US capacity utilization for May 76.2% (consensus 76.20%; April 76.10%).

China State Planner and other ministries ordered energy-saving and decarbonisation retrofits for in‑service coal‑fired units ≥300 MW. Required measures include through‑flow designs, high‑efficiency combustion, cold‑end optimisation, waste‑heat recovery and intelligent controls, and accelerated replacement of end‑use equipment (fans, heat pumps, boilers, turbines, transformers). Post‑retrofit target is a reduction in generation coal consumption of at least 5 g standard coal/kWh. The move implements the new‑generation coal upgrade special programme and requires upgrading fast‑ramping, deep‑modulation and wide‑load flexibility where applicable, while encouraging coal–renewables integration. In winter centralized‑heating areas, CHP units should pursue heat–power decoupling with post‑upgrade minimum‑load depth targeted below 40%. Units that qualify are encouraged to adopt low‑carbon measures — coupling with renewables, biomass co‑firing, adding electrical/thermal storage — targeting a 10–20% cut in carbon emissions per kWh, with >20% reductions sought where feasible.

A recording of ship radio traffic provided by a seafarer aboard a commercial vessel near the Strait of Hormuz on the 15th indicates US forces told ships the blockade of Iranian ports and coastal areas remained in effect, warned vessels not to attempt to breach it, and ordered ships to return to Iranian ports. On the 14th the US and Iran said they had reached a ceasefire memorandum with a formal signing due in Switzerland on the 19th; President Trump posted on social media on the 14th that he had ordered the immediate lifting of the US naval blockade.