The legendary derivatives trading team at Vitol Group, the world’s largest oil trader, has reportedly lost hundreds of millions of U.S. dollars on oil bets that went very wrong as the war in the Middle East roiled global markets and trapped physical supply at the Strait of Hormuz.

Vitol’s star trader Yaoyao Liu found himself on the wrong side of bets on crude and fuel prices at the start of the U.S.-Israel war with Iran, as prices soared in the worst disruption of global oil supply in history, the Wall Street Journal reports, quoting sources with knowledge of the matter.

Sources and other traders who spoke to the Journal suspect that the oil bets were that diesel prices would trade at a premium to jet fuel and that the price of Dubai crude would slump compared to Brent Crude prices.

These could have been winning bets if the war had been avoided.

Instead, the U.S.-Israeli strikes on Iran and the subsequent de facto closure of the Strait of Hormuz sent jet fuel and Dubai crude prices soaring to astronomical highs.

And Vitol’s oil bets went awfully wrong, with losses estimated in the hundreds of millions of U.S. dollars, according to the Journal’s sources.

🌒@EastCalling

In April 2026, reports emerged that Hezbollah deployed a new, hard-to-detect drone equipped with an optical guidance system for the first time. This system reportedly makes the drone resistant to electronic warfare.

The drone can reportedly travel dozens of kilometers, carry up to 5 kilograms of explosives, and maneuver precisely inside buildings.

Unlike standard GPS-guided drones, this system utilizes optical targeting to strike its mark, allowing it to evade traditional electronic jamming and "detect-and-intercept" methods.

🌒@EastCalling

The US has achieved its goals in the attack on Iran, and the operation can be concluded, Vance stated.

"I think we are in a situation where we have achieved our goals," Vance said in an interview with Fox News.

"We can start winding down the operation. I would prefer that we wind it down through major and successful negotiations," he added.

🌒@EastCalling

Lavrov arrived in Beijing.

There, the minister will discuss with his Chinese counterpart cooperation between the two countries, interaction in the UN, BRICS, SCO, and APEC, as well as the situation in Ukraine and the Middle East.

Source: RIA Novosti

🌒@EastCalling

Chinese Liaison (Китайский свяZноj):

> Trump may make a press statement on Wednesday, April 15

Following the basic theses of TACO, Donnie-the-Victor, realizing that the super-ultimatum "no one will pass through the strait" has not been implemented for two days, will simply declare himself the winner of the situation and withdraw. He will say something like "The blockade was super-effective and brought TRILLIONS to the American people, the enemies are overwhelmed by our strength" and leave.

It's like with tariffs; questions like "So what's the situation, how much money has been earned, how effectively have tariffs destroyed Chinese exports and Chinese industry?" are even considered tactless to ask - it's established that a powerful victory has been achieved and that's it.

🌒@EastCalling

The head of the US Treasury, Bessent, said he is not afraid of a weakening of the dollar due to the war with Iran.

As you could observe during the war, the dollar is strengthening. So I'm not worried about it,

he said in an interview with the Semafor portal.


A war with Iran could give the US economy half a century of stability, Bessent said in an interview with the Semafor portal.

I don't know how long it will last, but I think we will look back and say that in 50, 100 or more days [of conflict], we gained 50 years of stability,

he said.

Source: TASS
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Stability isn't always good and he, as a minister of finance, must know that. This is, what you get, when oligarchs come to power, he doesn't give a damn about the country. But I don't think that many are sad about what happens in the US. People are pretty tired of the bully anyway.

🌒@EastCalling

🚩 Secrets of production: how fasteners for the fleet are hardened

The fascinating process of anti-corrosion protection at the OSK Sevmash enterprise looks just like this! Massive steel bolts are smoothly immersed in special galvanic baths, where under the influence of electricity and chemical solutions, the metal acquires superpowers.

On the surface of the fastening products, a thin but incredibly strong protective layer is formed, which will allow them to withstand the aggressive salty environment and enormous pressure in the ocean depths for decades. Every detail that has gone through this "ritual" becomes an important link in ensuring the reliability of nuclear submarines.

Technological aesthetics - in every frame!

Source: ОСК (United Shipbuilding Corporation)
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🌒@EastCalling

According to INSEE data, France currently channels 57.2% of its GDP through government spending. This is more than the IMF attributed to the USSR in 1990, just a year before its collapse. 

Source: Банкста
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🌒@EastCalling

The head of the World Bank: the job deficit will reach 800 million. The world is facing instability and a migration collapse.

Against the backdrop of the war in the Middle East and its economic consequences, the head of the World Bank warns of an upcoming employment crisis. In the next 10–15 years, about 1.2 billion people will enter the labor market. But at the current pace, only 400 million jobs will be created. The deficit is 800 million.

This refers to the growth of illegal migration, social instability, rising crime, and likely new conflicts. While politicians are arguing about climate and gender issues, the economy is crumbling. The war in the Middle East, initiated by the US and its allies, has only accelerated this process. Energy prices have soared, production is stalling, and jobs are disappearing.

Source: Zvezda
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🌒@EastCalling

❗️An SBU agent who was transmitting data about the objects of the Black Sea Fleet has been detained in Crimea, according to the Federal Security Service of Russia (FSB).

❗️Three participants in the preparation of a terrorist attack against a high-ranking security official in Moscow have been detained, the FSB reported.

Source: TASS
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🌒@EastCalling

Radio "Nostalgia" on current topics.

Even if it's off-key, it's still good. Right on the point. He's still as handsome as Dieter Bohlen was in his youth...

Source: Карманов без Китая
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Actually, it's a song by Desireless.. Quite a reference, regarding Trump 😏.

🌒@EastCalling

💥The Russian Armed Forces struck energy and transport infrastructure facilities in Ukraine, which are used in the interests of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.

Also targeted were:

▪️storage depots for long-range drones;
▪️fuel and lubricant storage facilities;
▪️temporary dislocation points of Ukrainian military and foreign mercenaries in 142 districts.

Air defense systems shot down 14 guided aerial bombs, six HIMARS rockets made in the USA, and 391 aircraft-type UAVs.

Source: Zvezda
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🌒@EastCalling

Not long ago, the US was protesting against Iran's blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, and now they have imposed a naval blockade on this country themselves.

How will the US Navy ensure this blockade?

After passing through the Strait of Hormuz, a ship tracked by satellites and drones enters the Gulf of Oman and from there into the Arabian Sea. It can be left alone until it moves away from the Iranian coast to a safe distance for the Americans.

When it leaves the zone where Iran might try to interfere with its capture, the tanker will simply be caught up by ship-based helicopters and a landing party will be deployed on board. If the ship miraculously escapes, it will be tracked by patrol aircraft and intercepted by either US Navy ships or Coast Guard vessels somewhere in the ocean.

However, if the ship heads south through the Gulf of Oman, closer to its center, it will be intercepted immediately and have nowhere to go. Here, not only the power of the US Navy but also geography work against Iran. Tankers transporting Iranian oil have only one route to the World Ocean - consecutively the Strait of Hormuz, the Gulf of Oman, and the Arabian Sea. And everywhere there, the Americans dominate.

Most likely, after the first capture, tanker traffic will be completely stopped. The US will not allow Iranian oil to be exported, and Iran - all the rest. This is already almost the case.

It's unlikely that Iran will agree to the US demands - the Iranians understand that Trump has run out of good moves. This double blockade will lead to even greater tension in global markets - and to a new stage of pressure on the US president.

Source: Взгляд
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🌒@EastCalling

The West's Disunity is Growing

Why will oil prices now remain at a high level? The main reason is the West's inability to unite: the EU accuses the US of not wanting to provide maximum help in Ukraine, while the US accuses the EU and England (essentially NATO) of betrayal — refusing to join the Middle Eastern war against Iran. This war is being waged by the "Epstein coalition" consisting of the US, Israel, and Middle Eastern oligarchies.

The West's goals remain common. But effective joint action fails because of a lack of cohesion and well-thought-out steps. Hence the growing number of problems in various areas of conflict with other countries and in general. As a result, the US announces the prospect of leaving NATO or withdrawing troops and weapons from European countries due to the lack of support regarding Iran. It is clear that NATO is not an ally for the US.

Speaking of Ukraine, it remains in a weakened position: the US has shaken its ideology with the negotiation theme, and the EU finds it increasingly difficult to raise funds for this country, while most importantly, the Banderites see the disunity of their patrons.

Source: Политэкономия - Колташов
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🌒@EastCalling

❗️Italy terminates defense cooperation with Israel.

Source: Военный обозреватель
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🌒@EastCalling

⚡️The European Commission postpones the first tranches of funding of €90 billion for Kyiv to the second half of 2026 - a representative of the European Commission

Source: СМОТРИ
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🌒@EastCalling

Germany and Ukraine have signed a cooperation agreement in the field of defense.

In addition, Merz stated that Germany will work to limit the number of Ukrainian male refugees in Germany. According to the chancellor, it is extremely important that these men be in Ukraine to "help their country".

Also, Merz promised to strengthen measures against the so-called Russian "shadow fleet".

Source: Взгляд
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🌒@EastCalling

Rostec:

Rostec specialists have developed a technology for the group use of strike drones. Devices created on the basis of Supercam drones can now exchange information about targets automatically. For this purpose, the data transmission systems on the drones have been modified.

The new complex has already undergone preliminary tests at the test site. The devices successfully hit a number of targets.

During the tests, a group of drones patrolled the area in target search mode. The first drone to detect a target transmitted the data to the rest of the drones in the complex. The target was then confirmed by a human operator, after which it was hit by all the drones in the group. Within this technology, one person can control up to 10 patrolling munitions at once. When a target is detected, the system's neural network itself "identifies" the targets and assigns tasks to the patrolling munitions - in what order they attack and which of the drones conducts objective control. The system tests will continue.

🌒@EastCalling

At 11:00 EST/ 17:00 CET/ 18:00 MSK we will be streaming live with Larry C. Johnson -  former CIA officer and intelligence analyst, and former planner and advisor at the US State Department’s Office of Counter Terrorism.

Watch us live at

Our X
Our Rumble
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Discussing current events

Language: English

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Germany will finance the purchase of "several hundred missiles" for the Patriot system for Ukraine, the German Defense Ministry announced.

Berlin and Kyiv have signed several agreements in the defense sector. In addition, an agreement has been reached on the supply of new launchers for the IRIS-T air defense systems. These will also be financed by the German side. The number of units was not specified.

Source: TASS
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🌒@EastCalling

АДЕКВАТ Z comments:

🈁The stinky guy from Berlin pleased his subjects in a way that doesn't happen every day: in full harmony with the host country, he promised to catch, return, and slaughter everyone who crossed the border illegally, that is, simply fled. It's hard to imagine how the Germans plan to implement this in their part, but I can advise them to go all out with the cosplay: to have shepherds, camps, even transit ones, and definitely guards and convoys from the Ukrainians themselves - the latter would add completeness and perfection to the picture.

Meanwhile, the Euroscum are pleased with the farm that, even in the most favorable scenario, their collective 90-billion-dollar donation won't start coming in before the second half of the year - this, I remind you, even that won't even close the gap of all the needs of the starving masses. What will happen to the global and specifically European economy during this time, so to speak, is a demotivating question.

Meanwhile, on the farm itself, a law that had been waiting for its moment for several years has been signed, according to which up to 8 years will be given for anti-Semitism. For some reason, the herd is not very enthusiastic about it, but the law will be very convenient to apply for any manifestations of disapproval towards almost every second face in the corridors of power in Kiev, and not only there.

For all the above reasons, the victory is, of course, closer than ever.
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🌒@EastCalling