Investors are watching talks about reopening a key waterway that has been largely shut down due to conflict. Oil prices have been falling, which is helping to boost optimism in some countries. A country that imports nearly all its oil saw its main stock index rise by 0.6% in morning trading.

The value of oil continued to drop, with one type losing $2.06 per barrel and another losing $2.31. Some stock markets saw gains, while others saw smaller losses. Further information about the situation and its impact on global markets is available from the source.