Vedanta Reports 48% Increase in Alumina Production, Hits Record Aluminum Output in FY2026

[A Large Alumina Refinery in Shandong Adjusts Liquid Caustic Soda Purchase Price] According to SMM, starting from April 18, a large alumina refinery in Shandong adjusted the purchase price of 32% ion membrane liquid alkali, decreasing it by 15 yuan/liquid mt from the previous 655 yuan/liquid mt. The EX-Work price is set at 640 yuan/liquid mt，equivalent to approximately 2,000 yuan/mt(price adjusted on a 100% concentration basis).

In the early hours of April 17, Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps posted a message on social media platforms stating that a Resistance Front commander revealed that a stern and unprecedented warning had been issued to all commercial and military vessels in the Bab el-Mandeb Strait. The warning stated: "Starting from noon tomorrow, anyone intending to pass through the Bab el-Mandeb Strait needs to be more vigilant than ever." The message indicated that the situation in the Bab el-Mandeb Strait is entering a new phase of military tension.

Efforts to expand effective domestic demand in China, with an implementation plan for expanding domestic demand strategy to be formulated from 2026 to 2030 On April 17, the State Council Information Office held a press conference as part of the "Getting Off to a Good Start for the 15th Five-Year Plan" series, announcing that efforts will be made to expand effective domestic demand in China, formulate an implementation plan for expanding domestic demand strategy from 2026 to 2030, and push for the early commencement of construction on qualified major engineering projects.