RIA reported that over the past 24 hours a Ukrainian attack on Russia's Belgorod region killed 3 people and wounded 16.

Hong Kong shares opened lower and slid into midday; the Hang Seng Index was down 0.39% and the Hang Seng Tech Index down 1.54% at noon. Ports and transport stocks rebounded, with COSCO Shipping Energy (01138.HK) up over 2%. Gold names strengthened, Tongguan Gold (00340.HK) rose over 3%. Nuclear power, mainland property, education, oil, logistics and coal saw early activity. Semiconductor names weakened: 01347.HK fell over 5%, 06809.HK fell over 4%, GigaDevice (03986.HK) fell over 3%. Biotech retreated, WuXi Biologics (02269.HK) dropped over 4%. Lithium battery, optical communications, PCB, power equipment and AI-application sectors also weakened.

ARAMCO CEO said protecting the energy infrastructure and shipping routes the world depends on requires collective international cooperation.