News

U.S. Secretary of State Rubio held a phone call with the British Foreign Secretary to discuss next steps for a ceasefire with Iran. The two sides discussed the urgent need to restore freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz so that commercial ships can pass freely through the strait and energy supplies can access global markets.

Ukrainian Prime Minister Sviridenko: We hope that the Hungarian election will help unlock the 20th round of EU sanctions against Russia and accelerate the EU integration process.

Ukrainian Prime Minister Sviridenko: Discuss the expansion of the joint investment fund with U.S. Treasury Secretary Bessent.

Ukrainian Prime Minister Sviridenko: U.S. counterparts understand the importance of prohibiting Russia from evading sanctions.

Ukrainian Prime Minister Sviridenko: Tell U.S. Treasury Secretary Bessent that sanctions on Russia should not be weakened, waived or postponed.

Ukrainian Prime Minister Sviridenko: Had very friendly talks with U.S. Treasury Secretary Bessant.

Australian INPEX: Continue to focus on the safe operation of the Icthys LNG project and reaching fair and reasonable agreements with employees.

Workers at Australia's Icthys LNG project reject proposed employment agreement.

Todd Lyons, acting director of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, said he will resign at the end of May.

Hong Kong stocks opened lower and moved lower. The Hang Seng Technology Index fell 1% and the Hang Seng Index fell 0.74%. Technology stocks pulled back, with SenseTime (00020.HK) and Meituan (03690.HK) falling more than 3%.

Japan plans to capture 25% of the global autonomous vehicle market in the decade from 2030.

U.S. State Department: Welcomes the Philippines to join the Pax Silica initiative (related to stabilizing supply chains).

HSI opened on April 17 (Friday), down 183.29 points, or 0.69%, to 26210.97 points;Hong Kong’s Hang Seng Technology Index opened on April 17 (Friday), down 36.5 points, or 0.72%, to 5055.58 points; The state-owned enterprise index opened on April 17 (Friday), down 64.54 points, or 0.72%, to 8840.57 points; The red chip index opened on April 17 (Friday), down 3.05 points, or 0.07%, to 4344.36 points.

Hong Kong stocks opened, with the Hang Seng Index opening down 0.69% and the Stock Exchange Index opening down 0.72%. On the first day of listing, Qunhe Technology (00068.HK) opened up 171.65%, and Changguangchenxin (03277.HK) opened up 80.54%.

U.S. Central Command: U.S. forces remain vigilant and enforce blockades of ships attempting to enter or leave Iranian ports and coastal areas.

PEMEX CEO: There was an oil spill and I was not informed about the repairs on a pipeline. Several officials will leave their jobs as a result of the incident. The source of the leak was an oil pipeline.

Mexican officials: There is evidence of an oil spill near the Cantarel platform.

Japanese Ministry of Finance official: (When asked whether the Bank of Japan’s delay in raising interest rates may cause the yen to fall sharply) No comment.

U.S. President Trump said on the 16th that the war in Iran "should be over soon."

US President Trump: Despite our "little expedition" in Iran, the United States still has the strongest economy in the world.