Turkish President Erdogan:

Türkiye is a state that possesses, beyond measure, the power and strength to break the will of any hostile element that dares to cast its eyes on its independence and future.

BIG: Poland signed a €43.7 billion EU loan agreement, becoming the first member state to finalize a deal under the bloc's new €150 billion SAFE defense financing program, securing by far the largest single allocation.

Warsaw immediately receives a 15% advance (~€6.5 billion), with all funds to be spent by 2030 on air defense, anti-drone systems, artillery, ammunition, and the Eastern Shield border fortification, with ~89% directed to Polish defense industry.

Marco Rubio on Iran:

They fired on us. My point is, if you fire at a U.S. Navy ship, what are we supposed to do? Say, "Oh, there's a ceasefire. We're not going to shoot down your drone."

That's a stupid position to take. Of course, we fired back at them. They were shooting at us. That's what I would expect to do.

Only stupid countries don't shoot back when you're shot at, and we're not a stupid country.

Marco Rubio on Iran:

Iran now claims that they own — that they have a right to control an international waterway. They claim that they have a right to control it. What is the world going to do about that? Is the world going to accept that Iran now controls an international waterway?

Because if the world is prepared to accept that, then be ready because there's like 10 other countries that are going to start doing the same thing in international waterways near their countries.

That's an unacceptable thing that they're trying to normalize.

The Pentagon has started releasing new UFO/UAP files, saying the public can decide what to believe.

The effort involves the White House, NASA, FBI, Energy Department, and intelligence agencies.

The Pentagon has been declassifying UFO material for years, but its 2024 report found no confirmed evidence of alien technology or extraterrestrial life.

The US military launched more airstrikes today, targeting several empty oil tankers attempting to break the blockade.

Source: Fox News

CENTCOM:

U.S. forces disabled the Iranian-flagged tankers Sea Star III and Sevda on May 8 as they attempted to enter an Iranian port in violation of the U.S. blockade.

A U.S. Navy F/A-18 Super Hornet from USS George H.W. Bush struck both vessels’ smokestacks with precision munitions, preventing them from reaching Iran.

Scattered clashes are reportedly ongoing in the Strait of Hormuz between Iranian and U.S. forces.

Source: Fars

Trump:

As for my promise to you, the Department of War has released the first tranche of the UFO/UAP files to the Public for their review and study. In an effort for Complete and Maximum Transparency, it was my Honor to direct my Administration to identify and provide Government files related to Alien and Extraterrestrial Life, Unidentified Aerial Phenomena, and Unidentified Flying Objects.

Whereas previous Administrations have failed to be transparent on this subject, with these new Documents and Videos, the people can decide for themselves, “WHAT THE HELL IS GOING ON?” Have Fun and Enjoy!

war.gov/UFO

Trump:

Open borders - I call them stupid borders, not open.

Stupid people put them there.

Trump:

The cartels rule Mexico. Nobody else. The cartol just rule it.

Syrian President Ahmad al‑Sharaa removed his brothers from top government roles to counter nepotism accusations and distance his rule from the Assad family model.

Brother Maher lost his powerful presidency post and was replaced.

Brother Hazem also stepped down from a senior economic role.

A third brother’s business activities were previously shut down for allegedly exploiting the family name.

BREAKING: Trump:

I am pleased to announce that there will be a THREE DAY CEASEFIRE (May 9th, 10th, and 11th) in the War between Russia and Ukraine. The Celebration in Russia is for Victory Day but, likewise, in Ukraine, because they were also a big part and factor of World War II.

This Ceasefire will include a suspension of all kinetic activity, and also a prison swap of 1,000 prisoners from each Country. This request was made directly by me, and I very much appreciate its agreement by President Vladimir Putin and President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

Hopefully, it is the beginning of the end of a very long, deadly, and hard fought War. Talks are continuing on ending this Major Conflict, the biggest since World War II, and we are getting closer and closer every day. Thank you for your attention to this matter!

Trump is “bored” and frustrated with the Iran war because it has dragged on much longer than he expected and no clear victory is in sight.

He wants to move on—to domestic politics, trade talks with China, and other priorities—but Iran keeps resisting negotiations and extending the conflict.

Source: The Atlantic

No commercial ships operated by registered companies have crossed the Strait of Hormuz since Tuesday.

Most recent crossings involved shadow fleet, Iranian-owned, or smaller local-trade vessels.

Source: WSJ

Zelensky:

Red Square is less important to us than the lives of Ukrainian prisoners who can be brought home.

Zelensky orders the Ukrainian army not to attack the May 9 parade in Moscow.

Kremlin:

Russia does not require anyone’s permission to hold the Victory Day parade in Moscow.

French Presidential Candidate Jean-Luc Mélenchon:

We will leave NATO.

NATO is useless. It serves only one thing: putting us under American supervision.

French Presidential Candidate Jean-Luc Mélenchon:

Taiwan is China.

If I am president of the Republic, France will never go to war with China.

French Presidential Candidate Jean-Luc Mélenchon:

Israel is the most dangerous country in the region today.

It is Israel that is attacking all its neighbors. It is the one triggering the war. It is carrying out a genocide. When I say Israel, I mean Netanyahu’s government.