Russian ex-prisoners released after fighting in Ukraine

The first group of Russian prisoners offered an amnesty in return for fighting in Ukraine has been released, the head of a mercenary group that employed them said in a video published on Thursday.

The price for "freedom": EU Faces ‘Major Challenges’ Due to Anti-Russia Sanctions | Farsnews Agency

The EU will encounter “major challenges” due to the sanctions it imposed on Russia over the conflict in Ukraine, the EU’s Foreign Policy Chief Josep Borrell said.

Turkey’s Erdogan says social media a ‘threat to democracy’ | Al Jazeera

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan described social media on Saturday as one of the main threats to democracy.

'Mad' not to enjoy Brexit freedoms : Boris Johnson

Britain's Foreign Secretary  has warned it would be "mad" to end up with a Brexit settlement that does not allow the UK to enjoy the "economic freedoms" of leaving the European Union.

Ukraine Releases Arrested Georgian Ex-President

Kiev Pechersk District Court on Monday rejected the Ukrainian state prosecutor's request to place former Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili, now a leader of a Ukrainian political party, under house arrest and released him from custody.

European court upholds Belgian ban on full-face veils

The legality of a Belgian ban on full-face Islamic veils was upheld on Tuesday by the European Court of Human Rights.

US to Continue South China Sea Operations: Top Navy Commander

The US is looking to continue its ‘Freedom of Navigation’ ops in the disputed South China Sea region, according to top military officials. No such missions have been carried out since the Trump administration took office.

Israel denies 'summoning' Turkish ambassador

The Israeli Foreign Ministry on Tuesday denied reports that it had “summoned” Turkey’s ambassador to Tel Aviv over recent remarks about Jerusalem by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

Celebration prevails in Aleppo after terrorist evacuation

Celebrations prevailed Syria's northern city of Aleppo, just minutes after the army declared the city free of terror/rebels on Thursday.

2% of GDP: NATO Chief: Going It Alone Not An Option for US or Europe

Going it alone on defense and security is not an option for either the United States or Europe, NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg said in an article published on Sunday.

Guardian of democracy and Protector of freedoms: Egypt slams Erdogan's 'double standards'

Egypt condemned what it described as “irresponsible” statements made by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan about the Egyptian government.

Hollande urges unity to win 'long war' against terrorism

French President Francois Hollande on Tuesday reiterates calls for the nation's unity to win a long battle against terrorism in a brief televised address after two men claiming allegiance to the Islamic State (IS) slaughtered a priest in northern France.

Turkish Foreign Ministry calls French genocide denial bill a risk to freedom of expression

The Turkish Foreign Ministry has cautioned that a French bill criminalizing the denial of “genocide,” unanimously passed by the lower house of the French parliament on July 1, had the potential to unlawfully limit freedom of expression, while a former diplomat has claimed the bill was related to the “personal interests” of French politicians.

Karayılan: We are discussing creation of free Kurdistan

 PKK Executive Committee Member Murat Karayılan answered Dengê Kurdistan Radio’s questions on the recent developments in Northern Kurdistan.

Russian ambassador: Tensions in South China Sea created artificially

The current tensions in the South China Sea have been created artificially and are linked to the interference of states outside the region, Russian Ambassador to Beijing Andrei Denisov said in an interview with Russian journalists on Tuesday.

Japan: Chinese Spy Ship Entered Territorial Waters

Officials in Tokyo say a Chinese spy ship entered Japanese waters early Wednesday.

South China Sea : Western media blasted for inaccurate reporting. Chinese media do constructive reporting as a counter-measure.

Quite a number of Western press stories on the South China Sea issue have been both inaccurate and unhelpful, said a Canadian scholar on politics on Wednesday.

China warns U.S. against shows of strength in South China Sea

China on Tuesday expressed "resolute opposition" to a U.S. warship patrol in the South China Sea near Yongshu Jiao in the Nansha Islands.

U.S. operations in South China Sea "very dangerous" and could easily lead to unexpected incidents

The so-called "freedom of navigation" operations in the South China Sea conducted by the U.S. military are "very dangerous," a spokesperson for China's Ministry of National Defense said Thursday.

Hollande seeks to extend state of emergency despite critics

French President François Hollande’s government on Tuesday is formally seeking an extension of the state of emergency imposed after the November 13 Paris attacks. The Conseil d’État is expected to announce its decision on Wednesday.