The Philippines and Japan held their first joint naval exercises in the South China Sea on Tuesday, while Japan's coastguard works with Vietnam this week, as Tokyo boosts maritime ties with two nations at odds with Beijing over the disputed waterway.

• May 12, 2015

Special Report as the European Commission issues a ‘Statement of Objections’ in its antimonopoly investigation into Gazprom
By Dr Jack Sharples, EGF Associate Researcher on the external dimensions of Russian gas and Lecturer in Energy Politics at the European University of St Petersburg

Special Report on the European Commission Antimonopoly Investigation into Gazprom
Main points in brief
The European Commission has issued a ‘Statement of Objections’ in its antimonopoly investigation into Gazprom. This statement is essentially a detailed explanation of the European Commission’s grievances, and how it suspects that Gazprom may have breached EU law. Gazprom now has up to 12 weeks to reply. Once Gazprom has responded, the European Commission will make its final decision. If Gazprom is found to have violated EU antitrust regulations, it may face a financial penalty of up to 10 percent of its annual turnover. This could mean a fine of $10-15bn. READ MORE

• May 12, 2015

U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry will meet Russian President Vladimir Putin in Sochi, Russia, on Tuesday to discuss Ukraine and other issues, the United States said on Monday in a statement that made no mention of their deep disagreements.

• May 11, 2015

Euro zone finance ministers will issue a short statement on Greece on Monday and will welcome progress made so far with creditors but will also warn that more time and effort is needed to overcome difficulties in talks with creditors, two EU officials said.

• May 11, 2015

As the Philippine military C-130 transport plane made its approach to the country's most precious outpost in the disputed South China Sea on Monday, it flew past a reef which China is quickly turning into an island.

• May 11, 2015

Russian President Vladimir Putin said after talks with German Chancellor Angela Merkel on Sunday that the peace process in eastern Ukraine was progressing despite difficulties.

• May 10, 2015

China cut interest rates for the third time in six months on Sunday in a bid to lower companies' borrowing costs and stoke a sputtering economy that is headed for its worst year in a quarter of a century.

• May 10, 2015

Yemen's dominant Houthi group accepted a five-day humanitarian ceasefire proposed by its adversary Saudi Arabia on Sunday but said it would respond to any violations of the pause.

• May 10, 2015