MANILA, Philippines (AP) — Asian shares were mostly higher on Thursday after US stocks hit records again following a brief stumble.

Markets in mainland China gained more than 1% as they reopened following a weeklong holiday, while U.S. futures were mixed.

Oil prices fell back, then recovered to trade flat after Israel and Hamas agreed Wednesday to pause fighting in Gaza so that the remaining hostages there can be freed in the coming days in exchange for Palestinian prisoners.

The acceptance of elements of a plan put forward by the Trump administration represents the biggest breakthrough in months in the devastating two-year-old war and reduced risks in the volatile region.

U.S. benchmark crude added 2 cents to $62.57 per barrel as of Thursday afternoon. Brent crude, the internation

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