Former German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder hit back at criticism of his planned new job at Russian oil producer Rosneft on Thursday, accusing his foes of political maneuvering to help get Angela Merkel re-elected.

• August 17, 2017

CEFC China Energy, which has grown from a niche oil trader to a sprawling energy conglomerate, is in talks to acquire a stake in Russian state oil giant Rosneft (ROSN.MM), three people with direct knowledge of the discussions said.

• August 17, 2017

Germany on Wednesday vowed to do all it could to defuse tensions between the United States and North Korea, lauding China's role in pressuring North Korean leader Kim Jong Un to delay plans to fire missiles towards the U.S. territory of Guam.

• August 16, 2017

German political parties campaigning for elections next month are competing to attract 2 million voters with roots in the former Soviet Union, amid concerns that Russian propaganda could sway votes in the community.

• August 16, 2017

Sweden's armed forces will get an extra 8.1 billion crowns ($1 billion) over the coming three years to boost defense capabilities in the face of increased tension with Russia in the Baltics, the center-left minority government said on Wednesday.

• August 16, 2017

China has assured the Philippines it will not occupy new features or territory in the South China Sea, under a new "status quo" brokered by Manila as both sides try to strengthen their relations, the Philippine defense minister said.

• August 15, 2017

New U.S. sanctions on Moscow have forced Russian business chiefs to accept that Donald Trump's rise to power is not about to produce a "Trump Bump" in foreign investment.

• August 15, 2017

Britain outlined plans for a future customs agreement with the European Union on Tuesday and an interim deal to ease companies' Brexit concerns, proposals one senior EU official described as "fantasy".

• August 15, 2017