• Asian markets were mixed in overnight trading, with the Shanghai Composite down 1.32%. European indices are mostly higher, while futures in the U.S. suggest a positive open.

• Initial jobless claims data is released at 8:30 AM ET. Expectations are for 425,000 new claims. Follow the release live at Business Insider >

• Chinese and North Korean officials have met and the two “reached important consensus” on affairs involving security on the Korean Peninsula. The Chairman of the U.S. Joint Chiefs of Staff remains in the region, discussing security affairs with Japan and South Korea. Here are the devastating capabilities of North Korea everyone is frightened of >

• Japanese GDP grew faster than originally reported, rising 1.1% in Q3, rather than the originally projected 0.9%. It is likely growth will slow in Q4, however.

• Chinese demand for automobiles spiked in November, setting a record with a 29.3% increase. Current government incentives for car purchases are now set to expire, so consumers in China are likely rushing these purchases. Check out why China is really just a debt-burdened builder of bridges to nowhere >

• German Chancellor Angela Merkel has responded to sharp criticism from Jean-Claude Juncker, saying talking about a euro bond solution to the crisis isn’t helping things. Juncker suggested the Germany was being “simple” for not considering the option. Here are the next dominos to fall in Europe >

• Attacks on commercial websites that have refused payment to WikiLeaks continue this morning, with the Swedish Government’s website under attack today. Yesterday, both MasterCard and Visa’s websites were attacked. Check out the greatest hits of the hackers that took down MasterCard >

• Bond markets in the U.S. were slammed yesterday, in the biggest Treasury selloff since Lehman Brothers. The municipal bond market was also hit due to fears over the future of the Build America Bond program. Check out this walkthrough of an America one step away from an inflationary nightmare >

• The Treasury and AIG have announced plans to start selling the government’s position in the company. The first such sale will be worth at minimum, $15 billion, and occur in Q1 2011.

• The latest data on U.S. home prices from Zillow shows a $1.7 trillion fall in prices from 2009, to 2010. That’s $700 billion more than the fall from 2008, to 2009. Here’s why Bill Ackman thinks now may be the time to buy a house >

• Bonus: Jessica Simpson will “definitely” have a prenuptial agreement with soon to be husband Eric Johnson.

Read more: http://www.businessinsider.com/10-things-december-9-2010-12#ixzz17cTETUE6

Sex Charges Against Assange May Collapse, As One Accuser Reportedly Stops Cooperating

Joe Weisenthal | Dec. 9, 7:22 AM | 785 | 10

A popular Australian website says Anna Ardin has left Sweden.

Read »

Read more: http://www.businessinsider.com/#ixzz17cSoVEee

The Future Of The US Economy In One Huge Chart

Joe Weisenthal | 557 |

Read more: http://www.businessinsider.com/#ixzz17cHTz9vL

The Fed’s QEII Experiment: A Disaster In The Works?

Read more: http://www.businessinsider.com/#ixzz17cHdffrC

On The Growing Disparity Between The Rich And The Super-Rich

Joe Weisenthal | Dec. 9, 7:09 AM | 39 |

Companies that cater to the very upper crust are doing the best.

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OUTRAGE IN IRELAND As Bailed Out AIB Hands Out $50+ Million In Bonuses

thejournal.ie | Dec. 9, 6:46 AM | 222 | 5

Sound familiar?

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Read more: http://www.businessinsider.com/#ixzz17cHnJYAb

• Special Report: The Chinese consumer awakens

  Reuters – Thu Dec 9, 2:23 am ET

  XIAHE, China (Reuters)- In the Tibetan monastery town of Xiahe, Gyelyanjia is visiting for a festival and taking the opportunity to do some shopping. Full Story »

• Morgan Stanley set to cut bonus payouts: report

  Reuters – Thu Dec 9, 3:02 am ET

  Reuters

  BANGALROE (Reuters) – Morgan Stanley is planning to pay out 10 to 25 percent less bonus this year to its employees, owing to volatile market conditions, the Wall Street Journal said, citing a person familiar with the situation. Full Story »

• Youku.com’s stock surges in first day of trading

  AP – Wed Dec 8, 12:39 pm ET

  NEW YORK – Shares of Youku.com Inc. tripled in their first day of trading on the New York Stock Exchange, putting the Chinese online television company’s initial public offering on a pace to be the biggest first-day gainer of the year. Full Story »

A Little More Perspective On The Bond “Carnage”

Joe Weisenthal | Dec. 9, 6:40 AM | 141 |

They’re still way lower than they were the last time stocks were at this level.

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California’s Deficit Jumps To $28 Billion As Tax Deal Rips Away Vital Income

Gus Lubin | Dec. 9, 6:16 AM | 296 | 2

And did we mention no more BABs?

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Liberal Anger “Turning Into Acceptance” As Tax Bill Looks Likely To Pass

Joe Weisenthal | Dec. 9, 6:04 AM | 119 | 3

But the situation is still fluid.

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Gulf Economists Are Giving Up On The Dollar, Encouraging Move To Gold

Gus Lubin | Dec. 9, 5:51 AM | 468 | 2

Even Dubai is sick of fiat currency.

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Why Equities Can Go Much Higher Despite The Massive Surge

Joe Weisenthal | Dec. 9, 4:34 AM | 318 | 4

Volume is still badly lagging, suggesting more money will come into equities.

Read »

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Finally, We Get Another Piece Of The Jobs Puzzle Today

Joe Weisenthal | Dec. 9, 4:15 AM | 299 | 4

We’ve been desperate since Friday for more information.

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Shanghai Dived Again Last Night, US Futures Giving Up Overnight Gains

Joe Weisenthal | Dec. 9, 4:08 AM | 205 | 1

All eyes on initial claims at 8:30.

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Mark Zuckerberg Agrees To Give Away The Majority Of His Wealth To Charity

Dan Frommer | Dec. 9, 12:35 AM | 2,465 | 8

A very classy move.

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Google Is Activating 300,000 Android Phones A Day — Tough Luck, Doubters

Dan Frommer | Dec. 9, 12:25 AM | 1,023 | 18

Very impressive.

Read »

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Guess who’s suing Facebook…again.

1

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The Markets Are Disobeying The Fed

Sy Harding, StreetSmartPost | Dec. 8, 10:00 PM | 1,429 | 6

Look where the dollar and gold are headed.

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You Know Who Else’s Interest Rates Are Shooting Up?

Joe Weisenthal | Dec. 8, 9:57 PM | 1,247 | 3

At least American bond bulls know they’re not alone.

Read »

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Julian Assange May Have The Files For Every Single Prisoner In Guantanamo

Joe Weisenthal | Dec. 8, 9:36 PM | 5,563 | 25

The next monster bombshell?

Read »

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Will The Fed Tame Inflation Before It’s Too Late?

Daniel Ho, Benzinga | Dec. 8, 9:00 PM | 394 | 6

Bernanke has the tools, but he may not use them.

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Shep Smith: Based On Today’s Fox News Guests Obama May Not Get The Cooperation He Expects

Glynnis MacNicol | Dec. 8, 6:32 PM | 855 | 9

Since 12:52 EST today various Republicans have been on this air saying that they oppose…a lot.

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Glenn Beck: Hey George Soros, Here’s How I’d Create A Dictatorship!

Glynnis MacNicol | Dec. 8, 6:15 PM | 1,267 | 21

It’s a combination of Obama and Soros.  A pipe.  And funny voices.

Read »

Read more: http://www.businessinsider.com/#ixzz17cIGcz3U

• Recession risk without tax deal: Summers

  Reuters – Wed Dec 8, 4:57 pm ET

  WASHINGTON (Reuters) – Failure by the Congress to pass a tax cut deal soon would “materially increase” the risk of the economy stalling and a double dip recession, White House economic adviser Larry Summers said on Wednesday. Full Story »

• Costco’s 1Q profit rises 17 pct as revenue climbs

  AP – Wed Dec 8, 2:04 pm ET

  AP

  PORTLAND, Ore. – Costco Wholesale Corp. said its first-quarter net income rose 17 percent — even faster than revenue — with help from higher gas prices and rising sales of high-profit items. Full Story »

• EU ‘ready to look kindly’ on Greek repayment delay

  AFP – 12 mins ago

  ATHENS (AFP) – EU finance ministers are ready to look favourably on extending the repayment period for Greece’s 110-billion-euro bailout, Economics Affairs Commissioner Olli Rehn said on Thursday. Full Story »

• British house prices dip in November: survey

  AFP – 2 hrs 57 mins ago

  AFP/File

  LONDON (AFP) – British house prices fell 0.1 percent in November from a month earlier, a survey from major home-loans provider Halifax showed on Thursday. Full Story »