Asian stock markets rose broadly to reach a new record, led by Chinese technology shares, as investors searched for more attractive valuations compared with the US market. The MSCI Asia Pacific Index gained 1.1 percent, while markets in Hong Kong, Shanghai, and Japan posted notable advances. Elsewhere, silver rallied sharply and gold edged higher, while the dollar weakened and US Treasury yields moved up.

The US government has set a series of strict conditions for Venezuela’s interim leadership, including the expulsion of forces linked to Iran and Cuba, combating drug trafficking, and restricting oil sales to Washington’s rivals. According to Politico, these conditions could affect the lifting of sanctions and the future of Venezuela’s oil industry, and may even limit global supplies of heavy crude. The US has also called for steps toward free elections, although no specific deadlines have been announced, and officials say Washington’s current aim is to assess the new leader’s intentions.