The Week Ahead

View an online version of this email here.  All times are London time: Monday Dec 22 2008 The week ahead December 22-28 The European Commission reviews energy competition, gas exporters meet to create an international body, media freedom in Serbia is under scrutiny, Thailand rules on the frozen assets of its former prime minister, Australia hosts a yacht race, retail chain Woolworths begins to wind down and Ban Ki-Moon visits Burma Monday DECEMBER 22 Europe-Brazil summit The second European Union-Brazil summit is due to take place in Rio de Janeiro. Nicolas Sarkozy, French president, will meet Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, Brazil's president, to discuss responses to the global economic crisis, the recent G20 meeting in Washington, climate change and energy. The summit will review developments in the EU-Brazil Strategic Partnership, started in 2007. Bush hospital visit George W. Bush, US president, is due to visit the Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington. Lebanon security talks Beirut is scheduled to host a dialogue between Michel Suleiman, the Lebanese president, representatives from the anti-Syrian parliamentary majority alliance and a Damascus-backed coalition led by Hezbollah. The focus of the talks is to forge a Lebanon defence strategy. UN discusses Congo mission The United Nations Security Council is set to adopt a resolution on the mandate of the UN Mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo, which expires on December 31. Hanukkah celebrated The Jewish Hanukkah festival, known as the Jewish festival of lights, is celebrated. The holiday is observed by the kindling of lights on each of the festival's eight nights. Energy competition report The European Commission is due to report on competition in the British energy market following EDF's takeover of British Energy. The review is likely to approve the deal, but stipulate that EDF auctions off a portion of the electricity it generates. Islamic tourism Karachi is to host the third international Islamic, economic, cultural and tourism forum, set up by the Organisation of the Islamic Conference. The 57 member states are expected to send representatives. Cyprus reunification talks Demetris Christofias, the president of Cyprus, and Mehmet Ali Talat, the leader of the self-proclaimed Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, are scheduled to meet in Nicosia, to continue their UN-sponsored talks on the reunification of the Mediterranean island. The ongoing talks are the most recent substantive efforts to end the country's 34-year division. Abbas to visit Russia Mahmoud Abbas, Palestinian president, is due to visit Dmitriy Medvedev, Russian president, and Vladimir Putin, prime minister, for talks on the status of Middle East peace efforts. Tuesday DECEMBER 23 Economic figures The UK Office for National Statistics is due to release quarterly statistics on economic growth. Figures for the fourth quarter are likely to confirm that Britain is in recession. Gas exporters' forum Ministers from the world's leading gas producers are due to meet in Moscow to finalise the founding charter of the Gas Exporting Countries Forum. Member countries include Egypt, Iran, Libya, Nigeria, Qatar, Russia, the United Arab Eemirates, and Venezuela, and control 73 per cent of the world's gas reserves and 42 per cent of its production. Egypt defamation ruling An Egyptian court is scheduled to rule on the civil lawsuit against Saad Eddin Ibrahim, author and human rights activist charged with "defaming Egypt". Japan national day Offices and businesses in Japan will shut to celebrate Emperor Akihito's birthday, Japan's national day. Wednesday DECEMBER 24 Serbian media report The Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe is scheduled to report on violations of media rights and freedom in Serbia. Jammu and Kashmir vote The final stage of elections in Jammu and Kashmir in India is due to take place after the state's legislative assembly was dissolved and put under direct federal government rule in July. Thursday DECEMBER 25 Christmas addresses Pope Benedict XVI is due to deliver his "Urbi et Orbi" Christmas message in Rome. Queen Elizabeth II is scheduled to make her annual speech to the UK. Corruption ruling Thailand's supreme court is due to announce a decision on former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra's assets, frozen in Thai banks when he has ousted in 2006. The seizure order, if successful, will turn over more than Bt77bn ($2.2bn, €1.6bn, £1.5bn) to public use. Friday DECEMBER 26 Australian yacht race The annual Sydney to Hobart yacht race is scheduled to take place in Australia. In 2007, 82 boats started the 630 nautical mile race. Saturday DECEMBER 27 Woolworths winds down Woolworths, the UK retail chain, is expected to start closing its stores. The 99-year old business went into administration in November. All 807 branches will close, with 27,000 people losing their jobs. The process of closures is to finish on January 5. Africa music celebrated The first Africa Music Awards are due to take place in London. Categories include African Artist of the Year, Best Urban Artist of African Origin, African Male and Female Artists of the Year, and Best African Music Video. Sunday DECEMBER 28 Ban visits Burma Ban Ki-Moon, UN secretary-general, is scheduled to visit Burma (to December 31). Ghana election run-off Ghana is due to hold a run-off vote in its presidential election after no candidate secured a majority in the first round on December 7. preview@ft.com Read more » ABOUT THIS EMAIL You have received this email because you have signed up for this briefing on FT.com Manage subscriptions | Unsubscribe | Change your email address Change whether you receive this email as HTML or plain text | Forward this email to a friend Privacy policy | Advertise | Contact © Copyright The Financial Times Ltd 2008. "FT" and "Financial Times" are trademarks of the Financial Times. The Financial Times Limited, registered in England and Wales number 227590. Registered office: Number One Southwark Bridge, London SE1 9HL. VAT number GB 278 5371 21.