US Three Major Stock Indices Fall Collectively, International Crude Oil Surges Over 8%

On March 12, U.S. stock market’s three major indices all declined. As of press time, the Dow fell 1.16%, the Nasdaq dropped 0.77%, and the S&P 500 decreased by 0.73%.

In the commodities market, international oil prices surged. As of press time, WTI crude oil futures rose over 8%, trading at $94.4 per barrel; Brent crude oil futures also increased over 8%, reaching $99.41 per barrel.

Global News

China Responds to Trump’s Planned Visit to China

On March 12, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun held a routine press conference. A reporter asked about U.S. President Trump’s planned visit to China. Guo Jiakun stated: “China and the U.S. maintain communication regarding interactions between their leaders. Regarding the specific question you mentioned, there is currently no information to provide.”

Iran’s Supreme Leader Mourns First Statement Since Taking Office

On March 12, Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei issued his first statement since assuming the position, systematically elaborating on the country’s development direction, regional situation, and responses to external challenges. Mourned Khamenei stated that the Strait of Hormuz should remain closed.

More Oil Tankers Attacked, Iran Warns: Ready for $200 Oil Price at Hormuz and ‘Ford’ Carriers

On the same day the International Energy Agency (IEA) announced the world’s largest crude oil reserve release, Iran issued a warning to the U.S., claiming readiness for $200 per barrel oil prices. Spokesperson for Iran’s Hatam Anbia Central Command emphasized on March 11 that any ships belonging to the U.S., Israel, and their partners, or carrying their oil cargoes, are considered “legitimate targets” for Iran’s armed forces.

IEA Announces Largest Ever Oil Reserve Release—Why Are Oil Prices Rising Instead of Falling?

On Wednesday, IEA member countries agreed to release 400 million barrels of strategic oil reserves, the largest joint release in history. Despite this, oil prices rose nearly 5% that day. Normally, more oil entering the market should lower prices, but traders believe that in the context of Iran conflicts, this emergency reserve release is insufficient to offset the impact of near-stagnant oil flows through the Strait of Hormuz, production disruptions in the Persian Gulf, and crude storage shortages.

U.S. Launches Section 301 Investigation on 16 Trade Partners Including China

On March 11, U.S. Trade Representative Katherine Tai announced that the U.S. will initiate Section 301 investigations on 16 trade partners, including China, the EU, Mexico, Vietnam, India, and Japan. The “301 investigation” originates from Section 301 of the 1974 Trade Act, which authorizes the U.S. Trade Representative to investigate “unreasonable or unfair trade practices” of other countries and recommend unilateral sanctions to the President after the investigation.

Middle East Conflict Intensifies Inflation Risks! Goldman Sachs Delays Fed Rate Cut Expectations, Next Move Likely in September

Goldman Sachs has postponed its expectations for a Fed rate cut, now predicting reductions of 25 basis points in September and December, citing rising inflation risks due to Middle East conflicts. Previously, the bank expected a new rate cut cycle to start in June, with another in September.

AI-Driven Storage Disruption? Industry Executives Say Price Hikes Likely to Continue in Coming Years!

Massive investments in AI have transformed the storage industry, erasing the “cyclical logic.” Over the past year, Micron’s stock surged over 370%, while SanDisk, which went public in February last year, saw its stock increase by more than 1,100%.

Company News

Third-Generation Humanoid Robot Appears in China? Tesla Responds

On March 12, reports claimed Tesla’s third-generation humanoid robot, Optimus, was showcased at AWE 2026 (China’s Appliance & Consumer Electronics Expo 2026). At the event, a Tesla representative confirmed the displayed model was a second-generation robot; the third generation has not yet been officially released.

Apple’s Most Expensive Phone Coming: iPhone Fold Top Model May Break 20,000 Yuan

On March 12, Orange News reported that Apple’s first foldable iPhone, iPhone Fold, will be released in September alongside the iPhone 18 Pro series, making it Apple’s most expensive device. Based on supply chain info, the Chinese version is expected to start at around 14,000–15,000 yuan, with the top-tier model possibly exceeding 20,000 yuan. Currently, the iPhone 17 Pro Max is priced from 9,999 yuan, with the 2TB storage version starting at 17,999 yuan, making it Apple’s most expensive iPhone to date.

NVIDIA to Invest $26 Billion in AI Large Models, Transitioning from Chip Maker to Full-Stack AI Research Lab

On March 12, according to NVIDIA’s financial filings with the SEC, the company plans to invest a total of $26 billion (about 178.8 billion RMB) over the next five years to develop open-source AI large models. This exceeds the $3 billion spent on training GPT-4 by OpenAI. NVIDIA is officially shifting from a “chip manufacturer” to a “full-stack top-tier AI research lab.”

Amazon Wins First Round: AI Agents Start Shopping for Users—Do They Need Platform Permission?

The “sovereignty” battle between AI agents and internet platforms has seen a breakthrough. On March 9, a U.S. federal court in California approved an injunction preventing Perplexity’s AI agent from accessing Amazon’s website. The dispute centers on Perplexity’s CometAI browser, a typical AI agent product: users give commands in a web chat, and the AI automatically performs tasks like writing emails, booking flights, and shopping on e-commerce platforms.

Trillion-Dollar Giant ‘Collapsed’: Honda Projects Operating Loss of 270–570 Billion Yen for the Year

On March 12, Honda announced that its fiscal year 2025 (April 1, 2025 – March 31, 2026) will see significant losses. Operating loss is expected to be between 270 and 570 billion yen, down from an earlier forecast of 550 billion yen profit; net loss is projected at 420–690 billion yen, compared to a previous profit estimate of 300 billion yen.

Global First: Lobster Phone Sold Out Instantly! OpenClaw Founder Wants to Co-Develop Lobster with Baidu

On March 12, Baidu launched the world’s first mobile lobster app—“Red Finger Operator.” Users can download the app to “raise lobsters” on their phones. The launch quickly caused a download frenzy, with backend system resource shortages. Baidu Cloud responded that they are rapidly scaling up resources to ensure user experience.