Originally published at: https://peakprosperity.com/israel-passes-controversial-death-penalty-for-palestinians-last-uk-jet-fuel-tanker-arrives-as-prices-soar/
Energy
A fire on a Kuwaiti tanker, reportedly struck by an Iranian attack in waters off Dubai, has been extinguished. Satellite imagery also showed fires at two pumping stations on the UAE’s Habshan-Fujairah pipeline, which carries 1.5 to 1.8 million barrels per day as a bypass for the Strait of Hormuz, following what has been described as an Iranian strike. Yemen’s Houthi rebels have reportedly targeted the Red Sea, including threats to Saudi Arabia’s Yanbu export hub and the Bab al-Mandeb strait, affecting major oil bypass routes and an estimated 5 million barrels per day of Saudi Red Sea capacity along with the UAE route.
Meanwhile, the last known UK-bound jet fuel tanker from the Middle East, the Libyan-flagged Maetiga loaded in Saudi Arabia, is approaching off Portugal and is due to dock on Thursday amid reported shortages. The UK reportedly relies heavily on supplies transiting the Strait of Hormuz after phasing out Russian imports, with no other regional cargoes visible. Northwest European jet fuel prices are at double prewar levels, while Singapore kerosene exceeds $200 per barrel, more than double year-start figures. Analysts have stated that airlines could face shortages by late April if disruptions continue, with Asia already reporting cancellations due to shortages and high prices. Europe reportedly sources up to 40% of its jet fuel through Hormuz, leading to shifts toward West Africa and US refineries.
To cope with energy disruptions, countries are reportedly increasing their coal use. Japan has increased coal-fired generation, while India and Bangladesh are running plants at higher capacity. Experts from Goldman Sachs and Wood Mackenzie state that Asia, which relies heavily on Middle Eastern energy, will switch most aggressively, with Europe potentially following. The International Energy Agency director has noted that high prices could push governments, industries, and households toward temporary coal use for electricity and industrial needs.
Geopolitics
Iranian leadership reportedly views the United Arab Emirates as actively involved in the US-Israeli war, ending prior restraint after intelligence reportedly indicated UAE air facilities supported operations against Iran, including deception attacks and AI for targeting. Tehran has warned that if the US launches a ground invasion of Iranian islands like Kharg or Qeshm from UAE bases, strikes will expand beyond military targets to all Emirati state institutions and assets. Two Iranian officials noted this shift, with one diplomat conveying the message to Abu Dhabi amid US troop deployments and Trump’s threats to destroy Iran’s power plants unless Hormuz reopens.
In other news, Israel’s Knesset passed a bill by a 62-48 vote instructing military courts to impose the death penalty on Palestinians convicted of killing Israelis in West Bank acts described as “terror,” effective in 30 days. However, the bill does not apply the same penalty to Jewish Israelis killing Palestinians. Pushed by National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, it applies only to non-citizen Palestinians, where military courts have a reported 96% conviction rate, often based on pressured confessions. The Palestinian Authority called it a war crime breaching the Fourth Geneva Convention. Rights groups B’Tselem and the Association of Civil Rights in Israel criticized it as discriminatory, for lowering the threshold to majority vote and lacking clemency; a Supreme Court petition was filed immediately. Foreign ministers from France, Germany, Italy, and the UK condemned it, as did Amnesty International.
European Politics
Alternative for Germany (AfD) co-chair Tino Chrupalla called for withdrawing US troops from Germany as the first step if his party gains power, speaking at a Saxony party congress. The party’s program calls for the removal of all allied forces and exit from NATO’s nuclear sharing. Chrupalla praised Spain for refusing US use of its bases in the Iran conflict, criticized Donald Trump for starting a war against campaign promises, and claimed 70% of Americans oppose it. He accused Israel of dragging the US into the war, citing reactions from Oman, the Arab world, Norway, and Turkey. On Ukraine, AfD plans to end the conflict, return Ukrainian refugees, and end their benefits. Chrupalla stated that AfD aims to govern Saxony and nationally by the 2029 elections, by building structures and moving beyond opposition.
Charlie Kirk Shooting
The defense team for Tyler James Robinson, charged with aggravated murder in the September 10 shooting death of Charlie Kirk at Utah Valley University, filed a motion to postpone the May preliminary hearings. Robinson faces a death penalty notice from the Utah County Attorney’s Office. Citing over 20,000 files, including 700 hours of video and 31 hours of audio, plus 600,000 more files received on March 12, expected to take 60 days to review, the team requested time for forensic DNA, ballistics, phone data, social media, and witness statements from law enforcement, parents, and the roommate. ATF reports reportedly show an inability to match the autopsy bullet to Robinson’s rifle, although this in and of itself is not conclusive. Hearings remain scheduled for May 18, 19, and 22 pending court decision.
Economy
Google Quantum AI published a whitepaper demonstrating a quantum attack on elliptic curve cryptography, core to most blockchains, using 20 times fewer resources than prior estimates: under 1,200 or 1,450 logical qubits and fewer than 500,000 physical qubits. The team, including Ethereum’s Justin Drake and Stanford’s Dan Boneh, withheld circuits via zero-knowledge proof to avoid aiding attackers, aligning with responsible disclosure. Previous estimates required 10 million physical qubits. Bitcoin holds over 1.7 million BTC in exposed wallets, potentially 2.3 million including scripts, with Ethereum, Solana, and others vulnerable via contracts and staking. Google targets 2029 for post-quantum migration.
Sources
Kuwaiti Tanker Fire Quenched After Iranian Strike in Dubai Waters
Fire extinguished on Kuwaiti tanker hit by Iranian attack in Dubai waters
Source | Submitted by Rodster
Last UK Jet Fuel Tanker from Middle East Approaches as Shortages Loom
No other UK-bound cargoes from the region are visible on the water, given the blockage of the Strait of Hormuz,
AfD Co-Leader Chrupalla: Withdraw US Troops from Germany First
“Let’s start implementing this program by withdrawing U.S. troops,”
Gulf LNG Crisis Set To ‘Make Coal Great Again’
The immediate impact of this energy crunch will be a resurgence of coal, especially across Asia, as power grid operators will be forced to switch to the dirtiest fuel to keep electricity affordable during the crisis.
Iran: UAE’s War Role Ends Restraint, Faces ‘Pounding’ If US Invades
UAE has an active role in Iran war and will be pounded if US invades, Iranian sources say
Israel’s Knesset Passes Death Penalty for Palestinians Killing Israelis – But Not Jews Killing Palestinians
“Jews will not be indicted under this law”.
Tyler Robinson Defense Seeks Postponement of May Hearings to Review Massive Evidence Trove
Tyler Robinson defense team asks to postpone May hearings, citing need to review essential evidence
Google’s Quantum Breakthrough: 20x Fewer Qubits to Break Crypto Encryption, Circuits Hidden
Google found a way to break crypto’s core encryption with 20x fewer qubits than expected.
Iran Strikes UAE Hormuz Bypass as Houthis Choke Red Sea: $20/Bbl Oil Shock Imminent
Both major oil bypasses now compromised!
In addition to sources submitted by community members, the following were also used in the creation of this report: Reuters, Al Jazeera, MarkL0722, RockportAI, Stars and Stripes, and Newsweek.
