For the obsessive-compulsive bureaucrat, there is no more invigorating exercise than preparing for a state visit by a foreign leader to the White House.

• October 5, 2011

Britain’s Lloyd's Register, well known for its maritime interests, is reportedly close to signing a nuclear agreement with India.

• October 5, 2011

Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin has outlined a proposal to set up a so-called "Eurasian Union" of former Soviet states that would build on an existing Customs Union with Belarus and Kazakhstan.

• October 5, 2011

by Mehmet Ogutcu,
Expert in global energy security matters

The Turkish leadership has committed itself to a tough position on Israel, Cyprus and Syria, and any backtracking or sign of weakness will seriously affect its credibility at home, with regional partners, the “Arab Street” and other major global powers, as well as high stakes involved in the Eastern Mediterranean. This represents a policy of principle, consistent with the values and goals the government pursues, but is also a risky one, which if not well managed may lead to some undesirable hot confrontation. The power comes with responsibility if it will be effectively harnessed.

• October 5, 2011

The Seimas speaker Tuesday started her working visit to Tokyo by meeting Japan's trade minister. During the meeting, Irena Degutiene introduced Minister Yukio Edano to opportunities for cooperation with Lithuania, called for signing the agreement on the elimination of double taxation.

• October 4, 2011

Pakistan, facing a crisis with the United States, has leaned closely to longtime partner China, offering its "all-weather friendship" with Beijing as an alternative to Washington.

• October 4, 2011

The European Union has invited Kazakhstan to take part in the Trans-Caspian Gas Pipeline project, European Union Energy Commissioner Guenther Oettinger said on Tuesday.

• October 4, 2011

Turkey has decided that it will not renew for another five years a 25-year-old natural gas deal with Russia on the grounds that the energy-rich country’s supplier Gazprom has declined to discount the natural gas it sells to Turkey via the Russia-Turkey Western Pipeline, Today’s Zaman reported.

• October 3, 2011