Real-time News

February 21st - According to forecasts, the Qiongzhou Strait will see a peak in return travel from today until the seventh day of the Lunar New Year (February 20th-23rd). For water transport, maximum capacity will be utilized, with increased ship frequency and timely release of additional vehicle and passenger tickets in different time slots. Railway ferry tickets and tickets for off-peak periods are relatively plentiful. Civil aviation is also actively working to increase capacity to ensure smooth travel to and from the islands. Meanwhile, to minimize queues and waiting times, passengers are advised to adjust their travel plans accordingly and travel during off-peak hours.

February 21st - According to the China State Railway Group, the national railway system is expected to transport 16.8 million passengers today (February 21st), with 2,052 additional passenger trains planned. Yesterday (February 20th), the national railway system transported 15.372 million passengers.

On February 21, a netizen posted that "SpaceX is expected to have more than 10,000 Starlink satellites in orbit as early as next month." Musk responded that "Starship will launch more than 10,000 satellites every year."

On February 21, the Supreme People's Court, the Supreme People's Procuratorate, and the Ministry of Public Security jointly issued the "Guiding Opinions on Punishing Property Crimes in the Water Transport and Logistics Sector According to Law." The opinions comprehensively address the application of law and policy considerations in this area, safeguarding the vital interests of the people. Adhering to a problem-oriented approach and focusing on the characteristics of property crimes in the water transport and logistics sector, the opinions stipulate provisions for typical issues encountered in practice, including the application of charges, jurisdictional rules, evidence collection, determination of amounts involved, and handling of seized assets, providing clear guidance for law enforcement. Furthermore, the opinions emphasize systematic governance and a combination of punishment and prevention, outlining requirements for promoting industry governance and strengthening legal education during law enforcement. They stress the importance of establishing sound long-term mechanisms to create a favorable legal and social environment for the high-quality development of water transport and logistics.

Iran Situation: 1. Iranian Foreign Minister: A draft agreement with the US will be finalized within three days. 2. Iranian Oil Minister: Oil cooperation between Iran and the US is not impossible. 3. Trump confirmed he is considering a "limited military strike" against Iran. 4. Iranian expert: Israel is the biggest uncertainty in the Iran-US negotiations. 5. The US's largest aircraft carrier, the USS Gerald R. Ford, and an escort destroyer appeared near Gibraltar. 6. Iranian Foreign Minister Araghchi stated that the US did not demand "zero uranium enrichment" from Iran during the Geneva talks. Iran did not propose a "zero enrichment" option. 7. Iran's letter to the UN Secretary-General: If subjected to military aggression, Iran will retaliate, and all bases, facilities, and assets of "hostile forces" in the region will become legitimate targets. Other: 1. Norway reiterated that it will not join the so-called "Peace Commission." 2. France said the European Commission's participation in the "Peace Commission" meeting was "unauthorized." 3. Yemen's new government held its first meeting; demonstrators demanded the new government withdraw from Aden. 4. According to Yonhap News Agency: South Korea attended the first meeting of the Gaza Peace Committee established by Trump. 5. Hamas: Any arrangements regarding Gaza must be predicated on stopping Israeli aggression.

The U.S. military said it struck a suspected drug smuggling ship in the eastern Pacific on Friday, killing three people.

The White House stated that, in light of recent developments, the additional tariffs imposed under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act will no longer be in effect and will be discontinued as soon as practicable.

The White House stated that the new tariffs do not apply to goods subject to Section 232 tariffs or goods that comply with the USMCA agreement.

The White House announced that some goods will not be subject to temporary import tariffs.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 230.81 points, or 0.47%, to close at 49,625.97 on Friday, February 20; the S&P 500 rose 47.62 points, or 0.69%, to close at 6,909.51; and the Nasdaq Composite rose 203.34 points, or 0.90%, to close at 22,886.07.

U.S. Treasury Secretary Bessant: We have seen a boom in capital spending, which traditionally is followed by a boom in the labor market.

U.S. Treasury Secretary Bessant: Temporary workers companies report strong demand, which historically has been a signal of increasing labor demand.

U.S. Treasury Secretary Bessenter: Optimistic about the labor market and the economy.

U.S. Treasury Secretary Bessant: So far, private credit has played a complementary role in the economy.

U.S. Treasury Secretary Bessenter: The battle over tariff refunds could drag on for weeks, months or even years.

U.S. Treasury Secretary Bessenter: I was a little surprised by the Supreme Court's ruling.