Iraq has approved contracts in a fifth bid round for exploration contracts the east of the country, the government said in a statement Thursday. The exploration deals in Diyala province are to develop fields that are expected to produce 750 million cubic feet of natural gas within 36...

Queen Elizabeth II gave her formal assent Thursday for Britain to end its decades-long involvement in the European Union and seek a more independent but uncertain future at the end of the month. With the head of state's ceremonial approval of the withdrawal legislation, Britain can finally...

French lawyers are keeping up the pressure against the French government’s proposed overhaul to the pension system. Lawyers in the impoverished Paris suburb of Seine-Saint-Denis have been striking since January 6 – postponing all court hearings despite the possible effects on some of their...

Up to 40 Syrian soldiers have been killed in an assault by hundreds of militants in north-western Syria, according to Russia's defence ministry. The ministry, which supports Syria's regime, said there were several attacks in which the militants seized two settlements in Idlib province....