BISHKEK, 7 Dec 2005 (IRIN) - Eight months after public protests swept away Kyrgyz president Askar Akayev, press freedom remains a key issue in the former Soviet republic, despite expectations that the new authorities would promote media liberalisation, journalists say. Full report

KABUL, 7 Dec 2005 (IRIN) - Following the appointment of 34 presidential appointees to the 102-seat Meshrano Jirga (the upper house of parliament), Afghanistan's new national assembly is scheduled to convene on 19 December for the first time in more than three decades, an official said on Wednesday. Full report

ANKARA, 5 Dec 2005 (IRIN) - Despite improvements in the election process prior to Sunday's presidential polls in Kazakhstan, the elections failed to meet international standards for democratic elections, the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) observation mission said on Monday.Full report

KATHMANDU, 24 Nov 2005 (IRIN) - Nepals seven main political parties have agreed with Maoist leaders to forge an alliance against King Gyanendra, who assumed direct rule of the Himalayan kingdom on 1 February this year. Full report

KABUL, 15 Nov 2005 (IRIN) - Covered with dust before a handcart full of wet cement, 30-year-old Mohammad Ibrahim waits to deliver his load to bricklayers busy constructing the new parliament building in the Afghan capital, Kabul.Full report

KABUL, 14 Nov 2005 (IRIN) - The results of Septembers landmark legislative elections in Afghanistan have been finalised, the UN-government Joint Electoral Management Board (JEMB) announced on Saturday in the Afghan capital, Kabul. Full report

ANKARA, 14 Nov 2005 (IRIN) - The mysterious death over the weekend of an outspoken critic of Kazakh President Nursultan Nazarbayev has prompted calls for an independent investigation, less than a month before the country's upcoming presidential elections. Full report

KABUL, 9 Nov 2005 (IRIN) - Final results for Afghanistans landmark parliamentary polls were again delayed by ongoing inquiries into alleged election fraud in southern Afghanistan, the UN and government-run Joint Electoral Management Body (JEMB) said on Wednesday. Full report

BISHKEK, 26 Oct 2005 (IRIN) - Rival groups held demonstrations on Tuesday in the centre of the Kyrgyz capital, Bishkek. One group, about 300 strong, was made up of relatives and supporters of Tynychbek Akmatbaev, a member of parliament killed last week by inmates during a visit to a prison near the capital. Full report

TASHKENT, 25 Oct 2005 (IRIN) - The arrest of a moderate opposition leader in Uzbekistan charged with embezzlement and economic crimes following his repeated demands for reforms, is politically motivated, opposition and rights groups said on Tuesday.Full report

NEPAL: Interview with Jurgen Wilhelm, director general of German Development Service

KYRGYZSTAN: Interview with chair of the Coalition of NGOs for Democracy and Civil Society

AFGHANISTAN: Interview with chief electoral officer, Peter Erben

NEPAL: Focus on rural development in Maoist areas

AFGHANISTAN: Focus on security prior to election