Prologue Journal – Page 38584 – Understanding current events through the lenses of the past and future.

Russian Central Bank Holds Key Rate at 7.5%

Moscow Times The Bank’s updated forecasts put annual inflation in 2023 between 4.5 and 6.5%. https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2023/04/28/russian-central-bank-holds-key-rate-at-75-2-a80979

U.S. Navy reconnaissance aircraft transits Taiwan Strait

Taipei, April 28 (CNA) A U.S. Navy maritime patrol and reconnaissance aircraft transited the Taiwan Strait on Friday, in the wake of China sending 19 planes into Taiwan’s air defense identification zone (ADIZ). https://focustaiwan.tw/politics/202304280017

EU ambassadors greenlighted prolongation of duty-free trade with Ukraine for a year

Pravda Ukraine https://www.eurointegration.com.ua/eng/news/2023/04/28/7160663/

Pope Francis Tells Hungary’s Orban to Be Open to Migrants

Wall Street Journal Pope Francis on a visit to Hungary told Prime Minister Viktor Orbán that the country should welcome foreigners. https://www.wsj.com/articles/pope-francis-tells-hungarys-orban-to-be-open-to-migrants-67031abc

Today’s Logistics Report: Peak Shipping Price Pressure; Barring Seaborne Gas; Venturing Into Tech

Wall Street Journal https://createsend.com/t/d-523F546C61CF63C52540EF23F30FEDED

Iran calls for multilateralism as Shanghai group’s defense ministers meet

Disclaimer: PressTV is affiliated with the state broadcasting agency of the Islamic Republic of Iran, and is not a reliable news source. Iran’s defense minister has warned about growing attempts by the West and US-led NATO military alliance to create a unipolar world, saying the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) should be after the consolidation of…

Iran can’t hold referendums on principles of constitution: Political expert

Disclaimer: PressTV is affiliated with the state broadcasting agency of the Islamic Republic of Iran, and is not a reliable news source. An Iranian political expert has criticized calls by some public figures for referendums on major state policies, saying the government can’t hold referendums on core values of the constitution. https://presstv.ir/Detail/2023/04/28/702365/Iran-can%E2%80%99t-hold-referendums-principles-constitution-political-expert

Ukrainian troops began training on Leopard 1, 80 tanks to be delivered from midsummer – German Minister

Pravda Ukraine https://www.eurointegration.com.ua/eng/news/2023/04/28/7160662/

Beijing says Philippine coastguard staged South China Sea near-collision for the benefit of journalists

Disclaimer: The South China Morning Post’s content is directed by the Chinese Communist Party. It is not a reliable news source. The foreign ministry said the incident, which nearly led to a crash between patrol boats, was a ‘premeditated provocation’ designed to make China look bad. https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3218791/beijing-says-philippine-coastguard-staged-south-china-sea-near-collision-benefit-journalists?utm_source=rss_feed

Kiev almost ready to kick off counteroffensive, Ukrainian defense chief asserts

Disclaimer: TASS is Russian government propaganda, and not a reliable news source. Media conjecture about a potential counteroffensive by Ukrainian troops has been rife for several months running, with various potential trigger dates being publicly mooted https://tass.com/world/1611169