//The Wire//1700Z April 4, 2024//

//ROUTINE//

//BLUF: GAS PRICES RISE IN RESPONSE TO U.S. CANCELING SPR ORDER.//

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-International Events-

Germany: Yesterday afternoon a Syrian migrant (of newly-granted Dutch citizenship) stabbed a 4-year-old girl in a supermarket in Wangen.

Middle East: Rumors circulate that the United States may remove the Specially Designated Terror Group (SDTG) label applied to the Houthi-controlled Yemeni government in exchange for a cessation of attacks in the Red Sea. AC: Even though these claims are still rumor at this point, this is yet another confirmation that the US-led Operation PROSPERITY GUARDIAN is a complete failure, and has been so since it’s very inception. Consequently, now that Houthi forces know they have bargaining power, attacks will likely increase to force a better diplomatic position. Over the past few weeks, Houthi attacks have waned, largely due to the complete lack of western-based traffic through the region.

-HomeFront-

USA: Gas prices increased immediately following the revelation that the Biden regime has cancelled two planned purchase orders of around 3 million barrels of oil to replenish the dangerously low Strategic Petroleum Reserve.

Oklahoma: Yesterday an 82-year-old man self-immolated while being served an eviction notice in Oklahoma City. Anthony Goulding and his wife were being served with an eviction notice when Goulding set himself and his residence on fire. He died at the scene, and his wife (who suffers from Parkinson’s Disease) has been removed to another location.

Texas: Cal-Maine Foods, the largest producer of eggs in the United States announced the culling of 1.6 million hens following an avian flu outbreak at a facility in Parmer County.

Texas: A Texas National Guard soldier was arrested for smuggling after being discovered trafficking an illegal for profit while using a government vehicle. Local media states that the soldier was offered around $5000 to smuggle one person into the United States.

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Analyst Comments: The use of SPR resources was largely a crutch used by the federal government to keep gas prices down for consumers. However, this is not an infinite resource, and after depleting American wartime POL reserves to their lowest levels in history over the past few years, at some point the United States is going to have to adapt to the tightening international oil market instead of manipulating fuel prices here at home.

Analyst: S2A1

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