BBC Monitoring International Reports articles from January 2009, page 9

BBC Monitoring International Reports archives from January 2009

South Korean president to host workshop for ministers, key officials.
January 30, 2009... Text of report in English by South Korean news agency Yonhap [Yonhap headline: "President To Host Workshop For Ministers, Key Officials"] Seoul, Jan. 30 (Yonhap) - President Lee Myung-bak [Yi Myo'ng-pak] and the country's highest...

Iraqi election commission opens vote-counting centre.
January 30, 2009... Within its 0400 gmt newscast on 30 January, Al-Arabiya Television is observed to carry the following report: "Three candidates running in the [provincial council] elections have been killed in separate incidents in Iraq. Our...

Latvian paper says two candidates remain for top anti-corruption job.
January 30, 2009... Text of report by Latvian newspaper Diena on 29 January [Commentary by Askolds Rodins: "No Need To Hurry"] Meeting behind closed doors on Tuesday [27 January], the Cabinet of Ministers unanimously decided that two candidates for the...

Togo: Two opposition parties plan to field sole presidential candidate in 2010.
January 30, 2009... Excerpt from report entitled "Overcoming differences" published by Togolese government website republicoftogo.com on 29 January Two parties of the opposition, the UFC [Union of Forces for Change] and CAR [Action Committee for Renewal],...

Afghan paper urges USA to work with Russia, neighbours on terror problem.
January 30, 2009... Text of article by Samiollah Sami in Pashto entitled "Russia is getting closer to new US administration" by Afghan independent secular daily newspaper Hasht-e Sobh on 28 January [Passage omitted: known facts] Without a doubt, Russia...

Iraqi leaders address Baghdad rallies; update.
January 30, 2009... Al-Iraqiyah Television highlights in its 1700 gmt newscast on 29 January reports on a speech by Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri a4l-Maliki in which he called on the Iraqis to reject "sectarianism," and a speech by Abd-al-Aziz al-Hakim in which he...

Minister says maternal, infant mortality rates high in Kazakhstan.
January 30, 2009... Excerpt from report by state-owned Kazakh news agency Kazinform Astana, 30 January: At a working session today, the [Kazakh] health minister, Zhaksylyk Doskaliyev, summed up the ministry's activities in 2008, a Kazinform correspondent has...

Czech paper says Obama's foreign policy not to deviate much from Bush's.
January 30, 2009... Text of report by Czech newspaper Mlada fronta Dnes on 29 January [Commentary by Jan Rybar: "Aggrieved Crowds Heading to White House"] The great show is beginning and the opening scene does look magnificent. When the saviour and...

Senior MP says Georgia winning "information war" with Russia.
January 30, 2009... A senior Georgian MP has said that his country is winning the "information war" with Russia. The chairman of the Georgian ad hoc parliamentary commission for the restoration of territorial integrity, Shota Malashkhia, was commenting on...

Al-Shabab officials hold talks with residents of southwestern Somali town.
January 30, 2009... Text of report by privately-owned Somali Shabeelle Media Network website on 30 January Al-Shabab is holding various meetings in Baydhabo, Bay Region [south western Somalia, also the seat of the Somali parliament] with various sections of...

Minister slams Russia's plan to set up bases in Georgia's breakaway regions.
January 30, 2009... Text of report by state-funded Georgian Public Television Channel 1 on 30 January [Presenter] Four more [Russian] bases can be added to the military units that already exist in the occupied [Abkhaz and South Ossetian] territories. Three...

Al-Arabiya TV discusses forthcoming election in southern Baghdad.
January 30, 2009... [The programme "From Iraq," moderated by Suhayr al-Qaysi in Baghdad, hosts tribal leader Shaykh Hasan Shuwayrid and Fa'iq al-I'qabi, a candidate in the provincial council elections - recorded] Al-Arabiya Television at 1632 gmt on 28...

Iraqi deputy PM discusses elections, Obama policy, US agreement.
January 30, 2009... Al-Arabiya Television at 1504 gmt on 28 January broadcasts a new episode of its "Exclusive Interview" programme featuring a recorded 24-minute interview with Iraqi Deputy Prime Minister Barham Salih by Ms Suhayr al-Qaysi in Baghdad. The...

Ukrainian premier proposes increasing state debt for infrastructure investment.
January 30, 2009... Text of report by state-owned Ukrainian television channel UT1 on 30 January [Presenter] Borrowing to invest. [Prime Minister] Yuliya Tymoshenko proposes to increase the state debt to make money available for large-scale projects. She...

Somalia: Islamists ban use of khat in Gedo Region.
January 30, 2009... Text of report by privately-owned Somali Shabeelle Media Network website on 30 January The Islamic administration in Baardheere, Gedo Region, has banned the sale of khat in the town. The Islamic administration in Baardheere issued an...

Al-Shabab carries out retaliation in central Somali town.
January 30, 2009... Text of report by privately-owned Somali Shabeelle Media Network website on 30 January Al-Shabab carried out attacks in Dhusa Mareeb, Galguduud Region [central Somalia] resulting in the loss of life and injury. Fighting broke out in the...

Police reportedly abduct opposition activist in Azerbaijan.
January 30, 2009... An opposition activist has been abducted in Azerbaijan, Azadliq daily reported on 30 January. Nasimi Ahmadov, activist of the People's Front of Azerbaijan Party,ref HYPERLINK...

Sudan cleric says possibility of bipolar world with Obama presidency impossible.
January 30, 2009... The Friday prayers sermon on 30 January 2009 was broadcast live on Sudan TV starting 1030 gmt from the Al-Shahid Mosque in Khartoum. The preacher was Shaykh Abd-al-Jalil al-Nadir al-Karuri. The first sermon lasted 18 minutes and dealt...

Iraq's land, sea borders, air space to be closed on election day; update.
January 30, 2009... Within its programming on 30 January, Al-Iraqiyah Television was not observed to carry election rallies by candidates or coalition alliances in compliance with a media halt to election campaigning that went into effect as of 0700 [0400 gmt]...

Iran ex-Speaker slams senior commander's remarks on elections.
January 30, 2009... Text of report by reformist Iranian daily E'temad-e Melli Iran ex-Speaker slams senior commander's remarks on elections Text of report headlined "Karrubi's reaction to the views of the chief of the General Command Headquarters of the...

Weekly news roundup of East Azarbayjan Provincial TV news 1330 gmt 30 Jan.
January 30, 2009... This programme was not broadcast on 30 January 2009. Source: Vision of the Islamic Republic of Iran East Azarbayjan Provincial TV, Tabriz, in Persian 1330 gmt 30 Jan 09 BBC Monitoring

East Ukrainian councillors urge president, cabinet to resign.
January 30, 2009... Excerpt from report by private Ukrainian news agency UNIAN Luhansk, 30 January: Luhansk regional council members have said that the cabinet and the president of Ukraine [Viktor Yushchenko] should immediately resign. A statement to...

Iran MP calls president's Christmas message "diplomatic innovation".
January 30, 2009... Text of article headlined Hoseyn Naqvi, a member of the parliamentary National Security and Foreign Policy Committee, praises the president's courage and revolutionary zeal, for the Christmas message he gave on Channel 4 by Iranian newspaper...

Angola urges end to Zimbabwe sanctions once unity government formed.
January 30, 2009... Text of report by Angolan state-owned news agency Angop website Angolan Foreign Minister Assuncao dos Anjos called for an end to sanctions against Zimbabwe as soon as the Government of National Unity is formed. He was speaking to the...

London mayor sends new year message to Chinese community.
January 30, 2009... Text of report in English by official Chinese news agency Xinhua (New China News Agency) LONDON, Jan. 29 (Xinhua) - Boris Johnson, the London mayor, sent his New Year message to the Chinese community in the British capital on Thursday,...

China's steel producers forecast net profits decline for 2008.
January 30, 2009... Text of report in English by official Chinese news agency Xinhua (New China News Agency) BEIJING, Jan. 30 (Xinhua) - China's major listed steel companies forecasted a huge drop in net profit in 2008, mainly due to the plunging steel...

Hong Kong enters winter flu season.
January 30, 2009... Text of report in English by official Chinese news agency Xinhua (New China News Agency) HONG KONG, Jan. 30 (Xinhua) - The Centre for Health Protection of Hong Kong announced Friday that there is a steady rise in the number of flu...

Crime rises among migrants in Russia - Migration Service.
January 30, 2009... The number of crimes committed by foreign nationals from former republics of the Soviet Union has increased, the Russian Interfax news agency reported on 30 January, quoting the Russian Federal Migration Service. "In some constituent...

North Korea scraps all agreements with South Korea - KCNA.
January 30, 2009... Text of report in English by state-run North Korean news agency KCNA [KCNA headline: "Dprk To Scrap All Points Agreed With S. Korea Over Political And Military Issues"] Pyongyang, January 30 (KCNA) - The Committee for the Peaceful...

Hong Kong's December exports down 11.4 per cent.
January 30, 2009... Text of report in English by official Chinese news agency Xinhua (New China News Agency) [Xinhua: "Hong Kong's December Exports Down 11.4 Pct"] HONG KONG, Jan. 29 (Xinhua) - Hong Kong's goods exports in December fell 11.4 per cent...

China: Two major oilfields in Xinjiang keen to boost output.
January 30, 2009... Text of report in English by official Chinese news agency Xinhua (New China News Agency) URUMQI, Jan. 30 (Xinhua) - Developers of two key oilfields in Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region have pledged to further tap oil and gas reserves and...

China sets fertilizer import tariff quota for 2009.
January 30, 2009... Text of report in English by official Chinese news agency Xinhua (New China News Agency) BEIJING, Jan. 30 (Xinhua) - China set the import tariff quota for fertilizers this year at 13.65 million tonnes, said China's Ministry of Commerce...

Afghan official says three civilians, one suspect killed in operation in south.
January 30, 2009... Excerpt from report by private Pakistan-based Afghan Islamic Press news agency Kandahar, 30 January: The Kandahar deputy governor says those killed in foreign forces' operation are not Taleban fighters, they are civilians. Dr Gholam...

South Korean prosecutors raid police office to investigate deadly fire.
January 30, 2009... Text of report in English by South Korean news agency Yonhap Seoul, Jan. 30 (Yonhap) - State prosecutors raided Seoul police headquarters Friday as they ratcheted up their investigation into a recent crackdown that left five squatters and...

UK will continue to support Iraq despite "radical change" in ties - Bill Rammell.
January 30, 2009... Text of report by Saudi-owned leading pan-Arab daily Al-Sharq al-Awsat website on 30 January [Article by Bill Rammell, British Minister of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs: "Elections in Iraq"] Tomorrow is another turning...

Hong Kong abode seekers mark 10th anniversary of court ruling.
January 30, 2009... Text of report by Hong Kong newspaper South China Morning Post website on 30 January [Report by Phyllis Tsang: "Abode Seekers Demand Action"] More than 100 abode seekers and their parents yesterday marched to the government...

MP criticizes Arab states entry into Iran's nuclear issue - paper.
January 30, 2009... Text of article headlined the committee's deputy-head Hoseyn Sobhaninia denounces the involvement of Arab states in Iran's nuclear dossier as an 'American plan' that will not help resolve the deadlock by Iranian newspaper Aftab-E Yazd on 29...

Palestinian Islamic Jihad official discusses Kissufim incident, Cairo talks.
January 30, 2009... Text of report by Qatari government-funded, pan-Arab news channel Al-Jazeera satellite TV on 27 January [Interview with Khalid al-Batsh, a leading figure in the Palestinian Islamic Jihad movement, by Ghadah Uways, in Gaza - live] ...

Japan forcibly mobilized 120,000 Koreans as labourers - Seoul panel.
January 30, 2009... Text of report in English by South Korean news agency Yonhap [Yonhap headline: "Japan Forcibly Mobilized 120,000 Koreans as Laborers: Panel"] Seoul, Jan. 30 (Yonhap) - Nearly 120,000 Koreans were forcibly mobilized as labourers under...

Iraqi Kurdish press highlights 29 Jan 09.
January 30, 2009... Kurdistani Nuwe, Sulaymaniyah, daily newspaper published by Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK) in Sorani Kurdish 1. Report: Iraqi President Jalal Talabani receives Japanese special envoy; Talabani separately meets Iraqi Communist Party...

China's Inner Mongolia to invest 32bn dollars in road upgrading.
January 30, 2009... Text of report in English by official Chinese news agency Xinhua (New China News Agency) [Xinhua: "North China Region To Invest Heavily in Road Upgrading"] HOHHOT, Jan. 29 (Xinhua) - North China's Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region is...

China's Jiangxi to invest 17bn dollars in railway construction.
January 30, 2009... Text of report in English by official Chinese news agency Xinhua (New China News Agency) [Xinhua: "East China Province To Boost Railway Construction"] NANCHANG, Jan. 30 (Xinhua) - East China's Jiangxi Province is planning to kick...

Former Iranian president remarks on rebel group dismissed by lawmakers.
January 30, 2009... Critics of the former President, Mohammad Khatami, have dismissed his remarks on the de-listing of the Mojahedin-Khalq Organisation as a terrorist organisation by the European Union. A lawmaker has called it "electoral blackmail" while...

No further enlargement without EU treaty - top official in Prague.
January 30, 2009... Text of report in English by Czech national public-service news agency CTK Prague, 30 January: The European Union would not be further enlarged if the Lisbon treaty is not ratified, EP President Hans-Gert Poettering said in Prague today....

Palestinian National Authority to support lawsuits against Israel.
January 30, 2009... Text of report by Palestinian presidency-controlled news agency Wafa website [WAFA headline: "PNA Agrees to Basic Law of International Criminal Court in Order To Pursue Israeli War Crimes"] Ramallah, 28 January: Dr Ali Khashan,...

Chinese envoy meets Nepal opposition leader.
January 30, 2009... Text of report by state-owned national Radio Nepal on 30 January Chinese Ambassador to Nepal Qu Guohong met former Prime Minister and Nepali Congress President Girija Koirala at the latter's residence in Kathmandu today. A source...

Israeli defence minister notes deterrence against Hamas, Hezbollah.
January 30, 2009... At 1005 gmt, Voice of Israel radio in Hebrew includes a live interview with Defence Minister Ehud Baraq by anchor Anat Davidov. Asked about the recent IDF operation, Baraq describes the results of Operation Cast Lead: "Hamas has received...

Egyptian radio warns of "grave" humanitarian situation in Gaza.
January 30, 2009... A commentary on Egyptian radio on 30 January by Muhamamd Abd-al-Basir tackled the situation in Gaza. The commentary warned of the "grave humanitarian repercussions of the Israeli aggression against Gaza". It then examined the Davos...

Czech, Chinese premiers discuss EU summit, human rights.
January 30, 2009... Text of report in English by Czech national public-service news agency CTK Brussels, 30 January: The EU-China summit will be held in Prague, Czech Prime Minister Mirek Topolanek said today, adding the date is yet to be discussed, but...

Experts view Macedonian Albanian parties' goals in presidential election.
January 30, 2009... Text of report by Macedonian newspaper Dnevnik on 29 January [Report by Mariela Trajkovska and Predrag Dimitrovski: "Participation in Race More Important Than Victory"] Eleven candidates have been nominated for the upcoming...

Indian minister rejects reports of held Mumbai gunman's death.
January 30, 2009... Text of report by Press Trust of India news agency Mumbai, 30 January: Rubbishing reports in a section of Pakistani media that Ajmal Kasab is dead, government of India's western state of Maharashtra Friday [30 January] said the lone...

Pakistan: Private TV seeks security for media personnel, their families.
January 30, 2009... Text of report by official news agency Associated Press of Pakistan (APP) Islamabad, 30 January: Chief Executive Officer of private television channel, Samaa, Aamir Jehangir has expressed deep concern over the recent attack on its Quetta...

Iraqi Kurdish press highlights (in Arabic) 26 Jan 09.
January 30, 2009... Al-Ta'akhi, Baghdad, daily newspaper in Arabic published by the Kurdistan Democratic Party, KDP 1. Report: Meeting with local dignitaries in Duhok, Kurdistan Region President Mas'ud Barzani reaffirms bid to set up support council...

Indian capital to host sustainable development summit 5 Feb.
January 30, 2009... Text of report by Press Trust of India news agency New Delhi, 30 January: UN Secretary General Ban-Ki Moon and a host of world leaders will congregate here in India's national capital on 5 February to prepare a roadmap on tackling the...

China: Olympic "Bird's Nest" to become entertainment, shopping centre.
January 30, 2009... Text of report in English by official Chinese news agency Xinhua (New China News Agency) BEIJING, Jan. 30 (Xinhua) - Citic Group said here on Friday it will in three to five years build the National Stadium into an entertainment and...

Pressure on African leaders over Zimbabwe crisis remains firm - commentary.
January 30, 2009... Text of report by London-based Zimbabwe independent Short Wave Radio Africa website on 29 January [Commentary by Alex Bell: "Pressure for Change, Despite Unity Agreement"] The pressure on African leaders who have so far allowed...

UK reps say living conditions for Georgians in Abkhazia's Gali "unbearable" - TV.
January 30, 2009... Text of report by state-funded Georgian Public Television Channel 1 on 30 January [Presenter] Georgians in [breakaway Abkhazia's] Gali District are living in direst conditions, representatives of the UK embassy in Georgia have said at...

Pakistan completes "preliminary" probe on India terror evidence.
January 30, 2009... Text of report by official news agency Associated Press of Pakistan (APP) Islamabad, 30 January: Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi Friday [30 January] said Pakistan has completed its "preliminary investigation" based on the...

Venezuelan columnist says latest Castro "photo" fake.
January 30, 2009... Excerpt from report by Venezuelan newspaper El Universal website on 29 January [From the "Rumours" column by Nelson Bocaranda Sardi] Three times between 5 and 8 pm last Friday the 23rd during my programme "Runrunes" on Onda 107.9 FM,...

NATO admiral meets president, says name only obstacle to Macedonia entry.
January 30, 2009... Text of report in English by Macedonian state news agency MIA ["Admiral Fitzgerald: Name Issue, Sole Obstacle for NATO Accession" - MIA headline] Skopje, January 30 (MIA) - The name row is the sole issue hampering the accession of...

Iran official criticizes Arab state's arms trade with US.
January 30, 2009... Text of article headlined the deputy-head of the Armed Forces Headquarters Mas'ud Jazayeri condemns the arms trade in the Middle East, which he says only benefits US arms manufacturers; any help for the American economy is to participate in...

Georgian premier resigns for health reasons.
January 30, 2009... Georgian Prime Minister Grigol Mgaloblishvili has said that he has decided to resign for health reasons. He made this statement in a live televised address aired by the Georgian private TV Rustavi-2 on 30 January. "Today, the country...

Shi'i cleric offers advice to Iraqi voters on coming elections.
January 30, 2009... [Statement by Iraqi religious authority Shaykh Fadil al-Maliki, addressing Iraqi voters in the provincial council elections, conveyed to the channel by telephone - date not given; recorded] Al-Sharqiyah Television at 1917 gmt on 26...

One Russia supports government's measures, other factions disagree.
January 30, 2009... The One Russia faction in the State Duma has supported the Russian government's actions during the financial and economic crisis, the Russian news agency Interfax reported on 30 January. "We support government's actions to take the...

World Bank approves partnership strategy for Moldova till 2012.
January 30, 2009... The World Bank has adopted a partnership strategy for Moldova, according to which in 2009-12 Moldova will receive from 45m dollars to 50m dollars annually, the Moldovan Infotag news agency reported on 30 January. The World Bank's manager...

China tries to improve official-people ties through dialogue - Xinhua.
January 30, 2009... Text of report by official Chinese news agency Xinhua (New China News Agency) Asia-Pacific service [Xinhua Yearender by reporters Zhang Chongfang, Huang Huo and Shen Yang: "Tackling Mass Incidents: CCP Chooses To Improve Relations...

Iraqi Kurdish press highlights (in Arabic) 27 Jan 09.
January 30, 2009... Al-Ta'akhi, Baghdad, daily newspaper in Arabic published by the Kurdistan Democratic Party, KDP 1. Report: Kurdistan Region President Mas'ud Barzani meets inhabitants of Akreh town, Duhok Governorate. (180 words, p 1) 2. Report: High...

NATO fears possible Slovene referendum on Croatia's entry, says minister.
January 30, 2009... Text of report in English by Slovene news agency STA Brussels, 30 January (STA) - NATO fears that Slovenia will not manage to ratify the protocols for accession of Croatia and Albania to the organization by the April NATO summit or US...

Deputy chief of Czech junior coalition party to run for leader's post.
January 30, 2009... Text of report in English by Czech national public-service news agency CTK Prague, 30 January: Michaela Sojdrova, a deputy chairwoman of Czech Christian Democrats (KDU-CSL, a junior coalition government member), will run for the post of...

Kosovo Serbs sceptical about decentralization.
January 30, 2009... Text of report by Kosovo Albanian privately-owned KohaVision TV on 28 January [Announcer] Although additional competences were transferred to some municipalities yesterday [27 January], a lot more time is needed for those municipalities...

People hold protest rally against foreign forces in Afghan east.
January 30, 2009... Excerpt from report by private Pakistan-based Afghan Islamic Press news agency Jalalabad, 30 January: Angry protesters have chanted slogans against foreign forces. According to reports, people staged a protest demonstration against...

Crisis affects Russia's migration programme in Tajikistan.
January 30, 2009... Excerpt from report by privately-owned Tajik news agency Asia-Plus website Khujand, 30 January: The financial crisis has changed Russia's plans regarding a programme on immigration of compatriots from Tajikistan, the adviser with the...

Slovak council for economic crisis adopts measures to support labour market.
January 30, 2009... Text of report in English by privately-owned SITA news agency website ["Council for Economic Crisis Presents First Measures Against Crisis" - SITA headline] Bratislava, 29 January: The better part of 332m euros, which the Cabinet...

New Bolivian constitution expands indigenous rights; but autonomy looms - Colombian weekly.
January 30, 2009... Text of report by Colombian weekly Cambio website on 29 January [Report: "The yes vote backed by Morales won the referendum in Bolivia"] By a wide majority, the Bolivian people voted "Yes" on the new Constitution proposed by the...

Russian deputy PM details agreements with Cuba.
January 30, 2009... Text of report by corporate-owned Russian news agency Interfax Moscow, 30 January: The credit line an agreement on which was signed in the Kremlin on 30 January is intended for the purchase of Russian equipment by Cuba, Deputy Prime...

Kosovo opposition leader slams government over "pitiful" situation in north.
January 30, 2009... Text of report by Kosovo Albanian privately-owned newspaper Express on 26 January [Report by Faton Ismajli: "Happy in Polemics"] Prishtina [Pristina], 25 Jan - AAK [Alliance for the Future of Kosovo] Chairman Ramush Haradinaj appears...

Police arrest human trafficking gang in southeastern Iran.
January 30, 2009... Text of report by Iranian state-run provincial TV from Sistan-Baluchestan on 30 January The Zabol Law Enforcement Force has disbanded a human trafficking gang which had five members. They illegally brought Afghan citizens to Zabol and...

Czech far-right party attacks cabinet, Romanies in court statement.
January 30, 2009... Text of report in English by Czech national public-service news agency CTK Brno, 30 January: The Czech extreme right Workers' Party (DS) criticizes the government and attacks Romanies from Litvinov, north Bohemia, in its statement...

Croatian gas pipeline project fails to win EU funds.
January 30, 2009... Text of report in English by Croatian state news agency HINA BRUSSELS, Jan 29 (Hina) - A project to build a gas pipeline running from Slavonski Brod in Croatia to the border with Hungary was not chosen as one of the projects to be...

Macedonian daily views drug trafficking routes in Balkans.
January 30, 2009... Text of report by Macedonian newspaper Vecer on 29 January [Unattributed report: "Macedonia Transit Country for Kosovo-Bound Narcotics" p11] The Balkans has more than 20 organized criminal drug groups that are located primarily in...

Polish, Russian PMs Discuss Direct Fuel Supplies, without Intermediaries
January 30, 2009... Text of report by Polish leading privately-owned centre-left newspaper Gazeta Wyborcza website, on 30 January [Report by Rafal Zasun: "In Davos Without Intermediaries"] After the Tusk-Putin meeting. Russia wants to supply oil to us on its...

Tajik leader discuss cooperation with Afghan counterpart over phone.
January 30, 2009... Text of report by state-owned Tajik Television First Channel on 30 January Today Tajik President Emomali Rahmon held a telephone conversation with Afghan President Hamed Karzai. First, the heads of the two friendly states discussed...

TB incident rate down by 16 per cent in Kyrgyz capital in 2008.
January 30, 2009... Excerpt from report by privately-owned Kyrgyz AKIpress news agency website Bishkek, 30 January: The incidence rate of TB has dropped by 16 per cent in Bishkek, the head of the compulsory medical insurance fund's Bishkek territorial...

Portuguese premier speaks of "dark campaign" in retail outlet case.
January 30, 2009... Excerpt from report by Portuguese newspaper Diario de Noticias website on 30 January Portuguese Prime Minister Jose Socrates said yesterday he was the victim of "dark campaign" orchestrated by "hidden powers" - which he did not specify....