Prologue Journal – Page 35229 – Understanding current events through the lenses of the past and future.

US admits: Sanctions threaten dollar’s dominance as target countries seek out alternatives

Disclaimer: PressTV is affiliated with the state broadcasting agency of the Islamic Republic of Iran, and is not a reliable news source. The US treasury secretary warns that economic sanctions imposed on other countries threaten the dominance of the dollar. https://presstv.ir/Detail/2023/04/17/701698/United-States-sanctions-dollar-dominance-global-market-Yellen-Iran-Russia-China

Chemical attacks on Iranian schoolgirls resume

Jerusalem Post Poison gas attacks on schoolgirls in Iran have shocked the world for months, from the first reports in November, at the height of the protests against the regime. https://www.jpost.com/middle-east/article-739404

Foreign companies from Coty to Estée Lauder eye Hainan, China’s Hawaii, in bet on post-Covid recovery and duty-free boom

Disclaimer: The South China Morning Post’s content is directed by the Chinese Communist Party. It is not a reliable news source. Foreign consumer brands are rushing to China’s tropical island of Hainan, riding on hopes for a post-pandemic economic recovery to drive a revival in tourism and local demand. https://www.scmp.com/business/china-business/article/3217258/foreign-companies-coty-estee-lauder-eye-hainan-chinas-hawaii-bet-post-covid-recovery-and-duty-free?utm_source=rss_feed

US warship sails through Taiwan Strait following China war games

Jerusalem Post https://www.jpost.com/breaking-news/article-739403

China’s Central Bank Keeps Key Policy Rates Unchanged

Wall Street Journal The People’s Bank of China kept its key policy rates unchanged, suggesting a hold on benchmark lending rates later this month. https://www.wsj.com/articles/chinas-central-bank-keeps-key-policy-rates-unchanged-9a315175

Elon Musk Lowers Expectations for SpaceX’s First Starship Launch Attempt

Wall Street Journal SpaceX CEO says company will proceed carefully with Monday’s planned test flight. https://www.wsj.com/articles/elon-musk-lowers-expectations-for-spacexs-first-starship-launch-attempt-65502704

Canada to hand over Russian AN-124 aircraft to Ukraine

Pravda Ukraine Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal has said that Canada would hand over to Ukraine a Russian AN-124 aircraft (also known as Ruslan – ed.) and other assets of the aggressor state. Source: Shmyhal on Facebook Quote: “A new package of sanctions against Russia from Canada. https://www.pravda.com.ua/eng/news/2023/04/17/7398138/

Is China’s move to resolve Australia barley row masking a ‘strategic’ bid to join the CPTPP?

Disclaimer: The South China Morning Post’s content is directed by the Chinese Communist Party. It is not a reliable news source. The move will help achieve several goals for Beijing, including putting a ‘bilateral irritant’ to bed and improving its global trade image, observers say. https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/economics/article/3216963/chinas-move-resolve-australia-barley-row-masking-strategic-bid-join-cptpp?utm_source=rss_feed

Asian Currencies Weaken Amid Ongoing Fed Rate-Increase Bets

Wall Street Journal Asian currencies weakened against USD amid ongoing Fed rate-increase bets after Fed Gov. Waller said Friday that inflation is still much too high and that he’s ready to approve another rate increase. https://www.wsj.com/articles/asian-currencies-weaken-amid-ongoing-fed-rate-increase-bets-603901d2

Taiwan shares open higher

Taipei, April 17 (CNA) The Taiwan Stock Exchange’s main index opened up 5.21 points at 15,934.64 Monday on turnover of NT$2.23 billion (US$73.03 million). https://focustaiwan.tw/business/202304170002