French President Macron on Iran:

The Strait of Hormuz has remained basically blocked, and there are no agreements to open the strait.

In fact, the situation in transit has degraded compared to a few weeks ago.

Putin casts online vote in Russia’s State Duma elections.

US Approved $24B Saudi F-35 Deal. Intelligence Community is Concerned

US intelligence agencies worry China could gain access to sensitive technology through espionage or its security relationship with Riyadh as the sale of 48 F-35 jets progresses.

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Czech Prime Minister Andrej Babiš:

It’s very funny that this morning I read that the illegal migrants will decide the elections in Sweden.

Very interesting information.

EU's Kaja Kallas:

Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia are unacceptable and sabotage the global economy.

Czech Prime Minister Andrej Babiš:

Europe, together with the U.S., must force both Zelensky and Putin to sit down at the negotiating table.

Czech Prime Minister Andrej Babiš:

What will we produce in Europe instead of cars? Tanks, really, tanks?

Is this the future of Europe? That we will only have one industry?

I don’t know if this is a good idea. Do we really want that?

Hasan Piker Says 'Zionism is Fascism,' Equates It With Neo-Nazism

The left-wing streamer told Axios that “Zionism is fascism,” while also equating it with neo-Nazism, as he defended a series of contentious political positions.

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Germany received its first F-35A fighter jet from U.S. manufacturer Lockheed Martin as part of Berlin’s major military modernization push.

Defense Minister Boris Pistorius praised the aircraft, saying it was the only jet capable of carrying U.S.-owned nuclear weapons under NATO’s nuclear sharing arrangement.

Source: Bloomberg

Macron says France is strengthening vigilance against Russian hybrid threats and is preparing a protection plan for critical infrastructure and sensitive defence sites against potential drone and cyber attacks.

French President Macron:

The Russian hybrid threat towards Europeans and France has intensified in recent weeks.

Russia’s Putin envoy Kirill Dmitriev and Germany’s AfD leaders are preparing talks on restoring Russian gas supplies to Germany, including a possible reopening of Nord Stream pipelines.

The meeting could take place in 2027 if a Russia-Ukraine peace framework is reached.

AfD co-leaders Alice Weidel and Tino Chrupalla are expected to attend, while the party has pushed for ending the boycott of Russian oil and gas to reduce energy costs.

Source: Reuters

Pakistan has reintroduced austerity measures to conserve fuel amid renewed Middle East tensions.

Markets, shops and malls must close by 9pm, while restaurants can operate until 11pm.

The government will cut fuel allowances for official vehicles by 50% for three months, reduce non-salary spending by 5%, suspend vehicle and durable goods purchases, and restrict official foreign travel.

Zelensky:

Ukraine has unique technologies. This is true. And this is a signal.

We are now ready to share them with Donald, with Polish partners — these technologies that we are developing during the war.

Zelensky:

Maybe sometimes we are too direct, but that is because I believe that if you are friends, you have to be open and talk about everything that may be sensitive for both sides.

But we need to be mature partners.

We focus on the most important thing: We are friends, and Russia is the enemy.

A Russian S-400 air defence system launcher was reportedly destroyed in Bryansk Oblast, ~90 km from Ukrainian border.

The launcher was allegedly modified to fire RM-48U ballistic missiles, recently used in strikes on Kyiv.

Ukrainian intelligence claims up to 17 S-400 launchers have been converted for ground attacks.

Hegseth:

The United States military leaves no man behind.

Never before, and never still to this day.

How Dreams of Becoming 'Türkiye's Goldman Sachs' Crashed Into Liquidation

Tera Group went from pursuing national investment-bank status and a 40,000% stock rally to redemption failures, raids, detentions, and liquidation within days.

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The Trump administration removed sanctions on Eritrea’s Defense Forces and other entities, a move analysts say could strengthen U.S. ties with the Red Sea nation.

The Biden administration imposed the sanctions in 2021 over Eritrea’s role in the Ethiopia war, including its involvement in fighting in the Tigray region.

Source: Reuters

Trump:

Unwatchable and Failing CNN is so dishonest. Everything they say is slanted against the Republican Party.

They are truly FAKE NEWS! Thankfully, very few people are watching!

Ted Cruz:

We are at real risk of losing both the House and Senate.

If the Democrats take Congress, they will use it to fight to stop Trump’s agenda.