BREAKINGVIEWS

Don’t count on Royal Bank of Scotland saying goodbye to its insurance arm. The bank has put the business, including the Direct Line brand, up for sale as part of a strategy to raise its core capital ratio above 6. - Lire

Bharti Airtel and MTN are talking about a deal. An $80bn mobile tie-up between the Indian and South African operators looks easy on paper, but an Indian billionaire, a sovereign wealth fund, and the politics of black economic empowerment will make negotiations tricky. - Lire

Morgan Stanley boss John Mack has taken the concept of contrarian investment to a new level. It started early last year when the bank began raising a $6bn private equity fund. - Lire

Citigroup is sending Alberto Verme, its global investment banking co-head, to Dubai from London. The move is a recognition of the increasing significance of the fast-growing Middle East region and the oil money sloshing around there. - Lire

Carphone Warehouse has some explaining to do. The UK telecom operator is selling half of its retail unit to US rival Best Buy for £1. - Lire