What's In The News: December 20, 2011 ConocoPhillips (NYSE:COP) Royal Bank of Scotland (NYSE:RBS)

Uploaded by FinancialNewsOnline on Dec 20, 2011

This is what's in the news for Tuesday, December 20, 2011. The Wall Street Journal reports the Supreme Court said arguments over President Obama's health care overhaul will be over three days, beginning on March 26. The Wall Street Journal also reports ConocoPhillips (NYSE:COP) was issued a permit by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers that would allow it to develop the first commercial oil well in the National Petroleum Reserve in Alaska. Reuters reports Richmond Fed President Jeffrey Lacker said the Fed is unlikely to need to ease monetary policy further given the U.S.'s steady if moderate pace of economic growth, and that he expects the economy to expand between 2%-2.5% in 2012. Finally, Reuters also reports Royal Bank of Scotland (NYSE:RBS) is expected to sell a $2.1B property loan portfolio to a fund managed by Blackstone (NYSE:BX) as it moves away from riskier real estate lending.

Palestine - President Mahmoud Abbas, in an interview with euronews, has made clear that he will not be deterred by American opposition

Published on Dec 20, 2011 by Euronews

http://www.euronews.net/ Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas, in an interview with euronews, has made clear that he will not be deterred by American opposition to his moves toward statehood. His strategy is to garner international recognition, in order to force Israel to acquiesce.

Both Israel and the US objected to the admission of Palestine on October 31 to UNESCO. Euronews spoke with Abbas during his recent visit to further his cause in Brussels.

Charles Salamé, euronews: "Mr President, if we could begin with a word about Palestine joining UNESCO."

Afghanistan - British Prime Minister visits soldiers in Kandahar having been diverted from Camp Bastion due to dust storm

Uploaded by BBCNewsHeadlines on Dec 20, 2011

The prime minister has reiterated his personal commitment to doing more to help British soldiers and their families.

David Cameron made the comments during a surprise pre-Christmas trip to troops in Afghanistan.

His plans to visit British troops at their main base at Camp Bastion were abandoned because of a dust storm so his plane was forced to land in Kandahar instead.

The BBC's Carole Walker has been travelling with him.

Britain - Police should be given clear rules about when they can use water cannon and plastic bullets against rioters

Uploaded by BBCNewsHeadlines on Dec 20, 2011

Police should be given clear rules about when they can use water cannon and plastic bullets against rioters, a watchdog has said.

USA - Newt Gingrich has lost his lead in the GOP presidential race

Uploaded by ABCNews on Dec 20, 2011

today's headlines: Newt Gingrich has lost his lead in the GOP presidential race; plus a weather update.

Spain - Mariano Rajoy es investido presidente del Gobierno por el Congreso de los Diputados

Uploaded by rtve on Dec 20, 2011

http://www.rtve.es/noticias/debate-investidura-rajoy/
Con 187 votos a favor, Mariano Rajoy ha sido investido como sexto presidente de la Democracia. Así ha sido el momento en el que el Congreso le investía. Todos los vídeos sobre la investidura: http://www.rtve.es/noticias/debate-investidura-rajoy/

TheXFactorUSA 2011 Simon Cowell Answers About Next Season

Uploaded by TheXFactorUSA on Dec 20, 2011

A clip from THE X FACTOR press conference this afternoon with our Top 3 finalists and judges.

Dexia private bank sold to Qatar (90 percent) and Luxembourg for less than analysts had estimated.

Published on Dec 20, 2011 by Euronews

http://www.euronews.net/ Qatar's royal family is to buy 90 percent of bailed-out Dexia's private banking arm as the Franco-Belgian group is broken up.

The rest will be purchased by the Luxembourg government.

The price for Banque Internationale Luxembourg (BIL) is 730 million euros, less than analysts had estimated.

Morgan Stanley estimated the value of BIL at 1.0-1.7 billion euros in October, with reports at the time saying the overall price was likely to be around one billion euros.