Asian shares pause for US jobs data; oil climbs on Mideast risk

Asian shares were flat on Friday as investors awaited U.S. jobs data that could influence the Federal Reserve's next rate decision, while oil prices rose on renewed Middle East tensions after Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia. Japan's Nikkei fell 0.9%, and Brent crude gained 1% to $83.38 a barrel. Markets are split on whether the Fed will hike rates next month, with a strong payrolls report seen as potentially reinforcing higher-for-longer rates.