Houthi militants say a plane from Iran has landed safely, a delegation has arrived and the blockade has been broken by force.

China's pork and hog prices have risen for two consecutive weeks in July, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs says. Beijing Xinfadi wholesale pork averaged 14.4 yuan/kg on July 12, up 15% from July 1; the early-July peak averaged 14.55 yuan/kg on July 8, the highest since the Lunar New Year. Farm-gate hog prices began a sustained uptrend in late June, climbing 12.8% over the past two weeks. The ministry said continued reduction in productive sow capacity should gradually ease hog supply pressure in H2, while end-Q3 back-to-school demand and Mid-Autumn/National Day holiday restocking should support a mild price rebound. Producers are advised to use the current rally to orderly schedule sales.

Sources told Refinitiv the Government Pension Investment Fund (GPIF) has no plan to change its target asset allocation but may, within existing permitted ranges, shift more funds into Japanese assets as the government studies options. Japan's finance minister Katayama last Friday said the government will seek to encourage pension funds, including GPIF, to substantially increase investment in Japanese financial assets; the remarks lifted the yen and JGBs. GPIF managed ¥293.6 tln (about $1.81 tln) as of March. Officials said any increase would be implemented within the current benchmark limits and would not immediately alter GPIF's medium-term targets; GPIF is legally required to invest solely in beneficiaries' interests and cannot deploy assets to advance government policy. Under its current strategic plan, GPIF allocates 25% each to domestic bonds, overseas bonds, domestic equities and overseas equities.