Bank of Japan Governor Kazuo Ueda: Rising oil prices have worsened Japan's terms of trade and put downward pressure on the economy.

Domestic News 1. China's GDP grew by 5.0% year-on-year in the first quarter. 2. China responds to Trump's sanctions against countries that purchased Iranian oil: China has consistently opposed illegal unilateral sanctions without international legal basis and without authorization from the UN Security Council. 3. The State-owned Assets Supervision and Administration Commission of the State Council convenes a special meeting to promote the development of the low-altitude economy industry among central enterprises. 4. National Bureau of Statistics: In March, the added value of industries above designated size increased by 5.7% year-on-year. 5. National Bureau of Statistics: Domestic demand contributed 84.7% to GDP growth in the first quarter, an increase of nearly 30 percentage points year-on-year. 6. Has China had preliminary communication regarding restrictions on exports of advanced solar energy manufacturing equipment to the United States? The Ministry of Commerce responds: Unaware of the relevant situation. 7. National Bureau of Statistics: In March 2026, among 70 large and medium-sized cities, the sales prices of commercial housing in first-tier cities rose month-on-month, while the month-on-month decline in second- and third-tier cities narrowed or remained the same. 8. Ministry of Finance and Ministry of Housing and Urban-Rural Development: The 2026 Central Government-Supported Urban Renewal Action Plan will be launched. 9. The Cyberspace Administration of China continues to rectify the chaos in online financial information. International News 1. TSMC's first-quarter profit surged 58%, exceeding expectations and setting a new record. 2. Russian military launched large-scale airstrikes on multiple Ukrainian cities, severely damaging Kyiv and Odessa. 3. According to The Information: Google (GOOG.O) is in talks with the US Department of Defense to use the Gemini model. 4. International Energy Agency Executive Director Birol warned: European aviation fuel stocks are only enough for six weeks, and some flight cancellations are imminent. 5. Federal Reserve - ① Williams: If inflation falls back to 2%, a rate cut would be appropriate, but we are not at that stage yet. ② Milan: Inclined towards three, possibly four, rate cuts this year. 6. ECB meeting minutes: The longer and wider the conflict lasts, the greater and longer the impact on global energy supplies, and the higher the medium-term inflation risk. 7. Iran situation - ① A senior White House official said the US could block Iranian ports "indefinitely." ② The US launched Operation Economic Fury against Iran. ③ Iranian Armed Forces: Iranian troops are fully prepared for defense. ④ Iranian sources: The US and Iran have lowered their ambitions for a comprehensive peace agreement and are instead seeking a temporary agreement. ⑤ The Israeli military stated it is ready for a ceasefire with Lebanon, which will begin between 7 PM and midnight local time on the 16th. ⑥ The Lebanese president spoke with Trump by phone; a ceasefire agreement between Lebanon and Israel may be announced on Thursday evening local time. ⑦ Pakistani Foreign Ministry: The US and Iran are willing to hold talks, and the process is ongoing. The date for the next round of US-Iran talks has not yet been determined. ⑧ US Defense Secretary: If Iran does not reach a peace agreement, the US military is prepared to resume combat operations. ⑨ The US military has expanded its blockade of Iranian shipping to include weapons, ammunition, crude oil, refined petroleum products, steel, and aluminum.

UK manufacturing output fell 0.1% month-on-month in February, below the expected 0.3% and the previous figure revised from 0.10% to 0.2%.