Qatari authorities said an oil tanker caught fire at Al Wakrah port. Civil defence responded and there were no injuries or fatalities.

On Wednesday Japan's Nikkei 225 rose 0.35% after earlier losses; the broader TOPIX gained about 0.24%. Nomura equities strategist Maki Sawada said a multi‑billion‑dollar Verizon‑Corning deal to supply high‑density fiber for AI infrastructure lifted confidence in Fujitsu and other Japanese cable makers, helping semiconductor- and AI-related stocks and adding to the Nikkei's gains. The market was also influenced by a firmer yen as investors priced a higher chance the BOJ could accelerate rate tightening as early as next week's meeting; the yen traded near a seven‑month high. A Sony Financial Group analyst said markets appear to have largely priced in yen appreciation and that, once initial selling pressure eases, flows are likely to turn to buy‑the‑dip.

U.S. Treasury Secretary Bessent said Trump's account currently has 7–8 million registered users.