The National Health Commission, National Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine and National Administration of Disease Control and Prevention today issued the National Essential Medicines List (2026 edition), to take effect September 1. The list includes 794 medicines: 476 chemical drugs and biologics and 318 traditional Chinese patent medicines.

On July 9 aboard Air Force One returning to the United States, President Trump told reporters Iran had just called and was "very eager" to reach an agreement, though he said he was unsure whether it "deserved" one. He said the US has "already won militarily" and Iran "has nothing left," and when asked why Iran would attack merchant ships if it seeks a deal he said they are "a bit crazy, out of control" but still eager for a deal.

BofA economists say markets largely price a 25bp Bank of Korea hike on July 16, but the central bank’s commentary on won weakness may matter more than the rate move itself. Persistent won depreciation is keeping inflation elevated despite lower oil and repeated official warnings; overseas equity outflows and FX volatility strengthen the case for further policy normalization, though BofA does not treat back-to-back hikes as its base case. Investors will watch for whether the Bank of Korea signals greater concern about rising house prices and leveraged-ETF trading as financial stability risks.