World News .......... Elon Musk & Donald Trump *Elon Musk’s “Big, Beautiful” Falling Out with Donald Trump* Russian war *Ukrainian Air Force reports three F-16s lost in frontline fighting* Poland *What to know about Poland’s new president and his political views* Ministry of Defence *UK cities '90 minutes from being destroyed by missiles' warns former Army chief* UN Security Council *UN Security Council likely to vote on Gaza action* US Air Force *US Air Force Prepares Nuclear Bases for Deployment of New LGM-35 Sentinel Nuclear Missile.* ........ ©Zoomic Media https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VaD22E27YScxhpM8Re26 *Elon Musk’s “Big, Beautiful” Falling Out with Donald Trump* As DOGE sputters, Elon Musk’s latest tweet storm has put a torch to the bridge between himself and President Trump. Elon Musk has strong feelings about President Donald Trump’s One Big Beautiful Bill Act. On Tuesday, he uttered an inconvenient truth, calling it a “disgusting abomination” on X. Musk noted that, far from decreasing the federal budget deficit, it will add several trillion and “burden American citizens with crushingly unsustainable debt.” The White House purports to be unfazed by Musk’s heresy. “Look the president already knows where Elon Musk stood on this bill,” press secretary Karoline Leavitt said. “It doesn’t change the President’s opinion. This is one big, beautiful bill, and he’s sticking to it.” Musk does not arrive at the increasingly testy debate over the bill with clean hands. He is widely acknowledged to have bungled the DOGE effort to put the federal government on the fiscal equivalent of a SlimFast diet. The Economist has a new editorial simply titled, “Elon Musk’s failure in government.” It notes that his failure will ensure that future reform efforts are even more difficult to enact. But that failure does not mean that Musk’s salty comments about Trump’s bill are misplaced. On the contrary, they form part of a growing chorus of skeptics. Take Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA). In a post on X, Greene stated that she had been unaware of a specific provision in the bill that affected the ability of individual states to regulate AI: Full transparency, I did not know about this section on pages 278-279 of the OBBB that strips states of the right to make laws or regulate AI for 10 years. I am adamantly OPPOSED to this and it is a violation of state rights and I would have voted NO if I had known this was in there. We have no idea what AI will be capable of in the next 10 years and giving it free rein and tying states hands is potentially dangerous. This needs to be stripped out in the Senate. When the OBBB comes back to the House for approval after Senate changes, I will not vote for it with this in it. We should be reducing federal power and preserving state power. Not the other way around. Especially with rapidly developing AI that even the experts warn they have no idea what it may be capable of. Another wing of Republicans, including Senators Ron Johnson (R-WI) and Rand Paul (R-KY), is expressing skepticism about the bill’s budget-busting provisions. On Tuesday, Paul wrote on X, “I want to see the tax cuts made permanent, but I also want to see the $5 trillion in new debt removed from the bill. At least 4 of us in the Senate feel this way.” Here’s the rub. Unlike Trump, who revels in his self-described title as the “king of debt,” these fiscal conservatives not only recognize but also acknowledge that the bill will compound the federal deficit. However, other senators, such as Josh Hawley (R-MO), are opposed to the Medicaid cuts that the bill already envisions. To ensure the passage of the bill, Trump can afford to lose only three senators. With Musk publicly on the warpath, the MAGA base will be increasingly aware that House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) has confected a bill that will add further trillions to the deficit. Wall Street has already been warning that the bill will harm, not help, the economy. The fear is that the bond market will recoil at buying further debt and insist on higher interest rates—thereby driving debt payments even higher. This is might create a situation akin to the “Grecian formula” when Greece went belly-up in the early 2010s and had to be bailed out by the European Union (i.e., Germany). The Trump administration is engaging in happy talk, claiming that tariffs and economic growth will take care of the problem. Don’t worry, be happy. But the financial markets don’t appear to be sold. The cold, hard truth is that at some point, the bond vultures will demand their prey. That point may come sooner rather than later. ..... Russian war *Ukrainian Air Force reports three F-16s lost in frontline fighting* Ukraine is expanding its frontline air force presence, but the country has also lost several aircraft due to intense combat, Air Force Command spokesperson Yuriy Ihnat said in an interview with Ukrainska Pravda on June 4. "Of course we're scaling up. And of course, we’re also sustaining some losses. You’ve seen the reports about aircraft losses — that’s part of war," Ihnat said. "Unfortunately, this includes losses of F-16s." He confirmed that three U.S.-made F-16 fighter jets have been lost. "In such high-intensity fighting, losses are to be expected," Ihnat emphasized. Read also: Rest of Norwegian F-16s to arrive later this year He noted that while the aircraft provided by Ukraine’s allies aren’t brand-new and have seen previous use, they remain a significant upgrade over Soviet-era equipment. "This is more advanced weaponry," he said. Russia, he added, continues to hold key advantages in the air, including aircraft with longer detection ranges and missiles with longer strike capabilities — even compared to the F-16. "The enemy also has powerful air defense systems working in tandem with its aviation," Ihnat said. "If we talk about the MiG-29 or Su-27, there’s simply no comparison. Before we received F-16s, the ratio of our aircraft to theirs was 1:10 when it came to our MiGs. And technologically, it's like comparing a Makarov pistol to a sniper rifle. Still, our pilots fought back." Ukraine suffered its first F-16 loss on Aug. 26, 2024, when a crash killed Ukrainian Armed Forces Lt. Col. Oleksandr Mes. Another pilot, 26-year-old Pavlo Ivanov, was killed on April 12, 2025, while flying an F-16 during a combat mission. "All circumstances surrounding the incident are being investigated by an interagency commission, which has already begun its work," the Air Force said at the time. On May 16, the Air Force reported the loss of contact with another F-16 jet during an air defense mission. "Preliminary data indicate the pilot destroyed three aerial targets and was engaging a fourth with an aircraft cannon when a malfunction occurred," the statement read. "The pilot directed the jet away from a populated area and successfully ejected." ---- *What to know about Poland’s new president and his political views* Karol Nawrocki, a 42-year-old historian backed by the right-wing Law and Justice party, was elected president of Poland in the June 1, 2025, election, dealing a setback to the country’s pro-European forces. Karol Nawrocki won Poland’s presidential runoff election with 50.89% of the vote, narrowly defeating his pro-European rival, Warsaw Mayor Rafał Trzaskowski, who received 49.11%. As The Guardian reports, the victory by the right-wing conservative was a blow to pro-European Prime Minister Donald Tusk and “symbolizes a broader battle over political narratives” across Europe. The outcome has already been welcomed by the European far-right, including factions aligned with former U.S. President Donald Trump’s “Make America Great Again” (MAGA) movement, which supports isolationist, anti-EU, and conservative positions. Read also: Conservative Nawrocki edges out liberal rival in tight Polish election Trzaskowski, a key ally of Tusk, had been expected to strengthen the pro-European coalition in government. However, the president in Poland has significant powers in foreign and defense policy, and crucially, the ability to veto legislation. Overriding a presidential veto requires a 60% majority in parliament—something Tusk's coalition lacks. In response to Nawrocki’s win, Tusk announced he would submit a vote of confidence in his government to the Sejm. Who Is Karol Nawrocki? Age: 42 Birthplace: Gdańsk, Poland Education: Ph.D. in history from the University of Gdańsk; MBA from Gdańsk University of Technology Read also: Poland heads to runoff as Warsaw mayor Trzaskowski faces conservative challenger Nawrocki Career Highlights: 2009–2017: Held leadership roles at the Institute of National Remembrance, including in public education and regional governance in Gdańsk 2017–2021: Directed the Museum of the Second World War in Gdańsk, then returned to the Institute of National Remembrance as vice president November 25, 2024: Declared his independent candidacy for president, supported by the right-wing Law and Justice (PiS) party February 2024: Placed on a Russian wanted list for supporting the removal of Soviet monuments in Poland May 18, 2025: Won 29.54% in the first round of voting May 22, 2025: Signed a declaration by radical-right Confederation leader Sławomir Mentzen, opposing Ukraine’s NATO bid and the deployment of Polish troops to Ukraine June 2, 2025: Elected president with 50.89% of the vote Political Views: Advocates for national sovereignty and Christian values Supports military buildup, lower taxes, social welfare, and protection of the Polish złoty Opposes EU integration, LGBT rights, and immigration Condemns Russian aggression and supports Ukrainian sovereignty Demands World War II reparations from Germany Calls for the exhumation of Polish victims of the 1940s Volhynia massacre Threatens to block Ukraine’s accession to NATO and the EU Controversies: In 2018, allegedly made a secret trip to Moscow while heading the World War II museum, possibly using public funds Caught using snus (a smokeless tobacco product) during a televised debate; later tested negative for drugs Referred to Ukraine’s Galicia region as “Eastern Lesser Poland” during a 2024 interview Polish outlet Onet reported allegations of involvement in pimping during his student years Stance on Ukraine: During his campaign, Nawrocki said Poland’s strategic goal should be “to push the threat of neo-imperial, post-communist Russia as far away from Poles as possible.” He added that peace in Ukraine should be “lasting and just—not just a postponed war.” At the same time, he warned against "blind optimism" regarding Ukraine’s EU and NATO bids. Nawrocki has taken a hard line on historical issues, saying Ukraine must acknowledge responsibility for the 1942–1944 Volhynia massacre — referred to in Poland as genocide — if it hopes to join NATO. He has also claimed Ukraine treats Poland “unfairly.” Russian Realities Twenty years ago, most people hadn’t even heard of Ukraine. Today, the country is on everyone’s lips and everyone’s headlines. War pushed us on the front page. But there are many other things we do that we are proud of – from music and culture to technology. We need your help to tell the world Ukrainian story of resilience, joy, and survival. If you’re willing to back our effort, consider supporting us on Patreon starting from 5$ per month. We are immensely grateful. ---- Ministry of Defence *UK cities '90 minutes from being destroyed by missiles' warns former Army chief* The Ministry of Defence has been urged to adopt cutting-edge technology such as AI, Cruise missiles could obliterate a British city in just 90 minutes, the author of the Strategic Defence Review has warned. Former British Army chief General Sir Richard Barrons said in a stark warning that UK towns and cities could suffer devastation on the scale of Ukraine’s war-ravaged urban centres in the event of full-scale conflict. Speaking on Sky News’s Politics Hub, he said: "Right now, we should be very concerned about countries like Russia and how they might try and effect our daily national life. You look at the damage done to places like Kyiv, by missiles and air attack. Those are the same missiles and bombs that could do the same damage to London, Birmingham, Liverpool or Newcastle if we don’t take steps to deter that." "We should absolutely be prepared to exist in a world where things like precision missiles can range the UK and do great harm," he added. "That's not to say it's about to happen or imminent, but in terms of the capability, a cruise missile is only 90 minutes away from the UK." Russia is "an immediate and pressing threat", with the invasion of Ukraine making it "unequivocally clear its willingness to use force to achieve its goals", the Strategic Review concluded. China is eanwhile a "sophisticated and persistent challenge [...] "likely to continue seeking advantage through espionage and cyber attacks" - and have 1,000 nuclear warheads by 2030. Iran and North Korea are also flagged as regional disruptors. The Defence Review urges the Ministry of Defence to adopt cutting-edge technology - AI, robots, and lasers - to stay ahead. In a Commons statement, Defence Secretary John Healey said: "The threats we face are now more serious and less predictable than at any time since the end of the Cold War. We face war in Europe, growing Russian aggression, new nuclear risks, and daily cyber-attacks at home. Our adversaries are working more in alliance with one another, while technology is changing the way war is fought. We are in a new era of threat, which demands a new era for UK defence." ---- *UN Security Council likely to vote on Gaza action* The ten elected members of the UN Security Council have asked for the 15-member body to vote on Wednesday (June 4) on a draft resolution that demands "an immediate, unconditional and permanent ceasefire in Gaza respected by all parties," said diplomats. The draft text, seen by Reuters, also demands the release of all hostages held by Hamas and others, and the immediate lifting of all restrictions on the entry of humanitarian aid into Gaza and its safe and unhindered distribution at scale, including by the UN throughout the enclave. A resolution needs nine votes in favour and no vetoes by the permanent members - the United States, Russia, China, Britain or France - to pass. ---- *US Air Force Prepares Nuclear Bases for Deployment of New LGM-35 Sentinel Nuclear Missile.* According to information published by the 5th Bomb Wing Public Affairs on May 30, 2025, the US Air Force officially launched preparations at its nuclear installations to accommodate the upcoming LGM-35A Sentinel intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM). The activation of a new specialized unit, the Sentinel Site Activation Task Force (SATAF) Detachment 12, at Minot Air Force Base in North Dakota marks a pivotal moment in the effort to replace the aging Minuteman III, which has served as the land-based pillar of the US nuclear triad since 1970. This initiative is part of a broader strategic modernization plan focusing on strengthening the ground-based leg of the nuclear deterrent force.