Trump Declares Israel-Iran Ceasefire

June 24, 2025 -- Today’s top stories: Trump announces Israel-Iran ceasefire timeline, NATO Allies to Hike Defense Spending to 5% of GDP by 2035, Japan Flags Chinese Patrols Near Disputed Islands for 216th Day, and FBI warns “Badbox 2.0” Botnet Hiding in Streaming Devices.

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By CommonWealth Magazine
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2025-06-24

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Trump announces Israel-Iran ceasefire timeline

U.S. President Donald Trump said that a "complete and total" ceasefire between Israel and Iran will go into force to end the conflict between the two nations, moments after both sides threatened new attacks.

Earlier, Iran had launched missiles at a U.S. base in Qatar, officials said, prompting the U.A.E., Bahrain, and Kuwait to close their airspaces. The U.S. military intercepted missile,s and there were no casualties.

“On the assumption that everything works as it should, which it will, I would like to congratulate both Countries, Israel and Iran, on having the Stamina, Courage, and Intelligence to end, what should be called, “THE 12 DAY WAR,” Trump wrote on Truth Social.

However, neither Iran nor Israel has publicly confirmed they have accepted Trump’s ceasefire timeline.

U.S. stock market indexes closed higher Monday on optimism that Iran’s retaliation for U.S. bombings of its nuclear facilities would be limited to the missile attack.

Likewise, oil prices fell as traders breathed a sigh of relief after days of concerns that a broader conflict could force tankers to avoid vital shipping lanes like the Strait of Hormuz.

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UK and NATO allies agree to boost spending on defence and related areas to 5% of GDP by 2035

Nato and its allies have agreed to increase spending on defence and related areas to 5% of GDP by 2035, according to two diplomatic sources with knowledge of the deal. ambassadors of all 32 alliance member states signed off on the new spending pledge ahead of a major summit of leaders, including Donald Trump, this week, they said.

However, Spain's Prime Minister later signalled that his country, which has been resisting the push by allies to expand its already underperforming defence budget to such a level, did not need to comply.

This could become a point of friction with the US President, who has repeatedly warned that he would not defend a member state that, in his eyes, is notpaying its fair share.

The UK and its NATO allies have agreed to increase spending on defence and related areas to 5% of GDP by 2035, two diplomatic sources with knowledge of the deal have told Sky News.

Even before the NATO summit kicks off in the Hague on Tuesday, 24, it is clear that the alliance's ambitious goals will place heavy demands on Germany.

Chancellor Friedrich Merz has announced that he will provide all the necessary financial resources to make the Bundeswehr the strongest conventional Army in Europe.

However, NATO's new goals are ambitious: the plan is for member States to spend 5% of their economic output on defense. Until now, it has been 2%, which is what Germany currently spends on defense.

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Japan spots Chinese ships near disputed isles for record 216 straight days

China has continued its Coast Guard patrols around a disputed Islet group administered by Japan in the East China Sea for a record-breaking 216 consecutive days, Tokyo has said.

The China Coast Guard previously claimed that it patrolled the Diaoyu Islands—Known in Japan as the Senkaku Islands—Within China's territorial waters for "rights protection." following Japan's nationalisation of the Senkaku Islands in 2012, China's Coast Guard ships, often equipped with Autocannons, began assertive patrols around the Uninhabited territory, raising Tokyo's concerns that Beijing is attempting to alter the status quo.

The Pentagon assessed in a report that the China Coast Guard possesses the largest Maritime law enforcement fleet in the world, with over 150 patrol vessels weighing more than 1,000 Tons—including a pair of 12,000-ton "monster ships," the world's largest Coast Guard vessels.

The Japan Coast Guard said four Chinese Coast Guard ships were spotted near the Senkaku Islands on Sunday, sailing within the Islands' contiguous Zone—A Maritime area that extends up to 27.6 miles from the coastline and lies beyond its 13.8-mile-wide territorial waters.

Another four Chinese Vessels—Armed with Autocannons—Were warned not to sail into Japan's territorial waters around the Islands on Saturday, according to the Japan Coast guard.

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FBI warns of hidden ‘malicious’ threats lurking in widely used devices

The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) has issued a public service announcement warning Americans about a growing Cyber threat that may already be inside their homes.

Cybercriminals are hijacking TV streaming sticks, Digital Projectors, Digital picture frames, and more to launch malicious Online activity through an evolving Botnet known as Badbox 2.0.

Badbox was first discovered in 2023 and disrupted in 2024, but the new 2.0 version has resurfaced with more advanced techniques.

It continues to exploit Android-based devices, especially those not certified by Google Play Protect or promoted as “ unlocked ” streaming tools capable of accessing free content.

The Botnet, which reportedly consists of millions of compromised devices, allows criminals to create proxy networks out of unsuspecting users ’ home connections, the FBI said.

The networks can then be exploited or sold to other criminals, enabling illegal activity that appears to originate from an innocent home network.

Most of the infected devices were manufactured in China and are either preloaded with Malware before purchase or compromised during setup through the Download of unofficial Apps, the FBI said.

Once connected, the devices can silently become part of the Badbox 2.0 Botnet, giving criminals a hidden doorway into personal networks, the Bureau added

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