As part of what was described as the "democratic opening, " the Turkish state established a Kurdish-language TV channel for the first time and eased bans on Kurdish language education in schools.

CNN: SHARE THIS

Mexico's conservative opposition, the National Action Party, largely favors a broader opening of the energy business to private investment, while the leftist Party of the Democratic Revolution has proposed a more limited opening for areas like refining.

WSJ: Mexico Sees Energy as Key to Reset Economy

"The lingering problem of job losses has created an opening for the Democratic candidate, making it possible for Mr Kerry to win a state with strong Republican leanings, " he says.

BBC: For Florida in 2000, read Ohio in 2004.

His last public appearance was in Denver, Colorado, on the opening night of the Democratic National Convention in August, where he received a rapturous welcome from Democratic delegates.

CNN: Sen. Kennedy back in Washington, aide says

Tom Harkin, the Democratic committee chairman, said in his prepared opening remarks at the hearing.

NPR: Labor Nominee Perez Pledges Open Mind

That has given an opening to Joe Donnelly, a Democratic congressman with a centrist bent.

ECONOMIST: The Senate

Under former Democratic Governor Jim Doyle, Wisconsin greatly expanded its BadgerCare Medicaid program, opening it to everyone earning up to two times the poverty line.

WSJ: Review & Outlook: ObamaCare's 'Baby Elephant'

There was a theatrical air to the opening of the trial of Jean-Pierre Bemba, the former vice-president of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), in The Hague.

BBC: Defiant Jean-Pierre Bemba gets his day in court