Trump’s nominee for U.S. ambassador to Iceland, Billy Long, joked that Iceland would become the 52nd U.S. state and he’d be its governor.

Source: Politico

French President Macron:

We are in a world where destabilizing powers have awakened; we have seen it in recent years.

The difference is that we see certainties that sometimes lasted for decades being called into question. And Europe is being shaken in some of its certainties.

It has competitors it did not expect to see, and it sometimes has allies we thought were predictable, unshakeable, always by our side, who are starting to cause a lot of doubt...

NEW: Reuters reports the security alert at the U.S. Al Udeid air base in Qatar has been lowered, and U.S. aircraft that were moved out earlier this week are now gradually returning.

French President Macron on Greenland:

France has decided to join the exercise scheduled and launched by Denmark, in a sovereign and independent manner, within the framework of ‘Arctic Endurance.’

A first team of French military personnel is already on site and will be reinforced in the coming days by land, air, and sea resources.

Trump:

If the corrupt politicians of Minnesota don’t obey the law and stop the professional agitators and insurrectionists from attacking the Patriots of I.C.E., who are only trying to do their job, I will institute the INSURRECTION ACT, which many Presidents have done before me, and quickly put an end to the travesty that is taking place in that once great State.

Hegseth meets with Japanese Defense Minister Koizumi.

Senior Saudi official to AFP:

Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Oman convinced US President Donald Trump to “give Iran a chance.”

French President Macron on the Oreshnik:

We have just observed, for the second time, the firing of a very long-range missile by Russia. This is a very clear signal from a power that has decided to equip itself with such capabilities.

We are within range of these shots. If we want to remain credible, we Europeans — and particularly France — must seize these new weapons that will change the game in the short term.

The U.S. has seized another Venezuela-linked tanker.

Source: Reuters

Macron:

Where Ukraine was eminently dependent on American intelligence capabilities by an overwhelming majority a year ago, today two-thirds are provided by France. Two-thirds.

Putin:

Long-standing conflicts are escalating, new hotspots of tension are emerging, and the search for solutions is being replaced by dangerous unilateral actions.

Putin:

We want to hope that difficulties and hardships, as well as mutual conflicts, will remain in the past.

Senator Graham on reports that Trump is de-escalating on Iran:

All the headlines like these are examples of reporting that are beyond inaccurate.

The circumstances around the necessary, decisive action to be taken against the evil Iranian regime have nothing to do with President Trump’s will or determination.

Nothing could be further from the truth. Quite the opposite. Stay tuned.

Putin:

We will always continue to help our Cuban friends.

WATCH: Under Operation Southern Spear, U.S. forces seized the tanker Veronica in a pre-dawn operation.

The vessel was operating in violation of Trump’s quarantine on sanctioned ships in the Caribbean.

U.S. President Donald Trump's desire to acquire Greenland is reportedly creating anxiety among Greenland locals who fear for their sovereignty and livelihoods amid rising Arctic tensions.

READ MORE

Israel carried out mass raids across the occupied West Bank on Thursday, detaining at least 80 Palestinians and demolishing homes.

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Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman:

Neither Russia nor China have ever said they have plans to occupy Greenland.

Germany's Merz:

Russia is a European country, our largest neighbor.

If we succeed, in the longer term, in once again finding a balance with Russia—if peace prevails, if freedom is guaranteed—if we succeed in all of this, ladies and gentlemen, then the European Union, and we in the Federal Republic of Germany as well, will have passed another major test.

I wish this for us.

Macron on his red eye:

Please excuse the rather unesthetic state of my eye. It is completely harmless.

See it simply as an unintentional reference to the ‘eye of the tiger’ at the start of this year.

For those who get the reference, it is a sign of determination.