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