More than 15,000 anti-nuclear protesters blocked streets outside the Japanese prime minister's office on Friday, beating drums and chanting slogans against the restart of reactors nearly 16 months after the world's worst nuclear disaster in 25 years. The crowd blocked off a six-lane road and adjoining streets leading to the Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda's official

U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton sought to raise pressure on Russia on Thursday ahead of a crucial meeting on the Syria crisis, saying all countries involved must back international mediator Kofi Annan's detailed plan for a political transition. Clinton arrived in St Petersburg for a meeting on Friday with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov,

Western states trying to oust Syrian President Bashar al-Assad are increasingly struggling to deal with, or even understand, Russia's dogged support for him. Arms deals, Russia's naval base in Tartus and fear of Islamist militancy in a post-Assad Syria are all held up as potential explanations. But Russian officials and some others say that misses

Italy once again proved to be Germany's nemesis after Mario Balotelli struck two first-half goals to set up a UEFA EURO 2012 final against Spain on Sunday. Joachim Löw's side came into the semi-final full of confidence having swept all before them in Poland and Ukraine, but perhaps lingering at the back of their minds

Cyprus’ Central Bank Governor Panicos Demetriades on Friday said that the EU wants Cyprus to exit the economic crisis and therefore the discussions that will take place in the next days, must result to the best possible solutions. Cyprus has applied for a bailout on June 25. A delegation from the IMF, the European Commission

The International Monetary Fund on Thursday said it is going to send a “fact-finding” assessment mission to Cyprus next week, following a request by the Cypriot authorities for financial assistance. Speaking during a press briefing, IMF Spokesman Gerry Rice, said that next week`s mission would pave the way for discussions "of a potential program." He

Action Global Communications, the truly independent, full service, public relations consultancy, was appointed by the Cyprus Government to manage the website of the Cyprus Presidency of the Council of the European Union (www.cy2012.eu), during the six months the country will hold the position. Action Global Communications will be responsible for developing and editing content and

The Foreign Minister of Greece Demetris Avramopoulos will pay Cyprus an official visit on July 1 and 2. This would be Avramopoulos first official visit outside Greece under his new capacity. Greek FM will hold a series of contact in Cyprus. According to an official announcement, Avramopoulos will be received by Cyprus President Demetris Christofias,