Kremlin dismisses talk Putin has back trouble
http://www.asahi.com/english/TKY201210270196.html
Scheduling Changes Prompt Questions About Putin’s Health
http://www.nytimes.com/2012/11/02/world/europe/scheduling-changes-prompt-questions-about-vladimir-v-putins-health.html?ref=global-home&_r=0
Vedomosti, a daily newspaper, reported on Thursday that Mr.
Putin has postponed a series of foreign trips — to Turkey,
Bulgaria, India and Turkmenistan — until late November
at the earliest, meaning that his December travel schedule will be jam-packed.
Last week, Reuters noted the postponed trips, and quoted
unidentified government officials who said Mr. Putin was suffering from back
problems that might require surgery.