Asian shares hit two-year peak on China property boost

News Snapshot:

Asian shares started the week by rallying two-year highs on Monday, buoyed by China's strongest measures yet to address its property crisis and by expectations for global rate cuts within weeks, while the dollar steadied after a weekly drop. Brent crude futures touched a one-week high of $US84.14 ($A125.64) ($A125.64) a barrel in early trade, with the crash, in heavy fog, of a helicopter carrying Iran's president drawing traders' attention to the Middle East. Gold hovered close to a record high at $US2,423 an ounce. Japan's Nikkei rose 0.9 per cent in early trade. Hang Seng futures pointed to gains...