5.7 Magnitude Earthquake Strikes Near the Dominican Republic and Puerto Rico

"A 5.7 magnitude earthquake struck near a pair of popular vacation spots for U.S. citizens on Monday evening.
The moderate earthquake, which reportedly caused some noticeable damage, struck near the Dominican Republic and Puerto Rico on Monday evening. The earthquake measured in at close to 6.0 on the Richter Scale and reportedly had more than a dozen aftershocks." msn

'Something unknown' hits key Russian drone facility in Taganrog

"A key military-industrial site in the Russian city of Taganrog linked to Moscow's production of combat drones and electronic warfare systems was damaged overnight, a Ukrainian official said on June 25, amid Russian reports of Ukrainian drones targeting the area.

"Something unknown flew into the Atlant-Aero plant in Taganrog," Andrii Kovalenko, head of the counter-disinformation center at Ukraine's National Security and Defense Council said.
"This is an important node in the Russian military-industrial complex, specializing in components for combat drones and control systems."
Kovalenko said the plant is involved in the production of "Orion" drones, electronic warfare complexes, and digital integration systems for strike FPV (first person view) drones and loitering munitions." KI

165 combat engagements along frontline over past day

"There were 165 combat engagements between Ukrainian Defense Forces and Russian invaders over the past day.
Russian forces launched three missile strikes using 17 missiles and conducted 36 airstrikes, dropping 72 guided aerial bombs. They also deployed 2,861 kamikaze drones.
Additionally, the enemy carried out 6,076 artillery attacks, including 103 using multiple launch rocket systems (MLRS).

Russian airstrikes targeted areas including Ozerne and Mala Vovcha in Kharkiv region; Razine, Pokrovsk, Novotoretske, Poltavka, Malynivka, and Voskresenka in Donetsk region; Novoselivka and Mala Tokmachka in Zaporizhzhia region.
In the Northern Slobozhanshchyna and Kursk sectors, Ukrainian forces repelled 10 enemy attacks. The enemy also launched 12 airstrikes using 22 guided bombs and conducted 262 artillery strikes, including eight with MLRS.
In the Southern Slobozhanshchyna sector, the enemy made seven unsuccessful attempts to advance near Dvorichna, Hlyboke, Vovchanski Khutory, Krasne Pershe, and Fyholivka.
In the Kupiansk sector, Russians conducted six attacks. The Ukrainian defenders repelled assaults near Kindrashivka, Kruhliakivka, and toward Pishchane and Petropavlivka.
In the Lyman sector, there were 24 engagements with Russian forces. The enemy attempted to advance near Tverdokhlibove, Ridkodub, Karpivka, Kolodiazi, and toward Hrekivka, Zelena Dolyna, Novyi Myr, and Olhivka.
In the Siversk sector, Ukrainian forces repelled one enemy attack near Hryhorivka.
In the Kramatorsk sector, Russian forces launched 12 attacks near Novomarkove, Chasiv Yar, and toward Mykolaivka, Stupochky, Pryvillia, and Bondarne.
In the Toretsk sector, the enemy attacked 27 times near Dyliivka, Shcherbynivka, Petrivka, Yablunivka, Rusyn Yar, and toward Pleshchiivka and Yablunivka.
In the Pokrovsk sector, Ukrainian defenders repelled 54 Russian assaults near Promin, Novotoretske, Myroliubivka, Lysivka, Novoukrainka, Novoserhiivka, Udachne, Myrnohrad, Oleksiivka, Popiv Yar, Malynivka, Koptieve, and toward Shakhove, Volodymyrivka, Molodetske, Serhiivka, and Novopavlivka." Ukrin

China THREATENS Iran

"Have the Iranians already begun to 'close' the Strait of Hormuz? New reports from China -- and an apparent sotto voce warning from Beijing to Tehran -- suggest that the IRGC may have already deployed their opening salvo to render the strait impassable....several commercial ships had to turn around after their navigation systems got jammed. That included two tankers servicing China's insatiable energy appetite.

The problem with this method is that it will likely be easier to track back to its sources, and Israeli and American fighters can target and destroy the transmitters and whoever is operating them. The US Navy could still target Iranian naval vessels as a reprisal, but Trump will likely want to hold off on that unless absolutely necessary, as any wreckage could hinder shipping.
Much of their energy exports go to China, and they are not happy about the new developments in the Strait of Hormuz. "The China Shipowners’ Association told its members in a statement to immediately start submitting daily reports on their ship movements through the Gulf of Oman and the Strait of Hormuz. Beijing also called on the international community to maintain stability in the critical shipping lanes of the Persian Gulf, and said it was in touch with Iran about the ongoing conflict.
That may be Beijing's normally subtle method of signaling displeasure in public. The "China Shipowners Association" has to operate under the aegis of the Chinese Communist Party and the regime in Beijing, if not operating as a direct arm of the CCP. Being "in touch" after their shipping gets disrupted is not just going to be a "hi how are you" conversation with the regime." HA

No justification for attack on Iran – Putin

"Israeli and US hostilities against Iran are groundless and unjustifiable, Russian President

Vladimir Putin has told Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi.
The top Iranian diplomat, who landed in Moscow and met with the Russian president on Monday, said earlier that the visit was needed for “closer, more precise, and more serious consultations” with Russia, in the wake of the US strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities.
During the meeting at the Kremlin, Putin described the attacks on Iran as “an unprovoked aggression,” for which “there can be no justification.” RT

380,000+ Trapped as Deadly Flooding Submerges Manila, Philippines

"Metro Manila (Philippines) was hit hard by hours of relentless rain, flooding major roads and

leaving entire neighborhoods underwater. The downpour began late afternoon and quickly overwhelmed drainage systems, turning streets into rivers. Light vehicles were stranded or submerged as floodwaters rose rapidly. In Quezon City’s Banawe Street, water reached chest level, forcing motorists to abandon their vehicles. Motorcyclists sought shelter under overpasses and near MRT sites, leading to severe traffic gridlock across the metro. Sampaloc, Manila, saw knee-deep flooding, while surrounding areas like Caloocan, Valenzuela, Malabon, Navotas, Muntinlupa, Marikina, Mandaluyong, and San Juan also suffered intense rain and rising waters. The situation grew worse as the rain continued into the night." Xtreme

Russia strikes more Ukrainian military training sites

"Russian forces have conducted strikes on two sites used by Kiev to train newly mobilized

troops, the Defense Ministry said.
One strike, near the Ukrainian city of Sumy, reportedly resulted in up to 100 casualties and destroyed as many as 14 military vehicles, the ministry said in a statement on Monday.
The second strike hit an area under Kiev’s control in Russia’s Kherson Region, the ministry said. This operation involved an Iskander missile equipped with a cluster warhead that allegedly killed around 70 Ukrainian troops while destroying more than 10 vehicles.
Ukraine’s military confirmed the attack on a training site but reported a significantly lower toll – three soldiers killed and 14 wounded." RT

Hurricane Erick Hits Southern Mexico: Flooding, Power Outages

"Hurricane Erick battered southern Mexico making landfall as a Category 3 storm near Puerto

Escondido, Oaxaca. The storm triggered widespread flooding, landslides, and power outages, affecting over 120,000 residents. One death, a one-year-old boy, was confirmed after he drowned in a swollen river. Streets were buried under debris, boats were tossed ashore, and communication lines were cut off. Emergency crews launched cleanup efforts as Erick weakened into a tropical storm. Authorities remain on high alert with fears of more flooding and mudslides in the mountainous regions." FirstPost

An earthquake in northwestern China kills at least 131 people and is the deadliest in 9 years

"A strong overnight earthquake rattled a mountainous region of northwestern China,

authorities said Tuesday, reducing homes to rubble, leaving residents outside in a below-freezing winter night and killing 131 people in the nation’s deadliest quake in nine years.
The magnitude 6.2 earthquake struck just before midnight on Monday, injuring more than 700 people, damaging roads and knocking out power and communication lines in Gansu and Qinghai provinces, officials and Chinese media reports said." AP

A 6.2-magnitude earthquake was reported in the Philippine Islands

"A 6.2-magnitude earthquake was reported in the Philippine Islands on Monday (June 23), according to the United States Geological Survey.
The earthquake was centered at a depth of 5.0 kilometers (about 3.1 miles)." msn

165 combat engagements along frontline over past day

"There were 165 combat engagements between Ukrainian Defense Forces and Russian invaders over the past day, June 23, with the highest number occurring in the Pokrovsk sector.
Russian airstrikes targeted areas including Ozerne and Mala Vovcha in Kharkiv region; Razine, Pokrovsk, Novotoretske, Poltavka, Malynivka, and Voskresenka in Donetsk region; Novoselivka and Mala Tokmachka in Zaporizhzhia region.
Ukrainian missile troops and artillery struck 17 clusters of enemy personnel and equipment, three Russian missile and artillery systems, and one enemy command post.
In the Northern Slobozhanshchyna and Kursk sectors, Ukrainian forces repelled 10 enemy attacks. The enemy also launched 12 airstrikes using 22 guided bombs and conducted 262 artillery strikes, including eight with MLRS.

In the Southern Slobozhanshchyna sector, the enemy made seven unsuccessful attempts to advance near Dvorichna, Hlyboke, Vovchanski Khutory, Krasne Pershe, and Fyholivka.
In the Kupiansk sector, Russians conducted six attacks. The Ukrainian defenders repelled assaults near Kindrashivka, Kruhliakivka, and toward Pishchane and Petropavlivka.
In the Lyman sector, there were 24 engagements with Russian forces. The enemy attempted to advance near Tverdokhlibove, Ridkodub, Karpivka, Kolodiazi, and toward Hrekivka, Zelena Dolyna, Novyi Myr, and Olhivka.
In the Siversk sector, Ukrainian forces repelled one enemy attack near Hryhorivka.
In the Kramatorsk sector, Russian forces launched 12 attacks near Novomarkove, Chasiv Yar, and toward Mykolaivka, Stupochky, Pryvillia, and Bondarne.
In the Toretsk sector, the enemy attacked 27 times near Dyliivka, Shcherbynivka, Petrivka, Yablunivka, Rusyn Yar, and toward Pleshchiivka and Yablunivka.
In the Pokrovsk sector, Ukrainian defenders repelled 54 Russian assaults near Promin, Novotoretske, Myroliubivka, Lysivka, Novoukrainka, Novoserhiivka, Udachne, Myrnohrad, Oleksiivka, Popiv Yar, Malynivka, Koptieve, and toward Shakhove, Volodymyrivka, Molodetske, Serhiivka, and Novopavlivka.
In the Novopavlivka sector, the Ukrainian defenders repelled 17 attacks near Bahatyr, Novosilka, Zaporizhzhia, Perebudova, Komar, Myrne, Shevchenko, Vilne Pole, and toward Voskresenka." Ukrin

Trump Announces Ceasefire in Iran-Israel ’12 Day War’

"President Donald Trump announced on Monday that Israel and Iran had agreed to a “complete and total ceasefire,” after 12 days of ongoing war between the two countries.
“CONGRATULATIONS TO EVERYONE! It has been fully agreed by and between Israel and

Iran that there will be a Complete and Total CEASEFIRE (in approximately 6 hours from now, when Israel and Iran have wound down and completed their in progress, final mission!), for 12 hours, at which point the War will be considered, ENDED!” Trump wrote in a post on Truth Social.
“Officially, Iran will start the CEASEFIRE and, upon the 12th Hour, Israel will start the CEASEFIRE and, upon the 24th Hour, an Official END to THE 12 DAY WAR will be saluted by the World. During each CEASEFIRE, the other side will remain PEACEFUL and RESPECTFUL,” Trump added.
Trump continued to offer his congratulations to Israel and Iran for having agreed to a ceasefire “on the assumption that everything works as it should.” Breitbart

'spy' for Iran arrested after key military base monitoring

"A British national has been taken into custody in Cyprus on charges linked to suspected

spying and terrorism. Authorities believe the individual was monitoring RAF Akrotiri on behalf of Iran. The base is central to the UK's ongoing mission targeting Islamic State (ISIS) fighters in Syria and Iraq, serving as a launch point for related operations.
The unnamed suspect, said to be of Azerbaijani heritage, reportedly has connections to Iran’s elite Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps.
Investigators say the man was residing in an apartment in Limassol’s Zakaki district, a short distance from the base. He was allegedly seen near RAF Akrotiri with a camera equipped with a telephoto lens and in possession of three mobile phones." msn

Giant hail hits China

"A powerful hailstorm struck China’s Shandong Province on June 21, hitting cities like Jinan, Zibo, and Liaocheng. Hailstones reached sizes comparable to chicken eggs and tennis balls, damaging thousands of cars and rooftops. 

The storm lasted about 15–20 minutes but caused widespread destruction to homes, vehicles, and crops. Over 3,000 hectares of farmland were affected, with farmers reporting catastrophic losses. Power outages occurred in multiple towns due to damaged lines, and several minor injuries were reported. Emergency crews and local authorities quickly mobilized to assess damage and assist residents. Social media was filled with dramatic footage of the storm, which some called an "ice apocalypse"." NDnews

69 clashes on frontline

"Since the start of the day, there have been 69 combat clashes between Ukraine’s Defense Forces and Russian troops.
In the Northern Slobozhanshchyna and Kursk sectors, Ukrainian troops repelled nine enemy attacks, with one battle still ongoing. The enemy also conducted three airstrikes using five guided aerial bombs and fired 155 times, including six barrages from multiple launch rocket systems (MLRS).

In the Southern Slobozhanshchyna sector, Russian forces attacked Ukrainian positions six times near Vovchansk, Stroivka, and Fiholivka. Two clashes are still ongoing.
In the Kupiansk sector, throughout the day, the enemy attempted to advance three times near Stepova Novoselivka, Zelenyi Hai, and toward Holubivka. Ukrainian forces successfully repelled all attacks.
In the Lyman sector, the Ukrainian defenders repelled 11 assaults by the invading army near Novyi Myr, Karpivka, Ridkodub, and Kolodiazi.
In the Siversk sector, Ukrainian troops stopped two Russian attacks near Hryhorivka and Ivano-Darivka.
In the Kramatorsk sector, the Russians launched four attacks at Ukrainian positions near Chasiv Yar and toward Predtechyne and Bila Hora. One clash is still ongoing.
In the Toretsk sector, Russian forces attempted to storm Ukrainian positions 10 times near Dyliivka, Toretsk, Leonidivka, Rusyn Yar, and Yablunivka. Fighting continues at four locations." Ukrin