The dollar index soars to its highest level since late 2022, prompting the PBOC to ramp up efforts in a bid to protect the yuan. Chinese trade data for December beats expectations. Asian equities start the week slowly following Friday’s negative session on Wall Street and the strong December U.S. jobs print. In energy news, Brent rallies to top $81 per barrel on the back of new U.S. sanctions on Russian crude – its highest level for four months. And in Los Angeles, residents are braced for strong Santa Ana winds to return as the death toll from last week’s wildfires rises to 24.   

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