![]() ![]()
In landmark for EU, Ireland leaves its bailout behind
Three years after going cap in hand to international lenders, Ireland has officially ended its bailout, providing a landmark for the euro zone's efforts to resolve its debt crisis.
Russia makes new attempt to woo Ukraine, EU waits in wings
Russian President Vladimir Putin made a new attempt to woo Ukraine on Thursday after the European Union and United States stepped up efforts to pull Kiev out of its former Soviet master's orbit.
EU, Ukraine officials to hold talks on trade pact on Thursday
Ukraine's First Deputy Prime Minister Serhiy Arbuzov will meet a top European Union official in Brussels on Thursday to discuss a trade pact that Ukraine's president last month backed away from signing, provoking a political crisis.
Japan's defense plans focus on China and islands dispute
Japan will set up a new amphibious military unit and deploy unarmed surveillance drones in its southwest, where it faces a row with China over disputed islands, according to drafts of the nation's latest defense plans seen on Wednesday.
Ukraine president digs in heels over Russia ties despite protests
Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovich gave no ground on Tuesday to protesters who want Kiev to move closer to the European Union, insisting his government needs to deepen trade ties with Russia instead.
Russia signs deal to forgive $29 billion of Cuba's Soviet-era debt - diplomats
Russia and Cuba have quietly signed an agreement to write off 90 percent of Cuba's $32 billion debt to the defunct Soviet Union, a deal that ends a 20-year squabble and opens the way for more investment and trade, Russian and European diplomats said.
Ukraine's Yanukovich sees no alternative to close trade ties with Moscow
Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovich, speaking on television after more than two weeks of street unrest over his U-turn away from the European Union towards Russia, said on Tuesday there was no alternative to restoring trade relations with Moscow.
'Brussels consensus' widens gulf with EU electorates
Call it the Brussels Consensus. A system of beliefs rooted in European Union treaties helps explain the growing gulf between policy elites and ordinary citizens that may cause a political earthquake in European Parliament elections next May.
|