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Real-time News
On April 18, 2026, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) held its 53rd International Monetary and Financial Committee (IMFC) meeting in Washington, D.C., to discuss the global economic and financial situation and the IMFs work. Pan Gongsheng, Governor of the Peoples Bank of China (PBOC), attended and addressed the meeting. Xuan Changneng, Vice Governor of the PBOC, also participated. Pan Gongsheng pointed out that the rapidly changing international economic and trade environment requires the IMF to further strengthen its economic monitoring functions. Trade policy uncertainty remains high, and the negative supply shocks triggered by the Middle East situation will have a lasting impact on the global economy and financial markets. The IMF should further strengthen economic monitoring and propose more targeted policy recommendations based on an objective assessment of risks. At the same time, it should strengthen its monitoring of fiscal risks and their spillover effects in major developed economies, emphasizing that trade protectionism cannot solve global imbalances, and that stable, rational, and predictable cooperation is particularly valuable.US-Iran-US Conflict: ① Iran 1. The Iranian Revolutionary Guard stated that the resistance front issued warnings to ships in the Bab el-Mandeb Strait. 2. Irans Deputy Foreign Minister: Iran demands a complete end to the conflict across the region. 3. A senior Iranian official stated that lifting the freeze on Iranian assets is part of the agreement to open the Strait of Hormuz, but did not provide a specific timetable. 4. The Speaker of the Iranian Parliament: Trumps seven social media statements are "all untrue." 5. Iranian Foreign Ministry Spokesperson: We do not support the proposals made by US officials and their media regarding the Iranian nuclear issue. ② The US 1. Trump posted consecutive messages: Iran has fully opened the "Iran Strait," and the maritime blockade against Iran will remain fully effective. The US will obtain all of Irans nuclear "dust." Israel will no longer bomb Lebanon. NATO is useless on the Strait of Hormuz issue. 2. US Central Command: The US military is still "closely monitoring every Iranian port." 3. According to CBS: Trump stated that Iran has agreed to stop supporting proxy groups such as Hezbollah and Hamas. 4. The US aircraft carrier USS Ford returned to the Red Sea. ③ Israel 1. Israel announced the basic lifting of wartime restrictions. 2. Israeli Defense Minister: The ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon is a temporary measure. After the temporary ceasefire ends, the disarmament of Hezbollah forces south of the Litani River will continue. 3. Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu: We will not disclose specific details of what actions we will take in Lebanon in the future. We have not yet completed our actions against Hezbollah in Lebanon. ⑤ Strait of Hormuz 1. Iranian Parliament Speaker: We will never relinquish control of the Strait of Hormuz. 2. Iranian Foreign Ministry: The US maritime blockade violates the ceasefire agreement. 3. Iranian Foreign Ministry: There has been no new agreement between Iran and the United States on the Strait of Hormuz issue. 4. Commander of the Iranian Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Navy: The enemy attempted to cross the Strait of Hormuz during the ceasefire, forcing them to retreat. 5. Shipping tracking data shows that almost all ships attempting to pass through the Strait of Hormuz turned back on Friday evening local time. 6. Kropp data shows that 24 ships passed through the Strait of Hormuz in the past 24 hours. 7. Iranian Foreign Minister: In light of the ceasefire reached between Lebanon and Israel, Iran will open the Strait of Hormuz to all merchant ships during the ceasefire period. 8. Iranian Foreign Ministry: Non-military vessels are permitted to pass through the Strait of Hormuz. 9. US officials stated that the US militarys blockade of Iran remains in effect. 10. The US military stated that 19 ships were forced to return to port during the blockade of Iran, and no ships broke through the blockade. 11. US Commerce Secretary Lutnick: The Strait of Hormuz is open, and ships are passing through. 12. UN shipping agency: Currently verifying the announcement regarding the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz to confirm whether it meets the requirements of freedom of navigation. 13. Iranian officials: If the US maritime blockade of Iran continues, Iran will consider this a violation of the ceasefire agreement and will close the Strait of Hormuz again. 14. Iranian domestic media expressed concern about the US Foreign Ministers opening of the Strait of Hormuz. ⑥ Ceasefire Negotiations 1. The US is considering resuming negotiations with Iran in Pakistan within days. 2. Senior Iranian official: Iran and the US are expected to reach a preliminary agreement within days. 3. Iranian official: Iran and the US are drafting a memorandum of understanding to set a framework for a permanent peace agreement. 4. Gulf officials: Trump is eager to end the war and may accept more compromises. 5. US media: The US plans to unfreeze $20 billion in exchange for Iran abandoning uranium enrichment; US-Iran talks may be held in Islamabad on Sunday. 6. Hezbollah parliamentary group in Lebanon expressed "cautious support" for a ceasefire, but emphasized that the ceasefire must be comprehensive. 7. According to CBS: Trump said Iran has agreed to stop supporting Hezbollah and proxy groups such as Hamas. 8. Iranian sources said the next round of US-Iran talks will be held in Pakistan on Monday. ④ Other situations: 1. US media: Trump said Israel "banned" bombing of Lebanon; Israel seeks clarification. 2. Lebanese media reported that southern Lebanon is still being shelled after the ceasefire.On April 18, the U.S. Treasury Department issued a general license related to Russia, allowing the delivery and sale of shipped Russian crude oil and petroleum products, effective April 17. The Treasury Department stated that the authorization is valid until May 16.U.S. Treasury Department: The license allows for the delivery and sale of Russian crude oil and petroleum products loaded on ships, starting April 17.U.S. Treasury Department: Issuing general licenses related to Russia.

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2026/04/18
Important Only
  • 08:44:17

    On April 18, 2026, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) held its 53rd International Monetary and Financial Committee (IMFC) meeting in Washington, D.C., to discuss the global economic and financial situation and the IMF's work. Pan Gongsheng, Governor of the People's Bank of China (PBOC), attended and addressed the meeting. Xuan Changneng, Vice Governor of the PBOC, also participated. Pan Gongsheng pointed out that the rapidly changing international economic and trade environment requires the IMF to further strengthen its economic monitoring functions. Trade policy uncertainty remains high, and the negative supply shocks triggered by the Middle East situation will have a lasting impact on the global economy and financial markets. The IMF should further strengthen economic monitoring and propose more targeted policy recommendations based on an objective assessment of risks. At the same time, it should strengthen its monitoring of fiscal risks and their spillover effects in major developed economies, emphasizing that trade protectionism cannot solve global imbalances, and that stable, rational, and predictable cooperation is particularly valuable.

  • 08:16:58

    US-Iran-US Conflict: ① Iran 1. The Iranian Revolutionary Guard stated that the resistance front issued warnings to ships in the Bab el-Mandeb Strait. 2. Iran's Deputy Foreign Minister: Iran demands a complete end to the conflict across the region. 3. A senior Iranian official stated that lifting the freeze on Iranian assets is part of the agreement to open the Strait of Hormuz, but did not provide a specific timetable. 4. The Speaker of the Iranian Parliament: Trump's seven social media statements are "all untrue." 5. Iranian Foreign Ministry Spokesperson: We do not support the proposals made by US officials and their media regarding the Iranian nuclear issue. ② The US 1. Trump posted consecutive messages: Iran has fully opened the "Iran Strait," and the maritime blockade against Iran will remain fully effective. The US will obtain all of Iran's nuclear "dust." Israel will no longer bomb Lebanon. NATO is useless on the Strait of Hormuz issue. 2. US Central Command: The US military is still "closely monitoring every Iranian port." 3. According to CBS: Trump stated that Iran has agreed to stop supporting proxy groups such as Hezbollah and Hamas. 4. The US aircraft carrier USS Ford returned to the Red Sea. ③ Israel 1. Israel announced the basic lifting of wartime restrictions. 2. Israeli Defense Minister: The ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon is a temporary measure. After the temporary ceasefire ends, the disarmament of Hezbollah forces south of the Litani River will continue. 3. Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu: We will not disclose specific details of what actions we will take in Lebanon in the future. We have not yet completed our actions against Hezbollah in Lebanon. ⑤ Strait of Hormuz 1. Iranian Parliament Speaker: We will never relinquish control of the Strait of Hormuz. 2. Iranian Foreign Ministry: The US maritime blockade violates the ceasefire agreement. 3. Iranian Foreign Ministry: There has been no new agreement between Iran and the United States on the Strait of Hormuz issue. 4. Commander of the Iranian Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Navy: The enemy attempted to cross the Strait of Hormuz during the ceasefire, forcing them to retreat. 5. Shipping tracking data shows that almost all ships attempting to pass through the Strait of Hormuz turned back on Friday evening local time. 6. Kropp data shows that 24 ships passed through the Strait of Hormuz in the past 24 hours. 7. Iranian Foreign Minister: In light of the ceasefire reached between Lebanon and Israel, Iran will open the Strait of Hormuz to all merchant ships during the ceasefire period. 8. Iranian Foreign Ministry: Non-military vessels are permitted to pass through the Strait of Hormuz. 9. US officials stated that the US military's blockade of Iran remains in effect. 10. The US military stated that 19 ships were forced to return to port during the blockade of Iran, and no ships broke through the blockade. 11. US Commerce Secretary Lutnick: The Strait of Hormuz is open, and ships are passing through. 12. UN shipping agency: Currently verifying the announcement regarding the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz to confirm whether it meets the requirements of freedom of navigation. 13. Iranian officials: If the US maritime blockade of Iran continues, Iran will consider this a violation of the ceasefire agreement and will close the Strait of Hormuz again. 14. Iranian domestic media expressed concern about the US Foreign Minister's opening of the Strait of Hormuz. ⑥ Ceasefire Negotiations 1. The US is considering resuming negotiations with Iran in Pakistan within days. 2. Senior Iranian official: Iran and the US are expected to reach a preliminary agreement within days. 3. Iranian official: Iran and the US are drafting a memorandum of understanding to set a framework for a permanent peace agreement. 4. Gulf officials: Trump is eager to end the war and may accept more compromises. 5. US media: The US plans to unfreeze $20 billion in exchange for Iran abandoning uranium enrichment; US-Iran talks may be held in Islamabad on Sunday. 6. Hezbollah parliamentary group in Lebanon expressed "cautious support" for a ceasefire, but emphasized that the ceasefire must be comprehensive. 7. According to CBS: Trump said Iran has agreed to stop supporting Hezbollah and proxy groups such as Hamas. 8. Iranian sources said the next round of US-Iran talks will be held in Pakistan on Monday. ④ Other situations: 1. US media: Trump said Israel "banned" bombing of Lebanon; Israel seeks clarification. 2. Lebanese media reported that southern Lebanon is still being shelled after the ceasefire.

  • 08:08:07

    On April 18, the U.S. Treasury Department issued a general license related to Russia, allowing the delivery and sale of shipped Russian crude oil and petroleum products, effective April 17. The Treasury Department stated that the authorization is valid until May 16.

  • 07:59:20

    U.S. Treasury Department: The license allows for the delivery and sale of Russian crude oil and petroleum products loaded on ships, starting April 17.

  • 07:58:43

    U.S. Treasury Department: Issuing general licenses related to Russia.

  • 04:13:49

    The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC), the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC), and the Federal Reserve stated that the guidance is expected to apply most to banking institutions with assets exceeding $30 billion.

  • 04:12:45

    The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC), the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC), and the Federal Reserve have released revised guidance on model risk management.

  • 04:09:26

    S&P: Türkiye is under pressure from energy price shocks, but authorities are expected to implement economic and fiscal policies consistent with the goals of the 2026-2028 medium-term plan.

  • 04:06:53

    S&P Global Ratings affirmed Türkiye’s “BB-/B” rating with a stable outlook.

  • 04:04:11

    The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 869.20 points, or 1.79%, to close at 49,447.92 on Friday, April 17; the S&P 500 rose 84.79 points, or 1.20%, to close at 7,126.07; and the Nasdaq Composite rose 365.78 points, or 1.52%, to close at 24,468.48.

  • 04:01:02

    On April 18th, U.S. stocks closed higher on Friday. The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 1.79%, the S&P 500 gained 1.2%, and the Nasdaq Composite climbed 1.52%. The Nasdaq Composite extended its winning streak to 13 consecutive trading days, reaching a new record high, its longest winning streak since January 1992. Apple (AAPL.O) closed up 2.5%, Tesla (TSLA.O) rose 3%, and Meta Platforms (META.O) gained 1.7%. Netflix (NFLX.O) fell nearly 10%. The Nasdaq China Golden Dragon Index closed up 0.5%, and Alibaba (BABA.N) rose 1.7%.

  • 03:54:59

    The U.S. State Department has approved a $11.9 billion sale to Germany of a potential integrated combat system and related support equipment.

  • 03:52:41

    On April 18, European Central Bank (ECB) Governing Council member Koch stated that the ECB must avoid hasty policy actions due to the Middle East conflict. He said, "It is reasonable to clearly communicate that we will not accept an inflation trajectory that deviates from our mission targets, but there is no need to react prematurely to situations that may not occur in the future." He added, "Uncertainty remains high. Seeing positive signals is good, but we are unsure whether these signals will be sustained. We need to remain open-minded before the meeting, and even during the meeting." "Even if the Strait of Hormuz is truly fully open, a return to more normalcy will take time. Friction will persist, and some energy production and transportation facilities have already been damaged." Koch is generally considered a hawkish member of the Governing Council. He emphasized, "We may be seeing some improvement now, but the economic shock has already occurred, making our baseline scenario the best-case scenario." He also stressed that medium-term inflation expectations "remain fairly stable."

  • 03:48:39

    ECB Governing Council member Kazak: I'm not sure yet that the next interest rate adjustment will be a rate hike.

  • 03:48:21

    ECB Governing Council member Kazak: I haven't seen many spillover effects yet.

  • 03:48:10

    ECB Governing Council member Kazak: Tightening financial conditions are playing a role for the ECB.

  • 03:48:05

    ECB Governing Council member Kazak: If the economy heads toward recession, interest rate cuts may be necessary.

  • 03:47:50

    ECB Governing Council member Kazax: We remain in close monitoring.

  • 03:47:42

    ECB Governing Council member Kazak: I would not oppose betting on two rate hikes this year.

  • 03:47:21

    On April 18th, three sources familiar with the matter stated that Meta Platforms (META.O) plans to implement its first major round of layoffs this year on May 20th, with further layoffs to follow. One source said that as part of the initial round of layoffs, the company will cut approximately 10% of its global workforce, close to 8,000 people. The company also plans further layoffs in the second half of the year, but details such as the specific timing and scale have not yet been finalized. The source added that management may adjust the plans based on the development of artificial intelligence capabilities. Meta's layoffs this year will be the largest since the company's restructuring dubbed the "Year of Efficiency" from the end of 2022 to the beginning of 2023, when the company cut approximately 21,000 jobs. The company's financial situation is more stable this time, but management envisions using artificial intelligence to assist employees in achieving fewer management layers and greater efficiency in the future. According to the latest disclosure, as of December 31st last year, Meta had approximately 79,000 employees.

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