The European Union is giving Kyrgyzstan 3 million euros ($4 million) to help it reform its penal system.

Former Kyrgyz Prime Minister Feliks Kulov has said Daniyar Usenov admitted to him that he paid $300,000 to become first deputy prime minister, RFE/RL's Kyrgyz Service reports.

A number of Uzbek refugees who fled the violence in Andijon in May 2005 have been relocated to third countries, RFE/RL's Kyrgyz Service reported.

The United Front for a Worthy Future for Kyrgyzstan is the newest opposition movement in Kyrgyzstan and, with former Prime Minister Feliks Kulov as one of its leaders, it is already stirring up the political waters.

Kyrgyz President Kurmanbek Bakiev today rejected opposition demands that he step down and said the calls for his resignation are "a blow to the political future" of Kyrgyzstan.

An October 2006 agreement on visa-free travel between Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan came into force today.

President Kurmanbek Bakiev has now appointed all 14 ministers and two deputy ministers of Kyrgyzstan's new government, RFE/RL's Kyrgyz Service reports.

Opposition lawmaker Temir Sariev has turned down an offer to serve as Kyrgyzstan's minister of economic development and trade, according to RFE/RL's Kyrgyz Service.

The Kyrgyz parliament today approved a new structure for the government, though not all of Prime Minister Azim Isabekov's proposals were accepted.

About 20 protesters rallied today in front of the Uzbek Embassy in Kyrgyzstan's capital, Bishkek, in support of two imprisoned Uzbek rights activists, RFE/RL's Kyrgyz Service reports.

Kyrgyz lawmakers have discussed a plan for a new structure for the government, RFE/RL's Kyrgyz Service reports.

Kyrgyzstan's parliament today received the plan for a new structure for the government that adds a ministry and another deputy prime minister, RFE/RL's Kyrgyz Service reported.