(VOV) - With Ukraine’s crisis unsettled, the world has seen the EU and the US bristle over Russia’s decision to send troops to the Autonomous Republic of Crimea of Ukraine to protect Russian citizens.

(VOV) - Thailand's Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra is set to attend a hearing before the National Anti-Corruption Committee on February 27 on charges of ignoring warnings that the national rice subsidy scheme was fostering corruption and causing financial losses.

(VOV) - Ukraine has begun to nominate candidates for the presidential election in May - an important step towards stabilizing the situation and moving closer to Europe. However, it is no easy task due to economic difficulties and social division. 

(VOV) - Analysts say failed Geneva peace negotiations have discouraged hope for a political breakthrough to end the 3-year civil war in Syria.

(VOV) - Iran and the P5+1 resumed negotiations for a comprehensive deal on Iran’s nuclear program on February 18. However, what has happened recently indicates that this will be a long complicated process and satisfactory results will not be easily achieved. 

(VOV) - US Secretary of State John Kerry began a four-day tour of Asia on February 13. This is the fifth time Kerry has returned to Asia since he became US Secretary of State a year ago.

(VOV) - Bosnia-Herzegovina was separated from Yugoslavia after the 1992-1995 ethnic conflict ended. For the first time in 20 years, Bosnia-Herzegovina has again become a hot spot in Europe because of anti-government protests. However, what’s now happening there has long been foreseen. 

(VOV) - Differences between concerned parties have cast a shadow on a peace conference on Syria (the Geneva II conference) due to open in Montreux, Switzerland, on January 22.

(VOV) - Contrary to optimistic signs of the global economy, the world witnessed several political upheavals last year. Continuous global security challenges are worrying the public about the possibility of resolving them this year. 

(VOV) - Exchanges of words and military deployments posed a great threat to North East Asia in 2013. VOV comments on the territorial disputes in this region.