Strongest quake in 40 years rocks Italy’s volcanic region

Strongest quake in 40 years rocks Italy’s volcanic region, injures dozens (VIDEOS)

RT

A magnitude 4.7 earthquake struck the Campi Flegrei volcanic region near Naples in southern Italy on Friday evening, injuring at least 26 people, two of them critically, and damaging dozens of buildings.

The earthquake hit at 7:46pm local time at a shallow depth of about 3km, according to Italy’s National Institute of Geophysics and Volcanology (INGV). Its epicenter was between the towns of Pozzuoli and Quarto. Civil protection officials said that it was the strongest quake recorded in the area since continuous instrumental monitoring began, surpassing two magnitude 4.6 tremors registered in 2025.

The quake was felt across Naples, Ischia, Procida, and much of the Gulf of Naples. Seismographs have since recorded more than 60 aftershocks, the strongest measuring magnitude 3.8 late on Friday and another of 3.1 early on Saturday. Civil Protection Minister Nello Musumeci warned that the seismic swarm is continuing and that further earthquakes above magnitude 3 remain possible.

The worst damage was reported in Pozzuoli, where falling masonry, collapsing facades, and landslides damaged homes, businesses, and parked vehicles, according to multiple videos posted online.

Cracks also appeared at the town’s commercial port, forcing its closure and suspending ferry and hydrofoil services to the nearby islands of Ischia and Procida.

Power outages affected around 100,000 customers after a high-voltage pylon collapsed in Naples’ Agnano district.

Authorities in Pozzuoli initially evacuated around 250 people after the quake. As inspections continued, at least nine buildings were declared unsafe and around 290 residents, were ordered from their homes, with the number expected to rise as building checks continue.

Local media reported that many residents chose to spend the night outdoors or in their cars rather than return to their homes.

More...

Russia Launches Massive Missile and Drone Attack on Kyiv

Russia Launches Massive Missile and Drone Attack on Kyiv After Ukraine Sinks Russian Container Ship and Hits Oil Refineries – Zelensky Demands US Patriot Missiles

Jordan Conradson

Russia launched a massive missile and drone attack against Ukraine on Saturday, prompting renewed calls from Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky for American Patriot missile interceptors, which he says they’ve run out of.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said the Russians launched 35 missiles and 185 attack drones mainly at Kyiv, but also at Dnipro, Sumy, and Kharkiv. “Only one ballistic missile was intercepted, simply because there are no interceptors for the Patriot systems,” he said, demanding more Patriot missiles from the US. The shortage “only encourages Russia to launch such attacks that take human lives,” Zelensky said.

Footage from the attack in Kyiv shows massive explosions hammering the city.

Zelensky said in a statement, “Eighteen residential buildings, a school, the Lithuanian Embassy, and infrastructure facilities were damaged,” and at least nine people were killed, with dozens more injured.

The Ukrainian President further shared a video from recovery efforts following the attack:

Meanwhile, Ukraine has carried out offensives against Russian shipping and energy infrastructure.

Zelensky shared the following video on X, confirming that the sanctioned container ship, Yanina, with a capacity of more than 100,000 tons, was “sent to the bottom.”

“Also overnight, Security Service of Ukraine units struck the infrastructure of three Russian oil refineries in Bashkortostan. The targets were nearly 1,600 kilometers away. These refineries process millions of tons of oil each year,” he added.

On Friday morning, Zelensky also announced that he had spoken to Vice President JD Vance, where the two “followed up on our recent meeting with President Trump in Washington, which was positive and productive.” He emphasized his calls for Patriot missile interceptors, calling it a “top priority.”

However, as The Gateway Pundit reported, President Trump said on Friday afternoon that he wants to be “very careful” about giving the advanced technology to another country.

“I gave them the javelins. The javelins are unbelievable,” Trump said. “We have to be very careful about giving out the secrets to those weapons.”

Crude Inventories Have Fallen To "Precariously Low" Levels

Crude Inventories Have Fallen To "Precariously Low" Levels

TYLER DURDEN

U.S. crude inventories fell sharply last week as refineries ramped up production to capitalize on higher fuel prices following renewed conflict with Iran, according to Financial Times.

Commercial crude stockpiles declined by 7.2 million barrels, while the Strategic Petroleum Reserve (SPR) dropped another 3.8 million barrels. Refineries operated at 97% of capacity nationwide, with some Midwest facilities running at full capacity as exports to Asia and Europe increased.

FT writes that the drawdown comes as renewed fighting between the U.S. and Iran continues to disrupt oil shipments through the Strait of Hormuz, forcing the U.S. to help offset reduced Middle Eastern supplies. Analysts warn that America is increasingly carrying the burden of stabilizing global oil markets.

"US crude inventories, both commercial and the SPR, have drawn down by nearly 20 per cent since early April. The US accounts for about 70 per cent of global onshore crude inventory draws over the past four months," said Matt Smith of Kpler.

"It has carried the burden of trying to keep oil prices in check over this period via SPR releases and higher exports, but stockpiles are rapidly depleting and this pace of draws cannot persist ad infinitum."

The SPR has now fallen to 307.7 million barrels, its lowest level in more than 40 years. While still above its estimated operational minimum of 180 million to 200 million barrels, analysts warn that continued depletion leaves the U.S. increasingly exposed to future supply shocks.

Commodity Context founder Rory Johnston described current crude and gasoline inventories as "precariously low."

Trump, Netanyahu consider land blockade to increase pressure on Iran

Trump, Netanyahu consider land blockade to increase pressure on Iran

Vered Weiss, World Israel News

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and President Donald Trump discussed the possibility of imposing a land blockade on Iran as part of a broader effort to increase economic pressure on the Islamic Republic after months of military operations have not brought about the collapse of the regime, the Telegraph reported.

According to the report, the proposal was among the options raised during the leaders’ Oval Office meeting earlier this week. The discussions reportedly focused on intensifying pressure against Tehran “through kinetic and non-kinetic means.”

The proposal would require the United States and Israel to persuade Iran’s neighbors and regional partners to tighten or close border crossings, limiting the movement of imports and exports into and out of the country.

“What if you just blocked the land? Suppose Iran can’t bring anything in and cannot take anything out. Anything will happen,” a senior Israeli official told the Telegraph in describing one of the options discussed by the two governments.

Analysts have identified several obstacles to implementing such a plan, including the difficulty of securing cooperation from countries that border Iran.

The Islamic Republic shares frontiers with Iraq, Turkey, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Turkmenistan, Armenia and Azerbaijan, meaning any effort would require support from governments that include states not considered allies of either Israel or the United States.

The report said Washington could view Pakistan and Iraq, neither regarded as a close U.S. ally in the region, as potential weak links in any coordinated effort.

Countries agreeing to participate would also face significant economic costs as well as the possibility of retaliatory action by Iran.

Some experts, however, said that if a land blockade could be implemented, it could restrict the flow of supplies into Iran and further weaken the regime. They also said blocking key ports or major land crossings could limit Tehran’s ability to replenish its military capabilities.

Iran is expecting a shipment of hundreds of Chinese rocket launchers from Beijing under a new agreement intended to strengthen military ties between the two countries.

The Telegraph said a land blockade would align with Trump’s “maximum pressure” strategy, which seeks to cripple Iran’s economy and was launched with a naval blockade.

Report: US, Israel weigh land blockade to tighten pressure on Iran

The United States and Israel are considering a plan to tighten Iran’s land borders as part of a broader campaign to increase pressure on Tehran, The Daily Telegraph reported Friday.

The proposal was among several options discussed by US President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu during talks at the White House on Tuesday, according to the report.

The plan would require Washington and Jerusalem to persuade Iran’s seven land neighbours to restrict border traffic, limiting imports, exports and potentially weapons shipments. Iran borders Iraq, Turkey, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Turkmenistan, Armenia and Azerbaijan.

A senior Israeli official told The Telegraph that sealing Iran’s land routes could deepen its economic isolation, although analysts said enforcing such a blockade would be extremely difficult, particularly through countries with close ties to Tehran.

The discussions come as Trump considers further steps to force Iran back into negotiations after strikes and a naval blockade failed to secure a breakthrough. Other options reportedly include maintaining the maritime campaign, resuming airstrikes or pursuing an agreement.

Hamas Disarmament Deal: Netanyahu Signals Deep Reservations

Trump Says Israel ‘Very Happy’ With Hamas Disarmament Deal, but Netanyahu Signals Deep Reservations

Emmitt Barry

President Donald Trump said Friday that Israel was “very happy” with a newly announced agreement aimed at disarming Hamas, even as Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu remained publicly silent and senior Israeli officials indicated that Jerusalem had not accepted the proposal in its current form.

Speaking during a Cabinet meeting at Camp David, Trump described the agreement as a major breakthrough in his administration’s effort to end the Israel-Hamas war and establish a new governing authority in the Gaza Strip.

“We do have an understanding with Israel,” Trump said when asked whether Jerusalem had agreed to honor the deal. “Israel is very happy about it. Israel helped us, and they’ve been very good.”

Trump acknowledged that implementation could face difficulties but said the agreement represented progress few believed possible. He said Hamas would surrender its weapons through a process overseen by his U.S.-backed Board of Peace.

However, Netanyahu has not publicly endorsed the agreement, and statements attributed to a senior Israeli official directly contradicted Trump’s characterization of Israel’s position. The official said Israel would not withdraw its forces from their present defensive positions until Hamas had undergone “genuine disarmament.”

The differences go beyond diplomatic language.

The 15-point roadmap reportedly calls for Hamas and other Palestinian terrorist organizations to decommission and store heavy weapons, military production facilities, weapons depots and tunnels under the supervision of the National Committee for the Administration of Gaza, a Palestinian technocratic body.

The weapons would not be transferred to Israel or another non-Palestinian party. Hamas official Ghazi Hamad also avoided using the word “disarmament,” describing the proposal instead as a “comprehensive framework.”

Hamad said Hamas would not begin placing weapons into storage until Israel stopped its military operations, increased humanitarian access and withdrew its forces to positions established under the previous Sharm el-Sheikh agreement.

“We will not take any action regarding disarmament prior to Israel’s withdrawal from the Strip,” Hamad said Thursday.

An Israeli official responded that there would be no Israel Defense Forces withdrawal from the current Yellow Line until Hamas had surrendered its weapons in a verifiable manner. The disagreement leaves both sides demanding that the other act first—the same obstacle that has repeatedly stalled earlier negotiations.

Trump announced Thursday that his Board of Peace had reached a “historic” agreement for the complete, phased disarmament of Hamas and other armed groups in Gaza. Under the proposed process, Israeli forces would gradually withdraw while an International Stabilization Force and newly organized Palestinian police secured the territory.

Yet a U.S. official acknowledged that Israel remained “very skeptical” that Hamas would actually relinquish its weapons. Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir called the draft unacceptable and urged Israel to continue targeting Hamas leaders.

he concern in Jerusalem is that Hamas could place selected heavy weapons in storage while preserving command networks, operatives, concealed arms and the ideological infrastructure needed to rebuild its military capabilities.

Israel has seen similar patterns before. Hamas has accepted temporary ceasefires and tactical pauses while consistently refusing to recognize Israel’s legitimacy or abandon what it calls “armed resistance.”

More...