Senior Trump administration official said an import ban on Canadian goods will take effect in about three weeks.

BofA Securities raises Huadian (01071.HK) H-share PT to HK$3.7 from HK$3.5 and A-share PT to RMB4.3 from RMB4.1, while reiterating an UNDERPERFORM rating. The bank says short-term earnings remain pressured by rising coal prices. Q2 power-price improvement was driven by spot and monthly market tariffs tracking higher coal and by capacity-price revenue being allocated over lower generation; Shandong’s mature market and tight spot linkage aid fuel-cost pass-through. Management expects Qinhuangdao benchmark coal around RMB850/ton in H2, but a low Q3 base last year will make near-term fuel-cost comparables tougher. Gas-fired generation fell over 10% YoY in 1H, yet profitability improved after the company curtailed low-margin output and shifted to peak-period dispatch; capacity-payment mechanisms in Tianjin and Guangdong also support earnings.

Saudi foreign minister said the Houthi movement's recent escalation is part of its provocations and that the group often resorts to violence in difficult times.