'Letters to father' deepen Uzbek first daughter mystery
The appearance of rambling letters said to have been written by Uzbekistan's once all-powerful first daughter Gulnara Karimova has heightened the mystery over her astonishing fall from grace in the ex-Soviet state.
Russian forces 'gradually withdrawing' from Ukraine
Ukraine reported a gradual withdrawal of Russian troops from its border that may be linked to Washington's latest push for a diplomatic solution to the worst East-West standoff since the Cold War.
01 April 2014
Gazprom ups pressure on Ukraine with gas price rise
Russian energy giant Gazprom on Tuesday announced it was raising the price of gas exports to Ukraine by more than a third, scrapping a previous discount amid mounting strains between the two countries.
01 April 2014
No migration of workforce from China to Kazakhstan
The Ministry of Labor and Social Security has dispelled rumors about migration of work force from China and South Kazakhstan to Kazakhstan's northern regions.
Japan lifts own blanket arms export ban
Japan on Tuesday lifted a self-imposed ban on weapons exports, introducing new rules covering the arms trade in a move supporters say will boost Tokyo's global role, but which could unnerve China.
01 April 2014
Mass surge to sign up for Obamacare
Hundreds of thousands of Americans rushed to buy President Barack Obama's new health insurance plans Monday, prompting a victory lap from a White House that paid a steep political price for its greatest achievement.
Whaling ban applauded despite fears of Japan sidestepAustralia and New Zealand on Tuesday hailed a landmark court decision that Japan must halt an annual Antarctic whale hunt, despite fears it may try to sidestep the order.
01 April 2014
Chinese general charged with graft: mediaA top Chinese military officer has been formally charged with corruption after he was exposed as owning dozens of homes, gold statues and luxury liquor, state media reported Tuesday.
North, South Korea trade live fire over sea borderThe two Koreas traded live artillery fire across their disputed maritime border Monday, forcing South Korean islanders to take shelter a day after the North drove up tensions by threatening a new nuclear test.
31 March 2014
US Assistant Secretary of State visiting KazakhstanUS Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asian Affairs Nisha Biswal is arriving to Kazakhstan on March 31 and will visit Kyrgyzstan on April 2.
Australia, New Zealand lift travel sanctions on FijiAustralia and New Zealand lifted all travel restrictions on senior Fijian officials Monday ahead of the South Pacific nation's return to democratic elections in September.
31 March 2014
Ukraine boxer Klitschko drops out of presidential raceBoxer turned opposition leader Vitali Klitschko dropped out of Ukraine's snap presidential polls to help the candidacy of a charismatic tycoon who made a fortune selling chocolates and backs closer Western ties.