We won't chop up Gazporn:)

Russia' President Vladimir Putin denies EU proposal to unbundle Gazprom's upstream and downstream operations -- exploration and production from transportation and distribution. Article from Yahoo! Finance UK

Commentary: USD driven by rate differentials

Over the past 6 months, the Euro and Pound Sterling have risen steadily in value against the USD. Labor and market reforms are forcing European companies to become more competitive. Hence, the economies of Britain and the EU are finally beginning to show signs of life. While economic fundamentals have certainly contributed to currency appreciation, they must take a back seat to interest rate differentials in any analysis of currency markets. Economists reason that interest rate differentials represent a leading indicator for foreigner’s willingness to continue financing the US current account deficit. That is, if US capital markets can continue to offer foreigners attractive returns, then they will continue to park their savings in the US.
In details from FOREX BLOG