Real-time News

April 4th - Data released by the General Statistics Office of Vietnam shows that Vietnam's economy slowed compared to the previous quarter due to heavy reliance on Middle Eastern oil imports. Vietnam's GDP grew by 7.83% in the first quarter, lower than the 8.46% in the fourth quarter of last year. The Vietnamese government's growth target for this year is no less than 10%, but this target is currently under pressure. Vietnam imports over 80% of its crude oil from the Middle East, and oil shipments from the region have been disrupted due to the conflict with Iran. Rising fuel prices have forced Vietnamese airlines to scale back operations and prompted authorities to introduce cost-control measures, including reducing fuel taxes, subsidizing prices through government-controlled funds, and encouraging remote work to reduce consumption.

Note: Vietnam's March trade balance and March import year-on-year rate have not yet been released.

April 4th - According to China State Railway Group, the national railway system is expected to transport 21.9 million passengers today (April 4th), with 1,173 additional passenger trains planned. Yesterday, the national railway system transported 18.252 million passengers, with transportation proceeding safely, smoothly, and orderly.

According to Fox News: United Airlines has confirmed that starting Friday, baggage fees for passengers who purchase tickets will increase by $10, reaching $50.

According to the Wall Street Journal, both U.S. and Iranian officials have stated that the damage caused by last month's Iranian drone strike on the U.S. embassy in Saudi Arabia was more severe than previously disclosed.

According to Syrian state television, the explosions heard in Damascus and surrounding areas were caused by Israeli air defense systems intercepting Iranian missiles.

According to Iran's Nour News, Iranian provincial officials say the search for the missing crew of the downed U.S. fighter jet is still ongoing.

On April 4, the Central Headquarters of the Iranian Armed Forces Hatem Anbia issued a statement on April 3 refuting the US claim that "Iran's air defense system has been completely destroyed" and providing an update on the "True Commitment-4" military operation.

According to the U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC), in the week ending March 31, speculators reduced their net short positions in CBOT 2-year Treasury futures by 855 contracts to 1,637,324 contracts, and increased their net short positions in 10-year Treasury futures by 142,176 contracts to 784,063 contracts.

According to the U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC), in the week ending March 31, equity fund managers increased their net long positions in CME S&P 500 futures by 39,730 contracts to 912,682 contracts, while equity fund speculators reduced their net long positions in CME S&P 500 futures by 113,496 contracts to 215,932 contracts.

The Gambian government has introduced fuel subsidies to mitigate the impact of rising global oil prices.

Pakistani Prime Minister Sharif: The reduction in gasoline prices will be funded by the oil tax collected by the government.

Pakistani Prime Minister Sharif announced that the price of gasoline will be reduced by 80 rupees per liter, to 458 rupees.

WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus called for urgent support for the health systems of five countries affected by the Middle East conflict—Lebanon, Iran, Iraq, Syria, and Jordan.

The French finance minister said he has sent a letter to the European Commission requesting an investigation into the European refining industry.