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

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

session:

- Nikkei 225 up 70.65 points at 21405.22

- ASX 200 down 2.43 points at 6645.7

- JGB 10-Yr future up 25 ticks at 153.89, yield down 1.9bp at -0.156%

- Aussie 10-Yr future up 3 ticks at 98.685, yield down 3.3bp at 1.306%

- US 10-Yr future +0-08 at 128-03+, yield down 2.92bp at 1.994%

- WTI crude up $0.74 at $54.5, Gold up $2.89 at $1362.91

- USD/JPY down 25 pips at Y107.87

* FED READY TO CUT INTEREST RATES IF OUTLOOK WORSENS (MNI)

* TRUMP BELIEVES HE HAS THE AUTHORITY TO REPLACE POWELL AT FED (BBG)

* PEOPLE FAMILIAR: TRUMP NOT PLANNING TO DEMOTE POWELL FOR NOW (BBG)

* CONGRESS-WHITE HOUSE BUDGET, DEBT LIMIT TALKS SPUTTER (RTRS)

* MEXICO BECOMES FIRST COUNTRY TO RATIFY USMCA TRADE DEAL (RTRS)

* NEW ZEALAND Q1 GDP +2.5% Y/Y; MEDIAN +2.3%; Q4 +2.5%