Hong Kong-listed gold stocks extended gains: China Gold International (02099.HK) up over 13%, Lingbao Gold (03330.HK) up over 11%, Chifeng Gold (06693.HK) and Zijin Gold International (02259.HK) also higher.

EU foreign policy chief Kallas said today she will propose additional sanctions on entities supporting Russia's military industry in response to Russia's attacks on Ukraine.

US and Iranian negotiators held talks in Doha focused on the Strait of Hormuz, where the US urged Iran to abandon demands to levy transit fees, saying such a move could scupper a more favorable US‑Iran deal. A US Middle East envoy and senior adviser Jared Kushner met Qatar’s prime minister and other Qatari mediators Tuesday and met the emir Wednesday. A US official said Washington told Iran that full sanctions relief would allow Iran to earn roughly 100 times more from unfettered oil and resource sales than it could by charging transit fees.