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The UK's Defence Secretary and Armed Forces Minister have both resigned, accusing Prime Minister Starmer of failing to adequately fund the military amid rising threats from Russia, which is reportedly building infrastructure along NATO's borders capable of housing up to 115,000 troops.

Meanwhile, President Trump cancelled planned strikes against Iran, claiming a nuclear deal is close to being signed.

This and more below ⤵️

Top 5 Stories

1️⃣ 🇷🇺 Russia builds up forces along NATO borders: Scandinavian intelligence officials warned Moscow is developing military infrastructure capable of housing up to 115,000 troops along its borders with NATO countries, describing the threat level as higher than during the Cold War. A senior NATO commander noted the threat remains limited while Russian forces are tied down in Ukraine, but cautioned it could escalate rapidly if a ceasefire is reached.

2️⃣ 🇨🇳🇪🇺 China cancels high-level EU talks: Beijing abruptly called off two ministerial-level meetings with the EU without explanation, in a move widely interpreted as displeasure over European trade and industrial policies. China has threatened countermeasures over the EU's proposed Industrial Accelerator Act, which would favor European products in public procurement and restrict some foreign investment.

3️⃣ 🇬🇧 UK defense chiefs resign over military funding: Defense Secretary John Healey and Armed Forces Minister Al Carns both quit government, accusing Prime Minister Starmer of failing to adequately fund the military amid rising threats from Russia. The resignations compound Starmer's political troubles ahead of a NATO summit next week, with his party already facing pressure following poor local election results and a potential leadership challenge from Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham.

4️⃣ 🇺🇸🇨🇺 US sanctions Cuba's state oil company: The Trump administration sanctioned Union Cuba-Petroleo, freezing its U.S.-based assets and barring American-linked entities from doing business with it, deepening an energy crisis the UN warns is already killing children. Defense Secretary Hegseth hinted at potential military action this week, as part of a broader pressure campaign that has effectively cut off Cuba's oil imports since January.

5️⃣ 🇹🇼🇨🇳 Taiwan vows to expel Chinese vessels from its waters: Taiwan's coast guard vowed to forcibly remove any foreign vessels attempting to assert jurisdiction in its waters, after China concluded a patrol east of the island where it claims to have inspected 198 ships. Two Chinese government vessels also briefly entered restricted waters near Taiwan's South China Sea island of Itu Aba before leaving after being challenged.

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Major Story

🇺🇸🇮🇷 Trump calls off Iran strikes, claims deal is close

President Trump cancelled planned strikes against Iran yesterday, having earlier threatened to hit Iran "very hard" and raised the prospect of seizing Kharg Island, a major Iranian oil terminal. 

Speaking from the Oval Office, Trump said a memorandum of understanding was in near-final form, with a possible signing by Vice President JD Vance in Europe as early as this weekend. 

The proposed agreement would commit Iran to never acquiring nuclear weapons, with the US naval blockade of the Strait of Hormuz lifted immediately upon signing. 

Iran's Foreign Ministry denied any deal had been finalised, saying the US was making "excessive demands" and warned of an "endless quagmire" should strikes resume.

Other News

1️⃣ 🇵🇭🇨🇳 China sanctions Philippine defense chief: Beijing banned Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro and his family from entering China, Hong Kong, and Macao, citing remarks it deemed damaging to its interests, with Manila condemning the move as an unfriendly act that further strains bilateral relations. Teodoro, a vocal critic of China's South China Sea conduct, vowed to continue his duties defending Philippine interests.

2️⃣ 🇺🇸 Trump nominates Jay Clayton as intelligence chief: Trump nominated federal prosecutor and former SEC chairman Jay Clayton as the next Director of National Intelligence, following pushback from both parties over interim appointee Bill Pulte, who has no intelligence background. Several Republicans joined Democrats in calling for a change, after Tulsi Gabbard resigned from the post last month.

3️⃣ 🇺🇦 Ukraine widens drone advantage over Russia: Commander-in-Chief Syrskyi reported Ukrainian drone units struck nearly 180,000 Russian military targets in May, a 12.7% monthly increase, with forces now holding a 1.5-to-1 advantage over Russia in FPV drone operations. Since the start of 2026, Ukrainian operators have reportedly eliminated 12,500 more Russian troops than Moscow has recruited.

4️⃣ 🇺🇸 Pentagon lockdown lifted after false alarm: The Pentagon was briefly placed on lockdown Thursday after sensors flagged a potential air quality issue, prompting a shelter-in-place order and a hazmat response across several floors. Subsequent testing confirmed no hazard existed and normal operations resumed within hours.

5️⃣ 🇪🇺🇷🇺 E3 ambassadors meet Russia amid Ukraine peace push: French, German, and British envoys held talks with Russia's deputy foreign minister in Moscow, days after a London summit where the three nations backed Zelenskyy's call for direct peace negotiations. Moscow dismissed the meeting as unproductive, accusing the three countries of advancing unacceptable conditions while escalating military support for Ukraine, and reiterated its preference for dealing exclusively with the Trump administration on any ceasefire.

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