Barack Obama

Most of the Asian bourses post annual gains as the year 2012 comes to a close.

Democrats and Republicans still sharply divided over tax hikes.

Markets trade positive on final working day of year, but remain wary of US 'fiscal cliff' talks

Analysts fear panic if no deal is reached on debt ceiling and tax increases.

As Obama exudes some hope, efforts on to find middle ground.

Stocks gain following strong Asian cues but traders look to the US lawmakers for a last-minute 'fiscal cliff' deal.

Barack Obama set to meet congressional leaders at White House as optimism wanes and deadline looms.

Asian markets extend gains as the Yen dropped to a more than two-year low on monetary easing hopes.

US president returns early from Hawaii for emergency talks on how to break deadlock with Republicans.

Aung San Suu Kyi, Pussy Riot, Bashar al-Assad and Francesco Schettino among the 12 people who made the headlines in 2012.

Traders remain wary as US lawmakers struggle to clinch a last-minute deal to avert fiscal crisis.

Traders remain cautious on US budget concerns as lawmakers struggle to settle differences before the deadline.

Alleged use of deadly sarin gas on rebel areas in Homs raise spectre of Syrian regime resorting to chemical weapons.

Petition on White House website hits 25,000 signatures in three days after Morgan attacks 'right to bear arms' amendment.

Celebrities come together in public service announcement about putting end to gun violence.

Anti-gun campaigners pour scorn on National Rifle Association's call for arming schools to combat shootings such as the one in Connecticut.

Powerful gun lobby claims weapon-free schools tell killers they are best place to inflict 'maximum mayhem'.

Adam Lanza's 26 victims in Connecticut school shooting remembered on the first week anniversary.

Massachusetts senator and former Democrat presidential candidate to succeed Hillary Clinton in key role.

Republicans call off a vote on "Plan B" to raise taxes on those earning more than £614,000 due to lack of support.

Obama says words 'need to lead to action' following shooting of 27 people in Newtown, Connecticut.

Stocks edge lower in the opening minutes of trade as renewed concerns on US budget negotiations dampened sentiments.

Asian markets decline as the US fiscal cliff talks appear to hit further roadblocks and traders await Bank of Japan's policy decisions.

The President may be saying all the right things about curbing America's rampant gun culture, but, Gareth Platt believes, he will find actions far trickier than words.

European markets rise firm in the early minutes of trade as concerns on US budget negotiations ease.

National Rifle Association says it is 'shocked, saddened and heartbroken' over massacre.

European stocks gain in early minutes of trade as US fiscal cliff negotiations show progress.

Six-year olds Noah Pozner and Jack Pinto buried in Newtown while pro-gun lawmakers start to rethink.

Asian stocks sway between gains and losses as traders look for signs of progress in the US 'fiscal cliff' talks.

Facebook and Twitter capture heartrending moments of president comforting relatives of 26 victims of Adam Lanza in Newtown, Connecticut.