Hello everyone,

It's our second day broadcasting live from the London studio and it's been very exciting so far.

The studio is smaller, so I can't take those long strides when I walk around from camera to camera, but overall, the amazing technical crew here has managed to replicate the I-Desk feel on camera with about a third of the space we have an Atlanta.

Onto what we have planned for the show today.

We will kick things off with the maiden flight of the Boeing 787 Dreamliner. Several times delayed, at one point an embarrassment for the American planemaker, today is a crucial PR move for the Seattle-based company.

It needs to show the world that its jumbo aircraft will be a big seller and a big revenue maker. We will cover the maiden flight live.

Also today, the announced British Airways Christmas period strike. If you are currently holding a BA ticket or plan to fly through London after December 22nd, then you'll want to tune in.

Plus, the latest on violence in Pakistan with more deadly bombings today. We also have an interview with the head of U.S. Central Command, General David Petraeus. CNN correspondent Arwa Damon asked Petraeus about the challenges in Afghanistan and Pakistan in America's new regional strategy and we'll feature a portion of her interview.

We are also live in Copenhagen where delegates are trying to come to an agreement that will allow world leaders to unveil a UN pact to fight climate change.

And, on a lighter note, we have the list of nominees for next year's Golden Globes. George Clooney's "Up In The Air" is one of the most nominated movies. We are live in Los Angeles with a report.

Plus all the rest of the day's developing news stories, as always.

See you at the London IDesk!

Hala

After a month of relative calm in Iraq, a devastating string of coordinated suicide bombings has killed more than 100 people in Baghdad. Once again, insurgents (the government is blaming Al Qaeda linked terrorists) struck near official buildings in various neighborhoods.

This shows a degree of coordination and planning that must worry Iraqi leaders and the United States, a few months before national elections.

We are live in Baghdad.

Fresh attacks in Pakistan as well, blamed again on Taliban militants. Recent bombings in Pakistan have killed hundreds in just the last few weeks. There as well, the aim is to destabilize the country's leadership and send a message that security forces cannot keep the population safe. We will bring you the latest.

We will take you live to Afghanistan and Capitol Hill, where U.S. officials are discussing and defending President Obama Afghanistan strategy. First, the U.S. defense secretary made a surprise visit to Kabul and met with Afghan President Hamid Karzai. Then, the commander of international forces in Afghanistan, General Stanley McChrystal, is testifying on Capitol Hill. We will tell you what the man who asked for a troop surge in Afghanistan is telling lawmakers today.

And, the latest on what is turning out to be a rather sad story for Tiger Woods' family. Amid rumors of chronic infidelity and broken vows, we are learning that Woods' mother-in-law was rushed to the hospital today. We will bring you the latest on that story.

Plus a live report from Copenhagen where there is some optimism that a move in the United States might help broker a deal at the climate summit.

See you at the IDesk!

Hala

The Al Qaeda linked group Al Shabbab, at war with a virtually powerless Somali government, has dealt it worst blow to the country's leadership: a suicide bomber killed sixteen people including three acting ministers at a university graduation ceremony.

We are live in East Africa with the latest on this attack and its implications for the impoverished and lawless country.

Also today, we will take you live to Pakistan for a look at the Pakistani Prime Minister's visit to the United Kingdom. Youssef Raza Gilani is talking about President Obama's strategy for Afghanistan. The United States knows it must rely heavily on Pakistan to combat Taliban and Al Qaeda elements in tribal regions, but Pakistan seems to have a few reservations with America's plan. We will go over them.

We are live in Brussels for a look ahead at the NATO meeting. America wants NATO allies to contribute at least 10,000 troops but it looks like the U.S.'s allies won't come anywhere near that number. Is the U.S. disappointed? John Roberts will join us at the IDesk from Belgium.

Plus, more fallout from the Tiger Woods scandal, a look at the Bhopal disaster anniversary and the latest business and weather news.

See you at the IDesk!

Hala

(Photo: Mohamed Dahir/AFP/Getty Images)

Today, we will cover all angles of the expected announcement that the U.S. will send 30,000 additional troops to Afghanistan and that President Barack Obama reportedly wants the war over in three years.

We are live at the White House, with the political implications of increasing troop levels in an war that is becoming more and more unpopular in the United States.

We are also live in Afghanistan with reports from the battle zone as well as the latest on Afghan President Hamid Karzai and President Barack Obama's pre-speech phone call.

Then, we will analyze the expected military reinforcement: where will the troops deploy, will the new plan work and what is the timeline for an eventual exit strategy? We will speak with former General David Petraeus advisor and Iraq surge supporter retired U.S. Army Colonel Peter Mansoor.

Also today, we will bring you coverage of Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's speech, which we are expecting in the 6pm CET hour. He postponed his address yesterday and this will be the first time we hear from the leader since Tehran announced that it wanted to build ten new nuclear plants.

Then, we are live on Wall Street where investors seem to have completely forgotten about Dubai's debt crisis, as much of the world has. We'll tell you what else is moving markets.

And the top news from Latin America, where ousted President Manuel Zelaya's future might be decided tomorrow. We will explain why.

Plus all the the other main developing news stories.

See you at the IDesk!

Hala

Hello everyone,

Over the week-end, Iran said it would start construction on ten new nuclear plants, incensing Western powers who wanted Iran to stop enriching uranium altogether.

Tehran reacted angrily over the weekend to a U.N. watchdog agency resolution condemning its nuclear program and threatening harsher sanctions.

Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad will speak today. We will go live to Tehran for more on what the Iranian leader says and what message he wants to send to the West this time.

Also today, we will bring you the latest on the aftermath of Dubai's financial crisis. Gulf markets had their first opportunity to react to the news that Dubai is asking to delay its massive debt repayments.

We will then go to Germany for a live report on the John Demjanjuk Nazi war crimes trial.

And we are live in Florida for the latest on the Tiger Woods car crash that has sparked so much speculation around the world. Tabloid rumors and public curiosity has turned this story into a global talking point. We cover all the angles.

And, here's hoping technology cooperates, because we are planning to be live in the Himalayas for more on the impact of global warming on glaciers in that part of the world, as we approach next month's climate change conference in Copenhagen.

And all the day's other top developing stories, as always.

See you at the IDesk!

Hala

News that Dubai, the super rich, super ambitious, 24-hour a day bundle of economic energy is now asking its creditors for loan repayment mercy is sending mini shockwaves around the world.

About half of the money Dubai has borrowed to expand at breakneck speed was lent by European and U.S. banks that, just last year, were themselves on the verge of collapse.

If the world needed a wake-up call that the world economy is not out of the woods yet, this would be it.

Stock prices took a big hit yesterday and today, the dollar is up – all signs that investors are concerned with what is happening in the tiny emirate.

Will this force Dubai to rely on its more conservative and financially stable neighbor, Abu Dhabi? How will this impact Dubai as a financial center for the region?

We are covering all angles at the IDesk and don't forget to vote in our poll below.

Also among our lead stories, we will take you to Germany and to Kandahar for more on the continuing fallout from a September airstirke in Afghanistan.

Now a government minister has resigned over allegations that a German commander ordered a hit on fuel tankers, knowing that civilians may have been at risk.

PLus, we have all the latest developing news stories from around the world, as always, including news from the ATP Men's final.

See you at the IDesk!

Hala

We will start the show today with a live report from Jerusalem on Israeli Prime Ministes Benjamin Netanyahu's proposal to freeze settlement construction for ten months.

The Israeli government has approved a "temporary suspension of construction permits for housing" in the West Bank. But here's the rub: this suspension would exclude East Jerusalem. Palestinian negotiators have said that they will not talk unless the half of Jerusalem they want as their capital is included in any settlement freeze.

Also today, we will have more on the anniversary of the Mumbai attacks. Pakistan is bringing suspects – including the alleged mastermind of the massacre – to justice. We will speak with Kia Scherr, a woman who lost her husband and daughter that day, and who says those found responsible should not be put to death.

Plus, it's raining in Mecca! And that's making for a very soggy first pilgrimage day for the millions gathered in the holy Muslim city. Isha Sesay will join us live.

And we have an interview with Rom Houben, the man the medical community thought was in a vegetative coma for 23 years, but who turned out to be fully conscious the whole time.

All that and the rest of the day's top news, business and weather headlines.

See you at the IDesk!

Hala

Today at the IDesk, Hala Gorani spoke with Vincent Brossel of Reporters Without Borders on politically motivated violence that has reportedly claimed the lives of up to twenty journalists. If this number is confirmed, this would be the largest single mass killing of reporters.

Hello everyone,

As I write this, the Prime Minister of India Manmohan Singh is addressing journalists at the White House, highlighting the importance of his country's economic relationship with America. In the news conference, U.S. President Barack Obama also underlined what bonds the two countries: the United States is India's largest trading partner.

This will be the first "state dinner" of Barack Obama's presidency, the highest honor America can extend to visiting leaders.

But this visit isn't only about business: India is a crucial strategic partner for the United States. Mister Obama wants Prime Minster Singh to know that despite the fact that he is busy with Afghanistan, Pakistan and recently visited China, India is not forgotten.

We will go live to Washington, D.C. for more on the visit.

Then, we will take you live to London for more on the British inquiry now under way on why Britain took part in the 2003 invasion of Iraq. Tony Blair is expected to be one of the star witnesses in the next few months.

Paula Newton will have more on the inquiry panel and on the significance of a public debate on why the U.K. followed the United States into Iraq.

Also today, I will speak with Vincent Brossel of Reporters Without Borders on what could turn out to be the biggest single massacre of journalists. Up to twenty journalists may have been savagely killed in an attack on allies of a local politician in the Southern Philippines, in which almost 50 were killed.

The bloody clan turf war in that part of the country routinely claims lives. We will cover that story form all angles.

We are live in Jerusalem for more on statements by Israeli Prime Minster Benjamin Netanyahu, who's been dampening expectations of a prisoner swap deal with Hamas that could leave to the release of Hamas captive Gilad Shalit.

We are also live on Wall Street, in Islamabad, Madrid and in Mecca.

See you at the IDesk!

Hala

Hello Ideskers!

Today we will start the show with a report from CNN's Nic Robertson on fears that Irish dissidents are re-organizing and planning attcks in Norther Ireland.

Over the week-end, shots were fired at a police garrison in a small town and a 400 pounds bomb was discovered in Belfast near a strategic target.

Should this be a cause for alarm for authorities after more than a decade of peace in Northern Ireland?

I had an interesting viewer comment on this story, asking if the suspects were Pakistani, if the media would call them dissidents. What do you think about the terminology used in mainstream media? Let me know in our comments sections below.

Also today, we will take you to Wall Street. The figure out today from the National Association of Realtors is truly stunning: existing homes sales jumped 10% in October, to their highest level since February 2007.

This – aprt from unemployment, of course – is one of the most crucial indicators in the United States. If the "perceived wealth" of American households goes up, that is, if people feel richer on paper, they are much more likely to spend money and get the economy going again.

There is liquidity in the market, it is just not being lent and not being spent. The challenge is for the economic cycle to starts working again and increase the overall level of spending.

We will ask: is the housing number a blip or is it indicative of an upward trend?

Plus, an amazing story out of Belgium on a man thought to be brain dead and in a vegetative coma, who was awake all along. A doctor tested Rom Houben a few years ago and found that his brain activity was near normal. Houben had been essentially trapped in his own body for 23 years.

This is a case that is sure to rattle the medical community and families whose loved ones are presumed brain dead. We will talk to a top Atlanta neurosurgeon for more on this story.

We will also look at horrific pre-election violence in the Philipppines and whether or not a deal to realease Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit – held in Gaza – may be getting closer.

See you at the IDesk!

Hala