Hong Kong healthcare stocks opened higher: CanSino Biologics (06185.HK) rose over 10%; Deqi Medical-B (06996.HK) gained 5.26%; JOINN Laboratories (06127.HK) climbed nearly 3%.

U.S. Secretary of State Rubio said continued cooperation on security is essential.

South African petrol prices will hit record highs as an oil-price shock from the Iran war feeds into the government’s monthly fuel-price adjustments. Gauteng 95-octane petrol will rise 3.33 rand per litre (about $0.20) to 30.25 rand/litre on Oct. 7, a 12% increase, the Department of Mineral Resources and Energy said in an emailed statement. Wholesale diesel will increase by up to 3.24 rand/litre. The move adds to upward pressure on global fuel prices and will disproportionately affect African households given high reliance on road transport. Fuel-driven price rises have pushed South African CPI to 4.4% since the war began in late February, prompting two rate hikes by the South African Reserve Bank so far this year, and could increase pressure on the bank to tighten further to defend its 3% inflation target.