Tuesday, December 20, 2011

Russia - Moscow's Domodedovo Airport is reportedly up for sale.

Published on Dec 20, 2011 by
http://www.euronews.net/ Moscow's Domodedovo Airport is reportedly up for sale.

The Interfax news agency said the owners of Russia's biggest airport have hired Goldman Sachs to advise on finding a buyer.

In the past Russian officials have expressed dissatisfaction with the opaque structure of the airport's ownership which is controlled through offshore companies.

Goldman Sachs and a spokesman for the airport wouldn't comment on the report.

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

Uploaded by 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
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 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.