PRESS-DIGEST - Ukraine - Dec 18

KIEV, Dec 18 (Reuters) - The following are the leading stories in Ukrainian newspapers on Thursday. Reuters has not verified these stories and does not vouch for their accuracy.

HOLOS UKRAINY

- Parliament's chairman, Volodymyr Lytvyn, says the chamber will soon adopt legislation to deal with the effects of the world financial crisis.

- Somali pirates have seized eight more Ukrainian sailors.

URYADOVIY KURIER

- President Viktor Yushchenko says unemployment will double by early next year.

- The government hopes the economy will grow by 0.4 percent next year.

KOMMERSANT Ukraina

- The value of the U.S. dollar has doubled on Ukraine's exchange since the onset of the crisis.

- President Yushchenko threatens to exclude from his Our Ukraine party all members who endorsed a new, expanded coalition in parliament.

DELO

- Lack of credits, a downturn in the economy: the two main threats to business in 2009.

- Western investors see a 30 percent risk to credit repayment in Ukraine.

- The hryvnia currency may strengthen in the New Year.