Today's Top Reports
Australia
China conducts live-fire exercises between Australia and New Zealand
China's navy conducted a sudden live-fire exercise between Australia and New Zealand, forcing airlines to modify flight paths. The exercise involved three vessels operating in international waters outside Australia's economic zone. While China provided the required notice, Australian officials expressed concern over the short warning that disrupted commercial aviation. Prime Minister Albanese stated there was no imminent risk to either country and noted uncertainty about whether the live fire was actually used. Both Australian and New Zealand authorities monitored the situation, with officials planning to discuss the matter with Chinese counterparts. This event took place on 02/21/2025.
View the Full Report and Map Here: https://www.geopolitical.report/china-conducts-live-fire-exercises-between-australia-and-new-zealand/
Gaza Strip
Hamas claims Shiri Bibas' body was mixed with other remains due to an Israeli airstrike
Following Israel's announcement that a body Hamas claimed was Shiri Bibas was actually an unidentified Gazan woman, Hamas now claims Shiri's remains were mixed with others in rubble after an alleged Israeli airstrike. However, Israeli forensic experts at Abu Kabir Institute conclusively determined through multiple examinations and DNA testing that the clothed body provided did not match Shiri or any other female hostages. While Hamas maintains that Shiri and her sons were killed in an airstrike, Israeli authorities have confirmed that her sons Ariel and Kfir were murdered by terrorists while in captivity. This event took place on 02/21/2025.
View the Full Report and Map Here: https://www.geopolitical.report/hamas-claims-shiri-bibas-body-was-mixed-with-other-remains-due-to-an-israeli-airstrike/
Hamas says they will investigate the misidentified body of Shiri Bibas
Hamas claims there was a possible "mix-up" after providing what they said was Shiri Bibas's body to Israel, which Israeli authorities determined was not her but rather a Palestinian woman's body. While the remains of her two young sons, Ariel and Kfir, were identified and determined to have been killed in captivity by terrorists, Shiri's fate remains unknown. Hamas has pledged to investigate the situation and maintains its commitment to the current ceasefire-hostage release agreement, requesting the return of the misidentified body. This event took place on 02/21/2025.
View the Full Report and Map Here: https://www.geopolitical.report/hamas-says-they-will-investigate-the-misidentified-body-of-shiri-bibas/
Germany
German interior minister warns of Russian election disinformation
German authorities have detected a Russian disinformation campaign targeting the federal election through fake social media content in Hamburg and Leipzig. The operation, dubbed "Storm-1516," creates misleading content via pseudo-media sites and fake accounts, similar to tactics used in the 2024 U.S. election. A false video claimed an AfD candidate was excluded from an electoral list, while researchers found over 700 fake accounts promoting pro-Russian narratives and attacking conservative chancellor candidate Friedrich Merz. This event took place on 02/21/2025.
View the Full Report and Map Here: https://www.geopolitical.report/german-interior-minister-warns-of-russian-election-disinformation/
Philippines
China accuses the Philippines of ""illegally"" flying over the South China Sea
China and the Philippines are engaged in a new dispute over aerial encounters in the South China Sea. China accused the Philippines of illegally sending three aircraft into airspace near the Spratly Islands, claiming they warned and expelled the aircraft. The Philippines countered that their flights were legitimate surveillance missions to document Chinese maritime activities and assert Philippine sovereignty. This encounter follows an incident earlier this week where the Philippines accused a Chinese helicopter of dangerous maneuvers near their surveillance aircraft. This event took place on 02/21/2025.
View the Full Report and Map Here: https://www.geopolitical.report/china-accuses-the-philippines-of-illegally-flying-over-the-south-china-sea/
Sweden
Sweden investigating another damaged Baltic Sea cable
Sweden is investigating suspected sabotage of the C-Lion1 underwater cable connecting Finland and Germany in the Baltic Sea - the third time this cable has been damaged in recent months. This incident is part of a series of infrastructure disruptions in the region since Russia's invasion of Ukraine, including damage to the Nord Stream pipelines, a Finland-Estonia gas pipeline, and multiple telecom cables. While most incidents were attributed to ships dragging anchors, the frequency of such events has raised concerns, prompting NATO to launch Operation Baltic Sentry to protect critical underwater infrastructure. This event took place on 02/21/2025.
View the Full Report and Map Here: https://www.geopolitical.report/sweden-investigating-another-damaged-baltic-sea-cable/
Read all 63 event summaries for our reports that we've mapped over the last day. Geopolitical Report Pro subscribers can view complete reports and maps at the links under each summary.
