2026-04-06 Monday
2026-04-10
17:14:53
[Ethiopia's March Inflation Rate Drops to 9.4%, Lowest Level Since 2018] ⑴ Ethiopia's annual inflation rate slowed for the second consecutive month in March, falling to 9.4% from 9.7% in March, the lowest level since November 2018. This was mainly due to a slowdown in non-food price increases (7% in March, 8.1% in February). ⑵ On the other hand, food price increases accelerated (11% in March, 10.8% in February), primarily driven by increases in bread and cereals (up 3.5%), vegetables (up 9.1%), non-alcoholic beverages (up 37.7%), and meat (up 14.7%). ⑶ On a month-on-month basis, consumer prices rose 2.3% in March, the largest increase in five months, compared to a 0.4% increase in the previous month.
17:01:26
[Iranian Missiles Break Through Israeli Interception, Hitting Multiple Locations] From the afternoon of April 5th to the morning of April 6th local time, Iranian missiles repeatedly broke through Israel's air defense system, hitting Haifa, Tel Aviv, and other locations, causing widespread damage. According to CCTV reporter Liang Hui, Israeli media statistics show that since the start of the conflict, Iran has launched approximately 500 missiles at Israel, at least 14 of which hit densely populated areas. Israel believes that Iran still possesses around 1,000 ballistic missiles, capable of directly threatening Israeli territory. (CCTV International News)
16:49:15
[Zelensky Says Russian Attack on Odessa Leaves 3 Dead, 16 Injured] Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced on his official social media platform on the 6th that Russian forces launched a large-scale drone attack on Ukraine in the early hours of the day, primarily targeting civilian infrastructure in Odessa. As of now, the attack has resulted in 3 deaths and 16 injuries. He stated that the attack damaged multiple residential buildings, a kindergarten, and a substation in Odessa, leaving thousands of households without power. Repair crews are currently working urgently to restore power. In addition to Odessa, power facilities in Chernihiv, Sumy, Kharkiv, and Dnipropetrovsk regions were also attacked by Russian forces. Zelenskyy called on Ukraine's partners to continue strengthening aid to Ukraine. Russia has not yet responded. (CCTV News)
16:47:22
[Chinese Embassy and Consulates in the UAE Reiterate Reminder to Chinese Citizens in the UAE to Strengthen Security Precautions] Currently, regional tensions persist, and oil and gas, aluminum plants, and other facilities in the UAE have been attacked. The Chinese Embassy and Consulates in the UAE reiterate their reminder to Chinese citizens in the UAE to enhance their security awareness, closely monitor the local security situation and relevant announcements and alerts issued by UAE authorities, stay away from military bases and sensitive facilities such as oil and gas and power plants that may be attacked, and strictly abide by local laws and regulations and relevant government requirements. Do not take or post videos or photos of missile and drone attack sites or sensitive areas such as airports, ports, and military facilities. In case of emergency, please report to the police immediately and contact the Chinese Embassy and Consulates in the UAE. (Chinese Embassy in the UAE)
16:39:59
[Bank of Japan's Optimistic Assessment Conceals Hidden Concerns: Middle East Conflict Torn the Balance of Interest Rate Hikes, Corporate Confidence in Wage Increases Tested] ⑴ The Bank of Japan maintained its optimistic economic assessment across all nine regions in its quarterly report released Monday, noting that consumption remained strong thanks to inbound tourism and rising wages. However, it also warned that soaring oil prices and supply disruptions caused by the Middle East conflict could impact the economy. ⑵ Businesses in several regions have already felt the pressure from increased input costs and raw material supply disruptions caused by the war in Iran. Some companies are concerned that rising prices, primarily driven by energy, could harm corporate profits and consumption, and worry that supply disruptions could further expand. ⑶ Regarding the wage outlook, the report stated that many companies in various regions plan to raise wages this year at roughly the same rate as last year, but some companies indicated that their wage increase plans might be affected by the outlook for the Middle East conflict, and uncertainty surrounding wage increases is rising. ⑷ Although rising inflationary pressures and the central bank's hawkish communication have led the market to bet on a 70% probability of an April interest rate hike, the conflict has complicated the rate hike plan. The report, based on a survey up to late March, already reflects the impact of the US-Israel attacks on Iran on February 28. (5) Soaring oil prices coupled with rising import costs due to a weak yen have put greater inflationary pressure on this highly import-dependent economy. However, rising fuel costs will also hurt corporate profits and may disrupt the wage and price increase cycle that the central bank sees as a prerequisite for further interest rate hikes.
16:33:17
[The Strait of Hormuz Crisis Reshapes Global Logistics, Ushering in a Major Restructuring of the Global Logistics Chain] The disruption of passage through the Strait of Hormuz caused by the Middle East situation has severely impacted global logistics. This situation has persisted for over a month, and the logistics industry has gradually shifted from initial "shutdowns for risk aversion" to "rerouting and diversion" and "repricing." With continuous adjustments to routes and transportation methods, this shock is also driving a redistribution of risks and benefits within the global logistics chain. As the Strait of Hormuz crisis continues to escalate, the export of Middle Eastern crude oil is hampered, and Asian and European buyers are increasingly turning to the United States and West Africa for alternative sources of cargo. A related source stated, "For shipping, this is equivalent to 30% of the normally transported oil not being able to be shipped out, because importing countries are rushing to find oil elsewhere, but ships haven't been able to be redeployed in time." In contrast, air logistics faces a more complex situation in this crisis. On the one hand, with maritime transport disrupted, some time-sensitive and high-value goods are shifting to air freight, directly driving up freight rates; on the other hand, although air freight prices are rising, air logistics companies are also facing multiple pressures, including soaring fuel costs. As the regional conflict shows no signs of ending, the restructuring of the logistics chain continues. (CCTV Finance)
16:28:26
[Bank of Japan's Optimistic Assessment Conceals Hidden Concerns: Middle East Conflict Torn the Balance of Interest Rate Hikes, Corporate Confidence in Wage Increases Tested] ⑴ The Bank of Japan maintained its optimistic economic assessment across all nine regions in its quarterly report released Monday, noting that consumption remained strong thanks to inbound tourism and rising wages. However, it also warned that soaring oil prices and supply disruptions caused by the Middle East conflict could impact the economy. ⑵ Businesses in several regions have already felt the pressure from increased input costs and raw material supply disruptions caused by the war in Iran. Some companies are concerned that rising prices, primarily driven by energy, could harm corporate profits and consumption, and worry that supply disruptions could further expand. ⑶ Regarding the wage outlook, the report stated that many companies in various regions plan to raise wages this year at roughly the same rate as last year, but some companies indicated that their wage increase plans might be affected by the outlook for the Middle East conflict, and uncertainty surrounding wage increases is rising. ⑷ Although rising inflationary pressures and the central bank's hawkish communication have led the market to bet on a 70% probability of an April interest rate hike, the conflict has complicated the rate hike plan. The report, based on a survey up to late March, already reflects the impact of the US-Israel attacks on Iran on February 28. (5) Soaring oil prices coupled with rising import costs due to a weak yen have put greater inflationary pressure on this highly import-dependent economy. However, rising fuel costs will also hurt corporate profits and may disrupt the wage and price increase cycle that the central bank sees as a prerequisite for further interest rate hikes.
16:27:02
[Iran's Missile Retaliation, Trump's Threat to Bomb Power Plants, Oil Prices Tear Apart, Bond Markets Plunge, Gold Sells Off] ⑴ Following Trump's escalating threats against Iran, Iran launched missiles and drones at Gulf states and Israel, escalating concerns about supply disruptions in the Middle East. Crude oil futures reacted mixed: in Asian trading, Brent crude futures for the near month rose 0.5% to $109.57 per barrel, while West Texas Intermediate crude futures for the near month fell 0.2% to $110.88 per barrel. ⑵ Trump threatened to destroy all of Iran's power plants if Iranian leaders did not agree to reopen the Strait of Hormuz by Tuesday night, extending the deadline from Monday to Tuesday. Approximately 20% of global oil shipments pass through the strait, keeping the risk of escalation high. ⑶ A senior foreign exchange analyst at MUFG stated that oil prices are likely to remain high with risks skewed to the upside. Market concerns that rising oil prices could exacerbate inflation, prompting central banks to raise interest rates more quickly or pause rate cuts for a longer period, put downward pressure on government bond prices. (4) The yield on 10-year Japanese government bonds rose to 2.400%, the highest intraday level since February 1999, while the yield on 10-year US Treasury bonds rose 4 basis points to 4.3575%. Bond yields move inversely to prices. The UOB Global Economics team stated that tensions in the Middle East have disrupted stable inflation, posing a risk of supply disruptions. (5) Spot gold fell 0.4% to $4,657.86 per ounce. Gold prices experienced significant volatility as investors favored assets like the US dollar due to its greater liquidity and convertibility, and rising bond yields reduced gold's appeal as a non-interest-bearing asset. Meanwhile, stocks rose in thin holiday trading.
16:26:42
[The Middle East Conflict Ignites More Than Just Oil Prices] The impact of the current geopolitical tensions in the Middle East is gradually spreading from the energy sector to the chemical and high-end manufacturing supply chains. In Seoul, South Korea, in recent weeks, "Have you bought any garbage bags?" has become a somewhat helpless greeting among neighbors. Affected by the Middle East situation, garbage bags, an essential part of South Korean life, have become scarce and even sold out in some supermarkets. The price increase of plastic bags in South Korea is due to a sharp decline in naphtha imports, leading to a surge in the price of ethylene, which is used to produce plastic bags. Under the cost pressure brought about by this raw material "supply disruption" crisis, many global chemical companies announced price increases in March. US chemical giant Dow Chemical doubled the previously announced price increase for polyethylene. German Wacker Chemie comprehensively raised the prices of its organosilicon products, affecting approximately 2,800 products. Furthermore, the conflict in the Middle East has also brought helium, a colorless and odorless inert gas, into focus. Qatar supplies nearly one-third of the world's helium demand. Due to an attack on liquefied natural gas facilities, helium production lines were damaged and repairs will take several years. Helium spot prices have recently surged by more than 50%. (CCTV Finance)
16:24:30
[Russian Crude Oil Exports Surge Nearly 9% Amid Trump's Tariff Rhetoric and Market Concerns, Global Supply Chain Faces Further Uncertainty] ⑴ Russia's Black Sea port of Tuapse plans to export 794,000 tons of petroleum products in April, an 8.7% increase from the 755,000 tons planned in March, with a significant increase in daily export volume. ⑵ Among specific categories, fuel oil exports saw the most significant increase, jumping from 210,000 tons in March to 266,000 tons, a 30.9% increase month-on-month; diesel (10ppm) is planned for export at 368,000 tons, a slight increase of 4.2% from the previous value. ⑶ Blended diesel and vacuum gas oil are planned for export at 40,000 tons and 30,000 tons respectively, representing month-on-month increases of 3.3% and 3.3%; naphtha is the only category to decline, with planned exports of 90,000 tons in April, a 15.5% decrease from 110,000 tons in March. ⑷ Meanwhile, Trump's tariff rhetoric continues to trigger global trade tensions, exacerbating concerns in the energy market about supply chain stability. Russia's decision to significantly increase oil exports at this time may be aimed at seizing market opportunities. (5) Traders pointed out that the surge of nearly 30% in fuel oil exports reflects Russia's bet on demand in Asia and emerging markets, while the moderate growth in diesel exports indicates that logistical obstacles remain on the European route, and the actual loading situation needs to be monitored in the future.
15:54:35
[Visiting Iranian Universities Under Attack: Collapsed Buildings, Damaged Research Equipment Scattered] According to recent Iranian media reports, Iranian Science Minister Hossein Simai Salaf stated that 30 Iranian universities have been directly attacked, resulting in the deaths of five university professors and over 60 students in attacks against Iran by the United States and Israel. He described the attacks on infrastructure as "crimes against humanity." On April 4th, a reporter visited Shahid Beheshti University in Tehran, the Iranian capital. The university was attacked on April 3rd, with buildings on fire and thick smoke billowing from the scene. The reporter observed severe damage to some buildings on campus, with rubble everywhere and broken equipment visible in the ruins. Salaf, in an interview with the media at Shahid Beheshti University, said, "Destroying buildings (of research institutions) cannot destroy Iran's research system." (Xinhua)
15:47:20
[Total Inter-regional Passenger Flow Reaches 266.518 Million on April 5th] On April 5th, 2026, the total inter-regional passenger flow reached 266.518 million, a decrease of 11.2% compared to the previous day and an increase of 6.9% year-on-year. Specifically: Railway passenger volume was 14.756 million, a decrease of 33.3% compared to the previous day and an increase of 7.8% year-on-year. Highway passenger flow (including non-commercial passenger vehicle trips on expressways and ordinary national and provincial highways, and commercial passenger transport on highways) reached 248.71 million, a decrease of 9.6% compared to the previous day and an increase of 6.9% year-on-year. Specifically, commercial passenger transport on highways was 34.76 million, a decrease of 8.1% compared to the previous day and an increase of 4.2% year-on-year; non-commercial passenger vehicle trips on expressways and ordinary national and provincial highways were 213.95 million, a decrease of 9.8% compared to the previous day and an increase of 7.4% year-on-year. Waterway passenger volume was 1.385 million, an increase of 13.1% compared to the previous day and an increase of 8.7% year-on-year. Civil aviation passenger traffic totaled 1.667 million, a decrease of 13% month-on-month and 1.7% year-on-year. (Ministry of Transport)
15:42:42
[Middle East Conflict Ignites Core Raw Material Supply in Textile Industry; Curtain Companies Warn of Potential Price Increases] For textile companies, synthetic fibers are the foundational raw material for fabric production, accounting for over 60% of total fabric costs. The cost pressure from rising crude oil prices will gradually be passed down the textile industry chain downstream. Lou Qiaoping, a merchant selling sun-protective clothing in Yiwu International Trade City, explained that her store's sun-protective clothing contains over 85% nylon. Recently, while raw material prices have risen, they are also facing supply shortages, with many orders unable to be fulfilled by upstream factories. Merchants stated that to stabilize customer base, they are negotiating with downstream clients to ship completed orders at the original price, and then flexibly adjust wholesale prices for new orders based on market conditions. In Haining, Zhejiang, a curtain company stated that all current raw materials for their products are synthetic fibers. The company is currently using previously stockpiled fabrics for production, but once the inventory is depleted, the cost of repurchasing will increase, and product prices are expected to rise starting in April. (CCTV Finance)
15:34:05
According to China National Nuclear Power Corporation's announcement, as of March 31, 2026, the company's cumulative commercial power generation in the first quarter of 2026 was 58.109 billion kWh, a year-on-year decrease of 2.73%; and the on-grid power generation was 54.925 billion kWh, a year-on-year decrease of 2.70%. Of this, nuclear power generation was 47.855 billion kWh, a year-on-year decrease of 3.29%; and on-grid power generation was 44.851 billion kWh, a year-on-year decrease of 3.28%. Renewable energy generation was 10.254 billion kWh, a year-on-year decrease of 0.05%; and on-grid power generation was 10.074 billion kWh, a year-on-year decrease of 0.05%.
15:27:21
[Synthetic Fiber Prices Soar as Middle East Conflicts Reach Textile Industry] my country's textile industry holds a leading position globally, and the price of synthetic fibers, a core raw material for the textile industry, is directly linked to crude oil prices. Because chemical fiber products rely on basic chemical raw materials derived from petroleum, each round of crude oil price increases is directly reflected in companies' production processes. Looking at the overall market, synthetic fiber prices have risen to varying degrees: for example, polyester filament, a major product category of polyester, rose from approximately 7,180 yuan per ton in March to 9,300 yuan per ton; nylon prices for many varieties saw weekly increases exceeding 6%, with some models jumping by 2,000 yuan per ton in a single day. (CCTV Finance)
15:12:11
[US and Iran Receive Pakistan's Proposed Ceasefire Plan, May Take Effect on Monday and Reopen Strait of Hormuz] (1) An informed source revealed that Iran and the United States have received a ceasefire plan proposed by Pakistan, adopting a two-track approach: an immediate ceasefire and reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, followed by a comprehensive agreement. All terms must be agreed upon on Monday (today) and finalized electronically through Pakistan as the sole communication channel. (2) According to the plan, the ceasefire will take effect immediately, restarting shipping in the Strait, followed by 15 to 20 days to finalize a broader solution. The agreement, tentatively named the "Islamabad Agreement," will be incorporated into the framework for managing the Strait region, with final face-to-face negotiations to be held in Islamabad. (3) The final agreement is expected to include a commitment from Iran not to develop nuclear weapons in exchange for the lifting of sanctions and the unfreezing of frozen assets. Iran is seeking a permanent ceasefire and assurances of no further attacks by the US and Israel. As of now, US and Iranian officials have not responded, and the Pakistani Foreign Ministry declined to comment.
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