News

Australia's S&P/ASX200 index closed up 48.10 points, or 0.54%, on Wednesday, February 18, at 9007.00 points.

According to the British Financial Times: European Central Bank President Christine Lagarde hopes to step down before the French presidential election next April.

India's NIFTY IT index continued its decline, latest falling 2.5%.

According to Japan Broadcasting Association NHK: Japan’s Ministry of Transport plans to ban the use of mobile power supplies to charge mobile phones on airplanes as early as April to prevent fires.

Market News: Alcoa advances work to modernize its approval process with the Australian government.

U.S. Special Envoy for the Middle East Witkov: Both sides agreed to report to their respective leaders and continue to work toward an agreement.

U.S. Special Envoy for the Middle East Witkov: The United States hosted the third round of trilateral talks with Ukraine and Russia.

Japanese Prime Minister Takaichi Sanae: Hopes that the budget and tax reform bill will be passed as soon as possible.

Japanese Prime Minister Takaichi Sanae: Will consider amending Japan's constitution.

Xi Jinping replied to friends in Iowa, the United States: No matter how the situation changes, the desire of the people of China and the United States for exchanges and cooperation will not change, and the friendship between the young people of the two countries will not change.

Spokesperson of Asahi Diamond Industry: We are interested in the U.S. artificial diamond project, but the specific participation method has not yet been determined.

President Breman of the Reserve Bank of New Zealand: It is expected to continue to reduce the balance sheet.

Reserve Bank of New Zealand Breman: The Monetary Policy Committee discussed the issue of greater transparency.

Breiman, chairman of the Reserve Bank of New Zealand: plans to increase the frequency of meetings to eight times next year.

Japanese Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry Ryomasa Akasawa: When advancing various agreements, we will keep in mind Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s planned visit to the United States.

Japanese Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry Ryomasa Akasawa: Will continue to coordinate the second batch of investment agreements with the United States.

Conway, chief economist of the Reserve Bank of New Zealand: Household spending is needed to achieve economic recovery.

Japanese Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry Ryomasa Akasawa: Many Japanese small companies are also interested in U.S. investment projects related to parts supply.

Japanese Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry Ryomasa Akasawa: Mitsui Lines, Nippon Steel, JFE Steel, and Mitsui Marine Development are interested in crude oil projects.

Japanese Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry Ryomasa Akasawa: Toshiba, Hitachi, Mitsubishi Electric, SoftBank Group and other companies are interested in energy projects.