Russia ratifies deal to restructure Cuba`s debt
Russia`s lower house of parliament ratified on Friday an intergovernmental agreement on restructuring Cuba`s $166 million post-Soviet debt to Russia.
Koreas to launch regular train service
North and South Korea agreed Friday to launch rail service across their heavily armed border for the first time in more than half a century, a move symbolizing the growing reconciliation between the two sides.
Asia`s authors battle for recognition
Asia`s literary scene must overcome the obstacles of short-sighted publishers and a dearth of translators if it wants to exploit the promising shoots of growth.
Russian deputy foreign minister receives Iranian ambassador in Moscow
Russia▓s Deputy Foreign Minister Alexander Losyukov received on November 16 Ambassador of the Islamic Republic of Iran to Moscow Gholam-Reza Ansari.
China`s economy 40 percent smaller than estimated: analyst
China`s economy is 40 percent smaller than most recent estimates, a US economist said Wednesday, citing data from the Asian Development Bank and guidelines from the World Bank.
Big earthquake kills two in Chile
A powerful earthquake hit mineral-rich northern Chile on Wednesday, killing at least two people, injuring more than 100 and halting output at some of the world`s largest copper mines.
Russian PM to visit Paris Nov. 15-16
Russian Prime Minister Viktor Zubkov is to visit Paris on November 15-16, a government spokesman announced on Thursday.
Young Venezuelan conductor takes classical world by storm
Star Venezuelan conductor Gustavo Dudamel, widely acclaimed as an astonishingly-gifted musician, has just completed his first tour of the United States, sealing the young maestro`s status as a major player in the world of classical music.
Iran bans Garcia Marquez`s `Melancholy Whores`
Iran has banned the latest novel by celebrated Colombian writer Gabriel Garcia Marquez, saying the initial publication of "Memories of My Melancholy Whores" was a bureaucratic error, the Fars news agency reported Wednesday.
Russia withdraws all troops from Georgia
A top Russian general said early Thursday that Russia has completed its withdrawal of troops that had been based in Georgia since the Soviet collapse, according to the ITAR-Tass news agency.
Bhutto calls on Musharraf to resign
Opposition leader Benazir Bhutto on Tuesday called on Pakistan`s President Gen. Pervez Musharraf to resign and ruled out serving under him in a future government after she was placed under house arrest for the second time in five days.
Vote observers say Russia holding up entry visas
Europe`s main democracy watchdog said on Monday its observers cannot begin work monitoring Russia`s December 2 parliamentary election because Moscow has not issued them entry visas.
US military interfering in Russia`s backyard: Moscow
Russia`s armed forces chief on Tuesday compared a US plan to station an anti-missile shield in central Europe to Moscow deploying missiles in Latin America.
Oil prices drop in Asian trading
Oil prices dropped Tuesday after a key OPEC member left open the possibility the oil cartel will increase output to curb rising prices, and following the strengthening of the dollar overnight.
Russia, India to join in moon mission
The leaders of veteran allies Russia and India agreed Monday to launch a joint unmanned mission to the moon during Kremlin talks on boosting military and trade ties.
Rio Tinto rejects US$350 billion BHP Billiton bid
Anglo-Australian mining giant Rio Tinto formally informed shareholders Tuesday that it had rejected an unsolicited 350-billion US dollar merger proposal from BHP Billiton.
Norwegian foreign minister to visit Moscow soon
Norwegian Foreign Minister Jonas Gahr Stoere will arrive in Moscow on November 20 on a two-day visit, the official website of the Norwegian embassy said on Monday.
Russian trade with India boosted by banking, engineering
Russia`s prime minister highlighted banking and engineering as factors boosting bilateral trade with India, at a meeting with the country`s premier on Monday.
Russia tackles oil spill after storm wreaks havoc
Russian rescue helicopters searched for five missing seamen on Monday after a storm in the northern mouth of the Black Sea, while a slick of oil from a sunken tanker began washing onto beaches.
Expelled Russian diplomats leave Georgia
Three Russian diplomats expelled from Georgia for allegedly supporting local opposition rallies, have left the country, Georgian television said Monday.
Lufthansa strikes three-month flyover deal with Russia: Germany
Lufthansa cargo planes will be allowed to fly over Russia until February 2008 in a temporary solution to a dispute that forced them to avoid the country`s airspace, German Transport Minister Wolfgang Tiefensee announced on Friday.
Indo-Russia ties to grow further
Underscoring Russia`s "special and unique" place in India`s foreign relations, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has hoped that bilateral cooperation in the fields of defence and energy security will continue to grow in future.
Pakistan emergency to end in 1 month
Pakistan announced plans to lift its state of emergency within one month and allowed opposition leader Benazir Bhutto to leave her villa following a day under house arrest, as the country sought Saturday to restore its battered image at home and abroad.
Georgia to lift state of emergency `soon`
A state of emergency in Georgia will be lifted "soon," an official said Friday after President Mikheil Saakashvili called snap presidential polls following anti-government clashes in the capital.
China coal mine gas leak kills 32
Thirty-two miners were killed in a coal mine gas leak in southwest China`s Guizhou Province and three others are missing, state media reported on Friday.