All the under reported bs that probably matters
High Priority
US General Chris Donahue claimed that NATO forces posses the capability to capture Russia's heavily fortified Kaliningrad Oblast "in a timeframe that is unheard of," if necessary. These remarks were made amid heightened tensions and the implementation of NATO's new "Eastern Flank Deterrence Line" strategy.
In response to Donahue, Russian lawmaker Leonid Slutsky stated that any attack on the Kaliningrad region would be considered an attack on Russia, prompting retaliatory measures "including the use of nuclear weapons."
A hacker released data to 404 Media showing the flight manifests for three legally contested deportation flights from Texas to El Salvador contain dozens of additional, unaccounted for passengers than a previously published by DHS.
In May, a hacker targeted GlobalX, the airline that operated these flights and shared the data with 404 Media. In addition to the names of people who were on the list CBS News published, the GlobalX flight manifests contain the names of dozens of people who were supposedly on the flights but whose status and existence has not been acknowledged by the U.S. government or previously reported in the press.
FL Governor Ron DeSantis diverted $20 million in disaster preparedness and response funds to support the construction of the Dade-Collier concentration camp in the Everglades. This information was revealed in an investigation which analyzed the contracts before they were removed from a state website - the claim is that some of the contracts were awarded to close allies of DeSantis.
The Wall Street Journal released a bombshell report covering a previously unknown birthday letter from Trump to Epstein in 2003. For the latter's 50th, Ghislaine Maxwell collected birthday notes from those closest to him and compiled them in a keepsake album. Not only is Trump on the list within the list but so is "billionaire Leslie Wexner and attorney Alan Dershowitz. The album also contained a letter from a now-deceased Harvard economist, one of Epstein’s report cards from Mark Twain junior high school in Brooklyn and a note from a former assistant."
"The album had poems, photos and greetings from businesspeople, academics, Epstein’s former girlfriends and childhood pals, according to the documents reviewed by the Journal and people familiar with them."
The book was put together by a New York City bookbinder, Herbert Weitz, according to people who were involved in the process. Weitz, who died in 2020, listed Epstein as a client on his website in 2003.
It isn’t clear how the letter with Trump’s signature was prepared. Inside the outline of the naked woman was a typewritten note styled as an imaginary conversation between Trump and Epstein, written in the third person.
After the text was a line drawing of what appeared to be a woman’s breasts.
Read more from the WSJ
“Voice Over: There must be more to life than having everything,” the note began.
Donald: Yes, there is, but I won’t tell you what it is.
Jeffrey: Nor will I, since I also know what it is.
Donald: We have certain things in common, Jeffrey.
Jeffrey: Yes, we do, come to think of it.
Donald: Enigmas never age, have you noticed that?
Jeffrey: As a matter of fact, it was clear to me the last time I saw you.
Trump: A pal is a wonderful thing. Happy Birthday — and may every day be another wonderful secret.
Trade
The US government announced it will impose a 93.5% tariff on battery components and materials imported from China.
Media
Two days after Stephen Colbert criticized CBS Global's settlement with Trump, his late night talk show was canceled. It will officially end May 2026.
"CBS' parent company, Paramount, is in the midst of an $8 billion merger with Hollywood studio Skydance. But the deal has been delayed for months as talks with lawyers for President Donald Trump dragged on after he filed a lawsuit over an interview the CBS newsmagazine "60 Minutes" aired with former Vice President Kamala Harris."
Read more from NBC
US Government
The Hill reported Trump signed an EO to create a new classification for federal government employees. It's expected to specifically change the status of federal workers in policy-making or influencing roles and strip them of long-standing civil service protections against politically motivated dismissal.
Minutes after announcing he would be suing the WSJ and Rupert Murdoch over the Birthday Gate, Trump directed AG Bondi via Truth Social to seek the release of "all pertinent Grand Jury testimony" related to the Epstein case. This comes hours after the WSJ released a transcript of Trump's birthday note to Epstein written in 2003.
The US indefinitely halted the delivery of five Patriot missile systems to Switzerland. The systems were originally a part of a sale from Raytheon and deliveries were expected to start in 2026 - now, they are being redirected to Ukraine. This action is part of a broader US strategy to expedite all available Patriot systems to European allies (Germany, Norway, Romania) who will in turn provide their own existing Patriot systems to the Ukrainian armed forces.
Translation: I don't think Trump and Putin are friends anymore. If they ever were.
Trump wrote a social media letter of support to former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro. In his post, Trump condemns the legal proceedings surrounding Bolsonaro's ongoing trial for an alleged 2022 coup attempt and warns that "he will be watching."
CENTCOM released a video showing the seizure of a large shipment of Iranian-made weapons in the Red Sea which was reportedly en route to Houthi forces in Yemen. According to CENTCOM, the seized cargo contained over 750 tons of munitions and military equipment.
The Trump admin ordered the immediate termination of the specialized service for LGBTQ+ youth operating as a part of the national 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. This move dismantles a critical support system designed for intervention in high risk situations involving a high risk demographic.
The DOJ filed a sentencing memorandum recommending a sentence of only one day for Brett Hankison, a former police officer federally convicted of civil rights violations that led to the death of Breonna Taylor in an illegal no knock raid in 2020.
International News
The foreign ministers of Germany, France, and the UK have jointly urged Iran to resume "negotiations" over its nuclear program. The three countries, otherwise known as E3, has warned that strict sanctions will be imposed if significant progress is not made soon. Reporting indicates that the E3 has aligned with the US on a deadline for Tehran to re-engage in talks. (Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung)
The German Chancellor signaled that progress has been made in approving the sale of Eurofighter Typhoon jets to Türkiye. This indicates a reversal of Germany's previous opposition which was the main obstacle to the deal. Türkiye seeks to purchase 40 fighters jets to modernize its air force. The deal requires unanimous consent from all four manufacturing nations (Germany, Italy, Spain, UK). Historically, Spain and the UK have been strong advocates for the sale.
Ukraine's State Service for Ethnopolitics and Freedom of Conscience has issued a formal directive giving the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the Moscow Patriarchate 30 days to completely sever all structural and canonical ties with the Russian Orthodox Church. (ZN.UA)
Leaked military documents revealed that the Russian military has suffered catastrophic losses within the 41st Combined Arms Army as of June 1, 2025. The army has reportedly lost 8,625 soldiers, they're missing over 10k and that's on top of the 7k+ deserters.
Israel
The government of Slovenia has officially declared two far-right Israeli cabinet ministers, Itamar Ben-Gvir and Bezalel Smotrich, as persona non grata. This means the two ministers are effectively barred from entering Slovenia - it also constitutes a formal censure of their policies and rhetoric concerning Palestinians. (Palestine Chronicle)
An Israeli airstrike targeted a group of civilians in Gaza City in the vicinity of Al-Sahaba Hospital. The strike resulted in several fatalities and injuries.
Another Israeli bombing targeted a group of civilians near the Al-Saftawi roundabout in the northern part of Gaza City. At least four people died with an unknown number of injuries or how severe (Verified local source via Sitrep) .
These strikes come after Israel targeted a school shelter in Bureij and the Holy Family Catholic Church.
A fire broke out in a Palestinian civilian home in the town of Anata. It was ignited by gas and sound grenades fired by Israeli forces. This incident happens amongst an ongoing military incursion in the town (Verified local source via Sitrep).
Israeli occupation forces established a new military checkpoint at the entrance to the Qalandia refugee camp located north of Jerusalem. The installation has reportedly resulted in a severe traffic crisis which has significantly disrupted the movement of local residents (Verified local source via Sitrep).