Russia has warned that Syria president Bashar al-Assad would not be persuaded to leave, but insists a political solution to the conflict is possible.
Emerging giants are pressuring EU countries at the G20 to solve their debt crisis, with Beijing dangling $100-billion in rescue funds.
As the US winds down its shuttle programme in a symbolic twist in space rivalry, Russia will gain control of access to the space station.
President Dmitry Medvedev on Wednesday warned of a new Cold War era if Russia and the West failed to agree on missile defence.