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Welcome back. In the news today: Powerful Venezuela earthquakes kill at least 164 people; Senate Republicans reject a war powers resolution after Trump berates them; and Trump opens America 250 festivities with a campaign-style rally on Washington’s National Mall. Also, AP’s gardening expert shows us how you can grow your own herbs to make a soothing cup of tea, hot or iced.
People remain outside their homes following an earthquake in Caracas, Venezuela, Thursday, June 25, 2026. (AP Photo/Ariana Cubillos)
Venezuela reeling after powerful twin earthquakes
Venezuela’s Acting President Delcy Rodríguez says the powerful back-to-back earthquakes on Wednesday evening killed at least 164 people and injured close to 1,000. Read more.
What to know:
- The 7.2 and 7.5 magnitude earthquakes are among the strongest to strike Venezuela in more than a century. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said in a post on X early Thursday that the United States is “immediately deploying search and rescue teams, medical resources, and humanitarian assistance to Venezuela.”
Related coverage →
Venezuelan earthquakes, in photos
WATCH: Devastation in Caracas
Powerful 7.2-magnitude earthquake strikes off northern Japan
WATCH: Rural area in Northern California jolted by its biggest quake since 1940
Senate Republicans reject war powers resolution after Trump berates them
Senate Republicans held the late-night vote Wednesday to try to appease the president, after he harangued them face to face earlier in the day for allowing a vote to block his war in Iran on Tuesday. Read more.
What to know:
- In the meeting, President Donald Trump exchanged particularly harsh words with Louisiana Sen. Bill Cassidy, one of four Republicans who had voted with Democrats on the measure. Cassidy later changed his position after he received a White House briefing on the war.
- Trump also called off a scheduled signing ceremony on a bipartisan housing bill that GOP lawmakers were touting as an election-year achievement. Trump said he wouldn’t sign the legislation until they send him the SAVE America Act, his bill to require proof of citizenship for all voters. North Carolina GOP Sen. Thom Tillis said he doesn’t know why Trump is holding the housing bill “hostage” for the voting bill that “will never pass in this Congress.”
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What Trump’s refusal to sign the housing bill means to homebuyers and renters
Trump’s showdown with Republican Sen. Cassidy: Inside the blow-up on Capitol Hill
Federal judge bars Trump from implementing proof of citizenship requirement to vote
Trump is frustrated gasoline prices don’t mirror oil’s decline. Experts say it’s not that simple
White House seeks $87.6B from Congress for Iran war costs, US farmers and Ebola response
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Ex-chief of staff to former NYC Mayor Eric Adams charged with taking bribes
Pentagon restores mandatory flu shots for all recruits as boot camp outbreak sickens nearly 300
Trump-endorsed de la Espriella declared winner of Colombia’s presidential runoff election
Court filing reveals President Trump spoke to Live Nation CEO before antitrust case was settled
Michigan Senate candidate accuses Trump of keeping Canada-US bridge closed to help donor
IRS did better than expected in tax season after slashing staff, except on the phone, watchdog says
Trump turns America 250 kickoff into a campaign-style rally
The president hosted a rally Wednesday night on Washington’s National Mall, including a series of booming flyovers by stealth bombers, music from military bands and Lee Greenwood singing “God Bless the USA.” Read more.
Why this matters:
- The rally comes as midterms loom. The president has struggled to deliver the presidency that he advertised to voters — causing his approval rating to dwell at a low 37%, according to the most recent AP-NORC polling. Trump said he’d restored the country to greatness, proclaiming, “Nobody’s laughing at us anymore.”
- Trump’s appearance was only announced after several musicians — including Young MC, Martina McBride and the Commodores — canceled their concerts because of concerns the event had become politicized.
Related coverage →
WATCH: Trump praises US military operation in Iran and capture of ex-Venezuelan president Maduro
Trump launches 250th rally, in photos
Lawmakers demand answers as turmoil over Reflecting Pool repair continues
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Freshly harvested spearmint leaves, dried chamomile flowers, and a cup of herbal tea are displayed on Long Island, N.Y. on June 15, 2026. (Jessica Damiano via AP)
Your herbal tea can begin in your own garden
Need to slow down a bit? Herbal tea might help. I like hot peppermint with some honey, but you may want your tea with ice in the summer. AP’s gardening columnist Jessica Damiano talks us through how it’s surprisingly easy to get the ingredients for your tea straight from the garden. Read her tips for growing herbs, along with five favorites to start with.
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