UN spokesman: UN Secretary-General Guterres pays special attention to hundreds of air strikes by Israel on several locations in Syria. He stressed the urgent need to reduce the level of violence in all aspects of Syria.African stock market | On Thursday (December 12th), the FTSE /JSE Africa Top 40 tradable index closed down 0.18% to 78,341.48 points. The South African rand is currently down 0.58% against the US dollar, reaching a fresh low of 17.8027 rand.Market News: Russia has established direct contacts with the Political Committee of the Sharm el-Liberation Organization, and these contacts are constructive.
Industry ETFs U.S. stocks generally fell in early trading, with regional bank ETFs currently down 1.07%, semiconductor ETFs down 0.98%, banking ETFs down 0.8%, technology ETFs down 0.37%, and Internet stock index ETFs up 0.28%.Sources: A few ECB policymakers initially hoped to cut interest rates by 50 basis points. Three sources said that several ECB policymakers initially hoped to cut interest rates more sharply on Thursday, and they were worried that the new US tariffs would hinder economic growth. The European Central Bank cut interest rates by 25 basis points on Thursday, and opened the door for more easing policies, as the euro zone economy was dragged down by domestic political instability and the threat of a new round of trade war in the United States. However, due to the low forecast of inflation and economic growth, about five of the 26 members of the official Committee initially advocated a 50 basis point interest rate cut. In particular, they pointed out that if the incoming Trump administration imposes new tariffs on the EU, the growth of economic output next year may be lower than the 1.1% expected by the European Central Bank. A small number of policy makers who called for greater interest rate cuts quickly gave in, adding that given the current uncertainty, people are reluctant to make a hasty decision.French Ambassador to Ukraine: The first batch of Mirage 2000-5 fighters will be provided to Ukraine early next year. On December 12, local time, French Ambassador to Ukraine Visier said that in early 2025, France will provide Ukraine with the first batch of Mirage 2000-5 fighters as planned, and Ukrainian pilots and technicians are currently receiving training. He did not disclose the number of fighters to be delivered. Earlier, according to a report by Ukrainian Pravda on October 8, French Defense Minister Sebastian Lecornu said that France planned to deliver Mirage fighters to Ukraine early next year.
Spot silver fell 3.00% in the day and is now reported at $30.94 per ounce.The previous crude oil futures 2401 contract closed up 1.51% at 545.40 yuan/barrel. Shanghai Gold closed down 0.59% and Shanghai Bank closed down 1.67%.Gaza Media Office: Thirteen aid workers were killed in the Israeli attack. On the 12th, local time, the Gaza Media Office announced that the Israeli army killed 13 aid workers in the attack on the Gaza. Up to now, Israel has launched 144 attacks on aid workers in this area, resulting in 722 deaths, including police and aid workers. The Ministry strongly condemned the crimes committed by Israel against the Palestinians and these aid workers, and called on the international community to condemn them.