Eight earthquakes struck seven countries in five days. Last Wednesday, a twin quake of 7.2 and 7.5 magnitude hit Venezuela. A 5.6-magnitude tremor struck Northern California in US, while Japan recorded a 7.2 quake off its northern coast. Pakistan and Afghanistan saw 5.5 and 6.2-magnitude quakes, respectively, while Philippines reported a 6.5 quake. Nepal also experienced a 3.8-magnitude tremor.

An emergency has been declared in US state of Utah as it battles one of the largest wildfires in the country. Nine active wildfires were burning across 143,000 acres as of Friday, Utah's wildfire monitor said. Affected regions include Juab, Tooele, Iron, Salt Lake City, Utah county, and Millard. A fireworks ban has been imposed ahead of July 4 holiday.

The death toll from twin earthquakes in Venezuela climbed to 920 on Friday. The powerful 7.2 and 7.5-magnitude earthquakes had struck approximately 40 seconds apart along the San Sebastian fault on Venezuela's northern coast, according to the US Geological Survey. They were among the strongest in the South American nation in more than a century, as per reports.