China Merchants Securities says copper is shifting from a cyclical industrial metal to a strategic critical mineral as AI-driven digital infrastructure and global electrification accelerate. Prices remain elevated, with two major exchanges up about 10% YTD. The firm flags three core price drivers: global liquidity, the US‑Iran situation, and supply–demand fundamentals. Near term, watch liquidity tightening and changes in geopolitical risk; medium-to-long term, price direction will hinge on evolv

China's National Intellectual Property Administration (CNIPA) has approved construction of a national-level intellectual property protection center in the Xiong'an New Area. The center, now in preparatory stages, will target next‑generation information technology and advanced materials. Once operational it will provide a one‑stop platform for rapid pre-examination, expedited confirmation of rights and accelerated enforcement, and aims to cut average patent grant times by about 70% to speed protection of corporate innovation in the covered sectors.

Iranian media, citing military sources, said it fired warning shots at a 'violating vessel' in the Strait of Hormuz several hours ago.