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White House-Congress divide on Iran nuclear sanctions widens

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By Paul Richter

Obama administration eases some sanctions in the wake of Hassan Rouhani's election. Some lawmakers want even more, fearing time is short to block a nuclear bomb. READ MORE

Greenland and the Arctic: Still a role for the EU

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As the financing of major projects in Greenland will probably come from Asia and given Greenland’s characteristics, the self-ruled territory needs to strengthen its political ties with its direct neighbourhood and historical partners: the Nordic region, the European Union and the United States, writes Damien Degeorges. READ MORE

"Gazprom" will receive the gas transportation system of Kyrgyzstan for $ 1

The authorities of the Russian Federation approved the draft intergovernmental agreement on cooperation in the field of transportation, distribution and sale of natural gas on the territory of Kyrgyzstan. The corresponding order was signed by Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev. Under the terms of the transaction, "KyrgyzGas" will sell for $ 1 to "Gazprom" its subsidiary, with all the property. This deal is available for repayment in Kyrgyzstan before the Russian debt, and in return for investment in the Kyrgyz Russian monopoly gas transmission system. READ MORE

The Caspian Sea – the arena of contracting of the world superplayers

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By Viktoria Panfilova

The Caspian region has already become the area of close fucos for the countries of North and South, East and West. This region, where already today there are political, military-strategic and economic interests of many countries of the world, by this not only of Caspian states (Russia, Iran, Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan and Turkmenistan), but also the most powerful world’s players – the USA, European Union, China. READ MORE

Trans-Atlantic trade talks not overshadowed by NSA scandal

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Harsh criticism follows US-German talks on NSATrans-Atlantic trade talks not overshadowed by NSA scandal'The EU should grant Snowden the right to stay'Is the Internet too American?US data snooping ruffles German feathers'We need to protect ourselves from our friends''Stop spying, and educate people about the Internet'A call for digital disobedience EU demands explanation over surveillance claimsDoes the NSA go head-hunting at Facebook?New law allows German investigators access to PIN and passwordsOpinion: Watch out! Know your friends!Tapping the world's fiber optic cables'We had no idea about this sort of activity'British G20 espionage no big deal?'Facebook & Co. ignore fundamental rights'Metadata reveal much about what you do online Germans intercept electronic data, too - but not much. READ MORE

France's richest 500 become 25 per cent richer in one year

Despite economic crisis and the Socialist government’s austerity programme, France’s 500 richest people have seen their wealth rise by a quarter in a year, a business magazine reports. A rival journal says some of the fortunes have been overestimated but still features 47 billionaires in its top 50. READ MORE

Lithuania’s strategic partnership with Germany is for the benefit of Europe

President Dalia Grybauskaitė met with Joachim Gauck, President of the Federal Republic of Germany, who arrived on a state visit to Lithuania. READ MORE

The Curtain Falls on Nabucco’s Last Act

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By Vladimir Socor

Nabucco-West, the pipeline project that was to have carried Azerbaijani gas from Turkey to the Central European Gas Hub near Vienna, is exiting from the stage. There will be no encore: “The Nabucco project is over for us. Our goal now is European gas for European customers,” Gerhard Roiss, CEO of Austrian OMV, the Nabucco consortium’s lead player, told the audience (Die Presse, June 27; and see accompanying article). READ MORE

Iranian envoy opposes Turkmen gas delivery to Turkey via Caspian Sea

By Sinem Cengiz

Iranian Ambassador to Turkey Alireza Bikdeli has opposed the idea of delivering Turkmen gas to Turkey through the Caspian Sea, adding that if Turkey wants to do serious business, it should do it with Iran. READ MORE

Commission says EU-China energy efficiency links are ‘deepening’

Brussels and Beijing are quietly but increasingly cultivating contacts and exchanging expertise aimed at enhancing energy-saving practices in the building sector.  READ MORE