BBC Monitoring International Reports articles from December 2009, page 9

BBC Monitoring International Reports archives from December 2009

Nigerian police arrest thirty suspects over recent violent clashes.
December 30, 2009... Text of report by private Nigerian newspaper The Guardian website on 30 December The Police in Osun and Edo states have arrested and arraigned thirty suspects over violence clashes that led to some deaths. At Osogbo magistrate court, 17...

Tremor shakes northwestern Kenya.
December 30, 2009... Text of report by Barnabas Bii entitled ''Tremor shakes Kenya's North Rift'' published by Kenyan privately-owned newspaper Daily Nation website on 30 December An earth tremor on Wednesday [30 December] shook Kenya's North Rift [Valley...

Serbian Socialists see "symbolic significance" of US prayer breakfast invite.
December 30, 2009... Text of report by Serbian newspaper Danas website on 27 December [Report by "I.P." and "L.V.": "From Black Least to Prayer Breakfast"] Belgrade -- Ivica Dacic, interior minister and chairman of the Socialist Party of Serbia [SPS], will be...

Iraqi PM views Al-Fakkah dispute with Iran, Cairo visit, oil contracts, election.
December 30, 2009... Baghdad Al-Iraqiyah Television in Arabic, government-sponsored television station run by the Iraqi Media Network, at 1909 gmt on 27 December broadcasts on its "Exclusive Interview" programme a recorded 46-minute interview with Iraqi Prime...

Kyrgyz security bodies deny Kazakh reports on involvement in journalist's murder.
December 30, 2009... Text of report by privately-owned Kyrgyz news agency 24.kg website Bishkek, 30 December: The Kyrgyz State National Security Service [NSS] is outraged by reports in the Kazakh media about the involvement of Kyrgyz security forces in the murder...

Kazakh leader receives New Year message from Russian counterpart.
December 30, 2009... Text of report by privately-owned Kazakhstan Today news agency website Almaty, 30 December: Russian President Dmitriy Medvedev has congratulated his Kazakh counterpart, Nursultan Nazarbayev, on the coming New Year, the [Kazakhstan Today] news...

Security of Nigerian airport reportedly not under aviation authority.
December 30, 2009... Text of report by Nigerian newspaper This Day website on 30 December [Report by Chinedu Eze: "Poor Security System Exposes Abuja Airport"] The Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja may be more susceptible to terrorist attack than any...

Iraqi agency reports Al-Anbar governor taken to Baghdad hospital.
December 30, 2009... Text of report in English by privately-owned Aswat al-Iraq news agency website ["Wounded Anbar Governor in Helic Opter To Baghdad" - Aswat al-Iraq] December 30, 2009 -12:03:55, Anbar: Anbar governor was transferred on a military helicopter...

Georgian opposition demands holding elections under UN auspices.
December 30, 2009... Text of report by private Georgian TV station Rustavi-2 [Presenter] All opposition forces have signed an appeal to the United Nations drafted by [the Georgian opposition] Labour Party. All parliamentary and non-parliamentary opposition...

Iran: Rally speaker gives strong warning to "leaders of sedition" to repent.
December 30, 2009... At 1230 gmt, Hojjat ol-Eslam Ahmad Alam-ol-Hoda, the leader's representative and Friday prayer leader of Mashhad, addressed a pro-government rally in Tehran today. The Iranian TV's News Network (IRINN) broadcast live footage of the rally held in...

Diyala blast kills six in Iraq.
December 30, 2009... Text of report in English by privately-owned Aswat al-Iraq news agency website ["IED Kills 6, Wounds 10 in Diala" - Aswat al-Iraq] December 30, 2009 -12:35:37 DIALA / Aswat al-Iraq: At least six people were killed and ten others were...

Hunger-striking Islamist detainees in Morocco face death, rights groups warn.
December 30, 2009... Human rights groups in Morocco have warned that 29 Salafist jihadist detainees, who have gone on a hunger strike to demand better conditions, may die and described the treatment by prison authority as a grave violation of human rights,...

Bodies of Saudi tourists killed in Niger arrive home.
December 30, 2009... Text of report in English by Saudi newspaper Arab News website on 30 December [Report by Md Rasooldeen from Riyadh: "Bodies Arrive From Niger"] On the instruction of Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah, two Saudis who were...

Nigerian Navy, suspected Ex-Bakassi fighters clash in Cross River State.
December 30, 2009... Text of report by private Nigerian newspaper The Guardian website on 30 December [Report by Anietie Akpan: "Three Feared Killed in Ex-Bakassi Fighters, Navy Clash"] Three persons were feared killed as members suspected to be former members...

Jordan cuts tax on profits to stimulate investment.
December 30, 2009... Text of report in English by privately-owned Jordan Times website on 30 December ["Gov't Changes Laws To 'Encourage Investment, Stimulate Economy'" - Jordan Times Headline] 30 December 2009 By Khalid Neimat AMMAN -Arab and foreign...

Nigerian Attorney-General says Yar'Adua not to resign from office.
December 30, 2009... Text of report by Nigerian newspaper Vanguard website on 30 December [Report by Ise-Oluwa Ige: "Jonathan Can't Act Now, Aondoakaa Tells Court"] The Attorney-General of the Federation [AGF], Chief Michael Kaase Aondoakaa (SAN [Senior...

Algeria killed 289 "terrorists" in 2009.
December 30, 2009... Excerpt from report by Atif Kedadra headlined "289 ["terrorists"] killed during 2009, among them 12 emirs. Kidnapping prevails over terrorist activities; restructuring of regions, and solidarity among repentants", published by privately-owned...

Djibouti terms UN resolution on Eritrea as "diplomatic victory".
December 30, 2009... Excerpt from report by state-owned Djibouti news agency ADI website President Ismail Omar Guelleh today chaired the last session of the Council of Ministers in 2009, which was mainly devoted to Security Council resolution 1907 which condemned...

Paper questions Afghan government's motive behind negotiations with Taleban.
December 30, 2009... Text of report entitled "The government and the Taleban are not the main decision makers" published by independent Afghan newspaper Hasht-e Sobh on 28 December President Hamed Karzai has once again called on the Taleban to desist from...

India "closely" monitoring Chinese arms sales to Pakistan - minister.
December 30, 2009... Text of report by Indian news agency PTI New Delhi: The government is "closely" monitoring the sale of arms to Pakistan by China, External Affairs Minister S M Krishna said on Wednesday [30 December]. Along with the statement, also came...

Iran rally ends, demonstrators says ties with UK should be revised.
December 30, 2009... At 1307 gmt, Hojjat ol-Eslam Ahmad Alam-ol-Hoda ended his address to the pro-government rally in Tehran. Live footage of the rally was broadcast by Iranian News Network (IRINN). The rally was called by conservative organizations in protest...

Syrian editorial criticizes Arab moves that support Israel.
December 30, 2009... Text of report by Syrian government-owned newspaper Al-Thawrah website on 30 December [Editorial by Chief Editor As'ad Abbud: "Where Israel Is"] Wherever there is Israel there is siege: This terrorist entity cannot lead a normal and...

Russia's interest in French military ship shows new trend - expert.
December 30, 2009... Excerpt from report in English by corporate-owned Russian military news agency Interfax-AVN website Moscow, 30 December: The helicopter carrier Mistral, which Russia could purchase from France, is interesting primarily thanks to its...

Israel completes initial inspections for settlement freeze, protests continue.
December 30, 2009... Excerpt from report in English by privately-owned Israeli daily The Jerusalem Post website on 30 December [Report by Ya'aqov Katz and Jacov Kanter: "Civil Administration Completes First Round of Settlement Inspections"] The Civil...

Lies "cornerstone of Russian diplomacy, state" - Georgian foreign minister.
December 30, 2009... Georgian Foreign Minister Grigol Vashadze has said that "lies are the cornerstone of Russian diplomacy and state". Vashadze made comments to the Georgian Channel One TV on the recent statement by the Russian Foreign Ministry official...

Pakistan TV show discusses Karachi suicide attack.
December 30, 2009... Karachi Dawn News television in English at 1600 gmt on 28 December relays live regularly scheduled "Newseye" program. Dawn News anchor Saima Mohsin discusses and analyzes major developments of the day with government ministers, officials,...

Croatia: poll shows presidential front-runner has 52.5 per cent support.
December 30, 2009... Text of report by Bosnian edition of Croatian daily Vecernji list, on 30 December [Report by A.Be./VLM: "Poll: Josipovic Convincingly Ahead of Bandic"] The TotusOpinionmetar agency has announced the results of its first poll on the rating...

Ugandan LRA rebel commander reportedly surrenders to army.
December 30, 2009... Text of report by Richard Adrama and Henry Mukasa headlined "Notorious LRA rebel surrenders" published by state-owned, mass-circulation Ugandan daily The New Vision website on 30 December Another LRA [Lord's Resistance Army] rebel commander...

Syrian signs agricultural development agreement with UN body.
December 30, 2009... Text of report in English by state-run Syrian news agency SANA website ["Ministry of Agriculture, Fao Sign Agreement on Developing Sahl Al-Ghab Area With a Value of Usd 1.7 Million" - SANA Headline] Dec 30, 2009 Damascus, (SANA) -The...

Burmese democracy party figure "cautiously welcomes" UN rights resolution.
December 30, 2009... Text of report in English by New Delhi-based Burmese opposition Mizzima News Agency [Report by Salai Pi Pi: "Opposition lauds UN resolution on Burma"] New Delhi (Mizzima) -A senior Burmese opposition leader today cautiously welcomed the...

Ukrainian website questions opposition leader's real estate deals.
December 30, 2009... Opposition presidential candidate and Party of Regions leader Viktor Yanukovych privatized a flat in an unfinished luxury housing block in central Kiev for a nominal sum six years ago and subsequently exchanged it for another property that was...

Kingdom "will not allow anybody to violate its sovereignty" - Saudi crown prince.
December 30, 2009... Text of report in English by Saudi newspaper Arab News website on 30 December [Unattributed report from Riyadh: "Families of Dead Soldiers Will Get Support: Sultan"] Saudi Arabia will not allow anybody to violate its sovereignty, declared...

Syrian Ba'th party reiterates support for Yemen's security, stability.
December 30, 2009... Text of report in English by state-run Yemeni news agency Saba website Sana'a, Dec. 30 (Saba) - Assistant Secretary General of Syrian Ba'th Arab Socialist Party Abdullah al-Ahmar has confirmed Syria's keenness to support the stability and...

EU envoy denies funding for Israeli NGOs represents political "meddling".
December 30, 2009... Text of report in English by privately-owned Israeli daily The Jerusalem Post website on 30 December [Report by Herb Keinon: "'EU Funding Israeli NGOs Isn't Meddling'"] The EU's funding of NGOs in Israel does not constitute meddling in...

Moldovan immigration ring leader sentenced in Portugal.
December 30, 2009... Text of report by Portuguese newspaper Diario de Noticias website on 30 December The head of an illegal immigration group, a 40-year-old Moldovan living in Lagos [Algarve] has been sentenced to eight years in prison. The group falsified...

Russian company developing medium-haul drone for Defence Ministry.
December 30, 2009... Text of report in English by corporate-owned Russian military news agency Interfax-AVN website Moscow, 30 December: Russia's Tupolev company is engaged in a project aimed at developing a system with a medium-haul unmanned aerial vehicle, a...

Togolese leader confers with old soldiers.
December 30, 2009... Text of report by Togolese government website republicoftogo.com on 29 December The old soldiers and veterans expressed their support for President Faure Gnassingbe during a meeting on Tuesday [29 December] in Lome. According to Commander...

Iran confirms Dubai TV correspondent arrested - UAE media outlet chief.
December 30, 2009... Text of report in English by Dubai newspaper Gulf News website on 30 December [Report by Abbas Al Lawati: " Dubai TV correspondent 'could be freed' if no rules were broken: Iran "] [Gulf News caption: Reza Al Basha went missing in Tehran...

Georgia blames Russia for violation of "established order" over charter flights.
December 30, 2009... Text of report by Georgian Ministry of Foreign Affairs website Text of report by Georgian Ministry of Foreign Affairs website on 29 December headlined "Comment of the Press and Information Department of the Ministry for Foreign Affairs of...

Saudi officials reported fleeing country as arrests over floods continue.
December 30, 2009... Text of report in English by Saudi newspaper Saudi Gazette website on 30 December [Report by Muhamad Al-Daqee from Jedda: "Officials Fearful, Some Flee as Cops Close in on Flood-Accused"] Who is next? This is the question on everyone's...

Nigerian government declares mass retrenchment of bank staff "Illegal".
December 30, 2009... Text of report by Nigerian newspaper This Day website on 30 December [Report by Damilola Oyedele: "Banks: Mass Retrenchment Illegal, Says FG"] Federal Government yesterday in Abuja declared that the mass retrenchment of staff by management...

US broadcast regulator condemns jamming of broadcasts to Iran.
December 30, 2009... Text of report by US Broadcasting Board of Governors (BBG) website on 29 December The Broadcasting Board of Governors condemns the latest efforts of the Iranian Government and its associates to interfere and censor the free flow of objective...

Suspect in murder of Russian lawyer retracts confession given "under pressure".
December 30, 2009... Excerpt from report by privately-owned Russian television channel Ren TV on 29 December [Presenter] News from one of the main legal proceedings of the departing year. Nikita Tikhonov, accused of the murder of lawyer Stanislav Markelov and...

Pakistan's Gillani says will remove limit on third-time premiership.
December 30, 2009... Text of report by official news agency Associated Press of Pakistan (APP) Gwadar, 30 December: Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gillani on Wednesday [30 December] reiterated resolve to restore the 1973 constitution in its original form and...

Government to help revive Japan airlines.
December 30, 2009... Text of report in English by Japan's largest news agency Kyodo Tokyo, Dec. 30 Kyodo - The government is making arrangements for an increase in a credit line set by the state-owned Development Bank of Japan for Japan Airlines Corp. as part of...

Indonesian ex-president Wahid dies.
December 30, 2009... Text of report in English by influential Indonesian newspaper The Jakarta Post English-language website on 30 December Jakarta: Former Indonesian president Abdurrahman Wahid, popularly known as Gus Dur , died Wednesday at Cipto Mangunkusumo...

Chechen president's press-secretary notes decrease in terrorist threat in 2009.
December 30, 2009... Text of report by Gazprom-owned, editorially independent Russian news agency Ekho Moskvy Groznyy, 30 December: On the whole, the terrorist threat in Chechnya has diminished, the Chechen presidential press-secretary, Alvi Kerimov, said on air...

Macedonian minister announces physiological tests for future judges.
December 30, 2009... Text of report in English by Macedonian state news agency MIA ["Future Judges To Undergo Physiological Testing" - MIA headline] Skopje, 30 December - Judges prior to employment will have to pass physiological tests, which amongst other...

Uzbek officers detain suspected Tajik drug smugglers.
December 30, 2009... The Uzbek National Security Service (NSS) has detained a group of people on suspicion of trying to smuggle over 6 kg of heroin to Russia via Uzbekistan, Uzbek TV's "Tezkor Xabarlar" news programme said on 30 December. "The Uzbek NSS has...

Montenegrin education minister resigns.
December 30, 2009... Text of report by Montenegrin Mina news agency Podgorica: Education and Science Minister Streten Skuletic today resigned from his post. He said at a news conference that the environment and sufficient critical mass for the appropriate...

China starts to build petroleum reserve base in northwest.
December 30, 2009... Text of report in English by official Chinese news agency Xinhua (New China News Agency) LANZHOU, Dec. 30 (Xinhua) - China has launched the construction of a national petroleum reserve base in northwest China's Gansu Province. The reserve...

Four oil, gas fields of Chinese oil company start production.
December 30, 2009... Text of report in English by official Chinese news agency Xinhua (New China News Agency) BEIJING, Dec. 30 (Xinhua) - China National Offshore Oil Company Limited (CNOOC Ltd.) announced Wednesday that its four oil and gas fields in east China's...

Thirty years of Sino-Ecuadorian diplomatic ties marked in Beijing.
December 30, 2009... Text of report in English by official Chinese news agency Xinhua (New China News Agency) BEIJING, Dec. 30 (Xinhua) - Chinese friendship associations held a banquet here Wednesday to celebrate the 30th anniversary of diplomatic ties between...

Bahraini NGO urges reinstating imam suspended over condemning Egypt's Gaza wall.
December 30, 2009... Text of report in English by Dubai newspaper Gulf News website on 29 December [Report by Habib Toumi: "Call to Reinstate Imam who Criticised Egypt's Steel Fence."] A Bahraini pro-Palestine NGO has called for the reinstatement of an imam...

Pakistan cabinet announces 11.9m dollar compensation for Karachi affected.
December 30, 2009... Text of report by official news agency Associated Press of Pakistan (APP) Gwadar, 30 December: The federal cabinet on Wednesday [30 December] approved the Gwadar Port Authority Bill and announced 1bn rupees [11.9m dollars] as initial...

Nine satellites join Russia's orbital group in 2009 - Federal Space Agency.
December 30, 2009... Text of report in English by corporate-owned Russian military news agency Interfax-AVN website Moscow, 30 December: Russia now has an orbital group that includes 63 socio-economic, scientific and dual-purpose satellites, head of the Federal...

Detained PFLP leader calls for Palestinian reconciliation in 2010.
December 30, 2009... Text of report in English by independent, non-governmental Palestinian Ma'an News Agency website ["Sa'dat Urges Unity in Message From Prison" - Ma'an headline] Bethlehem -Maan -Palestinians can restore national unity in 2010, the...

Kazakh, Israeli leaders talk cooperation over phone.
December 30, 2009... Text of report by privately-owned Kazakhstan Today news agency website Astana, 30 December: At the initiative of the Israeli side, a phone conversation was held today between the presidents of Kazakhstan and Israel, Nursultan Nazarbayev and...

Al-Iraqiyah talk show discusses parliament's failure to endorse parties law.
December 30, 2009... Baghdad Al-Iraqiyah Television in Arabic at 1817 gmt on 23 December carries live a new 48-minute episode of its "Al-Iraqiyah and the Event" programme, presented by Ala al-Hattab. This episode discusses the failure to endorse the Iraqi Parties...

Russian Federal Space Agency optimistic about space tourism, urges safety.
December 30, 2009... Excerpt from report in English by corporate-owned Russian military news agency Interfax-AVN website Moscow, 30 December: Further measures should be taken to assess the safety of sub-orbital flights, head of the Russian Federal Space Agency...

China denies link with China International Fund Ltd operating in Zimbabwe.
December 30, 2009... Text of report in English by official Chinese news agency Xinhua (New China News Agency) HARARE, Dec. 30 (Xinhua) - The Chinese embassy in Harare on Wednesday issued a statement saying that the Chinese government has nothing to do with the...

British hostage released in Baghdad,.
December 30, 2009... "British hostage Peter Moore has been handed to British authorities in Baghdad," Al-Arabiya TV said on 1416 gmt. Source: Al-Arabiya TV, Dubai, in Arabic 1416 gmt 30 Dec 09 BBC Monitoring

Montenegrin Serb body slams minister over threat to abolish minority status.
December 30, 2009... Text of report by Mi.B. entitled "Dinosa angry because there is 32 per cent of us", posted on Montenegrin newspaper Vijesti website on 25 December Podgorica - It seems [Montenegrin] Human and Minority Rights Minister Ferhat Dinosa [Dinosha in...

Taiwan honours technicians on 50th anniversary of aid missions.
December 30, 2009... Text of report in English by Taiwanese Central News Agency website [By Alex Jiang] Taipei, Dec. 30 (CNA) - Foreign Minister Timothy C. T. Yang honoured the diplomatic contributions of the country's aid technicians Wednesday, as the country...

Russia, China developing satellite for Shanghai Cooperation Organization.
December 30, 2009... Excerpt from report in English by corporate-owned Russian military news agency Interfax-AVN website Moscow, 30 December: Russia is participating in a series of projects aimed at promoting international cooperation in space exploration...

Turkey not to "push" for mediator role in Israel-Syria talks.
December 30, 2009... Text of report in English by Turkish semi-official news agency Anatolia Ankara: A spokesman with the Turkish Foreign Ministry has said Turkey claimed no insistence to resume mediating indirect peace talks between Israel and Syria. "We are...

Kazakhstan to increase uranium production in 2010.
December 30, 2009... Excerpt from report by corporate-owned Russian news agency Interfax Astana, 30 December: The [Kazakh] national atomic company Kazatomprom has implemented its annual plan of uranium extraction for 2009, the company's press service has said. ...

OSCE denies Moldova seized passports from Dniester residents.
December 30, 2009... Excerpt from report by Moldovan news agency Infotag Chisinau, 30 December: No Russian or Ukrainian passports were confiscated when Moldovan bodies were taking legal actions against Dniester residents having no residence permit in Moldova, the...

Somali Islamists threaten to attack Puntland, Somaliland.
December 30, 2009... Text of report by Somali independent Radio Gaalkacyo on 30 December Reports reaching us from Bakool Region in southwestern Somalia say that Al-Shabab official has threatened to capture Puntland and Somaliland. The head of Al-Shabab in Bay...

Security forces clash with Al-Qa'idah group in western Yemen- Al-Arabiya TV.
December 30, 2009... At 1420 gmt, Al-Arabiya TV carried the following "urgent" news screen caption: "Gun battles have broken out between security forces and a group from Al-Qa'idah in Al-Hadidah governorate in western Yemen." Source: Al-Arabiya TV, Dubai, in...

Russian space agency has plan to prevent asteroid collision with Earth.
December 30, 2009... Excerpt from report in English by corporate-owned Russian military news agency Interfax-AVN website Moscow, 30 December: The Russian Federal Space Agency Roskosmos is developing a plan to eliminate any likelihood that the asteroid Apophis...

Bangladesh detains foreigners suspected of drug trafficking.
December 30, 2009... Excerpt from report by staff correspondent headlined "1 kg of heroin seized, three foreigners, 1 Bangladeshi held" published by Bangladeshi newspaper New Age website on 30 December A joint team of Rapid Action Battalion [RAB, anti-crime elite...

Israeli Kadima head may call early leadership race; Likud holds membership drive.
December 30, 2009... The following reports were published on The Jerusalem Post website on 30 December:Livni May Surprise Mufaz by Announcing Kadima Primary Gil Hoffman reports: "Kadima leader Tzipi Livni's party rival, MK Shaul Mufaz, angered her over the past...

UAE police say not requested to open probe into Nigerian would-be bomber.
December 30, 2009... Text of report in English by Dubai newspaper Gulf News website on 30 December [By Staff Reporter Siham al-Najami: Dubai Police Not Investigating Would-be Plane Bomber] Dubai: Dubai Police have not been requested to open an investigation on...

Chinese, SKorean, UAE firms secure Turkmen energy contracts.
December 30, 2009... Turkmen President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedow has signed a series of resolutions authorizing major new contracts with Chinese, South Korean and UAE firms for the construction of gas refineries and the development of the South Yoloten gas deposit,...

Nigerian Senate committee chief says Yar'Adua "can" sign budget "anywhere".
December 30, 2009... Text of report by Nigerian newspaper Daily Trust website on 29 December [Report by Abdul-Rahman Abubakar: "Yar'adua Can Sign Budgets Anywhere Senate"] The Senate has okayed the signing of the 2009 Supplementary budget by President Umaru...

US army general denies existence of "secret jails" in Iraq.
December 30, 2009... Text of report by London-based newspaper Al-Hayat website on 26 December [Report on interview with Brigadier General David Quantock, deputy commanding general of Task Force 134, by Khulud al-Amiri, in Baghdad; date not given: "Commander of...

Guinea: Youths march in capital calling on French foreign minister to apologize.
December 30, 2009... Text of report by Guineenews website, based in Canada but with editorial team in Guinea, on 30 December Since this morning, 30 December, several youths, calling themselves as belonging to the "Collective of Pan African Youth Associations",...

Nigerian police say 35 members of Islamic sect killed in "shoot-out".
December 30, 2009... Text of report by private Nigerian newspaper The Guardian website on 30 December [Report by Ali Garba, Isa Abdulsalami, Saxone Akhaine and Alex Oliseh: "Bauchi Police Confirm 38 Dead, 20 Arrested, Plateau on Red Alert; Arewa Condemns Mayhem,...

FM's annual speech hints at Macedonia's shift from USA to EU.
December 30, 2009... Text of report by Macedonian newspaper Dnevnik on 30 December [Report by Hristo Ivanovski and Zana P. Bozinovska: "Diplomacy Heading for Brussels"] As of next year Macedonia will change its diplomatic course, so its top priority will be...

Islamic scholars reject allegations of Al-Qa'idah's existence in Nigeria.
December 30, 2009... Text of report by Nigerian newspaper Daily Trust website on 29 December [Report by Abbas Jimoh: "No Al-Qaeda in Nigeria Islamic Scholars"] Some Islamic scholars in Nigeria yesterday dismissed allegations that Al-Qa'idah exists in Nigeria...

Gaza ministry runs out of 141 types of medicines, 116 types of medical supplies.
December 30, 2009... Text of report in English by independent, non-governmental Palestinian Ma'an News Agency website ["Gaza Moh 'out of 141 Medicines'" - Ma'an headline] Gaza -Maan -The Ministry of Health in Gaza said in its monthly report on Wednesday [30...

Yemeni forces report clashing with Al-Qa'idah members - Al-Jazeera.
December 30, 2009... Qatari government-funded, pan-Arab news channel Al-Jazeera satellite TV at 1403 gmt on 30 December carries the following "breaking news" screen caption: "Al-Jazeera correspondent: Yemeni security forces say they are engaging in clashes with...

Daily says 2010 budget for Macedonian police rise at expense of army.
December 30, 2009... Text of report by Macedonian newspaper Dnevnik on 28 December [Report by Igor K. Ilievski: "Defence Sector Hits Rock Bottom in Terms of Budget"] Next year, the army will receive the smallest budget in five years, despite the fact that...