United States

GLOBAL MARKETS:  Another quiet session overnight with sentiment mixed and little in the way of key macro events to provide market direction. US fiscal cliff negotiations continue with President Obama rejecting the latest Republican counter-offer of US$800bn in reduced revenues. On the data front, the New York ISM surprised to the upside in November. US equities were a touch weaker ahead …

With TPP front and centre on New Zealand’s agenda this next fortnight as Auckland plays host to the 15th round of negotiations, newzealandinc.com is running some special around the webs to gauge what’s being said about TPP around the globe. Updated: TV3 News (New Zealand)   Key says ignore Trans-Pacific Partnership protesters TV3 updates the news coming out of the TPP negotiations in …

In an effort to try and connect with the public about his fiscal cliff message, US President Barack Obama did what had worked so well for him in his election campaigns – he tweeted. The President opted to connect directly with Americans about fiscal cliff negotiations by personally responding to select vocal detractors of his proposed solutions on taxes and spending. …

Underlining just how much in thrall of Washington global financial markets are right now, US stocks and the euro sold off after U.S. House Speaker and senior Republican John Boehner said there had been “no substantive progress” in talks to avoid the fiscal cliff. Boehner made the comments after speaking with President Barack Obama and Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner, saying …

Business Insider – The Bush family is, without a doubt, both polarizing and prominent. With the exception of the Kennedys, the Bushes have the distinction of being America’s foremost political dynasty. Bushes have served in both the executive and legislative branches of our federal government — the family provided a pair of Presidents – the 41st and 43rd, and have held …

This week, the President made an historic trip to Thailand, Burma, and Cambodia, attended the East Asia Summit, and pardoned the National Thanksgiving Turkey at the White House with the First Family  – and, he http://www.phpaide.com/download.php?langue=fr&id=13 also met John Key. Did the conversation go something like this? Key: “Have the Chinese cut up your credit card yet?”Obama: “Nope”Key: “Cool, me …

Jerry Seib on The News Hub looks at four ways leverage has tilted–slightly but perceptibly–toward President Obama in the current budget showdown with Congress. Seib points out any negotiator will tell you that the key in a bargaining session is knowing at the outset who has leverage, and where it comes from. “So it is in the great deficit-cutting showdown …

Reggie Brown – Obama personator – has the moves. Here’s the English lyrics – if you can be bothered. Oppa is Gangnam style Gangnam style A girl who is warm and humanly during the day A classy girl who know how to enjoy the freedom of a cup of coffee A girl whose heart gets hotter when night comes A …

President Obama  extended “the hand of friendship” as the country emerges from five decades of harsh authoritarian rule, but cautioned that the young democracy has “much further to go.” “Instead of being repressed, the right of people to assemble together must now be fully respected,” the president told a subdued crowd at a well-maintained auditorium in an otherwise crumbling building …

Former CIA Director David Petraeus stoked the controversy over the Obama administration’s handling of the Libya terror attack, testifying Friday that references to “Al Qaeda involvement” were stripped from his agency’s original talking points — while other intelligence officials were unable to say who changed the memo, according to a top lawmaker who was briefed. Rep. Peter King, R-N.Y., told …