struck off the coast of Venezuela on Wednesday evening, collapsing buildings and sending panicked residents into the streets.

The 7.2 and 7.5 magnitude earthquakes roiled the region, with buildings evacuated in cities as far away as Brazil’s Amazon about 1,700 kilometers (1,050 miles) away.

Late Wednesday, acting president Delcy Rodríguez said she was preparing to address the nation.

Rodríguez’s failure to address the nation within three hours of the earthquake, while her government did not give a report of injuries or fatalities in that time, was criticized by politicians and Venezuelans.

“The uncertainty becomes yet another layer of anguish,” Edmundo González, the opposition’s 2024 presidential candidate, said on X.

The U.S. Geological Survey initially said the first earthquake had a magnitude of 7.1, later revising that to 7.2, and its epicenter was west of the community of Morón, located along the country’s Caribbean coast, about 168 kilometers (104 miles) west of Caracas. The quake had a depth of 22 kilometers.

The USGS reported an even larger 7.5-magnitude earthquake just a minute later. The second quake had a depth of 10 kilometers and its epicenter was 16 kilometers (10 miles) southwest of Morón.

The quakes, among the strongest to strike Venezuela in more than a century, struck shortly after 6 p.m. People evacuated swaying buildings in the capital Caracas, many visibly shocked as they saw entire walls that had collapsed, making furniture visible from the street. Dust columns could also be seen in two neighborhoods of the capital, where restaurants and other businesses are typically busy.

‘We all had to leave our houses’

People remained on the streets for hours, even after sunset. Some sat on the ground hugging their pets as dust gathered around them. Collapsed buildings, toppled electric poles and debris blocked streets. Parts of the capital lost power and cellphone signal.

“It started off gently and then gradually grew, and in the end, we all had to leave our houses, go outside and gather together,” Caracas resident Hector Ricci said.

The lack of cellphone signal in parts of Venezuela deepened the distress of many families, particularly those among the more than 7.7 million people who have left the country during its protracted crisis.

“May strength, serenity, and solidarity prevail among us in the face of this difficult time,” opposition leader Maria Corina Machado said from exile on X.

Impact felt throughout Venezuela

Interior Minister Diosdado Cabello said the quake could be felt in several states. The Altamira neighborhood in Caracas had “alarming situations” with collapsed homes and buildings, he said, suggesting people were injured in the earthquake and asking motorists to give way to ambulances and other emergency vehicles.

“We understand that some people may be desperate, but we are acting according to protocols to activate aid and rescue efforts to help those who need it most,” Cabello said on state television. “Be very careful with children and the elderly; call each other and check that no one has been harmed.”

He also urged people to remain outside as aftershocks could further damage some structures.

“The building really shook from side to side. Unreal. The force was incredibly strong,” Caracas resident Roberto Gamas said. “We were walking and it was tossing us around. Everything in the apartment fell. Well, thank God we were able to get out.”

First, Scott McKenna was caught on the ball by Bournemouth forward Rayan and Vinicius Jr skipped past Angus Gunn to score.

Gunn and full-back Nathan Patterson were then caught under a Bruno Guimaraes cross as Vinicius Jr nodded in his and Brazil’s second before half-time.

And Manchester United’s Mateus Cunha made it three after the break on a night where Scotland huffed and puffed, but were ultimately outclassed.

“We lose poor goals at poor times against a team that can punish you with quality,” McGinn told BBC Sport. “We had a few chances but we’ve got to wait now.

“The lads are gutted, we fell short on quality but we gave it absolutely everything. The lads are empty now. It’s unlikely [that we qualify] but we’ll wait and see.

“It’s a bit raw at the minute but we appreciate the support of the fans, we know it’s difficult to be there. Hopefully the journey is not over and if we have to go again, we will go again.”

As temperatures soar, the beach is the perfect place to be to bask in the sun and cool off in the calming waters – making this quiet bay the ideal escape in such hot times

Set back within a 30-mile expanse of a designated area of outstanding natural beauty lies a peaceful way, far less crowded than the neighbouring seaside resorts.

Along the Llŷn Peninsula, in North Wales, the charming little cove that escapes most travellers’ attention is an ideal sun spot for days spent soaking up the heatwave this summer. The point beyond Ty-hen is far removed from the crowds of the busier tourist hotspots in the region.

Porth Iago is the beautiful beach in question; as a secluded sandy cove with soft sands and crystal-clear waters, it’s no wonder people want to keep this a secret. It makes for a great spot for swimming, paddleboarding, and coastal walking, but can be tricky to find.

One visitor wrote on Tripadvisor: “The views, the beach and just the whole vibe of the place is just perfect. We met some lovely family’s whilst we were there. The beach is just stunning! We will definitely be back!!

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Meanwhile, the northern section of Porth Iago Beach is a popular spot for fishing, bass fishing in particular, in and amongst the rock pools. Others make the most of its calming waters to embark on a canoe or kayak trip along the concealed bay, which is best enjoyed in the early mornings before potential visitors take hold of the space.

Reaching the location requires parking at a privately owned farm, which charges visitors a small fee to use the space. This costs approximately £5 to £6 and offers a path that traverses down to the sands, which isn’t accessible for wheelchairs or pushchairs.

Dog-lovers will be pleased to know that their hounds are welcome on the beach, and toilet facilities are available at the farm for paying visitors, but that is the nearest facility available. The rest is pure sun, sand and sea for people to enjoy all year round, but especially during a heatwave.

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Campsite

To indulge in the beautiful bay for longer, visitors can, in fact, make a weekend out of it or an overnight stay at the Porth Iago Campsite, which provides campers the opportunity to wake up to views across one of the country’s most serene spots.

The family-run establishment has been serving campers for decades, occupying the farmland that remains active to this day, towering above the tranquil bay. It’s a site that prides itself on minimalism, where the natural beauty of it all speaks for itself without all the fancy amenities.

One camper shared on TripAdvisor: “This campsite is an absolute gem for anyone who loves being by the sea. The views are breathtaking – you’re surrounded by the ocean on all sides, with a private beach of soft white sand and dramatic cliffs just a short walk away. Watching the sun set over the water from the campsite is pure magic.”

Given its high demand, thanks to its expansive views, the site can reach capacity quickly during peak tourism months in Wales, and so it requires pre-booking. The sooner you book in advance, the more likely your chances of securing a pitch for those peak times.

Sunflower oil and vegetable oil are two of the most commonly used cooking oils, but there are key differences between them

Cooking oil ranks among the most widely used ingredients in kitchens across the globe, with an enormous variety of options lining supermarket shelves. From olive oil to sunflower oil, and rapeseed oil to vegetable oil, each variety brings its own distinct uses and flavour profile.

They can all appear remarkably similar, which makes choosing the right one for frying, baking, roasting or preparing dressings rather tricky.

Some oils are derived from a single source, while others are blends of several plant-based oils. Two of the most frequently used are sunflower oil and vegetable oil, and although they might appear comparable, there are some notable differences between them.

What is sunflower oil?

Sunflower oil is a cooking oil pressed from sunflower seeds. It is generally light in colour, mild in flavour, and widely used for frying and roasting.

Its fairly neutral taste also makes it a popular choice for baking.

Several varieties of sunflower oil are available, including those with a higher oleic acid content, which can provide greater stability when cooking at elevated temperatures.

This means not all sunflower oils are identical, though this can readily be determined by checking the manufacturer’s label.

What is vegetable oil?

Vegetable oil is more of an umbrella term rather than the name of a single specific oil. In most supermarkets, it is sold as a blend of various plant-based oils.

This can include sunflower oil, rapeseed oil, soybean oil or other comparable oils. The precise blend varies by manufacturer, so one bottle of vegetable oil may differ considerably from the one sitting beside it on the shelf.

It has a relatively neutral flavour, much like sunflower oil, and is most widely used for frying, baking and everyday cooking.

The principal distinction between sunflower oil and vegetable oil lies in their origin. Sunflower oil is derived from sunflower seeds, making it a single-source oil, whereas vegetable oil is frequently a blend of several different oils.

The two also have different nutritional profiles and culinary applications, yet are often used interchangeably.

The healthiest option depends not solely on the oil itself, but also on how it is used. Regularly deep-frying food in any oil is quite another matter compared to using a modest amount for roasting vegetables.

Checking the ingredient list and fat content can help you make the most informed choice when purchasing oil.

Officers from Surrey Police are at the scene of a crash involving two vehicles on the M25 clockwise between J6 and J7.

A closure is in effect from J5 to prevent any further traffic from joining, and the M26 westbound has also been shut at this time.

Drivers have been urged not to leave their vehicles as traffic is expected to begin moving “shortly”. While the closure continues, road users are urged to seek alternative routes where possible.

A spokesperson for Surrey Police said: “Emergency services are currently dealing with a serious road traffic collision involving two vehicles on the M25 clockwise between junctions 6 and 7.

“Motorists can expect lengthy delays in the area due to the closure at J5 to prevent any additional traffic joining, but please do not leave your vehicle if you are between J5-6 as traffic will be moving shortly.

“Traffic is being directed off the main carriageway while emergency services work at the scene. Please avoid the area and use alternative routes where possible, allowing extra time for your journey. Further updates will be provided when available. Thank you for your patience. “

The dispute centres on pay with both branches of practice having voted in favour of industrial action over ’18 years of pay erosion’

Consultants and specialist doctors are set to take part in a 24-hour strike action.

The action will start at 7am on Thursday and has been described as the first time that those two groups of doctors have gone on strike in Northern Ireland.

It is planned to operate with “ Christmas Day-level” staffing, with routine and elective procedures cancelled, but emergency departments, intensive care, and urgent care to function normally.

The dispute centres on pay with both branches of practice having voted in favour of industrial action over “18 years of pay erosion”.

Meanwhile, a delegation representing the doctors meet with the chair and deputy chair of the Stormont Health Committee to discuss the pay dispute.

Resident doctors are also take part in a 24-hour industrial action on Monday.

Dr David Farren, chairman of BMA’s Northern Ireland consultants committee (NICC), said pay erosion amid more complex work has caused anger.

“No doctor wants to take strike action.

“However, there is a palpable sense of anger among all secondary care doctors at years of significant pay erosion in return for trying to deliver care in an overstretched health system where their jobs have become more complex and pressured,” he said.

“Add in the now annual uncertainty over late pay awards while our colleagues elsewhere in the UK are paid on time, along with the more lucrative contracts offered in the Republic of Ireland, and you create a hugely demoralising effect on doctors working in Northern Ireland.”

Dr Leanne Davison, chairwoman of BMA’s Northern Ireland Specialists, Associate Specialists and Specialty Doctors Committee, added: “Our health service can no longer run on the goodwill of frontline staff.

“Doctors are choosing to leave the health service or to reduce their contracted hours due to continued pay erosion and we can see the outworkings of this in services having to close due to staffing shortages.

“Those with the power to change this have so far chosen not to, which has forced hospital doctors into the unacceptable position of taking strike action in order to be heard. But it is not too late.

“We again call on government to step in and resolve this dispute with a credible offer to avert strike action without delay.”

Responding, Health Minister Mike Nesbitt expressed his disappointment.

He said more than 90% of services across the Health and Social Care (HSC) system will proceed as planned, and advised that patients with scheduled appointments should attend as planned unless they have been directly contacted to advise their appointment has been postponed.

“I remain committed to implementing this year’s pay award as recommended by the independent Doctors’ and Dentists’ Pay Review Body (DDRB) but unfortunately, I am currently unable to do so in the absence of an agreed budget for my department,” he said.

“The uplift recommended by the Review Body for 26/27 is 3.5%, which is higher than that for other healthcare professionals working in Health and Social Care (HSC).

“It comes on top of an average cumulative pay uplifts over the last three years of 30% for resident doctors, 25% for Specialty, Associate Specialist, and Specialist doctors (SAS doctors) and 24% for consultants.”

He added: “I recently met with the chairs of the three relevant BMA Committees and made clear my position.

“They made clear that even the increase of 3.5% is nowhere near enough to satisfy their demands.

“To go beyond the 3.5% as recommended by the independent pay review recommendation would have significant repercussions for nurses, teachers, police officers and indeed the entire public sector workforce.

“So, calling on me to act fails to recognise this is an Executive decision, a point I put to the BMA representatives.

“I reiterate my commitment to ensuring HSC colleagues receive their recommended 26/27 pay uplifts, despite the unprecedented shortfall as indicated in my draft budget.

“I value the workforce above our buildings, beds, equipment and medicines.

“But there is simply no scope for pay awards beyond the recommendations of the review bodies in 26/27.”

For all the latest news, visit the Belfast Live homepage here and sign up to our daily newsletter here.

In The Mixer’s World Cup special

Everything you need to know about the World Cup – England updates, the games to watch and stories you missed – in five minutes, at 1pm, every day.

The proposal was brought forward by Bolton Reform leader Cllr Trevor Jones at Bolton Town Hall on Wednesday evening (June 24) during a full council meeting.

Before the meeting officially began, opening prayers were led by the Mayor’s chaplain, a common tradition at full council meetings.

Reform UK councillors were absent from the chamber during the prayers and entered once they had finished.

Later in the evening, Bolton Reform brought forward its first motion to full council through Cllr Jones, sparking more than an hour of discussion among councillors.

With 10 Reform councillors now holding seats, the proposal came as something of a surprise to other members.

After campaigning on issues including HMOs, immigration and financial accountability, Cllr Jones instead put forward a motion concerning the role of prayers at council meetings.

The motion requested that the council “reviews the practice of including prayers as part of the formal proceedings”.

Cllr Jones proposed that prayers could instead take place in a separate room or be replaced by a minute’s silence.

He said that if the motion was lost and prayers continued, “Reform UK will enter the chamber after the prayers have finished”, as members had done before the meeting.

Councillors from across the chamber appeared united in their opposition to the motion.

Among those opposing was leader of the council, Cllr Akhtar Zaman.

Cllr Zaman said: “I was waiting impatiently for a big policy announcement from Reform Bolton.

“Is this really the best that Reform can come up with?”

Councillor Akhtar Zaman (Image: PHIL TAYLOR)

He compared the proposal with other motions discussed during the meeting, including animal welfare, the effects of social media, tobacco and snus on young people, and net zero.

“These are all motions that the people of Bolton have a direct interest in.

“They are all motions that concern the lives and welfare of our people.

“What do we get from Reform?

“From the Reform leader, banning prayers at the start of the council.”

Cllr Zaman went on to describe the motion as “bogus”.

Councillor David Grant, leader of the Horwich and Blackrod First Independents (HBFI), also criticised the proposal, suggesting that the time spent debating prayers would exceed the amount of time they had taken up over the past 50 years.

Councillor Debbie Newall suggested that “a motion designed to cause division has actually done the complete opposite”, arguing that it had united councillors who would not normally agree with one another.

The motion was ultimately defeated.

While it felt like a missed opportunity, our supporters believe we have still done enough to qualify.

The Tartan Army out in Miami were left gutted after we fell to defeat against Brazil – but the defiant support have declared: “The party must go on!”

Fans who have made the trip across were left disappointed as the full-time whistle blew at the Hard Rock Stadium, with the result meaning we now have to rely on other results if we are to get through a group for the first time ever.

Our supporters had their heads in their hands early in the game again as Vinicius Junior opened the scoring after a Scott McKenna mistake at the back.

One dad had to console his crying child after Vinicius bagged a second quickly after, but the little lad was cheering moments later when VAR spotted a foul on Jack Hendry in the build up.

Our hopeful fans were out of their seats as we tried to force an equaliser, but we were left dejected again when Vinicius headed in a second on the stroke of half time, this one being allowed to count.

The fans were left groaning again, though, on 60 minutes when Matheus Cunha netted Brazil’s third.

The 3-0 drubbing was the worst possible scenario for our fans as we now face an agonising wait to see if our three points and -3 goal difference will be enough to see us through.

While it felt like a missed opportunity, our supporters believe we have still done enough to qualify – and they weren’t feeling too disheartened as they quickly headed off for some post-match beers.

Edinburgh lads Chris Jones, a 27-year-old software engineer, James Wilson, who is 27 and works in sports media, and Greg Young, a 28-year-old working in IT, weren’t even born the last time we qualified for a World Cup – and they’re just happy to be here.

Chris said: “Miami has been good, we’ve loved it so far. We had high-hopes going into the game, but now it’s just a case of drowning our sorrows. It’s the first time our lifetime to be here at a World Cup, so we’re just here enjoying the amazing atmosphere. We’re just here to enjoy ourselves.”

James said: “We’ve been loving it here. We went to a party down at South Beach then headed on a party boat on Tuesday night.

“I was fortunate enough to get a ticket through the Tartan Army. Some of us got tickets and some didn’t. It’s disappointing obviously, but just to be here has been amazing for everybody.”

Elsewhere, Ross Worton, 27, who works in IT, Lewis Ross, a 29-year-old civil servant, and Ross Pratt, 27 and working in IT, have also travelled over from the capital. The trio watched the drama unfold at a huge watch party at The Clevelander down at South Beach.

Ross said: “We weren’t able to get tickets so we watched here instead but it was a great atmosphere. We were on the boat cruise last night too.

Lewis added: “Listen, we’re always going to have a good time. We’re going to keep partying – regardless of the result.”

James Ferrie, a 40-year-old train driver from Dundee, watched the game at the fan zone with his family.

He told the Record: “We had a brilliant time in Miami regardless and we had a great laugh on the booze cruise too. We watched the game from the fan zone. We couldn’t get tickets so we decided to watch it there. The atmosphere was great.”

Meanwhile, Calvin Hutchison, a 31-year-old welder, Sean Dalgarno, a 30-year-old CNC machinist, Stewart Turriff, a 29-year-old sub sea engineer, Connor Mitchell, who is 30 and also a sub sea engineer, and Shivon McReynolds, who is 28 and works in HR, were all lucky enough to have tickets for the game.

They have all travelled over from Montrose, and Calvin said: “We just landed on Tuesday. We went to the second game in Boston then came down here for this one – it’s absolutely roasting. We’re not letting this ruin the trip. We’re still going to keep on partying.”

Shivon added: “We’ve still had such a good time. It’s been very hot, but it’s been brilliant. Everyone has been so lovely. Everyone just loves Scotland, which is amazing.”

Also at the match was Lynda Roddie, a 69-year-old housewife from Glasgow, her husband Bobby, 70, who owns a maintenance company, their son Robert, who is a football coach for woman’s team Georgia Impact now living in Atlanta with his wife Lauren, 37.

Robert said: “The atmosphere has been quality. We would think you were still in Scotland – a sunny version of it at least. There’s been Scotland fans everywhere. It’s been magic.”

Bobby added: “We had already made plans for a party before the game even kicked off – No Scotland, No Party!

“Before we left the hotel staff said, ‘You need to come back here after the game, no matter what the result is’. We were always going to be partying whatever happened.”

Meanwhile, Iain Maguire, a 52-year-old offshore electrician, Keith Hodge, who is 52 and works for HMRC, and retired police officer Keith Mackay, have travelled over from Loanhead, in Midlothian.

The trio held up a flag in tribute to their friend “Wee Thompson” who they had hoped would be out in Miami with them, but sadly passed away recently following a battle with cancer.

An emotional Keith Mackay said: “Wee Thomson was supposed to be with us but sadly he couldn’t make it. We are here paying tribute to him. Despite the result, the atmosphere in the fan zone was brilliant.”

Iain added: “I think we were poor against Morocco, we had nothing to lose here so we should have gone for it. If you look at the last two Euros we were absolutely awful. So it’s really disappointing.

“But we’ve had a brilliant time in Miami. It’s been fantastic. The people have been really friendly. We’ve loved it.”

Earlier in the night, thousands of Scotland and Brazil fans stood in long queues to enter the fan zone at Bayfront Park. As the kick-off approached at 6pm local time, many were still waiting to enter with the amphitheatre area at capacity.

Unlike in Boston, the Scots were almost outnumbered by the rival side, with around a 50/50 split of Brazilians and Tartan Army in attendance.

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