Ukraine struck a Russian Tor-M1 air defense system near Kamyanka in Luhansk, drone control stations in Zaporizhzhia and Bryansk, a command post in Donetsk, and Russian forces near Chasiv Yar, the General Staff reports.

Newly released Epstein-related documents include an email indicating that U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick discussed plans in 2012 to visit Jeffrey Epstein on a private island, accompanied by another couple and their children. The email states, “I have another couple with me on my boat, and each of us has 4 children.” Lutnick has previously said in a public interview that after meeting Epstein in 2005, he vowed never to be in a room with him again. The emails, dated 2012, appear to conflict with that account.

Axios reports a shift in Saudi Arabia’s stance on potential U.S. strikes against Iran. During a private briefing in Washington on Friday, Saudi Defense Minister Prince Khalid bin Salman reportedly warned that if President Trump does not follow through on his threats toward Iran, the Islamic regime could emerge even stronger. Shortly afterward, it was announced that the United States had agreed to sell Saudi Arabia $9 billion worth of Patriot missile defense interceptors and related equipment.

The U.S. government entered its second shutdown in less than a year at 12:00 a.m. Saturday, despite a deal reached between Senate Democrats and the White House and the Senate’s passage of five long-term spending bills on Friday—excluding Homeland Security. Unlike last year’s shutdown, which lasted more than 40 days, this one is expected to be brief. The House is scheduled to vote on the five bills after returning to Washington on Monday, though House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries has not said whether House Democrats will back the Senate-approved legislation.

Emails dated July 2011 indicate that Jeffrey Epstein and an associate, Greg Brown, discussed a scheme to pressure Libyan officials and gain control of state assets under the guise of postwar reconstruction, with references to involvement by former MI6 and Mossad figures. The exchanges occurred during Libya’s civil war, just weeks before Muammar Gaddafi was ousted, suggesting the plans were being considered while the regime was still in power.

The U.S. External Office for Venezuela announced on Friday that it has confirmed all known American detainees in Venezuela have now been released by the interim authorities.

Saudi Arabia will not permit the United States to use its airspace or military bases for strikes against Iran, according to a senior government official from a Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) country who spoke to Fox News, following several meetings this week in Washington with Saudi defense and intelligence officials. The official said the U.S. has not shared its objectives or operational plans regarding Iran with Gulf allies, despite the high-level Saudi discussions. “We conveyed this as friends—we want to be sure they understand our position and our overall assessment,” the official said. “And we want clarity on the U.S. assessment as well. I was hoping for full clarity, but we did not get there.”

🚨 Venezuela 🇻🇪: Delcy Rodríguez announced this Friday (30), during the ceremonial opening session of the 2026 judicial year, the decision to advance a General Amnesty Law that will cover the entire period of political violence from 1999 to the present.

🐧❌ Another Russian “penguin” occupier eliminated on the battlefield. If our translations help keep you informed, consider supporting the project — it helps WarMonitor remain independent and active every day.

Massive anti-ICE protest in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

Epstein, with a smiling emoji, asks former Israeli PM Ehud Barak to clarify he does *not* work for Mossad in a meeting with a senior Qatari investment official

Epstein files show Bill Gates asking Epstein for “antibiotics” to give his wife, Melinda because he contracted an STD from “Russian girls.”

Elon Musk asked Jeffrey Epstein 'is there a good time to visit [the Island]?'

🚨Former Prince Andrew invited Jeffrey Epstein to Buckingham Palace, promising him “lots of privacy”

Israel is reportedly seeking to take part in U.S. plans to strike Iran’s ballistic missile infrastructure, as President Trump presses for action against Iranian officials who have issued threats against him, according to The New York Times. Separately, Israel’s Kan 11 reports that during a recent visit to Washington by Maj. Gen. Shlomi Binder, head of Israel’s Military Intelligence Directorate, Israeli officials shared intelligence with U.S. counterparts regarding Iran’s efforts to rebuild and restore its ballistic missile program.

Senior U.S. military officials have briefed leaders of a key U.S. ally in the Middle East that President Donald Trump may authorize military action against Iran as early as this weekend. According to sources cited by Drop Site News, strikes could begin as soon as Sunday if Washington moves ahead. It is worth noting that in June 2025, President Trump ordered strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities and announced the operation on Truth Social shortly before 8 p.m. ET on a Saturday—corresponding to the early hours of Sunday in Iran. Drop Site News now reports that any potential U.S. strikes on Iran could likewise commence as early as Sunday.

Don Lemon had been under FBI surveillance for several days prior to his arrest, according to Reuters.

🚨Donald Trump allegedly received oral sex from a 13-14 year old as per testimony found in the Epstein files. They claim he slapped her after she “laughed about biting President Trump”.

I don’t think the Islamic regime fully understands the consequences if it were, God forbid, to strike an American vessel. President Trump would respond by unleashing the full weight of U.S. military power—on a scale the regime has never encountered before, something not seen since World War II. Such an action would almost certainly mark the end of the regime itself.

Sequence of events regarding Iran: 1. President Trump warns Iran’s Islamic regime that it will face severe consequences if it begins killing protesters, telling demonstrators that “help is on its way.” 2. The regime dismisses the warning, proceeds to kill an estimated 30,000 protesters, and shuts down internet access. 3. U.S. military assets begin deploying en masse to the Middle East amid preparations for a potential strike. 4. Iran responds by threatening an all-out war with the United States and erects large billboards depicting a destroyed U.S. aircraft carrier. 5. President Trump signals he is willing to pause military action if Iran dismantles its nuclear and ballistic missile programs and ends support for terrorist proxies. 6. Turkey claims Israel is driving the push for military action against Iran and engages with envoy Steve Witkoff in an effort to pressure Washington to halt strikes. 7. Iran’s foreign minister says he is open to talks but insists that the nuclear and ballistic missile programs — the core demands of the Trump administration — are off the table. Based on the trajectory of events, it appears increasingly unlikely that the situation can be de-escalated.