Real-time News

July 4th - At 17:30 Beijing time on July 4, 2026, my country successfully launched the Qianfan Polar Orbit 13 satellite constellation into its predetermined orbit using a Long March 6A carrier rocket from the Taiyuan Satellite Launch Center. The launch mission was a complete success.

On July 4th, European Central Bank (ECB) Governing Council member Mohelan stated on Saturday that following last month's interest rate hike, data shows inflation has fallen with the plunge in oil prices, placing the ECB in a "favorable position." The ECB does not provide forward guidance, so it will not reveal its plans for July. However, the rapid decline in oil prices has provided some relief and puts the ECB in a more advantageous position regarding interest rates. Mohelan also stated that the ECB's 2.25% interest rate is "very low" compared to other central banks, and the June rate hike was "reasonable" under any circumstances. He further pointed out that the ECB's communication at the time indicated that this rate hike was not the start of a new tightening cycle.

German Chancellor Merz spoke by phone with Ukrainian President Zelensky to discuss Russian airstrikes on Kyiv and other parts of Ukraine.

July 4 - From today (July 4) to the 6th, public farewell and memorial services for the late Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei will be held in Tehran, the capital of Iran. It is estimated that 15 to 20 million Iranians will come to bid farewell to Khamenei.

July 4 (Xinhua) -- The Malian Armed Forces issued a statement on July 4 saying that military positions in several parts of Mali were attacked early that morning, and the military is currently monitoring the situation. The statement said the attacked positions were located in Agailok, Anefisse, and Gao in the north, and Sevare in the central part of the country. The statement did not specify the identity of the attackers, the details of the attack, or whether there were any casualties. Mali has experienced a prolonged period of instability since 2012, with frequent terrorist attacks, armed conflicts, and ethnic violence. In recent years, the Malian military has repeatedly stated its commitment to continuing its fight against terrorism and armed groups within the country.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen: Ten months ago, the European Commission proposed suspending trade preferences under the EU-Israel Association Agreement.

July 4 (Xinhua) -- The General Staff of the Ukrainian Armed Forces stated on the 4th that reports of Russian troops controlling Konstantinovka in the Donetsk region were untrue. According to the Ukrainian news agency, General Staff spokesman Kovalev issued a statement that day saying that Russian troops were still attempting to retake Konstantinovka, and small groups of Russian troops had infiltrated Ukrainian positions, which Ukrainian forces were currently clearing out. The situation in Konstantinovka is currently serious, but it remains under Ukrainian control.

July 4th - The China Earthquake Networks Center automatically determined that an earthquake of approximately magnitude 4.2 occurred at 17:33 on July 4th near Binchuan County, Dali Prefecture, Yunnan Province (25.96°N, 100.58°E). The final result is subject to the official rapid report.

The U.S. Geological Survey reports a 5.1-magnitude earthquake 264 kilometers west of Abepula in Indonesia.

The China Earthquake Networks Center automatically determined that an earthquake of approximately magnitude 3.4 occurred at 17:00 on July 4 near Binchuan County, Dali Prefecture, Yunnan Province (25.95 degrees north latitude, 100.57 degrees east longitude). The final result is subject to the official rapid report.

On July 4th, the General Offices of the Ministry of Civil Affairs, the Ministry of Science and Technology, and the China Association for Science and Technology jointly issued the "Registration Guidelines for the Establishment of International Science and Technology Organizations." The guidelines require that the establishment of an international science and technology organization must simultaneously meet the basic conditions for a social organization legal person and the fundamental conditions for conducting international cooperation. Specifically, these include appropriate Chinese and foreign initiators, a certain number of members, a standardized name, a standardized organizational structure, a fixed address, suitable proposed leaders and full-time staff commensurate with its business activities, and legal assets and sources of funding.

According to Saudi media Hadas, the Iraqi president stated that keeping weapons in state control is the most important issue facing the new government.

July 4th - Data released by the State Post Bureau on July 4th shows that as of June 30th, my country's express delivery volume this year has exceeded 100 billion pieces, nine days ahead of the 2025 target. The resilience of the postal and express delivery industry reflects the steady growth of my country's consumer market and the positive trend of steady economic development.

Russia claims that a Ukrainian drone attacked an oil depot in St. Petersburg.

According to Japan's Kyodo News, Japan's Defense Minister and Foreign Minister will attend next week's NATO summit.

Russia claims that a drone attack struck an oil terminal in St. Petersburg.

The General Staff of Ukraine denies that Russian troops have occupied Kostyandinka in eastern Ukraine.

On July 4th, French Health Minister Stéphane Rister stated in an interview with France 1 television on July 3rd that she supports a lifetime ban on the sale of tobacco products to those born in 2009 and later. The French National Health Insurance Fund released its annual report on July 2nd, indicating that France has one of the highest smoking rates in Europe and needs a systematic anti-smoking policy to improve public health and reduce long-term public health expenditures. The report called for a ban on the sale of tobacco products to those born in 2009 and later, creating a smoke-free generation. Rister stated on July 3rd that she "personally strongly supports" the anti-smoking recommendations made by the National Health Insurance Fund in its annual report. Rister also emphasized that her personal stance does not equate to government decisions, and the government will discuss with "all stakeholders" before making a decision.

July 4th - Micron Technology officially launched the expansion project of its western Japan factory, with a total investment of 1.5 trillion yen, for the production of advanced memory chips. This expansion is part of its global capacity expansion plan aimed at meeting the needs of the artificial intelligence industry; the Japanese government will provide subsidies of up to 500 billion yen to share the construction costs. This factory expansion will help Micron improve the energy efficiency and data transmission efficiency of chips required for artificial intelligence services and autonomous vehicles. The expanded production line is expected to be operational and shipping around the summer of 2028.

July 4th - The National Data Administration announced today the issuance of the "Guidelines for Data Property Rights Registration (Trial)," which will promote the safe, compliant, and efficient circulation and use of data. The national data management department is responsible for the management of data property rights registration nationwide. Specific responsibilities include establishing and improving a unified national data property rights registration system; guiding and supervising data property rights registration activities nationwide; and constructing and managing the national data property rights registration service system. The national data property rights registration service system aggregates registration results and provides unified services nationwide, including publicizing data property rights registration information, querying and verifying registration results, and supporting the management of registration agencies.