The FINANCIAL -- According to RIA Novosti, Prague is looking to sign an exclusive contract with Washington for the involvement of Czech companies in the construction of a planned European missile shield, national radio reported on January 14.

The FINANCIAL -- According  to RIA Novosti, Iran will clear up all of the UN nuclear watchdog's remaining questions concerning its controversial nuclear program by late February, Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Mohammad Ali Hosseini said on January 13.

The FINANCIAL -- According to RIA Novosti, a blast has hit a trunk gas pipeline in northwest Russia, with no victims reported in the incident, the regional emergencies center said on January 13.