China Insurance Association said on July 31 insurers had received 533,000 claims across 20 provinces hit by heavy rain and floods, typhoons and earthquakes, with estimated losses of 11.05 bln yuan and payouts of 5.53 bln yuan to date.

Saudi outlet Alhadath reported Gaza's Administrative National Committee said the next task will be arduous and that rebuilding Gaza requires international commitment.

Early Friday trade South Korea's KOSPI surged as much as 17% to 6,545.15, reversing a three-day slide that had taken the index to its lowest level since April 7. Samsung Electronics rose over 26% and SK Hynix gained more than 29%, each posting record single-day gains; together they account for more than half of KOSPI market capitalization. The move was driven by a fresh global semiconductor rally and amplified by volatile leveraged trading. On Thursday the Philadelphia Semiconductor Index (SOX) climbed about 8%; Micron jumped roughly 18% and Microsoft, after stronger-than-expected results, surged about 15% — its largest daily gain in 18 years. Other Asian tech-heavy markets also rallied: Japan's NIKKEI rose over 5% and Taiwan's Weighted Index gained about 7%.