Politics

State Councillor Liu Yandong will visit New Zealand next week as a guest of the Government – the first visit by a senior Communist Party figure since China’s November leadership transition. State Councillor Liu is a senior leader in China’s 2012-2017 hierarchy. Her portfolios include education, science, screen and television, and culture. Science and Innovation Minister Steven Joyce says he will …

Celebrity American political consultant Karl Rove has reportedly been benched by Fox News after an abysmal performance at Election time. Rove was consistently wrong throughout the day in his predictions to the point where it may have cost him his job – for now at least.

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 …

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. …

Opening Ceremony Li Xiangyang, Director General of the National Institute of International Strategy (CASS) welcomed participants and the audience to the event and opened the day’s proceedings. The first keynote speaker was Huang Haotao, Secretary General of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences. Prof Huang focussed on the many achievements over the past 40 years of diplomatic relations and the …

Prime Minister John Key says he was delighted to hear the news that Their Royal Highnesses, The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, are expecting a baby. “This is fabulous news for Prince William and Catherine, and I know the Queen and Prince Phillip will be extremely pleased. “It is an important day in any young couple’s life when a baby is …

Senior  business leaders have signed an open letter to Prime Minister John Key in support of the Trans Pacific Partnership (TPP) negotiations which get underway again in Auckland today.  See – TPP – Open Letter The TPP negotiations have been under attack within New Zealand over their lack of transparency, sovereignty concerns and impact on intellectual property platforms. But the business …

Foreign Minister Murray McCully confirmed  New Zealand will vote in favour of the resolution on the status of Palestine, due to go before the United Nations General Assembly this morning. But McCully says a UN resolution is “a poor substitute for direct negotiations between the two parties”. He says the primary reason for voting in favour of the resolution is …

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 …

In her report on fracking, the Parliamentary Commissioner for the Environment, Jan Wright, suggested tougher rules for oil and gas workers may improve protection for the public and the environment.  Listen here