Copenhagen - Danish Prime Minister Anders Fogh Rasmussen on Tuesday declined to comment on speculation that he might seek the post of NATO secretary-general.

Rasmussen has been tipped as a top candidate for the post and according to recent reports in the German daily Sueddeutsche Zeitung and London-based Financial Times he has secured backing from Britain, France and Germany - key European NATO members.

Copenhagen  - The regional office of the World Health Organization (WHO) in Europe has urged governments, health authorities and others to step up vaccination programmes against measles.

Although Europe is on the verge of eliminating measles, there have been outbreaks threatening the progress.

The Copenhagen-based regional WHO office attributed the lower immunization rates "to a combination of vaccine scepticism" as well as "the success of immunization programmes in earlier generations."

Copenhagen  - Denmark's c

Copenhagen - Danish shipping and oil giant Moller-Maersk announced Thursday increased profits and turnover for 2008, but warned of "strong uncertainty" ahead.

Earnings for the AP Moller-Maersk group before interest, taxes and amortization were 16.5 billion dollars, compared with 11.9 billion dollars in 2007, according to its annual report.

Turnover increased from 51.2 billion dollars to 61.2 billion dollars, generating a net profit of 3.5 billion dollars.

Copenhagen  - A majority of Danish voters want fresh elections should Prime Minister Anders Fogh Rasmussen decide to leave office, a survey published Monday suggested.

Rasmussen has been mentioned in connection with the post of NATO secretary-general, although the premier last week said he was "not a candidate for any international post."

Polling institute Catinet Research said six in 10 Danish voters wanted Rasmussen to call new elections rather than hand over the reins to his designated successor, Finance Minister Lars Lokke Rasmussen.

Copenhagen- Family-owned Danish toy company Lego Monday said 2008 had been"successful," citing higher sales and turnover compared to 2007.

Pre-tax profit increased to 1.85 billion kroner (317 million dollars), compared to 1.41 billion kroner for 2007.

Sales increased over 18 per cent to 9.5 billion kroner, the group said, registering its strongest growth in English-speaking and Eastern European markets - this despite a slight decrease in the global market for traditional toys during 2008.