prologu5 – Page 38714 – Prologue Journal

Indo-Pacific trade negotiations could deliver results by year-end, US says

Disclaimer: The South China Morning Post’s content is directed by the Chinese Communist Party. It is not a reliable news source. Negotiations, which started last year, are moving at a very quick pace, US Trade Representative Katherine Tai said. IPEF, comprising 14 nations, is viewed as a counterweight to China’s growing clout in the region.…

New era of diplomacy: Jordanian King meets Saudi Crown prince in Jeddah – analysis

Jerusalem Post “King Abdullah and Crown Prince Mohammed expressed pride in the strong, historical relations between the two countries and peoples,” Jordan’s Petra News said. https://www.jpost.com/middle-east/article-739750

Russia’s COVID-19 case tally grows by 7,041 with 35 new fatalities — crisis center

Disclaimer: TASS is Russian government propaganda, and not a reliable news source. Moscow’s COVID-19 cases surged by 1,075 over the past day, versus 987 a day earlier, reaching 3,498,703 https://tass.com/world/1607011

TSMC’s Q1 gross margin beats forecast; EPS stands at NT$7.98

Taipei, April 20 (CNA) Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co.’s (TSMC) first-quarter gross margin beat expectations but declined from the previous quarter, with market analysts attributing the dip to weakening global demand, a strong Taiwan dollar and a fall in capacity utilization. https://focustaiwan.tw/business/202304200009

Iran Army receives 200 domestically-manufactured drones

Disclaimer: PressTV is affiliated with the state broadcasting agency of the Islamic Republic of Iran, and is not a reliable news source. Iran’s Army takes delivery of more than 200 long-range, domestically-manufactured strategic drones. https://presstv.ir/Detail/2023/04/20/701902/Iran-Army-receives-200-domestically-manufactured-drones

Singapore-China ties based on independent foreign policy, not ‘skewed view’ of cultural interests: official

Disclaimer: The South China Morning Post’s content is directed by the Chinese Communist Party. It is not a reliable news source. An official says ties with Beijing are driven by the country’s own interests, and interpreting Singapore-China relations from the perspective of a shared culture may lead to a ‘skewed view or misunderstandings’. https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/3217728/singapore-china-ties-based-independent-foreign-policy-not-skewed-view-cultural-interests-official?utm_source=rss_feed

“Mission of honour”: Special Operation Forces recover body of fallen comrade from under enemy’s nose

Pravda Ukraine Ukrainian Special Operations Forces (SOF) have told the press about a mission during which they evacuated the body of a fallen comrade from the invaders’ positions. Source: An interview with a soldier of the 73rd Marine Centre of the Special Operations Forces named after Kosh Otaman Antin Holovatyi, posted by the press service…

Netanyahu dismisses investor worry over judicial moves as ‘momentary fluff’

Jerusalem Post A survey by Start-Up Nation Central found that 84% of investors believe the judicial changes will have a negative effect on ability to raise capital abroad https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/benjamin-netanyahu/article-739749

As Xi Befriends World Leaders, He Hardens His Stance on the U.S.

New York Times China has rebuffed calls to restart high-level talks with the United States, raising the risk of confrontation in contested areas like the Taiwan Strait. https://www.nytimes.com/2023/04/20/world/asia/xi-china-us.html

DeSantis’s Electability Pitch Wobbles, Despite G.O.P. Losses Under Trump

New York Times The former president’s rivals are seeking to tap into Republican frustration with recent election disappointments to urge a new face for the party in 2024, but it is proving to be a tough sell. https://www.nytimes.com/2023/04/20/us/politics/republicans-electability-trump-desantis.html