The FINANCIAL -- According to RIA Novosti, Israeli and Palestinian negotiators are expected to meet Monday for a second round of talks aimed at paving the way for a Palestinian statehood deal, a leading Israeli newspaper said on December 24.

The FINANCIAL -- According to RIA Novosti, Armenia is not ruling out extending the Iran-Armenia gas pipeline to Europe, the Armenian energy minister said on December 24.

The FINANCIAL -- According to RIA Novosti, Nepal's government reached a political deal with former rebels to abolish the country's 250-year-old monarchy and establish a democracy after general elections in April 2008, local media said.