Agreement Strengthens Protection of Reproductive Health and Rights in Nine CIS Countries - 17 May 2012
ST. PETERSBURG -- UNFPA and the Inter-Parliamentary Assembly of the Commonwealth of Independent States signed a cooperation agreement on advancing reproductive health and rights in the region. The agreement was signed by Regional Director Thea Fierens on behalf of UNFPA and by the Chairman of the Federation Council Valentina Matvienko, on behalf of the Inter-Parliamentary Assembly. A former governor of Saint Petersburg, Ms. Matvienko is the first woman in the countryrsquo;s history to hold what is considered to be the third most influential political tenure in the state. (Source: UNFPA News)

NHS trusts 'ration eye surgery'
A growing number of primary care trusts are placing restrictions on access to eye surgery, figures obtained by campaigners show. (Source: BBC News | Health | UK Edition)