Letta was formerly the deputy head of the center-left party and served under former party leader Pier Luigi

View the full post at: Stocks Going “Hungary” in Italy

U.S. equity futures traded slightly lower in early pre-market trade following weaker than expected industrial production and inflation data from China.

Industrial production grew 9.9 percent in February from a year ago, less than the forecasted 10.3 percent gain, and CPI inflation grew

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President Barack Obama and President Giorgio Napolitano of Italy address the media at the start of their bilateral meeting in the Oval Office, Feb. 15, 2013. (Official White House Photo by Pete Souza)

But the primary focus of the conversation was on the world economy and President Obama's plan to pursue a U.S.-European Union free trade agreement, which he discussed in his State of the Union address earlier this week.

President Napolitano expressed enthusiasm for the proposed agreement, saying he believes it will represent "a relevant contribution for promoting a new wave of development of technologic advancement of social justice on both shores of the Atlantic. And I think it can represent even something more. It is to say a new historic stage in relations between Europe and the United States -- not only economically, but also from a political and moral point of view." 

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Europe just looked pretty ugly Monday. Beginning in Italy, 10-year government bond yields crept to two-month highs Monday on

U.S. equity futures rose slightly overnight following the release of China's fourth quarter GDP. The National Statistics Bureau reported that fourth quarter GDP rose at an annualized rate of 7.9 percent, better than the 7.8 percent forecast by economists and better than the 7.4 percent

U.S. equity futures were essentially unchanged overnight as fears over the health of the European economy and of growing credit risks in China spooked investors. Markets also await the interest rate decisions from the Bank of England and the European Central Bank Thursday.

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U.S. equity futures were flat in overnight trading ahead of the much anticipated employment report, the last for 2012, as hawkish Fed minutes made investors second guess the so-called QE Infinity program of the Fed. However, as the Fed now has its rate guidance and

Last week at the Human Rights First summit, I described how advancing the human rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) people around the world is central to, not separate from, our comprehensive human rights agenda. With LGBT people facing death, violence, persecution, and discrimination around the world, the stakes could not be higher. Seventy-eight countries have laws that criminalize consensual same-sex acts between adults, resulting in unchecked human rights abuses and exploitation by police, security officials and private citizens. In at least 5 countries, the death penalty can be applied for being gay. Even where being LGBT is not a crime, violence by state and non-state actors alike often goes unpunished and LGBT communities live in fear and isolation.

As President Obama has said, “no one should be harmed because of who they are or who they love”. To ensure a comprehensive U.S. response to these threats, one year ago, President Obama issued the first ever Presidential Memorandum to advance the human rights of LGBT persons, requiring all U.S. agencies engaged abroad to “ensure that U.S. diplomacy and foreign assistance promote and protect the human rights of LGBT persons,” and to report annually on their progress.

We are continuing to lead a government-wide effort to oversee implementation of the Presidential Memorandum and ensure effective coordination across different agencies and offices. Highlights from progress made across the U.S. Government include:

Strengthening U.S. Government capacity:

• Departments and agencies are establishing new coordination mechanisms, strengthening training of key personnel, and raising internal awareness among staff and partners about LGBT issues. Secretary of State Clinton and USAID Administrator Shah have instructed U.S. embassies and USAID missions to meet regularly with the LGBT community in their host countries. The Department of State has also established a taskforce that meets monthly to oversee the implementation of its LGBT strategy, created and distributed a resource toolkit to all embassies, and established a rapid response mechanism to address emerging crises in different countries. USAID has established a new LGBT senior coordinator position and internal task force, developed e-tools including an LGBT resource page and internal listserv, and directed all USAID missions to appoint a focal point to follow LGBT issues.
• The Peace Corps is implementing LGBT training sessions for Volunteers and staff to raise awareness about the unique challenges faced by local LGBT populations as well as LGBT Peace Corps Volunteers in the field. In 2012, the Peace Corps also facilitated a regional workshop to help overseas posts foster a more inclusive and supportive environment for LGBT Volunteers and staff.

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U.S. equity futures slipped in early Thursday trade after the FOMC decided to increase the size of QE3 to $85 billion of monthly purchases, up from $40 billion originally. In addition, the FOMC dropped its target date guidance for interest rates and adopted a threshold-based methodology, where the