Earthquake Disaster: Venezuela’s twin quakes (7.2 and 7.5) struck within a minute near Morón, collapsing buildings across Caracas and nearby states; the acting president says the toll has climbed to at least 164 dead and 971 injured, with La Guaira described as a “disaster zone” and rescue teams still pulling survivors from rubble. Emergency Response & Aid: The government declared a state of emergency, schools were suspended and shelters set up, while countries including Germany and the U.S. pledged support and transport help as aftershocks continue. Mars Reality Check: NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory work argues terraforming Mars is far beyond current tech—making it breathable, watery, and stable would require mass, heat, oxygen, and energy on a scale that could stay out of reach for centuries. Climate & Water Stress: St. Lucia’s water crisis worsens as “super El Niño” threatens to limit relief from rains, raising the risk of systemic shortages. Circular Tech: Hong Kong’s textile research institute signed a deal to scale recycling of blended fabrics using hydrothermal processing, aiming for high-purity polyester recovery.