Lebanese authorities reported 47 people were killed in Israeli airstrikes and Israel announced the deaths of four of its soldiers, the highest combined casualty count since the US and Iran struck their deal. 

Talks that were scheduled to take place between the US and Iran in Switzerland to build on the deal and work towards a lasting settlement were postponed, with no new date announced, but US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Lebanon's President Joseph Aoun held a call.

The Lebanese presidency said Aoun thanked Rubio for US support but stressed "the need for Israeli attacks on Lebanese territory to cease through the achievement of a comprehensive ceasefire".

Rubio, according to the US State Department, insisted on the importance of Lebanon carrying through on its efforts to disarm the Hezbollah armed group, which is fighting Israel in the south of the country.

"They discussed the next round of negotiations, scheduled for June 23 to 25 in Washington, where the two sovereign governments will make progress toward a lasting peace," a spokesman said. "Secretary Rubio reiterated the need to disarm Hezbollah and to re-establish control over all Lebanese territory." 

Israel's ambassador to the United States, Yechiel Leiter, insisted in a social media post that Israel was committed to an immediate ceasefire in Lebanon, but only "if Hezbollah honours the agreement and ceases its hostilities".

The deal signed this week by President Donald Trump and his Iranian counterpart Masoud Pezeshkian aims to end a war that began on February 28 with US-Israeli strikes that killed supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

The agreement was also meant to halt the fighting in Lebanon, which Iran has always insisted should be covered under any accord, turning Israel's ongoing campaign there into a source of frustration for Washington.

Israel's military said Friday that it had struck more than 80 Hezbollah targets in Lebanon and killed dozens of members of the Iran-backed group.

'Permanent war'

But a US official told AFP a truce between Israel and Hezbollah, beginning immediately, had been brokered by US and Qatari mediators following talks with Israel and Iran. A Gulf diplomat confirmed the ceasefire.

Even after the truce was announced, Lebanese state media reported an Israeli airstrike on the country's south in the Jezzine region. 

Leiter, however, denied this, saying: "At 11:30 this morning, Israel halted all offensive operations; Hezbollah and Iranian claims to the contrary are bold lies."

A previous truce nominally agreed in April did nothing to stop attacks by either side, and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had said just hours earlier that the Israeli army would make Iran-backed Hezbollah pay a "heavy price" for its attacks.

Far-right Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir went even further, saying after the soldiers' deaths that "all of Lebanon must burn".

Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi accused Israel of only being interested in "permanent war".

'No urgency'

Preparations had been made to host Iranian and US delegations led by Tehran's top negotiator Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf and US Vice President JD Vance at the Swiss resort of Burgenstock, overlooking Lake Lucerne.

The talks were due to kick off a two-month period of negotiations to discuss outstanding issues not covered by the initial deal, notably Iran's nuclear programme.

Switzerland's foreign ministry confirmed the discussions had been postponed but said it "remains ready to facilitate these talks".

Iranian foreign ministry spokesman, Esmaeil Baqaei, said there was "no urgency to hold the meeting" but that it was planned "in the coming days"

48 hours notice

A key aspect of the deal was the immediate re-opening of the Strait of Hormuz, the key shipping bottleneck whose closure caused global energy prices to rise. 

A total of 25 commercial vessels crossed the newly-reopened strait on Thursday, the highest number since mid-April, according to data from maritime tracking firm AXSMarine published on Friday.

American forces on Thursday lifted their parallel naval blockade of Iranian ports, the US military said, noting that American warships "will remain in the general area".

Iran's maritime authority said on Friday that all ships seeking to cross the Strait of Hormuz should submit a transit request "48 hours in advance", despite its reopening.

Like every graduating student, they have spent years chasing this moment. They survived examinations, deadlines, sleepless nights, financial difficulties, and personal struggles. Their families are making plans. Their friends are counting down the days. Their graduation photos are waiting to be taken.

Yet amid the excitement, a question hangs over what should be one of the happiest moments of their lives.

When they finally walk across the stage to receive their diplomas, will they be allowed to do so as themselves?

The question may seem simple. To some, it may even appear trivial. After all, the debate revolves around clothing—what graduates are allowed to wear during commencement exercises.

But for the transgender students involved, the issue is about far more than a dress, a uniform, or a graduation outfit.

It is about identity.

It is about recognition.

And perhaps most of all, it is about being seen.

As Pride Month shines a spotlight on the continuing struggle for LGBTQ+ rights and acceptance, the situation unfolding at a large university has become a reflection of a much larger conversation taking place across the country. It is a conversation about where institutional rules end and personal dignity begins. It is a conversation about tradition, inclusion, and whether there is room for both.

For years, the transgender students involved say they have sought to express their gender identity openly. Some hoped that college would be a place where they could finally live more authentically, free from many of the pressures and judgments they experienced growing up.

Instead, they found themselves navigating policies that governed appearance, attire, and conduct. School officials maintained that students were expected to follow established regulations, including dress requirements for official events.

From the institution's standpoint, the matter is straightforward. Schools have rules. Those rules exist for a reason. Educational institutions are entrusted with maintaining standards, preserving traditions, and ensuring that policies are applied consistently.

Few would argue that schools should have no authority to set guidelines.

The university's position deserves consideration. Educational institutions cannot simply abandon every policy whenever disagreements arise. Consistency matters. Order matters. Institutions have a responsibility to maintain systems they believe are fair and reflective of their values.

Yet the perspective of transgender students deserves equal attention.

For many transgender individuals, clothing is not merely fabric stitched together for appearance. It is often an expression of identity. It is one of the ways people communicate who they are to the world. To be told that one cannot present oneself in a way that aligns with one's gender identity can feel deeply personal, especially during a milestone as significant as graduation.

To understand why, one must look beyond the ceremony itself.

Despite growing visibility in recent years, LGBTQ+ Filipinos continue to face challenges that many others rarely have to consider. Some experience bullying at school. Others face rejection at home. Many encounter discrimination in workplaces, public spaces, and even within their own communities.

Transgender Filipinos often carry additional burdens.

Many spend years trying to reconcile who they are with society's expectations of who they should be. They navigate misunderstanding, prejudice, and at times outright hostility. What might seem like a small accommodation to others can represent years of struggle for acceptance.

That is why discussions involving dress codes often resonate so deeply within the LGBTQ+ community.

The issue is rarely about the clothing itself.

It is about what the clothing represents.

It is about whether a person feels recognized.

It is about whether a person's identity is acknowledged.

It is about whether someone can stand before family and friends and feel fully seen.

As Pride Month is observed across the country, stories like these serve as reminders that the pursuit of equality is often found in ordinary moments. Not every battle for inclusion happens in Congress. Not every debate unfolds in courtrooms. Sometimes the most meaningful questions emerge in places as familiar as a classroom or as ceremonial as a graduation stage.

Supporters of LGBTQ+ inclusion argue that educational institutions should strive to create environments where students feel respected, valued, and accepted. They believe schools can maintain standards while also finding ways to accommodate students whose experiences and identities differ from traditional expectations.

Others caution that institutions must be careful in making exceptions and that policies should be applied consistently to maintain fairness.

Neither position is without merit.

But perhaps the question is not whether schools should have rules.

Most people would agree that they should.

The more important question is whether there are moments when compassion can exist alongside policy. Whether flexibility can coexist with order. Whether institutions can preserve tradition while recognizing the humanity of those affected by their decisions.

Graduation may be one of those moments.

Unlike ordinary school days, commencement happens only once. It is the culmination of years of sacrifice and perseverance. It is a memory captured in photographs and carried for a lifetime.

Years from now, graduates may forget specific lectures, assignments, and examinations. What they are unlikely to forget is how they felt when they crossed the stage.

For transgender graduates, being allowed to wear attire that reflects their identity is not necessarily an act of rebellion. It is often a request for recognition. A desire to celebrate an achievement as the person they know themselves to be.

That desire is not unique to transgender students.

Every graduate hopes to be seen.

Every graduate hopes to be celebrated.

Every graduate hopes to be remembered.

As society continues to evolve, conversations like these challenge institutions and communities alike to think more deeply about inclusion. Respecting schools and supporting LGBTQ+ Filipinos are not mutually exclusive goals. One does not require the rejection of the other.

The challenge is finding ways to uphold standards without leaving dignity behind.

Because in the end, what these students are asking for is not special treatment. They are asking for a chance to stand before their families, receive the diploma they worked years to earn, and walk across the stage as their authentic selves.

And perhaps that is what Pride has always been about—not demanding to be treated as more than others, but simply asking to be seen as equal.

Not despite who they are.

But because of it.

If graduation is a celebration of achievement, then it should also be a celebration of becoming. And if that is true, perhaps every student deserves the opportunity to walk toward the future not as someone they are expected to be, but as the person they have fought so hard to become.

Residents are advised to immediately seek indoor shelter and avoid open areas, as exposure during thunderstorms significantly increases the risk of fatal lightning strikes. The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) and local disaster risk offices stressed that people should avoid standing in wide fields, hilltops, or near bodies of water where they may become the highest point in the area.

The reminder follows an incident in Barangay Laoac, Alcala, where a 27-year-old woman was killed after being struck by lightning earlier this week.

The victim was identified as Estila Lopez. Police and Municipal Health Office personnel responded to the scene but she was declared dead on arrival. Her child, who was reportedly a short distance away during the incident, was unharmed but suffered emotional distress after witnessing the event.

Authorities also warned the public against taking shelter under trees or other tall, isolated objects that can attract lightning. They urged people instead to stay inside sturdy buildings or hard-topped vehicles during thunderstorms.

Residents were further advised to unplug electrical appliances and avoid using electronic devices during severe weather, and to wait at least 30 minutes after the last lightning or thunder before returning outdoors.

The discovery came days after two foreigners were found inside a vehicle along the Tarlac–Pangasinan–La Union Expressway (TPLEX).

Police said the body was found inside a black Ford Everest with plate number NIK 5986 after residents reported a suspicious, dark-tinted vehicle parked in the area.

Responding officers discovered the victim lying on the front passenger seat. He was wearing a black T-shirt and brown shorts, had a large tattoo on his back, and was partially covered with a bedsheet.

Investigators said the victim may have been killed in another location before the vehicle was abandoned in Barangay Pias, noting the muddy condition of the vehicle’s tires.

The body was brought to a nearby funeral parlor for proper examination while authorities coordinated with the Land Transportation Office to identify the registered owner of the vehicle.

Police are also looking into possible links to the earlier TPLEX incident as investigation continues.

The program opening highlighted strong support from education, government, academe, and private sector partners, underscoring a shared commitment to strengthening literacy, innovation, and nation-building among Filipino learners.

Municipal and DepEd officials emphasized the initiative’s alignment with national education priorities, with Vice Mayor Marlo PJ A. Alipon affirming full support from the Sangguniang Bayan for programs that invest in the youth. DepEd Los Baños also noted its large learner base and continued focus on improving educational outcomes.

Partners from the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry–Los Baños, the Impact Solutions Institute of the Philippines, and the University of the Philippines Los Baños expressed support for the program, highlighting its potential to address literacy gaps and prepare students for future challenges. The National Historical Commission of the Philippines also noted the symbolic timing of the launch, which coincides with Rizal’s birthday and the 70th anniversary of the Rizal Law.

Mayor Nocon said the RCOF initiative was inspired by learners under the ARAL Program and aims to strengthen literacy, critical thinking, innovation, and values formation. He stressed that while the program uses technology such as tablets and digital tools, its core purpose is education reform grounded in Rizal’s ideals.

Police Lt. Col. Rogie Ortencio, Manolo Fortich police chief, said investigators already have persons of interest and are gathering evidence, including CCTV footage from along the highway prior to the attack.

“The suspects were reportedly following the bank vehicle before the attack,” he said.

A significant development in the case came when police operatives, during hot pursuit operations, recovered a black Ford Ranger Wildtrak believed to have been used by the suspects. The vehicle was found abandoned in Barangay Alae, Manolo Fortich, near the Alae–Tagoloan Bypass Road.

Investigators from the Scene of the Crime Operatives immediately processed the vehicle and collected forensic evidence to support the ongoing probe.

Through OPLAN S.H.I.E.L.D. and sustained intelligence operations, police units have intensified information gathering and coordination efforts to identify and locate the perpetrators. Several persons of interest (POIs) have already been identified and are undergoing verification.

Hot pursuit and dragnet operations remain ongoing as authorities continue to track the suspects.

A provincewide manhunt was earlier launched against the armed men who ambushed and robbed a bank teller of about P1.6 million after a brief firefight along the same highway on Wednesday morning.

Police reports said a cash-in-transit teller and a lone security guard were onboard a Toyota Vios from a bank in Libona, Bukidnon bound for a Land Bank branch in Manolo Fortich to deposit P1.677 million in collections.

The League of Associations at the La Trinidad Vegetable Trading Area Inc. (LALTVTAI) said large volumes of boxed imported carrots, reportedly destined for markets in Manila and Sariaya, Quezon, were instead observed returning or being redirected to trading posts on 17 to 18 June.

The group warned that the influx of imported produce is undermining local farmers and traders and could trigger a sharp collapse in prices for highland vegetables.

LALTVTAI said wholesale prices of Benguet and Mountain Province carrots have dropped to as low as P20 per kilo, with isolated premium transactions reaching P38 per kilo. Lower-grade variants reportedly fell further to around P8 per kilo — well below production and transport costs.

Farmers and traders have appealed to the Department of Agriculture, urging Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. to investigate the importation and distribution of foreign carrots. They also raised concerns over possible smuggled shipments entering the supply chain alongside sanctioned imports.

At the La Trinidad Vegetable Trading Post, significant volumes of locally harvested carrots remained unsold on June 18 as buyers opted for cheaper imported stocks. Farmers said the situation is forcing heavy financial losses due to unsold produce and mounting transport costs.

MCWD general manager Atty. John DX Lapid said the water district is closely monitoring climate conditions and rolling out measures to ensure continued water availability for consumers.

He cited the latest briefing from the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration, which indicated that El Niño conditions are already present in the tropical Pacific, with sea surface temperatures reaching threshold levels and an over 80 percent probability of developing into a full El Niño event that could persist until 2027.

“El Niño is no longer a forecast. It is already happening,” Lapid said.

At present, MCWD produces about 280,000 cubic meters of water per day. However, output has dropped to 263,941 cubic meters daily due to the drought, resulting in a deficit of 16,059 cubic meters per day. Bulk water suppliers contribute 109,982 cubic meters.

Lapid said the shortfall is mainly due to reduced output from the Jaclupan Water Facility in Talisay City, which normally produces 30,000 cubic meters per day but has declined to around 20,700 cubic meters because of lower water levels in the Mananga River, brought about by hotter weather and reduced rainfall.

Other surface water sources, including the Buhisan Dam and MCWD’s bulk water supplier in Compostela drawing from the Cotcot River, have also recorded slight declines in production.

Meanwhile, the Lusaran Bulk Water Supply operated by J. E. Hydro and Bio-Energy Corp. (J.E. Hydro and Bio-Energy Corp.) and the North Cebu Bulk Water Supply operated by Manila Water Company remain stable for now, each capable of producing around 30 million liters per day (MLD).

To augment supply, MCWD is accelerating the drilling of 11 new production wells in Cebu City, activating standby wells, and pursuing additional sources, including wells in Tawason and within the National Bureau of Investigation compound. The Kalunasan well is also expected to be commissioned within the year to serve Cebu City Jail and nearby communities.

These projects are projected to add about 39,000 cubic meters per day, including 20,000 cubic meters from a desalination facility in Cordova, 8,000 cubic meters from new wells, 5,000 cubic meters each from the Mambaling and Opao desalination projects, and 1,000 cubic meters from the Apas supply source.

MCWD said that during El Niño, surface water sources are typically the most affected due to reduced rainfall and streamflow, making groundwater and desalinated water more reliable augmentation sources as they are generally less vulnerable to prolonged dry conditions.

While the river serves as a vital source of irrigation for farmers, it also becomes a major obstacle during the monsoon season, shear line events and periods of heavy rainfall, when rising waters inundate roads and isolate communities.

For decades, thousands of residents in remote villages have depended on xsmall boats and makeshift rafts to cross the river. During bad weather, these crossings become dangerous and often impossible, cutting off access to markets, schools, health services and government assistance.

That challenge may soon be addressed.

The government’s Payapa at Masaganang Pamayanan (PAMANA) program, a flagship peace and development initiative, is funding the construction of a road network and bridge that will provide safer and more reliable access to far-flung communities in Catubig town.

On Thursday, the Office of the Presidential Adviser on Peace, Reconciliation and Unity (OPAPRU), the lead oversight agency for PAMANA projects, led the groundbreaking ceremony for the infrastructure project.

OPAPRU Secretary Mel Senen Sarmiento, Northern Samar Governor Harris Ongchuan and Northern Samar Rep. Edwin Ongchuan spearheaded the ceremony together with local officials, police and military representatives.

Governor Ongchuan said the project supports the provincial government’s vision of building communities where essential services are more accessible, peace and prosperity go hand in hand, and residents enjoy a better quality of life.

The project consists of a two-lane, 2.48-kilometer road and a 151-meter concrete bridge linking the town proper of Catubig to Barangay Calingnan.

Once completed, the infrastructure will connect 27 geographically isolated and conflict-vulnerable barangays, significantly improving mobility for residents.