China would welcome assurance about the security of its financial assets in the United States, a senior diplomat said ahead of President Hu Jintao's visit next week, while playing down rifts between the two powers.

• January 12, 2011

A long-stalled civilian nuclear cooperation agreement between Russia and the United States entered into force on Tuesday in a milestone for the "reset" in relations between the former Cold War foes.

• January 12, 2011

The opposition in Belarus, determined to continue the pro-democracy movement despite the violent crackdown after the presidential election on Dec. 19, began lobbying the European Union on Tuesday to adopt a new strategy: cutting contacts with the leadership while strengthening nongovernmental organizations.

• January 12, 2011

A senior official of the European Union, Stefan Fuele, warned Ukraine on Tuesday not to use criminal law for political ends, a clear reference to the prosecution of Yulia V. Tymoshenko, a former prime minister.

• January 12, 2011

Chinese investors are keen on taking part in developing energy projects in Bulgaria, Bulgaria's Government said on January 10 2011.

• January 11, 2011

The Russian president on Saturday ratified a civil nuclear energy pact with Japan that allows the transfer of Japanese technology to Russia and the sale of more Russian uranium to energy-poor Japan. President Dmitry Medvedev ratified the pact after it was passed by the lower and upper houses of the Russian parliament in December last year, the Kremlin said in a statement on its website.

• January 11, 2011

An agreement allowing U.S. companies to export nuclear technology to Russia is to take effect Tuesday after the U.S. ambassador and a deputy Russian foreign minister exchange diplomatic notes.

• January 11, 2011

Organizers of a petition drive in Kazakhstan calling for the president to remain in power for at least another decade say they have gathered signatures from at least half the Central Asian nation's eligible voters.

• January 11, 2011