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Real-time News
European Commission Executive Vice-President Dombrovskis: The relevant documents for the first disbursement of funds in the second quarter are being finalized.1. On April 23, local time, the Deputy Speaker of the Iranian Parliament stated that the first payment of toll revenue from the Strait of Hormuz had been deposited into the Central Banks account. 2. Enterprise Singapore (ESG): As of the week ending April 22, Singapores fuel oil inventories fell by 1.164 million barrels to a two-week low of 22.501 million barrels. Singapores middle distillate fuel oil inventories rose by 450,000 barrels to a 26-week high of 10.722 million barrels. Singapores light distillate fuel oil inventories fell by 1.086 million barrels to a two-week low of 16.916 million barrels. 3. According to Longzhong Information, while the cost side of staple fiber remained strong during the week, weak demand persisted. Coupled with the uncertainty surrounding the second round of US-Iran talks, industry purchasing intentions were low, and enterprise inventories continued to accumulate. As of April 23, the physical inventory of Chinese polyester staple fiber factories was 21.16 days. 4. According to SMM research, Indonesias three major copper smelters (Freeport Manyar - production ramp-up hampered after fire + concentrate shortage, Amman - plant damage and maintenance scheduled for the first half of 2026, PT Smelting - long-term supply agreement with state-owned fertilizer giant Pupuk Indonesia) are operating at low capacity or have long-term agreements, leading to a severe shortage of sulfuric acid, a key chemical raw material, in Indonesia. 5. The Ministry of Commerce held a regular press conference this afternoon. Regarding the US Customs and Border Protections commencement of tariff refunds on the 20th, the Ministry of Commerce stated that China consistently opposes any form of unilateral tariff increases. The USs unilateral measures, such as reciprocal tariffs and fentanyl tariffs, violate international trade rules and US domestic law, harm global trade order, and are not in the interests of any party. 6. Australian mining company Fenix Resources released its Q1 2026 production and sales report. Iron ore production in Q1 2026 was 993,000 tons, a 6% decrease quarter-on-quarter and a 49% increase year-on-year. Iron ore shipments totaled 974,000 tons, down 22% week-on-week and up 38% year-on-year. 7. According to Longzhong Information, as of the week ending April 23, the total inventory of sample float glass enterprises nationwide was 76.901 million weight boxes, up 381,000 weight boxes week-on-week, up 0.5% week-on-week and up 17.45% year-on-year. Inventory days were 34.9 days, up 0.1 days from the previous period. This week, shipments from enterprises in North China improved compared to the previous week. Downstream and midstream enterprises replenished their stocks according to demand, but the situation varied among enterprises, resulting in inconsistent shipments. Overall, regional inventory decreased slightly week-on-week. 8. Data released by Brazilian shipping agency Williams shows that as of the week ending April 22, 2024, the number of ships waiting to load sugar at Brazilian ports was 36, unchanged from the previous week. The amount of sugar waiting to load at ports was 1.3992 million tons, up 0.99% from 1.3855 million tons the previous week. 9. The National Energy Administration released national electricity statistics for January-March. As of the end of March, the national cumulative installed power generation capacity reached 3.96 billion kilowatts, a year-on-year increase of 15.5%. Among them, solar power installed capacity was 1.24 billion kilowatts, a year-on-year increase of 31.3%; wind power installed capacity was 660 million kilowatts, a year-on-year increase of 22.4%. From January to March, the national average utilization of power generation equipment was 703 hours, a decrease of 66 hours compared with the same period last year. 10. Rio Tintos latest financial report shows that its lithium salt production reached 12,700 tons of LCE in the first quarter of 2026, and its full-year lithium carbonate production guidance remains at 61,000-64,000 tons of LCE. Of the companys three operating projects, the Olaroz project was affected by heavy rainfall at the beginning of the year and subsequent low evaporation, putting pressure on production; the Fenix project was also affected by weather factors, but the impact was relatively limited; the Rincon projects initial capacity of 3,000 tons/year continued to ramp up, partially offsetting the production disruptions caused by weather. 11. The Guangzhou Futures Exchange announced that, effective from the start of trading on April 27, 2026, the transaction fee standard for platinum futures PT2606 and palladium futures PD2606 contracts will be adjusted to 0.01% of the transaction amount, and the transaction fee standard for intraday closing will also be adjusted to 0.01% of the transaction amount. 12. The General Office of the CPC Central Committee and the General Office of the State Council issued the "Comprehensive Evaluation and Assessment Measures for Carbon Peaking and Carbon Neutrality." During the 15th Five-Year Plan period, the National Development and Reform Commission, in conjunction with relevant departments, should formulate a 15th Five-Year Plan action plan for carbon peaking, focusing on achieving the carbon peaking target before 2030. This plan aims to ensure that carbon emission intensity is reduced by more than 65% compared to 2005 levels by 2030, and that the proportion of non-fossil energy consumption reaches 25% by 2030. It also aims to achieve peak coal and oil consumption, rationally control the scale of coal-fired power generation and capacity, and strive to gradually cover the total new clean energy electricity consumption of the whole society. 13. In mid-April 2026, the steel inventory of key steel enterprises was 18.63 million tons, an increase of 1.12 million tons (6.4%) compared to the previous ten-day period; an increase of 4.49 million tons (31.8%) compared to the beginning of the year; an increase of 720,000 tons (4.0%) compared to the same ten-day period of the previous month; an increase of 1.92 million tons (11.5%) compared to the same ten-day period of last year; and an increase of 510,000 tons (2.8%) compared to the same ten-day period of the year before last. 14. The International Lead and Zinc Study Group (ILZSG) released its global lead and zinc supply and demand forecast on Thursday. It projects a global lead market surplus of 109,000 metric tons and a zinc market deficit of 19,000 metric tons in 2026. Global refined lead demand is projected to increase by 1.1% to 13.72 million tons this year, while refined zinc demand is expected to increase by 1.3% to 14 million tons. Global refined zinc production is projected to increase by 1.4% to 13.99 million tons in 2026, while global refined lead production is expected to increase by 1.3% to 13.83 million tons. 15. An Iranian diplomatic source told RIA Novosti on the 23rd that preparations for negotiations between Iran and the United States in Pakistan may see a breakthrough "tonight or tomorrow." 16. The World Steel Association: In March 2026, global crude steel production was 159.7 million tons, a year-on-year decrease of 4.3%; from January to March 2026, global crude steel production was 459.1 million tons, a year-on-year decrease of 2.3%. Chinas crude steel production in March fell by 6.3% to 87 million tons.European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen: I welcome the agreement reached by member states on a €90 billion loan to Ukraine for 2026-27 and the 20th round of sanctions against Russia. We will implement these measures swiftly.On April 23, Wang Yi, member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and Foreign Minister, met with Cambodian Acting Head of State and Senate President Hun Sen in Phnom Penh. Wang Yi stated that in the face of a turbulent international environment, consolidating and deepening cooperation between China and Cambodia is of great significance and contemporary value, aligning with the practical and long-term interests of both sides. China cherishes the friendship forged by the older generation of leaders of both countries and is full of confidence in the future development of bilateral relations. China is willing to work with Cambodia to uphold friendly beliefs, overcome external interference, maintain high-level exchanges, firmly support each other, expand pragmatic cooperation, strengthen political, security, and law enforcement collaboration, coordinate high-quality development with high-level security, and promote the building of an all-weather China-Cambodia community with a shared future in the new era. The two sides also exchanged in-depth views on major international and regional situations.April 23 - On April 23 local time, the European Union officially approved a €90 billion loan to Ukraine and approved the 20th round of sanctions against Russia.
