site.news_by_theme politics
EU to extend Russia sanctions to January 2016
EU member states agreed to extend damaging economic sanctions against Russia over the Ukraine crisis by another six months to the end of January 2016.
19 June 2015
NATO flexes muscles in Poland war games
NATO flexed its muscles in Poland during the first full drill of its new spearhead force, a structure designed to boost security on its eastern flank.
19 June 2015
IMF's Lagarde says Greece talks need 'adults in the room'
IMF chief Christine Lagarde warned that a resolution to five months of tortuous debt talks with Greece required "adults in the room" in an apparent sideswipe at Greek officials.
19 June 2015
Ukraine parliament fires powerful security chief
Ukraine's parliament fired the powerful head of the SBU state security service after he fell foul of President Petro Poroshenko and became embroiled in a conflict with the nation's chief prosecutor.
19 June 2015
Russia tries to shrug off crisis as West snubs investment forum
Russian officials tried to play down fears about the country's economic crisis as tensions with the West over Ukraine cast a pall over its showcase investment forum.
19 June 2015
Russia to prolong embargo if EU extends sanctions: minister
Moscow will extend its embargo on European Union agricultural products but is unlikely to go further if the EU extends sanctions as expected.
18 June 2015
Hungary to build border barrier as EU migrant crisis rages
Hungary said it was building a four-metre (13-foot) high fence on its border with Serbia to keep out migrants.
18 June 2015
Greece's Tsipras calls Juncker, first time since last week: official
Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras called European Commission chief Jean-Claude Juncker, their first contact on the stand-off over a bailout deal since last week.
18 June 2015
Russian clash with West a ruse to keep elite in power: dissident
The Russia-Ukraine conflict has no short term solution and is part of a fabricated conflict with the West to distract everyday Russians from corruption and incompetence.
18 June 2015
Lithuania says can take in 250 refugees, migrants
Lithuania said it has decided to resettle up to 250 Syrian refugees, migrants and asylum seekers transferred from Italy and Greece.
18 June 2015
Turkey ex-leader who survived two coups dies aged 90
Turkey's former president and prime minister Suleyman Demirel, a giant figure in the country's politics for over half a century, died Wednesday.
17 June 2015
Out of patience, IMF flexes muscles in Greek debt crisis
The International Monetary Fund has lost patience over Greece and is making it known.
17 June 2015
Don't use my music, Neil Young tells Donald Trump
Donald Trump has landed himself in hot water with Neil Young after the singer-songwriter accused the White House hopeful of not having permission to use his hit "Rockin' In The Free World."
17 June 2015
Pena Nieto allies boost control of Mexico lower house
Mexican President Enrique Pena Nieto's congressional allies overcame disenchantment with his government to boost their majority in the lower house.
17 June 2015
Michelle Obama champions $200 mn plan for girls' education
US First Lady Michelle Obama announced plans for $200 million in programmes to promote girls' education worldwide.
17 June 2015
Russia must defend itself if 'threatened': Putin
Russian President Vladimir Putin said that Russia would have to defend itself if threatened, adding that NATO is "coming to its borders".
17 June 2015
Abbas says Palestinian govt to resign within 24 hours: Fatah
Palestinian president Mahmud Abbas announced Tuesday that the Ramallah-based government would resign within the next 24 hours.
17 June 2015
Abbott brushes off Indonesia people-smuggling bribery claims
Australian authorities work within the law to stop asylum-seeker boats after reports officials have made cash payments to members of people-smuggling rings for years.
16 June 2015
King Felipe boosts scandal-hit crown in changing Spain
Felipe VI has strengthened the standing of Spain's monarchy in his first year as king, surprising the country by squaring up to scandal.
16 June 2015
Denmark's 'selfie' prime minister fights for second term
Like the protagonist of Denmark's hit TV show "Borgen", Danish Prime Minister Helle Thorning-Schmidt is a pragmatic centrist who learned her political lines the hard way.
16 June 2015