🇷🇺🇺🇦 - The 30-hour long ceasefire will not be respected by Russia in Russian Kursk oblast', according to the Russian media.

Also it is not clear whether the ceasfire will be respected by Russia in the Ukrainian regions that Moscow claims to be an integral part of their state - Kherson, Zaporizhzia, Donetsk, Lugansk regions.

Ras Isa fuel port US 🇺🇲 attack damage aerials TODAY 👇

Dozens of toasted tanker trucks in Ras issa west side where diesel and gasoline was unloaded.

Guess terminal is closed for good. Nobody will risk parking trucks here for a while.

https://fxtwitter.com/tom_bike/status/1913362789810442717

Beijing's Green Light | zerohedge

⬛️ "China stimulus is coming"

🔶 After repeatedly teasing the idea of incoming stimulus several times last year, getting investors' hopes up only to scale it back and disappoint, recent memos from State officials give China's stimulus plans a precise framework they are looking to deliver on. Officials indicated they are waiting to launch the long-awaited "stimulus bazooka" once improving Chinese economic data is met with deteriorating US data.

🔶 This is a historically unusual combination, as global financial flows tend to move in sync (booms and busts are global). Never before has the US entered into a downturn without China. It suggests that Beijing is waiting for signs that the Mainland economy has decoupled before deploying roaring stimulus.

🔶 Finance Minister Lan Fuan points to the fact that Chinese strength relative to US weakness would necessarily attract new foreign direct investment (FDI). Positive real GDP and new FDI coupled with massive consumption stimulus is the path China seeks out of the stubborn economic malaise it has faced since Covid.

🔶 The Chinese State Council released a better-than-expected Q1 GDP report this week, and US GDP looks to decline in Q1. That's the exact divergence Chinese officials have been waiting for to greenlight massive stimulus.

🔶 Chinese stimulus will mean inflation (rising wages, growth and improved employment) and higher bond yields. China's lenders will be in a stronger position and credit spreads will lower. Chinese equities, specifically in sectors whose performance is tied to domestic demand, will also benefit. Demand for industrial commodities - in particular oil, copper and other metals - will increase.

🔶 Western officials continue to talk up looming delisting threats and investment bans, but both look to be far off as reciprocal investment bans from China could collapse the private sector and disturb the Treasury market in ways that would make the recent stress look like a walk in the park.

By DeathTaxesandQE

#NEWS | Ukrainian Minister of Foreign Affairs, Andrii Sybiha:

Ukraine makes its step. President Zelenskyy puts it straight: yes, Ukraine is ready for a full ceasefire if Russia does actually cease it. But not for 30 hours. For 30 days, as we agreed upon in Jeddah on March 11. Moscow must now demonstrate whether it takes peace seriously.

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Ecuadorian Armed Forces warn of an attack against President-elect Daniel Noboa.

The Global Safe Haven Is Slowly Breaking: Why Central Banks Are Turning to Gold

In just the past year, the U.S. dollar has lost over 35% of its purchasing power against gold, driven by record central bank gold buying. This isn’t a trend, it’s a signal.

https://www.goldtelegraph.com/2025/04/18/the-global-safe-haven-is-slowly-breaking-why-central-banks-are-turning-to-gold/