UAE presidential adviser said actions targeting Saudi Arabia have damaged the security of the UAE and all Gulf states and called for an urgent restoration of collective Gulf action, particularly on security and defence.

China A-share AI training-data sector extended gains; Xinhua Media hit the daily limit in the opening call, Ciwen Media rose over 9%, and Zhangyue Technology, Huace Film & TV, Shanghai Film, Zhongwen Online and China Kecuan also advanced.

Hang Seng Index +0.17% at midday; Hang Seng Tech -0.55%. Stablecoin-related names led gains: Yunfeng Financial (00376.HK) up >7%, Jinyong Investment (01328.HK) up >3%. Mainland brokerages outperformed: Guotai Haitong (02611.HK) up >3%, China Galaxy (06881.HK) up >2%. Biotech recovery: Fuhong Hanlin (02696.HK) up >4%. Other relative winners included major internet names, power, AI application plays, domestic banks, environmental and logistics stocks. Decliners concentrated in optical communications — Cambridge Technology (06166.HK) down >8%, Huiju Technology (01729.HK) down >5% — alongside weakness in memory, PCB, new-consumer and NEV-related stocks.