That marked an easing of conditions on the part of the European Union, as officials had been pushing for a 2011 deadline.
Yet watchers of Tibet think the appointment of Mr Guo marks an easing of China's treatment of its "autonomous region".
And after the awkward meeting with Mr Abe that seemed at least to mark an easing of tensions over the disputed Senkaku (or Diaoyu) islands, it sent coastguard boats to patrol there.You can't win-win them allIt is not just Mr Xi who hopes China's rise can be win-win.
Mr. Carter's administration was marked by an easing of American policy toward Cuba.
The tea drinking, which will probably take place beside the patient's bed, is a formal ceremony that marks an informal easing of tensions here as the American captors and their prisoners begin to see each other in human terms.
The U.S. and Cuba are easing their diplomatic relations, the White House is announcing today, marking a relaxation of a relationship that has remained tense since the Cold War.
Those receiving the intervention gave it high marks for ease of use, likability, and respectfulness.
In the three months to October, the trade deficit narrowed by £1.2bn to £30.3bn, with exports down 0.9%, marking an easing in the rate of decline.
Investors said they would be paying attention to three events in the coming days: the Group of 20 meeting in London to discuss the world's response to the global financial crisis, a possible easing of mark-to-market accounting standards, and the March unemployment numbers.
The easing of mark-to-market rules will make bank balance sheets less scary-looking, but it won't necessarily reassure investors, who will be all the more apprehensive about losses they aren't allowed to see.
