We've got a monster news day, so let's get right down to it:

• Botwana's Pula Fund returned 10% in 2011. That’ll be really tough for other SWFs to beat. No doubt a function of asset allocation, but still awesome. Kudos.
• The Russian Direct Investments Fund has made its first investment: $340 million (with EBRD) in Moscow's MICEX-RTS.
• Cambodian officials were in Timor-Leste to learn about the Petroleum Fund. Perhaps the next country to join the SWF club?
• NZSF's Adrian Orr is on a short list of candidates to be the next Reserve Bank Governor. And here’s confirmation by the FT.
• Is Mubadala trying to offload Aldar? Reuters says yes.
• Qatar’s foreign assets could surpass $210 billion in 2012.
• Putin the blogger.
• The Oz Future Fund’s return for 2011 was 1.6%.
• Here’s some interesting info on New Mexico State Investment Council's long-term private equity strategy. And here’s the original disclosure.
• Has anyone else noticed an uptick in Turkey's popularity with SWFs? Stories like this one seem to be popping up every single day...a good sign for Turkey!
• European VC is struggling: "...lowest annual deal count for Europe since VentureSource began." Some thoughts on how to fix the problem.
• Mubadala is almost ready to launch its $2 billion new hospital.
• Qatar Investment Authority is in the final stages of acquiring Credit Suisse's headquarters.
• CPPIB, OTPP and NZSF are all bargain hunting in Europe.