Originally published at: https://peakprosperity.com/massive-human-shield-forms-as-trump-deadline-looms-malone-accuses-makary-of-covid-data-cover-up/
Iran War
An Israeli official said Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu warned President Donald Trump against accepting an Iranian ceasefire proposal during a Sunday call. Iran rejected a last-ditch plan and outlined demands including a permanent end to hostilities across the region, like Lebanon, safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz, reconstruction payments, and sanctions relief, according to reports. Mediators discussed a two-phase deal with a 45-day ceasefire leading to full agreement. Trump described Iranâs step as significant but insufficient and stated it was highly unlikely he would extend his deadline for destroying Iranâs power grid. Israel previously struck Iranian negotiator Kamal Kharazi, reportedly injuring him and killing his wife before a planned meeting with Vice President JD Vance.
As Trumpâs infrastructure bombing deadline approaches, reports indicate 14 million Iranians volunteered to form human shields at bridges, power plants, roads, and other sites, with gatherings already underway.
Additionally, Iranâs missile hit rate against U.S.-Israeli defenses increased from 3 percent in the warâs first two weeks to 27 percent, according to the Institute for the Study of War. However, JINSA stated that U.S., Israeli, and Arab defenses have intercepted over 90 percent of Iranian missiles and drones, attributing the improved hit rate largely to cluster munitions.
Lastly, Pope Leo XIV described âfake newsâ as lies and unfounded accusations obscuring truth, according to a post on X to his 18 million followers on Easter Monday. During his first Easter Mass, the first U.S.-born pope called for nations in global conflicts to pursue peace through dialogue rather than warfare, urging those with weapons to lay them down and leaders to reject violence. He referenced suffering in the Middle East and quoted predecessor Pope Francis on indifference to deaths. The White House had previously defended the administrationâs use of prayer for military operations after Leo stated God rejects prayers of those waging war.
Russia-Ukraine War
High-powered explosives and detonators were discovered near a key pipeline carrying Russian gas from Serbia to Hungary in Vojvodina province, close to the border. Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic informed Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban, who convened a defense council meeting for energy security. No details emerged on perpetrators, amid tensions over other Russian energy routes like the Druzhba oil pipeline blocked by Ukraine, which Orban cited to block EU aid and sanctions on Moscow. Serbian military and intelligence leaders stated Ukraine was not involved, while Ukraine denied responsibility and labeled the incident a Russian false flag operation.
Also making news, a Ukrainian drone strike sank a Russian wheat tanker in the Sea of Azov, causing intense fire. Nine crew reached shore, and one died. No Ukrainian military claimed responsibility for the strike.
Lastly, reports indicate Ukraine and Russia are engaged in a shadow war in Libya, with hundreds of Ukrainian troops stationed in western areas like Misrataâs Air Force Academy alongside U.S. Africa Command and U.K. intelligence, and drone launch sites near Mellitah Oil and Gas Complex since an October 2025 agreement for training, oil investment, and arms. Ukrainian naval drones reportedly struck Russian shadow fleet tankers Arctic Metagaz in March off Libya and QENDIL in December, 250 kilometers offshore. Russia maintains a presence via the Africa Corps paramilitary in eastern Libya with General Khalifa Haftar. No official confirmations have come from Ukraine or Libyan authorities.
Economy
Iran struck Saudi Arabiaâs Jubail Industrial City, the kingdomâs largest petrochemical complex, producing 60 million tons annually or 6 to 8 percent of global output. SABIC, the worldâs fourth-largest petrochemical firm, and Dow Chemicalâs Sadara complex, with 26 units, caught fire. Sadara had suspended operations weeks earlier. Saudi Aramcoâs $70 billion stake in SABIC is affected, along with 85 percent of the kingdomâs non-oil exports from the zone, disrupting feedstocks for plastics, fertilizers, packaging, and medical supplies. Saudi Arabiaâs Defense Ministry stated air defenses intercepted seven ballistic missiles targeting the area, with falling debris igniting fires near facilities. No major disruptions were confirmed.
Additionally, approximately 40 percent of global GTL Group 3 base oil productionâa key component in modern motor oils, transmission fluids, and industrial lubricantsâhas been offline for three weeks due to Middle East disruptions centered on Qatarâs Pearl GTL plant. A U.S. lubricant blender insider reported their last shipment arrives on April 7, with retail shortages expected from April 14 and lasting 6 to 12 months. Supplies are being bid up, forcing price doublings and production cuts, with major specifications suspended and quality degraded. Popular brands like Shell Rotella, Pennzoil, and Quaker State, reliant on this base stock, face the hardest impacts.
Lastly, U.S. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) Midland crude premiums reached record highs of $30 to $40 per barrel above benchmarks like Dubai and Dated Brent for July and August deliveries to North Asia, as refiners scramble amid the Strait of Hormuz de facto closure. Middle Eastern supply remains trapped, with Gulf producers slashing upstream output. WTI futures surpassed Brent, reflecting backwardation and a security premium from shipping uncertainties.
Health
Dr. Robert Malone accused the Trump administration, FDA leader Marty Makary, and advisor Heidi Overton of suppressing data on pediatric COVID-19 vaccine deaths. He cited a senior FDA officialâs accounts of data distortion, falsification, and cover-ups, including DNA adulteration. VAERS reports identified by Tracy Betho, now acting CDER director, found half a dozen child death cases reviewed twice at the FDA, disclosed briefly by Vinay Prasad but then silenced by a leadership decision, according to Malone. He questioned if truth pursuit will be allowed amid HHS changes. Makary had previously testified to Congress against COVID-19 vaccine mandates.
Artificial Intelligence
Tech leaders, including Chamath Palihapitiya, warned of growing public backlash against AI data centers, with net favorability at negative 20, worse than ICE at negative 18. Opposition to projects has surged, canceling about 40 percent, fueled by post-2020 power price spikes attributed to data center energy demand.
Meanwhile, venture capitalist Marc Andreessen dismissed AI-driven job loss fears as âall fake,â predicting a massive jobs boom from productivity gains amid shrinking populations and low immigration, making labor valuable. He cited rising tech openings, including 67,000 software engineering roles in 2026, double 2023 levels post-hiring corrections. This contrasts with layoffs like Blockâs 40 percent cut, accelerating AI use, Crypto.comâs 12 percent reduction, Oracleâs up to 30,000 jobs for AI data centers, and MARAâs 15 percent staff drop, repurposing for AI.
Privacy & Surveillance
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security is negotiating with the EU for direct query access to member statesâ biometric databases, including fingerprints, under the Enhanced Border Security Partnership, tied to Visa Waiver Program compliance by December 31, 2026. Twenty-four of 27 EU states participate. Matches return data, potentially including political opinions and other sensitive categories if deemed necessary. EU seeks limits on bulk harvesting, oversight, reciprocity, retention controls, and remedies, amid U.S. expansions like Clearview AI contracts and proposed DNA and social media requirements.
In other news, OkCupid reportedly transferred photos, demographic profiles, and location data of nearly three million users to AI firm Clarifai in 2014 without consent or restrictions, despite privacy policies limiting third-party sharing. Founders invested in Clarifai routed the request personally, bypassing oversight. Clarifai used data for facial recognition for identifying age, sex, and race, marketable to police and governments. The FTC settled with Match Group last week, barring misrepresentations and requiring decade-long reporting, with no fine or data deletion. OkCupid stated the conduct does not reflect how it operates today.
Sources
Pope Leo XIV Slams âFake Newsâ in Apparent Jab at Trump
Often, the proclamation of truth is obscured by what we today call âfake newsââlies, insinuations, and unfounded accusations,
Source | Submitted by Walberga
Lubricant Armageddon: 40% of Global GTL Base Oil Offline, Shortages Imminent
Approximately 40% of global GTL Group 3 base oil production is offline as of 3 weeks ago due to the ongoing situation in the Middle East.
Source | Submitted by pinetree89
Russian Wheat Tanker Sinks in Ukrainian Drone Strike in Sea of Azov, One Dead
Moment Russian wheat tanker sinks by Ukrainian drone strike in sea of Azov
Ukraine, Russia Clash in Libyaâs Shadow War: Troops, Drones, and Shadow Fleet Strikes
Ukraine, Russia waging shadow war in Libya, RFI reports
Source | Submitted by preppy
Marc Andreessen: AI Job Fears âAll Fakeâ Amid Wave of Tech Layoffs
âThe âAI job lossâ narratives are all fake,â
US WTI Premiums Smash Records as Hormuz Crisis Fuels Global Scramble
The premiums for U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude have soared in the spot market to a record high of between $30 and $40 per barrel above key regional benchmarks as Asia and Europe scramble for supply amid the de facto closure of the Strait of Hormuz.
Tech Bros Sound Alarm: AI Data Centers Poll Worse Than ICE
net favorability of AI is negative (-20), worse than ICE (-18)
Explosives Discovered Near Key Russian Gas Pipeline Linking Serbia and Hungary
Our units found high-powered explosives and detonators,
Netanyahu Warns Trump Against Iran Ceasefire Deal
Netanyahu used Mossad intelligence reports to get Trump to go to war against Iran, bombed Tehranâs negotiator before he could meet with Vice President JD Vance, and is now warning against a ceasefire deal.
OkCupid Gave 3M Usersâ Photos to AI Firm Without Consent, FTC Settlement Confirms
Three million usersâ photos, demographic profiles, and location data were funneled to a facial recognition company with zero restrictions on use, and the regulatory consequence is a promise not to lie about it again.
US-EU Biometric Bargain: DHS Eyes Direct Access to European Fingerprints
Washington wants to run European fingerprints through American databases, and the EU is considering it.
Dr. Malone Exposes Trump Insiders Makary, Overton for Covering Up COVID Vaccine Child Deaths
the suppression of key findings, such as the pediatric deaths that are not being allowed to be released to the public
Iran Ignites Saudi Petrochemical Giant JubailâGlobal Economyâs Chemical Backbone in Flames
this isnât a military target.. this is the chemical backbone of modern civilization..
Iranâs Missile Hit Rate Surges from 3% to 27% Against U.S.-Israeli Defenses
Iranâs missile hit rate was 3% in the first 2 weeks of the war. It is now 27%, according to the Institute for the Study of War.
14 Million Iranians Form Human Shield on Infrastructure as Trump Deadline Nears
14 million people have volunteered to sit on the bridges, power plants, roads and other infrastructure throughout Iran.
In addition to sources submitted by community members, the following were also used in the creation of this report: JINSA clarification, CNBC analysis, Saudi Defense Ministry statement, no Ukrainian claim, no official confirmations, Serbian and Ukrainian statements, OkCupid statement, and Makary testimony.
