Real-time News

On April 19th, ST Jinglan issued an abnormal trading announcement, stating that the company's sputtering target business is currently still in the maintenance and re-production phase of the acquired production lines, and has not yet officially started production, nor has it generated any related revenue or profit. The ITO sputtering target industry is currently highly competitive, with several domestic and international manufacturers possessing mature production technologies, stable customer channels, and large-scale production capacity. Downstream customers of the sputtering target business have stringent requirements for core indicators such as product purity and density, and have established strict supplier access and product verification systems. Even if the company produces ITO sputtering target products, it will require a considerable period of market validation, and there is significant uncertainty in market expansion and order acquisition.

Ukrainian President Zelensky: The continued easing of sanctions against Russia does not reflect the true situation of the war.

Ukrainian President Zelensky: This week alone, Russia has launched more than 2,360 attack drones, more than 1,320 guided air-to-ground bombs, and nearly 60 missiles of various types into our cities and communities.

The Ukrainian military says it hit a drone manufacturing plant in Taganrog, Russia.

On April 19th, it was reported that on April 18th, the largest urban redevelopment project in Shenzhen—the Hewan North Area Renovation Project (Nanhua Village Urban Redevelopment) in Futian District—was completed, with 2,763 households successfully relocating. The project, undertaken by China Construction Third Engineering Bureau South China Company, is a key livelihood project in Futian District and one of the first government-led urban redevelopment projects implemented under Shenzhen's new urban redevelopment policy. The project covers a total land area of approximately 63,000 square meters and a total construction area of approximately 490,000 square meters, planned to include 13 high-rise residential buildings and one kindergarten. Nanhua Village, originally built in 1984, was a large-scale residential community built by the Shenzhen government in its early days. After years of development, the original living environment and supporting facilities could no longer meet the needs of modern residents.

On April 19, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Alexander Grushko stated that Moscow has repeatedly called on Ankara to urge Turkey to compel Kyiv to provide assurances that it will refrain from attacking the infrastructure of the TurkStream and Blue Stream gas pipelines.

On April 19th, multiple sources disclosed that Esmail Qaani, commander of the Quds Force of Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, visited Baghdad, the Iraqi capital, that day. This is Qaani's first overseas trip since Iran and the United States announced a temporary ceasefire earlier this month. Iraqi officials and sources said that Qaani's visit will involve discussions with various Iraqi parties on how to de-escalate the regional conflict and its impact on Iraq. Qaani will meet with Iraqi political leaders and leaders of armed factions to try to coordinate positions among pro-Iranian factions in Iraq and ensure that the security situation in Iraq and the entire region does not deteriorate further during this "sensitive period." Sources indicated that Qaani's visit may also involve efforts to resolve the political deadlock in Iraq caused by the nomination of a new prime minister.

Hong Kong Financial Secretary Paul Chan Mo-po announced today (April 19) that the Office for Attracting Key Enterprises will announce a new batch (the sixth batch) of key enterprises tomorrow. The list includes several companies with market capitalizations exceeding HK$100 billion, covering cutting-edge fields such as life sciences and healthcare, low-altitude economy, artificial intelligence, new energy materials, cross-border financial infrastructure, and fintech. Chan noted that the Office has previously successfully attracted over 100 key enterprises, focusing on life sciences and healthcare, artificial intelligence and data science, fintech, advanced manufacturing and new energy technologies, and cultural and creative industries. These enterprises originate from various regions including Mainland China and Europe and the United States, fully demonstrating Hong Kong's superior business and innovation environment, as well as its attractiveness as a platform connecting Mainland China and the international community.

On April 19th, under the unified coordination of the State Administration for Market Regulation, market supervision and public security departments of Shanxi and Sichuan provinces jointly cracked a major criminal network involved in the production and sale of trademark infringement and counterfeit liquor. The operation uncovered seven locations in Lüliang and Taiyuan cities, Shanxi Province, for the production, concealment, packaging, trademark printing, and mailing of illegal products, as well as one online live-streaming sales point. Nearly 20,000 cases of suspected counterfeit liquor, over 700,000 counterfeit packaging materials, 14 pieces of counterfeit manufacturing equipment, and 41 large storage tanks were seized. As of now, the amount involved has been determined to be 260 million yuan. The public security organs have summoned 22 people, taken coercive measures against 11, and transferred 2 for prosecution.

On April 19th, my country's first large-scale application project of hydrogen-blended natural gas, covering 100,000 households, was officially launched in Weifang, Shandong Province. The project utilizes Weifang's existing urban natural gas pipeline infrastructure to achieve stable hydrogen-blended natural gas transmission and distribution. The project covers 100,000 urban households in Weifang's central urban area, comprehensively encompassing various residential gas usage scenarios, including daily life and commercial catering. Residents can use hydrogen-blended natural gas normally without replacing their existing gas appliances. Experts stated that by implementing the "Hydrogen to Every Household" technology demonstration project, the "last mile" of hydrogen energy application in the urban gas sector has been bridged, achieving large-scale, continuous, long-term hydrogen-blended operation for the first time nationwide. The application of hydrogen-blended natural gas has significant demonstration benefits in energy security, green electricity consumption, and energy conservation and emission reduction. Preliminary calculations indicate that if hydrogen is blended at a 10% ratio in national urban gas consumption, it can replace approximately 15 billion cubic meters of natural gas annually, correspondingly reducing carbon dioxide emissions by approximately 30 million tons.

Mayor of Tel Aviv, Israel: Iranian airstrikes have rendered more than 1,000 apartments in the city uninhabitable.

April 19th - The US-Iran conflict caused a temporary setback in gold prices, but looking at the long term, gold's luster remains undiminished. At the "2026 Market Outlook Forum" recently hosted by the London Stock Exchange Group (LSEG), economist Hong Hao stated that the recent decline in gold prices was not due to deteriorating fundamentals, but rather because it has "completed its historical mission for a certain period." Hong Hao analyzed that the lower the credit rating and the higher the yield of US Treasury bonds, the higher the gold price will be one year later. Holding 10-year US Treasury bonds for one year could result in a loss of nearly 10%, which is a very unfavorable trade; in contrast, fundamental logic, narrative logic, and data models all point to a higher gold price, with a doubling in the future being a certainty. Despite the significant short-term correction in gold prices, he remains optimistic about its long-term prospects.

Bangladesh's Ministry of Energy announced Saturday evening that it has raised retail fuel prices by 10% to 15% due to soaring global crude oil prices and supply shortages caused by the ongoing conflict in the Middle East. The official notice indicates that under the new prices, gasoline will increase from 116 taka per liter to 135 taka (approximately US$1.10), diesel will remain at 115 taka per liter, and kerosene will cost 130 taka per liter. Bangladesh heavily relies on imported fuel, and the rising fuel costs are putting pressure on the South Asian nation's already strained foreign exchange reserves.

April 19th - According to analysis firm Kpler, since the outbreak of the war with Iran in late February, the global market has lost more than 500 million barrels of crude oil and condensate, making it the largest energy supply disruption in modern history. During the conflict, the average price of crude oil was around $100 per barrel. Analysts and Reuters calculations indicate that the lost production is worth over $50 billion, and this loss could last for months or even years.

Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister: We exchanged information with the United States, but the United States insisted on making excessive demands.

Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister: As part of the negotiations, new instructions will be issued regarding the Strait of Hormuz issue.

April 19th - During the Beijing Yizhuang Robotics Marathon, the Yushu H1 robot from Hangzhou Team S unexpectedly fell over. The emergency plan was immediately activated, and a backup robot took its place.

BP: An incident occurred at BP’s Cherry Point refinery on Saturday morning, April 18, resulting in injuries to three people.

On April 19th, the Victorian government announced that all public transport will be free in May, with fares halved for the remainder of the year. The measure will cost approximately AU$432 million (US$310 million). This move aims to increase support for consumers affected by high fuel prices, exacerbated by the Middle East wars leading to soaring fuel costs and a fire at one of Australia's last two refineries, further fueling concerns about fuel supplies.