Hong Kong biotech stocks were firmer in early trade. Zai Lab (09688.HK) jumped over 12%, Akeso (09926.HK) rose ~7%, Ascentage Pharma (06855.HK) gained ~5%, Kangnuoya (02162.HK) added ~4%, BeiGene (06160.HK) was up just over 3%, and Rongchang Bio (09995.HK) rose ~3%.

The Palestinian Wall and Settlement Resistance Committee said 674 attacks were carried out in the West Bank between Oct. 1 and Nov. 6 targeting olive pickers and related property, attributing 520 incidents to Israeli settlers and 154 to the Israeli military. The committee said incidents had increased markedly from previous years and urged the international community to act to protect civilians.

NZD rose modestly in early trade after New Zealand’s weekend election left the governing National Party in a favourable position to form a coalition. NZD/USD climbed as much as 0.5% to 0.5569, recovering from a one-plus-year low last week. New Zealand two-year and 10-year government bond yields were broadly unchanged. Jason Wong, senior strategist at BNZ in Wellington, said the result is mildly positive for the NZD and markets currently lean toward a centre-right coalition remaining in power.