Pyongyang, February 12 (KCNA) -- Following are major news items and articles in leading newspapers of the DPRK on Thursday:

- The respected Comrade Kim Jong Un received a flower basket from the president of Laos who is general secretary of the C.C., Lao People's Revolutionary Party.

- He received a flower basket and a congratulatory letter from the diplomatic corps here.

- Missions of international bodies here laid flower baskets at the statues of President Kim Il Sung and Chairman Kim Jong Il on Mansu Hill.

- Workers and trade union members met to celebrate the 84th birth anniversary of Kim Jong Il.

- The Standing Committee of the Supreme People's Assembly of the DPRK issued a decree on awarding the Order of Kim Jong Il to officials who contributed to the prosperity and development of the socialist country.

- A national book and art exhibition opened to mark the forthcoming Ninth Congress of the Workers' Party of Korea.

- Youth and students from across the country, on a study tour of the revolutionary battle sites in the area of Mt Paektu, reached the top of the mountain.

- A meeting was held to convey "Nonggunmaeng" small tractors.

- Young people in Kangwon Province volunteered for major theaters of socialist construction.

Rodong Sinmun

- An article says that the regional development policy in the new era is a revolutionary one as it comprehensively reflected the WPK's original state-building strategy.

- Graduating class students of senior middle schools in Hamhung City of South Hamgyong Province met with war veterans.

- An article says that unemployment is a malignant tumour driving capitalism to ruin.

Minju Joson

- An article tells about the immortal revolutionary leadership of the respected Comrade Kim Jong Un recorded in the history of regional transformation.

- An article says that the U.S. move to put pressure on Iran is sparking off denunciation by the international community. -0-