McCain makes bipartisan pitch as leader for all (AP)

[cnn-photo-caption image=http://i2.cdn.turner.com/cnn/2008/images/12/01/art.marketmeltdown.jpg] Matt Apuzzo Associated Press Writer The Bush administration backed off proposed crackdowns on no-money-down, interest-only mortgages years before the economy collapsed, buckling to pressure from some of the same banks that have now failed. It ignored remarkably prescient warnings that foretold the financial meltdown, according to an Associated Press review of regulatory documents. “Ex... more

Product Reviews Analyst: Mac, iPod discounts lower than expected CNNMoney.com - Nov 28, 2008 NEW YORK (Associated Press) - Black Friday discounts were not as steep as expected on Apple Inc.’s computers and iPods, a sign that the company is confident in strong holiday sales, a Kaufman Bros. Analysts says Apple’s Black... [ Read More ]... more

Seattle Post Intelligencer Global AIDS crisis overblown? Some dare to say so The Associated Press - 2 hours ago LONDON (AP) - As World AIDS Day is marked on Monday, some experts are growing more outspoken in complaining that AIDS is eating up funding at the expense of more pressing health needs. Officials Seek Global Strategy to Combat Epidemic Afro American UN warns against cuts to AIDS prevention programmes Reuters Philippine Star  - AFP  - Voice o... more

New details on the legend’s death. Just in: Paul Newman passed away at his farmhouse near Westport, CT. The Associated Press says he was "surrounded by his family and close friends." The screen legend died Friday at age 83 after battling cancer. Read the full story ... more

New York Times Breakthrough Reached in Negotiations on Bailout New York Times - 2 hours ago Lauren Victoria Burke/AP Speaker Nancy Pelosi, left, Treasury Secretary Henry M. Paulson Jr., center, and Senator Harry Reid, the majority leader, early Sunday. Video: Congress Reaches Tentative Budget Deal AssociatedPress Tentative accord reached on bailing out bankers The Associated Press Voice of America  - WGRZ-TV  - Bloomberg  - Sofia News Agency al... more

Voice of America Egypt tourist kidnappers shot dead Aljazeera.net - 52 minutes ago Sudanese forces have killed six kidnappers who abducted 11 European tourists and eight Egyptian guides in a remote desert in southern Egypt nine days ago, Sudan's presidential advisor has said. Sudan desert gunfight kills 6 accused in abduction The Associated Press Sudanese Army Kills Six Alleged Kidnappers Voice of America AFP  - Bloomberg  - AHN  - CNN all ... more

Apologies for the infrequency of posts over the past couple of weeks. As they say on Facebook, “it’s complicated”. When time allows I will put up some of the news pieces and other contributions from The Times correspondent inside Burma. In the meantime, you can read his newspaper stories in the Asia section of Times Online; or enter “Kenneth Denby” into the search engine. Back soon . . . Read more ... more

I had a quick peek at the excellent new Cranach exhibition at the Royal Academy this week. I didn’t know much about Lucas Cranach the Elder before I went along — except that he was one of those few painters whose work even an amateur like me could spot a mile off. Read more ... more

NEW YORK (Reuters) - Bond insurer Ambac Financial Group Inc (ABK.N: Quote , Profile , Research ) sold $1.5 billion of shares and convertibles on Thursday, a market source said, protecting the company from ratings cuts but not satisfying some analysts who wanted the company to raise more. Read more ... more

JERUSALEM (Reuters) - A Palestinian gunman shot dead at least eight people at a Jewish religious school in Jerusalem, but Israel said the killings would not derail U.S.-sponsored peace talks. Read more ... more