EU extends sanctions against defiant Russia

Brussels (AFP) - The EU extended damaging economic sanctions against Russia on Monday amid sharp differences over relations with Moscow which struck back with a furious tirade and its own import ban against Ukraine.

U.S. Is No Longer Among the 10 Most Prosperous Countries

Ten countries have now become more prosperous than the United States.

The U.S. is ranked No. 11 in the latest annual Prosperity Index, which was released this week by the Legatum Institute, an international think tank based in London.

The index ranks 142 countries overall and in eight categories:

China calm over TPP isolation as it pursues regional deals

Beijing (AFP) - A new US-led Pacific trade pact that pointedly excludes China could see it lose influence and key export markets, but observers say the web of bilateral deals Beijing has forged is enough to maintain its global clout.

What Will the TPP Mean for China?

On Oct. 5, the United States, Japan and ten other countries concluded negotiations on the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) — the largest regional trade accord in history, and one that does not include China. If approved, the agreement will set new terms for the nearly $28 trillion in trade and business investment between the parties to the deal. In this ChinaFile conversation, experts discuss how the TPP may affect China and the future of U.S.-China relations.

Thousands in Germany protest against Europe-U.S. trade deal

BERLIN (Reuters) - Thousands of people marched in Berlin, Munich and other German cities on Saturday in protest against a planned free trade deal between Europe and the United States that they fear will erode food, labor and environmental standards.

China offering Pakistan 'huge' financing

Pakistan needs a "huge amount of financing" for infrastructure and energy projects and China is ready to announce help when President Xi Jinping visits next week, a foreign ministry official said Friday.

The Latest: Putin demands respect for Russia's interests

Russian President Vladimir Putin (Alexei Druzhinin, RIA Novosti, Presidential Press Service via AP)

President Vladimir Putin says the West must respect Russia's interests if it wants to normalize diplomatic relations.

China, Russia Coming Closer To Create A New World Order

China's open-door policy and Russia's increased focus on Asia have started showing signs of a strategic convergence

China's slowing growth not good for anybody, U.S. says

SHANGHAI (Reuters) - China's slowing growth is not good for anybody but it will not affect U.S. efforts to build business ties, U.S. Commerce Secretary Penny Pritzker said on Wednesday after Beijing announced its weakest quarter of growth in six years.

How Russia Plans to Save Its Massive Military Buildup

For those who expected that sanctions and the fall in energy prices would tame the bear's claws, think again

The announcement that Russia is planning to lift its self-imposed ban on selling the advanced S-300 air defense system to Iran gives us an important insight into how Moscow plans to move ahead with its ambitious plans to modernize and reequip the Russian armed forces.

Larry Summers has a major warning for the US economy, and everyone should be paying attention

(REUTERS)Lawrence Summers.This is a big deal.

On Monday, we published Larry Summers' latest op-ed in The Washington Post, which opened with the former Treasury Secretary and Harvard president writing, "This past month may be remembered as the moment the United States lost its role as the underwriter of the global economic system."

Czech president bans U.S. ambassador from Prague Castle

Czech President Milos Zeman speaks during an interview with Reuters at Prague Castle in Prague January 9, 2014. REUTERS/David W Cerny

PRAGUE (Reuters) - President Milos Zeman has "closed the door" of Prague Castle to the U.S. ambassador following comments perceived as critical of the Czech's decision to attend a World War Two commemoration in Moscow, according to local media reports on Sunday.

China angered after U.S. fighter jets land in Taiwan

BEIJING (Reuters) - China's Foreign Ministry expressed anger on Thursday after two U.S. fighter jets landed in Taiwan, in a rare official contact between the militaries of the United States and the self-ruled democratic island.

Israel applies to join China-backed AIIB investment bank

China's President Xi Jinping (front C) poses for photos with guests at the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank launch ceremony at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing October 24, 2014. REUTERS/Takaki Yajima

TEL AVIV (Reuters) - Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has signed a letter of application for Israel to join the China-led Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB), the Israeli Foreign Ministry said on Wednesday.

China says Taiwan welcome to join AIIB with appropriate name

China's President Xi Jinping (front C) guides guests at the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank launch ceremony at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing October 24, 2014. REUTERS/Takaki Yajima/Pool

BEIJING/TAIPEI (Reuters) - China welcomes Taiwan's decision to apply to join the Beijing-led Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) as long as the self-ruled island uses an appropriate name, state news agency Xinhua reported on Wednesday.

Lukuvi now overturns Prof Tibaijuka’s decisions on Kigamboni new city

Dar es Salaam. Residents of six wards in Kigamboni area who have been in a dispute with the government over a plan to repossess their land to pave the way for a modern city were relieved after they were told that the plan has been shelved.

Australia signs up to negotiations on Chinese-led bank

CANBERRA, Australia (AP) — Australia announced on Sunday that it would join negotiations to establish a new a Chinese-led Asian regional bank that has emerged as a potential challenge to United States influence in a part of the world where the Obama administration has tried to forge stronger ties.

Russia 'to join China-led development bank'

Construction of a Disney amusement park in Shanghai, pictured on February 2, 2015 (AFP Photo/Johannes Eisele)

Moscow (AFP) - Russia is to sign up to the Chinese-led development bank AIIB, first deputy prime minister Igor Shuvalov said Saturday at an international forum in China, cited by Russian news agencies.

Let investments benefit the common man: Kagame

President Jakaya Kikwete confers with his Rwandan counterpart, Mr Paul Kagame, yesterday in Dar es Salaam during the regional forum on the Central Corridor.  PHOTO | VENANCE NESTORY 

Dar es Salaam. President Paul Kagame of Rwanda yesterday said the multi-billion- shilling investments undertaken by governments in the region should be geared towards uplifting the lives of ordinary citizens. 

US isolated as allies line up to join China-led bank

WASHINGTON (AP) — U.S. resistance to a Chinese-led Asian regional bank has left it isolated among its Asian and European allies and given some heft to China's frequent complaints that Washington wants to contain its rise as a world power.