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.
Putin admits Russia's economic woes home-grown
President Vladimir Putin conceded for the first time on Thursday that Russia's economic problems were home-grown and vowed not to abandon the spending promises he made on returning to the Kremlin last year.
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.
Ukrainian riot police withdraw after overnight move on demonstrators
Battalions of Ukrainian riot police withdrew on Wednesday from a protest camp after moving against demonstrators overnight in the authorities' biggest attempt yet to reclaim streets after weeks of protests against President Viktor Yanukovich.
China state media under fire for arguing benefits of smog
Commentaries by two of China's most influential news outlets suggesting that the country's air pollution crisis was not without a silver lining drew a withering reaction on Tuesday from internet users and other media.
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.
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