TRUMP: SHIPS ARE COMING TO TEXAS, LOUISIANA TO LOAD UP WITH OIL

A spokesperson for the European Commission said that the EU and Sweden have sent a letter to the Taliban to discuss a possible meeting in Brussels.

US Dollar: 1. Hassett: Powell may choose to step down after the Inspector General's report is released. 2. US April existing home sales growth missed expectations, but continued improvement in affordability provided some support. 3. The Senate is expected to confirm Warsh as a Federal Reserve Governor for a 14-year term, as early as Tuesday, following Monday's so-called "final debate vote." Following this, senators will initiate the confirmation process for his four-year term as Fed Chair, with a vote potentially taking place as early as Wednesday. Euro: 1. ECB Governing Council member Koch: (When asked if the ECB might raise interest rates at its next meeting) Unless the situation improves significantly, a rate hike in the near future is inevitable. Pound Sterling: 1. Starmer failed to appease sentiment within his party, with various factions of Labour MPs calling for his resignation. 2. British MP West abandoned his immediate challenge for leadership but demanded an "orderly transition" of government, with the Prime Minister resigning in September. 3. Bank of England Monetary Policy Committee member Green stated that it is worthwhile to observe the developments in the Iran conflict before deciding whether to raise interest rates. The risks to inflation are "fully skewed to the upside." Japanese Yen: 1. A Japanese government advisory group urged the Bank of Japan to proceed cautiously with interest rate hikes, mentioning the risk of a deteriorating corporate financing environment. 2. The Japanese Finance Minister stated that he is coordinating with Bessant on foreign exchange policy. 3. Japanese Finance Minister Satsuki Katayama: It is difficult to judge the outlook for June, and he cannot comment on the possibility of a Bank of Japan interest rate hike in June. 4. Summary of opinions from the Bank of Japan's April meeting board members: One member stated that given the significantly low real interest rates, it is appropriate for the Bank of Japan to continue raising the policy rate. 5. A Japanese government advisory group urged the Bank of Japan to proceed cautiously with interest rate hikes. Other: 1. Indian government sources: US officials are expected to visit India soon for trade negotiations, but the specific date has not yet been determined. 2. Deputy Governor of the Bank of Israel: The central bank still expects to implement up to two 25 basis point interest rate cuts by March next year. 3. Russia lowered its 2026 economic growth forecast from 1.3% to 0.4%. 4. According to Al Arabiya, the Central Bank of Iran has imposed restrictions on foreign exchange transactions to maintain its foreign exchange reserves. 5. The People's Bank of China (PBOC) stated that it will continue to implement a moderately loose monetary policy, enhancing its forward-looking, flexible, and targeted approach. 6. The PBOC stated that the impact of imported inflation on the domestic economy needs close monitoring.