WS #10733

The dominant signal in this window is an escalation in the Strait of Hormuz crisis, directly countering the previous de-escalation narrative. The IMO has paused its Gulf evacuation plan after an Evergreen container ship was attacked near Oman, with a US official attributing the attack to Iran. Iran's military has warned vessels against using the southern route approved by the IMO, reinforcing its grip over the strait. This is corroborated by CNBC, CNBC World, and a Bluesky post noting the attack and pause. Traffic through the Strait of Hormuz remains well below pre-war levels, and the attack represents the first vessel strike under the peace deal, signaling a breakdown of the interim agreement. Separately, a Bluesky post claims Oman and Iran confirmed no transit fees, and shipping traffic surged 105% daily, but this is contradicted by the IMO pause and attack, making the fee claim likely noise. The Venezuela earthquake death toll has risen to 235, with 4,300 injured, prompting US Navy deployment for relief. This is a humanitarian crisis but not directly market-moving for US equities. Crypto markets continue to slump, with Bitcoin rebounding off 2026 lows but ETF outflows and inflation fears persisting. Ark Invest bought more Coinbase, Circle, Bullish, and Robinhood shares amid declines, a bullish signal for crypto-exposed stocks. The Epstein files legal development (DOJ ordered to release files) is ongoing but lacks new data in this window. The Salesforce Q1 earnings (Agentforce ARR +205%) from the previous window remain a bullish signal for CRM and AI software, carried forward as not refuted.