In Europe, the hunt for fugitive corrupt officials. In France arrested the former head of BTA Bank Mukhtar Ablyazov. In Astana, do not lose hope for the arrest of other fugitives. Almost all of them - former high-level officials, suddenly became "the opposition" after fleeing the country. But for the European Themis it does not matter. READ MORE

OAO Gazprom (GAZP), the Russian gas exporter forced to revise contracts with RWE AG (RWE) last month, is set for further legal wrangles after Electricite de France SA’s Italian unit initiated arbitration proceedings. READ MORE

Despite Russia's "aggression" and its "persisting destructive policy directed against Georgia's independence and statehood", the Georgian government seeks "a gradual normalization" of bilateral ties, the Georgian Foreign Ministry said in a statement released on August 7 on the occasion of the fifth year anniversary of the war with Russia. READ MORE

In an operation that could have come straight from a Hollywood thriller, investigators tracked down fugitive Kazakh oligarch Mukhtar Ablyazov to his hideaway in the south of France by following a close friend of his all the way from London. READ MORE

Iran's new President Hassan Rouhani has stated his determination to resolve the nuclear dispute. Tehran's nuclear program is a source of contention because the West fears Iran wants to develop nuclear weapons. READ MORE

Purchasing of gas transporting system of Kyrgyzstan by Gazprom was hardly noticed on the background of other events in the world with participation of Russia. Meanwhile, the agreement of Russia gas corporation with Kyrgyz partners is out of the frames of exclusively economic transaction. READ MORE

The news of the arrest in France fugitive banker Mukhtar Ablyazov swindler who is wanted under an international warrant on request of several European countries and the CIS states, prompting some interest has already overgrown with rumors and speculation. One of the main issues of the topic is, which country will be extradited by French authorities in custody M.Ablyazov? READ MORE

Despite visa free travel for Azeri citizens and dynamic trade, long mutual borders and some shared interests, Iran and Azerbaijan do not seem to be able to get along. Good Azeri-Israeli relations, political and criminal intrigue, Azerbaijan’s cooperation with the West, and the fact that Azerbaijan, due to its Soviet legacy is more secular than the Islamic Republic of Iran are often cited as the roots of the two countries issues with each other. But perhaps the true root of trouble lies in geography; whether it be physical, cultural or political which has allowed for these other problems to ferment. READ MORE

Rapid national economic growth and integration in the European Union are among the top priorities in the current strategy of Albanian Government. Albania’s aspirations in international trade would be incomplete if Turkish markets and investors are not part of this process and strategy. READ MORE

Afghan forces will require significant support from the U.S. military and its allies after the NATO combat mission ends next year, according to a new Pentagon report implicitly warning against a "zero option" of total withdrawal. READ MORE