Asian Shares Ease Amid Japan-China Tensions; AI Optimism Boosts US Stocks

• Asian shares rally paused; Japan's Nikkei 225 declined 0.4% amid rising China tensions.
• China imposed immediate export controls on over 800 dual-use items to Japan, escalating geopolitical friction.
• US stocks, including S&P 500, hit new highs, driven by AI optimism and Federal Reserve easing expectations.
• Oil prices fell after President Trump's announcement regarding Venezuela's crude supply to the US.
• Investor focus shifts to economic data and US Services PMI, bolstering rate cut hopes.

Why It Matters: Global markets show mixed trends with Asian shares easing due to geopolitical tensions, while US stocks gain from AI and rate cut hopes.