Belarusian opposition warns Ukraine of plans for Minsk to enter war

"Belarus' exiled opposition has handed President Volodymyr Zelensky a list of warning signs that Minsk soon plans to enter Russia's war against Ukraine.
The document, created by the United Transition Cabinet of Belarus and handed to Ukrainian foreign minister Andrii Sybiha on June 22, outlines clear policy areas pointing to Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko's domestic shift towards a wartime posture.

The points that the exiled cabinet drew attention to included constitutional changes cancelling Belarus' status as a neutral, non-nuclear state, a two-fold increase in the recruiting of new contract soldiers, a five-fold increase in military spending in the state budget, and the militarization of society, including children.
"Belarus has ceased to be a neutral and non-nuclear country," the report says.
The report notes that Belarus adopted a new military doctrine in 2024 that officially allows pre-emptive strikes in response to an "imminent threat."
On June 18, President Zelensky gave a public ultimatum to Lukashenko, giving his Belarusian counterpart a week to remove signal repeator equipment on Belarusian territory used to help guide Russian drone strikes.
Russia's Shahed-type long-range strike drones are known to use mesh radio stations to navigate, communicating both with each other and ground stations on their way to Ukrainian citiies." KI

Starmer 'always a welcome guest in Ukraine' Zelensky says, after British PM announces resignation

"Keir Starmer announced on June 22 that he would resign as the U.K. prime minister and Labour Party leader, a step that follows months of mounting internal pressure.
The departure is likely to trigger a leadership contest and deepen political uncertainty in one of

Ukraine's most vital allies.
Andy Burnham, Starmer's Labour Party rival, has been discussed as the likely next prime minister after securing a seat in parliament in last week's by-election.
During his resignation speech, Starmer listed "standing with Ukraine" and rebuilding relations with European allies as one of his government's main achievements.
"Keir, thank you for all our cooperation, your support, and the joint decisions that have helped make our Europe and our protection of life stronger," President Volodymyr Zelensky said, adding that the outgoing prime minister would always be a "welcome guest in Ukraine." KI

US deploys troops to Kenya to support Ebola isolation facility

"U.S. troops have deployed to an air base in Kenya to help with the construction and set up of a planned Ebola quarantine facility meant to house Americans. That planned site has sparked ongoing protests in Kenya, with multiple people killed by police." msn

Self-Described ‘Socialist’ Andy Burnham Looks to Replace Starmer as British Prime Minister

"The United Kingdom is set to see its seventh prime minister in the past ten years, and it appears that man will be Andy Burnham, a veteran Labour Party Westminster insider who has sought to cast himself as a “socialist” working-class hero.
Andy Burnham will return to the House of Commons after having spent the past ten years outside of the London political bubble as Mayor of Greater Manchester. Previously serving as the MP for Leigh from 2001 until 2017, his return was orchestrated over the past year as it became clear that outgoing Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer was unable to inspire public confidence." Breitbart

5.1 Earthquake - Philippine Sea, 347 km northeast of Colonia, State of Yap, Micronesia

"A strong magnitude 5.1 earthquake occurred in the Philippine Sea 336 km (209 mi) from Micronesia in the morning at 11.56 am local time (GMT +10). The quake had a shallow depth of 44 km (27 mi) and was not felt (or at least not reported so)." VD

Trump-backed lawyer wins Colombia’s presidential election

"Right-wing candidate Abelardo de la Espriella has narrowly won Colombia’s presidential election, according to an initial vote count, as voters bet on his promise of a crackdown on crime and a stronger economy.
De La Espriella had 49.66 per cent of the vote while his rival, Senator Ivan Cepeda, trailed by some 250,000 votes at 48.70 per cent, according to the national registrar’s tally of just under 100 per cent of ballots in the runoff ⁠election." msn

221 clashes at front line over past day

"In the Northern Slobozhanshchyna and Kursk directions, there were two clashes. The enemy carried out 69 strikes on Ukrainian positions and settlements, including two using MLRS.
In the Southern Slobozhanshchyna direction, the Russian army attacked Ukrainian Defense Forces positions 12 times toward the settlements of Vylcha, Kozacha Lopan, Symynivka, Pokaliane, Bochkove, Koloziazne, and near the settlement of Starytsia.
In the Kupiansk direction, the enemy attacked twice toward Kucherivka and Hlushkivka.
In the Lyman direction, the invaders attempted 20 times to break through Ukrainian defenses, attacking in the areas of Novoselivka, Novomykhailivka, Kopanky, and toward Borova, Drobysheve, Ozerne, Lyman, and Dibrova.

In the Sloviansk direction, the enemy stormed 16 times near Riznykivka, Kalenyky, and Zakitne, and toward the settlements of Rai-Oleksandrivka and Kryva Luka.
In the Kramatorsk direction, Russian forces attacked once near the settlement of Nykyforivka.
In the Kostiantynivka direction, the enemy carried out 14 attacks near the settlements of Kostiantynivka, Ivanopillia, Pleshchiivka, Illinivka, and Sofiivka.
In the Pokrovsk direction, Ukrainian defenders stopped 28 assault actions by the Russian army in the areas of Rodynske, Vasylivka, Kotlyne, Udachne, Novooleksandrivka, Dorozhnie, and toward Serhiivka, Muravka, Shevchenko, Vilne, and Matiyasheve.
In the Oleksandrivka direction, the invaders carried out three assault actions in the areas of Sichenve, Verbove, and Nove Zaporizhzhia, where they were repelled.
In the Huliaipole direction, Russian forces carried out 22 attacks in the areas of Dobropillia, Zlahoda, Olenokostiantynivka, and toward Huliaipilske, Hirske, Vozdvyzhivka, Tsvitkove, Staroukrainka, and Charivne.
In the Orikhiv direction, Ukrainian defenders stopped a Russian attempt to advance near Stepove.: Ukrin

Russian-occupied Crimea completely suspends gas sales to civilians as Ukrainian drone strikes squeeze peninsula

"Gas stations in Russian-occupied Crimea have been instructed as of June 21 to completely

suspend sales of fuel to civilians, as Ukraine steps up medium-range drone strikes on energy infrastructure across the peninsula.
"Fuel will only be dispensed to state services that ensure the vital activities and security of the Republic of Crimea," Sergey Aksyonov, the Russian-appointed governor of occupied Crimea, said in a video address on the morning of June 21.
The ban is effective as of 9 a.m. on June 21, Aksyonov added." KI

Trump Threatens To Assassinate IRGC Officials In Switzerland - IR Iran In Meltdown

"President Trump has once again trapped the Islamic Republic. The tables have turned the IRGC's main officials have stormed out of the building in Switzerland on day one of the negotiations, allowing the junior interns to have some technical talks.

And why? because President Trump threatened to assassinate them before they returned to Iran.
The narrative was the United States is trying to tell Israel to behave in southern Lebanon when it comes to defending themselves against Hezbollah terrorists. Well, today it's switched.
It's now the pressure from the United States on the IRGC and Hezbollah in Lebanon while the Israelis remain in the southern parts of the country.

If this deal fails, President Trump is going to take the Straight of Hormuz over by force. The United States will scontrol the Straight of Hormuz." TousiTV

Tourists Hit by Lava Bombs as Fuego Volcano Erupts

"Tourists were forced to run as lava bombs exploded around them at Mount Dukono on Halmahera Island, Indonesia. The terrifying footage shows glowing rocks, ash, and panic near the crater — a reminder that active volcanoes can turn deadly in seconds. From Dukono to Stromboli, Etna, and Whakaari / White Island, tourists have repeatedly been caught too close when volcanoes suddenly erupted" Silki

Great-grandson of bushy-browed Soviet leader Brezhnev captured by Ukraine while fighting for Putin

"The great-grandson of bushy-browed Soviet leader Leonid Brezhnev has reportedly been

captured by Ukrainian forces while fighting for Russian President Vladimir Putin in the ongoing war.
Anton Milaev, the adopted grandson of Brezhnev’s daughter, lost contact with his family in November after joining Russia’s military last fall as an elite combat engineer to fight in Ukraine, local media reported.
Months later, the 45-year-old’s loved ones were told he was being held as a prisoner in a de-occupied area of Ukraine’s Kherson region,
The exact circumstances of his capture – and any chance of a future prison swap – remain unknown." msn

First Round Of Iran Talks Concludes In Switzerland With Fireworks, Threats Of Renewed War: 'Be Careful'

"Round 1 ends: Vance cites "great progress" and says talks will continue.

Iran defiant: Ghalibaf rejects US threats and links talks to a Lebanon ceasefire.

Trump raises stakes via some typical Truth Social lashing out: Warns on Hormuz, Lebanon, and keeps military options on the table.
Nuclear progress?: Some reports say not addressed, others suggest framework already being worked on.
Trump is warning the Iranians on the sticking points of Hormuz closure and the Lebanon crisis. He has newly threatened on Sunday to hit Iran again if it can't constrain its proxies, namely Hezbollah, in Lebanon. In parallel, Tehran is demanding that Washington reign in Israel.
Trump warned Iranian officials that closing the Strait of Hormuz would be an existential mistake, reportedly telling Tehran that it "won't have a country" if it attempts to choke off global energy flows, in the segment above. Trump also issued a personal warning to Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, saying he "better watch his mouth," while reports indicated the president used unusually blunt language during discussions with Iranian intermediaries over the strategic waterway." 

ZeroHedge

Tourists at luxury resort are now stranded after fire that killed reality TV star

"An enormous fire at a Dominican Republic resort that killed one Italian reality TV star has also left nearly 1,700 other tourists stranded, after the deadly blaze reduced their passports and other important documents to ashes.
The fire erupted on Friday at the Viva Dominicus Beach by Wyndham in Bayahibe, a $350-a-night resort popular with Western tourists, many of whom were evacuated.
Francesca Valentino, a 46-year-old Italian woman, was killed.
When the fire at Viva Dominicus Beach broke out, the resort was operating at 84 percent capacity." msn

5.3 Earthquake - South Pacific Ocean, 179 km west of Chiclayo, Lambayeque, Peru

"A strong magnitude 5.3 earthquake occurred in the South Pacific Ocean 93 km (58 mi) in the late afternoon at 7.43 pm local time (GMT -5). The quake had a shallow depth of 35 km (22 mi) and was not felt (or at least not reported so)." VD

War update: 66 clashes on front line

"The Russian army has carried out 66 attacks on positions of Ukraine's Defense Forces since the beginning of the day.
The General Staff noted that artillery shelling of border areas continues. Today in the Sumy region, the settlements of Korenok, Neskuchne, Ryzhivka, Buniakyne, Novovasylivka, and Svoboda were hit. Areas near the settlements of Luzhky and Hirky were affected by enemy airstrikes.

In the Northern Slobozhanshchyna and Kursk directions, there was one clash with the enemy, and the enemy carried out 16 strikes on settlements and positions of Ukrainian troops.
In the Southern Slobozhanshchyna direction, the invaders tried four times to break through the defense toward Izbytske and in the areas of the settlements of Starytsia and Vovchansk. One battle is still ongoing.
In the Kupiansk direction, the enemy attacked the positions of the Defense Forces once today in the direction of Kurylivka.
In the Lyman direction, Ukrainian soldiers repelled ten attempts by the invaders to advance in the areas of the settlements of Novoselivka, Yampil, and Ozerne, and toward Olhivka, Drobysheve, and Dibrova. Two clashes are still ongoing.
In the Sloviansk direction, the Defense Forces successfully stopped six attempts by the invaders to advance near Kalynyky, Zakitne, and toward the settlements of Rai-Oleksandrivka and Piskunivka.
In the Kramatorsk direction, the enemy attempted to advance once near the settlement of Minkivka.
In the Kostiantynivka direction, Ukrainian defenders repelled 11 attacks near the settlements of Kostiantynivka, Illinivka, and Sofiivka, and toward the settlement of Kucheriv Yar. Two clashes are still ongoing.
In the Pokrovsk direction, since the start of the day the invaders have tried 15 times to push Ukrainian soldiers from their positions in the areas of the settlements of Novooleksandrivka, Hryshyne, Kotlyne, and Udachne, and toward the settlements of Novyi Donbas, Bilytske, and Shevchenko. Three attacks are ongoing.
In the Oleksandrivka direction, the enemy tried once to advance toward Sichneve.
In the Huliaipole direction, the Defense Forces successfully repelled 15 enemy attacks toward the settlements of Dobropillia, Huliaipilske, Vozdvyzhivka, and Charivne. Three clashes are ongoing." Ukrin