Eurosceptic and far-right parties have seized ground in elections to the European parliament, in what France’s PM called a “political earthquake”. While the French National Front and UK Independence Party both appear headed for first place, the three big centrist blocs in parliament all lost seats, reports the BBC. The outcome means a greater say for those who want to cut back the EU’s powers, or abolish it completely. But EU supporters will be pleased that election turnout was slightly higher. It was 43.1%, according to provisional European Parliament f...

Russian President Vladimir Putin heads to China on Tuesday to shore up eastern ties as relations with the West plunge to new lows over the Ukraine crisis. During a two-day visit to Shanghai, Putin and Chinese host Xi Jinping will seek to clinch a raft of agreements including a landmark gas deal crucial for Moscow as Europe seeks to cut reliance on Russian oil and gas. The two leaders will also take part in a regional security forum and oversee the start of joint naval exercises off Shanghai in the East China Sea, reports AFP. Moscow’s relations wit...

Iran and world powers will resume negotiating a final deal on Tehran’s nuclear programme Tuesday in Vienna while experts warn the hardest work is about to begin. Representatives from Iran and the U.S. indicated last month that the drafting of a final deal would begin during this round of talks scheduled for five days – the longest session since the extended talks that led to the interim “Joint Plan of Action” (JPOA) reached Nov. 24, 2013 in Geneva. “So far Iran has adhered to its undertaking, and it does seem that both sides are determined to s...