MMN Editor

Truss criticized central banking and defended her mini-budget, suggesting bitcoin and a CPAC UK conference could help push for economic reform.

Ukraine Urges Israel To Act Against Russian Ship Carrying ‘Stolen’ Grain To Haifa Port

Ukraine is pushing Israel to seize a grain shipment it says was looted from Russian-occupied territory as the war persists in the east.

At the moment it does not appear that Israel complied with any interdict of the vessel, also as reports say the cargo is already offloaded and gone.
via MarineTraffic

Ukraine’s government flagged the Russian vessel ABINSK, docking at Haifa, as part of Moscow’s so-called shadow fleet, alleging that it is tied to operations used to “illegally export, transport, and sell stolen Ukrainian grain” and bankroll Moscow’s war effort.

The saga has been featured in Ukrainian media, which says that despite a formal government-to-government request, Israeli authorities didn’t stop the shipment.

Some 43,765 tonnes of wheat – loaded at Russia’s Kavkaz port and believed to originate from Ukrainian regions controlled by the Russian military – was allowed to be unloaded.

Ukraine is still expressing hope for “fruitful and constructive interaction” between both sides, with its embassy in contact with Israeli officials, but Tel Aviv does not appear to be as eager to intervene.

According to some further details in Le Monde:

On April 12, it was permitted to dock in Haifa, where it may have unloaded its cargo, valued at about €8.5 million at current wheat prices. The Abinsk then left Haifa the same day, heading for the Dardanelles Strait with the Turkish port of Çanakkale listed as its next stop, according to Marinetraffic.com, a vessel-tracking website.

The Russian bulk carrier reportedly loaded its cargo at the port of Kavkaz on the Kerch Strait, which separates the Sea of Azov from the Black Sea and links the Russian Federation to Crimea, annexed by Moscow in 2014, according to Ukrainian investigative journalist Kateryna Yaresko, who works for the SeaKrime project at Myrotvorets, an online collaborative platform listing “enemies of Ukraine.”

At a moment the Strait of Hormuz remains effectively blocked, and global shipping is feeling the disruption, the Israelis are unlikely to get too trigger happy when it comes to further disrupting trade – even if it comes from Russia or is in a ‘gray area’. 

As for Ukraine and Israel, the two countries’ relations has lately improved given the two can find common cause in opposing Iran. President Zelensky has meanwhile been touting drone sales to US allies in the Gulf of late too.

Tyler Durden
Sat, 04/18/2026 – 07:50

A new statewide poll released on Thursday shows Republicans firmly in command of California’s 2026 gubernatorial race after former Rep. Eric Swalwell suspended his campaign amid rape allegations and resigned from Congress.
The Emerson College Polling survey, conducted April 14-15, finds two Republicans, former Fox News host Steve Hilton and Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco, occupying the top two spots in the jungle primary.
Under California’s system, the two highest vote-getters advance to the November general election regardless of party.
Full results (all likely voters):

Steve Hilton (R): 17%
Chad Bianco (R): 14%
Tom Steyer (D): 14%
Xavier Becerra (D): 10%
Katie Porter (D): 10% (tied with Becerra in some breakdowns)
Matt Mahan (D, San Jose Mayor): 5%
Undecided: 23%

President Donald Trump has endorsed Hilton.
“I have known and respected Steve Hilton, who is running for Governor of California, for many years,” Trump wrote on Truth Social on Sunday. “He is a truly fine man, one who has watched as this once great State has gone to Hell. Gavin Newscum and the Democrats have done an absolutely horrendous job. People are fleeing, crime is increasing, and Taxes are the highest of any State in the Country, maybe the World. Steve can turn it around, before it is too late, and, as President, I will help him to do so! With Federal help, and a Great Governor, like Steve Hilton, California can be better than ever before! Steve Hilton has my COMPLETE & TOTAL ENDORSEMENT. He will be a GREAT Governor and, importantly, WILL NEVER LET YOU DOWN!!!
Many in the GOP have noted that Trump’s endorsement could consolidate the Republican vote for Hilton, making it more difficult to lock Democrats out of the general election. This is a rare case when a split vote is actually good for defeating the left.
Among Democrats only, the vote is now split three ways: Tom Steyer at 20%, Xavier Becerra at 19%, and Katie Porter at 15%.
Emerson College Polling Executive Director Spencer Kimball noted the direct impact of Swalwell’s exit, “In the first Emerson poll since Eric Swalwell’s departure from the race for Governor, Democrats now split their vote between Tom Steyer (20%), Xavier Becerra (19%), and Katie Porter (15%), with Becerra gaining 15 points among Democrats without Swalwell on the ballot.”
The poll marks a sharp reversal from earlier surveys.
A SurveyUSA poll released just days earlier (while Swalwell was still in the race) had Steyer leading with 21% and Hilton at 18%.
In the Emerson poll from March, Republicans had held steady leads, but Democratic support was more consolidated behind Swalwell.
California has not elected a Republican governor since Arnold Schwarzenegger’s re-election in 2006 and has not had a GOP statewide officeholder since 2011.
The state’s deep-blue status makes the current fragmentation of the Democratic field historically significant. With 61 candidates on the primary ballot, the Democratic vote is splintered across multiple well-known figures.
Swalwell had been one of the top-polling Democrats before the allegations surfaced. He suspended his gubernatorial campaign on Sunday and announced his resignation from Congress the following day.
Multiple women accused him of sexual assault and misconduct dating back years, and a former staffer accused him of raping her twice.
Martin Shkreli and Jack Posobiec also released videos of Swalwell kissing a porn star in a bed while other men were present in the room.
Swalwell has denied the allegations.
The post BOMBSHELL POLL: Republicans Take Control of California Gubernatorial Race as Disgraced Eric Swalwell’s Downfall Hands GOP Shot at Top Two Primary Sweep appeared first on The Gateway Pundit.

Lady Gaga and Doechii jointly score a new top 10 smash on Billboard’s Dance Digital Song Sales chart with the Devil Wears Prada 2 soundtrack cut “Runway.”

One of the biggest short liquidations 2026 wiped $593 million in bearish bets overnight. Saturday afternoon as Iran reportedly reversed the Hormuz reopening.

“Bit Of Chaos”: Hormuz Shuts Agains As Ships Make U-Turn

The Trump administration’s “baffle ’em with bullshit” methodology has been on full display, as the reopening of the Hormuz chokepoint on Friday drove a broad risk-on in markets: US equities soared, crude collapsed, and Treasury yields declined, based on the assumption that disruption to global energy flows had eased. However, as of early Saturday morning, those moves may prove premature.

The Wall Street Journal reports that the world’s most important maritime chokepoint is once again closed to commercial transit.

About 20 ships waiting to enter the Persian Gulf through the maritime chokepoint have turned back toward Oman after Iran’s military declared the waterway closed again, amid a U.S. blockade of Iranian ports.

The OSINT community on X is reporting a Hormuz closure as well… 

A bit of chaos in Hormuz this morning as nearly all of the outbound tankers have abruptly turned around.
Follows an announcement by Iranian military leadership that the Strait has “reverted to its previous state of strict military control.” pic.twitter.com/XSc6lvxwJo
— OSINTtechnical (@Osinttechnical) April 18, 2026

MERCHANT VESSELS RECEIVE RADIO MESSAGE FROM IRANIAN NAVY SAYING STRAIT OF HORMUZ SHUT AGAIN, NO SHIPS ARE ALLOWED TO PASS THROUGH, SHIPPING SOURCES SAY
— *Walter Bloomberg (@DeItaone) April 18, 2026
The vessels had reportedly been prepared to pay $2 million in tolls to Iran’s Revolutionary Guards to pass through, but radio warnings indicated the strait was closed.

WSJ notes:

They are now turning back because the Revolutionary Guards are sending radio messages that the strait is closed, according to one Hong Kong owner with a container ship waiting to transit the strait.

Overnight, Iran’s parliament speaker, Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, wrote on X that President Trump’s “false” claims won’t help in US-Iran negotiations…

The President of the United States made seven claims in one hour, all seven of which were false.
They did not win the war with these lies, and they will certainly not get anywhere in negotiations either.
With the continuation of the blockade, the Strait of Hormuz will not remain open.
Passage through the Strait of Hormuz will be conducted based on the “designated route” and with “Iranian authorization.”
Whether the Strait is open or closed and the regulations governing it will be determined by the field, not by social media.
Media warfare and engineering public opinion are an important part of war, and the Iranian nation is not affected by these tricks. Read the real and accurate news of the negotiations in the recent interview of the Foreign Ministry spokesman.
Earlier, President Trump said peace talks with Iran are making progress and will continue over the weekend.  

“We had some pretty good news 20 minutes ago, but it seems to be going very well in the Middle East with Iran,” Trump told reporters traveling to Washington on Air Force One, according to MS Now. “We’ll know over a little period of time. We’re negotiating over the weekend.”

Trump said one main issue is recovering material from Iran’s nuclear program, which he said the U.S. would remove after any agreement is signed.

“Maybe I won’t extend it, but the blockade is going to remain. But maybe I won’t extend it, so you have a blockade, and unfortunately, we’ll have to start dropping bombs again,” Trump said.

Polymarket odds of the Hormuz chokepoint returning to normal status by the end of April have been on a rollercoaster ride over the last 24 hours, peaking at 64% on Friday morning after Iran announced the waterway was open, but dropping to 32% following Iran’s announcement that the maritime chokepoint was closed early Saturday.

Strait of Hormuz traffic returns to normal by end of April?
Yes 33% · No 68%View full market & trade on PolymarketHere are the latest headlines from the Middle East:

Strait of Hormuz Status

Iran reopened the Strait of Hormuz on Friday for commercial shipping during a 10-day ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah in Lebanon (BN) (BN)
Iran swiftly reversed course on Saturday morning, reimposing restrictions on the Strait of Hormuz after the US said it would not end its blockade of Iran-linked shipping (AP) (SMP) (WSJ)
Iranian forces announced control over the Strait of Hormuz has returned to its previous status under strict Iranian administration and supervision (NS8) (AFP)
Some 20 ships lining up to cross the Strait of Hormuz were turning back toward Oman after Iran’s military said the waterway was closed again (WSJ)
Shipping Activity

A convoy of eight tankers was crossing the Strait of Hormuz on Saturday, comprising one very large crude oil carrier, several oil product and chemical tankers and LPG carriers (NS8)
Four tankers loaded with Qatari LNG within the Persian Gulf moved toward Hormuz in the last 12 hours, with no loaded LNG shipment having exited the Gulf since late February (BN)
More crude oil and gas carriers began testing the Strait of Hormuz on Saturday despite mixed messages from Iranian authorities (BN)
US-Iran Negotiations

Iran has not yet agreed to a next round of negotiations with the US due to Trump’s announcement of a naval blockade and excessive US demands (BV)
Trump said a deal with Iran to end the seven-week war may be imminent, claiming most main points are finalized (BN) (BN)
Trump claimed Iran has agreed to suspend its nuclear program indefinitely, though Iran’s Foreign Ministry said enriched uranium won’t be transferred anywhere under any circumstances (BN) (BN)
Market Activity

Strait To New Record Highs: Hormuz Hopes Spark Risk-On Wrecking Ball Across Markets
Inverse Fear Is Taking Over The Market
Friday’s US-Iran Wrap

Iran Bats Down ‘Baseless’ Trump Claim On Handing Over Enriched Uranium To US, As He Declares Hormuz ‘Never Again’ Closed

Tyler Durden
Sat, 04/18/2026 – 07:31

The back and forth between Pope Leo and the Trump administration has produced several hot takes, but CNN’s Kara Swisher may have had the most bizarre and confusing on Friday’s edition of Real Time with Bill Maher Overtime on HBO. As the debate revolves around what constitutes a just war, Swisher threw the First Amendment into the conversation as if someone were attempting to muzzle the pope’s speech.

Maher began by asking, “What do you think of JD Vance saying the Pope should be more careful when talking about theology?”

 

CNN’s Kara Swisher suggests the administration is threatening Pope Leo’s First Amendment rights or something, I don’t get it either, “I have one thing. I mean, look, the Pope is also an American citizen and should be able to say whatever he feels like under the First Amendment.”… pic.twitter.com/kX4Te59RGv
— Alex Christy (@alexchristy17) April 18, 2026
 

Swisher jumped at the question, “As I’ve said, he has the charm of a Cybertruck as a politician, but I have one thing. I mean, look, the Pope is also an American citizen and should be able to say whatever he feels like under the First Amendment, and he just looks like a putz.”

Yes, the pope is an American, but he does not live in America anymore. Is Swisher suggesting that criticizing the pope is akin to trying to silence him? If so, then Maher himself would soon find himself in trouble as former Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel got in on the Vance bashing: “The pope is an Augustinian-trained pope. Augustine is the one that developed the concept of just war. You’re gonna lecture the pope on the concept of just war. I think, as one Jewish kid, that takes a lot of chutzpah. I mean that takes a lot of chutzpah, and I got a lot of chutzpah, but that is a lot of lecturing.”

Maher then reached back over 1,600 years to attack the man who has greatly influenced Leo and who happens to be one of Western Civilization’s most influential thinkers, “But Augustine—that wasn’t like Augustine’s main thing. His main thing was that you’re born with original sin. You’re evil to begin with, and that’s why you need the Catholic Church. So, Augustine was not a good guy either.”

While Maher’s atheism led him to denounce Augustine for calling attention to mankind’s sinful nature, he did at least have the intellectual honesty to at least make fun of liberals during his monologue on the regular Real Time broadcast for pretending like their defense of Leo is anything other than more anti-Trumpism.

Here is a transcript for the April 17 show:

HBO Real Time with Bill Maher Overtime

4/17/2026

BILL MAHER: What do you think of JD Vance saying the Pope should be more careful when talking about theology? These guys—

KARA SWISHER: Let me take that one.

RAHM EMANUEL: No, I—

SWISHER: Just one second.

[Crosstalk]

JAKE SULLIVAN: Rahm’s the resident Catholic.

[Crosstalk]

SWISHER: As I’ve said, he has the charm of a Cybertruck as a politician, but I have one thing. I mean, look, the Pope is also an American citizen and should be able to say whatever he feels like under the First Amendment—

MAHER: Yeah, of course.

SWISHER: And he just looks like a putz.

MAHER: Yeah.

EMANUEL: As, look—

MAHER: Well, he’s such a recent convert.

EMANUEL: The pope is an Augustinian-trained pope. Augustine is the one that developed the concept of just war. You’re gonna lecture the pope on the concept of just war. I think, as one Jewish kid, that takes a lot of chutzpah. I mean that takes a lot of chutzpah, and I got a lot of chutzpah, but that is a lot of lecturing.

MAHER: But Augustine—that wasn’t like Augustine’s main thing. His main thing was that you’re born with original sin. You’re evil to begin with, and that’s why you need the Catholic Church—

EMANUEL: That’s why you need him to tell you what a just war is.

MAHER: So, Augustine was not a good guy either.

Payoffs and Presidential Candidates

TikTok is lawyering up. The embattled social media app has 150 million users in the US, but dancing teenagers don’t have the kind of pull that TikTok needs. So, they are spending millions on the most connected Washington lobbyists they can get, high-priced, “well placed names” who can speak to Republicans or Democrats.On the most recent episode of The Drill Down with Peter Schweizer, Peter and co-host Eric Eggers detail the impressive lineup of former politicians and staffers from previous White House administrations who are making money defending what some critics and computer security professionals call “Chinese spyware.”

The Risks The Big Banks Continued Taking