The U.S. Department of Commerce has ordered major American chip equipment firms to halt certain shipments to China’s Hua Hong Semiconductor over concerns it could produce advanced AI chips.

The move is part of efforts to limit China’s semiconductor progress and could cost U.S. companies billions.

Source: Reuters

CENTCOM:

Earlier today in the Arabian Sea, U.S. Marines from the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit boarded M/V Blue Star III, a commercial ship suspected of attempting to transit to Iran in violation of the U.S. blockade of Iranian ports.

U.S. forces released the vessel after conducting a search and confirming the ship’s voyage would not include an Iranian port call.

The State Department is reportedly finalizing a redesign of U.S. passports that could include an image of Trump.

The proposal is tied to celebrations for America’s 250th anniversary and may involve a limited run of 25,000 passports.

Draft designs reportedly place Trump’s portrait and signature inside the passport, replacing traditional imagery.

Experts say this would be unprecedented, as modern passports do not feature sitting presidents or heads of state.

The plan is still awaiting final approval, and official statements have not confirmed whether Trump’s image will be included.

Source: The Bulwark

Jon Stewart: Who’s the worst country right now?

Annalena Baerbock: The worst are those who deny dignity from other human beings.

Trump attacks Merz:

The Chancellor of Germany, Friedrich Merz, thinks it’s OK for Iran to have a Nuclear Weapon. He doesn’t know what he’s talking about!

If Iran had a Nuclear Weapon, the whole World would be held hostage. I am doing something with Iran, right now, that other Nations, or Presidents, should have done long ago.

No wonder Germany is doing so poorly, both Economically, and otherwise!

Trump:

No wonder Germany is doing so poorly, both Economically, and otherwise!

Gas prices in the U.S. rose to about $4.18 per gallon—the highest since 2022—amid stalled U.S.–Iran talks.

Oil prices have surged (up over 40% since February) due to tensions around the Strait of Hormuz.

Source: NYT

A new Reuters/Ipsos poll shows Donald Trump’s approval rating has fallen to 34%, the lowest of his current term.

The drop is driven by public dissatisfaction with rising living costs and the U.S. conflict with Iran.

NEW: U.S. intelligence agencies are assessing how Iran might respond if Trump declares victory and scales back the ongoing war.

Early assessments suggest Iran could see a U.S. withdrawal as a win.

Source: Reuters

Iran has used the ceasefire to recover and redeploy weapons—like launchers, drones, and munitions—that were previously buried by U.S. and Israeli strikes.

Source: Reuters

Acting U.S. Ambassador to Ukraine Julie Davis is expected to step down soon, reportedly over disagreements with Trump on declining U.S. support for Ukraine.

Source: FT

Kim Jong Un praised soldiers who took their own lives to avoid capture while fighting in Russia’s Kursk region.

He described them as “heroes” who “unhesitatingly chose the path of self-destruction and suicide to defend great honor.”

Source: Reuters

CBS News fired its London bureau chief Claire Day after reported clashes with editor-in-chief Bari Weiss over Middle East coverage.

Day, a longtime CBS journalist, had pushed for more balanced reporting on Gaza and Iran, while Weiss—known for strong pro-Israel views—reportedly disagreed.

Source: Haaretz

The Justice Department has indicted former FBI Director James Comey again, this time over a social media post showing seashells arranged as “86 47,” which critics interpreted as a threat against Trump.

Source: CNN

Canada is still reviewing its plan to buy 88 F-35 fighter jets, Defence Minister David McGuinty said.

The C$19 billion deal, announced in 2023, is under reassessment due to concerns about reliance on the U.S. defense industry raised by Prime Minister Carney.

Source: Reuters

The Trump administration has escalated its conflict with ABC by ordering early license reviews for the network’s TV stations, a rare move led by FCC chairman Brendan Carr.

The action comes as Trump pressures ABC to fire Jimmy Kimmel over controversial jokes.

The FCC says the review relates to an investigation into Disney’s diversity programs, but critics argue it’s retaliation for airing Kimmel’s show.

Source: CNN

India is set to receive its fourth S-400 air defence system from Russia by mid-May, with deployment expected by the end of the month.

A fifth S-400 unit is scheduled to arrive in November. The government has also approved buying five more systems to strengthen air defence.

Source: Hindustan Times

The World Bank warns that energy prices could surge 24% this year—the sharpest increase in four years—driven by war-related disruptions, particularly involving Iran.

A The New York Times focus group found that 9 of 12 Trump voters regret supporting him, with many giving his second term failing grades.

Participants cited harsh immigration policies, rising costs, and ongoing controversies as major disappointments.

Some described feeling “embarrassed,” “betrayed,” or even likened his leadership to a “dictator.”

Former classmates say Cole Tomas Allen, accused of attempting to assassinate Trump at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner, was deeply religious in college but showed no signs of violence at the time.

At the California Institute of Technology, he was active in a Christian fellowship and known for serious Bible study and moral debates.

Friends recall him as principled, thoughtful, and sometimes rigid—but not dangerous.

Source: WaPo

A 500 million dollar superyacht linked to Russian billionaire Alexey Mordashov crossed the Strait of Hormuz after maintenance in Dubai.

The vessel, Nord, sailed under a Russian flag on an approved route, with neither Iran nor the United States objecting.

Source: Reuters