Category: Flash News

On March 30th, it was learned from some local branches of joint-stock banks and state-owned large banks that multiple banks have received notices from their headquarters that the annualized interest rate for credit consumption loan products may be raised to no less than 3% from April. A staff member from the personal loan department of a branch of a joint-stock bank in East China reminded customers who have obtained loans with interest rates below 3% that “customers who have not withdrawn should withdraw before Monday (March 31st). In addition, the personal loan staff of state-owned banks in southern China have issued an internal notice stating that they will “promptly notify their respective customers of the measurement or withdrawal work”. Since the beginning of this year, a new round of “price wars” has swept through the consumer loan market. Many banks have launched consumer loan products with interest rates below 3% in order to seize market share. Many institutions have repeatedly lowered their product interest rates, with some bank products having interest rates as low as 2.4%, which is 10-70 basis points lower than the one-year loan market quoted interest rate (BP) announced by the central bank in March. Industry experts suggest that banks should consider customers’ repayment ability and should not excessively inflate interest rates. (Securities Times)

On March 30th, local time, CCTV reporters learned that the Federal Aviation Administration of the United States stated that a small plane flying from Iowa to Minnesota crashed in a residential area in the suburbs of Minneapolis on the same day. Currently, there is no specific information available regarding the number of casualties. The Federal Aviation Administration of the United States stated that it is currently unclear how many people were on board. The National Transportation Safety Board of the United States is conducting an investigation into this matter. (CCTV News)

On March 30, the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs said on March 29 local time that the United Nations had urgently allocated $5 million for earthquake relief in Myanmar. The office stated that relevant coordination work is underway to conduct a rapid needs assessment and expand emergency response. The United Nations Central Emergency Response Fund has urgently allocated $5 million to support disaster relief operations in Myanmar. In addition, health partners are preparing to deploy mobile surgical and medical teams, as well as temporary hospitals, to provide emergency life-saving care. (CCTV News)

On the evening of March 29th local time, Khalil Hayah, a senior member of the Palestinian Islamic Resistance Movement (Hamas), delivered a speech on the occasion of Eid al Fitr and outlined his position on the ceasefire agreement negotiations. Haya stated that Israel has been delaying and evading negotiations on the Gaza ceasefire agreement, with the aim of prolonging the war and ensuring the survival of its government for as long as possible. Haya believes that Prime Minister Netanyahu has been ambiguous, “thwarting all efforts by mediators to reach an agreement”. (CCTV News)

On the evening of March 29th local time, Burhan, Chairman of the Sudan Sovereignty Council and Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces, made a televised speech stating that the Sudanese government refused to negotiate with the Sudan Rapid Support Force. Burhan said that the Sudanese Armed Forces and local armed forces allied with them will continue to fight until they defeat and eliminate the Sudanese Rapid Support Force. The Sudanese government will not forgive, compromise or negotiate with it. Burhan also stated that the path to ending the armed conflict in Sudan and achieving peace is very clear, either the Sudanese rapid support forces lay down their weapons and surrender, or they will receive the appropriate punishment. On April 15, 2023, armed conflict broke out between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the Sudan Rapid Support Force in the capital Khartoum, and the fighting subsequently spread to other areas. The armed conflict that has lasted for nearly two years has resulted in approximately 29700 deaths and 12.9 million people being displaced in Sudan. (CCTV News)

On March 30th, local time, the Chinese Embassy in Myanmar announced that the Chinese rescue team has arrived in Myanmar to carry out earthquake rescue. The embassy stated that at around 16:00 local time on March 29th, a rescue team of 82 people dispatched by the Chinese government, carrying more than 20 tons of emergency rescue supplies such as communication, search and rescue, medical equipment, and emergency food, rushed from Beijing to Yangon International Airport. The Chinese Ambassador to Myanmar, Ma Jia, arrived on the same plane as the rescue team, and was welcomed by Yangon Province Chief Minister Sogden at the airport. Ma Jia delivered a welcome speech to the rescue team, stating that the Chinese rescue team has gathered top earthquake rescue experts and medical personnel with rich practical experience, and will go to Mandalay, the most severely affected area, to participate in the rescue. She believes that the team members will fulfill their mission and successfully complete the rescue mission. (CCTV News)

On March 30th, local time, an Israeli official revealed that the Palestinian Islamic Resistance Movement (Hamas) has agreed to Egypt’s proposal to release five detained Israeli personnel in exchange for a 50 day ceasefire starting from Eid al Fitr (March 30th or 31st). The official stated that during the ceasefire period, the bodies of deceased detainees will also be transferred, but did not disclose specific numbers. The official also stated that Israel is expected to raise objections to the proposal, and it is unlikely that the two sides will reach an agreement before Eid al Fitr. (CCTV News)

On March 30, Shiqijia, the largest beef rice chain store in Japan, published a statement on its official website on Saturday, announcing that most of Japan’s nearly 2000 stores (except some stores in shopping centers) will be temporarily closed for 4 days from next Monday to implement thorough disinfection and sterilization measures, because customers have found “foreign matter mixed” in miso soup and meals in Japanese stores. According to previous reports, Shanshang Holdings (7550. T), the parent company of Shijia, apologized last weekend for the appearance of mice in the miso soup of a branch of Shijia West Japan during a lunar eclipse. Subsequently, the stock price plummeted by more than 5% on Monday. In Saturday’s statement, Shiqijia stated that there was also an incident of food mixed with insects at another store in the suburbs of Tokyo on Friday.

On March 29th, at the American College of Cardiology (ACC) 2025 meeting, Novo Nordisk announced that the results of the STRIDE Phase III trial had reached the primary endpoint. The test showed that, compared with the placebo group, the maximum walking distance of patients with type II diabetes combined with peripheral artery disease in the steep slope walking test increased by 13% after 52 weeks of Ozempic (1.0 mg Smeglutide was injected once a week). The research results were simultaneously published in the journal The Lancet.

On March 29th, Guangzhou Automobile Group held a 2024 investor performance briefing. Regarding the cooperation between GAC and Huawei on the Huawang project, Feng Xingya, Chairman of GAC Group, said, “Huawang Automobile mainly targets high-end customers in the 300000 level. The detailed product definition and positioning are mainly led by Huawei, and GAC supports and maintains the decision-making authority of the Huawang team to ensure their rights and responsibilities in product development and product definition