News

The monthly retail sales rate in the Eurozone in January was -0.1%, expected to be 0.30%, and the previous value was revised to 0.2% from -0.50%.

Russian Defense Ministry: Russian troops have occupied Yarovoye in Ukraine's Donetsk region.

Italian Defense Minister: In the coming days, together with Spain, France and the Netherlands, we will send naval forces to protect Cyprus.

Kremlin: There is no sign that Europe’s position on the Nord Stream pipeline has changed, but the EU is considering delaying the implementation of a ban on Russian liquefied natural gas imports.

EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Karas: We are extremely worried about maritime security and we are working hard to keep trade routes such as the Strait of Hormuz open.

Kremlin: (Responding to the question of whether Moscow will provide weapons assistance to Iran) Iran has not yet made a request for assistance from Russia, and Russia’s position is well known.

EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Karas: When Iran launches drone attacks, Ukraine can help Gulf countries intercept them.

EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Callas: We are coordinating consular services in the Middle East.

German Foreign Minister: Spain can rely on the solidarity support of the EU and Germany; we will never be divided.

Bank of England: Expectations for employment growth over the next year improved slightly, rising 0.3 percentage points to 0.1% in the three months to February.

The Bank of England: It expects wage growth in the next year to remain unchanged at 3.6% in the three months to February.

Spain said it would send a frigate to Cyprus following the drone attack.

Southbound funds sold a substantial net amount of 27.735 billion yuan today. In terms of Southbound Connect (Shanghai), Tracker Fund and Hang Seng China Enterprises received net sales of HK$9.50 billion and HK$3.836 billion respectively; Tencent Holdings ranked first in net purchases, with an amount of HK$1.033 billion; in Southbound Connect (Shenzhen), Tracker Fund and Hang Seng China Enterprises received net sales of HK$4.161 billion and HK$2.237 billion respectively; Tencent Holdings ranked first in net purchases, with an amount of HK$508 million.

Bank of England: Expected own price inflation in the year ahead is 3.4% in the three months to February, 0.1 percentage points lower than the level reported in the three months to January.

The British construction PMI in February was 44.5, compared with the expected 47 and the previous value of 46.4.

According to the Islamic Republic News Agency (IRNA): Iran was preparing to clear its uranium stockpile during negotiations with the United States. Iran is reported to have sought "some good returns."

European stock markets reversed course, with the Stoxx Europe 600 index rising 0.5% after falling 0.5% previously.

According to Nikkei: Japan is negotiating with NATO to use its defense technology accelerator.

The three major U.S. stock index futures have risen in the short term. Nasdaq 100 futures are now up 0.2%, S&P 500 futures are up 1.16%, and Dow futures are up 0.09%.

The Russian liquefied natural gas carrier "Bran" has been diverted from the Mediterranean route to bypass Africa due to an attack on another ship in the waters off Libya this week, London Stock Exchange Group data showed.