Overview

The Russia-Ukraine conflict intensifies with Russia's largest aerial attack on Kiev since 2022, while Trump's unpredictable foreign policy approach suggests potential for unilateral deals that prioritize "America First" over traditional diplomatic norms.

College commencement ceremonies have become platforms for protest, with universities like George Washington, NYU, and Columbia taking disciplinary actions against students expressing pro-Palestinian views, raising questions about academic freedom and free speech on campus.

New Orleans police secretly implemented a live facial recognition system with over 200 cameras that could send real-time alerts about potential suspects, raising legal and privacy concerns that led to a partial pause of the program.

A disturbing incident at a Liverpool Soccer Club celebration turned chaotic when a 53-year-old man drove a car into the crowd, injuring dozens including children, though police are treating it as isolated rather than terrorism.

The film industry saw a strong Memorial Day weekend with Disney's Lilo & Stitch remake and Tom Cruise's Mission Impossible 8 breaking holiday records, providing relief after a disappointing first quarter.

Content

Russia-Ukraine Conflict and Trump's Foreign Policy

Russia launched its largest aerial attack on Kiev since the 2022 invasion, killing at least 13 people
Donald Trump made controversial statements about Putin and Zelensky
Trump's approach to Russia remains unpredictable, with mixed signals of criticism and potential accommodation
Former advisors like H.R. McMaster and Fiona Hill offer differing views on Trump's potential actions

- Hill suggests Trump views international relations through a transactional "America First" lens - Trump appears willing to make unilateral deals that deviate from traditional diplomatic expectations

College Commencement Protests

Some 2025 graduates are using commencement speeches to protest university policies
At George Washington University:

- Student speaker Cecilia Culver expressed solidarity with Palestinians - The university banned Culver from campus events after her speech

At NYU:

- A student speaker had his degree withheld for deviating from pre-approved remarks - The university is pursuing disciplinary actions against the student

At Columbia University:

- The university faced student protests and criticism during commencement - Mohsen Mahdawi, a Palestinian student, walked at graduation wearing a keffiyeh - Mahdawi emphasized the issue is about humanity, beyond political divisions - Mahmoud Khalil, another Columbia student, remains detained by ICE in Louisiana - Khalil denies being anti-Semitic or a Hamas supporter and fears deportation - His lawyers plan to potentially take his case to the Supreme Court - Columbia's acting president Claire Shipman stated international students have freedom of speech rights

New Orleans Facial Recognition Investigation

Washington Post revealed New Orleans police secretly used live facial recognition cameras
Over 200 cameras, primarily in the French Quarter
Police could receive real-time notifications about potential suspect matches
Potential legal issues: no formal contract with camera management company
Police department has partially paused the automatic alert program

Middle East Developments

Gaza Humanitarian Foundation leader resigned, citing impossible implementation of aid plan
Israel launched attacks in Gaza, hitting a school with sheltering Palestinians

Liverpool Parade Incident

A 53-year-old white man drove a car into fans celebrating Liverpool Soccer Club's Premier League title
Dozens injured, including several children
BBC correspondent Matt Cole was present and narrowly avoided being hit with his family
Scene transformed from celebratory to chaotic, with celebration sounds replaced by sirens
Police are treating the incident as isolated, not terrorism, and have detained the driver

Hollywood Box Office

Memorial Day weekend saw strong box office performance
Disney's Lilo & Stitch remake and Tom Cruise's Mission Impossible 8 broke holiday records
Lilo & Stitch expected to gross close to $1 billion
Comes after a poor first quarter for the film industry with several flops

Trump says Putin has gone “CRAZY.” What next for the war in Ukraine?