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With another weekend of strikes involving the United States and Iran, renewed diplomatic efforts on Monday have eased immediate fears of escalation, but the economic shockwaves are already taking a heavy toll on some of the world's poorest countries.

The government on Monday confirmed that all Filipino crew members aboard two commercial vessels attacked near the Strait of Hormuz remain safe as tensions between the United States (US) and Iran escalated anew following fresh military exchanges in the Gulf region.

The Philippines has expressed grave concern over recent developments in the Strait of Hormuz and reported attacks in the Middle East, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said Monday.

Secretary of War Pete Hegseth today announced the appointment of members to the Defense Policy Board. Ambassador Robert Lighthizer, who previously served as U.S. Trade Representative from 2017-2021, will serve as its Chair, and former Senator Norm Coleman will serve as its Vice Chair.

The Armed Forces of the Philippines and the United States Coast Guard conducted a Maritime Cooperative Activity (MCA) within the Philippine Exclusive Economic Zone, June 27-28, 2026. This activity demonstrated a collective commitment to strengthening regional and international cooperation in support of a free and open Indo-Pacific.

The early morning air felt thick with nerves and anxious thoughts. Maintainers scurried around B-17 Flying Fortresses, making final adjustments to the aircraft as bomber crews assigned to the 95th Bombardment Group (H) readied themselves for the U.S. Army Air Corp's Eighth Air Force's first penetrating strike into Nazi Germany on Aug. 17, 1943.

On Monday (29 June 2026), NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte had talks with Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer about the priorities of the NATO Summit held in Ankara next week.

Sweden and Poland have successfully finalised negotiations on Poland's procurement of three A26 submarines from Saab. This agreement is a significant step in strengthening Poland's maritime capability, while also helping the countries deepen their collaboration on security and industrial policy.

Poland's Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Radosław Sikorski and Sweden's Foreign Minister Maria Malmer Stenergard met in Gdynia on 29 June during the first-ever Polish-Swedish intergovernmental consultations. It is yet another important step in implementing the renewed Strategic Partnership between Poland and Sweden.

Indonesian Navy marines joined troops from Malaysia, Fiji, Peru, Sri Lanka and the Philippines in the US-hosted Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) exercise, taking part in air assault and urban combat drills in Hawaii, according to Antara.

A specialized team from the Naval Base in Varna destroyed a drone retrieved east of Albena resort complex, the Naval Forces Headquarters said here on Monday, the Bulgarian News Agency (BTA) reported.

Philippine Army (PA) chief Lt. Gen. Antonio Nafarrete on Monday said he will do everything he can to support the ongoing modernization of the Army Artillery Regiment (AAR) to make it more capable in defending the country against all forms of threats.

Malacañang on Monday maintained that relations between the Philippines and China remain "good" despite increasingly sharp exchanges between Philippine and Chinese officials over issues surrounding the West Philippine Sea (WPS).

Filipino and American naval and air units over the weekend conducted the fifth bilateral maritime cooperative activity (MCA) in the West Philippine Sea (WPS), the Armed Forces of the Philippines said on Monday.

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"As part of Operation Closing Verse, the IDF has just destroyed the underground terrorist infrastructure of the Hezbollah terrorist organization in the area of the village of Majdal Zoun in southern Lebanon."

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) has struck three Hezbollah command posts in southern Lebanon in response to violations of the ceasefire agreement, the IDF said on Monday.

The IDF (Israel Defense Forces) said it struck three Hezbollah headquarters in southern Lebanon after the terror organization violated the Lebanon ceasefire agreement, according to TPS-IL.

Lebanese Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri has sharply criticized the agreement signed in Washington between Lebanon and the Israeli regime, describing it as an imposed set of dictates rather than an agreement that safeguards the Arab country's rights.