China / Policy & Domestic
- Shenzhen further eases home purchase restrictions
- Wang Yi holds China–Australia diplomatic and strategic dialogue with Foreign
Minister Penny Wong
- Market regulator steps up crackdown on online food marketing misconduct
Central Banks & Monetary Policy
- Federal Reserve April meeting: holds rates unchanged as expected
- Warsh’s nomination as Fed chair clears Senate committee vote, pending full
Senate confirmation
Commodities & Energy
- World Gold Council: global central banks increased gold purchases in Q1 at the
fastest pace in over a year
- EIA: US weekly crude exports rise to a record above 6 million bpd; net imports
fall to a record low
Geopolitics – US–Iran
- Iran warns of “unprecedented military action” if the US continues detaining
vessels; retaliation remains on agenda
- White House official: Trump discussed plans with oil companies to sustain
blockade measures for months if needed
- Iranian rial falls to a record low
- Pakistan expected to receive Iran’s revised proposal by Wednesday or Friday
- Trump: Russia–Ukraine and Iran conflicts could end around the same time;
blockade won’t be lifted before nuclear issue resolved
- Pentagon: US has spent $25 billion on the war so far
- Israeli military: Hamas military intelligence operations chief killed
- USS Gerald R. Ford may withdraw from the Middle East after record deployment
- Sources: US military prepared a “short-term, high-intensity” strike option on
Iran if talks stall
- Trump: negotiations with Iran are ongoing via phone, describing them as
efficient
