*** Below gives key levels of markets at...>

SNAPSHOT: *** Below gives key levels of markets at the start of the Asia-Pac

session:

- Nikkei 225 down 141.46 points at 20482.83

- ASX 200 down 8.589 points at 5850.2

- JGB 10-Yr future down 2 ticks at 152.56, yield up 0.3bp at 0.006%

- Aussie 10-Yr future up 1 tick at 97.710, yield down 0.8bp at 2.29%

- U.S. 10-Yr future down 3 ticks at 121.15+, yield down 0bp at 2.7392%

- WTI crude down $0.26 at $52.76, Gold down $0.93 at $1284.30

- USD/JPY up 2 pips at Y109.39

* KUDLOW: STORY NOT TRUE ABOUT CANCELLATION OF PREP MEETING WITH CHINA

* KUDLOW: I LIKE THAT WORD `PATIENCE' FROM THE FED

* TRUMP PREPARING TO FILL VACANT FED SEAT AMID PUSH FOR LOW RATES (BBG)

* DEM FINANCING PLAN TO GO TO U.S. SENATE, NO BUDGING EXP.

* UK CABINET CLASHES OVER MAY STANCE ON NO-DEAL BREXIT (FT)

* NEW ZEALAND Q4 CPI +1.9% Y/Y; MEDIAN +1.8%; Q3 +1.9%