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The US struck Iranian military targets near the Strait of Hormuz for the second time in three days, while Secretary of State Rubio warned that Russia's disinformation campaign against the Baltic states risks escalating into a broader conflict.

Meanwhile, Israel's Lebanon offensive has expanded, Uganda has shut its DRC border amid a worsening Ebola outbreak, and Hungary reversed its ICC withdrawal under new Prime Minister Magyar.

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Top 5 Stories

1️⃣ 🇺🇸🇪🇺 Rubio warns Russia's Baltic campaign could "spark into something bigger": Secretary of State Rubio said the U.S. is closely monitoring Russia's disinformation campaign against the Baltic states, warning it risks escalating into a broader conflict. Nordic and Baltic ministers jointly rejected Moscow's allegations that Latvia and other Baltic states were preparing drone attacks against Russia, calling it a deliberate attempt to intimidate NATO allies and distract from its war in Ukraine.

2️⃣ 🇺🇦🇧🇾 Ukraine identifies 500 targets in Belarus amid rising tensions: Ukraine's drone commander Robert Brovdi publicly warned Lukashenko against deeper involvement in Russia's war, stating 500 targets inside Belarus had already been identified. Zelenskyy separately met with Belarusian opposition leader Tsikhanouskaya in Kyiv, mocking Lukashenko's proposed bilateral meeting while cautioning that aggressive action against Ukraine would carry consequences.

3️⃣ 🇵🇸 Gaza stabilization force stalls as troop pledges collapse: Three months after its announcement, the Gaza International Stabilization Force has no meaningful troop contributions from any of the five countries that pledged support. Indonesia, which offered the largest commitment of 8,000 troops, suspended its pledge citing Washington's distraction and the ongoing U.S.-Iran conflict, while remaining contributors have delivered only token or no forces.

4️⃣ 🇯🇵🇵🇭 Japan and Philippines deepen defence ties with China in mind: Philippine President Marcos Jr.'s state visit to Tokyo is set to yield arms sale agreements and a military intelligence-sharing pact, as both nations look to counter China's regional activity. Japan, which recently ended its ban on lethal weapons exports, is pursuing deals on destroyers, aircraft and missiles, while energy cooperation linked to Iran war disruptions was also on the agenda.

5️⃣ 🇮🇸🇪🇺 Iceland's EU referendum at risk of misinformation, minister warns: Iceland's foreign minister cautioned that the country's August 29 referendum on resuming EU accession talks could become a "Brexit moment," citing foreign interference, AI-generated content and domestic fearmongering. Polls show a narrow split, with 42% in favour and 39% opposed, as debates over fishing rights, sovereignty and shifting global alliances dominate the campaign.

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Major Story

🇺🇸🇮🇷 US strikes Iran for second time in three days

The US carried out strikes on a military site near Bandar Abbas, a strategic port city close to the Strait of Hormuz, after shooting down four Iranian one-way attack drones it said posed a threat to US forces and commercial shipping in the area. A fifth drone was reportedly about to launch from the targeted site when it was struck. 

Iran's Revolutionary Guard subsequently claimed it targeted a US air base it identified as the source of the attacks. Kuwait's military also reported intercepting "hostile missile and drone threats" without providing further details, and neither claim was independently confirmed. 

Negotiations toward a broader deal appear to have stalled, with Trump telling cabinet members the US is "not satisfied" with terms on the table.

Iranian state media reported details of a draft framework including a US naval withdrawal and the reopening of the Strait, though the White House rejected the text as a complete fabrication. 

The US also imposed sanctions on Iran's newly established Persian Gulf Strait Authority, which has been levying fees on ships transiting the waterway, warning that vessels making payments could themselves face sanctions exposure.

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Other News

1️⃣ 🇬🇧🇵🇱 UK and Poland sign major defence treaty as Starmer rebuilds European ties: The two countries formalised a security agreement covering military assistance, cybersecurity and organised crime, continuing Starmer's broader push to strengthen post-Brexit relations with Europe. The signing comes as Starmer faces mounting domestic pressure following poor local election results, with Brexit resurfacing as a fault line after senior Labour figure Wes Streeting called the vote a "catastrophic mistake."

2️⃣ 🇨🇦🇸🇪 Canada picks Saab over US rivals for Arctic surveillance fleet: Prime Minister Carney announced Canada would enter formal procurement negotiations with Sweden's Saab for new Arctic surveillance aircraft, bypassing two American competitors. The decision reflects Carney's push to reduce economic dependence on the U.S., though it risks further straining ties with Washington, which already suspended a joint defence advisory board partly over Canada's stalled F-35 purchase.

3️⃣ 🇮🇱🇱🇧 Israel expands Lebanon offensive with largest evacuation order since ceasefire: The IDF declared roughly 14% of Lebanese territory a combat zone, ordering civilians north of the Zahrani River as strikes intensified across the south and Bekaa Valley. At least 31 people were killed on Tuesday alone across more than 150 strikes, with Netanyahu confirming troops are pushing beyond the existing buffer zone in what he described as a deepening ground operation.

4️⃣ 🇺🇬🇨🇩 Uganda closes DRC border as Ebola outbreak worsens: Ugandan authorities shut the border with immediate effect following a surge in infections among health workers who treated Congolese patients, despite WHO warnings that closures drive movement through unmonitored crossings. The outbreak, caused by the Bundibugyo strain for which no vaccine or treatment exists, has reached nearly 1,000 suspected cases and at least 220 deaths, with active conflict in eastern DRC severely hampering containment.

5️⃣ 🇭🇺⚖️ Hungary reverses ICC withdrawal under new PM Magyar: Parliament voted 133 to 199 to remain in the international criminal court, overturning the Orbán government's withdrawal just days before it was due to take effect on June 2. The reversal means Benjamin Netanyahu would face arrest if he entered Hungary, marking a sharp break from Orbán's government, which had hosted him despite an active ICC warrant.

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