BBC News Briefing

29 June, 2026

Alex has dark blonde, bobbed hair and is smiling. She is wearing a dark grey, high-necked top with a pink jumper on top.

Alex Binley

Hello. As the death toll from the Venezuela earthquakes is expected to rise, we have a story of hope. A population slump in east Germany lays bare the existing divisions. And the Princess of Wales has completed a hiking challenge - find out why.

TOP OF THE AGENDA

Mum of newborn rescued from rubble says baby motivated her to stay alive

A close-up image shows Dayana Patino looking down at her 18-day-old son and smiling. Only part of Dayana's face is seen from the side and she is in a bed. The baby has short brown hair and red marks on his face.

The family said they lost almost everything in the earthquakes.

A mother who was rescued from the rubble of her apartment block in Venezuela has told us how her 18-day-old son, who was trapped with her, helped her survive. "As long as he was alive, I was going to be alive," Dayana Patino told the BBC from her hospital bed. Video captures the moment that baby Juan David is rescued and placed in the arms of his emotional father. The footage has brought hope to the country as tens of thousands remain missing in the wake of Wednesday's twin earthquakes. Rescue efforts are still underway, but hopes of finding survivors are fading fast.

Watch the rescue

Live updates: We'll bring you the latest as survivors share their stories.

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Watch: The BBC's Orla Guerin says locals are angry about the state's response to the disaster.

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Destruction: Aerial footage from La Guaira, one of the worst-hit areas, shows the damage.

WORLD CUP HIGHLIGHTS

Forgotten hosts: Following their win over South Africa, Canada has advanced further than ever. Here's what's behind its success.

Injury woes: Uruguay's Manuel Ugarte has said he has suffered "the most serious injury a footballer can face". What we know.

New format: With the group stage of the tournament now completed, what's the verdict on the structure?

WORLD HEADLINES

A number of people dressed in the uniforms of the emergency services stand around the wreckage of a plane crash which is covered by red and white awnings.

Eleven killed after plane carrying skydivers crashes

Some of the victims' relatives witnessed the crash in eastern France, as they had gathered to watch the first-time tandem jumps.

Read more >

A soldier wearing camouflage military gear stands on a hillside

Pakistani strikes kill dozens in Afghanistan

The Taliban government said civilians were killed, while Pakistan said it targeted militants.

More on this >

A Thai teenager has long, straight brown hair that is parted in the middle. She appears to be sat down and is resting her chin in the palm of her hand.

Man charged after dead girl found in suitcase in Thailand

Police said they arrested an Australian man at the airport as he was allegedly "preparing to flee the country".

What happened >

A number of people stand in or near a fountain in front of a cathedral.

Europe's heatwave linked to 1,300 deaths, WHO says

Temperature records were broken across the continent again on Sunday as the extreme heat continued to move east.

Read more >

An old bone, which looks like a piece of vetebrae, is at on top of papers..

First dinosaur bone from Antarctica found in a drawer

The unassuming-looking fossil spent 40 years lying forgotten in a drawer, as the team that discovered it was unsure of what it was.

What Titanosaur looked like >

NEWS FROM THE UK

Andy Burnham: The hopeful to be the next PM will set out his vision for the UK, our political editor writes - but he still faces many questions.

Education: White working-class children are being failed by the school system, an inquiry has found. These are its reasons why.

American rockers: Heavy metal legends Metallica donated £20,000 to a Cardiff foodbank, ahead of their gig in the Welsh capital.

BEYOND THE HEADLINES

Germany's population is declining. It's exposing old divides