European Union countries will agree next month to talks with China on a pact making it easier to do business, possibly paving the way for a free-trade deal between two of the world's biggest markets, EU officials said on Tuesday.

• September 18, 2013

French energy major Total (TOTF.PA) is in talks to join "tight" or hard to access oil projects in Russia, which by some estimates hold the world's largest unconventional oil reserves, a Total executive was quoted on Tuesday as saying.

• September 17, 2013

European policymakers have higher hopes than expectations of change in German policies after a general election next Sunday that has kept much European business on hold for months.

• September 16, 2013

Spending cuts to European Union food aid programs could leave Portugal's growing ranks of poor with even emptier plates.

• September 16, 2013

Japan has launched the first in a new generation of space rockets, hoping the design will make missions more affordable.

• September 14, 2013

A Belarussian court on Friday rejected a second appeal by the chief executive of Russian potash producer Uralkali, despite calls by Russia for his release, and ruled he be kept in detention pending investigation into alleged abuse of power, his lawyer said.

• September 13, 2013

The European Commission has warned Russia that it is "unacceptable" to use threats against ex-Soviet states which are seeking closer ties with the EU.

• September 12, 2013

The European Union Commission has approved a plan to spur investment in communications networks and create a single market for telecoms services despite concerns that some parts may favor big operators, two officials said on Tuesday.

• September 11, 2013